Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Sports, Hobbies & Interests => Topic started by: SusanDoris on July 26, 2021, 05:39:00 PM

Title: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 26, 2021, 05:39:00 PM
I am delighted to see that Tom Daly at last has his gold medal but so far today I have only heard him talk about himselfrather than saying 'we' won the gold. So I have looked up Matty Lee and he has a very good record of success so far.

I do hope they will be interviewed together and if anyone sees this on TV, I do hope you will mention it here.

I have been listening to quite a lot of Five Live Olympics broadcasting both last night and today and am finding it quite exciting!
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 27, 2021, 11:36:38 AM
Been some good stuff so far but the restriction of the BBC to only showing 2 sports at the one time means that tons of stuff that I might have switched to isn't on live.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SweetPea on July 27, 2021, 01:32:06 PM
Tom Dean and Duncan Scott's freestyle event was a thriller. If you have a chance, play it back. Both started behind the others but Duncan, the silver medallist, made an incredible comeback. The first time two British contestants have won gold and silver since the Olympics in 1908.

Wonderful achievement too for Georgia Taylor-Brown in the triathlon winning silver after suffering a puncture in the cycling stage and a leg injure in May.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 27, 2021, 02:05:03 PM
The wqy they organise the team gymnastics competition is brilliant drama. Shame at Simone Biles pulling out, not entirely clear why, talk of both injury, and mental issue.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 27, 2021, 02:18:14 PM
I've been using Alexa to listen to Five Live and I hear that the GB gymnasts have the Bronze.

The Five Live commentary on the swimming was very good and I think that they captured  the excitement well.   
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ProfessorDavey on July 27, 2021, 02:30:11 PM
While I quite enjoy the Olympics I really do think it needs major reform. In particular they should weed out the sports where the Olympics isn't the leading (or very near to the top) competition in that sport.

There are far too many sports where it simply isn't the pinnacle of achievement for a sportsperson to win Olympic gold. And in some cases the rules literally rule out the strongest sportspeople being involved. A good example being football, which is effectively an under 23 competition with a couple of more experienced players thrown in. And there are plenty of others where the biggest names in the sport aren't interested in competing (as the competition doesn't really have the credibility).

Any sport of that nature should just be canned from the Olympics.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 27, 2021, 07:17:18 PM
The wqy they organise the team gymnastics competition is brilliant drama. Shame at Simone Biles pulling out, not entirely clear why, talk of both injury, and mental issue.
So Simone Biles has confirmed it was an issue of mental healrh.


And Piers Morgan, of course, attacks her.


https://metro.co.uk/2021/07/27/tokyo-olympics-piers-morgan-dubs-simone-biles-withdrawal-a-joke-14997440/


Too much of society thinks mental health is about weakness.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: jeremyp on July 27, 2021, 07:32:38 PM

Too much of society thinks mental health is about weakness.

Assuming that's true. It could be argued that she was just doing badly (and she was) and decided she couldn't be bothered to go through with it. This was a team event and she let the team down. The mental health could plausibly be just an excuse.

Not saying this is the case but it's certainly plausible as an explanation.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 27, 2021, 07:53:46 PM
Assuming that's true. It could be argued that she was just doing badly (and she was) and decided she couldn't be bothered to go through with it. This was a team event and she let the team down. The mental health could plausibly be just an excuse.

Not saying this is the case but it's certainly plausible as an explanation.
I think if you want to question people that are talking about mental health problems, and suggest without any evidence that they are making it up as an excuse, then you are going to do serious damage to people. It was'badly' in comparison to her standards which are the highest of all time.


And there is of course Piers Morgan has attacked the 'weakness' of Naomi Osaka, Emm Radacanu, Simone Bilex, and Meghan Markle but defended Paul Gascoigne, a wife beater for his mental health problems, and of courss Piers stormed off a TV when the weatherman questioned him. I wonder what the people he has attacked on this subject have in common, that Paul and Piers don't?
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 27, 2021, 08:11:47 PM
And it's worth remembering that Biles was sexually assaulted by US coach, but let's sit happily by questioning her statements about her mental health.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: jeremyp on July 28, 2021, 12:32:15 PM
I think if you want to question people that are talking about mental health problems, and suggest without any evidence that they are making it up as an excuse, then you are going to do serious damage to people.

