Phelps playing golf, but US still strong in pool
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Phelps is off playing golf and showing no signs of backtracking on his decision to retire from swimming.

SOCHI, Russia -- The cost of the 2014 Winter Games in the Russian city of Sochi now stands at $51 billion, making it the most expensive Olympics in history. More than half of the bill is...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Phelps is off playing golf and showing no signs of backtracking on his decision to retire from swimming.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Escorted by Britain's Prince Harry and swimming superstar Missy Franklin, a U.S. Navy officer blinded by an improvised bomb in Afghanistan lit an Olympic-style cauldron Saturday to launch the Warrior Games for wounded service members.
STOCKHOLM -- The NHL is "proceeding under the assumption" that its players will take part in next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friday.
MOSCOW -- British Prime Minister David Cameron says his country's special services will resume limited cooperation with Russia to boost security preparations for the Sochi Winter Olympics next year.
NEW YORK -- Tyson Gay frets that he's cheating himself.
ANKARA, Turkey -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he would be "the first to applaud" if Istanbul is chosen to host the 2020 Olympics.
MOSCOW -- The Russian track and field federation says Olympic discus silver medalist Darya Pishchalnikova has been banned for 10 years for doping and will be stripped of her medal.
TOKYO -- Organizers of Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Olympics reiterated their commitment to IOC rules Monday after the city's governor was quoted making critical comments about rival candidate Istanbul.
LONDON -- From London to Sochi to Rio de Janeiro, the deadly bomb attacks on the Boston Marathon raised new concerns Tuesday over safety at major sports events around the world, including the Olympics and World Cup.
SOCHI, Russia -- In April, at the end of another seemingly endless winter, most Russians are eager to get rid of the piles of snow that have clogged their cities and streets and yards for months.
LA VISTA, Neb. -- Joe Torre says his experience as manager of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic has convinced him that the sport belongs in the Olympics.
OTTAWA -- The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation believes the 2013 women's world hockey championship has been competitive enough to quell any threat of the sport being dropped from the Olympics.
MOSCOW -- A key investor in Russia's 2014 Olympics is lobbying the government to offer tax rebates for companies operating there to help offset the rising costs.
LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The IOC says it is "absolutely confident" in Rio de Janeiro's preparations for the 2016 Olympics despite the temporary closure of the stadium that will host track and field events at the games.
ISTANBUL -- Istanbul chose a "Bridge Together" slogan for its 2020 Olympic bid on Monday, while an IOC poll indicated strong public support for the city's fifth attempt to secure the games.
TOKYO -- Olympic great Carl Lewis has offered support for Tokyo's bid to host the 2020 Olympics after visiting the place he describes as the venue for the best race of his life.
ROME -- Usain Bolt will run the 100 meters at the Golden Gala in June.
MADRID -- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy told IOC inspectors Monday that much of the infrastructure needed for Madrid's 2020 Olympic bid is already built, emphasizing a low-cost approach at a time of financial austerity.
VIENNA -- Vienna is dropping plans to bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics after a vast majority of residents rejected the idea in a referendum.