Well I enjoyed the opening ceremony overall, it seemed to hit the appropriate tone. Not too much razzle dazzle. Some odd bits. The usual tedious speeches. I imagine many of the Japanese stars involved were not known to an international audience (save the last one).
Hope the Games are a decent show and the athletes get every chance to show the results of their training. Shame I can't watch in person, but it's too hot anyway, so TV it is!
I was looking forward to a pic on the Guess where thread with some athletes in the background, TT.
I wonder how many iterations were worked through before deciding on the final opening ceremony, given the obvious restrictions and then the other recent issues that have reared their respective heads? As it is, the games may not even conclude.
Unlike previous Olympic events I'm struggling to get the fizz for this one though I'll be watching as much as I practically can, hopefully that sense of excitement shall return. I wish all athletes well and hope that they all feel they can still compete to the best of their abilities, given the less than usual circumstances that they'll all be competing under I'd hope that performances aren't negatively affected.
Amber Hill the awesome skeet shooter lives in the next road to us, lovely girl & gutted for her that she tested positive & can not compete. She has the coolest tricked out Jeep Wrangler on the drive too!
Hoping she can get over this & remain at the top of her game for the next one. The 3 huge celebration fireworks mid afternoon at the weekend were a little premature unfortunately.
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Cycling road race is into its final 25km or so now. Brutal heat and humidity, and a tough climb. I've hiked those mountains and they are tough on foot at walking pace. Tremendous challenge on a bike on a hot day like today. The heat is staggering at the moment. Catch the last few minutes if you are reading this!
Watching it now!!, As you say that's bloody steep.
If you enjoy road cycling and are intrigued by the Japan mountains, this guy has a good channel:
https://youtube.com/c/RidesofJapan
now back to the race!
What a race it ended up being - cream of cycling involved and a fantastic performance by Carapaz, so strong and clearly taken a lot of positives out of the TdF. Shame about Thomas and Tao - definitely was a chance for all 4 to have held and worked together. Thankfully they seem ok after the crash.Originally Posted by seadog1408
Third medal ever for Equador! Nice!
Great gold from Piddcock a fantastic ride from him.
Cheers, Shaun
Whilst walking through the airport the other day I saw a lad carrying a massive stick, the stick must have been 12 foot long.
I went up to him and said “are you a pole-vaulter”?
He said “NEIN I am a German, but now did you know my name is Walther”?
I used to be a big fan of athletics but I’ve lost interest in recent years, all too often the sport fails to deliver with the top athletes injured or avoiding each other.
I’ve been v. surprised by some of the fast times being set at this Olympics, I’m usually sceptical when tracks are described as ‘fast’ but I’m starting to believe it this time. Both 400m hurdles world records are impressive, Keely Hodgkinsons 800m British record’s a surprise, the womens 100 and 200 were v. fast..........coincidence?
As a youngster most of my racing was done on cinder tracks, never forgotten the sound of spikes crunching into the surface. Synthetic tracks were a definite step forward in the 70s but you couldn’t hear the runner behind you, on cinders you could hear the sound of the spikes getting fainter if you were pulling away.
First Olympics to be held on a synthetic track was Mexico ‘68.....not a lot of people know that!
Just watching the non-contact kata karate on the Beeb now - great that having introduced Skateboarding for 12-year-old girls, they've added a sport in which my 9-year-old nephew might already be quite expert... Hi-ya!
To perform Katas with such precision (as they demonstrated) takes an awful lot of practice and dedication. Having trained - for a time - in Shotokan, long ago in my youth, I was very impressed. But as an Olympic sport, I just don't get it. I don't 'get' any of the events where the result is based on subjective opinion.
What were you doing when you were 12 (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3yoYEB41Ho)?
Yeah, and my black track shoes only offered a hard ply of leather over the spikes...zero cushioning!
Last edited by pacifichrono; 6th August 2021 at 06:01.
Magnificent from TP
I managed to watch the Rugby 7’s match between GB and Japan. Very entertaining.
I must however say that this Olympics has not really fully engaged me.
BTW Great result for France in the basketball.
Whoever does not know how to hit the nail on the head should be asked not to hit it at all.
Friedrich Nietzsche
3 great golds for GB today.
Fantastic from Pidcock under pressure from Nino.
I'm really getting into it now. I don't understand the whole Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) thing though. Surely they're the same bent athletes that were in the team pre-ban? It annoys me when any ROC athlete gets a medal.
I think they have to pee in more buckets than other athletes.
The members of the ROC teams are proven to be clean. (Probably cleaner than the rest)…
It was a good day for GB there are a few potentials tomorrow as well.
I loved the cycling road races. The look of joy and disbelief on Kiesenhofer's face at the end of the wonen's race was brilliant.
If I hadn't known and you'd asked me, I'd have said they were somewhere in Western Europe. Certainly not how I thought Japan looked.
Really though you were going to say drugs, lol.
Really pleased for Tom Daley.
No one can't stop Roglic. Not even the finish line.
https://twitter.com/OutOfCycling/sta...93090947051521
He used to be a ski jumper, so, telemark landing on the podium !
https://twitter.com/inrng/status/1420303422226530304
Last edited by matt; 29th July 2021 at 06:52.
Yeah me too. I'm not sure how I expected Japan to look but it's not like that.
Never really followed swimming but there seem to be an inordinate number of events compared to other sports.
Can't help thinking that IF there was a medal for the most over enthusiastic commentators, the Brits would smash it in unbelievable fashion.
I'm confident that they are complete amateurs compared with Australian commentators.Can't help thinking that IF there was a medal for the most over enthusiastic commentators, the Brits would smash it in unbelievable fashion.
