Watch Every Sport, Paris Olympics Edition!

[Takoma11]

This is a challenge that some friends of mine do every Olympics. This is the first time I have access to watch, so I'm actually attempting it. For each sport, I'm going to do a short write-up. Please feel free to play along. I do NOT anticipating getting to them all, but we'll see!

[] Archery
[] Artistic Gymnastics
[] Artistic Swimming
[] Athletics
[] Badminton
[] Basketball
[] Basketball 3X3
[] Beach Volleyball
[] Boxing
[] Breaking
[] Canoe/Kayak Slalom
[] Canoe/Kayak Sprint
[] Cycling BMX Freestyle
[] Cycling BMX Racing
[] Cycling Mountain Bike
[] Cycling Road
[] Cycling Track
[] Diving
[] Equestrian
[] Fencing
[] Football
[] Golf
[]
[] Hockey
[] Judo
[] Marathon Swimming
[] Modern Pentathlon
[] Rhythmic Gymnastic
[] Rowing
[] Rugby Sevens
[] Sailing
[] Shooting
[] Skateboarding
[] Sport Climbing
[] Surfing
[] Swimming
[] Table Tennis
[] Taekwondo
[] Tennis
[] Trampoline
[] Triathlon
[] Volleyball
[] Water Polo
[] Weightlifting
[] Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Basketball

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? USA men vs Serbia

Overall Impression?
Basketball is basketball, which means it can be fun to watch but it's not my favorite sport. It is fun seeing this team of superstars, like LeBron and Steph Curry playing together. Also, Spike Lee is there!

3.5

Sports remaining: Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Slalom, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[John-Connor]

Seen so far:

[] Archery
[] Artistic Gymnastics
[] Artistic Swimming
[] Athletics
[x] Badminton
[x] Basketball
[] Basketball 3X3
[x] Beach Volleyball
[] Boxing
[] Breaking
[] Canoe/Kayak Slalom
[] Canoe/Kayak Sprint
[] Cycling BMX Freestyle
[] Cycling BMX Racing
[x] Cycling Mountain Bike
[] Cycling Road
[] Cycling Track
[] Diving
[] Equestrian
[x] Fencing
[] Football
[] Golf
[x] Hockey
[] Judo
[] Marathon Swimming
[] Modern Pentathlon
[] Rhythmic Gymnastic
[] Rowing
[] Rugby Sevens
[] Sailing
[] Shooting
[x] Skateboarding
[] Sport Climbing
[x] Surfing
[] Swimming
[] Table Tennis
[] Taekwondo
[] Tennis
[] Trampoline
[] Triathlon
[x] Volleyball
[] Water Polo
[] Weightlifting
[] Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Beach Volleyball

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? USA men vs Cuba

Overall Impression?
I absolutely love volleyball, and have fond memories of playing beach volleyball on the courts near the Lincoln Memorial. This is a fast-paced game, a really fun mix of strategy and power. This year's competition is naturally dinged by the involvement of a child rapist (don't worry, he was jailed one month for every year his victim was alive . . . which is to say he served 12 months!). I might watch more of the men's series if the Dutch are knocked out but otherwise, no thanks! I'm hoping to check out a few of the women's matches. Gabrielle Reece was an absolute idol of mine as a kid.

4

Sports remaining: Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Slalom, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Archery

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Women's Final China vs Korea

Overall Impression?
Archery really does know how to bring the drama, with things like getting down to a final round and someone needs to shoot a bullseye to keep their team in it. And then, late stae, the judges are busting out magnifying glasses to see whose shot was closer to the bullseye. I also really enjoyed hearing from the commentators about how popular archery is in Korea, which reminded me of how one of the characters in The Host was a professional archer. Anyway, this was a lot of fun to watch!

4.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Slalom, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Canoe/Kayak Slalom

Have I watched it before? Don't think so!

What match/stage? Women's Final

Overall Impression?
This sport looks absolutely exhausting! I mean, I'm not sure there's an Olympic sport that isn't exhausting, but anyone who has paddled a boat or been swimming where there is a current knows the absolute draining physical feeling of going against the current, and in this sport they have to go against the current for some of the gates. (You go through the green gates going downstream, but must go through the red gates going upstream). I appreciated that the commentators explained the rules. The only thing I didn't like was how big the penalty was if you missed a gate. Maybe I wouldn't feel this way if I watched the sport more, but if you miss a gate they add 50 seconds to your time, which is basically like doubling your time for most of the people.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Equestrian

Have I watched it before? Yes, but very minimally

What match/stage? Not sure!

Overall Impression?
I have really mixed feelings about sports that use animals. My main feeling is always overwhelming concern that they will get hurt. On the other hand, horses are total people pleasers, and you could tell how pleased a few of the horses were as they worked through the course. You can tell how much time and training has gone into these course runs, but with the horses involved I couldn't really relax and enjoy it.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Fencing, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Nausicaä]

So far:

[] Archery :up:
[] Artistic Gymnastics :up:
[] Artistic Swimming
[] Athletics
[] Badminton
[] Basketball :up:
[] Basketball 3X3
[] Beach Volleyball
[] Boxing
[] Breaking
[] Canoe/Kayak Slalom
[] Canoe/Kayak Sprint
[] Cycling BMX Freestyle
[] Cycling BMX Racing
[] Cycling Mountain Bike :up:
[] Cycling Road
[] Cycling Track
[] Diving
[] Equestrian
[] Fencing
[] Football :up:
[] Golf
[] Hockey
[] Judo
[] Marathon Swimming
[] Modern Pentathlon
[] Rhythmic Gymnastic
[] Rowing
[] Rugby Sevens
[] Sailing
[] Shooting
[] Skateboarding :up:
[] Sport Climbing
[] Surfing :up:
[] Swimming
[] Table Tennis
[] Taekwondo
[] Tennis :up:
[] Trampoline
[] Triathlon
[] Volleyball
[] Water Polo
[] Weightlifting
[] Wrestling

[Takoma11]

So far:

What's been your favorite?

