Olympics - Paris 2024 - Day 13

Day 13 - August 5, 2024

It looked like we were going to have some controversy on the track during the women's 5000 meters final as Kenyan's Beatrice Chebet won the 5K to win gold, ahead of compatriot Faith Kipyegon, both just ahead of bronze medalist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.  However, Kipyegon was disqualified for impeding Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay, who ultimately finished ninght.  However, Kenya appealed the decision, which reinstated Kipyegon's silver finding that it was Tsegay who initiated the contact.  Hopefully all future controversies are this easily resolved.

It exciting news, boxer Cindy Ngamba won her quarterfinal match in teh 75kg weight class to advance to the semi-finals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal, and becomes the first refugee athlete to win a medal in these games (technically she won't win it until this weekend after the semi-finals and finals, but it is guaranteed).  Ngamba moved to the United Kingdom from Cameroon at age 11, and was granted refugee status by the United Kingdom since returning to Cameroon could equate to a death penalty, as she is a lesbian.  Ngamba, who is an advocate for the plight of worldwide refugees, was selected to carry the Refugee flag during the Opening Ceremonies.

The biggest story of the day occurred in athletics, as defending pole vault gold medalist Mondo Duplantis not only secured his second-consecutive Olympic gold medal, but also set the world record in doing so.  USA's Sam Kendricks won silver and Emmanouil Karalis of Greece secured the bronze.

Also in the field events, American Valarie Allman defended her gold medal in the discus, outdistancing Sandra Elkasevic of Croatia (silver) and China's Feng Ben (bronze).

On the track, the men and women participated in the 200 meter dash, with the women completed their semi-finals and the men their preliminary rounds.  In both, all three Americans advanced, setting the stage for an amazing finals tomorrow for the women, and semi-finals for the women.

Germany won gold in the team triathlon, edging the United States (silver) and Great Britain (bronze), the latter two medals decided by a photo finish.  The USA's Taylor Knibb was determined to have nipped the British runner at the finish line, giving her, Morgan Pearson, Seth Rider and Taylor Spivey the silver.  Followers of the Olympics, or readers of this blog, will know that Taylor Knibb withdrew from the Cycling road race to focus on this team triathlon event, giving way to Kristen Faulkner to participate - and win gold!

Another heartwarming moment occurred in women's gymnastics, as Rebecca Andrade of Brazil outperformed Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles of the USA for gold, while Biles and Chiles took silver and bronze respectively.  This was Andrade's first gold medal, and you can tell that both Biles and Chiles really respect her as they gave her this greeting on the podium!

On the outdoor basketball court, The Netherlands defeated host team France in men's 3x3, securing the gold medal on a walk-off shot in overtime.  Given that the 3x3 game is exciting, and that France was in the finals, that stadium was absolutely rocking!  Earlier in the day the United States women secured bronze, defeating Canada in the bronze medal game after succombing to Spain earlier in the day.  Spain ultimately lost the gold-medal game to Germany, settling for bronze.  On the men's side Lithuania won the bronze medal by defeating Latvia, in an all Baltic final.

In other team competition, Spain defeated Morocco 1-0 in men's soccer, and will face host team France in the gold medal match after Les Bleus defeated Egypt 3-1.  

In men's volleyball, the United States defeated powerhouse Brazil in an incredibly entertaining match to advance to the semi-finals, and one step closer to a medal.

In team skeet shooting, the American team Vincent Hancock and Austen Jewell Smith earned the silver medal, falling to eventual champions Diana Bocosi and Gabriele Rossetti of Italy 45-44.  This is the second medal for both Hancock and Smith, as Hancock won gold in the men's individual and Smith earned bronze in the women's event.

In an electrifying women's badminton final, South Korea's An Se Young defeated He Bing Jiao in the gold medal match.  An, who didn't lose a game in the group play, won 21-13, 21-16 to capture gold.

On the men's side, Denmark's Viktor Axelson defeated Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the gold medal match, with Zii Jia Lee of Malaysia winning the bronze medal.

In kayak cross, which is such an exciting event to watch, Australia's Noemie Fox captured gold, defeating Angele Hug of the Netherlands (silver), Kimberly Woods of Great Britain (bronze) and Germany's Elena Lilik in the large final.  Noemie Fox's medal adds to her family's total in Paris as her sister Jess has already won two golds in these games.

