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U.S. Track Cycling Nationals start in Carson

By
Rich Perelman
-

The 2018 national championships in Track Cycling start on Saturday – for the second consecutive year – at the VELO Sports Center velodrome at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, and continue through Tuesday (7th).

The events, entries and defending champions/runners-up from 2017:

Men:

Sprint: 32
1. James Mellen
2. Joe Christiansen

Team Sprint: 33
1. Star Track Racing
2. Sprinters Edge Track

4 km Pursuit: 29
1. Ashton Lambie
2. Mac Cassin

Team Pursuit: 32
1. Jim Told Us To Do This
2. Millerettes

Keirin: 23
1. James Mellen
2. Joe Christiansen

40 km Points Race: 37
1. Mac Cassin
2. Ashton Lambie

15 km Scratch Race: 35
1. Zachary Carison
2. Zachary Kovalcik

1 km Time Trial: 35
1. John Croom
2. Jamie Alvord

Omnium: 36
1. Daniel Holloway
2. Ashton Lambie

Madison: 21

Women:

Sprint: 9
1. Madalyn Godby
2. Mandy Marquardt

Team Sprint: 15
1. Team USA
2. Startrack Colorado

3 km Pursuit: 12
1. Christina Birch
2. Molly van Houweling

Team Pursuit: 16
1. Macc Attack
2. SDBC/Emerald Textile

Keirin: 9
1. Mandy Marquardt
2. Anissa Cobb

25 km Points Race: 25
1. Jennifer Valente
2. Kimberly Ann Zubris

10 km Scratch Race: 23
1. Jennifer Valente
2. Tela Crane

500 m Time Trial: 14
1. Mandy Marquardt
2. Mckenzie Brown

Omnium: 24
1. Jennifer Valente
2. Colleen Gulick

Madison: 7

In terms of last year’s stars, Valente is entered in five events: women’s Keirin, Points Race, Scratch Race, Madison and Omnium. Marquardt is in the Sprint, Time Trial and Keirin; Godby is in the Sprint and Keirin. The only men’s doubler in 2017, James Mellen, is in the Sprint and Keirin.

Look for results here.

UCI World Tour starts up again in Spain and Poland

By
Rich Perelman
-

The biggest race in cycling – the Tour de France – is over. Time for a rest? No.

This week has two races: the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian in Spain and the seven-day Tour de Pologne:

The Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian will celebrate its 38th edition on Saturday (4th) and the route for 2018 is fixed at 228.7 km over a hilly course with eight defined climbs.

Four prior champions and six former medal winners are among the starters:

  • Bauke Mollema (NED) ~ winner in 2016, third in 2017
  • Tony Gallopin (FRA) ~ winner in 2015, second in 2016-17
  • Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP) ~ winner in 2010 and 2012
  • Adam Yates (GBR) ~ winner in 2015
  • Greg van Avermaet (BEL) ~ second in 2011

Simon Gerrans (AUS) ~ second in 2012

The big names in the race include the Tour de France fourth-placer Primoz Roglic (SLO) and King of the Mountains winner Julian Alaphilippe (FRA).

The climbs are not extreme, but could be enticing for emerging stars from the Tour de France like Egan Bernal (COL) or Pierre Latour (FRA), or for veterans who didn’t do much in France, such as Rigoberto Uran (COL), maybe Daryl Impey (RSA) or Michael Matthews (AUS).

Or, it could be time for someone who didn’t ride in Le Tour, like Italy’s Diego Ulissi. Look for results here.

The Tour de Pologne is a much older race, with the 75th edition starting Saturday in Krakow. The stages:

  • 04 August: Stage 1 Krakow to Krakow (133.7 km)
  • 05 August: Stage 2 Tarnowskie Gory to Katowice (156.0 km)
  • 06 August: Stage 3 Stadion Slaski to Zabrze (140.0 km)
  • 07 August: Stage 4 Jaworzno to Szczyrk (179.0 km)
  • 08 August: Stage 5 Kopalnia Soli to Bielsko-Biala (152.0 km)
  • 09 August: Stage 6 Zakopane to Bukovina (129.0 km)
  • 10 August: Stage 7 Bukowvina Resort to Bukowina Tatrzanska (136 km)

There are 11 prior medal winners in the field, but only two former champions: Dylan Teuns (BEL: 2017) and Moreno Moser (ITA: 2012). Prior runner-ups include Grega Bole (SLO), Michal Kwiatkowski (POL), Daniel Moreno (ESP), Fabio Felline (ITA) and Lars Yttig Bak (DEN).

The field is quite good, with RideLondon-Surrey Classic winner Pascal Ackermann (GER) and a batch of multi-stage racers who did not compete in France, such as Segio Henao (COL), Fabio Aru (ITA), Rui Costa (POR) and Rohan Dennis (AUS).

Count on Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen to contend on the sprint stages. Look for results here.

After the Tour de Pologne, there are only two more races – the Binck Bank Tour and the Euroeyes Cyclassics Hamburg – before the final Grand Tour of 2018, the Vuelta a Espana, starts on 25 August.

Italy to offer three cities for single 2026 Winter Games bid

By
Rich Perelman
-

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) made a surprise selection for its 2026 Olympic Winter Games bid city, choosing all three – Cortina d’Ampezzo, Milan and Turin – to share the Games, and splitting the events between them.

This drew a quick response from the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, removing itself as a host city since it won’t be the sole host, but still allowing events to be held there.

CONI chief Giovanni Malago said “there will not be a leading city: it is an absolute novelty in the history of the candidature process and we have obtained from the IOC this possibility” of a multi-city bid.

What it could do is blow up the fiction of a single Olympic Village, an outdated and expensive concept that needs to change.

Eugene selected to host 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials

By
Rich Perelman
-

USA Track & Field ended the suspense and to the surprise of almost no one, chose an under-construction facility in Eugene, Oregon after removing the event from an under-construction facility at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California.

The new Hayward Field is expected to be finished in “spring of 2020” according to the USATF announcement. The facility is scheduled to be the site of the 2021 IAAF World Championships and is slated to have 12,900 permanent seats and the possibility of expansion to 30,000 for the World Championships.

USATF Board chair Steve Miller said “Having continuity in location as we move from the Olympic Trials into 2021 will enhance and amplify everything around the sport in the United States, from marketing and promotions to operational efficiencies.”

No it won’t. It will demonstrate once again that the world’s dominant track & field nation is so enthusiastic about the sport that it is permanently showcased in its 117th-largest media market.

Will the 2019 U.S. swimming team suffer the same letdown as 2015?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Kelsi Dahlia and Mallory Comerford were celebrating in 2017; what about next year?

Fans of U.S. swimming were a little concerned after the 2015 World Championships, when the performance of the American team dipped by 20% from two years prior.

Even though the U.S. won the most medals with 23, the output declined from 29 at the 2013 Worlds, with a team that was selected from the U.S. nationals in 2014, more than a year before the 2015 Worlds.

There were swimmers who were simply not as ready in 2015 as they were the year before. Moreover, the 2015 U.S. Nationals actually overlapped with the 2015 World Championships and some of the marks in the U.S. meet would have won medals at the ongoing Worlds!

So some wondered whether U.S. Swimming’s continued practice of picking the 2019 World Championships team from the 2018 Nationals was a good idea. We won’t know until next year, but we can use a close measuring stick by comparing the winning times at the U.S. Nationals from 2017 with those in 2018.

After all, the U.S. team selected at the 2017 Nationals was one of the best ever, producing a stunning 38 medals (18 gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze), with no other country winning more than 10. Perhaps this was simply a bad year for the rest of the world, but the American team was stunningly good.

So how did the 2018 national champs compare to the 2017 world-beaters?

Pretty well … no, very well … really, they were terrific! Consider:

  • 2017: 8 world-leading marks, two American Records
  • 2018: 8 world-leading marks, one World Record, three American Records

And when looking event by event, you can see that the 2018 winners more than held their own against the 2017 stars who went on to dominate the World Championships (AR = American Record; WR = World Record; fastest time between the two years is in CAPS):

Men

50 m Free:
2017: 21.53, Caeleb Dressel
2018: 21.49, MICHAEL ANDREW

100 m Free:
2017: 47.96, NATHAN ADRIAN
2018: 48.08, Blake Pieroni

200 m Free:
2017: 1:45.03, TOWNLEY HAAS
2018: 1:45.70, Andrew Seliskar

400 m Free:
2017: 3:44.43, ZANE GROTHE
2018: 3:46.53, Zane Grothe

800 m Free:
2017: 7:50.43, Clark Smith
2018: 7:44.57, ZANE GROTHE

1,500 m Free:
2017: 14:59.73, True Sweetser
2018: 14:48.89, JORDAN WILIMOVSKY

50 m Back:
2017: 24.41, Justin Ress
2018: 24.24 AR, RYAN MURPHY

100 m Back:
2017: 52.71, Matt Grevers
2018: 52.51, RYAN MURPHY

200 m Back:
2017: 1:54.30, Ryan Murphy
2018: 1:54.15, RYAN MURPHY

50 m Breast:
2017: 26.88, Kevin Cordes
2018: 26.84, MICHAEL ANDREW

100 m Breast:
2017: 58.74 AR. Kevin Cordes
2018: 59.38, MICHAEL ANDREW

200 m Breast:
2017: 2:07.41, Kevin Cordes
2018: 2:07.28, JOSH PRENOT

50 m Fly:
2017: 23.05, Caeleb Dressel
2018: 22.93, MICHAEL ANDREW

100 m Fly:
2017: 50.87, Caeleb Dressel
2018: 50.50, CAELEB DRESSEL

200 m Fly:
2017: 1:54.47, Jack Conger
2018: 1:54.63, JUSTIN WRIGHT

200 m Medley:
2017: 1:56.51, Chase Kalisz
2018: 1:55.73, CHASE KALISZ

400 m Medley:
2017: 4:06.99, CHASE KALISZ
2018: 4:08.25, Chase Kalisz

Women

50 m Free:
2017: 24.27, Simone Manuel
2018: 24.10, SIMONE MANUEL

100 m Free:
2017: 52.81, Mallory Comerford
2018: 52.54, SIMONE MANUEL

200 m Free:
2017: 1:54.84, Katie Ledecky
2018: 1:54.60, KATIE LEDECKY

400 m Free:
2017: 3:58.44, KATIE LEDECKY
2018: 3:59.09, Katie Ledecky

800 m Free:
2017: 8:11.50, KATIE LEDECKY
2018: 8:11.98, Katie Ledecky

1,500 m Free:
2017: 16:01.02, Leah Smith
2018: 15:55.68, ASHLEY TWICHELL

50 m Back:
2017: 27.63, HANNAH STEVENS
2018: 27.70, Olivia Smoliga

100 m Back:
2017: 58.57, Kathleen Baker
2018: 58.00 WR, KATHLEEN BAKER

200 m Back:
2017: 2:06.38, KATHLEEN BAKER
2018: 2:06.43, Kathleen Baker & Ragan Smith

50 m Breast:
2017: 29.66 AR, LILLY KING
2018: 29.82, Lilly King

100 m Breast:
2017: 1:05.95, Lilly King
2018: 1:05.36, LILLY KING

200 m Breast:
2017: 2:21.83, LILLY KING
2018: 2:22.06, Micah Sumrall

50 m Fly:
2017: 25.69, Kelsi Worrell
2018: 25.48 =AR, KELSI WORRELL-DAHLIA

100 m Fly:
2017: 57.38, Kelsi Worrell
2018: 56.83, KELSI WORRELL-DAHLIA

200 m Fly:
2017: 2:07.60, Hali Flickinger
2018: 2:06.14, HALI FLICKINGER

200 m Medley:
2017: 2:09.57, Melanie Margalis
2018: 2:08.32, KATHLEEN BAKER

400 m Medley:
2017: 4:33.86, LEAH SMITH
2018: 4:34.80, Ally McHugh

When you total it all up, the 2018 Nationals winners “beat” the 2018 winners – many of whom were the same people – by 11-6 in the men’s races and 10-7 in the women’s races for an overall edge of 21-13 or in 62% of the events.