[Takoma11]

Fencing

Have I watched it before? Yes, but very minimally

What match/stage? Men's Final France vs. Japan

Overall Impression?
I enjoyed this, if only because the look of it is very striking and sort of weirdly futuristic? I did not like that the hits themselves were something I didn't have an easy time seeing. A light goes on to indicate a hit, but I had a hard time following the action. Again, I appreciated the commentators giving me enough information to follow the action and understand the basics of the rules. I thought it was funny that they both got a yellow card for basically not trying hard enough, LOL. I'm sure someone can tell me why they have these weird metal wire tethers, but I kind of prefer to leave it a mystery!

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/japantimes/uploads/images/2024/07/29/412030.jpg

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Rugby Sevens

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Quarterfinals, USA women vs Brazil(?)

Overall Impression?
This was fabulous. Lots of action, very easy to grasp the general sense of the rules if not all the little details. The two 7-minute halves are just the right amount of time. The players are incredibly athletic and fun to watch. The footwork, the passing, the strength as they plow through the defenders . . . just all really fun.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fusa.rugby%2F_next%2Fimage%3Furl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fd26phqdbpt0w91.cloudfront.net %252FNonVideo%252Ff563aaf9-f513-4b73-9fae-bc03616e7234.JPG%26w%3D3840%26q%3D75&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=8316ad6242783a2fab88a3bdb922737acf2a1906bf01bc4b2ab45d8d36571899&ipo=images

4.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Nausicaä]

What's been your favorite?

Basketball. That's my sport so enjoying watching it, womens started today so will start watching that. I remember at one Olympics the womens French team were excellent so will be interesting to see what they are like this time around.

Although the BBC don't seem to show full games, was watching the French vs Brazil game and they cut to another sport with about 1 minute to go! missed it because it wasn't on anywhere else... sigh.

Skateboarding was fun too, watched the women and mens street finals.

[Takoma11]

Basketball. That's my sport so enjoying watching it, womens started today so will start watching that. I remember at one Olympics the womens French team were excellent so will be interesting to see what they are like this time around.

Although the BBC don't seem to show full games, was watching the French vs Brazil game and they cut to another sport with about 1 minute to go! missed it because it wasn't on anywhere else... sigh.

Skateboarding was fun too, watched the women and mens street finals.

I caught a little bit of the Serbia vs USA men's game, and the second half of the USA vs Japan game. I enjoyed both, even though basketball isn't my absolute favorite sport. Naturally it'll get more interesting/intense as it gets to the finals.

I've yet to watch any of the skateboarding!

[MovieGal]

Fencing

Have I watched it before? Yes, but very minimally

What match/stage? Men's Final France vs. Japan

Overall Impression?
I enjoyed this, if only because the look of it is very striking and sort of weirdly futuristic? I did not like that the hits themselves were something I didn't have an easy time seeing. A light goes on to indicate a hit, but I had a hard time following the action. Again, I appreciated the commentators giving me enough information to follow the action and understand the basics of the rules. I thought it was funny that they both got a yellow card for basically not trying hard enough, LOL. I'm sure someone can tell me why they have these weird metal wire tethers, but I kind of prefer to leave it a mystery!

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/japantimes/uploads/images/2024/07/29/412030.jpg

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball 3X3, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

I like watching Fencing. It's a beautiful sport. I have enjoyed it for years.

There is even a Finnish/Estonian film that is about teaching children fencing. Well, there is more to the story of course.

[Takoma11]

Basketball 3X3

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Germany vs USA

Overall Impression?
So it's like pick-up/half-court basketball . . . which is fine, but not the most thrilling thing. I didn't mind watching it, but it didn't really draw me in.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Boxing

Have I watched it before? Yes.

What match/stage? Women's, Columbia vs India

Overall Impression?
I don't really like fighting sports and especially boxing because I have complicated feelings related to my grandfather being a boxer and some of the health complications he had from that. I appreciated the athleticism of the women boxing and what looked like good sportsmanship.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Volleyball

Have I watched it before? Oh, yes!

What match/stage? Women's, USA vs China

Overall Impression?
Yeah, this is just one of my favorite sports, and both teams played an absolutely fantastic game with some excellent rallies. I was not familiar with Haleigh Washington, but her serving was phenomenal.

5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[PHOENIX74]

[X] Archery
[] Artistic Gymnastics
[] Artistic Swimming
[] Athletics
[] Badminton
[X] Basketball
[] Basketball 3X3
[X] Beach Volleyball
[X] Boxing
[] Breaking
[X] Canoe/Kayak Slalom
[] Canoe/Kayak Sprint
[X] Cycling BMX Freestyle
[] Cycling BMX Racing
[] Cycling Mountain Bike
[X] Cycling Road
[] Cycling Track
[X] Diving
[X] Equestrian
[] Fencing
[X] Football
[] Golf
[X] Hockey
[] Judo
[] Marathon Swimming
[] Modern Pentathlon
[] Rhythmic Gymnastic
[X] Rowing
[X] Rugby Sevens
[] Sailing
[] Shooting
[] Skateboarding
[] Sport Climbing
[] Surfing
[X] Swimming
[] Table Tennis
[] Taekwondo
[] Tennis
[] Trampoline
[] Triathlon
[] Volleyball
[] Water Polo
[] Weightlifting
[] Wrestling

Australia still up there on the medal tally! One gold in the kayak slalom, on in the bike road race, 4 from the swimming pool. 3rd on the medal tally, below Japan and China.

[PHOENIX74]

I've enjoyed the swimming most so far, obviously - that gets covered a lot over here for good reason, and there's nothing more tense than watching the last stages of a race, when the person you're cheering for is tiring and competitors are catching up. Lord knows I've had a few disappointments when my guy or girl has been overtaken and misses out on a gold, or medal. The rugby sevens have also been a lot of fun - I've never really watched that before in my life, but these games have introduced me to it. Australia had a heartbreaking loss to Canada in the semi-finals of the women's comp yesterday.

I forgot to check Football - our women's team are called the Matildas, and they came back from being 5-2 down the other night to win 5-6, a rather strange abundance of goals in that game. Kayaking and equestrian are sports we do well in - and I find watching them nerve-wrecking because one touched or fallen obstacle can mean it's all over.

