On this pop-up episode of Quest for Gold, WGN’s Ryan Burrow reviews the first ticket drop for the LA 28 Olympics.

In this pop-up episode of Quest for Gold, we talk with two-time Olympic medal swimmer Olivia Smoliga, who is eyeing a return to the Olympic team following a disappointing 2024. She’s got a new mindset and new mission as she takes on the next two-plus years to get back to the Olympics in Los Angeles.

On this final episode of Quest for Gold before the Opening Ceremony:
-The USOPC gives an update on relations with WADA, Katie Uhlaender, and security.
-“Crotch-gate” has taken the ski jumping world by storm.
-Lindsey Vonn tests out her left knee before competition, Dr. Vehnia Tjong of Northwestern University joins us.
-The U.S. is off to a great start in mixed doubles curling, women’s hockey, and figure skating.
-And we talk to a speed skater rising star who is expected to come back home with a lot of hardware in Italy, Jordan Stolz.

On this episode of Quest for Gold:
-Lindsey Vonn’s going to push through her injury.
-Katie Uhelander won’t be headed to Italy.
-Some sports are already getting underway, days ahead of the opening ceremonies.
-And we talk women’s hockey, which kicks off Thursday. Hillary Knight, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Abbey Murphy talk about the Canada rivalry and their quest for gold.

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The USOPC announces 232 athletes are headed to Italy to represent Team USA.
-We get an update on skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender’s bid to qualify.
-Brady Tkachuk talks about USA Men’s Hockey.
-Alpine legend Mikaela Shiffrin talks about her Olympic preps.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-There’s been a change to the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey roster.
-The U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton teams have been finalized.
-Jamaica’s got a bobsleigh team.
-U.S. Ski and Snowboard has named 97 athletes to the Olympic roster, many familiar names are on, some are off.
-And we talk with Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson, who is looking to repeat atop the podium in Italy.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team has been announced.
-Olympic bids for moguls, snowboarding, and bobsledding are still up for grabs.
-Snowboarder Chloe Kim give an update on her injured shoulder.
-The NHL is keeping a careful watch of rink construction in Milan.
-The LA28 ticket lottery registration has begun (Click here: https://la28.org/en/newsroom/registration-for-la28-ticket-draw-opens-today.html).
-And we talk to Rockford native Cameron Smith who will be competing with teammate Anna Gibson in the inaugural Winter Olympic sport dubbed ‘skimo.’

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Chloe Kim’s bid for Italy is in doubt.
-The U.S. Biathlon team has named it’s 8 Olympians.
-The 13 members of the U.S. Long Track Speedskating team have been named.
-And we talk with now two-time Olympic speedskater Ethan Cepuran about preparations for Italy.

From 2022:

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-Lindsey Vonn is headed to another Winter Games.
-The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Olympic Hockey rosters have been announced.
-U.S. Speedskating trials get underway in Milwaukee.
-And we hear from a former Olympian on the comeback trail as the U.S. Figure Skating Championships kick off in St. Louis.

From 2021:

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Four U.S. biathlon athletes have qualified for Italy, and we spoke with one of them.
-The freestyle ski and snowboard season has kicked off with two Americans reaching the podium.
-Weather played a factor in moving an event.
-And we talk with USOPC senior psychological services provider Dr. Emily Clark about how Team USA is prioritizing sleep headed into the Milan Cortina games. 

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The Freeski and Snowboard Halfpipe Grand Prix is underway in Colorado
-Around the clock work is being done on Milan’s ice hockey rink
-Connor Bedard’s Olympic aspirations are in jeopardy
-A South Korean set a new Olympic record
-Mariah Carey will be the Queen of Italy
-LA28 tickets will soon be available for purchase
-And we talk with three-time Olympic speed skater Emery Lehman as he chases down a fourth Olympic bid

From November 2021:

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-Lindsey Vonn makes history
-U.S. Curling teams are a go for Italy
-U.S. Figure Skaters are readying for the Olympic trials
-The U.S. has qualified its first ever Ski Mountaineering athletes for the Olympics
-Call him Coach Snoop
-And we talk with ski jumper Kevin Bickner who stepped away from the sport after Beijing, but is back eyeing another Olympic bid in a much tighter field.

