The Ringer Guide to the Summer Games

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Meet the Most Unlikely Two-Sport Athlete in Olympic History

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

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

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]