Jeff Pachoud / AFP - Getty Images

A skier competes during the 22nd edition of the summer ski jumping world cup Courchevel Grand Prix, on Aug. 15 in Courchevel, French Alps.

Daniel Munoz / Reuters

Australia's Wallabies' Kurtley Beale reacts after being defeated by New Zealand All Blacks in their Bledisloe Cup rugby union test match in Sydney Aug. 18.

Athletes catch some air and Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez throws a perfect game in The Week in Sports Pictures. Click on the above image to launch the slideshow and tell us what you think of this week's selection in a comment below or on Twitter @NBCNewsPictures.

Related links:

• The Week in Sports Pictures: Aug. 13 - Aug. 19
• The Week in Sports Pictures archive
• See more NBCNews.com photo features

Tim Shaffer / Reuters

Boxer Lavarn Harvell, right, connects to the head of Tony Pietrantonio for a knockout during the third round of their light heavyweight boxing fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on April 28, 2012.

This stunning photo of boxer Tony Pietrantonio having his face temporarily rearranged is just one of the highlights in the latest edition of The Week in Sports Pictures.

According to the Press of Atlantic City, Pietrantonio was unconscious before he hit the floor following the third-round punch from Lavarn Harvell on Saturday night, but he was able to sit up a few minutes later and was given the all-clear after a precautionary visit to hospital.

Please let us know what you think of this week's selection in the comment section below or on Twitter @msnbc_pictures.

Related links:

• The Week in Sports Pictures: April 23 - April 29
• The Week in Sports Pictures archive
• See more msnbc.com photo features

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Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Fan friendly: Celtics guard Ray Allen lands on a fan's lap during Boston's loss to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Monday, March 12. (Click the image to launch the Week in Sports Pictures slideshow)

The Week in Sports Pictures is a tour de force through some of the best sports photos from around the world. With each edition we look for the best images from all sporting events, not just pictures from the biggest games.

This week is no exception.  Thousands of photos were whittled down to hundreds and those hundreds were whacked again to get dozens. In the final edit of 22 pictures, there are 16 different sports from eight countries.

Of course March Madness made the list but so did a photo from the Cowgirl World Championships in Columbia. We hope you enjoy this week’s collection and let us know what you think in the comment section below or on Twitter @msnbc_pictures.

Related links:

• The Week in Sports Pictures: March 12 - 18
• The Week in Sports Pictures archive
• See more msnbc.com photo features

Ricardo Arduengo / AP

One last shot: This image of athletes waiting to start the Ironman in Puerto Rico didn't make the week in sports pictures edit, but I loved the magic hour light on the swimmer's faces.

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Daniel Munoz / Reuters

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in the men's singles final at the Australian Open on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. It was the longest grand slam final ever, lasting nearly six hours.

Patrick Smith / Getty Images

Sue Paterno, widow of Joe Paterno, consoles her grandson following a public memorial for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno on Thursday, Jan. 26 in State College, Pa. Paterno, who was 85, died due to complications from lung cancer on Jan. 22, 2012.

Many of our readers already know “The Week in Pictures”, but how many of you know we also produce “The Week in Sports Pictures” each Monday morning on NBC Sports.com? We have a couple goals for our weekly gathering of sports images.

1. To let sports fans catch up to the big events they may have missed over the weekend.
2. To show some of the lesser known sports and meaningful moments that happen during sports-related events.

This week’s slideshow include images of the Australian Open moment of victory, the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo., The Tough Guy Challenge in Telford, England and the grief of Joe Paterno’s family at Thursday’s public memorial for the former Penn State football coach.

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