TOKYO 2020/Thursday Review & Preview: Dressel supreme in 100 m Free, Finke stuns in 800 m Free; Lee takes women’s All-Around!

July 29, 2021

tsx pix 2019-725 dressel, caeleb 100 Free 750 — Five-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel (USA)

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= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One

NBC’s Tokyo primetime audience is far lower than in 2016 and you can read headlines like “The Tokyo Olympics are turning into NBC’s worst nightmare” but a more in-depth analysis shows that U.S. Olympic viewing is not as bad as all that.

So far, NBC’s total primetime audience has been steadily rebounding from very modest Opening Ceremony viewing last Friday:

● 23 July (Fri): 8.2 million for the Opening Ceremony
● 24 July (Sat): 15.3 million
● 25 July (Sun): 19.2 million
● 26 July (Mon): 16.8 million
● 27 July (Tue): 16.2 million

These numbers are for the “total audience” for primetime programming across NBC-NBCSN-CNBC-USA Network, but way behind the 27.5 million average primetime audience for Rio in 2016, when events were live in U.S. time zones.

However, NBC notes that the Tokyo “Total Audience Delivery” primetime average of 17.5 million viewers through Tuesday night is on pace “to rank with NBC’s Sunday Night Football as the two most-watched primetime shows in 2020-21.”

The trade magazine Adweek reported that while NBC is preparing to offer bonus advertising – known as “makegoods” – to deliver the total audience promised to advertisers, the overall viewership decline is not as severe as the primetime ratings might indicate.

NBC’s advertiser audience guarantees are based on the total amount of viewership of the Games and this includes a mammoth amount of online streaming, which is way up from prior Games. Per the report:

“While the company will be on the hook for makegoods to advertisers, and those conversations are already underway, the gap isn’t as major as the one-third primetime ratings drops, and is within the same 15-20% range as other sports events, said a source for NBCUniversal.”

Adweek’s reporting is that the Olympic ratings – at least so far – are unlikely to impact the profitability of the Games for NBC. The network is reported to have sold $1.2 billion in ads for the postponed Games, after selling $1.25 billion for the event in 2020.

(This is crucial for NBC, the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, whose finances are strongly tied to NBC’s commitment to the Games through 2032. In 2011, NBC agreed to a $4.38 billion contract for the 2014-20 games, then extended for 2022-32 via a $7.75 billion contract in 2014.)

It is worth remembering that the 2021 Academy Awards audience was down to 9.2 million in 2021 – an all-time low – and the 2020 World Series had a record-low average of 9.6 million viewers on Fox. Even the NFL’s Super Bowl had a 14-year low, but still drew 96.4 million viewers in February.

The Tokyo Games has reached the one-third post, with 112 of 339 events (33%) completed. The current medals leaders:

1. 38: United States (14-14-10) /corrected/
2. 31: China (15-7-9)
3. 28: Russian Olympic Committee (8-11-9)
4. 25: Japan (15-4-6)
5. 20: Australia (8-2-10)

So far, 66 countries have won at least one medal.

Our exclusive TSX team scoring uses the familiar collegiate system of 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 per event to give a much better view of the relative achievements of the teams:

1. 439.5 United States
2. 333.0 China
3. 291.0 Russian Olympic Committee
4. 287.0 Japan
5. 238.0 Great Britain
6. 235.0 Italy
7. 200.5 Australia
8. 175.5 France
9. 164.5 Netherlands
10. 155.5 Germany
11. 141.0 Korea
12. 126.0 Canada

Another interesting measure of this tally is the number of top-8 finishers produced by each country. Thus far, the U.S. has 79 placements across 112 events (wow!), compared with 53 for China, 52 for the Russian Olympic Committee and 47 for Japan.

The weather continues hot and winds as a factor due to Tropical Storm Nepartak. Tennis players have complained about the heat, which reached a “feels-like’ level of 99 F on Thursday and matches have been moved to 3 p.m. and later to avoid the mid-day roasting.

Asked by the umpire if he could continue during his Thursday match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno, Russian Daniil Medvedev said he could, but that might die! He ended up losing, 6-2, 7-6.

The forecast is for heat and some rain:

● 30 July (Fri.): 85 F high, 75 F low and thunderstorms
● 31 July (Sat.): 90 F ~ 74 F and sunny
● 01 Aug. (Sun.): 89 F ~ 77 F and some thunderstorms
● 02 Aug. (Mon.): 89 F ~ 78 F and some thunderstorms
● 03 Aug. (Tue.): 90 F ~ 77 F and some thunderstorms
● 04 Aug. (Wed.): 91 F ~ 77 F and some thunderstorms

Additional heat precautions are being taken, but it’s an issue for athletes and the public alike.
~ Rich Perelman

= RESULTS: THURSDAY, 29 JULY =

● Canoeing: Women’s Slalom C-1
No mistakes for Australia’s Jessica Fox, which means she was the runaway winner of the first-ever women’s C-1, timing 105.04 seconds, more than three-and-a-half seconds clear of the field.

Fox’s hopes for gold in the K-1 were dashed by two penalties, but she maneuvered through the course without being penalized for her first Olympic gold after three other medals in the K-1.

Behind her came 2017 World Champion Mallory Franklin (GBR: 106.68 with 2 penalties) and German Andrea Herzog, the reigning World Champion (109.13, also 2 penalties). Franklin was faster on the clock, but the penalties moved her to silver.

● Fencing: Women’s Team Foil
After American Lee Keifer upset Russia’s Inna Deriglazova in the women’s Foil final, naturally the two teams had to meet up in the Team Foil event, in the semifinals.

Deriglazova defeated Nicole Ross, 5-1 and Jackie Dubrovich, 8-4, while Kiefer stomped Adelina Zagidullina, 9-4 and Larisa Korobeynikova, 6-4 before the two stars met in the final match. Russia was in control by 39-36 at that point and Deriglaziva and Kiefer dueled to a 6-6 tie and Russia won the match by 45-42.

That put Russia into the final against France, a much easier task as the Russians took the gold with a 45-34 win. It’s Russia’s second gold in the last three times the event has taken place.

The U.S. advanced to the bronze-medal final, but was waxed by 2019 Worlds silver medalists Italy, 45-23. The Italians won all but one match and collected the third-place medal.

● Gymnastics: Women’s All-Around
With Simone Biles out, the qualifying scores said the medals should come down to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, Suni Lee of the U.S. and Angelina Melnikova of Russia. That’s exactly what happened.

● Andrade took the lead on Vault, scoring 15.300 to 15.200 for American Jade Carey, with Lee fourth at 14.600.

● On Bars, Belgian star Nina Derwael was expected to win and posted an excellent 15.266 score. But Lee was better and won the event at 15.300 to move closer to Andrade, who posted a 14.666 total, only fifth best in the rotation. After two: Andrade, 29.966; Lee, 29.900; Melnikova, 29.533.

● On Beam, Russia’s Vladislava Urazova had the best score at 14.200, trailed by Lee at 13.833, who took the lead from Andrade, fourth at 13.666, just behind Melnikova (13.700). Scores: Lee, 43.733; Andrade, 43.632; Melnikova, 43.233.

● On Floor, Melnikova went third, Andrade fourth, Lee fifth and Carey sixth. Melnikova scored 13.966 and was followed by Lee with a good score of 13.666. That brought up Andrade, who needed 13.768 or more to win. But she stepped out twice on an otherwise strong routine and scored 13.666 to finish at 57.298 to Lee’s 57.433 and a fifth straight All-Around win for U.S. women, going back to 2004.

Carey finished at 13.966 to tie Melnikova for the best score.

Melnikova won the bronze at 57.199 and Urazova wad fourth at 56.966. Carey was eighth at 54.199. It climaxed a remarkable rise for Lee, 18, who emerged only in 2019 and placed eighth in the All-Around at the World Championships, but won individual medals on Floor (silver) and Bars (bronze). The delay from 2020 to 2021 was clearly a help for her development, not only on skills, but also for poise. She was solid.

Andrade zoomed from 11th in the Rio All-Around to the silver medal and Brazil’s first-ever medal in Olympic women’s gymnastics.

● Judo: Women’s 78 kg and Men’s 100 kg
Japan continued its march through the 2020 Olympic tournament with Shori Hamada and Aaron Wolf both winning their classes in spectacular fashion.

Hamada, the 2019 Worlds runner-up, crushed her first three opponents by ippon in 2:32. 2:38 and 1:23 before facing 2019 World Champion Madeleine Malonga (FRA) in the final.

No problem, and Hamada overpowered Malonga and won her fourth straight match by ippon in just 1:09. Her total mat time on the way to the gold medal was just 7:42. Wow!

In the bronze-medal matches, Wagner – the 2021 World Champion – defeated Kaliema Antomarchi (CUB) by waza-ari and Brazil’s Mayra Aguiar ipponed Hyunji Yoon (KOR).

In the men’s 100 kg class, it wasn’t clear that 2017 World Champion Wolf – American dad, Japanese mom – was Japan’s best selection for this weight, but he left no doubt.

Wolf won his first two matches in 1:23 (ippon) and 4:00 (waza-ari) before meeting Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani, a three-time Worlds medalist. Wolf had defeated him in the 2017 Worlds final and did so again, by waza-ari, in 4:00. That sent him to the final against Korea’s 2018 World Champion, Gu-Ham Cho.

This was a classic and went into overtime. It took 9:35 all together Wolf to find the winning attack and won by ippon to take the gold medal, Japan’s fifth in six men’s classes at these Games. It was Japan’s first win in the 100 kg class since 2000.

Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca defeated Shady Elnahas (CAN) for one bronze medal and Russian Niiaz Iliasov beat Liparteliani for the other.

● Rowing: Women’s Pair-Lightweight Double Sculls
In the women’s Pair, it ended as expected with Grace Pendergast and Kerri Gowler (NZL) crossing first in 6:50.19, slower than their world-best performance in the semis, but still an impressive win by 1.26 seconds over a surprising Russia.

Vasilisa Stepanova and Elena Oriabinskaia started in the middle of the pack, but worked their way up to third by the 1,500 m mark and then to the silver medal at the finish, passing Canada’s Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens, the early leaders.

In the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls, Marieke Keijser and Ilse Paulis had the lead by halfway and looked like possible winners at the 1,500 m mark. But they were passed by Italy’s Valentina Rodini and Federica Cesarini, who ended up winning in 6:47.54, just 14/100ths ahead of the fastest closers of all, France’s Laura Tarantola and Claire Bove.

Keijser and Rodini were not on the form charts as favorites beforehand, but had the a world’s best time in the semis and had more in the tank than anyone else over the back half of the race.

It was Italy’s first-ever Olympic medal in this event.

● Rowing: Men’s Pair-Lightweight Double Sculls
Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinkovic are now among the rowing immortals, winning the men’s Pair in Tokyo after taking the men’s Double Sculls in Rio!

It wasn’t that close, as they grabbed the lead from the start and went wire-to-wire, claiming a 1.29 second win over the 2018 Worlds silver medalists, Marius Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosa (ROM), who started slowly, then took second just after the 1,000 m.

Denmark and Canada were third and fourth, 4.59 and 5.14 seconds behind the winners.

The men’s Lightweight Double Sculls figured to be the property of Ireland’s World Champion Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy and it was, barely. They grabbed the lead from Germany’s Jonathan Rommelmann and Jason Osborne – the 2019 Worlds bronze medalists – only in the second half of the race and held on for an 0.86-second win.

That was a move up from silver to gold for O’Donovan, who had been the silver medalist with his brother Gary in Rio.

Rommelmann and Osborne won Germany’s first-ever Olympic medal in the event. Italy’s Stefano Oppo and Pietro Ruta were third, 7.87 seconds behind the winners.

● Shooting: Men’s Trap-Women’s Trap
Considered carefully, the concentration, precision and marksmanship in this sport is almost unthinkable. So even after 60 shots in the men’s Trap final between Czechs Jiri Liptak and David Kostelecky, more were needed.

Both shot 43/50, with Liptak hitting 20 of his last 21 targets to pull even. The tie required a shoot-off and Liptak won that one close, 7-6, to clinch the gold medal. At 39, Liptak had been 18th in London in 2012 but did have two Worlds bronze medals to his credit before Tokyo.

Kostelecky, 46 won his second Olympic medal after winning in 2008 and finishing fourth in Rio.

Britain’s Matthew Coward Holley finished third at 33.

The women’s Trap was similarly dramatic, with American Kayle Browning – who had a best World Championships finish of 11th coming in – getting off to a rough start, missing three of her first four targets. But then she hit 19 in a row to begin eliminating others. After 17 hits in her first 20, she had 24 out of 30, but barely in it. Then she hit 10 straight targets and was in the gold-medal final.

There, she faced Olympic 2008-12 silver medalist Zuzana Stefecekova (SVK) and both had 34 hits. Browning hit three of her first five targets, but Stefecekova hit four. In the final set, both hit all five and Stefecekova had an Olympic Record for hits and a 43-42 win for her third Olympic medal.

Browning won the first silver by the U.S. in this event after bronzes by Corey Cogdell in 2008 and 2016.

● Swimming: Women’s 200 m Butterfly-4×200 m Freestyle
China’s world leader Yufei Zhang took it out immediately, leading Americans Regan Smith and Hali Flickinger at the first turn. Zhang was ahead of world-record pace at the 100 m, but Flickinger started gaining on the third lap and was 1.34 seconds behind at the last flip.

Zhang did not tire enough to lose the lead and won in an Olympic Record 2:03.86, the no. 3 performance in history; the top two were both set in the plastic-suit era in 2009.

Smith came on hard in the final 15 m to just edge Flickinger, 2:05.30 to 2:05.65, with Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas fourth in 2:06.53. Two more medals for the U.S. and Smith and Flickinger are now nos. 2-3 in U.S. history.

Australia entered as a huge favorite in the 4×200 m Free and expected to shatter the world record; after all, they led the qualifying at 7:44.61, with the U.S. second at 7:47.57.

Titmus led off, but Junxuan Yang (CHN) touched first in 1:54.37-1:54.51 – what? – then Emma McKeon took over on the second leg and had the lead briefly, but Muhan Tang (1:55.00) regained command at the change. Something was definitely going on here, with Titmus and McKeon unable to claim the lead. Paige Madden kept the U.S. in contact in third.

Aussie Madison Wilson got the lead again on the third leg over China, with Katie McLaughlin keeping the U.S. in medal contention, just ahead of Canada. But Yufei Zhang – who had just finished the 200 m Medley medal ceremony – touched first.

Now China was leading, Australia had its weakest leg in Leah Neale and Katie Ledecky was in the water as the U.S. anchor and smelling blood. She couldn’t catch Bingje Li (1:55.30), but she charged after Neale. Ledecky was second by the end of her third lap and moved in Li, only to fall short, but with the fastest split of the race in a sensational 1:53.76.

China was the one to smash Australia’s world record from the 2019 World Championships, finishing in 7:40.33 (vs. 7:41.50), with the U.S. setting an American Record of 7:40.73 and Australia third in 7:41.29, also ahead of the old world mark and setting a national record.

This was an important race for China to confirm that they can compete with anyone in the pool and they will be coming in future years. For the U.S., it was their 21st swimming medal of the meet to 12 for Australia and four each for four others, including China. And the meet isn’t done yet.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Free-800 m Free-200 m Breast
The sensational 47.11 semifinal win by Russian Kliment Kolesnikov scared everyone in the field except American Caeleb Dressel. The 2017 and 2019 World Champion and no. 3 all-time at 46.96, Dressel exploded off the blocks, had the second-fastest reaction time and got up and swimming before everyone else, leading by a meter halfway through the first lap.

Dressel never let up, turning first in 22.39 and maintaining his lead over Kolesnikov (22.49) right through the second lap. Australia’s Rio winner Kyle Chalmers made a charge over the last 25 m, but Dressel found a little extra in the final 10 m to win by daylight in 47.02, fastest in the world this year and the no. 4 performance of all time.

Chalmers powered home second in 47.08, equaling his lifetime best, the no. 7 performance ever. Kolesnikov faded to third in 47.44, with Maxime Grousset (FRA) fourth in 47.72.

Dressel was hooked up to his family’s watch party back home by NBC and was overcome with emotion. This was his first individual Olympic gold after three in relays, including one in Tokyo. He still has the 50 m Free, the 100 m Fly and a couple more relays ahead of him and more chances to see his family afterwards.

The first-ever men’s 800 m in Olympic history started with a familiar sight for distance fans, with the Rio 1,500 m gold medalist, Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri, in the lead. Swimming in lane eight, he had more than a second on American Record-setter Bobby Finke at the halfway mark.

Then the race changed, with German open-water star Florian Wellbrock and Ukraine’s two-time Worlds 1,500 m medalist Mykhailo Romanchuk moving to 2-3, and Finke dropping to fifth. With four laps to go, Paltrinieri and Romanchuk were only 0.45 apart, and then Paltrinieri, Wellbrock and Romanchuk were all close, with Wellbrock taking the lead on the last turn.

Coming home, it looked like Wellbrock, Romanchuk and Paltrinieri were the medalists, but then Finke came on from fifth and cut in another gear to pass everyone in the final 15 m and touched the wall first in 7:41.87, smashing the American Record again!

Paltrinieri finished second in 7:42.11 and Romanchuk claimed the bronze in 7:42.33, with Wellbrock fourth in 7:42.68. For Finke, 21, he’s not done, as the 1,500 m Free is still to come!

In the men’s 200 m Breaststroke final, Dutch star Arno Kamminga took it out from the start, was ahead of world-record pace after 100 m (60.09), and led Finn Matti Mattison at the final turn.

But as Kamminga decelerated on the final lap, Australian Zac Stubblety-Cook – the 2021 world leader – came hard in the final 25 m and got to the lead in the final 12 m to win in an Olympic Record of 2:06.38, just 0.10 slower than his world-leading mark from the Australian Trials.

Even slowing badly in the final 25 m, Kamminga held on for second (2:07.01) and Mattson held on for third (2:07.13), shunting world-record holder Anton Chupkov (ROC) to fourth (2:07.24).

American Nic Fink finished fifth (2:07.93).

● Table Tennis : Women’s Singles
Top-seed Meng Chen of China came through with her first individual world title by defeating teammate (and second seed) Yingsha Sun, 4-2 in the final. Chen had won three World Championships gold, all in team events and won silvers in the 2018 Asian Games and 2019 Worlds singles finals.

But her win extended China’s streak of winning this event to all nine Olympics in which it has been contested.

Japan picked up another medal as Mima Ito took the bronze with a 4-1 win over Singapore’s Mengyu Yu.

Elsewhere:

● Team/Beach Volleyball: The U.S. team of Nick Lucena and Phil Dalhausser won their third match in pool play, defeating Julian Azaad and Nicholas Capogrosso (ARG) by 21-19, 18-21, 15-6 to finish 2-1. Brazil, Netherlands and the U.S. all finished at 2-1 (Argentina at 0-3), but the U.S. ranked third on the sets won-sets lost tiebreaker. As a third-place team, the Lucena and Dalhausser could qualify for the playoffs, but this will depend on the results of the other pools.

The U.S. women’s duo of Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil went to 2-0 by beating Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Khadambi of Kenya, 21-8 and 21-6. The group title will be decided on the 31st as the Americans face Brazilian stars Ana Patricia and Rebecca, also 2-0.

● Team/Rugby Sevens: The U.S. women zoomed into the quarterfinals in Tokyo with pool-play wins over China (28-14) and Japan (17-7). Australia is also 2-0 and will meet the U.S. for the pool title on the 30th.

● Team/Volleyball: The U.S. rebounded from their loss to ROC (Russia) with a 25-14, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23 win over Tunisia in Pool B to go to 2-1. Next up is Brazil, also 2-1, on the 30th.

On Thursday, the U.S. women moved to 3-0 with a tough win over Turkey in five sets: 25-19, 25-20, 17-25, 20-25, 15-12. Jordan Thompson led the U.S. with 15 points and the win propels the U.S. into the quarterfinals, regardless of its other matches against Russia (2-1) or Italy (3-0).

● Team/Water Polo: The U.S. lost to Italy, 12-11, in a Group A game that leaves the American men at 2-1 and in fourth place – the last qualifying spot for the playoffs – with two games left against Hungary (2-1) and Greece (2-0-1).

= PREVIEWS: FRIDAY, 30 JULY =
(21 events across 13 sports)

● Archery: Women
Korea dominated the Ranking Round, going 1-2-3 with San An, Min-Hee Jang and Chae-Young Kang and winning the Women’s Team title easily. Korean archers have won this event twice in a row and eight of the last nine times in the Games.

However, stuff happens. A Korean archer has won the World Championship title only once in the last five editions. Dane Maya Jager won in 2013, Russian Ksenia Perova in 2017 and Taipei’s Chien-Ying Lei won in 2019.

Kang was already eliminated in the round of 32 by Japan’s Miki Nakamura, 6-2. Beyond the former World Champions, look for India’s Deepika Kumari, American Mackenzie Brown, China’s Jiaxin Wu and Russian Elena Osipova as possible medal candidates.

● Athletics: Men’s 10,000 m
Track & Field finally get underway on Friday with a full schedule, but only one final: the men’s 10,000 m at 8:40 p.m., with 25 starters.

The two-time winner Mo Farah (GBR) is not in Tokyo, but the world-record holder, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei (26:11.00 in 2020) is. But that mark was set in a staged race and although he was the 2019 Commonwealth Games and World Champion, he may not have the best finishing speed if the race descends into a kicker’s sprint.

Cheptegei’s teammate, Jacob Kiplimo is also highly capable and is the world leader at 26:33.93 in Ostrava in May. Will the two work together?

They will be opposed by an East African phalanx including Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega, Yomif Kejelcha and Berihu Aregawi who went 1-2-3 in the national Trials (held in the Netherlands this year!) in 26:49.51, 26:49.73 and 26:50.37. Kenya lost Geoffrey Kamworer (27:01.06 at altitude!) to injury, but is still dangerous with Rhonex Kipruto (26:50.16 in 2019), Rodgers Kwemoi and Weldon Langat.

If the race is slow enough to favor the kickers, Canada’s Mo Ahmed (26:59.35 in 2019), Marc Scott (GBR:27:10.41), Americans Woody Kincaid (27:12.78) and Grant Fisher (27:11.29) and maybe even Eritrea’s Aron Kifle (27:09.92 in 2017) could all be factors for medals.

Even with the great new shoes, someone still has to run in them.

American Sam Kendricks, the reigning World Champion and Rio bronze medalist in the men’s vault, tested positive for the coronavirus in Tokyo and will not be able to compete at the Games, imploding what would have another great match-up with Swede Mondo Duplantis. The replacement could be Matt Ludwig, if he can get to Tokyo in time; vault qualifying is on Sunday.

● Badminton: Mixed Doubles
China has dominated badminton almost everywhere, but has “only won” three of the six golds in this event since it was introduced in 1996. But it will win in 2021 as two Chinese pairs will face off in the finals, the third such occurrence at the Games.

Siwei Zheng and Yaqiong Huang will face off against Yilyu Wang and Dongping Huang in the final, with Zheng and Huang the reigning World Champions from 2018 and 2019, with Wang and Huang the 2019 bronze medalists.

Japan’s 2019 Worlds bronze medalists Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino will favorites in their bronze-medal match against Hong Kong’s Chun Man Tang and Ying Suet Tse.

● Canoe-Kayak: Men’s Slalom K-1
Three-time World Champion and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Jiri Prskavec (CZE) is the favorite, with enormous experience and savvy, including a big win at the ICF World Cup in Prague last June.

Chasing him will be 2019 Worlds runner-up David Llorente of Spain, 2018 World Champion Hannes Aigner (GER), Russian bronze winner Pavel Eigel, and two-time World Champion Peter Kauzer (SLO).

Surprises? How about from Jakub Grigar (SVK), fifth in Rio, or 2014 World Champion Boris Neveu (FRA) or even American Michal Smollen, the 2015 Worlds bronze medalist.

● Cycling: Men’s and Women’s BMX
The men’s quarterfinal winners were Sylvain Andre (FRA), Niek Kimmann (NED), Joris Daudet (FRA) and American Connor Fields, all capable of winning the whole thing. Andre was the 2018 World Champion, Daudet was World Champion in 2011 and 2016; Kimmann won in 2015 and was runner-up in 2019 and Fields is the reigning Olympic Champion.

That’s four riders for three medals, but there are other challengers, including 2015 World Champion Corben Sharrah of the U.S., 2019 Worlds gold medalist Twan van Gendt (NED), Colombia’s Carlos Ramirez and Britain’s Kye Whyte.

The women’s BMX quarters had familiar names like Mariana Pajon (COL), Laura Smulders (NED) and American Alise Willoughby, and also third-race winner Bethany Scriever (GBR).

Pajon is a three-time World Champion and the Rio 2016 gold medalist, Smulders won the world title in 2018 and was second in 2019; Willoughby is the reigning World Champion from 2019 and runner-up in Rio in 2016.

They will be challenged Dutch Worlds bronze medalist Judy Baauw, Russian Natalie Afremova and Aussie Saya Sakakibara. American Felicia Stancil and Dane Simone Christiansen have both been steady riders on the World Cup circuit, but not international championship medal winners … yet.

● Fencing: Men’s Team Epee
France and Switzerland have dominated this event at the World Championships level, going 1-2 in 2017, the Swiss winning in 2018 and 1-3 in 2019. With Romain Cannone as Olympic Champion in the individual event in Tokyo, surely the French – defending golds medalists from Rio – start as favorites.

The Swiss, led by Max Heinzer, are prime contenders, as are Italy with Enrico Garozzo from the Rio Team silver medalists, Korea, Russia and Ukraine. The U.S., with Jacob Hoyle, Curtis McDowald and Yeisser Ramirez, are considered long-shots.

● Gymnastics: Women’s Trampoline
This will be the sixth time for this event in the Games and Rosie MacLennan of Canada will be going for her third straight win.

She beat out Britain’s Bryony Page in Rio and she is also back, along with China’s 2014 World Champion Lingling Liu (CHN), 2019 World Champion Hikaru Mori (JPN) and 2018 Worlds runner-up Xueying Zhu (CHN).

MacLennan was the bronze medalist in 2019 and appears to be ready to go. American Nicole Ahsinger is considered a long-shot for a medal.

● Judo: Men’s +100 kg
Teddy Riner.

France’s 32-year-old, 6-8 superstar is the two-time defending Olympic Champion and a 10-time World Champion. After winning in Rio, he won both the +100 kg world title and the Open Weight world title and then laid low. He won 154 straight from 2010-20. He decided to come back for Tokyo and more history and qualified easily to get into the field. Is he rusty, or the well-known icon?

He will have plenty of challengers, however, such as 2019 World Champion Lukas Krpalek (CZE), who moved up from 100 kg, where he was Rio gold medalist and the 2014 World Champion. Japan’s Hisayoshi Harasawa was the Rio silver medalist to Riner and the 2019 Worlds runner-up to Krpalek. Georgia’s Guram Tushishvili won the 2017 World title, with Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) second and Mongolia’s Duurenbayar Ulziibayar third.

Also in the field is 2021 Worlds silver medalist Tamerlan Bashaev of Russia and back from the Rio medal stand are bronze medalists Brazil’s Rafael Silva and Israel’s Or Sasson.

This is about Riner, and history.

● Judo: Women’s +78 kg
The women’s +78 class starts with Japan’s Akira Sone, the 2019 World Champion, who defeated Cuba’s 2012 Olympic champ and two-time World Champion Idalys Ortiz in the final; bronze medalists Larisa Ceric (BIH) and Turkey’s Kayra Sayit are also in. The 2021 Worlds bronze winner Maria Seulen Altheman (BRA) is the only current-year medalist in the field.

These medal winners will face third-ranked Iryna Kindzerska (AZE) and France’s sixth-ranked Romane Dicko, among others. Japan has only won this class in the Games once, in 2004, and is primed for a victory to finish a brilliant tournament.

● Rowing: Men’s Single Sculls-Eights
New Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale was one of the stars of the 2012 and 2016 Games, winning this race twice; over three-time medalist Ondrej Synek (CZE) in London and Damir Martin (CRO) and Synek in Rio.

Drysdale has retired and Jordan Perry has replaced him; Synek is home, but Martin is back and looking to move up on the podum.

But the favorite’s role might be with World Champions like Oliver Zeidler (GER: 2019) or Norway’s Kjetil Borch (2018); Borch was also the bronze medalist in 2019.

Obvious challengers include 2018 bronze winner Mindaugas Girskonis (LTU) and 2019 runner-up Sverri Nielsen (DEN). Borch, Nielsen, Martin and Zeidler won the quarterfinals and looked impressive.

The men’s Eights has Great Britain as defending champion, holding off Germany in Rio, after the Germans won in London. Going into Tokyo, the Germans are riding a streak of three straight World Championship golds, beating the U.S. and Italy in 2017, Australia and the British in 2018 and the Netherlands and the British in 2019.

In the heats, Germany and the U.S. were 1-2 in the first race and the Netherlands beat New Zealand in the second heat with Great Britain third. All five are in the final, but the race appears to be for second.

● Rowing: Women’s Single Sculls-Eights
You know the women’s Single Sculls is a tough event with reigning World Champion Sanita Purpure (IRL) can’t make the medal final.

She finished fifth in the first semifinal, held Thursday morning, and won by Russia’s 2021 European Champion Hanna Prakatsen, ahead of Swiss Jeannine Gmelin, the 2017 World Champion.

New Zealand’s Emma Twigg won the second semi, almost five seconds ahead of Britain’s 2016 Olympic Double Sculls silver medalist Victoria Thornley and Worlds two-time bronze medalist Magdalena Lobnig (AUT).

Twigg, now 34, has vast experience, was the 2014 World Champion and won Worlds medals each available year from 2010-14. She left the sport for a couple of years after Rio, but won the 2019 Worlds silver and looks to be the favorite for a gold to crown her career.

The women’s Eight has been owned by the United States, winning of this showcase event in 2008-12-16. But Romania won at the 2017 World Championships as the U.S. re-tooled, with Canada and New Zealand taking the other medals.

The American re-fit got done quickly and the U.S. won the world title in 2018 over Canada with Australia third. In 2019, it was New Zealand winning the Worlds, over Australia and the U.S.

New Zealand won its heat in a very tight finish with Canada, 6:05.65-6:05.97 and the U.S. won heat two in 6:08.69, ahead of Romania (6:09.95). Then in the repechage, Romania pulled a stunner, not only winning, but riding good winds to a 5:52.99 timing, a world best!

The conditions will be the same for everyone in the final and the top four in the heats: New Zealand, Canada, the U.S. and Romania, will fight for three medals? Four in a row for the Stars & Stripes?

● Shooting: Women’s 25 m Pistol
This is a two-part competition, including a precision segment and a rapid-fire segment. Greece’s Anna Korakaki returns as the Rio gold medalist, but Ukraine’s Olena Kostevych and Russia’s Vitalina Batsarashkina won gold and silver at the 2018 World Championships.

Through the precision section, Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic – the 2010 World Championships silver medalist – was the leader (296/300), followed by Korakaki (294) and Bulgaria’s Antoaneta Kostadinova, the eighth-place finisher in Rio (293).

Batsarashkina (292), 2021 ISSF World Cup medal winner Mahu Bhaker (IND) and Kostevych were all at 292. Only the top eight from 44 starters qualify for the final. Americans Lexi Lagan and Sandra Uptagrafft were 21st and 24th (both 288) after the first round.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Free-200 m Breast
The women’s 100 m Free was expected to be a showcase for Australia, but Siobhan Haughey – the 200 m Free silver medalist – won the first semifinal over Aussie star Cate Campbell, 52.40-52.71, the no. 4 performance of the year. Rio co-champion Penny Oleksiak (CAN) was third in 52.86.

World leader and Olympic favorite Emma McKeon headlined the second semi and had the lead at the turn, with Britain’s Anna Hopkin second. McKeon was smooth coming home and won the heat in 52.32, the no. 3 performance of 2021. A close finish behind her saw Swedish star Sarah Sjostrom finish second (52.82), American Abbey Weitzeil got a lifetime best of 52.99 for third and Hopkin was fourth (53.11). American Erika Brown was seventh in 53.58.

McKeon is the clear favorite, but does Haughey have a surprise in store? Can Oleksiak duplicate her Rio magic? And what about Campbell: 1st-3rd-2nd in the 2013-15-19 World Championships but only sixth as the favorite in Rio in 2016.

Australia has not won this event at the Games since 2004.

South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker, the 100 m Breast silver winner, set an Olympic Record of 2:19.16 in the women’s 200 m Breaststroke heats, the fastest time in the world in 2021.

American Lilly King and Britain’s Molly Renshaw had the lead for most of the first semifinal, but they were both passed in the last 10 m by South Africa’s Kaylene Corbett in a lifetime best of 2:22.08. King was second in 2:22.27 and Renshaw third in 2:22.70.

Schoenmaker grabbed the lead right away in the second semi, with 16-year-old Evgeniia Chikunova (ROC) second at the half. Schoenmaker pushed right to the end and finished in 2:19.33, the second-fastest performance in history!

Chikunova came in second in 2:20.57, second on the 2021 world list behind Schoenmaker and American Annie Lazor charged to third on the final lap, finishing in 2:21.94, third-best of the prelims.

Schoenmaker looks unbeatable and the world record – 2:19.11 – is in danger. Chikunova, Lazor, Corbett and King qualified 2-3-4-5 and will fight for the other medals.

● Swimming: Men’s 200 m Back-200 m Medley
Defending Olympic champ Ryan Murphy was in the second semifinal, but Britain’s Luke Greenbank took the early lead, followed by Murphy at the 100 m mark and Murphy and American Bryce Mefford at 150 m.

Greenbank, the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist in this event, maintained a small lead over what appeared to be a relaxed Murphy to the wall, 1:54.98-1:55.38. Nicolas Garcia (ESP) was third in 1:56.35 with Mefford fourth in 1:56.37 and easily into the final.

Russia’s Evgeny Rylov, already the 100 m Back gold medalist, won semi one comfortably in the no. 5 performance of 2021 in 1:54.45, easily ahead of Adam Telegdy (1:56.19) and Radoslaw Kawecki (POL: 1:56.68).

The U.S. has won this race in six straight Games, including Murphy in 2016, but Rylov is the favorite to add the 200 m to his 100 m triumph. Murphy and Greenbank look like the other medal winners.

Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh, the two-time Olympic medalist in the 200 m Medley, led for most of the race, but Japan’s Daiya Seto – the 2019 World Champion – came on after the final turn to lead heading home in the first semifinal. He faded slightly and was passed by Britain’s Duncan Scott – silver medalist in the 200 m Free – for the win in 1:56.69-1:56.86.

Swiss Jeremy Desplanches was third (1:57.38), with Cseh fourth (1:57.64). The shocker was American Chase Kalisz – the 400 m Medley winner – finished sixth (1:58.03) and did not qualify for the final.

World leader Michael Andrew got off like a shot in semi two, leading big on the first three legs, and then faded again on the Freestyle, leaving the win to China’s Shun Wang, 1:56.22-1:57.08. Japan’s Kosuke Hagino was third (1:57.47).

Andrew has three of the four fastest times in the world in 2021 and will be leading at the final turn. If he can hang on during the Freestyle leg, he will win. But Scott, Wang and Seto will all be gunning for him.

● Table Tennis: Men’s Singles
Very little doubt that China would dominate this event, as it has won the last three titles and five of the last six. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Long Ma – Rio in Singles, London and Rio in Team – is back for another shot at the gold medal, making it to the final against countryman Zhendong Fan.

Ma, 32, has been at the top for a while and is the 2015-17-19 World Champion. Fan, 24, has been coming on, winning the 2017 Worlds silver and a 2015 Worlds bronze.

Top-seeded Fan has charged through the bracket with 4-0, 4-1 and 4-0 wins until he got to the semis against Taipei’s Yun-Ju Lin, and then had to work for a 4-3 victory to advance to the final. Ma, the second seed, won his matches by 4-1, 4-1 and 4-1 and then faced 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Dmitrij Ovtcharov (GER) and had to fight for a 4-3 win as well.

Ovtcharov and Lin will meet for the bronze medal.

● Tennis: Men’s Doubles
Tokyo’s first tennis final will be an all-Croatian affair, with top-seeded Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic facing Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig.

Mektic and Pavic are fresh from their Wimbledon title; Pavic has won Doubles titles with other partners at the 2018 Australian open and 2020 U.S. Open. Dodig also has two wins in majors, with other partners, at the 2015 French and 2021 Australian; Cilic is better known as a Singles player, having won the 2014 U.S. Open and reached the finals of Wimbledon in 2017 and the Australian Open in 2018, losing both times to Roger Federer.

Regardless of who wins, this will be Croatia’s first gold and silver in tennis; it has previously won three bronzes.

The bronze-medal match will feature Americans Austin Krajicek and Tennys Sandgren against Marcus Daniell and Michael Venus of New Zealand.

= INTEL REPORT =

Doping has been a major issue in Olympic sport for decades and the Athletics Integrity Unit slammed the door hard on seven countries on Wednesday by disqualifying 20 athletes from seven countries for “not meeting the minimum testing requirements.”

This included 10 athletes from Nigeria, three from Belarus and Ukraine, two from Kenya and one each from Ethiopia and Morocco, countries which were identified as “high-risk” for doping. Under this classification, “an athlete from a ‘Category A’ country must undergo at least three no-notice out-of-competition tests (urine and blood) conducted no less than 3 weeks apart in the 10 months leading up to a major event. Only then do they become eligible to represent their national team at the World Athletics Championships or the Olympic Games.”

The names of the impacted athletes to be removed were not provided.

Mishaps in the management of the Olympic cycling competitions have come under scrutiny after BMX star Niek Kimmann (NED) hit an official trying to cross the track area during a warm-up run and both went to the ground. Kimmann wrote on Twitter that his knee hurt but that he was going to compete.

On Wednesday, a security official at the Fuji International Speedway pulled World Champion Anna van der Breggen (NED) from the track while a security sweep was underway prior to the time trial events. The guard did not know that van der Breggen was a competitor and she went down, but was unhurt.

Greek journalist Dimosthenis Karmiris, working as a guest television commentator for ERT has been fired for racist comments during the match between Korea’s Jeoung Young-Sik and Panagiotis Gionis of Greece in men’s table tennis.

The Associated Press reported that Karmiris said of the Korean players, “their eyes are narrow so I can’t understand how they can see the ball moving back and forth.” He was fired shortly afterwards.

The Tokyo organizers announced the largest positives day so far for Covid-19 among Olympic-related personnel. A total of 24 positives were noted, with 15 among contractors, always the largest group and one which is not completely sequestered as the athletes and other officials are.

The total through 29 July is 193: 95 contractors (47.7%), 61 “Games-concerned personnel,” 20 athletes, 11 media and six Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers.

The testing report by stakeholder group through 27 July:

● Athletes and team officials: 23 positives in 142,012 tests (0.02%).
● Media/Tokyo 2020 staff: 41 positives in 168,101 tests (0.02%).

In addition, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is now publishing positives, with one positive reported among the 1,038 athletes and officials in Tokyo as of 24 July, none among 1,144 on 25 July, none among 1,172 delegates on 26 July, none among 1,175 on 27 July, and none among 1,214 for 28 July.

Outside of the Games (there’s an outside?), the CONCACAF Gold Cup has reached the semifinal stage, with the U.S. first up against Qatar – host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup – playing as a guest. The U.S. edged Jamaica, 1-0, in the quarterfinal on an 83rd-minute goal from Matt Hoppe while Qatar went up 3-0 on a surprised El Salvador squad and then held on for a 3-2 victory. This game will be played tonight at the new Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The second semi – on the 30th – will have Mexico vs. Canada at NRG Stadium in Houston. Mexico scored three first-half goals to club Honduras, 3-0 and Canada shut down Costa Rica, 2-0 in its quarterfinal.

Canada has won the Gold Cup once, in 2000, but Mexico (8) and the U.S. (6) have otherwise won all the rest.

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TOKYO 2020/Wednesday Review & Preview: Ledecky wins gold and silver; U.S. women take 3×3 gold; U.S. water polo loses to Hungary

Rich Perelman

July 28, 2021

tsx pix 2021-725 ledecky, katie in tyr cap — The no. 3 800 m Free performance ever for Freestyle superstar Katie Ledecky (USA).

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= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One

The Tokyo Games are continuing despite the doom-and-gloom reporting in Japan over the coronavirus, with tremendous Japanese television ratings and excitement in places like Bermuda, the Philippines and Fiji over rare gold medals on the international stage.

And in Russia, the official media has been over the moon about the solid performances of the Russian Olympic Committee team.

But this has not been a joyous Games for the U.S. so far, as icons like Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles and the men’s basketball team having less success than hoped for. And Biles, who was very public in saying the postponement of the Tokyo Games by a year was not something she was happy about, sent shock waves across the country by withdrawing during the Team final.

USA Gymnastics tweeted a statement early this morning that included:

“After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition in order to focus on her mental health. Simone will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week’s individual event finals. Jade Carey, who had the ninth-highest score in qualifications, will participate in her place in the all-around.”

“We wholeheartedly support Simone’s decision and applaud her bravery in prioritizing her well-being. Her courage shows, yet again, why she is a role model for so many.”

When Biles pulled out of the team competition after the Vault, Jordan Chiles was rushed in as a replacement on Bars. She told NBC’s Maria Taylor afterwards:

“I was shocked, I was overwhelmed. After [Biles] did her vault, [coach] Cecile [Canqueteau-Landi] had came up to me and was like, ‘Jordan, put your grips on.’ I was in so much shock that I didn’t know if she was being serious or not, so I was putting my grips on and I was just like, ‘What am I doing?’”

She knew exactly what to do and scored an impressive 14.166.

Biles’s mental-health issues and what should be done about similar issues for every American will echo for decades, having come on such a huge stage. Coincidentally, the International Olympic Committee had scheduled a news conference with IOC Member and former Olympic swimming champ Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) to speak about the mental-health tools that the IOC has developed and made available in Tokyo, both in-person and online.

But there is also a question which is not being talked about as much, with Biles receiving so much support. That’s what her withdrawal and its timing meant to her teammates, who were still on the floor and trying to compete.

Their fortitude, poise and competitiveness was outstanding. What responsibility does an athlete have to teammates?

Consider this: if Biles had withdrawn before the competition, and the U.S. had been able to petition to allow Carey or MyKayla Skinner to compete in her stead due to her medical situation:

(1) Russia won the women’s gold with 169.528 points, to 166.096 for the U.S., a different of 3.432 points.

(2) Biles scored 13.766 on her vault, well below her usual standards, but still remarkable under the conditions we know now. Chiles, filling in, was excellent on Bars (14.166) and Beam (13.433), but scored only 11.700 on Floor.

(3) If Carey – now in the All-Around to replace Biles – had been substituted for Biles prior to the competition, consider her qualifying scores of 15.166 on the Vault and 14.100 on Floor, her specialties. That would have upped the U.S. score by 3.800, enough to give the American women the gold medal.

(4) If Skinner – 11th in the qualifying – had replaced Biles, she scored 14.933 on Vault and 13.566 on Floor in qualifying. That would have added 3.033 and brought the U.S. to 169.129, close enough to put a lot more pressure on the Russians.

It is true that Carey’s ability to be substituted is clouded by her qualification as an individual gymnast rather than through the team, but an emergency petition on medical grounds could have let her in. Skinner could certainly have been substituted for Biles.

If Biles was not ready to go and she knew it before the competition started, what is her responsibility to her teammates? This question will also be debated, because Chiles, Suni Lee and Grace McCallum are also involved in this situation and they must be remembered as well.

And if winning gold instead of silver doesn’t matter, then why is the U.S. competing at all? Or sending a team based on citizenship and social justice?

Along with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the Commission on the Study of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics, set to meet beginning in the fall, will no doubt have to consider this question and its ramifications for the Paris team in 2024.

We’re moving along now, with the Tokyo Games having completed 95 events out of 339 (28%); the medal leaders:

1. United States, 31 (11-11-9)
2. China, 27 (12-6-9)
3. Russian Olympic Committee, 23 (7-10-6)
4. Japan, 22 (13-4-5)
5. Australia, 16 (6-1-9) and Great Britain, 16 (5-6-5)

Our exclusive TSX team scoring uses the familiar collegiate system of 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 per event to give a much better view of the relative achievements of the teams:

1. United States, 361.5
2. China, 279
3. Japan, 248.5
4. Russian Olympic Committee, 244
5. Great Britain, 207
6. Italy, 197
7. Australia, 149.5
8. Netherlands, 147
9. France, 139.5
10. Germany, 124
11. Korea, 123
12. Canada, 101.5

Japan is having a fabulous Games and so is the Russian Olympic Committee, although its relative standing will be challenged by having only 10 athletes in track & field as per the sanctions laid down by World Athletics.

NBC’s total primetime audience continues steady, and way up over its Opening Ceremony audience from last week:

● 23 July (Fri): 8.2 million for the Opening Ceremony
● 24 July (Sat): 15.3 million
● 25 July (Sun): 19.2 million
● 26 July (Mon): 16.8 million

These numbers are for primetime programming across NBC-NBCSN-CNBC-USA Network, but are still far behind Rio in 2016 (when events were live in U.S. time zones).
~ Rich Perelman

= RESULTS: WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY =

● 3×3 Basketball: Men and Women
The U.S. women won the inaugural Olympic women’s 3×3 tournament with tight victories over France in the semifinals by 18-16 and then 18-15 over the Russian Olympic Committee in the final.

Against France, the U.S. had a 10-6 lead, but the game tightened to 12-11 and a few free throws sent the U.S. to the final. Kelsey Plum and Alisha Gray both had six points. Russia stomped China, 21-14 in the other semi.

In the final, the U.S. ran off to a 6-1 lead and was up, 12-5 with 3:53 to go. Russia closed to 12-9 and 17-14 with 44 seconds left, but it was not enough and the U.S. had an 18-15 win and the gold medal. Stefanie Dolson led the U.S. with seven points on 3-5 from the field and 4-6 on free throws. Plum had five points, on 5-8 from the field. Russia’s top scorer was Anastasiia Logunova with six.

China defeated France, 16-14, in the bronze-medal game.

In the men’s semis, the Russian Olympic Committee sailed past Serbia, 21-10 and Latvia cruised over Belgium, 21-8. The final was tied, 13-13, with 3:44 to play, then at 14, at 15,at 16 and 18-18 with 1:22 to go. A shot by Nauris Miezis gave Latvia a one-point lead, followed by two Russian turnovers and finally a two-pointer from Karlis Lasmanis with 28 seconds to play sealed it for Latvia, 21-18.

Lasmanis led all scorers with 10 and Miezis had seven for Latvia; Ilia Karpenkov led Russia with seven. The game was played at a high level: Russia shot 67% from the field and the Latvians shot 65%.

● Cycling: Road Time Trials
It’s not the Tour de France, that’s for sure, but Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic – denied his shot at the Tour due to injuries from the crash-filled opening days – has an Olympic gold medal instead.

Starting 33rd out of 39, Roglic handled the two-lap, 44.2 km course – with two major climbs – flawlessly and took the lead from former Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin (NED) at 55:04.19. Then he had to wait.

But no one could better his time, or Dumoulin’s for that matter. Australia’s Rohan Dennis, starting 35th, came closest at 56:08.09 and settled for bronze. Italy’s World Champion, Filippo Ganna, was the last man on the list, but he managed a fifth-place 56:09.93.

Roglic’s winning margin was an impressive 1:39 and underscores his status as one of the world’s top riders … again.

There was an ugly incident alongside the race, as television cameras picked up German Cycling Union sports director Patrick Moster shouting at Niklas Arndt to – in German – “Get the camel riders! Get the camel riders! Come on!” as Arndt closed in on an Algerian and an Eritrean rider.

The German commentator apologized for the comments, Moster apologized afterwards and the German Olympic Committee commended the apology and said it would be speaking with Moster about the situation. Arndt finished 19th.

The women’s time trial was a one-lap, 22.1 km test with one major climb, and no contest.

Dutch star and two-time World Time Trial Champion Annemiek van Vleuten was so far behind Austria’s Anna Kisenhofer in the women’s Road Race that she raised her arms in victory when she crossed the line, only to be informed that she was second.

This time, she left no doubt, taking the lead as the 20th rider out of 25 and then watching as no one came close to her time of 30:13.49. Swiss Marlen Reusser was the closest, but still 56.47 seconds behind at 31:09.96.

Dutch teammate Anna van der Breggen – the 2020 World Champion in this event – was the final rider, but crossed in 31:15.12, winning the bronze medal. Amber Neben, now 46 and a two-time World Champion, was the top American in fifth.

● Diving: Men’s 3 m Synchro
No slip-ups this time, as China’s Zongyuan Wang and Siyi Xie had the top scores on five of the six dines – and second on the other – and won with 467.82 points. China has now won four of the six editions of this event in the Games.

For the second straight Games, the U.S. claimed the silver medal, again with Michael Hixon. Teaming with Andrew Capobianco this time, they started poorly, ranking fifth and sixth on their first two dives. But they zoomed up after finishing with dives ranked 2-2-1-3 and claimed the silver medal at 444.36, way ahead of the rest of the field.

Germany’s Patrick Hausding and Lars Rudiger won the bronze (404.73) while defending champs Great Britain finished seventh.

● Equestrian: Dressage
The standings were absolutely clear: Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Wrendl ranked first on both technical and artistic merit and won the gold medal aboard TSF Dalera at 91.732.

German star Isabell Werth was second in technical and artistic and won her fifth Olympic medal (1-4-0) aboard Bella Rose, scoring 89.657.

Two-time defending champion Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), ranked only 109th after sparse activity, scored third on technical and artistic (88.543) and won the bronze aboard Gio. Only Dane Cathrine Dufour was close to the stars (87.507) and Sabine Schut-Kerry was fifth for the U.S. (84.300).

Von Bredow-Wendl is 35 and noting that Werth is still at the top of her game at 52, she could be a gold-medal contender for many Games to come.

● Fencing: Men’s Team Sabre
Korea won in 2012, the last time this event was on the Olympic program. And with the Koreans also the 2019 World Champions, it was not a surprise to see them in the final once again.

Even against an excellent Italian squad, Bon-Gil Gu, Jung-Hwan Kim and Seng-Uk Oh had no trouble at all, winning seven of the nine matches, with one tie, and a 45-26 final score.

Gu repeats as a gold medalist, nine years apart. Kim added a gold to go with his individual bronze. Hungary, with Tokyo individual winner Aron Szilagyi, defeated Germany, 45-40, for the bronze medal.

● Gymnastics: Men’s All-Around
Japan had the highest score in the team qualifying, but Russia won the team gold. Japan’s Daiki Hashimoto led the qualifying and was determined not to suffer the same fate and took care of business to claim Japan’s third straight individual gold medal in this event at 88.465.

Hashimoto was excellent throughout, winning on Floor (14.833), Pommel Horse (15.166) and High Bar (14.933), was equal-second on Vault (14.700), and third on Parallel Bars (15.300).

He was chased throughout by China’s 2017 World champ Ruoteng Xiao (88.065) and Russian Nikita Nagornyy (88.031), the star of the team final. Nagornyy posted the best scores on Rings (14.666), Vault (14.900, tied with China’s Wei Sun) and Parallel Bars (15.400).

Brody Malone was the top American in 10th (84.465) and Sam Mikulak, in his third Olympics, finished 12th (83.164).

● Judo: Women’s 70 kg and Men’s 90 kg
Japan won its second women’s gold of the Games and its second straight gold at 70 kg with an impressive performance by 2017 and 2018 World Champion Chizuru Arai. She won three straight matches by ippon and then finished off Austrian finalist Michaela Polleres by waza-ari in four minutes for the gold medal.

Polleres, a 2021 World Championships bronze winner, won four straight matches by waza-ari herself to get to the gold-medal match, including wins over 2021 World Champion Barbara Matic (CRO) and bronze medalist Sanne van Dijke (NED)!

Van Dijke won one of the bronze medals by defeating Giovanna Scoccimarro (GER) and the other bronze went to Madina Taimazova, who defeated Matic.

However, Japan will not sweep the men’s division, as Lasha Bekauri (GEO) claimed the gold medal at 90 kg, defeating Eduard Trippel (GER) by waza-ari in 4:00.

Bekauri, 21, was only noticed earlier this year when he won the European Championship in this class, having no prior placements at the World Championships. But he is Olympic Champion now.

Hungary’s Krisztian Toth defeated Russian Mikhail Igolnikov for one bronze and Davlat Bobonov won the other bronze over Mihael Zgank (TUR).

● Rowing: Men’s Double Sculls-Quadruple Sculls-Fours
In the men’s Double Sculls, France’s Hugo Boucheron and Matthieu Androdias won semifinal one with the second-fastest time of the day, but that was only a warm-up. In the final, they dueled with the fastest semfinalists – Melvin Twellaar and Stef Broenink (NED) – stroke for stroke and finally won by 6:00.33-6:00.53 after 2,000 m, an Olympic best for time.

China, with 2019 World Champions Zhiyu Liu and Liang Zhang on board, were a clear third in 6:03.63.

The men’s Quadruple Sculls, the Netherlands, the reigning World Champions, set a world best in winning gold in 5:32.03, ahead of Great Britain (5:33.75) and Australia (5:33.97). It’s the first Olympic win for the Netherlands in this event and only its second medal.

The men’s Fours saw Australia move up to the top of the podium after winning silver medals in 2008-12-16. Alexander Hill was the only one of those three silver-medal teams to row this time and he has an Olympic gold medal now.

The Aussies set an Olympic-best time of 5:42.76 and needed it to stay ahead of Romania (5:43.13) and Italy (5:43.60). The U.S. finished fifth.

● Rowing: Women’s Double Sculls-Quadruple Sculls-Fours
In the Double Sculls, Romania’s Nicoleta Ancuta-Bodnar and Simona Radis reversed the results of the 2019 World Championships, setting an Olympic Best of 6:41.03 to edge New Zealand, this time with Brooke Donoghue and Hannah Osborne (6:44.82). The Netherlands grabbed third (6:45.73) and the U.S. duo of Kristina Wagner and Gevvie Stone finished fifth (6:52.98).

China, the 2019 World Champions, won the Quadruple Sculls with a world-best time of 6:05.13, easily defeating Poland (6:11.36) and Australia (6:12.08). The Chinese fielded the same line-up for both – Yunxia Chen, Ling Zhang, Yang Lyu and Xiaotong Cui – and confirmed their place as the fastest ever.

The women’s Four was held for the second time in Olympic history – also in 1992 – and 2019 World Champions Australia were the class of the field again, winning with an Olympic Best of 6:15.37. That was only 0.34 better than the Netherlands, the 2019 Worlds silver winners, but the medals were the same. Ireland, fourth at the 2019 Worlds, improved to stand on the podium in third at 6:20.46.

● Rugby Sevens: Men
Fiji won the inaugural tournament in Rio by 43-7 over Great Britain in the final, and made it two in a row in Tokyo, defeating New Zealand by 27-12.

New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa all finished group play with 3-0 records and advanced to the quarterfinals. There, New Zealand sped by Canada, 21-10 and the U.S. lost to Great Britain, 26-21, after having a 21-0 lead! Argentina ousted South Africa, 19-14 and Fiji shut down Australia, 19-0.

In the semis, New Zealand sailed past Britain, 29-7 and Fiji out-scored Argentina by 26-14.

The final saw Fiji get off to a 12-0 lead and 19-12 at half, then score the only points of the second half for a 27-12 final score. The wild celebration in tiny Fiji after the gold-medal win is something the International Olympic Committee will point to as a reason for having Rugby Sevens in the Games.

Argentina won the bronze medal with a tight, 17-12 win over Great Britain.

● Swimming: Women’s 200 m Free-1,500 m Free-200 m Medley
In a near replay of her race in the 400 m Free, Australia’s Ariarne Titmus tracked down Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey in the final 30 meters to win the 200 m Free by 0.42 in an Olympic Record of 1:53.50, the no. 3 performance in history. She’s the first Australian to win this event since 2000.

Haughey led at the final turn by 0.47 over China’s Junxuan Yang, but Titmus moved quickly from third to right beside Haughey and moved fastest to the finish. Behind them, Canada’s Penny Oleksiak – the 2016 co-winner of the 100 m Free – was charging in the final 25 m and got the bronze medal in 1:54.70, ahead of Yang (1:55.01).

Defending champion Katie Ledecky of the U.S. was never a factor, seventh after the first lap and then locked into fifth, where she finished in 1:55.21.

The first Olympic appearance of the women’s 1,500 m was the showcase everyone expected from Ledecky, who took command of the race immediately and was up by almost two seconds by the 400 m mark.

She was up by almost three seconds at the half, but it appeared that Sarah Kohler (GER), Simone Quadarella (ITA) and Jianjiahe Wang (CHN) might have a shot at regaining contact. But Ledecky was up by four seconds at the 1,100 m mark and Ledecky was on her way to a sixth Olympic gold.

American Erica Sullivan moved up to fourth by 1,150 m and dueled with Kohler was third by the 1,250 m split and she and Kohler were dueling on opposite sides of the pool. Sullivan took over from Kohler by 1,350 m and actually started gaining on Ledecky with two laps remaining.

Ledecky finished in 15:37.34 – an Olympic Record and the no. 12 performance in history – and was both emotional at the finish of a very long day and thrilled for Sullivan’s brilliant silver-medal performance in 15:41.41, now no. 5 all-time.

Kohler was third in 15:42.91, now no. 8 all-time, finishing ahead of Wang (15:46.37) and Quadarella (15:53.97).

Japan’s Yui Ohashi already had the gold in hand from the 400 m Medley, but was in a fight with Americans Alex Walsh and Kate Douglass – both from the University of Virginia – and came away with her second Olympic title of the Games.

China’s Yiting Yu had the early lead, but Ohashi moved up to second as Walsh took the lead on the Breaststroke leg and turned for home first. The two were close for almost the entire final length, with Ohashi edging ahead in the final 10 m to touch in 2:08.52 to 2:08.65 for Walsh.

Douglass was fourth at the turn and passed Abbie Wood (GBR) to grab the bronze at 2:09.04. Defending Olympic champ Katinka Hosszu finished seventh (2:12.38).

The U.S. has won a medal in this event in six straight Games now and it’s the first time for two medals in a single Games since 1984 in Los Angeles.

● Swimming: Men’s 200 m Butterfly-4×200 m Free
South Africa’s London 2012 gold medalist Chad le Clos took off as usual, leading at the 100 m mark, but then the world-record holder, Hungary’s Kristof Milak took over.

He had the race in hand for the last 80 m, finishing in an Olympic Record of 1:51.25, the no. 3 time in history – he now owns the top four. The record he erased belonged to Michael Phelps from 2008.

Behind him was a mad scramble for the wall, with Federico Burdisso (ITA) moving into second at the final turn, but fading in lane six while Japan’s Tornoru Honda came on in the final strokes to get silver in 1:53.73, making him no. 11 all-time. Burdisso got the bronze in 1:54.45.

Le Clos finished fifth (1:54.93) and American Gunnar Bentz was seventh (1:55.46).

Great Britain was the heavy favorite in the men’s 4×200 m relay and delivered with a brilliant 6:58.58 victory, the no. 3 performance in history.

American Kieran Smith actually had the lead after the first leg, timing a lifetime best of 1:44.74, no. 5 in the world this year, just ahead of 200 m Free winner Tom Dean. But veteran James Guy gave the Brits the lead and they never relinquished it. Guy split 1:44.40, but Drew Kibler of the U.S. (1:45.51) was right with him into the third leg.

Then the race changed, with Matthew Richards swimming an unexpected 1:45.01 and American Zach Apple – so good on the 4×100 m Free anchor – fading to fifth on his final lap. (1:47.31).

At that point, the race was decided for Great Britain, with Duncan Scott finishing in 1:43.45 – fastest of the race – and while Townley Haas was game (1:44.87), he brought the U.S. up fourth in 7:02.43. Russia was second in 7:01.81 (equal-11th all-time) with Australia third in 7:01.84 (Thomas Neill, 1:44.74 on anchor).

It was Britain’s first win in this race since 1908. For the U.S., it is the first time it has failed to win a medal in this event in a Games which it competed: it had not won a medal only in the boycotted Games of 1980.

● Weightlifting: Men’s 73 kg
China’s Zhiyong Shi entered as the two-time defending World Champion and the world-record holder. He left as Olympic champ, with another record.

Shi set an Olympic Record of 166 kg in the Snatch, then made his final Clean & Jerk lift of 198 kg – another Olympic Record – for a total of 364 kg, setting his own world record higher and giving China all three men’s Olympic golds handed out so far.

Behind him, Venezuela’s Julio Mayora made five of his six lifts and totaled 346 kg for the silver medal. Competing in Group A for lower-ranked lifters, Indonesia’s Rahmat Andullah won the bronze, lifting 342 kg, one ahead of Albania’s Briken Calja.

American Clarence Cummings Jr., 21, was only able to complete one of his Snatch lifts (145 kg), cleared his opening Clean & Jerk of 180 kg and then went for the bronze medal, trying 198 kg n his final lift, only to miss and end up ninth at 325 kg. His attitude shows his future is bright.

Elsewhere:

● Team/Basketball: In Group A, the U.S. men crushed Iran, 120-66, taking a 28-12 first-quarter lead and never looking back. Damian Lillard led the U.S. with 21 points. The U.S., with a 1-1 record, needs to beat the Czech Republic on the 31st to be sure of advancing to the quarterfinals. The Czechs have thus far beated Iran by 84-78 and lost to France (2-0) by 97-77.

In Group B, Australia is 2-0 after beating Italy (1-1) by 86-83. Germany defeated Nigeria by 99-92 and is 1-1, while Nigeria fell to 0-2 and must beat Italy to have a chance to advance.

● Team/Beach Volleyball: The patched-up team of Jake Gibb and replacement player Tri Bourne moved to 2-0 in Pool C after defeating the Swiss pair of Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson, 21-19, 23-21. They will play the mighty Qatari pair of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan for the group title on the 30th; both are assured of moving on to the round of 16.

● Team/Football: In the men’s tournament, Japan finished Group A at 3-0, slamming France by 4-0 on Tuesday and finishing with a 7-1 goals-against total, Mexico was 2-1 in the group and also advances.

South Korea (2-1) won Group B, Spain (1-0-2) and Egypt (1-1-1) advanced out of Group C and Brazil (2-0-1) won Group D after a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia. Richarlison scored twice and is the tournament leader with five goals.

● Team/Volleyball: the U.S. men moved to 2-1 in Pool B with a 3-1 win over Tunisia on Wednesday. Russia is still undefeated in the six-team pool at 3-0; the U.S. will have a major test against Brazil (also 2-1) on the 30th.

● Team/Water Polo: The U.S. women suffered a stunning loss to Hungary in Group B play, 10-9, losing an 8-6 lead at the end of the third quarter. Maddie Musselman scored three times for the U.S., but it broke a 21-game win streak for the American women.

In the five-team group, the U.S. is still well positioned to advance at 2-1 with a game remaining against the 1-1 Russian Olympic Committee on the 30th. Hungary has games remaining against Japan and China, with the top four teams in the group advancing to the playoffs.

= PREVIEWS: WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY =
(17 events across 8 sports)

● Canoeing: Women’s Slalom C-1
This is the debut for this event in the Olympic Games, after the K-1 was introduced in 1972 and then for good in 1992. Once again the favorite is Australia’s Jessica Fox, the two-time bronze medal winner in the K-1 and the C-1 World Champion in 2013-14-15-18, but silver medalist in 2019 and bronze medalist in 2020. She’s not invincible, but the clear favorite.

Top challengers include 2019 World Champion Andrea Herzog (GER) and bronze medalist Nadine Weratschnig (AUT), the 2017 World Champion Mallory Franklin (GBR), silver medalist Tereza Fiserova (CZE) and bronze medalist Ana Satila (BRA), all capable of winning.

American hopes are on 17-year-old Evy Leibfarth, fourth in the World Championships in this event in 2019 and a two-time World Cup medal winner.

● Fencing: Women’s Team Foil
The fencing world is still buzzing about American Lee Kiefer’s upset of Rio winner and three-time World Champion Inna Deriglazova in the Foil final, but both will be back in search of medals in the team event.

Deriglazova also has three World Team titles in 2011-16-19 and won an Olympic silver in 2012 as a member of the Russian team. She will have Adelina Zagidullina and Larisa Korobeynikova with her, both members of the 2019 World Champion team. They start as favorites.

Russia defeated Italy in that final and Arianna Errigo and Alice Volpi are back from that team, adding in Martina Batini; clear contenders for gold. The U.S. was third, and Keifer, Nicole Ross and Jacqueline Dubrovich are all returning. Keifer, Ross and two others won the 2018 World Championships Team title, over Italy (with Errigo and Volpi). This should be great.

Also in the mix: France, led by Ysoara Thibus.

● Gymnastics: Women’s All-Around
With Simone Biles out, it’s also worth noting that she was not at her best in the team qualifying, but still led at 57.731, followed by Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade (57.399), American Suni Lee (57.166) and three Russians: Angelina Melnikova (57.132), Vladislava Urazova (57.099) and Viktoriia Listunova (56.932; can’t compete due to the limit of two per country).

Belgium’s Nina Derwael is better known as the two-time Uneven Bars World Champion, but she impressed in the A-A at 56.598 in seventh. American Jade Carey replaces Biles; she was ninth (56.265) and the third American after Biles and Lee.

Andrade, 22, is the mystery, 11th in the All-Around in Rio in 2016, but also this year’s Pan American Champion. Could she win? In this crazy Games, why not?

The U.S. has won this event four times in a row.

● Judo: Women’s 78 kg and Men’s 100 kg
The women’s half-heavyweight class had been dominated by American Kayla Harrison, who won in both 2012 and 2016. France’s Madeleine Malonga won the 2019 World Championship and was the 2021 runner-up and starts as the favorite. The 2021 World Champion, German Anna-Maria Wagner is also a prime contender and Japan fields the 2018 World Champion and 2019 runner-up Shori Hamada.

Behind them are Worlds medalists such as 2018 silver and 2021 bronze winner Gusje Steenhuis (NED), 2019 bronze winner Loriana Kuka (KOS), 2017 World Champion and 2021 bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar (BRA) and 2017 bronze winner Natalie Powell of Great Britain.

Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani was the 2017 Worlds 100 kg silver medalist, the 2018 Worlds silver medalist and the 2021 bronze medalist … and is thus no. 1 in the International Judo Federation rankings. But is he the favorite?

Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca has won the world titles in both 2019 and 2021 and is ranked second and leads a parade of possible medalists, starting with Japan’s 2017 World Champion, Aaron Wolf. Serbia’s Aleksandar Kukolj was runner-up to Fonseca in 2021, but is only ranked 28th?

Korea answers with 2018 World Champion Gu-Ham Cho, Russia has 2018 Worlds bronze medalist Niyaz Ilyasov and Mongolia has the other bronze winner, Otgonbaatar Lkhhagvasuren. Dutch star Michael Korrel is ranked third and won bronze at the 2019 Worlds.

Japan has been sensational in the men’s division; can Wolf bring Olympic gold back for the first time since 2000 in this class?

● Rowing: Women’s Pair-Lightweight Double Sculls
Great Britain’s Helen Glover and Heather Stanning have won the last two Olympic titles, but Glover is in Tokyo with Polly Swann now and they finished second to Greece’s Maria Kyridou and Christina Bourmpou, 6:48.70 to 6:49.39, with Canada a close third at 6:39.46.

But the action was in the second semi, with 2017 and 2019 World Champions Grace Pendergast and Kerri Gowler (NZL) finishing in 6:47.41, the fastest time ever! Russia was well back at 6:50.24 and Spain was third (6:50.53), but the Kiwis are obvious favorites to get the country’s first Olympic title in this event.

Greece, Britain and even Canada – with 2019 Worlds bronze winners Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens – are all rowing for silver and bronze.

In the Lightweight women’s Double Sculls, Britain’s Emily Craig and Imogen Grant, who won bronze medals at the 2019 Worlds – won the first semifinal impressively over France, 6:41.99-6:42.92 and the Netherlands, the 2019 Worlds silver medalists (Marieke Keijser and Ilse Paulis: 6:43.85). Paulis teamed with Maaike Head to win in Rio in 2016.

However, the form chart took a beating in semi two, as Valentina Rodini and Federica Cesarini (ITA) won in a world’s best time of 6:41.36, dogged to the finish by Americans Mark Reckford and Michelle Sechser (6:41.54) and Romania (6:42.08).

Can Italy do this twice in a row? This could be one of the tightest races of the regatta.

● Rowing: Men’s Pair-Lightweight Double Sculls
The men’s Pair is expected to be the property of Croatian brothers Martin and Valent Sinkovic, the reigning World Champions, who won their semifinal in 6:15.63. The brothers won Olympic golds in 2016 in the Double Sculls, then changed to Pairs and won world titles in 2018 and 2019.

However, Marius Cozmiuc and Ciprian Tudosa (ROM) – the 2018 Worlds silver medalists – won the first semifinal in a faster 6:13.51, ahead of Denmark (6:14.88) and Spain (6:16.25). Serbia was second in the second semi (6:17.47) with Canada (6:19.15) third.

Looks like another Croat-Romanian showdown for the gold. New Zealand and Australian entries have won the last four Olympic titles.

The men’s Lightweight Double Sculls is an event which World Rowing insists upon in order to give “all rowers” a chance to compete at the Olympic and which the International Olympic Committee would rather do without. But here it is, for a seventh straight Games.

Germany’s Jonathan Rommelmann and Jason Osborne – the 2019 Worlds bronze medalists – won the first semifinal in 6:07.33 and looked like capable challengers, finishing well up on Uruguay (6:11.48) and the Czech Republic (6:11.88) Then came the second semi.

Ireland’s World Champion Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy overpowered the course and finished in 6:05.33, the world’s best time for this event. They needed to be fast, since 2019 Worlds silver winners Stefano Oppo and Pietro Ruta timed 6:07.70!

That makes the final look a lot like the 2019 Worlds, with Ireland the favorite and Italy and Germany chasing.

● Shooting: Men’s Trap-Women’s Trap
Croatia has dominated men’s Trap with Giovanni Cernogoraz and Josip Glasnovic winning in London and Rio and Glasnovic is back to defend his title.

But the 2004 Olympic Champion is back as well, in Russian Alexey Alipov and 2008 winner David Kostelecky (CZE). Throw in 2018 World Champion Alberto Fernandez (ESP), silver medalist Erik Varga of Slovakia and bronze winner Abdulrahman Al-Faihan of Kuwait and it’s impossible to pick a favorite,

One clue might be from the 2021 ISSF World Cups, with four different winners: Glasnovic in February, Daniele Reca (ITA – not entered) in March, Tatal Alrashidi (KUW) in May and Mauro de Filippis (ITA) in June.

In women’s Trap, Beijing 2008 champion Satu Makela-Nummela (FIN) is back, as is London 2012 winner Jessica Rossi (ITA) and 2008-12 silver medalist Zuzana Stefecekova. It also happens that Stefecekova won the 2018 World Championships.

Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Natalie Rooney (NZL) is also back, as is 2018 Worlds runner-up Xiaojing Wang (CHN) and bronzer Silvana Stanco (ITA).

What about trends from the ISSF World Cups? It only muddies the situation, with Fatima Galvez (ESP) winning in February in a shoot-off with Russia’s Daria Semianova; Stefecekova won in March and San Marino’s Alessandra Perilli won a shoot-off with American Madelynn Ann Bernau in May. It’s going to be close.

● Swimming: Women’s 200 m Butterfly-4×200 m Freestyle
Americans Hali Flickinger and Regan Smith went 1-2 in the first semi in 2:06.23 and 2:06.64, ahead of Russian Svetlana Chrimrova (2:08.62). Smith moves to no. 3 on the world list for 2021, Flickinger has already been faster.

China’s favor Yufei Zhang, who came in with the top three times in the world this year, was in semi two and took off from the start and had a body-length lead at halfway. She finished in 2:04.89, the fastest time in the world in 2021 and now no. 10 on the all-time list. Wow!

Behind Zhang came 2019 World Champion Boglarka Kapas (HUN: 2:06.59) and Liyan Yu (CHN: 2:07.04). Zhang is the big favorite, but Flickinger and Smith both have excellent shots at medals.

The women’s 200 m Free results suggest that Australia, Canada and the U.S. should be the medal favorites, with Germany also a possibility. With Ariarne Titmus available, Australia has to be a big favorite with the U.S. a solid silver contender.

The U.S. won this race in the last two Games, with Australia second, but in the 2019 Worlds, Australia beat the U.S. in a world-record 7:41.50, with Canada third and China fourth.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Free-800 m Free-200 m Breast
The 2017 and 2019 World Champion, American Caeleb Dressel took his world-leading mark down to 47.23 in the first semifinal, ahead of Alessandro Miressi (47.52) and Soo-Woo Hwang of Korea (47.56).

In the second semi, Russian Kliment Kolesnikov – the 100 m Back silver medalist – turned first and was the clear winner in 47.11, also a new world leader. Defending champion Kyle Chalmers (AUS) was second in 47.80, followed by Nandor Nemeth (HUN: 47.81). American Zach Apple, so great on the 4×100 m Free anchor, was sixth and did not advance.

Kolesnikov’s mark is a Russian record and moved him to no. 8 all-time and has to scare Dressel and everyone else heading into the final.

The 800 m Free for men was added to the program for the first time in Tokyo, with Ukraine’s two-time Worlds 1,500 m medalist Mykhailo Romanchuk leading the qualifying in an Olympic Record of 7:41.28, the fastest time in the world this year and equal-8th all-time. He’s a favorite, not the favorite.

The other contenders are in: German open-water star Florian Wellbrock (qualified 2nd: 7:41.77, no. 2 in 2021 and 11th all-time), Austria’s Felix Auboeck (7:45.73), Australia’s Jack McLoughlin and Italian veteran Gregorio Paltrinieri, the Rio 1,500 m gold medalist and 2019 World Champion in this event.

The no. 3 qualifier was American Robert Finke at 7:42.72, a huge lifetime best and an American Record, moving him into the top 15 of all time. At 21, is there more in the tank to take on these veterans?

In the men’s 200 m Breast, the world-record holder, Russia’s Anton Chupkov, and all-time no. 2, Australia’s Zac Stubblety-Cook were in the second semifinal, but Britain’s James Wilby – a silver medalist in the 2019 Worlds 100 m Breast, led for most of the race. Stubblety-Cook worked his way from fifth at the halfway mark to second at the final turn and won in 2:07.35, equal-seventh on the year.

Finn Matti Mattison was a surprising third at 2:08.22 and Chupkov only fourth at 2:08.54.

That gives hope to Arno Kamminga (NED) and American Nic Fink, who went 1-2 in the first semi, at 2:07.99 and 2:08.00, with Ryuya Mura (JPN) third in 2:08.27.

The year list says Stubblety-Cook, then Chupkov and Kammings, but Fink has a real shot at a medal.

● Table Tennis : Women’s Singles
China has won this event in all eight Games in which it has been contested. It has also won 13 straight World Championships titles … and finalists!

So China’s Meng Chen and Yingsha Sin are favored to get to the final in Tokyo; Singapore’s Mengyu Yu has reached the semifinals against Chen. Sun will play the highly-capable Mima Ito (JPN).

= INTEL REPORT =

It’s not all fun amid the Games in Tokyo, as the International Judo Federation posted this notice after German women’s 63 kg judoka Martyna Trajdos – a 2019 World Championships bronze medalist – was physically shaken and slapped by coach Claudiu Pusa as some sort of an odd pre-match ritual:

“The IJF addressed a serious official warning towards the German coach, concerning the bad behaviour he showed during the competition. Judo is an educational sport and as such cannot tolerate such behaviour, which goes against the judo moral code.”