That’s pretty impressive for the 2018 winners against the 2017 finishers, who spearheaded a 38-medal explosion for the U.S. at the World Championships, the most in this century!

A lot of the names were the same, but there were also breakthroughs for new stars like four-event winner Michael Andrew (19), 200 m Free winner Andrew Seliskar (21), 200 m Fly champ Justin Wright (22) and 200 m Back co-winner Ragan Smith (16!).

Plus, let’s note the open-water veterans who impressively won the 1,500 m Frees: Jordan Wilimovsky and Ashley Twichell.

There were also other factors to consider in evaluating the two sets of marks. First is that the 2018 Nationals were a held a month later than in 2017, because of the early dates of the 2017 World Championships. Also worth noting is that the 2017 Nationals were held in an indoor pool in Indianapolis, while the 2018 meet was held outdoors in hot conditions in Irvine. Some of the swimmers noticed that while the outdoor set-up this year was no disadvantage from a wind perspective, the high air temperatures did increase the water temperature beyond what is normally experienced.

Maybe these balance out.

The next chance to compare times comes in the next two weeks, as the European Championships in Swimming are in Glasgow, Scotland from 3-12 August and the Pan-Pacific Championships – open to just about everyone else – are in Tokyo from 9-12 August.

The U.S. Worlds team for 2019 will be named after the Pan-Pacs are concluded.

Looking ahead, the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships will be held in Gwangju (KOR) from 21-28 July, with the swimming during the past 10 days, a little earlier than the 2015 World Championships in Kazan (RUS), where the U.S. performance was not on par with its 29-medal efforts in 2011 and 2013.

Frankly, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to pick a 2019 World Championships team a year before, but that’s the way U.S. Swimming has done it. But in terms of the proven ability of those swimmers to perform – at least in 2018 – the U.S. will have a very competitive team in Gwangju in a year’s time.

And let’s not forget, the 2020 Olympic team to compete in Tokyo will be selected from an Olympic Trials event in Omaha, Nebraska from 21-28 June, just about a month ahead from the start of the swimming events at the Games. No early selection there.

Rich Perelman
Editor

Will the 2019 U.S. swimming team suffer the same letdown as 2015?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Kelsi Dahlia and Mallory Comerford were celebrating in 2017; what about next year?

Kelsi Dahlia and Mallory Comerford were celebrating in 2017; what about next year?TSX HEADLINES – for August 3, 2018: The last time that USA Swimming picked its World Championships team a full year before, it didn’t go so well.

In 2015, the U.S. won 20% less medals than it did at the 2013 Worlds, and there was concern about the American performance at the Olympic Games in Rio a year later.

The American swimmers performed brilliantly at Rio, and the U.S. team for the 2017 World Championships exploded for 38 medals. So what now?

We compare the winning marks of the 2018 Nationals to that of the powerhouse 2017 teams; which year was better?

We have the complete rundown in our Lane One commentary, plus a lot of action on the field – and off – in the Olympic-sports world:

(1) THE TICKER: The folks in Tokyo want to recruit 110,000 people – you read that right – to volunteer at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the next four months! Can they do it? Plus, the first multi-European Championships starts in Glasgow … have you heard of this event?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: USA Track & Field announces Eugene as the site of the 2020 Olympic Trials (yawn) and Italy says it will submit all three of its candidate cities in a combined bid for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games (really?).

(3) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women won the Tournament of Nations with a powerful offensive showing, demolishing Brazil, 4-1, to take the trophy on goal differential vs. Australia.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling, Football and Gymnastics, SCOREBOARD reports on Football and Hockey, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Will the 2019 U.S. swimming team suffer the same letdown as 2015?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Kelsi Dahlia and Mallory Comerford were celebrating in 2017; what about next year?

[wpdm_package id=5378 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for August 3, 2018: The last time that USA Swimming picked its World Championships team a full year before, it didn’t go so well.

In 2015, the U.S. won 20% less medals than it did at the 2013 Worlds, and there was concern about the American performance at the Olympic Games in Rio a year later.

The American swimmers performed brilliantly at Rio, and the U.S. team for the 2017 World Championships exploded for 38 medals. So what now?

We compare the winning marks of the 2018 Nationals to that of the powerhouse 2017 teams; which year was better?

We have the complete rundown in our Lane One commentary, plus a lot of action on the field – and off – in the Olympic-sports world:

(1) THE TICKER: The folks in Tokyo want to recruit 110,000 people – you read that right – to volunteer at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the next four months! Can they do it? Plus, the first multi-European Championships starts in Glasgow … have you heard of this event?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: USA Track & Field announces Eugene as the site of the 2020 Olympic Trials (yawn) and Italy says it will submit all three of its candidate cities in a combined bid for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games (really?).

(3) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women won the Tournament of Nations with a powerful offensive showing, demolishing Brazil, 4-1, to take the trophy on goal differential vs. Australia.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling, Football and Gymnastics, SCOREBOARD reports on Football and Hockey, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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Russian sweep in Artistic World Juniors

By
Rich Perelman
-

Nine events and nine gold medals: that’s the Russian record in the FINA World Junior Championships in Artistic Swimming, held in Budapest (HUN) from 18-22 July.

It was an impressive performance, especially since most of the events weren’t that close. Duet Tech and Duet Free winners Elizaveta Minaeva and Kseniia Ladnaia won four gold medals, including the Team Solo and Team Free Combination events.

If it wasn’t for the Russians, the Ukrainian team would have been dominant; they earned silver medals in both Solo events, both Duet events and all three team events! Summaries:

FINA Artistic Swimming
World Junior Championships
Budapest (HUN) ~ 18-22 July 2018.
(Full results here)

Solo Technical: 1. Varvara Subbotina (RUS), 92.6551; 2. Marta Fiedina (UKR), 88.6030; 3. Mana Fujiwara (JPN), 87.9752.

Solo Free: 1. Subbotina (RUS), 93.5667; 2. Fiedina (UKR), 90.7667; 3. Fujiwara (JPN), 88.3333.

Duet Technical: 1. Elizaveta Minaeva/Kseniia Ladnaia (RUS), 91.6280; 2. Vladyslava Aleksiiva/Maryna Aleksiiva (UKR), 89.9301; 3. Jin Tong Liu/Jin Han Liu (CHN), 87.5172. Also: 11. Ruby Remati/Nicole Goot (USA), 81.5151.

Duet Free: 1. Minaeva/Ladnaia (RUS), 93.1000; 2. Aleksiiva/Aleksiiva (UKR), 91.0333; 3. Ami Wada/Mana Fujiwara (JPN), 89.1333. Also: 11. Remati/Yara Elian (USA), 82.5000.

Team Technical: 1. Russia, 92.7347; 2. Ukraine, 90.3331; 3. Japan, 89.0176. Also: 8. United States, 82.9434.

Team Free: 1. Russia, 93.6667; 2. Ukraine, 91.8000; 3. Japan, 90.5667. Also: 9. United States, 83.4667.

Team Free Combination: 1. Russia, 94.2333; 2. Ukraine, 92.1000; 3. Japan, 90.5333. Also: 7. United States 83.7000.

Mixed Duet Technical: 1. Alina Mantulenko/Mikhail Vasilev (RUS), 83.6404; 2. Yiyao Zhang/Haoyu Shi (CHN), 79.3538; 3. Kana Miyauchi/Jimma Iwasaki (JPN), 78.7287.

Mixed Duet Free: 1. Mantulenko/Vasilev (RUS), 85.1333; 2. Zhang/Shi (CHN), 81.4667; 3. Miyauchi/Iwasaki (JPN), 80.7667.

Women’s World Cup quarters start Wednesday

By
Rich Perelman
-

Two undefeated and untied teams headline the FIH women’s World Cup quarterfinals in London (GBR) on Wednesday and Thursday:

1 August:

Germany (3-0-0) vs. Spain (2-2-0)
Australia (1-0-2) vs. Argentina (2-1-1)

2 August:

Ireland (2-1-0) vs. India (1-1-2)
Netherlands (3-0-0) vs. England (2-0-2)

After the group stage, the second- and third-placed teams battled for semifinal spots, with Spain defeated Belgium, 3-2 on penalties after a scoreless draw; Argentina swept past New Zealand, 2-0; India skipped past Italy, 3-0, and England downed Korea, 2-0.

The semis will be played on 4 August and the medal matches on 5 August. Look for results here.

This is the 14th women’s World Cup and the Dutch have won seven of the first 13 and two of the last three (in 2006 and 2014) and have made the final in five straight appearances (1998-2002-06-10-14). Argentina won the title in 2002 and 2010 and Australia in 1994 and 1998. Germany has won twice as West Germany in 1976 and 1981 and was third (as Germany) in 1998.

Eight golds for China at World Juniors

By
Rich Perelman
-

The 2018 edition of the FINA World Junior Championships ended the way most diving championships end: with China at the top of the medal table.

The Chinese dominated the A-level (ages 16-18) events, winning eight holds and earning 15 medals in all. Zheng Li won three medals – one of each color – with a win in the men’s 10 m Synchro (with Junjie Lian), silver in the 1 m Springboard and bronze in the 10 m Platform!

In the women’s events, Tong Ma (CHN) won the 1 m Springboard, teamed with Rui Zhang to take the 3 m Synchro title and won a silver in the 3 m Springboard to also collect three medals.

The U.S. scored a bronze medal from Maria Coburn in the 1 m Springboard, who came from seventh place to third on her final two dives! “I was not expecting to be on the podium, not after my first couple dives,” said Coburn afterwards. “When I saw that I was up there, I was very pleased.”

FINA also held a B-level Worlds concurrently, for divers aged 14-15; click on the link below for results. Summaries of the A-level events:

FINA World Junior Championships
Kiev (UKR) ~ 25-29 July 2018.
(Full results here)

Men

1 m Springboard: 1. Zongyuan Wang (CHN), 557.65; 2. Zheng Li (CHN), 526,85; 3. Matthew Carter (AUS), 517.90. Also: 12. Lyle Yost (USA), 418.40.
3 m Springboard: 1. Daniel Restrepo Garcia (COL), 583.35; 2. Luxian Wu (CHN), 582.50; 3. Junjie Lian (CHN), 570.40. Also: 11. Jack Matthews (USA), 485.15.
10 m Platform: 1. Lian (CHN), 589.30; 2. Ruslan Ternovoi (RUS), 543.90; 3. Zheng Li (CHN), 523.55.