From November, 2021:

This week on Quest for Gold:
-There are construction concerns with the Olympic hockey venue
-More Russian athletes will be allowed to compete in Italy
-NBC Universal is once again leaning on influencers to push content at the Winter Games
-Ralph Lauren releases its Team USA opening and closing ceremony uniforms
-And we speak with four-time Paralympian and four-time gold medalist Kendall Gretch, who is looking to qualify for Italy

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The new IOC president delivers and emotional address as the flame is lit ahead of the Winter Games
-3 skaters from Russia and Belraus have been approved to compete
-The new Team USA hockey jerseys have been revealed
-The Salt Lake City games logo is drawing some criticism
-And we talk with bobsledder Kaillie Humphries about her quest to become a mom

In the latest episode of Quest for Gold:
-Team Shuster was dethroned at the U.S. Curling Olympic Trials.
-American speed skaters broke some records at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup.
-U.S. figure skaters had a strong showing in Lake Placid.
-Jessie Diggins announced she’s wrapping up her career in 2026.
-And we hear from the experienced female Olympians show us age is just a number, and motherhood doesn’t have to end your career.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The “Quad God” stuns again in Canada.
-The clock is ticking to name Olympic hockey rosters.
-Ukraine prepares sending athletes to Italy.
-The IOC is considering a new blanket rule to transgender athletes.
-Ski Moutaneering is a new Olympic sport.
-And we talk with Olympic curler Chris Plys as he and Team Shuster look for Olympic redemption in 2026.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold…
-The U.S. Olympic Curling trials begin.
-The Milan Cortina closing ceremony will be historic.
-What happens with Russia?
-One Olympic sponsor is kicking in money for Team USA medals.
-And we hear from legendary Olympic Alpine Skier Lindsey Vonn, who is coming out of retirement for another Olympic bid.

On this episode of Quest for Gold USOPC leadership discusses preparations for the games 100 days out from the opening ceremony.  WGN’s Ryan Burrow is in New York for the Team USA Media Summit.

On this week’s Quest for Gold we speak with aspiring American athletes:
Nick Baumgartner (Snowboarding)
Bryce Cheek (Bobsled)
Taylor Anderson-Heidi (Curling)
Chris Lillis (Freestyle Ariels) 

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Italy says there were be four flag bearers and two cauldrons in Milan-Cortina.
-The International Paralympic Committee is lifting Russia’s suspension.
-Olympic organizers are seeking peace ahead of the games.
-And we’re talking Olympic hockey with Pittsburgh Penguins’ play-by-play radio voice Joe Brand.

In this latest episode of Quest for Gold:
-Snoop Dogg is heading to Italy.
-Milan organizers need to get to work on Olympic Village.
-The Milan-Cortina medals have been revealed.
-And we talk with two time Olympic ski jumper Casey Larson of Barrington, IL on his decision to hang up his skis ahead of the Milan-Cortina games. 

From 2022:

On the first Episode of Quest for Gold Milan-Cortina 2026:
-Russian athletes learn how they’ll compete in the Winter Games.
-The IOC president tours the Olympic Village.
-And we talk with Korean Sport and Olympic Committee President Ryu Seung-min.

On this FINAL episode of Quest for Gold of 2024:
-The Summer Games are here!
-Team USA names a second flag bearer
-The U.S. Men’s and Women’s Olympic Soccer teams have already played their first games
-The U.S. is guaranteed another Olympics after LA
-Team USA Figure Skating will finally get gold
-Ukraine has the fewest Olympic athletes in the nation’s history
-France’s rail system is hit with “criminal attacks” ahead of the games
-And we talk with two-time Olympic BMX racer Felicia Stancil, who just missed the podium in Tokyo, and is now motivated to medal

