• Ricardo Moraes / Reuters

    A man rides his bicycle next to a wall with graffiti depicting Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho in Vila Autodromo slum in Rio de Janeiro on April 19.

    Backstreets of Rio de Janeiro

    According to a document released by the popular movement "Comite Popular da Copa e Olimpiadas do Rio de Janeiro," the preparations for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will displace more than 7,185 families from their homes to make way for new sports facilities, bus routes for traffic and improvements in tourism infrastructure.

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  • Wolfgang Rattay / Reuters

    A combination photo shows Lotte Smiseth Sejersted of Norway crashing during the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup downhill race at the Rosa Khutor Alpine resort in Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi, Russia, Feb. 18. Sejersted was not injured in the crash. Rosa Khutor will host the men's and women's alpine skiing events at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

    World class wipeout at World Cup downhill event sends skier tumbling

    By Katie Cannon, Senior Multimedia Editor

    Seeing pictures of skiers wiping out like this makes me cringe given that their bindings are adjusted very tightly so as not to release easily. I can only imagine the punishment a ski racer's legs...and other body parts for that matter...could potentially take in such a fall.

    Full story: Vonn clinches title, Hoefl-Riesch wins downhill
    Related content: The Week in Sports Pictures

  • Spectators and athletes brave heavy snowfall at the IBU Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, Germany

    Robert Michael / AFP - Getty Images

    Spectators stand in heavy snowfall to watch the men's 4 x 7,5 km relay event of the IBU biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, eastern Germany on Jan. 5, 2012.

    Eurosport reports: Italy came from behind to snatch victory from Russia in the IBU Biathlon World Cup men’s 4x7.5km relay event in Oberhof, Germany to end a long wait for a relay win.

    It was Italy's first victory in a men's relay since 1993.

    Jens Meyer / AP

    Biathlets prepare for the start during heavy snow storm at the men's 4 x 7.5 km relay at the Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, Germany, on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.

    For most of the race it looked as though the Russian team of Anton Shipulin, Evgeniy Garanichev, Evgeny Ustyugov and Alexey Volkov would easily collect the win as they led from the first leg.

    But despite taking over with a 43.6 second lead from Italy in the final leg, Volkov picked up three penalties with the rifle as the Russian team slipped to second.

    Robert Michael / AFP - Getty Images

    An unidentified athlete competes during heavy snowfall in the men's 4 x 7,5 km relay event of the IBU biathlon World Cup in Oberhof.

    Tobias Schwarz / Reuters

    Italy's Lukas Hofer reacts winning in the 4x7.5 km men's relay competition at the Biathlon World Cup in the eastern German ski resort of Oberhof Jan. 5, 2012. Italy won the competition, Russia placed second and Sweden placed third.

    Yesterday in PhotoBlog, we ran images from the women's relay

  • Russia snatches win in women's relay biathlon

    Jens Meyer / AP

    Olga Vilukhina of Russia skis during the women 4 x 6 km relay at the Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, Germany, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. Russia won the competition.

    AP reports: OBERHOF, Germany - Germany looked set to claim the women's relay at the biathlon World Cup until a dramatic collapse allowed Russia to snatch victory on Wednesday.

    Two-time Olympic champion Magdalena Neuner had a commanding lead of 20 seconds for the home team going into the final shoot, but could hit the target only once, forcing her to do four penalty laps.

    Olga Vilukhina took full advantage to anchor the Russia team of Anna Bogaliy-Titovets, Svetlana Sleptsova and Olga Zaitseva to victory in 1 hour, 19 minutes, 32 seconds.

    Robert Michael / AFP - Getty Images

    Russia's biathlet Olga Vilukhina (L) and Germany's biathlet Magdalena Neuner compete at the shooting range during the women's 4 x 6 km relay event of the IBU biathlon World Cup in the eastern German town of Oberhof on Jan. 4, 2012.

    Jens-Ulrich Koch / AP

    Russia's Olga Vilukhina celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the Women's 4x6km biathlon relay during the Biathlon World Cup event in Oberhof, eastern Germany, Wednesday, Jan 4, 2012.

     

     

     

  • John G. Mabanglo / EPA

    Patrick Thaler of Italy (R) reacts into the videographer's lens in the finish area at the Men's Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom race in Beaver Creek, Colorado, Dec. 8 2011. Thaler placed seventh in the race.

    Alpine skier get his closeup at World Cup slalom

    By Rich Shulman

    I can't tell if Thaler is unhappy, or if this is just another example of showboating for the camera. In any case, Ivica Kostelic of Croatia settled a score with a course that's given him quite a few scars.

  • American downhillers Vonn, Miller come screaming out of the gate

    Nick Didlick / EPA

    Lindsey Vonn of the US in action at the Women's World Cup Downhill race in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, Dec. 2 2011.

    By Rich Shulman

    American World Cup ski fans have to be excited by today's results. Lindsey Vonn picked up where she left off last year, finishing 1.95 seconds ahead of the second place finisher, Liechtenstein's Tina Weirather. Former World Cup champion Bode Miller won his first race in three years.

    George Frey / EPA

    Bode Miller of the US skies to a first place finish in the men's Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill in Beaver Creek, Colorado, Dec. 2 2011.

