# 2024 Summer Olympics Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [July 10, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019 "2024-07-10T20:21:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 45
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/881 "2024-08-18T00:32:04Z")
I don’t think it’s restricted to team sports; I’ve seen that analysis before from sports psychologists. However, it probably stings the most in team sports, where medals are awarded right after the gold medal match. I remember in one international competition (can’t remember if it was Olympics) where Canada lost the gold medal in hockey, one of the players said he didn’t want a silver medal, because you don’t get a silver medal for losing a competition. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/882 "2024-08-18T05:31:42Z")
It’s not so much team sports as any where there’s a one on one final - boxing and taekwondo, or the cycling pursuit, where there’s a gold/silver and a bronze medal match. A lot seems to depend on where you expected to be, though. If you’re expecting a gold, silver is a failure, but if you’re expecting 5th, a bronze is amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/883 "2024-08-18T09:47:06Z")
Having stumbled across [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gl34v4r98o](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gl34v4r98o) this BBC article (long), which seems well researched, I apologise for my previous speculative post (albeit I maintain it wasn’t out of line for this forum). It appears Gunn qualified for the Games on merit, knew she would be outclassed in the more gymnastic areas by other competitors, and so tried something different. It didn’t come off, but it wasn’t intended as a protest or to devalue the event. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/884 "2024-08-18T21:00:46Z")
Wrong thread. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/885 "2024-08-18T22:47:39Z")
Interestingly, boxing does not have a bronze medal match. Both losers of the semifinals are given bronze medals. The reason is that the loser of a boxing match very likely was knocked out, and it’s dangerous to box again so soon. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/886 "2024-08-19T02:08:25Z")
See, that’s why I’ve been harping on social media so much. She was bad. Depending on how you look at it, it’s either embarrassing or funny. The selection process was shady. Someone lost out on 25K. None of this is anything new for the Olympics, or for that matter sports in general. There will be the usual embarrassed apologies, excuses, and blame shifting, and ultimately Australia will reexamine and fine-tune its qualifying procedures to…hopefully…prevent this from ever happening again. I don’t see why there needs to be a raging, blood-flecked, foaming-at-the-mouth witch hunt _every time_ something stupid slips through the cracks. Sheesh, is _anyone_ getting this worked up about the _real_ problems in this world…global warming, fascism, wartime atrocities, wealth inequality, deadly diseases, resource depletion, and rampant social injustice, to name a few? Have a good laugh and move on with your life, _geez._ As for the competition itself, this raises _another_ important point. In any brand new event, there will be rules to iron out, loopholes to close, unfair advantages to take away, missteps to correct. Remember the early years of the UFC? Fighters giving out in seconds, getting their faces bloodied, landing in scary positions, and fence grabbing, _so much_ fence grabbing, along with mishaps such as 3 culminating in a title match between an alternate who got inserted into a final and someone who got a free pass over Royce Gracie, and 11, which has _no title match at all._ Creating a well-oiled machine takes _time._ The idea that the Olympics would introduce a brand-new sport which was unlike anything it ever had before and it’d somehow go off without ANY hiccups whatsoever was somewhere between Pollyannaish and insane. Hahh. 🤦‍♀️ I can’t believe that _this_ is the story that the Paris Olympiad leaves behind. _Do_ we really need an enemy? Is that just it? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/887 "2024-08-19T02:10:54Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > There will be the usual embarrassed apologies, excuses, and blame shifting, and ultimately Australia will reexamine and fine-tune its qualifying procedures to…hopefully…prevent this from ever happening again. Had this been an established Olympic sport, I _assume_ the Australian sports authorities would have had good qualifying procedures but it wasn’t; it was just a one-off. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/888 "2024-08-19T18:36:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > > It’s interesting to see how host cities are trying to cope with that rising extravagence in hosting the Games. Paris created a temporary pool in an existing arena, and L.A. will do the same. I wouldn’t mind seeing the canoe and kayak events held on a natural river. > > By the way, Los Angeles is one of the few places where a temporary pool for the aquatic events would seem unnecessary since they have universities like UCLA and USC that compete at a very high level in these sports and could actually _use_ high level facilities. Isn’t that what happened in 1984 - the pool(s) used ended up becoming USC’s natatorium? Keep in mind one small detail - in order for the pool to be useful to a university, its width has to be 25 yards, but that’s a bit narrow for an Olympic pool. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/889 "2024-08-19T18:41:47Z")
