News stories tagged with "athletes"

(07/29/11) The sport known as mixed martial arts, or MMA, is illegal in New York state. But that doesn't mean it lacks a loyal following, especially around Fort Drum, where combat sports are popular.

On Saturday in Watertown, two partners including the owner of a local gym are putting on a series of fights at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. The event showcases local fighters aspiring to make a living in the sport, although the rules for the matches had to be altered to comply with state law.

Joanna Richards has the story. more

(01/08/10) Iraq has never sent an athlete to the Winter Olympics. Back in 2005, before the games in Torino, Italy, Brian Mann profiled skeleton sled racer Faisal Gazi Faisal, from Baghdad. Once again this year, Faisal is fighting to win a berth at next month's Winter Games in Vancouver. Brian caught up with him in Lake Placid and found that his struggles and setbacks have mirrored the turmoil back home in Iraq.

(03/13/07) This year marks the 35th anniversary of the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX is the anti-discrimination law that protects women and minorities who are working or studying in an academic setting. During the three and a half decades since Title IX was signed into law, there has been a big shift in societal attitudes toward girls and women in sports. Earlier this month, the St. Lawrence County Branch of the American Association of University Women held a forum celebrating Title IX and positive changes in female sports programs in the North Country. Gender equity expert and sports advocate Mitzi Witchger, founder of GREAT! (Girls Really Expect a Team!), was the keynote speaker. She's a sports equity leader in Minnesota, Indiana and nationally. Witchger told Todd Moe her interest in sports equity began when her daughter was born in 1973 - the year after Title IX became law.

(01/02/06) National skeleton sled team coach Tim Nardiello has been accused of sexual harassment by several female team members. Martha Foley reports.

(04/24/02) Last May, commentator Betsy Kepes ran fast enough in the Ottawa Marathon to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon. Last Monday, she started running in a small town 26 miles west of Boston and ran east through town after town to the race finish at the Boston Public Library.

(03/04/02) The North Country's Olympic athletes were welcomed home from Salt Lake City on Saturday with a parade in Lake Placid. Hundreds of people lined the streets to shake hands and cheer. As Brian Mann reports, it was a chance for locals to share some of the glow of Olympic gold.

(02/25/02) A 34-year-old Toronto man died Friday afternoon on
Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in the Adirondack town of Chesterfield. Kevin Bailey fell while ice climbing on the mountain's popular east face. Brian Mann has details.

(02/22/02) Last month, a group of students from St. Lawrence University traveled to central Mexico. They were hoping to scale Orizaba - the third highest peak in North America. The week-long expedition gave the students a chance to climb into thin air. For many of the students, it was also a first chance to explore a different culture. Brian Mann went along on the trip. He sends this audio postcard.

(02/20/02) The Olympics heat up again today and tomorrow, as North Country athletes compete in some of Salt Lake City's most anticipated events. Today's main event is the skeleton sledding. Brian Mann has this preview of a race that features a home town hero.