Brilliant performance in the 300ft Woman Catch event this morning - we took silver.
A nice blog about the first Tokyo Olympics and the sport-specific timepieces developed by Seiko, here:
https://www.plus9time.com/blog/2021/...-olympics-1964
(And a bit more on the impact the Olympics had on timekeeping technology)
ICYMI...Belarusian sprinter says she won't return home:
A Belarusian sprinter said she planned to avoid getting on a plane home from Tokyo after being taken to the airport against her wishes on Sunday following her complaints about national coaches at the Olympic Games.
Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who was due to compete in the women's 200 metres on Monday, told Reuters she had sought the protection of Japanese police at Tokyo's Haneda airport so she would not have to board the flight.
"I will not return to Belarus," she told Reuters in a message over Telegram.
Tsimanouskaya, 24, said coaching staff had come to her room on Sunday and told her to pack. She said she was taken to the airport by representatives of the Belarusian Olympic team.
The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement that coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state"...
Women’s Maddison. That was outstanding, on another level compared to the rest of the field.
The woman on the gymnastics coverage always sounds as if she has had a skin full to me. Matt Baker is just white noise.
Lastly Chris Boardman… how many times does he want to tell us the cost of the GB bikes and kit - oh and they have to be available commercially. It’s every time a GB rider enters the track.
Not here. Dutch brand KOGA (and in earlier days Dutch brand RIH) have been the providers of Dutch bikes. (Proud to own a Koga myself!). And, may I add: the back stay of the British bikes is really ugly, imho.
As we speak: Dutch Sprint Final! Two orange jerseys fighting each other. These two are long-time trainings partners and friends.
What do you make of the forks?
As we speak: Dutch Sprint Final! Two orange jerseys fighting each other. These two are long-time trainings partners and friends.
Listening to the BBC, apparently the stays aren't needed for strength. They are only there because the rules require them. That being the case, they have been designed to serve an aerodynamic purpose working with the forks to shape the airflow around the rider's legs (according to the internet).
I have to agree that they are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but if they work...
Edit: See also www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOSOzbJw98c.
Last edited by PickleB; 7th August 2021 at 10:59.
I love watching freestyle BMX, I gave it a go in my youth but decided mountain bikes would result in a lot less pain! It blows my mind what's being achieved nowadays. I first became aware of Charlotte Worthington on the Tall Order BMX channel a while back and was absolutely delighted to see this this morning...
https://youtu.be/6wc6TChRwUM
https://youtu.be/9GHrjM4dtHE
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Last edited by RS404; 1st August 2021 at 22:25.
Watching the cycling team pursuit atm, had a thought - anyone know if 5th member of team get a medal (esp. if used in qualifying)?
Imagine same situation in track/swimming relays.
The fifth member of the swimming relay definitely get a medal, it was commented on after GB’s mixed relay gold. One of the forks had been rested for the semis and her replacement also hot a gold.
I would think that all team members who take part will receive a medal in any of the team events.
Laurel Hubbard...Snatch DENIED
Failed at the snatch? I like jokes that write themselves.
Thanks, seems only fair.
A bit of a contretemps in the vélodrome:
- Team GB cyclists furious as Denmark use shin tape and vests to go faster
- Denmark cyclist SCREAMS at GB's Charlie Tanfield after crash
Edit: Link to BBC Sport Twitter.
Link to the official webpage where it is still saying "Due to crash between Denmark (DEN) and Great Britain (GBR), the results of Men's Team Pursuit First Round are pending." While also showing Denmark as Qualified for Gold.
Last edited by PickleB; 3rd August 2021 at 10:41.
Watching Men's cycling sprint in a few minutes: GB vs NL for gold/silver.
(Added interest: previous gold medalist (female) Ellis Ligtlee was one of our pupils at my school. Now she's doing TV comments for Dutch TV).
YES! GOLD! Average speed 60.5 km/hr! And a new OR.
Last time Dutch male sprint cyclist(s) won a gold medal was in 1936. 85 yrs ago.
Last edited by thieuster; 3rd August 2021 at 09:57.
..has moved on to Twitter:
See also: Is the Danish pursuit team using kinesiology tape at Olympics to circumvent UCI rules?
And Twitter replies once again.
Last edited by PickleB; 3rd August 2021 at 12:06.
The forth member of the golden Dutch cycling team had a hard time getting his medal. Büchli participated in the first rounds, to be replaced - as part of the attack plan that they'd made up before - for Hoogland who pariticipated later on in the (semi)-finals and finals. At first Büchli was denied a medal! Only after a lot of discussion with the Olympic officials (including pointing at other sports like the ones above!) he received his gold medal. Apart from that, when the team became WC, they all 4 got a medal. So, the UCI recognizes the efforts of the 4th man. This 'no forth medal' was an IOC thing.
Last edited by thieuster; 3rd August 2021 at 12:13.
Just watched a recording of the 400m hurdles final, supposedly one of the all-time athletic performances - in which gold and silver medallists both broke the previous world record.
Hilarious that the new champion celebrated his victory by ripping open his shirt to expose his nipples, like a primate mating ritual.
There's just been an item on the news about 13 year old Team GB skateboarder Sky Brown. She doesn't have a British Accent, and according to Wiki
That seems a rather slender claim to being British.Sky Brown was born in Miyazaki, Japan. Her mother, Mieko, is Japanese and her father, Stu, is British.
Her British father lived in the United States for several years before moving to Japan.
Brown lives in Miyazaki, but spends around half the year in the US.
Fantastic race though and a nice chap
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