Tokyo Olympic Games 2020/1

[Fifah1907]

Yeah I saw Tony Hawk having a go on the course in between heats didn’t realise he was doing commentary, lucky Americans. Although like I said the Uk/bbc commentators did a really good job of explaining things so i knew what was going on, what the tricks were called etc. I watched the GB vs Germany hockey match and the commentators left a lot to be desired, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, I know the general premise of the game but didn’t understand why people were being carded etc.

I honestly think some of these young women are just as good as some of the older male skateboarders. Certainly when they are older and more experienced they will surpass them. I’ve never been on a board in my life but watching it is so entertaining to me. Makes me want to try and learn myself but I think at 30 I might be a bit late

Never too late!! A PT in my gym just left her well paid job to become a PT in her 50s!

 

[kazizzle]

I’ve never been on a board in my life but watching it is so entertaining to me. Makes me want to try and learn myself but I think at 30 I might be a bit late

I snowboard and I've been having an intense urge to learn to skateboard for the past few weeks because I'm missing snowboarding. Watching the Olympics has just made the urge even stronger! I think I'm going to buy a longboard though, I'm not too keen on the fancy tricks just want to carve and get about places and have a bit of style ☺ I'm also 30.

 

[ElektraWintour]

Russia have just won the men’s gymnastics team final. What are people’s thoughts on Russia being there? They’re supposed to be banned for doping but it seems they’re allowed to compete under a very slightly different name. But then again would it have been too harsh to ban all the athletes if they were innocent?

The GB men came 4th.

 

[Scragbags]

Just signed up for the discovery+ app as I keep missing all the good stuff
I'm gutted I missed Tom Daley getting his gold
Team gb smashing it today

 

[IrishMeeja]

Russia have just won the men’s gymnastics team final. What are people’s thoughts on Russia being there? They’re supposed to be banned for doping but it seems they’re allowed to compete under a very slightly different name. But then again would it have been too harsh to ban all the athletes if they were innocent?

I think banning Russia would be extremely hypocritical given that doping is beyond widespread at this point. The US had systematic doping to a similar level in the 80s/90s and they weren't banned. If a whistleblower didn't come out, we'd never have know about the likes of Marion Jones.

Doping is incredibly rife.

 

[Blond3g1rl]

Has the team gb app updated for anyone? I now can’t view the complete schedule like I could yesterday

 

[ChinaHouse_0x]

Russia have just won the men’s gymnastics team final. What are people’s thoughts on Russia being there? They’re supposed to be banned for doping but it seems they’re allowed to compete under a very slightly different name. But then again would it have been too harsh to ban all the athletes if they were innocent?

The GB men came 4th.

I honestly think it’s fair they are allowed to participate especially at the Olympics as some wouldn’t be at their peak in 2024 and would miss out competing at the Olympics. They should be allowed to compete as an independent committee if they are clean although some commentators still call them Russia.

 

[bubbadabut]

Russia have just won the men’s gymnastics team final. What are people’s thoughts on Russia being there? They’re supposed to be banned for doping but it seems they’re allowed to compete under a very slightly different name. But then again would it have been too harsh to ban all the athletes if they were innocent?

The GB men came 4th.

They are banned from competing as Russia until the end of next year. The ones taking part are supposedly 'clean' and have to follow strict guidelines. They've already had two rowers replaced due to failing drugs tests, and also two swimmers (since reinstated). Russians who have had consistent negative drug tests which have been undertaken by non-Russian organisations are allowed to compete as neutrals. I think this is fair.

Their football team hasn't been allowed to enter the Qatar World Cup next year either.

 

[Merpedy]

They’re supposed to be banned for doping but it seems they’re allowed to compete under a very slightly different name. But then again would it have been too harsh to ban all the athletes if they were innocent?

I feel like sport in general needs to take a harsher stand on athletes who have doped or missed drugs tests
You can miss two drugs tests without being banned and while yes those two missed tests don't automatically mean that someone is doping, it can be a bit suspect

As I also understand, for some doping offences the ban isn't a lifetime one so when they return to compete they may still have the benefits of doping

 

[takhana]

I think banning Russia would be extremely hypocritical given that doping is beyond widespread at this point. The US had systematic doping to a similar level in the 80s/90s and they weren't banned. If a whistleblower didn't come out, we'd never have know about the likes of Marion Jones.

Doping is incredibly rife.