3 m Synchro: 1. Henry McKay/Victor Povzner (CAN), 300.33; 2. Lou Massenberg/ Karl Schoene (GER), 298.56; 3. Daniel Restrepo/Luis Uribe (COL), 290.88. Also: 9. Manuel Borowski/Jack Matthews (USA), 257.76.

10 m Synchro: 1. Zheng Li/Junjie Lian (CHN), 328.44; 2. Matthew Dixon/Noah Williams (GBR), 304.65; 4. Yevhen Naumenko/ Oleh Serbin (UKR), 304.08. Also: 9. Tyler Downs/Jordan Rzepka (USA), 255.30.

Women

1 m Springboard: 1. Tong Ma (CHN), 410.85; 2. Uliana Kliueva (RUS), 398.35; 3. Maria Coburn (USA), 393.05.
3 m Springboard: 1. Shan Lin (CHN), 503.15; 2. Ma (CHN), 487.30; 3. Alysha Koloi (AUS), 432.30. Also: 6. Bridget O’Neil (USA), 422.70.
10 m Platform: 1. Rui Zhang (CHN), 488.70; 2. Lin (CHN), 453.20; 3. Iana Satina (RUS), 425.90. Also: 10. Joanna Holloway (USA), 367.75.

3 m Synchro: 1. Tong Ma/Rui Zhang (CHN), 265.50; 2. Uliana Kliueva/Vitaliia Koroleva (RUS), 255.00; 3. Rin Kaneto/Mai Yasuda (JPN), 254.28. Also: 5. Maria Coburn/ Bridget O’Neil (USA), 247.41.

10 m Synchro: 1. Shiyun Lai/Jialing Liu (CHN), 314.88; 2. Phoebe Banks/Emily Martin (GBR), 278.79; 3. Nicoleta-Angelica Muscalu/Antonia-Mihaela Pavel (ROU), 265.44. Also: 6. Joanna Holloway/Sophia McAfee (USA), 250.38.

Mixed

Team event: 1. Great Britain, 318.70; 2. China, 307.50; 3. Australia, 304.50. Also: 9. United States (Coburn, Tyler Downs, Hailey Hernandez, Max Weinrich) 275.30.

Trave and Hocevar impress in World Slalom Juniors

By
Rich Perelman
-

Slalom races are often won by just hundredths of a second, so when Spain’s Miquel Trave and Eva Hocevar (SLO) won World Junior titles each by more than three seconds, it’s worth taking notice.

Trave won the C-1 by 3.84 seconds over Flavio Micozzi of Italy and Hocevar dominated the women’s K-1, winning by 89.67-93.23 over Poland’s Sona Stanovska to highlight the World Junior Slalom Championships in Ivrea (ITA).

Special mention is due to Stanovska, who was the only one to win medals in both the K-1 (second) and C-1 (bronze). Czech Gabriela Satkova won two golds, in the women’s C-1 and then on the C-1 team with Tereza Kneblova. Summaries (click on the link for the World U-23 results also):

ICF World Junior Slalom Championships
Ivrea (ITA) ~ 16-21 July 2018.
(Full results here)

Men

C-1: 1. Miquel Trave (ESP), 81.98; 2. Flavio Micozzi (ITA), 85.82; 3. Nicolas Gestin (FRA), 86.23.
C-1/Teams: 1. Nicolas Gestin/Jules Bernardet (FRA), 97.58; 2. Vojtech Heger/Petr Novotny (CZE), 103.72; 3. Urh Turnsek/Nejo Polencic (SLO), 105.91. Also: 11. Nathaniel Francis/Kaelin Friedenson (USA), 129.88.

K-1: 1. Jan Barta (CZE), 79.40; 2. Anatole Delassus (FRA), 80.32; 3. Tomas Zima (CZE), 81.00.
K-1/Teams: 1. Julien Pajaud/Vincent Delahaye (FRA), 93.30; 2. Tomas Zima/Jakub Krejci (CZE), 93.59; 3. Tim Bremer/Joshua Dietz (GER), 95.63. Also: 10. Joshua Joseph/Taylor Pittman (USA), 105.46.

Women

C-1: 1. Gabriela Satkova (CZE), 100.45; 2. Marta Bertoncelli (ITA), 101.24; 3. Sona Stanovska (POL), 104.55. Also: 6. Sage Donnelly (USA), 110.85.
C-1/Teams: 1. Gabriela Satkova/Tereza Kneblova (CZE), 119.13; 2. Bethan Forrow/Ellis Miller (GBR), 127.94; 3. Laurene Roisin/Doriane Delassus (FRA), 129.38.

K-1: 1. Eva Alina Hocevar (SLO), 89.67; 2. Stanovska (POL), 93.23; 3. Naemi Braendle (SUI), 94.20. Also: 6. Madison Corcoran (USA), 103.42.
K-1/Teams: 1. Antonie Galuskova/Lucie Nesnidalova (CZE), 109.38; 2. Eva Hocevar/Lea Novak (SLO), 109.70; 3. Francesca Malagutif/Marta Bertoncelli (ITA), 110.40. Also: 5. Ria Sribar/Sage Donnelly (USA), 116.61.

Mixed

C-2: 1. Elena Micozzi/Flavio Micozzi (ITA), 113.77; 2. Jules Bernardet/Doriane Delassus (FRA), 120.88; 3. Ainhoa Lameiro/Pau Echaniz (ESP), 130.29. Also: 10. Sage Donnelly/Kaelin Friedenson (USA), 194.19.

Kos and Jensen star at World Sprint Juniors

By
Rich Perelman
-

The World Junior Championships in Sprint was held in Bulgaria, but the stars came from Hungary and Canada.

Sophia Jensen of Canada won three events: the C-1/200 m, the C-1/500 m and teamed with Julia Lilley Osende to take the C-2/500 m for the best individual performance of the championships.

The best on the men’s side was Benedek Kos of Hungary, who won the K-1/500 m and the K-1/1,000 m races. The Hungarians had a sensational meet, winning five events on the final day and seven overall. Russia won four Junior titles.

The ICF World U-23 Championships were held at the same time; use the link below to access those results. Junior summaries:

ICF World Junior Championships
Plovdiv (BUL) ~ 26-29 July 2018.
(Full results here)

Men

C-1/200 m: 1. Nikita Nekrasov (RUS), 39.767; 2. Anuar Akchurin (KAZ), 40.093; 3. Fabien Schatz (GER), 40.190.
C-1/1,000 m: 1. Dzianis Patapenka (BLR), 4:25.077; 2. Kozhakhmet Altynbek (KAZ), 4:25.412; 3. Roar Benecke (GER), 4:25.558.
C-2/1,000 m: 1. Sergei Nemov/Kirill Romanov (RUS), 3:53.872; 2. Orestes Jose Gutierrez/Jose Pelier (CUB), 3:54.551; 3. Jiri Minarik/Jiri Salubil (CZE), 3:55.118.
C-4/500 m: 1. Russia, 1:32.235; 2. Ukraine, 1:32.760; 3. Germany, 1:33.518.

K-1/200 m: 1. Bartosz Grabowski (POL), 35.260; 2. Matus Jedinak (SVK), 35.613; 3. Tom Maassen (GER), 35.701.
K-1/500 m: 1. Benedek Kos (HUN), 1:35.920; 2. Rasmus Knudsen (DEN), 1:36.440; 3. Bojan Zdelar (SRB), 1:38.159.
K-1/1,000 m: 1. Kos (HUN), 3:56.901; 2. Martin Hiller (GER), 3:58.593; 3. Anton Novak (BLR), 4:00.383.
K-2/1,000 m: 1. Kiryl Smalianik/ Uladzislau Litvinau (BLR), 3:30.856; 2. Vilem Kukacka/Jan Vorel (CZE), 3:31.206; 3. David Darne Palmada/Xoel Garcia (ESP), 3:32.700.
K-4/500 m: 1. Hungary, 1:21.055; 2. Germany, 1:21.232; 3. Russia, 1:22.363.

Women

C-1/200 m: 1. Sophia Jensen (CAN), 46.873; 2. Bianka Nagy (HUN), 47.649; 3. Lucia Valova (SVK), 48.377.
C-1/500 m: 1. Jensen (CAN), 2:19.006; 2. Csenge Molnar (HUN), 2:22.761; 3. Olga Aleksandrova (RUS), 2:23.162.
C-2/200 m: 1. Laura Ruiz/Flore Caupain (FRA), 46.115; 2. Lina-Marie Bielicke/Annette Wehrmann (GER), 46.150; 3. Maria Olarasu/Daniela Cociu (MDA), 46.250.
C-2/500 m: 1. Sophia Jensen/Julia Lilley Osende (CAN), 1:58.306; 2. Qi Li/Wei Li (CHN), 1:58.997; 3. Bianka Nagy/Csenge Molnar (HUN), 2:00.199.
C-4/500 m: 1. Russia, 1:32.225; 2. Ukraine, 1:32.760; 3. Germany, 1:33.518.

K-1/200 m: 1. Alida Dora Gazso (HUN), 40.548; 2. Ina Sauchuk (BLR), 40.623; 3. Irene Bellan (ITA), 40.864.
K-1/500 m: 1. Eszter Rendessy (HUN), 1:49.735; 2. Sauchuk (BLR), 1:51.375; 3. Emma Russell (GBR), 1:51.814.
K-1/1,000 m: 1. Maria Rei (POR), 4:15.603; 2. Olga Bako (HUN), 4:16.903; 3. Alina Neumiarzhytskaya (BLR), 4;17.146.
K-2/500 m: 1. Karina Biben/Olga Bako (HUN), 1:39.776; 2. Anastasiia Dolgova/Victoria Krupnova (RUS), 1:41.974; 3. Stepanka Sobiskoba/Barbora Galadova (CZE), 1:42.506.
K-4/500 m: 1. Hungary, 1:36.497; 2. Germany, 1:38.497; 3. Russia, 1:38.664.

U.S. women seeded no. 1 in World Championships

By
Rich Perelman
-

The 2018 World Softball Championships are set to start at four different stadiums in Japan with competition from 2-12 August. The 16 teams will play in two groups (world rankings in parentheses):

Group A:

United States (1), Chinese Taipei (5), Puerto Rico (6), Mexico (7), Netherlands (8), New Zealand (11), Philippines (15), South Africa (35)

Group B:

Japan (2), Canada (3), Australia (4), Italy (9), China (12), Great Britain (14), Venezuela (17), Botswana (33).

Each group will play a round-robin schedule through the 8th, with playoffs starting on the 10th. The top four teams in each group will play in the Championship bracket and the last four teams in the Consolation bracket. Games will be played in Chiba, Narita, Narashino and Ichihara.

Semifinals will be held on the 11th and the medal games on 12 August. Look for results here.

The first World Championships was 1965 and was won by hosts Australia. Since then, the U.S. has won 10 times in the 14 tournaments since, including seven in a row from 1986-2010. It’s now held every two years and Japan and the U.S. have played in six straight finals, with the Americans winning in 2002-06-10-16 and the Japanese taking the title in 2012-14.

The U.S. has won a medal in 14 of the 15 events, missing only in 1982 (10-4-0); Japan has won 10 medals (3-5-2) and Australia, eight (1-1-6).

The U.S. and Japan faced off in the USA International Cup in Irvine, California in earlier this month, with the U.S. World Championships team winning the tournament with a 10-5 victory over Japan in the final on 15 July. The U.S. batting stars included Valerie Arioto, who was 3-for-3 with three home runs, five runs batted in and four runs scored, and Michelle Moultrie (2-3) with a home run and two RBIs.

Quadrennial World Sailing Champs open in Aarhus

By
Rich Perelman
-

Only once in four years is the World Sailing Championships held and the showdown in the Olympic classes is set to start in Aarhus (DEN) and continuing through 12 August.

In each of the 12 classes on the program, an Opening Series of races will take place, with a Medal Race worth double points at the end (the number of entries are also shown):

RS:X:
. 05-12 August
. Men: 90 entries: 14+1 medal race
. Women: 64 entries: 14+1 medal race

49er:
. 04-12 August
. Men: 89 entries: 14+1

49erFX:
. 04-12 August
. 63 entries: 14+1

Finn:
. 02-10 August
. 92 entries: 10+1

Kiteboard:
. 05-11 August
. Men and Women: 24+1

Laser:
. 03-11 August
. 165 entries: 10+1

Laser Radial:
. 03-11 August
. 119 entries: 10+1

470 Men:
. 02-10 August
. 65 entries: 10+1

470 Women:
. 02-10 August
. 47 entries: 10+1

Nacra 17/Mixed:
. 05-12 August
. 69 entries: 16+1

The defending champions from the 2014 Worlds, held in Santander (ESP):

RS:X Men:
Julien Bontemps (FRA)

RS:X Women:
Charline Picon (FRA)

49er Men:
Peter Burling/Blair Tuke (NZL)

49erFX Women:
Martina Graef/Kahena Kunze (BRA)

Finn:
Giles Scott (GBR)

Laser Men:
Nicholas Heiner (NED)

Laser Radial Women:
Marit Bouwmeester (NED)

470 Men:
Mat Belcher/Will Ryan (NZL)

470 Women:
Lara Vladlau/Jolanta Ogar (AUT)

Nacra 17 Mixed:
Billy Besson/Marie Riou (FRA)

And the Olympic winners from Rio 2016, five of which are the same:

RS:X Men:
Dorian v. Rijesselberghe (NED)

RS:X Women:
Charline Picon (FRA)

49er Men:
Peter Burling/Blair Tuke (NZL)

49er FX Women:
Martina Graef/Kahena Kunze (BRA)

Finn Men:
Giles Scott (GBR)

Laser Men:
Tom Burton (AUS)

Laser Radial Women:
Marit Bouwmeester (NED)

470 Men:
Sime Fantela/Igor Marenic (CRO)

470 Women:
Hannah Mills/Saskia Clark (GBR)

Nacra 17 Mixed:
Santiago Lange/Cecilia Carranza Saroli (ARG)

In 2018, the World Sailing World Cup was held in three stages and a World Cup Final in Japan, the U.S. and France (two legs); the winners:

Men

RS:X:
Gamagori: Pawel Tarnowski (POL)
Miami: Louis Giard (FRA)
Hyeres: Pierre LeCoq (FRA)
Marseille: LeCoq

Laser:
Gamagori: Sam Meech (NZL)
Miami: Tom Burton (AUS)
Hyeres: Jean Baptiste Bernaz (FRA)
Marseille: Philipp Buhl (GER)

Finn:
Gamagori: not held
Miami: Giles Scott (GBR)
Hyeres: Jorge Zarif (BRA)
Marseille: Zarif

470:
Gamagori: Mat Belcher/Will Ryan (AUS)
Miami: Luke Patience/Chris Grube (GBR)
Hyeres: Anton Dahlberg/Fredrik Bergstrom (SWE)
Marseille: Belcher/Ryan

Women

RS:X:
Gamagori: Hei Man Chan (HKG)
Miami: Helene Noesmoen (FRA)
Hyeres: Zofia Noceti-Klepacka (POL)
Marseille: Noga Geller (ISR)

Laser Radial:
Gamagori: Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN)
Miami: Alison Young (GBR)
Hyeres: Marit Bouwmeester (NED)
Marseille: Emma Plasschaert (BEL)

470:
Gamagori: Agnieszka Skrzypulec/ Irmina Gliszczynska (POL)
Miami: Tina Mrak/Veronika Macarol (SLO)
Hyeres: Camille Lecointre/Aloise Retornaz (FRA)
Marseille: Hannah Mills/Eilidh McIntyre (GBR)

Mixed

Nacra 17:
Gamagori: not held
Miami: Jason Waterhouse/Lisa Darmanin (AUS)
Hyeres: Ruggero Tita/Caterina Banti (ITA)
Marseille: Tita/Banti

Weather permitting in Aarhus, a total of 180 races will be held and the results of each race can be found here.

U.S. tries for Tournament of Nations trophy vs. Brazil

By
Rich Perelman
-

The U.S. women’s national team settled nothing in its new rivalry with Australia in Sunday’s 1-1 tie in its second game of the Tournament of Nations.

Once again, Australia scored first – as in its 1-0 win in 2017 – and then frustrated the U.S. again and again with a well-organized defense. Unlike last year, however, Lindsey Horan saved the game with a header off of Megan Rapinoe’s on-target corner kick in the 90th minute for the tie.

So with just Thursday’s games to go:

26 July: Australia 3, Brazil 1
29 July: Brazil 2, Japan 1
02 August: Australia vs. Japan

United States 4, Japan 2
Australia 1, U.S. 1
U.S. vs. Brazil

(Bridgeview, Illinois ~ U.S. game at 8:30 p.m. Eastern on FS1)

Both the U.S. and Australia have 1-0-1 records (4 points); with Brazil at 1-1-0 (3 points) and Japan at 0-2-0 (0). If either the U.S. or Australia win and the other ties or loses, the winner will take the trophy. If Brazil beats the U.S. and Australia and Japan tie, Brazil will win the tournament.

The tie-breakers after points are goal differential, then goals scored. The U.S. is +2 (5-3), Australia is +2 (4-2) and Brazil is -1 (3-4).

The U.S. now stands at 8-0-2 in 2018 and is unbeaten in its last 18 matches (15-0-3) since the loss to Australia, and has a 54-16 scoring edge in those games.

The U.S. has a 27-3-5 lifetime record against Brazil, which got goals from Marta and Beatriz in its win over Japan.

ACA hosts its first U.S. Sprint Nationals

By
Rich Perelman
-

One of the little-noticed, but important changes in U.S. canoeing and kayaking is that the American Canoe Association, founded in 1880, became the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States.

Among other things, the ACA is now responsible for the U.S. entries into international events and part of that is staging the U.S. National Sprint Championships, taking place from 1-4 August on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The defending champions and runner-ups from 2017’s Nationals in Clermont, Florida:

Men:

C-1/200 m: 1. Gavin Ross, 43.93 2. Kenny Kasperbauer, 44.36
C-1/500 m: 1. Ryan Grady, 1:56.53 2. Gavin Ross, 1:58.30
C-1/1,000 m: 1. Ryan Grady, 4:17.47 2. Kenny Kasperbauer, 4:27.60
C-1/5,000 m: 1. Gavin Ross, 27:38.61 2. Kenny Kasperbauer, 28:27.21
C-2/200 m: 1. Kenny Kasperbauer/Oliver Farquhar, 45.08
2. Blaise Rhodes/Gavin Ross, 46.99
C-2/1,000 m: 1. Riley Bunner/Edward Surles, 4:16.59
2. Kenny Kasperbauer/Oliver Farquhar, 4:24.97
C-4/1,000 m: 1. Kenny Kasperbauser/Ben Gregory/Ryan Grady/Mike Thompson, 4:05.85
2. Riley Brunner/Stanton Collins/Drew Deppe/Aaron Mullican, 4:17.80

K-1/200 m: 1. Stanton Collins, 36.94
2. Miles Cross-Whiter, 37.28
K-1/500 m: 1. Alex Lee, 1:43.33
2. Aaron D. Mullican, 1:44.65
K-1/1,000 m: 1. Alex Lee, 3:44.53
2. Jesse Lishchuk, 3:47.85
K-1/5,000 m: 1. Alex Lee, 22:53.11
2. Aaron D. Mullican, 23:05.21
K-2/200 m: 1. Stanton Collins/Aaron D. Mullican, 34.22
2. Nathaniel Errez/Miles Cross-White, 35.69
K-2/1,000 m: 1. Stanton Collins/Aaron D. Mullican, 3:29.24
2. Alex Lee/Nainoa Orr, 3:32.57
K-4/1,000 m: 1. Aaron Mullican/Stanton Collins/Drew Deppe/Owen Farley-Klacik, 3:12.97
2. Alex Lee/Nainoa Orr/Kai Wilding/Nick Whitcomb, 3:15.90

Women:

C-1/200 m: 1. Ann Armstrong, 53.38
2. Andreea Ghizila, 53.86
C-1/500 m: 1. Ann Armstrong, 2:27.06
2. Pam Boteler, 3:07.52
C-1/1,000 m: 1. Ann Armstrong, 5:21.70
2. Pam Boteler, 5:37.61
C-1/5,000 m: 1. Pam Boteler, 38:26.41 (Only finisher)
C-2/200 m: 1. Azusa Murphy/Hana Neutz, 54.84
2. Ann Armstrong/Pam Boteler, 57.52
C-2/500 m: 1. Ann Armstrong/Pam Boteler, 2:26.02
2. Azusa Murphy/Hana Neutz, 2:30.42
C-4/500 m: 1. Ann Armstrong/Pam Boteler/Kathleen McNamee/Kelly Rhodes, 2:45.19
2. Lisa Ramm/Victoria Stocker/Becca Schuette/Betsy Ray, 3:21.90

K-1/200 m: 1. Samantha Barlow, 46.50
2. Caroline Cook, 49.10
K-1/500 m: 1. Samantha Barlow, 2:02.33
2. Farran Smith, 2:08.16
K-1/1,000 m: 1. Samantha Barlow, 4:14.78
2. Farran Smith, 4:20.39
K-1/5,000 m: 1. Samantha Barlow, 25:26.88
2. Kalen Lee Scholz, 27:39.01
K-2/200 m: 1. Samantha Barlow/Mira Corrao, 44.80
2. Anne Blanchard/Lisa Swenson, 49.10
K-2/500 m: 1. Samantha Barlow/Mira Corrao, 1:54.73
2. Anne Blanchard/Lisa Swenson, 2:05.47
K-4/500 m: 1. Bria Cornforth/Catherine Wilborn/Irissa Danke/Ina Poecher, 1:49.86
2. Samantha Barlow/Madison Long/Geome Ramirez/Courtney Stow, 1:55.38

For the 2017 Nationals, look for results here.

