Olympics Thread

Chris B.

Cross country at the 1924 Olympics
 
 
In the <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1924_Summer_Olympics_–_Men's_individual_cross_country' title="Athletics at the 1924 Summer Olympics â€“ Men's individual cross country">cross country</a> events, the heat of 45 Â°C (113 Â°F),<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-20'>[20]</a> caused all but 15 of the 38 competitors to abandon the race.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-Urheilumuseo_1924-16'>[16]</a> Eight finishers were taken away on stretchers.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-Urheilumuseo_1924-16'>[16]</a> One athlete began to run in tiny circles after reaching the stadium, until setting off into the stands and knocking himself unconscious.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-The_Guardian-21'>[21]</a> Early leader Wide was among those who blacked out along the course, and was incorrectly reported to have died at the hospital.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTERaevuori1997177.E2.80.93178-22'>[22]</a><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTELovesey1968111-23'>[23]</a> Nurmi exhibited only slight signs of exhaustion after beating Ritola to the win by nearly a minute and a half.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-Urheilumuseo_1924-16'>[16]</a> As Finland looked to have lost the team medal, the disoriented Liimatainen staggered into the stadium, but was barely moving forward.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTERaevuori1997179-24'>[24]</a> An athlete ahead of him fainted 50 metres from the finish, and Liimatainen stopped and tried to find his way off the track, thinking he had reached the finish line.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTERaevuori1997179-24'>[24]</a> After having ignored shouts and kept the spectators in suspense for a while, he turned into the right direction, realised his situation and reached the finish in 12th place and secured team gold.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-Urheilumuseo_1924-16'>[16]</a><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTERaevuori1997179-24'>[24]</a> Those present at the stadium were shocked by what they had witnessed, and Olympic officials decided to ban cross country running from future Games.<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paavo_Nurmi#cite_note-FOOTNOTELovesey1968112-25'>[25]</a>

Bovidae

It hasn't taken long for the subtle accusations of cheating to be pointed at Katinka Hosszu who smashed the 400m IM WR. Hungary do have some pedigree in the pool.

&nbsp;

Stargazer

Now this is a story! 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Tennis star Juan Martin del Potro shrugs off lift drama to beat Novak Djokovic in Rio 
 Last updated 19:46, August 8 2016 
 When you're scheduled to face off against the best tennis player in the world at the Olympic Games, it's safe to say you would want as much time to prepare as possible. 
 However Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro saw his preparation time cut by 40 minutes, when he was stuck in an elevator. 
 He was eventually freed by the Argentinian handball team, nicknamed The Gladiators - and went on to beat Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2) in the biggest upset in the tennis tournament so far. 
 It was a raucous atmosphere in the last match of the night on centre court, where Argentine fans chanted for del Potro and Brazilians tried to drown out their rivals with cheers for Djokovic. 
 Del Potro - the former world number four - left his room in the athlete's village to prepare for his first round match when the power cut out brought the elevator to a halt on Monday Morning (NZT). 
 With no mobile phone signal, del Potro yelled for help and his cries were eventually heard by the members of the Argentinian handball team, nicknamed The Gladiators. 
 <img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/d/d/5/l/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1ddbhw.png/1470642374537.jpg" alt="1470642374537.jpg"> 
Juan Martin del Potro's spent 40 minutes stuck in a lift before the match.

 It was believed the handball players forced the lift door open and helped the trapped tennis star out. 
 Del Potro's agent Jorge Viale tweeted an image of the tennis star's start to the day and later tweeted that The Gladiators had rescued him. 
 The Argentinian's misfortune is the latest in a slew of mishaps in the athlete's village. 
 Last week, Australian basketball player Andrew Bogut tweeted pictures of himself building his own shower curtain out of a sheet and hooks, to avoid getting water all over his suite's bathroom. 
 The following day, the Chinese basketball team complained of unfinished features, including toilet seats needing to be taped down and a bed frame with loose screws. 
 Australian tennis star Sam Stosur also grumbled that her shower was 'stone cold every time' she tried to use it, while plumbing problems plagued Japanese table tennis star Ai Fukuhara when she was forced to fix her own toilet. 
 Djokovic was not the only big tennis name to crash out. Although Serena Williams won her first round singles match, she and sister Venus were beaten 6-3, 6-4 by the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova in the doubles. Venus, battling illness, had earlier lost her first round singles match. 
 Djokovic's exit leaves Andy Murray, who won his first round match 6-3, 6-2 against Serbia's Viktor Troicki, as the men's favourite. Rafael Nadal also won his first round match. 
 - Stuff
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/82922612/Tennis-star-Juan-Martin-del-Potro-shrugs-off-lift-drama-to-beat-Novak-Djokovic-in-Rio'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/82922612/Tennis-star-Juan-Martin-del-Potro-shrugs-off-lift-drama-to-beat-Novak-Djokovic-in-Rio</a>