Shinnosuke Oba of Japan added a gold medal in the men's high bar to his all-around individual gold medal and team gold medal.

In combat sports, Amit Elor of the United States had a tremendous, if expected day 1, as she defeated her three opponents by a combined score of 28-2, to advance to the gold medal match in the 68kg weight class, culminating in a 10-0 technical fall - her third consecutive technical fall in these games - over South Korea's Sol Gum Pak.  I say this was expected because Elor, although only 20, has not lost an international match since 2019!  I certainly hope to report on gold, not silver, for Elor after the finals.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, in the 130kg division, Cuban legend Mijain Lopez advanced to the gold-medal match where he will face Chilean Yasmani Acosta Fernandez for the gold.  Lopez, 41, will be wrestling for his 5th consecutive gold medal, and if successful, will be the only athlete to ever win 5 gold medals in the same event.  In his way is Cuban-born Acosta Fernandez, who moved to Chile in large part due to the fact that he was not able to get any international experience due to the fact that Lopez was the champion in his weight class.  I will definitely be reporting on this event after the finals occur.

Staying in combat sports, the mixed team judo finals was one of the more entertaining matchups in the entire Olympics as host country France tangles with Japan!  The mixed judo competition pits 5 judoka, 3 of each gender, in one-on-one matches, with the most victories determining gold.  Japan took an early 2-0 lead, winning the two opening matches, before Teddy Riner stepped up to turn the tide for France, the defending - and only - gold medalists in this event.  Riner won his match, defeating Saito Tatsuru to close the deficit in half.  Then, Joan-Benjamin Gaba defeated Japan's Abe Hifumi, to even the score.  Hifumi had not lost a fight in 5 years before yesterday's battle.  Both countries split the last two matches, leaving the score tied 3-3.  The tiebreaking procedure is to select a weight class at random, and Riner was selected to face Tatsuru again, and he was able to secure the gold for France!

I mis-reported Teddy Riner's record in a few posts this week.  Before yesterday he had won 4 gold medals in judo, but only three - including this year - were individual, as France won team gold in Tokyo.  This makes his fifth gold medal (in five events).

Athlete of the Day - Mondo Duplantis, Sweden, Athletics

Set the world record for the 9th time in winning his second consecutive gold medal in the pole vault.

Co-Athlete of the Day - Teddy Riner, France, Judo

Won two matches for France, to win gold medal in the mixed team judo competition, including the decisive seventh match.

U.S. Athlete of the Day - Taylor Knibb, USA, Triathlon

Not just because she anchored the mixed triathlon relay team to a silver medal, but because she withdrew from the cycling road race for the specific purpose of preparing for the team mixed triathlon relay.  I would say she was successful.

Team of the Day - Netherlands Men, Netherlands, 3x3

Defeating France before a packed house by hitting a walk-off two in overtime.  (The overtime rules are first team to score two points.)

Olympic Term of the Day:  Technical Fall - In amateur wrestling, is a victory condition satsfied by outscoring an opponent by a specified number of points (10 points in the Olympics).  It is wrestling's version of the mercy rule.

Olympic Events Watched:  3x3, Athletics, Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Kayak, Shooting, Soccer, Sport Climbing, Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling 

USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (listed alphabetically):  Simone Biles, Ryan Crouser, Caleb Dressel, Brady Ellison, Kristen Faulkner, Vincent Hancock, Torri Huske, Lee Kiefer, Katie Ledecky, Ilona Maher, Tom Murphy

Olympics - Paris 2024 - Day 10

 Day 10 - August 2, 2024

Not sure anything could compare to the situation surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, except for that surrounding Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who is in the exact same position.  Any hormonal issues that either may, or may not, have could be different, but the underlying situation and its impact on the culture way are exactly the same, excepting the outrage that did not occur yesterday.

American golfer - and defending gold-medalist Xander Schauffele - did find himself in a bit of a jam as he approached his ball well off the 13th fairway and bruied in the whisps and the rough.  As he is addressing his ball, he sees something weird (my word, not his).  It turns out his ball was lodged up against an antpile.  No relief, play on.  He quikcly took a punch shot, sending hisball only 50 yards into the fairway, and ended round 2 in a tie for the lead, with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Great Britain's Tommy Fleetwood at 11 under.  Lurking in 10th place is world's number 1 Scottie Sheffler.