Trajdos lost the round-of-32 match to Szofi Ozbas (HUN), but said later that the shaking and slapping was only a ritual and not punishment.

The Covid-19 total among Olympic-related personnel increased by 16 on 28 July, but with no athletes involved. Nine contractors, four “Games-concerned personnel” such as coaches and officials, two media and one volunteer were found positive.

That brings the total to 169, with 80 of these contractors, 55 “Games-concerned personnel,” 17 athletes, 11 media and six Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers.

The testing report by stakeholder group:

● Athletes and team officials: 22 positives out of 124.358 tests through 28 July (0.02%).
● Media/Tokyo 2020 staff: 35 positives out of 150,577 tests through 28 July (0.02%).

The Russian Olympic Committee is filing a protest against Chilean journalist Sebastian Nahmias, according to ROC spokesman Konstantin Vybornov:

“On the whole, we enjoy a very respectful treatment of our national team, but at the same time, we encounter occasional persons who unashamedly provoke us and try to knock our athletes off balance.”

“In the case of [tennis star] Daniil Medvedev, we are talking about Chilean journalist Sebastian Nahmias. He has been trying for the second day in a row to incite a scandal in regard to our team asking over and over again the same questions and in the same manner.

“It has nothing to do with translation problems, everyone understood him quite clearly, and the organizers issued a warning to this strange colleague yesterday and had to walk him away from the mixed zone for the media today. By the way, Medvedev acted in a very dignified manner under unpleasant circumstances.”

Nahmias has claimed that the ROC has “cheated” on its uniforms under the sanctions handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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TOKYO 2020/Tuesday Review & Preview: Biles withdraws, U.S. takes gymnastics silver; Japan shut down U.S. in softball, 2-0; two more Ledecky swims tonight

Rich Perelman

July 27, 2021

tsx pix 2021-727 usa w gym silver 750 (usag) — Drama: the U.S. women's gymnastics silver medalists: Lee, McCallum, Biles and Chiles (Photo: USA Gymnastics Twitter feed)

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= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One

/Updated/The Olympic Games is about competitions, not coronations.

We have already seen big favorites, such as American skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Chinese divers Yuan Cao and Aisen Chen in the men’s 10 m Synchro, tennis stars Ash Barty of Australia and Japan’s Naomi Osaka all go down. And now Simone Biles, the greatest women’s gymnast of all time.

Biles showed that something was not right during warm-ups on Tuesday, as she appeared to get lost in the air on her last warm-up vault, and then did the same in competition, completing 1 1/2 twists instead of 2 1/2 and then withdrawing.

She left with a trainer and minutes later, USA Gymnastics tweeted:

“Simone Biles has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue. She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”

The rest of the U.S. team – Suni Lee, Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles – soldiered on and won the silver medal behind the Russian Olympic Committee. Then came the questions. At the post-event news conference, CBS News correspondent Steve Futterman asked Biles about what happened and the pressure of the moment. She explained – with charm, confidence and a clear sense of disappointment – that:

“No injury, thankfully and that’s why I took a step back because I didn’t want to do something silly out there and get injured so that’s why I thought it best for these girls to take over and do the rest of the job, which they absolutely did: they’re Olympic silver medalists now and they should be really proud of themselves for how well they did, last minute, having to go in.

“And it’s been really stressful, this Olympic Games, just as a whole, not having an audience. There are a lot of different variables going in it, it’s been a long week, it’s been a long Olympic process and a long year. So just a lot of different variables and I think we’re just a little bit too stressed out, that we should be out here having fun and sometimes that’s not the case.”

She added later:

“Today has been really stressful. We had a workout this morning and it went OK. And then just that 5 1/2 hour wait or something, I was just like shaking, could barely nap. I’ve just never felt like this going into a competition before. And I tried to go out and have fun, and warm-up in the back went a little bit better, but then once I came out here, I was like, no, mental is not there. So I just need to let the girls do it and focus on myself.”

Biles told reporters in the mixed zone that “There’s more to life than just gymnastics” and as for the All-Around and the Apparatus finals, it will be “one day at a time, we’re going to see how the rest goes.”

The pressure of the Olympic Games is immense, and of this Games in Tokyo – under all of the extra conditions, public dissatisfaction with the Japanese government’s response to the coronavirus – as well as the unprecedented delay of a year, has been enormous. Biles has said so over and over again.

But credit to the Russians, who made the most of their opportunity and to Lee, McCallum and Chiles, who expected to have Biles at their side all night.

There will be those who trumpet this sequence as a turning point for mental health. It would also help if it underscored that the Olympic Games and its sports should be taken more seriously year-round. The drama is just as thick as in any domestic team league.

(Errata: Steve Futterman is a CBS News correspondent, not from the Associated Press as originally listed.)

The Tokyo Games have completed 72 events out of 339; the medal leaders:

1. United States, 25 (9-8-8)
2. China, 21 (9-5-7)
3. Japan, 18 (10-3-5) and Russian Olympic Committee, 18 (7-7-4)
5. Great Britain, 13 (4-5-4)

Of course, TSX prefers our 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 scoring by event, giving a much more “diverse, equitable and inclusive” view of the relative achievements of the teams:

1. United States, 278.5
2. China, 215
3. Russian Olympic Committee, 200
4. Japan, 194.5
5. Great Britain, 151
6. Italy, 146.5
7. France, 124.5
8. Korea, 113
9. Canada, 88.5
10. Australia, 83.5
11. Netherlands, 71
12. Germany, 68.5

NBC’s audience is growing, as the network announced a total primetime audience of 15.3 million for Saturday’s primetime programming across NBC-NBCSN-CNBC-USA Network and 19.2 million on Sunday. That’s much higher than the 8.2 million for Friday’s Opening Ceremonies, but far behind Rio in 2016 (when events were live in U.S. time zones).
~ Rich Perelman

= RESULTS: TUESDAY, 27 JULY =

● Canoe-Kayak: Women’s K-1 Slalom
Mistakes usually decide these races and although favored Jessica Fox (AUS) whipped through the course almost three seconds faster than anyone else, her two penalties – totaling four seconds – placed her third after German Ricarda Funk and defending champion Maialen Chourraut of Spain.

Poland’s Klaudia Zowlinska took the early lead at 1:08.98 – with four penalties – but was passed on error-free rides by Chourraut in fourth position (1:06.63) and then by Funk (1:0550), starting eighth. Both Chourraut and Funk rode clean and Fox, starting last, was under pressure to ride fast and clean. But she incurred a penalty at the fourth gate and then again just nearing the finish at gate 24. Those four seconds turned her 1:02.73 winner into a 1:06.73 bronze medal. This was the third straight Games with a medal for Fox: silver-bronze-bronze.

Funk scored Germany’s first win in this event since 1992.

● Cycling: Women’s Mountain Bike/Cross Country
Leading almost from the start, Switzerland’s 2017 World Champion Jolanda Neff ran away with the 20.55 km Cross Country gold medal, but the shock came after her.

While Neff won by 1:11, she was trailed by three-time World Champion Pauline Ferand Prevot (FRA) and Swiss teammates Sina Frei and Linda Indergand. At midway, Ferrand Prevot dropped back and Frei and Indergand charged ahead and had a 12-second lead on the rest of the field.

They held it to the finish, giving the Swiss a sweep with Frei 1:11 behind, then Indergand +1:19 and Hungary’s Kata Blanka Vas coming up for fourth, 2:09 behind Neff. Ferrand Prevot faded to 10th and France’s Loana Lecomte, undefeated this season in the UCI World Cup, finished sixth.

Haley Batten was the top American, in ninth and defending champ Jenny Rissveds (SWE) was 14th. It’s the first-ever medals sweep by one country in the event’s Olympic history.

● Diving: Women’s 10 m Synchro
China’s Jiaqi Zhang and Yuxi Chen were expected to win and they did with ease, winning all five dives and scoring 363.78, winning by more than 50 points. In the six times this event has been held at the Games, China has won all six.

The fight behind them was not as close as expected. American Olympic rookie Delaney Schnell and Rio veteran Jessica Parratto teamed up and after a shaky start, moved from sixth to fourth on their third dive, then all the way to second after their fourth dive and nailed their final try – a back 2 1/2 somersaults with 1 1/2 twists – to score second and clinch the silver medal with an impressive 310.80 score. That was 11.1 points up on Mexico’s Gabriela Agundez and Alejandra Orozco. Favored Canadians Meaghan Benfeito and Caeli McKay ended up fourth after botching their fourth dive – they were last – and moving from second to fifth.

Parratto had been seventh in this event in Rio with Amy Cozad, but made to the podium this time.

● Equestrian: Team Dressage
Germany came in the favorite and dominated the event, with Isabell Werth, Dorothee Schneider and Jessica van Bredow-Wendl scoring 8,178.0 to easily top the U.S. (7,747.0) and Great Britain (7,723.0).

Von Bredow-Wendl had the highest score of the day at 2,785.5, followed by Werth (2,740.5) with Schneider fourth (2,652.0). Sabine Schut-Kery of the U.S. had the no. 3 score at 2,684.5 and Steffen Peters (2,558.5) and Adrienne Lyle (2,504.0) were solid enough to hold off Britain.

Peters gets a second straight Olympic medal for the U.S. – third in Rio – and American teams have now won medals in six of the last eight Games.

For Werth, the gold is another jewel in her crown: she now has seven Olympic golds dating back to 1992, with one individual win and six Team dressage victories. Schneider won her second Team Dressage gold to go along with a silver from 2012. Germany has now won this event 14 times and in nine of the last 10 Games.

● Fencing: Women’s Team Epee
Seventh-seed Estonia ousted second-seed Poland in the quarterfinals, sixth-seeded Italy in the semis and then beat fourth-seed Korea in the final, 36-32, for its first-ever women’s fencing medal in the Olympic Games.

The team of Katrina Lehis, Julia Beljajeva, Erika Kirpu and Inna Embrich were steady in the final, and it came down to Lehis against In-Jeong Choi, a 10-6 win for Lehis that clinched the victory after almost 55 minutes.

Italy squeezed by China in the bronze-medal match, 23-21. The U.S. was eliminated by Korea in the quarterfinals, 38-33.

● Gymnastics: Women’s Team
The most dramatic program of the day saw superstar Simone Biles get lost in the air on a practice vault – an event in which she was the Rio winner and two-time World Champion – and then do the same in competition, scoring only 13.766 to 14.666 for teammate Jordan Chiles and 14.300 for Grace McCallum. This never happens.

She left the floor with a trainer and then withdrew, with USA Gymnastics issuing a statement that this was due to a “medical issue.” In fact, Biles withdrew from stress, but that left Chiles, McCallum and Suni Lee to complete the event and chase Russia.

They gave it a try, but without the top-end firepower from Biles, the Russians outscored the U.S. on Vault, Bars and Floor and ran away with a 169.528-166.096 victory and the first-ever win for Russia in the women’s Team event. The “Unified Team” – essentially the by-then dismantled USSR – won in 1992 after the Soviets won in Seoul in 1988.

Lilia Akhaimova had the top score of the day on Vault (14.733); Lee won the Uneven Bars at 15.400; Viktoriia Listunova scored 14.333 for the best on Beam and also led on Floor at 14.166. The U.S. had some trouble on the Floor finale, scoring only 38.866 – worst of the eight teams – but still had enough balance to win silver, the eighth straight Games with a medal in this event.

Great Britain performed solidly, notably second on Vault and third on Floor and won bronze at 164.096, with Italy fourth (163.368) and Japan fifth (163.280). China, third in qualifying, had a rough time and was seventh (161.196). It’s not easy.

Comparison: the U.S. – with Biles in form – scored 172.330 at the 2019 Worlds to defeat Russia (166.529). Without Biles – and despite a game effort from Jordan Chiles replacing her – the U.S. scored 166.096 in Tokyo.

● Judo: Women’s 63 kg
Yet another spine-tingling final between France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou and Slovenia’s Tina Trstenjak could not be settled in regulation time. But Agbegnenou reversed the Rio 2016 results with a waza-ari in 4:37 of gold time to win her first Olympic gold to go with five World Championship wins.

Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard won one bronze with a victory over Anriquelis Barrios (VEN) and Italy’s Maria Centracchio surprised Juul Franssen (NED) for the other bronze.

● Judo: Men’s 81 kg
Not quite the fairy-tale ending some had hoped for, but close. Japan’s Takanori Nagase, the 2015 World Champion, defeated Mongolia’s Saeid Mollei in the gold-medal final in extra time by waza-ari after 5:43.

That Nagase made the final was not a surprise, but Mollaei’s story – the 2018 World Champion who left Iran under pressure after being in the 2019 Worlds to throw a match to avoid facing Israeli Sagi Muki – was one of the storylines of the Games. He almost met Muki, but the Israeli was defeated by Austria’s Shamil Borchashvili in the round of 16; Mollaei won by ippon over the Austrian in the semifinals.

Borchashvili won a bronze medal by defeating Dominic Ressel (GER) by ippon and 2021 World Champion Mattias Casse (BEL) won the other bronze, also by ippon, against Georgia’s Tato Grigalashvili in a re-match of the 2021 Worlds final.

Japan is now four-for-four in men’s Judo, with three classes to go.

● Shooting: Air Pistol Mixed Team
In its first Olympic edition, China defeated Russia in a reversal of the 2018 World Championships in the gold-medal match by 16-14 with Ranxin Jiang (10.7) and Wei Pang (10.1) out-shooting Vitalina Batsarashkina (10.5) and Artem Chernousov (9.8) in the final frame: 20.8 to 20.3 to earn the final two points.

Ukraine had a slightly easier time in the bronze final, defeating Serbia., 16-12.

● Shooting: Air Rifle Mixed Team
Another new event and like the Air Pistol team final, was tightly contested, with China completing a sweep of the day.

Qian Yang and Haoran Yang trailed Americans Mary Tucker and Lucas Kozeniesky, 9-5, after seven frames, but then won five of the next six frames to take a 15-11 lead. The U.S. won the next frame, but China took the final frame and won gold by 17-13.

Russia had little trouble with Korea in the bronze match, winning 17-9.

● Softball
Softball returned to the Olympic Games after a 13-year wait, but it was Beijing 2008 all over again when the U.S. and Japan met in the gold-medal match.

Just as it was in 2008, Cat Osterman was on the mound for the U.S. and Yukiko Ueno was pitching for Japan. The game was scoreless through three innings, with Ally Carda brought on for the U.S. in the third after pitching so effectively the day before.

But Japan scored runs in the fourth and fifth, first on a Mana Atsumi single and in the fifth on a Yamato Fujita single following a wild pitch. That turned to be enough.

Ueno was masterful, giving up only two hits in six innings and with Miu Goto finishing the seventh, Japan had a 2-0 victory and a second straight Olympic gold medal. Ueno got the win in a 3-1 victory in the gold-medal game in 2008 and at 39, is unlikely to be available when the sport re-emerges at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The U.S. and Japan both finished 5-1 for the tournament; Canada defeated Mexico, 3-2, for the bronze medal. Canada’s Jenn Salling won the batting title at .571 (8-14) and Fujita had three home runs and seven RBIs to lead all players. Five pitchers had 0.00 ERAs, led by Americans Monica Abbott (20.1 innings) and Osterman (14.2), but Japan got to Carda when it counted.

● Surfing: Men and Women
The first appearance of surfing in the Games was a memorable one, with two dramatic finishes.

The weather required condensing the schedule, but it made for lively waves and Brazil’s Italo Ferreira, the 2019 World Surfing Games winner, dominated Japan’s 2021 silver medalist Kanoa Igarashi, 7.77-3.83 on the first ride and 7.37-2.77 on the second for a 15.14-6.60 final score.

Australia’s Owen Wright won the bronze with a tight, 11.97-11.77 win over Gabriel Medina (BRA).

The women’s tournament saw two Americans – Carissa Moore and Caroline Marks – get to the semifinals. Moore, the winner of four medals (two gold) in six World Surf League events in 2021, won over Amuro Tsuzuki of Japan, 8.33-7.43 in the second semi; South Africa’s Bianca Buitendag defeated Marks, 11.00-3.67.

In the final, Moore was outstanding, winning both match-ups by 7.60-5.23 and 7.33-3.23 for a 14.93-8.46 and setting off a wild celebration with teammates and fellow competitors on the beach. Tsuzuki grabbed the bronze medal over Marks, 6.80-4.26.

This was a popular event in its first edition; the 2024 competition is slated for Tahiti, still technically a part of France!

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Backstroke
Australia’s Kaylee McKeown came in as the world-record holder and was the favorite, but Canada’s Kylie Masse led after 50 m over American Rhyan White. But McKeown’s superior underwater technique brought her to the front on the final lap and she and Masse dueled to the wall, with McKeown nursing a small lead. She finished in 57.47, an Olympic Record and the second-fastest swim all-time to her own world record (57.45) from June.

Masse’s 57.72 is the no. 6 performance of all-time in second and 0.02 behind her own national record of 57.70 from the Canadian trials.

American Regan Smith, who had the Olympic Record after the semifinals at 57.86, was also strong in the second half and was third in 58.05 – at age 19 – and White was fourth in 58.43.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Breaststroke
This was crazy. All the attention was on defending Olympic champ Lilly King in lane 5 and Olympic Record-setter Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa in 4. And they took off from the start, took to the lead and Schoenmaker got to the turn first, 0.30 ahead of King.

Off the turn, it was clear that King was going to have a hard time catching Schoenmaker, but 17-year-old Lydia Jacoby was gaining stroke by stroke in lane 3. And gaining and gaining and drawing even with Schoenmaker with 20 m left, she got to the wall first with a perfect final stroke in 1:04.95, making her the no. 6 performer in history. At 17.

King was game, but did not have the finish to do more than claim the bronze in 1:05.54, well off her Trials win in 1:04.79. It’s the second straight time that the U.S. won two Olympic medals in this event and extends the streak of medals in this event to four straight.

● Swimming: Men’s 200 m Freestyle
Korea’s Sunwoo Hwang, just 18, took it out hard, steaming through the first 100 m in 49.78 and continuing in front at the final turn, but then the field came back.

Brazil’s Fernando Scheffer was closest to Hwang at 100 m and 150 m, but then the world leaders – Brits Duncan Scott and Tom Dean – moved hard to get into contention as Hwang faded. Scheffer tried to keep pace, but Scott was in front with 25 m left and he and Dean swam almost together, stroke for stroke, in lanes 4 and 6, to the wall … and Dean got there first.

Dean finished in 1:44.22, fastest in the world this year, with Scott at 1:44.26 and Scheffer with the bronze in 1:44.66. Hwang faded to seventh (1:45.26) and American Kieran Smith didn’t have enough closing speed to contend for a medal and was sixth (1:45.12).

Dean’s time is only 14th-best in history, but is the fastest since 2013 and the no. 4 performance ever in a textile suit. He and Scott made history as the first British Olympic medalists ever in this event.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Backstroke
Russians Kliment Kolesnikov and Evgeny Rylov came in with eight of the top 10 times in the world in 2021 and Kolesnikov got out best and he and Rylov were 1-2 at the turn.

Defending champion Ryan Murphy of the U.S. was a close third at the turn, but was never able to gain significantly on either. Rylov, in lane 2, was out of sight of Kolesnikov in lane 5 and powered to the wall in 51.98 with Kolesnikov in 52.00 – the two fastest times of 2021 – with Murphy third in 52.19, a seasonal best.

Rylov’s win was the seventh-fastest in history and Kolesinkov was no. 8. It broke a streak of six straight wins in this event for the U.S. and was the first ever in the event for Russia. In fact, no “Russian” has ever won a medal in this event; Igor Polyansky of the USSR won a bronze in 1988 for the last of three Soviet medals in this event in Olympic history.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 80+ kg
Let there be no doubt that the Russia’s Vladislav Larin is the best in the world. The 2019 World 87 kg champ won his bouts by 24-3 (over Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua), 16-3, 30-3 and then 15-9 in the final against North Macedonia’s surprise finalist, Dejan Georgievski. That a combined score of 85-18.

Behind him, Cuba Rafael Alba – the 2019 World 87+ kg winner – won a bronze over Hongyi Sun (CHN), 5-4; Korea’s Kyo-Don In took the other bronze, also by 5-4, against Ivan Trajkovic (SLO).

● Taekwondo: Women’s 67+ kg
It’s hard to sustain greatness over long periods of time, so let’s salute Serbia’s Milica Mandic – the London 2012 gold medalist – who won her second Olympic title with a 10-7 win over Korea’s 2019 World Champion Da-Bin Lee.

Now 29, Mandic reached the Rio quarterfinals, but was back for more and won her bouts by 13-0, 11-4, 7-5 and then 10-7 in the final.

Britain’s Bianca Walkden, one of the favorites, had to settle for bronze, beating Aleksandra Kowalczuk (POL: 7-3) while France’s Althea Lauren was a surprise bronze winner, overcoming Aminata Traore (CIV) by 17-8.

● Triathlon: Women
With so little racing in the World Triathlon Series during the pandemic, the question was who was the most fit?

A sign that the field was in shape came right away as Britain’s Jessica Learmonth led – as she often does – out of the water in 18:24, hotly pursued by Vittoria Lopes (BRA) and 2018 World Champion Katie Zaferes of the U.S.

Then Zaferes took over on the bike phase, a little unusual for her, and she was one of the leaders heading into the 10 km run, with German Laura Lindemann, two-time World Champion Flora Duffy (BER) – in her fourth Games – and Learmonth. A former Syracuse track star, Zaferes was well positioned, but Duffy would not be denied.

She stormed to a 33:00 on the run, easily the fastest in the field and won going away in 1:55:36, winning Bermuda’s first-ever Olympic gold. Britain’s 2019 World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown ran 33:52 – second-fastest in the field – and came from 22 seconds behind the leaders to grab second, 1:14 behind, in 1:56:50. Zaferes ran 34:27, sixth-fastest on the day, and held on for third in 1:57:03. Rachel Klamer (NED) came from ninth to fourth in 1:57:48, well behind Zaferes.

The other Americans were Summer Rappoport in 14th and Taylor Knibb in 16th.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 59 kg
No doubts for 2019 World Champion and current world-record holder is Hsing-Chun Kuo of Chinese Taipei, lifting an Olympic Record of 236 kg, including records for the Snatch (103 kg) and Clean & Jerk (133 kg).

Behind her, it was Turkmenistan’s Polina Guryeva who surprised in second at 217 kg, followed by Japan’s Mikiko Andoh (214 kg).

● Weightlifting: Women’s 64 kg
Canada’s Maude Charron made four of her six lifts and scored a modest upset by winning this class at 236 kg, ahead of Giorgia Bordignon of Italy (232 kg) and Wen-Huei Chen of Chinese Taipei (230 kg).

Colombia’s Mercedes Perez completed only one of her Snatch attempts and one Clean & Jerk attempt and finished fourth at 227 kg.

Charron, a silver medalist at the 2017 Worlds, moved up from sixth at the 2019 Worlds. .

Elsewhere:

● Team/Basketball: The U.S. women got underway with an 81-72 win over Nigeria in Group, winning its 50th straight game in Olympic competition. A’ja Wilson had 19 for the U.S. and a game-high 13 rebounds. Brittney Griner added 13 and 10 rebounds and Diana Taurasi had 10. The U.S. shot 44% from the floor to only 27% for Nigeria, but the latter put up 84 shots to 66 for the Americans.

Next up is Japan on the 30th.

● Team/Beach Volleyball: Top-seeded April Ross and Alix Klineman won their second straight Pool B match in Tokyo by 21-13, 21-16 over Spain’s Liliana Fernandez and Elsa Baquerizo in 38 minutes on Tuesday. Their last pool match is on the 30th.

In the men’s division, Nick Lucena and Phil Dalhausser scored an important win in Pool D with a 2-1 win (24-22, 19-21, 15-13) win over Brazilian stars Alvaro Filho and Alison Cerutti to even their record at 1-1. Each has one more match in the group, on the 29th.

● Team/Football: The U.S. women finished Group G play with a 0-0 draw against Australia and moved on to the quarterfinals as second in their group with a 1-1-1 record. Th Aussies had 61% possession in the game and led in shots, 8-7. An Alex Morgan goal in the 33rd minute, but a video review showed she was barely offside.

Both teams moved on to the quarters, with Great Britain facing Australia, Sweden vs. Japan, the U.S. vs. the Netherlands and Canada vs. Brazil, all on the 30th.

● Team/Volleyball: The U.S. women were in action again, beating up on China – 29-27, 25-22, 25-21 – to go to 2-0 in the tournament. Jordan Thompson led the U.S. with 34 points, on 28-50 kill attempts, four blocks and two service aces. Michelle Bartsch-Hackley had 15. The American women play Turkey next on the 29th.

● Team/Water Polo: The U.S. men went to 2-0 in Group A by crushing South Africa, 20-3, thanks to four goals by Ben Hallock.

The U.S. women, also 2-0, will play Hungary today (28th) in Group B play.

● Tennis: Another shocker, as Japan’s second-seed Naomi Osaka was defeated in the third round, 6-1, 6-4 by Czech Marketa Vondrousova, 22, currently ranked no. 118. With the departure of top-seed Ash Barty (AUS) in the first round, the highest-remaining seed is Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina.

= PREVIEWS: WEDNESDAY, 28 JULY =
(23 events across 11 sports)

● 3×3 Basketball: Men and Women
The U.S. women are into the semifinals, losing only to Japan, 20-18, after clinching their playoff berth. Stefanie Dolson (Chicago Sky), Allisha Gray (Dallas Wings), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) finished 6-1, with Russia, China and Japan all at 5-2.

In the quarterfinals, China defeated Italy, 19-13 and France defeated Japan, 16-14. That pits the U.S. in a rematch with France, with the Americans winning the first game impressively by 17-10. China and Russia will play in the second semi, with the medals matches later the same day.

The men’s tournament has Serbia as the clear favorite, after finishing 7-0 in pool play; Belgium, Latvia and the Netherlands were all 4-3.

In the quarterfinals, 3-4 Russia beat the Netherlands, 21-19, and Latvia edged Japan, 21-18. That will pit Serbia against Russia in one semi and Belgium and Latvia in the other. In the round-robin play, Serbia clubbed Russia, 21-10 and Belgium barely beat Latvia, 21-20.

● Cycling: Road Time Trials
The men’s Time Trial is a two-lap, 44.2 km race at the Fuji International Speedway, with 2020 World Champion Filippo Ganna as the favorite, just ahead of Belgian star Wout van Aert (second), Swiss Stefan Kung (third), Geraint Thomas (GBR: fourth), Rohan Dennis (AUS: fifth), Kasper Asgreen (DEN: sixth) and Remi Cavagna (FRA: seventh).

There are many more stars, including Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, a talented time trialer, Australian Richie Porte and American Brandon McNulty. At the 2021 Tour de France, the two time trials were won by Tadej Pogacar (SLO ~ not entered), with Kung second, van Aert fourth and Asgreen sixth. Stage 20 was a win for van Aert, ahead of Asgreen, with Kung fourth.

The women’s time trial, at the same location, is one lap at 22.1 km, with 2020 World Champion and 2016 Rio bronze medalist Anna van der Breggen (NED) as the top seed. Those who followed her across the line at the Worlds last year have the high seeds: Marlen Reusser (SUI: second), Lisa Brennauer (GER: fourth), Grace Brown (AUS: fifth), followed by road stars Annemiek van Vleuten (NED), Emma Jorgensen (DEN), Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) and Ashleigh Moolman (RSA). Van Vleuten won the women’s road race on the 25th with Longo Borghini taking the bronze.

Americans Amber Neben (seeded 7) and Chloe Dygert (seeded 2) are both potential medalists. Neben, 46, was World Champion in 2008 and 2016 and always has a surprise ready in races where she is counted out. Dygert, 24, who will also compete on the track, won the world title in 2019. Both will be trying to follow in the steps of Kristin Armstrong, who won this race in 2008-12-16.

● Diving: Men’s 3 m Synchro
After Great Britain’s upset of China in the 10 m Synchro event, anything is possible. And, in fact, Britain is the defending Olympic champ in this event, with Jack Laugher and Chris Mears springing the upset in Rio as China’s Yuan Cao and Kai Qin were third.

In 2021, Laugher is back with Daniel Goodfellow, and this pair won the 2019 Worlds silver medal behind Cao and Siyi Xie. For Tokyo, Xie is back, but paired with Zongyuan Wang.

These two teams appear to be the class of the field. The U.S. won silver in Rio with Sam Doman and Michael Hixon and Hixon is back, but with Andrew Capobianco this time. Mexico’s 2019 Worlds bronze winners Yahel Castillo and Manuel Celaya are back and Germany’s Patrick Hausding and Lars Rudiger (fourth) and Russians Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nikita Shleiker (fifth) will be contenders.

Expect China’s focus to be extraordinary; they know well that they lost the 10 m Synchro because of one bad dive. They want to avoid that happening again.

● Equestrian: Dressage
Two-time defending champion Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) is back, but is currently ranked only no. 109 in the world, despite a bronze at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Four-time World Equestrian Games Champion Isabell Werth (GER) is in, winner of this event in the 1996 Games in Atlanta and silver medalist in 2000-08-16. She is the top seed.

In between is Dutch star Edward Gal, winner of two golds at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and American Steffen Peters, who won two bronzes in the same event.

Also expected to contend as Werth’s teammates Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Dorothee Schneider and Denmark’s Catherine Dufour. Or will there be a horse that has its own ideas and takes its rider to the podium?

● Fencing: Men’s Team Sabre
This event returns to the program for the first time since 2012, when Korea defeated Romania in the final. More recently, Korea won again – with Bon-Gil Gu still on the squad – at the 2019 World Championships over Hungary, with Italy third and Germany fourth.

Gu, Tokyo bronze medalist Jung-Hwan Kim and Seng-Uk Oh are all back from Korea’s 2019 team and will be a formidable presence, as will Hungary with Tokyo Olympic winner Aron Szilagyi – his third straight Olympic gold – along with Andras Szatmari and Tamas Decsi.

Italy is in the mix with Luca Curatoli, Tokyo silver medalist Luigi Samele and Enrico Berre and the U.S. will try to improve on a disappointing showing in the individual event, with Eli Dershwitz, Daryl Homer and Andrew Mackiewicz on the piste.

● Gymnastics: Men’s All-Around
There will be a new champion, as Japan’s two-time winner, Kohei Uchimura did not contest this event. However, the stars of the 2019 World Championships are in, as Russians gold and silver medalists Nikita Nagornyy and Artur Dalaloyan (the 2018 World Champion) were 2-6 in the Team qualifying.

Japan’s Daiki Hashimoto led the qualifying at 88.531, followed by Nagornyy (87.897), 2017 World champ Ruoteng Xiao (87.732) and Wei Sun (87.298) from China and Great Britain’s Joe Fraser (86.298). Add in Dalaloyan (85.947) and Takeru Kitazono (JPN: 85.948) and you have the likely medal contenders.

The top American in the qualifying was U.S. champion Brody Malone (11th: 85.298), with Sam Mikulak at 84.664 in 14th. Neither figures as a medal contender this time; Mikulak was seventh in Rio.

● Judo: Women’s 70 kg and Men’s 90 kg
Japan is counting on 2017 and 2018 World Champion Chizuru Arai in this weight class, but she will have her hands full with 2021 World Champion Barbara Matic of Croatia as well as bronze winners Sanne van Dijke (NED) and Michaela Polleres (AUT).

More Worlds medalists from 2019 are in: Barbara Timo (POR: silver) and Margaux Pinot (FRA: bronze), plus two-time Worlds bronze winner Maria Bernabeu (ESP), Puerto Rico’s Maria Perez (2017 silver) and Brazil’s 2020 Pan American champ Maria Portela.

Japan has won four of the six weight classes so far, but only one of three in the women’s division. Arai will be primed for another.

● Rowing: Men’s Double Sculls-Quadruple Sculls-Fours
This sport is being tossed about by the changing weather conditions in Tokyo and may be re-arranged again. The pandemic has caused significant problems in participation at World Rowing World Cup events, so it’s hard to know where the favorites are.

In the Double Sculls, Melvin Twellaar and Stef Broenink (NED) were the fastest semifinal qualifiers at 6:20.17, trailed by China’s 2019 World Champions, Zhiyu Liu and Liang Zhang (6:23.11). France’s Hugo Boucheron and Matthieu Androdias won semi one, with the second-fastest time of the day at 6:20.45, with Great Britain at 6:22.95.

In the Quadruple Sculls, Germany is the two-time defending Olympic champion, but didn’t make it to the A-Final. Instead, Poland – the 2019 Worlds silver medalists – won semifinal two with the quickest time of the day (5:29.25), pressed by Worlds bronze medal winners Italy (5:29.38).

Reigning World Champion Netherlands won semi one at 5:39.80, well clear of Australia (5:41.54). These four teams appear to be the medal winners.

In Fours, Poland, Romania and Great Britain took the 2019 Worlds medals, but the British have won this event in five straight Olympic Games, with Australia winning silver in the last three.

So, it’s no surprise that Australia (heat one: 5:54.27) and Britain (heat two: 5:55.36) had the fastest times in the semifinals, trailed by the U.S. (heat one: 5:57.27) and Italy (heat two: 5:57.67.

Romania also made the final, but Poland lost out in the repechage and will be in the B-final. Six straight for the Brits?

● Rowing: Women’s Double Sculls-Quadruple Sculls-Fours
The women’s Double Sculls appears to be ready for a re-match of the 2019 Worlds, won by New Zealand’s Brooke Donoghue and Olivia Loe over Romania (Nicoleta Ancuta-Bodnar and Simona Radis) and the Netherlands (Roos de Jong and Lisa Scheenaard).

In the semis, the Romanians dominated New Zealand (Donoghue and Hannah Osborne now), 7:04.31-7:09.05. The Dutch had the second fastest time in winning semi two in 7:08.09, ahead of Canada (7:09.44) and the U.S. (7:11.14). Don’t count the New Zealanders out yet.

The women’s Quadruple Sculls belonged to Germany at the 1992-96-2000-04 Games and then again in Rio in 2016 after a bronze in Beijing and a silver in London. And the Germans crossed first in semi one at 6:18.22, followed by the Netherlands (6:19.36)

But China had the fastest time of the day in winning semi two (6:14.32), with Poland at 6:18.62, backing up their 2019 World Championships gold over Poland and the Dutch. The Chinese have the same line-up as in 2019 – Yunxia Chen, Ling Zhang, Yang Lyu and Xiaotong Cui – and are clear favorites for gold. But look for the Germans to make it closer than expected.

The women’s Fours has only been once – in 1992 – but returns to the program in Tokyo. Australia ran away with the world title in 2019, winning by 2.1 seconds over the Netherlands and more than four seconds over Denmark.

No surprise that in the heats, the Aussies had the best time of the day at 6:28.76, but the surprise was Ireland – fourth in 2019 – which pressed the champs all the way to the line, just 0.23 behind at 6:28.99. Another effort like that will win them a medal.

The Dutch won the first heat in 6:33.47, more than five seconds up on China (6:38.54). Australia is the clear favorite, but can Ireland produce another effort like the heats?

● Rugby Sevens: Men
New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa all finished group play with 3-0 records and advanced to the quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, New Zealand sped by Canada, 21-10 and the U.S. lost to Great Britain, 26-21, after having a 21-0 lead!

Argentina ousted South Africa, 19-14 and Fiji shut down Australia, 19-0.

Fiji defeated Great Britain, 43-7 in the Rio final and they appear to be on a collision course again.

● Swimming: Women’s 200 m Free-1,500 m Free-200 m Medley
Australia’s Ariarne Titmus, the world leader at 1:53.09, used her now-familiar tactic of going out easy and then coming back like a rocket on the final lap to win the first semi in 1:54.82. Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey was second in 1:55.16, but London 2012 champ Allison Schmitt of the U.S. was fifth in 1:56.87 and did not qualify for the final.

Katie Ledecky of the U.S. led all the qualifiers at 1:55.28, then took control of the second semi by 75 m and won easily in 1:55.34. Czech Barbora Seemanova was an impressive second in 1:56.14 and then Italian star Federica Pellegrini – the London 2008 champion, in her fifth Olympic Games and still the world-record holder – was third in 1:56.44.

Ledecky qualified third for the final and will have to take it out hard to match Titmus’s faster finish. Pellegrini’s world mark of 1:52.98 is in danger.

The women’s 1,500 m should be a showcase for Ledecky, finishing an impossible schedule of the 400 m Free, 200 m Free and 1,500 m Free over three days. She’s the world-record holder (15:20.48), owns the top 11 times in history and led the qualifying (15:35.35) over China’s Jianjiahe Wang – who swam 15:41.49, as Asian Record! – by more than six seconds. American Erica Sullivan was third in the heats at 15:46.67 – a lifetime best and no. 4 in the world this season – and is a contender for a medal. (No, Australia’s Titmus is not in this event.)

Wang, Maddy Gough of Australia and Italy’s Simone Quadarella are all capable of winning medals and with Sullivan, will try to follow Ledecky to the finish.

The women’s 200 m Medley looks like a six-way fight for medals, with Americans Kate Douglass (2:09.21) and Alex Walsh (2:09.57) – both 19 – winning the semifinals with Abbie Wood (GBR), Yiting Yu (CHN), Japan’s Yui Ohashi and Sydney Pickrem (CAN) all swimming in the 2:09s as well.

Defending champion Katinka Hosszu of Hungary was seventh in the semis and does not appear to be in the medal fight (emphasize “appear”).

The U.S. has won a medal in this event in five straight Games, but hasn’t won since Tracy Caulkins did it way back in 1984 in Los Angeles.

● Swimming: Men’s 200 m Butterfly-4×200 m Free
There is very little doubt about the favorite in the men’s 200 m Fly, with world-record holder Kristof Milak (HUN) cruising to a 1:52.22 win in the second semi, the no. 3 time in the world for 2021 (Milak has the top five marks).

Milak was more than 2 1/2 seconds up on Brazil’s Leonardo de Deus (1:54.97) and almost three seconds better than semi one winner Chad le Clos of South Africa, the London 2012 champion and fourth in Rio.

For the U.S., Gunnar Bentz was sixth overall and made the final. But this race is all about Milak and whether he will smash his 2019 world record of 1:50.73. The current Olympic Record of 1:52.03 by Michael Phelps of the U.S. in 2008 is a goner.

In the men’s 4×200 m Freestyle, the open 200 m Free results show Britain with the two best legs in Tom Dean and Duncan Scott, but Russia, Australia and the U.S. are clear medal contenders.

The year list shows these teams will fight for the medals, perhaps with Hungary and Italy having an outside shot. But who can deal with the British stars on the anchor?

● Weightlifting: Men’s 73 kg
The script is familiar: China enters with the world-record holder and the 2018-19 World Champion Zhiyong Shi. He is an overpowering favorite and expected to win easily.

The fight for silver and bronze should be contested by 2019 bronze winner Bozhidar Andreev of Bulgaria, fifth-place Briken Calja (ALB), Venezuela’s Julio Mayora and perhaps American Clarence Cummings, Jr.

A great age-group and junior star, Cummings was ninth in the 2017 Worlds at 69 kg, then 12th in 2018 at 73 kg and ninth last year. He shoots for high weights and a superb performance could put him in reach of a medal. But well behind Shi, of course.

= INTEL REPORT =

Not widely noticed, but still amazing, was seeing 46-year-old Oksana Chusovitina (UZB) competing in her eighth Olympic Games in gymnastics. She was 14th in the Vault during the qualifying and did not qualify for the final. But she owns an Olympic silver medal from Beijing in 2008in the Vault and has competed for her birth country of the USSR, the 1992-only “Unified Team,” Germany and Uzbekistan.

A mom, she is directly supported by the International Olympic Committee through its Olympic Scholarship program, which reaches 1,836 athletes from 186 counties in 27 sports. In Tokyo, there are 836 scholarship athletes from 178 National Olympic Committees competing in 26 sports. Chusovitina is pretty special.

Just seven more Covid-19 positives reported by Tokyo 2020 for 27 July. That brings the total to 155, with 71 of these contractors, 51 “Games-concerned personnel,” 18 athletes, nine media and six Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers.

The testing report by stakeholder group:

● Athletes and team officials: 19 positives out of 106,798 tests through 245 July (0.02%)
● Media/Tokyo 2020 staff: 33 positives out of 132,620 tests through 25 July (0.02%).

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has classified for marathon star and controversial coach Alberto Salazar as permanently ineligible based on “Sexual Misconduct; Emotional Misconduct.”

The posting, on 26 July on the Center’s Centralized Disciplinary Database notes that the finding is “Subject to appeal / not yet final.”

This is a different finding than that made by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in September 2019, leading to a four-year ban. Salazar has appealed that decision and a hearing was held earlier this year, but without any announced decision as yet.

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For our 649-event International Sports Calendar for 2021 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

TOKYO 2020/Monday Review & Preview: English and Hancock score Skeet golds for U.S.; 13-year-olds go 1-2 in women’s Skate; Titmus beats Ledecky in 400 Free

Rich Perelman

July 26, 2021

tsx pix 2021-726 english-hancock (issf) — American gold for Amber English and three-time Olympic champ Vincent Hancock in a Skeet sweep for the U.S. in Tokyo! (Photo: ISSF)

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= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One

The International Olympic Committee is making a major push on gender equity, with Sports Director Kit McConnell (NZL) telling Monday’s daily press conference:

“I wanted to highlight also why gender equality for us is not just about numbers and percentages.

“We know for every opportunity we give to a female event in the Olympic program, this often leads to the same event being added to other multi-sport Games, to being further promoted in World Championships, World Cup events in the IF’s own programs, so it really has a ripple effect beyond the Olympic Games as well.

“And equally, for every additional female quota place we bring into the Olympic Games we often see that being reflected also in increased quotas outside the Games. But that leads to a lot of investment, a lot of development around the world in different countries, through National Olympic Committees, through sport ministries, through others who invest in female athletes to go for that qualification place, to go into a qualification process to qualify to the Games.

“So there is really a positive ripple effect that amplifies the impact for every single one of those additional quota places that we create for women athletes and that’s why it’s so important to reach the numbers we have here in Tokyo and reach that absolute equality in terms of numbers of athletes in Paris as well. So it has a wider impact than just the Olympic Games, and why it’s so important that we lead on that change as well.”

The Games are in full swing now with 50 events completed through Monday; the medal leaders:

1. China, 18 (6-5-7)
2. United States, 14 (7-3-4)
3. Japan 13 (8-2-3)
4. Russia, 12 (4-5-3)
5. Italy, 9 (1-4-4)

Of course, TSX prefers our 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 scoring by event, giving a much more “diverse, equitable and inclusive” view of the relative achievements of the teams:

1. United States, 172
2. China, 167.5
3. Japan, 145
4. Russian Olympic Committee, 118.5
5. Italy, 105
6. Great Britain, 95.5
7. France, 91.5
8. Korea, 84.5
9. Canada, 54
10. Hungary, 52
11. Netherlands, 50.5
12. Australia, 48

This is after just 50 of 339 total events in the Games.

The weather continues to be a major issue at the Games, with a tropical storm – or a “typhoon” – depending on who you talk to, heading toward Japan and expected to make landfall sometime Tuesday.

The Tokyo area is not expected to be heavily impacted, but winds have already required re-scheduling of archery and rowing events. The current forecast:

● 27th/Tuesday: 84 F high, 76 F low with rain and thunderstorms
● 28th/Wednesday: 88 F ~ 78 F with some thunderstorms
● 29th/Thursday: 89 F ~ 77 F and cloudy
● 30th/Friday: 90 F ~ 77 F with some thunderstorms
● 31st/Saturday: 90 F ~ 77 F with rain

More schedule changes are possible, but no major changes are contemplated at present.

The Opening Ceremony was a big hit in Japan, with a blockbuster 56.4 ratings and more than 70 million watching. Reports indicate that more than 80% of the Japanese public ha already watched some part of the Games.

NBC reported a total audience of 8.2 on Saturday across NBC-NBCSN-CNBC-USA Network. That’s behind Rio, but the audience for daytime and late-night shows were above Rio totals from 2016.
~ Rich Perelman

= RESULTS: MONDAY, 26 JULY =

● Archery: Men’s Team
Never a doubt, as Korea – Je-Deok Kim, Jin-Hyek Oh and Woo-Jin Kim – won its fifth gold in the last six Games, shutting out Chinese Taipei in the final (6–0) after winning a tight semi against Japan, 5-4, in a three-arrow shoot-out.

The Japanese squad did not walk away empty-handed, however, winning the bronze in another shoot-out, over the Netherlands, 5-4.

The U.S. won in the round of 16, but was eliminated by Japan in the quarterfinals, 5-1.

● Canoe-Kayak: Men’s Canoe Slalom
Experience counts and 34-year-old Benjamin Savsek – the 2017 World Champion – knew exactly what he had to do to win his first Olympic medal in three tries: stay away from penalties.

He navigated the course in 98.25 seconds with no penalties and after an eight in London and sixth in Rio, he was a convincing winner over Lukas Rohan (CZE: 101.96 with 2 penalties) and London silver medalist Sideris Tasiadis (GER: 103.70 with 0 penalties).

American Zachary Lokken, in his first Games, was seventh, an impressive finish since his best prior placement in a World Championships was 27th!

● Cycling: Men’s Mountain Bike Cross Country
Swiss stars Nino Schurter – the Rio 2016 winner – and Mathias Flueckiger had to be the favorites, and they were the leaders along with Britain’s Tom Pidcock by the end of the first of seven laps of the 3.85 km circuit.

New Zealand’s Anton Cooper came to join the party a couple of laps later, but by the halfway point of the 28.25 km course, Pidcock took the lead and made a break. He was six seconds up on Flueckiger by lap 4, 14 seconds up by lap 6 and kept extending until he won the gold medal by 20 seconds on Flueckiger and 34 seconds on David Valero Serrano of Spain. Schurter, 35, was fourth in 1:25:56, 42 seconds behind the winner. Cooper finished sixth; Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel did not finish.

● Diving: Men’s 10 m Synchro
Shocker. Stunner. Unbelievable. That’s how dominant China has been, that a victory by Britain’s Tom Daley and Matty Lee comes as a complete surprise.

Not that they aren’t great. Daley was the 2009 and 2017 World Champion at 10 m and he and Daniel Goodfellow won the 2012 10 m Synchro bronze. But reigning World Champions Yuan Cao and Aisen Chen were heavy favorites and had the lead after three dives, with the best score on each.

Then came their fourth dive, a back 3 1/2 somersault that was much less than perfect and scored only a tie for sixth out of eight teams. That opened the door for Daley and Lee, who had been second, second and third, and who then tried the same dive, but won it with 93.96 points to 73.44 for Cao and Chen and that was the difference.

The Chinese won each of the last two dives, but Daley and Lee were second on each and the final scores showed 471.81 for the Brits and 470.58 for China. Russia’s Aleksandr Bondar and Viktor Minibaev were a clear third, but well behind at 439.92. Wow.

● Fencing: Men’s Foil
Italy was supposed to score well here and defending Olympic champion Daniele Garozzo was in the final against Hong Kong’s Ka Long Cheung … and lost, by 15-11. Cheung moved up from 14th in Rio and scored a sensational win, especially since he had never won an FIE World Cup or Grand Prix event! In fact, he had only been a finalist once, winning silver in Turin two seasons ago.

The big names were also absent in the bronze-medal match, as Alexander Choupenitch (CZE) defeated Japan’s Takahiro Shikine, 15-8. Who?

The U.S. had high hopes in this event, but Rio silver winner Alexander Massialas was eliminated in the round of 32, as was Gerek Meinhardt. Nick Itkin made it to the round of 16 before losing.

● Fencing: Women’s Sabre
The final was all-Russian affair between 2018 World Champion Sofia Pozdniakova and London 2012 silver medalist Sofiya Velikaya, with Pozdniakova winning, 15-11 for Russia’s second straight 1-2 Olympic finish in this event.

For Velikaya, she won the silver medal for the third straight Games.

France’s Manon Brunet won the bronze over Hungary’s Anna Marton, 15-6. The U.S. had high hopes, but Dagmara Wozniak and Eliza Stone were eliminated in the round of 32 and Mariel Zagunis – the 2008 and 2012 gold medalist – made it to the quarterfinals, but lost to Velikaya, 15-8 and finished fifth.

● Gymnastics: Men’s Team
It came down to the final rotation, but the “Russian Olympic Committee” team of Nikita Nagornyy, Artur Dalaloyan, David Belyavskiy and Denis Ablyazin eked out a 262.500-262.397 win over a disappointed Japan for the gold medal.

China was a not-too-distant third at 261.894, well ahead of Great Britain (255.760) and the U.S. (254.594).

Japan out-scored the Russians on Floor, Pommel Horse and High Bar, but fell short on Rings, , Vault and Parallel Bars. While Nagornyy had to score 14.666 on Floor – best of the day – to win at the end, the nearly two-point difference on Rings (44.399-42.433) was decisive. The Russians moved up from 261.945 in the qualifying to 262.500 in the final: not a big jump, but just enough to win. It was Russia’s first win in this event since 1996.

The U.S. was fourth in qualifying and fell to fifth in the final; Sam Mikulak scored an impressive 15.000 on the Parallel Bars, the best score of the day for the American men.

● Judo: Women’s 57 kg
Kosovo is making a name for itself on the tatami, as Nora Gjakova won its second gold of this Games and third in its history by beating France’s surprise finalist Sarah-Leonie Cysique by ippon in just 2:45 of the final.

Gjakova, a 2021 Worlds bronze winner, had to defeat Japan’s 2018 World Champion, Tsukasa Yoshida in the semis to get to the final. But Yoshida did win a bronze, defeating Elena Liparteliani by ippon. The other bronze went to 2021 World Champion Jessica Klimkait (CAN) over Kaja Kajzer (SLO), by waza-ari.

● Judo: Men’s 73 kg
Japan’s Shohei Ono repeated as Olympic champion with a win over Rio bronze medal winner Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO) by waza-ari in overtime. It took until 9:25 to produce a point in this match and it was finally Ono who found the magic.

It was the second straight cliff-hanger for Ono, who got to the final with a waza-ari in 4:53 of extra time in the semis against two-time 2021 Grand Slam winner Tsogbaatar Tsend-Ochir (MGL). Tsend-Ochir won a bronze by beating Canada’s Arthur Margelidon; Rio silver medalist Rustam Orujov (AZE) won a bronze this time by defeating 2018 World Champion Chang-Rim An (KOR).

● Shooting: Men’s Skeet
Beijing and London gold medalist Vince Hancock of the U.S. was determined to avenge his 15th-place finish in Rio and did, shooting an Olympic Record 59/60 in the final to defeat Denmark’s Jesper Hansen (55). Hancock ran off 21 shots without a miss, then missed one and hit his final 34 shots to claim a third Olympic gold.

Hancock is the first three-time winner in men’s Olympic Skeet, in fact, in any men’s Shotgun event at the Games.

Abdullah Al-Rashidi, who shot for the Refugee Olympic Team and won a bronze in Rio, shot for Kuwait this time and won another bronze (46).

At just 32, Hancock could continue for a while … perhaps even to Los Angeles in 2028!

● Shooting: Women’s Skeet
Defending champion Diana Bacosi (ITA) had a 29-28 edge over 2018 Worlds bronze medalist Amber English of the U.S. halfway through the final, but after 50 shots, both had 47. That was enough to eliminate bronze winner Meng Wei of China (46) and the duel was on for gold.

Bacosi hit two, then missed, while English ran off nine straight hits and when Bacosi missed again on her sixth shot, the American had a two-shot lead and even with a final miss, scored an Olympic Record to win, 56-55.

Shooting icon Kim Rhode of the U.S. had gone silver-gold-bronze in the last three Games, and now English joins her as a second U.S. winner in Skeet and an American medalist for the fourth straight Games.

● Skateboarding: Women’s Street
If the International Olympic Committee wants to go young, it is succeeding. The medal winners were 13, 13 and 16 and fourth-place American Alexis Sablone is 34.

New Zealand’s Roos Zwetsloot had the best runs at 3.34 and 3.80, but executed only one trick and ended up fifth. The 2021 Worlds silver medalist, Japan’s Momiji Nishiya had good runs of 3.02 and 2.91, then got hit with trick scores of 4.15, 4.66 and 3.43 on her final three tries to score 15.26, good enough to win.

Brazil’s Rayssa Leal, a two-time Worlds medalist, had a 3.13 run score and solid tricks scores of 3.91, 4.21 and 3.39 on her three good tries and that was good enough for second at 14.64. Japan’s Funa Nakayama was third (14.49) and Sablone was fourth at 13.57.

The course difficulty was high, with 26 of the 40 trick attempts resulting in 0.00 scores.

Having children win Olympic medals is fine on its own, but homeowners around the world are cringing at the thought of millions more youngsters taking up the sport in their neighborhoods.

● Swimming: Women’s 400 m Freestyle
Katie Ledecky (USA) led the prelims at 4:00.45 with Bingjie Li (CHN) at 4:01.57 and Australian Ariarne Titmus at 4:01.66.

In the final, Ledecky had the lead at 100 m, 150 m, 200 m, 250 m, and 300 m, but Titmus got closer and took the lead by 350 m and held on, stroke for stroke, during the final 50 m and moved away in the final 20 m to win in 3:56.69, the no. 2 time in history to Ledecky’s world record of 3:56.46. Ledecky swam 3:57.36, the fourth-fastest time ever and the fastest non-winning time ever by more than three seconds.

China’s Li was third in 4:01.08, as Asian Record and American Paige Madden was seventh in 4:06.81.

Ledecky is just getting started and will swim the prelims in the 200 m and 1,500 m frees about seven hours later.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Butterfly
World leader Torri Huske was second at the turn and looked like a possible winner with 15 m to go, but the field rushed up on her at the touch and Canada’s Maggie McNeil backed up her 2019 World Championships gold with a world-leading 55.59 – the third-fastest swim in history behind only two Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) marks – to win … barely.

China’s Yufei Zhang, the qualifying leader, finished strong for second in 55.64 (equal-fifth performance all-time), followed by Australia’s Emma McKeon (55.72: national record) and Huske, who swam 55.73 and missed a medal by 0.01.

Defending Olympic champ Sjostrom finished seventh in 56.91.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Breaststroke
Britain’s defending Olympic champ Adam Peaty came in with the top 18 times in the history of the event, including the Olympic Record of 57.13.

And he won in style, taking the lead by the 25 m mark, turning first and then swimming away from the field, winning in 57.37, the no. 4 mark in history. He’s the second two-time Olympic Champion in this event, joining Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) in 2004-08.

Dutch star Arno Kamminga was game, and a solid second for most of the race, winning the silver in 58.00, just short of his lifetime best of 57.90. Ilya Shymanovich of Belarus was third for much of the race, but was overtaken in the final meters by Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) for third in 58.33. American Michael Andrew seemed to be out of the medals, but rushed at the end to challenge for fourth at 58.84; Andrew Wilson of the U.S. tied for sixth in 58.99.

● Swimming: Men’s 4×100 m Freestyle
The U.S. was the favorite and superstar Caeleb Dressel took over immediately on the first leg with a 47.26 opening leg, the fastest 100 m Free swim in the world in 2021. But that created only a 0.26 lead for Blake Pieroni and France’s Florent Manaudou took the lead during the second leg but Pieroni came back to touch first (47.58) as Bowen Becker took over.

Becker swam a brilliant 47.44 and gave Zach Apple the lead up 0.20 … and then the race was over. Apple took off and raced away from the field with a sensational final leg of 46.69 to bring the U.S. home in 3:08.97, the no. 3 time in history.

Italy followed in 3:10.11 and Australia was third in 3:10.22.

This event has been held 13 times since first appearing at the 1964 Tokyo Games, and the U.S. has now won it in back-to-back Games and 10 times overall.

● Table Tennis: Mixed Doubles
Fans hoped that this event would see China’s Shiwen Liu and Xin Xu against Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito in this first-ever edition of this event. Wish granted.

The final lived up to expectations, with Liu and Xu running off sets of 11-5 and 11-7 before Mizutani and Ito came back to win three straight sets by 11-8, 11-9 and 11-9. Naturally, the Chinese evened it at 11-6, but Mizutani and Ito triumphed with an 11-6 win in the final set and the gold medal in an hour and 17 minutes.

France’s Emmanuel Lebesson and Jia Nan Yuan won the bronze, sweeping Chinese Taipei’s I-Ching Cheng and Yun Ju Lin, 4-0.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 67 kg
Among all the returning Olympic and Worlds medal winners, no one much noticed Croatia’s Matea Jelic, 23, who had never made it past a quarterfinal in the World Championships. But after winning the 2021 European title in this class, she had all the confidence she needed and crushed three opponents by 22-2, 30-9 and London 2012 bronze medalist Paige McPherson of the U.S. by 15-4 to reach the final.

There, she met the equally-determined, three-time European Champion Lauren Williams (GBR). The score was 10-10 after two periods and led to an all-out brawl in the final period, where Jelic managed a 15-12 edge for a 25-22 final and the gold medal.

In the bronze-medal matches, McPherson lost to Egypt’s Hedaya Malik, 17-6; former 62 kg World Champion Ruth Gbagbi (CIV) defeated Brazil’s 2019 Worlds bronze winner Milena Titoneli for the other bronze, 12-8.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 80 kg
Russia’s 2017 World 74 kg Champion and 2021 European 80 kg Champion Maksim Khramtcov was the top seed in this weight in the World Taekwondo rankings. And he won.

Khramtcov, 23, won his bouts by 13-6, 22-0, 13-1 and 20-9 in the final over surprise finalist Saleh Elsharabaty to win Russia’s first Olympic Taekwondo gold.

The bronze matches saw Seif Eissa (EGY) decision Richard Ordemann (NOR) by 12-4 and Toni Kanaet (CRO) beat Nikita Rafalovich (UZB), 24-18.

● Triathlon: Men
As always, it came down to the run. It was France’s two-time World Champion Vincent Luis who was out of the water first and then Swiss Andrea Salvisberg first at the end of the 40 km bike phase.

But then it was Alex Yee (GBR) who took charge on the run, leading a pack of almost 20 and with visions of a third straight gold medal for Great Britain. One of those in the pack was Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt, 27, a second-time Olympian who was 13th in Rio, and a two-time winner on the World Triathlon Series.

Yee maintained his lead to 2.5 km remaining to the finish, but then Blummenfelt – who had moved from sixth up to second in the pack, unleashed a powerful final drive and blew past Yee to finish in 1:45:04, 11 seconds ahead of Yee and 20 seconds up on unheralded Hayden Wilde from New Zealand, who claimed the bronze.

It’s the first Olympic medal in triathlon for Norway and with Yee, Britain has won a men’s medal in this sport for three Games in a row. Wilde’s bronze is the first medal for New Zealand in this sports since 2008.

Britain’s 2016 silver winner, Jonathan Brownlee, finished fifth and American Kevin McDowell was sixth (1:45:54).

● Weightlifting: Women’s 55 kg
China’s Qiuyun Liao won the 2019 World Championship and came in as the world-record holder. She left as the Olympic silver medalist as 2016 Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz (PHI) went for broke and made her final lift at 127 kg in the Clean & Jerk to win by one kilo, 224-223 and claim the Olympic Record.

Both lifted 97 kg in the Snatch, but Liao’s program called for a final C&J lift of 126 and Diaz programmed 127. Both made the lifts; with Liao’s world record at 227, maybe she could have been more aggressive.

It was history for Diaz, who won the first-ever Olympic gold for the Philippines.

Zulfiya Chinshanlo (KAZ), fourth at the 2019 Worlds, lifted a combined 213 kg for the bronze.

Elsewhere:

● Swimming: Just about seven hours after taking the silver medal in the women’s 400 m Freestyle, Katie Ledecky was back in the pool on her longest day of the Games. She won her heat in the 200 m Free in 1:55.28, the no. 9 time of the year, then set an Olympic Record in the first appearance of the women’s 1,500 m in 15:35.35, fastest in the world this year, the eighth-fastest swim in history!

She will be in the 200 m Free semifinals tonight.

● Team/3×3 Basketball: The U.S. won continued their winning ways, beating Italy by 17-13 and China by 21-19 to move to 6-0 and clinch a place in the semifinals with one pool game left against Japan. Russia, Japan and China are all 4-2.

In the men’s tournament, Serbia is 6-0 with one game to play, ahead of the Netherlands (4-2) with Belgium, Russia and Latvia at 3-3.

● Team/Basketball: The U.S. will play its second game in Group A on the 28th against Iran after losing to France, 83-76. The maddening part of that loss was that the U.S. had battled back from a 62-56 deficit at the end of the third quarter and went on an 18-5 run to lead 74-67 in the fourth. But a 14-0 run for the French in 3:07 flipped the score to 81-74 for France and the game ended with the French on a 16-2 run in the last 3:17.

In Group C, Slovenia used 48 points from NBA star Luka Doncic to ease past Argentina, 118-100. Only Brazil’s scoring machine Oscar Schmidt has ever scored more in the Games: 55 in the 1988 Games in Seoul.

● Team/Beach Volleyball: Only one match today among the American teams, with Sarah Sponcil and Kelly Claes winning their opening match by 2-1 over Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina (LAT).

● Team/Football: Japan scored an impressive 2-1 win over Mexico in Group A of the men’s tournament to lead the group at 2-0. France will be next on the 28th, with Mexico (1-1) playing South Africa. In Group D, defending champion Brazil won its opening match vs. Germany by 4-2, then drew – 0-0 – with the Ivory Coast! The Brazilians should advance, however, playing Saudi Arabia next on the 28th.

The U.S. women (1-1) need to win their final group match tomorrow against Australia (1-1) to be assured of moving on. Sweden (2-0) will play New Zealand (0-2). The playoffs begin on the 30th.

● Team/Rugby Sevens: The U.S. men have won their first two matches in pool play, 19-14 over Kenya and 19-17 over Ireland. The last group game is vs. South Africa (also 2-0) tomorrow.

The U.S. women will start on the 29th.

● Team/Volleyball: The U.S. men’s team (1-1) lost to Russia (2-0) in six-team Group B, in four tightly contested sets by 25-23, 27-25, 21–25, 25–23. Next up is Tunisia, on the 28th. The U.S. women (1-0 in Group B) play China next, on the 27th.

● Team/Water Polo: The U.S. men are at 1-0 and will play South Africa (0-1) today in its second of five group games. The U.S. edged Japan, 15-13, in its opener yesterday.

The American women, the gold-medal favorites, are 2-0 in the five-team Group B after a 12-7 win over China earlier today. The game was 6-6 at half, but the U.S. tightened the defense and out-scored China by 6-1 in the final half. Makenzie Fischer led the Americans with three goals.

= PREVIEWS: TUESDAY, 27 JULY =
(22 events across 14 sports)

● Canoe-Kayak: Women’s K-1 Slalom
Winners of five of the six medals awarded in London and Rio are back: Rio winner (and Rio bronze) Maialen Chourraut (ESP), silver medalist Luuka Jones (NZL) and London silver and Rio bronze winner Jessica Fox (AUS).

Fox starts as the favorite, having won the 2014-17-18 world titles and a silver in 2019 to Slovenia’s Eva Tercelj (who is also in the field). Two-time Worlds medalist Ricarda Funk will challenge, as will Klaudia Zwolinska (POL), who a Slalom World Cup earlier this year.

Medal hopes from the Americas include 17-year-old American Evy Leibfarth, a World Cup sensation in 2019 and 2020, winning four medals, and the 2019 Pan American Games gold. Brazil’s Ana Satila is also dangerous, with two World Cup medals in K-1 and six in C-1.

● Cycling: Women’s Mountain Bike/Cross Country
The entire Rio podium of Jenny Rissveds (SWE: gold), Maya Wloszczowska (POL: silver) and Catharine Prendel (CAN: bronze) is back, but none are favored.

Neither is France’s Pauline Ferrand Prevot, the 2015-19-20 World Champion or Swiss star Jolanda Neff, the 2017 World Champion, or Australia’s Rebecca McConnell the Worlds bronze winner in 2019-20. Not even American Kate Courtney, the 2018 World Champion.

It’s all about French sensation Loana Lecomte, 21, winner of all five World Cup competitions this season. Rissveds has been second twice, Ferrand Prevot second once and American Haley Batten has won a silver and bronze. But can anyone beat Lecomte?

● Diving: Women’s 10 m Synchro
China offers Jiaqi Zhang, the 2019 World 10 m Synchro champion with Wei Lu, and Yuxi Chen, the 2019 World 10 m gold medalist. To say they are the favorites is an understatement; China has won this event all five times it has been contested at the Games.

The chase for the other medals will come from 2019 Worlds silver medalists Pandelela Pamg and Mun Yee Leong (INA) and Canadians Meaghan Benfeito and Caeli McKay; Benfeito is looking for a third straight Olympic medal, as she won bronze in 2012 and 2016 with Rose Filion.

Britain’s Eden Chang and Lois Toulson were sixth at the 2019 Worlds and figure in the medal hunt, as do Americans Jessica Parratto and Delaney Schnell and perhaps Gemany’s Christina Wassen and Tina Punzel.

● Equestrian: Team Dressage
This event dates back to the 1928 Games and has been won by a German team 13 times and in eight of the last nine Games. For 2021, the brilliant Isabell Werth is back again to lead the German entry, gold medalist in the 1992-96-2000-08-16 Games and five World Championships, including the last in 2018. Rio teammate Dorothee Schneider is also back, along with Jessica van Bredow-Wendl.

Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin are back from the Rio silver winners from Great Britain and Steffen Peters is the returning member of the bronze medalists from the U.S. Adrienne Lyle is also aboard for the U.S.; she and Peters were part of the American silver winners at the World Equestrian Games in 2018.

Prime challengers start with Sweden, with Therese Nilshagen, Antonia Ramel and Juliette Ramel up, as well as the Denmark, Netherlands and Portugal.

● Fencing: Women’s Team Epee
Four different nations have won this event in the five times on the Olympic program, and China is the reigning World Champion from 2019, having defeated Russia in the final, with Italy besting Ukraine for the bronze.

China’s Yiwen Sun took the gold in the individual event and teammates Sheng Lin and Mingye Zhu were in the top 11. That makes them favorites, but threatened by Italy, which claimed places 6-8-10 with Federica Isola, Rossella Fiamingo and former World Champion Mara Navarria.

Russia, led by Aizanat Murtazaeva (4th) and teammates placed 23 and 29 is a medal contender, as is Korea and Poland.

The U.S. won the Worlds in 2018 in this event, with Kelley and Courtney Hurley and Kat Holmes: they placed 12-26-24 in the individual event, but must be considered dangerous.

● Gymnastics: Women’s Team
Can the U.S. pull it off? Led by the great Simone Biles, the American women have long been expected to romp to the women’s Team gold for a third straight time. True, Biles and Sunisa Lee went 1-3 in the All-Around qualifying, but Jade Carey was ninth, MyKayla Skinner was 11th and Grace McCallum was 13th.

In the meantime, Russia was 4-5-6 with Angelina Melnikova, Vladislava Urazova and Viktoriia Listunova and Liliia Akhaimova was 28th. The qualifying results were Russia 171.629 to 170.562 for the U.S. China was third at 166.863, with France fourth in 164.561.

China looks like the bronze medalist, absent a breakdown, but what will the U.S. do? Russia appeared to max out in the qualifying, but the Americans were not in top form. Nerves?

What appeared to be a coronation now looks like a fight, but with the U.S. with a much higher ceiling – so to speak – than its opponents. The U.S., Russia and Italy were 1-2-3 at the 2019 Worlds, with the U.S. scoring 172.330 to Russia’s 166.529. It may take a similar score for a third straight American gold.

● Judo: Women’s 63 kg
Rio gold medalist Tina Trstenjak is back for another try and perhaps for another showdown with French star Clarisse Agbegnenou.

Trstenjak also won the 2015 World Championship and the 2017 silver and 2018 bronze at this weight, but Agbegnenou holds Worlds golds from 2014-17-18-19-21, making her the favorite … but not by much.

Of late, Agbegnenou has been fighting off Japan’s Miku Tashiro, Worlds finalist in both 2018 and 2019 and Slovenia’s Andreja Leski in 2021. There are lots more bronze winners ready for a shot at a higher step, including two-time Worlds medalist Juul Franssen (NED), Anja Obradovic (SRB: 2021), and Martyna Trajdos (GER: 2019). Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, ranked seventh in the world, is another contender.

● Judo: Men’s 81 kg
Belgium’s Mattias Casse stormed to the 2021 World title in June and is ranked no. 1 worldwide, moving up from a silver in 2019. His principal challengers are expected to be Georgian Tato Grigalashvili (2021 silver) and bronze medalists Frank de Wit (NED) and Anri Egutidze (POR).

But the drama in this class is with 2019 World Champion Sagi Muki of Israel and the former Iranian star Saeid Mollaei, the 2018 World Champion, who was ordered to lose matches at the 2019 Worlds so that he would not face an Israeli fighter (Muki). Mollaei left in fear of his life, went to Germany and eventually was adopted by Mongolia, the country he now represents. Will they meet in Tokyo?

There are other worthy contenders in the field, such as Japan’s 2015 World Champion and Rio bronze medalists Takanori Nagase, Antoine Valois-Fortier (CAN), a three-time Worlds medalist and the London 2012 bronze medalist, the 2018 Worlds silver medalist Vedat Albayrak (TUR) and eighth-ranked Alan Khubetsov (RUS).

● Shooting: Air Pistol Mixed Team
This is a new, mixed-gender event at the Games, with Russia, China and Ukraine winning the medals at the 2018 World Championships. During the 2021 World Cup season, India, Iran and Russia were the top performers. Those five countries should split the medals.

The U.S. has Lexi Lagan, Sandra Uptagrafft, James Hall and Nick Mowrer ready to go; making the final is likely the goal, and a medal would put them in dreamland.

● Shooting: Air Rifle Mixed Team
Another new event in Tokyo, with China going gold-silver at the 2018 Worlds and Russia winning the bronze. The 2021 World Cup season – a good predictor at the Games so far – saw India, Hungary, the U.S. and two different Russian teams win medals.

The American entries, with Mary Tucker, Alison Weisz, Lucas Kozeniesky and gold medalist Will Shaner should be formidable.

● Softball:
The U.S. and Japan entered the final round-robin game undefeated and their match-up was as tight as expected.

Japan got a run in the first inning, as Saki Yamazaki reached on error, a sacrifice bunt, a single and a passed ball. But Ally Carda then shut down the home team into the sixth and then teamed with Cat Osterman to retire Japan in the sixth.

The Americans scratched out a run in the bottom of the sixth on a Valerie Arioto single that scored Haylie McCleney to tie 1-1, and then Kelsey Stewart opened the bottom of the seventh with a home run to right field for a walk-off win. Monica Abbott got the win for a scoreless seventh.

That was Monday. The two meet again in the gold-medal game, with the U.S. having won all five of its games, scoring just nine runs (vs. 2) in the process. Japan was 4-1 and outscored its opponents by a combined 18-5.

Canada will play Mexico for the bronze.

● Surfing: Men and Women
The unstable weather conditions forced the condensation of the competition by a day, with finals moved to the 27th. So, it will be a wild ride for the first edition of Olympic surfing in Tokyo, with both competitions now down to the quarterfinals.

Many of the biggest names are still afloat in the men’s division, including 2019 World Surfing Games champ Italo Ferreira (BRA), silver medalist Kolohe Andino (USA) and bronze winner Gabriel Medina (BRA), and 2021 silver medalist Kanoa Igahashi (JPN).

Medina won twice and had three runner-up finished in the 2021 World Surf League and appears as the favorite. Ferreira also won once.

The women’s quarterfinals features reigning World Surfing Games champ Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 2019 silver medalist Silvana Lima (BRA) and bronze winner Bianca Buitendag (RSA). But Buitendag has a tough assignment in her quarter against 2018 silver winner Yolanda Hopkins (POR).

However, Americans Carissa Moore and Caroline Marks are both contenders. Moore has a win and two seconds from six World Surf League events this season and Marks won at the Rip Curl Narrabean Classic in Australia. Fitzgibbons also has a win this season and is a medal favorite.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Backstroke
Australia’s world-record holder Kaylee McKeown set the Olympic Record in 57.88, the no. 4 time of the year, in the heats, but American teen Regan Smith (19) – the 2019 World 200 m Back Champion – won the first semi in another Olympic Record of 57.86. Fellow American Rhyan White was second in 58.46 and Kathleen Dawson (GBR) third in 58.56.

McKeown was in semi two, but 2021 world no. 2 – and two-time World Champion – Kylie Masse of Canada won in 58.09 to 58.11 for McKeown and 58.59 for Emily Seebohm (AUS).

Clearly, McKeown as the world-record setter, is the favorite, but Masse and Smith appear just as capable of getting on the top step of the podium. If any of these aren’t in form, White, Seebohm and especially Dawson could get a medal.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Breaststroke
The first statement was made in the heats with South Africa’s Tatjana Schoenmaker setting an Olympic Record of 1:04.82 and moving to no. 2 in the world for 2021 and equal-fifth all-time.

The U.S. came in to Tokyo with the three fastest performers in the world (now 3 of 4) and American teenager Lydia Jacoby – just 17 and no. 2 on the world list – impressed as the winner of the first semi in 1:05.72, her third-fastest time of the year, ahead of Sophie Hansson (SWE: 1:05.81) and Russia’s Yuliya Efimova (1:06.34).

World leader, reigning Olympic champ, World Champion and world-record holder Lilly King was expected to win the second semi, but it was Schoenmaker who won with a steady pace in the second half, 1:05.07-1:05.40. Martina Carraro (ITA) was third in 1:06.50 and qualified seventh.

The U.S. is looking good for two medals here, but King is going to have to be in her Olympic Trials form (1:04.72 semis/1:04.79 final) to win. Hansson is the best other challenger.

● Swimming: Men’s 200 m Freestyle
Korea’s Sunwoo Hwang had the fastest time in the heats at 1:44.62, but world leader Duncan Scott (GBR) won semi two in 1:44.60 and 400 m Free bronze medalist Kieran Smith (USA) was second in 1:45.07, leading the field into the final. Lithuanian star Danas Rapsys, the 2018 Worlds Short-Course silver medalist, was third (1:45.32) and Tom Dean, with the second-fastest time in the world in 2021, was fourth (1:45.34) with Hwang fifth (1:45.53).

Russia’s Martin Malyutin and Romania’s 16-year-old sensation David Popovici went 1-2 in the first semi in 1:45.45 and 1:45.68, with American Townley Haas, the 2017 Worlds silver winner, in fifth at 1:46.07 and did not qualify for the final.

Scott, Smith, Rapsys, Dean, Malyutin and Popovici are the medal contenders; that’s a lot of names for an event which really is wide open. This event has not seen a time under 1:44.00 since 2012.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Backstroke
Defending Olympic champ and world-record holder Ryan Murphy won the first semi in 52.24 – just 0.02 off his seasonal best – ahead of Australia’s Mitch Larkin in 52.76 and Thomas Ceccon (ITA: 52.78).

Russian Kliment Kolesnikov, the 2021 world leader at 52.09, won the second semi neatly at 52.29, with teammate Evgeny Rylov second at 52.91 and China’s Jiayu Xu third (52.94). American Joseph Armstrong tied for fifth at 53.21.

The six under 53 will contend for the medals, but Murphy looks primed for a big performance in the final, which would mean a second Olympic gold.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 80+ kg
Two Olympic silver medalists return, both from Africa in Anthony Obame from Gabon (2012) and Niger’s Abdoul Issofou (2016).