Mokey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="603949" data-time="1470613194">
<div>
Did I read correctly that the lady who won kept her trap shut for an incredible twelve seconds?
 
Unbeatable!!!
 
I have my hat, coat and running shoes already on! :)
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Won't save you.

canefan

I'm watching the women's trap at the moment. Riveting stuff, the final was anyone's, and throw in a few misfires from the clay bird machines too. A shame Rooney couldn't go one better but still a magnificent achievement

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="604029" data-time="1470638927">
I thought they were referring to the other more MILFish looking one on the right who looks ready to go full Sharon Stone any second.</blockquote>
 
Err yeah

Stargazer

Not a good idea to merge the Olympic Sevens thread with the general Olympic Thread. #justsaying

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="603880" data-time="1470601684">
<div>
Reportedly "OK". Was conscious going into the ambo.
 
That was a nasty crash. She was just rag-dolled upside down on the kerb. I thought her back landed hard on the edge as well.
 
NZ men's hockey just scored a spectacular equaliser against the poms if you aren't watching the game I suggest you look it up.
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</blockquote>
 
Just reading that the Dutch girl has a severe concussion and 3 small fractures in her lumbar vertebrae. She has to stay in intensive care for another 24 hours, but she's conscious and able to talk. She has apparently already tweeted that she'll be okay and that she's most of all very disappointed because she was so close to winning gold. Glad to read that, because that crash looked awful.

mariner4life

Italian diver chicks. Fuck. Yes.

mariner4life

Just watched the last 15km of the women's road race. Gutted for the American who went all that way to get nothing 
That was a pretty decent crash that Dutch girl had

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="604076" data-time="1470652903">Italian diver chicks. Fuck. Yes.</blockquote>pictures?

canefan

NZ women's 8 racing their heat right now. Great sight seeing a big black boat in the water again

Crucial

I'm glad that 'boat' was the last word in that sentence.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="604030" data-time="1470638978">
<div>
Google images tells me she's already had a wardrobe incident on a windy day.
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</blockquote>
She had an incident on the Great British bakeoff too
 
<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f3/3a/26/f33a266de18240b64a7b4c41d94f71b9.jpg" alt="f33a266de18240b64a7b4c41d94f71b9.jpg">

Billy Tell

7s strolled to victory after GB imploded with YCs. 
Are the Olympics rugby shirts available to buy??

Bovidae

The sisters will need to improve their work at the breakdown in the final - too many turnovers and penalties vs GB.
 
The key to beating Aust will be dominating possession and defence.

hydro11

Need to kick some conversions too.

TeWaio

NZ nail the tricky cross country course to be in the silver medal position with just the showjumping to go. Sir Mark Todd individually 4th. Each rail knocked down in the showjumping is 4 penalties so the margins are very close

Hooroo

Can someone commentate the 7's final at 10 am??

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="TeWaio" data-cid="604115" data-time="1470689229">
<div>
NZ nail the tricky cross country course to be in the silver medal position with just the showjumping to go. Sir Mark Todd individually 4th. Each rail knocked down in the showjumping is 4 penalties so the margins are very close
</div>
</blockquote>
 
4 teams (Oz, NZ, France and Germany) in contention for the medals. Could end up in any order although we have a reasonable buffer to 4th so a medal is a good possibility.
 
Individually who knows. The last olympic winner was 12th heading into the show jumping. I'm picking we get a 3rd and a fifth.

The Silver Fern

Olympics Thread