The Ringer Guide to the Summer Games

Aug 06 2021 20 ep. 10 mins 133

The Ringer Guide to the Summer Games Podcast artwork

Short-form daily podcast that breaks down all the ways the Olympics are the most fascinating sporting event on the planet, with insight, humor, and commentary from the athletes.

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Flag Football Could Be Coming to the Olympics. Yes, Really.

Aug 06 2021 12 mins

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 Gli

Karate Is Now an Olympic Sport. It’s Not What You Think.

Aug 05 2021 9 mins

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: B

Meet the Most Unlikely Two-Sport Athlete in Olympic History

Aug 04 2021 10 mins

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:

The Greatest Dynasty You Don’t Know Could Soon Get Even Better

Aug 03 2021 10 mins

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

How U.S. Women’s Basketball Became a Dream Team Like No Other

Aug 02 2021 10 mins

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, A

Give Olympic Horses Their Damn Medals Already

Aug 01 2021 10 mins

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

One Small Step for Mankind. Two Giant Jumps for JuVaughn Harrison.

Jul 31 2021 10 mins

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

One Weight Lifter’s Transformative Journey to Achieving Her Olympic Quest

Jul 30 2021 10 mins

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: Da

The Simone Biles Story and Why the “Twisties” Are So Dangerous

Jul 29 2021 17 mins

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 Supe

How to Win an Olympic Medal Without World-Class Athletic Skills

Jul 28 2021 11 mins

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: Julia