Quest for Gold

This week on Quest for Gold: The athletes have arrived in Beijing, though one high-profile American brought something she was hoping to avoid. The Beijing snow is fake. “The Cube” freezes over. The Bidens plan to cheer on Team USA from afar. And in the athlete spotlight of the season finale of Quest for Gold […]

This week on Quest for Gold: The full Team USA 2022 Winter Olympic team is announced, with two late adds. The athletes have already been processed, gotten their uniforms, and have taken the 15-hour flight from LAX to Beijing. Now they wait for Opening Ceremonies. In this week’s athlete spotlight we talk with 21-year-old long […]

This week on Quest for Gold: Two weeks out from the opening ceremonies and China says there will be no tickets sold. Jamaica’s got a bobsled team…again More Americans punch their tickets to Beijing. (Including ski jumper Casey Larson. Check out our interview with him by clicking here. And in this week’s Athlete Spotlight we […]

This week on Quest for Gold: The U.S. Men’s Hockey, Figure Skating, Long Track Speed Skating and Biathlon teams have been announced. One figure skating duo qualified for Tokyo despite having to back out of the U.S. Championships due to COVID-19. A speed skating powerhouse gives her bid away to a teammate. China has shut […]

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold: An injury and a positive COVID test are keeping two prominent skaters off the ice at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships The U.S. Long Track Speedskating trials are underway in Milwaukee IOC member Dick Pound floats the possibility of a cancellation The Team USA Women’s hockey roster […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The NHL pulls the plug on sending players to Beijing. Team USA women’s hockey’s series with Canada cut short. The US Speedskating Olympic teams have been announced. And in our athlete spotlight we talk with American figure skater Bradie Tennell, who is recovering from an injury, as she eyes […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold:  The USOPC and USA Gymnastics settle with the ‘Sister Survivors.’ Could the U.S. make a run for the 2030 Winter Olympics? The USOPC decides on athlete booster shots. And in our athlete spotlight we speak with Short Track Speed Skater Ryan Pivirotto.  The 26-year-old Michigan native is hoping to […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: More nations are joining a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. Summer Olympics stars Allyson Felix and Simone Biles are back in the spotlight. The IOC weighs in on Peng Shuai…sort of. A U.S. bobsledder gets some important paperwork as she pushes for an Olympic bid. And on this […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold:  China prepares for the spread of the Omicron variant. The world demands answers in the disappearance of Peng Shuai. Another Brazilian leader sentenced for corruption related to the 2016 Olympic bid. And in our Athlete Spotlight we talk with U.S. Men’s Figure Skater Jason Brown, of Highland Park, IL.  […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The U.S. Curling trials are underway. U.S. long track speedskaters pick up some hardware in Poland. The IOC lifts rules on transgender athletes. And on this week’s Athlete Spotlight we chat with 2018 Olympic Ski Jumper Kevin Bickner as he prepares for his second Olympic games.  But his journey […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: Sponsors are being questioned over human rights in China. The IOC considers protest zones. A U.S. ice dancing duo is fine tuning ahead of Beijing. And in our athlete spotlight we catch up with American speed skater Emery Lehman, who has a new home and a new perspective heading […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: U.S. Men’s Figure Skater Nathan Chen gets back on track up North. An Olympic speedskater is making headway in the world cup season.   Horses will be out of future Olympic modern pentathlons. The USOPC takes on racism and discrimination in sports. And in this week’s Athlete Spotlight, we talk […]

The IOC has released its 2022 Playbooks ahead of the Winter Games in Beijing. A new U.S. men’s figure skater has emerged as a possible medal contender. A soccer legend says farewell. The US Women’s hockey drought continues against Canada.  Meanwhile there’s been a shake-up in leadership on the men’s side. In this week’s athlete […]

Quest for Gold is back! And we’re skating, skiing and sweeping our way to the Opening Ceremony in Beijing this February. In this week’s episode, we hear from Olympic veterans like Patrick Kane, Lolo Jones, Matt Hamilton, and Nathan Chen. And we hear about safety protocols being put into place by Team USA and the […]

On Quest for Gold…the last before Tokyo 2020! Competitions are already underway as we await opening ceremonies.  And we’ve already seen athlete protests. One American volleyball player has already been ruled out of the games due to COVID-19. The USWNT is stunned by an old foe. Softball is back. A host city for the 2032 […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… A positive COVID test for US Women’s gymnastics. Coco Gauff won’t be able to make the trip. A major sponsor pulls out of the Games. ‘Debunking’ Olympic Village no sex beds rumor. And on this week’s Quest for Gold athlete spotlight we talk with Olympic hurdler David Kendziera.  He’s […]

