Les Carpenter

Washington, D.C.

Olympics reporter

Education: University of Missouri, BA in political science, BJ in magazine journalism

Les Carpenter returned to The Washington Post in 2018 and writes about the Olympics and Olympics-related issues. Previously, he was a sports enterprise writer at The Washington Post from 2005 to 2010, focusing on the NFL, baseball and the Olympics. He also has been a columnist and feature writer at the Seattle Times, Yahoo! Sports and the Connecticut Post. Prior to coming back to the Post he covered American sports for the Guardian.
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Latest from Les Carpenter

The Paris Olympics’ Seine River plan is bold, audacious … and risky

The organizers of next summer’s Paris Olympics hope to reinvent the opening ceremony by hosting theirs on the Seine River. It’s a bold plan, part of a bigger river project, but will any of it work?

January 3, 2024

Russian athletes can compete at the Paris Olympics as neutrals

The IOC made official the guidelines it has been using for months since enacting sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

December 8, 2023

Build your hotel shampoo collection for a lifetime of free hair care

One perk of traveling for work? Free shampoo for life.

December 8, 2023

Olympic sports leaders push IOC for a clear policy on Russian athletes

Leaders around sports are seeking clarity on the qualification of “neutral athletes” for next summer’s Paris Olympics.

December 5, 2023

French Alps, Salt Lake City are top choices for 2030, 2034 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board will enter “targeted dialogue” with both sites, in anticipation of formal approval next summer.

November 29, 2023

Does Thomas Bach want to be IOC president past his term? He hasn’t said no.

After several IOC members pushed to change the Olympic charter to allow for a longer term, IOC President Thomas Bach did not discourage the talk.

October 16, 2023

The five new sports added for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

Squash, flag football, cricket, lacrosse and baseball/softball will be contested during the first Summer Games in the U.S. since 1996.

October 16, 2023

IOC suspends Russian Olympic Committee and cuts off its funding

The move follows Russia’s attempt to claim athletes from occupied Ukraine territories as their own.

October 12, 2023

Cricket, flag football and squash among proposed additions to 2028 Olympics

Los Angeles 2028 organizers seek to also add lacrosse, softball and baseball to the Summer Games program.

October 9, 2023

Kamila Valieva goes to court while U.S. skaters seethe without medals

Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear appeals on the Russian figure skater’s doping case, but a ruling isn’t expected for months.

September 28, 2023