Rio Olympics 2016

[PremierAndrew]

The legacy of this games:

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Normally I don't follow equestrian at all, and while I do feel kinda sorry for the horses I have to admit that the jumping can be somewhat exciting.

What can be said about synchronized swimming... I watched about a minute of it, started laughing, and then switched the channel. I'm sure it's demanding and takes endless practice, but it's such a funny-looking sport.

And now to the women's 800m prelims...

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Normally I don't follow equestrian at all, and while I do feel kinda sorry for the horses I have to admit that the jumping can be somewhat exciting.

What can be said about synchronized swimming... I watched about a minute of it, started laughing, and then switched the channel. I'm sure it's demanding and takes endless practice, but it's such a funny-looking sport.

And now to the women's 800m prelims...

I can't really disagree with that

 

[El Pistolero]

Hopefully Ashton Eaton can defend his Decathlon title.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Re: Re:

They should make more relays. 4x200m is a common one in HS track. A sprint medley (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m) would be cool. For distance, a team 5k where you score it like a cross country race could be added too.

I didn't get a chance to comment on this sooner, but I'd like to see both of these. Especially the medley, that would be fun to watch.

Alas, the T&F, and Olympic committees are very stingy on innovation or changing things. As stiff as FIFA, and even more corrupt. Alas, I digress.

 

[El Pistolero]

Re: Re:

They should make more relays. 4x200m is a common one in HS track. A sprint medley (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m) would be cool. For distance, a team 5k where you score it like a cross country race could be added too.

I didn't get a chance to comment on this sooner, but I'd like to see both of these. Especially the medley, that would be fun to watch.

Alas, the T&F, and Olympic committees are very stingy on innovation or changing things. As stiff as FIFA, and even more corrupt. Alas, I digress.

They have a medley race at the World Relays.

 

[Jagartrott]

Very low attendance for most events.
I guess the average Brazilian cares for other things - like education, housing, clean government, etc.

 

[Red Rick]

Re:

Very low attendance for most events.
I guess the average Brazilian cares for other things - like education, housing, clean government, etc.

The average Brasilian is still quite poor and can't afford tickets most of the times.

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

They should make more relays. 4x200m is a common one in HS track. A sprint medley (100m, 100m, 200m, 400m) would be cool. For distance, a team 5k where you score it like a cross country race could be added too.

I didn't get a chance to comment on this sooner, but I'd like to see both of these. Especially the medley, that would be fun to watch.

Alas, the T&F, and Olympic committees are very stingy on innovation or changing things. As stiff as FIFA, and even more corrupt. Alas, I digress.

I really don't think we need more relays. I think it just causes medal inflation

 

[Jagartrott]

Re: Re:

Very low attendance for most events.
I guess the average Brazilian cares for other things - like education, housing, clean government, etc.

The average Brasilian is still quite poor and can't afford tickets most of the times.

That's what I implied, yes.
I have the feeling that the legacy of the games will weigh on the future of the average Brazilian. Massive debts were made, with only limited results in terms of general improvements (public transport, wast-water treatment, etc.). And I wouldn't say that the image of Brazil benefited from the Olympics.

 

[del1962]

On medals for Athletes, they should re-introduce the Cross Country, it enabled Nurmi to win 5 golds in one games.

 

[djpbaltimore]

Re: Re:

I didn't get a chance to comment on this sooner, but I'd like to see both of these. Especially the medley, that would be fun to watch.

Alas, the T&F, and Olympic committees are very stingy on innovation or changing things. As stiff as FIFA, and even more corrupt. Alas, I digress.

Another fun one that they do in a few High school meets is the 4 x 100m. Except that only the throwers can compete. It is called the Weightman's Relay. It is always a highlight of the meet to see those brawny guys sprint and try to pass batons.

Finally a gold for the USA on the track last night in the women's 100m hurdles. The men might not get a gold at all. The 4 x 400m might be their best shot.

 

[El Pistolero]

It's ridiculous how terrible the USA is at baton exchanges.

They could use some marginal gains.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re:

It's ridiculous how terrible the USA is at baton exchanges.

They could use some marginal gains.

Need more grip on those forearms.

 

[El Pistolero]

Japan and China doing well at the relays.

 

[The Hitch]

What would happen if someone did a false start in the decathlon/heptathlon.
Would they get dqd from the competition or just lose points?

 

[El Pistolero]

What would happen if someone did a false start in the decathlon/heptathlon.
Would they get dqd from the competition or just lose points?

They get one extra chance, no automatic disqualification. I think it even happened earlier today actually.

Ashton Eaton just threw 45.49M at the discus event, damn! Decathlon/Heptathlon are my favorite event(s) at the track & field championships.

 

[carton]

I didn't know where to comment but I couldn't help myself. I'm listening to the Argentine commentator on the triathlon race (I know, I know, but for once it seems like the bike leg matters) and every time someone takes a turn he goes "and now the British rider has attacked on the front". And then he peels off and it's "and now he's losing places, he's fallen all the way down to tenth". It's hilarious. How can they put someone on who is clearly watching a bike race for the first time in his life?

 

[djpbaltimore]

USA will get a chance to redeem themselves in the relay. There will be a do-over for their team alone.

EDIT. Kerron Clement proved my earlier post wrong. Gold in the 400m hurdles.

 

[SeriousSam]

Looks like Lochte's robbery story was a fabrication.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/aug/18/ryan-lochte-us-swimmers-robbery-rio-gas-station

 

[RedheadDane]

All in all a pretty good day for Denmark.
Sure, would've been nice if one of those silvers had been exchanged for a gold, but still.

 

[El Pistolero]

Two guys over 5.40M at the pole vault, what a high quality Decathlon competition!

Glad to see Thomas Van der Plaetsen in the top 8. What a come-back this guy has made. If you don't know his story: in October 2014 he tested positive for HCG, but later it was revealed that he had testicular cancer and that is what triggered the positive test. So if it wasn't for anti-doping controls who knows when they would have discovered it? His father passed away in 2011, due to cancer, during the 2011 World Championships, where Thomas was competing. This year he also became the European Champion Decathlon. His Shot Put and 110M hurdles were disappointing, but other then that, he has been doing well.

 

[carton]

Re: Re:

Very low attendance for most events.
I guess the average Brazilian cares for other things - like education, housing, clean government, etc.

The average Brasilian is still quite poor and can't afford tickets most of the times.

You'd be surprised at how much a Brazilian will find under the couch for a football game (tickets and pre and post match expenses).

Case in point, prior to the World Cup, there were three 33,000-seat plus stadiums in Recife, Brazil's sixth largest, and most violent, city. For comparison's sake, there's a grand total of one stadium that fits that many fans in the entirety of FIFA's home country. Obviously they built another 45,000-seater 100 miles away for the World Cup.

Yeah, FIFA is wonderful. But by the same token Brazilians will spend money for entertainment that matters to them. Walk into most bars in Brazil, and you'll find flimsy chairs, saran-wrap napkins, uncomfortable tables, no air conditioning and no sound system bar maybe an amp for live music. But you'll also find Ice cold beer, great food, an a few giant screens showing a Division 3 State Championship game.

 

[Billie]

Re:

...glad to see male boxers have ditched headguards...........but why? retained by women

Mark L

The helmets are bad for concussions. Not yet done in the Women's boxing cause there is not enough evidence it's also bad for women.

 

[sienna]

Re: Re:

...glad to see male boxers have ditched headguards...........but why? retained by women

Mark L

The helmets are bad for concussions. Not yet done in the Women's boxing cause there is not enough evidence it's also bad for women.

I also assume boxing generally is bad for concussions. :Neutral: