# Summer Olympics 2021 ongoing discussion **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [July 23, 2021, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137 "2021-07-23T12:00:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/442 "2021-07-30T15:06:05Z")
Maybe it’s because the NBA playoffs ran so late, but I can’t help thinking how much more exciting handball is as a sport compared to basketball. ---
**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:** [July 30, 2021, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/443 "2021-07-30T15:56:36Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Maybe it’s because the NBA playoffs ran so late, but I can’t help thinking how much more exciting handball is as a sport compared to basketball So if I want to watch a good match via replay, can you point me to one or two? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/444 "2021-07-30T16:06:03Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So if I want to watch a good match via replay, can you point me to one or two? Sweden vs. Bahrain and Sweden vs. Portugal in the men’s tournament. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/445 "2021-07-30T16:06:15Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So if I want to watch a good match via replay, can you point me to one or two? > > Thanks! Men’s France vs Germany, starts off slow and turns into an absolute thriller for most of the match ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/446 "2021-07-30T17:09:03Z")
I’m very pissed off at the xfinity app on my ipad. I woke up, and clicked the recording of USA vs Netherlands to enjoy a lovely morning of football. But the app decided to show me just one flickering moment of live before rewinding to the beginning… which happened to be right in the middle of the penalty shootout. Spoilers! I note that three of the remaining four teams came from the same group. That can’t be something that happens very often. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/447 "2021-07-30T17:38:07Z")
Taking the day off for various reasons, but just watched some BMX racing. Every race I’ve seen has at least one athlete crash, usually more than one, and usually early in the race. Must suck to go to the Olympics and crash 10 seconds into your race. Brian ---
**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:** [July 30, 2021, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/448 "2021-07-30T18:25:20Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Sweden vs. Bahrain and Sweden vs. Portugal in the men’s tournament. > [@dalej42](#): > > Men’s France vs Germany, starts off slow and turns into an absolute thriller for most of the match Thanks, guys! I’ll check them out! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/449 "2021-07-30T22:51:22Z")
The final for women’s individual archery was thrilling. Came down to a single-arrow shoot-off. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/450 "2021-07-30T23:38:06Z")
I just managed to catch that. Great way to break the tie. The mixed doubles badminton final also had an amazing finish. The second seeds Huang and Wang beat the top seeds Zheng and Huang in the deciding set after the top seeds saved 2 match points. Incredible skills from both pairs. Rallies almost too fast to follow with amazing shots parried in an eye blink. Just unreal. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/451 "2021-07-30T23:48:52Z")
I’m currently watching the triathlon mixed relay (two women plus two men, short distances for a triathlon, so much action) for the first time. Didn’t know that this competition existed, maybe it’s the first time in the Olympics, but it’s fascinating. Right now, after 3 exchanges, France and the US are leading, with the UK just a second behind, at the end of the final cycling section. Now, after a long race, running decides. Very exciting. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/452 "2021-07-30T23:53:20Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > The final for women’s individual archery was thrilling. Came down to a single-arrow shoot-off. I was picturing a “bow and arrows at 50 paces” type of face off. The actual shoot-off was less exciting. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2021, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/453 "2021-07-30T23:53:33Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > The ball was high and looping, she wasn’t screening anyone and didn’t challenge for the ball. Absolutely not involved. No. It’s not her, or somebody in the crowd who determines “involved in the play”. If, by their position, the goalkeeper or defender needs to look at them, or they are in the defenders peripheral vision. Or an attacker exploits a gap or defence positioning that is influenced because of the offside position, they are offside. As Bill Shankly might say, if they are not trying to influence play, what are they doing out there? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/454 "2021-07-31T00:54:35Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I was picturing a “bow and arrows at 50 paces” type of face off. The actual shoot-off was less exciting. That would be pretty neat. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2021, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/455 "2021-07-31T02:39:08Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Didn’t know that this competition existed, maybe it’s the first time in the Olympics, but it’s fascinating. Yes, it’s new these Olympics. They are adding mixed relays to swimming (4 x 100 medley) and athletics (4 x 400) as well. In both of these, the order of athletes is up to the teams. In the triathlon the gender order is fixed (FMFM). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/456 "2021-07-31T03:01:57Z")
If they’re in peripheral vision? “If they’re not trying to influence the play what’re they doing out there?” Are you implying every player is influencing every play? I see players ignored for passive offside on a weekly basis. Here’s ussoccer explaining the rule. [Offside: Not Involved in Active Play - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TR42w9DZ6U) And the FA’s site: [https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-11---offside](https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-11---offside) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/457 "2021-07-31T04:52:11Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Are you implying every player is influencing every play? I’m stating my agreement with a legendary guy who really knew his onions about soccer. Patently those nearest the ball and/or goal have more influence. But every player moves and reacts to the position and movements of every other. Or maybe it just happened in every sport that I played. Do you think every defender did not know precisely where she was? Or that a defender thought, "I think she’s offside so I will just totally ignore her and do nothing to cover " And every FIFA accredited referee would quote the rules cited: that being in an offside position is not an offence provided the player is not actively involved. You don’t need to have the ball at your feet to be actively involved. If you are in an offside position in the penalty box when the ball also is, well you might get away with it, but referees interpretations are that you are very probably going to get pinged. ---
**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:** [July 31, 2021, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/458 "2021-07-31T05:27:38Z")
The whole discussion about swimming disciplines got me thinking. What’s the fewest categories I could come up with that would include every summer Olympic sport? So far I’ve got: Move body over defined distance faster than other people Hit thing over net Put round thing in goal Jump in air and turn body in unusual ways before landing Beat somebody up Throw thing as far as possible Shoot at target Propel vehicle over course in shortest time Jump over high thing Ride horse accurately Two or more of the above That’s probably not all of them, but it’s close. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/459 "2021-07-31T05:32:49Z")
The rules and officials spell out what counts as interfering with play and existing such that a defender is aware that you’re a player isn’t one of them. If you want to pretend it is in order to win an argument, have fun with that. Half these shouldn’t count according to you: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQrqLOGOPPU) ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/460 "2021-07-31T05:37:18Z")
Hmm. Interesting. Off the top of my head: baseball and rhythmic gymnastics don’t really fit. The latter kinda fits in “jump in the air and twist” but also kinda not. Actually rings and horse for men’s gymnastics too. I get that when you’re trying to simplify as much as possible it’s not going to be a perfect mapping though. I’m not sure what category you’d put baseball in that would encompass any sport other than softball. I’ve always thought that the concept of it was much more abstracted than the other big American sports. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2021, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/461 "2021-07-31T05:46:58Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Half these shouldn’t count according to you: Would have thought most of those were either blatant offsides missed by officials or goals scored which were never in an offside position. Leaving 2 or 3 which might have been called, but weren’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=24)