The Modern Olympics Invented the Marathon
A 19th-century philologist turned a Greek legend into a sport.
Sports
A Dam-Break Moment for Women in Olympics
Forty years ago, women competed in the first Olympic marathon—and set a powerful precedent for female athletes in all sports.
The Olympics Could Have Avoided the Ugly Boxing Debate
Questions about unfair advantage won’t just go away.
The Crybaby Olympics
Sports have always had sore losers. But based on this year’s Games, athletes seem to be getting worse at losing well.
Elite Athletes Could Be Less Single-Minded
Paying a little more attention to life outside of sports could benefit their mental health, during competition and after.
Sports Stories for the Sports-Averse
A collection of Atlantic articles on what makes athleticism a deeply human endeavor
A Skeptic Attends the First Modern Olympics
The games didn’t always inspire global patriotic fervor.
The ‘Grandma Gymnast’ Is Here to Stay
Competitors in the sport are getting older, transforming the image of a gymnast from meek little girl to empowered athlete.
Why I Hate Sports but Love the Olympics
It’s the only time that female athletes get equal billing—but that’s only part of the explanation.
Seven Books That Will Change How You Watch the Olympics
These titles will allow you to view the competition with a new appreciation.