Three days before the opening ceremonies, Beijing revoked the visa of Joey Cheek, a former Olympian and Darfur activist. How badly can China bungle its own PR?
Chinese authorities say the incident was a plot by two fanatics. But unhappiness with Beijing is never far below the surface
For more than a decade, chess and bridge enthusiasts have lobbied the International Olympic Committee to allow them to compete in the Games. Will they ever succeed?
A close encounter with the Thai Olympic weightlifting team reminds one TIME reporter that most of the world's best athletes are not mega stars
The incident will undoubtedly cast a pall over the beginning of the Olympic Games and has also underlined fears of further such events taking place
Facing criticism over reneging on its promise to relax censorship for visiting media, Olympic officials announce that China has agreed to relax curbs on Internet access
Sprinters, swimmers and tumblers in sequined leotards may drive T.V. ratings in the U.S., but here are five lesser-known Olympic disciplines that draw rabid fans around the world
Beijing denies that footage threatening the Games is serious, but the unhappiness of its Muslim minority is not imaginary
Why pick on Iraq now, they ask, when sports corruption under Saddam Hussein was so much worse?
Should all the political (and sectarian) meddling really deprive the war-torn country of its Olympic hopes?
The Chinese organizers have set aside three areas for demonstrations during the Games. But they're out of the way. And you'll likely need a permit
TIME takes you on a world tour to introduce you to the most compelling athletes you'll be seeing in the Beijing Games