Hiding from the heat and smoke, I've been hunkering down watching the Olympics. I thought I'd start a thread that wasn't about the usual suspects. So, here are two American gold medal winners we all know.

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There are all kinds of ways to watch. I've seen several pistol competitions, gymnastics, archery, and others. Those of us who play archery will note the two different styles of drawing: one does the draw in one complete motion where the second has a pause as the archer pinches the shoulder blades together to maximize draw. USA took a bronze in the mixed pairs.

CDF

It looks like Shaq is the mech Simone rides in to battle aliens

I really enjoy watching the Olympics, even paid for a month of Peacock to do so.

Biles is incredible. Glad she performed to her expectations and corrected the naysayers from 2020. She made a tough but correct call back then.

US women's soccer looks promising with a lot of new blood. US mens is the typical train wreck.

Glad track is getting going. Just watched Fisher pull in a bronze in the 10,000 meter, only the second US medal in that event. Amazing how fast those people can run 6 miles.

Surfing has also been a fun watch.

Kudos to all those men and women and their dedication to sport.

Biles is a coiled spring who moves like water. Most excellent athlete.

CDF

A 4' 8" spring. She's tiny. But very potent.

The Brazilian who took silver was great to witness, as was Lee. Truly a great competition.

Thanks for starting this, CDFingers. Nice to have something positive and inspiring to chat about.

I don't have a TV set, but I've been watching some online. A success for Paris and all of France. France is #2 in gold medals behind China and #2 in total medals behind the US. And it doesn't close until August 11th.

Yeah, I watch online, too. No "tv." The track running rocks as well. Bolt once again.

CDF

I’m so surprised New Zealand took gold in women’s rugby, said nobody.

Mason wrote: Fri Aug 02, 2024 10:52 pm I’m so surprised New Zealand took gold in women’s rugby, said nobody.

Watching big strong women in shorts and t shirts tackle each other at a full tilt run is indeed pretty exciting.

Here is an announcer's call of Serbia winning gold in the air pistol competition:

[youtu_be]https://youtu.be/LvXwXKjIP0A?si=JSv1QaRPkLgDfI4w[/youtu_be]

Youtube has cuts of everything.

CDF

Shaq is 7’2”, so 2.5’ taller than Simone — basically he’s half her body length taller than she is. In that picture it looks like she is wearing high heels. Does show in that picture the champions come in all shapes and sizes.

Listening to one of the Olympic talking heads during the Simone floor routine, they said she had been up to 12 ft. in the air. Being an ex-high school high jumper, I thought she could probably win gold in high jumping. Would be a sight to behold. No more Fosbury Flop !! LOL

Olympics archery plays at 70 meters. Heck, I'd have to rest twice just go-getting my arrows. Those archers are badass.

Regular people try Olympic archery:

[youtu_be]https://youtu.be/enqdaXxopLg?si=CrDTArBnG79_a0Lf[/youtu_be]



on edit: "canoe slalom" doesn't even sound like English.

on edit: volleyball net camera. Trigger warning.

[youtu_be][youtu_be]https://youtu.be/KwyUNa51kc8?si=OqZNXDOm9N2HV8Ea[/youtu_be][/youtu_be]

CDF

Thank you Dunn and Rodman for advancing US to the semifinals! That was a goddamned slogfest of a game. Whew! Japan played a great game of containment.

Alfred!!! Fuck yeah! What an incredible run.

Men's Gold Medal Archery match condensed to six minutes.

[youtu_be]https://youtu.be/RmN7pnB6YK4?si=-TyoZkIg3j8HvitT[/youtu_be].

Respect.

CDF

Women's Rugby. US vs Aus Bronze medal match. Six minute condensation.

[youtu_be]https://youtu.be/BtXhHzH40SQ?si=gNdyKg5lXlz08YVG[/youtu_be]

Do mot mess with any of these players, I tell you what.

Gold medal match NZ vs Canada.

[youtu_be]https://youtu.be/i28Enyr0dBI?si=vKS3sz4vG4ohArvT[/youtu_be]

CDF

I'm watching online, some of it, via Australian TV. I have a VPN subscription, good for getting programming that's unavailable, especially when I'm in Abaco, Bahamas. So 9Now in Australia only lets you watch if it thinks you're there--but their coverage is IMMENSE and free.

Biles is simply the best gymnast I've ever seen, though to see how awesomely good her competition is-- Andrade and Lee--is a real joy. And the era of the teen pixies is finally seeming to end. Real adult women are now the best again, and they are amazing!

Don't bug me. I'm watching women's beach volleyball.

CDF

USA vs Brazil men's indoor volleyball. Dang. Those are some powerful smashes, I tell you what. Great match.,

CDF

I must confess that I never knew how interesting is women's wrestling. US overtakes China in golds.

CDF

Yes, the US is ahead by 1 in gold medals over China - 24 to 23. We're way ahead in total medals at 88. France the host country is in 3rd place with total medals of 48. Those Aussies have become a powerhouse in Summer Olympic sports with a total of 39 medals. Training Olympic athletes in Russia and China has always been a state enterprise.

There were some amazing track finals yesterday. The men's 1500 was epic. And Gabby Thomas, what a role model. Amazing scholar, athlete and ethic.

Also, so stoked to be able to watch the US women's soccer team in the final Saturday!

Looking at the newspaper this morning: US now has 27 gold medals vs 25 for China. The US leads with a total of 94 medals, then China at 65, France at 51, UK at 49, Australia at 41...

I have been binging on Olympics broadcasts. Men's volleyball is quite violent when compared to women's. I used to play volleyball quite vigorously in my yute, and I could never jump as high or hit as hard as those guys. I mean, they take a running start from the back row and smash it so hard it very nearly dents the floor. Now I know why the setters wear armor on their arms. Tremendously skilled gymnasts from all countries, runners, jumpers. So very interesting and entertaining. And orange spirochete free. Sweet.

CDF

USA v Brazil women's is on now. Intense!

And we did it!