Rachel Axon, USA TODAY

Rachel Axon

USA TODAY

Gainesville, FL, United States

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Past:
  • USA TODAY
  • The Progress-Index
  • El Paso Times
  • The Journal News
  • Tallahassee Democrat
  • Burlington TimesNews
  • North Jersey News
  • Daily Record
  • Detroit Free Press
  • The Columbus Dispatch
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Past articles by Rachel:

What happens if a school doesn’t comply with Title IX? Not a whole lot.

Enforcement of the federal gender-equity law is essentially toothless, mired in red tape and delays as aggrieved students wait years for relief. → Read More

Female athletes get fewer full-ride scholarships, absorb more student debt, than males

Despite Title IX's athletic scholarship equity requirement, many top colleges fail to comply and instead give female athletes less than they're owed. → Read More

Title IX aimed to get women into grad schools. Over 50 years, it shaped their role in sports.

Title IX was created 50 years ago. But what was its historical impact? From women in sports to LGBTQ inclusion, here are key changes over the years. → Read More

USA TODAY answers your questions about Title IX and its role in college sports

Despite Title IX's impact, misconceptions persist about how it’s enforced, what protections it affords women, and if it's unfair to male athletes. → Read More

What's next for three-time Olympic medal winner Eileen Gu? 'Stay tuned'

Eileen Gu, a three-time Olympic medal winner, returns to the states with a bright future -- one that still wide open. → Read More

Despite windy conditions, Americans David Wise, Alex Ferreira on Olympic freeski halfpipe podium again

Four years ago, David Wise and Alex Ferreira took the top two spots, respectively. In Beijing, New Zealand's Nico Porteous leap-frogged them for gold. → Read More

David Wise overcame adversity to compete in freestyle skiing halfpipe at 2022 Winter Olympics

Two-time Olympic gold medalist David Wise takes aim at a third at the Beijing Olympics in the freestyle skiing halfpipe event. → Read More

Money for medals: How much are athletes paid for winning medals in 2022 Winter Olympics?

USA TODAY surveyed nearly 60 national Olympic committees to understand how much athletes are paid for winning Olympic medals in Beijing. → Read More

Americans Lindsey Jacobellis, Nick Baumgartner, oldest pair in snowboardcross mixed final, win gold

Three days after winning individual gold in the women's event, Lindsey Jacobellis took gold again in the mixed team snowboardcross event. → Read More

Shaun White comes up short of medal in Olympic men's halfpipe, final competition of his career

Shaun White finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics, capping off a career in which he won three gold medals but couldn’t add to them in China. → Read More

Chloe Kim makes Olympic history as first woman to win two gold medals in halfpipe

Kim's second gold has her poised to be the face of U.S. snowboarding with Shaun White ending his competitive career with the Beijing Olympic final. → Read More

Winter Olympics big air freeskiing, snowbarding get crazier with new tricks: What to know

When it comes to big air freeskiing and snowboarding, you're not alone if you have a tough time deciphering how many flips and spins athletes do. → Read More

Eileen Gu: Get to know Chinese-American freeskier at 2022 Beijing Olympics

Eileen Gu, a Chinese-American freeskier, is poised to become one of the biggest stars of the Beijing Olympics, a threat to win three gold medals. → Read More

US tops overall and gold medal count in Tokyo, thanks in part to women's dominance

The U.S. finished the Tokyo Olympics with 113 overall medals to China's 88, with American women winning 66 of those medals. → Read More

Team USA, McLain Ward of Hudson Valley get equestrian silver medal at Olympics

The U.S. jumping team took Olympic silver after narrowly losing a jump-off to Sweden by 1.3 seconds. → Read More

From Wellington to silver: U.S. trio narrowly misses out on gold at Tokyo Olympics team jumping

Laura Kraut, McLain Ward and Jessica Springsteen narrowly miss out on gold, edged by Sweden in jump-off in team jumping. → Read More

Why are some women still wearing skimpy uniforms at Olympics?

For all the Olympics do to highlight the success of women, they also spotlight the vestiges of sexism baked into the sports – and athletes’ uniforms. → Read More

Morgan Pearson's stirring anchor leg helps U.S. win silver in mixed relay triathlon's Olympics debut

Morgan Pearson gutted out a blistering run on the final leg of the triathlon mixed relay to give the USA a silver medal in the event’s Olympic debut. → Read More

Morgan Pearson's stirring anchor leg helps U.S. win silver in mixed relay triathlon's Olympics debut

Morgan Pearson gutted out a blistering run on the final leg of the triathlon mixed relay to give the USA a silver medal in the event’s Olympic debut. → Read More

Here's what we know about Simone Biles' status for the Tokyo Olympics and beyond

Simone Biles has qualified for four individual event finals, starting Sunday, but it's unclear if she will compete after dropping out of other events. → Read More