2016 Summer Olympics

I absolutely love the games. I'd watch knitting if it was an olympic sport... lol.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/soccer/eye-on-soccer/25554308/rio-2016-olympics-soccer-draw-hosts-brazil-neymar-get-easy-group

Love the Olympics.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-3038060/Rio-Janeiro-2016-Olympic-rowing-lake-plagued-thousands-dead-fish-concerns-grow-water-quality.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-3038060/Rio-Janeiro-2016-Olympic-rowing-lake-plagued-thousands-dead-fish-concerns-grow-water-quality.html#v-4171335056001

Rio's water quality has become a contentious topic ahead of the 2016 Olympics. Authorities had pledged to clean up some of the waterways including the Guanabara Bay ahead of the games but now admit those promises won't be met, sparking sailors to voice worries about possible health and safety threats posed by competing in the sewage and garbage-filled waters.

Residents concerned about the water quality of a canal in the Rio neighborhood of Recreio staged a protest on Sunday. Hundreds of demonstrators linked arms along the Canal das Taxas, which is filled with raw sewage from nearby condominiums. The canal flows into a lagoon where the Olympic Park is being built.

Hallmarkgard wrote:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-3038060/Rio-Janeiro-2016-Olympic-rowing-lake-plagued-thousands-dead-fish-concerns-grow-water-quality.html

Lol... can you imagine that scene... lol. I read an article last week about the financial strain it's putting on brazil. Lots of angry people... I hope it's going to be safe there for the athletes.

PkrBum wrote:Lol... can you imagine that scene... lol. I read an article last week about the financial strain it's putting on brazil. Lots of angry people... I hope it's going to be safe there for the athletes.

Not really a laughing matter, you think, Pkr?   A friend's son was in Olympic qualifying for swimming in Rio (which reminds me to check with her on the outcome of the trials), and I'm thinking. if it looks like he's going, she's likely quite concerned about all this.

RealLindaL wrote:

PkrBum wrote:Lol... can you imagine that scene... lol. I read an article last week about the financial strain it's putting on brazil. Lots of angry people... I hope it's going to be safe there for the athletes.

Not really a laughing matter, you think, Pkr?   A friend's son was in Olympic qualifying for swimming in Rio (which reminds me to check with her on the outcome of the trials), and I'm thinking. if it looks like he's going, she's likely quite concerned about all this.

Correcting myself here: swimming qualifying has already taken place but the trials themselves are not until the end of June == in Omaha, of all places.  Anyway, apparently the swimmers, since they'll  be in pools, are not too concerned about water pollution, but everyone is definitely worried about the situation in Rio in general.

Yep... it's liable to be a mess. I've got an uneasy feeling about it... the games could be a political target again.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/04/16/world/americas/fight-to-impeach-brazils-leader-tears-at-fabric-of-daily-life.html

My favorite is handball. I have no idea why that sport isn't more mainstream. It's sort of like a combination of soccer and basketball. Pure action and scoring.

http://m.teamusa.org:80/News/2016/March/01/6-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Synchronized-Swimming-That-Will-Shock-You

PkrBum wrote:http://m.teamusa.org:80/News/2016/March/01/6-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Synchronized-Swimming-That-Will-Shock-You

Well it is not easy....I do water aerobics. When they are all going left I'm usually in the nickel seats going right.

http://m.teamusa.org/News/2016/April/15/Five-For-Friday-Gymnastics

The gymnastics test event for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games begins this weekend, but it’s more than a dress rehearsal. For some, it will be the final chance to lock down quota spots in the Rio Olympic Games.

U.S. trampoline athletes Logan Dooley, Aliaksei Shostak and Charlotte Drury can clinch Olympic spots for Team USA by finishing among the top five. There are 16 entrants in each class. The U.S. can secure one men's and one women's spot at the test event. The specific athletes who fill any spots earned will be determined in June.

The only other U.S. gymnasts in the competition are 2012 Olympic teammates Jake Dalton and John Orozco in men’s artistic gymnastics. Both are back in competition after injury setbacks and are aiming for spots on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team.

The competition begins Saturday with the first of three days in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, followed by trampoline Tuesday and then rhythmic gymnastics next Thursday and Friday.