However, they can hardly be considered favorites against 2019 World 87 kg champ Vladislav Larin of Russia or World 87+ kg gold medalist Rafael Alba of Cuba. These two Worlds winners must compete in this class since the Olympics allows only four classes per gender instead of the eight used by World Taekwondo in its Worlds.

Other 2019 Worlds medalists in the field are Ivan Sapina (CRO), bronze winner at 87 kg and Mexico’s Carlos Sansores, silver medalist at 98+ kg. From the 2017 Worlds at 87 kg, champion Alexander Bachmann(GER) and Ivan Trajkovic (SLO: bronze) are in the field, as is 87+ kg runner-up Mahama Cho (GBR).

Larin and Alba are favored, but the talent is deep in this class. Also lined up is Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua – the bare-chested Opening Ceremonies star – who also competed in this class in 2016 and lost his first-round match by 16-1.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 67+ kg
Defending champion Shuyin Zheng (CHN) headlines this field, with bronze medalist Bianca Walkden (GBR) also back, but they will have to deal with the London 2012 gold medalist, Milica Mandoc (SRB, also a 2017 World Champion at 73 kg).

Walkden owns the 2019 World title at +73 kg, where she beat Zheng straight up, with Mexico’s Briseida Acosta third. And Walkden also won in 2019, with Zheng third. At 73 kg, Korean Da-Bin Lee won the 2019 title and Turk Nafia Kus won bronze.

But doesn’t it seem like another Walkden-Zheng showdown is inevitable?

● Triathlon: Women
London gold medalist and Rio silver medalist Nicola Spirig (SUI) and bronze winner Vicky Holland (GBR) are back, but are only some of the contenders in what should be a wide-open race.

The British trio includes reigning World Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown, 2019 World Series runner-up Jessica Learmonth and Holland, who was also the 2018 World Champion.

The U.S. has Katie Zaferes, the 2019 World Champion who has been off of her best and had to survive a selection process to make the team, plus Taylor Knibb, who won the World Triathlon Series stop in Yokohama this year, and Summer Rappaport, second in that Yokohama race.

Then there is two-time World Champion Flora Duffy (BER), second in the 2020 World Championships and if fit, may be the one to beat. German Laura Lindemann was the Worlds bronze winner in 2020 and Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle, a two-time World Series winner, should not be counted out.

Zaferes, a former Syracuse trackster, will be dangerous if she is within striking distance in the run.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 59 kg
The 2019 World Champion and current world-record holder is Hsing-Chun Kuo of Chinese Taipei and she is the favorite to win. With North Korea not competing and China skipping this weight class, it’s hard to see her losing.

Japan’s Mikiko Andoh, fifth at the 2019 Worlds, Britain Zoe Smith (6th), Yusleidy Figueroa (VEN: 7th) and Vietnam’s Hoang Thi Duyen (9th) are the most likely candidates for the other medals.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 64 kg
Injury has prevented China’s reigning Olympic champ Wei Deng from winning another gold here, opening the door for others like Mercedes Perez (COL), Maude Charron (CAN), Britain’s Sarah Davies and Giorgia Bordignon.

Perez has a bronze from the 2017 World Championships and three golds from 2011,15-19 Pan American Games and should be considered the favorite, but this class has been devastated by injuries, withdrawals and national doping bans.

= INTEL REPORT =

Asked who was the first person to congratulate him on his gold-medal performance in the men’s 10 m Air Rifle final, Will Shaner of the U.S. replied:

“My drug testing guy.”

Veterans of Olympic organizing committees can empathize with Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya, who was asked about delays in athlete transport to training sites, even athletes taking taxis there. His response is one that has been heard in almost every Games:

“I am aware that transport is experiencing some issues, including delays. So they always have buses on standby … so we are trying to do everything that we can so that we can move the transport services smoothly and my understanding is that the situation is improving.”

Transport is one of the most unmanageable of all elements, no matter how well planned or how much money is spent. Let’s hope he’s right.

Through 26 July, the Tokyo 2020 report on Covid positives is at 148 (+16). Of these, 79 are residents of Japan and 69 are not; the leading group continues to be contractors (70), followed by “Games-concerned personnel” including coaches and officials (48), then athletes (136), news media (9) and Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers (5).

The testing report by stakeholder group:

● Athletes and team officials: 17 positives out of 790,136 tests through 24 July (0.02%)
● Media/Tokyo 2020 staff: 25 positives out of 114,080 tests through 24 July (0.02%).

There are another 67 positives from outside groups not being tested by Tokyo 2020 and 28 caught at the airport for a total of 137 through 24 July.

In addition, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is now publishing positives, with one positive reported among the 1,038 athletes and officials in Tokyo as of 24 July, and none among 1,144 on 25 July.

It’s not Olympic news, but elsewhere, the CONCACAF Gold Cup is rolling on, with the semifinals set for the 29th between the U.S. and Qatar and Mexico and Canada. In the quarters, played Saturday, Qatar edged El Salvador, 3-2 while the U.S. got a goal from Matt Hoppe in the 83rd minute to edge Jamaica, 1-0. Mexico clubbed Honduras, 3-0, and Canada shut down Costa Rica, 2-0. The final will be played on 1 August.

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TOKYO 2020/Sunday Review & Preview: 6 medals for U.S. swimmers; Ledecky vs. Titmus in 400 Free tonight; U.S. men’s basketball loses to France!

Rich Perelman

July 25, 2021

tsx pix 2021-725 kalisz-litherland 750 (fj) — Joy from the men's 400 m Medley medalists (l-r): Jay Litherland and Chase Kalisz (USA) and Australia's Brendon Smith

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= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One

The Olympic Games is not supposed to be a contest between nations, but everyone checks out the medal standings anyway. After two days of medal events:

1. China, 11 (6-1-4)
2. United States, 10 (4-2-4)
3. Russian Olympic Committee, 7 (1-4-2)
4. Japan, 6 (5-1-0)
5. Italy (1-1-3) and Korea (2-0-3), 5

However, this is hardly a real comparison of team strength, so we have a fairer TSX scoring system that uses the top eight places – the number in the finals of many events – using the time-honored U.S. scoring of 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1. So after two days and 29 of 339 events:

1. China, 102
2. United States, 96
3. Japan, 82.5
4. Russian Olympic Committee, 66.5
5. Korea, 62.5
6. Italy, 62
7. France, 49.5
8. Hungary, 41
9. Netherlands, 33.5
10. Great Britain, 27.5

We’ll keep this updated as we go along.

Hot weather is a factor in Tokyo as expected. This week is expected to have more of the same:

● 26th/Monday: high of 92 F, low of 73 F: cloudy
● 27th/Tuesday: 81 F ~ 76 F: rainy
● 28th/Wednesday: 88 F ~ 77 F: cloudy
● 29th/Thursday: 89 F ~ 77 F: cloudy
● 30th/Friday: 90 F ~ 77 F: thunderstorms!

The weather will cool slightly for the second week, but thunderstorms are projected through the rest of the Games, with continuing worry over the impact of typhoon conditions in the Pacific. It might be just as well that spectators were not allowed for these Games!

NBC’s ratings for the Opening Ceremony were way down from prior years, not a surprise given that the event took place about 12 hours earlier than its primetime window.

Reports indicated that the total NBC audience for the show – across all platforms – was about 17.0 million, down from 26.5 million for Rio in 2016 or 40.7 million for London in 2012.

No reports yet on during-the-day cable audiences, which make up a lot of the NBC coverage on NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network and others. Stay tuned.
~ Rich Perelman

● Archery: Women’s Team
The trio of San An, Min-Hee Jang and Chae-Young Kang had no trouble keeping Korea’s record perfect in this event: it has been held nine times and Korea has won nine golds. They stomped Italy, 6-0, then Germany in the semifinals by 5-1 and then Russia – Ksenia Perova, Elena Osipova and Svetlana Gomboeva (remember her, the one who feinted from the heat on Friday?) – in the final by 6-0. That’s 17 ends to one.

Germany took the bronze, defeating Belarus, 5-1. The U.S. was eliminated, 6-0, by Russia in the quarterfinals.

● Cycling: Women’s Road Race
Complete shocker, as Austria’s unheralded Anna Kiesenhofer took advantage of an early breakaway and won by 1:15 over a stunned peloton.

Kiesenhofer, 30, had never won anything bigger than her national championships, but was part of an early attack that the major contenders simply ignored. But over the 137 km loop course to the Fuji International Raceway, she not only maintained a healthy lead, she broke free of Omer Shapira (ISR) and Anna Plitcha (POL) with 41 km remaining and rode alone to the finish!

The peloton finally got going and Dutch star Annemiek van Vleuten got up for second, closing hard in the last 4 km, but still only for silver. Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) took the bronze (+1:29) with Lotte Kopecky (BEL: +1:39) fourth. American Coryn Rivera was seventh and defending champ Anna van der Breggen (NED) was 15th. Shapira and Plitcha ended up 24th and 27th.

This is why races take place in person and not on paper; Kisenhofer’s win literally came out of nowhere.

● Diving: Women’s 3 m Synchro
Yawn. As expected. China began its run at diving gold with a dominating 326.40 to 300.78 win by Tingmao Shi and Han Wang over Canada’s Jennifer Abel and Melissa Citrini-Beaulieu, repeating the 1-2 finish from the 2019 World Championships.

There’s no doubting the brilliance of the Chinese; their divers have now won this event five times in a row. Germans Lena Hentschel and Tina Punzel were third, but well back at 284.97. Americans Krysta Palmer and Alison Gibson finished eighth (263.49).

● Fencing: Men’s Epee
Crazy things happen in the Olympics, so why shouldn’t France’s 24-year-old Romain Cannone, who finished 30th at the 2019 World Championships, beat 2019 World Champion Gergely Siklosi in the final, 15-10?

This was no fluke. Cannone opened with a 15-12 win over 2012 Olympic Champion Ruben Limardo (VEN), then won 15-11 in his second-round match, 15-12 over 2019 Worlds silver medalist Sergey Bida (RUS) and then 15-10 over Ukraine’s Igor Reizlin, the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist … before he got to Siklosi. Sacre bleu!

Reizlin won the bronze-medal match vs. Andrea Santarelli (ITA), 15-12.

● Fencing: Women’s Foil
Russian Inna Deriglazova, the Rio gold medalist and World Champion in 2015-17-19, was cruising. She won her first four bouts by 15-8, 15-10, 15-7 and then 15-10 vs. 2018 World Champion Alice Volpi of Italy. On to the final.

On the other side of the bracket, American Lee Keifer – a Notre Dame star at a school famous for fencing – was moving toward another showdown with Deriglazova. She moved through the rounds, winning 15-4, then 15-13 against Canada’s Eleanor Harvey, 15-11 in the quarters and then 15-6 against Russian Larisa Korobeynikova to get the Deriglazova.

No chance, right? Deriglazova had won 10 of their 14 meetings, dating back to 2008 and the last four in a row.

But Kiefer ended the first period up, 8-7, then went up 9-7 and 12-9 and had an upset in sight. But Deriglazova won three straight points to even the match, but then Kiefer won two straight points, gave up one and got one more for a sensational, 15-13 upset.

It was the U.S.’s first-ever medal in women’s foil and Keifer is only the second American woman to win an Olympic fencing gold; teammate Mariel Zagunis did it twice in Sabre. Yowsah!

Korobeynikova out-dueled Volpi, 15-14, for the bronze.

● Judo: Women’s 52 kg
This was going to be a big day for the Abe family as Uta and older brother Hifumi were both fighting. And Uta held up her end.

The 2019 World Champion, Uta stormed to the gold medal, winning her first two bouts in 2:03 (ippon) and 4:00 (waza-ari), before a tough match vs. Rio silver winner Odette Giuffrida (ITA, by waza-ari) that took 7:11.

The final against France’s Amandine Buchard, the 2018 Worlds bronze medalist, went to overtime and 27 seconds into the extra period, Abe managed a full throw (ippon) to win the Olympic title.

Giuffrida and Britain’s Chelsie Giles won the bronze medals.

● Judo: Men’s 66 kg
A great day for the Abe family!

Japan’s Hifumi Abe was the 2017-18 World Champion and the clear favorite and he was undeterred from winning the gold with a waza-ari after four minutes against Georgia’s Vazha Margvelashvili in the final.

Abe never let the matches go too long: he won by ippon (5:27), waza-ari (4:00) and ippon in 2:25 in the semifinals before winning the final. His total mat time on the way to winning was only 15:52, less than four minutes per bout.

Brazil’s Daniel Cargnin and Korea’s Baul An – the Rio silver medalist – won the bronzes.

● Shooting: Women’s 10 m Air Pistol
This battle came down to the final round, as Rio silver medalist Vitalina Batsarashkina (RUS) moved up to the top of the podium, shooting 10.5 and 10.4 on her last two shots to edge Antoaneta Kostadinova (BUL), winner of last June’s ISSF World Cup.

The Bulgarian had a 230.4-229.9 lead going into the final shot, but scored only 9.0 vs. 10.4 for Batsarashkina and that was the difference. The Russian’s total of 240.3 was an Olympic Record; Kostidinova finished at 239.4. China’s Ranxin Jiang was third at 218.0.

● Shooting: Men’s 10 m Air Rifle
American gold for Bill Shaner, who showed he was a contender by winning the ISSF World Cup in Croatia in June. He led throughout the final and had a 231.3-229.8 edge over China’s Lihao Sheng going into the last round. Sheng scored 10.3 and 10.8, but Shaner’s 10.1 and 10.2 were enough for a 251.6-250.9 victory. It’s an Olympic Record for Shaner and the first-ever medal for the U.S. in this event, introduced in Los Angeles in 1984.

China’s Hoaran Yang won the bronze (229.4); American Lucas Kozeniesky finished sixth.

● Skateboarding: Men’s Street
The sport made its debut in Tokyo with a historic win for Japan’s Yuto Horigome, the 2021 World Champion. He produced desultory first and second runs, but executed four brilliant in five tries to score 9.03, 9.35, 9.50 and 9.30 for a 37.18 total to win by more than a point.

Brazil’s 2015 World Champion Kelvin Hoefler had the second and third-best runs of the day at 8.98 and 8.84, so his tricks score of 8.99 and 9.34 gave him 36.15 for second.

This was a difficult competition, in which only American Jagger Eaton managed to score about 9.00 (9.05) on a run and 21 of 40 trick attempts ended with scores of 0.00. Eaton scored 8.20 and 9.05 on his runs and had trick scores of 8.70 and 9.40 – second best of the day – to clinch third at 35.35. American star Nyjah Huston, the six-time World Champion, had a rough first run of 7.90 but rebounded to score 9.11 on his second. But after a 9.09 on his first trick, the remainder scored 0.00 and he finished seventh at 26.10.

● Swimming: Men’s 400 m Freestyle
Australia’s Jake McLoughlin, no. 2 on the world list, led the race from the start in lane two and he and Ahmed Hafnaoui (TUN) – in lane 8 – separated from the field by the 150 m mark and the question was whether anyone could catch them.

McLoughlin turned first at 350 m by 0.31 and had the lead almost to the end, but Hafnaoui – who was the final qualifier, making it in by 0.14 – came on with a stout kick and a perfect stretch to touch first in 3:43.36, moving him to third on the world list for 2021. He said afterwards, “I just put my head in the water. I just can’t believe it.”

Behind those two was a free-for-all over the last two laps, with Felix Auboeck (AUT) third, American Keiran Smith fourth and Germany’s qualifying leader Henning Muhlleitner fifth, all within a half-second. But Smith had the best finish and grabbed the bronze in a lifetime best of 3:43.94, ahead of Auboeck and Muhlleitner, tied for fourth in 3:44.07. American Jake Mitchell was eighth in 3:45.39.

● Swimming: Men’s 400 m Medley
American Chase Kalisz, the 2017 World Champion in this event, was supposed to take over on the third stroke – the Breaststroke – but he charged to the lead during the second (backstroke) leg, and finally turned second to Lewis Clareburt (NZL) by just 0.34. Then he did take over on the Breast leg, pushing out to a huge lead of 2.47 seconds over Clareburt heading into the Freestyle finish.

Kalisz’s lead was 1.82 seconds flipping onto the final lap and he won in 4:09.42, actually slower than Brendon Smith (AUS) in the qualifying heats (4:09.27). Smith looked like he was going to be second, but American Jay Litherland sprinted home best and moved from fourth to second in the final 25 m and claimed the silver medal in 4:10.28, beating Smith by 0.10. Clareburt faded to seventh (4:11.22).

Kalisz was the Rio silver medalist, and is moving up to the top of the podium. He said afterwards that this victory was the goal he had pointed for for his entire career. He was brilliant; the U.S. has now won a medal in this event in nine straight Games.

● Swimming: Women’s 400 m Medley
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu was the defending champion and American teen Emma Weyant had the fastest time in the world in 2021, but Japan’s Yui Ohashi, sixth on the world list, took charge in mid-race and was never headed.

Hosszu and American Hali Flickinger traded leads on the Butterfly leg, but Ohashi zoomed to the lead on the Backstroke leg and expanded her edge on the Breaststroke to almost two body lengths. She gave back a little to Weyant, who moved to second on the Breast leg and then pushed hard to finish second, 4:32.08 (world leader for Ohashi) to 4:32.76 (lifetime best for Weyant).

Behind them was a duel between Hosszu and Flickinger in lanes one and two. Hosszu’s slight edge on the Freestyle leg dissipated in the final 50 m, as Flickinger grabbed third in 4:34.90. Spain’s Mireia Belmonte for fourth (4:35.13) with Hosszu fading to fifth (4:35.98).

It was the fifth Games in a row in which the U.S. has won at least one medal in this event.

● Swimming: Women’s 4×100 m Freestyle
Australia came here to break the world record and a brilliant leg by Emma McKeon on the third stage led to a strong anchor by Cate Campbell and, indeed, a world record of 3:29.69, the first women’s team to ever break 3:30. It’s their third straight gold in this event and Cate Campbell has been on all three.

Behind them was a taught race for second, with Sweden, the U.S. and Canada all in the mix. Third leg Natalie Hinds got the U.S. into the mix – possibly for second – when anchors Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak (CAN) – the co-100 m Free champs n Rio – took over. Manuel and Oleksiak went back and fourth, but the Canadian swam 52.26 to 52.96 for Manuel and grabbed the silver at the touch.

The U.S. has won a medal in all nine Games held from 1984 on, but has finished 2-2-3-2-3 in the last five. But with the bronze, the American swim team won six medals in its first finals session.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 57 kg
Where did this come from? American 18-year-old Anastasija Zolotic rolled through four matches and won the Olympic title from Russian Tatiana Minina in a battle of two relative unknowns in this weight class.

Zolotic won her bouts by 11-4, 17-9, then 28-5 in her semi against Chia-Ling Lo (TPE) and then 25-17 in the final. Zolotic had a 12-10 lead after the first period, but was up only 14-13 going into the final period. But she scored four quick points for an 18-13 lead and cruised to the gold medal.

Lo won her bronze medal match; Turkey’s Hatice Ilgun was the other bronze medalist.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 68 kg
Britain’s 2019 World Champion Bradly Sinden was moving smartly towards the gold medal, winning high-scoring bouts by 53-8, 39-19 and 33-25 in the semi against China’s Shuai Zhao.

But he ran into a problem in the final and was upset by Uzbek Ulugbek Rashitov, 34-29. The challenger essentially won the fight in the first round with a 13-8 lead and then held on for the final two; Rashitov won the wild third round by 16-15.

Zhao won a bronze medal over 2017 World Champion Dae-Hoon Lee, and Hakan Recber (TUR) won the second bronze.

● Weightlifting: Men’s 61 kg
China’s Fabin Li set an Olympic Record of 313 kg on the way to a dominant win, adding an Olympic gold to his 2019 World Championship. Along the way, he set an Olympic Record of 172 kg – making the lift while standing on one leg! – in the Clean & Jerk.

Indonesia’s Eko Yuli Irawan won the Rio silver medal and repeated in Tokyo (302 kg), with Igor Son (KAZ) emerging to take the bronze at 294 kg, just ahead of Japan’s Yoichi Itokazu (292 kg).

● Weightlifting: Men’s 67 kg
Five straight wins for China in this weight class as Lijun Chen, the 2019 World Champion and the world-record holder, lifted a combined 332 kg to win a tight battle with Colombia’s Luis Javier Mosqueda.

Chen managed only his opening Snatch weight of 145 kg and Mosqueda lifted 151 kg. But Chen made his first two Clean & Jerk lifts of 175 kg and then an Olympic Record 187 kg and that was enough. Mosqueda made his final lift of 180 kg, but fell a kilo short.

Mirko Zanni (ITA) was a surprise third, lifting 322 kg to 321 for Myeongmok Han of Korea.

Elsewhere:

● Gymnastics: The women’s team qualifying saw Russia top the U.S., 171.629 to 170.562, with China third at 166.863. This is not good news for the Americans, although Simone Biles had the top All-Around score at 57.731, followed by Rebeca Andrade (BRA: 57.399) and Sunisa Lee of the U.S. (57.166). Jade Carey was ninth, MyKayla Skinner was 11th and Grace McCallum, 13th.

Biles and Lee went 1-2 in the Vault qualifications; two-time World Champion Nina Derwael (BEL) led the Uneven Bars with Lee second and Biles ninth (both qualified for the finals); China’s Chenchen Guan led the Beam, with Lee third and Biles seventh (both qualified), and Vanessa Ferrari (ITA) had the top score on Floor, just ahead of Biles and Carey.

Everybody got to the next round who was supposed to, but this was hardly an encouraging start for a squad which has big expectations.

● Team: Basketball
Any aura of invincibility for the U.S. men’s team was shattered on Sunday as France defeated the Americans in their opener, 83-76. The U.S. had a 22-15 lead at the quarter and a 45-37 lead at half, but it disappeared when France ran off a 25-11 third quarter and outscored the U.S. by 21-20 in the fourth.

The U.S. shot just 36% from the field to France’s 47%, and was out-rebounded, 42-36. Evan Fournier (Boston Celtics) led France with 28 points and Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz) had 14 and nine rebounds.

Jrue Holiday, fresh from the NBA Finals for Milwaukee, had 18 points, Bam Adebayo had 12 (and 10 rebounds), Damian Lillard had 11 and Kevin Durant, 10, for the U.S., which was 10-32 from the three-point line.

The loss ended a 25-game Olympic win streak, which dates back to the bronze-medal game of the 2004 Games in Athens. The U.S. plays Iran on the 28th and the Czech Republic on the 31st; wins in those two games will move the U.S. to the quarterfinals. But nothing is sure now.

In the other Group A game, the Czechs beat Iran, 84-78; Australia paddled Nigeria, 84-65, and Italy beat Germany, 92-82 in Group B.

● Team: Beach Volleyball
We’re in pool play and the top-seeded American duo of April Ross and Alix Klineman won their opener against Chen Xue and Xinxin Wang (CHN) by 21-17, 21-19 in 44 minutes. April and Alix play on Monday against Liliana and Elsa from Spain.

In the men’s division, Jake Gibb and replacement Tri Bourne won their opener in straight sets, 21-18, 21-19 over Italy’s Enrico Rossi and Adrian Carambula. They play next in Tuesday against the Swiss team of Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson.

(Errata: There was an error in yesterday’s post about the loss by Americans Nick Lucena and Phil Dalhausser. This did not eliminate them; they continue in Pool D on the 27th.)

● Team: Softball
More great pitching, as Monica Abbott shut down Australia for seven innings and Tarni Stepto did the same to the U.S. The game went to the eighth and the U.S. gave up its first run of the tournament, as Belinda White scored on a walk to Jade Wall.

Down 1-0, the U.S. got an Aubree Mundo double to open the inning, then a single by Haylie McCleney and after a sacrifice bunt, Amanda Chidester singled to left, driving in two and giving the Americans a 2-1 walk-off win. The red-clad U.S. team streamed onto the field to mob Chidester. And next is undefeated Japan on Monday.

● Team: Volleyball
The U.S. men opened with a powerful 25-19, 25-18, 25-22 sweep of France, expected to be one of the better teams in the tournament. Wow! Taylor Sander led the U.S. with 15 points, converting 12-19 kill shots; Matt Anderson had 13 points on 13-20 kill attempts.

The U.S. women, a solid medal favorite, ran past Argentina, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 in its opener in Pool B. Jordan Thompson had 20 points for the U.S., including 18-23 kills.

● Tennis: A shocker for Wimbledon champ Ash Barty (AUS), who lost in her first-round match to 48th-ranked Sara Sorribes, 6-4, 6-3 is was eliminated. No. 2-ranked Naomi Osaka won her opener easily, 6-1, 6-4 over Saisai Zheng (CHN).

= PREVIEWS: MONDAY, 26 JULY =
(21 events across 14 sports)

● Archery: Men’s Team
Koreans have been dominant in this event, winning four of the last five golds, including in Rio in 2016. With Je-Deok Kim, 2012 Olympic champ Jin-Hyek Oh and two-time World Champion Woo-Jin Kim ranking 1-3-4 in the Ranking Round last Friday, they are the favorites, no doubt.

But China won the 2019 world title in this event and had the nos. 7-11-13 scorers in the Ranking Round with India second and the Koreans third. The Netherlands also looks powerful from nos. 6-8-14 in the Ranking Round. The U.S. is certainly capable, with World Champion Brady Ellison ranking second on Friday, but Jack Williams (29th) and Jacob Wukie (47th) are going to have to be better.

● Canoe-Kayak: Men’s Canoe Slalom
The nature of this event makes it hard to predict and the big names often catch a bad wave. But going in, Rio silver winner Matej Benus (SVK) and Japan’s bronze medalist Takuya Haneda both return, as does Ander Elosegi, the 2019 Worlds silver medalist.

But decorated veterans like Germany’s Sideris Tasiadis (London 2012 silver) and 2017 World Champion Benjamin Savsek (SLO) are not to be discounted. Benus (33) and Tasiadis (31) went 2-3 at the 2021 European Championships and could be ready to hear their anthem.

● Cycling: Men’s Mountain Bike Cross Country
If the Games were held in 2020, surely the favorite would be the Rio 2016 winner and eight-time World Champion Nino Schurter (SUI). But this is 2021, and teammate Mathias Flueckiger, now 32, the 2019 silver medalist and the winner of two World Cup stops this season.

Both will have stiff challenges from the French entry of Jordan Sarrou – the 2020 World Champion – and Victor Koretzky, 10th in Rio, but also a winner on the World Cup circuit this season. Also in the mix: Czech Ondrej Cink, a two-time 2021 World Cup silver medalist, Britain’s Tom Pidcock, the 2020 Worlds silver medalist and the much-feared Mathieu van der Poel (NED), who is a brilliant rider on the roads (Tour de France stage winner in 2021) and in the mountains.

● Diving: Men’s 10 m Synchro
Let’s see, who are the Chinese entries? Yuan Cao and Aisen Chen, the reigning World Champions. Cao won the London 2012 Olympic gold with a different partner in this event and Chen won in Rio, also with a different partner. They are the overwhelming favorites.

Britain’s Tom Daley and Matty Lee were Worlds bronze medalists in 2019 and will challenge for medals again, along with Russian silver winners Aleksandr Bondar and Viktor Minibaev. Ukraine’s Oleh Serbin and Oleksii Sereda, fourth at the 2019 Worlds, are the best contenders for breaking up that top three.

● Fencing: Men’s Foil
Italy has the defending Olympic champ in Daniele Garozzo, 2018 World Champion Alessio Foconi and as its third entry, 37-year-old Andrea Cassara, in his fifth Olympics, having finished 3-6-5-16 in 2004-08-12-16. One of them surely will be on the podium.

There are challengers, especially 2019 World Champion Enzo Lefort (FRA) and silver medalist Marcus Mapstead (GBR) and 2018 Worlds bronze medalist Carlos Llavador (ESP). This is the U.S.’s strong event, with 2016 silver medalist Alexander Massialas back, as well as two-time Worlds bronze medalist Gerek Meinhardt and Nick Itkin, a 2019-20 World Cup stop winner. All three are medal capable.

● Fencing: Women’s Sabre
The popular 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Mariel Zagunis of the U.S., is back for her fourth Games and could figure in the medals if everything breaks right for her. She won a World Cup event in the 2019-20 season, but has not been a steady presence on the podium.

The London and Rio silver and bronze-medal winners Sofiya Velikaya (RUS) and Olga Kharlan (UKR) are back; Kharlan has won the 2013-14-17-19 world titles and is a medal favorite; Velikaya won in 2011 and 2015. Velikaya’s teammate Sofia Pozdniakova won the 2018 world title and is also a major contender.

The 2019 Worlds bronze winner Theodora Goudoura (GRE) and American Eliza Stone – a 2018 Worlds bronze medalist – are in the picture along with Italy’s Irene Vecchi, Hungary’s Anna Marton and the entire French team of Cecilia Berder, Manon Brunet and Charlotte Lembach.

● Gymnastics: Men’s Team
Make no mistake, the Japanese team – winners in Rio four years ago – expects to win this. They led the qualifying at 262.251, led by All-Around leader Daiki Hashimoto (88.531) followed by Takeru Kitazono, Kazuma Kaya and Wataru Tanigawa.

But they will get an argument from China – second at the 2019 Worlds – which was 3-4-12 and had one performer do only two of the apparatus. And reigning World Champion Russia had nos. 2-6-10-29 in the prelims, led by veteran stars Nikita Nagornyy, Artur Dalaloyan and David Belyavskiy.

The U.S. was 11-14-19-21 with Brody Malone, Sam Mikulak, Yul Moldauer and Shane Wiskus and is a medal contender. But it will have to bridge Friday’s gap, after scoring 256.761 to Japan’s 262.251, China’s 262.061 and Russia’s 261.945. Britain, Germany and Brazil all figure to be long-shot contenders for a medal as well.

● Judo: Women’s 57 kg
Perhaps a battle of world champions? Canada’s Jessica Klimkait won the 2021 world title and could face the 2018 winner, Japan’s Tsukasa Yoshida, also the 2019 silver medalist. They start as favorites, but 2021 bronze winners Nora Gjakova (KOS) and Theresa Stoll (GER) are contenders, along with 2019 Worlds silver medalist Julia Kowalczyk (POL) and 2018 bronze winner Sumiya Dorjsuren (MGL).

Also worth watching: Georgia’s Eteri Liparteliani, a World Cup medalist in two of the last three seasons.

● Judo: Men’s 73 kg
Three of the four Rio medal winners are back: winner Shohei Ono (JPN), finalist Rustam Orujov (AZE) and bronze medalist Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO).

Shavdatuashvili figures as the favorite, having won the 2021 world title in June, downing Swede Tommy Macias in the final, with Turk Bilal Ciloglu winning a bronze.

Ono won the 2019 world title over Orujov, who also won silver in the 2017 Worlds. Throw in 2018 World Champion Chang-Rim An (KOR) and two-time 2021 Grand Slam winner Tsogbaatar Tsend-Ochir (MGL) and the tournament will be a barn-burner from the quarterfinals on.

● Shooting: Men’s Skeet
Beijing and London gold medalist Vince Hancock of the U.S. is back again and is a favorite after winning the 2018 World Championship as well. He is motivated by his 15th-place finish in Rio in 2016.

But he’s no shoo-in, with 2016 winner Gabriele Rossetti (ITA) back, as is bronze medalist Abdullah Al-Rashidi, who shot for the Refugee Olympic Team them, but for Kuwait now. The 2018 Worlds silver winner Erik Watndal (NOR) is also

More: the ISSF held four World Cups in Skeet this year, with winners Jesper Hansen (DEN), Azmy Mehelba (EGY) and Tammaro Cassandro (ITA) in Tokyo; Hancock was second to Mehelba in the event in Italy in May.

In the first-day qualifying, France’s Eric Delaunay and Hancock both shot 75/75, with Cassandro and Czech Jacob Tomecek at 74.

● Shooting: Women’s Skeet
Defending champion Diana Bacosi (ITA) is back, with silver winner and teammate Chiara Cainero (the 2008 Olympic champ) and 2012 silver medalist Danka Bartekova (SVK).

World Championships 2018 bronze winner Amber English leads the U.S. hopes, along with Austen Smith, who won the May ISSF World Cup in Italy. Bartekova won one World Cup and was third in another. Kazakhstan’s Zoya Kravchenko and Russia’s Natalia Vinogradova also figure as medal contenders.

American Kim Rhode, who had won medals in six consecutive Olympic Games in shooting – including three in Skeet – was edged off the team by English and Smith.

In Sunday’s qualifying, Bacosi and China’s Meng Wei both shot 75/75, followed by Smith (73); English was seventh at 72.

● Skateboarding: Women’s Street
The men’s event showed the course as challenging, especially for favorites, but Japan’s Aori Nishimura – the 2018 and 2021 World Champion – will try to give the host country a gold-medal sweep. Perhaps more, too, with 2021 Worlds silver medalist Momiji Nishiya also in the field.

Their primary competitors will come from Brazil, from four-time Worlds medalist (and 2015 champion) Leticia Bufoni, 2019 World Champion Pamela Rosa and two-time Worlds medal winner Rayssa Leal.

The U.S. has contenders, too, with 2017 Worlds bronze winner Mariah Duran, 2016 Worlds bronze winner Alexis Sablone and 2015 Worlds bronze medalist Alana Smith.

● Swimming: Women’s 400 m Freestyle
One of the highlights of the Games could be the showdown between 2016 Olympic champ Katie Ledecky and Australia’s 2019 World Champion Ariarne Titmus.

Titmus’s 2019 win was over an ill Ledecky, but the Australian, now 20, is a different level. She is the 2021 world leader at 3:56.90 at the Australian Trials in June, with Ledecky at 3:59.25. No one else has broken 4:00 this year (and only three all-time), with China’s Bingjie Li (CHN) at 4:02.96, and Russia’s Anna Egorova and Australia Tamsin Cook sixth on the world list at 4:04.10.

In the qualifying, Ledecky led at 4:00.45, followed by Li (4:01.57) and Titmus (4:01.66). American Paige Madden qualified seventh with a lifetime best of 4:03.98.

Ledecky is the world-record holder at 3:56.46 and has 14 of the 17 performances of all time. But Titmus is second all-time at 3:56.90 and comes in as the favorite. Ledecky, 24, owns Rio golds in the 200-400-800 m and the 800 m from 2012 and has a stunning program of swims in the 200-400-800-1,500 m Freestyles as well as at least one relay. But this race is the most eagerly-awaited of all.

● Swimming: Women’s 100 m Butterfly
Semifinals were held on Monday morning, with China’s Yufei Zhang winning semi two at 55.89, ahead of 2016 Olympic champ Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) in 56.40 and Canadian Maggie MacNeil (56.56). France’s Marie Wattel won the first semi in 56.16, ahead of Aussie Emma McKeon (56.33) and American teen Torri Huske (56.51).

Huske is still the world leader (55.66), with Zhang second (55.73) on the 2021 list, but Sjostrom appears ready to be heard from in the final.

● Swimming: Men’s 100 m Breaststroke
The only question should be by how much Adam Peaty (GBR), the world-record holder (56.88) and defending Olympic champion, will win by.

The one serious challenger appears to be Arno Kamminga (NED), who won the first semifinal in 58.19, with Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) second in 58.28. But Peaty won his heat in 57.56 and then the semi in 57.63, with Zibei Yan (CHN) second in 58.72 and American Michael Andrew finding some way to touch third in the final stroke in 58.99. American Andrew Wilson was fifth in 59.18 and made it into the final as the final qualifier.

Does Peaty have a world record in him? Can Andrew approach his Trials best of 58.14? If he does, he could get a medal. The U.S. has taken a medal in this event in six of the last seven Games.

● Swimming: Men’s 4×100 m Freestyle
This event has been held 12 times since first appearing at the 1964 Tokyo Games. The U.S. won the first seven editions, but only two of the last five, in 2008 and 2016. France was second in the iconic 2008 final, featuring Jason Lezak’s stunning anchor leg for the U.S., then won in 2012 and was second in 2016. Australia won bronzes in 2008 and 2016.

In the qualifying racing, Italy won heat one in 3:10.29 over France (3:12.85) and the U.S. – Brooks Curry, Blake Pieroni, Bowen Becker and Zach Apple – won heat two, 3:11.33-3:11.39 over Australia.

● Table Tennis: Mixed Doubles
Very little doubt that this event would see the Chinese pair of Shiwen Liu and Xin Xu in the final, possibly against Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito in this first-ever edition of this event.

That’s the way has played out, in this event with an early start. Liu and Xu are the defending World Champions in this event from 2019. Taipei’s I-Ching Chen and Yun Ju Lin will play France’s Emmanuel Lebesson and Jia Nan Yuan for the bronze medal.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 67 kg
The medal winners from the 2019 World Championships are all here: China’s Mengyu Zhang, silver winner Nur Tatar (TUR) and bronze medalists Milena Titoneli (BRA) and Farida Azizova (AZE). Tatar won a silver in London and a bronze in Rio and the other Rio bronze medalist (and 2017 World Champion at 62 kg) Ruth Gbagbi (CIV) is also here.

But they will get a stiff test from American Paige McPherson, a London 2012 bronze medalist and a two-time World Championships medalist. Another contender: Britain’s three-time European Champion Lauren Williams.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 80 kg
The list of contenders starts with the defending Olympic Champion in Cheick Salla Cisse (CIV) and Azerbaijan’s Milad Beigi, a Rio bronze medalist but also the World Champion in 2017 and 2019.

They will be challenged by 2019 Worlds bronze winner Moises Hernandez (DOM) and 2017 World 74 kg Champion Maksim Khramtcov, also the 2021 European Champion at this weight and actually the top seed in the World Taekwondo rankings.

● Triathlon: Men
Two-time gold medalist Alistair Brownlee (GBR) is absent, but his brother, two-time medalist Jonathan Brownlee is in the field, along with 2012 silver winner Javier Gomez Noya (ESP).

But almost every one of the World Triathlon Series annual medalists since 2009 is in the field: 2012 champion Brownlee, five-time winner Gomez Noya, three-time winner Mario Moya (ESP) and the winner of the last two world titles, France’s Vincent Luis.

Other Worlds medal winners who figure to contend for any medal in Tokyo include Australian Jacob Birtwhistle (third in 2018), Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt (third in 2017), Spain’s Fernando Alarza (third in 2016) and France’s Leo Bergere, the bronze medalist in 2020.

Somewhat under the radar, but highly capable, is the newest British star, Alex Yee.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 55 kg
China’s Qiuyun Liao won the 2019 World Championship, with 2016 Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz (PHI) third and both are back in Tokyo. Liao, the world-record holder at 227 kg, is a big favorite and should win without much trouble.

But the fight for the other medals will likely involve Zulfiya Chinshanlo (KAZ), fourth in 2019, Uzbek Muattar Nabieva (fifth) and Mexico’s Ana Gabriela Lopez (sixth). Another contender might be Korea’s Eunji Ham.

Also, the U.S. and Japan will face off in Softball, with a rematch likely in the gold-medal game regardless of the outcome. Thus far, both are 4-0, but where the U.S. has won its games by a combined score of 7-1, Japan has outscored its opponents by 17-3!

= INTEL REPORT =

Through 25 July, the Tokyo 2020 report on Covid positives is up to 132, with the number of reported infections down from 19 to 16 to 10 over the three days of the Games. Of these, 73 are residents of Japan and 59 are not; the leading group continues to be contractors (66), followed by “Games-concerned personnel” including coaches and officials (40), then athletes (13), news media (9) and Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers (4).

The Tokyo 2020 folks are getting more clever as time goes on and released a new report by stakeholder group that shows the testing and incidence totals by group:

● Athletes and team officials: 14 positives out of 73,729 tests through 23 July (0.02%)
● Media/Tokyo 2020 staff: 23 positives out of 95,366 tests through 23 July (0.02%).

There are another 66 positives from outside groups not being tested by Tokyo 2020 and 24 caught at the airport for a total of 127 through 23 July.

In addition, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is now publishing positives, with one positive reported among the 1,038 athletes and officials in Tokyo as of 24 July. That’s pretty good.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 1,763 new infections on Sunday; for comparison, Los Angeles County – with about a third the population of the Tokyo metro area – reported 2,600 new cases on Sunday (24th).

The virus has struck the golf competition with stars Jon Rahm (ESP) and Bryson DeChambeau both withdrawing from the tournament due to Covid-19.

Veteran observers of the Games always note that restrictions loosen as the event goes on. So too for the mask requirement on the podium. The International Olympic Committee said Sunday that athletes on the medal stand can doff the masks for 30 seconds in order to be photographed.

More on the virus, as Kyodo News reported that Emperor Naruhito opened the Games on Friday with the traditional wording:

“I declare open the games of Tokyo celebrating the 32nd Olympiad of the modern era.”

That was according to the official translation from Japanese provided by the Imperial Household Agency. But the agency noted that his Japanese wording did not contain “iwai.” which is usually used for “celebrating.” This was the wording used by Emperor Hirohito at the 1964 Games.

Naruhito instead said “kinensuru,” considered to be more as in “commemorating.”

Since the IOC owns the Olympic Games, you might think that it could invite or not invite whomever it wants.

But after denying accreditation to Russian Maxim Agapitov, a member of the International Weightlifting Federation board – due to a past doping violation – Agapitov took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The decision:

“The Panel found that the evidence submitted by the parties was sufficient to demonstrate that Mr Agapitov did meet the criteria established by the IOC to receive an accreditation (in the sport of weightlifting) in relation to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, despite an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) committed in 1994, at the time of his athlete’s career. The Panel considered that the criteria in case of any ADRV committed at any time in an athlete’s life was clearly disproportionate.”

Badge him.

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TOKYO 2020/Saturday Review & Preview: China wins first gold in Tokyo; U.S. women’s water polo wins, 25-4; anti-Semitism rears its ugly head again

Rich Perelman

July 24, 2021

tsx pix 2021-724 tokyo medals 750 — The Tokyo 2020 medals (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

= TOKYO 2020 =
From Lane One:

● The ancient plague of anti-Semitism is once again in the news, and again in Judo, as the International Judo Federation stated in a Saturday post:

“Following the draw of the judo competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, [Algerian] Fethi Nourine (-73kg) and his coach Amar Benikhlef gave individual statements to media announcing their withdrawal from the competition to avoid meeting an Israeli athlete during the event.

“The immediate response of the IJF Executive Committee was to form an investigative commission which confirmed all the facts, leading to a temporary suspension of the athlete and the coach and assigning the case to the Disciplinary Commission of the IJF for further investigation, judgement and final sanctioning beyond the Olympic Games.”

The IJF has been tough on this issue, especially against Iran, but now:

“Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef are now suspended and will face a decision by the IJF Disciplinary Commission, as well as disciplinary sanctions by the National Olympic Committee of Algeria back in their country.”

● The youngest Olympian in Tokyo, 12-year-old Syrian table tennis player Hend Zaza, is on her way home after losing her first-round match, 4-0, to 39-year-old Jia Liu (AUT).

Who’s the youngest one left? It might be 13-year-old Sky Brown, the British skateboarder who was the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist and is a definite threat in the women’s Park event.

● The International Paralympic Committee pursued a harder line against Russia in 2016 after its state-sponsored doping escapade from 2011-15 and the IPC announced last Thursday that no demonstrations or protests will be allowed, that is, “the rule should remain in place and that the field of play, medal presentations and opening and closing ceremonies should be protected.”

The IPC Governing Board accepted the recommendation of the IOC’s Athletes’ Council, which did its own consultation over nine months:

“To gather opinions and engage in consultation, all Paralympians and Para athletes globally within the Paralympic Movement were invited to nine focus groups to discuss the current rules and what changes could be made in the future. The athlete community was also invited to complete an online survey, which 489 athletes across 27 summer and winter sports – 267 Paralympians and 222 Para athletes – completed. The recommendations made are a direct reflection of the consultation.”

The Paralympic Games will run from 24 August to 5 September.
~ Rich Perelman

● Archery: Mixed Team
No doubt about Korea as the favorite and San An and Je-Deok Kim won as expected, defeating Bangladesh, 6-0 in the first round, then India by 6-2, Mexico in the semis by 5-1 and then the Netherlands – Gabriela Schlosser and Steve Wiljer – in the final by 5-3. Mexico’s Luis Alvarez and Alejandra Valencia won the bronze medal over Turkey, 6-2.

The U.S. pair of Brady Ellison and Makenzie Brown came from 0-4 down to tie in the fourth end, but lost a shoot-out in the fifth end to Indonesia in the first round and were eliminated.

● Cycling: Men’s Road Race
Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, third in the recent Tour de France, attacked with 26 km remaining in the 234 km route, then shook off American Brandon McNulty in the final 6 km to win easily on Saturday.

He finished 1:07 ahead of the much-feared Wout van Aert (BEL), who was tracked closely by the other riders. Carapaz escaped over the crest of the last climb and was never headed, despite van Aert’s hard chase. Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (SLO) was third, close behind van Aert, with Bauke Mollema (NED) fourth. McNulty faded to sixth. Carapaz, 28, added the Olympic gold to his resume, which also includes a win at the 2019 Giro d’Italia.

● Fencing: Women’s Epee
China’s Yiwen Sun is one of those performers for whom the Olympics is special. The bronze-medal winner in London and Rio, she hadn’t done much since, placing 10th-17th-10th in the 2017-18-19 World Championships. But in Tokyo, she was golden

Sun had a close call in the quarterfinals, edging Federica Isola (ITA), only 11-10, but then cruised to the final against 2018 Worlds runner-up Ana Maria Popescu.

Popescu led 7-6 going into the third period, but ended up tied, 10-10 with Sun scoring to break the tie and win, 11-10. It’s China first individual win in women’s fencing since 1984 and first ever in women’s Epee. Estonia’s Katrina Lehis won the bronze over Aizanat Murtazaeva (RUS) by 15-8.

None of the U.S. entries – Courtney Hurley, Kelley Hurley and Kat Holmes – made it past the round of 16.

● Fencing: Men’s Sabre
Hungary’s Aron Szilagyi won his second straight Olympic title in Rio in 2016, then seemed to disappear. Now 31, he finished just 9-7-17 in the three Worlds between Rio and Tokyo, and yet he is on top of the podium again.

Szilagyi was barely challenged on his way to another gold, winning his matches by 15-7, 15-7, 15-6, 15-13 against Georgia’s Sandro Bazadze in the semis and then 15-7 again, over Italy’s Luigi Samele in the final. Szilagyi is the first to win the Olympic Sabre title three times and the first-ever triple champion in Olympic men’s fencing (it has been done once in women’s fencing).

In the bronze final, Korea’s 2018 World Champion Jung-Hwan Kim defeated Bazadze, 15-11. Kim eliminated American star Eli Dershwitz in the round of 16 and Rio silver winner Daryl Homer lost in the round of 32.

● Judo: Women’s 48 kg
Kosovo is new to the Olympic Games, but is already a power in Judo. After Majlinda Kelmendi won in Rio at 52 kg for the country’s first Olympic medal, 2019 Worlds bronze medalist Distria Krasniqi followed up with an upset win over 2017 World Champion Funa Tonaki at the famed Nippon Budokhan.

Krasniqi got by fellow 2019 Worlds bronze winner Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL) in the semifinals and then faced Tonaki, who had defeated 2016 Rio champ Paula Pareto (ARG) by ippon and then two-time World Champion Daria Bilodid (UKR), also by ippon. But Krasniqi needed only 3:41 to win by waza-ari and stun the Japanese favorite.

The bronze medals went to Bilodid (over Israel’s Shira Rishony) and Munkhbat, over Catarina Costa (POR).

● Judo: Men’s 60 kg
Joy for Japan, as Naohisa Takato moved up from bronze in Rio to gold in Tokyo, defeating surprise finalists Yung Wei Yang (TPE) by ippon – golden score – in overtime after 7:40. It’s Japan’s fifth title in the 11 times this class has been contested at the Games.

France’s Luka Mkheidze won a bronze over Won-Jin Kim (KOR) by ippon; the other bronze went to Yeldos Smetov (KAZ) by waza-ari over Tirnike Tsjakadoea (NED).

● Shooting: Men’s 10 m Air Pistol
When you’re hot, you’re hot and Iran’s Javad Foroughi won both World Cup events held this year and was clearly the best in Tokyo, shooting an Olympic Record 244.8 in the final to out-last Serbia’s Damir Mikec (237.9). Rio bronze medalist Wei Pang (CHN) collected another, finishing third at 217.5. However, Mikec did pretty well for being the last qualifier (eighth)!

Foroughi shot 10.5-10.1 on his final two shots where Mikec managed 9-1-8.8 to widen the final margin. American James Hall was 10th in qualifying and just missed the final.

● Shooting: Women’s 10 m Air Rifle
This was once again the first medal awarded at the Games and was a nail-biter down to the final shot.

After six rounds of the final, Russia’s Anastasiia Galashina had a 231.4-231.3 lead over China’s Qian Yang. Galashina then shot a 10.8 on her first shot of the seventh round to 10.7 for Yang, adding 0.1 to her lead. But in the final round, Galashina managed only an 8.9 and Yang scored 9.8 to win with an Olympic Record of 251.8-251.1. Wow.

It’s the fourth straight win for China in this event and five of the last six.

Swiss Nina Christen was third at 230.6; American Mary Tucker made the final and finished sixth.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 49 kg
There is joy in Thailand as 2019 49 kg World Champion Panipak Wongpattanakit navigated through the field and scored a two-point body kick with seven seconds left to defeat 15th-seed Adriana Cerezo Iglesias of Spain for the gold medal.

It’s Thailand’s first-ever Taekwondo gold and Wongpattakit moves up from bronze in Rio to the top of the podium. Serbia’s Rio 2016 silver medalist Tijana Bogdanovic won a bronze by defeating Miyu Yamada, 20-6, in one medal match and Israeli Abishag Semberg won the other bronze by 27-22 against Ruyike Yildirim of Turkey.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 58 kg
Italy’s Vito Dell’Aquilla won a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, but then only got to the third round in 2019. In 2021, he’s the Olympic Champion, defeating four opponents by a combined score of 108-52, including Mohamed Jendoubi (TUN) by 16-12 in the final.

Jendoubi, 19, eliminated favored Jun Jang (KOR) in the semifinals by 25-19 and won Tunisia’s first-ever medal in Taekwondo. Jang won the bronze with a 46-16 thrashing of Omar Salim (HUN), and Mikhail Artamonov (RUS) won the other bronze over Lucas Guzman (ARG), 15-10.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 48 kg
China’s Zhihui Hou holds the world record and set an Olympic Record of 210 kg to easily win the class. She also set Olympic marks for the Snatch (94 kg) and Clean & Jerk (116 kg) along the way.

No surprise for India’s Chanu Saikhom Mirabai to take the silver (202 kg), but American Jourdan Delacruz was in position for a medal after a 86 kg Snatch, placing her third. But she failed on all three of her Clean & Jerk tries, leaving her unplaced. Instead, Indonesia’s Windy Cantika Aisah won the bronze at 194 kg.

Elsewhere:

● Gymnastics ● The U.S. men finished fourth in the team qualifying and move on to the final. Japan led at 262.251, followed by China (262.061), Russia (261.945) with the U.S. at 256.761, meaning they have work to do to get close to a medal. Japan’s Daiki Hashimoto led the All-Around at 88.531, and Americans Brody Malone (11th: 85.298) and Sam Mikulak (14th: 84.664) qualified for the All-Around final.

Yul Moldauer qualified for the Floor final, Alec Yoder made the Pommel Horse final; Mikulak made the Parallel Bars final and Malone made the High Bar final. The shocker was Japan’s Kohei Uchimura, the 2012-16 All-Around champion, finishing 20th and missing the High Bar final.

● Team: 3×3 Basketball ● The U.S. women’s 3×3 team won its first two games by 17-10 over France and 21-9 over Mongolia and is one of three unbeatens as round-robin play continues.

● Team: Beach Volleyball ● The U.S. men’s pair of Nick Lucena and Phil Dalhausser were swept in their first-round match by Dutch stars Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen, 21-17, 21-18, in 42 minutes. Next up in Pool B is Brazil’s Alison and Alvaro Filho on the 27th.

● Team: Football ● The U.S. women’s team rebounded with a 6-1 win over New Zealand, which might be enough to get it into the playoff round regardless of what happens against Australia in its final group game. The U.S. got first-half goals from Rose Lavelle in the ninth minute and Lindsay Horan in the 45th for a 2-0 halftime lead. Relentless U.S. pressure results in two New Zealand own-goals, plus scores for Christen Press and Alex Morgan for the 6-1 final. The final group game with Australia is on the 27th; Sweden beat the Aussies, 4-2, on Saturday.

● Team: Softball ● Cat Osterman pitched six shutout innings and Monica Abbott pitched a scoreless seventh for the U.S. to beat Mexico, 2-0, their third straight shutout. Both the U.S. and Japan are 3-0 in the six-team field and will play each other on the 26th. In three games, the U.S. has out-scored its opponents, 5-0 while Japan has scored 16 runs against three.

● Team: Volleyball ● The U.S. men opened with a 3-0 shutout of France: 25-18, 25-18, 25-22. The U.S. women will start pool play with Argentina tomorrow.

● Team: Water Polo ● The powerhouse American women’s team with a massive 25-4 win in Group A over Japan. The American women had an 8-3 lead at the quarter and 14-3 at the half. Stephanie Haralabidis and Maggie Steffens had five goals each and Maddie Musselman and Aria Fischer had four each.

Spain piled up 29 goals in its first game, vs. South Africa (29-4) in Group B.

= PREVIEWS: SUNDAY, 25 JULY =
(18 events across 10 sports)

● Archery: Women’s Team
This event has been held eight times and South Korea has won eight times. It’s been a little more competitive in the World Championships, with Chinese Taipei winning in 2019, Russia in 2015 and Italy in 2011, with South Korea in 2013 and 2017. But Korea’s San An, Min-hee Jang and Chae-young Kang went 1-2-3 in the Ranking Round and seem almost unbeatable.

Who’s chasing silver and bronze? Mexico, Italy, China, Japan and the U.S. trio of Mackenzie Brown, Casey Kaufhold and Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez are contenders.

● Cycling: Women’s Road Race
This is a 137 km loop course from Musashinonomori Park to the Fuji International Speedway that could be all about the Dutch. Of the 10 UCI Women’s World Tour races held in 2021, Dutch riders have won eight, including defending Olympic champion Anna van der Breggen (2), Marianne Vos (2) and Annemiek van Vleuten (1). All four are in the race.

Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini – the bronze winner in 2016 – has won four medals this season (one win); Grace Brown (AUS) has won two medals (also one win), as have Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (DEN) and Lisa Brennauer (GER). Do not count out Arlenis Sierra (CUB), Britain’s Lizzie Deignan, Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma, South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman and Americans Coryn Rivera and Chloe Dygert. Moolman and Rivera both won stages during the recent Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile.

● Diving: Women’s 3 m Synchro
China owns this event, having won four Olympic titles in a row and Tingmao Shi and Han Wang are the reigning World Champions from 2019. No one is considered a serious threat, but the race for silver and bronze could fall to Canadians Jennifer Abel and Melissa Citrini-Beaulieu, runners-up in 2019 and Britain’s Grace Reid and Katherine Torrance, fifth at the 2017 and 2019 Worlds. Italy and Mexico are traditionally strong in this event, but recent retirements make their chances unclear.

Americans Krysta Palmer and Alison Gibson are talented, and competed in the 2019 Worlds, finishing 10th. They’re a long-shot for a medal.

● Fencing: Men’s Epee
Rio champion Sang-Young Park (KOR), 2019 World Champion Gergely Siklosi (HUN), 2019 silver medalist Sergey Bida (RUS) and bronze medalists Igor Reizlin (UKR) and Andrea Santarelli (ITA), and 2018 World Champion Yannick Borel (FRA), silver medalist (and 2012 Olympic winner) Ruben Limardo (VEN), and 2018 bronze medalists Bogdan Nikishin (UKR) and Roman Svichkar (UKR) are all in the field.

The winner may not be any of them; look out for Italy’s Marco Fichera and Enrico Garozzo, home favorite Kazuyasu Minobe (JPN) and Swiss Max Heinzer.

● Fencing: Women’s Foil
This class should belong to Russian Inna Deriglazova, the Rio gold medalist and World Champion in 2015-17-19. If she is in form, she will be the winner.

There are challengers, including Americans Lee Keifer and Nicole Ross, and recent Worlds medalists from 2019 – Pauline Ranvier (FRA/gold), Ariana Errigo (ITA/silver and 2012 Olympic silver) – and 2018 champ Alice Volpi (ITA), runner-up Ysoara Thibus (FRA), and bronze winner Ines Boubakri (TUN).

● Judo: Women’s 52 kg
This class produced a memorable moment in 2016 with Kosovo’s Majlinda Kelmendi won the country’s first-ever Olympic medal. She’s back, as well as silver winner Odette Giuffrida. Japan’s Uta Abe won the 2019 World title, also held at Budokhan, beating Russian Natalia Kuziutina, with Kelmendi taking a bronze.

Those four start as favorites, with Abe on home turf. At the 2021 World Judo Championships held in June, Spain’s Ana Perez Box won silver and Fabienne Kocher (SUI) and have to be accounted for. Belgium’s Charline van Snick, now 30, won bronze in London in 2012 at 48 kg and France’s Amandine Buchard took bronze in this class in the 2018 Worlds. They’re both serious contenders.

● Judo: Men’s 66 kg
Japan’s Hifumi Abe, brother of Uta Abe, is a two-time World Champion in this class from 2017 and 2018, but won “only” bronze in 2019. He is going to get an argument from Korean Baul An, the Rio 2016 silver winner and 2015 World Champion and Dennis Vieru (MLD), bronze medalist at the 2019 Worlds.

Italy’s Manuel Lombardo (silver), Yakub Shmailov (RUS: bronze) and Baskhuu Yondonperenlei (MGL: bronze) performed well at the 2021 Worlds, but do they have enough to handle Abe or An?

● Shooting: Women’s 10 m Air Pistol
A huge field of 57 shooters is lined up to try to stop China from a fourth straight win in this event. Chinese entrants Ranxin Jiang (fifth at the 2018 Worlds) and Yuemei Lin are going to be competitive, but aren’t scary.

So perhaps Greek co-flag bearer Anna Korakaki, the bronze winner from Rio (and gold in the 25 m Pistol) might be a favorite, along with Rio silver medalist Vitalina Batsarashkina (RUS). Korakaki won the 2018 world title in this event, ahead of Zorana Arunovic (SRB) and Bo-Mi Kim (KOR) and both are entered. But India expects to do well here, especially after the 1-2 World Cup finish by Yashaswini Singh Deswal and Manu Bhaker in March. The June World Cup had Antoaneta Kostadinova (BUL) winning ahead of Germany’s Carina Wimmer.

● Shooting: Men’s 10 m Air Rifle
Ukraine’s Serhiy Kulish and Russian Vladimir Maslennikov were 2-3 in Rio and return for more, but Sergey Kamenskiy (RUS) is the 2018 World Champion and the Croatian silver and bronze medalists, Peter Gorsa and Miran Maricic, are both back.

There’s an opening for Lucas Kozeniesky, who performed strongly at the U.S. Trials and won the ISSF World Cup in this event March, ahead of Hungarian veteran Istvan Peni. In Croatia in June, U.S. teammate Bill Shaner won the competition, beating Maslennikov and Gorsa in the final. The U.S. has never won an Olympic medal in this event, which debuted in Los Angeles in 1984.

● Skateboarding: Men’s Street
The debut of Skateboarding in the Olympic Games should be a showcase for the best ever in the event: American Nyjah Huston. Eleven editions of the World Street Championships have been held and he’s won it six times and been second five times!

However, he was second in 2021, with Yuto Horigome (JPN) winning and Sora Shirai (JPN) third; Horigome moved up from second in 2020. Brazil’s Kelvin Hoefler is not to be ignored: he was 2015 World Champion, second to Huston in 2018 and third in 2017. Australia’s Shane O’Neill was 2016 World Champion and second in 2017 and Portugal’s Gustavo Ribeiro won bronze at the 2019 Worlds. Huston is the clear favorite, but he has the target on his back from performers who have beaten him in the past.

● Swimming: Men’s 400 m Freestyle
This event looks a lot different now than a few months ago. Rio 2016 champ Mack Horton (AUS) didn’t make the team and 2012 Olympic winner and 2019 World Champion Yang Sun (CHN) has been suspended for doping.

That leaves Italy’s Gabriele Detti, 26, sitting as the Rio bronze medalist and the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist and a prime contender to be on top of the podium. But he was third in the qualifying to Henning Muhlleitner (GER: 3:43.67) and Austria’s Felix Auboeck (3:43.91)

World leader Elijah Winnington (AUS) and teammate Jack McLoughlin (AUS) tied for fourth in 3:45.20, and American Trials winner Kieran Smith was sixth in 3:45.25, with Jake Mitchell seventh at 3:45.38.

● Swimming: Men’s 400 m Medley
Japanese swimming fans were aching to cheer for three-time World Champion Daiya Seto, the world leader at 4:09.02, but he failed to qualify in Saturday’s heats, finishing with the ninth-best time.

The leaders were Australians Brendon Smith (4:09.27) and Lewis Clareburt (4:09.49), with American Chase Kalisz, the 2017 World Champion, third (4:09.65). Hungary’s David Verraszto was fourth (4:09.80) and American Jay Litherland – the 2019 Worlds silver medalist – tied for fifth (4:09.91) in what should be a very tight final. Kalisz, the Rio silver medalist, has a chance to move up to the top of the podium.

● Swimming: Women’s 400 m Medley
This race has been the exclusive property of Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu – The Iron Lady – who won in Rio in 2016 and owns world titles in this swim from 2009-13-15-17-19. She’s the favorite until some beats her. But then again, she was only seventh in qualifying on Saturday.

The qualifying leader is also the world leader: American Emma Weyant, who swam her fastest yet in 2021 with a world-leading 4:33.55, followed by Britain’s Aimee Willmott, well back at 4:35.28. Japan’s Yui Ohashi, the 2019 Worlds bronze medalist, was third (4:35.71) and American Hali Flickinger (4:35.98) was fifth.

Rio bronze medalist Mireia Belmonte (ESP) had not impressed on the clock all year, but qualified fourth in 4:35.88.

● Swimming: Women’s 4×100 m Freestyle
This is unquestionably Australia’s race to lose. Between Emma McKeon, Cate Campbell, Madison Wilson and Meg Harris, they own 13 of the fastest 15 times this year. McKeon, Campbell and Wilson were on the winning Rio team and the Aussies also won in 2012.

They led the qualifying at 3:31.73, followed by the Netherlands (3:33.51), Canada (3:33.72), Britain (3:34.03) and the U.S. team of Olivia Smoliga, Cate de Loof, Allison Schmitt and Natalie Hinds. Much faster swimmers coming for the U.S. in the final.

But no one should touch Australia and their world record of 3:30.05 from 2018 is definitely in danger.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 57 kg
Let’s start with British star Jade Jones, the 2012 and 2016 Olympic champ and 2019 World Champion. Korea’s Ah-Reum Lee was the 2019 Worlds runner-up and Skylar Park (CAN) Lijun Zhou (CHN) won the bronzes and all are in the field.

A wild card is Kimia Alizadeh, who won the 2016 Olympic bronze for Iran, but left the country under duress and will compete on the Refugee Olympic Team. Unbelievably, her first-round opponent is scheduled to be Iran’s Nahid Kiyani Chandeh, a quarterfinalist at the 2017 Worlds! You can’t make this up …

● Taekwondo: Men’s 68 kg
The 2019 World Champion Bradly Sinden heads this field, with silver medalist Javier Perez (ESP) ready to go, as well as 2017 Worlds winner Dae-Hoon Lee (KOR), a 2019 bronze medalist, but also a bronze medalist from Rio 2016.

Another contender will come out of the first-round showdown between Iran’s Mirhashem Hossieni won the 2017 Worlds silver at 63 kg and will face Yu-Jen Huang (TPE), the 2017 Worlds 68 kg silver medalist. A very tough match to start an Olympics!

● Weightlifting: Men’s 61 kg
China’s Fabin Li is the 2019 World Champion and owns the world record in this event with a combined lift of 318 kg. So much for the gold medal.

Indonesia’s Eko Yuli Irawan won the Rio silver medal and the 2019 Worlds silver and appears the safe choice to do so again. Vietnam’s Thach Kim Tuan, Japan’s Yoichi Itokazu and Georgian Shota Mishvelidze were 4-6-7 at the 2019 Worlds and appear to have the best shots at bronze.

● Weightlifting: Men’s 67 kg
China has won this weight class in for successive Olympic Games and Lijun Chen is the 2019 World Champion and the world-record holder. He’s the prohibitive favorite.

Upcoming is Adkhamjon Ergashev, 22, from Uzbekistan, the 2019 World Junior Champion and fourth at the 2019 World Championships. Colombian Luis Javier Mosquera and Japan’s Mitsunori Konnai were 5-6 at the 2019 Worlds and should contend for the bronze.

= INTEL REPORT =

Tokyo 2020 ceremonies executive producer Takayuki Hioki was asked after the Opening Ceremony about the selection of tennis icon Naomi Osaka as the final torchbearer:

“The most important thing was to deliver a message of diversity and inclusion.

“In the end we decided on her because she is a great athlete and she has been delivering a variety of messages so we thought she was the best person to be the final torchbearer. It was a decision that the whole organizing committee came to.

“It’s more about the absolute values that Naomi Osaka offers. That’s what we focus on. Of course, for the Games as a whole and also for Japan, she is a jewel, she is a treasure for us, so that is why we selected her.”

Osaka’s first match will be on Sunday.

Through 24 July, the Tokyo 2020 report on Covid positives is up to 123, with 71 from residents of Japan and 56 from outside. Contractors continue to lead the tally with 65 (52.8%), followed by “Games-concerned personnel” including coaches and officials (34), then athletes (12), news media (8) and Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers (4).

At a Saturday news conference, Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya said there had been 34,000 tests made at airport and as many as 29,000 screenings at the various sites. As of Thursday, a total of 137,000 tests had been made with 33 positives for a positivity rate of 0.02%. Other positives have come from other sources, such as teams.

The Tokyo Games may not be politically popular, but they are popular in Japan on television. Through just the first two days of competitions before the Opening Ceremony, ratings showed that 69.5 million Japanese had watched some part, or 55.0% of the 126.3 million national population.

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TOKYO 2020/Day 2 Preview: The best U.S. team in Tokyo has won 88 of its last 89; a look ahead to Saturday’s finals; USC tops all NCAA schools with 63 in Tokyo

Rich Perelman

July 23, 2021

tsx pix 2021-723 usa water polo women tokyo 750 — The best American team in Tokyo: the two-time defending Olympic Champion women's water polo squad (Photo: USA Water Polo/Jonathan Moore)

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Dear readers:

Just a word about TSX Tokyo reports. You can find endless coverage almost everywhere on the Games, and all the television you can stand on one or more NBC channels. No reason to compete with that. So, with the idea that news you can use is best, the aim is to offer – with the benefit of being 16 hours behind Tokyo – reviews of what happened so you’ll be up to date during the day (in the U.S.) and offer capsule previews of what’s coming tomorrow … in case you want to stay up. Happy to have your comments (which might get published!) and thanks for your support. Tell your friends to sign up here.

Rich Perelman
Editor

= TOKYO 2020 =

The U.S. expects to win multiple medals in the many team sports at the Games, but which is the best American team in Tokyo?

● The men’s basketball team, winners of the last three golds and riding a 25-game Olympic win streak? Maybe, but it had a rough time in its exhibitions, losing to Nigeria and Australia before beating Argentina and Spain. Zach LaVine was in the health protocol, but is in Tokyo and Gregg Popovich’s groups gets reinforcements from the NBA finals from Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Milwaukee’s Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton. Let’s wait and see.

● The women’s softball squad? Winner of the Olympic tournaments in 1996, 2000 and 2004, this group is 2-0 with shutouts of Italy (2-0) and Canada (1-0) by Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott and then Abbott alone against Canada. The U.S. plays Mexico and Australia next, but we’ll know a lot more when the U.S. and Japan face off on the 26th in Yokohama. Japan won the last Olympic gold in 2008 and has won its first two games.

● How about the women’s basketball team, winners of six straight Olympic golds and with a 49-game Olympic winning streak and 95-1 in Olympic and World Cup games from 1996-2018? But what about the exhibition losses to the WNBA All-stars (93-85) and to Australia (70-67) before a 93-62 win over Nigeria. Diana Taurasi, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, is apparently now ready to play after injuries and she will help. But there are questions.

● Here’s the best American team in Tokyo: the women’s water polo squad. Not only two-time defending Olympic champions, but winners of 88 of their last 89 matches. That includes three straight FINA World Championship titles and all the FINA World Cups and World League Super Finals in between. The U.S. women won 69 matches in a row, lost to Australia – by 10-9 – in an exhibition match in January 2020 and has now reeled off another 19 wins in a row.

The stars of this squad are the two-time gold medalists – attacker Maggie Steffens, perhaps the best player in the world, and defender Melissa Seidemann – plus Rio returnees Ashleigh Johnson in goal, attackers Rachel Fattal and Maddie Musselman, center Aria Fischer and defender Makenzie Fischer (Aria’s older sister). Coach Adam Krikorian took over in 2009 and his teams have won 19 golds in 22 major international tournaments. What’s not to like? They’re the best and will start defense of their title on Sunday against Japan in Group A. (Oh yes, in case you were wondering, Australia is in Group B).

= PREVIEWS: SATURDAY, 23 JULY =
(11 events across 7 sports)

● Archery: Mixed Team
South Korea was mostly absent from the international World Cup circuit during the pandemic, but they are in Tokyo in force. During the 72-arrow Ranking Round held on Friday, 17-year-old Je Deok Kim (688), 2012 Olympic Champion Jin-Hyek Oh (681) and two-time World Champion Woojin Kim (680) went 1-3-4 with American Brady Ellison second at 682.

In the women’s Ranking Round, San An (20) set an Olympic Record of 680, followed by teammates Min-Hee Jang (677) and Chae-Young Kang (675). The top American was Mackenzie Brown, fifth with 668.

Korea’s Woo-Seok Lee and Kang won the Mixed Team world title in 2019 and An and Kim start as favorites. The U.S., with Ellison and Brown, are in the hunt for a medal with Italy, the Netherlands. Wild-card contenders Russia and Turkey will face off in the first round and then shoot against the winner of Italy-Netherlands.

Russia’s Svetlana Gomboeva, who fainted in the 93-degree heat during Friday’s round, was reported fine, telling Russia’s TASS news agency, “I’ve got a terrible headache but I am fine in general. I am ready to continue competing, everything’s fine.”

● Cycling: Men’s Road Race
The 234 km loop course from Musashinonomori Park to the Tokyo International Speedway features three significant climbs with a mostly downhill finish in the final 22 km. The favorites are Slovenians Tadej Pogacar, fresh off his second straight Tour de France win, and Primoz Roglic, the two-time Vuelta a Espana winner who desperately wants this race after crashing out of the Tour. The most feared rider is easily Belgium’s Wout van Aert, who won three Tour stages and who descends powerfully. There are many more stars: former Tour winner Geraint Thomas (GBR), former Vuelta a Espana winner Simon Yates (GBR), former Vuelta winner Alejandro Valverde (ESP), former Giro d’Italia and Vuelta winner Nairo Quintana (COL), former Giro d’Italia winner Tom Dumoulin (NED) and even Rio gold medalist Greg Avermaet (BEL).

● Fencing: Women’s Epee
Lots of possibilities here: 2018 World Champion Maria Navarria of Italy, 2019 World Champion Natalie Moellhausen of Brazil and finalists Sheng Lin (CHN), two-time bronze medalist Olena Kryvytska of Ukraine and 2008 Olympic silver winner and 2018 Worlds runner-up Ana Maria Popescu (ROM).

Almost impossible to pick one with no FIE World Cup events for almost two years. Who’s in shape? The U.S. has three very capable entries, including 2018 Worlds bronze winner Courtney Hurley, her sister Kelley Hurley and Katherine Holmes. All three were on the U.S.’s gold-medal-winning Team Epee squad at the 2018 Worlds.

● Fencing: Men’s Sabre
Hungary’s Aron Szilagyi won his second straight Olympic title in Rio in 2016, defeating American Daryl Homer in the final, and both are back for Tokyo. In the interim, fellow Hungarian Andras Szatmari won the 2017 Worlds over Bong-Il Gu (KOR), Korea’s Jung-Hwan Kim defeated American Eli Dershwitz in the 2018 Worlds and in 2019, it was Korea’s Sang-Uk Oh and Szatmari going gold-silver.

So look for Korea to be in the mix with the Hungarians, but with Dershwitz a clear medal contender along with all three Italians: Luca Curatoli, Luigi Samele and Enrico Berre.

● Judo: Women’s 48 kg
The 2018 and 2019 World Championships final pitted Daria Bilodid (UKR) and Japan’s Funa Tonaki, with Bilodid winning both times, after Funaki took the 2017 world title. Both have already been seeded into the round of 16 and are medal favorites from the start. Defending Olympic champ Paula Pareto (ARG) is back, along with bronze winner Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh (KAZ). Besides Bilodid and Funaki, both the 2019 Worlds bronze winners are back as well: Distria Krasniqi (KOS) and Urantsetseg Munkhbat (MGL).

Judo is being held at the famed Nippon Budokhan, spiritual home of the sport, first contested in the Tokyo 1964 Games. Hard to pick against Tonaki at least making it to the final, perhaps against Bilodid again?

● Judo: Men’s 60 kg
Georgia’s Lukhumi Chkhvimiani is the 2019 World Champion, defeating Sharafuddin Lutfillaev in the final and both are going to contend again. Bronze medalist Yeldos Smetov (KAZ) is also back, the Rio 2016 silver medalist.

Japan’s Naohisa Takato was a bronze medalist in Rio and expects to do better: he was World Champion in 2013-17-18. So does Russian Robert Mshvidobadze, who lost to Takato in the 2018 Worlds final. But can anyone stop Takato on home turf?

● Shooting: Men’s 10 m Air Pistol
All three Rio medal winners are bach: gold medalist Xuan Vinh Hoang (VIE), runner-up Felipe Almeida Wu (BRA) and bronze medalist Wei Pang (CHN). But Jong-Oh Jin (KOR) might be the favorite, having won the 2012 Olympic title and the 2018 World Championship, the latter over Artem Chernousov (RUS).

However, in the 2021 World Cup events, which had good participation, Iran’s Javad Foroughi won this event twice and India’s Saurabah Chaudhary won a silver and a bronze and appear to be hot at just the right time.

● Shooting: Women’s 10 m Air Rifle
American Ginny Thrasher upset a lot of better-known shooters in this event in Rio in 2016, and this event figures to be open again. Thrasher didn’t make the U.S. team, but Mary Tucker and Alison Weisz went 1-2 for the U.S. in the ISSF World Cup in March.

Hungary’s Eszter Meszaros won the World Cup in Croatia last month, followed by Ziva Dvorsak (SLO) and Sofia Ceccarello (ITA). Do not count out Korea’s Eunji Kwon, Russian Anastasiia Galashina or the Chinese entries Luyao Wang and Qian Yang: all capable even without many results during the pandemic.

