In August of 1944, when the tough east London neighborhoods of his childhood lay smoking in bombed-out ruins, a Nazi German V1 rocket packed with one ton of high explosives "fell just where you're sitting," David Gold says. Comfortably seated in the bar of the 117-year-old east London soccer club, West Ham, which he now co-owns, Gold is not trying to be melodramatic.

Janet Evans finished sixth in the 800-meter freestyle Sunday at the Speedo Grand Challenge in the former Olympic champion's final tuneup meet before the Olympic trials next month when she'll try to make the U.S. team at 40. Haley Anderson, who also competes in open water swimming, won the race in 8 minutes, 33.

Nastia Liukin sat in her hotel room and pulled out her competition leotard — hot pink, of course. Just like that, all the jitters and the weirdness the Olympic champion had been feeling about her first meet in three years disappeared. "I finally felt like I got back in the groove of things," she said.

Now that they've made peace with their international partners on the financial front, leaders at the U.S. Olympic Committee must decide whether to try to bring an upcoming Olympics to America. The key to that decision will be weighing the pros and cons of bidding for a Winter Games versus a Summer Games — a debate that will begin in earnest when the USOC board meets next month in the Bay Area.

Rebecca Soni beat Jessica Hardy to win the 100-meter breaststroke at the Speedo Grand Challenge, Hardy returned to win the 50 freestyle, and 40-year-old Janet Evans finished fourth in a consolation final of the 400 free on the meet's opening night Friday.

Becky Hammon hopes that the Olympics will be a little less stressful for her. Hammon will once again play for the Russian women's basketball team at the games this summer in London. She created a stir in 2008 when she first played for Russia in the Beijing Olympics.

All eyes will be on Olympic champion Nastia Liukin at the U.S. Classic. Martha Karolyi, however, will be keeping close watch on everybody. Make no mistake. The national championships may be two weeks away and there's still a month until the Olympic trials, but Saturday's meet is the first step in the selection process for this summer's London Games.

Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong is confident she can overcome her injury to earn a spot on the women's team for the London Olympics. Armstrong crashed her bicycle Thursday night in Boise during the first stage of the Exergy Tour, a final tuneup for riders competing for slots on the American women's team.

London's Olympic Stadium is ready, with a pristine track, a well-manicured grassy field and rows of gleaming seats to welcome 80,000 fans. But one thing is clearly missing. Where's the cauldron that will hold the Olympic flame? Organizers usually keep back details about the Olympics' opening ceremony, including the flame lighting, to ensure the appropriate drama, so it's no surprise that they're being coy.

Tara Whitten led a Canadian sweep of the first three spots in the Exergy Tour prologue Thursday after American gold medalist Kristin Armstrong fell and broke her left collarbone during the two-mile stage. Armstrong, the last of 103 riders to start, fell hard at the turnaround, putting her London Olympic hopes in doubt.

Colorado's governor and the mayor of Denver say they're pleased the International Olympic Committee and U.S. Olympic Committee have reached a revenue-sharing agreement. In a joint statement issued Thursday, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael Hancock said the agreement is one step in a marathon toward a potential USOC bid for the return of the Olympics to U.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders finalized a new revenue-sharing agreement on Thursday that ends years of acrimony between the powerful bodies and clears the way for future American bids for the games. After years of protracted negotiations, the two sides signed a long-term agreement that will reduce the USOC's future percentage share of TV and marketing revenues — a breakthrough that helps bring the U.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders finalized a new revenue-sharing agreement on Thursday that ends years of acrimony between the powerful bodies and clears the way for future American bids for the games. After years of protracted negotiations, the two sides signed a long-term agreement that will reduce the USOC's future percentage share of TV and marketing revenues — a breakthrough that helps bring the U.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders finalized a new revenue-sharing agreement on Thursday that ends years of acrimony between the powerful bodies and clears the way for future American bids for the games. After years of protracted negotiations, the landmark deal was signed by both sides after receiving final approval from the International Olympic Committee executive board.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders finalized a new revenue-sharing agreement that ends years of acrimony between the powerful bodies and clears the way for future American bids for the games, two officials with knowledge of the negotiations said Thursday.

Two officials with knowledge of the negotiations say international and U.S. Olympic leaders have finalized a new revenue-sharing agreement that ends years of acrimony between the powerful bodies and clears the way for future American bids for the games.

Tokyo organizers are pleased the Japanese capital made the cut to be one of three contenders to host the 2020 Summer Olympics. The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday decided the race for the 2020 Olympics will come down to a contest between Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul.

Transport officials in London will be paying compensation to hundreds of people stranded on a subway line that is critical to the upcoming London Olympics. Some 770 people had to get off their trains and walk through the tunnels Wednesday evening because of troubles on the Jubilee Line.

Doha and Baku were eliminated from the race for the 2020 Olympics on Wednesday as the IOC trimmed the field of candidates from five cities to three. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul made the cut as the International Olympic Committee executive board settled on a shortlist of finalists.

Doha and Baku were eliminated from the race for the 2020 Olympics on Wednesday as the IOC trimmed the field of candidates from five cities to three. Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul made the cut as the International Olympic Committee executive board settled on a shortlist of finalists.