[Takoma11]

I've enjoyed the swimming most so far, obviously - that gets covered a lot over here for good reason, and there's nothing more tense than watching the last stages of a race, when the person you're cheering for is tiring and competitors are catching up.

Yes, swimming is such an easy sport to enjoy. It's fast, but not too fast. The way they show the time splits at each turn on the wall adds lots of suspense. It's not ever something I watch when it's not the Olympics, but I think it's super fun.

I also love that Michael Phelps is hanging around, looking like he's in a very relaxed, possibly ready to start a cult, phase of life.

[Takoma11]

Judo

Have I watched it before? I don't think so.

What match/stage? Women's final, Slovenia vs Mexico

Overall Impression?
Very enjoyable, though I'm still at the stage with judo where I don't have a firm grasp on the rules and terminology. Obviously you need to pin the other person certain ways, but I'm not at a place to appreciate the nuances involved. Still, I had fun watching.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Water Polo

Have I watched it before? Only a second or two here and there.

What match/stage? Women's, USA vs Spain

Overall Impression?
I just don't think that this is a sport for me. It feels like a more dynamic sport that's been slowed down by being in water. It looks exhausting (as anything does when you take a sport and are like, "Now do it swimming!"), and props to the athletes.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[John-Connor]

Update:

[x] Archery
[x] Artistic Gymnastics
[] Artistic Swimming
[] Athletics
[x] Badminton
[x] Basketball***
[x] Basketball 3X3
[x] Beach Volleyball
[x] Boxing
[] Breaking
[x] Canoe/Kayak Slalom
[] Canoe/Kayak Sprint
[x] Cycling BMX Freestyle***
[x] Cycling BMX Racing***
[x] Cycling Mountain Bike
[] Cycling Road
[] Cycling Track
[] Diving
[] Equestrian
[x] Fencing
[] Football
[] Golf
[x] Hockey
[x] Judo
[] Marathon Swimming
[] Modern Pentathlon
[] Rhythmic Gymnastic
[] Rowing
[x] Rugby Sevens
[x] Sailing**
[x] Shooting*
[x] Skateboarding***
[] Sport Climbing
[x] Surfing
[x] Swimming
[x] Table Tennis***
[] Taekwondo
[x] Tennis
[] Trampoline
[] Triathlon
[x] Volleyball***
[x] Water Polo
[] Weightlifting
[] Wrestling

*I’ve only seen ‘shotgun’ so far.
**most boring sport to watch from what I've seen so far.
***most exciting/awesome sports seen so far.

[Takoma11]

Golf

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Not sure!

Overall Impression?
I've only played golf maybe twice (golf-golf, not putting a ball under a windmill and around a flamingo golf). I just don't find it that interesting to play or to watch.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Rowing

Have I watched it before? Yes, a bit here and there over the years.

What match/stage? Several semi-finals, men's and women's

Overall Impression?
I realize that using a rowing machine at the gym is not the same as, you know, rowing in the water at the Olympics. But I do have to say that understanding some of the physical sensation and movement of it does help me click a bit more with this sport. It's one of those weird things where they are all moving so fast that they kind of look like they aren't moving that fast at all? I do really like those moments of seeing the rowing coaches at the end of each group talking to their team. (I was interested to see that one of the men's teams had a woman as their person at the end, so maybe this is like a coaching position and not considered a "competing" position?). I liked it, but it wasn't something that I felt super compelled to keep watching. Watching the teams get into sync/stride with each other is really cool.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Badminton, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Badminton

Have I watched it before? Yes, a bit here and there over the years.

What match/stage? Mixed doubles bronze medal game, Korea vs Japan

Overall Impression?
The most enjoyable thing about professional badminton is just how hilariously far removed it is from the haphazard, sagging-net, swing-and-miss games I remember playing as a kid. With adults playing the court looks comically small. But that said, the spatial awareness from the athletes is really cool, as is their control of the birdie which, to my memory, just often did its own thing. (Maybe not so unpredictable when you actually know what you're doing).

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Athletics

Have I watched it before? Oh, yeah.

What match/stage? Men's 10,000m

Overall Impression?
This was a really cool race to watch. There's so much strategy involved in such a long race, and you see so many lead changes. The pace that the lead group set for this race was grueling, and one athlete just physically fell over about halfway in. The fact that one of the racers was running his last ever go at this event added drama, and it's always nice to see the athletes at the end be genuinely happy for each other. (Though I did feel bad for the Canadian runner who seemed like he had third place locked up and then fell to fourth in the last moments). The race set an Olympic record, and the number of people who set national records, personal records, etc was really cool.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Wyldesyde19]

Badminton

Have I watched it before? Yes, a bit here and there over the years.

What match/stage? Mixed doubles bronze medal game, Korea vs Japan

Overall Impression?
The most enjoyable thing about professional badminton is just how hilariously far removed it is from the haphazard, sagging-net, swing-and-miss games I remember playing as a kid. With adults playing the court looks comically small. But that said, the spatial awareness from the athletes is really cool, as is their control of the birdie which, to my memory, just often did its own thing. (Maybe not so unpredictable when you actually know what you're doing).

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Athletics, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Triathlon, Weightlifting, Wrestling
Did you happen to catch the Woman from China being proposed to after she won the gold medal?

[Takoma11]

Did you happen to catch the Woman from China being proposed to after she won the gold medal?

No, how fun!

I'm watching the gold medal match now.

