Olympics Thread

Cyclops

Yeah they sometimes do a by funding medal table which is always a good one to look at - even by GDP is a good proxy (although a country like India has a pretty good GDP but not a lot of funding so not perfect).

Chris B.

No doubt that money helps - but, everyone knows that now.
 
If you look at the countries that won track cycling medals - Aust, Germany, USA, Italy, Netherlands, France, Canada, NZ, Denmark, China, Russia - it's pretty hard to think any of them are on shoestring budgets. They were chucking around a figure on the radio of NZ$27 million from High Performance Sport NZ given to our track cycling programme - which I'd guess is pretty budget compared to many. But even so - that's going to buy you a shit load of training, gear and travel. We've supposedly got some great facilities.
 
About the only thing it's not going to buy too much of is science. So what have the Brits done with their money - it's got to be more than just marginally better bikes.

Chris B.

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83274254/panel-of-experts-links-hair-removal-to-cyclists-saddle-pain'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83274254/panel-of-experts-links-hair-removal-to-cyclists-saddle-pain</a>
 
No stones left unturned, apparently.... :)

canefan

Just watching the replay of the women's pole vault and I must say Eliza McCartney is quite easy on the eye along with qualifying for the final

Mokey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606068" data-time="1471425114">
<div>
No doubt that money helps - but, everyone knows that now.
 
If you look at the countries that won track cycling medals - Aust, Germany, USA, Italy, Netherlands, France, Canada, NZ, Denmark, China, Russia - it's pretty hard to think any of them are on shoestring budgets. They were chucking around a figure on the radio of NZ$27 million from High Performance Sport NZ given to our track cycling programme - which I'd guess is pretty budget compared to many. But even so - that's going to buy you a shit load of training, gear and travel. We've supposedly got some great facilities.
 
About the only thing it's not going to buy too much of is science. So what have the Brits done with their money - it's got to be more than just marginally better bikes.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
We do. The AvantiDrome just outside of Cambridge is top class. Like all the rowers settled around the HPC at Karapiro, most of the cyclists are now based there.
 
Have to say, one things about the games that is grossing me out (apart from the green pool) is the booing by the Rio crowds, especially when athletes are getting medals. That is ugly.

Donsteppa

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="606079" data-time="1471426780">
Have to say, one things about the games that is grossing me out (apart from the green pool) is the booing by the Rio crowds, especially when athletes are getting medals. That is ugly.</blockquote>
 
Yep! Can't see world sporting bodies rushing to take events like the Olympics back to Rio in the future.

canefan

Ratpoo endears himself to olympics fans by suggesting Hamblin and the American girl who fell and helped each other finish shouldn't be celebrated. He really is a horrible fat git

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="606079" data-time="1471426780">
<div>
We do. The AvantiDrome just outside of Cambridge is top class. Like all the rowers settled around the HPC at Karapiro, most of the cyclists are now based there.
 
Have to say, one things about the games that is grossing me out (apart from the green pool) is the booing by the Rio crowds, especially when athletes are getting medals. That is ugly.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Heard Ian Ferguson talking about a new whitewater canoe facility (in Auckland I think). He said it's the best whitewater course in the world - and having an artificial course is important, because nature doesn't provide a tough enough challenge - apparently you need the bottom of the course to be flat to increase water speed.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606068" data-time="1471425114">
<div>
No doubt that money helps - but, everyone knows that now.
 
If you look at the countries that won track cycling medals - Aust, Germany, USA, Italy, Netherlands, France, Canada, NZ, Denmark, China, Russia - it's pretty hard to think any of them are on shoestring budgets. They were chucking around a figure on the radio of NZ$27 million from High Performance Sport NZ given to our track cycling programme - which I'd guess is pretty budget compared to many. But even so - that's going to buy you a shit load of training, gear and travel. We've supposedly got some great facilities.
 
About the only thing it's not going to buy too much of is science. So what have the Brits done with their money - it's got to be more than just marginally better bikes.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
You can look at the<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_UCI_World_Tour#Nation'> nation ratings </a>on the UCI World Tour this year. Spain, France and Colombia are the top three cycling nations and won a bronze medal between themselves at these games. It has a lot to do with how countries value the events. It seems that most European countries don't value track cycling very much. Spain didn't even make a final on the track and they are the best cycling country in the world.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="606079" data-time="1471426780">
<div>
We do. The AvantiDrome just outside of Cambridge is top class. Like all the rowers settled around the HPC at Karapiro, most of the cyclists are now based there.
 
Have to say, one things about the games that is grossing me out (apart from the green pool) is the booing by the Rio crowds, especially when athletes are getting medals. That is ugly.
</div>
</blockquote>
I see the same shit every time I watch a Brazilian UFC card, they're rabidly pro-Brazilian and anti-pretty much everyone else. They're the worst.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="606080" data-time="1471427071">
Yep! Can't see world sporting bodies rushing to take events like the Olympics back to Rio in the future.</blockquote>
 
Besides the fact it has bankrupted their already fucked, crime-riddled, disease-infested, poor-arsed armpit of a country, you mean?

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="606080" data-time="1471427071">
Yep! Can't see world sporting bodies rushing to take events like the Olympics back to Rio in the future.</blockquote>I think they spent so much on bribes to get the games they didn't have enough to spend on the actual games. After the football WC and the olympics they must be super debt ridden. 
If FIFA and the IOC weren't so corrupt they'd follow simple rules 
Don't have the events in the developing or third world because infrastructure and organisation is piss poor 
Don't have the events in Russia because Putin sucks 
Don't have the events in the Middle East because it's too hot, you can't drink or fornicate without getting thrown in prison 
The FIFA WC is going to be rubbish in Qatar but the Tokyo olympics in 2020 will be great I predict

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="606099" data-time="1471437370">
<div>
I see the same shit every time I watch a Brazilian UFC card, they're rabidly pro-Brazilian and anti-pretty much everyone else. They're the worst.
</div>
</blockquote>
This looks like another honour wrested away from Crusuder country!

Unco

Lisa Carrington's racing in the 500m heats right now.

Unco

And she finishes first in her heat. Semis are at 2:17am.
 
The Women's 470 medal race is at 4:05am as well. Not sure what else is today though.
 
Edit: Okay, the schedule tells me the women's hockey semi is at 8am.

Derm McCrum

There's a German runner, Ringer, currently leading the field in the men's 5000m. 
At least the krauts are honest about it....

Rancid Schnitzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="606104" data-time="1471438005">
I think they spent so much on bribes to get the games they didn't have enough to spend on the actual games. After the football WC and the olympics they must be super debt ridden. 
If FIFA and the IOC weren't so corrupt they'd follow simple rules 
Don't have the events in the developing or third world because infrastructure and organisation is piss poor 
Don't have the events in Russia because Putin sucks 
Don't have the events in the Middle East because it's too hot, you can't drink or fornicate without getting thrown in prison 
The FIFA WC is going to be rubbish in Qatar but the Tokyo olympics in 2020 will be great I predict</blockquote>
 
The best games in recent years have been Sydney and London, I.e. games held in proper countries with people who can afford tickets. Seoul and Barcelona were great too, because these were nations on the rise. 
The ironic thing is that BEFORE the world cup and Olympics I really wanted to go to Brazil. Now I don't want to go near the place.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="606113" data-time="1471442286">
<div>
The best games in recent years have been Sydney and London, I.e. games held in proper countries with people who can afford tickets. Seoul and Barcelona were great too, because these were nations on the rise. 
The ironic thing is that BEFORE the world cup and Olympics I really wanted to go to Brazil. Now I don't want to go near the place.
</div>
</blockquote>
Seoul is my favourite olympics of all time. Purely because I was a kid, it was the first olympics I took an interest in, and it included iconic figures like Flo Jo, Matt Biondi, Greg Louganis...and of course Ben Johnson. I was enraptured at the time, from memory it was during summer holidays in NZ, and the TV got a good thrashing.

Frye

Carrington qualified for the final. Her time was fifth fastest. Man I hope we can sneak another gold or two.

Derm McCrum

Two bits of gossip
 
 
The Aiba boxing federation has dropped a number of judges and referees at the Rio Olympics after a review of decisions at the Games. After 239 Olympic bouts, the federation said â€œless than a handfulâ€ of the decisions were not at the level expected. â€œThe concerned referees and judges will no longer officiate at the Rio 2016 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.theguardian.com/sport/olympic-games'>Olympic Games</a>,â€ the body said, adding that the results of all the bouts would stand."
 
In a clear warning to Irish boxer, Michael Conlon, and separately to the US boxing team, led by former Irish boxing coach, the well-respected Billy Walsh, they also had this to say:
"With regard to corruption, we would like to strongly restate that unless tangible proof is put forward, not rumours, we will continue to use any means, including legal or disciplinary actions to protect our sport and its R&J community whose integrity is constantly put into question. The organization will not be deterred by subjective judgements made by discontented parties. We welcome all parties to come forward and provide evidence in order to take appropriate and immediate action."
 
 
 
Meanwhile, the Brazilian police have arrested the head of Olympic Ireland, Pat Hickey, on charges of ticket sales misappropriations. The Brazilian police arrested him in his Rio hotel room in the wee hours, and took him out of the hotel in his dressing gown. By chance, there was a mobile phone to capture the event. ;)

The Silver Fern

Olympics Thread