The Chinese man in the weightlifting yesterday had to be on something PED wise, there's no way he isn't taking something - incredibly veiny and muscular, lifting 10+kg above everyone else competing with complete ease.

 

[Merpedy]

I honestly feel bad when I see someone who's not an exact favourite or a bit unexpected win because my second though (after being over the moon for them) is that they're probably doping

 

[bubbadabut]

I honestly feel bad when I see someone who's not an exact favourite or a bit unexpected win because my second though (after being over the moon for them) is that they're probably doping

There's a couple who I've thought that about too. The Tunisian swimmer who qualified with the slowest time and then won gold, and then the young lad from Uzbekistan who barely qualified and beat the Team GB guy in the taekwando yesterday. Another thing that crossed my mind was the closure of training facilities due to Covid. The BBC commentators keep making a big thing of how much training has been missed, and how long some of our athletes have been unable to get proper match/race practice, but I wonder if things weren't adhered to as strictly in less Westernised countries (if they had any closures at all). Training might have pretty much carried on as normal for them, so they have a bit of an unknown advantage

 

[IrishMeeja]

I feel like sport in general needs to take a harsher stand on athletes who have doped or missed drugs tests

This is true, but I think my issue is that the real elite level doping won't be detected or they have dubious prescriptions. They are ahead of the anti doping agencies and likely will never fail a test. Lance Armstrong never failed or skipped a test.

This famous case is an example of what they are up against: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/49822761

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Was happy to see the two 13 year olds coming first and second in the skate boarding. Hopefully the 13 year old GB skateboarder will do well in the park event. Never watched skate boarding before but ended up enjoying it and I liked the scoring format.

 

[Tea_Time_12]

I fell asleep during the triathlon yesterday. The amount of work those guys were doing was making me tired. As usual, so gutted as it seems the gold medal winner really gave it his all in the last 5 or so minutes

But yes! That's exactly why the women's skateboarding has much younger competitors and since it's not as saturated as the men's it's much easier to get into at a competitive level
It's good to see Japan taking the gold for the men's as it will hopefully clear the sports association with delinquency and open it up to more people

I also just learnt that Tony Hawk is part of the commentary team and has been able to use the course too!

I heard Tony Hawk was doing the commentary but wasn’t able to watch it. Hearing his name took me right back. I remember watching him attempt a 900 in the X Games on tv and the look of exhaustion and relief he had when he finally landed it.

He was huge back in the day and introduced skateboarding to the mainstream. Everyone I knew had a skateboard or his video games after that.

I too am disappointed about the coverage. Everything seems to be behind a paid streaming service. I have enough of those! What happened to all day coverage? You could turn on the tv at any time and watch something.

 

[Asgyui]

Well done Adam Peaty. I was listening to the 5 Live commentary and they were saying how sad it was his achievements have never really been recognised by the press or public. Unbeaten in a race for 7 years. Which is amazing tbh.
But in a way I thought he has the best of both worlds - top of his game, lots of endorsements, but still able to live a quite private life.

He has never really been in the press much but last year i think it was the Sun or some other trashy newspaper published a not the nicest article announcing his partners pregnancy, saying it was a one night stand or something, it wasnt the nicest tone. Anyway his partner Eiri who is a talented artist, started a youtube channel not long after the baby was born, the baby is super cute and a real spit of Adam. Eiri seems lovely, genuine and down to earth and a real supportive partner.

 

[Giggling Squid]

He has never really been in the press much but last year i think it was the Sun or some other trashy newspaper published a not the nicest article announcing his partners pregnancy, saying it was a one night stand or something, it wasnt the nicest tone. Anyway his partner Eiri who is a talented artist, started a youtube channel not long after the baby was born, the baby is super cute and a real spit of Adam. Eiri seems lovely, genuine and down to earth and a real supportive partner.

I saw an interview with her on the BBC news, she really does seem lovely!

 

[Welshgal]

One of the Russian gymnasts tore his achilles just 9 weeks ago or something like that, yet he was performing as if nothing had happened. German commentator really had to fight to not allude to anything... (and failed).

Very happy with the 4th place for Uk gymnasts!
I do prefer female gymnastics though. It’s more fun with the dance elements and somehow the tumbling on floor looks so much better than the guys imo.

 

[bubbadabut]

Sorry to be a party pooper but is it just me who cringes at the obligatory biting of the gold medal pics!? Seemed to become a thing a couple of Olympics ago and shows no signs of stopping.

 

[Merpedy]

The triathlons are so insane to watch