# 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:** 21
**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, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/401 "2016-08-17T21:30:21Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > 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. I know 🙂 JK Rowling tweeted ‘Don’t You DARE Tell Me Quidditch Is Hard to Understand’. But nonetheless it was riveting, in a kind of family/friends sitting around trying to work out what the hell is happening way … In that sense it’s the perfect Olympic event! ---
**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, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/402 "2016-08-17T21:56:37Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > 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. > 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. From [FINA’s summary of penalties](http://www.fina.org/content/d-10-summary-penalties) > [@](#): > > Judges to award “2 points maximum” > D 8.1.4 If a dive is performed clearly in a position other than that announced. > > \*\* D 8.5.3 If in a dive, a diver is unsafely close to the springboard or platform or > touches the end of the springboard or platform with his head.\*\* This is from the same penalty list as balking (though that’s a 2-point deduction, not a 2-point maximum, so being too close to the platform is a worse infraction). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/403 "2016-08-17T22:03:21Z")
> [@Shearer](#): > > In terms of Gold medals GB has one in 11 different sports, the US 8 Huh. I never realized it before, but, yeah, GB gets different-gold credit for a variety of boating events – but the US _doesn’t_ get different-gold credit for winning the long jump and the shot put, because, hey, “track and field” is just one sport, right? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/404 "2016-08-17T22:25:05Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Huh. I never realized it before, but, yeah, GB gets different-gold credit for a variety of boating events – but the US _doesn’t_ get different-gold credit for winning the long jump and the shot put, because, hey, “track and field” is just one sport, right? It’s a pretty arbitrary metric really because the “sports” are broken down by the governing rules bodies. Kayaking/canoeing by the ICF, rowing by FISA, sailing by World Sailing and track and field by the IAAF. ---
**Author:** ![MaddyStrut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@MaddyStrut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaddyStrut)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/405 "2016-08-18T01:11:33Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > Yep, pretty much anything that involves sitting down! Also two medals (gold and silver) in dressage. Sitting down on horses. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/406 "2016-08-18T01:17:55Z")
That second semi in the 200m was pretty fun. Bolt and De Grasse have a fun big/little brother thing going. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/407 "2016-08-18T01:23:52Z")
And Gaitlin is out. I don’t think anyone’s beating Bolt in the 200 m, but it’s probably a slightly worse final coming up for it. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/408 "2016-08-18T01:30:37Z")
Gaitlin looked like he was letting up at the end, like he thought he had qualification wrapped up. Maybe he just ran out of gas. Based on the semis there seem to be three clear favourites for the medals. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/409 "2016-08-18T01:46:23Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > That second semi in the 200m was pretty fun. Bolt and De Grasse have a fun big/little brother thing going. Bolt going “You should slow down dude, it’s only the semi-final” ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/410 "2016-08-18T03:10:16Z")
In beach volleyball, when the fabric court marker lines are moved during normal play, do they still mark the boundary of the court where they lie? Or is their original position the boundary of the court? There were many cases where the players knocked the lines while trying to get to balls, and the lines would be curved in or out of the original position. If a ball lands inside the line, is it in even if the line got pushed out from it’s original position? ---
**Author:** ![Reluctant\_A](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@Reluctant\_A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reluctant_A)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/411 "2016-08-18T04:02:21Z")
I like how NBC just said, “Fuck the beach volleyball final!”, because the Americans weren’t in it, and broadcast the bronze medal match, instead. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/412 "2016-08-18T04:37:51Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > That’s clearly an over-generalization. > > “Cheese” tactics is a well-worn topic for gamers, and it’s no giant leap that similar issues exist in sports. I’m not sure if “cowardly” is the best synonym for cheese tactics, but I strongly disagree that “playing within the rules” is the sole criteria for judging the worth of play. > > It appears that the Swedes adopted a strategy that is considered cheese in some soccer circles, and those circles consider that strategy to be cowardly. I don’t have any knowledge of the issue other than what I’ve read in this thread, but the absolutist “within the rules can’t be cowardly, by definition” doesn’t pass the smell test for me. Cheese and cowardice are words used by whiney losers. The goal is to win not please your opponent. