The Columbian

National Sports

Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei de Lima lights the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.

Rio delivers a simple, but spirited, Olympic welcome

August 5, 2016, 9:16pm Latest News

Brazil laced its high-energy opening party for the games of the 31st Olympiad with a sobering message of the dangers of global warming. Read story

Ken Griffey Jr. looks out across the Seattle skyline after hoisting a flag with a number 24 in Mariner's colors on op of the Space Needle, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016.

Hall of Fame done, now Griffey’s number will be retired

August 5, 2016, 7:05pm National Sports

Just as much as the smile and the backward hat, the sweet swings and the 630 home runs, the No. 24 became synonymous with Ken Griffey Jr. Read story

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady speaks to media at football training camp, Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. Brady said his decision not to pursue his appeal of a four-game suspension in the "Deflategate" saga was "a personal decision." The four-time Super Bowl winner spoke for the first time Friday at New England's training camp. He is allowed to practice with the team and play in the Patriots' preseason games, but will miss the first four regular-season games.

Brady says no appeal was ‘personal decision’

August 5, 2016, 3:20pm National Sports

Addressing reporters for the first time since opting not to pursue further appeals of his four-game suspension in the "Deflategate" saga, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady called it a personal decision and said he is trying to move on. Read story

Seattle Mariners' Guillermo Heredia, right, is tagged out by Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia as Heredia tried to steal during the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S.

Red Sox get past Mariners, 3-2 in 11 innings

August 4, 2016, 11:26pm National Sports

Brock Holt's RBI single in the 11th inning lifted the Boston Red Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night. Read story

Carolina Panthers' Mike Tolbert, right, greets members of the Spartanburg High School football team during a joint practice session on Thursday.

Carolina Panthers practice with prep team

August 4, 2016, 5:29pm National Sports

The Carolina Panthers made history on Thursday by holding a joint practice with a high school football team. Read story

United States forward Mallory Pugh (2) is congratulated by Crystal Dunn (16) after scoring against Costa Rica. (Colin E.

U.S. women’s soccer has new look at Rio

August 2, 2016, 10:49pm National Sports

A new era opens for the U.S. women’s soccer team at the Olympic Games when a generation of younger players seeks to continue the global domination established at last year’s World Cup. Read story

People take photos by the Olympic rings decorating Copabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the city's 2009 Olympic bid document, authorities pledged the games would 'regenerate Rio's magnificent waterways.' A promised billion-dollar investment in cleanup programs was meant to be among the games' most important legacies, but once more, the lofty promises have ended in failure.

Expert to Rio athletes: ‘Don’t put your head under water’

August 1, 2016, 1:47pm Nation & World

Just days ahead of the Olympic Games the waterways of Rio de Janeiro are as filthy as ever, contaminated with raw human sewage teeming with dangerous viruses and bacteria, according to a 16-month-long study commissioned by The Associated Press. Read story