[Takoma11]

Triathlon

Have I watched it before? Never all the way through

What match/stage? Men's final

Overall Impression?
I'm sorry, but I will never get over the vicarious, visceral discomfort of the idea of getting out of the water and onto a bicycle seat. *shudder*. Anyway, thoughts of terrible swamp crotch aside, I enjoyed watching this event. There were some surprises in the last bit of the running portion. Also, nothing like a cameraperson coming in for a shot of the winner, only to be cut off by another athlete crossing the finish line and immediately profusely vomiting. It was neat seeing them bike and run through the different streets.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Sailing

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Women's skiff final

Overall Impression?
This was much more compelling than I expected, and it took me a bit to get a grasp on how the competition works (the boats have to circle different markers before returning to cross a finish line). I still do not understand how the scoring works exactly (low scores are good, and the announcer kept saying "number of boats", but I didn't get it). There was some pretty incredible drama at the end as two of the boats got confused and thought they were crossing the finish line but totally weren't, which completely changed the order of who finished in what place. Fun and different, but not something I'd seek out again.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling BMX Racing, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[PHOENIX74]

One of my favourite things to see during an Olympic games is when some outsider wins a bronze medal and jumps around all over the place for joy. It makes up for the odd sour-puss favourite missing out on a gold and winning silver, looking despondent - which I kind of understand. It's all about expectations.

[X] Cycling BMX Racing
[X] Judo
[X] Water Polo
[X] Athletics

I'd never seen the BMX racing event before, with the incredible multitude of hills and the very unfortunate crashes which spell the end for those who fall (the end of the race, and Olympic dream.) I never quite understand any of the martial arts when I watch them. I see what I think must be a winning move, someone gets pinned, and then...no points. Later, suddenly, a player wins a point for some reason I can't quite understand. Some sports defy all logic. Water polo looks to be one of the dirtiest sports in the games. There's so much pushing, tugging, dunking and slapping around - I don't know what it is with those people. Seeing the French guy just collapse during the 10,000m race reminds me of how I wouldn't be able to help myself if I were a competitor - I'd go too hard at the start with early bird enthusiasm.

Australia is having one of their best Olympics ever - 11 gold medals at the approximate halfway point. We're not so hot at athletics though, so when the swimming ends and that starts, they tend to dry up a bit. We usually do quite good in rowing events, hockey and sailing. I've seen us do really well during the indoor cycling events - especially that round-robin point-scoring event that I can't remember the name of. Do they still do that silly walking event, where it looks like everyone is cheating by breaking out into a jog? At the Sydney games one of our competitors was way out in front, and just about to enter the stadium before she was disqualified - one of the most heartbreaking Olympic moments I've seen.

https://i.postimg.cc/y6cqwjjw/medal-tally.jpg

[Takoma11]

It's also interesting to learn about countries specializing in sports that I just didn't realize was a thing.

Like, obviously I know that the USA has a legacy with women's gymnastics. Australian swimmers. Someone from an African nation winning a long-distance running sport? No way!

But I hadn't realized that badminton is so dominated by Asian nations (Japan, Korea, China), and the same with the shooting sports. It's fun hearing about how different nations ebb and flow in the different sports. Obviously that's sometimes on the back of a handful of athletes, but other times it's honestly because of the culture of the country itself.

[Takoma11]

Cycling BMX Racing

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Women's semi-final?

Overall Impression?
I mean . . . eh. It is really fun watching them catch air over the jumps and jockey for position. But there's something about BMX---the bikes are so tiny!!!---that I just can't click with. As always, much respect to the athletes. I probably couldn't pedal one of those bikes more than three feet.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Shooting, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Shooting

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Mixed teams final

Overall Impression?
This should be like archery, in theory. But the problem is that you aren't actually watching them hit the targets. The camera shows the people, and then there are these little screens in the corner that show you where they hit. It makes it feel . . . not quite real. I was impressed at learning how small the targets are that they attempt to hit, and both teams were likable.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Tennis

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Nadal v. Djokovic

Overall Impression?
I enjoy tennis. This match was half over when I tuned in, and it had been a blow-out up to that point. But around when I started watching, Nadal had a bit of a rally and the game got more interesting.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Surfing

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Men's qualifying heats

Overall Impression?
I've only watched surfing a few times. I don't entirely understand how the scoring works, but that doesn't matter. It's really fun watching the waves form, watching the surfers decide which waves to try and grab. There's a fun element of luck because the ocean is just doing its own thing. The pacing can be a bit odd, because sometimes you spend several minutes just watching people bobbing in the water waiting for a wave. I like the format of just having 20 minutes to get the best score you can.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Trampoline

Have I watched it before? Yes, a few Olympics ago.

What match/stage? Men's finals

Overall Impression?
Trampoline is a sport that I feel like I should enjoy more. I do like it, but it doesn't hold my interest for whatever reason. One of the athletes accidentally went off course and fell to the ground. He was fine, but it was a bit scary. (Many props to the spotters). They do go really impressively high.

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Swimming

Have I watched it before? Yes, always end up watching some every Olympics.

What match/stage? Lots of the finals.

Overall Impression?
I think that swimming is a great Olympic sport. Much like track and field you have the "sprint" style races, the longer races, and then the relays. Katie Ledecky is incredible. I also love that the French have Leon Marchand because it's always so sweet when the home crowd has someone who will bring home some medals.

4.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Cycling BMX Freestyle

Have I watched it before? Does BMX Bandits count? No?

What match/stage? Finals

Overall Impression?
I'm sure that this is a very challenging sport, but it simply does not engage me. And like I wrote before: I cannot get over the silliness of the little bikes!

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Table Tennis

Have I watched it before? Maybe a minute here or there.

What match/stage? Men's bronze and gold medal matches

Overall Impression?
The match that I watched had a lot of changes in leads and close wins, so that added some suspense and drama. But overall I didn't love watching this. The table is so little. Those rallies where both players get father and farther away from the table are visually interesting, but the matches I watched had pretty short rallies. I also didn't like the way that the camera filmed the serving moments, because I literally could not see how the players were serving the ball and found that very annoying!