This week on Quest for Gold:
-Team USA has picked its male flag barer for the opening ceremony
-Men’s basketball squeaks by South Sudan and Germany in their final exhibitions before Paris
-Team USA Woman’s Basketball gets a loss ahead of their Olympic run
-Rumors are swirling about who will perform on Friday
-Team Israel is getting added security
-And we talk to Peter Chatain, a first-time Olympic rower, who says the early team selection will give them an advantage headed into Paris

This week on Quest for Gold:
-Team USA athletes have their swag and are headed to Paris
-Team USA Men’s Basketball has two more exhibitions before the Olympics
-The USWNT will try to find more scoring opportunities at the Summer Games
-An organization says the IOC isn’t following its own rules on Russian athletes
-And we speak with John Jayne of USA Judo who will be competing in in his first Olympics, but he has previous Olympic experience he’s hoping to use to his advantage

This week on Quest for Gold:
-The full Team USA roster has been named, we break down the numbers
-More than 10,000 athletes will be competing at the Olympics in Paris
-The U.S. Men’s Olympic soccer team has been named
-Kawhi Leonard is out for the Olympics, and a replacement has been named
-Diana Taurasi is nursing an injury headed into Paris
-Swimming in the Sienne is still up in the air
-And we talk to U.S. Women’s Indoor Volleyball player Lauren Carlini who overcame heartbreak in 2021 before making it to her first Olympics

From 2021:

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The men’s and women’s US Olympic gymnastics teams are named
-We’re still waiting on US Men’s Soccer Olympic roster
-The U.S. Skateboarding team is named
-The U.S. Men’s basketball team gets a training camp in ahead of Paris
-Is the Siene River clean enough to swim?
-Athletes will get AC at the games after all
-And we talk with U.S. Triple Jumper Tori Franklin about qualifying for Paris, and goals she’s laid out headed into her second Olympics

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The USWNT Olympic roster is out, we’re still waiting for the men’s roster
-The Track and Field Trials wrap up this weekend
-NBC will be using A.I. Al Michaels during the Games
-The Seine River still isn’t ready for swimming
-WADA is under fire from former Olympians
-And we talk with U.S. men’s gymnast Paul Juda, who is hoping this is the year men’s gymnastics moves back into the Olympic spotlight

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Coco Gauff, Scottie Scheffler, and Katie Ledecky are headed to Paris
-Cameron Brink, Bryson DeChambeau are out
-The U.S. Men’s Water Polo and Women’s Rugby teams have been announced
-An American born Olympic hopeful was killed in a diving accident
-More troubles with water in Paris
-Ralph Lauren shows off the Team USA ceremonial uniforms
-And we talk with first-time Olympian Grace Joyce as she prepares for what she expects to be the return of U.S. Rowing glory at the Olympics.

On this weeks episode of Quest for Gold:
-The U.S. Women’s 5×5 Basketball Roster was announced, one big name is not on it
-The U.S. Field Hockey and Artistic Swimming teams have been announced
-The U.S. Men’s Olympic soccer team falls in the final warm up before Paris
-Rafael Nadal wants to compete in Paris
-French and Spanish officials are preparing after a terror threat on the games
-And we speak with U.S. Women’s wrestler Kennedy Blades, who is competing in her first Olympics, but she wants more.

This week on Quest for Gold:
-Olympic rosters have been announced for Rowing, Women’s Indoor Volleyball, 3×3 Women’s Basketball
-Simone Biles blew everyone out of the gym in the U.S. Championships
-U.S. Men’s Soccer has a final match before the Olympic roster is set
-The Olympic rings have been added to the Eiffel Tower
-Russia is using A.I. Tom Cruise to disparage the Olympics
-And we chat with U.S. Olympic sailor Maggie Shea, who with her teammate Steph Robles are looking for a better outcome in their second Olympics.
-To donate to RobleShea Racing, click here: https://www.roblesheasailing.com/

From 2021:

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The U.S. Women’s Water Polo Team has been announced for Paris
-An American silver medalist will soon be a gold medalist
-The U.S. Gymnastics Championships will be the final warm up headed into Olympic trials
-U.S. Soccer has named 25 players headed into the final men’s Olympic training cycle, but that will be cut down.
-And we talk with U.S. Indoor Men’s Volleyball player Jeff Jendryk, who will be headed to his first Olympics this summer, on a team packed with experience

