Author: Ann Shepphird

Nebraska UCLA Gymnastics
Former UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi, whose perfect 10 floor routine last year was a viral internet sensation, is among those who have committed to compete at the inaugural Aurora Games in August in Albany, New York. Associated Press/Ben Liebenberg

Aurora in Albany in August

Named after the Roman goddess of the dawn and conceived as a way to celebrate women’s sports, the inaugural Aurora Games are scheduled to take place August 20–25 in Albany, New York. The sports festival will feature more than 125 professional athletes competing in six sports—basketball, tennis, figure skating, gymnastics, ice hockey and beach volleyball—on […]

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2018_USAT_AGNCN
The 2108 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships were staged in Cleveland. Photograph: Rich Cruse/USAT

From Participant to Permanent Resident

There are many ways to judge the success of a sports event. The most direct, of course, is attendance and the economic impact that visitors provide the host city. Then there are the residual effects, which include those who enjoy the destination so much they decide to return—perhaps even permanently. While rare, this is just […]

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Courting Tennis Players

One of the biggest challenges in sports is keeping participation growing at the grass-roots level. This is especially true of long-established sports like tennis. While the retro appeal of tennis whites at a private club is celebrated each year at Wimbledon, many people—especially younger people—are not drawn to that experience. But they are drawn to […]

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Yankton, South Dakota—population 15,000—has made a name on the international sports scene by hosting several World Archery events. Photo courtesy of World Archery
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Global Scene

Every two years, the parade of nations at the Olympic Games provides a strong testament to the power of sports to bring countries together—even those that don’t get along politically. Destinations across the United States are proving the same point on a smaller scale by welcoming international competitors and spectators. Not only do these events […]

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USAPA-sanctioned tournaments continue to expand. Photograph: USAPA
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Pickleball Rallies Support

Say the word “pickleball” and people either get quizzical looks or immediately say, “I love pickleball!” Given the way the sport is growing, you’ll probably be hearing more of the latter. Pickleball—one of America’s 10 fastest-growing sports, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association—is currently played by about 3 million people on more than […]

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Elina Svitolina and James Blake announce the 2018 Miami Open
Former professional tennis player James Blake has become a tournament director for the Miami Open. Photo courtesy of HooMe.com/MediaPunch/IPX

From Player to “Player”

In recent years, a significant number of professional tennis players have become tournament directors: Todd Martin (Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island), Tommy Haas (BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California), James Blake (Miami Open) and, most recently, Feliciano Lopez, who will take over the Mutua Madrid Open in 2019. All […]

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US Open Tennis
Sloane Stephens was the winner of the 2017 U.S. Open Photograph: Andres Kudacki/AP Images

Serving Up Renovations

The U.S. Open Tennis Championships marks its 50th anniversary this year, and it is celebrating in style with the completion of a multiyear renovation of its home, the USTA Billie Jean King N­ational Tennis Center. The anniversary of the tournament coincides with the anniversary of the sport’s “open era.” Although tennis can trace its roots […]

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