The biggest story had French judoka Teddy Riner, teh same Teddy Riner that lit the Olympic flame, woan his 4th gold medal in judo by capturing the heavyweight title.  His four golds - and six overall - make him the most decorated judoka of all time.

France had more success in BMX, as Joris Daudet captured gold for France, and leading a French sweep of the podium as compatriots Sylvain Andre (silver) and Romain Mahieu (bronze) joined him.

France continued its great performances on the day at equestrian, in the team show jumping competition, where it finished in the bronze medal position, behind a virtually flawless Great Britain squad which won gold, and the USA team that had 1 fault total between 3 riders to earn silver.

But no French athlete is having the games of Leon Marchand, who won his 4th gold medal - and 4th Olympic record - in 4 events as he swam away from the field in the 200 meter individual medley.

Not having as good a day in the 200m individual medley was Slovakia's Tamara Potocka, who collapsed after her preliminary heat.  She is under medical care now, and after first reports of an asthma attack, Potocka blamed exhaustion.  Here is to quickly improving, especially if you have any other events remaining.

In the women's 200m backstroke, Australia's Kaylee McKeown won another gold medal - her second of these games and 5th overall - finishing ahead of Regan Smith of the USA (silver) and Canada's Kyle Masse (bronze).

In trampolining, yes trampoilining, Ivan Litvinovich, an independent athlete, won gold defeating China's Wang Zisai (silver) and Yan Langyu (bronze).  Litvinovich is an independent athlete because Belarus is banned from these games due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In doubles tennis, Americans Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul lost their semi-finals match against the Australian duo of Matthew Ebden and John Peers, which prohibits an All-American final against Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.  Both American teams will play for medals tomorrow.

Ths US men's soccer team was ecstatic to make the quarterfinals, and that is where their run ended, falling 4-0 to Morocco.  Morocco moves on to play the country with which they share the world's shortest border of only 242 feet - Spain.  In the other half of the bracket Egypt will play host France.  I imagine that game is going to be PACKED!

In archery, Americans Casey Kaufhold and Brady Ellison earned bronze in team competition.  Kaufhold is ranked number 1 in the world, but was upset early in the women's event.  At 20, she looks to have many more chances for individual medals, and perhaps team gold!  The bronze is the fourth medal for Ellison, who is still alive in the men's event.  Korea defeated Germany for the gold, with the Germans winning silver.

The Americans also won a medal at the shooting range, as Sagen Maddalena won a silver medal in the women's 50 meter rifle, three position, behind only Switzerland's Chiara Leone who captured gold.  China's Zhang Qiongyue earned bronze.  This completely ruins my joke about teh US not being able to shoot unless they use an AR-15 and/or no medals in shooting is proof that the US does not apply anything they learn in school.

The United States also earned a bronze medal in sailing in the men's skiff.  Ian Barrows and Hans Henken secured the medal, finishing behind Spain (gold) and New Zealand (silver).

On the track, the United States set a world record in the 4x400 meter mixed relay preliminary round.  YES - IN THE PRELIMINARY ROUND.  Given that it was just the preliminary round, it will be interesting to see if the US keeps the team of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Dedmond, and Kaylyn Brown together, or if they will add any "faster" runners for the finals.

As outstanding as the USA's performance was in the 4x400 mixed relay, nothing in these Olympics yet compares to the men's 10,000 meter event.  First, the medalists:  Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei won gold; Ethiopia's Berihu Aregawi earned silver and Grant Fisher from the United States captured the bronze.  That doesn't even tell the story.

For the last two laps, it looked like the entire field was sprinting.  Cheptegei was leading a field of what looked like 7 or 8 medal contenders at that point.  With just under a lap left, the final sprints began.  Fisher passed about 4 men to come into second down the backstretch, only to be caught by an equally charging Aregawi at the finish line for a photo finish for the silver medal.  All told, the top 13 competitors BROKE THE OLYMPIC RECORD!  THIRTEEN!!!  Imagine coming in 11th, and still breaking an Olympic record.  Amazing - what a race.

Athlete of the Day - Teddy Riner, France Judo

Fourth gold and sixth overall in judo.  Most decorated judoka ever.