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Simone Biles is doing Simone Biles things
-The pool is being built for the USA Swimming Olympic Trials
-USWNT finally has its coach
-One soccer superstar won’t be competing in the Olympics
-The U.S. golf team is coming into focus two months out from the Summer Games
-France is struggling to hold rehearsals for the Opening Ceremony
-And we talk with Paralympic shooter Marco De La Rosa, who himself was shot while breaking up a robbery.  Now he’s looking at getting some hardware in Paris

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-USA Volleyball has named the indoor men’s Olympic team
-Brittney Griner’s status with Team USA isn’t certain
-France will have a couple NBAers on the men’s basketball team
-A longtime USA Swimming coach has died
– Scottie Scheffler wants to go to Paris
-“Anti-sex beds” return to the Olympic Village
-And we speak with Greco Roman wrestler Joe Rau, a Chicago native who came out of retirement and earned a spot to his first Olympics

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The Olympic torch relay has begun in France
-Wrestling and Triathlon qualifications are up for grabs
-Will Caitlin Clark make the Olympic Team?
-A couple likely Olympians revive an old Sprite ad
-USA Fencing has concerns over judging
-And we speak with Tokyo Olympic gold medal volleyball player Jordyn Poulter about expectations headed into Paris, and what has changed since the last Summer Games

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Team USA uniforms and outfits are unveiled
-Team USA has a new plane for the Paris games
-Katie Ledecky is honored by President Biden
-The USA Fencing roster has been set for the Olympics
-French officials believe the River Siene will be cleaned up by July
-The Olympic Refugee team has been named
-And in this week’s Athlete Spotlight, we talk to USWNT legend Crystal Dunn, who is hoping to land her first ever Olympic gold medal in what would be her third try.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-USA Swimming responds to doping reports out of China
-13 American wrestlers punched their tickets to Paris this week
-Novak Djokovic hopes to win his first ever Olympic gold
-IOC President Thomas Bach will introduce this year’s Refugee Team
-And we speak with USA men’s gymnast Yul Moldauer about what he hopes will be his second of three Olympic games!

Video from 2021:

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Paris is preparing for an open aired opening ceremony, but there is a Plan B
-Another settlement has been reached in the Dr. Larry Nassar case
-There’s pushback on the 2024 Nike female track uniforms
-Some don’t think Olympic medalists should be paid
-The U.S. Olympic wrestling trials are underway
-And the U.S. men’s 5×5 basketball team has been named, Nexstar’s Alyssa Orange spoke with team manager Grant Hill

Quest for Gold host Ryan Burrow continues reporting from New York City on Day 3 of the Team USA Media Summit. Today, on the final day, many Olympic and Paralympic athletes gathered at the Empire State Building to flip the switch that will eliminate the legendary building red white and blue in a ceremony to recognize the 100 days to the Paris games.  And Nexstar’s Matt Barnes talked with breakdancer Victor Montalvo who is ready to showcase his moves at the inaugural year for breaking at the Olympics.

Quest for Gold host Ryan Burrow is live from New York on Day 2 of the Team USA Media Summit.  Olympic gold medal fencer Lee Kiefer is looking to replicate her gold medal win in Tokyo. And she feels she’s even better now than she was then.

Quest for Gold host Ryan Burrow is live from New York at the Team USA Media Summit, 100 days out from the Paris games. Olympic gymnast Suni Lee talks about her 2024 comeback attempt.

This week on Quest for Gold:
-The French president expects Russia to make a statement during the games
-France has begun removing migrants from public spaces
-The Palestinian Olympic Committee has “scaled back ambitions”
-A U.S. Field hockey player says she’s been removed from the Olympic roster
-Two Americans have been named referees for the upcoming games
-And we speak with U.S. Olympic silver medalist Courtney Frerichs as she looks to make her third Olympic team, though the journey over the last year has been a struggle.