    Related:

    Vonns’ divorce will also end a skiing partnership

     

  • Martin Mejia / AP

    Shamans perform a ritual to send good vibes to Peru's soccer team next to photos of Peru's players Jefferson Farfan, left, Juan Vargas, center, and Claudio Pizarro outside the National Stadium in Lima, Peru, Wed., Oct. 5. Peru will face Paraguay in a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer game in Lima, Peru next Friday.

    Shamans send good vibes to Peru national soccer team

    By Rich Shulman

    I wonder if the Boston Red Sox have thought about hiring these guys.

  • Cold War rivalry replayed on rugby field

    Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

    A USA fan and a Russia fan at the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

    Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

    USA fans enjoy the atmosphere during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

    David Gray / Reuters

    A fan of the U.S. waits for the start of the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the U.S. at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth September 15, 2011.

    Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

    Russia fans cheer on their team during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

    Anthony Phelps / Reuters

    A fan of the U.S. waits for the start of the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the U.S. at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth September 15, 2011.

    Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

    A USA fan attends the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

    Stu Forster / Getty Images

    John van der Giessen.left, of USA gathers the loose ball as Denia Antonov of Russia and Hayden Smith of USA contest a lineout during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Russia and the USA at Stadium Taramaki on September 15, 2011 in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

     Nice to see some USA fans made the long journey, half-way around the world, to cheer on their team. They were rewarded with a win, as the USA beat Russia 13- 6. The USA won it's third match of the tournament and will play two-time champion Australia on Sept. 23. Full game story.

  • Japan overcomes United States in penalty kicks during women's World Cup Final

    Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

    Japan's Mana Iwabuchi (right) heads the ball in front of Abby Wambach of the U.S. during their Women's World Cup final soccer match in Frankfurt am Main, Germany on July 17.

    Federico Gambarini / EPA

    Japan's goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori is beaten by US Alex Morgan as the US scores, making the game 1-0 during the FIFA Women's World Cup final soccer match between in Frankfurt am Main, Germany July 17.

    Martin Rose / Getty Images

    The US squad stands in a line after watching penalty kicks during FIFA Women's World Cup Final match on July 17 in Germany.

    Joern Pollex / Getty Images

    Japan's squad celebrates with the cup after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup Final match between against the US on July 17 in Germany.

    Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters

    Japan's fans react after Japan scored a goal against the U.S., during their Women's World Cup final soccer match in Frankfurt, as they watch a TV broadcast at a bar in Tokyo on July 18.

     Read more about the match at NBC Sports.

  • US defeats France 3-1 in Women's World Cup semifinal match

    Friso Gentsch / EPA

    Abby Wambach (2-L) of USA celebrates with team-mates after scoring 1-2 during the semi-final soccer match of the FIFA Women's World Cup between France and the USA at the Borussia-Park stadium in Moenchengladbach, Germany, 13 July.

    Odd Andersen / AFP - Getty Images

    USA's striker Abby Wambach (4th L) scores the 1-2 goal past France's midfielder Sandrine Soubeyrand (16) during the FIFA women's football World Cup semi-final match France vs USA in Moenchengladbach, western Germany, on July 13.

    Martin Rose / Getty Images

    Sonia Bompastor (#8) of France celebrates after she scores her team's equalizing goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Semi Final match between France and USA at Borussia-Park on July 13, in Moenchengladbach, Germany.

    Frank Augstein / AP

    United States goalkeeper Hope Solo fails to stop a shot by France's Sonia Bompastor during the semifinal match between France and the United States at the Women’s Soccer World Cup in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Wednesday, July 13.

    Rolf Vennenbernd / EPA

    Lauren Cheney (L) celebrates her 0-1 goal with team-mate Amy Rodriguez (C) while France's Ophelie Meilleroux (R) gestures during the semi-final soccer match of the FIFA Women's World Cup between France and the USA at the Borussia-Park stadium in Moenchengladbach, Germany, July 13.

    Alex Domanski / Reuters

    Lauren Cheney (L) of the U.S. scores a goal during the Women's World Cup semi-final soccer match against France in Monchengladbach July 13.

     See our full coverage of the game here.

  • Police and soldiers take over Rio's Morro da Mangueira shantytown

    By Katie Cannon, Senior Multimedia Editor

    After the World Cup in 2014, Rio will also host the 2016 Olympics. Check out this piece in the Yale Journal of International Affairs about the history of violence in Rio and Olympic planners' desire to foster long-term security in the city.

    Vanderlei Almeida / AFP - Getty Images

    A marine in an armored personnel carrier throws a blue smoke flare in Rio de Janeiro's Morro da Mangueira shantytown as he advances through the slum's steep roads early in the morning of June 19, in a pre-announced operation. Hundreds of Brazilian police and soldiers backed by helicopters and armored vehicles swept in Sunday to take over a crime-ridden Rio slum as part of a pacification plan ahead of the football World Cup in 2014. More than 100 marines and 160 elite police officers took part in the operation in the hillside Mangueira neighborhood, which went off without a shot being fired, a police spokesman said. Drug gangs which had been controlling the district had fled well in advance.

     

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