● Taekwondo: Women’s 49 kg
It’s a clash of weights, as the Olympic program has only half as many as the World Taekwondo Championships. So, two-time 46 kg World Champion Jae-Young Sim is here, but so is 2016 Rio bronze medalist (at 49 kg) and 2019 49 kg World Champion Panipak Wongpattanakit. Add in Rio 2016 silver medalist Tijana Bogdanovic, Vietnam’s 2017 46 kg Worlds silver winner Thi Kim Tuyen Truong (VIE) and 2019 Worlds 49 kg runner-up Jingyu Wu (CHN) and you have a mess.

● Taekwondo: Men’s 58 kg
The reigning World Champion at this weight is Korea’s Jun Jang, with 2019 bronze medalists Rui Braganca (POR) and Lucas Guzman (ARG) ready to try again. Iran’s Armin Hadipaour is moving up from 54 kg, where he won a Worlds bronze in 2019, and Russian Mikhail Artamonov was runner-up at 58 kg in the 2017 Worlds. But Jun won three times on the Grand Prix circuit in 2019, and on paper, is the man to beat.

● Weightlifting: Women’s 48 kg
This is pretty simple. China’s Zhihui Hou holds the world record for the combined Snatch and Clean & Jerk and was second to a teammate at the 2019 World Championships. It’s hers to lose.

Behind her, Japan’s Hiromi Miyake returns as the Rio bronze medalist and India’s Chanu Saikhom Mirabai was fourth at the 2019 Worlds in this event. American Jourdan Delacruz has a shot at a medal here as well.

= INTEL REPORT =

Tokyo 2020 reported 19 new Covid cases on Friday (23rd), which included three athletes, bringing the total to 11. The largest group continued to be Games contractors (51), followed by “Games-concerned personnel” such as coaches and officials (32), eight media members and four from Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers. Of the 106 total, 56 are residents of Japan and 50 are not.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 1,359 new Covid cases on Friday; for comparison, the much-smaller Los Angeles County report for Thursday was 2,767, the second straight day with 2,000-plus newly confirmed infections.

In beach volleyball, the Czech pair of Barbora Hermannova and Marketa Slukova were declared non-starters for the tournament and will not compete due to Slukova’s Covid infection. Their last medal in an FIVB World Tour event came in a 2-star tournament in mid-2019.

Startling statistics on the impact of the American collegiate system showed that more than 1,000 Olympians in Tokyo came through the NCAA system, and more than 100 coaches are participating with multiple nations.

The Pac-12 alone claims 321 Olympic athletes across 29 sports; by itself, it would be the 12th-largest delegation at the Games. Within the conference, USC has the largest number of Olympians across all NCAA schools (63) with Stanford (53) apparently second. California (47), UCLA (39), Washington (31), Arizona State (23), Arizona and Oregon (21) all have more than 20 athletes in Tokyo.

As the NCAA structure is under extreme pressure from developments in college football, the concern within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the U.S. National Governing Bodies about the future of sports beyond football and basketball is high.

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TOKYO 2020/Day 1: Opening Ceremony combines dignity, culture and a dazzling display of technology to a worldwide audience, but in an empty stadium

Rich Perelman

July 23, 2021

tsx pix 2021-723 osaka lights torch (tokyo2020) — Let the Games begin: Naomi Osaka lights the Olympic Flame (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

Once again, the Olympic Games has started, and in the elegant, precise and dramatic style hoped for in Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.

But the stadium was empty, save for about 950 dignitaries – including Emperor Naruhito – and perhaps 6,000 news media. But the show went on, impressively, crowned by a powerful, six-part arrival of the Olympic Torch, ending with tennis star Naomi Osaka lighting the cauldron.

The ceremony started right on time at 8 p.m. Tokyo time, in warm (82 degrees F) and humid (76%) conditions, with a stark focus on a single runner, opening to a fireworks display and a spectacular show of technology as the entire floor of the stadium was lit with a brilliant set of geometric projections.

An elegant stage set was brought on the field, with a stepped representation of Mt. Fuji in the middle, topped by the (closed for now) cauldron for the Olympic Flame. A dance program of great dignity and solemnity followed, but even the carefully-choreographed television coverage showed the rows of empty seats in a glittering, almost-new stadium.

This was followed by a moment of silence “to remember loved ones who are no longer with us,” an indirect reference to the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to those who have passed since the Games were postponed from 2020. This was followed by a first-ever segment in an Opening Ceremony commemorating the massacre of Israeli athletes and officials at the Munich Games in 1972; the field was blackened except for the Mt. Fuji stage, bathed in blue, with a white spotlight on the middle of the field; a moment of silence was observed.

A 14-minute cultural presentation followed, which included a “construction” project that “built” the Olympic Rings on the field and an energetic tap routine from Kazunori Kumagai, followed by a massive fireworks display.

The colorful parade of nations started 37 minutes into the ceremony and passed by much more quickly than in past Games, as all of the larger delegations were compressed by the restrictions on when athletes could come to Tokyo. Most of the delegations had two flagbearers – one man, one woman – as now allowed, and almost everyone had their phones out for selfies and videos, even in an empty stadium.

Some 5,700 were expected to march, so even with the program moving along smartly, it took an hour for 95 National Olympic Committees to come in.

As future hosts of the Games, the U.S. and France were at the end of the parade, followed by host Japan. The U.S. entered at 10:30 p.m., with flagbearers Sue Bird (basketball) and Eddy Alvarez (baseball) and a huge delegation, but which moved swiftly to their place on the field.

Japan entered at 10:33 p.m., closing the parade right on schedule, an impressive achievement on its own.

The newly-rewritten Olympic Oath was taken by Japanese athletes Ryota Yamagata (track & field) and Kasumi Ishikawa (table tennis), judges Asumi Tsuzaki (water polo) and Masato Kato (surfing) and coaches Kosei Inoue (judo) and Reika Utsugi (softball).

This was followed by a “Unity in Diversity” program that began with the movement of 45 colored boxes on the field that eventually formed the Tokyo 2020 logo. That symbol was picked up by an amazing formation of 1,824 drones which moved in a sequence that morphed into a blue-and-white representation of the earth. That was awesome.

Brief speeches were given by Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER). Bach praised the efforts of the Japanese people, the volunteers and many others who made the Games possible, and the difficult path of the athletes during the pandemic:

“You did not even know whether this competition would take place at all. You struggled. You persevered. You never gave up. And today, you are making your Olympic dream come true.”

And he returned to his constant theme of the Olympic Movement at the service of the world through sport, a philosophy which has radically changed the way the Olympic world works:

“Our Olympic community learned that we can address the many big challenges of our times only if we stand together. The lesson we learned is: We need more solidarity. More solidarity within societies and more solidarity among societies.

“Solidarity means much more than just respect or non-discrimination. Solidarity means helping. Sharing. Caring. This is what we are do in our Olympic community. We are standing in solidarity to make the Olympic Games happen and to enable all of you, dear athletes, from all National Olympic Committees – whether big or small, whether rich or poor, and from all Olympic sports – to take part of the Olympic Games.”

Emperor Naruhito then opened the Games in Japanese, followed by the entrance and raising of the Olympic flag in three stages: first by a cadre of six athletes – one from each continent and the Refugee Olympic Team – then a group of eight “essential workers” from Japan saluting their role in working against the pandemic and finally a seven-member group from the Japanese Self-Defense Force.

A release of paper doves – live doves are no longer used – was followed by an inventive reflection on the Tokyo Games of 1964. The now-familiar sports pictograms were invented for that Games and the 50 pictograms for today’s Games was saluted in a clever sketch, primarily with three mimes working together to create human versions of each one.

A three-minute video showcasing the Olympic venues and Tokyo the city, leading to a live Kabuki performance on the stage was the prelude to one of the most complex torch-lighting ceremonies ever staged.

The Olympic Torch appeared in the stadium at 11:38 p.m. Tokyo time and proceeded through six stages:

● 1: Dr. Tadahiro Nomura (a judoka) and three-time wrestling gold medalist Saori Yoshida, bringing the torch into the stadium;

● 2: Three Japanese baseball legends: Shigeo Nagashima, a slow but steady Sadaharu Oh, now 81, Japan’s baseball icon, and former Yomiuri Giants and Yankees star Hideki Matsui;

● 3: Dr. Hiuroki Ohashi and Junko Kitagawa, a nurse, representing the medical corps at the center of treating the pandemic;

● 4: Paralympian Wakako Tsuchida, who moved the torch on her wheelchair;

● 5: A group of six elementary school and junior high students representing regions of Japan which had been devastated by earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, who handed off to

● 6: Tennis star Osaka, who ascended “Mt. Fuji,” with the top opening to reveal a dazzling interior crystalline cauldron, and lit the Olympic Flame.

This was a moving ceremony, beautifully produced, but sadly without the emotion that a live audience brings. But it opened what will be a memorable Games, one that many thought would never happen. But here it is; the party has started.

For those who didn’t get up early, NBC will re-air the ceremony this evening (check your listings for air time), so you can check out the amazing technical effects and the very-well-performed cultural and ceremonial elements, especially since you now know what to look for! That drone sequence is worth seeing again and again. Wow.

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THE 5-RING CIRCUS: Tokyo fires an OpCer director one day prior; IOC’s Coates “orders” Brisbane officials to stay; a few more Covid positives

Rich Perelman

July 22, 2021

tsx pix 2021-603 tokyo 2020 awards podium (tokyo2020) — An empty Olympic Stadium in Tokyo (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

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Updates from, in and around the Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020:

In calmer times, the day before the Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games is one of anticipation and excitement. That is not exactly what is happening in Tokyo:

● The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee dismissed Kentaro Kobayashi, a “show director” of the Opening Ceremony on Thursday. Kyodo News reported:

“Kobayashi, 48, was ousted from the post of ‘show director’ in charge of overseeing different segments of the ceremonies after a video clip resurfaced online of him in a comedy act that included the phrase, ‘Let’s play the genocide of the Jews.’”

The clip was from 1998, and Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto “told a press conference that she feels responsible for the organization’s failure to conduct sufficient background checks on the director and apologized for the latest scandal.”

This follows Monday’s resignation of composer Keigo Oyamada, who admitted to bullying children with disabilities in the past. His four-minute original piece for the ceremony has been removed from the show.

Reports indicate that Friday’s ceremony may be held with as few as 950 invited guests in the Olympic Stadium.

This includes elected leaders of about 15 countries, including Emmanuel Macron of France, which will host the 2024 Games in Paris.

Apparently, that will also include Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Brisbane Mayor Andrew Schrinner and Minister of Sport Richard Colbeck. During a news conference following Brisbane’s election for 2032, Australian Olympic Committee chair and IOC member John Coates – the driving force behind the Brisbane bid – told the officials:

“You are going to the opening ceremony. I am still the deputy chair of the [2032] candidature leadership group. So far as I understand, there will be an opening and a closing ceremony in 2032, and all of you have got to get along there and understand the tradition parts of that, what’s involved in an opening ceremony. None of you are staying behind hiding in your rooms, all right?”

Replied Palaszczuk, “I am not going to offend anyone now that we’ve just been awarded the Games.”

Coates, 71, is no stranger to political infighting, but has promised to step down as Australian Olympic Committee chief in 2022 and will soon be age-limited as an IOC member. His antics drew widespread scorn in Australia and have gotten Brisbane off on a sour note with its own population.

The Russian Olympic Committee announced that from 66-80 athletes would march in the Opening Ceremony, along with six officials. There are expected to be 335 Russian athletes at Tokyo, but many will not be present until later and many athletes who will be competing on Saturday will stay in the Village and rest.

Comment: The usually endless parade of nations may actually be watchable this time.

The Associated Press reported that Rosie Gallegos-Main, a volunteer chiropractor with the USA Wrestling women’s team at its pre-Games training camp posted a notice on her Facebook and Instagram pages on Wednesday that included:

“We went from ‘Flattening the curve in 14 days’ to ‘Going door-to-door to see your papers’ … Gotta admit, I did N-A-Z-I that one coming.”

She apologized, deleted the posts , which were “flagged by both social media platforms for spreading misinformation” according to the AP. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s statement to the news service included:

“The USOPC will work with USA Wrestling to see that she gets that educational resource and understands our organization’s shared global purpose of building a better, more inclusive world through sport.”

A five-page letter signed by more than 150 activists, was posted Thursday, asking the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee to:

“refrain from imposing sanctions on athletes protesting and demonstrating in accordance with internationally-recognized human rights frameworks, as outlined above, in any Olympic/ Paralympic sites, venues or other areas – including the podium. These frameworks protect protests in support of racial and social justice (e.g., kneeling, raising one’s fist). They do not protect hate speech or protests/demonstrations discriminatory in nature.”

It also calls for another review of Olympic Charter Rule 50 (2) after the Beijing Winter Games in 2022 to align more closely with the standards the signatories prefer. Amazingly, the letter undercuts its own argument by including:

“We recognize that the right to freedom of expression, as most human rights, is not absolute. … [and] may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.”

Don’t look for any action on this from the IOC for a while.

● On the Covid-19 front, the tracking chart from the Tokyo organizers showed 87 total positives from Games personnel, plus another four tracked by municipal governments at which training camps are taking place.

Of the 87 Tokyo 2020 cases, 52 are Japanese residents and 35 are from outside Japan. The leading group continues to be contractors (48 or 55.2%), followed by “Games-concerned personnel” such as coaches and officials (22), then athletes (8), media (5) and Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers (4).

Agence France Presse reported Wednesday that Guinea has withdrawn its delegation – five athletes – from Tokyo, allegedly due to the coronavirus. The national sports minister, Sanoussy Bantama Sow, wrote “Due to the resurgence of Covid-19 variants, the government, concerned with preserving the health of Guinean athletes, has decided with regret to cancel Guinea’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.”

AFP noted reports, however, that the real reason for the withdrawal is that the country could not pay for the team to attend.

Hours later, the country announced that the team will go to Tokyo as planned, “after obtaining guarantees from the health authorities.” Right, sure.

Five members of the Czech Olympic squad, including beach volleyball players Ondrej Perusic and Marketa Slukova and table tennis player Pavel Sirucek have tested positive, along with two officials (one of whom is Slukova’s husband and coach, Simon Nausch).

An investigation is now underway into the spread of the virus during a charter flight from Prague to Tokyo during which all five were on board.

Russia reported that European 400 m Medley champ Ilya Borodin (18) has tested positive for Covid and will miss the Games. He is reported as asymptomatic, but will not compete.

Russian Olympic Committee chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov told a news conference that Russia has 193 athletes in Tokyo at present and “There are no cases of COVID-19 infections among Russian athletes in the Olympic Village.”

USA Volleyball confirmed that Tri Bourne will replace Taylor Crabb on the U.S. beach volleyball pair with Jake Gibb and compete beginning on Sunday in Tokyo. Crabb and Gibb were ranked fourth in the FIVB’s Olympic rankings, while Bourne and Trevor Crabb – Taylor’s brother – were ranked 14th.

Taylor Crabb wrote on his Instagram page, “After taking every precaution, getting vaccinated and following protocols, I have tested positive for COVID-19. I’m symptom-free, thankfully, but deeply disappointed to not be able to join Jake on the sand and compete as a member of Team USA.”

According to the Beach Volleyball Database, Bourne and Gibb have never been paired together in tournament play before.

● In weightlifting, the head of the Russian Weightlifting Federation, Maxim Agapitov – the
1997 World Champion at 91 kg – has been denied accreditation to the Tokyo Games by the IOC and has filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In November 2020, the IOC noted its concern over the election of Agapitov to a second term as head of the Russian federation and his intention to run for the presidency of the European Weightlifting Federation in 2021. Why? As the IOC noted:

“When Agapitov was an athlete, he tested positive in 1994 and was banned for two years.”

Agapitov says he is entitled to be accredited as part of the IWF delegation as a member of its Executive Board; he is also the interim President of the European Weightlifting Federation as Turk Hassan Akkus stepped down over allegations of doping violations in the latest International Testing Agency report.

A hearing was scheduled to be have been held on Thursday (22nd).

● World Anti-Doping Agency ● WADA will be getting some U.S. government money after all.

Richard Baum, a Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, told a Congressional committee that $1.60 million of the $2.93 million in dues expected from the U.S. will be paid.

“We believe half the payment is appropriate. There have been some good conversations in WADA about reform, but we still believe that in order to be comfortable with making the full payment, we’d like to see additional steps forward.”

The Trump Administration had withheld payment and filed a report with Congress that essentially demanded that U.S. representation on WADA’s Executive Committee take into account its financial support of the organization. WADA has been in the process of enacting several governance reforms, especially in athlete representation.

● Games of the XXXVI Olympiad: 2036 ● If you think that all of the above has soured countries on future hosting of the Games, forget it.

Indonesian Olympic Committee chief Raja Sapta Oktohari said, “We will not back down and will continue to fight for the 2036 Olympics.” The country can point to the staging of the mammoth Asian Games in 2018 as proof of its abilities.

India, Qatar, Korea and Hungary were also in discussions with the IOC at the time when the very advanced Brisbane was singled out by the IOC’s Future Hosts Commission. Germany has also shown interest, but dropped out of the 2032 effort and would likely next target 2040. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also promoted a fourth Games in the British capital, during his re-election campaign in the spring.

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INTEL REPORT: Brisbane to “future-proof” the Olympic Games; Bach striving for stability; first protests in Tokyo; Sweden clubs U.S. women, 3-0

Rich Perelman

July 21, 2021

tsx pix 2021-721 brisbane 2032 host city k (ioc greg martin) — It's official: Brisbane signs the Host City Contract for the 2032 Olympic Games (Photo: IOC/Greg Martin)

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Updates from, in and around the Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020:

● International Olympic Committee ● Tuesday’s IOC Session vote for Brisbane as the host of the Games of the XXXV Olympiad in 2032 was historic for several reasons, but perhaps most importantly as a template for future hosts. Said IOC member and Australian Olympic Committee chief John Coates at the end of Brisbane’s presentation:

“[Brisbane] sets out to demonstrate hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is truly within the capacity – and budgets – of other like places and mid-size cities all over the world. And in so doing, helping the IOC to future-proof the Olympic Games. What an important outcome this would be.”

It’s not important, it’s a paradigm shift; in 2032, Brisbane will be the smallest metropolitan area to host the Games in 80 years, since Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Comparing the 2021 population figures of the host cities (in millions):

● 1950s: Helsinki ‘52: 1.5; Melbourne ‘56: 5.0.
● 1960s: Rome ‘60: 4.3; Tokyo ‘64: 37.4; Mexico City ‘68: 21.9.
● 1970s: Munich ‘72: 6.0; Montreal ‘76: 4.2.
● 1980s: Moscow ‘80: 12.5; Los Angeles ‘84: 13.1; Seoul ‘88: 25.0.
● 1990s: Barcelona ‘92: 5.5; Atlanta ‘96: 6.0.
● 2000s: Sydney ‘00: 4.9; Athens ‘04: 3.7; Beijing ‘08: 20.9.
● 2010s: London ‘12: 14.3; Rio ‘16: 13.5.
● 2020s: Tokyo ‘20: 37.4; Paris ‘24: 12.6; Los Angeles ‘28: 13.1.
● 2030s: Brisbane ‘32: 2.6.

That is fairly astonishing; the last host even close to Brisbane’s size was Athens in 2004 and that was a difficult, budget-challenged Games to say the least. The vote was 77-5 with three abstentions in Brisbane’s favor and at the post-Session news conference, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk spoke to the achievement of such a relatively small region landing the Games:

“It’s something our city and our state has always aspired to, bur we never thought it was possible. But under the Olympics’ ‘New Norm,’ we have over 80% of our venues, we have cooperation with all three levels of government and we’ve got agreements to do the infrastructure that is already needed for our city, which will complement the Games.

“We’ve very excited. We’re over the moon and we’re absolutely honored.”

Coates noted that while Brisbane was the only city presented to the IOC Session for approval, as many as five other cities or regions were in discussions with the IOC’s Future Hosts Commission, but with projects not as well developed as Queensland’s.

IOC President Thomas Bach was asked about what appear to be happy times ahead for the IOC, with host cities out to 2032 and a strong financial situation even though the pandemic. Bach wasn’t sure:

“I hope you’re right. I was also thinking that, at least starting with Tokyo, we will have a tranquil period. Even before Pyeongchang, I was thinking until a certain moment that it will be tranquil after Rio and you know what happened. Then in Korea, you know what happened , then with the pandemic, so I keep my fingers crossed , then for the rest of my mandate, but even more for my successor that it will be indeed a more tranquil period.

But the Olympic Movement is living in the middle of society and we are not living in a tranquil world. We are living in a very fragile world at this moment and therefore we have to react to this and to find the right way for the Olympic Movement. …

“Once the health crisis is over, we will see the social, the political, the economic, the financial consequences of the pandemic, so the policy we have applied in the IOC in the last couple of years was to create stability.

This is why from the beginning of my term, we have concluded long-term contracts with rights-holding partners and sponsors. We have been looking to make our procedures more flexible, always in order to create stability as far as we could in this very turbulent and fragile world.”

It was noted that Bach inherited the selection of Sochi for the 2014 Winter Games, Rio in 2016, PyeongChang in 2018 and Tokyo for 2020 when he was elected in September of 2013. Under his watch, however, Beijing was selected for the 2022 Winter Games and that event promises to be anything but placid given the political stance of China today. But for Paris, Milan Cortina, Los Angeles and now Brisbane, the future is bright.

The IOC published its 2020 Annual Report online during the Session, detailing a difficult year during the pandemic, but underscoring its excellent resources.

In 2020, the IOC took in $623.8 million, down slightly from 2019 ($694.5 million), and spent $798.7 million for a loss of $174.9 million before investment gains, which reduced the actual loss to $55.0 million.

No matter; the IOC ended 2020 with assets of $5.71 billion, up 7% from 2019 and reserves of $2.47 billion. The report noted that contracts worth $4.1 billion are already in place for the quadrennial of 2029-32.

The IOC spent $127.2 million on its Olympic Solidarity programs in 2020, including direct-to-athlete payments to 1,600 Olympic Scholarship holders.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee received $88.7 million in TOP sponsorship payments in 2020 (separate from television rights fees).

● Tokyo 2020 ● Competitions have finally started in Tokyo and there was a shocker right away in football; of note:

● Football: In Group G of the women’s tournament, Sweden pummeled the U.S., 3-0, ending a 44-match unbeaten streak for the American women that dates back to January 2019. It was also the first loss by the U.S. with Vlatko Andonovski as coach; he took over at the end of 2019 following the U.S. win at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The usually active U.S. defense was lax and Sweden’s Sofia Jakobsson sent a cross in front of the U.S. goal in the 25th that found the head of Stina Blackstenius for a 1-0 lead. The Swedes pressed the U.S. in the midfield and slowed its usually potent attack. Blackstenius scored again in the 54th minute and Lina Hurtig scored on a header in the 72nd minute for the final goal.

Sweden had a 52-48% edge on the U.S. in possession – rare – and a 16-13 edge on shots, a good measure of the dominance in the game.

In the other Group G match, Australia defeated New Zealand, 1-0, and the U.S. will play New Zealand on the 24th and Australia on the 27th.

● Protests: The expected protests of going to one knee prior to their match – allowed under the IOC’s new guidelines – came in the football matches with Great Britain and Chile and with the U.S. and Sweden.

● Withdrawals: Covid positives leading to withdrawals from the Games were reported for Fernanda Aguirre of Chile (taekwondo) and Candy Jacobs (NED: skateboarding).

American beach volleyballer Taylor Crabb tested positive over the weekend after he arrived in Japan and is in the Covid protocol. He and Jake Gibb are scheduled to play their first match on Sunday; Crabb may be replaced by Tri Bourne.

Australian equestrian showjumper Jamie Kermond was reported to have tested positive for cocaine and has been provisionally suspended and will not compete in Tokyo.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC announced that about 230 members of the U.S. delegation are expected to march in the Opening Ceremony on Friday, with Sue Bird (basketball) and Eddy Alvarez (baseball) elected as flag bearers.

The IOC changed the protocol for the ceremony to allow two flag bearers as long as both a man and women are included. Bird is a four-time basketball gold medalist and Alvarez plays in the Miami Marlins minor-league system, but won a silver medal in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games as a member of the 5,000 m four-man short track speedskating team.

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THE BIG PICTURE: Brisbane approved for 2032 Games; WHO chief rejects “zero cases” standard; LA28 to “create an amazing Games experience”

Rich Perelman

July 21, 2021

tsx pix 2021-721 brisbane 2032 palasczuk wins 750 — Winner: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk holding the placard announcing Brisbane as the host for the 2032 Olympic Games (Photo: IOC live-stream screenshot)

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For the second consecutive time, the International Olympic Committee selected a host city for the Olympic Games 11 years beforehand, with Brisbane, Australia confirmed as the host of the Games of the XXXV Olympiad in 2032.

The IOC Session, meeting in Tokyo, was asked for a yes-or-no vote on Brisbane, which had prepared an aggressive bid in earnest at the urging of Australian IOC member John Coates, who also led the IOC’s working group on the reformation of the Games bidding process.

But it was officials from Queensland, led by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who did the actual work on the bid, developing a plan, lobbying the IOC in Lausanne and pressing their case with the newly-formed IOC Future Hosts Commission. All of that led to a recommendation to the IOC Executive Board that “Brisbane” should be designated as the targeted host for 2032 subject to providing the IOC’s required guarantees and specifics on venues, accommodations and so on.

In Tokyo, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined the presentation by satellite from Canberra, and Palaszczuk, Australian Sports Minister Richard Colbeck, Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Coates were present in the room.

Norwegian IOC member Kristin Kloster Aasen, head of the Future Hosts Commission for the summer Games, told the IOC members that “We have the best possible project on the table before us,” that includes 84% existing and temporary venues and political solidarity, even from the leading opposition party in Australia. The bottom line:

“As the world continues to experience challenging times, we believe that we have before us the chance to seize a unique opportunity to secure the future of the Olympic Movement and provide the athletes of the world with an excellent welcome in 2032.”

The Brisbane presentation was introduced by Coates, who promised “diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands” to produce the event. Morrison emphasized that “we know what it takes to deliver a successful Games in Australia” and praised the efforts of the Japanese organizers to make the Tokyo Games a reality. He stressed the country’s diversity – “We’re like a giant-sized Olympic Village, all together” – and the detailed financial and sustainability commitments of all levels of Australian government.

Palaszczuk pointedly noted, “The Games will accelerate our future by providing the infrastructure much sooner than otherwise would be the case, by focusing and fast-tracking investment of all governments.” Long-term community needs are built into the Games plan. And:

“We want to show the world that mid-sized cities and regions can host the Games without financial distress or missed deadlines. The keys are long-term planning, bi-partisan support and making the most of a city’s natural and built resources.”

Along with comments from Schrinner, the Brisbane presentation ran about 50 minutes and was impressively produced and delivered by its elected officials, augmented with multiple information slides and video clips.

A grand total of seven questions or comments were offered, all of which were handled satisfactorily. The vote was taken and the completely anticlimactic announcement was made that Brisbane will be the host city for 2032.

There was loud applause, followed by a video link to an outdoor viewing site in Brisbane (where it was about 6:30 p.m.) – complete with fireworks – and the signing of the Host City Contract. Australia has its third Games, after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.

The second day of the IOC Session in Tokyo began with a keynote by World Health Organization Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom (ETH), who declared, “The pandemic is a test and the world is failing.”

Over a 35-minute address, he urged wealthier nations to share Covid vaccines with less-developed nations, saying “The most vulnerable remain unprotected.” He asked for governmental, commercial and charitable help in manufacturing 11 billion vaccines to reach 70% of the world’s population by the mid-2022. His comment on Covid and the Olympic Games in Tokyo:

“The mark of success in the coming fortnight is not zero cases. And I know that some cases have already been detected. The mark of success is making sure that any cases are identified, isolated, traced and cared for as quickly possible. And normal transmission is interrupted. That is the mark of success for every country.”

This was followed by a lengthy series of reports on future Games:

● Beijing 2022: The Winter Games organizers provided a detailed report, with venue development well in hand. Beijing 2022 noted that it now has 45 marketing partners at all levels and that a remarkable 1.12 million applied to be volunteers for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Games are being promoted with events in China during the Tokyo 2020 Games period. Oh yes, the dreaded “playbooks” are being prepared at this time, but it is hoped (and expected) that spectators will be present.

● Paris 2024: The Paris organizing committee, led by canoeing Olympic Champion Tony Estanguet, underlined its continuing progress: “We are ready to take the baton on the 8th of August; we are on budget: more than half of our targeted revenue is signed and secured … we are on time on our three main pillars: celebration, legacy and engagement.”

The details included construction on the agreed timeline (one venue already completed!), agreements for 47,000 hotel rooms available at the same pricing promised in the bid documents, and with no minimum-stay requirements. The Paris 2024 licensing program is underway, with 15 companies involved and an online store opening later this summer.

About 50 members of the 2024 staff are and will be in Tokyo as observers.

● Milan Cortina 2026: The presentation was led by Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovanni Malago, who noted that the 2026 effort is already benefitting from having held world championships at the expected venues in Biathlon in 2020 in Anterselva and the Alpine Skiing Worlds in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2021.

A new approach to “exponential organization” is being developed, in which the organizing committee itself will hire only 600 people and partner with four “local organizing committees” situated in the four Games venue clusters. This concept is designed to reduce human resource costs and to emphasize high performance, along with maintaining and further developing the “local delivery partners” who already know their areas so well. There are 90 staff members at present and up to another 131 could be hired this year.

Malago also noted the development of the logo, with 870,000 votes cast from Italy and elsewhere to select the first popularly-voted emblem for the Winter Games.

The Veneto regional government has confirmed that the 1956 Cortina sliding center will be renovated, but not for the Games in specific, but for a larger entertainment park for the area. It will be used in 2026 by the organizing committee as a temporary tenant only.

● Los Angeles 2028: This was the first in-person report by LA28 to an IOC Session, with Chair Casey Wasserman, Chief Revenue Officer Kathy Carter and Chief Operating Officer John Harper participating. Wasserman underlined the unique situation of Los Angeles, host to the Games already in 1932 and 1984:

“L.A. is a Games-ready city … We have an incredible culture of innovation, creativity and story-telling and we’re excited to tell the stories of the Olympic Games to the world. And we intend to host a fiscally-responsible and sustainable Games using the best that L.A. has to offer, and as you all know, we are privately funded. …

“We’re going to take advantage of these extra four years to put ourselves in a position to create a truly Games-changing experience.”

He noted the emphasis has been on the graphical brand launch and sponsorship marketing as foundational elements, and he tied the business programming to the LA28 philosophies:

“We think it’s important for the organization to be guided by our ‘truths’. We use these to guide us every day … we’re optimistic and believe in making great things possible; we believe that diversity makes us stronger, and we should celebrate our differences; we know that co-creating and innovating with others will shape a more progressive future. At our core, we will represent Los Angeles and welcome the world. We recognize that people are what matter most and are proud of our opportunity to leave a legacy, and finally, we are squarely rooted in sport. We believe in the power of sport and the spirit of competition and achievement. …

“Our mission is clear and our vision is bold. The mission, very simply, is to create an amazing Games experience for everyone. And our vision is ambitious, to create what’s next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences.”

On the unique branding program, utilizing an ever-changing “A” in the LA28 emblem, he explained:

“As we thought about how to bring our story to life, we thought about how Los Angeles is a place of constant re-invention and re-imagining what’s possible. At our core, L.A. is an infinite canvas to pursue your wildest dreams. And we knew that everyone had to be a part of the L.A. story. L.A. defies singular definition, so there would be no singular way to represent our Games.

“And finally, the Games are not about one sport, one team, one idea or one theme, so we would need a collection of voices to tell the LA28 story … The best way to capture our community’s essence is through a collection of voices.”

Carter explained the venue plan, with five major “sports parks” containing most of the venues, with no permanent construction required. On the commercial side, she noted the unique collaboration that has LA28, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and domestic broadcaster NBCUniversal working together as a single sales entity, opening a new vista for engagement and attracting new fans to the Olympic Movement. The on-site slide showed logos of already-committed partners Delta Airlines, Comcast, Salesforce and Deloitte and licensees Nike, Ralph Lauren, Getty Images and hospitality provider On Location.

Nicole Hoevertsz (ARU), the head of the IOC’s Coordination Commission, gave a positive review for the organizing committee’s work, especially the contribution to youth programs operated by the City of Los Angeles. She noted that LA28 currently has 90 employees.

The elections portion of the Session included the re-election of five IOC members who had served for eight years (approved by 78-0), and a change of status from Athletes’ Commission member to an individual member for Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), approved by 78-2. Coventry, also the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in her country, is seen as a possible future leader of the Olympic Movement.

Aruba’s Hoevertsz, already a member of the Executive Board, was elected as a Vice President of the IOC by a 72-7 margin, to replace the term-limited Anita DeFrantz (USA). For the IOC Executive Board, Robin Mitchell (FIJ) was re-elected by 75-4; Denis Oswald (SUI) was re-elected by 71-7 after the withdrawal of Norway’s Kristin Kloster Aasen, then Kloster Aasen was herself elected by 71-6.

(DeFrantz served for two terms as a Vice President, and is eligible to run again in two years.)

The Session also elected Craig Reedie (GBR) – the former head of the International Badminton Federation and the World Anti-Doping Agency – as an honorary member beginning in 2022; he was age-limited at the end of this year. Crown Prince Frederik (DEN), who resigned earlier this year, was elected as an honorary member as well.

The Games competition actually started, with softball matches in Fukushima and host Japan defeating Australia, 8-1, ending the game by the mercy rule after five innings. Minori Naito and Yamato Fujita homered for the winners.

The U.S. was in action in the second game, with Cat Osterman, 38, a gold medalist from 2004 and 2008, shutting out Italy on a six-inning one-hitter, 2-0, with Monica Abbott, 35, earning the save for a scoreless seventh.

During the second part of Monday’s Session, a series of reports were heard, including a short, hopeful greeting from the Tokyo 2020 organizers. The IOC noted that “Coordination Commission Chair John Coates told the IOC Members that the work done, both on permanent and temporary facilities, is of the highest quality, and that the conditions in the Village, training venues and competition fields of play are perfect.”

Other highlights:

● The IOC approved a request from President Thomas Bach (GER) to change the Olympic motto, of “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – better known as “Swifter, Higher, Stronger” and adopted in 1894 – by adding “Communiter” or, in English: “Swifter, Higher, Stronger – Together.” The vote was unanimous.

● The International Testing Agency noted that it will collect approximately 5,000 urine and blood samples both in and out of competition, in collaboration with Tokyo 2020 and the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA), at the Games The collections will be obtained via an anti-doping workforce of 250 Doping Control Officers and 700 chaperones.

● The Milan Cortina organizers for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games asked for and received approval to add Ski Mountaineering to its program. Five events would be held – a sprint and an individual event for men and women and a mixed event – with a total of 48 athletes. Those athletes will be included in the overall quota of 2,900.

● Also looking to the future, six International Federations received full recognition from the IOC, including the International Cheerleading Union (ICU), International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA), International Sambo Federation (FIAS), International Federation Icestocksport (IFI), World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) and World Lacrosse (WL). This does not mean these federations are any closer to being part of the Olympic program, but are now part of a large group of “recognized” federations which receive some modest IOC support.

Some modest revisions were made to the Olympic Charter, including a requirement that National Olympic Committees must have functional Athletes’ Commissions – with voting rights – by the end of 2022, and the responsibility for organizing committees to hold test events was modified to include programs short of “full competitions” – such as school events – in agreement with the relevant International Federation as a potential money-saving measure.

Tokyo 2020’s Wednesday update on Covid-19 cases showed the total up to 79, with eight new cases. Japanese residents account for 46 (58%), while the other 33 are non-residents (and four of these are in training camps).

By group, 42 are contractors, 20 are “Games-related personnel” (coaches, officials), eight are athletes, five media and four Tokyo 2020 staff and volunteers.

At Monday’s post-Session news conference, IOC member and Athletes’ Commission chair Coventry was asked about the recent change to the Olympic Charter’s Rule 50 guidelines, allowing “expression” prior to competition, but continuing the ban at ceremonies and in the Olympic Village. She explained:

“What athletes were asking were for more opportunities to be able to talk about things that were important to them. And with the results of the last month, and allowing for there to be athletes expressing themselves before the start of competition, my hope is that athletes will still respect each other and will live by our Olympic values, which are their Olympic values because now they are now Olympians.”

There were lots of headlines on Tuesday about Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto “not ruling out” the last-moment cancellation of the Games at a Monday news conference, but what he actually said was:

“We can’t predict what will happen with the number of coronavirus cases. So we will continue discussions if there is a spike in cases.

“We have agreed that based on the coronavirus situation, we will convene five-party talks again. At this point, the coronavirus cases may rise or fall, so we will think about what we should do when the situation arises.”

The SwimSwam.com site added a really cheeky follow-up about the Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, including:

“Bookmakers have rated the chances of Tokyo ending early as short as 4/1 which, according to Power, puts an implied 17% probability on the Games ending early” and even odds on which sports might be canceled given their close-contact nature! Wrestling (36%), Karate (33%) and Judo (33%) had the best odds.

● Athletics: Before the pandemic, the biggest concern about the Tokyo Games was heat, and the marathons and race walks were moved to Sapporo, where the weather was expected to be cooler.

On Sunday, however, high temperatures hit 91 F in Sapporo and rose to 93 F on Monday. Temps were expected to cool to the mid-80s during the Games, with lows from 70-72 F, still warm for the long-distance events.

Regardless of Covid, the heat is apparently going to be an issue in Sapporo.

● Beach Volleyball: Ondrej Perusic of the Czech Republic has been identified as a Covid-positive case and with his first match with partner David Schweiner against Latvia on the 26th, is in danger of missing the Games. The pair are medal contenders, having won three medals (1-1-1) on this season’s FIVB World Tour in five starts, including a win on Doha (QAT) in March. Perusic and Schweiner sport a shiny 19-6 won-loss record on the season.

● Swimming: A terrible administrative mix-up resulted in six Polish swimmers getting on the plane for Tokyo and then being told that they could not compete at the Games and had to return home.

Poland qualified two individual women and nine men for the Games and five relay teams. Under FINA regulations, it was allowed to enter 17 total athletes, but the Polish federation instead sent 23 athletes to Tokyo. Six were told upon arrival that they would have to return.

In a lengthy letter explaining the situation and the arithmetic, Polish Swimming Federation chief Pawel Slominski began by noting (per Google Translate):

“I express great regret, sadness and bitterness about the situation related to the qualification of our players for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Such a situation should not take place, and the reaction of the players, their emotions, the attack on the Polish Swimming Federation (PZP) is understandable to me and justified.”

A letter from the Polish team asked for resignations of Slominski and the entire federation board, but that won’t get them into the pool in Tokyo.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: IOC’s Bach: “I can admit that we did not know how complex this would be”; expert says Covid positives “are actually extremely low”

Rich Perelman

July 20, 2021

tsx pix 2021-719 bach opens ioc session 750 (ioc) — IOC President Thomas Bach during his remarks to the 138th IOC Session (Photo: IOC)

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News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● The International Olympic Committee’s 138th Session began in Tokyo on Tuesday, with President Thomas Bach (GER) thanking the Japanese government and the organizing committee for their “determination and dedication in these challenging times.”

In his report to the Session, Bach recounted the emotional roller-coaster of the last year:

“We faced a choice: cancellation or postponement. There was nothing in between. … Cancellation would have been the easy way forward. We could have drawn on the insurance that we had at the time and moved on to Paris 2024. But in fact, cancellation was never an option for us. The IOC never abandons the athletes.

“Therefore, we took the unprecedented decision to postpone the Olympic Games. Today, I can admit that we did not know how complex this would be. The only certainty we had was rather than cashing in on the insurance, we would have to invest much more, to make these Olympic Games possible.

“There was no blueprint. Nobody had ever done this before. We could only take this decision because of the full, mutual trust between our Japanese partners and us. In fact, we came to an agreement with then-prime minister Abe Shinzo in a phone call which lasted only about half an hour. This agreement still stands today. … We did it together. We did it for the athletes.”

Bach also explained why he never wavered or expressed any doubt about making the Games a reality in 2021:

“How could we have convinced all the other stakeholders to remain committed to the Olympic Games if if we would have even deepened their already-serious doubts. Our doubts would have become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The Olympic Games could have fallen to pieces. This is why we had to keep these doubts to ourselves. And this, today I can admit and say it, these also weighed on us. It weighed on me.

“And in order to arrive at this day today, we had to give confidence . We had to show a way out of this crisis. We had to provide stability. We had to build trust. We had to give hope. … And today I would like to thank all our stakeholders for having indeed trusting in us.”

Bach recounted the IOC’s $800 million in additional spending on the postponed Games and its $1.7 billion contribution of cash and services to the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee.

The Session has a long, two-day agenda, but IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper (BEL) outlined the progress being made already on the Olympic Agenda 2020+5 program approved earlier in the year.

Specially noted was the creation of a IOC-controlled, centralized ticketing and hospitality program through On Location beginning with Paris 2024, and a promise that IOC programs to provide centralized planning in technology, transportation, venue planning and management and perhaps other areas are under development.

Reports from the future organizing committees and IOC elections will take place tomorrow.

Covid-19 is very much the pre-Opening story of the Tokyo Games, and the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 organizers staged a one-hour news conference on Sunday at the Main Press Center in Tokyo concerning the Covid-19 and heat countermeasures amid reports of additional infections among Olympic-related personnel.

Hide Nakamura, head of the Main Operations Center for the Tokyo organizers explained:

“No matter how well we are prepared, every once in a while we will find some people being tested positive. We don’t think we will be able to avoid that. But what’s important is that when we face that situation systematically, we introduce isolation so that spreading will not occur.”

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi (SUI) followed up on the procedures:

“This is rigorous. This is thorough. This is very strict. … Testing is the way to avoid any spread. Testing is the way to ensure safety for all of us. There is no such thing as zero risk; on that, we all agree. At the same time, the mingling and crossing of populations is incredibly limited. And we can ensure that transmission between the various groups is almost impossible. We keep the risk to an absolute minimum level. That is the core of our message. …

“Once a case is identified, there is a whole procedure to ring-fence that individual and the potential other individuals, so that when the new athletes are coming in or those that are already in the Village, know that the situation is under control. This is how we build trust and confidence is by action, extensive actions, demonstrating that there is no stone uncovered. It’s a Covid-safe environment.”

Pierre Ducrey (SUI), the IOC’s Olympic Games Operations Director, noted that more than 30,000 screening tests have been completed since 1 July and that “This is probably the most controlled population at this point in time anywhere in the world.”

As of Tuesday (20th), a total of 71 Games-related coronavirus positives had been reported since 1 July, with 15 reported on Saturday (17th) and 10 on Sunday (18th). Of these, half (36) are Games contractors, 19 are “Games-related personnel” such as coaches, team officials and sports officials, five are media, four are Tokyo 2020 staff and seven are athletes. Several of these positive results were from testing upon arrival in Japan; only 31 of the 71 total are from outside of Japan.

South African football players James Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi as well as a team video analyst were identified as Village Covid-positive cases and were being isolated according to plan; their “close contacts” are being tested and will only be able to compete if they test negative just prior to their events. IOC member Seung-min Ryu of South Korea was also identified as Covid-positive from his arrival test and is being isolated.

The IOC held another Covid information session on Monday featuring Dr. Brian McCloskey (GBR), chair of an independent panel advising the IOC on Covid-19 mitigation measures for Tokyo, who had a message for those expecting no cases in Tokyo:

“What we’re seeing is what we expected to see, essentially. If I thought all the tests we did were going to do were going to be negative, then I wouldn’t bother doing the tests in the first place. We do the tests because they are a way of filtering out people who might be developing infections, who might become a risk later, to identify them early. We take them apart from other people, we monitor and look after them and we look after the contacts.

“So it is expected as we go through the different layers of filtering, we see cases coming out. … Each layer of filtering is a reduction in risk for everybody else, and that’s what we expect to see. And the numbers we’re seeing are actually extremely low. They’re probably lower than we expected them to be, if anything.”

As for an athlete missing the Games due to a positive test in Tokyo: “It’s something that could happen. We try very hard to make sure it doesn’t happen; we manage it as well as we can. … There are no absolute certainties in this world.”

Is the Olympic Village safe? “Yes.”

The U.S. team has also been hit with Covid positives for athletes not yet in Tokyo, including:

● Men’s basketball guard Zach LaVine was placed into USA Basketball’s protocol on Monday and will not travel with the rest of the team to Tokyo, but could join in a few days.

● 3×3 Basketball player Katie Lou Samuelson was placed under USA Basketball’s health and safety protocol on Saturday and will not go to Tokyo. She will be replaced by Jackie Young of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, who was part of the U.S. 3×3 team at the 2019 World Beach Games.

● Women’s artistic gymnastics alternate Kara Eaker (18) tested positive at the team’s pre-Games training camp, despite reportedly being vaccinated two months ago. Fellow alternate Leanne Wong has also been isolated as a precaution.

● Tennis player Coco Gauff (17) announced on Twitter that she has tested positive and withdrawn from the Games.

● Track & field’s Katie Nageotte, the U.S. Trials winner in the women’s pole vault, has contracted food poisoning and had an allergic reaction to antibiotics, but will apparently be OK for the Games.

Elsewhere around the Games:

● Per Kyodo News: “Japanese musician Keigo Oyamada resigned on Monday from the creative team for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics after admitting that he bullied children with disabilities many years ago.” A four-minute piece composed by Oyamanda that was slated to be included in the early part of the ceremony will not be used.

● Toyota Motor Corp., an International Olympic Committee TOP Partner, announced it would not be airing commercials related to the Games in Japan during the Olympic period for “various reasons.” A spokesman noted that “We will fully support the athletes and contribute to the games by providing vehicles and through other means”; Toyota is supplying 3,340 vehicles for the organizing committee.

● Basketball: The Court of Arbitration for Sport has declined the appeal of U.S. players Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams to play for Nigeria in Tokyo. The international federation for basketball, FIBA, “declined under the applicable rules” and added, “In any event, the players would have to wait for a three-year period since their last game with the USA to be eligible to play at the Olympics, as per Bye-law to Rule 41 of the Olympic Charter.”

● Football: The German men’s football team walked off the field during a Saturday practice match, with a team tweet stating “The game has ended 5 minutes early with the score at 1-1. The Germany players left the pitch after [defender] Jordan Torunarigha was racially abused.”

The Honduran twitter response: “Game ended in the 87th [minute] due to abandonment because of a German player alleging a racist insult from a Honduras team member. Regarding this matter, the Honduras Football Federation states that the situation was a misunderstanding on the pitch.”

German coach Stefan Kuntz said that the Honduran team came over the German bench and apologized, saying that the matter was closed.

● Swimming: The Court of Arbitration for Sport reinstated Russian swimmers Veronika Andrusenko and Aleksandr Kudashev, saying the FINA suspension for doping based on evidence from the Moscow Laboratory data recovered by WADA covering the period of 2011-15. This will allow Andrusenko to compete in the women’s 200 m Free and Kudashev in the 200 m Butterfly.

Tunisian open-water star Ous Mellouli, slated to swim in the 10 km in Tokyo, announced on his Instagram account (translated from the original French):

“After a month of ordeal, I lose all hope of reconciliation or of winning my case. So I decided to retire from international competitions and boycott the Tokyo Games.”

He had been in a dispute with the Tunisian swimming federation with allegations of forgery and theft, and a formal hearing. Mellouli was the 2008 gold medalist in the men’s 1,500 m Free, then won the 2012 10 km open-water event and a bronze in the 1,500 m Free in the pool. Tokyo would have been his sixth Olympic Games!

● XXIV Olympic Winter Games: Beijing 2022 ● Former Vice President Mike Pence challenged the Biden Administration to demand that the Beijing Winter Games be relocated.

Speaking at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday, Pence said:

“President Biden should make a clear and unequivocal demand that the 2022 Winter Olympics be moved from Beijing unless China comes clean on the origins of COVID-19 and immediately ends persecution of the Uyghur people.

“The Olympics should only take place in countries that respect fundamental human rights and the well-being of mankind.”

● Athletics ● The all-time U.S. men’s and women’s javelin lists were shaken by sensational American throwing on Saturday at the American JavFest in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

Michael Shuey, second at the Trials, came from behind on his final toss to reach a lifetime best of 85.67 m (281-1), moving him to no. 9 on the 2021 year list and no. 4 on the all-time U.S. list. Trials winner Curtis Thompson was second at 81.04 m (265-10).

American Record holder Maggie Malone, already no. 3 on the 2021 world list, extended her own record to 67.10 m (221-1) on her first throw, adding almost two feet to her 66.82 m/219-3 from earlier this year. That keeps her third on the year list, but underscores her as a serious medal contender.

How about something fun for a change?

If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, you can check out U.S. Olympic steepler Mason Ferlic “unboxing” his Tokyo gear … and it’s quite a haul!

The coronavirus claimed another event as a victim, as the Kenyan government announced that the World U-20 Championships in Nairobi (KEN) next month will not allow spectators to attend.

This is an especially devastating situation for Kenya and Nairobi, which has been speculated as a possible site for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, with the 2021 U-20 meet as a measure of the possibilities.

● Football ● The concept of holding the FIFA World Cup and Women’s World Cup every two years instead of every four got a vote of confidence from the Confederation of African Football. Although the concept is only to be studied by FIFA, the CAF is already an enthusiastic backer.

● Rowing ● The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee has commission a high-profile law firm to conduct an investigation into the U.S. Rowing men’s national team program and in particular, complaints about the style of coaching by longtime head coach Mike Teti.

The Associated Press reported considerable conflict among the men’s rowers about Teti, whose approach has been called both “intense” and “intimidating.” US Rowing chief executive Amanda Kraus said that the review “is not an investigation of any particular coach at US Rowing. It is a high-level assessment of the culture of our men’s and women’s training centers in an effort to ensure that our athletes’ concerns are being addressed and that fairness and transparency are always at the core of how we operate.”

Teti, now 64, is a member of the National Rowing Hall of Fame as both a rower and a coach.

● At the BuZZer ● Another major auction of Olympic and other sports memorabilia is getting set for 22 July (Thursday) in France.

The 581-lot Sportlympic VII offer includes 10 official torches, from Berlin 1936, London 1948, Rome 1960, Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Moscow 1980, and Athens 2004, with expected pricing from €2,000-8,000.

Of special interest is a winner’s medal from the 1920 Antwerp Games, with a projected sale price of €16,000-20,000.

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LANE ONE: What if athletes could sell their name-image-likeness and no one cared? USOPC and LA28 are trying to solve this Olympian-sized problem

Rich Perelman

July 19, 2021

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(For our Highlights of the weekend’s top events, click here)

As the Games of the XXXII Olympiad get ready to open this Friday in Tokyo, about 11,091 athletes will be in competition, or a few days away from starting their journey as Olympians.

Of these, some 613 athletes – 5.5% of the total – are members of “Team USA,” under the supervision of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who will look after them carefully during their limited stay in Tokyo. The USOPC will then do the same for the U.S. team for the Paralympic Games that will start on 24 August.

If the predictions are right, more than 100 American team members will win medals at the Games, but most will not. But almost all of them will have been challenged to find enough funding and support to have made it to Tokyo.

Amid the recent news of NCAA athletes being able to cash in on their name, image and likeness, Olympic-sport athletes who are not competing for universities have had this opportunity for years – since the Olympic amateurism rules disappeared in the early 1980s – and have still found funding a major challenge.

The stories of Olympic hopefuls surviving on unemployment payments, food stamps and, more recently, GoFundMe campaigns are legion. But rather quietly, an experimental program is underway to try and help.

It’s called the Athlete Marketing Platform (AMP), introduced by the USOPC in November of 2020. It’s a pilot program, essentially a “digital marketplace” that is designed to connect “Team USA sponsors and licensees directly with athletes, providing incremental revenue opportunities and marketing exposure for Team USA athletes.”

The program was announced as created in cooperation with the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council and the National Governing Bodies Council, but the implementation is actually in the hands of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties (USOPP) joint venture between the USOPC and the Los Angeles 2028 organizing committee.

That makes a lot of sense, since LA28 Chair Casey Wasserman’s own worldwide agency – not the organizing committee – is one of the leading athlete-management, artist-promotion and brand-support firms in the world.

That expertise and the opportunity to do more than athletes can do on their own has attracted attention from almost as many athletes as are on the U.S. Olympic Team for Tokyo: 527 in all:

Olympic sports and disciplines (33/372 athletes ~ 70.6%):
● 47 Track & Field
● 36 Rowing
● 34 Volleyball
● 22 Cycling
● 22 Fencing
● 18 Swimming
● 18 Gymnastics
● 16 Rugby
● 15 Triathlon
● 12 Hockey and Sailing
● 10 Softball and Water Polo
● 9 Shooting and Weightlifting
● 8 Canoe-Kayak and Wrestling
● 7 Diving and Karate
● 6 Archery, Judo and Table Tennis
● 5 Taekwondo
● 4 Basketball, Modern Pentathlon and Skateboarding
● 3 Artistic Swimming, Badminton and Football
● 2 Boxing, Climbing, Equestrian and Tennis

Olympic Winter sports and disciplines (6/58 athletes ~ 10.1%):
● 14 Skiing
● 11 Figure Skating
● 9 Bobsled
● 7 Curling
● 6 Biathlon and Luge
● 5 Speedskating

Paralympic sports (8/97 athletes ~ 18.4%):
● 29 Para Track & Field
● 17 Para Cycling
● 15 Wheelchair Basketball
● 11 Wheelchair Rugby
● 9 Goalball
● 7 Para Swimming
● 5 Para Alpine Skiing
● 4 Para Powerlifting

The first-stage trial is for March 2021 to March 2022, and it works in three parts:

(1) A guaranteed base payment for group marketing rights.

(2) New revenue streams such as royalty fees for consumer products through licensed merchandise.

(3) Potential for incremental revenue via individual marketing deals.

The group marketing rights piece provides a payment of $1,250 – in two installments – for USOPC commercial partners to use an athlete’s name-image-likeness as part of a group to “to show their support for Team USA.” Nothing more than the use of a photo is needed and the fee will be paid even if no sponsor uses the athlete’s image. Easy.

If an athlete who is part of the program has their name, image and likeness on any Team USA merchandise, then the athlete will earn a royalty on all sales. It’s not going to be a lot, but it’s a start.

The great potential in this program is with the “individual marketing” opportunity, where athletes can get involved directly with sponsors or other USOPC affiliates. The program outline states “AMP makes the connection, and the athlete negotiates the payment and terms.”

This direct exposure to sponsors, suppliers and affiliates of not only the USOPC, but potentially also of the National Governing Bodies and the thousands of companies who are not now involved at all in the U.S. Olympic Movement is the break that Olympic athletes, most of whom know a lot about their sport but not as much about branding, media relations and endorsements, are hoping for.

Is this the solution to the financial challenges of U.S. athletes? No, not yet. But it’s an unprecedented move in the right direction and has the possibility to show the way to better match athletes without the wide exposure of an Allyson Felix, Katie Ledecky or Simone Biles to companies that couldn’t afford to sign them anyway.

In many ways, the Athlete Marketing Platform and the new name, image and likeness opportunities for NCAA athletes who aren’t the dominant football or basketball stars are concepts in parallel. Athletes in both groups badly need exposure and the creation of a true marketplace for their services.

Watch for these two “markets” to become more closely intertwined over time, as a merger could benefit both the collegiate and Olympic-focused performers and the local, regional and smaller national brands and companies that could actually find effective promotional options that they can actually afford.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HIGHLIGHTS: Pogacar sails to second straight Tour de France win; U.S. women Olympians crush Nigeria, U.S. men edge Spain in exhibitions

Rich Perelman

July 18, 2021

tsx pix 2021-718 pogacar, tadej TdF s21 (aso-charly lopez) — A happy Tadej Pogacar (yellow jersey) on his way to a second Tour de France title (Photo: ASO/Charly Lopez)

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Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Athletics ● /Updated/ Some notable names popped up at the American Track League stop at Trabuco Hills High School in California in 90+ degree temps on Sunday, with some hot running in the sprints.

American Candace Hill collected a wind-aided double, winning the women’s 100 m in 10.99 (+2.5 m/s) and the 200 m in 22.30 (+2.2). A big Jamaican squad was led by star sprinter Yohan Blake, who barely beat countryman Rasheed Dwyer to the line as both were timed in 20.22 (+1.8), with Jevaughn Minzie third in 20.29. Minzie won the 100 m earlier in a windy 10.09 (+2.3) with Chris Royster (USA) also in the same time.

Jamaica’s Megan Tapper won the women’s 100 m hurdles in 12.48w (+3.6) ahead of Evonne Britton of the U.S. (12.72). In the women’s 400 m, Tovea Jenkins (JAM) won over Jaide Stepter (USA), 51.63-51.87 and Jamaican Ronda Whyte took the women’s 400 m hurdles in 55.57.

American Khallifah Rosser won the men’s 400 over Jamaican Nathon Allen, 45.74-45.89.

Brannon Kidder of the U.S. won the men’s 800 m in 1:45.26 with Craig Engels third in 1:47.15, then Engels helped pace the “Moustache Mile,” won by steepler Isaac Updike in a lifetime best of 3:58.26. American Sinclaire Johnson won the women’s 800 in 2:00.63.

The only field event as a “mixed” shot put, but the men’s and women’s individual winners were Darrell Hill (USA) at 21.35 m (70-0 1/2) and Chase Ealey of the U.S. with a seasonal best of 19.45 m (63-9 3/4).

In the evening distance races, titled the “Sound Running Sunset Tour,” Americans Taryn Rawlings and Raevyn Rogers went 1-2 in the women’s mile with lifetime bests of 4:28.93 and 4:29.26. American Josette Norris got a lifetime best of 3:59.72 in the women’s 1,500 m – the ninth American woman under four minutes – beating Jessica Hull (4:00.73) and Nikki Hiltz (4:02.94). Colby Alexander for a lifetime best in the men’s 1,500 m with an impressive 3:33.65, ahead of Luis Grijalva (GUA: 3:35.32, national record) and Johnny Gregorek (3:36.37).

● Basketball ● The U.S. women’s squad has been one of the most dominant on the planet, winning the last six Olympic tournaments and winners of 49 straight games in Olympic play.

But following its 93-85 loss to the WNBA All-Stars, the U.S. lost again on Friday (16 July) to Australia, 70-67, playing without star center Liz Cambage, who withdrew from the team for mental health reasons.

The American women had the game in hand at halftime, leading 41-28. But the U.S. went stone cold in the second half, and was outscored 23-15 in the third quarter – narrowing the gap to 56-51 – and then 19-11 in the fourth.

The U.S. shot 2-18 from the three-point line and 37.3% overall, but held a 41-28 rebounding edge in the game. Breanna Stewart scored 17 to lead the U.S., followed by A’ja Wilson with 12; Diana Taurasi sat out for the second consecutive game with a hip strain. Ezi Magbegor led Australia with 17 and the Opals forced the U.S. into 15 second-half turnovers.

/Update/ The U.S. women finished up with a win on Sunday vs. Nigeria, leading 20-4 after the first 6:23, then 29-15 at the quarter, 55-34 at half and 73-51 after three quarters. The final was 93-62, and the U.S. had five scorers in double figures: Wilson with 16, Stewart with 14, Brittney Griner with 12 and Jewell Loyd and Sylvia Fowles with 10 each. While the Americans shot 53.8% from the field, Nigeria was held to just 32.8% and had no one reach 10 points.

These teams will play each other in Tokyo in the group stage; Nigeria could be augmented by Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike, who have petitioned the Court of Arbitration for Sport a refusal by FIBA to allow them to change playing allegiance from the U.S.

The U.S. men’s Olympic Team named replacements for Covid-hit Bradley Beal and the injured Kevin Love, with guard Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs and center JaVale McGee (Denver). Still to join the team are NBA Finals participants Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday of Milwaukee and Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns.

/Update/ On Sunday, the U.S. men finished their exhibition schedule with an encouraging 83-76 win over Spain in Las Vegas, taking control of the game in the third quarter. Spain led by 38-36 at the half, but the U.S. out-scored Spain by 21-12 to create a 57-50 edge at the end of the third and held tight in a 26-26 fourth quarter for the win.

Both teams shot poorly, with the U.S. making 43.1% of its field goals and the Spanish, only 38.2%, but badly out-rebounding the Americans by 42-22. Damian Lillard led the U.S. with 19 points, followed by Keldon Johnson – in his first game with the team – with 15, then Kevin Durant with 14 and Zach LaVine with 13. Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio led all scorers with 23, with Willy Hernangomez adding 11 and center Marc Gasol with 10.

Not much attention has been paid to the other exhibition games in Las Vegas, but they offered an important preview of the Olympic tournament:

● 10 July: Australia 87, Argentina 84
● 12 July: Nigeria 94, Argentina 71
● 13 July: Australia 108, Nigeria 69

Australia beat the U.S. in a 2019 exhibition match prior to the FIBA World Cup and is clearly a prime contender for Tokyo. Nigeria’s win over the U.S. and its throttling of Argentina mark it as a team – with seven NBA players and coached by NBA veteran Mike Brown – to be watched carefully at the Games.

● Beach Volleyball ● While the top teams are in Tokyo, the FIVB World Tour goes on and the U.S. swept both the men’s and women’s titles at the two-star tournament in Rubavu in Rwanda, with wins for Theo Brunner and Chaim Schalk and Emily Day and Sara Hughes.

In the men’s final, Brunner (36) and Schalk (35) defeated fellow Americans Chase Budinger and Troy Field in straight sets: 25-23, 21-15. It was the first World Tour win ever for the duo of Brunner and Schalk. For Brunner, it took 64 World Tour events to score his first gold, and 77 for Schalk, who played for Canada for most of his career; this was just his ninth tournament playing for the U.S.

Russians Maksim Hudyakov and Aleksandr Kramarenko won the bronze medal over countrymen Anton Kislytsyn and Daniil Kuvichka by 21-11, 21-15.

Day (33) and Hughes (26) won their first World Tour title as a pair, overcoming Germany’s Chantal Laboureur and Sarah Schulz in three sets: 19-21, 21-13, 16-14. It was Day’s first World Tour win ever, in his 93rd tournament; for Hughes, it was win no. 3.

Germans Sarah Schneider and Svenja Muller won the bronze over Valentyna Davidova and Diana Lunina (UKR) by 21-19, 21-19 to take the bronze medal.

● Cycling ● Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar – still just 22 – won his second straight Tour de France on Sunday, pedaling to Paris with a huge lead and joining a select fraternity of 21 men who have won this race more than once.

Pogacar essentially clinched the race on Thursday with his win on the final mountain stage, but there were still three days left. On Friday, countryman Matej Mohoric won his second stage of the race, with a 25 km breakaway on the 207 km route from Mourenx to Libourne, finishing 58 seconds up on Christophe Laporte (FRA) and Casper Pedersen (DEN).

Saturday’s 30.8 km individual time trial was a showcase for Belgian Wout van Aert, who won his second stage of the 2021 Tour, posting a 35:53 time. That was 21 seconds better than Kasper Asgreen (DEN) and 32 seconds faster than Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) and 57 seconds up on Pogacar.

That reduced Pogacar’s margin to a still-impressive 5:20 over Vingegaard and 7:03 on Richard Carapaz (ECU) going into Sunday’s 108.4 km sprint into Paris, and it finished there, the biggest time win in this race since 2014, when Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) won by 7:37. Australia’s Ben O’Connor was fourth (+10:02) and Wilco Kelderman (NED) was fifth (+10:13).

Sunday’s race was all about whether Britain’s Mark Cavendish – at 36 – could break his tie with Belgian great Eddy Merckx for the most stage wins in the history of the race (34). Everyone knew the storyline, but no one was conceding Cavendish anything.

And it came down to the final meters of the race, with Cavendish in position to strike, but he was not as fast to the line as van Aert, 26, who won his second straight stage – and third of the Tour (and sixth of his career) – just ahead of countryman Jasper Philipsen, with Cavendish a disappointed third, banging his handlebars in anger. For Philipsen, it was his sixth stage finishing second or third, but with no wins; at 23, he will have more chances.

Pogacar and Cavendish made the headlines for this year’s Tour, surpassing the horrific crash-filled first week and especially the opening stage mess in which a spectator pointed a homemade sign toward the television cameras and caused a huge pile-up that affected the race dramatically. Fan behavior was an issue during the Tour and more attention will have to paid to this in the future.

There was also chatter about possible technical fraud when some riders heard “strange noises” from the rear hubs of some bikes, and the Bahrain Victorious team had its hotel and bus searched and some training files taken by French police on Wednesday (14th). It was later confirmed by authorities in Marseille that an investigation had been initiated on 3 July concerning “acquisition, transportation, possession and importing of a prohibited substance or method for use by an athlete without justification by members of Team Bahrain Victorious, currently in action at the 2021 Tour de France.” Team members Mohoric and Dylan Teuns (BEL) won stages in the race.

The USA Cycling Track National Championships were on this weekend for riders from 11 and up at the outdoor velodrome in Breiningsville, Pennsylvania, with some familiar names back on top of the podium.

John Croom, who won the 2019 Time Trial, ended up with three golds on the weekend, taking the Individual Pursuit, the Elimination Race and the Omnium, plus a bronze in the Scratch Race. The Points Race is still to come on Monday.

James Alvord took the men’s Sprint title over Evan Boone, but then saw Boone win the Keirin, with Tommy Quinn second. Alvord came back for a second win in the 1,000 m Time Trial over Ryan Jastrab. Kyle Perry won the Scratch Race.

Veteran star Mandy Marquardt, who did not make the Olympic Team, repeated her triple victory from the 2019 Championships, taking the Sprint, Keirin and 500 m Time Trial. Colleen Gulick logged two wins, in the Elimination Race and the Omnium, while Elspeth Huyett won the Scratch Race. As with the men, the Points Race will be on Monday.

● Football ● /Updated/The CONCACAF Gold Cup continues in the group stage, with Groups A and B finishing today (18th) and Groups C and D completing play on Tuesday (20th).

In Group A, Mexico (2-0-1) got a 26th-minute goal from Luis Rodriguez and made it stand up for a 1-0 win in Dallas over a dogged El Salvador (2-1) squad that competed strongly in a game with 41 total fouls. Mexico ended with 54% of the possession and had a 16-11 edge on shots. That gave Mexico the group title and both teams will move on to the playoffs. In Frisco, Guatemala (0-2-1: 4th) and Trinidad & Tobago (0-1-2: 3rd) finished with a 1-1 draw.

In Group B, the U.S. jumped on Canada right away in Kansas City, with Shaquell Moore scoring what is believed to be the fastest goal in team history in 20 seconds off a brilliant cross from the left of goal by Sebastian Lleget. It was 1-0 at half, but Canada was on the offensive throughout the second half and the U.S. had Daryl Dike and James Sands leave the field due to injury – with the U.S. playing with 10 men – for short stretches in the final 10 minutes. But the Americans (3-0) held on for the 1-0 victory despite only 46% of the possession and getting six shots to 14 for Canada (2-1).

Haiti (1-2) defeated Martinique (0-3), 2-1, in Frisco in their final game.

In Group C, Costa Rica and Jamaica are both 2-0 and will advance to the playoffs; they play each other for the top seed in the group. In Group D, Qatar (1-0-1) sailed past Grenada (0-2), 4-0, and Honduras (2-0) scored two second-half goals to edge Panama (0-1-1), 3-2. Honduras will advance and Qatar likely will, with a +5 goal differential over Panama (but the Panamanians play Grenada, while Qatar faces Honduras).

Playoffs will begin on 24 July with the quarterfinals, followed by semis on 29 July and the final on 1 August.

● Golf ● /Updated/American Collin Morikawa came from one shot down entering the final round of the 149th British Open at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England to win by two shots over Jordan Spieth (USA) and four over Spain’s Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA).

Morikawa shot a four-under 66 on the final round to end at -15, as Spieth and Rahm also shot 66s. Oosthuizen had the lead after each of the first three rounds, but had to settle for a third consecutive top-three finish at a major after seconds at the PGA Championship and U.S. Open.

At 24, Morikawa has now won two majors – also the 2020 PGA Championship – and will be playing in Tokyo at the Olympic Games. Born in Southern California and with a Japanese surname, an Olympic showdown between he and Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) could be one of the highlights of the Games in golf-mad Japan.

● Sport Climbing ● The IFSC schedule was busy this week with World Cup events in Chamonix (FRA) on 12-13 July and Briancon (FRA) on 17-18 July, both for Lead only.

In Chamonix the competition was for Lead only, with American Sean Bailey scoring his second straight World Cup win and third of the season, scoring 34+ holds in the final to 32 for Stefano Ghisolfi (ITA) and 32 for Martin Stranik (CZE). Italy scored in the women’s division with Laura Rogora winning over American Natalia Grossman, Top to 41+, with Aleksandra Totkova (BUL) third at 38+.

In Briancon, Bailey had the top score in the semis, but Russian Dmitrii Fakirianov took the final (39+) over Stranik (37+) and Swiss Sascha Lehmann (35); Bailey ended up sixth (27).

Grossman was one of five who got to the top of the wall, but had the best qualifying score and was the winner, her third win of the season and first in Lead! Slovenia’s Lucka Rakovec was second, with Eliska Adamovska (CZE) third.

● Volleyball ● /Updated/At the FIVB women’s U-20 World Championship in Belgium and the Netherlands, Italy swept to an impressive victory, winning all eight of its matches and 24 of its 26 sets!

The Netherlands, Serbia, Italy and the U.S. all won their groups with 3-0 records. In the second-round round-robin, the Netherlands (3-0) and Russia (2-1) advanced to the semifinals in the first group, while the U.S. (1-2) and Brazil (0-3) moved to the 5-8 playoffs. Italy (3-0) and Serbia (2-1) were the best of the second group, beating up on Poland (1-2) and the Dominican Republic (0-3).

In the championship semis, Italy swept Russia, 3-0, and Serbia skipped past the Netherlands, 3-1, to meet again in the final in Rotterdam. Once again, the Italians swept, winning 25-18, 25-20 and 25-23. Russia defeated the Dutch, 3-2, to win the bronze.

It was the first win for Italy in its third final in this tournament and fourth medal overall in the 20 editions of this championship.

In the fifth-place playoff, the U.S. swept the Dominican Republic, 3-0, and Poland did the same to Brazil. The American women managed a tight win for fifth, coming back from 0-2 against the Poles for a 14-25, 18-25, 25-16, 29-27, 15-13 victory.

Italian setter Gaia Guiducci was named Most Valuable Player and Best Setter. The all-tournament team also included Best Outside Hitters Loveth Omoruyi (ITA) and Jolien Knollema (NED); Vita Akimova (RUS) as Best Opposite; Emma Graziani (ITA) and Hena Kurtagic (SRB) as Best Middle Blockers and Martina Armini (ITA) as Best Libero.

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THE BIG PICTURE: Bach optimistic about the Tokyo Games and Japanese reception as 0.1% of athletes and officials test positive so far

Rich Perelman

July 17, 2021

tsx pix 2021-717 bach tokyo news conf 750 — IOC President Thomas Bach at Saturday's news conference in Tokyo (Photo: Screenshot of IOC video)

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“We are very much aware of the skepticism, obviously, a number of people have here in Japan … and therefore my appeal to the Japanese people to welcome these athletes here for their competition of their life and to acknowledge that there it is not for any prize that these athletes are coming here.

“They have like the same interest as the Japanese people that these Games are safe and secure and for this, they accept and even welcome measures, restrictive measures, which make these Olympic Games the most restricted sports event – not only in Japan, as you know – but in the entire world.”

That was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) during an in-person news conference at the Main Press Center of the Tokyo Games, asked about his message to the Japanese people as the Games get ready to start. Pressed further, Bach explained:

“You will always have different opinions. That such a discussion is becoming more heated and more emotional in the situation of a pandemic is something we have to understand. Many people feel under stress, they have to face uncertainty and that there, you react with some skepticism, that you react with some strong arguments, I think this is human life.

“Therefore, what we can do, only, is to try to get the attention of these people and to try to enter into a dialogue with these people, to get not only to get the emotions across, but to try also to gain the confidence – their confidence – in these strict Covid measures. And they can also see, the Japanese people, that even in this time, you are organize sport events and safe sport events, if you look at the many sports events which are underway now in Japan and in Tokyo at this very moment.”

Bach noted that as of Friday (16th), some 15,000 athletes and officials have arrived, with 15 positive tests upon arrival, or 0.1%. The Tokyo 2020 organizers, to their credit, are posting daily Covid-19 positives statistics, with 44 from 1 July through the 17th:

● 28 contractors
● 10 “Games-concerned personnel”
● 3 media
● 2 Tokyo 2020 staff
● 1 athlete

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi (SUI) further explained that while the Olympic Village was built to house 17,000, it will actually house not more than about 9,000 at any one time during the Games due to new rules on entry and exit and other measures.

Bach was also asked about New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, and noted:

“The rules for the qualification have been established by the International Weightlifting Federation before the qualification started and these rules apply. You cannot change rules during an ongoing competition.

“At the same time, the IOC is in an inquiry phase with all the different stakeholders – the medical experts, the social experts, human rights experts– and, of course, international federations, to review this rule and then finally to come up with some guidelines, which cannot be rules because this is a question which [has] no one-size-fits-all solution. This is a question which differs from sport to sport.”

A banner flown outside the Korean team’s tower in the Olympic Village was removed at the IOC’s request; Bach stated that under the new Rule 50 guidelines, the Village is a protected area from “any kind of divisive messages.”

Asked about his outlook for the Tokyo Games, Bach remained steadfastly optimistic:

“I would like once more, to ask and to invite, the Japanese people, humbly, to welcome and support the athletes from around the world. … Like the Japanese people, they have overcome so many obstacles to be here, finally. So the Japanese people can feel with them, and the athletes can feel with the Japanese people.

“And I’m actually very confident that the Japanese people will, once the Games are starting – at least, I hope, maybe before – not only welcome them and support them because this is what the Japanese people have demonstrated since the brilliant Olympic Games of Tokyo 1964.”

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THE TICKER: Bach asks to revisit fans if Covid lessens; NBC has 900 staff in Tokyo; USOPC redesigning the U.S. flag?

Rich Perelman

July 16, 2021

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:
/Updated for Basketball and Swimming/

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) hit the ground running once his quarantine period was up in Tokyo, meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday (14th) and Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike on Thursday. Of note:

● The IOC noted a report from the Tokyo 2020 organizers “about the 8,000+ people involved in the Games who travelled to Japan between 1 and 13 July. All were subject to the Tokyo 2020 screening testing regime, and all underwent pre-departure tests and health checks. Only three tested positive for COVID-19 after arrival and were immediately isolated, while the close contacts have been subject to the relevant quarantine measures.”

Bach noted that 85% of Village residents are expected to be vaccinated and 70-80% of news media attending the Games.

● Kyodo News reported that Bach asked Suga if the decision on banning spectators could be revisited if the Covid infection rate improved over the next week. The Tokyo area reported 1,308 new cases on Thursday (15th), the highest single-day report since 21 January.

Tickets were originally sold for 750 sessions, but only about 26 – all outside Tokyo – are expected to have any spectators at all during the Games. Attendance at the Opening Ceremony may be limited to about 1,000 guests, down from an original estimate of 10,000; if true, this would eliminate most of the news media from attending.

Emperor Naruhito is expected to attend the ceremony and formally open the Games.

The IOC confirmed the implementation of the new Olympic Oath for Tokyo, with the revised wording as:

“We promise to take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules and in the spirit of fair play, inclusion and equality. Together we stand in solidarity and commit ourselves to sport without doping, without cheating, without any form of discrimination. We do this for the honour of our teams, in respect for the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and to make the world a better place through sport.”

