Paris Olympics 2024 (non-cycling) thread

[Coffeeplanter]

She did a 5k and a 10k prior to this marathon and still won gold and medalled all three. Insane.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Steph Curry started the tournament quite slowly, but in the semi final and final combined made 17 of 27 three-point attempts. Absolutely insane.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Anyone gonna watch the Serbia v. Croatia water polo match a bit later today? Should be juicy for one reason or another...

 

[rallybanana]

I was reading up on the history of water polo. Apparently early 19th century versions of the game were more like water rugby. This line on Wikipedia caught my eye - "Early play allowed brute strength, wrestling and holding opposing players underwater to recover the ball." Serbia v. Croatia should be somewhat more civilised.

 

[iBanesto]

I was reading up on the history of water polo. Apparently early 19th century versions of the game were more like water rugby. This line on Wikipedia caught my eye - "Early play allowed brute strength, wrestling and holding opposing players underwater to recover the ball." Serbia v. Croatia should be somewhat more civilised.

Blood in the Water match - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The "Blood in the Water" match (Hungarian: melbourne-i vérfürdő lit. Blood bath of Melbourne; Russian: Кровь в бассейне, romanized: Krov' v basseyne, lit. 'Blood in the swimming pool') was a water polo match between Hungary and the USSR at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The match took place on 6 December 1956 against the background of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and saw Hungary defeat the USSR 4–0. The name was coined after Hungarian player Ervin Zádor emerged during the last two minutes with blood pouring from above his eye after being punched by Soviet player Valentin Prokopov.[1]

Tensions were at an all time high between the competing teams; the Soviet military had violently suppressed the Hungarian Revolution just weeks before. Most of the Revolutionaries consisted of civilians, a majority factory workers and students, who constructed Molotov cocktails against the formal armed forces of the USSR.

Throughout the match, players would use any form of violence they could manage whenever the players of opposing teams came in contact. Zador’s injury took place in the closing minutes of the match. Chaos ensued with the crowd booing the Russians. Ultimately Hungary won with a score of 4–0.

 

[Valv.Piti]

The 4x400 relays were an amazing watch honestly. The women's race was decided before it began, but it was still amazing to watch especially Sydney McLaughlin in that race. I also have a soft spot for Gabby Thomas, another amazing athlete. The men's race was a lot closer and Botswana might as well have won, but that last relay with Tebogo v Rai Benjamin was prolly my highligt of the entire Olympics despite Tebogo unfortunately not pulling it off. But he has shown he's one of the best in the world on ALL three sprint distances this Olympics and destroyed the 200 metres, so he can't be too disappointed about that.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Too many missed shots and free throws made the difference. The French definitely had the chance, but Curry stepped up when it mattered.

All in all, these Olympics just came four years too early for France. This is not 2016 anymore. The four best players in the NBA are all non-American (it would have been five if Embiid hadn't been such a coward to beg Macron for citizenship in order to play for the French national team, only to go and play for the US instead, frontrunner as he is), whilst LeBron, Durant and Curry in all likelihood won't be around in 2028. There are very little American players currently about who can grow to that level. People are even speculating about Cooper Flagg, who is 17 and has played 0 meaningful basketball minutes in his life.

France otoh already have their wunderkind who, barring major injuries, will probably be the best player on the planet come 2028, just had a draft where they went #1 and #2 overall, and have the projected #2 pick in next years draft. They can't and will never challenge the US in depth, but if those three can develop into serviceable, high level players things will look a lot different in LA.

 

[Valv.Piti]

US 2028 squad will prolly be centered around players like Tatum, Edwards, Haliburton, Holmgren, JDub, Booker, Zion, Mobley etc. etc. all depending on health and how they progress. The talent pool is still insane, but very few of these players if any has the potential of Curry, Lebron and Durant, thats for sure. Durant and Curry is also just great for FIBA play and fitting in next anyone because they are insane shooters.

 

[tobydawq]

The handball final has started fairly well for Denmark.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The handball final has started fairly well for Denmark.