PkrBum wrote:http://m.teamusa.org:80/News/2016/March/01/6-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-Synchronized-Swimming-That-Will-Shock-You

Well, I was talking about Olympic swimming as in racing, but this was interesting, Pkr, thanks.  I did some synchronized swimming in my youth --  just enough to have an appreciation for how very difficult it can  be.  They do some amazing things.  

I have a friend in Clearwater who maintains/trains a synchro group in her neighborhood association, and I just forwarded her your link, so thanks again.

You're welcome. I'm not a big fan... and will switch to a different sport usually... but I like learning about the sports and really enjoy the background stories they do on the athletes. The sacrifices and dedication required are amazing to me.

This is about the women's soccer team and the horrible mistreatment and inequity they've received from our olympic officials. They've won each women's olympic gold... three in a row (I think)... yet have been receiving a fraction of the compensation. I think I could name more of the women's stars than I could the men's... and there's certainty no doubt which has been more successful. It's disgusting... for extra comparison... the men's team failed to even qualify for the olympics. They are threatening to boycott the olympics... I hope they get everything they've asked for... and more. They deserve it.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2631830-becky-sauerbrunn-comments-on-potential-2016-olympics-boycott-by-uswnt

PkrBum wrote:This is about the women's soccer team and the horrible mistreatment and inequity they've received from our olympic officials. They've won each women's olympic gold... three in a row (I think)... yet have been receiving a fraction of the compensation. I think I could name more of the women's stars than I could the men's... and there's certainty no doubt which has been more successful. It's disgusting... for extra comparison... the men's team failed to even qualify for the olympics. They are threatening to boycott the olympics... I hope they get everything they've asked for... and more. They deserve it.

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2631830-becky-sauerbrunn-comments-on-potential-2016-olympics-boycott-by-uswnt

I love the women's soccer team....never watch the men play.

PkrBum wrote:You're welcome. I'm not a big fan... and will switch to a different sport usually... but I like learning about the sports and really enjoy the background stories they do on the athletes. The sacrifices and dedication required are amazing to me.

I'm with you on the background stories' interest and am also frequently amazed at what the athletes go through.

The first US olympic athlete born in the 21st century.

http://m.teamusa.org:80/News/2016/April/10/Kanak-Jha-Becomes-The-First-Athlete-Born-In-21st-Century-To-Qualify-For-The-US-Olympic-Team

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0XN2CP

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/05/17/more-than-30-athletes-could-banned-rio-olympics-after-beijing-samples-retested/84480288/

http://www.nbcuniversal.com/article/sneak-peak-training-2016-paralympics-nbc-sports

Some profiles of the most inspirational athletes.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/olympics-paralympics-rio-2016_us_5734afefe4b08f96c1826306

When I think of the Olympics, I think of track and field. I have little use for the rest of it. I will stay up late at night to watch the track and field. From the earliest Greek competition to our current state.....those who can run the fastest and jump the highest have been measured in competition, pure individual feats which can provide objective measures of past performances. My son who was recruited by Iowa in the pole vault, cleared a height which would have given him a gold medal in the forties. It is exciting to see the evolution of man with improved conditioning, diet, and technology. Watching swimming or volleyball is fun, but give me track and field.

2seaoat wrote:When I think of the Olympics, I think of track and field. I have little use for the rest of it. I will stay up late at night to watch the track and field. From the earliest Greek competition to our current state.....those who can run the fastest and jump the highest have been measured in competition, pure individual feats which can provide objective measures of past performances. My son who was recruited by Iowa in the pole vault, cleared a height which would have given him a gold medal in the forties. It is exciting to see the evolution of man with improved conditioning, diet, and technology. Watching swimming or volleyball is fun, but give me track and field.

Humans are getting bigger, stronger, and faster... I try not to let that ruin the olympics for me. I ran the same 100 yard time as jim thorpe in high school... but that wouldn't make the relay team in many high schools today. It's the stories and competition that appeal to me. Winning a gold medal is the pinnacle... no matter the sport.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/05/27/125-experts-say-olympics-must-be-moved-or-postponed-because-of-zika/