Tom Goldman

March Madness, the NCAA's men's and women's basketball tournaments, returns to normal as fans are back at full capacity. But the celebration may be tempered by sobering world events.

With COVID-19 rules lifted, fans will be back in the stands for the games. New name, image and likeness rules will allow student athletes to profit from breakout performances.

Legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who less than six weeks ago announced his retirement from football, says he's changed his mind and will return for a 23rd season.

Major League Baseball owners and the players union have reached a labor agreement ending the longest work stoppage in the league's history. Opening day is April 7 and a full schedule will be played.

Major League Baseball owners and players have reached a labor agreement and it appears games will start being played again soon after a delayed start to the season.

One Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Russell Wilson, appears to be switching teams. Another former NFL champion, Aaron Rodgers, is staying put after much speculation that he'd leave.

Few details are being released about the detainment in Russia of Brittney Griner. Among the questions being raised are: where is she and why is she being held?

Russia and Belarus have been kicked out of the Winter Paralympic Games, and MLB players are pushing for better pay in contract negotiations with owners.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he's canceling each team's first two series of the season, totaling 91 games. Players won't be paid for games they don't play.

NPR's team in Beijing put together moments and storylines that stuck out — including those that showed immense inner strength, athleticism and grace.

The American team had asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to rule they can receive their medals while they await the results of a wider investigation into the Kamila Valieva doping scandal.

The Winter Olympics in Beijing are coming to a close with an ice skating scandal taking over the spotlight. Also, how China managed to make the games close to free of COVID-19.

Thomas Bach answered media questions about why Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was allowed to compete despite a positive doping test, and if it was worth holding the Olympics in China.

At the Beijing Olympics, Russian Kamila Valieva fell during her figure skating performance to finish in fourth place — a stunning result after she'd been in the spotlight after a doping scandal.

Two skaters from the Russian Olympic Committee took the top two spots at the women's program at the Beijing Olympics. Kamila Valieva, who has been at the center of a scandal, took fourth place.

A star Russian figure skater is back on the ice Thursday for the women's free skate event. The competition is controversial because she tested positive for a banned drug before the Games.

A triple jump used to be the gold standard in figure skating. Now it's the quad. For the first time at an Olympics, a woman — Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva — landed a quad in competition.

The women's figure skating individual event got underway at the Beijing Olympics. It's the highlight of any Games, but is now layered with drama with the inclusion of Russian skater Kamila Valieva.

With Kamila Valieva seizing the top spot, 25 skaters advance to the next segment. Normally, only the top 24 move on from the short program. But these Games aren't normal.

In women's individual figure skating, the gold medal favorite — Russia's Kamila Valieva — has been cleared to keep competing despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Olympics.