3

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[kgaard]

Surfing

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Men's qualifying heats

Overall Impression?
I've only watched surfing a few times. I don't entirely understand how the scoring works, but that doesn't matter. It's really fun watching the waves form, watching the surfers decide which waves to try and grab. There's a fun element of luck because the ocean is just doing its own thing. The pacing can be a bit odd, because sometimes you spend several minutes just watching people bobbing in the water waiting for a wave. I like the format of just having 20 minutes to get the best score you can.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling BMX Freestyle, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Cycling Track, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Trampoline, Weightlifting, Wrestling

The best part of the surfing competition is the photos.
https://s.france24.com/media/display/b671b142-53d6-11ef-82f3-005056bf30b7/w:980/p:16x9/000_36AZ7E7-1.jpg

https://people.com/thmb/fvLFRL2hA1RsS4imKzqz-j7ucq4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(483x269:485x271)/Brazils-Gabriel-Medina-reacts-after-getting-a-large-wave-in-the-5th-heat-of-the-mens-surfing-Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-073034-8bb4deaf57bb4ba9a90b6016ed179b53.jpg

[Takoma11]

The best part of the surfing competition is the photos.
https://s.france24.com/media/display/b671b142-53d6-11ef-82f3-005056bf30b7/w:980/p:16x9/000_36AZ7E7-1.jpg

https://people.com/thmb/fvLFRL2hA1RsS4imKzqz-j7ucq4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(483x269:485x271)/Brazils-Gabriel-Medina-reacts-after-getting-a-large-wave-in-the-5th-heat-of-the-mens-surfing-Paris-2024-Olympic-Games-073034-8bb4deaf57bb4ba9a90b6016ed179b53.jpg

The first picture is amazing. The second picture . . . I do not understand.

[kgaard]

The second picture . . . I do not understand.

Fortunately, there's an article (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/30/paris-olympics-2024-surfer-gabriel-medina-floating-photo-jerome-brouillet-how-it-was-taken)for it!

And if you want to see the run the picture is from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6uUxnAODNM

[Takoma11]

Cycling Track

Have I watched it before? Not really

What match/stage? I'm not totally sure: they were team events

Overall Impression?
It took me a little bit to understand the basic rules of what was happening, but I did quite enjoy the several parts I watched. The thing of having four riders on the track, but the time is based on the third person to cross the line is interesting. The idea of riding a bicycle with no brakes is certainly something!

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Sport Climbing

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Men's speed qualifications and women's bouldering

Overall Impression?
I really enjoy watching climbing! I particularly like watching the bouldering and the way that the climbers have to try and solve the puzzle of how to get up the course. It's always neat seeing how different climbers approach it, and I really love that there can be more than one solution. Even within this professional slice of this sport, there are different physical and strategic capabilities, and so you aren't always just watching the same approach over and over.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Diving, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Diving

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Women's platform finals

Overall Impression?
I like diving, but I have to admit that it's one of those sports that makes me a bit too nervous to fully enjoy. I think it's because of that oft-repeated footage of the diver hitting his head on the platform, but I find myself feeling anxious as I watch. That said, the athleticism on display was incredible, and the Chinese divers in particular were absolutely stunning.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[Takoma11]

Handball

Have I watched it before? Only a bit

What match/stage? Men's quarterfinal, France vs. Germany

Overall Impression?
I wasn't really looking forward to watching handball, probably because I was so underwhelmed with water polo and the layout is really similar. But I quite enjoyed this game. I'm sure it helps that the game was very close, trading leads, and lots of suspense and last minute twists pushing things into overtime. Not enough to make me into a handball fan, but it kept me invested until the end of the match.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling

[PHOENIX74]

[X] Skateboarding
[X] Sailing
[X] Athletics - Pole Vault
Athletics - Discus
Athletics - Javelin
Athletics - Triple jump
[X] Tennis
[X] Cycling Track
[X] Canoe/Kayak Sprint

A lot of fun for me this Olympics (and a lot of events I've never watched before, such as skateboarding.) So much happening every single day for Australia, already passing our all-time record for gold medals at an Olympic Games with 18. Men's doubles tennis a couple of nights ago, sailing (which we usually do well in), Nina Kennedy winning the women's pole vault - so great to see her so excited. The skateboarding champ was the same guy who won in Tokyo - all I do when I watch that is pray the guy doesn't fall over! Apart from that I'm clueless as to how well he's doing, apart from what the commentator is saying - but they always hype up our guys, so I can't be sure. When I switched to the aftermath of the women's basketball I saw our players crying and I thought they'd lost - but they'd actually won and were through to the semis. Not so great for our men's water polo team, who lost to the U.S.A. in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out. But, third on the medal tally is great! The U.S. and China seem untouchable.

https://i.postimg.cc/BQmYJDdB/olymp.jpg

[Takoma11]

A lot of fun for me this Olympics (and a lot of events I've never watched before, such as skateboarding.)

I am absolutely loving it. And the SPORTSMANSHIP!!! Today I was watching a replay of the women's big road race. At one point, all these women were touching this one rider on the back. I was like "Okay, is this, like, how they tell another rider they need to pass them or what?". But it seemed like they were just sitting there a while. Turned out they were holding her up so that she wouldn't fall over. A moment later, a rider gave a rider from a different country her water bottle. Just so many nice little moments. During the women's hammer throw, the woman from Poland who has been in the Olympics for years and years, hugging the next generation. I know there will always be a few egos, a few heated words, but the overall vibe is so positive.

So much happening every single day for Australia, already passing our all-time record for gold medals at an Olympic Games with 18.

It's really fun to get to root for your country. One nice thing about the USA winning so many medals is that it lets me relax a bit and root for everyone. Like, "my team" will be fine and have plenty of medals, I can be really happy for this taekwondo fighter from Croatia.

[PHOENIX74]

Sport Climbing

Have I watched it before? Yes!

What match/stage? Men's speed qualifications and women's bouldering

Overall Impression?
I really enjoy watching climbing! I particularly like watching the bouldering and the way that the climbers have to try and solve the puzzle of how to get up the course. It's always neat seeing how different climbers approach it, and I really love that there can be more than one solution. Even within this professional slice of this sport, there are different physical and strategic capabilities, and so you aren't always just watching the same approach over and over.


That review inspired me to go to my local station and grab a stream of the speed climbing - I thought to myself, "Hey, that's actually something I used to do!" I can't imagine doing it now, it's been a while - and when I saw the first competitors climb all that way in mere seconds it knocked my socks all the way off. They shoot up there with what looks like impossible speed. I'd literally take about 10-15 minutes to climb what takes them 6 seconds! I've never seen anything like that.

