Day 9 - August 1, 2024
One thing and one thing only dominated yesterday, and it was a topic that I wanted to avoid until it actually occurred but was something that us "amateur" sports enthusiasts knew was brewing. And, although technically inapplicable here, the issue is one of transgender women in sports. I will try to be as thorough as I can, but also as brief as possible as I want to get to the actual sports as quickly as possible.
The issue surrounds Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, and what happened in her first round fight agains Angela Carini from Italy. Carini retired 46 seconds into the fight after taking one punch to the nose from the Algerian fighter. The controversy comes from the fact people believe Carini retired because she was fearful for her safety fighting against a "man". Carini didn't help matters by refusing to shake Khelif's hand after the fight - for which Carini later apologized and even said she would embrace Khelif.
So, the issue about Khelif being a "man" is that she was suspended by the IBA - the International Boxing Association - for having failed a test which said her chromosomes are XY. It should be noted that the IBA is run by a Russian, who moved its headquarters to Russia after the leader secured funding from Russia, and the "test" occurred after Khelif had defeated a Russian fighter. The IBA never produced the results of the test, only saying that she must be XY because her testosterone was so high. Also of note is that the IBA has been discredited as an agency and no longer oversees amateur or Olympic boxing.
Anyway, Khelif was born female, has female sex organs - and always has - participated in the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, and hails from a country that outlaws gender-reassignment surgery and practically outlaws anything it considers gay, bisexual or lesbian. If Khelif was a transgender athlete, she would be more likely to be arrested or executed than representing Algeria in the Olympics.
There is a legitimate discussion that can be had about transgender athlete's participation in certain women's sporting events - but this is not the situation upon which to have that discussion.
Can I get to the good stuff now? Good.
Simone Biles, Simone Biles, SIMONE BILES!!! After a subpar performance in the uneven parallel bars left her third after two rotations of apparati, Biles nailed her vault and floor exercises to secure the gold medal in the individual all-around. Rebecca Andrade of Brazil won silver and Biles' USA teammate Suni Lee earned bronze! Biles is truly the GOAT - and they should retire that term!
Another All-Time Great, Katie Ledecky, won her 13th medal, the most all-time by an American female athlete, as the US won silver in teh 4x200 meter freestyle relay. Australia dominated for gold, but they cannot take away Ledecky's record-breaking swim.
Also at the pool, a current and future great, Summer McIntosh of Canada, won the 200m butterfly final for her second gold medal of these events. The 17 year old has won three total medals in Paris. Following her on the podium were silver-medalist Regan Smith, and bronze-medalist Zhang Yufie of China.
Fellow American Kate Douglass won gold in the 200m breastroke, besting South Africa's Tatjana Smith and Tes Schouten of the Netherlands, who won silver and bronze respectively.
Equally as dominating as Biles and Ledecky has been the USA women's basketball team who have won 56 consecutive Olympics games. Correction, 57, as they slowly pulled away from a Belgian squad that looks like medal contender.
Athletics - the formal name of Track & Field - started, with the men's 20km walk. Ecuador's Brian Pintado pulled away from the leaders with one 1km lap remaining to coast to the gold medal.
In "non-traditional" sports, the USA - and HARVARD - won gold around Paris. First at the rowing venue, the USA won gold in the men's fours despite facing the favorites and world champions from Great Britain. Nick Mead, Justin Best, Michael Grady and Liam Corrigan - a Harvard alumnus - rowed their way to America's first rowing gold in this event since 1960!
Harvard making its presence felt - AGAIN - in fencing as the USA won gold in the team foil. Jacqueline Dubrovic, and Maia Mei Weintraub were led by gold medalist Lee Kiefer with silver-medalist Lauren Scruggs (a rising senior at Harvard) securing the winning point! Go Crimson!
In judo, Azerbaijan secures a gold in the men's 100kg division as Zelym Kotsoiev defeated Georgia's Ilia Sulamanidze 10-1.
Athlete of the Day - Simone Biles, United States, Swimming
How could it be anybody but?
Non-Simone Biles Athlete of the Day - Brian Pintado, Ecuador, Athletics/Summer McIntosh, Canada, Swimming
The 20km racewalking is no joke. McIntosh now has 2 golds, and 3 overall medals at 17 years of age.
Team of the Day - USA Women, Fencing
Individual and team gold for Lee Kiefer; Individual silver and team gold for Lauren Scruggs in foil. Great work ladies!
American Non-Simone Biles Athlete of the Day - Katie Ledecky, United States, Swimming
breaking a career record usually gets you noticed on here.
Co-American Athletes of the Day - Liam Corrigan, United States, Rowing/Lauren Scruggs, United States, Fencing
Harvard Gold Medalists!!!
Olympic Term of the Day: Repechage - Boats that do not qualify for the next round from a heat, participate in an additional race, with the winners then qualifier for the next round. That additional race is called a repechage.
Olympic Events Watched: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Gymnastics, Swimming, Tennis
USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (Alphabetically - Capitals indicate a potential favorite to this point): SIMONE BILES, Chloe Dygert, Brady Ellison, Torri Huske, Casey Kaufhold, LEE KIEFER, KATIE LEDECKY, Ilona Maher, Tom Murphy
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