Kentucky boy embodies the power of one

Adam Bender is a typical 8-year-old boy who wrestles and plays baseball, football and soccer. The only difference is he has one leg. But don't tell Adam he's at a disadvantage. As Jeremy Schaap writes, Adam just plays -- and inspires others along the way.

First Cup: Friday

Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle: "For the moment, though, Monta Ellis is the Warriors. He had to be, for there was no other foreseeable outco...

A few questions, a few links

Wanted to clarify something from yesterday's blog: Some readers wondered why I'd praise this year's NCAA Tournament (which has featured few upsets and...

Chat Archive: Special Guests

The Special Guest Chat Archive

Think you're an athlete? Meet me on the playground

Todd Gallagher wants to measure true athleticism by competing against so-called great "athletes" in a variety of playground sports.

CARSON, CA - APRIL 2: Steve Guppy #7 of D.C. United moves the ball on the left side against Chivas USA during the first half of their Major League Soc...

NEXT COUNTRY: NIGERIA

A nation still suffering growing pains gives birth to a generation of athletes.

NEXT HOT SPOTS

Where in the world will tomorrow's sports stars come from? The answers are mapped out here.

Islanders emerge as a powerhouse

The Puerto Rico Islanders have been the surprise of the season in the USL, writes Keyvan Hedari.

The Anti Becks

While the tabs and the tube obsess over David Beckham, Chicago striker Cuauhtèmoc Blanco is taking American soccer in a whole new direction.

THE MAGAZINE EDITOR'S BLOG: DECATHLON GOLD MEDALIST BRYAN CLAY STOPS BY

Bryan Clay just dropped by my office. You probably haven't heard of him because, for some reason, the best athlete in the world doesn't get to be real...

FROM THIS ISSUE ... TREADING WATER

After watching the Olympics, the question arises more and more often, especially for parents of young athletes: What if we lived in China, or Norway, ...

U.S. expects hostile reception in Cuba

The U.S. is anticipating a hostile reception when it faces Cuba (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN Classic), writes Jeff Carlisle.

FARE-THEE-WELL BEIJING

...Olympics never ceased to offer moments of surprise and wonder—Zou Shiming capturing China's first boxing gold, Australian Matthew Mitcham executing the perfect dive. There will always be cynics, and indeed it sometimes...

THE OLYMPICS ACCORDING TO US: IN ONE MINUTE (PART II)

The Beijing Olympics are officially closed for business. You've probably heard about the 110 U.S. medals, the 51 Chinese golds, and the 43 world recor...