It is looking pretty good. They led by 6 goals at the start of the second half against Slovenia and nearly threw that away, but it will not be easy for the Germans to come back from this.

 

[tobydawq]

Interesting. I don't think many would agree on these:

Cycling road race - men
Tennis singles - both genders
Golf - men
Badminton singles - men

Within cycling I do think Olympic champion is very prestigious, But I don't think it is viewed as one of the more prestigious Olympic events by the general public around the world. And for the Olympics its a a global event so we should always look from the global rather than national [edit: or cycling] perspective.

In Tennis and Golf the most prestigious events are their grand slams and majors. Olympics is a recent fetish.

Badminton was only admitted to the Olympics in 1992. I think its a natural Olympic sport but not sure if its viewed as the most prestigious outside of China and maybe Denmark?

Well, given that road cycling is by far the best sport in the world, of course that should be the event that holds most prestige.

If it isn't, we need to give the people a proper education.

 

[tobydawq]

It is looking pretty good. They led by 6 goals at the start of the second half against Slovenia and nearly threw that away, but it will not be easy for the Germans to come back from this.

I'd say it would be impossible.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Fun moment with the young ladies who lift things

 

[Tim Cahill]

Love the oldschool tracksuit bottoms look from the German/Danish goalkeepers in handball, reminds me of legendary Hungarian goalie Gábor Király.

 

[iBanesto]

What's left? Only the women's basketball.

I think Valente's gold gets the USA to 40?

2024 Summer Olympics medal table

Rank	NOC	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	China	40	27	24	91
2	United States	39	44	42	125

 

[Ricco']

What's left? Only the women's basketball.

I think Valente's gold gets the USA to 40?

2024 Summer Olympics medal table

Rank	NOC	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	China	40	27	24	91
2	United States	39	44	42	125

That's already with Valente's gold. USA basketball ladies need to win the equal with China in gold numbers.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

The US is on a run of silver medals today. If the US women's basketball team wins, we tie in golds with China.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

What's left? Only the women's basketball.

I think Valente's gold gets the USA to 40?

2024 Summer Olympics medal table

Rank	NOC	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	China	40	27	24	91
2	United States	39	44	42	125

She got us to 39

 

[jmdirt]

Some sports don't make clear distinction between amateur and pro. In some other sports, they are like two different worlds, including boxing.

And now they allow returning pros to play at the Olympic? I never knew that. I don't think even golf - where the professional and amateur forms are more alike - allow such switch back.

Uzbekistan won 5 of 7 men's boxing gold. Their big guy Jalolov was/is clearly a pro.

Pros have been in the Olympics forever, but legally allowed since the 1970s.

 

[gunara]

Pros have been in the Olympics forever, but legally allowed since the 1970s.

but not in boxing, I think, where the modern pro/am line is less blurry than in other sports.

 

[jmdirt]

but not in boxing, I think, where the modern pro/am line is less blurry than in other sports.

True, boxing was one of the later federations to include 'pro' boxers in the Olympics, but many state sponsored pro boxers won gold(s) long before that. The obvious 1970s example is Stevenson (3X gold), 100% a pro boxer.

 

[jmdirt]

A lot of great stuff from France yesterday! I was completely entertained!

 

[Coffeeplanter]

USA women's basketball team struggling heavily against France. For context and perspective: this is as if Pogacar, Remco and Vingegaard would be struggling to beat Luca Mozzato for Tour de France GC.

 

[gunara]

True, boxing was one of the later federations to include 'pro' boxers in the Olympics, but many state sponsored pro boxers won gold(s) long before that. The obvious 1970s example is Stevenson (3X gold), 100% a pro boxer.

I see, Cuban boxers were practically paid athletes. What I meant is this Uzbek boxer actually fought several prized fights before going back to 3-round tournament environment. I admit I don't know if the likes of Stevenson also fought such openly professional fights.

 

[gunara]

USA women's basketball team struggling heavily against France. For context and perspective: this is as if Pogacar, Remco and Vingegaard would be struggling to beat Luca Mozzato for Tour de France GC.

and France started to push too much for easy points now...