Summer Olympics Thread-Tokyo

[utee94]

I have enjoyed the olympics much more than I thought I would. (Utee-you listening)

I have been very moved by some of the individual performances, the sheer athleticism of some of these athletes- and the class and pride with which some of these athletes have carried themselves through winning and disappointment. 

Did you see the American wrestler today who won gold? She was amazing.  The two high jumpers who agreed to share the gold?  That was so cool.  The runner who got tangled up with another runner and fell, and they help each other up and walked to the finish line together?

I look up to Simone Biles even more now, which is saying a lot, for how she handled herself and for cheering for her team. 

I have enjoyed track and field, swimming, soccer, volleyball ( indoor and beach), water polo ( Holy shit are those people in great physical condition) gymnastics, basketball and even badminton.

I wish there was more showing of boxing.

I will also say- the American athletes have pretty much made me proud in how they have carried themselves on the field and in interviews.

Yeah, this is the stuff I like about the Olympics, too.

And look, I get it-- I can tell you honestly, that I really dislike the kneeling too.  And the other political jibber jabber that constantly comes up around sports, and not just the Olympic ones.  I just make a conscious choice to ignore it, and focus instead on the kinds of stories you just highlighted right here.

There have been so many great moments through these Olympics, and then I think about how much harder THIS one must be for the athletes, after having to postpone and train for an entire year through COVID, and not having their families and loved ones there at the games.  This is likely the toughest political/social/medical environment that any Olympic athletes have faced in my lifetime, excluding perhaps the boycott years in 1980/1984.  Those were tough on athletes in a different way.

Anyway, I've found that I'm enjoying the Olympics every bit as much as I always have, and my kids are finally old enough to really get into it, as well.  It's really rewarding, seeing them beaming with pride over an American victory, or just an incredible show of sportsmanship like the sharing of the gold medal.

[longhorn320]

as long as they come into the country legally, I'm fine

not saying there is anything ethically wrong

but its kinda like planting a tree in your back yard and 20 years later it falls on your house

[bayareabadger]

If they are going to take our goods we should be able to benefit from their citizenship

However that would not solve the problem if they hold duel citizenship

This seems like it would be untenable, but it also kind of understate to a nature of playing at a school.

it’s all kind of fungible to a degree. Though I do sometimes get a kick out of situations where there is an American athlete who has played for a while overseas and you end up seeing some guy from Pittsburgh on the Israeli national team. 

[betarhoalphadelta]

The question is what to do with Rory Sabbatini...

South African, holds a UK passport as well as US citizenship, and became a Slovakian citizen 3 years ago as his wife is Slovak and he's trying to help grow the game there...

Won the silver medal for Slovakia in Tokyo, whereas he wouldn't have qualified for the Olympics if he were trying for the South African, British, or American teams...

[FearlessF]

as long as China doesn't win anything, it's fine

[Brutus Buckeye]

China's doing some "real life" winning. 

[Brutus Buckeye]

US womens vball take care of DR in the quarterfinals,  really best total performance of the Olympics so far.  25-11, 20, 19.  Nbc showed it live tonight.  Up next in the Semis, winner of Serbia v Italy.  I would have bet on Serbia to win gold before the games.    Hancock set pretty well.  Annie Drews, Purdue alum and IN native was the star tonight.  JWO continues to play exceptionally well at libero.

They are showing it again, now. 

[NorthernOhioBuckeye]

I look up to Simone Biles even more now, which is saying a lot, for how she handled herself and for cheering for her team. 

I am conflicted on this one. When the news first came out that she was sitting out some parts of the competition, it was reportedly due to mental health issues. After a couple of days it then became anxiety about carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Now I'm hearing that it was some sort of condition where she was not able to know where she was while in the air doing some of her routines.

So which it is? Did they get the story wrong at first or did the story change when the backlash started? If the first reports were simply wrong and she did have a condition that would have physically prevented her from competing, then just come out and say it and I would completely understand.  

However, the problem I have is that too many people want to celebrate her quitting on her team because of mental issues? 

Really? All of these years and in her 2nd Olympics, now she is having issues? 

What about the girl that was cut so that Biles makes the team? How do you think she feels? In all probability she is probably at home thinking "at least I could have given it a try".  

At this point in her career Biles is likely a professional, being paid to do what she does through endorsements or other means. Being a professional means that you put aside your mental issues and perform as you have been trained to do. I'm sorry, but I don't really want to celebrate someone that bumped someone else from the team only to go to the competition and quit. 

Again, if it was a physical issue then I completely understand. But I have a hard time buying that story. 

[ELA]

I can't believe I've never thought of this before, but do men and women play on the same height net for volleyball?

[MarqHusker]

The baton, again.     Jeezus.

[MarqHusker]

I can't believe I've never thought of this before, but do men and women play on the same height net for volleyball?

No.  Men play at a shade under 8 feet, 2.43 m.  Women are at 7-4   and change, I think 2.24m.

[longhorn320]

No.  Men play at a shade under 8 feet, 2.43 m.  Women are at 7-4  and change, I think 2.24m.

ok smart person what about men and women basketball

is the net the same height for both?

[Brutus Buckeye]

The women's hoop has to be at least 20 feet tall, or at least it seems that way when you watch them play. 

[MarqHusker]

Brazil handled Russia in 4sets in women's vball qf. 

US v Serbia at midnight est tomorrow night.
Brazil v South Korea, wtf?,  in the other SF.

They held of Turkey in 5 sets.    US with two past nemesis if they are to win first Olympic gold.