This week on Quest for Gold… The full Team USA roster for the Tokyo Games has been announced, and we know what they’ll be wearing! There are new rules on medal ceremonies. The families of American athletes may still get an Olympic experience. A few big-name athletes won’t be going to Tokyo after all. On […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… The IOC makes a decision on Tokyo fans A member of the Serbian Olympic team has tested positive for COVID-19. USATF responds to the Sha’Carri Richardson suspension. Naomi Osaka speaks out about mental health. And we talk with Stefanie Dolson, center for the Chicago Sky.  She qualified for the […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… Nursing athletes will be allowed to bring their infants to Tokyo. The USA men’s basketball, gymnastics, golf, and tennis rosters are set. Baseball, judo, and water polo teams will be announced soon. And in our athlete spotlight we talk with fencer Eliza Stone.  The Chicago native and Princeton grad […]

This week on Quest for Gold… Olympic rosters are being filled on team sports. USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovsky has selected his 18-woman roster for Japan.  There are a lot of familiar names. We’ll know by next week who will be heading to Tokyo in gymnastics. Japan has announced capacity limits. The pandemic may have […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… The IOC is out with its new 70-page “Playbook” for athletes.  Check it out here: https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/games/tokyo-2020-playbooks/ The U.S. Women’s Rugby and Men’s Volleyball teams have been announced. The U.S. Swimming trials are wrapping up, the Track and Field Trials are kicking off. Some decisions are being made on the Olympics […]

This week on Quest for Gold… There’s a new lead city to host the 2032 games. USA Basketball has a new partner, and a training camp site. MLB broadcaster Jason Benetti just picked up a second summer job. And this week we talk USA Baseball with manager Mike Scioscia.  He lead Team USA through an […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… For the first time ever a USA Basketball team does NOT qualify for the Olympics. USA Baseball must keep winning. The U.S. Olympic Swimming trials get underway in Omaha. 10,000 Japanese volunteers  have backed out of the Olympic games. And in this week’s athlete spotlight we reconnect with Evita […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The IOC is banking on 70% vaccination of athletes prior to the games. The U.S. is telling people NOT to travel to Japan…for now. One Japanese newspaper wants the country to call off the games. This is a big week for qualifying. in baseball, 3×3 basketball, and swimming. And […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: Some familiar names are back on the gymnastics mat for the first time in years. USA Baseball prepares to name a roster ahead of qualification. An Olympic and social justice legend dies. In our athlete spotlight this week we talk with triple jumper Tori Franklin (Chicago, IL).  Tori has […]

This week on Quest for Gold: More rumors and doubts about the safety of the upcoming games. The U.S. might have a new Japan ambassador before the opening ceremonies DK Metcalf put on a show last weekend but probably isn’t Tokyo bound. And in our athlete spotlight we talk with Jeff Jendryk (Wheaton, IL).  He’s […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold:  Japan needs nurses and medical professionals for the games. USA Baseball has a qualification schedule, but still no roster. Zach LaVine is back on the NBA court after testing positive for COVID-19.  He’s hoping to make Team USA this summer. And in this week’s athlete spotlight, we talk to […]

This week on Quest for Gold: Japan releases its newest playbook, which provide guidelines for athlete, coach and official testing. The Japanese public still isn’t sold on holding a safe Olympic games. And on this week’s athlete spotlight we talk with USA Judo’s Nefeli Papadakis.  This Illinois 22-year-old is back to competing after an eight-month […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The USWNT gets a tough draw in Tokyo. An arrest has been made after an Olympic hopeful was harassed. Team USA weighs in on the Chauvin trial. The IOC weighs in on athlete protests. And we talk with three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Ryan Murphy about what the last […]

In this week’s Quest for Gold… Another Japanese leader plants a seed of doubt about the Summer Games The USWNT keeps its unbeaten streak alive. More members of Team USA qualify for Tokyo. And we talk with “Sister Survivor” Trinea Gonczar about growing up training under former USA Gymnastics coach John Geddert and convicted abuser […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… USA Baseball has a new manager. The White House is shooting down calls to boycott the 2022 Winter Games in Chicago. We get an update on Tiger Woods’ horrific crash. And this week we took part in the three-day long Team USA Media Summit.  We caught up with athletes […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… The torch relay won’t go through Osaka, Japan due because of COVID-19. Another disappointment for US Men’s Soccer. USA Hockey has a new GM. As Olympic trials get underway in Texas, wrestler Robby Smith could use your help following the birth of his son. And we talk with Olympic […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… The Olympic Torch is on the move in Japan. It’s official, no international fans at the Summer Games. It’s a huge weekend for the USMNT in its Olympic bid. Megan Rapinoe was at the White House this week. And in our athlete spotlight we chat with USA Rugby star, […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… The U-23 US Men’s Soccer team looks to qualify a bid for Tokyo at Concacaf. April Ross and Alix Klineman grab some big points as they look to qualify a bid for Beach Volleyball. U.S. Senator Mitt Romney weighs in on calls for the U.S. to boycott the upcoming […]