In addition, the oaths will be taken by six people instead of three: two athletes, two coaches and two judges. This is all part of the IOC’s drive for gender equality as well as “solidarity.”

The IOC also detailed changes in the medal ceremonies, with the presenters already at the podium instead of walking with the medal winners, athletes taking their medals from a tray and placing around their own necks, and group photos will be dispensed with after the ceremony. All in the name of Covid-19 prevention.

More and more of the preliminary team sizes have been announced for Tokyo. In addition to the 613 announced for the U.S. and 582 for Japan, 488 are expected from Australia, 431 for China, 376 from Great Britain, 371 from Canada and 335 from Russia, although not under the banner of the Russian Olympic Committee as part of the sanctions from the doping scandal from 2011-15. New Zealand expects to have 211 in all.

Because of the special Tokyo rules allowing reserves to be used in some team sports, the actual number of athletes from these large countries will likely grow slightly by the end of the Games.

The Pan Am Sports Organization has opened its first-ever training camp for smaller countries in the hemisphere, with 113 athletes and coaches from 26 NOCs gathered in Tachikawa. Athletes from athletics, judo, swimming and volleyball are present.

American star Allyson Felix announced that she has teamed with her apparel sponsor Athleta – The Gap’s sports brand for women and girls – and the Women’s Sports Foundation to award $200,000 in grants – in $10,000 chunks – for women who need financial help with childcare during Olympic training or competition.

Hammer thrower Gwen Berry and Sabre fencing star Mariel Zagunis have already been awarded grants.

Comment: A very impressive program that if properly promoted, should have a positive effect on the still-emerging image of the Athleta brand.

Molly Solomon, the NBC’s Olympics Executive Producer, told reporters on Wednesday (14th) that some 900 staff are now in Tokyo and prepping for the Games.

With no fans at most venues, Solomon noted the new possibilities:

“We believe there’s an opportunity to bring viewers closer to the action than ever. And it’s sports like swimming, gymnastics, track, basketball, beach volleyball, you’re going to hear the sounds of the games like you’ve never heard them before – from the thrashing and splashing in the pool to those intimate conversations between competitors and coaches.”

And there will be a tie-in with the U.S. as well:

“Our largest footprint [in the U.S.] will be at Universal Resorts in Orlando. We, alongside the USOPC, are putting together a two-week long watch party in primetime where family members of Team USA will attend and be able to watch coverage and cheer for their loved ones together. … the bottom line is if Americans can’t travel to Tokyo, we intend to bring America to Tokyo.”

Solomon also noted that while NBC reporters won’t be out and about in Tokyo during the Games, many pieces were prepared prior to the pandemic and NBC will have images from drones flying in the city during the Games.

The NBC coverage team includes 178 total announcers, analysts, hosts and reporters, with 79 in Tokyo, 98 in various facilities in the U.S., in Connecticut, Florida and New York and one in London.

Another U.S. network, Discovery, is also televising the Games, but to Europe, where it is the rights-holder for 50 countries and will broadcast in 19 languages.

In addition to coverage by sub-licensed broadcasters throughout Europe, Discovery will also stream some 3,500 hours of coverage itself, with 150 announcers and analysts.

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● The Paris organizers announced the opening of a web site which National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees and national federations can use to find pre-Games training camps and facilities in advance of the 2024 Games.

The site offers 770 different sites to consider, located in 410 different areas and in 95 of the 110 “departments” of France. The organizing committee has confirmed the facilities and their quality with the “Terre de Jeux 2024” label.

Comment: This is a strategically-important economic outreach effort by Paris 2024, offering a wide range of facilities three years out, with the goal of keeping as much of the economic impact of the pre-Games training period in France vs. facilities in any of its neighbors. Whether this works or not is to be determined, but it’s an impressive, forward-thinking step.

● Games of the XXXVI Olympiad: 2036 ● “Our objective is (to host) the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036,” Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu told reporters Tuesday. “I am convinced that we will win.”

This will be the sixth try for Istanbul, which bid for the 2000-04-08-12 Games and looked like a possible winner for 2020, but Tokyo was elected instead.

They’re not the first in, as London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced an interest in 2036 or 2040 just before his re-election in May of 2021. With Brisbane (AUS) set to be selected for 2032 when the IOC Session meets next week, other countries will begin to focus on 2036 or 2040, including India and a possible joint Korean bid.

● XXVI Olympic Winter Games: 2030 ● Perhaps the leader for the 2030 Winter Games has confirmed its interest, as the Mayor of Barcelona – in concert with snow sites in the Pyrenees Mountains – wants to bid for the Games.

The letter to Alejandro Blanco, the head of Spain’s National Olympic Committee, addressed the need for local consensus on the bid and a “sustainable” approach. Essentially, the ice events would be held in Barcelona – site of the hugely successful 1992 Olympic Games – and the snow events would be three hours away in the mountains.

A Barcelona-Pyrenees bid would be extremely attractive, but would place the Winter Games in Europe twice in a row, which has not happened since the 1992 and 1994 events in France and Norway.

Sapporo (JPN) is also a likely bidder as is Salt Lake City, Utah in the U.S., which would first have to overcome the sponsorship marketing conflict with the LA28 Games, and possibly Vancouver in Canada, site of the successful 2010 Winter Games.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC is full steam ahead for Tokyo and has operations underway at the Olympic Village. But the Tokyo Games has not slowed its continuing activities in remaking itself. On 6 July, a message from USOPC Athlete Services chief Bahati VanPelt to thousands of U.S. athletes and alumni began:

“The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has become one of the first national Olympic governing bodies to unify the management of Olympic and Paralympic sport, and in 2019 officially changed its name to reflect this. Working together with branding transformation company, Landor & Fitch, they are exploring a visual identity and messaging refresh to further mark this evolution, and demonstrate greater inclusion and unity.”

A lengthy survey sought feedback, including a suggestion of a new graphical representation of the U.S. flag, with five stars and five stripes (below, at right) instead of the current 13 stars and 13 stripes (at left), used in varying contexts:

San Francisco-based Landor & Fitch is one of the world’s most respected branding consultancies, and is part of the WPP advertising and communications giant. But when the current 13-star and 13-stripe edition was chosen in a 2010 re-brand campaign, it was specifically noted that the 13+13 format was, in fact, a still-official national flag, adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 and adopted in part because using 50 stars was impractical given the small sizes of some logo uses.

Five stars and five stripes is not an approved flag, but as VanPelt noted, it’s designed to “demonstrate greater inclusion and unity.”

Comment: Just one question: at a time when the USOPC’s finances and those of the National Governing Bodies are still in recovery from the pandemic, how much is all this costing?

● Athletics ● Tickets for the Oregon22 World Championships are now on sale, with pricing all over the lot, depending on the day, time and seat.

There are seats for day sessions as low as $8 on the site, which warns that “Ticket prices may fluctuate, based on demand, at any time.” There are re-sale seats being sold as high as $4,090 for a “Row A” seat looking over what appears to be the finish of the men’s 100 m!

There are no “all-session” tickets, so no way to sit in the same seat for the entire meet; that’s too bad.

The World Athletics Doping Review Board has approved another 20 Russian athletes to compete in international meets, bringing the total for the year to 143. The Russian squad for Tokyo, however, remains limited to 10.

● Basketball ● First it was the U.S. men’s Olympic team losing to Nigeria and Australia, then on Wednesday, the WNBA All-Stars put a rare defeat on the U.S. women’s Olympians, 93-85, primarily on a 27-19 fourth quarter.

The All-Stars were led by Arike Ogunbowale with 26 points (5-10 from three), with Jonquel Jones (18) and Courtney Williams (15) also in double figures.

The U.S. has only had one practice so far and Diana Taurasi not available due to an injury. Center Brittney Griner led the U.S. with 17 points, followed by Breanna Stewart with 15 and Sylvia Fowles with 12. The All-Stars out-rebounded the U.S., 41-37 and the U.S. had 15 turnovers to just seven for the WNBA stars.

More exhibition games are coming: the U.S. women will play Australia on the 16th and Nigeria on the 18th prior to heading to Tokyo.

Reports indicate that two American players, Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams, petitioned FIBA to play with Nigeria and were denied due to their long involvement with USA Basketball national teams.

ESPN reported that “Each player was given consent by USA Basketball to play for Nigeria, paid an administrative fee of $10,000 to do so and holds a Nigerian passport.”

Both can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is set up to handle such cases.

Ogwumike’s sisters Chiney and Erica are eligible and expected to play for Nigeria.

/Update/ Australia announced that star center Liz Cambage has withdrawn from the team for Tokyo, citing mental health issues.

The U.S. men’s Olympic Team defeated Argentina, 108-80 in Las Vegas, for its first exhibition win in three tries.

The Americans ran off to a 33-19 lead after one period and had a 58-42 halftime edge. The U.S. had five in double figures, led by Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant with 17 each, with Zach LaVine scoring 15, Damian Lillard with 13 and Bam Adebayo with 12. The U.S. had a 40-34 rebounding edge. Argentina got 16 from former NBA star Luis Scola.

Beal entered the Covid protocol after the game and will not travel to Tokyo, and forward Jerami Grant is in the “health and safety protocol” as a cautionary measure. No replacement has been named as yet.

Friday’s exhibition with Australia was canceled “out of an abundance of caution“; Sunday’s game with Spain is still on.

● Cycling ● The Tour de France stormed toward the conclusion with Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar getting ready to ride into Paris as a two-time winner of cycling’s biggest race.

Pogacar erased any hopes by winning the mountain stages on Wednesday and Thursday, first riding away from Jonas Vingegaard (DEN: +0:03) and Richard Carapaz (ECU: +0:04) in the final meters of the uphill finish of the Col de Portet, then doing it to both again on the uphill finish to Luz Ardiden on Thursday, this time by two seconds.

The wins were Pogacar’s second and third on this year’s Tour and he now has a 5:45 lead on Vingegaard and 5:51 on Carapaz, with Australian Ben O’Connor fourth (+8:18). Only a crash on the final legs will keep Pogacar from defending his 2020 victory.

Friday brings a 207 km sprint stage, followed by an individual time trial (30.8 km) on Saturday and the 108.4 km ride into Paris on Sunday. The two sprint stages offer Britain’s Mark Cavendish a chance to break the record for most career stage wins in the Tour; he’s won four times in 2021 and is tied with Belgian great Eddy Merckx, who won 34 stages between 1969-74.

A survey by The Cyclists’ Alliance released on Wednesday reported that women riders who did not receive a salary increased from 17% in pre-pandemic 2018 to 34% in 2021. The pandemic was substantially to blame and there was an increased disparity in pay between teams competing on the UCI Women’s World Tour and the continental events.

● Football ● The BBC reported that five individuals have been arrested over online racial abuse following the UEFA Euro 2020 last Sunday.

A report on an arrest in Chelsea noted that a 42-year-old man was arrested “on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive or insulting written material that is likely to stir up racial hatred.”

As for the violence that took place prior to, during and after the Italy-England final:

“The UK Football Policing Unit said, as of 13 July, 897 football-related incidents and 264 arrests had been recorded across the country in the 24-hour period surrounding the final.”

The Euro 2020 final drew huge television audiences in England and Italy, of course, but also a sensational average of 6.49 million viewers on ESPN, better than all of the U.S. Olympic Trials events held in June and the highest-viewed UEFA Euro title game in U.S. history.

The Ministry of Health in Brazil released a final tally on incidents of Covid-19 at and around the Copa America football tournament. The final total was 179 cases, just 13 more than the total released in late June.

Some 28,772 tests were made of people involved in the event from 11 June to 10 July, with 0.6% positives. Infections included 36 players or staffers from five of the national teams, 137 workers, and six officials of the CONMEBOL federation.

Brazil hosted the tournament without spectators, after co-hosts Argentina and Colombia were relieved of the event due to coronavirus issues in those countries.

At the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Panama and Qatar drew 3-3 and Honduras stomped Grenada, 4-0 in the last pair of first-round games. In Group A, El Salvador defeated Trinidad & Tobago, 2-0, and Mexico got its first win, by 3-0 over Guatemala.

In Group B, the U.S. was expected to drum Martinique in Kansas City and got off to a good start as Darryl Dike’s header gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. He got another after a rebound of a shot off the post in the 23rd minute, but it was called an own goal by defender Samuel Camille, and the first half ended at 2-0.

Miles Robinson made it 3-0 in the 50th, heading in a cross from Eryk Williamson and the win was secure. Dike got what was officially his second goal in the 59th minute, taking the ball at the top of the box and dribbling through, then lobbing the ball into the net (4-0). Kellyn Acosta was called for a penalty in the 64th minute, and Emmanuel Riviere scored for Martinique to close to 4-1. Gyasi Zardes ran onto a long ball in the 70th minute and as the defender fell, he sent a laser across to the far corner for a 5-1 U.S. lead. The final score came from Nick Gioacchini in the 90th minute off of a Gianluica Busio cross, to end at 6-1.

Earlier, Canada had only a 1-0 lead over Haiti at halftime, but ended up with a decisive 4-1 win, with Cyle Larin scoring in the 51st minute and on a penalty in the 74th. Haiti was red-carded four minutes later and Junior Hoilett converted the resulting penalty for the final goal.

The U.S. will face Canada on Sunday afternoon to decide the group winner and seeding; both have 2-0 records and will advance to the quarterfinals.

CONCACAF is not happy with Cuba:

“Concacaf has considered the circumstances surrounding the Cuba men’s national team not traveling to Miami, Florida, for their Gold Cup Preliminary Round (Prelims) match against French Guiana, scheduled for Saturday, July 3.

“While COVID-19 related travel and visa challenges were a factor, Concacaf has received further information which highlights that other administrative issues at the Cuba Football Association contributed to the team not traveling, and subsequently forfeiting their Prelims match against French Guiana.

“Concacaf has referred this matter to its Disciplinary Committee.”

● Gymnastics ● Rio Olympic Parallel Bars champion Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) will not defend his title in Tokyo as he has been suspended for four years due to a positive meldonium test on 26 August 2020.

He has denied doping and is planning to appeal to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, already set up in Tokyo. Verniaiev, 27, is suspended from 5 November 2020 and if upheld, the ban would keep him out of the Paris Games in 2024.

● Swimming ● /Updated/ FINA announced provisional suspensions of Russian swimmers Alexander Kudashev and Veronika Andrusenko, based on evidence from the Moscow Laboratory stemming from the Russian doping scandal from 2011-15.

At the Russian Trials in April, Kudashev won the 200 m Fly and Andrusenko won the women’s 200 m Free. Both were entered in these events for Tokyo.

(Thanks to FINA Treasurer Dale Neuburger for clarifying Andrushenko’s entry for Tokyo.)

● Volleyball ● The future of the historically-significant Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) appears to be bright after it was purchased by Bally’s Corporation, with the events to be shown on the Bally’s regional sports networks line-up.

Formed in 1983, the AVP was a major attraction in the U.S. and attracted the best players in the world for years before imploding in 2010. Donald Sun, a former technology executive, bought the tour in 2012 for $2 million. The tour had as many as 31 events in 2008, but only three in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and three so far in 2021.

What’s in it for Bally’s? The announcement noted the AVP will be “a significant opportunity for the company to gamify and incorporate interactive content into beach volleyball, which, in turn, will drive traffic to Bally’s platforms and promote customer acquisition.”

They’re betting on it.

● Weightlifting ● The International Weightlifting Federation had expected to conclude its Constitutional Congress prior to the Tokyo Games … but that’s not happening. Reports note that 28 August is projected as a new date to continue debate on the new constitution, which was debated but not passed on 30 June.

The IOC has continuously warned the IWF that its place at the Tokyo Games is in jeopardy unless its financial and governance issues are cleaned up. So far, not yet.

● The Last Word ● You can’t make this up, really you can’t. Russia’s TASS News Agency reported:

“The Kremlin has confirmed that it complied a list of recommendations for national Olympic athletes at the upcoming Tokyo Games with answers to potentially inflammatory and politically-loaded questions, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

“‘Unfortunately, many people want to make politicians out of [the athletes] and drag them into politics,” said Peskov.

Areas of “concern” apparently include “Crimea, harassment, the BLM movement, and doping abuse.”

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LANE ONE: FBI Inspector General report rips FBI offices and agents for lack of action for months after allegations against Larry Nassar

Rich Perelman

July 15, 2021

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Wednesday’s long-awaited report of the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation failed to respond properly to allegations of abuse against former USA Gymnastics volunteer team physician Larry Nassar. Advised in July 2015 of the issue:

“[T]he Indianapolis Field Office did not advise state or local authorities about the allegations and did not take any action to mitigate the risk to gymnasts that Nassar continued to treat. Instead, the Indianapolis agents and Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) determined that, if the FBI had jurisdiction, venue would likely be most appropriate in the Western District of Michigan and the FBI’s Lansing Resident Agency, where [Michigan State University] is located and where Nassar treated patients.

“Accordingly, the AUSA advised the Indianapolis Field Office on September 2 to transfer the case to the FBI’s Lansing Resident Agency. However, the Indianapolis Field Office failed to do so, despite informing USA Gymnastics on September 4 that it had transferred the matter to the FBI’s Detroit Field Office (of which the FBI’s Lansing Resident Agency is a part).”

For those who ask “what the hell happened” in the Nassar investigation, there it is.

But it gets worse. The report explains:

● USA Gymnastics reported the same allegations to the FBI’s Los Angeles office in May 2016, which opened an investigation, but also did not report the abuse to local authorities.

● In August 2016, Michigan State received a separate complaint, the Indianapolis Star ran an expose in September of Nassar’s years of abuse, and the MSU Police obtained a search warrant of Nassar and found masses of child pornography in his possession. Only then did the FBI’s Detroit Office seem to understand Nassar’s crimes, and he was removed from all of his positions and arrested in November 2016. But:

“According to civil court documents, approximately 70 or more young athletes were allegedly sexually abused by Nassar under the guise of medical treatment between July 2015, when USA Gymnastics first reported allegations about Nassar to the Indianapolis Field Office, and September 2016,” although some had been abused previously.

The report goes on to describe sloppy procedures by Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge W. Jay Abbott (since retired) who:

“[provided] a reporter with an inaccurate statement that claimed, among other things, that ‘there was no delay by the FBI on this matter’ and that the Indianapolis Field Office had provided a ‘detailed report’ to both the FBI Detroit and Los Angeles Field Offices. Further, these inquiries resulted in an official with the Indianapolis Field Office proposing factually inaccurate changes to the white paper created in 2017 that sought to place blame on others for the Indianapolis Field Office’s failures.”

Abbott also met then-USA Gymnastics chief executive Steve Penny in late 2015, at which time they discussed the Chief Security Officer position at the U.S. Olympic Committee (as then named); Abbott applied for the position in 2017, but was not selected. He later denied that he had applied.

In summary:

“senior officials in the FBI Indianapolis Field Office failed to respond to the Nassar allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency that they deserved and required, made numerous and fundamental errors when they did respond to them, and violated multiple FBI policies.”

The FBI’s Los Angeles office made some of the same errors.

The report was compiled with interviews of more than 60 people, including survivors, but Penny refused to cooperate in a second voluntary interview and an FBI agent in the Lansing, Michigan office who retired in 2018, declined to be interviewed.

The key question concerning the FBI is why it didn’t act decisively once Penny met with Abbott and others on 28 July 2015? The chronology:

● 27 June 2015: USA Gymnastics was advised by a coach of abuse against three gymnasts.

● 03 July 2015: USA Gymnastics engaged an investigator to determine the facts.

● 25 July 2015: The investigator’s report indicated “an unambiguous claim of sexual abuse” with incidents involving minors as far back as 2011.

● 28 July 2015: One day after Penny requested a meeting with the FBI, he, a USAG attorney and the USAG Board Chair – Peter Vidmar at that time – met with the FBI Indianapolis Field Office, as “USA Gymnastics decided that the FBI was the most appropriate law enforcement agency to contact because the alleged sexual misconduct potentially occurred in multiple places throughout the United States, as well as in other countries.”

So what happened? The report indicates that nothing happened on the FBI’s end:

● The FBI’s Indianapolis office did not see why it has been asked to assist, since “there did not appear to be clear violations of federal law or a nexus to Indianapolis.”

● FBI officials who attended the 28 July meeting said the USAG officials were instructed to contact local law enforcement as well, but Penny and Vidmar both stated that “that no one from the FBI Indianapolis Field Office told USA Gymnastics to contact local law enforcement.”

● However, on 26 July, Penny had contacted an officer he knew at the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit “because Penny wanted to report a child sexual abuse allegation.” The officer stated he contacted the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana by e-mail and the attorney did get in contact with the Indianapolis office of the FBI. But very little happened.

● A series of attempts to arrange interviews with the three gymnasts were made and one gymnast was interviewed by telephone on 2 September. On 4 September, Abbott informed Penny that the case was being transferred to FBI Detroit, which would have jurisdiction over Nassar at his place of work, but not even the results of the interview were forwarded.

Everybody blamed everyone else for the delay. As for the phone interview, the FBI’s confused and incomplete notes were much different than the information obtained by the USAG investigator.

FBI Indianapolis didn’t think it should handle the case, since no crime was alleged there. It contacted the Detroit office (Eastern District of Michigan), but since Lansing was in the jurisdiction of the FBI/Western District of Michigan, it was determined the case should go there.

But nothing happened. Penny’s inquiry with FBI Los Angeles in May of 2016 started a new process, and then came the Indianapolis Star story on Nassar on 12 September 2016 that served as a catalyst in the case being taken seriously. The Los Angeles and Lansing office investigations started in earnest in October 2016.

The report spends 29 pages on the multiple failures of FBI offices in Indianapolis and Los Angeles and specific FBI personnel, including the continuing concern over jurisdictional issues vs. the need for investigation and support of the victims:

“[W]e determined that there were no law enforcement reasons for the Indianapolis Field Office or the Los Angeles Field Office to not promptly notify state and local authorities of the Nassar allegations; to the contrary, we believe that there were strong law enforcement reasons to do so.”

Recommendations are made at the end of the report and a closing response from Assistant Director Douglas Leff stated:

“We accept in full the OIG’s recommendations and take especially seriously the findings that certain FBI employees did not respond to allegations of sexual abuse adequately and with the utmost urgency in 2015 and 2016. At Director Wray’s direction, the FBI has taken immediate action to ensure that the failures of the employees outlined in the Report do not happen again.”

That didn’t help the victims, but the report does clear away the reasons for the FBI’s delay in dealing seriously with the Nassar matter, and allowed him to continue his abuse.

The report may have a minor impact on the continuing court-ordered settlement conference at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, but does not significantly change the tug-of-war between USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, its insurers and the Survivors’ Committee.

Many years from now, studies of the Nassar case and the failure of law enforcement will be classified in terms of a lack of “quality control.” But that review ignores the more human issues of why criminal abuse of minors was allowed to go on for months after the FBI was apprised of the allegations, and why allegations apparently first surfaced in 2015 when Nassar had already been abusing gymnasts for six or more years before?

No report on that yet.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Olympic Village opens in Tokyo; Bromell wins Diamond League 100 m; U.S. men’s basketball loses again, to Australia

Rich Perelman

July 13, 2021

tsx pix 2021-713 tokyo oly village 750 — Now open: the Tokyo Olympic Village! (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

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News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) reiterated again that while it could have canceled the Tokyo Games last year due to the coronavirus, it has no interest in doing so. He told Kyodo News in an online interview:

“We, the IOC, will never abandon the athletes, and with the cancellation, we would have lost a whole generation of athletes. So therefore, a cancellation for us was not really an option.”

The story also noted:

“Bach said calling off the Olympics and receiving money from its insurance was the ‘easiest way’ at the time, but the IOC did not choose that path and invested more to make the games happen.”

The Olympic Village in Tokyo opened on Tuesday, but with few occupants thanks to the Covid-19 protocols.

The facilities for the 11,000-plus athletes from 205 National Olympic Committees will fill slowly as the coronavirus countermeasures allow entry only five days prior to the start of competitions and athletes must leave two days after their final day of competition.

The Village itself is located on the Harumi waterway and covers almost 109 acres with 24 separate buildings, to be sold as local housing. The International Olympic Committee announcement of the opening estimated that 85% of all Village residents will have been vaccinated against the coronavirus. A special clinic to handle Covid cases has also been established.

Kyodo News reported that the Main Media Center and International Broadcast Center in Tokyo have opened at the Big Sight convention facility, noting:

“Due to the coronavirus, the number of press members traveling to Japan for the Olympics and Paralympics has also been cut to 4,600 from the initially expected 8,400.”

The Main Media Center facility still include a large bullpen area for 750 people, in keeping with prior Games.

Local concern over the coronavirus is manifesting itself in multiple ways in and around the Games:

● The Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu posted signs on its elevators last week, designating them for “Japanese only” and “foreigners only,” but took them down quickly in view of heavy criticism.

The hotel management said the signs were meant “to separate the flow of movements of guests related to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games from that of general guests” and apologized for any “misunderstanding.”

● On Tuesday, police announced that four electricians – two from Britain and two from the U.S. – were arrested on suspicion of using cocaine last week. They are contractors for Aggreko Events Services Japan, a local affiliate of Tokyo 2020 Official Supporter Aggreko who had completed their 14-day quarantine period and were drinking at a local bar and “trespassed” at a local apartment, prompting police to respond. Kyodo reported that “The games organizers said it has issued a warning to Aggreko Events Services Japan and urged it to ensure no such similar incidents occur.”

Japan’s Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa added, “Nonessential outings at night will not be tolerated, even after the quarantine period is over.”

● A Lithuanian athlete who had tested negative, then positive, then negative for the coronavirus tested negative again last Saturday and was allowed to join his team at its pre-Games camp.

The IOC posted “sport-specific regulations” for the Games on Saturday, primarily around the issue of handling Covid-related withdrawals from competitions. In general:

“(1) No athlete or team should be designated as “‘disqualified’ for COVID-19 reasons, instead ‘Did Not Start (DNS)’ or an equivalent sport-specific designation will be used where the athletes or team cannot take part in competition

“(2) The minimum result of the athlete/team will be protected, considering the phase of competition at which they could not compete

“(3) Where possible the place of an athlete or team unable to compete will be filled by the next most eligible athlete or team, allowing events to go ahead where possible and medals to be competed for on the field of play”

This has specific applications for different sports, but for events with multiple rounds, Covid withdrawals will generally mean the next-in-line athlete according to the qualifying criteria will be advanced.

● Games of the XXXIV Olympiad: Los Angeles 2028 ● The LA28 organizers announced a high-profile, 18-member Athletes’ Commission to “serve as strategic advisors to expand upon athlete services and experiences” for the Games. The list is impressive:

Olympians Allyson Felix, Queen Harrison, Nastia Liukin, Ibtihaj Muhammad, Apolo Ohno, Adam Rippon, Alex Shibutani, Howard Shu and Brenda Villa and Paralympians Scout Bassett, Samantha Bosco, Allison Compton, Lex Gillette, Alana Nichols, Ileana Rodriguez, Rico Roman, Oscar “Oz” Sanchez and Ahkeel Whitehead.

The group will be chair by swimming superstar Janet Evans, the LA28 Chief Athlete Officer.

Felix, Muhammad, Rippon, Bassett, Gillette and Sanchez all designed LA28 “emblems” with their own distinctive “A.”

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● The USOPC released its official roster of 613 members of the U.S. Olympic Team for 2021, expected to be the largest team at the Games.

This squad will be larger than the team in Rio (558) and has 329 women and 284 men, with 193 returning Olympians and 104 Olympic medal winners. The team comes from 46 states and the District of Columbia, with California (126), Florida (51), Colorado (34) and Texas (31) as the largest contributors.

Of the 339 events at the Games, the U.S. will compete in 268; swimmer Katie Grimes is the youngest athlete at age 15, while equestrian Phillip Dutton will be competing at age 57.

Team USA includes one seven-time Olympian (Dutton), six five-time Olympians – equestrian Steffen Peters, basketball players Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, track athletes Abdi Abdirahman and Allyson Felix, and fencer Mariel Zagunis – 15 four-time Olympians, 39 three-time Olympians and 130 two-time Olympians.

The team will actually expand slightly in Tokyo, as alternates are not counted as Olympians. But with the revised rules for this Games, alternates will be allowed to fill in and compete on a more liberal basis, which will add to the final tally.

● Athletics ● The final Diamond League meet before the Olympic break was back in Gateshead (GBR) on Tuesday, with good racing, but only very modest marks.

The one world-leading individual-event mark was in the rarely-run women’s mile, with American Kate Grace coming hard off a slow pace on the final turn to run away from the field in 4:27.20, easily beating Katie Snowden (GBR: 4:28.04) and American Helen Schlachtenhaufen (4:28.13). It’s Grace’s sixth-fastest mile ever.

The sprints were featured, with American Trayvon Bromell winning the men’s 100 m, separating from a good field by 35 m and won in 9.98. Britain’s C.J. Ujah and Zharnel Hughes went 2-3 in 10.10-10.13 and American Fred Kerley fifth, also in 10.13.

Jamaica’s reigning Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah took charge of the women’s 200 m on the turn and cruised home the winner in 22.32, ahead of Jodie Williams (GBR: 22.60), Blessing Okagbare (NGR: 22.61) and American Tamara Clark (22.62).

The men’s 110 m hurdles was a re-match of the Jamaican Trials, with Ronald Levy and 2016 Rio gold medalist Omar McLeod running together to the 10th hurdle and then Levy sprinting to the final as McLeod stumbled to win, 13.22-13.42. American Robert Dunning was fourth (13.71).

Britain’s Cindy Sember won the women’s 100 m hurdles in 12.69, following up on her win in the Diamond League opener on the same track. American Payton Chadwick was second at 12.75, followed by Nadine Visser (NED: 12.78).

The men’s 800 m was a test for American Olympians Clayton Murphy and Bryce Hoppel and they were in front on the final backstraight. But then Isaiah Harris – fourth at the U.S. Trials – took the lead with 200 m to go. Into the straight, Harris ran away from everyone in 1:44.76, ahead of the late-charging Wyclife Kinyamal (KEN: 1:44.91) and Peter Bol (AUS: 1:45.22). Hoppel and Murphy faded to fifth and sixth in 1:45.45 and 1:45.72.

Britain’s Elliot Giles won the Emsley Carr Mile with a lifetime best of 3:52.49. The men’s 3,000 m was a showdown between Australian Stewart McSweyn and Spain’s Mohamed Katir, who broke free by 2,000 m when the pacesetter left. A 58.8 lap brought McSweyn to the bell, and Katir took the lead with 200 m left and sailed home with a 55.8 final lap and a decisive win in a national record 7:27.64, no. 2 on the 2021 world list. McSweyn was second in 7:28.94.

Men’s Triple Jump world leader Pedro Pablo Richado (POR) was easily the most efficient competitor on the day. He sailed into the lead at 17.29 m (56-8 3/4) on his first jump, then passed on the sixth-round shoot-out and got a huge winner at 17.50 m (57-5). Italy’s Tobia Bocchi was second at 17.04 m (55-11).

Ageless (actually 37 years old) Donald Thomas (BAH) – former World Champion – won the men’s high jump at 2.25 m (7-4 1/2). The men’s javelin was less than expected, with 2012 Olympic champ Keshorn Walcott (TTO) leading through five rounds in 82.81 m (271-8). Germany’s 90 m machine Johannes Vetter managed only 82.13 m (269-5) in the first five, but then sailed the spear to 85.25 m (279-8) in the round-six shoot-out to win the event, with the best throw of the day. German Julian Weber actually got “second” via the sixth-round bests of 77.16 m (253-2) to 76.74 m (251-9).

In the women’s 400 m, Jamaican Stephenie Ann McPherson won easily in 50.44, taking the lead on the backstraight and out-classing Jodie Williams (GBR: 50.94). Dutch star Femke Bol once again ran away from the field in the women’s 400 m hurdles, winning in 53.24, her sixth straight win in 2021 and once again defeating American Shamier Little (54.53) and Jamaica’s Janieve Russell (54.66).

American Sandi Morris, Finland’s Wilma Murto and Holly Bradshaw were the only ones to clear 4.61 m (15-1 1/2) in the women’s vault, and Morris made it over 4.71 m (15-5 1/2) on her second try, as did Bradshaw. Murto missed all three and the bar went to 4.76 m (15-7 1/4) and Morris cleared and Bradshaw passed. At 4.81 m (15-9 1/4), both missed, so Morris won thanks to her clearance at 4.76 m.

Ukraine’s Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk, the 2019 Worlds silver medalist, led the women’s long jump through the first five rounds at 6.77 m (22-2 1/2), ahead of Fatima Diame (ESP: 6.67 m/21-10 3/4) and Olympic favorite Milaika Mihambo (GER: 6.62 m/21-8 3/4). In the shoot-out, Mihambo improved to 6.65 m (21-10), but Belk-Romanchuk claimed the win at 6.67 m (21-10 3/4).

The Athletics Integrity Unit is not the sort of organization you would expect to talk smack on Twitter, but on Monday it posted:

“The [world] changed. We didn’t.

“Despite increased logistical challenges, the AIU was able to complete nearly 70 percent of out-of-competition tests planned in 2020.

“We made a commitment that we would do everything we could to keep #Athletics clean. We are delivering. Are you?”

Woah! The AIU has been busy; as of 25 June, its global list of ineligible persons runs 15 pages and includes nearly 600 athletes, coaches and support personnel suspended for doping and other violations.

American sprint star Noah Lyles is always up to something. Now:

“I’m thinking about how I’m going to get the Olympic rings tattoo. I don’t want the basic rings I want an artistic flare to it. Anyone got any ideas”

Lots of replies to that tweet!

● Basketball ● The U.S. men’s Olympic Team dropped its second straight exhibition game, this time to Australia, 91-83, in Las Vegas. Once again, the game came down to the final moments and the visitors made the plays.

The U.S. played better than in its 90-87 loss to Nigeria, and led 27-24 at the quarter and 46-37 at the half. But the Aussies outscored the U.S. by 32-18 in the third and 22-19 in the fourth to emerge with an eight-point win.

Australia shot 52.9% on field goals and 10-24 (41.7%) on three-pointers, much better than the American shooting of 46.2% for the game and 13-36 (36.1%) on threes.

Star guard Patty Mills had 22 for the winners, followed by 17 from Joe Ingles and 12 from Matisse Thybulle. Damian Lillard led the U.S. with 22, Kevin Durant had 17 and Bradley Beal had 12.

The U.S. does not have Devin Booker, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday available yet as they are playing in the NBA Finals. The U.S. has three more exhibition games in Las Vegas: vs. Argentina tonight, vs. Australia again on 16 July and vs. Spain on 18 July.

● Cycling ● The Tour de France was back in business on Tuesday, beginning its final week with a brutal 169 km course with three imposing climbs in the Pyrenees Mountains, including the 1,395 m Col de la Core.

But this does not deter Austrian Patrick Konrad, who became the third rider in his country’s history to win a stage at the Tour de France, winning by 42 seconds after running away over the Col de la Core and unchallenged over the final 35 km. A chase group of five could not catch him and Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) ended up second, just ahead of Michael Matthews (AUS) in third.

Leader Tadej Pogacar lost no time to the other race contenders and continues with a 5:18 lead over Rigoberto Uran (COL), 5:32 over Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) and 5:33 over Richard Carapaz (ECU).

Wednesday’s route is a punishing, 178.4 km triple climb from Muret to the Col du Portet at Saint-Lary-Soulan, with another misery-inducing climbing route on Thursday before a sprinter’s stage on Friday.

● Football ● The group stage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup is continuing, with three of the four groups completing their first of three rounds.

In Group A, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago played to a scoreless tie (!), and El Salvador defeated Guatemala, 2-0. (Guatemala replaced Curacao as the latter had too many Covid cases to field a complete team.)

In Group B, the U.S. used a Sam Vines goal in the eighth minute to beat Haiti, 1-0, and Canada clubbed Martinique by 4-1.

In Group C, Jamaica topped Suriname, 2-0 and Costa Rica dispatched Guadeloupe by 3-1. Group D opens tonight with Panama playing guest entry Qatar and Honduras facing Grenada, with both games in Houston.

UEFA announced “disciplinary proceedings” have started in the aftermath of the Euro 2020 final last Sunday in London, with four charges listed against the English Football Association:

• Invasion of the field of play by its supporters
• Throwing of objects by its supporters
• Disturbance caused by its supporters during the national anthem
• Lighting of a firework by its supporters

And there is more:

“Separately, and in accordance with Article 31(4) DR, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation into events involving supporters which occurred inside and around the stadium.”

These are separate from inquiries in England concerning the social-media harassment of the three Black English players who missed penalty kicks at the end of the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

● Skiing ● Less than a month after completing a 23-year stint as President of the Federation International de Ski, Gian Franco Kasper (SUI) passed away at age 77 on Friday (9th).

Kasper had been at the center of world skiing for 46 years, first as Secretary General and then as President from 1998-2021. On his watch, FIS expanded considerably, both in athletic and financial terms and he left the federation in a strong position financially and as the undisputed leader in terms of winter sports.

He was an IOC member from 2000-18 and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency from 2003.

Kasper was outspoken and that got him into trouble quite often. But he also had keen insight into skiing’s role in the growth of winter sports. Asked about increasing the federation’s revenues, he shot back:

“We do not care about making as much money as possible. Marketing to generate money for sports? At any time! But to generate money from sports, we do not do that. We are first and foremost [an] advertising agency for winter tourism.”

That’s a lesson worth applying in many other sectors.

● Swimming ● FINA announced the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport that confirmed the nullification of results that had been manipulated at two meets in Uzbekistan in November 2020 and April 2021.

“The FINA Executive’s decision was made after receiving evidence establishing that certain results from these two events had been manipulated by the Uzbekistan Swimming Federation in an attempt to qualify Uzbek swimmers for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“Following this CAS award, the FINA Ethics Panel will now investigate whether further sanctions should be imposed on the Uzbekistan Swimming Federation and any other implicated party.

“It is imperative that FINA recognise aquatics competitions to ensure that the results are not manipulated, that the results are valid and reliable, and that the competitions comply with the standards set out in the FINA rules. FINA cannot accept a lessor [sic] standard.”

FINA recognized the role of whistleblowers in the matter, without naming them. Indian swimmer Likith Prema, especially, made his concerns about the timing at the April meet publicly known with video evidence; that helped to kickstart the FINA inquiry.

● Weightlifting ● Another marijuana case has popped up prior to Tokyo, but this time Arley Mendez of Chile will be able to compete.

He had been suspended for marijuana use (THC) from an in-competition test on 12 May 2021 received a reduced penalty of one month from 29 June to 28 July 2021. Since the Olympic competition in his class – men’s 81 kg – takes place on 31 July, he can compete as his eligibility was already confirmed.

● At the BuZZer ● The 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama is progressing, somewhat under the radar, but with a major announcement that ticket sales began on 7 July, one year prior to the opening of the Games.

About 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries will contest 34 sports from 7-17 July, with the Opening Ceremony at Protective Stadium at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex; tickets range from $63.75-103.80.

How about Tug of War at the University of Alabama, Birmingham? Tickets are $16.75 or $19.75 depending on the session. Aerobic Gymnastics? $24.75 to $29.75 for morning and afternoon sessions and $29.75-34.75 for evening sessions.

Flying Disc fans can see preliminary rounds for $16.75 or $19.75 and $24.75 for the finals!

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LANE ONE: Tokyo’s spectator ban looks better in view of Euro 2020’s online and in-the-streets violence

Rich Perelman

July 12, 2021

tsx pix 2021-712 cain close up henri vidal 750 — Henri Vidal's poignant 1896 statue of Cain, in the Tuileries Garden in Paris

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(For our Highlights of the weekend’s top competitions, click here)

The Olympic Games in Tokyo is almost here, with just 11 days before the Opening Ceremony, to be held in a spectator-free Olympic Stadium.

After the mayhem attending Sunday’s UEFA Euro 2020 final in and around Wembley Stadium in London, perhaps that’s the right call regardless of the coronavirus situation.

In case you missed it, the violence started prior to the 8 p.m. kickoff of the Italy-England final, with “fans” assembling as early as noon in multiple locations in London, some already drunk. A crowd pushed its way past security fencing about two hours prior to the match and some made their way into the stadium. Reuters reported:

“Around two hours before the game, fans burst past stewards and some reached the concourse while bottles were thrown in from outside the perimeter.

“Some security staff were attacked, witnesses told Reuters, and entry to the stadium was halted for over 20 minutes while order was restored at the entrances.”

Some of the “fans” reached the interior of the stadium and took up seats in ticketed sections, leading to confrontations with fans – some with children – who arrived to see the game. Eventually, the chaos gave way to some football.

The game itself was a classic, with England’s Luke Shaw scoring in the second minute and Italy tying the game in the 67th on a Leonardo Bonucci goal. After extra time, the match was decided by penalty kicks, with England up 2-1, but then missing three in a row and Italy winning, 3-2. Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named the Player of the Tournament.

But then more mayhem. In all, London police said 49 arrests were made and 19 officers were injured at Wembley Stadium, with a limited crowd of 67,000 in attendance. Riot police came to ensure order at Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square before and after the match.

There were reports of random attacks on trains, and widely-condemned social-media abuse against Black players Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who missed their penalty attempts.

The head of the Football Association, Prince William, said:

“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”

The Daily Mail further noted that “after the game there were more shambolic scenes as Wembley Way was turned into a ‘bombsite’.

“Experts said the police have serious questions to answer about the lack of officers to deal with the violence at Wembley and the West End, that saw mass brawls, bottles thrown and the smashing of shop windows.”

This was not supposed to happen in England today, a country with a horrific history of violence attached to its football clubs in the 1970s and 1980s that reached its zenith in the Heysel Stadium disaster in Brussels in 1985 before the European Cup final between England’s Liverpool and Italy’s Juventus. Liverpool “supporters” broke down a fence separating the fan bases and the ensuing riot saw 39 killed and more than 600 injured. Police arrested 34 and 14 “fans” were later convicted of manslaughter. UEFA banned English clubs from European competition for five years, and Liverpool for six years.

The situation in Italy was also bad, following its triumph and first European title since 1968. Reports confirmed:

● A man crashed his car and died in Sicily while rushing to join celebrations in downtown Caltagirone;

● In Milan, 15 people were hurt during post-match “partying” and one man blew three fingers off of his hand when a firework exploded;

● There was a report of a killing near the southern Italian town of Foggia, where an assassin shot his victim in a celebrating crowd and then drove away on a motorbike.

This is how sport brings us together?

Bonucci, who scored the tying goal, didn’t help in his post-match comments:

“We are just enjoying seeing 58,000 people leaving even before the trophy presentation, it was something which really delighted us. The trophy now is coming to Rome.

“They thought it was staying here in London, and they’re unhappy. I feel bad for them, but once again Italy has given them a lesson.”

The game drew a huge television audience in Britain, with a peak of 30.95 million viewers and an average audience of 29.85 million throughout. That’s the largest audience since the funeral of Princess Diana back in 1997. In Italy, the average audience of 18 million represents a 73.7% share, meaning nearly three-quarters of all televisions that were on in the country were tuned to the match.

The vast majority of those viewers caused no violence. But there was still plenty of mayhem to go around.

Nor was Sunday’s final the only incident during the tournament. On Friday, UEFA’s Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body issued a sanction against the Hungarian Football Federation for “discriminatory behaviour of supporters” at matches held in Budapest on 15 and 19 June and at the Germany-Hungary match in Munich on 23 June:

“- To order the Hungarian Football Federation to play its next three (3) UEFA competition matches as host association behind closed doors, the third of which being suspended for a probationary period of two (2) years as from the date of the decision, for the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. The Hungarian Football Federation has also been fined €100,000.

“- To order the Hungarian Football Federation to implement the following directive in the above-mentioned matches in which it will play as host association: to display a banner with the wording “#EqualGame”, with the UEFA logo on it.”

The response of Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Facebook was “The committee that makes a decision like that is a pitiful and cowardly body. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

This is sport contributing to unity? Solidarity? Tolerance?

No. But it has been with us for a long time, in many places. Even in “laid-back” Los Angeles, 76 people were arrested, 30 buildings were damaged and eight police officers injured in and around a crowd of about 1,000 near Staples Center after the Lakers won the 2020 NBA title last October 11.

Japan is expected to do well at the Tokyo Games, and many of its huge, 582-member team are sad that their home fans will not be able to cheer them on. Perhaps Tokyo is doing even more of a service to sport that already realized by completing a first-of-its kind experiment in hosting a 33-sport event that may be devoid of fans, but also of mayhem and riots.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HIGHLIGHTS: Italy wins Euros on penalties; Argentina beats Brazil in Copa America final; Kuss wins Tour stage 15; Nigeria shocks U.S. men’s basketballers

Rich Perelman

July 11, 2021

tsx pix 2021-711 kuss, sepp TdF (ASO-Pauline Ballet) — First American to win a Tour de France stage since 2011: a happy Sepp Kuss! (Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet)

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Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Athletics ● Sweden’s World Champion Daniel Stahl extended his world lead in the men’s discus with a mighty toss of 71.40 m (234-3) in a small meet in Bottnaryds (SWE). He opened with 70.27 m (230-6), which only one other person has reached this year, then extended to 71.40 m, his third world-leading throw this year.

Stahl has been everywhere; this was his 13th meet of the year and now has four throws past 70 m (229-8) this season. The 71.40 m on Saturday is his second-longest throw ever and is the 15th-longest throw in history. And, excluding himself, this was the longest throw in the world since 2013!

● Basketball ● The U.S. men’s Olympic Team was defeated by Nigeria, 90-87, in an exhibition game in Las Vegas on Saturday evening, a shocking start for the American squad for Tokyo.

Nigeria, coached by NBA veteran Mike Brown and with five NBA players on its roster, made 20 of 42 three-pointers and was led by Gabe Vincent (Miami Heat) with 21 points, followed by Caleb Agada (17) and Ike Nwamu (13).

The U.S., still missing some players who are in the NBA Finals, was 26-63 from the floor (41.3%) and 10-24 (41.7%) from the three-point line. Kevin Durant led with 17 points – but just 4-13 from the floor – plus 15 from Jayson Tatum and 14 from Damian Lillard.

The game was tight throughout: Nigeria led by 66-64 after three quarters and extended to 85-77 with 1:43 left and held on. The U.S. was out-rebounded, 46-34, losing to an African team for the first time ever in international play.

“I think with four days of practice, there were a lot of things I liked out there, but in a way, I’m kind of glad it happened,” said U.S. head coach Gregg Popovich. “That loss means nothing if we don’t learn from it. But it could be the most important thing in this tournament for us, to learn lessons from this and see what we did to move on, because it’s a great group of guys, high character, and we’ll figure it out.”

The U.S. will get a further test on Monday vs. third-ranked Australia on Monday at 8 p.m. Easter time, to be televised on NBCSN.

In the FIBA men’s U-19 World Cup in Riga, Latvia, the U.S. sprinted ahead of France in the fourth quarter of the championship game, then held on for a 83-81 win.

The U.S., Serbia and Canada all went 3-0 in their group games, then the American men defeated Korea, 132-60, and Senegal, 88-58, to reach the semifinals. Facing undefeated Canada, the Americans managed a 92-86 win, after lading by 49-38 at halftime. Canadian forward Caleb Houstan led all scorers with 23 points and Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. led the U.S. with 16 and TCU guard Michael Miles had 15.

France rallied from 14 points down to defeat Serbia in the other semi, with guard Jayson Tchicamboud scoring 19.

The final was tight, with the U.S. holding a 21-19 lead at the quarter, but with France up by 42-37 at half and 64-59 at the end of three. The U.S. went on a 10-4 run to start the fourth quarter and edge ahead, 69-68 and extended to 75-68 with 4:30 left. But the French fought back, with Louis Lesmond scoring five points in the last 1:34, but it was not enough. Purdue guard Jaden Ivey and Lofton had 16 points each to lead the winners, with 12 from LSU guard Adam Miller. France’s Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 22. The U.S. enjoyed a 43-29 rebound edge.

Canada defeated Serbia for the bronze medal by 101-92.

The U.S. finished 7-0 and 7-1 Gonzaga center Chet Holmgen was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 blocks, hitting 62.0% from the field (53.8% on three-pointers) in just 21 minutes a game.

The All-Star Five included Holmgren, Lofton, Wembanyama of France, Canadian (and Purdue) center Zach Edey and forward Nikola Jovic of Serbia.

The U.S. has now won eight times in the 15 editions of this event, and four of the last five, winning in 2013-15-19-21.

● Beach Volleyball ● The last major FIVB World Tour event prior to Tokyo was the Gstaad four-star in Switzerland, with a major surprise on the men’s side.

Dutch pair Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot came in seeded 41st, but ran through the tournament to score get their first World Tour win together in just their seventh event together. They defeated Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan in a tight, 23-21, 19-21, 15-10 match in the final. It was the sixth final of the season for Younousse and Tijan, with two wins.

The all-Russian third-place match saw 2019 World Champions Viacheslav Krasilnikov and Oleg Stoyanovskiy defeat countrymen Nikita Liamin and Taras Myskiv, 21-16, 21-12.

The women’s final was an all-Brazilian affair, with Agatha Bednarczuk (38) and Duda Lisboa (22) dispensing with Ana Patricia Ramos and Rebecca Cavalcanti, 23-21, 21-18. It’s the seventh World Tour title for Agatha and Duda in their four years as a pair on the circuit, and their fifth medal on the World Tour this season (2-1-2).

World Champions Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes (CAN) won the bronze medal with a 21-13, 13-21, 17-15 win over Anastasija Kravcenoka and Tina Graudina (LAT).

● Cycling ● The Tour de France concluded its second week on Sunday, with Slovenian star Tadej Pogacar continuing his grip on the race, but with an American stage winner for the first time in 10 years on Sunday.

Saturday’s stage 14 winner was Bauke Mollema (NED), who broke away from the field with 43 km to do on a difficult, six-climb stage over 183.7 km, finishing in 4:16:16. That was 1:04 ahead of Patrick Konrad (AUT) and Sergio Higuita (COL) and 1:06 up on Mattia Cattaneo (ITA). Pogacar could not keep up and finished 18th, 6:53 behind the winner, but maintained a 4:04 advantage over France’s Guillaume Martin, who was 11th in the stage.

Sunday’s 15th stage ran for 191.3 km, through the Pyrenees, including the highest peak on the Tour for 2021, the Port d’Envalira at 2,406 m, then attacking the Col de Beixalis before descending into Andorra at the finish. A huge breakaway group of 32 riders tore away from the peloton within the first 20 km and had an advantage of up to 11 minutes midway through the race.

At the front, it was Colombian star Nairo Quintana who crested the Port d’Envalira first, but was joined on the descent and then dropped with 20 km to go by David Gaudu (FRA), 41-year-old Alejandro Valverde (ESP) and American Sepp Kuss, 26. Kuss simply exploded and moved away from both of the others and steamed over the Col de Beixalis and into Andorra for his first career Tour de France victory and the first stage win by an American since Tyler Farrar in 2011. Kuss is the 10th American all-time to win a Tour stage.

Kuss finished in 5:12:06, with Valverde second (+0:23) and Wout Poels (NED: +1:15) third; Gaudu was seventh, in the same group. Further back, Pogacar was attacked relentlessly by challengers, but fenced them all off and the race leaders finished together some 4:51 behind the winner.

Pogacar goes into Monday’s rest day with a 5:18 lead over Rigoberto Uran (COL), with Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) third (+5:32) and Richard Carapaz fourth (+5:33). France’s Martin had trouble and dropped back to ninth.

The 32nd Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile finished in Cormons with another American win, this time for Coryn Rivera, 28, who beat three others to the line in 2:56:40 over 113 km. She could be in the mix in the Tokyo road race in a couple of weeks.

Saturday’s 122.6 km ninth stage finished with a brutal ascent up Monte Matajur finishing at 1,294 m from a baseline of 134 m. South Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman broke away on the climb and separated from Dutch stars Demi Vollering and race leader Anna van der Breggen in the final 8 km. Moolman, who was second going into the stage, won by 1:26 over both, and cut her deficit to 1:23 behind van der Breggen heading into Sunday. Italy’s Marta Cavalli was the only other rider close by, some 1:39 behind the winner.

The final stage saw Rivera sprint to the finish ahead of Lizzie Deignan (GBR), Elise Chabbey (SUI: +0:03) and overall winner van der Breggen (NED). For van der Breggen, who is retiring after this season, it was her fourth career “Giro Donne” win – in 2015-17-20-21 – tying Italy’s Fabiana Luperini (1995-98) for the most ever.

Van der Breggen finished a comfortable 1:43 ahead of Moolman, 3:25 up on Vollering and 6:39 ahead of Deignan.

The UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup in St. Petersburg (RUS) showed off a powerful Russian squad, but with the medals widely distributed.

Russian women went 1-2 in the Sprint, as Anastasiia Voinova swept Yana Tyshchenko in both finals races and those two combined with Nataliia Antonova to win the Team Sprint. Two women won two individual events: Colombia’s Martha Bayona Pineda took the Keirin and the 500 m Time Trial, and Portugal’s Maria Martins won the Elimination Race and the Omnium.

Ireland’s Kelly Murphy won the Individual Pursuit and then won the Team Pursuit with Lara Gillespie, Mia Griffin, and Alice Sharpe. Russians Gulnaz Khatuntseva and Diana Klimova won the Madison.

On the men’s side, Russians Lev Gonov and Ivan Smirnov won the Madison and also took the Team Pursuit over Italy, with the additions of Glen Syritsa and Egor Igoshev. In the Sprint, Kevin Quintero (COL) came from one race down to beat Mikhail Iakovlev (RUS), but Iakovlev, Danila Burlakov and Ivan Gladyshev took the Team Sprint.

France’s Tom Derache, the bronze winner in the Sprint, took the Keirin; Canadian Quentin LaFargue won the 1 km Time Trial and Scotland’s Kyle Gordon won the Individual Pursuit. Italian Carloalberto Giodani won the Elimination Race, and Yauheni Karaliok (BLR) took the Omnium over Portugal’s Iuri Leitao, 177-166.

The massive U.S. Mountain Bike National Championships was held in Winter Park, Colorado, with competitions in classifications as young as 11-12 and up to 80-89!

In the professional Cross Country races, Keegan Swenson won the men’s national title over Stephan Davourst, 1:22:14 to 1:24:36 in the four-lap race and Tokyo Olympian-to-be Erin Huck took the women’s crown, beating Alexis Skarda, 1:11:31 to 1:13:46.

The Short Track races on Sunday saw Savila Blunk win by six seconds over Gwendalyn Gibson, 30:01-30:07, with Rose Grant and Evelyn Dong well back in third (30:34) and fourth (30:35).

Swenson doubled back to win the men’s Short Track title, just ahead of Davoust, 29:19-29:37, with Cole Paton third (29:47).

In the Pro Downhills, Dakotah Norton won the men’s title over Aaron Gwin and Luca Shaw by 3:28:24-3:29.89-3:31.72. The women’s race was a win for Kailey Skelton (4:11.35), beating Ella Erickson (4:25.65) and Kialani Hines (4:26.08).

● Football ● The classic Copa America final in Rio de Janeiro pitted Lionel Messi and Argentina against Neymar and Brazil, but it was an Angel Di Maria goal in the 22nd minute that made the difference for Argentina in a 1-0 victory.

It was the 15th Copa America victory for Argentina, now tied with Uruguay for the most ever, but its first since 1993. For Argentinian icon Messi, it was his first championship with the national team after five Copa Americas and four World Cups (although he did win the Olympic tournament in Beijing in 2008).

The final was dominated by Brazilian possession, especially in the second half, but the hosts were chasing the game since Rodrigo De Paul’s long pass found Di Maria at the right of the Brazilian goal. With keeper Ederson out to cut down the angle, Di Maria popped the ball over his head and into the goal for his first-ever score for the national team.

The game got increasingly physical in the second half, with 41 total fouls called and nine yellow cards. Brazil led in shots, 13-6, but could not get by Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez.

Messi was co-high scorer with four goals and had five assists and was both the tournament’s high scorer and Best Player.

/Updated/The UEFA Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium in London was a classic match between Italy and England, with the home team trying to win its first international title since 1966, when it won the FIFA World Cup.

And the partisan crowd of more than 67,000 went into dreamland as a perfect cross by Kieran Trippier from the right side of the box flew over the Italian back four and found Luke Shaw to the left of goal and his left-footed volley flew into the goal for a 1-0 lead in the second minute! It was the fastest goal in history of the European Championship.

Italy had 65% of the possession in the half and out-shot England, 6-1, but was unable to get a goal against a tight defense and keeper Jordan Pickford.

The Azzurri kept the pressure on from the start of the second half, but missed the net repeatedly. But from a corner in the 67th minute, a wild flurry developed on front of the goal and Marco Verratti got off a header that hit the goalpost, but the rebound was available for Leonardo Bonucci, who scored for a 1-1 tie.

Italy remained dangerous, Domenico Berardi running behind the defense in the 74th minute and off a long volley, launched a shot that went over the goal. But neither side could score and regulation time ended 1-1. Italy had held the ball for two-thirds of the time and had a 14-4 shots advantage, but only the one goal.

In extra time, Italy continued the pressure and had a 3-1 shots advantage, but could not get the ball into the goal. England was more offensive-minded in the second extra period, but Italy controlled the last half of the period and it ended 1-1, with Italy finishing at 19-6 on shots.

The penalty shoot-out started off with two makes, then the drama started. Andrea Belotti’s try was saved by Pickford and Maguire made his for a 2-1 England lead. But Bonucci scored (2-2) and Marcus Rashford hit the left post! Federico Bernardeschi made his shot, but Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma guessed right and saved Jadon Sancho’s shot, leaving Italy up 3-2.

Italy’s Jorginho was ready to ice it in the fifth round, but Pickford guessed right and deflected his shot off the post, giving England a chance to tie with Bukayo Saka. The strike wasn’t hard enough and Donnarumma flew to his left and saved the penalty, giving Italy a 3-2 win and the European title. Donnarumma was named the Player of the Tournament.

The Italians, who did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, are now on a 34-match unbeaten streak and won its second European title (also in 1968) in four times in the final. A lesson for any country which has aspirations in football.

UEFA fined the England Football Association €30,000 (~$36,000) after multiple incidents, including a fan aiming a laser pointer at Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel during the Euro 2020 semifinal at Wembley Stadium in London last Wednesday.

The fan aimed the laser at Schmeichel when he was readying for Harry Kane’s penalty kick in extra time; Schmeichel saved the shot, but Kane scored on the rebound for the deciding play in England’s 2-1 win.

UEFA’s statement included: “The UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has decided to fine the English Football Association €30,000 for the use of laser pointer, disturbances during the national anthems and setting of fireworks.”

The CONCACAF Gold Cup opened on Saturday, with games at nine venues across five states in the U.S. and Mexico playing to a surprising 0-0 tie with Trinidad & Tobago in Arlington, Texas.

The U.S. will open vs. Haiti this evening in Kansas City, to be followed by games on the 15th (Martinique) and 18th (Canada). Group play will end on the 20th, with the playoffs from 24 July to 1 August.

● Gymnastics ● The second FIG Rhythmic World Challenge Cup was in Moscow (RUS), and a showcase for Olympic favorite Dina Averina.

She swept all four events, winning over fellow Russian Lala Kramarenko by 27.200-26.300 in Hoop, by 28.900-26.700 in Ball, 29.250-28.250 in Clubs and 25.700-23.500 in Ribbon. Sister Arina Averina was unable to compete due to a leg injury, but is promised to be ready for Tokyo.

Russia also won the group events over Uzbekistan and Japan in 5 Balls and 3 Balls + 2 Clubs.

● Table Tennis ● The U.S. National Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada saw the men’s and women’s Singles title matches pit the top two seeds against each other.

The men’s title went to top-ranked Xin Zhou, who defeated Sharon Alguetti, in five sets by 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6. It was the first U.S. title for Zhou, ending a string of four straight fr Kanak Jha, who is prepping for Tokyo.

The women’s final saw second-seed Amy Wang upset five-time national champ Lily Zhang, also in five sets by 11-9, 12-10, 4-11, 16-14, 11-7. It was Wang’s first U.S. title.

● Tennis ● Wimbledon concluded its 134th edition on Sunday, with a historic win for Serb Novak Djokovic, who took his sixth title and 20th Grand Slam victory, tying him with Roger Federer (SUI) and Rafael Nadal (ESP) for the most career Slams among men.

Djokovic has now won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in the same year; the last to do that – and win all four Slams in a single year – was Australian icon Rod Laver in 1969.

Djokovic defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in four sets: 6–7, 6–4, 6–4, 6–3; it was the no. 1 seed vs. no. 7.

The women’s Singles title also went to the no. 1 seed, Australian Ash Barty, who defeated Czech Karolína Plískova (no. 8) in straight sets, 6–3, 6–7, 6–3. Barty was the first no. 1 seed to win the tournament since Serena Williams (USA) in 2016.

In men’s Doubles, Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic triumphed over Marcel Granollers (ESP) and Horacio Zeballos (ARG), 6–4, 7–6, 2–6, 7–5. In women’s Doubles, Su-wei Hsieh (TPE) and Elise Mertens (BEL) overcame Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova and Elena Vesnina, 3–6, 7–5, 9–7. It was Heish’s second straight Wimbledon title; she played with Barbora Strycova (CZE) in 2019.

The Mixed Doubles title was won by Neal Skupski (GBR) and Desirae Krawczyk (USA) over Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Harriet Dart, 6–2, 7–6.

● Volleyball ● The 21st FIVB women’s World U-20 Championship is underway in Belgium and the Netherlands, with 16 teams competing in four groups, with the pool winners advancing to the championship second round.

Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands all won their groups with perfect 3-0 records, and the U.S. women also finished 3-0, with victories over Russia (3-1), Thailand (3-0) and Turkey (3-0). The second stage will start on the 13th.

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For our 649-event International Sports Calendar for 2021 and beyond, by date and by sport, click here!

THE TICKER: Fan video matrix to replace fans in stands in Tokyo; four world leads in Monaco Diamond League; Cavendish ties Merckx for Tour de France stage wins!

Rich Perelman

July 9, 2021

tsx pix 2021-709 cavendish, mark 750 (tour de F) — A happy Mark Cavendish (GBR), who tied the record for the most career Tour de France stages with 34 (Photo: Tour de France)

The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus/updated/:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● “You need not feel alone in these stadia. Billions of people around the entire globe will be glued to their screens, and they will be with you in their hearts.

“I hope that you can feel this support from all these people, who are your true fans, who are your family, your friends and your supporters.”

That was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in a video message for athletes coming to Tokyo, in the aftermath of the banning of spectators from almost all of the Olympic stadia.

The IOC announced a blizzard of engagement programs for the Games, including a video matrix to be shown inside venues, a “virtual cheer” tool on the digital services of some broadcasters, and a video link for athletes at some sites to connect with up to five family or friends once they come off the field.

A new game site – The Tokyo 2020 FanZone – will offer trivia contests, a “fantasy challenge” involving fan-selected teams of 10 athletes from any sport and even a “bracketology” game for each team sport. Sponsors such as Coca-Cola and Intel will have their own fan-support programs and Samsung will give each athlete a free S21 5G commemorative phone.

In the aftermath of the banning of fans from the Games venues in the Tokyo area, spectators will also not be allowed in the Hokkaido prefecture, which includes Sapporo, where football matches will be held.

Kyodo News reported that fans are now banned from the Games in Tokyo and the neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba and Kanagawa and Hokkaido. The prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima and Shizuoka are – for now – planned to allow limited spectator attendance.

On Friday, four Japanese citizens filed for a injunction against the Games in Tokyo District Court, “arguing that going ahead with the games during the coronavirus pandemic violates the constitutionally guaranteed right to live.”

Kyodo also reported that one Israeli athlete tested positive for Covid upon arrival and is in quarantine. A Lithuanian swimmer tested negative on arrival for his team’s training camp outside Tokyo, then positive on a subsequent test. A third test came back negative, but he will be tested again on Saturday.

An attempt to put out the Olympic flame in the northeast city of Mito was reported last Sunday (4th), but was unsuccessful. Reuters reported that 53-year-old Kayoko Takahashi aimed a water pistol as the torch went by and shouted “extinguish the torch fire, I’m against the Tokyo Olympics.”

She was arrested immediately “on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.”

News media expecting to be in Tokyo continue to voice concerns over access to athletes and others, restrictive rules concerning housing and transport and requirements to detail their reporting routine for monitoring by the organizing committee.

At last week’s online International Sports Journalists Association (AIPS) conference, AIPS President Gianni Merlo (ITA) spoke at length about the restrictions, including “We, the press, are not the enemy of Japan.”

A review of the conference noted “the certainty that journalists will be followed at all times, giving away privacy, and the condition to report all the people they meet, put in danger the freedom of press. All is part of the so-called coronavirus package, but is it, really?”

Juan Ignacio Gallardo, the director of the Spanish daily newspaper of sport, Marca, told the attendees:

“There is an idea of clubs and athletes, especially the elite ones, that journalism can be replaced by social media, but the fan knows how to perfectly spot the difference between propaganda and information. Journalism is a vital link in the chain. Putting barriers to journalism is ultimately putting barriers to fans. I think that we all agree on something: we are in a scenario where there are more and more obstacles, difficulties and barriers to access to athletes.”

The Australian’s European correspondent Jacquelin Magnay (AUS) tweeted:

“The rules are so grim the Olympics risk having no journalists wanting to cover future Games. Not allowed to speak to a Japanese person, not allowed to walk. Spied on at every minute. And journalists are double vaxxed, with 8 tests in 7 days.”

Replied Michael Payne (GBR), the first IOC marketing director and a continuing keen observer of the Games:

“Well the next host nation might be real happy with the new protocols. Hold tight.”

That would be Beijing (CHN), host of the Olympic Winter Games in 2022. Yep.

In case you were wondering, the Court of Arbitration for Sport is opening two offices in Tokyo: one for general disputes and another concentrating on anti-doping matters.

All hearings will be held online, with 13 arbitrators in the “Ad hoc division” and another eight dedicated to the anti-doping cases. Rapid turnaround is promised: “The CAS Ad hoc Division will be able to render decisions within 24 hours in case of urgent matters.”

Athletes are being supported in appeals to the CAS in Tokyo, free of charge by the Japan Sports Arbitration Agency in cooperation with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. They are ready.

● Games of the XXXIII Olympiad: Paris 2024 ● The French-language site FrancsJeux reported that an administrative court in Paris finally rejected two appeals by local residents against the development of a portion of the massive Parc Georges Valbon for new housing. The first use will be for media covering Paris 2024, then for 1,200 units of housing in Dugny.

This clears the way for SOLIDEO, the public authority responsible for infrastructure projects related to the Games, to go ahead with the construction program. Already, the Mayor of Dugny has asked for assurances that it will be completed on time in April, 2024.

● Athletics ● /Updated/The Wanda Diamond League meet in Monaco saw brilliant racing and world-leading marks in the men’s 800 m, 1,500 m and Steeple and the women’s 1,500 m, plus possible previews of multiple Tokyo finals.

The opening race was another world-record attempt in the men’s 400 m hurdles with new recordman Karsten Warholm. He was out like a shot once again from lane seven, but didn’t have quite as much in reserve down the stretch and won in 47.08, the equal-12th-fastest race of all time (he has six of the top 13).

Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, looking like a near-lock for the bronze medal behind Warholm and Rai Benjamin of the U.S. was second in 47.51.

The men’s 800 m saw the revival of London 2012 silver medalist Nijel Amos of Botswana, who took over from Canada’s Marco Arop in the final 75 m and won in a world-leading 1:42.91. He barely out-lasted Emmanuel Korir (KEN: 1:43.04) and Arop (1:43.26 lifetime best). Those three ran away from everyone else, including Americans Clayton Murphy (7th: 1:44.41) and Bryce Hoppel (11th: 1:47.74).

In the men’s 1,500 m, Timothy Cheruiyot was trying to be so brilliant that Athletics Kenya will overlook his fourth-place finish at the Kenyan Trials and name him for Tokyo. He took the lead after 800 m as expected, then towed the field through the final lap and fought off a challenge from Spain’s Mohamed Katir all the way to the finish and won in a world-leading (and lifetime best by 0.13) 3:28.28! Cheruiyot ran his last 400 m in a sensational 53.71 and remains at no. 7 on the all-time list. Put him on the team.

Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen was third in 3:29.25 and Stewart McSweyn (AUS) was the fourth man under 3:30 at 3:29.51. There were 10 lifetime bests among the 13 finishers, with national records for Katir, McSweyn and Marcin Lewandowski (POL: 3:30.42). Yowsah!

The men’s 3000 m Steeple was a nightmare. The bell rang for the final lap, but with 800 m to go instead of 400 m, and Kenyan Benjamin Kigen sprinted through the lap, only to see the bell rung again! He had nothing left and Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma was confused as well, but trotted down the backstraight with a big lead. He picked it up going into the water jump and then Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot moved in on a desperate sprint, only to have Girma speed up to win in a world-leading 8:07.75. Kibiwot was second in 8:07.81, followed by France’s Djilali Bedrani (8:11.17) and Mehdi Belhadj (8:12.43). American Hillary Bor was fifth (8:14.69, a seasonal best), with Kigen fading to seventh (8:15.09).

The women’s 1,500 m was a classic and another world leader, with Dutch star Sifan Hassan taking over as the leader with 600 m left. But with 150 m to go, Kenya’s reigning Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon launched her attack, went wide and got by with 110 m left and won in 3:51.07, a national record, a lifetime best and the no. 4 time in history. She was ecstatic!

Hassan was second in 3:53.60, with Ethiopian Freweyni Hailu third in 3:56.28. Americans Heather MacLean and Cory McGee were 10th and 11th in 4:03.63 and 4:04.20.

The men’s 100 m also had a wild finish, with American Ronnie Baker charging to the finish in 9.91 (+0.3 m/s), decisively defeating Akani Simbine (RSA: 9.98), Lamont Marcell Jacobs (ITA: 9.99), Andre De Grasse (CAN: 10.00) and formerly undefeated Trayvon Bromell (USA: 10.01) in fifth, American Fred Kerley was sixth in 10.15. Baker’s win makes him at least a co-favorite now with Bromell for a medal in Tokyo.

Jamaican superstar Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce took off at the start of the women’s 200 m and was joined on the straight by Marie-Josee Ta Lou (CIV), but Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) came on like a freight train in the last 60 m to edge Ta Lou, 22.23-22.25 (+0.7 m/s). Fraser-Pryce fell back to third in 22.48; Americans Dezerea Bryant and Tamara Clark went 5-6 in 22.79 and 22.95.

The women’s 800 m saw a blistering 54.80 lap for the pacesetter, then Jamaica’s Natoya Goule took over with 300 to go. But coming into the home straight, it was Britain’s Jemma Reekie and American Kate Grace, but British 1,500 m star Laura Muir went out to lane three and sprinted to the line in 1:56.73, a lifetime best and no. 5 in the world this year. Reekie also got a PR in 1:56.96 and Grace finished in a lifetime best of 1:57.20 – her third in nine days – to move to no. 7 on the all-time U.S. list.

In the women’s Steeple, Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng broke away from the pack with four laps remaining, with American Emma Coburn, world-record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and Winfred Yavi (BRN) with the only ones in contact. Kiyeng pushed the pace with 600 m to go, with Coburn well ahead of Chepkoech and Yavi. But Kiyeng was out of gas with a lap to go and the race tightened dramatically. Kiyeng found a reserve and won in 9:03.82 as Coburn fell over the final water jump, allowing Chepkoech (9:04.94) and Yavi (9:05.45) to finish 2-3. Coburn held on for fourth at 9:09.02. What does this mean for Tokyo? That this event is up for grabs.

The women’s vault came down to World Champion Anzhelika Sidorova (RUS), Olympic Champion Katerina Stefanidi (GRE) and U.S. Trials winner Katie Nageotte. Nageotte took the lead with a first-time clearance at 4.90 m (16-0 3/4); Stefanidi missed all three tries and Sidorova missed once and passed. At 4.96 m (16-3 1/4), Sidorova missed twice and was out. Nageotte also missed three times, but enjoyed the win.

Olympic triple jump favorite Yulimar Rojas (VEN), the only woman to surpass 15 m this season, won at 15.12 m (49-7 1/4), but fouled on her sixth-round jump, so Jamaica’s Shanieka Ricketts “won” at 14.29 m (46-10 3/4). Czech Barbora Spotakova – the world-record holder – came into the sixth round throw-off third, but got her best at 63.08 m (206-11) and stole the win from Pole Maria Andrejczyk, who had the best throw of the day at 63.63 m (208-9).

The men’s high jump saw Django Lovett (CAN) and Russian Mikhail Arimenko clear 2.29 m (7-6), but missed all three times at 2.32 m (7-7 1/4). To break the tie, they tried 2.32 m again and this time Arimenko got over for the victory. Sweden’s Thobias Montler grabbed a personal best of 8.27 m (27-1 3/4) in the second round to lead the men’s long jump, but was passed by Jamaican Tajay Gayle in the fifth round at 8.29 m (27-2 1/2). But in the sixth-round jump-off, it was Greece’s world leader, Miltiadis Tentoglou who got the only fair jump at 8.24 m (27-0 1/2) and that proved to be the winner.

Pretty impressive stuff! The last Diamond League stop before the Olympic break will come on the 13th in Gateshead (GBR).

The last World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet before the Olympic break was the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar (HUN), with major showdowns across the board. At the top of the results list were two world-leading wins:

● Men/High Jump: 2.37 m (=) (7-9 1/4), Maksim Nedasekau (BLR)
● Men/Triple Jump: 17.92 m (58-9 1/2), Pedro Pablo Pichardo (POR)

Nedasekau had to jump that high to beat Russians Ilya Ivanyuk and Mikhail Arimenko, who both cleared 2.33 m (7-7 3/4) , while Nedasekau also made 2.35 m (7-8 1/2); he joins Ivanyuk at 2.37 m on the 2021 year list. Pichardo dueled with indoor world-record setter Hugues Fabrice Zango (BUR), getting a world-leading 17.82 m (58-5 3/4) on his second jump, matched by Fabrice Zango in the third round. But Pichardo had more to offer, reaching 17.92 m (58-9 1/2) in round four.

There were major sprint developments, with South Africa’s Akine Simbine winning the men’s 100 m in 9.84, no. 2 on the 2021 world list and an African Record. He ran away from Americans Mike Rodgers (10.00), Marvin Bracy (10.02) and Isiah Young (10.04) in places 2-3-4 with Justin Gatlin sixth in 10.21.

In the women’s 100 m, defending Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah made a statement with a 10.71-10.82 win over countrywoman Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce, with Marie Josee Ta Lou (CIV) third in 10.86 and Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare fourth in 10.89. Wow! Thompson moved to no. 2 on the 2021 world list and Ta Lou to no. 5.

In the men’s 200 m, Canada’s Andre De Grasse scored an impressive win over Americans Kenny Bednarek and teen Erriyon Knighton, 19.97-19.99-20.03, making sure he is being considered among the medal favorites.

Same for Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson in the women’s 200 m, beating superstar Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH), 21.96-22.15, with former World Champion Dafne Schippers (NED) third (22.70).

The Bahamas got a win in the men’s 400 m from Steven Gardiner, who got the best of Americans Bryce Deadmon, Michael Norman and Michael Cherry, 44.47-44.58-44.65-44.69.

The women’s 400 m was another Jamaican win, for Stephenie Ann McPherson, who ran 49.99 to beat American Wadeline Jonathas (50.70).

