Tokyo Olympics 2020

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 11:23

It begins today and the opening ceremony is right now on BBC 1. No spectators allowed there unfortunately but 1100 athletes taking part and hopefully Team GB brings back a nice tally of medals. I'm looking forward to 16 days of action.

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 11:51

iamtheoneneo said:
I don't know why but this games I just couldn't care less.

Yeah, that might be because there's no spectators to create atmosphere and excitement. I'm very disappointed about that but am hoping it'll become addictive once it gets going.

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 12:19

Feek said:
Not impressed with the opening ceremony so far, hopefully it'll pick up a bit.

Yeah it's dull. I think they had restrictions on the amount of performers close together which hasn't helped.

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 12:36

Raymond Lin said:
The whole thing is done with both hands tied behind their backs, this will be one to be forgotten, or remembered by for all the wrong reasons.

This. Well hopefully there'll be some excitement when the actual sports events start, but yes, no crowds is a real killer.

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 12:38

Pigeon_Killer said:
I usually only watch the athletics and a few select British athletes but with Bolt gone, money being prioritised over the health and safety of the athletes and so many athletes having to pull out because of COVID I'm not sure I'll watch a single event.

Yes you will

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 13:49

Such unfortunate timing that of all the counties who could have hosted, it had to be Tokyo. London was fortunate to have it when there was no covid but even if we were hosting it today, the stadiums would still be allowed to be mostly full.

Merlin5 · 23 Jul 2021 at 14:48

Fair comment!

By the way, heads up that the first events start on BBC 1 at 12.10am through the small hours with cycling and rowing. Looking forward to that.

Merlin5 · 24 Jul 2021 at 11:43

I watched some of the men's cycling road race which started at 3am and finished after 9am. I didn't stay up for all of that. Crazy how they can keep going for over 230 km. I missed the part where they would have passed mount fuji, I bet that looked great.

Seen some gymnastics qualifying, Matt Whitlock is on form. Seen some rowing, mixed archery with Korea v Netherlands, some boxing, table tennis, and currently women's football is on. Looking forward to seeing some weightlifting.

Merlin5 · 25 Jul 2021 at 13:19

The_One said:
Did anyone see the upset of the games in the 400m freestyle men?

18 year old tunisian scraped into the final last qualifier and got outside lane then won gold knocking over 3secs off his pb

the aussie favourite couldn't believe it lol

I saw that. Yeah, real upset!

SoliD said:
Fantastic win for the Austrian in the Womens cycle road race this morning! Good to see a lot of underdogs beating the odds so far! Shame that Jade Jones got beat! not sure when it'll be decided if she can get through the Repecharge(sp?)

I didn't see the women's road race but I watched Jade Jones get knocked out the competition. I don't know about the repecharge but would be good if she still gets another chance to compete. Bradly Sinden won his 68kg Taekwondo qualifier and is going for gold at 1.45pm.

Merlin5 · 25 Jul 2021 at 14:01

Damn, good close fight with Bradly Sinden but got silver.

Merlin5 · 25 Jul 2021 at 14:57

GodAtum said:
Disappointing performances so far from Team GB. Looks like we'll be finishing out of the top 5 in the medal table.

UK Sport need to take a long hard look at their performance compared to London and Rio.

I was thinking the same. We don't have the stars we've had in the past. Adam Peaty should get gold and might be our only one. Maybe Max Whitlock too. Dinah Asher Smith probably silver. Pity there's no Mo Farah.

Merlin5 · 25 Jul 2021 at 17:50

France just beat USA at basketball.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 00:09

marc2003 said:
Yee leading the triathlon, Brownlee in contention. Come on lads.

Absolutely, hope Yee can keep his position and bring the gold home.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 00:16

Uh oh, Blumenelt started to break away in front

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 03:17

Finally, our first gold. Congrats Peaty.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 03:29

Yeah, no need for Peaty to drop the f bomb a couple of times.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 10:50

The_One said:
Daley and partner have nailed final dive no way they gonna be caught its gonna be gold!!

I missed the diving. Did Daley get gold? That's awesome if so, he's always been so close so I'm pleased for him if he did it.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 11:36

jonneymendoza said:
yes he did! do keep up!

i know ist super hard to just wake up at 3am to see this but check the highlights etc.

No need for that attitude.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 13:34

Lauren Williams currently in round 1 of the Taekwondo final with Jade Jones there watching.

Bah.

Merlin5 · 26 Jul 2021 at 13:58

marc2003 said:
So close but silver will have to do.

Yeah. Great achievement, but a bit gutting really because Lauren was leading by a few points. Wheels came off though in about the last 10 seconds.