Sports

Sorry to disappoint, but they won't be C-3PO's in dark slacks and chest protectors behind home plate. But 'robots' could be the future of calling balls and strikes.

By Patty Rasmussen

First of all, who is Stanley? Also, why is this trophy so dang big?

By Patty Rasmussen

There's strong and then there's super-human. Who is the strongest man on Earth and how did he get that title?

By Dave Roos

Millions of us bowl every year. It's socially fun, and you can drink beer and eat while you play. But how much do you really know about the sport?

By Meg Sparwath

At least 100 technical experts from 24 countries will provide professional repair and maintenance to the athletes' prosthetics and orthotics at the Technical Repair Service Center in Tokyo.

By John Donovan

Like the Tokyo Olympics, the Paralympic Games are happening a year late. But these athletes are equally, if not more, impressive to watch on the courts, beaches and in the pool. We'll explain what it takes to make it as a Paralympian.

By John Donovan

It may surprise you that even in 2021 there are a few Olympic sports that are not open to both genders.

By Kathryn Whitbourne

Weather models are predicting that a tropical cyclone or typhoon will develop to the southeast of Japan, sending powerful swells to the Olympics. This should make ideal waves for the first surfing event ever.

By Sally Warner

Every two years, pandemic notwithstanding, the world's elite athletes gather to take their shot at the ultimate prize: the Olympic gold medal. How much do you know about this storied event?

By Alia Hoyt

It makes sense, until you look at the data from 8,000 racers.

By David R. Munro

Between a yearlong delay and a still-ongoing global pandemic, Tokyo 2020 (or 2021 if you prefer) is not the Olympics anyone expected. But it's sure to be one we will never forget.

By Patty Rasmussen

The Tokyo Olympics are happening a year late, but what was the delay like for the athletes who've trained their entire lives just to get there? For some, it was a huge physical and mental struggle. For others, it was just too much.

By John Donovan

College football generates billions of dollars in revenue annually from ticket sales, media rights and donations. So who has the most to lose if the fall season is canceled?

By John Donovan

Pickleball is a paddle sport attracting thousands of players across the U.S. and around the world. And it's getting bigger every year. What's the appeal?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

HowStuffWorks breaks down the amazing gymnastic move called a triple-double so you can see each twist and flip.

Forget Ultimate Fighting. Pillow fighting is the real ultimate sport.

By Oisin Curran

Taekwondo features dramatic, aerial, jumping, spinning kicks, but it's also about building character.

By John Donovan

When preparing to swing at the tee, you want to golf ball to go just as far as you want it in exactly the right direction you want it to go. That's where the dimples come in.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Sinking a hole-in-one is way more difficult than Tiger Woods and those other professionals make it look.

By John Donovan

For the first time ever, two male cheerleaders will be at the Super Bowl.

By John Donovan

Only the best of the best make it to the Super Bowl. And that includes the NFL officials.

By John Donovan

The NCAA scrapped the Bowl Championship Series in favor of a playoff system. But does it truly crown a national champion in college football?

By John Donovan

Three of the five longest field goals in NFL history have been kicked in Denver's Mile High Stadium. What gives?

By Mark Mancini

College sports just wouldn't be the same without those silly costumed humans (and live animals) parading around the sidelines pumping up the fans.

By John Donovan

It's called an own goal, and it happens when a player accidentally knocks the ball into the wrong net — the net they're supposed to be defending.

By John Donovan