This week on Quest for Gold:
-We’re in The Bahamas with a little bit of history on Bahamian Olympic movement
-The men’s 3×3 U.S. basketball roster has been revealed
-The men’s 5×5 basketball Olympic pool is out
-Caitlin Clark will enter the U.S. women’s 5×5 Olympic team training camp this week
-Cardboard beds and condoms will be back in Olympic Village this year
-And we chat with 2020 American Olympian, modern pentathlon athlete Samantha Schultz about her Tokyo experience, her battle with body image and an eating disorder, and her decision to step away from the 2024 Olympic cycle

This week on Quest for Gold:
-Tennis superstar Coco Gauff is Paris bound
-The Olympic soccer groupings are out, USMNT faces France first
-Olympic fans can get a big screen experience this summer
-NBC will test a new function during the Games allowing you to order food while you watch
-And we speak with U.S. Field Hockey standout Maddie Zimmer about the sport, and how she’s approaching Paris 2024

This week on Quest for Gold:
-A new scientifically designed track could lead to a record number of track and field records in Paris
-The USWNT grabs some hardware
-A 22-man roster has been named for Men’s Soccer training camp headed into the Olympics
-Some celebs will be hosting the Opening ceremonies
-The mayor of Paris wants Russian athletes barred completely
-And we talk to Olympic weightlifter Jourdan Delacruz, who’s looking for her second chance at Olympic glory

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-USA Swimming marks 100 days until a unique U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis
-We talk with two-time Olympic swimmer Olivia Smoliga about her mentality heading into the trials and the Olympics
-USWNT looks to take down Brazil to win another championship
-Boxers compete for a spot in Paris
-USA Rugby Women’s Sevens nabs bronze in L.A.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The USWNT loses a shocker to Mexico
-It was a disappointing return to the mat for two Olympic gold medal gymnasts
-U.S. Skateboarders who to shred their way onto the Olympic roster
-The Paris athlete’s village has been inaugurated, but there’s no air conditioning
-And we speak with two-time Olympic artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez.  The U.S. has qualified an Olympic team for the first time in decades, and this team has podium expectations.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-It looks like one USWNT player is out for Paris
-U.S. Olympic gymnasts take the mat in Louisville this weekend
-Noah Lyles is still fast
-South Africa pulled two teams out of the Olympics
-The IOC delivers a TKO to Manny Pacquiao
-And we hear from WNBA starts Sabrina Ionescu and Chelsea Gray about trying to make the Team USA Women’s Basketball Olympic roster, and bringing home gold from Paris this summer

On this week’s Episode of Quest for Gold:
-The world says goodbye to a marathon record holder
-U.S. weightlifters try to bank qualifying points in Europe
-Snoop Dogg plans to pop up during the Olympics
-U.S. Women’s Water Polo continues its winning ways
-And Ryan Burrow chats with several NBA All-Stars about their plans to play for Team USA this summer.  We also hear from Team USA Managing Director Grant Hill about how the team is coming together.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-USA Women’s Basketball forms a roster to play in Belgium
-Some familiar faces win national titles in curling
-Flag football takes center stage ahead of the Super Bowl
-Women’s wrestling takes a step closer to having an NCAA championship
-Noah Lyles is really fast
-And the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials wrapped up last weekend in Orlando.  We talk with author Johanna Garton who was not only there to witness it, but has written an incredible story that marries running, the Olympics, the military, and immigration.

Johanna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johannagartonbooks/?hl=en
‘All In Stride’: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538184608/All-in-Stride-A-Journey-in-Running-Courage-and-the-Search-for-the-American-Dream

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold
-The US Olympic qualifying marathon trials take place this weekend in Orlando
-The USA Women’s Basketball team roster is coming into focus
-The push for an Enhanced Games continues
-Paris slims down its opening ceremony
-And nine Team USA figure skaters will finally be awarded gold for their 2022 performance.  We hear from newly minted gold medalist Madison Hubbell

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The USA Men’s Basketball pool has been announced
-USA Golf has new uniforms
-The U.S. is projected to win the most medals in Paris
-A college professor is taking her whole class to the Paris Olympics
-Flag football championships get underway next week
-Two favorites were bounced from the Australian Open
-And we speak with three-time Olympic slalom canoeist Casey Eichfeld as he sets his eyes and his boat on the Paris games

