Saudi women in 'breakthrough' Olympics
Saudi Arabia's decision to allow two female athletes to compete at the Olympic Games overturns a decades-old taboo imposed by the conservative Muslim monarchy which still bars women from sports at home.
Security and transport fears dog Olympic preparations
Britain's army will have to provide extra troops to police Olympic venues as a private security firm cannot supply enough trained staff, while a watchdog warned Thursday that border staff are under-trained.
Olympics: Meditating Buddhist monk saddles up for London He'd prefer enlightenment to a medal, but when Japan's horse-riding Buddhist monk Kenki Sato saddles up for London 2012, he'll be representing one of the Olympics' more unusual families.
'All the Bells' to ring out start of London Olympics Church bells, bicycle bells, handbells, ship's bells, and even mobile phones will sound across Britain in a "cacophonous, amazing sound" to mark the start of the Olympics.
07 July 2012
Football: Beckham's absence allows young stars to shine Beckham's shock absence from the Olympic football tournament has provoked a storm of controversy, but Stuart Pearce's decision to axe the aging star means the young prodigies will take their rightful place in the spotlight.
Olympics: Italian legend seeks sixth gold Italian veteran Valentina Vezzali will seek to bring the curtain down on her career at the London Games by claiming a record sixth fencing gold.