ASU women’s golf program showcases strength with five Olympians in Paris

TEMPE – The Paris Olympics feature five former Sun Devils golfers, a proud moment for ASU coach Missy Farr-Kaye and her successful program.

ASU women's golf coach Missy Farr-Kaye, right, stands proud as five of her former Sun Devils—Linn Grant, Alexandra Forsterling, Carlota Ciganda, Azahara Munoz and Alessandra Fanali—compete in the Paris Olympics. (Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

5,000 miles away from Paris Olympics, Valley’s French bakeries find connection with community

PARIS – Several bakeries in the Valley embody French culinary tradition, offering authentic French pastries and bread that resonate with Arizona locals, and celebrating cultural heritage in anticipation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Nathas Kraus, the owner of La Belle Vie Bakery in Scottsdale, begins working on the pastries that keep customers coming back for more. (Photo by Abigail Scott/Special for Cronkite News)

‘Gayest Olympics ever’: Paris Games will spotlight growing LGBTQIA+ athletic community

PARIS – The LGBTQIA+ community will be a focal point during the Paris Olympics, which officially kick off with Friday’s opening ceremony. The city has a history of welcoming those who have come out.

The Paris Olympics are expected to feature a record number of LGBTQIA+ athletes. In 2021, at least 186 had come out who participated in the Tokyo Games. (Photo by Westend61/Getty Images)

Eyeing gold: U.S. women’s soccer team brings high expectations to Paris Olympics

PARIS – After failing to win its last two major tournaments, the U.S. women’s soccer teams looks to win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics under new coach Emma Hayes and a young group of players.

As an interim coach for the U.S. women's soccer team, former University of Arizona soccer player Twila Kilgore led the group to 10 wins, three draws and one loss while in charge. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Former ASU swimmer Léon Marchand looks to follow in Michael Phelps’ footsteps, dominate Paris Olympics

PARIS – Former ASU swimmer Léon Marchand is among the most high-profile Olympic athletes heading into the Paris Games. Now, he’s following a familiar path paved by the best swimmer of all time to achieve his greatness.

Leon Marchand has returned to his hometown of Toulouse, France, to train before an Olympics that will feature an international spotlight. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Former Cactus Shadows, Suns coach Nate Bjorkgren takes Olympics stage with Team Canada

PARIS – Before becoming an NBA champion and an Olympic coach, Nate Bjorkgren landed his first big coaching break at Cactus Shadows High School in Arizona. His former players say he’s still the same person he was even almost 20 years later.

Nate Bjorkgren has had many coaching stops, including with the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns, but some of his fondest memories come from when he led the Cactus Shadows High School team. Now he's the associate coach for Canada. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Could 2024 Paris Olympics be blueprint of sustainability for cities across the globe?

PHOENIX – The green initiatives for the Paris Olympics help to illustrate the emphasis on sustainability in Europe, while there seems to be bigger hurdles to a unified front on sustainability in the U.S. On the flip side, the Olympics are seen by experts as a potential spur for change in future mega-events and city planning.

Spectators view the Eiffel Tower and Olympic rings along the Seine river in Paris, France. The city is gearing up to host the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games and made cleaning the Seine a priority. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Golden goal: Mercury players, Team USA pack lessons from WNBA All-Star weekend for Paris Olympics

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury teammates Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi emphasize the importance of building team chemistry as they prepare with Team USA for the upcoming Olympics, following lessons learned from Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.

Phoenix Mercury stars Brittney Griner, left, and Kahleah Copper turn their attention from the 2024 WNBA regular season to winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

‘I’m a pretty sore loser’: BMX pro and Tucson native Daleny Vaughn set for Paris Olympics with support from family

PHOENIX – BMX pro and Tucson native Daleny Vaughn is set for the Paris Olympics. She wouldn’t have made it without support from her family and their home track Sports Park BMX.

Tucson's Daleny Vaughn leads a pack of riders during the UCI BMX Racing World Championships. She is on her way to the Paris Olympics due in part to great family support. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fan favorites Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese electrify sold-out Footprint Center in WNBA All-Star debuts

PHOENIX – Rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese captivated fans in their first WNBA All-Star Game debuts, contributing to Team WNBA's 117-109 victory over Team USA at Footprint Center.

Caitlin Clark, left, and Angel Reese high-five after Clark dishes to Reese for her record-breaking 10th assist in Saturday's 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

Without more oversight on doping, Olympics ‘might not even be there’ in future, gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps warns

WASHINGTON – Michael Phelps testified before lawmakers to discuss anti-doping measures ahead of the start of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The hearing comes after reports that Chinese Olympic athletes tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Games.

Michael Phelps testifies before a U.S. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee to warn lawmakers about the lack of oversight of anti-doping agencies on June 25, 2024. (Screenshot from U.S. House hearing)

From Russian detention to Team USA: Brittney Griner’s third Olympic selection marks return to international stage

PHOENIX – Brittney Griner’s journey over the past two years, marked by her Russian detainment and subsequent return to the WNBA, culminates in her third Olympic Games.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner speaks at a press conference after the announcement of her third Olympic Games selection. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)