Olympics
‘The best is yet to come’: Cuban boxers make a professional comeback after 60-year ban is lifted
The Cuban government recently lifted a decadesold ban on professional boxing imposed by then-President Fidel Castro in 1962. This year, the Cuban boxing team “Los Domadores” made a triumphant professional debut on May 20 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Swifter, Higher, Stronger
Athletes threw javelins at the ancient Olympic Games. But in recent years throwers have become so proficient that the javelin was redesigned to keep it from hitting runners at the other end of the stadium. From running shoes to swimsuits to discuses, the design of equipment is constantly challenging sports regulations. Steve Nelson has our […]
Soft Power
China’s government has a strategy of using “soft power” to improve the country’s image — promoting the arts, building language schools abroad, and, of course, remaking Beijing itself for the 2008 Olympics. But it’s a strategy with some pitfalls. Kurt talks with Orville Schell, a journalist and scholar who directs the Asia Society Center on […]
TV Ads That Don’t Play Fair
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, you may have noticed there’s a lot of competition for your attention as well. In between the slaloms and the triple axels, there’s also the slightly shameful attraction of (dare I say it) the advertisements. Take this awesome one from AT&T featuring silver medal-winning snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler: What […]