Last 5-star World Tour stop is in Vienna

By
Rich Perelman
-

The last of this season’s 5-star FIVB World Tour tournaments is underway in Vienna (AUT), with the World Tour Finals just two weeks off in Hamburg (GER). The top seeds:

Men:

  1. Vitor Felipe/Evandro Oliveira (BRA) ~ Evandro: Itapema Open 4-star winner
  2. Alison Cerutti/Andre Stein (BRA) ~ Stein: Itapema Open 4-star winner
  3. Piotr Kantor/Bartosz Losiak (POL) ~ Poland Open 4-star winners
  4. Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen (NED) ~ Huntington Beach Open 4-star winners
  5. Nick Lucena/Phil Dalhausser (USA) ~ Ft. Lauderdale Open 5-star winners

Women:

  1. Melissa Humana-Paredes/Sarah Pavan (CAN) ~ Gstaad Major 5-star winners
  2. Heather Bansley/Brandie Wilkerson (CAN) ~ Poland Open 4-star winners
  3. Agatha Bednarczuk/Duda Lisboa (BRA) ~ Itapema Open 4-star winners
  4. Barbara Seixas/Fernanda Alves (BRA) ~ Huntington Beach Open 4-star winners
  5. Chantal Laboureur/Julia Sude (GER) ~ Gstaad Open 5-star runners-up

The top-seeded American women’s team is Alexandra Klineman and April Ross, in sixth.

Vienna hosted the World Championships in 2017, with Evandro and Andre (BRA) winning the men’s final from Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst (AUT). Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst won the women’s title over April Ross and Lauren Fendrick of the U.S.

As a five-star event, the prize purse is one of the largest on tour: $300,000 for both men and women, with $40,000 to the winning team, then $32,000 for second, $20,000 for third, $16,000 for fourth, $12,000 to the quarterfinal losers, $8,000 for the Round of 16 losers and on down to $4,000 for losers in the Round of 32.

Look for results here.

Is China still in charge as Badminton Worlds start?

By
Rich Perelman
-

The 24th Badminton World Federation World Championships are underway in Nanjing (CHN), with the question being: Is China still the dominant power in the game?

As recently as 2010 and 2011, Chinese entries swept all five events. But beginning in 2013, China has won 3-3-2 events and for 2017, has the top seed in two Doubles events:

Men’s Singles:

  1. Viktor Axelsen (DEN)
  2. Chong Wei Lee (MAS)
  3. Yuqi Shi (CHN)
  4. Wan Ho Son (KOR)
  5. Srikanth Kidambi (IND)

Defending: Viktor Axelsen (DEN:1 )

Women’s Singles:

  1. Tzu Ying Tai (TPE)
  2. Akane Yamaguchi (JPN)
  3. V. Sindhu Pusarla (IND)
  4. Ratchanok Intanon (THA)
  5. Yufei Chen (CHN)

Defending: Nozomi Okuhara (JPN: 8)

Men’s Doubles:

  1. Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA)
  2. Cheng Liu/Nan Zhang (CHN)
  3. Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen (DEN)
  4. Junhui Li/Yuchen Liu (CHN) ~ Defending Champions
  5. Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda (JPN)

Women’s Doubles:

  1. Qingchen Chen/Yifan Jia (CHN) ~ Defending Champions
  2. Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota (JPN)
  3. Misaki Matsumoto/Ayaka Takahashi (JPN)
  4. Shiho Tanaka/Koharu Yonemoto (JPN)
  5. Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu (INA)

Mixed Doubles:

  1. Siwei Zheng/Yaqiong Huang (CHN)
  2. Yilyu Wang/Dongping Huang (CHN)
  3. Chun Man Tang/Ying Suet Tse (HKG)
  4. Matthias Christensen/Christinna Pedersen (DEN)
  5. Nan Zhang/Yinhui Li (CHN)

Defending Champions: Tontowi Ahmad/Lilyana Natsir (INA)

There are three former World Champions entered who are not seeded in the top five: China’s Long Chen (8) and five-time winner Dan Lin (9) in the men’s Singles and Carolina Marin (ESP: 7) in the women’s Singles. Thailand’s Intanon, seeded fourth, was the 2013 women’s champ.

The Worlds are being held in China for the third time and for the first time in Nanjing, at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Sports Park. The schedule:

  • 30 July-02 August: Preliminaries
  • 03 August: Quarterfinals
  • 04 August: Semifinals
  • 05 August: Finals

Coverage in the U.S. is available on the NBC Olympic Channel. But check for times. Look for results here.

The IAAF is unhappy with the uniformity of uniforms

By
Rich Perelman
-

The IAAF Council meeting in Buenos Aires on 26-27 July was one of the busiest in recent memory. In addition to its decisions on doping control and what to do about Russia, it also addressed a major gripe of fans.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe noted in his post-meetings news conference that “We discussed the need to address the issue of large numbers of athletes at the Diamond League wearing identical kit, which causes confusion for spectators and broadcasters. This has to change and a group has been set up to drive this change.”

This is going to be tricky, because there is only one reason why so many athletes wear the same uniform. They are all sponsored by Nike.

On the one hand, Nike’s sponsorship of athletes is a good thing and is to be commended and encouraged. But for anyone who watches Diamond League or World Challenge or even domestic meets in person or on television, a whole lot of people are wearing the same thing. It’s especially annoying for anyone watching a meet in person, as tracks are big places and athletes running on the opposite side of the stadium are hard enough to pick out even wearing different uniforms.

Coe is in the best possible position to help sort this out, given his long service to Nike, which included a years-long consulting position that he had to give up – under pressure – when he became the IAAF President.

One place for the IAAF to start looking for ideas is triathlon. The International Triathlon Union actually approves national suits for its ITU World Series events and the approved set of national uniforms for 2018 runs to 154 pages!

The creative aspect of the World Series uniforms is that while each country has its own colors and design, there is space for enough logos to make the triathletes look like NASCAR drivers … perfect for the IAAF to allow its athletes to attract more sponsors and gather more support. The future?

Why eSports has no place in the Olympic Games

By
Rich Perelman
-

There was much anticipation over the “Esports Forum” conducted by the International Olympic Committee on 21 July, which brought members of the Olympic Movement together with 150 members of the eSports community at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The event itself was a teaching session for both entities and the IOC’s own summary noted that Olympic participation was not a goal:

“The Forum explored areas of commonality and potential collaboration, including the question of whether esports could be recognised as a sport, and in which form they could be represented within the Olympic Movement, when an organisation does not currently exist that represents esports globally and could align with the Olympic values, rules and regulations. For this reason, the consideration of whether esports could be included on the Olympic programme was not an immediate goal of the Esports Forum.”

International Basketball Federation (FIBA) president and IOC member Patrick Baumann (SUI), who – next to IOC chief Thomas Bach – has become the most indispensable person in the Olympic Movement, played up the one true parallel between the two words, noting “we are united by passion for our sports and a shared love of competition.”

That’s really about all. In my view, there is a wide gulf between eSports and the concept of the Olympic Games. And the difference is people.

Obviously, there are people in both eSports and the Olympics. The difference is that every Olympic sport depends on organic power sources: animals, nature or human beings. In the Games:

  • Sports where competitors compete using human-controlled animals or implements (21):

Individual sports (15):
Archery, Badminton, Canoe-Kayak, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Gymnastics, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Shooting, Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon bicycles), Weightlifting.

Team Sports (6):
Basketball, Football, Handball, Hockey, Rugby, Volleyball

  • Sports where competitors compete in concert with nature (1):

Sailing

  • Sports where competitors compete against directly against each other (6):

Athletics, Boxing, Judo, Swimming, Taekwondo, Wrestling

In the Winter Games, all of the sports – Biathlon, Bobsleigh & Skeleton, Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge Skiing and Skating – use human-controlled implements for competition.

None use electricity or any other form of artificial power – such as engines – for competition. And that’s the key difference.

The eSports explosion is an extension of the computer revolution that began in the 1970s and came to consumers in the 1980s in the form of the personal computer. It is not human sport, but computer-aided competition which is in its own category.

If the IOC remains true to its role of emphasizing sport as a path to personal fitness, then eSports cannot be a part of the Olympic Games.

And Bach and the IOC see this with clarity. And in what has become a hallmark of Bach’s leadership, there is no rejection of eSports, but an invitation to keep meeting and talking. So, of course, the outcome of the Esports Forum was an “Esports Liaison Group” which will continue the discussion.

IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell noted that “There was a consensus that future collaboration will be based on ensuring that any activity supports and promotes the Olympic values; and while the goal was not to develop a pathway towards the inclusion of esports on the Olympic programme, we have a strong plan for ongoing dialogue and engagement.”

Highly-respected commentators like Alan Abrahamson believe the IOC’s interest in eSports foretells its inclusion in the Olympic Games sooner than later. Conspiracy theorists note Intel’s place as an IOC sponsor and are sure that the company will use its influence to get eSports admitted to the Games program. And it is true that eSports players – especially at the elite level – are younger.

An ESPN study noted that “overall, esports players are significantly younger than their counterparts in other major sports.” But with the worldwide population aging rapidly, will eSports continue to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for the IOC and its partners in the future?

The strength of the Olympic Games is that it brings people together, in person, for peaceful competition against each other. The potential for eSports, if it can tear itself away from the savagery of many of its games, is to bring people together at the same time, without being in the same place.

There is ample space for the two sides to collaborate, but it is not at the Olympic Games.

Rich Perelman
Editor

Why eSports has no place in the Olympic Games

By
Rich Perelman
-
The U.S. team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang. (Photo: Jon Gaede)

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TSX HEADLINES – for August 1, 2018: The recent Esports Forum hosted by the International Olympic Committee has tongues wagging that it’s only a matter of time – a short time – before the gamers will be standing at the top of a podium receiving Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals.

Not so fast.

True, the IOC president and the head of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF) were generous in their praise for the “passion” of the e-games, but there is a crucial difference between the sports on the Olympic program and the eSports universe.

It can be summarized in one word, but we have the full explanation in our Lane One commentary, plus previews of three World Championships getting under way this week:

(1) THE TICKER: The Calgary bid for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games may be on the verge of implosion! The City Council is considering dropping the whole thing because of a lack of provincial and federal support, and the public referendum on the bid has been set for 13 November.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IAAF is tired of seeing most of the athletes in Diamond League races in the same (Nike) uniform and they’re going to do something about it? But what? We have an idea …

(3) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team and Australia are tied for the lead in the four-team Tournament of Nations with one game left on Thursday; a preview.

(4) SAILING: The World Sailing World Championships for the Olympic classes take place only once every four years; the 2018 edition is getting ready to start in Aarhus, Denmark. Check out the top contenders in our all-classes preview!

