NPR Coverage of the 2012 Olympics

The games of the 30th Olympiad are under way and NPR is there in force. Tom Goldman and Howard Berkes, who have covered ten and eight Olympic games respectively, will be joined by Olympic newbie Mike Pesca. Phil Reeves will be our man about town, covering security and all that’s happening outside the gates. Follow along at NPR’s Summer Olympics 2012 website.

The games promise to be fascinating. Storylines range from veteran American swimmer Michael Phelps trying for seven gold medals to South African runner Oscar Pistorius becoming the first blade runner to compete in the games. For the first time, the U.S. will send more women than men to the Olympics. They include: The women’s soccer team, hoping to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Japan in 2008 and McKayla Maroney, a 16-year-old vaulter favored to win gold. Women’s boxing and weightlifting should also be exciting.

And then, there are the settings. Some of Europe’s most historic venues will serve as the athletes’ playgrounds. The famous Horse Guards Parade, which hosted jousting in the time of Henry VIII, is now covered with 2,000 tons of sand for beach volleyball. Lord’s Cricket Ground will host American archers Brady Ellison, the top-ranked in the world, and Khatuna Lorig, of Hunger Games fame. And, of course, there’s Wembley and Wimbledon.

NPR’s coverage will be featured on all the newsmagazines, Morning Edition - weekdays from 5:00 to 9:00 a.m., All Things Considered - weekdays 4:00-6:30 p.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and Weekend Edition 8:00-10:00 a.m.

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