The Ringer Guide to the Summer Games

The idea of flag football in the Summer Games may seem completely absurd. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The push to get this version of the sport in the 2028 Olympic program has already begun. What will determine its success or failure?

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Richard MacLean

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal, Megan Schuster

Fact Checker: Kellen Becoats

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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There will be 60 gold medals awarded in fighting events in Tokyo. But only one of these events features competitors who fight against nobody. It’s time to familiarize yourself with kata—and with a group of Olympians who put the art into martial arts.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Ariel Torres

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal, Megan Schuster

Fact Checker: Mike Itchue

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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There are a few select athletes who’ve gone pro in both football and baseball. There’s a small group of Olympians who’ve competed in both the Summer and Winter Games. But there’s never been anybody like Eddy Alvarez, the speedskating second baseman. And he’s about to forever cement his place in Olympic lore. 

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Eddy Alvarez

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Julianna Ress

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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The Olympics features plenty of remarkable teams, but Team USA women’s water polo might just be the best of them. Its success stretches the limits of what’s possible … and it could be only the beginning.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Maggie Steffens

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Kellen Becoats

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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What does it look like when all of the best players in a sport are on the same team? Team USA women’s hoops can help answer that question. Its dominance is more than just breathtaking. It’s a glimpse of a striking reality.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Jordan Ligons

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Kellen Becoats

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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The Olympics are all about celebrating athletic greatness. But that doesn’t extend to equestrian events. It’s time to fix an egregious mistake and give the majestic horses in Tokyo the medals they deserve.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Boyd Martin

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Kellen Becoats

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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No man has represented Team USA in both the high jump and the long jump since Jim Thorpe in 1912. But that’s exactly what JuVaughn Harrison will do in Tokyo. He’s not only defying a century of Olympic convention—he’s making it seem routine.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: JuVaughn Harrison

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Daniel Chin

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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In 2018, weight lifter Mattie Rogers found out that her weight class wouldn’t be part of the Tokyo Games. To chase her Olympic dream, she had to go to extraordinary lengths. Here’s her story.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Mattie Rogers

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Dan Comer

Talent Booker: Allyson Turner

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Simone Biles withdrew from both the team and individual all-around competitions in the Summer Olympics, telling reporters that she has the “twisties.” What does that mean? We brought on Emily Giambalvo, who’s covering gymnastics in Tokyo for The Washington Post, to explain.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Emily Giambalvo

Associate Producer: Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

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The rowers who don’t row may seem like the least impressive athletes at the Olympics. But one could be the key to preserving a Team USA dynasty. Welcome to the strange world of coxswains.

Host: Rodger Sherman

Guest: Katelin Guregian

Associate Producers: Erika Cervantes, Lani Renaldo

Additional Production Supervision: Ben Glicksman, Noah Malale, Arjuna Ramgopal

Fact Checker: Julianna Ress

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