South Africa
FILE - World Athletics President Sebastian Coe leaves the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a hearing of South Africa's two-time Olympic 800-meter champion runner Caster Semenya, in Lausanne, Switzerland, Feb. 18, 2019. Bans on transgender women in international swimming and rugby this week opened the door for track and field to consider following suit in what could turn into a wave of policy changes in Olympic sports. The announcement Sunday, June 19, 2022, by swimming's governing body, FINA, was followed quickly by a show of support from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who was in Hungary for the swimming world championships. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP, File)
In big surprise, Semenya listed to run at worlds in Eugene

By Gerald Imray Jul. 08, 2022 03:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, June 15, 2016, file photo, Oscar Pistorius leaves the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, after his sentencing proceedings. South African former track star Oscar Pistorius has met with the father of Reeva Steenkamp, the woman he shot to death in 2013, as part of his parole process, the Steenkamp's family lawyer told The Associated Press on Friday July 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
Seeking parole, Pistorius meets with girlfriend's father

By Gerald Imray Jul. 01, 2022 01:55 PM EDT

FILE - Nigeria's Jahlil Okafor (15), center, celebrates with teammates after making a basket during men's basketball preliminary round game against Italy at the 2020 Summer Olympics, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. The Nigerian government has made a sudden U-turn and cleared its national basketball teams to return to competition immediately. The sports ministry on Thursday, June 23, 2022 says the decision to lift a ban on the teams playing in international competitions came after an appeal to the government by the Nigerian Basketball Federation. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, file)
Nigerian government allows basketball teams to play again

By Gerald Imray Jun. 23, 2022 11:00 AM EDT

FILE - Nigeria players walk off the court after their loss in the women's basketball preliminary round game against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Aug. 2, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. FIBA-Nigeria, basketball's world governing body, confirmed Thursday, June 2, 2022, that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the women's World Cup and warned of "potential disciplinary measures" against the country because of government interference. Nigeria's government announced last month that it was withdrawing all its basketball teams from international competitions for two years while it completely restructures the sport. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
FIBA warns of possible disciplinary action against Nigeria

By Gerald Imray Jun. 02, 2022 08:17 AM EDT

FILE - Japan's Michael Leitch is tackled by South Africa's Steven Kitshoff during the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match at Tokyo Stadium between Japan and South Africa in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 20, 2019. A little more than a year away from the next World Cup in France, Leitch is no longer the captain but still a key member of the brains trust that drives. He looks forward to the tournament where Japan is drawn in group D with England, Argentina, Samoa and one other qualifier. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)
Column: US lands 2031 Rugby World Cup, if anyone cares

By Paul Newberry May. 13, 2022 04:12 PM EDT

FILE - Chad le Clos of South Africa looks up after his swim in a men's 200-meter butterfly semifinal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, on July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Former Olympic champion Chad le Clos was named on South Africa's team on Monday, May 9, 2022, for his seventh swimming world championships. The 30-year-old le Clos is planning to compete in the 50, 100 and 200 meters butterfly at the worlds in Budapest, Hungary, which start on June 18, South Africa's swimming federation said.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Le Clos makes South Africa team for his 7th world champs

By Gerald Imray May. 09, 2022 02:41 PM EDT

Shannon Abeda, of Eritrea passes a gate during the first run of the men's giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing. (AP Photo/Alessandro Trovati)
After dip in Beijing, Olympians ask: What about Africa?

By John Leicester Feb. 16, 2022 02:27 AM EST

Former South African swimmer says he was abused by coach

Oct. 14, 2021 08:45 PM EDT
SYDNEY (AP) — A former world-ranked South African swimmer has told an Australian television network that he was abused by a coach who has been implicated in...

Kenya's Alvin Otieno, center, is tackled by Spain's Alberto Carmona, left, and Josep Serres during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby match in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
South Africa close in on Series title at Edmonton Sevens

Sep. 25, 2021 09:21 PM EDT

Kenya's Levy Amunga, left, and South Africa's Darren Adonis vie for the ball during an HSBC Canada Sevens rugby game in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
US, South Africa through to final 8 at Vancouver Sevens

Sep. 18, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

South Africa head coach Delaine Mentoor, kneeling second from left, talks to her team during a 33-1 loss to The Netherlands in a preliminary round women's water polo match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Delaine Mentoor hoping to grow water polo in South Africa

By Jay Cohen Jul. 30, 2021 11:33 AM EDT

Marie-Josee Ta Lou, of the Ivory Coast, wins a heat in the women's 100-meter run at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Fast day at pool, track on Day 7 of Tokyo Olympics

By Josh Dubow Jul. 30, 2021 04:38 AM EDT

Michael Andrew of the the United States swims in a heat of the men's 200-meter individual medley at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
South African swimmer flirts with world mark in Tokyo heats

By Beth Harris Jul. 28, 2021 09:05 AM EDT

Argentina players, including Argentina's Santiago Mare, right, embrace as they celebrate defeating South Africa in their men's rugby sevens quarterfinal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Fiji, Britain into semifinals, Argentina upsets South Africa

By John Pye Jul. 26, 2021 11:46 PM EDT

Vladislav Larin of the Russian Olympic Committee, left, reacts as the referee signals his win for a gold medal for taekwondo men's 80kg match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Olympics Latest: Germany wins another equestrian gold

Jul. 26, 2021 08:17 PM EDT

Belgium defender Loick Fanny A Luypaert (25) celebrates after Belgium defender Alexander Robby P Hendrickx, right, scored against the Netherlands during a men's field hockey match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Hendrickx scores 3 goals, leads Belgium past the Netherlands

By Cliff Brunt Jul. 24, 2021 07:00 AM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 file photo Prince Albert II of Monaco, left, presents Kenyan distance runner Tegla Loroupe with the 2016 President Award at the 2016 World Athletics Gala Awards in Monaco. Laroupe, currently the chief of mission for the IOC's Refugee Olympic Team, has tested positive for COVID-19, two people with knowledge of her condition have told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Zero risk? Virus cases test Olympic organizers' assurances

By Stephen Wade, Yuri Kageyama And Gerald Imray Jul. 17, 2021 11:55 PM EDT

This is a Feb. 5, 2019 photo provided by Olympic swimmer Erin Gallagher of her swimming under water in Durban, South Africa. Gallagher got COVID-19 late last year and went from elite Olympic athlete in peak condition to lying flat on a bed concentrating on just breathing. And yet she's one of the lucky ones. She recovered and is going to Tokyo. Other African hopefuls have not been so fortunate as the coronavirus surges again across the continent just as the Olympics approach. (Erin Gallagher via AP)
In Africa, virus ruins Olympic dreams and tests dedication

By Gerald Imray Jul. 08, 2021 03:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 24, 2019, file photo, Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie receives the ball in front of South Africa's Sandile Hlanti during an African Cup of Nations group D soccer match in Cairo. The only time the Ivory Coast men have competed at the Olympics was in 2008 when they faced Lionel Messi’s Argentina before going out in the quarterfinals. They will be hoping to secure the release from Manchester United of Amad Diallo and Kessie from AC Milan. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
South Africa vs Ivory Coast 6/24/2019

Jul. 03, 2021 05:02 AM EDT

Caster Semenya reacts before the women's 5000 meter race in Regensburg, Saturday, June 19, 2021. The two-time 800-meter Olympic champion from South Africa once again missed out on qualifying for the Summer Games in Tokyo during her surprising start in Regensburg. (Stefan Puchner/dpa via AP)
Semenya misses Tokyo, may be forced out of Olympics for good

By Gerald Imray Jul. 03, 2021 02:48 AM EDT