In the 110 m hurdles, World Champion Grant Holloway of the U.S. scored a clear win over main rivals Orlando Ortega (ESP), Russian Sergey Shubenkov and Jamaican Ronald Levy, 13.08-13.15-13.19-13.25. Puerto Rico’s world leader in the women’s 100 m hurdles, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, ran the second-fastest time in 2021, winning in 12.34, well ahead of Elvira Herman (BLR: 12.67) and Americans Gabbi Cunningham (12.75) and Sharika Nelvis (12.80).

The unstoppable Femke Bol (NED) won another fast women’s 400 m hurdles, this time over American Shamier Little, 52.81-52.85, with Jamaican Janieve Russell third in 53.68. Bol is now undefeated in five hurdles races this season.

Britain’s Elliot Giles won the men’s 800 m over Jamie Webb (GBR) and world-leader Clayton Murphy of the U.S., 1:44.89-1:45.12-1:45.20. Ethiopia went 1-2-3-4-5 in a fast 3,000 m, won by Muktar Edris in 7:30.96. New Zealand’s Tom Walsh won the men’s shot at 22.22 m (72-10 3/4) and Sweden’s Daniel Stahl won the discus at 67.71 m (222-1).

USA Track & Field named a powerful 130-member team for Tokyo, with English Gardner – sixth in the women’s 100 m final – in the relay pool as Sha’Carri Richardson was not selected.

Richardson was disqualified due to a doping positive for marijuana use and so her results disappear from the Trials; the U.S. will send Javianne Oliver, Teahna Daniels and Jenna Prandini in the individual 100 m, with Gabby Thomas, Aleia Hobbs and Gardner in the relay pool.

Gabbi Cunningham, fourth in the women’s 100 m hurdles, replaced Brianna McNeal, who lost her appeal against suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

In the women’s high jump, winner Vashti Cunningham and fourth-placer Rachel McCoy both had the Olympic standard and were selected, along with Tynita Butts-Townsend, who stood 30th in the World Athletics world rankings and was the next-highest American.

In the women’s discus, Kelsey Card (fourth at Trials) was added based on the world rankings, as was fourth-placer Ariana Ince in the javelin. Race walker Robyn Stevens was also added via her world ranking.

On the men’s team, 1,500 m winner Cole Hocker just missed the Olympic standard, but was admitted based on his world ranking. No U.S. javelin throwers had the Olympic mark, but Trials 1-2 finishers Curtis Thompson and Michael Shuey made it on world rankings. Same for Trials winner Nick Christie in the men’s 20 km walk.

Sad news from Britain that Adrian Metcalfe, a 45.7 400 m runner in 1961 and Olympic silver medalist in the 4×400 m in Tokyo ‘64, passed away on 2 July at 79.

For those who did not see him run, they heard him for decades as a broadcaster for ITV in the 1970s and 1980s. He was also a important executive, helping to found Eurosport.

● Cycling ● The 108th Tour de France is heading into its penultimate weekend, with defending champion Tadej Pogacar (SLO) continuing to control the race. But it was 36-year-old British star Mark Cavendish who stole the headlines:

● At the 10th stage on Tuesday (6th), he once again outfought a huge group to the finish line at the end of 190.7 km in Valence for his 33rd career Tour stage win and the third of this race! That left him only one behind career leader Eddy Merckx (BEL), whose 34 career stage wins was considered unapproachable. Belgians Wout van Aert and Jasper Philipsen finished 2-3; it was Philipsen’s fourth top-three finish of the race so far.

● Friday’s 13th stage was a long, hilly 219.9 km route from Nimes to Carcassonne, but with a long, easy finish made for sprinters … and Cavendish. The day was hot and windy, which made the ride precarious, but Cavendish was expertly led by his Deceuninck-Quick Step team onto the final turn in perfect position with about 300 m to go. Then, he was suddenly passed by several riders and seemingly in trouble. But with strong work from teammate Michael Morkov (DEN), Cavendish got a clear lane and barely got to the line first to win his fourth stage in the race and equal Merckx’s career mark of 34.

Cavendish will have a couple more chances to grab the stage-win record for himself in stages 19 and 21. But for now, he has equaled the amazing Merckx, the greatest competitive cyclist of all time.

(Let’s note that Merckx won his stages with the goal of winning the Tour de France, which he did five times in six years between 1969-74. Cavendish is strictly a sprinter; his best overall finish at the Tour is 130th in 2011.)

In the mountain stages:

● During Wednesday’s 11th stage, the riders were faced with the brutal 1,894 m Mont Ventour twice during the 198.9 km route ending in Malaucene. But it hardly flustered van Aert, who took control on the second time over Mont Ventour, with about 40 km left and sailed through the downhill to finish 1:14 up on Kenny Elissonde (FRA) and Bauke Mollema (NED). Pogacar was fourth, 1:38 behind, but lost nothing to the pack, ending the day up 5:18 over Rigoberto Uran (COL).

● The hilly 12th stage was decided on the final hill with about 18 km to go on the road to Nimes. German Nils Politt boke away and won by 31 seconds over Imanol Erviti (ESP) and Harry Sweeney (AUS).

After Friday’s 13th stage, Pogacar has maintained his 5:18 lead over Uran and is 5:32 up on Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) and 5:33 ahead of Richard Carapaz (ECU). There are two mountain stages coming up on the weekend before Monday’s rest day.

The Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile is heading toward the finish, with Dutch star Anna van der Breggen continuing in control with the race ending Sunday in Cormons.

Stage 5 was a mass sprint finish with Lorena Wiebes (NED) collecting the win ahead of Emma Norsgaard (DEN) and stage 3 winner Marianne Vos (NED). The looping, 155 km stage 6 was another mass finish, with Norsgaard moving up for the win this time, edging American Coryn Rivera and Vos at the line. The more strenuous hills of the 109.6 km seventh stage was another group finish, with Vos getting her second win, beating Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) and van der Breggen, all in 2:48:31.

Friday’s eighth stage was a flat, 129.4 km route to Mortegliano, perfect for the sprinters. As with stage 5, it was Wiebes handling the finish best, winning her second stage of the race, ahead of Norsgaard, Maria Vittoria Sperotto (ITA), Lisa Brennauer (GER) and Vos.

Van der Breggen heads to the final two stages with a commanding 2:55 led over Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) and 3:07 over Demi Vollering (NED).

The Union Cycliste Internationale confirmed on Tuesday that

“With regards to the Presidency, only David Lappartient [FRA], the current UCI President, submitted his candidacy. Pursuant to article 40, paragraph 3 of the UCI Constitution, his election for a second four-year term will be confirmed without being put to vote.”

The UCI Congress, which will include elections for other positions on the UCI Management Committee, will be held on 24 September in Leuven (BEL).

● Football ● After all of the tumult over where to play and more than 160 Covid positives among the team and officials, it will be Brazil and Argentina in the final of the Copa America. In Tuesday’s semifinal, Argentina and Colombia played to a 1-1 tie and it was Argentina winning on penalty kicks by 3-2.

The final will be played on Saturday (10th) at 9 p.m. local time in the famed Maracana Stadium in Rio, but without fans. The third-place match between Colombia and Peru will be tonight (9th) in Brazilia.

Brazil has been dominant in the Copa America, winning five of the last nine editions. Argentina last won in 1993 and lost in four of the last six finals (2004-07-15-16). The two giants have been multiple times in this championship final, most recently in 2004 and 2007, with Brazilian victories by penalties (‘04) and 3-0 (‘07).

The UEFA European Championships will finish in front of more than 60,000 delirious fans at London’s Wembley Stadium on Sunday (11th) with England looking for its first major tournament win since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

The opponent will be Italy, which defeated Spain on penalties, 4-2, on Tuesday. Italy also won in 1968 and was a losing finalist in 2000 (to France) and 2012 (to Spain).

England went to extra time with Denmark after a 1-1 tie in regulation. Striker Harry Kane had a penalty kick in the first extra-time period saved by Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel, but the rebound came straight back to the charging Kane, who banged it into the net in the 104th minute for the 2-1 final.

England, playing at home in 1996, got as far as the semifinals, but has never before played in the Euro championship match.

● Swimming ● A shocker out of the European Junior Championships in Rome (ITA), with Romanian 16-year-old taking the men’s 100 m Freestyle in a world-leading 47.30.

David Popovici broke his own World Junior Record of 47.56 set in a lead-off relay leg earlier in the meet and now looms as big trouble for defending Olympic champ Kyle Chalmers of Australia, World Champion Caeleb Dressel of the U.S. and prior world leader Kliment Kolesnikov, who swam 47.31 to win the Russian Championships in April.

Wow!

The International Swimming League announced its schedule for 2021, with the 10 clubs competing in 11 quadrangular matches to be held from 26 August to 30 September, all at the Piscina Felice Scandone in Naples.

A six-match playoff series with eight clubs will be held in November, leading to a final in January 2022 at a site to be determined.

● Volleyball ● The FIVB released final testing figures from its men’s and women’s Nations League, held in a sequestered environment in Rimini, Italy from late May to late June: no positives among the teams, officials and broadcasters. In detail:

“The VNL bubble hosted over 1,000 participants with 572 volleyball players competing across a total of 248 matches throughout the month-long competition. The bubble also hosted a TV production team of more than 100 people.

“In total, 2,250 PCR and 7,920 antigen tests were performed at the event over the course of 38 days … All participants were required to produce negative test results both prior to their departure to Italy and upon arrival. Further in-competition tests were also compulsory for all participants every four days, along with an exit PCR test before departure.”

As it turned out, the only Covid positive was a bus driver for the German men’s team; he was quarantined and the German squad received additional testing.

A good signal for Tokyo.

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LANE ONE: Hey, ESPN (and others), could you educate yourselves on the Olympic world before you talk about it?

Rich Perelman

July 8, 2021

tsx pix 2021-708 sgt schultz (72717) 750 — John Banner as Sgt. Schultz in the 1960s sitcom classic "Hogan's Heroes"

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One of the genres in which ESPN has been unsurpassed is the sports talk show. Whether in the morning, mid-day or late afternoon, you can find all kinds of people talking in depth about all kinds of sports.

Except Olympic sports, of course.

This was demonstrated once more on Wednesday (7th) during ESPN’s popular “Pardon the Interruption” show, as former Washington Post reporters Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon moved from subjects they know well – the NBA and golf – to why Sha’Carri Richardson was left off the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team.

After Wilbon started the show by noting that this was “National Tell the Truth Week,” the two descended into a discussion about Richardson, her suspension for marijuana during the U.S. Olympic Trials and why USA Track & Field didn’t name her to the Olympic team for the women’s 4×100 m relay.

Asked by Kornheiser if USATF made a mistake, Wilbon did tell the truth:

“Tony, I don’t know.”

But it got worse from there. Both criticized the World Anti-Doping Code rule about marijuana – which continues to be widely debated – then Wilbon went into dreamland:

“We know the rule, should the rule still be there – no – because the country has spoken, and continues to speak about this, state by state, saying ‘we’re not having this any more, it’s not going to be illegal.’ And so once the United States of America, state by state, says this, then you know, [U.S. Anti-Doping Agency] and [World Anti-Doping Agency] and all these agencies and they need to get with the program.”

What? The U.S. does not speak with one voice on marijuana: it is illegal at the Federal level across the country and is allowed for recreational use without penalty in just 18 states out of 50 (13 other states have decriminalized it, so you would get a fine, but no jail time).

In Japan, where the Olympic Games will be held, marijuana is illegal and punishable by prison terms of up to five years. So WADA is supposed to get with whose program?

Kornheiser commended Richardson for taking responsibility for the violation, but then doubled down on misinformation, making this astounding legal observation:

“My problem overall is that it is a rule and it is not the law. OK, the law – as you point out – varies from state to state, including the state in which she consumed marijuana, Oregon, where it is legal for her to do it. But she cannot seek redress from the courts because it’s not a law. It’s a rule, there’s no due process that she can ask for.”

Maybe Kornheiser should be drug tested. For someone who has been a decorated journalist for a lifetime, Kornheiser simply ignored the widely-available facts about the worldwide anti-doping program:

● The rules under which Richardson was penalized are law. The U.S. Congress specifically said so in 2006 at 21 U.S. Code §2001 titled “Designation of the United States Anti-Doping Agency” and which states that USADA shall:

“serve as the independent anti-doping organization for the amateur athletic competitions recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and be recognized worldwide as the independent national anti-doping organization for the United States” and

“ensure that athletes participating in amateur athletic activities recognized by the United States Olympic Committee are prevented from using performance-enhancing drugs or prohibited performance-enhancing methods adopted by the Agency”

As USADA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, it is bound to uphold its rules, with the force of law.

● State laws have nothing to do with competitions in Olympic sports, organized by a U.S. National Governing Body, as the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials were. It doesn’t matter if the Trials were in Oregon or Oklahoma.

● Richardson had clear due process options, including an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which hears such cases routinely. But she accepted a one-month suspension – the third handed out this year by USADA for marijuana – because (1) there was no chance of her being exonerated and (2) there are five Wanda Diamond League meets coming up in August and September at which she could earn up to $10,000 for winning an event, starting with a return to Eugene on 21 August, where the women’s 100 m is a featured event.

Is the “PTI” show so bereft of resources that it has no one it can contact for information about Olympic sports when the need arises? ESPN’s talented Olympic writer for 13 years, Bonnie D. Ford, left last December and – so far as can be observed – has not been replaced.

Despite ESPN’s disinterest, there are people in the U.S. who know something about the Olympic Movement. ESPN is not the only media outlet which has made these mistakes, but it does stick out.

Kornheiser was partly right when he said of Richardson, “She’s a star. You know it the moment you see her, she’s a star, and this is a television show.”

Richardson is a star and on the rise. But saying that the Olympics is a television show ignores a few other facts:

(1) In television, people get paid for appearing as performers. That doesn’t happen with the U.S. Olympic Team. There are bonuses for medals, but no money for just making the team.

(2) Don’t tell English Gardner and Aleia Hobbs, who made the team as “relay pool” athletes, to run in the prelims or in case of injuries, that it’s just a TV show. It isn’t for them. Gardner ripped her anterior cruciate ligament in 2017 and was out 13 months, then tore a hamstring at the 2019 Worlds in Doha and three months ago, went through a brutal battle with Covid-19. Should she give up her spot?

Hobbs was thrown out for a false start in the 100 m heats, collapsed in tears, but protested that she made no aiding movement and was reinstated for the final! She’s no. 9 on the world list for 2021 at 10.91.

Making the Olympic team is a zero-sum game, but for some it’s just a TV show. And for them, it’s no wonder that rules, laws, international anti-doping efforts and a strategic view of future fame and fortune make no difference.

Speaking of TV shows, one of the endearing characters in the 1960s sitcom Hogan’s Heroes was the bumbling guard Sgt. Schultz, played by John Banner. In the face of obvious espionage activity by Hogan and his crew, Schultz’s standard reaction was “I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!”

Banner has long passed, but perhaps Schultz could make a comeback? As a sports TV talk show host?

Rich Perelman
Editor

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THE BIG PICTURE: Japan extends state of emergency to 22 August, so Tokyo Games will be mostly without spectators

Rich Perelman

July 8, 2021

tsx pix 2021-321 tokyo olympic stadium empty 750 — Will there be any fans at Tokyo 2020's Olympic Stadium for the Games? NOPE. (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

“In response to the state of emergency, stricter measures with regard to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have also been decided by the three Japanese parties. No spectators will be allowed into any venues in Tokyo during the Olympic Games.

“Under this policy, in areas where emergency measures are not in force, local government authorities will meet and decide specific measures in consultation with the local governors based on the situation in each area.”

The first Olympic Games to be postponed will likely be the first Olympic Games with few or no spectators.

A five-party meeting of the Japanese national government, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee held this morning (Thursday) noted that the new declaration of a state of emergency in the Tokyo area through 22 August makes having spectators at venues in the Tokyo area impractical. A short, joint statement was issued, but there will be more details to come.

Japan’s Kyodo News Service reported that 920 Covid-19 infections in the Tokyo prefecture were recorded on Wednesday and another 896 on Thursday, continuing a high level that has worried the government. So:

“In addition to Tokyo, the Olympics will be held behind closed doors at venues in Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama, three prefectures near Tokyo, Olympic minister Tamayo Marukawa said at a press conference. Some other venues of the Olympics are located outside the metropolitan area.”

Said Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto:

“It is extremely regrettable that the games will be staged in a very limited manner in the face of the spread of novel coronavirus infections. I am very sorry for ticket holders and local residents who were looking forward to the games.”

A decision on whether to allow spectators for the Paralympic Games will be made after the Olympics conclude on 8 August.

The government action also impacts many other elements of life in the Tokyo area:

“Major commercial facilities including department stores will also be asked to close by 8 p.m. Attendance at large events such as sports games and concerts will be capped at 5,000 people or 50 percent of the venue’s capacity, whichever is fewer.”

Observed: That the Tokyo Games have become a political issue rather than strictly a medical one is demonstrated by allowing up to 5,000 spectators at sporting events such as Nippon Professional Baseball games or J-League football matches, but banning all Olympic spectators in the prefectures in and around Tokyo.

The worriers won the day and the Games will go on without spectators other than possibly at some outlying venues. Japan’s infection rate is low compared with other countries, but too high for a country which prides itself on being well organized.

These will be issues to be resolved in the national elections coming in the fall in Japan. But for the athletes coming to Japan to compete, the experience will be difficult. Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov told TASS:

“Our vanguard is already there and has informed us about the strict measures regarding personal movement. Almost all of the safety measures are already in place and all surveillance cameras are operating.

“Any person leaving the territory of the so-called ‘bubble’ is immediately approached by a special service staff requesting that he or she return back to the original premises. I want to call on everyone and all athletes to follow all of the previously issued directives.”

Or else.

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MILLER TIME: As the Olympic Family gathers in Tokyo, will unity yield to protests?

David Miller

July 7, 2021

The U.S. team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang. (Photo: Jon Gaede)

/It’s a pleasure to present this guest column by one of the most knowledgeable observers of the Olympic Movement, Britain’s David Miller. For more than 50 years, the former English footballer has covered the Olympic Games and the sports within it, including 15 years as the Chief Sports Correspondent of The Times of London, with stints at the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph. Author of books on athletics, football and the Olympics, he was Official Historian of the IOC from 1997-2018. His opinions are, of course, his own alone./

With the International Olympic Committee inexorably negotiated into a partial concession – acceptance of athletes’ protest by “expression” – it must be hoped that Tokyo’s reluctantly re-scheduled Olympic Games do not become a circus cavalcade of demonstrations, whether vocal, physical, banners or flags, ominously likely to be led by rampant elements in USA.

Admittedly, there is little political or social innocence throughout the world today, even beyond the new, four-century headline-hugging “introspection” now being promoted by campaigners in America. Yet there are twenty or more nations, from China, Hong Kong and Russia, to much of Africa and South and Central America where thousands of lives are daily in jeopardy. In Britain, the fifty-year-old “Windrush” scandal – the immigrant West Indies boat bringing post-war Caribbeans to bolster UK labour recovery, many of whom despite decades of contribution, now deemed illegal residents.

However, the IOC is remaining loyal to the ancient sacrosanct Greek idealism of the Olympic Games: an integrated festival of peaceful sport, at which, in the modern context, ninety percent of the 10,000 participants have no prospect of a medal but the humanitarian ambition of integrating with all other creeds, races and philosophies. The Games, distinct from all other sport, must never be allowed to become an ad-hoc social courtroom.

And tell me: do marriage couples ever contemplate momentarily corrupting their wedding ceremony to confront family and guests with raised glove fists, banners and slogans? The Olympic Games are likewise a celebration of joyous unity: cause for legitimate domestic or international protest at the Games should be conducted in conventional manner, scheduled conferences within the appointed city, yet in no manner directly associated with the sporting arena, where all are mutually respectful.

Most Olympians should recognise that, while talent has lifted them to an elite status, their passage has usually been dependent on extensive taxpayer public funding: a precious bonus unavailable to, say, the average worker daily grinding by public transport to anonymous, repetitive yet responsible duty. Olympic athletes are simultaneously admired yet beneficiaries.

In Tokyo, maybe some women hammer-throwers will have pink hair in solidarity with gender equality or gay rights, or springboard divers will take the knee on the platform – if they all feel they must. Yet will the IOC accept “silent” expression?

Thomas Bach, ninth President of the IOC, Olympic fencing champion from 1976, is committed to upholding the ethic of Rule 50, excluding tangible protests on a medal podium or the competition arena. This principle has the approval of a majority of the Athletes Commission. Without this steadfast ethic, the Olympic Games, unique social festival, descends to be no more than bear-baiting.

I was a member of Britain’s football training squad for Melbourne ’56, though unselected for the fifteen to travel. Three or four of us in the squad were genuine amateurs – as then still vainly required by the IOC when many in track and field or football were clandestine professionals within “amateur” clubs. A known “professional amateur” was preferred to me for Melbourne. I didn’t protest.

Comments are welcome here and or direct to David Miller here.

HEARD AT HALFTIME: Tokyo 2020 could reduce spectator capacities or just ban everyone; Russian Lysenko banned four years; gymnastics bankruptcy case slowing?

Rich Perelman

July 6, 2021

tsx pix 2020-723 tokyo one year to go 750 — The Olympic Flame inside the new Olympic Stadium in Tokyo (Photo: Tokyo 2020)

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News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● The Tokyo 2020 organizers are postponing the decision on spectators at the Games as far as possible after announcing that the results of a new ticket lottery to select domestic spectators will be released on 10 July instead of 4 July as expected.

Continuing concern over the coronavirus in Japan continues to pressure the organizing committee, with the governor of the Hokkaido prefecture – which includes Sapporo – asking to ban outdoor spectators for the marathons and race walks.

Further consideration is being given to reducing the latest spectator allowance of 50% of venue capacity with a cap of 10,000, to a maximum of 5,000. Another proposal, for a ban on spectators for events ending after 9 p.m. would result in about 40% of the sessions being without fans. A meeting on this could be held on Thursday.

Athlete delegations continue to arrive in Japan; so far, two Ugandan delegation members and a Serbian rower have tested positive for Covid-19 in testing made upon arrival. All were immediately isolated.

The athlete delegations and other organizations at the Games will be overseen by a corps of some 3,000 CLOs – Covid Liaison Officers – who are expected to ensure compliance and coordinate responses to the coronavirus control measures.

Responding to the need for flexibility at the Games, the International Olympic Committee announced a change in roster management for football, handball, hockey, rugby sevens and water polo. Team “alternates” were previously allowed to participate only a permanent replacements for another athlete, but will now be able to be used on a match-by-match basis.

The announcement did not say if these added athletes will also receive medals, but this is the procedure for athletes in swimming and track & field – for example – who participate in the preliminaries of relay events.

The Russian Olympic Committee announced that it expects to send a 335-member team to Tokyo, significantly bigger than at Rio in 2016, but still not of the size it had in 2008 or 2012.

Still under sanction by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the “Neutral Athletes from Russia” squad is larger than the 282 allowed to compete in Rio under the shadow of the exploding state-sponsored doping program from the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. But even with 335 athletes, the total is far smaller than the 455 sent to Beijing in 2008 or the 436 for London in 2012.

How tough will it be in Tokyo? Russian Olympic Committee chief Stanislav Pozdnyakov told TASS:

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin “promised to pay special attention to legal support for Russian athletes at the Tokyo Olympics, because the issue of politicization in sports is still high on the agenda.”

This is a barely-veiled reference to the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act of 2019, which was signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump in December 2020 and which gives U.S. authorities extra-territorial jurisdiction to go after doping violations in events in which American athletes compete.

Said Putin, “The interests of our athletes must be protected from any arbitrariness, including decisions that some countries try to impose on the whole world far beyond the bounds of their national jurisdictions.”

In contrast, Japan will have its largest-ever team at the Games, with an expected 582 athletes in all.

Canadian boxer Mandy Bujold won a reprieve from the Court of Arbitration for Sport to compete in Tokyo after she missed part of the qualifying period due to pregnancy.

Bujold competes in the 51 kg (Flyweight) division and was on her way to compete in Tokyo in 2020 when the Games was postponed. Due to the continuing effects of Covid-19, the Americas Qualifying Tournament in 2021 was canceled and the IOC’s Boxing Task Force used a ranking system based on 2018 and 2019 results … when she was off for maternity. Refused special entry by the Boxing Task Force, she appealed to the CAS and will be added to the field.

The Boxing Task Force has not indicated how it will handle a field of 26 entrants instead of 25.

The U.S. Equestrian Team announced its Jumping team for Tokyo, including veteran medal winners McLain Ward (2004-08 gold, 2016 silver), Kent Farrington (2016 silver), Laura Kraut (2008 gold) and Jessica Springsteen. The latter was an alternate in 2012 but will make her Olympic debut in Tokyo. Oh yes, she is also the 29-year-old daughter of rock & roll star Bruce Springsteen.

● European Championships ● The 2022 edition of the multi-sport European Championships has been finalized for Munich (GER) as a 50-year celebration of the 1972 Olympic Games there, which was overshadowed by the massacre of 11 members of the Israeli delegation.

A more joyous program is expected next year, with 4,700 athletes from 50 countries competing in 176 medal events over 11 days from 11-22 August. The sports include athletics, beach volleyball, sprint canoeing, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, sport climbing, table tennis and triathlon.

● World University Games ● The International University Sports Federation (FISU) announced that its bidding process for future events, starting with the 2027 World University Games would be an open competition.

FISU had adopted a more informal approach since 2016 “because of the high demand to host the events – previously known as Universiade – which led to many cities being rejected despite their strong efforts in producing a good bid.”

Now, any city or region which wishes to bid can do so, with a deadline of 31 January 2022 for the 2027 and 2029 World University Games and Winter World University Games. This directly impacts the North Carolina bid for the 2027 WUG, which is already well advanced and offers the FISU further access to the U.S. market after the 2023 Winter WUG will be held in Lake Placid, New York. A Korean bid for 2027 is being prepared; it is unknown whether other cities will jump in.

● Athletics ● The Athletics Integrity Unit won a four-year suspension of Russian high jumper Danil Lysenko, a former World Indoor Champion, for whereabouts failures and tampering with the “results management process” by submitting false documents.

The total suspension was six years from 3 August 2018, but was reduced by two years in a Court of Arbitration for Sport holding for his cooperation against other Russian officials. Lysenko will be banned from both the Tokyo Games and the 2022 Worlds in Eugene.

Lysenko and his late coach Evgeniy Zagorulko – who passed away in April – cooperated against five other officials of the Russian Athletics Federation, who received suspensions from four to eight years.

The AIU has also provisionally suspended Ecuadorian sprinter Alex Quinonez as of 25 June for “whereabouts” failures, with the case referred to the AIU Disciplinary Tribunal. The 2019 World Championships bronze medalist in the 200 m, with a best of 19.87, appears now to be ineligible for Tokyo.

U.S. sprint star Wallace Spearmon has retired at 36. Athletics International noted that he achieved lifetime bests of 9.96, 19.65 and 45.22 and won World Championships medals in the 200 m in 2005 (silver), 2007 (bronze) and 2009 (bronze).

The World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar (HUN) is on today; the live timing site is here.

The U.S. national 10 km championships were held in Atlanta on Sunday in conjunction with the famed Peachtree Road Race, with Sam Chelanga breaking away from a half-dozen others in the final 800 m, winning in 28:44 over Fred Huxham (28:45) and Clayton Young third in 28:48.

The women’s race belonged to Sara Hall – the 2019 champion – who dueled with Emily Durgin into the final 1,500 m, then surged away to win in 31:41. Durgin was second in 31:49 and Anne Frisbie was third in 32:06.

● Boxing ● The International Boxing Association (AIBA), suspended by the IOC, has announced that it is expanding its weight classifications from 10 to 13 for men and from 10 to 12 for women.

Said AIBA President Umar Kremlev (RUS): “I truly believe we must deliver more opportunities to our athletes; the new divisions will encourage more people from various countries to take up boxing, and allow more nations to win medals. The more medals we have, the more governments will pay attention to our sport and fund it around the globe.”

In the meantime, when the IOC stepped in to manage the Tokyo boxing program after suspending AIBA, the men’s weight classes for the Games were cut from 10 to eight and women’s classes were expanded from three to five. How do these match up?

● Cycling ● Dutch star Anna van der Breggen, 31, has said she will retire at the end of this season, but she is determined to go out on top. Already a two-time winner on the UCI Women’s World Tour, van der Breggen is dominating the 32nd Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile, winning her second stage in the first four on Monday.

This was the 11.2 km individual time trial on an uphill course ending at the Cascate Del Toce in Formazza in the Italian Alps. Van der Breggen aced it, crushing everyone and winning by 1:06 over countrywoman Demi Vollering and 1:17 over Australia’s Grace Brown. After four of the 10 stages, van der Breggen has a monstrous 2:51 lead over Ashleigh Moolman (RSA), 3:03 over Vollering and 5:53 over British star Lizzie Deignan. If she can hang on, van der Breggen would enjoy a fourth win at the “Giro Donne,” and tie for the most ever. But the race will continue through Sunday.

● Football ● The U.S. Women’s National Team posted a second straight 4-0 win over Mexico on Monday before 27,758 fans in East Hartford, Connecticut, with all of the scores coming in the first half.

Lindsay Horan scored in the sixth minute, Carli Lloyd scored in the 11th minute and the U.S. could have had two more goals before a Christen Press shot was blocked, but then ricocheted off Mexican defender Reyna Reyes for an own goal in the 37th minute. Tobin Heath concluded the scoring two minutes later with a twisting shot that made it 4-0. The U.S. ended with 72% of the possession and a 27-5 edge on shots.

The win gives the U.S. women a 44-game unbeaten streak heading into the Tokyo Games and “new” coach Vlatko Andonovski is 22-0-1 in his first 23 games as U.S. head coach since the end of 2019.

When the Copa America tournament was moved from expected hosts Argentina and Colombia to Brazil, the expectation was of course that the home team would make it to the championship match.

That has happened with Brazil’s 1-0 win over Peru in Rio de Janeiro on Monday (5th). Lucas Paqueta scored in the 35th minute on a volley from 10 meters, off an assist from Neymar for the only goal of the game, advancing Brazil to Saturday’s final in Rio.

It’s fitting that the original hosts – Argentina and Colombia – will meet in the second semifinal on Tuesday (6th) in Brasilia. The third-place game will also be in Brasilia, on Friday (9th).

The legal fight over sanctions from the implosion of the European Super League continues, as the Madrid Commercial Court/17th Chamber ordered UEFA to cancel all sanctions against the unrepentant Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus clubs.

The court further ruled that UEFA cannot force the dissolution of the Super League and ordered sanctions by the English and Italian leagues against the participating clubs dropped.

The next stop is the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

● Gymnastics ● USA Gymnastics filed its report of operations for May, as its proceeding at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana drags on. Thus far, the case has resulted in $14.116 million in legal fees, of which $8.485 million (60.1%) has been paid. Unpaid invoices go as far back as February of 2019.

The case has slowed precipitously in the last four months, with total legal billings of “just” $378,605 during that time. The parties – USA Gymnastics, its insurers, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Survivors’ Committee – have been engaged in court-ordered settlement discussions with Judge James W. Carr since last year, but without resolution.

● Swimming ● Eddie Reese, the famed head coach of the University of Texas, announced last Friday that he would not be retiring and will return to coach the Longhorns for a 44th season in 2021-22.

He had announced his retirement in March, after coaching his team to a 15th NCAA team title, but changed his mind and will stay. Wyatt Collins, who was going to take over, will remain as Reese’s assistant at Texas, no doubt with a pay raise.

Three of Reese’s swimmers – Townley Haas, Drew Kibler and Gunnar Bentz – made the U.S. team for Tokyo. Reese has coached 22 Olympic gold medalists to date.

● Weightlifting ● The IOC released an unhappy statement on Monday noting the results of the International Testing Authority report about doping cover-ups at the International Weightlifting Federation and the inability of the IWF Constitutional Congress to agree on a new governing document.

“The IOC EB expressed its concern on both issues and decided that these developments, along with other concerns previously noted, would be addressed during a meeting planned for after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. A letter to this effect was sent to the IWF.”

At stake is weightlifting’s place on the program for Paris 2024. And the stake is being sharpened.

More doping positives mean more sanctions and the IWF announced Tuesday that an independent disciplinary panel has issued decisions against the national federations of Vietnam and Colombia.

Regarding Vietnam, four athletes tested positive and received four-year suspensions and because of this, Vietnam’s Tokyo Games entries were reduced from eight to two (one male, one female).

Regarding Colombia, three athletes registered positives in January 2020 and received four-year bans. So, Colombia’s Tokyo entries were reduced from eight to three (two male, one female).

In addition, the national federation of Turkey was also reduced to two entries for Tokyo as a result of the International Testing Agency report on cover-up activities alleged against federation chief Hassan Akkus. This action is ongoing.

The IWF has re-allocated the quota places left open by these penalties here.

● At the BuZZer ● The Commonwealth Games Archery and Shooting Championships, to be held in India next January, separately from the main Commonwealth Games program in Birmingham (GBR), has been canceled due to the “uncertainty” of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is unfortunate, but ironic in that India threatened to boycott the Birmingham event if shooting was not included. Shooting is an optional sport for organizers and not included by Birmingham in its program proposal.

India withdrew its threat by agreeing to stage the shooting events at its own expense, so long as the medal tally was included as if the competitions were being held in Birmingham. The archery events were added later. But they’re gone now.

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LANE ONE: Why marijuana is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list, and Sha’Carri Richardson’s future looks even brighter

Rich Perelman

July 5, 2021

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(For Sunday’s Highlights of major competitions, click here)

The disqualification and suspension of Sha’Carri Richardson after winning the women’s 100 m at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials last month for marijuana use has brought wide confusion among those who support its recreational use.

Maybe the facts would help?

Marijuana has been on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list since it first appeared in 2004. The question of whether it should be listed has been hotly debated since then, as detailed in “Cannabis in Sport: Anti-Doping Perspective” in the 1 November 2011 issue of Sports Medicine.

Written by Marilyn Huestis of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse and Irene Mazzoni and Oliver Rabin of the World Anti-Doping Agency, the article details the reasons for listing marijuana. The highlights:

● “Cannabis is often portrayed as a substance that has detrimental effects on performance.”

● However: “Smoked cannabis can decrease anxiety, fear, depression and tension. THC [the main psychoactive drug in cannabis] is anxiolytic [used to reduce anxiety] at low doses, the doses reportedly consumed by athletes.”

● “In human volunteers, THC and cannabis also increased impulsive responses leading to more risk-taking behaviour but without affecting decision making. In this regard, and from a sports perspective, Martinez suggested that cannabis smoking reduces anxiety, allowing athletes to better perform under pressure and to alleviate stress experienced before and during competition.

“Furthermore, cannabinoids play a major role in the extinction of fear memories by interfering with learned aversive behaviours. Athletes who experienced traumatic events in their sports career could benefit from such an effect. For these reasons, Wagner described cannabis as ergogenic [enhances performance]. The endocannabinoid system is also involved in the modulation of mood. … In adolescents and young adults, cannabis also helps in coping with negative mood and emotional distress.”

This is why marijuana is on the WADA Prohibited List.

This is supported by the real-life example of Canadian snowboard star Ross Rebagliati. He won the Snowboard Giant Slalom at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano (JPN), but was disqualified after testing positive for marijuana use (which he blamed on secondhand smoke). He was reinstated because marijuana was not on the prohibited-substances list at the time – WADA was formed the next year – and Rebagliati has continuously touted its positive effects. In a 2015 news story, he maintained “that cannabis is a performance enhancer, and that usage can be helpful for some activities such as extreme sports, as it improves muscle relaxation, reduces anxiety, and extincts fear memories (e.g., negative experiences) leading to enhanced performance. It may also improve sleep time and recovery, which may favour performance when an athlete is facing multiple competitions in a short period of time.”

The Sports Medicine article also noted the potential health risks due to marijuana’s “negative influences on coordination, movement and time estimation” and that in many countries, its use is prohibited. But:

“Although some anti-doping officials proposed also banning cannabis for out-of-competition testing, this appeared beyond the anti-doping mandate and it was believed to violate athletes’ privacy. For these reasons, cannabis use is prohibited only in-competition.”

This is what happened to Richardson. Her post-competition sample on 19 June – after she won the 100 m – was found to contain a THC level higher than 180 ng/mL, the threshold level for a positive test and so she was disqualified and accepted a net suspension of one month.

And to Richardson’s credit, she took responsibility. In an interview on NBC’s Today Show, she said “I want to take responsibility for my actions. I know what I did, I know what I’m supposed to do … and I still made that decision.”

She explained that the news of her biological mother dying a week before the Olympic Trials was hard on her, as was the stress of the event. And she went further:

“As much as I’m disappointed, I know that when I step on the track, I don’t represent myself. I represent a community that has shown me great support, great love, and I failed you all. So I apologize for the fact that I didn’t know how to control my emotions or deal with my emotions.

“I greatly apologize if I let you guys down, and I did.”

This is pretty remarkable for a 21-year-old, but it is an important step on her road as a professional athlete. She knows the anti-doping rules, which are part of the pain of competing in Olympic-focused sports like track & field. And unlike some critics who rarely even look at track, swimming, gymnastics and the other sports on the Tokyo program other than in an Olympic year, she is already looking ahead. She tweeted:

“I’m sorry, I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year”

and

“2022-2025 undefeated,” playing off a tweet by Trials shot put runner-up Raven Saunders that Tokyo starts an unprecedented five-year run of major track & field competitions, with the World Championships in Eugene in 2022, World Championships in Budapest in 2023, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and World Championships in 2025, perhaps in Kenya. Opportunity indeed.

Richardson may yet be in Tokyo, if USA Track & Field selects her for the 4×100 m relay, for which she is eligible as her suspension will be over. But her eyes are on the future, not the past. Too bad the critics of her suspension aren’t as professional and forward-looking as she is.

For WADA, the debate over cannabis will continue and the Agency chides the U.S. continually about how its NCAA programs and professional leagues refuse to accept the World Anti-Doping Code as is done in many other countries. But, as the NBA and WNBA stars who are part of the U.S. squad for the Games are being told right now, WADA rules apply to them in Tokyo and they must comply … or risk being disqualified.

By the way, the Wikipedia entry for “Cannabis in Japan” begins with:

“Cannabis is illegal in Japan. The drug was outlawed in 1948. Use and possession are punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine.”

The debate over the benefits and pitfalls of marijuana will continue for years. Richardson has perhaps another 15 years of good sprinting in her; Olympic favorite Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica is 34 now. The question is whether those jumping up and down about Richardson’s suspension this year will even be aware that the World Championships will be in the U.S. next year.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HIGHLIGHTS: Pogacar takes over the Tour de France, Mahuchikh takes world HJ lead and Bol threatens McLaughlin in Diamond League Stockholm

Rich Perelman

July 4, 2021

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar on his way into Paris to win the 2020 Tour de France (Photo: Chabe1 via Wikipedia)

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Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world:

● Athletics ● The Wanda Diamond League continued in Scandinavia, this time at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm for the annual Bauhaus Galan, with a world-leading performance by Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh in the women’s high jump.

The all-conditions world leader in 2021 with her indoor clearance of 2.06 m (6-9), Mahuchikh cleared four straight heights with one try, then took two to master 2.01 m (6-7) and three to get over 2.03 m and take the world lead from American Vashti Cunningham (2.02 m/6-7 1/2). She needed it to fend off Australian Nicola McDermott, who also cleared 2.01 m for a lifetime best and a national record! Mahuchikh, Cunningham and McDermott now stand 1-2-3 on the 2021 world list.

Other major statements were made:

● Women’s 400 m hurdles: Dutch star Femke Bol set her third national record in a month, winning in 52.37 over American star Shamier Little (lifetime best 52.39) and moving to no. 2 on the 2021 world list. Bol is also no. 4 all-time (Little is no. 5) and is a clear threat to American stars Sydney McLaughlin (51.90 world record) and Dalilah Muhammad (52.42 in 2021).

● Women’s 800 m: Cuba’s Rose Almanza out-dueled Jamaican star Natoya Goule in 1:56.28-1:56.44, close behind the world-leading 1:56.07 by American Athing Mu at the U.S. Trials. It was a lifetime best for Almanza, 28, and Goule is now no. 3. American Kate Grace, coming off a lifetime best in Oslo, got another at 1:57.36, but had to settle for third.

● Women’s Steeplechase: Kenyan Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi, the 2015 World Champion, showed she is going to be in the mix in Tokyo, winning in 9:04.34 to move to fourth on the world list for 2021. She won by almost five seconds over German Gesa Krause (9:09.13), with world-record holder Beatrice Chepkoech third (9:10.52). American Leah Falland, who fell at the Trials, got a lifetime best of 9:16.96.

● Men’s 400 m hurdles: Sure, Karsten Warholm (NOR) and Rai Benjamin of the U.S, get the headlines, but Brazil’s Alison dos Santos is now clearly no. 3, claiming a fourth national record in his last four races, winning in 47.34, making him no. 14 all-time. Rio Olympic bronze medalist Yasmani Copello (TUR) was well back in second at 48.19, a season’s best.

● Men’s 800 m: Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich underlined his status as a medal contender for Tokyo, winning in 1:43.84 and moving to equal-5th on the 2021 world list. He beat a good field that included Canada’s Marco Arop (1:44.00) and Britain’s Elliot Giles (1:44.05), with Isaiah Harris of the U.S. fifth (1:44.51).

● Men’s Long Jump: Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle won at 8.55 mw (28-0 3/4w) with just a 2.3 m/s aiding wind, beating Cuban star Juan Miguel Echavarria (8.29 m (27-2 1/2) and Swede Thobias Montler, who got a lifetime best of 8.23 m (27-0). Gayle also had a legal jump of 8.27 m (27-1 3/4), showing he has to be accounted for in Tokyo.

In other events, American Ronnie Baker – second at the Trials – won the men’s 100 m in 10.03, ahead of Italy’s Marcell Jacobs (10.05), with American Isiah Young fourth (10.13). Kirani James (GRN), the 2012 Olympic Champion, won the 400 m in 44.63 ahead of Deon Lendore (TTO: 44.73) with Americans Vernon Norwood and Wil London fourth and fifth (44.83-44.86).

Kenyan star Timothy Cherioyot, inexplicably fourth at the Kenyan Trials, won the men’s 1,500 m in 3:32.30, beating Ignacio Fontes (ESP: 3:33.27) and Ronald Kwemoi (KEN: 3:33.53).

It’s not right to say that a 6.02 m (19-9) win for Mondo Duplantis (SWE) is routine, but he makes it look that way. He beat American Sam Kendricks, who got a season’s best of 5.92 m 919-5) in second, with French star Renaud Lavillenie equaling his season’s best (5.92 m) in third.

In the men’s discus, Sweden’s Daniel Stahl won again, this time at 68.64 m (225-2), ahead of Slovenian Kristjian Ceh (66.62 m (218-7).

Jamaica’s new sprint star, former quartermiler Shericka Jackson, won the women’s 200 m in 22.10, ahead of Marie-Josee Ta Lou (CIV: 22.36) and a lifetime best from Beatrice Masilingi (NAM: 22.65). Remember, Masilingi is allowed to run the 200 m, but not the 400 m, for having extra-high testosterone levels as regulated by World Athletics.

The women’s long jump saw a 7.02 mw (23-0 1/2w) jump by Malaika Mihambo (GER), but Ivana Spanovic (SRB) won on the sixth-round shoot-out with her best of the day at 6.88 m (22-7). New Zealand’s Valerie Adams, the 2008-12 Olympic champ, won the shot at 19.26 m (63-2 1/4).

● Basketball ● Four different FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments were on this weekend to fill the field in the men’s tournament in Tokyo.

In Kaunas (LTU), Slovenia punched its ticket for the Games by defeating the host team, 96-85 thanks to 31 points (plus 11 rebounds and 13 assists) from NBA superstar Luka Doncic and 18 from forward Vlatko Cancar.

In Split (CRO), Brazil had a 17-14 first-quarter lead over Germany, but 28 points from Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner was too much and the Germans pulled away with a 75-64 victory. Coming off the bench, Wagner hit 9-12 from the field and 7-11 on free throws in just 28 minutes to key the German surge. Forward Robin Benzing added 13 points and center Johannes Voightmann had 11 rebounds for the winners. Former NBA star Anderson Varejao led Brazil with 14 points.

/Updated/In Belgrade (SRB), host Serbia pounded Puerto Rico, 102-84 and Italy beat the Dominican Republic, 79-59, to reach the final. The Italians used 58% shooting in the first half to craft a 57-45 halftime lead, and extended it to 80-63 after three quarters. But the Serbs made a game of it with a 32-22 final quarter for a 102-95 final. Forwards Achille Polonara had 22 and Simone Fontecchio had 21 points for the winners. Serb forward Danilo Andjusic had 27 to lead all scorers.

/Updated/In Victoria (CAN), the Czech Republic crushed Greece, which had the third of the four Antetokounmpo brothers – Kostas – but was overrun in the first quarter by 32-22 and the third quarter, by 31-11 and lost, 97-72. The Czechs had five players scoring in double figures, led by center Patrick Auda (20), along with center Jan Vesely (16), forward Jaromir Bohacik (15), center Ondrej Balvin (14) and guard Tomas Satoransky (12). The Czechs shot 52.7% from the floor to just 45% for Greece.

● Cycling ● Tour de France defending champ Tadej Pogacar (SLO) is not going to be easy to take down in his effort for back-to-back titles, as he showed during the bruising, eight-climb, 150.8 km Stage 8, the first day in the Alps for the 2021 race.

Standing fifth and 3:43 behind leader Mathieu van der Poel (NED) entering Saturday’s first day in the Alps, Pogacar dropped his main rivals one-by-one over the two final climbs, up the Col de Romme and Col de Colombiere. Canada’s Michael Woods had control of the race in the final 18 km on the Col de Colombiere, with Dylan Teuns (BEL) joining him with 17 km to go, with Spain’s Ion Izagirre not far behind. Pogacar was gaining on them and had shredded the contenders behind him.

At the finish, it was Teuns with the win in 3:54:41, followed by Izagirre, Woods and Pogacar, 44-47-49 seconds behind. But van der Poel finished 21:47 behind the winner, Kasper Asgreen (DEN) was 27:56 back, Matej Mohoric (SLO) was 28:41 back. French hero Julian Alaphilippe did better, finishing “just” 18:55 behind the leaders. That left Pogacar up by 1:48 over Wout van Aert (BEL) and 4:38 ahead of Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ).

On Sunday, the course was cold and rainy, with a miserable, five-climb, 144.9 km route up to the ski resort of Tignes. A mass breakaway was organized just 30 km into the stage, but after 65 km, four riders – Nairo Quintana (COL), Ben O’Connor (AUS), Woods and Wout Poels (NED) – far ahead of everyone else.

One by one the lead group narrowed until O’Connor dropped Quintana with about 20 km left and ascended to the finish by himself, winning in 4:26:43 in his first Tour de France. Italy’s Mattia Cattaneo was second (+5:07) and countryman Sonny Colbrelli (+5:34) was third. O’Connor was so far ahead on the final climb that it looked like he might take the yellow jersey from Pogacar, but the Slovenian mounted a charge in the final 3.5 km to move up to sixth and retain a 2:01 margin over O’Connor, now in second place. The next closest is Rigoberto Uran (COL) at 5:18 back, heading into Monday’s rest day.

Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, one of the pre-race favorites but who was badly injured in earlier crashes, withdrew before the start of today’s stage.

The biggest race of the year of the UCI Women’s World Tour, the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile – the “Giro Donne” – is underway in Italy, with a Team Time Trial on Friday and the first individual stage on Saturday, a 100.1 km flat ride with a massive uphill finish to Prato Nevoso.

Dutch star – and three-time champion – Anna van der Breggen took control of the race with a brilliant 5 km ride to the crest of the Colle del Prel that saw her win by 1:22 over Ashleigh Moolman (RSA).

Demi Vollering (NED) won a duel with Italy’s Marta Cavalli for third, finishing 1:51 and 1:53 behind van der Breggen. The win gave van der Breggen a 1:26 lead over Moolman, 1:57 over Vollering and 3:31 ahead of Britain’s Lizzie Deignan.

Sunday’s hilly, 135 km race into Ovada was another Dutch win, this time for Marianne Vos, a three-time winner of this event, who out-lasted countrywoman Lucinda Brand and German Liane Lippert at the finish. Van der Breggen was in a huge chase group that finished 3:18 back and maintained a lead of 1:21 over Moolman and 1:57 over Vollering.

Monday will be a 11.2 km individual time trial on a rising course; the 10-stage race finishes on 11 July.

The fourth stage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup was at the familiar course at Les Gets (FRA), with stars Mathias Flueckiger (SUI) and Loana Lecomte (FRA) maintaining their places at the top of the podium.

Flueckiger won his second straight men’s Cross Country title by a 25-second margin over Ondrej Cink (CZE) and 35 seconds over Jordan Sarrou (FRA), building most of his margin on the first two laps and then cruising home. Flueckiger is the only men’s rider to medal in all four races this season. Flueckiger also won the Short Track race on Saturday, barely beating Sarrou, 19:34 to 19:35, with Cink (CZE) third in 19:37.

The women’s race was a fourth straight win for French star Lecomte, who also ran away from the start, forging a 12-second lead after the first lap! She won in 1:27:23, 51 seconds ahead of 2016 Olympic gold medalist Jenny Rissveds (SWE) and 1:10 up on Britain’s Evie Richards. Two-time defending World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was fourth.

However, Ferrand-Prevot did take the women’s Short Track race decisively, timing 20:28 to 20:32 to Sina Frei (SUI) and 20:41 for Rissveds.

/Updated/In the Downhills, France’s Thibaut Daprela won from Germany’s Max Hartenstein in the men’s race by 3:33.424-3:35.840, while Britain’s 2018 Worlds silver winner Tahnee Seagrave just barely fought off France’s 2019 World Champion, Myriam Nicole, 4:10.556-4:10.818.

The Pan American Track Cycling Championships concluded in Lima (PER) during the week, with Colombia dominating the action for both men and women.

Sprinter Kevin Quintero ended up winning the Individual Sprint, Keirin, the 1,000 m Time Trial and anchoring the Team Sprint. Bryan Gomez won the Points Race and Brayan Sanchez won the Individual Pursuit (with Gomez second). Mexico’s Ricardo Pena took the Omnium, but in all, Colombians won eight of the 10 events.

The women’s events saw Juliana Gaviria win the Sprint, Martha Bayona win the 500 m Time Trial and Lina Hernandez take the Individual Pursuit and the Omnium. Mexico scored wins in the Keirin (Yuli Verdugo), Points Race (Yareli Acevedo) and in the Madison. The gold medal count was six for Colombia, three for Mexico and one for Barbados.

● Diving ● FINA Diving Grand Prix in Bolzano (ITA) was the first in-person event in the series in 2021, with limited entries, but good results for the hosts.

Italy claimed wins in three synchronized events: the men’s Synchro 3 m with Giovanni Tocci and Lorenzo Marsaglia, the Synchro 10 m, with Andreas Larsen and Eduard Timbretti Gugiu and the women’s Synchro 3 m, with Elena Bertocchi and Chiara Pellacani.

The Mixed 3 m Synchro title went to the Swiss pair of Guillaume Dutoit and Madeline Coquoz.

Brazil captured both 10 m Platform events, with Isaac Souza taking the men’s event and Ingrid Oliveira winning the women’s. Spain’s Alberto Arevalo Alcon won the men’s 3m Springboard and Inge Jansen (NED) won the women’s 3 m title.

● Fencing ● The USA Fencing National Championships are on in Philadelphia, with competition through the 12th, but with the elite division this weekend.

Most of the U.S. team prepping for Tokyo were not competing, so the door was open for new champions. The women’s championships were held on Saturday, with 17-year-old Hadley Husisian winning in Epee over Michaela Joyce in the final by 15-8. World Junior Champion May Tieu won the women’s Foil division with a 15-11 defeat of Maia Weintraub in the final, and 2018 World Juniors silver medalist Chloe Fox-Gitomer won the women’s Sabre over 2016 national champion Kamali Thompson, in a tight, 15-14 final.

/Updated/The men’s Division I finals saw a remarkable finish in Epee, as 54th-ranked Matthew Comes edged Skyler Liverant – ranked 124th coming – in the title match, 15-14. Two-time U.S. champ Nick Itkin – headed to Tokyo – won his third Foil title with a 15-7 defeat of 2019 National Champion Adam Mathieu, and in Sabre, 10th-ranked Colby Harley won the Sabre title with a 15-10 win over no. 17 Noah Te Velde.

● Football ● The UEFA Euro 2020 tournament has reached the semifinal stage, with Denmark’s tournament starting with the near-death of star midfielder Christian Eriksen but now headed to Wembley Stadium in London on 7 July after a 2-1 win in Baku (AZE) over the Czech Republic in Baku on Saturday. A header by Thomas Delaney in the ninth minute and a laser shot by Kasper Dolberg in the 42nd minute were enough to get a match-up with England.

The English continued their streak of not conceding a goal in the tournament with a 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico in Saturday’s second game, increasing its scoring edge for the tournament to 8-0. Harry Kane scored in the fourth minute and again in the 50th to give him three goals for the tournament.

The Denmark-England semi will be played in front of 60,000 delirious fans in London; England last reached the semis in 1996 (when it finished third); Denmark won the tournament in 1992, its last appearance in the semis.

The first semifinal on 6 July, will pit traditional powers Italy and Spain. The Spanish played Switzerland to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes (with the Swiss giving up an own goal), then won on penalty kicks, 3-1. Spain’s wins in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals both required extra time or longer.

Italy out-lasted Belgium, 2-1, in a hard-fought quarterfinal in Munich, with all of the goals in the first half. Nicolo Barella scored in the 31st minute, followed by Lorenzo Insigne in the 44th minute and that was enough. Belgian pressure throughout the second half could not produce a goal and the FIFA no. 1-ranked team was eliminated. Going into the game, Belgium was 4-0 and had out-scored its opponents 8-1. But Italy, which did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is back as a force in world football.

The Copa America continues in Brazil, with the reports of Covid positives now receding as the knock-out stage eliminates teams. The last report showed 166 positives related to teams and officials, but on the field, only four teams are left from the original 10: Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Colombia.

In the quarter-finals, Brazil got a goal from Lucas Paqueta in the first minute of the second half and held on for a 1-0 win over Chile in Rio de Janeiro. Peru and Paraguay played to a 3-3 result before going to penalties, with Peru winning, 4-3.

On Saturday, Uruguay and Colombia played to a scoreless tie with Colombia advancing on penalties, 4-2. Argentina had a difficult time breaking down the Ecuadorian defense in the first half, but finally got a goal from Rodrigo De Paul in the 40th minute and late scores from Lautaro Martinez in the 94th minute and Lionel Messi at 90+3 to win, 3-0.

Brazil and Peru will meet on Monday in Rio and Argentina and Colombia will play in Brasilia on Tuesday.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Rhythmic World Challenge Cup in Minsk (BLR) was a showcase for seven-time European Championships medalist Alina Harnasko of Belarus.

She won the All-Around at 103.700, ahead of Russian Lala Kramarenko (103.300) and Anastasiia Salos (BLR: 102.500). Harnasko won in Hoop (27.700), Ball (28.600) and Clubs (27.500), while Kramarenko was the winner in Ribbon (24.500) and was runner-up to Harnasko in Ball (27.100) and Clubs (26.800) and third in Hoop. Salos was the runner-up in Hoop (27.400) and in Ribbon (23.550).

● Shooting ● The massive ISSF World Cup in Osijek (CRO) finished on Saturday, with Russia ending the 10 days of competition atop the medals table with 18 and seven wins, ahead of Italy and Germany with 10 each; Italy had six wins in all.

Lots of team events during the final week, with Russia defeating France in the men’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions, and the Russian women sailing past Austria’s in the women’s final. Poland had an easy win in the final of the Mixed 50 m Rifle/3 Positions over Croatia.

In the 25 m Pistol program, the husband-and-wife duo of Christian and Sandra Reitz won the 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol Mixed Team title and Reitz led the German men’s team to a win over the Czech Republic in the men’s team final. The Czech women won the 25 m Pistol team event over Ukraine.

In Trap, France won the men’s event over the Czechs, the British won the women’s team event by beating Russia, and the Mixed Team title went to Italy, over Russia.

The individual events went to Russia’s Yulia Karimova in the women’s 50 m Rifle/3 Positions over teammate Yulia Zykova; France’s Olympic silver medalist Jean Quiquampoix won the men’s 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol over Olympic champ Reitz, 35-34, and India’s Rahi Sarnobat took the women’s 25 m Pistol title.

Italy swept the Trap events, with 2019 Worlds silver winner Mauro De Filippis taking the men’s event and 2018 Worlds bronze medalist Silvana Stanco leading a 1-2 finish with Jessica Rossi, 46-44, in the women’s final.

● Sport Climbing ● The IFSC World Cup in Villars (SUI) offered events in Lead and Speed, with Olympic favorite Janja Garnbret (SLO) continuing her march to Tokyo.

She won the Lead event convincingly, reaching the top in both the semifinal and final, finishing ahead of Laura Rogora (ITA: Top) and American Natalia Grossman (42+). It’s Garnbret’s fourth World Cup win this season.

Garnbret was 13th in Speed, her worst event, with a Russian 1-2 in the final, as Ekaterina Barashchuk (7.30) outpaced Iullia Kaplina (8.39).

American Sean Bailey took the men’s Lead title with 38 holds in the final, ahead of Alexander Megos (GER: 35+) with Colin Duffy of the U.S. in third. It’s Bailey’s second World Cup win in five weeks; he also took the Bouldering title in Salt Lake City at the end of May, making him a potential medal threat for Tokyo, but he isn’t on the U.S. team! Duffy is, and Megos has also been selected.

Indonesia’s Veddriq Leonardo, the world-record holder, won the Speed title at 5.32 in the final, beating Dmitrii Timofeev (RUS: 7.35).

● Weightlifting ● /Updated/The USA Weightlifting National Championships continued in Detroit with five Tokyo-bound Olympians all winning their classes.

In the men’s classes, U.S. Olympians won at 73 kg, 81 kg and 109+ kg. Clarence Cummings, Jr. repeated as national champion at 73 kg, making all six of his lifts and totaled 315.0 kg for the win, with Mohamed Omar second at 284 kg. Harrison Maurus won at 81 kg, also defending his title from 2020, lifting a combined total of 350 kg, to 319 kg for Matt Rattray. Veteran Caine Wilkes scored his sixth national championship with a total of 394 kg, ahead of Alejandro Medina (363 kg).

In the lighter classes, Howard Roche Cintron won at 55 kg (211 kg), Hampton Morris took the 61 kg class at 271 kg, and Ryan Grimsland won a tight battle at 67 kg, totaling 296 kg to edge Jordan Wissinger (293 kg) and Jacob Horst (292 kg).

Beau Brown was the winner at 334 kg at 89 kg; Jason Bonnick won at 96 kg with a 343 kg total (over 2010 champion Phil Sabbatini with 342!) and Ryan Sester took the 102 kg crown, lifting 352 kg. Ian Wilson was an impressive winner at 109 kg, lifting 380 kg combined to win by 28 kg for his second national title, but first since 2012!

Tokyo-bound stars Katie Nye and Mattie Rogers headlined the women’s champions. Nye won her second national title – and first since 2018 – with a combined 240 kg total at 76 kg, well ahead of Allee Tallman (227 kg). Rogers won her fifth national crown across three weight classes with a 255 kg total at 81 kg, just ahead of Jessie Stemo with 250 kg.

Katie Grob won the lightest class, 45 kg, lifting 130 kg; Hayley Reichardt took the 49 kg division with 183 kg, just ahead of Maddison Pannell, who lifted 182 kg, and Janyce Okamoto won at 55 kg with 177 kg while runner-up Maria Hayden claimed 176 kg.

Kelly Wild defended her 2020 title at 59 kg, just edging Shayla Moore by 200 kg to 199, by completing her third Clean & Jerk try at 115 kg, after missing twice at 112 kg! The 64 kg class was just as tight, as Jaclyn Long managed 205 kg for a second national title, making four of six lifts, while Lydia Scott claimed 204 kg (2 of 6) and Taylor Lumpp totaled 203 kg (3 of 6).

Meredith Alwine defended her 2020 title at 71 kg, lifting 239 kg to win by 15 kg; Laura Alexander took the 87 kg class with 237 kg and Mary Theisen-Lappen won at 87+, lifting a combined 267 kg for a 50-kg margin of victory.

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THE TICKER: IOC allows “expressions” during athlete intros; Richardson suspended a month for marijuana; IWF can’t agree on a constitution

Rich Perelman

July 2, 2021

tsx pix 2021-619 richardson, shacarri (adam eberhardt trktwnusa) — Sha'Carri Richardson in happier times, before her one-month suspension for marijuana from the U.S. Olympic Trials (Photo: Adam Eberhardt for TrackTown USA)

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The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board adopted a five-page set of guidelines to Olympic Charter rule 50.2 concerning protests and demonstrations at the Tokyo Games that maintains most restrictions, but opens a new opportunity.

What’s clear is that most of the old restrictions still apply. “Expressions are not permitted in the following instances:

● “During official ceremonies (including Olympic medal ceremonies, opening and closing ceremonies)

● “During competition on the field of play

● ”In the Olympic Village.”

What is new is “expression” in a new forum:

“On the field of play prior to the start of the competition (i.e. after leaving the ‘call room’ (or similar area) or during the introduction of the individual athlete or team) provided that the expression (for example, gesture) is:

“I. consistent with the Fundamental Principles of Olympism;

“II. not targeted, directly or indirectly, against people, countries, organisations and/or their dignity;

“III. not disruptive (by way of example only, the following expressions are considered disruptive: expressions during another athlete’s or team’s national anthem and/or introduction, as this may interfere with such other athlete’s or team’s concentration on and/or preparation for the competition; physical interference with the introduction of another athlete or team or the protocol itself (for example by unfurling a flag, a banner etc.); causing (or assuming the risk of causing) physical harm to persons or property, etc.); and

“IV. not prohibited or otherwise limited by the rules of the relevant National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or the competition regulations of the relevant International Federation (IF).”

The regulations further explain that “It should be recognised that any behaviour and/or expression that constitutes or signals discrimination, hatred, hostility or the potential for violence on any basis whatsoever is contrary to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism.”

There is a procedure for discipline, which includes the right to a hearing, but with sanctions to be handled by the IOC itself, not by another party, such as a National Olympic Committee or International Federation.

Today’s posting of these guidelines was a surprise is that it did not come from the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission as had been indicated earlier, but from the IOC and its Athletes’ Commission, chaired by swimming gold medalist Kirsty Coventry (ZIM).

Observed: This is really clever and allows the IOC to claim, correctly, that it has loosened its rules, but in such a narrow forum as to limit the impact of any demonstrations or protests in most of its sports.

The time for on-field egress and introductions is short and for those interested in protesting, the attention of the television cameras is what’s important. Introductions on television in the most popular sports – swimming, gymnastics and athletics – are usually just a few seconds long and are at a time when the athletes are most concerned about their competitions. Maybe a few gloves with embroidered slogans will be worn. There may be more opportunities in team sports, but this will also depend on how the teams will actually be introduced in Tokyo.

This is a much more compact forum than the two-plus minutes of a national anthem on the awards podium, or during the hour-plus march into the stadium during the Opening Ceremonies.

Rest assured, however, there will be those who will challenge these guidelines, but the IOC has set up a fairly clear process and promises a proportionate response to any violations. Whether this works or not is yet to be seen, but once again, the IOC has shown it is not to be underestimated in creating an innovative solution to a difficult issue that allows more flexibility but also limits its exposure to difficulties.

The question of spectators and Tokyo is up for grabs again, as reports surfaced of another review next week about whether spectators should be allowed.

The coronavirus infection rate is the prime issue and Tokyo continues under a state of “quasi-emergency” that will expire on 11 July. A new lottery for ticket holder has been completed, which will reduce total attendance to 2.72 million at the Games, or about 35% of capacity.

Kyodo News reported that 10 U.S. news organizations have protested restrictions on interviews of spectators and other regulations as a “clear overreach” since Japanese domestic media will not have the same restrictions.

Their request is for “routine newsgathering” to be allowed as long as media observe masking and distancing requirements. The report noted that about 4,600 foreign media are expected for the Games now, about half of the original number.

Kyodo noted, “The committee later said it had sent a reply to the editors seeking their understanding over the restrictions.”

● Athletics ● “USADA announced today that Sha’Carri Richardson, of Clermont, Fla., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a one-month suspension – as permitted under the applicable international rules – for an anti-doping rule violation for testing positive for a substance of abuse.

“‘The rules are clear, but this is heartbreaking on many levels; hopefully, her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her,’ said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart.”

Richardson tested positive for marijuana at the Trials on 19 June, after winning the women’s 100 m in sensational fashion in 10.86. The rules are quite clear:

“The 2021 World Anti-Doping Code newly classifies THC as a “Substance of Abuse” because it is frequently used in society outside the context of sport. If an athlete who tests positive for a Substance of Abuse establishes that their use of the substance occurred out of competition and was unrelated to sport performance, the athlete will receive a three-month sanction. However, if the athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by USADA, the sanction may be further reduced to one month.”

This is the third such sanction issued in 2021 for this kind of violation; Kahmari Montgomery, former U.S. champion in the men’s 400 m, received the same sanction from 30 April 2021.

For Richardson, her sanction began on 28 June, the date she was provisionally suspended. However, her results from the Trials “have been disqualified, and she forfeits any medals, points, and prizes. Beyond the one-month sanction, athlete eligibility for the Tokyo Games is determined by the USOPC and/or USA Track & Field eligibility rules.”

This means her win at the Trials in the 100 m is voided and Javianne Oliver is the winner (10.99), followed by Teahna Daniels (11.03) and now Jenna Prandini (11.03), who finished fourth. The USA Track & Field selection rules require that the top three finishers in each event at the Trials – if they have met the Olympic qualifying standard – go to the Games.

Interestingly, however, the women’s 100 m in Tokyo starts on 30 July … after her sanction is over! Richardson could be entered in the 4×100 m if desired; that’s up to USA Track & Field and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

Richardson said she used marijuana to cope with grief from the death of her biological mother.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport also knocked Rio Olympic 100 m hurdles Champion Brianna McNeal (USA) out of the Tokyo Games, finding that she “had committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) pursuant to Article 2.5 of the 2019 WA Anti-Doping Rules (‘Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control’) and a five-year period of ineligibility beginning on 15 August 2020 was imposed on her.”

With her appeal of the World Athletics suspension continuing, McNeal was allowed to run at the U.S. Olympic Trials and finished second to Keni Harrison in 12.51. Fourth-placer Gabbi Cunningham (12.53) is the expected replacement.

The women’s 400 m in Tokyo also received a shock with the withdrawal of Namibian sensations Christine Mboma – the world leader and World U-20 record holder – and Beatrice Masilingi due to testosterone levels too high to all competing in the women’s division in races from 400 m to the mile.

This is the same issue which has sidelined 800 m stars Caster Semenya (RSA), Francine Niyonsaba (BDI) and Margaret Wambui (KEN) for “differences in sex development.”

Both are shown as eligible in the 200 m, which is not covered by the World Athletics regulations for DSD. Mboma ran a world-leading 48.54 time at the Szewinska Memorial in Poland on 30 June and Masilingi ran 49.53 in the Namibian Championships on 11 April, ranking no. 3 on the 2021 world list.

Defending Olympic champ Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH) has indicated she will run only the 200 m in Tokyo since the 400 m heats and the 200 m final are on the same day. This leaves the 400 m field open with Jamaica’s Stephenie Ann McPherson (49.61) and American Quanera Hayes (49.78) the fastest eligible entries, with Allyson Felix (50.02) at no. 5.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has found Salwa Eid Naser (BRN), the 2019 World Championships women’s 400 m gold medalist guilty of an anti-doping violation and suspended her for two years effective 30 June 2021, but to conclude in about 14 months after counting her provisional suspension from June to October of 2020.

Naser, now 23, was penalized for whereabouts failures, including a comical situation in which she gave the wrong address to a doping control testing officer, who then almost found her, but failed to do so. A World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal finding that she was not responsible was overturned.

She could be eligible to return in time for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

Norwegian star Karsten Warholm was pretty happy with his world-record win at the Bislett Games in Oslo on Thursday:

“I knew that I had a fast time in my body; it feels like it as been there for a long time but you never know when it is right to do it. And it is one thing to know you have it in you and another to go out and do it.

“It is very special to do it here in Bislett in front of a great crowd including my friends and family. This is my first 400 m hurdles of the season so I really think there is more in the tank.

“It might take another world record to win the Olympics. There are such a lot of great guys out there at the moment who will all be aiming to do it and win gold. I am happy that there is such great competition.”

● Cycling ● The Tour de France has continued without significant incident this week, with a big move made during Stage 5 by defending champion Tadej Pogacar (SLO).

After falling behind race leader Mathieu van der Poel (NED) by 39 seconds after stage 4, Pogacar turned on the jets during the Stage 5 individual time trial and won the 27.2 km flat route, timing 32:00, 19 seconds ahead of everyone else. He ended the day second by just eight seconds.

Stage 6 was another sprinter’s course, a flat, 160.4 km route finishing in Chateauroux. Once again, it was Britain’s Marc Cavendish, 36, who got to the line first, winning his 32nd career stage at the Tour, two short of the all-time record by Eddy Merckx (BEL). Cavendish out-lasted Belgian Jasper Philipsen and Frenchmen Nacer Bouhanni and Arnaud Demare.

On Friday, the route from Vierzon to Le Creusot was a hilly, long, 249.1 km test with most of the action in the final third. Slovenia’s Matej Mohoric broke away from the peloton with 18 km left and got his first career Tour de France stage win in 5:28:20. He finished 1:20 up on Jasper Stuyven (BEL) and 1:40 up on Dane Magnus Cort, van der Poel and four others.

That left van der Poel still in the yellow jersey, now 30 seconds up on Belgian star Wout van Aert, 1:49 ahead of Kasper Asgreen (DEN), then 3:01 ahead of Mohoric and 3:43 up on Pogacar, who finished 5:15 back on the stage.

The female spectator who caused a massive crash on the first stage of the Tour by holding up a sign for the television cameras has been arrested and will be tried in October.

The 30-year-old French woman turned herself in on Wednesday and was arrested and placed in custody by the French authorities. The local prosecutor told reporters that she woman was contrite.

The Tour organizers had threatened to sue her, but withdrew the threat. Reports indicate that the criminal process could result in a fine of €1,500 (roughly $1,781) fine for involuntarily causing injury and putting the life of others at risk.

● Football ● The U.S. women’s National Team continued its prep for Tokyo with a convincing 4-0 victory over Mexico on Thursday evening in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Sam Mewis opened the scoring 21 minutes into the first half and Christen Press added a second goal at the 39-minute mark for a 2-0 halftime lead. Tobin Heath, returning from months of injuries, scored in the 74th minute and Press got a final goal in the 85th.

The U.S. had 58% of the possession in the game and enjoyed a 27-5 edge on shots; Alyssa Naeher and Adrianna Franch each played a half in goal for the American women. The U.S. extended its unbeaten streak to 43 games

The U.S. women have one more tune-up match against Mexico next Monday, also in East Hartford, before heading to Tokyo. The U.S. women are 38-1-1 all-time vs. Mexico.

● Water Polo ● The U.S. battled Montenegro to the end, but came up short, 9-8, in the FINA men’s World League Super Final in Georgia.

The two came out of the same group, with Montenegro beating the U.S., 10-6, in their opening match. But both moved smartly through the playoffs, with the U.S. edging France, 12-11, then beating Italy – the Group A winner – by 10-8 to reach the final.

Montenegro was 3-0 in group play, then crushed Kazakhstan, 18-6 and doubled by Greece, 8-4 in its semifinal. Greece later defeated Italy, 10-8, for the bronze medal.

In the championship match, Montenegro got off to a 2-0 lead and that proved to be enough. The second quarter was 2-2, the third quarter was 3-3 and a 3-2 edge in the fourth was not enough to force overtime.

The difference maker was Aleksandar Ivoviv, who scored five goals on seven shots for the winners, including two penalty shots. Hannes Daube scored three times for the U.S., aided by Ben Hallock with two and Johnny Hooper, Alex Bowen and Max Irving with one each.

Ivovic was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, with American Ben Holland named best keeper; the top scorer was Japan’s Yusuke Inaba.

It was the third men’s World League victory for Montenegro, which also won in 2018. The U.S. claimed its third silver, also in 2008 and 2016; the U.S. has never won the World League.

● Weightlifting ● The International Weightlifting Federation’s Constitutional Congress was contentious as expected, but did not achieve final approval of a new constitution for the federation.

A brief IWF statement indicated that a majority of the delegates from 119 countries (vs. 192 members of the federation) approved of the document, but the required two-thirds approval level was not met.

The amendments suggested by the World Anti-Doping Agency and International Testing Agency were approved, requiring a member federation to be suspended if three (or more) of its athletes or support personnel receive an “anti-doping rules violation” from international competition within a 12-month period. Disciplinary measures were removed from the IWF Executive Board and will be handled exclusively by an independent sanctions panel.

The IWF indicated it would reconvene the Congress again with the aim to approve a constitution prior to the start of the Tokyo Games on 23 July, with open questions on athlete representation, gender representation and more governance issues. The IOC will be watching with interest.

● The Last Word ● It’s a good time to be an Olympian! Lots more people are paying attention around this time with the Games coming in three weeks, so with many outdoor events again taking place in the U.S., former Olympians are suddenly showing up everywhere.

On Saturday, a 5 km Independence Day Run in Redondo Beach, California will salute 1984 Olympic medalist Innocent Egbunike (Nigeria), 1988 Olympic double gold medalist Steve Lewis, men’s long jump world-record holder and 1991 World Champion Mike Powell, plus 1968 Olympic high jumper Rey Brown, 1984 Olympic high jumper Doug Nordquist, 1988 Olympic sprinter Pam Marshall and 2021 Olympic Trials 400 m finalist Shae Anderson of UCLA.

More such events are coming; support a local Olympian near you!

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ATHLETICS: He did it! Warholm claims 400 m hurdles world record at 46.70 at Bislett Games!

Rich Perelman

July 1, 2021

tsx pix 2021-701 warholm 400H WR (timing foto) — The official timing photo shows how far Karsten Warholm was in front on his way to a world record of 46.70 in the 400 m hurdles (Wanda Diamond League timing photo by Omega)

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The Wanda Diamond League resumed in Oslo (NOR) with the annual Bislett Games on Thursday, with three and a quarter hours of events leading up to the men’s 400 m hurdles and the seasonal debut of two-time World Champion – and national hero – Karsten Warholm.

Making his seasonal debut at this distance, Warholm sprinted out of the blocks from lane seven and ran smoothly over all 10 hurdles and was way out in front when he crossed the line at 46.70, bettering American Kevin Young’s winning time from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona of 46.78.

That’s just five days after American Rai Benjamin won the U.S. Trials at 46.83, now the no. 3 performance of all time, and the two are scheduled to meet in Monaco on 9 July.

Behind Warholm, cheered lustily by a limited crowd of about 5,000, was Brazil’s Alison dos Santos, who set a national record of 47.38, closed hard and is now no. 3 on the world list.

It was the climax of an impassioned meet with other world-leading marks in the men’s Mile and 3,000 m, and sensational performances from American Kate Grace (women’s 800 m) and star Kenyan star Hellen Obiri (women’s 5,000 m):

● Men’s Mile: Australia’s Stewart McSweyn was the big favorite in the men’s mile and he delivered, taking over from the pacesetter running 57.70 for the penultimate lap and then finishing in 3:48.37, a new national record and the world leader for 2021. Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski passed Australia’s Jye Edwards in the final 10 m for second in 3:49.11, also a national record and Edwards was third at 3:49.27. Very, very impressive.

