ATHLETES

JACKSON -- As the winter sports near their conclusion, athletes are showing their skills on the postseason stage and in the regular season stretch run with conference titles on the line. Here are some of the top performances of the past week in the Jackson area. Vote on which one you feel is worthy of Athlete of the Week honors. Voting will run through Friday morning. If you cannot see the poll, click here.

Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine last February, the International Olympic Committee recommended bans on Russian athletes. Now, the IOC has reversed course, to the protest of Ukrainian officials.

The International Olympic Committee has cleared a path for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics under the Council of Asia.

Sports help kids build confidence and learn valuable life lessons. Most importantly, they should be fun for kids, but sometimes young athletes who find a sport they love will push themselves or get pushed by their parents into doing it exclusively.

It is once again time to highlight fall athletes in our Athlete of the Week poll. Voting will close at 8 p.m. on Sunday night and the winners will be announced on Monday morning. If you want to nominate someone for athlete of the week voting in the future, please send stats and info to japurcell@mlive.com.

There are dozens of athletes who can now call themselves a champion after this weekend’s Special Olympics Michigan poly hockey and unified bowling finals.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Athletes from around the Kalamazoo area put their seasons on the line this past weekend, as Michigan kicked off its 2022 football playoffs. For some, the pressure is too much to bear, but for others, the playoff atmosphere brings out their best.

There are new changes to the NCAA’s transfer process. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Wednesday announced transfer windows for athletes to continue to be immediately eligible at their next school the first time they transfer. Athletes most notify their school in writing of the intent to enter the portal during those periods.

Scotland's Commonwealth athletes are wearing Siobhan MacKenzie's designs at the opening ceremony.

Track and field athletes from across the state have qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Lower Peninsula state championships on June 4. You can find them all here and see where each athlete is seeded in every event based on their qualifying times in the region championships. The Division 1 L.P. finals will be held at Rockford High School while D2 will be at Forest Hills Eastern High School, D3 will be at Kent City High School and D4 will be at Baldwin Middle School in Hudsonville. Meet the boys and girls Division 1 track & field state finals qualifiersMeet the boys and girls Division 2 track & field state finals qualifiersMeet the boys and girls Division 3 track & field state finals qualifiersMeet the boys and girls Division 4 track & field state finals qualifiers

Saginaw-area athletes ushered in May with some impressive performances, earning a shot at MLive Saginaw Athlete of the Week honors. Fans can check out the top athletes in the area and then vote for their favorite athlete. Fans can vote until 9 a.m. Friday.

The boys track and field season is starting to push into full gear and athletes across Metro Detroit are ready to show what they are made of this year. The Metro Detroit coverage area is a hotspot for track and field talent and are we are providing a list of the top 20 athletes to watch moving forward this spring season. Athletes are listed in alphabetical order of last name.

The 2022 Michigan high school track season has begun, with Saginaw-area athletes ready to improve on 2021. Here are the top 10 Saginaw-area boys track athletes to watch in 2022:

The ban does not affect Russian or Belarusian athletes registered for the events who are not residents of the countries.

The women’s NCAA Tournament field is set and now the fun begins, with 68 teams trying to win the national championship — starting with the first-ever First Four games.

In a stunning reversal, Russian and Belarusian athletes have been banned from the Winter Paralympic Games for their countries’ roles in the war in Ukraine, the International Paralympic Committee said Thursday in Beijing. The about-face comes less than 24 hours after the IPC on Wednesday announced it would allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete when the Games open on Friday, but only as neutral athletes with colors, flags and other national symbols removed. The IPC received immediate criticism for its initial decision.

Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."

The Winter Games begin amid tight Covid-19 restrictions and allegations of human rights abuses.

Pandemic restrictions and government warnings about human rights protests are serious issues. But fans can still celebrate the athletes.

With events set to begin at the 2022 Winter Olympics, U.S. athletes are getting acquainted with their accommodations as well as competition venues.

Over the last decade, athletes have stepped up their social activism — building on more than a century of athletes taking a stand.

Over the last decade, athletes have stepped up their social activism — building on more than a century of athletes taking a stand.

Team USA on Sunday announced its roster of pairs skaters who will compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics -- and that roster includes Timothy LeDuc, the first openly nonbinary athlete to compete at a Winter Olympics.

