Going for Gold

USA TODAY Sports Olympics reporter Nicole Auerbach is joined on the telephone by USAT sports editor David Meeks to dive into the ever-changing story of U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte and his three Olympic teammates and their encounter with Brazilian security guards at a gas station in Rio de Janeiro. David offers the latest findings in the investigation, which tilt the story toward the possibility that Brazilian police, like Lochte, might have embellished their story. The pair also discuss how...

USA TODAY Sports' Nicole Auerbach and Sam Amick recap the overall performance by Michael Phelps and USA Swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Phelps walks away with five gold medals and one silver, to run his career-best tally to 28 total Olympic medals -- 23 gold. He displayed raw emotion and appreciation and says retirement is next, as he's in a much better place than he was four years ago in London. But is this REALLY it? It was also a record-breaking Olympics for Katie Ledecky, and...

Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour of USA TODAY Sports catch you up on everything from the first week in Rio, including the many American stars at this year's Olympics, the city's security problem and Chinese swimmer Chen Xinyi testing positive for a banned substance. View the Facebook Live video of this podcast at: https://www.facebook.com/usatodaysports/videos/1221358757896284 Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes.

In a rare free moment, USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour discuss the top topics from the first three days of the 2016 Summer Olympics. They discuss Lilly King vs. Yulia Efimova and all dopers, Michael Phelps vs. Chad le Clos and the U.S. women's gymnastics team vs. the world. And why aren't the American men as dominant as the American women in gymnastics? Subscribe to and rate us on iTunes. Follow us on Twitter at @RachelAxon and @nrarmour.

USA TODAY Sports reporter Rachel Axon is joined by a slew of guests to dissect the many issues facing Rio as the Olympics arrive. Rachel takes a look at the cost of these Olympics on Rio, how the city’s issues could play out during the Games and what will happen when the world turns its focus away after closing ceremonies on Aug. 21. Guests include: reporter and Rio resident Taylor Barnes; Andrew Zimbalist, Smith College professor and author of "Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind...

USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour chats on the phone with five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin. Liukin reminisces about the 2008 Beijing Games, where she captured the gold medal in All-Around, and admits she still hasn't gotten rid of any keepsakes from those Olympics. Liukin also discusses the past eight years of her life, which includes graduating from New York University, appearing on "Dancing with the Stars", getting engaged and taking on broadcasting -- which she will do from...

USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour and Olympics reporter Rachel Axon discuss the IOC delegating decisions about Russian athlete eligibility to international sports federations rather than banning the country for running a state-sponsored doping program. The decision leaves plenty to be answered as 27 federations must decide on the eligibility of hundreds of Russian athletes before the Games open on Aug. 5, and Nancy and Rachel discuss what will come as a result of the IOC’s decision.

An investigation commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency has confirmed allegations of widespread doping by Russian athletes in a state-directed cheating program. USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour unpack the latest findings. Subscribe and rate us on iTunes. Follow Rachel and Nancy on Twitter @rachelaxon and @nrarmour. (Photo: Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports)

USA TODAY Sports reporter Nicole Auerbach has a chat with Team USA swimming coach Bob Bowman. Bowman divulges where he believes the men's team stands heading into Rio and what adjustments need to be made in order to be a true contender. He also discusses how this team represents a changing of the guards, something that is bittersweet, and what all fans must know about this year's Olympic swimming competitions. And, of course, Michael Phelps comes up a time or two. Subscribe and rate us on...

Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour of USA TODAY Sports welcome The Associated Press' Will Graves for a detailed look at this year's United States women's gymnastics team for next month's Olympics. The trio dub themselves "gym nerds," while talking about the five-person team of Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman. They touch on Marta Karolyi choosing Douglas, who was the darling of the 2012 London Games but has struggled to live up to that reputation since....

USA TODAY Sports reporter Rachel Axon is joined by Bob Latham, chairman of USA Rugby and a former member of the United States Olympic Committee board of directors. Latham dives into his excitement for rugby's return to the Olympics for the first time in over 90 years. He discusses what in took to get the sport back into the Games and what to expect on the pitch, including American players to watch on the women's and men's teams. Latham is also the author of the book "Winners & Losers: Rants,...

USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour discuss the men's gymnastics team for Rio, and the likely women's squad. Rachel and Nancy were on hand in St. Louis, where Sam Mikulak, Jake Dalton, John Orozco, Chris Brooks and Alex Naddour earned spots on the men's five-person team at the U.S. Olympic Trials. The duo also weigh in on the women's U.S. championships, where Simone Biles won her fourth all-around title, topping Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian....

USA TODAY Sports reporter Nicole Auerbach chats with swimming coach David Marsh about Ryan Lochte, Katie Ledecky and the U.S. Olympic Trials, which will be held June 26-July 3 in Omaha. Subscribe and rate us on iTunes. Follow Nicole on Twitter at @NicoleAuerbach.

Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour of USA TODAY Sports give the news and views on the latest on the IOC, IAAF and Russia. Less than a week after the IAAF banned the Russian track and field team from the Rio Olympics with "few exceptions", IOC President Thomas Bach ruled that athletes who prove they are clean will be able to compete under the Russian flag. Rachel and Nancy discuss why this is a big deal, what message this is sending worldwide and more. Subscribe and rate us on iTunes. Follow Nancy...

Rachel Axon and Nancy Armour break down the decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations to ban Russia’s track and field team from the Rio Olympics and discuss what happens next.

After an independent investigation found evidence of widespread doping by Russian track and field athletes, the team was banned from Rio 2016 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Now, there are questions about whether the entire Russian delegation will be banned by the International Olympic Committee. USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour and Rachel Axon discuss the latest news from the scandal and ponder what might happen next. (Photo: Kay Nietfeld, EPA)

USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour has a chat with Juliana Barbassa, Brazil native and author of the book "Dancing with the Devil in the City of God: Rio de Janeiro on the Brink.” Barbassa discusses the book as a Brazilian who spent parts of 30 years living abroad and returned to see a less-than-appealing transformation of Rio de Janeiro, where the Olympics will be held this August. She and Nancy talk about the real fears for these Games, including the water quality, safety in the city,...

USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour catches up with Team USA women's soccer captain Becky Sauerbrunn to look at the Olympic tournament and other fun odds and ends. Sauerbrunn discusses Olympics vs. World Cup, the looming Zika virus, the pending equal opportunity lawsuit, the "Nerd Squad," and her love for books and "Game of Thrones", especially some of this season's top moments. Subscribe and rate us on iTunes, and follow Nancy on Twitter at @nrarmour.

Roxanna Scott of USA TODAY Sports has a chat with synchronized swimmers, Mariya Koroleva and Anita Alvarez, who have already punched their tickets to the Rio Games. The pair provide insight into their sport -- including their background and its challenges -- how they've grown together as a team over the last year and what they expect come August. Subscribe and rate us on iTunes, and follow Roxanna on Twitter at @roxscott.

USA TODAY Sports' Rachel Axon has a chat with American long jumper and defending Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese. Reese divulges what it's going to take to be the event's first woman to win back-to-back golds, how she was mentally able to overcome injuries and retirement ponderings, and what it has been like being a first-time mother while balancing her already-hectic schedule. Follow Rachel on Twitter at @RachelAxon, and follow Brittney on Twitter at @DaLJBeast.