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The IOC has named its first official beer sponsor of the Olympics
-The Italy bobsled venue issue should be settled soon
-Paris police want more money headed into the Summer Games
-Another American team has qualified for Paris 2024
-American athletes keep climbing up world rankings to qualify for the Olympics
-And we talk with 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Silver Medalist Ahalya Lettenberger about her goals headed into Paris 2024

This week on Quest for Gold:
-The NBA plays a game in Paris, seven months ahead of the Olympics
-The mayor of Paris says he’ll swim in the Seine River ahead of the Games
-USA Badminton’s CEO has been suspended
-Five more U.S. athletes have qualified for Paris
-And we chat with Rhythmic Gymnast Evita Griskenas ahead of what will be her second Olympic games.

On this weeks’ episode of Quest for Gold:
Germany is teed up for a strong 2036 Olympic bid, but will the German public get on board for the first games there since 1972?

On this week’s Quest for Gold: 
-The head of the IOC doubles down on the policy of Russian athletes competing in Paris 2024
-The U.S. Boxing Trials have wrapped up
-Skateboarding Olympic bids are on the line in Japan
-There’s a push to make flag football an NCAA sport
-And U.S. lawmakers debate transgender athletes in women’s and girl’s sports

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials are underway
-U.S. Soccer has named a new training center
-There will be one noticeable team missing from the Summer Games
-Surfers could boycott the Paris Olympics
-And we chat with seven-time Olympic medal gymnast Shannon Miller about her battle with cancer

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The IOC prepares to name the 2030 and 2034 Winter Olympic host cities
-More tickets go on sale for the 2024 games in Paris
-You could see Giannis or Luka in Paris next summer, but not both
-And we talk to U-23 Men’s Soccer Goalkeeper Christopher Brady about trying to make the Olympic roster, and goals for Paris 2024

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-Team USA Basketball Coach Steve Kerr is one and done with the Olympics
-Brittney Griner has her eyes on Paris
-The U.S. Men’s Water Polo team will be competing in Paris
-The torches have been completed for the upcoming games
-And we speak with Greensboro College wrestling coach Justin Harty as his school hosts the Ukrainian Women’s Olympic wrestling team this week

In this episode of Quest for Gold:
-We’re live from Atlanta’s Centennial Park
-We talk with Terrence Burns of T Burns Sports Group LLC about how Olympic bids come to be, and how host nations and countries are chosen – Terrence Burns blog on the LA 2028 bid | Terrence Burns blog on the Pyeongchang 2018 bid
-The U.S. is dominating the Pan Am Games – Team USA update on the PanAm Games
-The U.S. has punched tickets to Paris for 3×3 basketball for both the men and women
-Mary Lou Retton is in recovery

Atlanta’s Centennial Park photo gallery:

This week on Quest for Gold:
-The PanAm Games are underway in Chile
-Argentina has a spot for Messi
-The Tour De France is changing course
-Daft Punk won’t be getting together ‘One More Time’
-And we talk with USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck about flag football joining the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program for the first time

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee offices were raided again
-New sports have been added to the 2028 Olympics in L.A.
-Kevin Durant has his eyes on a new Olympic record
-Mary Lou Retton remains hospitalized
-A celebrity lands a job with the IOC
-Boxing is still up in the air for 2028
-And we talk about what the Official World Golf Ranking’s decision to disqualify LIV golf tournaments from its ranking system, and what that could mean for Olympic qualification with AP golf writer Doug Ferguson

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Mary Lou Retton is fighting for her life
-The IOC makes a decision on Russian athletes for 2024
-Israeli conflict could impact the games
-LIV is shut out of the world golf rankings
-Molly Seidel had a great run in Chicago
-The US Men’s Olympic Soccer team roster 

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-USA Men’s Gymnastics does something they haven’t done in nearly a decade
-Simone Biles continues to wow
-Another NBA superstar is eyeing Paris
-The U.S. has its first Olympic breakdancing bid
-What’s up with Paris bedbugs?
-And we talk with marathon runner Molly Seidel about the upcoming Chicago Marathon and what life has been like since winning bronze in Tokyo

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-We talk with German rower Nikita Mohr about training in the U.S. vs. Germany
-Megan Rapinoe says farewell to the USWNT
-USA Gymnastics preps for Worlds

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold we get a tour of the Olympiapark Munich, the location of the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.  We learn about the originality of the park, the contemporary uses, and the potential for a future games there.

