inside the rings

Few athletes have ever entered the Olympic Games bearing as much symbolic significance as Freeman did in Sydney. She wasn’t just Australia’s best hope for gold in the women’s 400 meters—she was the face of a modern Australia grappling with its colonial legacy and ongoing reconciliation with its Indigenous peoples.

From Edwardian grandeur to postwar grit to multicultural celebration, the 1908, 1948, and 2012 Olympic Games in London didn’t just happen in the city; they transformed it—and in turn, helped reshape the Olympic Movement.

Every two years, the world gathers in shared anticipation, watching athletes from nearly every nation compete not only for medals but for...

Welcoming the new International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry.

How Jesse Owens shaped the Berlin Games.

The Olympic Torch isn't about a fire on a stick. It's about hope, inspiration, connection, and peace.

Chris Waddell competing in the Salt Lake City 2002 Paralympic Games. Photo courtesy of the US Paralympic Hall of Fame. When the torch is...

The Olympics Games breathed new life into Barcelona, in a way that host cities have emulated since. Barcelona didn’t just host the Games. It used them as a canvas to paint its way into the 21st century.

Every Olympic Games tells a story — not just through breathtaking performances and iconic moments, but through the lovable (and sometimes quirky) mascots that capture the spirit of the host city and nation. These characters aren’t just for children. They embody cultural pride, creative vision, and sometimes even political symbolism.

Wilma Rudolph overcame polio as a child to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Her triumph at Rome 1960 made her a global icon of resilience and excellence. More than an athlete, she broke racial barriers, inspired generations, and personified the Olympic spirit. Her story is a powerful reminder that greatness is born not just from talent, but from determination and heart.

Photo: Albert Meyer At the very first modern Olympics in Athens (1896), the German team won gold in the team parallel bars —but one...

The Olympic Games are far more than a showcase of athletic excellence. They are the heartbeat of a global movement—one that champions...

Spyridon Louis – The Water Carrier Who Ran Into Legend The First Olympic Marathon Winner Spyridon Louis. Athens, 1896. Photo Credit:...

The Paris Olympic Rings Welcome to my corner of the Olympic world. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the Olympic...