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/413 "2016-08-18T05:00:37Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > In beach volleyball, when the fabric court marker lines are moved during normal play, do they still mark the boundary of the court where they lie? Or is their original position the boundary of the court? There were many cases where the players knocked the lines while trying to get to balls, and the lines would be curved in or out of the original position. If a ball lands inside the line, is it in even if the line got pushed out from it’s original position? The lines are under enough tension that they’re not going to stay moved any significant amount. So we’re talking fractions of an inch or so differences. There’s no way you’re going to judge where the line “should” be in that case, things like instant replay would just be watching where the line is. ---
**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 18, 2016, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/414 "2016-08-18T07:04:50Z")
I’m okay with beach volleyball being a live stream but … really, arse shots aside, does anyone care … ---
**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 18, 2016, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/415 "2016-08-18T07:27:17Z")
> [@dzeiger](#): > > 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. It’s good old Fifa politics. Fifa would prefer the home nations (as we call them in the UK) to compete as GB/UK in all international tournaments. But the smaller home nations, in particular, are concerned that it would affect both their players ability to make the national team and that their own ‘national’ leagues might come into question by UEFA, which would in turn affect their ability to enter teams in the Champions League and the Euros. There was a gentleman’s agreement to put all that aside for London 2012, so that the home nation could field a GB team, but that was a one off. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/416 "2016-08-18T08:11:41Z")
A lot of athletes are going home early. Michael Phelps tweeted photos of himself and the baby at home in the pool. WTH is wrong with these people? It’s like going to a wedding and racing out the door the second they say “I do”. What happened to savoring a once in a lifetime moment? Making friends in other sports and cheering them on? The comradeship is the most important aspect of sports. They are cheating themselves of a lifetime’s memories. Foolish and very selfish attitude to say the least. I guess it’s better the selfish ones leave early. The real amateurs can focus on having fun after they’ve competed. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/417 "2016-08-18T08:14:09Z")
Btw, do Olympic athletes get passes to all the events? I’m assuming they can drop in and cheer on friends in other sports. ---
**Author:** ![Shadez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/418 "2016-08-18T10:30:35Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A lot of athletes are going home early. Michael Phelps tweeted photos of himself and the baby at home in the pool. > > WTH is wrong with these people? It’s like going to a wedding and racing out the door the second they say “I do”. > > … At least here in the Netherlands you are required to come home within 48 hours if you have not scored a medal win in any of your events. About 50 sporters without medals [came home yesterday](http://nos.nl/rio2016/artikel/2126383-applaus-voor-olympiers-zonder-medaille-op-schiphol.html) (sorry, article in Dutch). The reason given was for keeping up the ‘training climate’ at the Olympic Village for those who still had to compete. This is a requirement of the [NOC\*NSF](http://www.nocnsf.nl/en). So it is not always up to the athletes. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/419 "2016-08-18T10:45:29Z")
> [@Shadez](#): > > At least here in the Netherlands you are required to come home within 48 hours if you have not scored a medal win in any of your events. About 50 sporters without medals [came home yesterday](http://nos.nl/rio2016/artikel/2126383-applaus-voor-olympiers-zonder-medaille-op-schiphol.html) (sorry, article in Dutch). The reason given was for keeping up the ‘training climate’ at the Olympic Village for those who still had to compete. This is a requirement of the [NOC\*NSF](http://www.nocnsf.nl/en). > > So it is not always up to the athletes. I didn’t know that. Thank you for informing me. Some of my best memories from high school track meets was cheering on my friends. I ran hurdles (badly) and always made a point to watch my friend’s events. I guess that was a simpler time. I lettered in track and basketball. They didn’t hold it against me that I didn’t do that well in hurdles. There weren’t many other kids in my school interested in training. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/420 "2016-08-18T10:49:09Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > I’m okay with beach volleyball being a live stream but … really, arse shots aside, does anyone care … Congratulations, you’ve topped _“Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=22)