Testing Ground
More than any other sporting event in the world, the Olympics provide a stage for the world to gauge the progress (or flaws) of the war on doping. Here's what to expect in Vancouver. Bonnie D. Ford »
ESPN.com IllustrationSome Olympians can land triple toe-double axel combinations or slide down mountains at 80 miles per hour and live to tell about it. But often the real Olympic skill is just paying the bills.
Why stick with a niche Olympic sport when everyone else in your generation is moving on? Meet a trio of Olympic lifers who are convinced the tradeoff is worth it.
When the U.S. Olympic team marches into the opening ceremony next week in Vancouver, American athletes will have the same starting point and will seek glories enveloped by the comforting fabric of Old Glory. But the road to the Olympics is a different story.