(5) SOFTBALL: The U.S. women are ranked no. 1 and seeded no. 1 in the World Softball Championships. But the event is being held in Japan, the no. 2-ranked nation and the U.S.’s biggest rival. We have the information on how to follow the games.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Badminton (World Championships), Beach Volleyball, Canoe-Kayak, Football, Sailing (World Championships) and Softball (World Championships), SCOREBOARD reports on Canoe-Kayak ~ Diving ~ Hockey ~ Swimming, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

What you need to know about the worldwide carousel of sports is in The Sports Examiner, your all-in-one briefing on Olympic sport! Click below for our new issue:

[wpdm_package id=5294 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

The Sports Examiner is a subscription journal. Thank you for your support; please tell your friends to subscribe now! For comments or questions, please click here.

Why eSports has no place in the Olympic Games

By
Rich Perelman
-
The U.S. team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang. (Photo: Jon Gaede)

HEADLINES – for August 1, 2018: The recent Esports Forum hosted by the International Olympic Committee has tongues wagging that it’s only a matter of time – a short time – before the gamers will be standing at the top of a podium receiving Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals.

Not so fast.

True, the IOC president and the head of the General Assembly of International Sports Federations (GAISF) were generous in their praise for the “passion” of the e-games, but there is a crucial difference between the sports on the Olympic program and the eSports universe.

It can be summarized in one word, but we have the full explanation in our Lane One commentary, plus previews of three World Championships getting under way this week:

(1) THE TICKER: The Calgary bid for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games may be on the verge of implosion! The City Council is considering dropping the whole thing because of a lack of provincial and federal support, and the public referendum on the bid has been set for 13 November.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IAAF is tired of seeing most of the athletes in Diamond League races in the same (Nike) uniform and they’re going to do something about it? But what? We have an idea …

(3) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team and Australia are tied for the lead in the four-team Tournament of Nations with one game left on Thursday; a preview.

(4) SAILING: The World Sailing World Championships for the Olympic classes take place only once every four years; the 2018 edition is getting ready to start in Aarhus, Denmark. Check out the top contenders in our all-classes preview!

(5) SOFTBALL: The U.S. women are ranked no. 1 and seeded no. 1 in the World Softball Championships. But the event is being held in Japan, the no. 2-ranked nation and the U.S.’s biggest rival. We have the information on how to follow the games.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Badminton (World Championships), Beach Volleyball, Canoe-Kayak, Football, Sailing (World Championships) and Softball (World Championships), SCOREBOARD reports on Canoe-Kayak ~ Diving ~ Hockey ~ Swimming, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

The IAAF shows an iron hand to Russia on doping … and it’s working

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 30, 2018: The president of the International Olympic Committee said he was ready to welcome Russia back into the Olympic Movement.

The International Association of Athletics Federations – the IAAF – said not so fast.

At its Council meeting last week, the IAAF’s task force on the Russian issue maintained its stance that there are still conditions to be met for reinstatement to the track & field community … and it appears that the Russians are listening.

Doesn’t the IAAF and the World Anti-Doping Agency deserve some applause for holding Russia’s Sports Ministry to account for the biggest doping scandal in Olympic history?

We have the details in our Lane One commentary, plus reports on a wild weekend of action on the Olympic-sport carousel:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The IAAF also decided to allow transfers of allegiance again, but with new rules. The decision could help two stars in their quest to run for the United States!

(2) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships concluded with American swimmers re-writing the record books, the world lists for 2018 and introducing a new generation of stars. Even on the final day, there were three new world-leading marks and a fourth national title for a budding, 19-year-old sprinter!

(3) CYCLING: After three weeks of riding, another British rider won the Tour de France … but he’s the only one who was born in Britain. Huh? Get the explanation and all the winners of this year’s Tour …

(4) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team almost lost to Australia again, but pulled a rabbit out of its hat in the 90th minute for a tie in the Tournament of Nations!

(5) GYMNASTICS: Superstar Simone Biles is back and maybe, as good or better than ever, in winning the All-Around title at the U.S. Classic!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Swimming ~ Athletics ~ Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Football ~ Gymnastics ~ Hockey ~ Judo ~ Sport Climbing ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Taekwondo ~ Triathlon, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events.

The IAAF shows an iron hand to Russia on doping … and it’s working

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=5157 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 30, 2018: The president of the International Olympic Committee said he was ready to welcome Russia back into the Olympic Movement.

The International Association of Athletics Federations – the IAAF – said not so fast.

At its Council meeting last week, the IAAF’s task force on the Russian issue maintained its stance that there are still conditions to be met for reinstatement to the track & field community … and it appears that the Russians are listening.

Doesn’t the IAAF and the World Anti-Doping Agency deserve some applause for holding Russia’s Sports Ministry to account for the biggest doping scandal in Olympic history?

We have the details in our Lane One commentary, plus reports on a wild weekend of action on the Olympic-sport carousel:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The IAAF also decided to allow transfers of allegiance again, but with new rules. The decision could help two stars in their quest to run for the United States!

(2) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships concluded with American swimmers re-writing the record books, the world lists for 2018 and introducing a new generation of stars. Even on the final day, there were three new world-leading marks and a fourth national title for a budding, 19-year-old sprinter!

(3) CYCLING: After three weeks of riding, another British rider won the Tour de France … but he’s the only one who was born in Britain. Huh? Get the explanation and all the winners of this year’s Tour …

(4) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team almost lost to Australia again, but pulled a rabbit out of its hat in the 90th minute for a tie in the Tournament of Nations!

(5) GYMNASTICS: Superstar Simone Biles is back and maybe, as good or better than ever, in winning the All-Around title at the U.S. Classic!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Swimming ~ Athletics ~ Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Football ~ Gymnastics ~ Hockey ~ Judo ~ Sport Climbing ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Taekwondo ~ Triathlon, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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EXTRA: World 100 m Backstroke Record for Kathleen Baker!

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. Backstroke star (and world-record holder) Kathleen Baker

TSX EXTRA – for July 29, 2018: When 16-year-old Regan Smith set a World Junior Record in the morning prelims, it became clear that the final of the women’s 100 m Backstroke was going to be a hot race.

So hot, in fact, that Rio silver medalist Kathleen Baker – swimming next to Smith – exploded from the start and tore through the water for a world record of 58.00 on Day 4 of the Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, California!

But that was only one of the highlights, as Ryan Murphy followed up Baker’s stunner by out-touching Matt Grevers in a world-leading time in the 100 m Back, and Katie Ledecky swam the second sub-4:00 performance this year to win her third U.S. title, in the 400 m Free. Wow!

EXTRA: World 100 m Backstroke Record for Kathleen Baker!

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. Backstroke star (and world-record holder) Kathleen Baker

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TSX EXTRA – for July 29, 2018: When 16-year-old Regan Smith set a World Junior Record in the morning prelims, it became clear that the final of the women’s 100 m Backstroke was going to be a hot race.

So hot, in fact, that Rio silver medalist Kathleen Baker – swimming next to Smith – exploded from the start and tore through the water for a world record of 58.00 on Day 4 of the Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, California!

But that was only one of the highlights, as Ryan Murphy followed up Baker’s stunner by out-touching Matt Grevers in a world-leading time in the 100 m Back, and Katie Ledecky swam the second sub-4:00 performance this year to win her third U.S. title, in the 400 m Free. Wow!

Many more details, plus summaries of the top eight finishers in each event in this special, added issue for subscribers. Click below for this EXTRA issue:

[wpdm_package id=5156 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

The Sports Examiner is a subscription journal. Thank you for your support; please tell your friends to subscribe now! For comments or questions, please click here.

EXTRA: Murphy rockets to American Record in 50 m Back on hot Irvine night

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for July 28, 2018: Triple Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy has been the U.S.’s best in the 100 m and 200 m Backstroke events for the last two years. But not in the 50 m.

He remedied that on Friday evening with his first U.S. title in the 50 m Back, swimming to a new American Record of 24.24 on the final event of the night at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, California.

Murphy got the headline that seemed to be belong to Caeleb Dressel and Chase Kalisz, each of whom swam world-leading times for 2018 in the 100 m Butterfly and 400 m Medley, respectively.

Kalisz said afterwards he was “freaked out” by what he saw on the video board during his Backstroke leg, but it came out fine at the end.

EXTRA: Murphy rockets to American Record in 50 m Back on hot Irvine night

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=5115 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for July 28, 2018: Triple Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy has been the U.S.’s best in the 100 m and 200 m Backstroke events for the last two years. But not in the 50 m.

He remedied that on Friday evening with his first U.S. title in the 50 m Back, swimming to a new American Record of 24.24 on the final event of the night at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, California.

Murphy got the headline that seemed to be belong to Caeleb Dressel and Chase Kalisz, each of whom swam world-leading times for 2018 in the 100 m Butterfly and 400 m Medley, respectively.

Kalisz said afterwards he was “freaked out” by what he saw on the video board during his Backstroke leg, but it came out fine at the end.

Get the details and summaries of the top eight finishers in each event in this special, added issue for subscribers. Click below for this EXTRA issue:

[wpdm_package id=5115 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

The Sports Examiner is a subscription journal. Thank you for your support; please tell your friends to subscribe now! For comments or questions, please click here.

U.S. athletes tell Congress: Fix the “unregulated monopoly” you set up in 1978

By
Rich Perelman
-
USOPC Athletes' Advisory Chair Han Xiao in Senate testimony

TSX HEADLINES – for July 27, 2018: The U.S. Senate Sub-Committee hearing on “Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with Solutions” last Tuesday focused mostly on the sexual abuse issues at the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and at Michigan State University.

But the most important part of the hearing was the mostly-unappreciated testimony of United States Olympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council chair Han Xiao.

He didn’t just re-hash the sexual abuse scandal, but told the few Senators who attended exactly what was needed for change and how it could be implemented. And make no mistake, his goal – as the representative of America’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes – is nothing less than to change the USOC’s culture, what Xiao called an attitude of “athletes come and go, and athletes are replaceable.”

We have the details of Xiao’s request for Congressional action in our Lane One commentary, plus news, previews and results from all across the Olympic world:

(1) THE TICKER: Three Russian doping appeals were dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a key anniversary of a date on which the Olympic Movement was changed forever, 34 years ago!

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Director was in Calgary this week, talking about the city’s potential bid for the 2026 Winter Games … and he had good news for those worried about the city’s financial guarantees!

(3) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships rolled on with a world-leading performance by Josh Prenot in the 200 m Breaststroke and saw Kelsi Dahlia equal her own American Record in the 50 m Butterfly. But those weren’t the surprises of the night and there were some shockers!

(4) CYCLING: Another Brit is probably going to win the Tour de France this year, but it probably isn’t going to be Chris Froome. Who will win it and what obstacles still remain with just three stages to go?

(5) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team hammered Japan, 4-2, in the Tournament of Nations opener. Now, on to a re-match of the last American loss, against Australia!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Taekwondo; SCOREBOARD reports on Swimming ~ Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Golf ~ Wrestling, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

U.S. athletes tell Congress: Fix the “unregulated monopoly” you set up in 1978

By
Rich Perelman
-
USOPC Athletes' Advisory Chair Han Xiao in Senate testimony

[wpdm_package id=5154 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 27, 2018: The U.S. Senate Sub-Committee hearing on “Strengthening and Empowering U.S. Amateur Athletes: Moving Forward with Solutions” last Tuesday focused mostly on the sexual abuse issues at the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and at Michigan State University.