More than 1,000 sexual abuse victims of a University of Michigan sports doctor would get a window in which they could sue the school for damages under new bills that the Legislature will consider.

Athletes from around Metro Detroit opened the state playoffs with some pretty impressive efforts. Now, it’s time to look back at some of the top performances from the around the area and vote for the next Metro Detroit Player of the Week. NOTE: The results of the poll have no influence on any of MLive’s postseason honors and are strictly for bragging rights and to express fan appreciation.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Athletes from around the Kalamazoo area put their seasons on the line this past weekend, as Michigan kicked off its 2021 football playoffs. For some, the pressure is too much to bear, but for others, the playoff atmosphere brings out their best.

Athletes from all over the country have flocked to Metro Detroit this weekend in hopes they can represent the United States on a national stage.

More than 800 former University of Michigan athletes have come forward accusing Dr. Robert Anderson of sexually abusing them during exams.

Here’s some of Michigan’s best that have represented the US over the years

Two Michigan lawmakers are taking issue with female college athletes being excluded from a $500 per month athletics scholarship available for all members of Michigan State University’s Spartans football and men’s basketball teams.

Prepare every single week like we’re playing Ohio State. Michigan has lost eight straight games and 15 of the last 16 to Ohio State, winners of four straight Big Ten championships. “We’re preparing every day like we’re playing Ohio State,” starting tight end Joel Honigford said. Players of the past, and even Harbaugh himself, would often take the “one game at a time” approach when asked about Ohio State. When practice comes or the way we’ve been practicing — just practice like we’re preparing for Ohio State.

Gene Kalmat came into the sport of roller figure skating out of necessity.

Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli won his shot put event but had his title revoked because he was three minutes late.

Mental health in athletes has been an issue the Michigan High School Athletic Association has been focusing on for years.

The Life Time Chicago Triathlon is back after a year hiatus, on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, 2021.

Check out the highlights of the 4Frenzy Game of the Week that aired on Local 4

Korean Central Television airs a women's football match that was actually played last month.

The mayor of softball athlete Miu Goto's hometown prompted outrage after chomping on her medal.

The ceremony organizers will try to use artistic elements to show the athletes a taste of ordinary life in Japan, something they haven't been exposed to due to pandemic restrictions.

88 national Olympic committees medaled this year in Tokyo — three more than in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and London in 2012

If you have been watching the Tokyo Olympics and noticed Russian athletes competing under the title “ROC,” you may be wondering what those initials stand for. But unlike most athletes at the Olympics, these Russian athletes are not allowed to use their country’s name, flag, or anthem at the games. Instead, they compete under the acronym ROC, or “Russian Olympic Committee.”So how are these Russian athletes allowed to compete even though their country and their nationality is banned? Russia was banned from the 2021 Olympics by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for the country’s massive doping scheme. Russian athletes who did not take part in the doping scheme are still allowed to compete in the games, but only as neutrals.

Beach Volleyball is one of the most popular events at the summer Olympics, and part of that reason is because of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings.

There is one word that comes to mind when you hear Lisa Leslie’s name: baller.

The U.S. women’s soccer team is undoubtedly one of the best soccer teams on the planet, but long before there was Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd -- there was Mia Hamm.

The Tokyo Olympics' opening event, anticipated so eagerly 18 months ago, went off in an empty stadium and with a mix of protesters and interested residents gathered outside.

Ultimately, after grappling with the implications of taking her family along, the athlete announced that she planned to travel to Tokyo on her own.

Eleven-thousand athletes will sleep on the cardboard frames, which are meant to be recycled.

Here are the athletes with ties to the great state of Michigan competing at the Tokyo Olympics.

University of Michigan fans will now be able to wear a jersey sporting the name of their favorite athlete, thanks to new laws surrounding college sports.

​Over 11,000 athletes will compete in Tokyo. Roughly 85% of them are vaccinated and they will be tested daily.

​Over 11,000 athletes will compete in Tokyo. Roughly 85% of them are vaccinated and they will be tested daily.

The path to Tokyo for many athletes has taken a few twists and turns.

"Athletes are not politicians," said the Kremlin spokesman.

The road to Tokyo has been filled with many challenges for athletes.

Two former U-M track & field stars will compete at the Tokyo Olympics.

Sisters Tiffany Porter and Cindy Sember are making repeat appearances at this summer's Olympic games.

