Sports

London is already preparing for the Olympics in 2012, but some Londoners wonder whether the payoff will be worth the price. Christopher Werth explores a theory that says the Games might actually scare tourists away.

With the 2008 Summer Olympics ending Sunday in Beijing, Steven Beard checks on preparations for the Summer Games set for London in 2012. He gets an earful from Brits who aren't confident their country has the necessary organizational skills.

Puma had an excellent jump in sales thanks to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who won a gold for the 200-meter run. But other Olympic athletes have had less success selling their official products, as Scott Tong reports.

The closing ceremonies for the Summer Olympics are Sunday night, and only so many winners will walk away with big-money endorsements. Bob Moon talks about the gold medal deals with sports commentator Diana Nyad.

Sponsors spent a lot of money to have giant versions of their logos at Olympic venues. Was it money well spent? What lessons can be learned for London in 2010. Kai Ryssdal talks with Scott Tong in Beijing.

South Africa is busy building up its infrastructure in preparation for the 2010 World Cup. The tournament will pump about $3 billion into the economy and create about 200,000 jobs. Gretchen Wilson has more.

Since launched 14 years ago, England's National Lottery has poured $7 billion into sports. And Stephen Beard reports the investment is finally paying off at the Olympics through rowing, sailing, cycling and swimming.

Olympic hurdler Liu Xiang has had to pull out of the games due to an ankle injury, and that's become a marketer's nightmare over there. Bob Moon talks to Scott Tong about what this might mean for sponsors and fans.

Full disclosure first: This is not an Olympics story. It's about a soccer team in Germany that made it to the big league, the Bundesliga. But Brett Neely reports that many Germans are not so happy with the team's success.