And now the "2020" Olympics

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by AX17609

There are a fair number of events I don’t consider Olympic sports. So, no, I probably won’t watch much.

One comment about women’s softball, which I usually like. In all of Japan, they couldn’t find an actual softball field?

I'm guessing they decided to use baseball stadiums, cause they could accommodate the crowds who would turn out for Olympic softball. Which turned out not to be an issue, but arrangements had already been made.

[frankmcr]

12-year-old from Syria.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/...dy-achievement

[Kerbie]

I was sad to see Katie Ledecky get silver in the 400-meter freestyle, but she'll have other chances for gold.

[saxonblue]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

I was sad to see Katie Ledecky get silver in the 400-meter freestyle, but she'll have other chances for gold.

Probably no surprise but I was stoked to see Ariarne Titmus win gold in the same event (& hopefully more) but it was heartwarming to see the goodwill Ledecky gave to her opponent & the camaraderie between them even as rivals was there for all to see. True Olympic spirit indeed.

[Dirk Hofman]

Pretty crazy crash on the MTB course. Matieu van der Poel, one of the big favorites, turfed it HARD coming off a big drop into some rocks.



Go to about :52 to see a better view of it from the side.

This guy is an absolutely incredible bike-handler, so it was hard to understand what happened. Apparently during practice there is a ramp so you can avoid the drop, but they pull it for the actual race. All the teams were told about it, and the Dutch team went over it in the morning meeting, but I guess MVDP forgot and slowed down assuming it was there.



He's a multiple-time World Champion in both MTB and Cyclocross, as well as an absolute beast on the road having held the yellow jersey in the Tour this month for a week after an incredible effort on day 2. In all those disciplines one of his major advantages is his bike-handling. The dude knows how to ride a bike. Case in point:



So it's really weird that not only did he ignore or forget about the warning (his team and roommate have confirmed they told him), but that he would even approach this obstacle in such a safe (and slow) way given what everyone was doing in front of him. Just...odd.

By the way, that's a heck of a drop in a cross country race, they really have upped the technical aspect of cross country mountain biking in the last few years. I think I would probably do that, but I'd want a few runs at it myself.

[bfm612]

I (unfortunately) watched skateboarding the other night. I'm weirded out by the Airpods and Olympians with phones in their pockets and scrolling through them 10 seconds before a run. More importantly, it felt a little bit like watching regular skateboarders at the local skatepark, i.e., lots of falling.

Swimming, however, is always fun to watch. The Titmus/Ledecky contest was really thrilling.

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

I was sad to see Katie Ledecky get silver in the 400-meter freestyle, but she'll have other chances for gold.

I was too. She's my favorite Olympic athlete. But Titmus swam an amazing race to catch her. Fantastic swimmer that Aussie. Those two will likely face off again in the 200m, but I imagine that Titmus will be even more the favorite in the shorter race. Will be fun to watch. Ledecky will be a lot tougher to beat in the 800 and 1500, but I'm pretty sure she'll be facing different opponents. I like her chances for gold in those races regardless.

[frankmcr]

Vincent Hancock, from Eatonton, Georgia, sets an Olympic record by going 59/60 on his way to becoming the first man ever to win a third Olympic skeet shooting Gold medal.

[Dirk Hofman]

Wow, just watched the first lap of the MTB race. Man that is the hardest course I’ve ever seen! Id love to ride it but racing it would be TOUGH! Great race so far. Too bad about van der Poel crashing out.

[Kerbie]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

Too bad about van der Poel crashing out.

Wow, I hadn't heard that yet. I'm surprised.

Oh my gosh, I just saw it... ouch!

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

Wow, just watched the first lap of the MTB race. Man that is the hardest course I’ve ever seen! Id love to ride it but racing it would be TOUGH! Great race so far. Too bad about van der Poel crashing out.

Ya I have been over the handlebars on my MB and that looked like at best it was, way not fun

[Dirk Hofman]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Wow, I hadn't heard that yet. I'm surprised.

Oh my gosh, I just saw it... ouch!

Right? That's a heckuva drop to put in an XC race though!

[Wade Hampton]

Alaska just won its first gold medal this Olympics when 17 year old Lydia Jacoby won the women’s 100 meter breaststroke - hooray for Lydia!

I’m not certain if she’s still in high school or if this is the summer between high school and her freshman year in college, but she’s quite young. She’s from Seward, Alaska, a small town some of you might have visited if you’ve taken a cruise to Alaska and done the excursion to the Kenai Fjords.

Anyway, we’re very proud of her, and wish her luck in her upcoming races.


Wade Hampton “Go, Lydia, Go!” Miller

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Alaska just won its first gold medal this Olympics when 17 year old Lydia Jacoby won the women’s 100 meter breaststroke - hooray for Lydia!

Terrific race. The kid must be over the moon about her win.

[Kerbie]

Lydia was fabulous!