Rome dropped its bid for the 2020 Olympics after Premier Mario Monti said the Italian government would not provide financial backing for an estimated $12.5 billion project at a time of economic crisis. (Today)

Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova won her second consecutive Pattaya Open title Sunday in Thailand, defeating Russia's Maria Kirilenko, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-3. This was Hantuchova's fifth career title and her first since winning in Thailand a year ago. (02/13/2012)

With 2012 under way and only six months left before the flame is ignited at the opening ceremonies, The Associated Press sent emails to sports agents and executives, public-relations people and others with strong Olympic ties, asking them who America's so-called face of the Olympics would be as the games approach. (01/29/2012)

The U.S. women's soccer team could provide a riveting story line at the 2012 Olympics, given the household names of players like Hope Solo and Abby Wambach and the galvanizing performance the Americans displayed last year at the World Cup. But first comes the urgent matter of actually qualifying for the Olympics. Tonight in Vancouver, British Columbia, the U.S. (01/27/2012)