Former world equestrian champion Zara Phillips carried the Olympic torch on horseback across the storied Cheltenham racecourse on Wednesday, as thousands of screaming fans watched her light the Olympic cauldron. More than 16,500 people, including her mother the Princess Anne, were gathered on the famous course's turf to see Phillips trot past the finishing post to the theme from the 1981 film, "Chariots of Fire.

Two-time Olympian Jennifer Nichols' eyes light up with she talks about her sport finally climbing out of the shadows. "The Hunger Games" has shined a bright light on the ancient sport of archery and fueled interest across the country in picking up a bow and arrow.

Britain will ban leaders guilty of human rights abuses from traveling to the U.K. for the 2012 London Olympics, a senior British official said Wednesday. Jeremy Browne, the Foreign Office minister, answered a question by Labour lawmaker Denis MacShane by saying that people linked to such crimes will not be allowed into the country.

The field of candidates for the 2020 Summer Olympics could be reduced from five to three, with Doha and Baku in danger of missing the cut. Tokyo, Istanbul and Madrid look certain to make the list when the International Olympic Committee executive board announces the group of finalists on Wednesday evening in Quebec City.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders have agreed in principle on a new revenue-sharing deal that would end years of acrimony and clear the way for America to bid again for future games, officials familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday.

Officials familiar with the negotiations say international and U.S. Olympic leaders have agreed in principle on a new revenue-sharing deal that would end years of acrimony and clear the way for America to bid again for future games. Two senior officials tell The Associated Press the proposed agreement is contingent on the backing of the governing boards of the International Olympic Committee and U.

International and U.S. Olympic leaders are close to finalizing a deal to settle the long-running financial dispute that has soured relations and undermined recent American bids for the games, a senior official said Tuesday. The International Olympic Committee and U.

Three crews from the United States secured their places at the London Games by winning races at the Olympic qualification regatta on Tuesday. The women's double sculls, the lightweight men's four and men's eight all won on the Rotsee course in Lucerne, Switzerland, to guarantee spots at the Olympics.

One day, the small espresso shop near the site of the London Games was the "Olympic" cafe. The next day, it was the "Lympic." So where did the "O'' go? The manager won't say. But it's more than likely the small business became another casualty in the battle against guerrilla marketers — advertisers who try to associate their products with a prestigious event without paying to be sponsors.

London Olympic organizers say Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, will carry the Olympic torch while riding Toytown — the horse that nearly helped her win a berth for the Beijing Olympics. The 31-year-old daughter of Princess Anne will ride Toytown on the final leg of the relay at the Cheltenham racecourse on Wednesday, where she will then light a celebratory cauldron signaling the end of the fifth day of the 70-day torch relay.

Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving of Cleveland and Knicks star Jeremy Lin are among 13 NBA players chosen to scrimmage against the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team in July. Also picked Monday were: John Wall (Washington), Ryan Anderson (Orlando), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Paul George (Indiana), Kawhi Leonard and DeJuan Blair (San Antonio), Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors (Utah), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Taj Gibson (Chicago) and Klay Thompson (Golden State).

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am carried the Olympic flame on Monday, trotting and even moonwalking through the western English city of Taunton to the cheers of thousands. The 37-year old star was surprise addition to the torch relay and performed a short moonwalk as the crowd roared.

Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am has carried the Olympic flame in Britain, trotting through the western English city of Taunton to the cheers of thousands. The 37-year old star was surprise addition to the torch relay on Monday and performed a short moonwalk as the crowd roared.

British police will deploy around 12,500 officers to protect the Olympic Games after facing strong criticism for their lack of manpower and slow response to last year's U.K. riots. The Olympic operation, drawing officers from 52 forces across Britain, will bolster the 10,500 army personnel already tasked with securing the July 27-Aug.

The Olympic torch was briefly snuffed out Monday during the relay leading up to the London 2012 Games. The torch was attached to the side of Para-badminton player David Follett's wheelchair in the western England town of Great Torrington when the flame went out.

LAND'S END, England — LAND'S END, England (AP) — British sailing hero Ben Ainslie kicked off the torch relay for the 2012 London Olympics with a stroll through teary, flag-waving crowds who cheered the arrival of the flame to Britain. Hundreds of people Saturday held up mobile phones to snap photos as the gold medal winner jauntily walked past.

LAND'S END, England — British sailing hero Ben Ainslie kicked off the torch relay for the 2012 London Olympics on Saturday with a stroll through teary, flag-waving crowds who cheered the arrival of the flame. Hundreds held up mobile phones to snap photos as he jauntily walked past and banged on plastic tambourines handed out by sponsors, creating a roar that shook the hillsides of this picturesque spot — the furthest point west in England.

An international delivery service is turning to a team of runners to beat the London Olympics crush. With close to 5 million visitors expected for the July 27 to Aug. 12 games — along with stringent security measures and special Olympic lanes reserved for athletes and employees — getting around is expected to be a challenge.

The ownership dispute over the land set to be used for the Olympic golf course for 2016 took another twist Friday when a court ordered the city of Rio de Janeiro to hand over the contracts with the owner of the land — and city officials said no such documents existed.

Even the wind cooperated Friday at this normally blustery naval station, remaining calm as David Beckham lit a celebratory cauldron and signaled the start of the 2012 London Olympics torch relay. There was a hushed "oooooh" as the former England national team captain and current star for the Los Angeles Galaxy took center stage as the flame arrived in the United Kingdom from Greece on the eve of a 70-day relay.