When the rubber comes in contact with the ball, the pips bend and put the opposite effect on the spin the ball came with.

Sport climbing making its debut at the Games comes with a ready-made star in Czech Republic’s sinewy six-footer Adam Ondra, who has been called the Bubka and Bolt of the new Olympic sport.

Beyond the backroom staff: unseen totems of support for athletes, whose contribution gets missed even in back-stories.

Athletes have already been told that they cannot mix with those from other countries or roam around freely inside the village to avoid being exposed to the virus.

Much will depend on how the coach Rahul Dravid shepherds this motley bunch into maximising their potential over the course of these six games.

Beyond the backroom staff: unseen totems of support for athletes, whose contribution gets missed even in back-stories.

What does it take to bring up a history-making Olympic swimmer? This is the story of single mother V J Shantymol's sweat, tears, sacrifice in pursuit of a dream seemingly beyond her reach

Without crowds, expect the coaches' instructions to pierce through your TV screens with a constant drone of 'Chalaate reh, chalaa, chalaa, Chalaate reh'.

The England team that beat Denmark to reach the Euro 2020 final has been a success story of youth rising through the ranks to earn its stripes.

For the pragmatic Italy coach, Sunday's Euro final is a chance to bury regrets of an unfulfilled playing career with the country.

With the 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 win, an American player of Indian origin, Samir Banerjee had reached the junior boys Wimbledon final.

The BCCI also requested the Sri Lankan board (SLC) to move Sri Lanka's team to another hotel to ensure the safety of the bio bubble.

England’s resolute defence is the biggest reason for their progress, but Southgate may need to improvise against Denmark.

Gareth Southgate’s England represents unity in diversity.

Before leaving for the Sri Lanka tour, Prithvi Shaw spoke about working with coach Rahul Dravid, his batting and various other issues.

Vibrant and velvet might be this Italian team, but they have neither forgotten nor forbidden the soul of their football. Their defence, still, is their essence.

India’s top two men’s doubles specialists, Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan failed to make the combined ranking cut-off that would have earned them a berth at the Games starting July 23.

After late goal against Germany, England captain can now unleash his might.

The American 12-year-old, born to Indian parents originally from Agra and Bhopal, might be one of the rarest pre-teens to start a Harry Potter, but get weaned away from the book for something slightly more important - to create chess history.

Amidst all the commotion, the draws have thrown up a few interesting potential storylines.

Teenager Pedri at the heart of revival after two tepid performances.

For athletes in general, let alone tennis players, the menacing cloud of Covid-19 has increased the cost of travelling. And for players competing in the lower leagues where prize money is not as rewarding, the added costs have become tedious.

After Shaili Singh rewrites youth and Under-20 national records at the Inter-State meet, coach Robert says the athlete from Jhansi "will definitely break Anju Bobby George’s national record".

Sajan Prakash became the first Indian ever to clear the 'A' standard of international swimming, clocking 1:56.38 minutes in the 200m butterfly.