Polari: A Gay Slang that Flourished out of Prejudice

The World’s Alex Gallafent has the story of Polari, a slang with roots in theater that for decades became a secret code for Britain’s gay community.

Plenty of Olympic Gold Still Up for Grabs in London

The 2012 Summer Games draw to a close this weekend, but there are still many medals up for grabs.

London 2012: When the Party’s Over

This summer Britons have feasted on national celebrations including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London’s Olympic Games. When the Paralympic Games conclude in a few weeks, Britain will have to get back to reality. And that might not be easy.

London 2012: Italian Fails Doping Test and British Cycling Star Breaks Gold Medal Record

Anchor Lisa Mullins gets a round-up of news from the Olympic Games from The World’s Alex Gallafent in London. Italy’s Olympic 50km race walk champion Alex Schwazer failed a doping test ahead of his arrival in London and a British knight of the realm has won a record-breaking gold medal at the Velodrome.

How Yorkshire Athletes Boost the British Olympic Team

If the English county of Yorkshire were a nation in its own right, it’d be near the top end of the current Olympic medal table. Athletes from Yorkshire are responsible for much of Britain’s current success at London 2012.

London 2012: Celebrating the Amateur Athlete in Poetry

At the Olympic Games of 1908, held in London, the 400 meters final was contested by only one man. The World’s Alex Gallafent explains why. Plus Plus a touch of sporting poetry for the weekend in celebration of amateur athletes everywhere.

London Mayor Boris Johnson and his Olympic City

The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on events from the Olympic Games currently being held in London.

A 28-year-old cyclist was killed in a collision with a bus transporting members of the media away from the Olympic Park late Thursday. The accident has led to renewed debate in Britain about legislation governing bicycle safety. Plus a look at the growing political clout of London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Pie, Mash, And Liquor in the Olympic City

The World’s Alex Gallafent takes us to a traditional business in the East End of London: a pie and liquor shop.

London 2012: Poetry of the Olympic Games

Poetry and sport enjoy a long and moderately illustrious relationship. Odes to Olympian ideals date back to ancient Greece, the birthplace of the Games; poets have contested for medals at modern Olympic Games; and the strivings of athletes have inspired great swathes of poetry reaching far beyond the Olympics. London-based poetry performance ensemble Live Canon, led by director Helen Eastman, has assembled a collection of Olympic- and sport-themed poetry. We’ll be posting selected performances by actors Alex Bartram and Claire Redcliffe as the Games go on.

London Summer Olympics Get Under Way

Let the Games begin! Friday saw the start of the 30th Summer Olympiad with the opening ceremonies taking place at Olympic Park. The World’s Alex Gallafent spoke with visitors from around the globe ahead of London’s big night.

Families of the Victims of 1972 Munich Massacre Call for Minute of Silence

Families of the Israeli athletes killed at the 1972 Munich Games continue to press for an official moment of silence at Friday’s opening ceremony in London. But Olympic officials say the ceremony is not the appropriate forum, despite growing support for it.

Reflecting on London 1948: The Austerity Olympics

The last time London hosted the games, in 1948, was a time of austerity in Britain and the games reflected that austerity.

Can’t use the Olympic Rings? Try a British Flag

The International Olympic Committee doesn’t like businesses using the Olympics logo, or words like gold, to market their products.

London 2012: Male Athletes Fly First Class, Heathrow Strike, Libya Olympic President Kidnapped

The World’s Alex Gallafent is about to board his flight to London to cover the Games and anchor Marco Werman gets an update on this week’s stories.

Ringmasters: A Swedish Barbershop Quartet

The latest winner of the Barbershop Harmony Society’s quartet competition is Swedish. The quartet are the first champions from outside North America. They won the competition in Portland earlier this month.