● Men’s 3,000 m: The race was a showcase for Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, the 2019 Worlds 10,000 silver medalist, who took over from the pacesetter with three laps to go and simply punished everyone else on the way to a solo victory in world-leading time.

Only Kenya’s Jacob Krop could run with him, as Kejelcha ran 58.44 and 58.20 to get to the bell and then dropped Krop on the final turn, winning by 30 m, in 7:26.25, not just the world leader for 2021, but now no. 7 ever. His final lap was 56.35!

● Women’s 800 m: The race looked good for 2019 World Champion Halimah Nakaayi (UGA), clearly in charge on the final lap, but American Grace – only seventh in the U.S. Trials final – stormed around the final turn and ran away to a lifetime best of 1:57.60: no. 5 on the 2021 world list and no. 9 on the all-time U.S. list. Oh, if she’d had this race a few days earlier …

● Women’s 5,000 m: World Champion Obiri wanted to show her fitness in the women’s 5,000 m and she led most of the race after the pacesetter retired. She broke the race open, with countrywomen Margaret Kipkemboi and Beatrice Chebet, Ethiopia’s Fantu Worku and Britain’s Eilish McColgan for company. After laps of 70 or a little less from 1,200 to go to the bell, Obiri took off on the backstraight and held on to beat Worku, 14:26.38 to 14:26.80, at the tape, after a 61.26 last lap. It was a season’s best for Obiri and moves her to no. 4 on the 2021 world list. Kipkemboi was third in 14:28.24 and McColgan got a national record of 14:28.55 in fourth. Those stand nos. 4-5-6-7 in 2021.

And there was more:

On Canada Day (!), it was Rio silver medalist Andre De Grasse and Aaron Brown going 1-2 in the men’s 200 m in 20.00 and 20.38 into a headwind of -1.0 m/s. American Vernon Norwood was fifth in 20.74.

The usual suspects were back on the men’s vault runway, with world-record holder Mondo Duplantis (SWE), World Champion Sam Kendricks of the U.S. and 2012 Olympic champ Renaud Lavillenie (FRA). Those three were the only ones to clear 5.81 m (19-0 3/4) and then Duplantis was way over on his first try at 5.91 m (19-4 3/4). Lavillenie missed three times, but Kendricks made it on his third for a season’s best. Duplantis finally won it at 6.01 m (19-8 1/2), then went for a new world mark at 6.19 m (20-3 3/4), but missed all three tries.

Algeria’s Yasser Triki had the best performance in the men’s triple jump through five rounds at 17.24 m (56-6 3/4), then saw Tiago Pereira (POR) and Andy Diaz (CUB) both foul and take his final jump as the winner! Triki did take his final jump and got to 17.23 m (56-06 1/2) to nearly match his best of the day.

Olympic favorite – and world leader – Daniel Stahl (SWE) led the men’s discus at 68.65 m (225-2), ahead of Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh (66.68 m/218-9) through five rounds. But in the winner-take-all sixth round, Ceh got out to 65.72 m (215-7) … and Stahl threw the same! So Stahl’s best throw was the decider!

The women’s 100 m was won by Marie-Josee Ta Lou in 10.91, a season’s best and now equal-8th on the 2021 world list. She ran away from Britain’s Daryll Neita (11.06) with American Javianne Oliver fourth in 11.18.

Dutch star Femke Bol won the 400 m hurdles won easily in 53.33, a lifetime best and national record, keeping her fourth on the world list for 2021. Germany’s Malaika Mihambo had the best mark in the first five rounds of the women’s long jump – 6.86 m (22-6 1/4) – and then won the sixth round at 6.83 m (22-5) to actually win the event.

Germany’s Christin Hussong won the women’s javelin at 62.62 m (205-5) and by throwing 60.95 m (199-11) in the final-three face-off in the sixth round.

The Diamond League show moves to Stockholm (SWE) on Sunday for the annual Bauhaus-Galan and then to Monaco on the 9th and Gateshead (GBR) on the 13th.

At the Irena Szewinska Memorial meet in Bydgoszcz (POL) on Wednesday, Namibia’s 18-year-old sensation Christine Mboma won the women’s 400 m in a world-leading 48.54, a World U-20 Record and underlining that she will be a medals contenders in Tokyo. She ran 49.24 and 49.22 at altitude, but now moved to no. 7 on the all-time list with her fourth world-leading time of the season. Poland’s Justyna Swiety-Ersetic was a not-very-close second in 51.91.

Spain’s Orlando Ortega won the men’s 100 m hurdles in 13.33 into a headwind, American Chris Nilsen cleared 5.92 m (19-5) for a season’s best in the men’s vault and New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh reached 21.46 m (70-5) in the shot. Poland’s Olympic hammer favorite – and world leader – Pawel Fajdek won at 82.77 m (271-6), the third-furthest throw of the year … all of which are his!

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LANE ONE: U.S. women’s gymnastics Olympic Trials beat every show on television, but Sha’Carri Richardson (11.8 million video views) is the new U.S. star!

Rich Perelman

July 1, 2021

tsx pix 2021-619 richardson, shacarri 100 m (tim healy trktwn usa) — U.S. Olympic Trials women's 100 m champ Sha'Carri Richardson, one of the hottest women on YouTube! (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

Two weeks of U.S. Olympic Team Trials concluded Sunday evening, with Simone Biles winning the All-Around title and the interest of television viewers nationwide, on NBC.

The final evening of gymnastics was the most-viewed show of the evening, drawing an average of 5.752 million views across three hours of competition and the naming of the U.S. team at the end. Viewership peaked at 6.6 million viewers during Biles’ floor exercise routine in the final rotation.

But Biles wasn’t the biggest star of the Trials. Not even close.

What’s true is that the women’s gymnastics coverage won all five of its hours on NBC against ABC, CBS and FOX, and track & field came on strong with more than half of its network hours drawing more than three million viewers. The final ratings averages for the four Trials sports programs showed (Nielsen ratings via SpoilerTV):

(1) 5.287 million viewers average for Gymnastics (5 hours)
(2) 3.183 million viewers average for Track & Field (8 hours)
(3) 2.713 million viewers average for Swimming (11 hours)
(4) 2.076 million viewers average for Diving (3 hours)

The final numbers showed even better viewership for track & field than the early reports; the top draws among the 27 hours of Trials television:

(1) 5.752 million viewers: Gymnastics on 27 June (Sunday)
(2) 4.590 million viewers: Gymnastics on 25 June (Friday)
(3) 3.972 million viewers: Track & Field on 21 June (Monday)
(4) 3.535 million viewers: Swimming on 20 June (Sunday)
(5) 3.526 million viewers: Track & Field on 20 June (Sunday)

The top diving show drew 2.446 million on 13 June, a Sunday. It’s worth noting that the top draws in track & field were for the sessions that included the men’s 100 m final on 21 June and the women’s 100 m final – with Sha’Carri Richardson – on 20 June.

However, there was a huge drop-off for events on NBC’s cable outlets vs. the over-the-air flagship:

(1) 573,500 viewers average for Track & Field (6 hours)
(2) 461,000 viewers for Gymnastics (1 hour)
(3) 287,250 viewers average for Swimming (8 hours)

(There was no audience information available for two hours of men’s gymnastics coverage on NBC’s Olympic Channel or the early-morning coverage of the men’s 10,000 m or women’s 5,000 m on the Olympic Channel.)

The track & field cable audience on NBCSN peaked at 842,000 viewers on 24 June and even the heat-delayed final night that began at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time drew 379,000 viewers, ranking no. 59 on the day.

Swimming’s top audiences on cable came on 17 June with 436,000 viewers and 19 June, with 424,000 viewers.

What do all these numbers tell us? Perhaps:

● There is latent interest in these Olympic-focused sports for events which are directly related to the Games – that is – they were important and meant something. That might be good news for the future, if those responsible can figure out how to capitalize on this in non-Olympic years.

● The postponed Tokyo Games could draw a very significant audience on NBC when it begins on 23 July. NBC’s average primetime audience in 2016 from the Rio Games averaged 25.4 million viewers; that will be hard to duplicate with today’s viewers spread out over even more cable channels and streaming services. But U.S. viewers will have live coverage of events available not just on NBC, but also NBCSN, NBC’s Olympic Channel, CNBC, USA Network, the Golf Channel, plus Telemundo and Universo in Spanish and streaming at NBCOlympics.com and on the Peacock subscription service.

There are even more numbers to contemplate. NALAthletics.com founder George Perry collected data on the track & field video clips posted and viewed on NBC Sports’ YouTube channel, so let’s go a step further and check out all 127 clips posted from the Trials. There were 12 that got more than one million views as of Wednesday evening (30th):

● 7,924,697: “Sha’Carri Richardson, now America’s fastest woman, scorches her Olympic Trials final”

● 2,495,640: “Simone Biles nails double double dismount, wows with Trials Day 1 beam routine”

● 2,154,306: “14 year old Joshua Hedberg makes Olympic trials finals with terrific performance”

● 2,050,119: “Simone Biles COMMANDS U.S. Olympic Trials on Day 1 with dominating performance”

● 1,936,120: “A Usain Bolt record falls as high schooler Knighton beats Noah Lyles AGAIN in 200m trials semi”

● 1,606,745: “DeAnna Price demolishes U.S. hammer record to make Tokyo team”

● 1,457,342: “Sha’Carri Richardson runs away with 100m semifinal at Olympic Trials”

● 1,439,994: “Sha’Carri Richardson makes a STATEMENT with dominant 100m heat at trials”

● 1,200,513: “Noah Lyles posts world’s fastest 200m of 2021, clinches first Olympic spot”

● 1,136,587: “Teenager Hailey Hernandez locks up surprise Olympic spot”

● 1,078,981: “51.90!! Sydney McLaughlin vs. Dalilah Muhammad epic results in ANOTHER world record”

● 1,010,422: “Sha’Carri Richardson’s unforgettable, show-stopping 100m win at Olympic trials”

Richardson got four of the top 12 with a combined 11,832,455 views (and counting!). Biles had two million-plus clips and was in five clips in all with a combined 5,955,184 views.

Of the clips with more than a million views, eight were from track & field, and two each from gymnastics and diving. The top swimming clip wasn’t a winning performance from superstars Caeleb Dressel or Katie Ledecky, or even Simone Manuel’s emotional win in the 50 m Freestyle (495,227 views). Instead, it was the 948,787 views of “13 year old Kayla Han’s INCREDIBLE comeback win at US Swimming Trials.” This was from Wave I, the qualifying meet for the actual Olympic Trials and showed Han winning the B-Final of the women’s 400 m Medley and setting a national age-group record with a sensational last 50 m swim.

Ryan Crouser’s world record in the men’s shot put got 916,548 views for 16th place, after a Trayvon Bromell win in a 100 m heat (982,086), Han’s comeback, and the women’s 400 m final, won by Quanera Hayes with Allyson Felix second (936,033).

Of the 127 clips, NBC posted 53 from track & field, 41 from swimming, 18 from gymnastics and 14 from diving.

Richardson, with her flowing colored hair – orange at the Trials, blue earlier in the season – is set to be the breakout U.S. star of the Games, based on the video viewing numbers, which continue to climb. She is the U.S.’s only medal contender in the women’s 100 m against Jamaican stars Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson and Elaine Thompson-Herah and Nigerian Blessing Okagbare. And she has promised to “represent my people” at the Games, although exactly what this means isn’t clear.

These were two good weeks of viewing for Olympic-sport fans, who will be joined by many more for the Games. And these are good times for NBC, which is reporting ad sales right at its highest level ever for an Olympic Games. But it might be the best of times for Biles and Richardson, the stars of the U.S. Trials.

Rich Perelman
Editor

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: AP updated Gwen Berry protest story; Tokyo virus controls tightened further; NHL unsure about ‘22; more Tour de France crashes

Rich Perelman

June 29, 2021

tsx pix 2021-625 benjamin, rai OT2 (paul merca trktwn usa) — World 400 m hurdles leader Rai Benjamin (USA) (Photo: Paul Merca for Tracktown USA)

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News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

● Lane One update ● Monday’s Lane One column on press coverage of protests over performance noted that The Associated Press story titled “Message sent: Berry turns away from flag during anthem” sent Saturday afternoon (26th) could have been updated later to feature more of the competition results.

It was. Eagle-eyed reader Alan Mazursky noted that the link to the original AP story went inactive, and the story was updated later in the day. Where the original story included “[Gwen] Berry’s reaction to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ was as notable as anything on the track on a blazing-hot Saturday,” the updated version read, “Berry’s reaction to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ took its fair share of the spotlight on a blazing-hot second-to-last day at trials that also featured some blazing-fast times.”

This was followed by four paragraphs of competition highlights – up from two in the original – which did expand on Gabby Thomas’s 21.61 win in the women’s 200 m, and added Grant Holloway’s 12.81 semifinal win, just 0.01 off the world record, and Erriyon Knighton’s win over Noah Lyles in the men’s 200 m semis, in a World U-20 Record of 19.88.

The updated story was 25 paragraphs instead of 24, with the same 18 paragraphs about Berry’s protest, the circumstances and reaction, two about hammer winner DeAnna Price and five about the other seven events in the afternoon and evening session.

Rewrites and updates of this kind are normal for wire services, but the story’s overall emphasis on Berry confirmed the interest in protests over performances.

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● The presence of two Ugandan team members who arrived in Japan with the coronavirus is causing even tighter controls on teams who will come to the Games over the next month.

Tokyo 2020 “Games Delivery Officer” Hidemasa Nakamura said during an interview that everyone traveling with an infected person – for example, on an airplane – will be isolated and tested before being allowed to enter the country.

In addition, Japanese authorities said Monday that delegations from countries hit with the Delta variant will be required to have Covid-19 tests every day for a week prior to coming to Japan and will be quarantined in the country for three days upon arrival. This is a significant tightening of the rules and adds to the burden of coming to compete in Tokyo.

The Japanese government and the Japan Post mail service, inspired by the 110 mail boxes painted gold in 2012 to honor British Olympic and Paralympic champions, announced that it will do the same for Japanese winners from this summer’s events. Kyodo News reported:

“Every time a Japanese athlete wins a gold medal at the Olympics or Paralympics, a mailbox will be replaced by a golden one in a location linked to them such as their hometown or training base.”

A report in Japan noted that bonuses of ¥5,000,000-2,000,000-1,000,000 (~ $45,227-18,091-9,045 U.S.) will be paid for gold, silver and bronze medals at the Olympic Games and that the Japanese baseball team will receive twice as much for gold, with the additional prize coming from a “business unit of the national baseball team.”

Kyodo News reported that the Japanese Olympic Committee announced that it is creating “a special team tasked with patrolling social media accounts of athletes to shield them from any potential hateful comments during the Tokyo Games …

“If realized, it will be the first time that the JOC has created such a unit for Japanese Olympians. The envisioned team is expected to consult with investigative authorities if it finds online comments are especially malicious, according to the official, who declined to be named as a formal announcement has not yet been made.”

Observed: If this concept is implemented successfully, look for it to be another legacy of the Tokyo Games in our digital times that will spread not only to National Olympic Committees, but also national federations and could be a new – and popular – sponsorship category for companies specializing in social-media “editing” in the future.

The Brazilian Olympic Committee announced its bonuses for Olympic medal winners in Tokyo (5 Brazilian Reals = $1 U.S.):

“Olympic champions in individual modalities will be awarded R$ 250,000. The reward for the silver medal will be R$150,000 and the bronze R$100,000. Teams with up to six athletes will have the following amounts to be divided: R$500,000 (gold), R$300,000 (silver), and R$200,000 (bronze). The athletes in team sports will receive R$750,000 (gold), R$450,000 (silver), and R$300,000 (bronze), also to be divided.”

Brazil expects to take not less than 272 athletes to the Games, and the total might increase slightly with entries to be finalized in the next week.

● XXIV Olympic Winter Games: Beijing 2022 ● National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman (USA) said during a Monday news conference that “We have real concerns about whether or not its sensible to have our players participating and us shutting down for an Olympic break.”

The NHL skipped the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games after participating from 1998-2014. Issued with the coronavirus are at the top of the list of concerns, after the league and its players agreed to allow participation as part of an extension of their collective bargaining agreement.

Said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly: “We agreed that if the conditions were right and we could reach an agreement on all the material issues that we would commit and support going to the Olympics. That remains our position.”

● Athletics ● It took 58 years, but American Phil Shinnick finally had his 1963 California Relays long jump mark of 8.33 m (27-4) recognized as a world record by World Athletics.

The mark was never ratified as there were no wind readings taken of Shinnick’s jumps; the official responsible had been told only to measure jumps taken by Olympic champion Ralph Boston (USA). But Shinnick stunned everyone that day and felt the wind was slight. USA Track & Field recognized his jump as an American Record in 2003 and Shinnick won his case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in May to become an official world-record holder. He later represented the U.S. at the 1964 Tokyo Games.

World Athletics has decided to “relocate” the 23-24 April 2022 World Race Walking Team Championships awarded to Minsk, Belarus, in view of the continuing political protests there:

“The Council decision comes as a result of a report prepared by the World Athletics Risk Committee, which concluded that uncertainties around diplomatic relations and international travel restrictions with regard to Belarus would impact significantly on the staging of the championships in Minsk next year.”

A new venue is expected to be agreed to and approved by the end of July.

On Saturday, World Athletics announced that 61 additional Russian athletes have been approved as neutral competitors in international competitions. This brings the total to 121 Russians approved in all, with five rejections.

The cap on the Olympic Games of 10 athletes from Russia remains in place.

Now that the U.S. Olympic Trials have been completed, it’s worthwhile to take a snapshot of the world leaders for 2021 in Olympic events. After a stunning eight days of competition, the U.S. now has the leading marks in 14 individual events:

● Men (7): 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 110 m hurdles, 400 m hurdles and shot put.

● Women: (7): 200 m, 800 m, 400 m hurdles, high jump, pole vault, hammer and heptathlon.

In addition, the U.S. will be favored in the men’s 4×100 m and 4×400 m, the women’s 4×400 m and the Mixed 4×400 m in Tokyo. Amazing.

More from the Jamaican Nationals, where superstar sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce followed up on her 10.71 100 m win with a 21.79 lifetime best to take the 200 m, followed by a lifetime best 21.82 from Shericka Jackson and 22.02 from reigning Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah. They are now nos. 2-3-7 on the world list for 2021, intermingled with four Americans.

Stephenie Ann McPherson won the 400 m in a PR 49.61, ahead of Candice McLeod (49.91 PR) and Roneisha McGregor (50.02 PR), nos. 5-7-10 on the 2021 list, and ex-LSU star Natoya Goule won the women’s 800 m in 1:57.84 a season’s best and no. 6 on the world list.

Tragedy from Qatar, where Sudan-born sprinter Abdalelah Haroun passed away at age 24. He was the 2017 World Championships bronze medalist, but the Qatar Olympic Committee announced on Saturday (26th) that he had died, reportedly in an auto accident.

● Basketball ● USA Basketball announced the 12-member U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, which includes all-NBA players: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

The U.S. coaching staff is led by head coach Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs) with assistant coaches Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), Lloyd Pierce (formerly Atlanta Hawks) and Jay Wright (Villanova).

The U.S. men are overwhelming favorites to capture a fourth straight Olympic gold, with Durant coming back for his third Olympic team. Green and Love were also previous Olympic team members in 2016 and 2012, respectively.

Controversy erupted immediately, with former 13-season NBA player Jalen Rose, now an ESPN commentator, stating on a podcast that Love was selected “because of tokenism” and:

“Don’t be scared to make an all-black team representing the United States of America. I’m disappointed by that. Anybody that watched the league this year knows Kevin Love did not have a stellar season, was not the best player on his team, and did not necessarily deserve to be on this squad.”

Rose apologized on Monday, saying “you know why I’m apologizing right now? To the game. Because I’m what the game made me … like Katt Williams said, ‘Sometimes, playas mess up,’ so I apologize to the game. That’s who I apologize to.”

● Boxing ● As the Tokyo Games get closer, so does the decision day for the International Boxing Association (AIBA), which has been on suspension from the International Olympic Committee since 2019.

AIBA President Umar Kremlev (RUS) held an online news conference on Monday, announcing that an in-depth financial audit by a “major accounting firm” is to be conducted and that Professor Ulrich Haas (GER) – already leading the governance reform of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – will chair an independent Governance Reform Group including legal and governance experts.

A study by McLaren Global Sports Solutions into the refereeing and judging problems which have plagued the sport is underway.

Kremlev struck a major partnership agreement with the Russian energy giant Gazprom which he says has eliminated the federation’s $16-plus million debt. Now he is working to show the IOC that AIBA can be a reliable partner going forward.

● Cycling ● The crashes continued in the 2021 Tour de France on Monday, leading to a mild protest at the start of Tuesday’s stage.

Monday’s 182.9 km race from Lorient to Pontivy should have been a typical final sprint, but ended up more like the demolition derby, with three major crashes. Race contender Geraint Thomas (GBR) was involved in a mix-up just 37 km into the race and suffered a dislocated shoulder, but was able to continue and finished 26th. Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic, one of the race favorites, went down hard on his left side in the final 10 km, but finished despite considerable bleeding from his left shoulder. He finished 92nd. Defending champion Tadej Pogacar fell too, with about 3.9 km remaining and slipped to 35th. Even on the final sprint, Slovakian star Peter Sagan and Caleb Ewen (AUS) touched wheels and went down, with Sagan getting up to finish 80th. Ewan, however, had a broken collarbone and finished last, later withdrawing.

Belgian Tim Merlier won the stage over countryman Jasper Philipsen and France’s Nacer Bouhanni, but that was hardly the story of the day.

On Tuesday, a minor protest was organized by German Andre Greipel, who “weaved through to force the protest after a kilometre of racing.

“After a minute’s pause, and no clear message from those on the road, the race resumed with Alaphilippe quickly appearing on his own at the front in the green jersey.”

The Tuesday stage of 150.4 km from Redon to Fougeres was fairly flat and a sprinter’s special, with a historic finish as Britain’s Marc Cavendish – now 36 – got to the line first for his 31st career Tour de France stage win, three behind all-time leader Eddy Merckx (BEL). Cavendish won the final sprint from Bouhanni and Philipsen. The race’s overall leader remains Mathieu van der Poel, now eight seconds ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (FRA), then 31 seconds up on Richard Carapaz (ECU: +0:31) and Wout van Aert (BEL: +0:31).

Meanwhile, the fan who moved onto the course to get seen on television during the first stage and caused a massive pile-up is being looked for, but has not yet been found.

The race organizers announced plans to sue the fan, but without identification, nothing can be done.

● Football ● The Copa America tournament in Brazil and UEFA’s Euro 2020 are now into elimination matches. The Copa America finally completed its group stage, with Argentina and Brazil both winning their groups with 3-0-1 records. The playoffs will see Argentina vs. Ecuador and Uruguay vs. Colombia in the top half of the bracket and Brazil and Chile and Peru and Paraguay in the lower half. The title game will be on 10 July.

The Euro quarterfinals are now set, with Belgium and Italy to meet in Munich on 2 July and Switzerland vs. Spain on 2 July in St. Petersburg in the top half of the bracket. Ukraine and England will face off on 3 July in Rome and Denmark vs. the Czech Republic in Baku on 3 July.

The final will be on London on 11 July.

● Gymnastics ● While the U.S. Olympic Trials in Artistic Gymnastics dominated coverage over the weekend, USA Gymnastics also held the U.S. National Championships in St. Louis for Rhythmic and Trampoline and Tumbling.

In Rhythmic, established stars Laura Zeng and Evita Griskenas went 1-2 in Clubs and Ribbon, and Griskenas won in Ball with Zeng second. Zeng won a third title in Hoop, with Lennox Hopkins-Wilkins second. In the All-Around, Zeng won at 95.900 and earned a trip to Tokyo, along with Griskenas, second at 95.650.

In Trampoline, Nicole Ahsinger won the qualifying round with a 102.18 total and that earned her a second Olympic berth in Tokyo on a quota place from the 2019-20 World Cup series. She also won the Trampoline final at 155.830, ahead of Charlotte Drury (155.245). Jeffrey Gluckstein won the men’s trampoline with a 170.365, topping Cody Gesuelli’s 162.895, but Aliaksei Shostak had already been selected based on his performance at the 2019 World Championships on a re-allocation of available places.

● Swimming ● FINA issued new rules on harassment designed to make all of its sports safer and more equitable. The “harassment and abuse” regulations cover 14 pages and specifically define harassment to include “Any acts of hazing, neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual harassment.” The regulations also prohibit sexual abuse, which is separately defined.

Sanctions can include a warning, probation, ineligibility and “other loss of privileges, no contact directives, requirement to complete educational or other programs, return of FINA awards, or any other restrictions or conditions as deemed necessary or appropriate.”

On doping, FINA reported that “it expects to surpass a total number of 2’000 out-of-competition anti-doping tests [in 2021] prior to the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”

● Water Polo ● In the FINA World League Super Final in Tbilisi (GEO), the U.S. has advanced to the semifinals, along with Italy, Greece and Montenegro.

The U.S. finished second to Montenegro (3-0) in Group B with a 2-1 record while Italy won its three games in Group A, with Greece (2-1) second. In the quarterfinals, Greece eliminated Georgia by 20-8, and Montenegro outscored Kazakhstan, 18-6.

The U.S. scratched by France, 12-11, overcoming a 5-2 first quarter deficit with five unanswered scores in the second period. Italy edged Japan, 15-12, piling up a 12-7 lead after three quarters.

The semis will be held on Wednesday, with Greece challenging Montenegro (4-0) and the U.S. against undefeated Italy (4-0).

● Weightlifting ● The International Weightlifting Federation issued a statement on Tuesday that after allegations of anti-doping violations by the International Testing Agency, both Nico Vlad (ROU) and Hassan Akkus (TUR) have “stepped aside” from their positions on the IWF Executive Board, and will not attend the Tokyo Games.

The IWF will meet in a Constitutional Congress on Wednesday, looking to approve a new governing document that will lead the federation out of its issues on doping, discipline, finances, athlete and female representation and more. If a new Constitution is approved, elections will follow, possibly in October.

The IOC has warned the IWF repeatedly that its place in the 2024 Paris Games and beyond is at stake depending on its actions on governance and all other matters.

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LANE ONE: Coverage of U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials shows protests are perceived as more important than performances

Rich Perelman

June 28, 2021

tsx pix 2021-627 mclaughlin wins 400H WR (tim healy trktwn usa) — Sydney McLaughlin's world record in the 400 m hurdles was barely noticed by news media (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

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/Updated 6/29/2021: see below/If you are a track & field fan who thinks the sport has a chance to once again raise its profile and popularity in the U.S., guess again.

Last Saturday (26th) was a brilliant day for the sport at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, despite temperatures of up to 101 degrees. Consider:

● World Champion DeAnna Price set two American Records in the women’s hammer;

● World Champion Grant Holloway (12.81) and Worlds runner-up Rai Benjamin (46.83) ran the second-fastest times ever in the men’s 110 m and 400 m hurdles;

● Gabby Thomas ran the fastest women’s 200 m in 33 years and the third-fastest time in history in 21.61, and

● Teenager Erriyon Knighton won his semi in the men’s 200 m in 19.88, beating World Champion Noah Lyles and erasing Jamaican legend Usain Bolt’s World U-20 Record of 19.93 from 2004.

But Eddie Pells of The Associated Press – the world’s largest and most important news agency – wrote a widely-distributed review of the day mostly about hammer throw third-placer Gwen Berry turning away from the U.S. flag when the national anthem was played at its scheduled time, which coincided with the women’s hammer awards ceremony. Wrote Pells:

“Berry’s reaction to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ was as notable as anything on the track on a blazing-hot Saturday, the second-to-last day at trials.”

Headlined “Message sent: Berry turns away from flag during anthem,” 18 of the 24 paragraphs in the story were about Berry’s protest, the circumstances and reaction. Price got two paragraphs for winning the hammer, Thomas one, and everybody else was noted in another paragraph. The story had no mention of Holloway, but may have been expanded later /see update below/.

Embed from Getty Images

A companion story provided 3-6 paragraph summaries of each event, updated during the day.

On Sunday, more of the same, with Pells sending short reports of each event on a day when Sydney McLaughlin broke the world record in the women’s 400 m hurdles and world-leading marks were made by heptathlete Annie Kunz, women’s 800 m winner Athing Mu and men’s 200m winner Lyles.

This is where track & field, and almost all of the other Olympic-program sports are in the U.S. today. The sports themselves – with some exceptions, such as Simone Biles in gymnastics, the U.S. men’s and women’s basketball teams and the U.S. women’s football team – are irrelevant, and the focus is on which athletes protest, when and how and what the reactions are or will be.

Berry won the women’s hammer at the 2019 Pan American Games in Peru and raised her fist during the playing of the national anthem, drawing a sanction from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee for violating the terms of the agreement she signed prior to the event to obey its rules. Later, the sanction was withdrawn and an apology was made and the USOPC now allows “non-divisive” demonstrations at the Trials and the Olympic Games.

American fencer Race Imboden took a knee during the victory ceremony for the men’s Team Foil at the Pan Am Games and received the same treatment. Since then, that’s where the attention has gone, regardless of the performances on the field.

The AP reported on 20 June of Lyles raising a partially-gloved fist when he was introduced for the final of the 100 meters, with reporter Pat Graham writing:

“In what went down as the first notable demonstration of the track trials, Lyles made a subtle gesture, wearing a black glove — minus the fingers — on his left hand, and raising his fist when he was introduced before the race.”

On 24 June, the AP’s Pells wrote a 20-paragraph story titled, “Berry opens at Olympic Trials: ‘I want to impact the world.’” There was one paragraph about the women’s shot put final and a mention of Emma Coburn’s win in the women’s Steeplechase and Allyson Felix qualifying for the women’s 200 m final. Twelve paragraphs were about Berry.

Expect much more of the same once the Olympic Games begin in Tokyo next month.

Let’s be clear about two things:

● Protests in the style of Tommie Smith and John Carlos from 1968 are now allowed by the USOPC and Berry, Lyles and others can do so if they wish. For better or worse, it’s within the rules now.

● Pells, a 28-year veteran of The Associated Press, is not to be faulted for covering the U.S. Track & Field Trials as he sees fit. He describes himself as “Fast, flexible, fair and creative.” No argument.

But his coverage and the modest attendance of non-endemic news media at the Trials in Eugene show where track & field is today in the public’s eye. In the Los Angeles Times, a newspaper historically friendly to track & field, Saturday’s events received 15 short lines in Sunday’s print edition in “The Day in Sports” round-up section. Today’s paper covered Sunday’s heroics in all of 22 lines, plus nine lines noting the heat delay and that heptathlete Taliyah Brooks was “carted off the field in a wheelchair,” with an accompanying photograph.

The final day of the U.S. Trials in women’s gymnastics received the entire top third of the same page, with a photograph of superstar Biles and a reported-on-site story from Hall of Fame writer Helene Elliott.

It’s worth noting that this “Olympic sport” coverage was on page seven of an eight-page section, following a front-page story on Tokyo Olympics-bound skateboarder (!) Nyjah Huston and heavy coverage of baseball’s Dodgers and Angels, the Clippers-Suns NBA playoff series, the NHL Stanley Cup final, golf and the Drew League summer basketball series.

The Olympic Trials did well on television, but look which sports did best on NBC on average viewers per hour:

● 4.990 million viewers avg.: Gymnastics (5 hours)
● 2.732 million viewers avg.: Swimming (11 hours)
● 2.545 million viewers avg.: Track & Field (8 hours)
● 2.076 million viewers avg.: Diving (3 hours)

Is it any wonder that NBC pushes women’s gymnastics – all of the viewers above are for the women’s Trials only, which won all of its hours against the other networks – and swimming harder than track & field? (Cable ratings will not be available for a few days, but will be shared later.)

The fall of track & field and the other Olympic-focused sports in the U.S. has been going on for a long time, despite their dominance at the once-a-quadrennial Olympic Games. There are high hopes of a revival, especially for track & field, in the run-up to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles and with the World Athletics Championships coming to Eugene a year from now.

But if so, there will have to be a reawakening around these sports, or even coverage (and interest) of the protests will disappear. And as for 2028, the third Los Angeles Games may have no more impact – or legacy – than as a summertime, pop-up Disneyland or Universal Studios: something to do to say you did it. And nothing more.

Berry told reporters at the Trials that track & field is only the stage for her activism. Where are the activists for her sport?

Rich Perelman
Editor

Update 6/29/2021: Eagle-eyed reader Alan Mazursky noted that the link to the original AP story went inactive, and the story was updated later in the day. Where the original story included “[Gwen] Berry’s reaction to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ was as notable as anything on the track on a blazing-hot Saturday,” the updated version read, “Berry’s reaction to the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ took its fair share of the spotlight on a blazing-hot second-to-last day at trials that also featured some blazing-fast times.”

This was followed by four paragraphs of competition highlights – up from two in the original – which did expand on Thomas’s 21.61 win in the women’s 200 m, added Holloway’s 12.81 semifinal win, just 0.01 off the world record, and Knighton’s win over Lyles in the men’s 200 m semis, in a World U-20 Record of 19.88.

The updated story was 25 paragraphs instead of 24, with the same 18 paragraphs about Berry’s protest, the circumstances and reaction, two about hammer winner Price and five about the other seven events in the afternoon and evening session.

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GYMNASTICS: Biles wins again to wrap up Tokyo selection; Lee, Chiles, McCallum will accompany her, plus Skinner and Carey as individuals

Rich Perelman

June 27, 2021

tsx pix 110318 biles simone 750 — On to Tokyo: gymnastics superstar Simone Biles (USA)

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The U.S. Olympic Trials in Artistic Gymnastics in St. Louis concluded on Sunday with the second All-Around for the women, starring– of course – Simone Biles. She, Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles were well in front on Friday, scoring 57-plus, and three others in the 56s: Grace McCallum, Kayla DiCello and MyKayla Skinner.

First Rotation:
Biles and the other prime contenders for the U.S. team started on Vault, with Biles scoring 15.400, just slightly less than on Friday (15.466). She was followed by Lee at 14.600, 0.200 better than on Friday and Chiles, scoring 14.933, just 0.033 less than in the first All-Around.

The fight was behind these three leaders, with DiCello, a surprise fourth in the first All-Around, scoring 14.833 on Vault. McCallum followed with a 14.766, keeping her in the mix; she was fifth on Friday.

Meanwhile, Riley McCusker, who was so brilliant on the Uneven Bars on Friday in her only event, fell on her first movement and scored only 13.566 as compared to 14.800. Will this end her chances for Tokyo?

Skinner scored 13.500 on Uneven Bars, an improvement from 13.466 on Friday. Jade Carey, on the team as a specialist through the FIG Apparatus World Cup program, had a tough time on the Uneven Bars on Friday (11.300), but rebounded with a nice routine and a 13.733 score.

Second Rotation:
Chiles started the Uneven Bars and improved to 14.433 from 14.300 on Friday. DiCello had trouble with a bad release, and scored just 12.800 (vs. 13.966). McCallum improved on Bars from 13.833 to 14.000, a real help for her.

The Uneven Bars and Biles have not always been on the best terms, but she had the no. 2 score on Friday at 14.600. She had a gaffe on an early move on the low bar, and had a skip on the landing, and scored significantly lower at 13.833. Lee followed her brilliant Friday routine (15.300) with not quite as perfect a program, but still the high scorer at 14.900.

Skinner moved to Beam, and had some difficulties, but stayed on and scored 13.400, down from the 14.133 she scored previously. Carey improved from Friday, scoring 14.433.

Third Rotation:
McCallum had a slight wobble on Beam, but scored 13.800, just short of the 13.866 she got on Friday. Biles, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist, fell in mid-routine, and scored 13.700, well behind the 15.133 she scored on the first night. Lee was excellent with a triple somersault mid-routine and another on the dismount, and matched her 14.733 from Friday. Chiles was solid and stuck the dismount after a somersault and a full twist, scoring 13.900, down from 14.233.

Leanne Wong drew a lot of notice for her 14.233 on Floor, followed by Skinner, who executed a powerful tumbling routine on Floor, but stepped out on an early pass that cost her 0.300, resulting in a score of 13.500 vs. 13.866 on Friday.

Fourth Rotation:
McCallum flew out of bounds on an early tumbling run, suffering a significant deduction, earning 13.500 vs. 14.166 on Friday. Biles was sensational as always on Floor, developing sensational power on her patented double somersault with three twists tumbling run. But she stepped out with one foot on her first two tumbling runs, still scoring 14.600 vs. 15.366 previously. Lee followed with an elegant routine, with no major errors, earning 13.933, a bit step up from Friday’s 13.233.

Chiles was excellent on her Floor routine, hitting her tumbling passes and staying in control, bursting into tears as she walked off the podium. She shortly had reason to be happy, as she was rewarded with a score of 14.233, up 6/10ths from the first All-Around. DiCello skipped out of bounds on the first tumbling pass, scoring 13.500 vs. 13.966 from Friday.

Skinner was on Vault, displaying great speed and power, scoring 15.266 with just a step on the landing. That was better than her Friday score (15.133) and second only to Biles on Vault on the night. Wong was very good on her Vault, scoring 14.700, the same as on the first night.

Sunday’s All-Around scores actually showed Lee beating Biles (!), 58.166-57.533, with Chiles third at 57.499, a step above all others. The two-session scores had Biles the winner at 118.098, followed by Lee (115.832) and Chiles (114.631).

Then came the contenders for the final spots; McCallum was fourth at 112.564, Skinner fifth at 112.264 and DiCello in sixth at 111.231.

At the Trials, the two-Session event winners were Biles on Vault, Lee (30.200) on Bars, Lee on Beam (29.466) and Biles on Floor (29.966.)

The pressure of Sunday’s Trials was enormous and it showed on the competitors, but at the end, the Tokyo team was named with a view to the best scoring potential in the Team event. Biles, Lee and Chiles were obvious selections; the USA Gymnastics selection panel announced McCallum as the fourth member, plus Skinner as an individual competitor. The latter scored 30.399 on Vault on Sunday, second only to Biles’ 30.866.

Carey had already qualified as an individual. They’re on the plane, and the U.S. women will be favored to win a third straight Olympic Team gold in a little more than a month.

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ATHLETICS: World record for McLaughlin, world leaders for Lyles, Mu and Kunz as Trials close in hot Eugene

Rich Perelman

June 27, 2021

tsx pix 2021-625 mclaughlin, sydney OT2 (tim healy trktwn usa) — Double Olympic gold medalist and world-record setter Sydney McLaughlin (USA) (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

The final day of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene took place in scorching, 100-plus degree temperatures, after the men’s 5,000 m final had been held in the morning. The highlights as they happened:

● Men’s High Jump: The jumping really began at 2.27 m (7-5 1/4), which left four men vying for three spots in Tokyo: 2012 Olympic champ Erik Kynard, NCAA champ JuVaughn Harrison, 2019 NCAA Indoor champ Shelby McEwen and Darryl Sullivan, with Kynard still needing the Olympic standard of 2.33 m (7-7 3/4).

Harrison, McEwen and Sullivan all cleared 2.30 m (7-6 1/2) on their first try, but Kynard missed. He missed a second try and then passed to 2.33 m (7-7 3/4), where he missed for a third time and was eliminated. Now Harrison, McEwen and Sullivan were jumping for fun.

Sullivan was “only” fourth at the NCAAs for Tennessee, but he and Harrison sailed over 2.33 m on their first tries, with Sullivan equaling his lifetime best. McEwen missed twice and passed, keeping his options open. The bar went up to 2.36 m (7-8 3/4) and Harrison still had the long jump ahead of him, but kept going, missing his first try. He and Sullivan both missed twice, then asked for the bar to go up to 2.39 m (7-10). Sullivan missed and was done, then McEwen came back for a final jump and missed as well. Harrison decided that after 90 minutes in the heat, he needed to get ready for the long jump, starting an hour later.

● Women’s Heptathlon: Only Kendell Williams, the 2017 national champion, and two-time champ Erica Bougard came into the meet with the Olympic Standard of 6,420, but veteran Annie Kunz, the 2020 U.S. Indoor Pentathlon champ, was determined to get there.

Kunz led after the first day at 4,042, and was second in the long jump at 6.50 m (21-4) and fifth in the javelin at 45.06 m (147-10). That wasn’t good enough to hold onto the lead, as Williams moved ahead by winning the long jump (6.73 m/22-1) and second in the jav (47.41 m/155-6). But Kunz could get to Tokyo with a 606-point 800 m, meaning she has to run 2:37.19 or faster in the heat. Her lifetime best of 2:14.90 is fine, but what about running in 105 degrees?

Bougard stands third at 5,716 and has almost a 300-point lead over Ashtin Mahler (5,419).

In the 800 m finale, Kunz ran brilliantly and finished ahead of Williams in 2:15.24 to not only get the Olympic standard, but won the event overall at 6,703, a huge lifetime best and the 2021 world leader! She scored lifetime bests in four of the seven individual events to finish ahead of Williams (6,683, a personal best) and Bougard (6,667) in third. Kunz is now no. 5 in U.S. history and Williams is now sixth.

● The Heat ● At 3:16 p.m., USA Track & Field announced that the record heat in Eugene required a delay in the competition, to 8:30 p.m. for the men’s Long Jump and 9:02 p.m. for the Heptathlon 800 m. The heat reached 111 degrees (F), but was 99 when the competition continued.

● Men’s Long Jump: The first event to start after the heat delay, LSU’s Harrison took the lead in the first round at 8.24 m (27-0 1/2), which might be good enough to make the team. But he didn’t stay in the lead for long as Marquis Dendy – the 2016 World Indoor Champion – boomed out to 8.38 m (27-6), his best mark since 2016!

Rio Olympic champ Jeff Henderson jumped 8.08 m (26-6 1/4) in the first round, a good opener, but then he was pushed to fourth by Damarcus Simpson, who jumped a lifetime best of 8.19 m (26-10 1/2).

Dendy reached 8.19 m (26-10 1/2) in round three, but then Harrison got most of the board this time and landed in the lead at 8.47 m (27-9 1/2) – a lifetime best – and no. 2 in the world for 2021. Then Steffin McCarter of Texas inserted himself into the race for Tokyo, equaling his lifetime best at 8.26 m (27-1 1/4), pushing Simpson to fourth and Henderson to fifth. Rio Olympian Jarrion Lawson passed on all three jumps and did not advance to the final.

The top three did not change in the last three rounds; Florida State’s Isaac Grimes moved ahead of Henderson in round five at 8.09 m (26-6 1/2) and finished fifth. And it ended with Harrison completing his NCAA-Olympic Trials double in the high jump and long jump and on his way to Tokyo. For Dendy, making the team this time is especially sweet: he made the U.S. Worlds team in 2013-15-17, but now he gets to go to the Games.

● Women’s 400 m hurdles: Shamier Little got lane 5, Sydney McLaughlin was in lane 6 and world-record holder Dalilah Muhammad was in seven, with temperatures at 94 degrees.

McLaughlin got out well, but McLaughlin was right with her through five hurdles. Around the turn, Little came into contention, but chopped over the eighth hurdle and fell back. Muhammad led to the ninth hurdle, but McLaughlin charged ahead and poured on the speed to run through the tape in world record 51.90, the third straight time the two have produced a world record.

Muhammad was second in 52.42, and Little slowed dramatically in the straight and was passed late by NCAA champion Anna Cockrell for third, 53.70 – a lifetime best – to 53.85.

McLaughlin now owns two of the four fastest times ever – Muhammad has the other two – and Muhammad’s 52.42 was the equal-sixth fastest of all time. They may go faster in Tokyo.

● Women’s 800 m: There was an early fall with Nia Akins going down and Chanelle Price, Athing Mu and Ajee Wilson at the front. Price led at the bell in 57.44 with Mu and Wilson right behind.

Then the race ended. Mu took over with 300 m, with Price second and Wilson third and was running easily away from the field. The 2016 trials winner, Kate Grace, came up for second on the final turn as Wilson faded and then Mu took off.

She stormed away from the field and was 20 m clear at the finish in 1:56.07, the world leader for 2021 and the no. 2 performance in U.S. history. All this at age 19.

Behind her, Raevyn Rogers came up for second in a lifetime best of 1:57.66 – now no. 9 all-time U.S. – and Wilson ran herself back onto the team from fifth to third in 1:58.39. Michaela Meyer ran a lifetime best 1:58.55 for fourth; Price was fifth (1:58.73) and Grace finished seventh (1:59.17).

● Men’s 1,500 m: Josh Thompson took the lead with Cole Hocker, with Matthew Centrowitz in lane two and running comfortably. Eric Avila and Sam Prakel led through 400 m, but the pack remained bunched right into the home straight for the bell.

Centowitz, trying to stay out of trouble for the sprint to come, took the lead just before the bell and was ahead of Prakel, Colby Alexander and Thompson when the running really started. With a half-lap remaining Centro was in control and still running easily, with Prakel and Thompson trailing. But off the turn came Oregon frosh Cole Hocker, the NCAA winner, who sprinted past all but Centrowitz … and then passed Centrowitz on the straight in 3:35.28 to 3:35.34. Hocker finished in 52.5.

Notre Dame’s Yared Nuguse used his closing speed to come from the middle of the pack to run past Craig Engels and get third in 3:36.19 to 3:36.69.

Hocker’s 3:35.28 is a lifetime best, but he does not have the Olympic standard of 3:35.00. He’s only 47th on the 2021 year list, so it will take some days to determine whether he goes to the Games. Centrowitz and Nuguse are on their way.

● Men’s 200 m: World Champion Noah Lyles was in the middle of the track in lane five and he blasted right from the gun and had the lead heading into the straight from Kenny Bednarek outside of him in seven.

Normally, it would be race over for Lyles, but he was losing his lead in the final 50 m as Bednarek closed and prep star Erriyon Knighton stormed from fifth to third as they crossed the line. The clock showed a new world leader for Lyles in 19.74, with Bednarek running a lifetime best of 19.78 for second and Knighton breaking his own World U-20 Record at 19.84. Fred Kerley, already on the team in the 100 m, ran a lifetime best of 19.90 for fourth; Isiah Young ran 20.03 and got fifth.

The meet concluded with stunning results and a powerful U.S. team named; the performances resulted in world-leading performances in 11 events, five American Records and two World Records:

World leaders:
● Men.200 m: 19.74, Noah Lyles
● Men/800 m: 1:43.17, Clayton Murphy
● Men/110 m hurdles: 12.81, Grant Holloway (in semis)
● Men/400 m hurdles: 46.83, Rai Benjamin
● Men/Shot Put: 23.37 m (76-8 1/4), Ryan Crouser (World Record)

● Women/200 m: 21.98, Gabby Thomas (in heats)
● Women/200 m: 21.94, Gabby Thomas (in semis)
● Women/200 m: 21.61, Gabby Thomas
● Women/800 m: 1:56.07, Athing Mu
● Women/400 m hurdles: 51.90, Sydney McLaughlin (World Record)
● Women/Pole Vault: 4.95 m (16-2 3/4), Katie Nageotte
● Women/Hammer: 79.98 m (262-5), DeAnna Price (American Record)
● Women/Hammer: 80.31 m (263-6), DeAnna Price (American Record)
● Women/Heptathlon: 6,703, Annie Kunz

American Records:
● Men/Shot Put: 23.37 m (76-8 1/4), Ryan Crouser (World Record)
● Men/Hammer: 82.71 m (271-4), Rudy Winkler

● Women/400 m hurdles: 51.90, Sydney McLaughlin (World Record)
● Women/Hammer: 79.98 m (262-5), DeAnna Price
● Women/Hammer: 80.31 m (263-6), DeAnna Price

Now, on to Tokyo, eventually. But between now and then, many of the Trials stars will be out to make a living at the Diamond League meets coming up in Oslo (1 July), Stockholm (4 July), Monaco (9 July) and Gateshead on 13 July before the Olympic break.

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HIGHLIGHTS: Fraser-Pryce wins Jamaican Champs in 10.71; crashes and Alaphilippe mark start of Tour de France; U.S. women take third straight FIVB Nations League title

Rich Perelman

June 27, 2021

tsx pix 2021-627 us women vb win nations league (usav) — Three-peat: U.S. women celebrate a third straight FIVB Nations League title in Rimini, Italy. (Photo: USA Volleyball)

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Headline results of noteworthy competitions around the world/updated/:

● Archery ● The third and final World Archery World Cup of 2021 was in Paris (FRA), in a last tune-up prior to Tokyo and the U.S. team continuing its hot shooting.

In the men’s Recurve (Olympic) division, the elimination rounds saw two U.S. shooters – World Champion Brady Ellison and Olympic team member Jack Williams – advance to the semifinals, facing Federico Musolesi (ITA) and Patrick Huston (GBR), respectively. Both Americans won by 6-2 scores and advanced to the final, where Ellison recorded a 6-2 win. Musolesi defeated Huston, also by 6-2, for the bronze medal.

The men’s team event ended with Belgium and Germany in the gold-medal match, won by the Germans, 6-2. In the bronze-medal match, France defeated Malaysia by 5-3.

In the women’s division, Olympic Trials winner Mackenzie Brown sailed into the semifinals as well, facing Elena Osipov of Russia. The match came down to an extra arrow and Osipov moved on with a 10-9 advantage. Mexico’s Ana Vasquez and India’s Deepika Kumari faced off in the other semi, with Kumari winning by 6-2.

Kumari continued her hot shooting and shut out Osipov, 6-0, in the final. Brown had another cliff-hanger, but this time won over Vasquez on the extra arrow, 10-9.

Mexico and India were not done, however, matched in the Recurve Team gold-medal event, with India winning by 5-1. France won the women’s Team bronze, 5-3, over Belarus.

The Mixed Team event saw India and the Netherlands reach the final, with another Indian win, by 5-3. Spain and Mexico shot for the bronze medal, with the Mexicans taking the win, 5-1.

Even without a medal, the U.S. teams made it to the quarterfinals in all three events.

● Athletics ● Hot sprinting was expected at the Jamaican Championships in Kingston, and Shelly-Anne Fraser-Pryce did not disappoint. On Friday, the two-time Olympic 100 m gold medalist won in a speedy 10.71 over surprising Shericka Jackson – better known as a 400 m star – in 10.82, with defending Olympic champ Elaine Thompson-Herah third in 10.84. Jackson set a lifetime best of 10.77 in the semis.

The men’s 100 m saw Tyquendo Tracy upset 2011 World Champion Yohan Blake, 10.00-10.01, with Oblique Seville logging a personal best of 10.04.

In the men’s 400 m hurdles, Jaheel Hyde impressed with a win in a lifetime best of 48.18, no. 6 on the world list for 2021. Janieve Russell won the women’s 400 m hurdles in 54.07, moving to no. 5 in the world this year.

Elsewhere during this national championships break in the international schedule was a world lead in the discus by Sweden’s World Champion Daniel Stahl at 70.55 m (232-5) in Kuortane (FIN). Stahl was pushed to the limit by Slovenia’s Kristjan Ceh, who scored a national record of 70.35 m (230-9) in round three to briefly take the world lead, before Stahl reached 70.21 m (230-4) in the fourth and 70.55 m in the final round!

At the same meet, Germany’s Johannes Vetter demonstrated he is healed from a hip injury, winning with a monster 93.59 m (307-0) toss to win the men’s javelin. It was his ninth throw over 90 m this year and he is the only one to throw that far.

China’s Rio Olympic silver winner Lijiao Gong extended her world lead in the women’s shot to 20.39 m (66-10 3/4) at the Chinese Nationals in Chongqing; she now owns the top four throws of the year.

At the British Championships in Manchester, sprint star Dina Asher-Smith won the women’s 100 m in 10.97 and Holly Bradshaw won the women’s vault, jumping to no. 3 on the 2021 world list at 4.90 m (16-0 3/4) on her first attempt.

Reigning Olympic champion Mo Farah tried once again for the 27:28.00 Olympic qualifying standard in a specially-constructed 10,000 m race, and won in 27:47.04, meaning he will not be named to the British team for Tokyo.

In Osaka, Japan’s Shunsuke Izumiya won the men’s 110 m hurdles in a speedy 13.06, moving him to no. 3 on the 2021 world list, behind Grant Holloway of the U.S. and reigning Olympic champ Omar McLeod (JAM).

● Cycling ● The opening of the 108th Tour de France in Brest was one to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.

There were two major crashes during the late stages of the hilly, 197.8 km route. With about 45 km remaining, a female fan stepped onto the course and held out a sign for the television cameras with German rider Tony Martin running right into it and falling, causing a mass crash for dozens of riders. The peloton stopped to allow them to catch up, but there were injuries and a loss of time for some of the race contenders, including Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic and Dutch star Wout van Aert. ASO, the race organizers, promised legal action against the spectator … if she can be found.

The second smash-up came from within the peloton with about 6 km remaining, with a touch of wheels sending riders flying off the road and towards the spectators. The riders recovered to finish, but four-time champion Chris Froome (GBR) ended the stage 14:37 behind the winner.

The race finally came down to the final climb up and over the Cote de la Fosse and French star Julian Alaphilippe attacked on the climb with 2.3 km left and no one could match him. He seized the yellow jersey for the third consecutive Tour, winning by eight seconds over Michael Matthews (AUS), Roglic and Jack Haig (AUS). After the finishes were finally sorted out, Alaphilippe had 12-second overall lead on Matthews, and major contenders lost time, including Richard Carapaz (ECU: +0:23) and Richie Porte (AUS: +2:23).

Sunday’s second stage was another hilly course in Brittany, this time 183.5 km with an uphill finish to the Mur-de-Bretagne. The final ascent, with just 2 km remaining, would be decisive and Australia’s Porte and Colombia’s Nairo Quintana both attacked but could not shake the front group. Italy’s Sonny Colbrelli tried go break away with 900 m left, but it was Dutch star Mathieu van der Poel who was best prepared, and his attack with about 500 m left was the winner.

Van der Poel won by six seconds, with defending champ Tadej Pogacar (SLO) and Roglic going 2-3, followed by Wilco Kelderman (NED) and then Alaphilippe (+0:08). With the time bonuses figured in, van der Poel took the race lead by eight seconds over Alaphilippe, 13 seconds over Pogacar and 14 seconds over Roglic.

Not as chaotic, but still dramatic was the eighth edition of La Course by Le Tour for women, which will turn into a full-blown multi-stage race in 2022. This was a hilly, 107.4 km race from Brest to Landerneau, that ended with a mass sprint of eight riders.

Multiple breakaways were retrieved by the peloton during the race, with the last one compressed just before the fourth and final climb of the Cote de la Fosse. On the way to the uphill finish, the eight leaders settled for a sprint with Dutch star Demi Vollering getting to the line just ahead of Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (DEN), Dutch legends Anna van der Breggen and Marianne Vos and Australia’s Grace Brown, all timed in 2:50:29.

After being delayed due to coronavirus conditions in Peru, the Pan American Track Cycling Championships started on Friday in Lima, continuing through Tuesday.

Powerhouse Colombia dominated the first two days, with Kevin Quintero winning the Keirin and leading the Team Sprint win. Jordan Parra won the Elimination race and anchored the Team Pursuit win as well. Trinidad & Tobago’s Akil Campbell won the Scratch Race.

The women’s racing saw Colombia win the Team Sprint and Team Pursuit and Ambar Joseph of Barbados take the Scratch Race.

● Football ● The Copa America continues to play and continues to suffer from coronavirus infections.

Through last Monday, the South American confederation – CONMEBOL – announced that 22,856 tests had been administered in total, with 166 positives so far, or 0.7% of those tested. That’s up from 140 the week before, so the infection rate is slowing.

A total of 17 players have tested positive since the tournament began; of that number, 15 were available to play following a quarantine period. The tournament is being played without spectators; half of the 10 teams have reported at least one positive test among their delegation.

On the field, the group stage will finish today (27th), with Argentina (7 points: 2-0-1 W-L-T) leading Group A, followed by Paraguay (2-1-0) and Chile (1-1-2). Host Brazil is 3-0-0 in Group B, ahead of Colombia (1-2-1) and Peru (1-1-1).

The quarterfinals begin on 3 July and the title match will be on 10 July in Rio.

UEFA’s Euro 2020 finally completed the group stage with Italy (3-0), Belgium (3-0), the Netherlands (3-0) all undefeated, and England (2-0-1), Sweden (2-0-1) and France (1-0-2) winning their groups.

In the Round of 16, Italy eliminated Austria in extra time, 2-1 and Denmark stomped on Wales, 4-0, in Saturday’s matches. On Sunday, the Czech Republic surprised the Netherlands, 2-0, in Budapest, after the Dutch had to play with 10 men – following a red card for a hand ball – for the final 38 minutes of the game. The Czechs move on to play the Danes.

Sunday’s marquee match was a high-profile clash of Belgium and Portugal in Seville; no. 1-ranked Belgium finally solved the Portuguese defense with a Thorgen Hazard strike in the 42nd minute that twisted away from keeper Rui Patricio for a 1-0 halftime lead. The second half was uneven and chippy, but Portugal almost evened it with a header by Ruben Dias in the 82nd minute and then Raphael Guerrero hit the right post on a strike a minute later. Portugal mounted attack after attack and Joao Felix shot wide of goal at 90+4 on its last chance. Defending champion Portugal ended with a 23-6 edge in shots, but with a 1-0 loss and elimination.

The quarterfinals begin on 2 July and the tournament will finish on 11 July.

● Golf ● The Women’s PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club saw Americans Lizette Salas and Nelly Korda tied for the lead entering the final round at -15, five shots clear of the field. But then Korda took off, with birdies on 3 and 14 and eagles on 5 and 12 to go to -6 for the day and -21 for the tournament with four holes remaining, and a five-shot lead.

Korda gave back two shots with a double-bogey on 15, but sailed home at -19 (269), with a 68 for the day and finishing three shots up on Salas (71 for 272 total), with Hyo Joo Kim (KOR) and Giulia Molinaro (ITA) tied for third.

Korda, still just 22, won her first major and her sixth win on the LPGA Tour.

● Gymnastics ● The FIG Trampoline World Cup in Coimbrs (POR) was a 1-2 finish for Belarus on the men’s side, with reigning Olympic champ Uladzislau Hancharou winning over Aleh Rabtsau by 62.505-61.380. France’s Allan Morante was third (60.500).

Hancharou and Rabtsau teamed up to win the Synchro event, 50.450-50.150, over Russia.

Russia went 1-2 in the women’s final, as Susana Kochesok won with 55.770 points to Iana Lebedeva (55.270), with Palina Shadzko (BLR) in third. France’s Lea Labrousse and Marine Jurbert won the women’s Synchro with 47.460 points, ahead of Australia (46.990).

● Shooting ● A full-program ISSF World Cup for pistol, rifle and shotgun is ongoing in Osijek (CRO), with events continuing through 2 July.

The U.S. highlight came from Will Shaner, who won the men’s 10 m Air Rifle with a 250.5-249.2 score against Russia’s 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, Vladimir Maslennikov. In the other men’s individual events, Iran’s Javad Foroughi won the 10 m Air Pistol, and Italy’s Tammaro Cassandro won in Skeet. Ukraine’s Rio Air Rifle silver medalist Serhiy Kulish won the 50 m Rifle/3 Positions by 460.0 to 458.6 over Russia’s Rio silver medalist Sergey Kamenskiy.

In the men’s team events, Italy won in 10 m Air Pistol, Russia took the 10 m Air Rifle, and Italy won in Skeet.

In the women’s competitions completed so far, Antoaneta Konstadinova (BUL) took the 10 m Air Pistol title, Hungary’s Eszter Meszaros won the 10 m Air Rifle, and Russian Zilia Batyrshina won the Skeet event.

The women’s team competitions saw Bulgaria win the 10 m Air Pistol, Iran take the 10 m Air Rifle and Russia win in Skeet.

In the Mixed Team events, Russia won in the 10 m Air Pistol, Hungary won the 10 m Air Rifle competition and Chile defeated Ukraine in the Mixed Team Skeet.

● Sport Climbing ● The IFSC World Cup in Innsbruck offered the fourth Bouldering competition of the season and the first in Lead, but suffered from rainy conditions that hindered some of the events.

In the men’s Bouldering, Japan swept the top places, with Yoshiyuki Ogata winning with two tops and two zones (2T2Z 7/7), over two-time World Champion Tomoa Narasaki (1T3Z 2/11) and Kokoro Fujii (1T1Z 2/2). It was Ogata’s second career World Cup win. American Nathaniel Coleman was sixth (0T1Z 0/2). Delayed by rain, local regulations for public events required the event to end after the third problem.

The women’s final was marred by rain that also shortened the event to three problems, but Olympic favorite Janja Garnbret (SLO) still won easily, solving all three problems to win (3T3Z 3/3). American Natalia Grossman, 20, was second (3T3Z 9/9), her fourth medal in four Bouldering event this season (2-1-1). The 2017 World Games champ, Serbia’s Stasa Gejo was third (1T3Z 2/6).

Austria’s Jakob Schubert, the 2018 World Champion, won the opening Lead event of 2021, but just barely, reaching 47+ holds to 47 for Italy’s Stefano Ghisolfi and 38+ for Swiss Sascha Lehmann. The women’s title went to Garnbret, who reached the top, ahead of American Brooke Raboutou (40) and Japan’s Akiyo Noguchi (33+).

There was a strange outage on the video coverage of the Bouldering semi-finals, with a Twitter posting that noted:

“The video of the men’s and women’s Boulder semi-finals in Innsbruck has been temporarily removed from our YouTube channel.

“It will be edited and re-uploaded as soon as possible.”

This was followed by a notice from ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster:

“We acknowledge that, for a brief moment, we chose to display the sport of climbing in the wrong way. We commit ourselves to keep working for a fair, equal and better representation of women’s sports.

“Our apology goes out to Ms. Johanna Farber, the International Federation of Sport Climbing, Austria Climbing, and all those who felt concern and discomfort for our actions.”

As one poster on Twitter put it, “There were close-up camera shots of a female competitors backside. This wasn’t just the a shot of chalk handprints on black shorts though, it did feel like the competitor was being sexualised. I’m pleased IFSC is editing this out.”

Farber, an Austrian climber, was seventh in the semi-finals and did not advance to the final. She posted on Instagram, “having this slowmotion clip shown on NATIONAL TV and youtube livestreaming is so disrespectful and upsetting. … we need to stop sexualizing women in sports and start to appreciate their performance.”

● Swimming ● The famed Sette Coli meet at the Foro Italico in Rome (ITA) produced noteworthy times just a month ahead of the Tokyo Games.

Of special interest was the comeback of Swedish superstar Sarah Sjostrom after her surgery to fix a broken elbow suffered in a fall last February. She won the 50 m Fly (a non-Olympic event), the 100 m Fly and was second to Femke Heemskerk (NED: 53.03, no. 8 in 2021) in the 100 m Free, all with encouraging performances:

● 50 m Free: 24.25 (2nd), close to 24.07 season’s best from February
● 100 m Free: 53.47 (2nd), no. 17 on the world rankings
● 50 m Fly: 25.42, no. 3 on the world rankings
● 100 m Fly: 57.65, only a little slower than her 57.34 in February

Sjostrom is the reigning Olympic champ in the 100 m Fly, and won silver in the 200 m Free and bronze in the 100 m Free in Rio.

Hungary’s Kristof Milak, the world-record holder in the 200 m Fly, won that event in 1:53.18, a time only he has bettered this season (1:51.10 at the European Championships). Countryman David Verraszto won the men’s 400 m Medley in a speedy 4:09.57, no. 3 on the 2021 world list, while Italian Nicolo Martinenghi won the men’s 100 m Breast in 58.29 to move to no. 4 on the year list and equal-fourth all-time!

Italy’s Arianna Castiglioni won the women’s 100 m Breast in a national record 1:05.67, now no. 4 on the year list, just behind Americans Lilly King, Lydia Jacoby and Annie Lazor. Italian Freestyle star Simona Quadarella moved to no. 3 on the women’s 1,500 m year list with a win in 15:48.31, behind Katie Ledecky of the U.S. and Australia Maddy Gough.

Two-time World Champion sprinter Therese Alshammer had hopes of making a seventh Swedish Olympic team, this time only in the 4×100 m Free relay, but her 57.99 second-place finish in heat nine was considered too slow. Now 43, she owns two Olympic silvers and a bronze from the 2000 Games in Sydney, in the 50-100 m Frees and the 4×100 m Free relay.

Results from the Uzbekistan Open in Tashkent (UZB) last April, at which multiple Olympic qualifying times were achieved have been annulled by FINA, according to reports from India.

Complaints about manipulation of the times given at the event surfaced quickly and Indian swimmer Likith Prema provided video evidence demonstrating “that timings were tampered with to suit home swimmers.”

Observed: Even in our high-tech age, nothing can be taken for granted.

● Volleyball ● The U.S. women’s team continued its perfect record in the FIVB Women’s Nations League: three titles in three seasons.

After finishing with a 14-1 record in round-robin play in a sequestered environment in Rimini, Italy, the U.S. sailed into the playoff rounds as the top seed. In the semifinals, the U.S. squeezed past Turkey in contested sets, winning 25-21, 25-23 and 25-20. Brazil defeated Japan, 3-1, in the other semi.

The championship match saw Brazil take the first set, 28-26, but the Americans rebounded to win the next three – and the title – by 25-23, 25-23 and 25-21. American star Michelle Bartsch-Hackley was named Most Valuable Player, just as she was in 2019.

The all-tournament designations went to Americans Jordyn Palmer (best setter), Justine Wong-Orantes (best libero) and Bartsch-Hackley as Best Outside Hitter, along with Brazil’s Gabriela Guimaraes. Brazil also had three selections, with Tandara Caixeta selected as Best Opposite and Carol Gattaz as Best Middle Blocker, along with Turk Eda Erdem Dundar.

Said U.S. captain Jordan Larson: “It’s a really hard tournament. I am really proud of our team that kept fighting and kept competing through this whole five weeks. It’s been fun but long.”

The men’s Nations League saw Brazil win the round-robin at 13-2, trailed by Poland and Slovenia at 12-3 and France at 11-4. The U.S. finished seventh at 8-7.

In the semifinals, Brazil and Poland both won in straight sets. Brazil cruised past France, 25-20, 25-18 and 25-19, while the Poles defeated Slovenia, 25-22, 25-21, 25-23.

Sunday’s medal matches saw Brazil win its first Nations League title by thrashing Poland: 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-14. France swept Slovenia for third, 3-0.

Co-Most Valuable Players were Wallace de Souza (BRA) and Bartosz Kurek (POL). The awards for positions went to Michal Kubiak and Yoandy Leal (outside hitter), Kurek and de Souza (opposite hitter), Fabian Drzyga (POL) for setter, Thales Hoss (BRA) for libero and Mateusz Bienek (POL) and Mauricio Souza (BRA) for middle blockers.

● Water Polo ● The FINA men’s World League Super Final in Tbilisi (GEO) began on 26 June and will continue to 1 July. Group A comprises Japan, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Italy, with Group B including Montenegro, USA, Greece and France.

Italy won its first two matches to sit atop Group A, ahead of France and Greece (both 1-1). Montenegro beat the U.S., 10-6, in the opener of Group B and is 2-0, with the U.S. at 1-1 after defeating Japan, 15-7. Georgia is also 1-1 and plays the U.S. on Monday. Playoff matches will start on Tuesday.

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ATHLETICS: Chelimo’s 52.83 last lap wins men’s 5,000 m with Fisher and Kincaid doubling back from 10,000 m in hot conditions in Eugene

Rich Perelman

June 27, 2021

tsx pix 2021-624 chelimo-bor-mead 5000 (paul merca trktwn usa) — Olympic Trials 5,000 m winner Paul Chelimo leading Emmanuel Bor and Hassan Mead in the heats (Photo: Paul Merca for TrackTown USA)

The final morning of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene saw the men’s 5,000 m final begin in 88-degree (F) heat, with a slow start and a fast finish.

Garrett Heath, the 2019 Pan Am Games fourth-placer, led the field at the start, but gave way to Rio silver medalist Paul Chelimo after four laps, with 10,000 m winner Woody Kincaid close behind.

Chelimo ran easily with laps of 64.2 and 64.4, then Kincaid took over with 7 laps to go, then let Emmanuel Bor go in front with six laps left (again 64.1). Chelimo then went back into the lead, with Hassan Mead close, then Bor, Kincaid and NCAA champion Cooper Teare of Oregon.

The pack stayed close as the pace did not increase; Chelimo led at 8:07.49 through 3,000 m. Then the pace relaxed further, back to 67.6 and 69.3, bunching the field with three laps to go.

BYU’s Conner Mantz took over as 11 men were together with two laps to go after a 64.2 lap that did little to sort things out. Running to the front at the bell, it was Chelimo and 10,000 m runner-up Grant Fisher and Teare leading, taking off after a 63.7 lap.

On the backstraight, Chelimo and Fisher dueled together with Kincaid, Teare and Bor close and around the turn, Bor was dropped and the all-out sprint was on. On the straight, Chelimo was out in lane three to force Fisher and Kincaid wider, with Teare broken only in the final 40 m.

Chelimo ran the last lap in 52.83 to finish in 13:26.82, ahead of Fisher (13:27.01) and Kincaid (13:27.13) with Teare at 13:28.08 and Bor in 13:30.03. The top five were the only ones with the Olympic standard in this event and the race confirmed their class.

Chelimo is outstanding in hot conditions, winning in scorching heat in Sacramento in 2017 in 13:08.62 and considering his tactical acumen, will be a contender again in Tokyo. “I didn’t taper too much for this race, you know?” said Chelimo afterwards. Of Tokyo, he said, “Be ready to put it all out there.” Can’t wait.

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ATHLETICS: Price hammers two U.S. records, Holloway (12.81) and Benjamin (46.83) author no. 2 performances ever! Wow!

Rich Perelman

June 26, 2021

tsx pix 62318 price deanna hammer 750x462 — History for DeAnna Price in the women's hammer throw in Eugene: two American Records!

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Day six of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene saw temperatures reach 100 degrees (F), with the 20 km race walks and the women’s 10,000 m held in the morning. But the results from the afternoon and evening matched the heat:

● Women’s hammer: World Champion DeAnna Price came in as the world leader and the American Record holder and underlined both with authority.

Throwing in the afternoon heat at 4 p.m., she opened at 77.82 m (255-4), the no. 6 throw in U.S. history, to take the lead, then improved to 78.61 m (257-7), the no. 2 throw ever by an American. Not far behind was Brooke Andersen, who got out to 77.72 m (255-0) in round two, now the no. 10 throw in U.S. annals.

That only fired up Price, who exploded in round three with an American Record throw of 79.98 m (262-5), also the world leader for 2021 and no. 2 all-time behind world-record holder Anita Wlodarczyk (POL) from 2016!

But Price wasn’t done. After a foul in the fourth round, the sent the ball-and-chain out to 80.31 m (263-6) for another American Record and the no. 7 throw of all time! She’s the second woman – after Wlodarczyk – to eclipse 80 m and she now owns the top five throws in U.S. history. Yowzah!

Andersen did not improve and stayed second, and will be a medal contender in Tokyo. Gwen Berry, no. 3 on the 2021 world list, reached 73.50 m (241-2) in the first round and no one else could throw that far. She made her second Olympic team and is also a medal contender at her best. Janee Kassanavoid was fourth at 73.45 m (240-11).

● Women’s javelin: Also in 100-degree heat, three-time Olympian Kara Winger took the lead right away at 61.47 m (201-8) in the first round, trailed by American Record holder Maggie Malone, who reached 60.74 m (199-3) in round two.

Avione Allgood-Whetstone got a lifetime best of 58.94 m (193-4) in the third round to move into third, but well short of the Olympic qualifying standard of 64.00 m (210-0).

Malone got hold of her fifth-round throw and sent the winning throw out to 63.50 m (208-4), while Winger stayed put and Allgood-Whetstone stayed in third. Malone was far off her best in tough conditions, but if right, will be a medal contender in Tokyo.

● Women’s pole vault: The jumping really started at 4.60 m (15-1), with contenders Sandi Morris, Katie Nageotte, Jenn Suhr, Olivia Gruver and Morgann LeLeux the only ones left. The team was decided at the next height – 4.70 m (15-5) – with Nageotte clearing on her first try and LeLeux making it on her third. They’re on their way to Tokyo.

Morris, the Rio silver medalist, missed her three times at 15-5, but ended up third and on the plane as Grover’s suffered from a miss at the opening height of 4.35 m (14-3 2/4). Suhr missed once at 15-1 and that left her in fifth place.

Nageotte continued on, clearing 4.80 m (15-9) on her first try, while the overjoyed LeLeux missed and then retired. Nageotte continued on to 4.95 m (16-2 3/4) to extend her existing world lead and sailed over on her second try for the no. 8 vault in U.S. history (she’s already third on the list) and equal-second outdoors!

She missed three times at a world-record height of 5.07 m (16-7 1/2).

● Women’s long jump: NCAA champion – and world no. 2 – Tara Davis of Texas took charge as the no. 7 jumper in the first round with a 6.92 m (22-8 1/2), but her lead didn’t last long.

There are those who believed 34-year-old Brittney Reese, the 2012 Olympic champion and 2016 silver medalist might not be ready to chase another medal in Tokyo, but as the next jumper in the order, she replied to Davis with a windy 6.94 m (22-9 1/4w) jump to take the lead. She added a legal mark of 6.91 m (22-8) in round three for emphasis and then went nuts.

In round four, Reese landed out at 7.11 m (23-4) and then to 7.13 m (23-4 3/4) to not only extend her lead, but get her best (legal) jumps since 2017! From 16th on the world list in 2021 entering the Trials, she’s now no. 3! She finished with 7.02 mw (23-0 1/2w).

Tiffany Flynn, who does not have the Olympic qualifying standard, moved to third in the fourth round at 6.75 m (22-1 3/4), a lifetime best (and no. 27 on the 2021 list). But in the fifth round, Quanesha Burks, the 2020 U.S. indoor champion, launched out to 6.96 m (22-10) for second, to which Davis responded immediately with 7.04 m (23-1 1/4) to regain second place. Flynn responded with another lifetime best of 6.80 m (22-3 3/4), but she remained in fourth.

Davis also finished at 7.02 m (23-1/2) and finished second with Burks third. All are on to Tokyo, with Reese once again in the mix for gold.

● Men’s 400 m hurdles: Khallifah Rosser ran hardest on the start in lane eight, but favored Rai Benjamin ran patiently to come even at the fifth hurdle. But then Benjamin exploded into the turn and ran away from the field, winning by an expanding margin in a staggering 46.83, the no. 2 time in history – and the 2021 world leader – just 0.05 from the world record!

“I knew I was going to run 46,” Benjamin said afterwards. He’ll have more chances to take Kevin Young’s world record of 46.78 from the 1992 Olympic Games.

Behind him was Kenny Selmon, who made his first Olympic team after an up-and-down year in a lifetime best of 48.08 and David Kendziera was third, also with a personal best of 48.38. Rosser ended up fifth with a season’s best of 48.81.

● Women’s 200 m: World leader Gabby Thomas started in lane six, with Allyson Felix outside her in seven. Off the gun, Thomas was on fire, passed Felix on the turn and was joined by Jenna Prandini off the turn into the straight.