I doubt that. I'd be extraordinarily surprised if Simone Biles reads this web site.

Quote
It was'badly' in comparison to her standards which are the highest of all time.

So? It was bad enough that she decided to withdraw from a competition.

Quote
And there is of course Piers Morgan has attacked the 'weakness' of Naomi Osaka, Emm Radacanu, Simone Bilex, and Meghan Markle but defended Paul Gascoigne, a wife beater for his mental health problems, and of courss Piers stormed off a TV when the weatherman questioned him. I wonder what the people he has attacked on this subject have in common, that Paul and Piers don't?

The validity (or lack thereof) of an argument is not determined by the reputation of the person who makes it.

I'm not claiming that Biles hasn't got mental health issues but I also am not going to rule out the possibility that she is using them as an excuse for her behaviour.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 28, 2021, 12:48:44 PM
I doubt that. I'd be extraordinarily surprised if Simone Biles reads this web site.

So? It was bad enough that she decided to withdraw from a competition.

The validity (or lack thereof) of an argument is not determined by the reputation of the person who makes it.

I'm not claiming that Biles hasn't got mental health issues but I also am not going to rule out the possibility that she is using them as an excuse for her behaviour.
He doesn't have any evidence, nor do you. No one questioned Andy Murray withdrawing from the men's singles in tennis because he said he had a physical injury. Both you and Morgan are downgrading mental issues.





Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: jeremyp on July 28, 2021, 01:59:14 PM
He doesn't have any evidence, nor do you.
Neither do you have any evidence that he is wrong in this instance.

Quote
No one questioned Andy Murray withdrawing from the men's singles in tennis because he said he had a physical injury. Both you and Morgan are downgrading mental issues.

Morgan might be but I am saying that you are somewhat naive if you refuse to consider the possibility of somebody not being completely honest about their reasons for retiring from an olympic event. I'm not making any judgement on Biles herself. The reporting I've seen leaves several explanations possible including one that she is using mental problems as an excuse. My comments are entirely about your refusal to accept the possibility that an explanation that hasn't been ruled out might be true.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 28, 2021, 04:07:45 PM
Neither do you have any evidence that he is wrong in this instance.

Morgan might be but I am saying that you are somewhat naive if you refuse to consider the possibility of somebody not being completely honest about their reasons for retiring from an olympic event. I'm not making any judgement on Biles herself. The reporting I've seen leaves several explanations possible including one that she is using mental problems as an excuse. My comments are entirely about your refusal to accept the possibility that an explanation that hasn't been ruled out might be true.
I am not refusing to consider the possibility, rather I am dismissing Morgan's accusation because he has no evidence.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens's_razor


And why doyou trust Murray's statement about the physical issue but not Biles about mental one?
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 28, 2021, 04:47:48 PM
Lots of support for Biles from people who have been there in terms of sport
 