For more on Olympiapark Munich: https://www.olympiapark.de/en

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Coco Gauff is on top of her game
-LeBron James plans to woo NBA stars to Paris
-Suni Lee takes a pause on her gymnastics season
-USWNT prepares to say goodbye to two legends
-Five American surfers have punched their tickets to Paris
-And there’s a new effort to create a games that would allow for drug use, including performance enhancing drugs.  But does it have any legs?

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The US Men’s Basketball team has been bounced from the FIBA World Cup
-The U-23 USMNT team has a new head coach heading into the Olympics
-Simone Biles is eyeing France
-A U.S. Judo Olympian gets engaged
-Molly Seidel is prepping for the 2023 Chicago Marathon
-And when will pickleball become an Olympic sport?  It might not be that far off.  We talk about it with Tom Webb of the APP (Association of Pickleball Players)

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The U.S. Men’s Basketball team has been rolling through Manila
-Simone Biles keeps checking the boxes on a possible Olympic appearance
-U.S. Track and Field cleaned up in Budapest
-A couple big names are officially retiring from USWNT
-And we speak with Canadian beach volleyball duo Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes about using every opportunity to grow and learn heading into the Paris Games

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyle shine in the 100m at the World Championships in Budapest
-Simone Biles prepares for her second test of her comeback
-Olympic bids for Rhythmic Gymnastics are on the line in Spain
-And the men’s FIBA World Cup gets underway in Manila, Joe Vardon, Senior Basketball Writer for The Athletic gives us a preview of the team and its mission heading into Paris 2024

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-The USWNT is looking for a new head coach
-There’s a men’s golf Olympic qualifying tournament this weekend
-We talk with Tri Bourne and Chaim Shalk ahead of the AVP Manhattan Beach Volleyball Open
-The World Athletic Championships begin this week
-The US Men’s Basketball team is loaded heading into the FIBA World Cup…with coaches.

On this week’s episode of Quest for Gold:
-Simone Biles wows in her return to the mat
-USWNT falls in disappointing fashion.  We talk about it with Jeff Rueter of The Atlantic
-The FIBA World Cup begins soon
-France is trying to clean up the Seine River in time for the games

On this week’s Quest for Gold:
-The USWNT needs to put down a frequent foe to move on in the WWC
-Simone Biles competes for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics.  NewsNation’s Adrienne Bankart spoke with former Olympian, and gymnastics commentator Kathy Johnson Clark on Biles’ return to the sport
-Katie Ledecky grabbed gold to set a new record at the Worlds
-Tom Daley is looking at a 2024 comeback
-Brittney Griner is taking a break
-And Dolly Parton + Queen will inspire the Olympic coverage!

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 we talk with women’s hockey player Jesse Compher. Jesse is looking to inspire younger hockey players like her NHL-playing brother did for her.

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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 track speed skater Ethan Cepuran.  He’s hoping to make the most out of what will be a very different first Olympic experience.  The interview was conducted before leaving for Beijing.

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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 speak with pairs figure skating duo Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier.  Arguably the best pairs team the U.S. has to offer had to hold their breath to be named to the 2022 team.  We talk about it here:

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 down some cities due to Omicron.

And on this week’s Athlete Spotlight we talk Ski Jumping with 2018 Olympian, and 2022 Olympic hopeful Casey Larson.  He’s got one more competition to wow the American team before the Olympic roster is set.  His friend and fellow Illinois native Kevin Bickner has already qualified.

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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 is announced.

And in this week’s athlete spotlight we talk with 2018 U.S. curling gold medalist John Shuster of Team Shuster.  He chats about expectations in 2022, how he leads the team, and what he learned from the gold medal run four years ago.