But the most important part of the hearing was the mostly-unappreciated testimony of United States Olympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council chair Han Xiao.

He didn’t just re-hash the sexual abuse scandal, but told the few Senators who attended exactly what was needed for change and how it could be implemented. And make no mistake, his goal – as the representative of America’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes – is nothing less than to change the USOC’s culture, what Xiao called an attitude of “athletes come and go, and athletes are replaceable.”

We have the details of Xiao’s request for Congressional action in our Lane One commentary, plus news, previews and results from all across the Olympic world:

(1) THE TICKER: Three Russian doping appeals were dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a key anniversary of a date on which the Olympic Movement was changed forever, 34 years ago!

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Director was in Calgary this week, talking about the city’s potential bid for the 2026 Winter Games … and he had good news for those worried about the city’s financial guarantees!

(3) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships rolled on with a world-leading performance by Josh Prenot in the 200 m Breaststroke and saw Kelsi Dahlia equal her own American Record in the 50 m Butterfly. But those weren’t the surprises of the night and there were some shockers!

(4) CYCLING: Another Brit is probably going to win the Tour de France this year, but it probably isn’t going to be Chris Froome. Who will win it and what obstacles still remain with just three stages to go?

(5) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team hammered Japan, 4-2, in the Tournament of Nations opener. Now, on to a re-match of the last American loss, against Australia!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Taekwondo; SCOREBOARD reports on Swimming ~ Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Golf ~ Wrestling, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

What you need to know about the worldwide carousel of sports is in The Sports Examiner, your all-in-one briefing on Olympic sport! Click below for our new issue:

[wpdm_package id=5154 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

The Sports Examiner is a subscription journal. Thank you for your support; please tell your friends to subscribe now! For comments or questions, please click here.

EXTRA: Manuel & Pieroni score first U.S. 100 m Free championships in Irvine

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for July 26, 2018: U.S. Olympic swimming fans know Simone Manuel from her surprise gold medal at Rio in 2016 and a stunning World Championship win last year in the 100 m Freestyle.

But she had never won the U.S. national championship at that distance … until Wednesday night in Irvine, California.

She overpowered a good field that included the last two national champions and won in 52.54, making her the third-fastest woman in the world in the event in 2018.

American swimmers had a good first day at the Phillips 66 National Championships at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, with 12 new performers in the world’s ten-best for 2018 like surprise men’s 100 m winner Blake Pieroni! And Katie Ledecky won the 800 m Freestyle with ease to start a busy five days of swimming for her.

EXTRA: Manuel & Pieroni score first U.S. 100 m Free championships in Irvine

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4659 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for July 26, 2018: U.S. Olympic swimming fans know Simone Manuel from her surprise gold medal at Rio in 2016 and a stunning World Championship win last year in the 100 m Freestyle.

But she had never won the U.S. national championship at that distance … until Wednesday night in Irvine, California.

She overpowered a good field that included the last two national champions and won in 52.54, making her the third-fastest woman in the world in the event in 2018.

American swimmers had a good first day at the Phillips 66 National Championships at the Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, with 12 new performers in the world’s ten-best for 2018 like surprise men’s 100 m winner Blake Pieroni! And Katie Ledecky won the 800 m Freestyle with ease to start a busy five days of swimming for her.

Get the details and summaries of the top eight finishers in each event in this special, added issue for subscribers. Click below for this EXTRA issue:

[wpdm_package id=4659 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

 

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kenya most penalized by the Athletics Integrity Unit

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 25, 2018: The Athletics Integrity Unit set up by the International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) made its first comprehensive report public and there’s one conclusion to be drawn.

Doping is still with us.

The report on the AIU Web site shows a total of 120 cases handled by the AIU since it started operations in 2017 and 35 new cases through the first half of 2018. And there are a stunning total of 411 people on the current suspension or banned list. 411!

And leading the nations in opened cases, bans and suspensions? Russia, of course.

We have the details of the AIU report in our Lane One commentary, plus news from all across the Olympic world:

(1) THE TICKER: Stunning training revelation from triple jump star Christian Taylor, the USOC asks to be removed from the lawsuit by three victims of Larry Nasser, and Scott Blackmun rejoins the Olympic Movement.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing on the Larry Nasser affair was tamer than prior editions, but there were specific proposals from the USOC’s Athletes Advisory Council!

(3) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships start Wednesday in Irvine with berths on the 2019 World Championships team on the line. We have a full preview, including the workloads for stars Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky and others … and two stars who won’t swim due to doping suspensions!

(4) CYCLING: Tuesday’s Tour de France race was stopped for 15 minutes due to a farmer’s protest, then the riders had to deal with leftover tear gas! But the entire Tour could be decided on Wednesday’s brutal, three-climb stage!

(5) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team hosts the second Tournament of Nations, starting Thursday, with games vs. Japan, Australia and Brazil.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Swimming ~ Football ~ Judo ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Triathlon; SCOREBOARD reports on Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kenya most penalized by the Athletics Integrity Unit

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4652 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 25, 2018: The Athletics Integrity Unit set up by the International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF) made its first comprehensive report public and there’s one conclusion to be drawn.

Doping is still with us.

The report on the AIU Web site shows a total of 120 cases handled by the AIU since it started operations in 2017 and 35 new cases through the first half of 2018. And there are a stunning total of 411 people on the current suspension or banned list. 411!

And leading the nations in opened cases, bans and suspensions? Russia, of course.

We have the details of the AIU report in our Lane One commentary, plus news from all across the Olympic world:

(1) THE TICKER: Stunning training revelation from triple jump star Christian Taylor, the USOC asks to be removed from the lawsuit by three victims of Larry Nasser, and Scott Blackmun rejoins the Olympic Movement.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The U.S. Senate Subcommittee hearing on the Larry Nasser affair was tamer than prior editions, but there were specific proposals from the USOC’s Athletes Advisory Council!

(3) SWIMMING: The Phillips 66 National Championships start Wednesday in Irvine with berths on the 2019 World Championships team on the line. We have a full preview, including the workloads for stars Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky and others … and two stars who won’t swim due to doping suspensions!

(4) CYCLING: Tuesday’s Tour de France race was stopped for 15 minutes due to a farmer’s protest, then the riders had to deal with leftover tear gas! But the entire Tour could be decided on Wednesday’s brutal, three-climb stage!

(5) FOOTBALL: The U.S. women’s national team hosts the second Tournament of Nations, starting Thursday, with games vs. Japan, Australia and Brazil.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Swimming ~ Football ~ Judo ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Triathlon; SCOREBOARD reports on Basketball ~ Cycling ~ Fencing, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Bach: Values, passion and possibilities define the Olympic Movement

By
Rich Perelman
-
IOC President Thomas Bach of Germany

TSX HEADLINES – for July 23, 2018: There was a lot of interest in The eSports Forum hosted by the International Olympic Committee last Saturday in Lausanne, Switzerland, a face-to-face discussion between the gaming world and the Olympic Movement.

One of the most interesting sessions was one devoted to how the Olympic Movement itself is defined, with IOC President Thomas Bach of Germany being interviewed by 21-year-old American Overwatch player Jake Lyon.

What territory did Bach stake out as the ground on which the Olympic Movement stands?

The discussion was fascinating and Bach acknowledged the passion of the eSports players, but noted that the communication between Olympic athletes is “real” – it’s face to face, in the same place and in real time. And he had a lot more to say about how he sees Olympic sport and its values as the Olympic mission in the future.

We have the details of this conversation in our Lane One commentary, plus results of a wild, sensational weekend of sport, especially in track & field:

(1) THE TICKER: The Athletics Integrity Unit for track & field releases details of 120 disciplinary cases, 118 of which concern doping! IAAF president Sebastian Coe admitted to the BBC, “It’s too many.” Plus sanctions from the International Basketball Federation for the brawl between Australia and the Philippines during the Asia World Cup qualifying game earlier this month.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Starting on Wednesday will be the most critical meet for American swimmers for the next two years: the Phillips 66 Nationals in Irvine.

(3) ATHLETICS: Sensational meets in Monaco and London, including a World Record in the women’s Steeplechase, a new American Record in the same race and Noah Lyles wins again in the 200 m in a new world-leading time!

(4) CYCLING: The Tour de France rests on Monday, but starts its final week with climbing stages in the Pyrenees. But the race could come down to a race on a short, hilly course next Saturday!

(5) FENCING: The U.S. is off to a great start at the 2018 World Fencing Championships with a silver medal in the men’s Sabre and a bronze in the women’s Epee; read about the new stars who broke through with their first Worlds medals!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Archery ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Rugby ~ Sport Climbing ~ Table Tennis, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Bach: Values, passion and possibilities define the Olympic Movement

By
Rich Perelman
-
IOC President Thomas Bach of Germany

[wpdm_package id=4644 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 23, 2018: There was a lot of interest in The eSports Forum hosted by the International Olympic Committee last Saturday in Lausanne, Switzerland, a face-to-face discussion between the gaming world and the Olympic Movement.

One of the most interesting sessions was one devoted to how the Olympic Movement itself is defined, with IOC President Thomas Bach of Germany being interviewed by 21-year-old American Overwatch player Jake Lyon.

What territory did Bach stake out as the ground on which the Olympic Movement stands?

The discussion was fascinating and Bach acknowledged the passion of the eSports players, but noted that the communication between Olympic athletes is “real” – it’s face to face, in the same place and in real time. And he had a lot more to say about how he sees Olympic sport and its values as the Olympic mission in the future.

We have the details of this conversation in our Lane One commentary, plus results of a wild, sensational weekend of sport, especially in track & field:

(1) THE TICKER: The Athletics Integrity Unit for track & field releases details of 120 disciplinary cases, 118 of which concern doping! IAAF president Sebastian Coe admitted to the BBC, “It’s too many.” Plus sanctions from the International Basketball Federation for the brawl between Australia and the Philippines during the Asia World Cup qualifying game earlier this month.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Starting on Wednesday will be the most critical meet for American swimmers for the next two years: the Phillips 66 Nationals in Irvine.

(3) ATHLETICS: Sensational meets in Monaco and London, including a World Record in the women’s Steeplechase, a new American Record in the same race and Noah Lyles wins again in the 200 m in a new world-leading time!

(4) CYCLING: The Tour de France rests on Monday, but starts its final week with climbing stages in the Pyrenees. But the race could come down to a race on a short, hilly course next Saturday!

(5) FENCING: The U.S. is off to a great start at the 2018 World Fencing Championships with a silver medal in the men’s Sabre and a bronze in the women’s Epee; read about the new stars who broke through with their first Worlds medals!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Archery ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Rugby ~ Sport Climbing ~ Table Tennis, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

[wpdm_package id=4644 template=”link-template-button-popup.php”]

The IOC adds some new 2022 Winter events, but is really thinking about 2026

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 20, 2018: The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board approved the addition of seven events to the competition program for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, China.

