Olympics

In the moments before many Paris Olympic events get underway, someone comes out and taps a staff. The ritual, inspired by a French theatrical tradition, made its Olympics debut last week.

For the 27-year-old gymnast, who has already won seven Olympic medals, the Games in 2024 are the next stop on her remarkable return to dominance after a two-year hiatus to tend to her mental health.

Team USA field hockey is excited about the recent momentum around women’s sports as it gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The team roster includes Cassie Sumfest, a 2021 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, who is traveling to Paris as a provisional athlete.

Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello placed silver and bronze in all-around, respectively.

The U.S. Justice Department has agreed to pay approximately $100 million to settle claims with about 100 people who say they were sexually assaulted by sports doctor Larry Nassar.

Five sports were added to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Flag football and squash will make their Olympics debut.

After 16 days and 109 events, the Winter Olympics officially ended Sunday with the traditional closing ceremony. Team U.S.A. finished with 25 medals in all.

"Athletes post-Olympics or post-retirement need a lot of support, a lot of people reminding them of their worth beyond just their athletic achievements and results," says therapist Holly Brooks.

Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 on Thursday to win its fifth gold medal in the sport. Either Canada or the U.S. has won every gold medal since women's hockey debuted at the winter Olympics in 1998.

Two skaters from the Russian Olympic Committee took the top two spots at the women's program at the Beijing Olympics. Kamila Valieva, who has been at the center of a scandal, took fourth place.