I am absolutely loving it. And the SPORTSMANSHIP!!! Today I was watching a replay of the women's big road race. At one point, all these women were touching this one rider on the back. I was like "Okay, is this, like, how they tell another rider they need to pass them or what?". But it seemed like they were just sitting there a while. Turned out they were holding her up so that she wouldn't fall over. A moment later, a rider gave a rider from a different country her water bottle. Just so many nice little moments. During the women's hammer throw, the woman from Poland who has been in the Olympics for years and years, hugging the next generation. I know there will always be a few egos, a few heated words, but the overall vibe is so positive.

I'm noticing that too - it's really nice and exciting to see it. It's supposed to be a big part of what the Olympics are all about, but this is the first time I've encountered so many "aww" moments that they're not one or two isolated incidents but a general vibe the whole games seems to have in Paris.

[Takoma11]

I'm noticing that too - it's really nice and exciting to see it. It's supposed to be a big part of what the Olympics are all about, but this is the first time I've encountered so many "aww" moments that they're not one or two isolated incidents but a general vibe the whole games seems to have in Paris.

Exactly. I'm not watching some "nice moments" highlight reels. I'm just seeing sweet little moments in basically every event I watch. It's really nice!

[Thursday Next]

I have not attempted to watch every sport but I have seen some sports I haven't seen before - I never knew climbing was an Olympic sport! It was unexpectedly gripping (no pun intended). 3v3 basketball was less thrilling. BMX looks kind of fun. Rugby 7s is like rugby but quicker, which is interesting - I don't know why they can't do something similar with football.


Favorite sports so far: swimming, diving, athletics (running), canoe slalom, gymnastics


Least favorite: boxing, equestrian

[Takoma11]

I have not attempted to watch every sport but I have seen some sports I haven't seen before - I never knew climbing was an Olympic sport! It was unexpectedly gripping (no pun intended). 3v3 basketball was less thrilling

I've watched a bit of sport climbing before, and I find all of the variations on it (speed, bouldering) really interesting. The bouldering in particular, just the problem solving of it all.


Favorite sports so far: swimming, diving, athletics (running), canoe slalom, gymnastics


Least favorite: boxing, equestrian

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.com%2Fimages%2F3cb7d270e4ac0447515be6278a85d684%2Ftenor.gif%3Fitemid%3 D16912186&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=3ec66bf3624277b5072986d0dd2e0298b5b15f483ec609eec955d3c6aa132a4c&ipo=images

100% agree.

[Takoma11]

Wrestling

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Men's bronze and gold medal matches

Overall Impression?
So a kid from where I live was in the gold medal match, and that definitely added interest. I'm not the biggest fan of wrestling, it just doesn't really grip me. But I did enjoy watching the two matches.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding, Taekwondo, Weightlifting

[Takoma11]

Taekwondo

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Women's, not sure what stage!

Overall Impression?
I did taekwondo as a child, so this was kind of fun. This is another fighting sport where I don't 100% get the nuances of the rules. It is one of those sports where it feels like there's a lot of circling/waiting for stuff to happen.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Skateboarding

[Takoma11]

Skateboarding

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Men's final

Overall Impression?
Skateboarding doesn't do a TON for me as a viewer, but I don't dislike it. The athletes all seemed to be having a good time, and it's one of those sports where it's pretty fun to see the age and experience range of the people competing.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Hockey, Marathon Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Marathon Swimming

Have I watched it before? No

What match/stage? Women's final

Overall Impression?
My gosh did this make me tired just watching! I don't find marathon running or swimming to be the most compelling viewing. Especially swimming where you don't see much of their bodies. I did quite enjoy the last 10 minutes or so, and it was surprisingly close considering they were swimming for over two hours!

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Hockey, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Hockey

Have I watched it before? No

What match/stage? Men's semi-final(?)

Overall Impression?
Okay, I don't know what it is about field hockey, but I just find it really boring! It was hard to pay attention to the game for more than a few minutes. Sorry field hockey fans!

2.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Artistic Swimming, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Artistic Swimming

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Women's Free Routines

Overall Impression?
These swimming routines are so impressive on so many levels. To have that many people exactly on rhythm, in and out of the water. To have people holding their breath for so long while doing physically strenuous things. Those incredible shots half in the water where you can see them just ramrod straight up and down in the water. This isn't a sport I seek out, it's not one I'd ever want to do, but boy is it impressive!

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Breaking, Canoe/Kayak Sprint, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Canoe/Kayak Sprint

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Multiple finals, single and partners

Overall Impression?
Sprint events (running, swimming, rowing) are just fun to watch because they go so fast. Then you get that crazy perspective thing where it doesn't even look like they are going that fast because they are ALL going really fast.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Breaking, Cycling Mountain Bike, Cycling Road, Football, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Thursday Next]

Taekwondo

Have I watched it before? Yes

What match/stage? Women's, not sure what stage!

Overall Impression?
I did taekwondo as a child, so this was kind of fun. This is another fighting sport where I don't 100% get the nuances of the rules. It is one of those sports where it feels like there's a lot of circling/waiting for stuff to happen.

3.5




Just watched some of this and fairly perplexed... literally just said aloud 'he just needs a point...how does he even get a point?' :laugh:

[Takoma11]

Just watched some of this and fairly perplexed... literally just said aloud 'he just needs a point...how does he even get a point?' :laugh:

My favorite thing is when the athletes seem to just be doing the same thing and the commentator says something like "Risky move there by Smith." Was it?!?!?!

My memory from years and years ago is that you score points by hitting someone in the colored band on their chest pad or if you hit their head.

[Takoma11]

Just watched some of this and fairly perplexed... literally just said aloud 'he just needs a point...how does he even get a point?' :laugh:

Also: how were your seats at the Athletics? Did you have anyone you were rooting for in particular? Are you going to get to see anything else on your trip? I'm super jealous!

(And if you don't mind leaving out spoilers about who won what, I'm still catching up on several of the track events).