Why does a university pool need to be only 25 yards wide? ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/890 "2024-08-19T18:48:16Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > Interestingly, boxing does not have a bronze medal match. Both losers of the semifinals are given bronze medals. The reason is that the loser of a boxing match very likely was knocked out, and it’s dangerous to box again so soon. I know there used to be a rule where an amateur boxer that was knocked out, or had a match stopped because of head blows, had to wait about two weeks before boxing again. On the other hand, judo has _two_ bronze medal matches. There is a consolation bracket, but for whatever reason, the two finalists don’t fight each other. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/891 "2024-08-19T18:51:01Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Why does a university pool need to be only 25 yards wide? Because all swimming competition at university level is in a 25-yard pool. The NCAA is not about to make every university in the country pretty much dig up its existing pools and have them build 25-meter ones. Yes, they did all dig up their 440-yard running tracks and replace them with 400-meter ones, but this is much easier to do. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/892 "2024-08-19T19:01:44Z")
Googling, an Olympic-size pool is supposed to be 25 meters/82 feet wide, so an Olympic-size pool would be roughly two meters too wide. That’s enough of an issue? I would think it would make sense to rationalize and standardize between NCAA and Olympic requirements. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/893 "2024-08-20T14:03:33Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > Because all swimming competition at university level is in a 25-yard pool. [Presently, the NCAA approves 25-yard and 25-meter pools as official competition, and provides a conversion standard from 25-meter to 25-yard times.](https://swimswam.com/ncaa-begins-exploring-permanent-transition-to-meters-racing-in-swimming/) No they aren’t, there are some schools that can swim in both meters and yards. A lot of the bigger schools have a 50 meter pool and they can put in a bulkhead to make it any distance they want. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/894 "2024-08-21T03:11:37Z")
That controversial Australian breakdancer has been good for this T-shirt and swag company’s business. [https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/the-current/raygun-iowa-store-australian-break-dancer/526-9b148a74-ad67-46cf-ae46-92ea38d19862](https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/the-current/raygun-iowa-store-australian-break-dancer/526-9b148a74-ad67-46cf-ae46-92ea38d19862) This video, which shows the last finisher in the women’s marathon and the audience’s reaction to her, popped up in my “suggested videos” feed on YouTube. This Bhutanese woman, who finished in just under 4 hours, is a true winner in her own right. [https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/the-current/raygun-iowa-store-australian-break-dancer/526-9b148a74-ad67-46cf-ae46-92ea38d19862](https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/the-current/raygun-iowa-store-australian-break-dancer/526-9b148a74-ad67-46cf-ae46-92ea38d19862) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/895 "2024-08-21T08:31:01Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > This video, which shows the last finisher in the women’s marathon This video was the same as your previous link. Here’s another link. Maybe this is the one you meant. [Last-place finisher in Olympic marathon delivers a first-class Olympic moment | Paris Olympics (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYnNOA9U3cM) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/896 "2024-08-21T18:59:46Z")
I’ve been mildly miffed that Australia’s breakdancer has besmirched the good name of Raygun T-shirts. I’ve had a few over the years, including one apologizing for Steve King, and just ordered one “I’m a Midwest 10,” though I feel like a couple Dopers could use the “Unfortunately I’m A White Sox Fan” shirt. On another note, the Paralympics start in a week. NBC/Peacock will be showing at least some of the competition. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2024, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/897 "2024-08-21T19:49:10Z")
Oops! I should have looked a little closer before I hit the “post” button. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/898 "2024-08-22T22:44:13Z")
Actually, I live in Raygun territory (and am actually wearing one of their shirts right now, an apolitical one) and they’re loving it. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2024, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/899 "2024-09-01T23:26:45Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The overpasses along Storrow drive are low, and every year at move in time for colleges vans and trucks get stuck under them, causing traffic jams and a whole mess. That’s getting Storrow’d, and all the signs in the world don’t seem to stop it from happening every year. Hahahaha > **[When the Storrowed beer brewery's truck was 'Storrowed': 'how cruel is karma?'](https://www.nbcboston.com/investigations/trillium-brewery-truck-storrowed/3472842/?a&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2C38OwchB5rh3xE9eIvQaKRi8Ij4KHvqDHQbzBY9PJkw25SO7V4b7krG0_aem_BBi60alQdOw7ZTHKELO5rw)** > > When you brew a beer called Storrowed as a PSA to college students and your own truck gets “Storrowed,” “you kind of have to laugh,” Trillium’s co-founder tells us. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019/900 "2024-09-26T17:27:54Z")
It took 12 years, but the woman who came in 6th at the 2012 London Olympics 1500 meter event is now getting the Bronze medal because so many people ahead of her have been disqualified due doping violations. I understand due process, but 12 years seems a bit long to test a blood sample. > **[‘Heartbroken’ by her rivals’ doping offenses, Shannon Rowbury is now set to...](https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/sport/shannon-rowbury-london-2012-olympics-spt-intl/index.html)** > > For Shannon Rowbury, the 1,500-meter final at the London 2012 Olympics was simultaneously one of the best and worst moments of her running career. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-summer-olympics-thread/1004019.md?page=46)