Olympics - does anyone actually care anymore?

[Flem274*]

just looked up how complex the pentathlon courses are. not bad. in nz you'd want to be the level below the first grand prix level at least before trying to get a horse you just met around a pentathlon track. that or be a moderately experienced catch rider ("i cbf/can't be in two places at once/need to go to hospital, can you ride X in class Y? starts in five lol").

 

[Bahnz]

**** yes Nick! An absolute atg NZ athlete.

 

[Howe_zat]

Mo Farah, mo problem

 

[Zinzan]

**** yes Nick! An absolute atg NZ athlete.

Class act, just has the knack of being at the right place at the right time. Has a great kick when he needs it doesn't he!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Mo you beauty.

So GB break the record then, no other host nation have gone and got more medals in the next Olympics but we have this time.

 

[Zinzan]

What do we think are generally the top 5-10 most anticipated Olympic events?

I'd guess the mens 100m, & I've always felt the mens 1500m is right up there in terms of prestigious events, but that might be because NZ have a good history in it. I guess some of the swimming events could make the top 10, but not entirely sure. And in terms of team sports, basketball always seem to get a lot of interest. Not so sure about Soccer at the Olympics. Thoughts?

 

[Zinzan]

Wonderful achievement by Mo.

 

[Howe_zat]

What do we think are generally the top 5-10 most anticipated Olympic events?

I'd guess the mens 100m, & I've always felt the mens 1500m is right up there in terms of prestigious events, but that might be because NZ have a good history in it. I guess some of the swimming events could make the top 10, but not entirely sure. And in terms of team sports, basketball always seem to get a lot of interest. Not so sure about Soccer at the Olympics. Thoughts?

Men's keirin, individual sprint, team pursuit, women's team pursuit, women's omnium...

 

[Anil]

brazil takes olympic gold in soccer for the 1st time! revenge win over germany!

 

[Zinzan]

Men's keirin, individual sprint, team pursuit, women's team pursuit, women's omnium...

Lol, you do have a point though.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Not to piss on the NZers parade for Willis, but 3:50.00 as a winning time of a 1500? Really lads? That is a time from the 1930s.

Also a 5000m final without a Kenya medal just feels wrong

 

[Flem274*]

What do we think are generally the top 5-10 most anticipated Olympic events?

I'd guess the mens 100m, & I've always felt the mens 1500m is right up there in terms of prestigious events, but that might be because NZ have a good history in it. I guess some of the swimming events could make the top 10, but not entirely sure. And in terms of team sports, basketball always seem to get a lot of interest. Not so sure about Soccer at the Olympics. Thoughts?

Not quite your question but when I think of the Olympics then I think of (barring sports I have a vested interest in/things NZ are good at) the 100m sprint. Always felt like the most Olympyish event to me.

3:50.00 as a winning time of a 1500? Really lads? That is a time from the 1930s.

Should I throw the D word out there? *shrug*

 

[Zinzan]

Not to piss on the NZers parade for Willis, but 3:50.00 as a winning time of a 1500? Really lads? That is a time from the 1930s.

Just the strategic/tactical nature of the 1500 meters which means the times can vary significantly, especially when everyone is waiting for someone else to set the pace, as in this race. Willis or virtually any of the others could have easily ensured a much quicker winning time if they wanted to, but it may have worked to their detriment. FTR, Willis' BP is under 3:30 IIRC, so >20 seconds fastest than that.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Just the strategic/tactical nature of the 1500 meters which means the times can vary significantly, especially when everyone is waiting for someone else to set the pace, as in this race. Willis or virtually any of the others could have easily ensured a much quicker winning time if they wanted to, but it may have worked to their detriment. FTR, Willis' BP is under 3:30 IIRC, so >20 seconds fastest than that.

Yup this is what I was driving at. I really thought that kind of cowardly tactical racing had been stamped out at global meets, it's good fun at the school run but it just enables people with sharper elbows than big hearts to prevail.

Not really blaming Willis for this btw, there are deeper forces afoot. But looking back I think he'll be more proud of his Beijing run.

 

[vogue]

Mo Farah. Amazing stuff.
Love seeing the 100 and 200m races,but the 5000 and 10000m are more satisfying somehow. More beauty in the long distance stuff.

 

[Zinzan]

Yup this is what I was driving at. I really thought that kind of cowardly tactical racing had been stamped out at global meets, it's good fun at the school run but it just enables people with sharper elbows than big hearts to prevail.

Not really blaming Willis for this btw, there are deeper forces afoot. But looking back I think he'll be more proud of his Beijing run.

Depends on which athletes suit the fastest pace suppose, I got the impression that was a perfect scenario for Willis, so yeah wouldn't be blaming him. Perhaps the Kenyans who missed out on the medals would have been better setting the pace in hindsight.

 

[vogue]

Just rewatched the 5000m. The self belief that Mo Farah has is unbelievable. Separates him out like all the truly great sportsmen and women.

 

[cpr]

Also a 5000m final without a Kenya medal just feels wrong

Yeah, British winner, eat that you skinny East African's and you're athletic dominance, the Brits are here to stay

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Nice three-way battle in the marathon now. About 8k to go

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Kipchoge flipping cooked them. Well done lad