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TOKYO (AP) — If you're trying to lose weight and want a new way to do it, stair-climbing as a regular exercise — or just adding a few flights a day — might be for you. It's accessible, and research shows it's more effective than walking on level ground. "Overall, it is a fact that stair-climbing gets you fit faster and consumes more calories," said Lauri van Houten, vice president of the International Skyrunning Federation, which oversees a wide range of disciplines that involve vertical climbing. This includes disciplines like mountain runni...
When he was tapped to help design Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the artist Ai Weiwei hoped the Games and the arena's instantly recognizable weave of curving steel beams would symbolize China's new openness. He was disappointed. The Chinese dissident widely regarded as one of the world's greatest living artists has repeatedly described the stadium and the 2008 Olympics as a "fake smile" that his native country presented to the world. Now the Bird's Nest is about to host the Feb. 4 opening ceremony for the Winter...
Some of the world's most famous tennis players, distraught by the disappearance of colleague Peng Shuai, are challenging China's Communist Party to get answers. So far it's a standoff with little visible impact as tennis greats like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — joined by tennis governing bodies, human rights groups, retired players, and several athletes' lobbies — try to turn their profiles into power. Peng, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 in doubles, disappeared after making allegations of sexual assault over two weeks ago...
TOKYO (AP) — Will it be a success? A failure? Or none of the above? It will take something much more nuanced than those basic notions to access the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics when they wrap up in two weeks. The response will be twisted by dozens of parties with their own interests. There's the International Olympic Committee. The 11,000 athletes. The Japanese organizing committee. The Japanese public. The absent fans. And how about the sponsors? Or the Japanese government and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. There is the Tokyo M...
TOKYO (AP) — The Olympic flame from Greece is set to arrive in Japan even as the opening of the Tokyo Games in four months is in doubt with more voices suggesting the event should be postponed or canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The flame touches down Friday aboard a white aircraft painted with the inscription "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay" along its side, and "Hope Lights Our Way" stenciled near the tail section. Everything about the arrival ceremony at the Matsushima air base in northern Japan will be subdued. The flame is t...
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) — A shot that flew directly at the hands of the opposing goalkeeper turned into a World Cup goal for Antoine Griezmann. The France striker scored the second goal in his team's 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Uruguay on Friday, sending a seemingly easy-to-save shot at a waiting Fernando Muslera. But the ball hit the keeper on the palms, bounced off and looped over his head and into the net. The victory gave France a spot in the World Cup semifinals. The 1998 champions will next face Belgium on Tuesday in St. P...
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Brazilian and French authorities said Tuesday they uncovered an international corruption scheme aimed at buying votes in awarding the 2016 Olympics. It is the latest allegation to sully the legacy of the Rio Games, the first Olympics in South America. The disclosures came as police in Rio de Janeiro raided the home of Brazilian Olympic Committee President Carlos Nuzman. They emerged with suitcases, documents and a computer. Police said detention warrants had been issued for Nuzman and an associate, businessman Arthur Cesar...
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP, posted Sept. 14, 2016) — Matt Stutzman was born with no arms — just stumps at the shoulders — but he says there's almost nothing he can't do. He holds a world record for the most accurate distance shot in archery, which includes able-bodied archers. He drives a car without modifications — right foot on the steering wheel — plays basketball, and can write with both feet, both shoulders, and his mouth. He shaves and feeds himself with his feet, and his house in southeastern Iowa has no modifications of any kind. "I tell my wif...
