Saudi Arabia Olympic Team
FILE - FIFA President Gianni Infantino, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for cameras at the FIFA congress on the eve of the opener of the 2018 soccer World Cup in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. In a sweeping move to isolate and condemn Russia after invading Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee urged sports bodies on Monday to exclude the country's athletes and officials from international events. The decision opened the way for FIFA, the governing body of soccer, to exclude Russia from a World Cup qualifying playoff match on March 24. Poland has refused to play the scheduled game against Russia. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
COLUMN: Will sports ever stop cozying up to strongmen?

By Jim Litke Mar. 03, 2022 07:05 PM EST

Chinese President Xi Jinping, bottom second from right, waves as he arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
In opening of Winter Olympics, chances at politicking abound

By Adam Schreck Feb. 04, 2022 07:08 AM EST

Dancers perform during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Latest: Dutch VJ manhandled during Olympic live shot

Feb. 03, 2022 09:51 PM EST

Tyrrell Hatton, of England, watches his shot on the second tee on day three of the Hero World Challenge PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Players with Saudi releases have to decide if it's worth it

By Doug Ferguson Dec. 21, 2021 01:26 PM EST

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes walks on the pitch prior to the women's Champions League group C soccer match between Chelsea and Servette, at Kingsmeadow, London, Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Sinclair, Putellas headline Best XI honorees

By Anne M. Peterson Dec. 01, 2021 01:48 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 file photo, Oleksandr Usyk, left, reacts after defeating Chazz Witherspoon during a heavyweight boxing bout, in Chicago. Usyk is scheduled to take on Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight title, at the London Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 25. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File)
Heavyweight champ Joshua back in ring and has plenty to lose

By Steve Douglas Sep. 23, 2021 04:23 AM EDT

United States' players celebrate after their win in the men's basketball gold medal game against France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
US draws Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 31, 2021 08:31 AM EDT

Tareg Hamedi of Saudi Arabia, right, reacts as medical personnel attend to Sajad Ganjzadeh of Iran after he was injured in their men's kumite +75kg gold medal bout for karate at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Olympic karate finishes with cinematic kick, downer ending

By Greg Beacham Aug. 07, 2021 11:05 AM EDT

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, greets Argentina's Angel Di Maria at the award ceremony after his team won 1-0 against Brazil in the Copa America final soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Every year could soon have World Cup on Infantino's travels

By Rob Harris Aug. 05, 2021 10:01 AM EDT

Mexico's Luis Romo, right, scores his teams second goal against South Africa during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Argentina, France, Germany eliminated from Olympic soccer

By Rob Harris Jul. 28, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia's Abdulbasit Hindi, right, heads a ball beside his teammates Yasser Alshahrani during a men's soccer match against Brazil at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Richarlison's goals give Brazil a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia

Jul. 28, 2021 06:06 AM EDT

Brazil's coach Andre Jardine sings the national anthem before a men's soccer match against Saudi Arabia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Brazil vs Saudi Arabia 7/28/2021

Jul. 28, 2021 04:18 AM EDT

Germany's Felix Uduokhai, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring during a men's soccer match against Saudi Arabia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
10-man Germany beats Saudi Arabia 3-2 in Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 10:08 AM EDT

Saudi Arabia's Khalid Alghannam strikes the ball as Germany's Felix Uduokhai, right, defends during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Germany vs Saudi Arabia 7/25/2021

Jul. 25, 2021 10:08 AM EDT

Brazil's Matheus Cunha, right, is fouled by Ivory Coast's Eboue Kouassi during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Brazil and Ivory Coast play to a 0-0 draw in Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 06:46 AM EDT

Nikhil Kumar, of United State reactss during men's table tennis singles preliminary round match against Mongolia's Enkhbat Lkhagvasuren at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
ITF USA F9, Men Singles

Jul. 23, 2021 10:12 PM EDT

Germany's Amos Pieper blocks Brazil's Richarlison during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
From Copa America to Olympics, Richarlison nets 3 for Brazil

By Rob Harris Jul. 22, 2021 10:59 AM EDT

Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie is challenged by Saudi Arabia's Ali Alhassan during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Kessie gives Ivory Coast a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia

Jul. 22, 2021 07:01 AM EDT

Players of Spain pose for the group photo keeping social distance prior to a men's soccer match against Egypt at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Sapporo, Japan. (AP Photo/SIlvia Izquierdo)
Spain held to 0-0 by Egypt with 6 players from Euro 2020

Jul. 22, 2021 06:22 AM EDT

Players of Ivory Coast pose for the group photos prior to their men's soccer match against Saudi Arabia at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
Saudi Arabia vs Ivory Coast 7/22/2021

Jul. 22, 2021 04:46 AM EDT