The ‘twisties,’ a mental block causing athletes to lose their sense of direction in the air, can affect Winter Olympians as well as gymnasts like Simone Biles. Winter athletes, including skiers and snowboarders, describe the phenomenon as a dangerous loss of spatial awareness during complex aerial maneuvers. Athletes rely on extensive practice and an ‘internal clock’ to execute tricks, but ...
Kinder Bueno’s ‘Yes Bueno’ Super Bowl commercial pitches the candy as a way to turn around life’s ‘no bueno’ moments. William Fichtner co-stars with Paige DeSorbo in a Super Bowl debut for the candy brand, which is increasing its footprint in North America. Fichtner is also making his first big game appearance and told USA TODAY that ‘it’s not just any ...
SAN JOSE, CA — When it comes to special teams in the NFL, nearly every team talks the talk – even if it’s merely lip service – regarding their often-crucial importance. But the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks walk the walk. “We have such a good group of core guys – everybody’s bought in. I think that’s shown when we flipped ...
Being a professional football player was never Terry Schmidt’s goal. He wanted to be a dentist. But there Schmidt was, on the field in Houston, staring at Earl Campbell, who was churning toward him. ‘He broke free,’ says Schmidt, a former NFL defensive back in the 1970s and 1980s, ‘and it was me and the end zone or Earl.’ Schmidt ...
CORTINA d’AMPEZZO, Italy — I actually do work for USA TODAY and although I am not a doctor, either, I can very confidently say Greg Graber’s opinion about Lindsey Vonn is ill-informed, condescending and misogynistic. How do I know this? Because unlike Graber, I have actual, applicable knowledge on this topic after covering skiing for more than a decade. I ...
MILAN — Team USA has made its picks for who can secure figure skating team event gold at the 2026 Winter Games, and it will include the ‘Quad God.’ The competition day will also feature pairs’ and women’s free skate. Amber Glenn will make her Olympic debut for the women, with Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea doing the pairs again. Whether ...
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Cortina has a special place in Lindsey Vonn’s heart. And on her résumé. ‘Cortina has always been a place that’s been so special to me,’ Vonn said. ‘I just have a lot of amazing memories, so it wasn’t really a leap for me to say I want to come back and compete in these Olympics.’ Vonn’s ...
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated Alpine skier of all time, is grateful to be at her fourth Winter Olympics. It’s an ‘honor’ and a ‘privilege’ to be part of this event with the red, white and blue on her chest, she said Saturday, Feb. 7 during media availability in Cortina. But Shiffrin wants to make it ...
Summer Britcher posted the fastest times for the Team USA during women’s singles luge training runs at the Cortina Sliding Centre on Sunday, Feb. 8. Britcher’s time of 53.172 seconds on her fifth run was the ninth-best time recorded during the training session, tops among the three American competitors. The women’s luge course at the 2026 Winter Olympics is approximately ...
Madison Chock and Evan Bates helped Team USA take the lead in the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The ice dance pair faces a demanding schedule of four programs in six days, more than many of their competitors. Chock and Bates are aiming for an individual ice dance gold medal in addition to a team medal. ...