# Here is a thread about the 2016 Summer Olympics **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 6, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911 "2016-08-06T05:00:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/381 "2016-08-17T16:16:07Z")
So the Brazilians are assholes. Booing French pole vaulter and Silver Medal winner Renaud Lavillenie for the second time in 24 hrs. Even Olympics chief Thomas Bach called them a bunch of dicks. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WY8Q2Jc_G2c/maxresdefault.jpg "Rio 2016: French pole vaulter Lavillenie in tears on podium after being heavily booed by crowd") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY8Q2Jc_G2c) ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/382 "2016-08-17T16:24:30Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s short for “The Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team.” It’s silly, but it’s been called that for so long they’re sticking with that brand. I also heard it’s something to do with trying to come up with something which can also include places like the Isle of Man, which are not part strictly part of the UK (it’s complicated). It’s just branding really. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/383 "2016-08-17T17:09:06Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Track cycling finished last night an I doubt too many national tv carriers showed it - Team GB currently does in cycling what the US does in swimming. > > 6 Golds out of 14 available: BOOM! > > [Paris Olympics 2024 - Latest news, updates & highlights - BBC Sport](http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/rio-2016/medals/sports/cycling#cycling) I saw the final race of the women’s Omnium and what a mess that must be to keep track of. For one thing, there are points for winning intermediate sprints, but if a rider ahead of you manages to lap the field and get back into the main pack, suddenly she’s not leading anymore and you are. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/384 "2016-08-17T17:25:26Z")
In events like gymnastics and diving where a the athlete starts with a score based on difficulty and then has deductions taken away, how do they verify the performed routine actually matched the original difficulty? For example, a gymnast’s planned routine has a difficulty score of 16.0. But in the middle of the routine, she does a flip with only 2 twists instead of the 3 she originally planned. How do they keep track of that and either add a deduction for the missed twist or reduce the difficulty score for the easier routine? ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/385 "2016-08-17T17:30:13Z")
On a related note, do the diving and gymnastics judges base their score only on what they watch live, or do they watch slo-mo replays on TV screens? ---
**Author:** ![Shearer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/57b2e6/32.png) [@Shearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shearer)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/386 "2016-08-17T17:40:25Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > That is the commonly accepted meme but GB have actually won medals across 15 different sports, second only the the USA (with 16) In terms of Gold medals GB has one in 11 different sports, the US 8, China 7 ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/387 "2016-08-17T17:56:15Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > On a related note, do the diving and gymnastics judges base their score only on what they watch live, or do they watch slo-mo replays on TV screens? I believe they have instant replays in gymnastics, but not in diving. I’m not sure how much gymnastics judges actually use it. A good judge can spot [possible deductions](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/olympics-gymnastics-judges-deductions_us_57a91c35e4b06adc11f139da) immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/388 "2016-08-17T18:11:29Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > I believe they have instant replays in gymnastics, but not in diving. I’m not sure how much gymnastics judges actually use it. A good judge can spot [possible deductions](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/olympics-gymnastics-judges-deductions_us_57a91c35e4b06adc11f139da) immediately. Yeah, I have little doubt that an experienced judge can see what is happening in live, real time - in gymnastics more than diving to this untrained eye. Boy, judging diving without replay strikes me as very difficult, particularly the synchronized diving. But I concede that the judges know what they are looking for far more than I. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/389 "2016-08-17T18:32:02Z")
So apparently the Brazilian government doesn’t believe Ryan Lochte was really robbed, and they’ve ordered him to stay in the country for questioning. [Problem is, he’s already back in America.](http://gothamist.com/2016/08/17/ryan_lochte_olympics.php) ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/390 "2016-08-17T18:39:38Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > So apparently the Brazilian government doesn’t believe Ryan Lochte was really robbed, and they’ve ordered him to stay in the country for questioning. > > [Problem is, he’s already back in America.](http://gothamist.com/2016/08/17/ryan_lochte_olympics.php) The government 😃 Do you use the same promo company as Lochte … The swimmers seem to be talking bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/391 "2016-08-17T18:56:13Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > I also heard it’s something to do with trying to come up with something which can also include places like the Isle of Man, which are not part strictly part of the UK (it’s complicated). > > It’s just branding really. From what I understand, they also don’t participate in the soccer tournament because Scotland/Wales/England/etc all compete individually in international soccer tournaments, and there’s no easy way (logistically or politically) to combine them for the Olympics. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/392 "2016-08-17T19:02:29Z")
Anyone see the men’s 3000 steeplechase? Evan Jager won America’s first steeplechase medal since (i think) Los Angeles, getting the silver between two Kenyans. The poor bastard from Uganda had a tough race. [Ouch!](http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/8/17/12518622/2016-rio-olympics-jacob-araptany-uganda-steeplechase-barrier-fall) ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/393 "2016-08-17T19:02:35Z")
