Mary Pilon

The Lowdown on Friday's Ping-Pong Shenanigans

Live from the scene of operation ping-pong…

At 71, An Olympian Again

The Japanese equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu, who is 71, will likely be the oldest Olympian competing in the London Games this summer. And he’s exactly who I wanted to be interviewing the week of my birthday. 

Trademark Laws May Trip Up Olympic Crafters

Yes, I have brought trademark law and crafting references to the London 2012 sports blog. Huzzah! 

The Footprints on a Path to Gold

Most Americans have not heard of Amantle Montsho. She’s a 400 m runner from Botswana, vying for gold in this summer’s Olympic Games. In Sunday’s New York Times, we kick off our series  that takes a look at who she is, where she’s from, and the unlikely journey she’s made to the pro athlete stage. 

This might be the first time a single NYT sports story has had mentions of ostrich, Botswana’s GDP and Wolof. Thanks to everyone here in the US and in Africa who helped make this happen. 

As always, feedback welcome. 

Saudi Arabia May Include Women on Its Olympic Team

Longman and I report: 

The Summer Olympics in London could be a watershed event for international sports as every participating nation is expected to field at least one female athlete, including three Muslim countries — Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei — that have previously sent only male competitors. Keep reading! 

Maryland Bill Addresses College Athletes’ Social Media Privacy

On The Quad, fresh bloggage about social media, college athlete regs and good ol’ fashioned sports law. 

Fire Survivor and Possible Olympian: A Horse Named Neville

Today on the front page of The New York Times, we meet Neville Bardos, a horse that “cheated death — twice” and is now a contender for the Olympics in London this summer. 

Please don’t miss Josh’s great photos or the video! 

Vegans Muscle Their Way Into Bodybuilding

From the streets of Huntsville, Ala., my examination of the world of vegan bodybuilders in Thursday’s New York Times. 

When’s the last time you ate 10 bananas in one sitting?

New Nets Announcer Shows Flair and Hair

If the microphone is your office, you can talk cigars with the best of them, and you’ve got dreads that hang past your waistline, then you must be David Diamante, the new announcer for the Nets. We caught up with him this week at his Brooklyn cigar lounge.