Merrit Kennedy
Merrit Kennedy is a reporter for NPR's News Desk. She covers a broad range of issues, from the latest developments out of the Middle East to science research news.
Kennedy joined NPR in Washington, D.C., in December 2015, after seven years living and working in Egypt. She started her journalism career at the beginning of the Egyptian uprising in 2011 and chronicled the ousting of two presidents, eight rounds of elections, and numerous major outbreaks of violence for NPR and other news outlets. She has also worked as a reporter and television producer in Cairo for The Associated Press, covering Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Sudan.
She grew up in Los Angeles, the Middle East, and places in between, and holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University and a master's degree in international human rights law from The American University in Cairo.
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"After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," USA Gymnastics said. -
French judo athlete Teddy Riner, a 6-foot-8, two-time gold medalist known as "Big Ted," has dominated his sport for a decade. It was a shock when he lost in a quarterfinal fight. -
This means they'll head to the semifinal. The U.S. is trying to become the first reigning Women's World Cup champion to win Olympic gold. -
The Serbian star was beaten in the men's tennis semifinal by Germany's Alexander Zverev. It means Djokovic can't make history by winning all four major tournaments and Olympic gold in a single year. -
Fields, who took gold in BMX racing at the 2016 Olympic Games, came down wrong from a jump and suffered a horrific crash. A Team USA doctor says Fields is stable and awaiting further evaluation. -
This competition was initially defined by who wasn't competing. U.S. star Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time and the heavy favorite to win, pulled out to take care of her mental health. -
It's a bold look that has been compared to the masked Batman villain Bane — even by the Japanese organizers of the Tokyo Games. The mask is voluminous and is a nod to the host country, Japan. -
"the outpouring love & support I've received has made me realize I'm more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before," Biles said in a tweet. -
The 24-year-old sprinter set an Olympic record in the blazing fast two-lap race, claiming his first-ever individual gold medal. It was a strong day in the pool for the U.S. -
Bobby Finke made up almost a second and a half in the final stretch of the 16 lap race, making up time and surging past the leaders to win the event at the Tokyo Olympics.