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/57996321
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 29, 2021, 06:41:55 AM
I've tried googling for info about men's eights rowing. Am I right in thinking that the final has not been rowed yet?
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on July 29, 2021, 07:06:40 AM
Haven't really been following it much, I must admit. When's Max Whitlock on? I ask because he's a local lad, brought up in Hemel Hempstead, though he now lives in London. He was the first Briton ever to win an Olympic gold in gymnastics, so I hope he repeats his success.
Having said which, I don't like the way gymnastics, and some other events, are scored by the opinions of a team of judges - too subjective. In other sports, the winner is the person who, or team which, scores the most goals, crosses the line first, jumps highest, or whatever: it's objective, with no room for argument (except perhaps over referee's decisions, but even they are based on clear rules). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/gymnastics/2017/10/07/TELEMMGLPICT000143008935-xlarge_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqTpQNkEsZM9dtjYvDPpd1c7_E-p5K6IxFuscdlk0yspA.jpeg
Hemel can also claim Jess[ica] Stretton, a paralympic archer, who became the UK's youngest-ever medallist in archery at Rio, aged 16. She's now 21. https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/CE4D/production/_92631825_7f8538d9-f98e-43ad-bbb9-ffa5cbca02c9.jpg
Both Max and Jess are MBEs, and quite right too.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 29, 2021, 09:09:07 AM
I've tried googling for info about men's eights rowing. Am I right in thinking that the final has not been rowed yet?
Tomorrow early morning
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 29, 2021, 09:18:36 AM
Haven't really been following it much, I must admit. When's Max Whitlock on? I ask because he's a local lad, brought up in Hemel Hempstead, though he now lives in London. He was the first Briton ever to win an Olympic gold in gymnastics, so I hope he repeats his success.
Having said which, I don't like the way gymnastics, and some other events, are scored by the opinions of a team of judges - too subjective. In other sports, the winner is the person who, or team which, scores the most goals, crosses the line first, jumps highest, or whatever: it's objective, with no room for argument (except perhaps over referee's decisions, but even they are based on clear rules). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/gymnastics/2017/10/07/TELEMMGLPICT000143008935-xlarge_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqTpQNkEsZM9dtjYvDPpd1c7_E-p5K6IxFuscdlk0yspA.jpeg
Hemel can also claim Jess[ica] Stretton, a paralympic archer, who became the UK's youngest-ever medallist in archery at Rio, aged 16. She's now 21. https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/CE4D/production/_92631825_7f8538d9-f98e-43ad-bbb9-ffa5cbca02c9.jpg
Both Max and Jess are MBEs, and quite right too.
Whitlock was on as part of the UK men's gymnastic team on Monday, they finished 4th
 He did not qualify for the overall individual. The individual apparatus pieces finals are on Sunday. I'm not sure what he has qualified for there at moment.


ETA - he's in the pommel final - qualified in 5th
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 29, 2021, 09:24:41 AM
For anyone wanting to find the schedule or results - the official site is very good


https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on July 29, 2021, 11:32:01 AM
Whitlock was on as part of the UK men's gymnastic team on Monday, they finished 4th
 He did not qualify for the overall individual. The individual apparatus pieces finals are on Sunday. I'm not sure what he has qualified for there at moment.


ETA - he's in the pommel final - qualified in 5th
I was just going to say that, but you pipped me by editing. apparently*. he's also part of the four-man team final.

*No, you didn't: you added that almost two hours ago.  I didn't read carefully enough.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 29, 2021, 11:37:33 AM
I was just going to say that, but you pipped me by editing. apparently*. he's also part of the four-man team final.

*No, you didn't: you added that almost two hours ago.  I didn't read carefully enough.
The 4 man team is covered by the first sentence, they finished 4th which was very impressive. It was an excellent final, probably my highlight of the games so far.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 30, 2021, 06:33:23 AM
I was very pleased to hear that the rowers eight had a bronze medal. It occurs to me that I have not heard anything about sailing. Does anyone know if it is actually a part of this Olympics?

Also do you know what was the result of the mixed swimming relay? Was it a mixture of four different swimming styles too?
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 30, 2021, 07:45:11 AM
I was very pleased to hear that the rowers eight had a bronze medal. It occurs to me that I have not heard anything about sailing. Does anyone know if it is actually a part of this Olympics?

Also do you know what was the result of the mixed swimming relay? Was it a mixture of four different swimming styles too?
Yes, sailing is in. As it's over a number of races, I don't think any medals have been awarded yet.


The rowing has been the worst in terms of medals for the UK for some time.

The final of the mixed relay is early Saturday morning. Yes, it is mixed styles as well. Backstoke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. The UK qualified fastest about 2 seconds faster than anyone else, but the US rested more people so will have a stronger team. The UK will change the freestyle swimmer. They were .34 outside the world record in the heat.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 30, 2021, 08:39:44 AM
Yes, sailing is in. As it's over a number of races, I don't think any medals have been awarded yet.


The rowing has been the worst in terms of medals for the UK for some time.