But Thomas had all the strength on the straightaway and finished with her arms in the air, stopping the timer at 21.61, her third world-leader in three races and the no. 3 time in history! Only Florence Griffith-Joyner’s 21.34 and 21.56 in Seoul in 1988 have ever been faster!

Prandini was sensational with a lifetime best of 21.89 (no. 9 all-time U.S.) for second and the battle for third was won by Ohio State’s Anavia Battle, who was third at the NCAA Championships a couple of weeks ago! Now she’s on the Olympic team, with a lifetime best of 21.95, ahead of Alabama’s NCAA runner-up Tamara Clark (21.98) and Felix (22.11).

Thomas authored one of the greatest series of races in the event at 21.98, 21.94 and 21.61 and is one of the favorites for a medal in Tokyo.

● Men’s 110 m hurdles: In the first semi, World Champion Grant Holloway broke fast, hurdled perfectly and ran through the line in a sensational 12.81 with an aiding wind of +1.8 m/s, the no. 2 time in history behind only Aries Merritt’s 12.80 from 2012. He regained the world lead and a threat to the world record in the final!

Trey Cunningham was second (13.21) and Jamal Britt was third (13.27). Sam Bixley of Washington State, disqualified yesterday during the false-start festival, appealed and was advanced to the semis, but finished ninth in 13.99.

Devon Allen won semi two in 13.10 (+1.2), ahead of Daniel Roberts (13.25) and Michael Dickson (13.29). Jarret Eaton was fourth in 13.32, but made the final.

All eyes were on Holloway nearly two hours later for the final, but there was another recall, with no one disqualified. Off the gun, Holloway and Roberts were in front right away and Holloway raced away with a clear lead and won decisively in 12.96 (+0.4). Roberts was second through most of the race, but Allen came on late and got second at the tape at 13.10, with Roberts at 13.11. Cunningham was fourth in 13.21, equaling his personal best.

After the first day of the women’s heptathlon, veteran Annie Kunz is in the lead at 4,042 points, trailed by Taliyah Brooks (3,946) and favored Kendell Williams (3,924) and then Erica Bougard (3,912). Only Williams and Bougard have the Olympic standard (6,420), but Kunz and Brooks are capable if everything goes right tomorrow.

There was qualifying only in the men’s 200 m and women’s 400 m hurdles, with lots of noteworthy action.

The men’s 200 m semis started with a strong turn from Kenny Bednarek and he powered down the straight for a 19.90 win (+0.9 m/s), ahead of Isiah Young’s 19.99 seasonal best and a 20.02 lifetime best from Andrew Hudson. Fred Kerley – already on the team in the 100 m – started slowly, tending to a small injury, then turned it on in the final 100, but still ended up fourth in 20.08.

World Champion Noah Lyles headlined the second semi and started brilliantly in lane eight, taking control around the turn and leading into the straightaway. But he was run down by 17-year-old Erriyon Knighton in the final 60 m, who won in 19.88, erasing Usain Bolt’s 2004 mark of 19.93! And Knighton was pointing to the clock in the final 10 m!

Lyles was second in 19.91, with world leader Terrance Laird third in 20.22. Kerley did make it through on time for the final.

The semifinals in the women’s 400 m hurdles started with world leader Sydney McLaughlin running hard from the start and was even with the hard-charging Nnenya Hailey over the eighth hurdle, but then ran away down the straightaway. McLaughlin’s easy style still produced a 53.03 time, second this year only to her own 52.83 from earlier this month.

Hailey scored a lifetime best of 54.24 in second and Cassandra Tate was third in a seasonal best of 55.24.

Semi two had world-record holder Dalilah Muhammad (lane 6) and world no. 2 Shamier Little (lane 5) going head-to-head. It took three starts to get a fair gun, and Muhammad got out fast as expected, with the lead through the seventh hurdle. Little gained on the far turn and was even with Muhammad on the final straight, passing Muhammad on the run-in for a 53.71 win, with Muhammad at 53.86 for a season’s best. USC’s NCAA champ Anna Cockrell was third in 55.10. The final will be epic.

What a day! The Trials finish tomorrow, with the men’s 5,000 starting at 10 a.m. to beat the heat.

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GYMNASTICS: Malone storms to Trials win, with Wiskus, Mikulak, Moldauer and Yoder named to men’s Artistic team for Tokyo

Rich Perelman

June 26, 2021

tsx pix 2021-626 malone, brody 750 (usag) — U.S. National All-Around and Olympic Trials All-Around champion Brody Malone (Photo: USA Gymnastics)

The U.S. Olympic Trials in Artistic Gymnastics for men concluded Saturday in St. Louis, with Stanford’s Brody Malone now the clear leader of the American men’s team for Tokyo.

Malone won the first All-Around competition on Thursday and romped to a second win on Saturday, scoring 86.350 – 1.10 points better – for a two-day total of 171.600, exactly three points better than Yul Moldauer.

Malone won the High Bar with a two-day total of 29.250 and was second on Floor (29.100) and Rings (28.450) and third on Parallel Bars (28.500) to go along with sixth-place finishes on Pommel Horse and Vault. In 2021, he swept the NCAA, U.S. National Championships and now the Olympic Trials.

Muldauer won on Parallel Bars (28.500) and was second on Pommel Horse (28.350), but lost his chance at the title with a 13th-place total on High Bar. Shane Wiukus (168.150) and Sam Mikulak (166.750) followed in third and fourth overall and were named to the team. Both looked like locks, but Mikulak fell off the Pommel Horse on his last event to throw some drama into the selection process. He finished just 0.050 points ahead of Brandon Briones (also Stanford: 166.700).

Briones, Akash Modi (6th: 166.050), Allan Bower (7th: 165.450), and Cameron Bock (10th: 163.300) were named as alternates.

There was also an individual spot for a specialist and Alec Yoder was named for the Pommel Horse; he won the two-day competition scoring 29.600. Alex Diab, a Rings specialist, won that event at 29.400, and was named as alternate.

All are first-time Olympians except for Mikulak, now 28, who made his third Olympic squad.

The U.S. Trials will end tomorrow night with the second women’s All-Around, starring Simone Biles.

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ATHLETICS: Sisson crushes women’s 10,000 m field in 85-degree heat as Christie and Stevens win morning walks

Rich Perelman

June 26, 2021

Saturday’s morning session of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, Oregon featured the men’s and women’s 20 km walk and the women’s 10,000 m, moved to 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. due to a heat wave that was expected to reach 101 degrees (F) in the afternoon.

In the men’s 20 km Walk, 2018 national champion Nick Christie led wire to wire, finishing I 1:30:48, trailed by Daniel Nehnevaj – who was second almost the entire race – in 1:31:59. Emmanuel Corvera was third (1:34:38).

The women’s 20 km Walk was also a clear victory, also from the start, for Robyn Stevens, in 1:35:13, followed by nine-time national outdoor champion Maria Michta-Coffey (1:39:25) and Miranda Melville (1:40:39).

No U.S. walker has met the Olympic qualifying standards of 1:21:00 for men or 1:31:00 for women, or is higher than 68th in the World Athletics World Rankings, making Olympic selection unlikely.

The women’s 10,000 m was held at 10 a.m. in about 85 degree heat, with 41 starters in a waterfall start, including a brand-new “American” in Weini Kelati, whose application for a change of allegiance from Eritrea was approved on Friday. She was the NCAA 10,000 m champ for New Mexico in 2019.

Lauren Hurley led the first four laps, then two-time World Championships finalist Emily Sisson took over and strung out the field with laps of 74-75 seconds instead of 78-79 for the first four. By 4,000 m, Sisson created a front group of 14, with five straight laps in the 75s (31:28 pace).

Sisson turned it up to 74.7-74.1-74.2 through 6,000 m and the lead pack was down to eight. She moved to 73.8 and 74.2 to 6,800 m and Sisson, Elise Cranny, Karissa Schweizer and Alicia Monson were breaking away from Natosha Rogers, Rachel Schneider and Sara Hall.

By 8,000 m, Sisson, Cranny, Schweizer and Monson were five seconds clear of Schneider and then Sisson started to break away with a 72.6 lap that Monson matched best with Cranny and Schweizer falling back. Sisson poured it on, running 72.4 to take control by 25 m with less than three laps to go. Cranny fell behind Monson and Schweizer, making it clear who was going to make the team.

Sisson increased to pace to 71.5, then 71.3 at the bell, with a 50 m lead over Monson and Schweizer, with Cranny well back in fourth. Sisson won in a stunning 31:03.82, a Trials record, and her second-fastest ever … amazing in the heat.

Schweizer – who was already on the team in the 5,000 m – came on for second with a 68.81 final lap and finished in 31:16.52 in only her fifth 10,000 m ever. Monson got third in 31:18.55 and Cranny was fourth in 31:35.22. All have the Olympic standard and are headed for Sapporo, where it is expected to be cooler than in Tokyo.

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GYMNASTICS: Biles dominates U.S. women’s Trials, wins three of four events to lead Lee and Chiles in first All-Around

Rich Perelman

June 25, 2021

tsx pix 123117 biles, simone 750x500 — Simone Biles at the 2016 Olympic Games (by Agencia Brasil Fotografias via Wikipedia Commons)

The U.S. Olympic Trials in Artistic Gymnastics for women got going on Friday in St. Louis, with all eyes on superstar Simone Biles trying for a second Olympic Games after winning four golds and a bronze in Rio five years ago.

In early June, the main contenders faced off at the U.S. Nationals, with Biles winning the combined All-Arounds at 119.650 over Sunisa Lee (114.950) and Jordan Chiles (114.450). In St. Louis, they started from scratch once again.

First Rotation:
Biles and Lee started on the Uneven Bars, with Lee compiling the high score at 15.300 and Biles (14.600) third after a 14.800 performance by Riley McCusker on her only event of the night. Chiles began on Beam, recording a 14.233 score for the early lead, while MyKayla Skinner lit up the Vault, scoring 15.133 to lead after the first rotation.

Second Rotation:
Biles moved to the Beam and confidently took the lead, scoring a 15.133. Lee was next at 14.733 and Chiles scored 14.233.

Third Rotation:
Chiles was on Floor, scoring 13.633, while Skinner collected a 14.133 on Beam to move into fourth on that apparatus. Jade Carey took the lead on the Vault, scoring 15.200 in one of the two events she hopes to compete as a specialist in Tokyo. Lee scored a modest 13.233 on Floor, followed shortly after by a sensational 15.366 for Biles that put her in the overall lead. Kayla DiCello’s 13.966 on Floor placed her third behind Biles in that event, as Grace McCallum scored 14.166 for second.

Fourth Rotation:
Chiles finished with a quality Vault, scoring 14.966 and finishing the night at 57.132. Lee scored 14.400 on her Vault, and totaled 57.666 for her first-day effort. Everyone was waiting for Biles on Vault, and she did not disappoint, scoring a sensational 15.466, the highest score on any apparatus in the session, for a total of 60.565 points to win the first All-Around.

Skinner finished on Floor, scoring 13.866 for a first-day total of 56.598 points, placing her fourth in the overall standings for the night, behind Biles, Lee and Chiles. McCallum finished with a 14.633 in the Vault to move into fifth place overall (56.498) and DiCello totaled 14.600 and stands sixth at 56.298.

For comparison, Biles led after the first day at the U.S. Nationals in early June with 59.550 points, trailed by Lee at 57.350, Chiles at 56.900 and Leanne Wong at 55.300.

The men will finish with a second All-Around on Saturday; the women will go once more on Sunday.

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ATHLETICS: Bor and Finley claim Steeple and discus titles; Thomas and Prandini scream to 21.94-21.99 women’s 200 m semis wins; Mu and McLaughlin scary

Rich Perelman

June 25, 2021

tsx pix 2021-625 bor, hillary rio 16 (tim hipps us army) — Hillary Bor is headed back to the Olympic Games after winning the U.S. Olympic Trials Steeplechase! (U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, via Wikipedia)

Day six of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene featured 90-degree heat and had two finals – in the men’s discus and the men’s Steeple – and a passel of qualifying events.

The discus was the first final and 2019 World Champs finalist Sam Mattis took the lead right away at 62.51 m (205-1). The 2017 Worlds bronze winner and two-time U.S. champ Mason Finley fouled his first throw – after fouling his first two throws in qualifying yesterday – but got a fair toss of 60.70 m (199-2) in round two, sitting in fifth.

Mattis’s first throw held up as the leader through three rounds, but then Finley got untracked and went to the lead on his fourth throw of 62.80 m (206-0). Feeling good, he then extended his lead to 63.07 m (206-11) in round five and it looked like no one would catch him.

The desperation of the sixth round produced the best throws of the day for Josh Stroychen in sixth and James Plummer in seventh, but a foul for Finley. Then 2018 national champ Reggie Jagers got the throw he was waiting for at 62.61 m (205-5) to move from fifth into second place and on the team with three throwers left. That’s the way it ended: of the 12 finalists, the only three with the Olympic qualifying standard made the team – Finley, Jagers and Mattis – are on to Tokyo.

The men’s Steeple ended the program, and two-time Olympian Donn Cabral led the pack through the first four laps with Rio Olympian Hillary Bor and Sean McGorty close. Benard Keter and Daniel Michalski came to the front with three laps remaining, but the pack was still together. Cabral and Bor led with two laps left, with Mason Ferlic now third, but Isaac Updike came up to lead Bor at the bell.

It was still anyone’s race, but six men separated themselves on the back straight and then Bor and Keter raced away with 200 m to go and into the final water jump. The two were together into the straight and when Keter made an awkward clearance on the last barrier, Bor raced away with an 8:21.34 win. It will be his second Olympic appearance after finishing seventh in Rio.

Keter was second in 8:21.81 and Ferlic used a great last water jump to separate from Michalski and Updike to claim third, 8:22.05-8:22.54-8:24.72. Cabral finished sixth in 8:25.95.

The healthy qualifying program included:

● Men’s 200 m: Things got hot immediately, as ex-prep star Erriyon Knighton ran hard from the gun in lane 4 and managed a remarkable win over World Champion Noah Lyles (in lane 7), and took away Lyles’s 2016 American Junior Record by 5/100ths, timing 20.04! Lyles was second in 20.19, ahead of ex-400 m star (and now 100 m Olympian) Fred Kerley (20.41).

The other heats weren’t nearly as fast, with Isiah Young beating Kenny Bednarek and Josephus Lyles in heat two, 20.21-20.22-20.39, and LSU star Terrance Laird – still the world leader – winning heat three in 20.44. The final heat was a win for Andrew Hudson in 20.40, with Georgia’s Matthew Boling (20.47) and 2008 Olympic 400 m champ LaShawn Merritt (20.53) third.

The semifinals and finals come Sunday.

● Men’s 1,500 m: The first semifinal was a wild dash into the final straight, with two-time U.S. champ Craig Engels moving out of a box and into lane two to break free and sprint to a win in 3:38.56. Notre Dame’s collegiate record holder Yared Nuguse was second in 3:35.60, as the top eight finished within 1.27 seconds.

In the second semi, the entire pack ran together almost to the bell and then Johnny Gregorek and reigning Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz took the lead as the running really started. Oregon frosh Cole Hocker, the NCAA champ, went to the lead with 250 m to go and he and Centrowitz raced together to the finish, with Centro winning in 3:42.96 – a 52-second last lap – and Hocker close at 3:43.00. Josh Thompson ran hard over the last 60 m to come up to third (3:43.61), as did Henry Wynne and Sam Prakel, leaving Gregorek in sixth and out of the final. Prep record holder Hobbs Kessler was eighth in 3:45.50.

● Men’s 110 m hurdles: The first three heats went as expected: World Champion Grant Holloway won the first race in 13.11, followed by Daniel Roberts in 13.22 and Devon Allen in a tight finish with Michael Dickson, with both in 13.26.

Then came the fourth heat with four recalls and resets, and then a disqualification of Sam Bixley of Washington State on the fifth recall for a slight flinch. On the sixth try, it was Iowa’s Jaylan McConico who looked best and edged Jarret Eaton, 13.35 to 13.51.

● Men’s 400 m hurdles: Khallifah Rosser led for the first nine hurdles in semi one, but Kenny Selmon came on in the home straight and won in 48.51, with Rosser at 49.04 and Isaiah Levingston third in 49.34. T.J. Holmes, a 48.20 man from 2019, did not have it and was last in 53.98. Amere Lattin, who won his heat yesterday, was disqualified after the meet ended last night for running on the lane line inside him.

Worlds silver medalist Rai Benjamin was the focus of semi two, and he ran away from the field right away. He had a 15 m lead over David Kendziera coming into the straight and then cruised him, literally jogging home in 48.51. Wow! USC’s Cameron Samuel passed Kendziera late for second, 49.01-49.05.

● Men’s High Jump: It took 2.19 m (7-2 1/4) to move to the final and 2012 Olympic champion Erik Kynard and LSU’s JuVaughn Harrison both advanced without incident.

However, Jeron Robinson, a three-time U.S. champion who has cleared 2.30 (7-6 1/2) this season, missed all three times at 2.14 m (7-0 1/4) and was eliminated.

● Men’s Long Jump: The top 12 included Rio fourth-placer Jarrion Lawson, who had to win a reversal of a drug suspension last year to be able to compete. He had two fouls, then unleashed the best jump of the day with a windy 8.12 mw (26-7 3/4 +3.2 m/s). He finished ahead of nine others over 26 feet, including Steffin McCarter (8.10 mw/26-7w), Marquis Dendy (8.09 mw/26-6 1/2w), LSU’s two-event star Harrison (8.06 m/26-5 1/2) and reigning Olympic champ Jeff Henderson in seventh (8.02 mw/26-3 3/4w).

Triple jump winner Will Claye was last at 7.18 m (23-6 3/4); 2012 Olympian Marquise Goodwin, now a Chicago Bears receiver, was 19th with 7.57 m (24-10).

● Women’s 200 m: Former Oregon star Jenna Prandini blew away the field from the start of semi one, with a huge lead off the turn and then striding home in 21.99 (-0.3 m/s), just 0.01 off the world leader from Gabby Thomas yesterday. Veteran Morolake Akinosun made up the stagger on Allyson Felix in lane eight through the turn, but Felix had plenty in reserve and moved confidently into second at 22.20 to assure a better lane for the final. Dezerea Bryant was third (22.37) ahead of Akinosun (22.44). Cam Sturgis of North Carolina A&T ended up seventh in 22.68.

Semi two had Thomas in lane six, and she stormed to the lead immediately and won easily in another lifetime best – and 2021 world-leading time – in 21.94 (+1.8)! Ohio State’s Anavia Battle was a distant second in 22.32 and Alabama’s Tamara Clark was third (22.35). Akinosun did qualify for the final on time.

● Women’s 800 m: All eyes were on Athing Mu, who let Chanelle Price lead the race for almost 700 m, with 2016 Trials winner Kate Grace just behind and Hanna Green in the mix. Into the final straight, Mu turned on a little speed and ran away from Grace to win in 1:59.31 to 1:59.43, with Price third in 1:59.90. Green got mixed up with Sage Hurta, who fell behind her, but still managed to get fourth in 2:10.19, but will miss the final. Mu looked so easy it was (and is) frightening.

The second semi saw Allie Wilson and Ajee Wilson running 1-2 at the bell and breaking away from the field with 300 m to go. Raevyn Rogers moved from the back into third with 200 m to go, but Ajee Wilson ran away from everyone down the straight and cruised home the winner in 1:59.49. Rogers came on strong for second at 1:59.66 and Allie Wilson was third (1:59.94). The final is Sunday.

● Women’s 400 m hurdles: Sydney McLaughlin was the star attraction of heat one – and the only one with the Olympic standard of 55.40. This race had three recalls, and the starter was holding quite a long time. On the fourth try, McLaughlin cruised around the track in 54.07, ahead of Nnenya Hailey – running hard all the way from lane eight – got an Olympic qualifier in 55.05!

World no. 2 Shamier Little was in lane seven in heat two, running just inside the Rio bronze medalist Ashley Spencer. The two ran together to hurdle eight, when Spencer chopped her step and Little cruised in at 55.22, with Spencer at 55.92. Cassandra Tate, the 2015 Worlds bronze medalist, was the class of heat three, winning decisively in 56.11, with NCAA champ Anna Cockrell second in 56.83. World-record holder and reigning Olympic champ Dalilah Muhammad looked to be in perfect health – after months of injuries – in winning heat four in 55.51.

● Women’s Javelin: No surprise as the American Record holder, Maggie Malone, led the list at 59.62 m (195-7), followed by former American Record holder, Kara Winger, with 58.78 m (192-10. They are the only ones who have the Olympic qualifying standard of 64.00 (210-0).

Saturday’s program includes finals in 20 km walks and men’s 10,000 m in the morning, then the first day of the women’s heptathlon and then finals in the women’s hammer, women’s javelin, men’s vault, women’s long jump, men’s 400 m hurdles, women’s 200 m and the men’s 110 m hurdles.

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THE TICKER: Tokyo 2020 could still ban spectators; U.S. Soccer posts 17-tweet reply to HBOMax’s“LFG” film; Tour de France starts Saturday

Rich Perelman

June 25, 2021

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The latest news, notes and quotes from the worldwide Five-Ring Circus:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● A modest rise in coronavirus infections in the Tokyo area and reports of two infected members of the Ugandan delegation has resulted in further concerns about the Olympics as a spreader event.

Tokyo 2020 chief Seiko Hashimoto told reporters on Friday that further tightening of the counter-measures will be made and that the decision to allow some spectators into the venues could be revisited if the infection rate continues to rise.

On Wednesday, Tokyo 2020 announced a new ticket lottery for the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and eight sports across 97 sessions: Athletics (16 sessions), Baseball (16), Football (30), Golf (8)), Modern Pentathlon (2), Rugby (8), Softball (7) and Surfing (8), in order to accommodate the new spectator capacity limits. Ticket holders who are selected will be able to print their tickets out at home on 6 July.

On Thursday, the head of the Imperial Household Agency said that Emperor Naruhito is concerned that the Games may lead to a rise in infections, but Yasuhiko Nishimura also noted that he has “not heard such words directly from his majesty.”

NBCUniversal told reporters on Tuesday that its advertising sales effort for the postponed Tokyo Games has reached $1.2 billion so far, just shot of the $1.25 billion it had sold for the event in 2020.

Adweek reported “Currently, NBCUniversal has more than 120 advertisers lined up for Tokyo – roughly 20 more than the 100-plus it had in Rio – and more than 80 of those advertisers did not participate in the Rio Games. It has seem the biggest increase in technology, pharmaceutical and social categories, which are doubling or tripling the business from Rio.”

The total U.S. audience for the Games is expected to top 200 million.

● Athletics ● The 2021 Wanda Diamond League schedule is being revised, with the two meets due to be held in China now cancelled due to travel restrictions and coronavirus issues in China.

The meets were scheduled for Shanghai on 14 August and another location to be determined on 22 August. There might be exhibition events held after the Diamond League Final in Zurich on 8-9 September, but this will depend on the travel situation at that time. The events that were to be held in the two meets will be re-distributed to the remaining events.

There was more Diamond League news on Wednesday, as Hayward Field in Eugene was selected to host the 2023 Diamond League final, the first time the culminating event will be held outside of Europe.

Jamaica’s two-time Olympic 200 m champion Veronica Campbell-Brown, 39, announced her retirement on Wednesday, finishing a brilliant career that saw her win a total of eight Olympic medals and five World Championships titles both indoor and out.

Campbell-Brown had been competing in U.S. meets in 2021, but managed bests of only 11.20 in the 100 m and 23.73 in the 200 m. She has lifetime bests of 10.76 – no. 11 all-time – from 2011 and a 200 m best of 21.74 – also no. 11 – from 2008.

She won the Olympic 200 m titles in 2004 and 2008 and won World Championships golds in the 100 m in 2007 and the 200 m in 2011. She also ran on Jamaica’s Olympic-winning 4×100 m in 2004 and on silver-medal teams in 2000–12-16.

It’s not well remembered that she was also the SEC champion in the 100 m and 200 m for Arkansas back in 2004, but her only scoring in the NCAA meet was on the fifth-place 4×100 m team in that year.

● Basketball ● USA Basketball formally announced its women’s national team for the Tokyo Games, which will try to win a seventh consecutive Olympic tournament.

The team includes enormous experience: two players who will be five-time Olympians (Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi), four-time Olympian Sylvia Fowles, three-time Olympians Tina Charles, second-time Olympians Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart, plus six first-time Olympians. The U.S. women are 66-3 all-time in Olympic competition and have won 49 games in a row.

The women’s 3×3 team will include Stefanie Dolson (Chicago Sky), Allisha Gray (Dallas Wings), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces) and Katie Lou Samuelson (Seattle Storm), who will enter the event as the favorites after going 6-0 at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this year. It’s worthwhile to note that all four are playing in the WNBA, while the U.S. men’s team – which did not qualify – had no current NBA players.

● Cycling ● It’s time for the 108th Tour de France, which will start on Saturday in Brest in the Brittany region, then head east to the Alps, south to the Pyrenees and finally back to Paris on 18 July.

The 21 stages include two time trials, eight flat stages, five hilly to medium mountain stages and six punishing mountain stages over a total distance of 3,417.5 km (2,123.5 miles). The race will be televised in the U.S., mostly on NBCSN, with some weekend stages on NBC.

The 139 registered riders include former winners Chris Froome (GBR: 4 wins), Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali (1), Britain’s Geraint Thomas (1) and last year’s winner, Tadej Pogacar (SLO).

Pogacar and countryman Primoz Roglic are among the favorites for 2021, along with Thomas, Richard Carapaz (ECU), Richie Porte of Australia and home favorite Julian Alaphilippe, who led for 14 stages in 2019 before yielding to eventual winner Egan Bernal (COL). Pogacar, Roglic and Porte went 1-2-3 last year.

Chelsea Wolfe of the U.S. is an alternate for the BMX Freestyle event in Tokyo, and may not compete. But her goal was to not just win, but make her feelings known on the podium.

Fox News reported earlier this week:

“‘My goal is to win the Olympics so I can burn a US flag on the podium. This is what they focus on during a pandemic. Hurting trans children,’ Wolfe wrote on Facebook on March 25, 2020, along with a link to a PinkNews story about the Trump administration’s stance on transgender girls in female athletics.”

The story noted that “Wolfe identifies as a transgender woman.” If she gets her chance, she will face sanctions from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, as its guidelines for prohibited behavior include the “Defacing, distorting, or causing physical harm to a national flag.”

● Football ● The latest chapter of Euro 2020’s “bottlegate” came Friday when tournament organizers UEFA announced that “teams, players and coaches will be asked in advance if they would object to having the bottles placed in front of them at press conferences on religious grounds.”

French star Paul Pogba, who is Muslim, removed a bottle of a non-alcoholic version of Heineken during his news conference last week.

The U.S. Soccer Federation posted a 17-tweet response to the HBOMax documentary film “LFG” about the U.S. women’s National Team’s win at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France that was available to see on Thursday (24th).

The federation started with “there is a concerning level of dishonesty about U.S. Soccer and the USWNT’s compensation that we feel must be addressed. Specifically, lawyer Jeffrey Kessler presents a misleading and inaccurate account of the facts.” And it continues (presented as posted):

● Kessler’s own admission in the movie that certain things he says are “a little bit of an exaggeration” pertains to a lot of the misleading information he presents, conveniently without context or specific details. So, we’d like to talk about real facts. 2/17

● Kessler claims that “merely for showing up and playing a game, the men get more per game than the women.”

The facts: The men’s and women’s teams are represented by different unions and knowingly requested and agreed to different compensation models. 3/17

● The USWNTPA asked for and agreed to a contract that provides a guaranteed salary of $100k and benefits, plus a bonus for matches. The men’s contract is pay-for-play – meaning they only get paid when they play. No guaranteed salary. No benefits. 4/17

● Are the bonuses smaller than the USMNT game bonuses? Yes, b/c the USWNTPA negotiated for a $100k salary and benefits. Kessler conveniently leaves out those 2 things and only compares bonuses. He also fails to mention the $90k+ salary U.S. Soccer pays for playing in the NWSL. 5/17

● This structure was preferred by the USWNT as it ensures security and stability. If a player gets hurt on Jan. 2, she still gets paid her full salary (and NWSL salary). During COVID when there were no games USWNT still got paid every 2 wks + benefits. USMNT got paid $0. 6/17

● While negotiating their last agreement signed in 2017, the USWNTPA turned down a pay-to-play structure, the exact same way the men’s team is paid. 7/17

● At the time, a player rep told http://SI.com that “equal isn’t the right word. It would be equitable, because we are asking for a different structure.” https://ussoc.cr/t7m4e 8/17

● Kessler also alleges differences in hotel accommodations for the USWNT and USMNT, joking the USWNT stays at Motel 6.

The facts: The USWNT consistently stays at some of the finest hotel properties in the world and has for 20 years. 9/17

● Kessler claims the WNT “almost never travel in charters” and “the last one they did was after the World Cup.”

The facts: The WNT & MNT have chartered the exact same amount of flights from ‘18 to now (18 each). 6 for WNT were post-WWC, including most recent in April 2021. 10/17

● Kessler says that FIFA doesn’t pay the players World Cup prize money directly and insinuates that since FIFA gives the money to the Federations, we haven’t provided it fairly to the players.

The facts: U.S. Soccer paid 100% of the WC prize money to the WNT. 11/17

● The amount of prize $$ for the Men’s WC and Women’s WC is set by FIFA, not U.S. Soccer. We agree it should be equalized. We are also open to the teams sharing their prize $$ with each other if they choose. 12/17

● USSF has pressed FIFA to eliminate the gap in prize money – which right now is $34m ($38m for MWC winner and $4m for WWC winner) – and will continue to do so. Kessler says we should pay the difference from past WCs and any future differences. A total of almost $100m. 13/17

● The facts: Asking us to pay the difference in FIFA prize money would take millions away from developing USYNT players, coaches & referees. We would have less money to develop the next generation and grow the sport, and it could even bankrupt USSF. 14/17

● Kessler also consistently distorts the facts on revenue generation and TV ratings in his commentary in the movie. 15/17

● Our USWNT and USMNT are among the highest paid in the world, with the USWNT making more than almost every men’s national team globally. We’re confident that working together we can reach an agreement that benefits everyone moving forward. 16/17

● We remain committed to building on the success of our teams and continuing to grow soccer here in the U.S. at every level of the game. 17/17

This is a remarkable – although not unprecedented – use of Twitter, and a corresponding news release is not shown on the USSF Web site, and will be a point of debate among public relations professionals for years to come.

As for the actual dispute between the women’s team and the federation, the equal-pay lawsuit was dismissed on summary judgement by U.S. District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner on 1 May 2020. Klausner wrote in part, “the WNT both played more games and made more money than the MNT per game” and “the reality [is] that the MNT and WNT bargained for different agreements which reflect different preferences, and that the WNT explicitly rejected the terms they now seek to retroactively impose on themselves.”

The decision has been appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

● Shooting ● On Wednesday, USA Shooting posted a news release which began with:

“USA Shooting was notified by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) today that Olympic Team Nominee Keith Sanderson has been excluded from the U.S. Delegation for Tokyo due to a suspension handed down by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. In accordance with the guidance provided by, and in cooperation with the USOPC, Tokyo Alternate Jack Leverett III has been promoted to fill this quota place in Men’s 25M Rapid Fire Pistol and will compete alongside his brother Henry Leverett.”

Matt Suggs, USA Shooting’s chief executive, added: “USA Shooting remains committed to the safety of our athletes, staff, and volunteers and SafeSport is an important part of that commitment. Since the launch of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, 20 cases have been filed in connection with USA Shooting, and this is the first suspension of any kind for a USAS staff member, volunteer, coach, or athlete.”

The U.S. Center for SafeSport site lists Sanderson as suspended as of 1 June 2021 for “Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment.” A statement from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee noted that his suspension is for three months.

Sanderson, 46, competed in 2008, 2012 and 2016 in the 25 m Rapid-Fire Pistol event, finishing with a best of fifth in Beijing.

● Swimming ● The 21 June notice of the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision to suspend Chinese star Yang Sun after a re-hearing imposed a suspension of four years and three months:

“The new Panel found Sun Yang to have acted recklessly in particular when he refused to allow the blood samples to leave with the Sample Collection Personnel, causing the abortion of the out-of-competition anti-doping control of 4-5 September 2018.”

That’s the same conclusion as the first panel reached, but Sun actually did quite a bit better due to an intervening change in the FINA rules. As a second-time violator of the anti-doping rules, he had been suspended for eight years as per the FINA rules in place at the time when the first decision was released, in December 2020.

Since then, FINA’s rules were amended so that sanctions for a second offense are more flexible and can reflect “the entirety of the circumstances.” Thus, the penalty was changed from a full eight years to 51 months. Sun’s sanction runs from 28 February 2020 and will finish at the end of May in 2024, leaving him eligible – at age 33 – to compete in Paris in 2024.

New FINA President Husain Al Musallam (KUW) struck a cordial note on Thursday about the future relationship between the federation and the International Swimming League during a conference call with reporters:

“For me as president of FINA, my door is open for ISL or any other commercial operation. We will work with ISL if ISL would like to work with FINA.”

This is a sea change from the initially-hostile relations between the two, and two lawsuits against FINA by ISL and by a group of its swimmers are still pending in Federal Court in California. However, ISL has held two seasons thus far without sanctions from FINA and is preparing to begin a third after the Tokyo Games.

ISL posted no reply to Al Musallam’s comments on its Web site or Twitter feed.

● The Last Word ● Legacy can be a tough part of Olympic hosting, as the folks in Korea are finding out.

The Alpensia Resort, which was the site for biathlon, cross-country skiing, nordic combined, ski jumping and bobsleigh, luge and skeleton at the 2018 Winter Games, was sold by its government-owned operator to a private-sector buyer for 710 billion won or about $628.93 million U.S.

The deal is slated to close in August, but there are doubts whether the buyer, a specially-created subsidiary of electronics parts maker KH Feelux, can conclude the deal. The property – which opened in 2009 – had been up for sale multiple times and condominiums in what had been the Olympic Village, did not sell as hoped.

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ATHLETICS: Coburn and Frerichs 1-2 in women’s Steeple; Ramsey and Saunders earn women’s shot berths; world-lead 21.98 for Gabby Thomas!

Rich Perelman

June 24, 2021

tsx pix 2021-620 coburn, emma OT2 (tim healy trktwn usa) — Emma Coburn, the 2017 World Champion in the 3,000 m Steeple (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

The second half of the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials started up on Thursday with lots of qualifying, but finals only in the women’s shot and the women’s 3,000 m steeplechase.

The women’s shot put was immediately thrown into chaos when Felisha Johnson – the U.S. leader and no. 4 on the world list at 19.45 m (63-9 3/4) – had three fouls and did not advance to the final. The qualifying leader was Raven Saunders, fifth in the 2016 Rio Games, with a season’s best of 19.16 m (62-10 1/2), now no. 10 on the 2021 world list.

In the final, the first-round leader was Jessica Ramsey, who reached an outdoor lifetime best at 19.45 m (63-9 3/4), just a couple of inches short of her all-time best. But everything changed in round three, when Saunders sent the 4 kg ball arcing past the last chalk line to 19.96 m (65-6), a lifetime best and moving her to no. 4 on the all-time U.S. list, with the seventh-best throw ever! She also moved to no. 2 on the 2021 year list.

But that only fired up Ramsey, whose fourth-round toss reached 20.12 m (66-0 1/4), a lifetime best and making her no. 4 in U.S. history with the equal-sixth-furthest throw in American history. Rio Olympic champ Michelle Carter is the only other American to throw that far (twice) in the last 10 years! Ramsey replaced Saunders as no. 2 for 2021.

Ohio State’s NCAA champ Adelaide Aquilla upset Maggie Ewen for the third ticket to Tokyo, 18.95 m-18.92 m (62-2 1/4 to 62-1).

In the Steeple, 2017 World Champion Emma Coburn was the favorite, along with American Record holder Courtney Frerichs, who was at or on the lead for the first four laps. Coburn, who usually hangs back, moved up to second with three laps to go and ready to pounce. With two laps left, Frerichs, Coburn and Leah Falland separated from the rest, but then Falland fell over the next barrier.

Coburn took the lead with a lap and a half left and she and Frerichs led at the bell, with Coburn in front by 3 m and expanding her edge. It was over on the backstraight and Coburn charged home in a Trials record 9:09.41, with Frerichs in 9:11.79.

Falland got up and ran with Marissa Howard on the last lap, but both faded and Val Constien came up to get third in a lifetime best of 9:18.34. Howard finished fifth and Falland was ninth.

In the early qualifying, the women’s hammer also had a surprise with UCLA junior Alyssa Wilson exploding to 73.75 m (241-11), now no. 12 on the 2021 list. It’s a lifetime best of more than 10 feet.

The qualifying was led by World Champion DeAnna Price at 77.10 m (252-11), followed by Wilson and Janee Kassanavoid at 72.89 m (238-6). Brooke Andersen and Gwen Price, nos. 2-3 on the world list, also qualified easily. The final is Saturday.

In the afternoon and evening events:

● Men’s 1,500 m: Prep sensation Hobbs Kessler (3:34.36) announced on Wednesday that he has turned professional and focused on trying to make it to Tokyo instead of competing at Northern Arizona in the fall. He ended up winning heat one in 3:45.63 with a well-timed move out of a box on the final straight, moving into lane two to edge Josh Thompson (3:45.67).

Reigning Olympic 1,500 champ Matthew Centrowitz was the focus of heat two, but Oregon’s NCAA champ Cole Hocker led from start to finish, winning in 3:39.72, with Waleed Suliman (3:39.92), Craig Engels (3:40.03) and Centrowitz (3:40.09) following easily. The third heat was a classic mass finish with Sam Prakel winning in 3:39.02 and Notre Dame’s Yared Nuguse jetting ahead of the rest in 3:39.09. Henry Wynne (3:39.10) was third and veterans Johnny Gregorek (6th: 3:39.36) and Ben Blankenship (9th: 3:42.46) also advanced to the semifinals.

● Men’s 5,000 m: The first heat turned into a final-lap sprint with six runners trying for five auto-qualifying spots. Down the final straight, Eric Jenkins had the best sprint and won in 13:43.18, followed by Grant Fisher (13:4341) and 10,000 m winner Woody Kincaid (13:43.81). Jenkins finished in 55.06.

Heat two had nine runners in contact at the bell, but Rio 5,000 m silver medalist Paul Chelimo had control of the race, with Emmanuel Bor on his right shoulder. The pace increased, but Chelimo was unchallenged, winning in 13:36.66, ahead of Nico Young (13:36.74) and Hassan Mead (13:36.80) with Bor fourth (13:36.84).

● Men’s 400 m hurdles: Some strange things going on in the heats, as Kenny Selmon won heat one in 49.03 ahead of Oklahoma’s Isaiah Livington (49.06), but with Quincy Downing clobbering the hurdle inside of him (!) as he came over the eighth flight, falling and finishing last. In heat two, superstar Rai Benjamin went out too casually and stutter-stepped hurdles two and three and didn’t get to the lead until the straightaway … and still ran 49.12, ahead of David Kenzeira (49.19).

World leader Sean Burrell of LSU was the headliner in heat three, but after Quincy Hall grabbed his leg after the second hurdle and fell to the track, Burrell fell over hurdle eight! Amere Lattin won the heat in 49.81, followed by T.J. Holmes (49.90). Heat four was a mad dash among collegians, with Cameron Samuel (USC) beat Jonathan Harvey (Oregon), Charles Brockman (Texas) and Trevor Bassitt (Ashland), 49.89-49.95-49.98-49.99.

● Men’s Discus: The qualifying leaders were Legend Boyesen-Hayes at 62.59 m (205-4), followed by 2018 U.S. national champion Reggie Jagers (62.55 m/205-2) and Sam Mattis (62.15 m/203-11). But 2017 Worlds bronze medalist Mason Finley was way off his game, reaching only 59.64 m (195-8) after two fouls, but qualifying as 10th out of 12.

● Women’s 200 m: Five heats to advance 16 to the semis, with Sha’Carri Richardson and Javianne Oliver – 1-2 in the women’s 100 m last Saturday – skipping this event. North Carolina A&T star Cam Sturgis flew down the straight to win in 22.37 (+1.7 m/s) over a season’s best from Teahna Daniels (22.54). Ohio State’s Anavia Battle, third at the NCAAs, won heat two in 22.37 (+1.2), over Dezerea Bryant in 22.71.

The revelation was Jenna Prandini in heat three, steaming around the turn and relaxing into the straight in a lifetime best of 22.14 (+1.9) – old, 22.16 from 2018 – and moving to sixth on the 2021 year list. Brittany Brown was second (22.49) and 400 m winner Quanera Hayes was third (22.58). Even faster was Gabby Thomas, running a world-leading 21.98 in heat four (+0.7)! She zoomed the turn and then pushed through the straight, blasting her old best of 22.17 from earlier this year. Thomas is now no. 10 in U.S. history and the 11th American woman to break 22 seconds.

Allyson Felix headlined the final heat, but NCAA runner-up Tamara Clark led off the turn and won in 22.54 (+1.0), with Morolake Akinosun (22.48) second and Felix finishing third (22.56, time qualifier).

● Women’s 800 m: In heat one, Chanelle Price, the 2014 World Indoor Champion, led through 400 m in 58.7, through 600 m and then worked the straight right to the wire in 1:59.86, her sixth-fastest race ever!

Athing Mu showed why she is the most feared athlete in this event, controlling her race and winning in 2:00.69 over Hanna Green (2:00.79). American Record holder Ajee Wilson won heat three in 2:00.55, winning a sprint finish over Allie Wilson (2:00.71, no relation) and Michaela Meyer (2:00.75). Favorites Sabrina Southerland (2:00.85) and Raevyn Rogers (2:00.75) won heats four and five.

● Women’s Pole Vault: Ten athletes cleared 4.50 m (14-9) to qualify, including stars Jenn Suhr, Sandi Morris and Katie Nageotte, plus contenders including Morgann LeLeux and Olivia Gruver. Three made it at 4.40 m (14-5 1/4), so there will be 13 in the final.

● Women’s Long Jump: Twelve advanced to the final, with no surprises. Four-time World Champion Brittney Reese led the qualifiers with a season’s best – right on time – at 6.86 m (22-6 1/4), followed by Quanesha Burks (6.81 m/22-4 1/4). Texas star Tara Davis reached 6.68 m (21-11) in the second round, and 2016 Olympic gold medalist Tianna Bartoletta was ninth with a seasonal best of 6.54 m (21-5 1/2). Triple jump winner Keturah Orji also made it in at eighth at 6.54 m (21-5 1/2).

The women’s 400 m hurdles qualifying will be held on Friday, but CeCe Telfer – a transgender runner with a best of 57.53 from 2019 – was removed from the Trials for not meeting the World Athletics standards for eligibility. The World Athletics rules require that transgender athletes competing in events from 400 m to the mile have a testosterone level of 5 nmol/L or less, maintained for at least 12 months. The Associated Press reported, “USATF said it had been notified last week that Telfer had not met the conditions and the federation passed along that information to the runner.”

Telfer ranked no. 130 on the 2019 world list and her 57.53 best would rank no. 123 in 2021.

Friday also has a lot of qualifying events, but finals in the men’s discus and men’s 3,000 m steeplechase. The weekend schedules are almost all finals.

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GYMNASTICS: Rising star Brody Malone leads first day of Olympic Trials ahead of Wiskus, Moldauer and Mikulak

Rich Perelman

June 24, 2021

The U.S. Olympic Trials in Artistic Gymnastics got underway in St. Louis on Thursday with the first men’s All-Around program. Both the men’s and women’s programs will send four-person teams to Tokyo, with the U.S. earning an extra individual competitor in the men’s and women’s competitions. Jade Carey has also earned a place at the Games (still to be confirmed) by virtue of her performances at the FIG Apparatus World Cups over the past two seasons.

The USA Gymnastics selection procedures state that the top two athletes from the combined two days of All-Arounds will be named to the team (with some qualifications), with the remaining places and replacement athletes to be determined by the “Athlete Selection Committee.”

Thursday’s men’s first All-Around saw NCAA and national champion Brody Malone dominate once again, winning on Floor (14.600, tied with Sam Mikulak) and High Bar (14.450), on his way to a first-day winning total of 85.250, ahead of Shane Wiskus (84.300), Yul Moldauer (83.200), veteran Mikulak (83.200) and Malone’s Stanford teammate Brandon Briones (82.700).

Wiskus won the Parallel Bars at 14.500 and Donnell Whittenburg was especially impressive on Vault, winning at 15.050. The specialists who shined included Alex Diab on Rings, winning at 14.500, and Alec Yoder on Pommel Horse, winning at 15.050.

Malone’s score was down a bit from his spectacular National Championships performance, where he scored 86.250 on the first day, followed by 84.450 on the second day.

The men will go again on Saturday; the women – led by Simone Biles – will go tomorrow.

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THE LATEST: ITA report shows IWF mishandled, covered up or bungled 142 doping cases from more than a dozen countries from 2009-19

Rich Perelman

June 24, 2021

tsx pix 2020-106 ajan, tamas 750 — Former International Weightlifting Federation president Tamas Ajan (HUN). (Photo: IWF)

A 50-page report released Thursday about doping and the International Weightlifting Federation from the International Testing Agency documented a years-long program of doping positives going unpunished due to “administrative oversight due to poor organisation skills, to jurisdictional mix-up, to passivity, and on to blatant cover-up.”

In addition to a lengthy review of some 146 cases from 2009-19 which required investigation, the report specifically alleges direct violations of the World Anti-Doping Code against:

● Former IWF President Tamas Ajan (HUN) for “Complicity and Tampering with multiple” doping violations;

● Current IWF Vice President Nico Vlad, also the current President of the Romanian Weightlifting Federation; and

● Hassan Akkus, President of the European Weightlifting Confederation and former President of the Turkish Weightlifting Federation.

The IWF issued a statement in which Interim President Dr. Michael Irani noted:

“While the IWF is thankful for the ITA’s clear acknowledgement that such craven acts could not be repeated under its independent results management process, thanks to the arrangements in place for some time now, today’s report shows just how dark the dark days of our sport were. To all those athletes who were cheated of the opportunity to compete fairly, I would like to offer the IWF’s unreserved apology.”

Astonishingly, however, the statement did not include resignations or suspensions of Vlad or Akkus, both listed as current members of the IWF Executive Board!

The ITA inquiry was commissioned in November 2020 and took eight months, as a reaction to the German ARD network documentary “Lord of the Lifters” from January 2020 and the subsequent investigation by McLaren Global Sport Solutions, filed in June 2020, which detailed numerous doping, financial and governance problems in the federation.

The ITA focused on 146 questionable doping cases identified by the World Anti-Doping Agency and was able to review some 75 GB of IWF data, conducted interviews with 15 people, reviewed 14 whistle-blower reports and “produced over 75 investigative, interview or human source intelligence reports.”

Of the 146 questionable cases, four were listed by WADA itself and 142 were positives in the WADA registry from weightlifting that had not been resolved. Of the 142:

● 67 were found to have been properly handled by the IWF, but WADA was never informed;

● 23 cases are being handled by the ITA currently, all from 2019;

● 12 cases were resuscitated by the ITA and are being reviewed;

● 6 cases were under the jurisdiction of anti-doping organizations other than the IWF; these have been handed over to the correct authority for further review;

● 5 cases were not doping violations at all;

● 29 cases cannot be reviewed since the 10-year statue of limitations has passed, and/or the applicable samples have been destroyed.

The report went into considerable detail on some of the methodologies used to work out positive doping results. This included:

“For the vast majority of samples on the WADA List, the [Doping Control Form], and hence the athlete’s identity, had not been matched in ADAMS [data reporting system] by the IWF or other responsible [testing authority]. The only information available to WADA (and the ITA) was the laboratory result contained in ADAMS, with limited information.

“The ITA’s investigation found evidence that in some instances the IWF deliberately avoided matching DCFs with sample codes so as to purposely omit to link the [adverse findings] to the athlete in ADAMS, with a view to circumvent WADA’s scrutiny.”

But the efforts went much further, including simply ignoring WADA’s requests for information, backdating test reports, substituting samples and other activities regarding multiple federations:

● Azerbaijan: 23 samples provided by 18 Azeri lifters in 2013 came back positive, but three of those athletes were permitted to compete in the IWF World Championships that year. Wrote Ajan in a December letter following the Worlds:

“What we have done for your athletes and Federation is something the IWF has never done before and not willing or able to do in the future. The knot tightens around my neck and my 45 years work could go down in a blink.”

● Egypt: 11 of the 29 “lost cases” took place between 2009-10, but when asked about this, the Egyptian federation “explained that the current EWF administration was not
involved back then and that archives were lost during the civil uprising that took place in
Egypt around the same period, so no conclusion could be drawn on those cases.”

● Thailand: “Between 2011 and 2012, it appears that 93 [Thai] athletes tested positive for anabolic steroids. TAWA [the Thai federation] stated that the athletes who tested positive belonged to provincial clubs and the large number of cases were a result of an initiative taken by TAWA and the Sports Authority of Thailand to ‘get rid of or to minimize positives cases of weightlifting in Thailand’.

“In 2015, upon inquiry by WADA, TAWA provided the IWF with an Excel spreadsheet
containing the names and sanctions imposed on 85 athletes (18 male, 67 female). This
document indicated that the athletes were sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of two
years each. Based on the IWF Records reviewed by the ITA, these numbers did not alarm the IWF, nor trigger any reaction. In hindsight, the ITA finds that the recurrence of waves of ADRVs in Thai weightlifting speaks to the nonchalance of the IWF to the systemic issue of the prevalence of doping in some regions.”

● Turkey: Akkus “colluded with the IWF to change the responsible authority (i.e. the Results Management Authority) for 17 Turkish athletes from the IWF to the [Turkish Weightlifting Federation]” in 2013.

“The purpose of this plot was to avoid the TWF being sanctioned by the IWF under the regime of sanctions imposed on Member Federations … Considering that, for [IWF] sanctions, only IWF cases are taken into account and not national [doping violations], the requalification of the sanctions to national-level allowed the TWF and its official to avoid being banned from participating in any IWF activities for a period of up to 4 years and allowed the TWF to avoid the payment of a fine of up to USD 500,000.”

● Ajan and Vlad were involved in a scheme in 2012 to allow Romanian lifter Roxana Cocos to compete in the women’s 69 kg class at the London 2012 Games, at which she won a silver medal. She had tested positive in April 2012 and had substituted samples in 2010 and 2012. She was disqualified in 2019 after re-tests of her samples were done, but Ajan and Vlad had allowed her to compete despite knowing she was ineligible due to her anti-doping rules violations.

● The report further notes that Ajan’s obstruction was responsible for delaying the processing 50 cases from 2014 and before, including the 29 which have been classified as irretrievable.

The report further noted:

“During its investigation, the ITA came across evidence of wrongdoing which was outside the scope of the ITA’s mandate. This included identified misconduct such as, but not limited to, contractual malfeasance, a fishy transfer market for athlete nationality, and indications of misappropriation and financial impropriety related to fines imposed in doping cases.”

It’s another black eye for the IWF and for Irani, who has been a member of the “IWF Medical Committee” since 1992. The federation has a Constitutional Congress and elections coming up prior to the Tokyo Games.

Weightlifting’s place on the Olympic program is at stake and what the IWF does about Vlad and Akkus will be placed in the balance when the International Olympic Committee decides what to do about this great sport and its continually-unscrupulous leadership.

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LANE ONE: NBC enjoying strong Olympic Trials ratings; could this be a preview of a Tokyo ratings bonanza to come?

Rich Perelman

June 24, 2021

tsx pix 2021-621 murphy wins 800 OT (tim healy trktwn usa) — Nearly 3.8 million U.S. fans watched races like Clayton Murphy's men's 800 m win at Monday's U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials! (Photo: Tim Healy for TrackTown USA)

Less than a couple of weeks ago, the NCAA Track & Field Championships were held in the rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon with the main portions of each session shown live on one of the ESPN networks. The ratings were modest:

● 09 June: 206,000 viewers on ESPN2 (no. 122-rated cable program that day)
● 10 June: 236,000 viewers on ESPN2 (no. 125)
● 11 June: 233,000 viewers on ESPN2 (no. 130)
● 12 June: 234,000 viewers on ESPNU (no. 96)

By comparison, ESPN was showing the final two games of the NCAA Women’s College World Series on the 9th (Wednesday) and 10th (Thursday), drawing 2,081,000 and 1,565,000 viewers.

A bad omen for the U.S. Olympic Trials? NBC worked with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the national governing bodies for diving, swimming, track and gymnastics to create two full weeks of programming, in part to highlight the selection process for these high-profile U.S. teams, but also to rev up viewers for the 17-day Olympic smorgasbord coming from Tokyo beginning on 23 July.

No reason to worry. It appears that American fans are getting ready for the Games. Check out the gaudy ratings results of the Olympic Trials programming so far:

Diving:
This was the most limited sport to be shown, with three hours on NBC over 12-13 June, showing the individual finals:

● 12 June (Sat): 8 p.m. = 1.757 million viewers (no. 3 vs. ABC/CBS/FOX)

● 13 June (Sun): 7 p.m. = 2.027 million viewers (no. 3)
● 13 June (Sun): 9 p.m. = 2.446 million viewers (no. 4)

True, the diving did not score well against the other over-the-air primetime programs, but it was competitive and averaged 2.076 million viewers per hour shown. A good opener.

One hour of diving from 12 June was shown on CNBC and drew 174,000 viewers, ranking no. 77 among all cable programs shown that day. Who knew that diving was on CNBC?

Swimming:
USA Swimming’s primetime Trials sessions from Omaha were staged from 13-20 June and held their own against other network programming:

● 13 June (Sun): 8 p.m. = 2.198 million viewers (no. 4)

● 14 June (Mon): 8 p.m. = 2.878 million viewers (no. 3)
● 14 June (Mon): 9 p.m. = 2.818 million viewers (no. 2)

● 15 June (Tue): 8 p.m. = 2.994 million viewers (no. 2)
● 15 June (Tue): 9 p.m. = 2.804 million viewers (no. 2)

● 16 June (Wed): 8 p.m. = 2.748 million viewers (no. 2)
● 16 June (Wed): 9 p.m. = 2.748 million viewers (no. 2)

● 17 June (Thu): 10 p.m. = 1.861 million viewers (no. 3)

● 18 June (Fri): 9 p.m.= 1.894 million viewers (no. 4)

● 19 June (Sat): 9 p.m. = 2.109 million viewers (no. 1)

● 20 June (Sun): 8 p.m. = 4.905 million viewers (no. 2)

Truth be told, the huge Sunday evening rating is due in part to the lead-in (and spillover) of the end of the U.S. Open in golf, which had 7.435 million viewers at 7 p.m. All of the finals were shown live in the Eastern and Central time zones, but delayed in the Mountain and Pacific zones on five of the eight nights.

All together, the swimming beat at least one other network on six of eight nights and two or more networks on five of eight and averaged 2.732 million viewers across 11 hours.

Preliminaries and early races of one evening session (17 June) were shown on NBC’s to-be-shuttered NBCSN and did not do nearly as well; all of the prelim sessions were shown delayed:

● 13 June (Sun) = 321,000 viewers (no. 80-rated cable program that day)
● 14 June (Mon) = 185,000 viewers (no. 120)
● 15 June (Tue) = 270,000 viewers (no. 75)
● 16 June (Wed) = 204,000 viewers (no. 95)
● 17 June (Thu) = 243,000 viewers (no. 122; heats)
● 17 June (Thu) = 436,000 viewers (no. 41; finals)
● 18 June (Fri) = 215,000 viewers (no. 125)
● 19 June (Sat) = 424,000 viewers (no. 45)

Still not bad for mostly preliminaries!

Track & Field:
The ongoing U.S. Track & Field Trials at Hayward Field began on 18 June and were either intermixed or followed the swimming trials on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The numbers so far:

● 18 June (Fri): 10 p.m. = 2.168 million viewers (no. 2 vs. ABC/CBS/FOX)

● 19 June (Sat): 10 p.m. = 2.373 million viewers (no. 1)

● 20 June (Sun): 9 p.m. = 2.969 million viewers (no. 2)
● 20 June (Sun): 10 p.m. = 2.918 million viewers (no. 2)

● 21 June (Mon): 8 p.m. = 3.786 million viewers (no. 1)

Pretty impressive numbers over the weekend to see the women’s and men’s 100 m finals and a stunning Monday audience that was the highest-viewed program on network television!

The cable numbers for track & field on NBCSN reflect the fact that the sessions were live and not delayed as with swimming, and a lot better than the NCAA meet:

● 18 June (Fri): 7 p.m. = 507,000 viewers (no. 33-rated cable program that day)
● 19 June (Sat): 8 p.m. = 715,000 viewers (no. 13)

Figures for Monday’s cable hour were not yet available. But across the first five hours of the track & field coverage, NBC has drawn an average of 2.843 million viewers, with four days of the Trials still to go beginning on Thursday.

Look for Thursday and Friday viewership to be down, since the broadcasts will only be on cable (NBCSN), but NBC will have Saturday and Sunday’s coverage (live in the east, delayed in the west).

Next up are the U.S. trials in gymnastics, to be held in St. Louis from 24-27 June. NBC will show all four days live, with the women’s competition – starring superstar Simone Biles – on Friday and Sunday, and the men’s program on Thursday (NBCSN) and Saturday (Olympic Channel and NBC). Will Biles and the women’s trials get U.S. Open numbers?

Even with 2-4 million viewers for these Trials events, this is a far cry from the Olympic audience that can be expected next month. For the Rio Games in 2016, NBC’s average primetime audience was a staggering 25.4 million average nightly, and the 2012 audience from London was even larger.

Whether this kind of viewership can be obtained for an Olympic Games in an Asian time zone is yet to be determined, but the ratings for the PyeongChang Winter Games in Korea in 2018 were 17.8 million per night on NBC only and 19.8 million average in primetime across all of its Olympic programmed networks. That was down from the ratings for prior Games in Europe or North America, but still far ahead of its competition.

For now, sports like diving, swimming and track are enjoying interest and viewership they do not normally see in the U.S. Hopefully, the leadership at USA Diving, USA Swimming and USA Track & Field are planning how to make these levels the norm instead of the once-every-four-years exception.

Rich Perelman
Editor

(Ratings data from Nielsen via SpoilerTV.com)

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THE BIG PICTURE: USOPC releases its Games-time protest rules, with hat or mask messages, raised fists, kneeling, advocating against police violence and more all approved

Rich Perelman

June 23, 2021

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“It is important for all U.S. delegation members at the Games to remember that the [International Olympic Committee] and [International Paralympic Committee] rules govern all Games participants, including U.S. delegation members. The USOPC’s new delegation rules do not replace those international rules, rather, they supplement them by better defining the USOPC’s own requirements and commitments.

“As it pertains to IOC Rule 50 and IPC Handbook section 1, paragraph 3, subsection 2.2, we support and respect each athlete’s right as an individual and as an American to make their own decision on this topic, though we can’t control the actions others may take in response. We have confidence that our athletes will make the best choice for themselves.”

That’s from an 11 June 2021 letter from Bahati VanPelt, the head of Athlete Services for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, introducing its delegation rules for demonstrations at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Across seven pages, the rules outline what is to be considered appropriate based on a
“collaborative effort between the Team USA Council on Racial and Social Justice and USOPC.” The rules specifically acknowledge and emphasize that the IOC and IPC’s rules may be much different and applied differently. But it does say what the USOPC’s views of demonstrations are.

● In the area of “Racial & Social Justice [R&S] Demonstrations,” permitted actions are defined as:

“A Demonstration, which does not include any Impermissible Elements, that is explicitly aimed at (1) advancing racial and social justice; or (2) promoting the human dignity of individuals or groups that have historically been underrepresented, minoritized, or marginalized in their respective societal context.”

This is followed by a list of six specific examples of approved actions:

“• Wearing a hat or face mask with phrases such as ‘Black Lives Matter’ or ‘Trans Lives Matter’ or words such ‘equality,’ ‘justice,’ ‘peace,’ ‘respect,’ ‘solidarity,’ or ‘inclusion.’

“• Orally advocating for equity/equal rights for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals,

“• Holding up one’s fist at the start line or on the podium.

“• Kneeling on the podium or at the start line during the national anthem.

“• Advocating for equal treatment of underrepresented, marginalized, or minoritized groups around the world, or against systemic barriers to such equal treatment.

“• Advocating for communities free from police violence, or against systemic police discrimination against Black individuals or other marginalized populations.”

In these instances, “The USOPC will not sanction Participants who engage in R&S Demonstrations at Games Venues.”

● There is also a detailed list of “impermissible” actions, which are specified to include:

“Any element of a Demonstration that (a) advocates specifically against other people, their dignity, or their rights, which may include Hate Speech, Racist Propaganda, or threatening, abusive, or Discriminatory Remarks; (b) physically impedes or discourages Games or medal ceremony participation by another Participant; (c) causes physical harm to others or to property; or (d) violates applicable laws.

“Impermissible Elements include, for example, the use of slurs, discriminatory remarks or gestures that denigrate, ridicule, or mock a person or persons based upon their race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, economic status, nationality, or country of origin.

“These are further examples of conduct that will be considered an Impermissible Element:

“• Wearing a hat or face mask with a hate symbol or hate speech on it. *A list of recognized hate symbols can be found at https://www.adl.org/hate-symbols.

“• Using language expressing hatred or Discriminatory Remarks towards a historically minoritized or marginalized group, including but not limited to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities.

“• Making hand gestures affiliated with hate groups, like white supremacist or terrorist signs.

“• Violent protests or acts that damage property at the Games Venue or physically threaten or harm other people.

“• Actions/behaviors physically impeding athletes’ right to compete, such as blocking lanes by laying on a track or otherwise interfering with a competition.

“• Display of historically discriminatory signs or flags, such as the Confederate flag.

“• Defacing, distorting, or causing physical harm to a national flag.

“• Protests aimed explicitly against a specific country, organization, person, or group of people.”

In addition, the rules also state that “supporting or opposing a political group, environmental issue, or animal rights issue” is not part of the “R&S” demonstration definition and is subject to discipline. The sanctions protocol includes:

“If a Participant engages in a Demonstration that includes Impermissible Elements at a Games Venue, then the USOPC will determine a proportionate consequence for the violation of these Rules based on the severity of the violation.”

There are procedures in place for this, possibly including a hearing if requested by the protestor. The USOPC’s possible sanctions cover a wide range, specified as (1) a warning, (2) limits on access to the venues or Olympic Village, (3) expulsion from the Games; (4) a ban from participating on future USOPC programs; (5) loss of USOPC funding in the future and (6) requirement of a formal apology “or completion of training or education on diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

And then there is the IOC and IPC. The USOPC rules state no less than six times – in seven pages – that it is not the ultimate arbiter on protests at the Games; a typical example:

“Any sanctions under the International Rules will be determined by the IOC/IPC (and/or the IF), not the USOPC. The USOPC will not participate in imposing any sanctions on R&S Demonstrations. In imposing any sanctions itself, the USOPC will take into account any IOC/IPC/IF sanctions also being imposed.”

The rules also note, specifically, that there may be reactions to protests:

“Participants should be aware of the possibility that third parties may react to a R&S Demonstration themselves, that some of these reactions may be negative, that the USOPC will not be able to prevent those third parties from making statements or taking actions of their own, and that each Participant must make their own personal decision about the risks and benefits that may be involved. The USOPC has resources available through Athlete Services to support athletes (e.g., mental health, security).”

The USOPC has staked out its position, clearly in contradiction to the recommendations of the IOC Athletes’ Commission from April, which after months of discussions and quantitative surveys concluded to “Preserve the podium, [Field of Play] and official ceremonies from any kind of protests and demonstrations, or any acts perceived as such.”

The question of sanctions was handed over to the IOC’s Legal Affairs Commission, which has not yet released its regulations for how disciplinary measures will be handled in Tokyo. As the USOPC’s rules have acknowledged, whatever the USOPC might not do to a protesting athlete, the IOC might well decide to do.

And, it owns the Games.

In addition to the lists of medal winners and record-setters at next month’s Games in Tokyo, watch also for lists of protests and protestors, which will be kept with equal attention in what IOC chief Thomas Bach has lamented as our “aggressively divisive” world.

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HEARD AT HALFTIME: Tokyo Olympic Village toured; USOPC has at least three five-time Olympians; $2 million in Russian fines for T&F World Champs

Rich Perelman

June 22, 2021

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News, views and noise from the non-stop, worldwide circus of Olympic sport:

● Games of the XXXII Olympiad: Tokyo 2020 ● News media were given a tour of the Olympic Village over the weekend, getting an introduction to the 21-building complex on the Tokyo waterfront. Kyodo News reported special attention has been paid to food service:

“The seats in the main dining and casual dining halls have been reduced by a third to around 3,000 and 280, respectively, to avoid crowds, while transparent acrylic panels will be installed at tables. …

“The main dining hall will provide about 700 options ranging from Japanese, Western and Asian to halal, vegetarian and gluten-free cuisine to cater to various preferences, cultures and religions, with nutritional information per serving displayed. It will offer 45,000 meals a day.

“The casual dining hall, meanwhile, will offer 3,000 meals a day of Japanese cuisine, using ingredients from all of the country’s 47 prefectures.”

Get ready for all kinds of minute details about the Olympics, reportedly breathlessly from Tokyo. On Sunday, it was reported that alcoholic beverages will be allowed to be brought into the Village, but only for in-room consumption. However, condoms will not be distributed as at past Games, but only on departure as an awareness-raising exercise against AIDS.

Whether alcoholic beverages will be sold at the sports venues is still under consideration. One important factor is whether such drinks will lead to behaviors inconsistent with the coronavirus restrictions.

On Saturday, a Ugandan team member arriving in Tokyo tested positive for the coronavirus, the first such case from an Olympic visitor. The rest of the delegation moved on to the host town in Izumisano and will undergo daily testing.

The infected team member had been vaccinated prior to coming to Tokyo, as had all of the other members of the arrival group.

The Ugandans were the second group to arrive for the Games, after the Australian softball team. A team of 14 Danish rowers was the third to arrive, on Sunday, and moved on to their host town of Ogata in Akita Prefecture.

The Indian Olympic Association is upset with the Tokyo organizers for extra precautions being taken for 10 delegations where specific variants, such as the Delta variant, are widespread. Tokyo 2020 has asked that India and nine other delegations not interface with any others for three days upon arrival.

● U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee ● Board chair Susanne Lyons and chief executive Sarah Hirshland briefed reporters on Monday on last week’s USOPC Board meeting, noting the organization’s focus on the Tokyo Games, as well as the 2022 Winter Games coming next February in China.

In addition, Lyons noted a significant effort being undertaken on oversight of the U.S. National Governing Bodies. A now-separate “NGB Oversight Committee” has begun a detailed certification renewal program that will review the actions and compliance activities of each National Governing Body; Lyons was happy to report that “We’re seeing significant progress in the area of NGB compliance and governance.”

That’s an area of major emphasis for the USOPC in the wake of the passage of the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic and Amateur Athletes Act in 2020 and in advance of the eventual operation of the Commission on the Study of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics in the fall.

Also on the agenda was fund-raising; Lyons explained:

“We talked about the long-term opportunities to grow the [U.S. Olympic and Paralympic] Foundation. We hope to leverage the lead-up to L.A. ‘28 – when we are hosting the Games on U.S. soil – and we hope to use that time to strengthen and grow philanthropic support of Team USA.”

This is another area of concern for the EOPAAA Commission, which will review not only how the USOPC’s money is spent, but what revenues it has and what can be done to increase funding. There are a lot of recommendations for spending USOPC money, but not many about how to raise more.

Lyons also touched on an important, but little-noticed element of Olympic Movement politics: Americans who serve on boards or commissions of International Federations and related organizations. There are more than 100 U.S. members of various bodies around the world, and support from the USOPC can help them not only be more effective, but can pave the way for upward movement within federations and to bring more U.S. reps on board. This is routinely done in many European NOCs, but has only intermittently been a U.S. priority. It’s crucial in today’s swirling context of international sports politics.

With the naming of women’s basketball stars Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, plus Sunday’s qualification of Allyson Felix in the women’s 400 m, the U.S. will have at least three five-time Olympians on its team.

How rare are five-time Olympians? According to Dr. Bill Mallon, a founder of the encyclopedic Olympedia.org results and research site, there have been only 418 five-time Olympians in summer Games history: 4.0%. Counting all Olympians with five or more Games – the record is 10 – there have been just 561 out of 114,887 summer Olympic participants through 2016, or 4.8%. That exclusive company indeed.

● Archery ● Monday saw the completion of the World Archery final qualification tournament for the Tokyo Games in Paris (FRA), with the individual matches for men and women.

The men’s winner was Russian Galsan Bazarzhapov, who defeated Moldova’s Dan Olaru, 6-2, in the final. Finland’s Antti Vikstrom won the bronze medal over Oleksii Hunbin (UKR), 6-4.

Romanian Madalina Amaistroaie defeated Sylwia Zyzanska (POL) by 6-4; Czech Marie Horackova won the bronze match over Evangelina Psarra (GRE), 7-3. The top seven men and five women won qualification to Tokyo.

● Athletics ● Here’s a positive outcome of the long-running suspension of the Russian Athletics Federation by World Athletics: $2 million of the fines paid by RusAF will be paid to athletes at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and the 2023 Worlds in Budapest (HUN).

Some $1 million each will be added to the prize pool for each Worlds, expected to be in addition to the $7.53 million paid out at the 2019 World Championships in Doha (QAT).

Sergey Shubenkov, Russia’s 2015 men’s 100 m hurdles World Champion, was cleared by the Athletics Integrity Unit of doping resulting from a positive test from 15 December 2020. The AIU announcement included:

“AIU accepted that the positive finding resulted from his unintentional ingestion of residue from medication being used to treat a family member.

“The AIU charge was referred to a three-person panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, which found that it was a ‘genuinely exceptional’ case, accepted the Athlete’s plea of No Fault or Negligence and rejected the AIU’s request that a period of ineligibility be imposed. Accordingly, no sanction has been imposed.”

Shubenkov, now 30, has not run outside of Russia since 2019; he won the Russian Cup in Sochi in 13.29 on 29 May. If fit, he could be a medal contender in Tokyo.

● Football ● A lot more Covid cases have popped up at the Copa America in Brazil. The South American confederation CONMEBOL reported on Monday that there are at least 140 positives found during the tournament, way up from 66 reported last Thursday.

In context, however, the incidence rate is still low. Some 15,235 tests have been conducted, so the infection rate is only 0.9%. The CONMEBOL report noted, “Most of the affected are workers, members of squads and outsourced staffers. In comparison with the previous figures, the incidence of the coronavirus is lower, which is a clear sign that preemptive measures and health protocols are working as expected.”

Group play will continue through the 28th, with elimination games starting on 2 July.

At Euro 2020, the best news came last Friday as Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen was released from the hospital after surgery to install implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to guard against further cardiac arrests. Eriksen suffered an attack during the 12 June match vs. Finland and had to be resuscitated on the field.

Eriksen actually visited the Danish team before heading home to recuperate. After losing its first two group-stage games by one goal each, Denmark advanced to the knock-out round by clubbing Russia, 4-1, on Monday in Copenhagen.

UEFA is looking into “potential discriminatory incidents” at games held in Budapest, Hungary, at which “Anti-LMBTQ” banners were apparently seen. An “ethics and disciplinary inspector” has been appointed to investigate the incident. Reuters noted that “Hungary’s parliament passed legislation last week that bans the dissemination in schools of content deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change, amid strong criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties.”

UEFA also announced that it would not sanction German keeper Manuel Neuer for wearing a rainbow armband, calling it “symbol of diversity and thus a good cause” and not a political symbol, which would normally draw a penalty.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (SUI) spoke out strongly against the European Super League concept, but is definitely behind a new “Super League” concept … in Africa.

With a goal of further raising the profile, attractiveness and finances of football in Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is studying the options. Infantino apparently had the idea as far back as 2019, with 20 permanent members and others who could join via qualification.

New CAF chief Patrice Motsepe (RSA) has acknowledged the need for reforms, noting:

“There is a poor perception of CAF concerning its adherence to governance, auditing, ethical, financial and management good practices. These negative perceptions may, to some extent, be confirmed by the incriminating and damning audit which identified irregular, unethical and improper transactions and conduct.”

CAF has been beset by scandals of all kinds for many years, even with many outstanding players coming from African countries.

The infamous anti-gay chant used by Mexican fans has now led to sanctions from FIFA:

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Mexican Federation with a fine of 60,000 Swiss francs and the condition that they play their next two official home games behind closed doors as a consequence of the anti-gay chants heard in the matches against the Dominican Republic and the United States, played in Guadalajara on March 18 and 24, respectively.”

The penalty is in response to the chant being heard during a CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament game, not from the recent CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and finals in Denver. In those instances, the games were stopped and anti-discrimination messages from CONCACAF were shown on the scoreboard and announced publicly. Another inquiry over the same issue is being made into the Mexico-Iceland friendly on 29 May in Arlington, Texas.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani told reporters that only visitors who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to attend the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in that country.

The tournament is expected to be played in full stadiums.

● Gymnastics ● The USA Gymnastics operations report for May was filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana on Tuesday, showing legal fees in the ongoing proceedings have now reached $14.116 million, of which $8.485 million has been paid. Of that unpaid total, 90% is more than three months in arrears.

USA Gymnastics showed cash on hand of $6.953 million at 31 May, but is still in the midst of a fight with more than 500 plaintiffs from the Larry Nassar scandal, its insurers and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee since the 15 December 2018 filing with the Bankruptcy Court.

● Volleyball ● The FIVB Women’s Nations League completed round-robin play on Sunday, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs in the sequestered environment in Rimini (ITA).

The U.S. finished on top at 14-1, but losing its final match to China, followed by Brazil (13-2), Japan (12-3) and Turkey (11-4). China was fifth at 10-5.

Brazil will play Japan in the first semi on 24 June, and the U.S. will play Turkey afterwards. During the round-robin, Brazil shut out Japan, 3-0 and the U.S. got past Turkey, 3-1 on 14 June.

● Weightlifting ● The New Zealand Olympic Committee confirmed on Monday that Laurel Hubbard, 43, has been selected for the Tokyo Games in the women’s 87+ kg class.

Hubbard is a transgender athlete and competed as Gavin Hubbard until transitioning to female in 2015, following the International Olympic Committee’s regulations that require such athletes regulate their testosterone levels to below 10 nanomoles per liter for at least 12 months.

However, other federations – such as World Athletics – have championed 5 nmol/L as more appropriate, and there is an ongoing debate about the propriety of allowing athletes to transfer to the women’s division after having gone through puberty as a man. The “normal” healthy testosterone level is considered to be 9.2 to 31.8 nmol/L for men, but between 0.3 and 2.4 nmol/L for women.

Hubbard has followed the regulations, and ranked seventh in the International Weightlifting Federation’s final qualifying list for Tokyo. Regardless of what happens in Tokyo, this is another issue that the IWF – and the IOC – will have to confront after the Games.

● At the BuZZer ● The next big event to come to the United States might not be the 2030 Olympic Winter Games for Salt Lake City, but the Rugby World Cup.

USA Rugby is making a bid for the men’s 2027 or 2031 World Cup, or the women’s 2029 World Cup. It’s a massive event, as the 2019 edition in Japan saw 1.83 million tickets sold, 242,000 international visitors come matches in 12 cities across 44 days. A World Rugby-commissioned study indicated that the total economic impact of the tournament was £4.3 billion, or about $5.98 billion U.S. Bid documents are due in January.

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