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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 a second Olympic bid.  A lot has changed since she rose to the ranks of elite Olympic figure skater in 2018.  She explains what life has been like since, what she’s learned, and how she’s charting out her path to Beijing.

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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 skate this weekend to his first Olympic bid.

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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 week’s Athlete Spotlight we speak with 2018 gold medal US curler Matt Hamilton on what the last four years have been like as he eyes a podium repeat with Team Shuster in Beijing.

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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.  The soon-to-be 27-year-old admits he’s a completely different skater, and person than he was four years ago, and during the 2014 Winter Games…

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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 for a repeat Olympic bid hasn’t always been smooth sailing. 

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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 into what could be his third Olympic games.

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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 with Lake Kwaza, a 27-year-old Sycamore, Illinois native who went from a track star to an Olympic hopeful in bobsled.  She joined the Army to help her reach her dream.

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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 spotlight, we talk with two-time Olympic hockey player, turned assistant coach Ryan Miller about preparing for Beijing, and getting the next Olympic roster put together in a short period of time.

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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 IOC.

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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 games is announced.

And in our athlete spotlight we talk with gold medal swimmer Blake Pieroni (Chesterton, IN), who is looking forward to his second games.  He admits there’s more pressure this year because of the pandemic.  Listen here: 

Thanks for listening this Olympic cycle! Enjoy the games in Tokyo!

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 competing in his first ever Olympics.  His main goal…get into the final.  He knows there “anything can happen.”

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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 this week’s athlete spotlight we talk to Tierna Davidson of the Chicago Red Stars.  At 22 she’s already won a World Cup with the USWNT.  Now she’s got her eyes set on Olympic gold.

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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 Olympics in the first ever 3×3 basketball events.  Even though it’s a new sport she’s still feeling the pressure of winning gold for USA Basketball.

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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 missed out on the 2016 Olympics, and was thinking about giving up the sport.  But with a little bit of time, and some encouragement managed to punch her ticket to Tokyo five years later.

Listen to her journey here…

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 been a blessing in disguise for USA Volleyball’s Thomas Jaeschke (Wheaton, IL).  He’s been named to his second Olympic roster.  He won bronze in 2016.  We talk about the pandemic year, mentally preparing for Japan, and the future of professional volleyball in the U.S.

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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 by world famous tennis stars.

And in this week’s athlete spotlight we talk with U.S. Rhythmic Gymnast Laura Zeng (Libertyville, IL) on prepping for a very different Olympics than she experienced in 2016.

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Quest for Gold Episode 47 – Lauren Doyle: https://wgnradio.com/quest-for-gold/quest-for-gold-episode-47-2016-olympian-lauren-doyle-admits-she-turned-to-rugby-because-she-didnt-want-to-run-track/

Quest for Gold Episode 51 – Ryan Murphy: https://wgnradio.com/quest-for-gold/quest-for-gold-episode-51-3-time-olympic-gold-medal-swimmer-ryan-murphy-talks-tokyo-cubs-investing-dealing-with-migraines/

Quest for Gold Episode 39 – Kevin McDowell: https://wgnradio.com/quest-for-gold/quest-for-gold-episode-39-triathlete-kevin-mcdowell-believes-the-summer-games-delay-works-to-his-advantage/

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 undefeated qualifying tournament, but the stakes only get higher in Japan.  We talk about building his roster, the goals he’s set, and the overall state of baseball.  WGN Radio’s Joe Brand joins us for the interview.

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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 Griskenas.  The rhythmic gymnast had to improvise a bit during the pandemic, but she’s back to international competitions, and hoping to lock down one of two US bids to the summer games later this month.

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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 in our athlete spotlight we chat with Cat Osterman of USA Softball.  This will be her third Olympics for Team USA.  She’s got some unfinished business to take care of as she guides a new generation of American young softball players.

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 her eyes set on Tokyo, but the pandemic and civil unrest over the last year has given her an opportunity to focus on her mental health and think about her future off the track.  She’s ready to share her experiences with the world.