This week on Quest for Gold… IOC leadership remains in place. The USOPC talks about the “elephants in the room” heading into the 2021 and 2022 games. USA Men’s Basketball has named pool of 57 finalists.  There are some familiar names, and some new ones on there. You can now vote for the 2026 Milano […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold… Will there be fans in Japan? Where will they come from? Laurie Hernandez is competing! Katie Ladecky is winning! The U.S. Men’s U-23 Soccer team is prepping. And we talk with U.S. Sailor Maggie Shea (who has already qualified for the Summer Games) about what training has been like […]

This week on Quest for Gold… A coach of the 2012 U.S. women’s ‘Fierce Five’ gold medal gymnastics team commits suicide after being indicted on 24 counts of trafficking and abuse related to the Dr. Larry Nassar investigation. Tiger Woods’ Olympic dreams may have come to a halt. Lolo Jones calls out MTV over her […]

This week on Quest for Gold… There’s a new head of the Tokyo Organizing Committee, as Olympic officials push forward for the Tokyo games. They’re hoping revised ‘Playbooks’ will instill confidence in athletes, countries, and the Japanese public. Take a look at the ‘Playbooks’ here: https://www.olympic.org/tokyo-2020-playbooks

On this week’s Quest for Gold… Trouble in Tokyo.  More leadership issues, and less support for the games. A U.S. gold medal swimmer is in the hot water over the riot at the U.S. Capitol. A gymnastics legend has died. And we talk with Victor Montalvo of the Red Bull BC One All Stars.  This […]

This week on Quest for Gold… We’re one year away from the Winter Games in China…which seems a long ways away. The IOC is moving forward with plans to safely hold the 2021 games in Japan, though the Japanese public doesn’t seem enthused. An Olympic organizer is in hot water over comments made about women. […]

This week on Quest for Gold: IOC President Thomas Bach hopes to put aside rumors that the 2021 Games in Tokyo will be delayed, moved, or even cancelled, saying such reports “hurt athletes.” Meanwhile the USOPC says they expect the games to go forward with a “different look and different feel”. And this week we […]

The Summer Games in Tokyo are on…at least that’s what Olympic officials are saying. Competitions are restarting, as athletes keep their eyes on qualifying. Swimmers are back in the pool grabbing hardware. The USWNT is back on the field. U.S. Figure Skating stars come out to shine at the National Championships. And we talk with […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: A former Olympian is among those charged with storming the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Figure Skating reaches a $1.4 million settlement over alleged sexual abuse. BMX rider Hannah Roberts ushered in 2021 by saying ‘I do.’ And we speak with men’s gymnast Grant Breckenridge of Libertyville, Illinois who discusses what […]

Quest for Gold is back! Less than 200 days until the 2021 Summer Games in Tokyo and there are still a lot of questions.  Who will qualify? Will there be fans?  Will the Games be safe? Japan has seen a recent surge in new coronavirus cases. One USWNT star announces she has COVID-19. And we […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The Tokyo Olympic Games have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s unclear when they will be played, but organizers say it will happen by the summer of 2021 at the latest. WGN’s Ryan Burrow spoke with USA Volleyball player Dave Wieczorek (Chicago), Judoka Nefeli Papadakis (Gurnee), and […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The IOC and USPOC are telling athletes and fans to assume the games will go on as planned despite concerns over the spread of Coronavirus. Athletes are stuck at home, unable to train.  Events are being canceled.  Travel is being banned. 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Olivia Smoliga is among […]

On this weeks Quest For Gold: Coronavirus continues to leave questions about he future of the games.  President Trump weighs in. We talk with Rhythmic Gymnast Evita Griskenas, who had a competition cancelled, and had to leave Portugal ahead of the travel ban.   The U.S. Women’s Soccer team pursues its $66 million lawsuit against U.S. […]

This week on Quest for Gold: We get an update on construction ahead of the Olympics in Tokyo. The IOC says the Summer Games are full steam ahead, despite Coronavirus worries. Softball pitcher Monica Abbott can send you a birthday greeting! Simone Biles weighs in on the toll of the USA Gymnastics settlement over the […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The talks continue about the impact COVID-19 could have on the 2020 Olympics  in Japan. Athletes continue to move full steam ahead for qualifications. A teenager from Michigan punches a bid for Tokyo in BMX Freestyle for the inaugural Olympic event. And we speak with Stefanie Dolson of the […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: Sailor Maggie Shea needs to start searching for flights, she’s headed to Tokyo. 3×3 Team USA basketball qualifying rosters are set. Triple Jumper Tori Franklin lost, then recaptured her American jumping record. Japan gets emotional in releasing the new Olympic motto. And we talk with NBA stars about their […]

On this week’s Quest for Gold: The USWNT has qualified for the 2020 Olympics, but still feel they’ve got some work to do. Coronavirus concerns continue to grow heading into the Summer Games. U.S. Women’s Basketball survives a scare. And we talk with Cirrus and Skylar Lingl of Carpentersville.  Cirrus, 21 and Skylar, 19 are […]