Watching the women’s 10m platform prelims, and I have no idea how these divers just walk to the edge of that platform and then do a handstand. Even the thought of it has me feeling slightly panicky. There’s also supposed to be a penalty for diving unsafely close to the board, but I’ve seen several that seemed to have done so and no penalty. Ilya Zakharov hit his feet on the board during the men’s 3m, which would certainly suggest that he was way too close, and no penalty. What’s the point of the rule if they’re not going to enforce it? ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/394 "2016-08-17T19:20:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Anyone see the men’s 3000 steeplechase? Evan Jager won America’s first steeplechase medal since (i think) Los Angeles, getting the silver between two Kenyans. America’s first MEN’s steeplechase medal since 1984. Emma Coburn won bronze in the women’s 3000m chase just a few days ago. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/395 "2016-08-17T19:21:30Z")
> [@](#): > > In events like gymnastics and diving where a the athlete starts with a score based on difficulty and then has deductions taken away, how do they verify the performed routine actually matched the original difficulty? > > For example, a gymnast’s planned routine has a difficulty score of 16.0. But in the middle of the routine, she does a flip with only 2 twists instead of the 3 she originally planned. How do they keep track of that and either add a deduction for the missed twist or reduce the difficulty score for the easier routine I’d like to know too ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/396 "2016-08-17T19:26:24Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > America’s first MEN’s steeplechase medal since 1984. Emma Coburn won bronze in the women’s 3000m chase just a few days ago. Apologies, although in my defense i was reading the closed captioning of the coverage while i was working out at the gym, and i don’t recall it saying men. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/397 "2016-08-17T20:08:39Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Yes, and half the Golds have come from sitting down. it’s a distinction without any real meaning. Some sports are done sitting down, some standing up, some floating in liquid, some sliding over frozen liquid…whatever. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/398 "2016-08-17T20:14:57Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > In events like gymnastics and diving where a the athlete starts with a score based on difficulty and then has deductions taken away, how do they verify the performed routine actually matched the original difficulty? > > For example, a gymnast’s planned routine has a difficulty score of 16.0. But in the middle of the routine, she does a flip with only 2 twists instead of the 3 she originally planned. How do they keep track of that and either add a deduction for the missed twist or reduce the difficulty score for the easier routine? I believe in this instance the gymnast’s difficulty score would be lowered. Her execution score would depend on how well she performed the flip. Keep in mind the judges are very familiar with each gymnast’s planned routine, and they know when a gymnast leaves something out. ---
**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 17, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/399 "2016-08-17T20:43:52Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > There’s also supposed to be a penalty for diving unsafely close to the board, but I’ve seen several that seemed to have done so and no penalty. Ilya Zakharov hit his feet on the board during the men’s 3m, which would certainly suggest that he was way too close, and no penalty. What’s the point of the rule if they’re not going to enforce it? AFAIK, there’s no “automatic penalty” for touching the board, like there is for a “balk” (setting up for a handstand, then returning the feet to the platform). It’s just one of the things the judges take into account when giving a score. Supposedly, you can be too far away from the board as well. > [@filmore](#): > > In events like gymnastics and diving where a the athlete starts with a score based on difficulty and then has deductions taken away, how do they verify the performed routine actually matched the original difficulty? > > For example, a gymnast’s planned routine has a difficulty score of 16.0. But in the middle of the routine, she does a flip with only 2 twists instead of the 3 she originally planned. How do they keep track of that and either add a deduction for the missed twist or reduce the difficulty score for the easier routine? In diving, if you don’t do the dive you listed - I think the rule is, off by more than 1/4 of a somersault or twist, or you do, say, a pike instead of a tuck or a reverse dive instead of a back - then it’s an automatic zero. I’m not quite sure how it works in gymnastics. I know there are separate sets of judges for difficulty and execution, but since the routine is supposed to be given to the judges in advance, I am not sure just what it is that the difficulty judges do. I think they determine if a particular move matches what was listed on the submitted routine, but I’m not sure if a “changed” move is scored using the actual move, or if it is scored as zero difficulty. Keep in mind that difficulty score is based on a certain number of the most difficult moves, plus the difficulty of the dismount; the exception is the vault, where each vault has a difficulty rating. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/400 "2016-08-17T20:51:42Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > For example, a gymnast’s planned routine has a difficulty score of 16.0. But in the middle of the routine, she does a flip with only 2 twists instead of the 3 she originally planned. How do they keep track of that and either add a deduction for the missed twist or reduce the difficulty score for the easier routine? I assume that you submit a written account of your routine before you compete, and it’s notated and the scoring is all set up. It’s just a matter of the judges familiarizing themselves with the planned routine beforehand and noting the deviations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=21)