Wild Wild West Inside the Desperate Battle against Sports Doping A special unit of investigators and medical professionals in the U.S. is on the hunt for sports cheats. Internal emails that DER SPIEGEL has examined show how assiduous the inspectors are in their pursuit -- and how frustrating it can be. Von Rafael Buschmann, Lukas Eberle, Christoph Winterbach und Gerhard Pfeil
Tainted Sports Anti-Doping Leader Says Russia Should Be Banned In an interview with DER SPIEGEL, American anti-doping leader Travis Tygart argues that Russia should be excluded from international competitions until it cleans up its act. He also calls on the International Olympic Committee to take tougher action against countries that dope. Von Lukas Eberle und Detlef Hacke
Exceptions to the Rules How Some US Athletes Obtain Permits for Banned Medication According to documents hacked by a group called Fancy Bears and obtained by DER SPIEGEL, large numbers of US athletes applied for exemptions to take banned drugs shortly before the Rio Olympic Games. Von Christoph Winterbach, Lukas Eberle und Rafael Buschmann
Special Olympics Wichtig ist es, dabei zu sein Wenn an diesem Montag die Spiele für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung starten, erwartet Hannover fast 5000 Athleten. Grietje Kurtzweg möchte eine Medaille gewinnen - und neue Freunde kennenlernen. Von Tom Solbrig
Munich Olympic Terrorist Attacks German Ex-Interior Minister Disputes Torture Claims Were the victims of the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich tortured? Their relatives claim they were, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Then-German Interior Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher disputes the reports. Von Einat Keinan und Klaus Wiegrefe
Interview with Thomas Bach 'We Can Only Provide Inspiration' Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committe, talks to SPIEGEL about anti-gay laws, Hamburg's 2024 bid and the association's limited responsibility for human rights. Von Lukas Eberle und Maik Großekathöfer
Olympic Spirit? Russia's Overshadowed Games This year's Winter Olympics were anything but a carefree celebration of sport. Even before the flame was lit, there were critical questions about the preparations for these games -- and then came the events in Kiev. Von Peter Ahrens
Letter from Sochi The Olympic Debut of New Russia The Sochi Olympics began under a cloud of criticism and distrust. On the ground, however, people are doing all they can to impress the world with images from a city that is representative of a new, more hopeful young Russia. Von Benjamin Bidder, Lukas Eberle und Maik Großekathöfer
Sochi Schadenfreude 'Ha Ha, The Russians Screwed It Up Again!' People in the West are crowing over every possible problem associated with the Sochi Olympics. But the schadenfreude is an affront to many Russians. We shouldn't forget that Russia is hosting a party and we are their guests. Von Benjamin Bidder
Putin's Games Influence Peddling at the Feeding Troughs of Sochi Though the Olympic Games in Sochi don't begin until next week, the victor is already clear: Vladimir Putin. The president has used the spectacle -- and the vast construction contracts involved -- to secure his own power and to rid himself of rivals. Von Christian Neef und Matthias Schepp
Olympic Construction Sins The Leaning Houses of Sochi Vladimir Putin promised the Olympics in Sochi would be as green as could be. Instead, the construction of facilities has had disastrous consequences for the environment, particularly for the residents of Baku Street, whose homes have become the victims of man-made erosion. Von Benjamin Bidder
Securing Sochi Russia's Elite Counter-Terrorism Fighters As Russia reels from last week's terror attack in Volgograd, President Putin is going to great lengths to make sure the Winter Olympics in Sochi remain secure. The elite Spetsnaz fighters are charged with holding off Islamist separatists from the volatile Caucasus. Von Matthias Schepp
World from Berlin President's Sochi Boycott 'Sets an Example' German President Joachim Gauck's office has informed the Kremlin he will not be attending the Sochi Olympics in February. German newspapers view his protest of Russian human rights violations as a moral decision by the German head of state.
Snow Way Olympic Snub Casts Shadow on Elite Sport Bavarians recently rejected the chance to bid for the Winter Olympic Games, triggering an identity crisis for the world of elite sports in Germany. Has the country lost its appetite for large-scale events and gold medals? Von SPIEGEL Staff
Russian Drag Queen Boycotting Sochi Winter Olympics Is Wrong A number of organizations and celebrities are calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics to protest harsh anti-gay policies in Russia. But a drag queen in Sochi, the host city, explains why it would be wrong. Von Matthias Schepp
'Missed Opportunity' Bavarians Reject 2022 Winter Olympics Bavarians voted against a bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in a local referendum on Sunday that reflected mistrust of the International Olympic Committee and concerns about costs. Supporters warn this is a blow to Germany's sports reputation.
Colorful Statement? Germany's Olympic Uniform Seen as 'Pro-Gay' Germany's new outfits for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi have been interpreted by many as a silent protest against Russia's anti-gay laws, but the German Olympic Sports Confederation disputes it.
Olympic Champion German Elected as New IOC Head Germany's Thomas Bach, a gold medal winner in fencing, became the most important man in the sporting world on Tuesday with his election as president of the International Olympic Committee during a vote in Buenos Aires.
Anti-Gay Law Shunning Sochi Hurts Olympians, Merkel Says Russia's new anti-gay "propaganda" law has some Western leaders considering a boycott of the Winter Olympics there next year. But German Chancellor Merkel says such a move would only harm athletes.
The Straight Dope West German Scandal Spurs Push For New Law Although reports two years ago of widespread doping in West German sports prompted outrage, politicians have done nothing. Some are hoping a rekindled public debate may lead to the passage of an effective anti-doping law. If Italy and Spain have done it, they argue, so can Germany. Von Detlef Hacke, Udo Ludwig und Michael Wulzinger