[Takoma11]

Cycling Road

Have I watched it before? Yes, in little bits and pieces

What match/stage? Women's finals

Overall Impression?
Longer races (swimming, running, biking) don't always do much for me. Too much time watching things not really change. However, I really enjoyed watching this race, and a big part of that was the sportsmanship. At one point two riders kept touching this other rider's back. I thought it was like cyclist code for "let us pass." But then they kept their hands on her and weren't moving ahead. Turns out there was something going wrong and they were keeping her upright until they got to a place where she could get help. Then an athlete offered another athlete some water. And for such a long race, it was surprisingly close at the end. Very fun.

4

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Breaking, Cycling Mountain Bike, Football, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Football

Have I watched it before? Yes, quite a bit!

What match/stage? Women's semi-finals, USA vs Germany

Overall Impression?
I generally enjoy watching soccer, though I'll admit it's a sport I mainly watch when the World Cup rolls around. This game in particular was okay but not great. One of the announcers brought up some concerns that she had about the amount of travel the athletes were having to do and the lack of rest they were getting. And you could see a certain muted nature to the play. That said, there were some good plays and the commentators did a good job of talking through the game.

3.5

Sports remaining: Artistic Gymnastics, Breaking, Cycling Mountain Bike, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Thursday Next]

Also: how were your seats at the Athletics? Did you have anyone you were rooting for in particular? Are you going to get to see anything else on your trip? I'm super jealous!

(And if you don't mind leaving out spoilers about who won what, I'm still catching up on several of the track events).


Our seats were pretty good, middle tier close to the finish line so a good spot for watching the relays. I was rooting for Katerina Johnson -Thompson in the heptathlon and the GB relay teams and 800m runners. No spoilers, but it was good to see the finals (on TV) yesterday of the events I'd seen the live heats of.

[Torgo]

Eager to read your thoughts on breaking.

The performance of "Raygun" notwithstanding, if you ask me, those who question its legitimacy as an Olympic sport either said that before watching any of it or they're fools. I loved every minute of what I got to see.

[Takoma11]

Our seats were pretty good, middle tier close to the finish line so a good spot for watching the relays. I was rooting for Katerina Johnson -Thompson in the heptathlon and the GB relay teams and 800m runners. No spoilers, but it was good to see the finals (on TV) yesterday of the events I'd seen the live heats of.

Were you able to spot yourself at all in watching the replays?

[Takoma11]

Artistic Gymnastics

Have I watched it before? Every Olympics!

What match/stage? A mix of men's and women's finals.

Overall Impression?
Okay, I had a period where (like maybe other people?) it was really hard to watch gymnastics without thinking about the widespread physical, mental, and sexual abuse that was revealed. In particular, in the film Athlete A, one gymnast talks about Kerri Strug's famous one-legged landing and says something to the effect of "Where other people saw a great moment, I saw a child who couldn't say no." Anyway, this Olympics was the first time where I felt like I was able to not quite think about that as much. I think that it helps that the gymnasts (at least team USA) are older. Simone Biles is 27! And while adults can obviously be manipulated, pushed too hard, etc, it feels less icky. It also helps that Biles is a total legend, but this Olympics made space for many other gymnasts to shine. The floor routine and the beam were all very fun to watch.

4

Sports remaining: Breaking, Cycling Mountain Bike, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastic

[Takoma11]

Breaking

Have I watched it before? Not as a sport!

What match/stage? Women's finals

Overall Impression?
This was just super fun. Athleticism and artistry and just a different vibe, but clearly something that belongs. I loved that they used the dancers' "street names". I love that you don't know which song will be played for each round. And, best of all, I really appreciated the commentary that helped me understand the elements that would earn someone a high score. The dancer from the Netherlands, India, was just amazing. It also seemed like the crowd was really into it, and I loved that the teams had their people around the stage to hype them up. (And I also loved that part of it was clapping at your opponent when they made a mistake).

4

Sports remaining: Cycling Mountain Bike, Modern Pentathlon, Rhythmic Gymnastics

[Takoma11]

--Hey, man, we were wondering if you'd like to play the piano in the Olympics closing ceremony.

--Whoa! Yes, of course!!

--Great. There's just one thing . . .

[Nausicaä]

^ It bounced around a bit at one point! :eek:

[Takoma11]

^ It bounced around a bit at one point! :eek:

Whenever there are people/objects on wires and the movement doesn't seem quite right, I'm always like "Is this intentional?!?!?!?!"

Loved the giant german wheels as the Olympic rings. It took me WAY too long to realize that what I was thinking of as weird shaped rocks was an abstracted outline of the world map, lol. And I didn't realize that the band Phoenix was French.


I still have a few replays to watch to get all of the sports. (And the replays will no longer be available tomorrow, so I'm sure there are many events I would have loved to watch but won't get the chance to, like the men's break dancing or some of the diving).

This has been a really lovely Olympics. I'll write more once I get through all of the sports, but the sportsmanship and general feeling of joy and celebration has been incredible.

And the team made up of refugees won their first medal, which is super cool!

[rauldc14]

I think Speed Climbing was my favorite thing I watched this year!

[Takoma11]

I think Speed Climbing was my favorite thing I watched this year!

They are stunningly fast.

[Takoma11]

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Have I watched it before? Not for a very long time!

What match/stage? Individual finals

Overall Impression?
You know, sometimes you make a decision/judgement about something when you are young and just don't bother to revisit it. When I was much younger, I remember watching rhythmic gymnastics and coding it in my head as just some kids twirling ribbons while they sort of danced around a stage. Well, no. Incorrect. I'm not sure if the sport has come a ways or if I just didn't really tune in that first time, but there's so much timing/accuracy to this. The women are basically doing a dance/acrobatic routine . . . except you have to be holding (or about to catch) a ball, a ribbon, batons, or a hoop. And you have to be good at all four. That said, this still feels a little beauty-pageant to me (as a quick barometer: are there any other sports in the Olympics that are single gender? Synchronized swimming I guess?). But like with the other gymnastics, I think it helped that many of the athletes were in their 20s (and one woman was 30), because I think it's frankly a little iffy to have a 13-year old laid out on the ground rolling a ball up and down her body. And I did think it was kind of funny that clearly there's a cultural thing here of dramatically throwing down a towel before strutting onto the stage? Better than I remembered, but not something I wanted to watch more than about 20 minutes of.