Co-Athlete of the Day - Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda, Athletics

Gold medalist in THE race of the day, outracing 12 other would-be Olympic record setters.

Team of the Day - 4x400 meters mixed relay, USA, Athletics

World record in the preliminaries.

American Athlete of the Day - Grant Fisher, United States, Athletics

Broke the previous Olympic record in the 10,000 meters in winning bronze.

Olympic Term of the Day:  Berm - In BMC racing, it is the banked corner which is an essential feature for riders to keep their speed through the turns.

Olympic Events Watched:  3x3, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, BMX, Equestrian, Golf, Rowing, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo

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

Olympics - Paris 2024 - Day 3

Day 3 - July 26, 2024

Light schedule today due to the Opening Ceremonies, unless you are just super into shooting pre-traning!  Yes, that is the only other event scheduled yesterday.

Even though there were no competitive events yesterday, we still had some scandal.  Sajjad Sehen, a male judoka from Iraq, tested positive for two different anabolic steroids and is banned from competing in Paris.

In other drug related news, the United States won its first gold medal yesterday.  How could they win a gold medal if there were no competitive events yesterday you ask?  Well, here is how:

The Court of Arbitration for Sport finally resolved a Russian doping issue from the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.  The Court decided to remove the gold medal awarded to the Russian Olympic team in team figure skating due to a positive doping test from then-15 year old Kamila Valieva, who incidentally was the first female to land a quad in Olympic history.  I outlined the doping/testing situation back when it happened, and you can find it HERE!

Since Russia was removed as the gold-medal winning team, the then-second place team United States was elevated to the gold medal winners.  Japan was elevated to the silver medal, and the Russian Olympic Team - they were not allowed to compete under their own name or flag due to the invasion of Ukraine - was awarded the bronze since Valieva's test occurred in late 2021 just before the Olympics, and since she should have been suspended from the Olympics, the score from their second best female skater would have landed them in third place.  Anyway - USA!  USA!!  USA!!!

The Opening Ceremonies were a show, for sure, but I think that they were probably more spectacular for the athletes and the fans on site than for the television audience.  My main comments:

Nothing much on Celine Dion here, because she will be covered everywhere else, but WOW!  And performing on the Eiffel Tower!

Zinedane Zidane starting the torch relay from the Eiffel Tower.

NBC's broadcast left a lot to be desired.  The failed to introduce and/or                                                                                                                                             a lot of the performers, and were very sporadic in identifying the flag-bearers in the parade of Nations.  They should have listed every single one, as well as their sport.  NBC also skipped over various countries during the parade.  I get there are commercials, but that isn't new.

The fits.  My favorite five are: (5) Mongolia, which happens to be most critics' favorites.

(4)  Chinese Taipei - F' It!  TAIWAN!!!

(3)  Haiti

(2) Togo (unfortunately I could not find a photo of Togo)

and the winner is .....

(1) - ARUBA!

The highlight of every opening ceremonies is the lighting of the Olympic flame.  The Paris Olympic Organizing Committee had a number of athletest carry the torch from the Seine to the official cauldron, with names including Amelie Mauresmo and Alain Bernard, but the official lighters of the flame were Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner.  Perec was a track and field athleted that won gold in the 400 meters in 1992 in Barcelona, and doubled in the 1996 Atlanta games winning the 200 meters and repeating as champion in the 400 meters.  Teddy Riner is a juduka who won gold in teh +100 kg weight class in the 2012 games (London) and 2016 games (Rio), and won a gold in the mixed-team even in Tokyo 2020 (2021).

Perec and Riner carried separate torches which were lit from a torch carried by France's oldest Olympian, Charle Coste, who won a gold medal in cycling's team pursuit in teh 1948 games in London.

Perec and Riner then took their torches to light the cauldron, which then took off like a hot air ballon!

The lighting of the cauldron was beautiful, but to me, the highlight was incuded Coste as the penultimate torch-bearer!

Athlete of the Day - None - No competition

American Athlete of the Day - None - No Competition

Olympic Term of the Day:  Judoka - Judo - A person who practices, or is an expert in, judo.

Olympic Events Watched:  Opening Ceremonies

USA Potential Closing Ceremony Flag-Bearer (Alphabetically):  Brady Ellison, Casey Kaufhold, Alyssa Naeher Mallory Swanson