The 2020 Tokyo Games introduced viewers to skateboarding, surfing and climbing — new Olympic sports that have become fan favorites. On this episode of Debate Club, FiveThirtyEight staff members argue over which other sports deserve a spot in the Olympic lineup. Regardless of how convincing we are, chances are that none of these will make […]
This year, karate finally joins other martial arts like judo, taekwondo and wrestling at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. The athletes, called karatekas, will compete in one of two disciplines: the kata or the kumite. In this video, USA Karate Federation referee Cleveland Baxter explains the difference between the two disciplines, how they are judged […]
Days after her 20th birthday, Simone Manuel made history in the pool at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics when she earned gold in the 100-meter freestyle. The result was both a surprise and an unprecedented triumph. American female swimmers had competed in the Olympics for nearly 100 years when Manuel hit the wall at 52.70 […]