3

Sports remaining: Cycling Mountain Bike, Modern Pentathlon

[Takoma11]

Cycling Mountain Bike

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Men's finals

Overall Impression?
As with the other events that are very long, I wasn't super patient. Though it should be noted that the course is much more varied than just watching someone go around the same flat track 10 times. As someone who is not good at riding a bicycle, this made me vicariously stressed, especially when they go over the downhill log sections.

3.5

Sports remaining: Modern Pentathlon

[rauldc14]

They are stunningly fast.

Ya it was nuts. Crazy talent

[Takoma11]

Modern Pentathlon

Have I watched it before? Nope!

What match/stage? Women's finals

Overall Impression?
Like the heptathlon, it's really cool to see people who have talents across the board, and also neat to see how different athletes have different strengths across those events. I would say that it suffers just a smidge from the fact that they aren't necessarily the best at just the isolated events. So the swimming, for example, wasn't quite as thrilling as the straight up swimming events. HOWEVER! This gets a full extra half star because I was so delighted that the running portion in part took place in the equestrian section, so that the women were running around all of the different jumps and obstacles.

4

Sports remaining: NONE!!

[Takoma11]

Final Thoughts!

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fe0.365dm.com%2F24%2F08%2F2048x1152%2Fskysports-sifan-hassan-marathon_6653726.jpg%3F20240811101540&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=dbbe12fe9663b40fe69c81e4581e79b937ec863f93bc08b4b5c0a4e804a9b2a8&ipo=images

I thought that these Olympics were absolutely fantastic. I was able to watch at least a little bit of every sport, and there was nothing I disliked. Some real highlights were:

The Sportsmanship
I've mentioned it several times, but the overall vibe was so incredibly positive. In every event that I watched people were sincerely congratulating each other, offering support (sometimes literally holding up their competition DURING the race/event!), and reacting to disappointment with good attitudes. For example, Simone Biles seemed genuinely happy for Andrade, who outshone her on the floor routine. I watched women during the street race holding up an athlete so that she wouldn't fall over, keeping her vertical until she could get to help from her team. And it was really touching to watch the triathlon teams holding hands with each other as the last member crossed the finish line and collapsed.

The Records
Some of the people breaking national, Olympic, or even world records were incredible. I watched one women's track race where literally every runner set some sort of record, including the world record. The athletes really put it all out there, and it was great to watch.

The Sense of Place
I loved the way that the city itself was a part of the games. This was particularly evident in things like the long-distance cycling and running events, where people were literally circling around the Louvre or finishing under the Eiffel Tower, as with the iconic shot of the winner of the men's cycle race. And the location itself may be responsible for a huge number of marriage proposals that took place during the games!

The Ceremonies
I know a lot of people bagged on the opening ceremony---for reasons we will not go into, but which I thought were profoundly stupid---but I really liked it. It was the first time I ever felt myself wanting to watch one of the Olympic ceremonies from start to finish. I was shocked when I realized I'd been watching for almost three hours! It was just so chock full of personality and culture, and it took risks, which is really something for such a big event. I loved the fashion show, in particular the woman with the bejeweled prosthetic legs. While the closing ceremony didn't reach quite that same level of energy, I like the imagery and the message. The only downsides for me were the American commentators who just sounded . . . stunningly ignorant, and as soon as Tom Cruise (who is slowly aging into Don Johnson?) hit the scene and it transitioned to the "Hollywood" part I just thought it became very cringey.

Overall this was a ton of fun!

[Dead2009]

I enjoyed the BMX racing, skateboarding and the kayak cross the most of this year's games. If they're finally off Peacock Ill have to go back on the Olympic website to watch the highlights.

[Takoma11]

I enjoyed the BMX racing, skateboarding and the kayak cross the most of this year's games. If they're finally off Peacock Ill have to go back on the Olympic website to watch the highlights.

I think that the replays left Peacock basically the moment the games ended. The day I watched the closing ceremony all the replays said "Leaving in 1 day."

[Dead2009]

I think that the replays left Peacock basically the moment the games ended. The day I watched the closing ceremony all the replays said "Leaving in 1 day."

They were still on there as of last tuesday, cause I read they were taking them off on the 14th.

[Takoma11]

They were still on there as of last tuesday, cause I read they were taking them off on the 14th.

Oh, too bad. There are a few things I wanted to go back and check out, but figured they wouldn't be available.

[Dead2009]

Oh, too bad. There are a few things I wanted to go back and check out, but figured they wouldn't be available.

Actually nevermind, I turned on Peacock today for shits and giggles and its all still there. Im watching one of the rowing finals right now.

[Takoma11]

Actually nevermind, I turned on Peacock today for shits and giggles and its all still there. Im watching one of the rowing finals right now.

What?! Well, thank you for telling me. I admit I was lazy and just assumed all the replays had been taken down.

[Dead2009]

What?! Well, thank you for telling me. I admit I was lazy and just assumed all the replays had been taken down.

So did I because multiple sites were saying some of the events were being taken down the day after the closing ceremonies and then the rest were gone after the 14th.

[Takoma11]

So did I because multiple sites were saying some of the events were being taken down the day after the closing ceremonies and then the rest were gone after the 14th.

Some kind soul at Peacock was just like "Shhhh! Don't tell. Just leave them all up!"

[Dead2009]

Some kind soul at Peacock was just like "Shhhh! Don't tell. Just leave them all up!"

If you're still wanting to watch the VODs, they're still up, but they've been moved to the general sports section because of the paralympics coming up. Everything is still there I think.

[Takoma11]

If you're still wanting to watch the VODs, they're still up, but they've been moved to the general sports section because of the paralympics coming up. Everything is still there I think.

Noted, thanks!

I'd like to do something similar for the paralympics, but school is starting up and free time will be at a low ebb.