# 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:** 30
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/582 "2021-08-05T12:20:09Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I realize 10.12 seems pedestrian _after you watch the 100m specialists_ - the 100m final had six guys under 10 - but decathletes are jacks of all trades. - It _is_ pedestrian in a world-class context. There are 155 men who have run under 10 sec (auto timing). All packed into a .42 sec space between 10 sec. and Usain Bolt’s record. The US national _high school_ record is 10.00. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/583 "2021-08-05T12:33:09Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It _is_ pedestrian in a world-class context. That’s a restatement of what I said. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/584 "2021-08-05T12:35:46Z")
You said it _seems_ pedestrian. That .12 is huge. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/585 "2021-08-05T13:09:46Z")
I mean, read the whole post. In any event, Warner won. He actually expanded his lead on Day 2 and ended up winning by a wide margin. The different in points between Warner and the silver medallist (Kevin Mayer of France) is greater than the difference between Mayer and sixth place. 9018 points set an Olympic record, though Mayer still holds the world record from 2018. ---
**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:** [August 5, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/586 "2021-08-05T13:17:21Z")
USA women water polo won a thriller in the semifinal against Russia. Russia was leading and the American team caught up and was able to win it. Very intense. ---
**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 5, 2021, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/587 "2021-08-05T14:14:25Z")
The Olympics is turning out to be pretty successful. It’s a welcome respite from the pandemic news. I’m glad the athletes were allowed to compete. They dedicate so much for their sport. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/588 "2021-08-05T14:22:24Z")
Yeah, I’ve been enjoying them. They probably should have been cancelled with the pandemic risk, but it has been fun watching them. I’ve read that the primetime TV ratings are down by about half of what the Rio Olympics were. One reason they said is that people can watch the individual streams of whatever sports they want rather than watch whatever is shown in the evening broadcast. And, of course, the breath of general entertainment streaming options available means that many people are watching all other kinds of stuff rather than the Olympics and they are suffering the normal ratings decline that all TV media is experiencing. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/589 "2021-08-05T14:36:51Z")
Rio is only a 1-4 hours ahead of the continental US in summer (depending on US time zone) while Japan is 13-16 hours ahead. Half day time delays are a killer, especially in the instant news era. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/590 "2021-08-05T14:38:36Z")
US Women beat Australia 4-3 for the soccer bronze in by far their best match of the tournament. Two goals for Rapinoe, including an epic volley, and two excellent goals for Carli Lloyd. Obviously not the result they wanted, but at least something to add to their highlight reel, and two goals each for the matriarchs. Speaking of which, apparently Carli does not take the knee with the rest of the team at the opening whistle. Anyone know why? ---
**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:** [August 5, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/591 "2021-08-05T14:39:42Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Speaking of which, apparently Carli does not take the knee with the rest of the team at the opening whistle. Anyone know why? I had no idea. I guess she doesn’t feel it is something she needs or wants to do. I totally respect anyone’s decision to kneel or not kneel for whatever they are expected to. ---
**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 5, 2021, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/592 "2021-08-05T14:42:54Z")
As noted above, the US vs Australia BB game was available only via streaming. I was able to watch it on my phone cast to my smart TV. US was down 41-26 halfway through the second quarter but came back to within 3 at halftime, then outscored the Aussies 32-10 in the third quarter to essentially put the game away. Kevin Durant is the MVP of this team. Then this morning I watched the other semi between France and Slovenia. That was one helluva game. France won 90-89 thanks to a tremendous block at the basket with about 3 seconds left. Hopefully the US will come out strong against France. Being behind by double-digits in the first half isn’t a good thing, although they’ve come back from those deficits in the last two games. ---
**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:** [August 6, 2021, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/593 "2021-08-06T03:44:50Z")
US just won the female beach volleyball gold medal. I’ve been following it and am very glad they managed it. ---
**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 6, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/594 "2021-08-06T15:05:48Z")
And Canada wins the gold medal in women’s soccer. The match was 1-1 and went to penalties. Sweden had a chance to win it on kick #5, but missed and Canada tied it with their fifth kick. After another Sweden miss in round 6, Canada scored to win it. One helluva match, and congrats to the Canadian team. Their strategy worked perfectly during the last two matches. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/595 "2021-08-06T16:49:33Z")
Yes, Canada got everything they could out of those games. Defended well and gave themselves chances to win, and things went their way. Congratulations to them, and it’s great to see Sinclair win one of these big tournaments finally. They also scored all their goals for the whole knockout on penalties. It must be pretty rare to win a tournament doing that. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/596 "2021-08-06T17:28:55Z")
After some early shakiness, the US Women’s volleyball team seem to be peaking at just the right moment, and soundly thumped Serbia three sets to zero to advance to the gold medal match against Brazil. The US has won silver three times but never gold, so there’s a lot on the line. Gold medal match is (I think) tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 p.m. pacific. ---
**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 6, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/597 "2021-08-06T18:31:43Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Gold medal match is (I think) tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:30 p.m. pacific. I believe you are correct. The match time is 13:30 on Sunday in Tokyo. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/598 "2021-08-06T19:37:57Z")
Canada was fortunate the soccer game went to penalty kicks. I say it is easy to run under 10s when you do it. Warner would have qualified for the specialist final based on his time which is impressive, even unreal. How fast can Bolt do a 1500m? ---
**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:** [August 6, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/599 "2021-08-06T19:43:46Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Canada was fortunate the soccer game went to penalty kicks. I just watched it and Switzerland full-blown blew it. They were ahead in the kicks early on and just blew it. Good for Canada, though. I’ve hardly seen a PK situation with more misses than this game. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/600 "2021-08-06T21:42:30Z")
Artistic swimming looks incredibly difficult. Also, you kind of expect Esther Williams to pop up at some point. My father says it reminds him of the Aquacade he saw in San Francisco in 1940. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2021, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137/601 "2021-08-06T21:45:12Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > But since rabbits are allowed in WR races there’s no reason to exclude his time. Speaking of rabbits, did anyone watch the Men’s 10,000M\*? There were three guys from Uganda (no, they didn’t walk into a bar), and one of them, Stephen Kissa, started off at a ridiculously fast pace. He must have been close to 100 meters, a quarter of the track, ahead of everyone else. For the first fifteen laps or so, it was him out in front and all the others in a pack. Then two guys started creeping up. Then the pack started to move up, and Kissa got swallowed up in it, while the other two Ugandans, Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo, pulled ahead. Okay, an Ethiopian, Selemon Barega, won gold, but silver and bronze went to Uganda. Meanwhile, Kissa was recorded as DNF. Because he didn’t need to finish, I assume! He’d done his job so his teammates could do theirs. And speaking of DNF, a lot of people have seen the Men’s 100M, with the British guy DQed for a false start and the Italian guy winning. But did anyone catch the guy from Nigeria? Okay, he wasn’t going to win, but he was head to head with either the Canadian or the American who didn’t medal, and two or three strides from the finish line, he stopped where he was. WTF? I’ve googled him, and apparently it was a biiiiiiig deal for a Nigerian to be in that event. And he just gives up? \*Yes, I’m days behind. We’re having some remodeling done, so I’ve been recording what I want to see and catching up when I can. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summer-olympics-2021-ongoing-discussion/947137.md?page=31)