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Recent milestones and "firsts" for female athletes have provided glimpses into just how women's sports may finally break through its most stubbornly unconquered frontier.

The Lakers' season is already being sized for a casket. Should they risk losing Howard for nothing? Or trade him just five months after he arrived? Do you feel another Dwight-mare coming on?

Even Nike has had enough? Wednesday's news of the company's split with Lance Armstrong is a remarkable twist in the cyclist's accelerating spiral from heroic cultural icon to disgraced champion and unconscionable liar.

Venus may look like a sentimental favorite, but her journey won't be easy.

Even as he was on his way to compiling the most Olympic medals of all time, Michael Phelps was being treated as if he got too happy and lazy in the wait for the London Games.

In a word, the Brits are terrified. They're dreading their close-up. They're sure they're going to somehow drop their trousers with the whole world watching and bollix this up. But why?

The IOC should be telling the Saudis neither of their conditions for bringing women athletes to London is acceptable. Add women to the team or stay home.

Imagine what the world would look like without Title IX. Then celebrate the advances made by continuing the fight.

He's officially fast enough now to run in the World Championships and the 2012 Olympics, but getting there still won't be half the fun for double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius.

They had style. They had personality. They had talent. And they captured hearts across America. The U.S. team that won the 1999 Women's World Cup is still a tough act to follow.

Fans have never been more impotent in sports. But they don't seem to mind.

Sports introduced us to Bud Greenspan and others who died this year, but we remember them for their humanity.

A five-race flop after the highest of expectations four years ago, Bode Miller isn't supposed to win this time in Vancouver. But he just might get the last laugh after all.