Olympics 2016

[Bealman]

Dunno how other members have been  doing, but I'm really enjoying the Rio Olympics.

Mind you, a girl that lives around the corner from me cleaned up a few swimming medals. 

[Agrippa]

She had a can of Brasso...?

[Newportnobby]

Joking apart about the beach volleyball, I have watched way too much Olympics telly but have mainly concentrated on what has been going on in the Velodrome/rowing. I was pleased to see Andy "When will I be happy?" Murray take 4 hours to beat someone I'd never heard off, but have been blown away by just how well our athletes have done and have got very emotional at times.

[Bealman]

Talking of the velodrome, Australia's flag bearer Anna Meares has done brilliantly.

[LeftToMyOwnDevices]

I'm not really a sporting person...

...but what has really inspired me are some of the back-stories and the other lower-profile 'events' that have captured the 'true' Olympic spirit.

For a start, the two rather cute-looking Korean gymnast girls who were photographed taking a 'selfie' of themselves together. Nothing extraordinary about that – except that one girl was from North Korea; and the other girl was from South Korea.

One of the first gold(?) medals for Brazil was from a young woman who had grown up in a Favela (for those who don't know what that is, that's a Brazilian word for 'slum' or 'sink-estate'). Very moving, in that her mother had put her into a Judo(?) club, when she was a little girl, for her own self-defence and personal protection. Now, her daughter has an Olympic medal in Judo(?).

At London 2012, what had moved me the most was a competitor called Luol Deng (I think that's the correct spelling), who had escaped civil war in what older viewers might call the 'Horn of Africa' (that's Ethiopia, Eritrea and/or may be Sudan, South Sudan, etc.). He had escaped as a refugee to Egypt, then to Britain, where he had grown up and gone to school. His British school had spotted his talent for Basketball – and he had subsequently got a scholarship to America, to further his talent. In the USA he'd become a very successful champion Basketball player (and had made a lot of money). Instead of resting on his laurels, so to speak, he'd decided to hop on a plane and fly back to London – where he'd promptly offered his services to Team GB. They had made him team captain, quite understandably, as he was (by far) their most qualified team member. What really moved me is that he'd known full-well that his laudable actions would NOT result in an Olympic medal of any kind; for him, it was the principal of thanking the country that had given him so much, when he really needed it.

Which brings me to the 'lovely' Laura Trott, who I've been watching today (Tuesday).

What struck me about her at London 2012 was that her Olympic journey started from the unlikeliest of beginnings. Her mother was getting to be 'a woman of a certain age...' and 'a women of a certain size...', so to speak. Her mother's reaction was to take herself off to the nearest cycling track, to get herself back into shape. As a mother, with very young children, they had followed her there – and onto the cycling track, like so many little cygnets and ducklings – where little Laura had discovered a talent for cycling. Today, they again showed the photo of her, as an 8-year old girl, standing next to Bradley Wiggins. He had posed for the photo, having placed his (then) Olympic medal(s) around her neck, just for the photo. This had been the 'catalyst' moment to inspire her on. I find it – in equal amounts – both so very funny and oh-so very moving :'( : how she started on her Olympic journey to where she is today (4 Olympic Golds and the most successful GB female athlete).

As for the Volleyball, I do have the utmost respect for them. I have been on an English beach and attempted to play against the younger members of my church. Manoeuvring on fine sand is twice as tough as it looks – believe me...! Bear in mind that I'm in reasonable shape – but I am twice Laura Trott's age (she's 24, you do the Maths...). 

Finally, who'd have thought Team GB would be second in the medals table, ahead of China.

It makes make think that "nothing is impossible"; like me attempting to plan and build my very first N gauge layout.

Clearing out that spare room is proving to be an 'Olympic-size' challenge, but I now believe I might actually get there – but there will be no medals for me, just pride in the achievement when I do, finally, get there.

Here's hoping...

Charles.

[Webbo]

Talking of the velodrome, Australia's flag bearer Anna Meares has done brilliantly.

No need to be sarcastic George. I think the rest of the world is catching up to and probably even passing Australia on spending per Olympic athlete. Personally I couldn't care less how many medals each country wins as I'm thoroughly enjoying all of it no matter who is competing. After this Olympics, there will be the strident calls from the Australian Olympic Committee for more spending no doubt.

Who is the girl who lives around the corner from you George? Kim Brennan who golded the ladies single sculls lives in my suburb. Of course, her win provides absolutely no reflection on me except that I pay my taxes. Having met her walking her dog, she struck me as a decent, modest woman and a credit to the sporting tradition.


Webbo   

[Chetcombe]

As someone with both American and British nationality I am clearly enjoying looking at the medal table 

Seriously though, it is fantastic to see the incredible levels of performance, nearly all of it in the correct spirit. I was particularly impressed by the graciousness of Justin Rose in winning the men's golf, up until that point it seemed like no-one cared it was making its Olympic comeback after so long.

[Sprintex]

Bit too much politics creeping into this thread so it has been removed. Can we please keep the conversation to the SPORT only and leave any politics out of it?




Paul

[Bealman]

Emma McKeon the swimmer, Webbo. 

[Chris Morris]

I've been watching every evening and a bit during the day. As a Brit it is fantastic to see team GB doing so well, and something that I could never have imagined during the 1960s/70s/80s and 90s. I say very well done and total respect to all athletes from around the world who have worked so hard to be good enough to compete in the Olympics.

[Bealman]

Yes indeed. 

[Newportnobby]

Once again, events in the velodrome last night had me leaping about and shouting, bricking myself and crying like a baby, and that was just Jason Kenny and Laura Trott!
It's a massive statement that each and every person in the ladies cycling team won a medal, and for Jason & Laura to take home 10 gold medals is just mind blowing (hope they don't have to pay excess baggage )

[Bealman]

The GB team are certainly doing well and hopefully will be a force in future games.

As you know, Mick, I still hold a Pommy passport and am able to appreciate the achievements of the UK and my adopted country.

The Olympics have punctuated all my life at 4 year intervals and I love watching them.

Tokyo 2020? Watch out, Railsquid..... might just turn up. 

[Bealman]

And the stadiums are still half full. Sorry!

[MKP]

If you know anyone aged 14 to 16 born on March 23rd get them signed up to a sports team ready for the next olympics

born March 23rd:

Chris Hoy,
Steve Redgrave
Mo Farah
Jason Kenny

20 Gold Medals

Add to that Kyrie Irving from the USA basketball team (who will win gold)

and a couple of other sports people born on the same date:

Roger Bannister
Joe Calzaghe

and if not the 23rd just go for March:

also born in March:

Ed Clancy (3 Gold medals)
Paolo Radmilovic (4 Gold Medals)
Henry Taylor (3 Gold Medlas)
Andrew Triggs Hodge (3 Gold Medals)
Katie Archibald (1 Gold Medal -cycling)