See which current and former U-M swimmers made the U.S. Olympic Team.

With less than a month to go before the summer games we are getting more decisive about who to support in the Tokyo Olympics.

With transgender athletes set to go to the Tokyo Olympics, a majority of people now stand against letting them compete in women's sports.

If you are a sentient human being, you are aware of the stunningly insipid nature of sports interviews.

A total of 28 current and former U-M swimmers will compete in Omaha through June 20.

Bo Schembechler, who led the team from 1969-89, was vividly told by at least four people that Robert Anderson had molested them during routine physicals or other exams, according to the report commissioned by the university.

A tragedy forced Savannah Cummins to come to terms with the fact that doing what she loves means putting lives in danger

A tragedy forced Savannah Cummins to come to terms with the fact that doing what she loves means putting lives in danger

CUAA athletic trainers help keep athletes going strong during the pandemic.

CUAA athletic trainers help keep athletes going strong during the pandemic.

Four elite athletes put in the work despite the coronavirus pandemic even though the Olympics were postponed. Athletes had to put their lives on hold and train for another year when the postponement was announced. “Had to train on hills or train on grass,” Sember said. AdSoftball player Amanda Chidester said she did what a lot of people did -- purchased home workout equipment. But all the athletes kept a great perspective and were willing to adjust.

HOWELL, Mich. – Cleary University in Howell is recruiting for its esports team. The business school is preparing to break ground on an esports arena in March. Its esports coach, Jarod Ericksen, is recruiting for the first time ever. You have to be a full-time student and have some ability at your esport of choice. There is scholarship money available if you’re good enough.

DETROIT – Many athletes know the valuable lessons learned on courts, fields and in arenas, but young girls are dropping out of sports twice as much as boys are. The Detroit Pistons are working to change that to make sure girls stay involved. The Pistons’ Game Growers’ team will develop and test their idea and create a game plan to grow sports participation for Detroit girls. You can apply online at the official Game Growers website here. Detroit Pistons reveal new ‘Motor City’ uniformThe Detroit Pistons have revealed their new “Motor City” uniforms.

ANN ARBOR – Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools, Jeanice Kerr Swift, announced on Thursday that the winter sports season will be delayed until January due to concerns over COVID-19. “Participation in indoor practices and competitions during a public health pandemic comes with a risk to the health and safety of those involved.”The announcement comes two weeks after Swift urged the Michigan High School Athletic Association in a public letter to postpone the winter sports season. Since Swift’s original letter on Oct. 30, new county and statewide cases have skyrocketed, breaking numerous one-day infection records. “Don’t wait for a call from the Health Department,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department, said in a statement. Schools across Metro Detroit have begun to shift from in-person to remote learning due to the surge in new COVID-19 cases.

OAK PARK, Mich. – High School football returned to Metro Detroit Friday -- albeit under very different circumstances. There are rules limiting the number of fans allowed to keep everyone safe. West Bloomfield took on Oak Park Friday night. A second positive COVID-19 test in the Lake Orion High School Varsity Football Program led to Friday’s game against Oxford to be canceled.

Orchard Lake – Before people were allowed into the stadium at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s on Thursday, they had to wear a mask, have their temperature checked and their name checked off of a guest list. Each participant is allowed two people to attend -- the stands were filled primarily with parents and had plenty of room. Thursday night’s game against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Walled Lake Western was the first of the season. The game went on, parents cheered their hearts out and the kids were just happy to be on the field. Final score was 28-7 with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s taking the win.

Why are Michigan student athletes mandated to wear masks? If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., speaks to media on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ron DeSantis signed into a law a bill that would open up that market for college athletes in the state. The bill gives the NCAA until June 2021 to have new rules in place that will supersede states laws. These kids deserve to make a little bit of money while they're in college, Rubio said. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) examining names, image and likeness compensation for college athletes, though Rubio's bill was separate from that group.

Tom Hanks and Rita WilsonThe couple were in Australia when they tested positive. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.”Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. Idris ElbaThe actor and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre, have coronavirus, according to social media along with published news articles. I tested positive for COVID19.

DETROIT – Athletes train their entire lives for a chance to win Olympic Gold, but before they can compete in Rio, they have to win their spot on Team USA. Watch our inside look at the competition that, for some, is more intense than the actual Olympics.