The final of the mixed relay is early Saturday morning. Yes, it is mixed styles as well. Backstoke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. The UK qualified fastest about 2 seconds faster than anyone else, but the US rested more people so will have a stronger team. The UK will change the freestyle swimmer. They were .34 outside the world record in the heat.
Thank you  very much for detailed reply.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on July 30, 2021, 11:22:35 AM
Brilliant performance from the UK's women's rugby 7s against the USA to get into semi finals.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Anchorman on July 30, 2021, 09:41:48 PM
Brilliant performance from the UK's women's rugby 7s against the USA to get into semi finals.
   


I watched it.
Superb.
Sevens is a brilliant showcase for the game.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on July 31, 2021, 06:20:56 AM
I happened to wake up just at the start of the triathlon relay so listened  to it all. Excellent!

Just missed the swimming mixed medley relay, but it seems it was backstroke, then butterfly, then breast stroke then free style. I've heard that Ann Hopkins (?) is five foot six or five foot four, but whichever it is, amazing that she can swim so fast and strongly.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on August 01, 2021, 01:00:09 PM
Oh, I say, jolly good show! (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/olympics/max-whitlock-hailed-as-britain-s-greatest-ever-gymnast-after-winning-gold-in-tokyo/ar-AAMObAZ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531) Give that chap a knighthood.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on August 01, 2021, 01:17:41 PM
Oh, I say, jolly good show! (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/olympics/max-whitlock-hailed-as-britain-s-greatest-ever-gymnast-after-winning-gold-in-tokyo/ar-AAMObAZ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531) Give that chap a knighthood.
what a silly comment.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on August 01, 2021, 01:26:08 PM
what a silly comment.
And a very good day to you too!
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Aruntraveller on August 01, 2021, 03:18:02 PM
what a silly comment.

Surely better and more meaningful than giving knighthoods to Conservative party donors  ;)
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ProfessorDavey on August 01, 2021, 06:00:59 PM
Oh, I say, jolly good show! (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/olympics/max-whitlock-hailed-as-britain-s-greatest-ever-gymnast-after-winning-gold-in-tokyo/ar-AAMObAZ?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531) Give that chap a knighthood.
Amazing performance - to retain the gold is quite an achievement.

Just a few Olympics ago the notion that Brits might win any medal in gymnastics was pretty unthinkable - how the gymnastics has developed has been very impressive.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on August 02, 2021, 03:25:46 PM
what a silly comment.
May I belatedly ask why you thought it silly?
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ekim on August 02, 2021, 04:34:21 PM
May I belatedly ask why you thought it silly?
Perhaps Synthetic Dave just read out what you had written and Susan didn't realise that the first part was a link to be clicked on.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on August 02, 2021, 05:48:22 PM
Perhaps Synthetic Dave just read out what you had written and Susan didn't realise that the first part was a link to be clicked on.
thank you for saying and for not having to go back, find the post and then possibly answer.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 03, 2021, 08:47:49 AM

Astonishing performances in the 400m men's hurdles

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58067231
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 03, 2021, 01:46:44 PM
And brilliant women's 800 metres.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 04, 2021, 08:03:23 PM
Amazing women's 400m hurdles. And a 13 year old medallist for UK.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Gordon on August 04, 2021, 09:04:10 PM
Moderator:

Please note that a number of posts that were part of a discussion on 'trans' participation in the Olympics have been moved and merged into the Trans rights: a perspective' thread in the Politics and Current Affairs board.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on August 05, 2021, 06:49:34 AM
Moderator:

Please note that a number of posts that were part of a discussion on 'trans' participation in the Olympics have been moved and merged into the Trans rights: a perspective' thread in the Politics and Current Affairs board.
Thank you. I had hoped this would be about the action taking place in Japan at the moment.

