Time Uses Three Covers for Olympic Issue

Time is going big for its Olympic issue. There are five covers — Ryan Lochte, Gabby Douglas, and Lolo Jones grace the stateside versions and the international versions feature Jessica Ennis and Homare Sawa.

“Pierre De Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, nobly tried to divorce the Olympics from politics,” writes Time’s managingeditor, Richard Stengel. “Oh, well. And that was back in 1896. But even as the Games have endured controversies over doping, bribery and the high-handed tactics of the International Olympic Committee, the beauty of sport, the spirit of the athletes and the pure meritocracy of physical ability always manage to triumph over politics.