I hope I happen to have Five Live on when the 4 x 100 m relays take place.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ProfessorDavey on August 05, 2021, 10:12:42 AM
Astonishing performances in the 400m men's hurdles

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/58067231
I wonder how much effect the design of the track surface has had:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/03/tokyo-track-designer-reveals-boost-from-new-surface-as-records-fall-at-olympics
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Steve H on August 05, 2021, 11:13:53 AM
Didya know that Britain is the only country in the world to have won at least one gold in every modern Olympics? Makes you proud to be British!
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ProfessorDavey on August 05, 2021, 11:38:38 AM
Didya know that Britain is the only country in the world to have won at least one gold in every modern Olympics? Makes you proud to be British!
I think that is more about participation that necessarily overall quality. There would have been other teams with the same record had they participated in every tournament, most notably the USA who would also be there but for their boycott of the 1980 games. And actually, on a point of accuracy, the 'British' successes in 1980 were under the Olympic rather than the British flag as Britain officially also boycotted the 1980 games.

Britain, of course, came perilously close to losing that winning streak in 1996 where their woeful record was just one gold, plus eight silver and 6 bronze - another of the legacies of the Thatcher government which systematically removed funding for the development of sport through the 1980s.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on August 05, 2021, 12:15:11 PM
I wonder how much effect the design of the track surface has had:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/03/tokyo-track-designer-reveals-boost-from-new-surface-as-records-fall-at-olympics
Yes, ;I was wondering that too, after hearing various comments on FiveLive. Comments also about specially designed running shoes and spikes etc.
I will look at link later, but I thought I heard some comment about the track being concrete!
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Enki on August 05, 2021, 12:28:22 PM
I think that is more about participation that necessarily overall quality. There would have been other teams with the same record had they participated in every tournament, most notably the USA who would also be there but for their boycott of the 1980 games. And actually, on a point of accuracy, the 'British' successes in 1980 were under the Olympic rather than the British flag as Britain officially also boycotted the 1980 games.

Britain, of course, came perilously close to losing that winning streak in 1996 where their woeful record was just one gold, plus eight silver and 6 bronze - another of the legacies of the Thatcher government which systematically removed funding for the development of sport through the 1980s.

Actually I can remember 1952 when GB only won one gold medal,plus two silver and eight bronze. The gold medal was won by Col. Harry Llewellyn riding Foxhunter in the equestrian jumping event.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ProfessorDavey on August 05, 2021, 12:29:20 PM
Yes, ;I was wondering that too, after hearing various comments on FiveLive. Comments also about specially designed running shoes and spikes etc.
I will look at link later, but I thought I heard some comment about the track being concrete!
I think it actually has some rubber components plus a hexagonal structure in the running surface. This not only helps to provide shock absorption but also has an element of energy return so may help the athletes perform better.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 05, 2021, 12:38:19 PM
Hugely enjoyable women's pole vault competition
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Harrowby Hall on August 06, 2021, 09:31:06 AM
I must admit that i am most disappointed with these Games.

There is now only one day to go and Emperor Naruhito has still not entered the main stadium by parachuting from a helicopter ...
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 06, 2021, 11:54:17 AM
Women's modern pentathlon is hypnotically bizarre and Gold for Kate French of the UK.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 07, 2021, 12:49:03 PM
Brilliant 1500 metres races for both men and women
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: ad_orientem on August 07, 2021, 01:46:13 PM
India's first ever gold in an athletics event. Javelin. Well done.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 07, 2021, 01:48:42 PM
San Marino have 3 medals which equates to 1 medal for 11,000 people
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: SusanDoris on August 07, 2021, 08:13:00 PM
I listened to the diving this morning and i am really pleased that tom Daly won that bronze.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Aruntraveller on August 07, 2021, 09:29:39 PM
Laser Run?

What fresh hell is this?

Run for a bit, shoot a bit, run a lot more.

It just looked ridiculous to me.
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 07, 2021, 10:00:44 PM
Laser Run?

What fresh hell is this?

Run for a bit, shoot a bit, run a lot more.

It just looked ridiculous to me.
Maybe having spent so much time watching the biathlon, it just seems normal to me. I think the show jumping round is way more problematic
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 08, 2021, 12:39:18 PM
What a ride and gold by Jason Kenny
Title: Re: Olympics
Post by: Nearly Sane on August 12, 2021, 09:59:18 PM
One less medal for UK?




https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/58193101