Even with the added events, however, the total number of athletes to compete in 2022 will now be less than in 2018. Part of this is due to the IOC’s campaign for gender equity in the Games, but a lot of it has to do with the shrinking number of bidders for the 2026 Winter Games.

Already, four possible hosts in Austria and Switzerland have said no and possible bids in Canada, Japan and Sweden could be in trouble. So, while the IOC brags about “Future Games Sports Programmes Full of Passion and Excitement,” it’s also saying “the 2026 Games won’t cost a penny more to run.”

There are other IOC activities underway to promote the Winter Games to wavering bidders; we have details in our Lane One commentary, plus previews and results from the worldwide carousel of sport:

(1) THE TICKER: The U.S. team at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland won the most medals, but still had a rough meet. A comparison of the marks made in Tampere vs. those at the USATF Championships shows how rough.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC also released the day-by-day schedule for the Tokyo Games, with Athletics and Artistic Gymnastics scheduled for evening finals in Japan. But with help from FINA, the swimming finals will be in the morning – Tokyo time – a big win for U.S. broadcaster, NBC.

(3) ATHLETICS: This is a big weekend in the Diamond League, with the meet in Monaco Friday and the Muller Anniversary Games in London on Saturday and Sunday. We have a full preview of the London meet today, plus results of the Monaco shot put event from Thursday.

(4) CYCLING: Stunning, back-to-back wins in the Alps for Britain’s Geraint Thomas, who now wears the yellow jersey. But is he only holding it temporarily for his countryman and fellow Team Sky member Chris Froome?

(5) RUGBY: The biggest tournament in Rugby Sevens – the World Cup – comes to AT&T Park in San Francisco this weekend, with the U.S. in the hunt for medals in both the men’s and women’s divisions!

Plus a special edition of GLOBETROTTING by Phil Hersh, remembering Kazakhstan’s Olympic-medal-winning figure skater Denis Ten, tragically stabbed to death on Thursday.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Athletics ~ Basketball ~ Hockey ~ Rugby ~ Sport Climbing; SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Shooting ~ Tennis, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

The IOC adds some new 2022 Winter events, but is really thinking about 2026

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for July 20, 2018: The International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board approved the addition of seven events to the competition program for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, China.

Even with the added events, however, the total number of athletes to compete in 2022 will now be less than in 2018. Part of this is due to the IOC’s campaign for gender equity in the Games, but a lot of it has to do with the shrinking number of bidders for the 2026 Winter Games.

Already, four possible hosts in Austria and Switzerland have said no and possible bids in Canada, Japan and Sweden could be in trouble. So, while the IOC brags about “Future Games Sports Programmes Full of Passion and Excitement,” it’s also saying “the 2026 Games won’t cost a penny more to run.”

There are other IOC activities underway to promote the Winter Games to wavering bidders; we have details in our Lane One commentary, plus previews and results from the worldwide carousel of sport:

(1) THE TICKER: The U.S. team at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland won the most medals, but still had a rough meet. A comparison of the marks made in Tampere vs. those at the USATF Championships shows how rough.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC also released the day-by-day schedule for the Tokyo Games, with Athletics and Artistic Gymnastics scheduled for evening finals in Japan. But with help from FINA, the swimming finals will be in the morning – Tokyo time – a big win for U.S. broadcaster, NBC.

(3) ATHLETICS: This is a big weekend in the Diamond League, with the meet in Monaco Friday and the Muller Anniversary Games in London on Saturday and Sunday. We have a full preview of the London meet today, plus results of the Monaco shot put event from Thursday.

(4) CYCLING: Stunning, back-to-back wins in the Alps for Britain’s Geraint Thomas, who now wears the yellow jersey. But is he only holding it temporarily for his countryman and fellow Team Sky member Chris Froome?

(5) RUGBY: The biggest tournament in Rugby Sevens – the World Cup – comes to AT&T Park in San Francisco this weekend, with the U.S. in the hunt for medals in both the men’s and women’s divisions!

Plus a special edition of GLOBETROTTING by Phil Hersh, remembering Kazakhstan’s Olympic-medal-winning figure skater Denis Ten, tragically stabbed to death on Thursday.

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Athletics ~ Basketball ~ Hockey ~ Rugby ~ Sport Climbing; SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Shooting ~ Tennis, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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The high costs of being a professional athlete … even for an Olympic champion

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 18, 2018: Trying to make a living in track & field – or most Olympic sports for that matter – is hard … even for a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

American Tianna Bartoletta, who became World Champion in the long jump way back in 2005 and won two Olympic golds in 2016, details the harsh realities of the business of track & field today in a stunning blog post on her own site.

We share a small part of it to showcase not only the harsh side of the sport’s business aspects, but also her determination to survive and thrive.

Read some of the details and get the link to her whole post in our Lane One commentary, plus reports and results from the whole world of Olympic sport in this 24-page edition:

(1) THE TICKER: Another U.S. federation hit with a sex-abuse lawsuit, plus the payouts for each team at the FIFA World Cup;

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC Executive Board has a full agenda this week in Lausanne, plus the “eSports Forum” coming up on Saturday;

(3) ATHLETICS: Hard to imagine the Steeplechase as the key race of any meet, but Americans Evan Jager and Emma Coburn are looking for record races at the IAAF Diamond League in Monaco on Friday!

(4) CYCLING: Surprise after surprise at the Tour de France, as Belgium’s Greg van Avermaet holds on to the yellow jersey after the first day in the Alps, but for how long …

(5) FENCING: A powerful U.S. team is in China for the FIE World Championships, with no. 1-ranked Race Imboden one of the favorites in the men’s Foil!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Archery ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Table Tennis; SCOREBOARD reports on Cycling and Shooting, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

The high costs of being a professional athlete … even for an Olympic champion

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4629 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 18, 2018: Trying to make a living in track & field – or most Olympic sports for that matter – is hard … even for a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

American Tianna Bartoletta, who became World Champion in the long jump way back in 2005 and won two Olympic golds in 2016, details the harsh realities of the business of track & field today in a stunning blog post on her own site.

We share a small part of it to showcase not only the harsh side of the sport’s business aspects, but also her determination to survive and thrive.

Read some of the details and get the link to her whole post in our Lane One commentary, plus reports and results from the whole world of Olympic sport in this 24-page edition:

(1) THE TICKER: Another U.S. federation hit with a sex-abuse lawsuit, plus the payouts for each team at the FIFA World Cup;

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC Executive Board has a full agenda this week in Lausanne, plus the “eSports Forum” coming up on Saturday;

(3) ATHLETICS: Hard to imagine the Steeplechase as the key race of any meet, but Americans Evan Jager and Emma Coburn are looking for record races at the IAAF Diamond League in Monaco on Friday!

(4) CYCLING: Surprise after surprise at the Tour de France, as Belgium’s Greg van Avermaet holds on to the yellow jersey after the first day in the Alps, but for how long …

(5) FENCING: A powerful U.S. team is in China for the FIE World Championships, with no. 1-ranked Race Imboden one of the favorites in the men’s Foil!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Archery ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Cycling ~ Fencing ~ Table Tennis; SCOREBOARD reports on Cycling and Shooting, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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The days of being anonymous are over: Russia 2018’s legacy will be the Fan ID

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for July 16, 2018: The 2018 World Cup in Russia is over and except for French fans waiting to buy shirts with two stars on them, the memory is already fading.

But there will be a legacy from Russia 2018, worn around the necks of future spectators in World Cups and likely Olympic Games and other major events: the Fan ID.

The Russians introduced it to solve the problem of visa processing for ticket buyers from foreign countries and added on a set of services which made it an indispensable part of this year’s tournament.

OK, it worked in Russia. Does that mean it should be introduced everywhere? There are benefits, but civil libertarians everywhere will be on the lookout for abuses.

See what’s at stake in our Lane One commentary, plus reports and results from the whole world of Olympic sport in this 32-page edition:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: Russia 2018 is already almost forgotten and the focus is on Qatar 2022, which likely will allow the tournament to expand to 48 teams!

(2) FOOTBALL: Our wrap on the 2018 World Cup, with a European champion in a European year, plus a look at where Russia ranks on attendance and why France and Croatia should already be worried about 2022 …

(3) ATHLETICS: Enormous weekend of track & field, with Christian Coleman winning the “U.S. championship” in the 100 m in Rabat, a U.S. win in the Athletics World Cup in London and a crazy IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland!

(4) CYCLING: A miserable, crash-filled Stage 9 of the Tour de France sets the stage for the real racing to start in the Alps next week.

(5) WEIGHTLIFTING: A third straight win in the World Junior Championships for rising American 69 kg star Clarence Cummings, Jr.!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Cycling ~ Rowing ~ Shooting ~ Sport Climbing ~ Triathlon ~ Volleyball ~ Weightlifting, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

The days of being anonymous are over: Russia 2018’s legacy will be the Fan ID

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4622 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 16, 2018: The 2018 World Cup in Russia is over and except for French fans waiting to buy shirts with two stars on them, the memory is already fading.

But there will be a legacy from Russia 2018, worn around the necks of future spectators in World Cups and likely Olympic Games and other major events: the Fan ID.

The Russians introduced it to solve the problem of visa processing for ticket buyers from foreign countries and added on a set of services which made it an indispensable part of this year’s tournament.

OK, it worked in Russia. Does that mean it should be introduced everywhere? There are benefits, but civil libertarians everywhere will be on the lookout for abuses.

See what’s at stake in our Lane One commentary, plus reports and results from the whole world of Olympic sport in this 32-page edition:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: Russia 2018 is already almost forgotten and the focus is on Qatar 2022, which likely will allow the tournament to expand to 48 teams!

(2) FOOTBALL: Our wrap on the 2018 World Cup, with a European champion in a European year, plus a look at where Russia ranks on attendance and why France and Croatia should already be worried about 2022 …

(3) ATHLETICS: Enormous weekend of track & field, with Christian Coleman winning the “U.S. championship” in the 100 m in Rabat, a U.S. win in the Athletics World Cup in London and a crazy IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland!

(4) CYCLING: A miserable, crash-filled Stage 9 of the Tour de France sets the stage for the real racing to start in the Alps next week.

(5) WEIGHTLIFTING: A third straight win in the World Junior Championships for rising American 69 kg star Clarence Cummings, Jr.!

This issue includes SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Cycling ~ Rowing ~ Shooting ~ Sport Climbing ~ Triathlon ~ Volleyball ~ Weightlifting, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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Tokyo and Paris sign mutual-cooperation accord, but will they really cooperate?

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 13, 2018: With considerable fanfare, the chief executives of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and Paris 2024 committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in various areas to help ensure the success of both Games.

It’s a good idea, but will these organizations – and beyond them, the Los Angeles 2028 organizers – really cooperate in ways that will help those organizing committees learn the confidential lessons that can make their efforts more productive?

That will require a level of trust far beyond what was on the note they signed in Tokyo this week and a real willingness to help each other. Will they really cooperate?

See what’s at stake in our Lane One commentary, plus reports on action on and off the fields of play in Olympic sport:

(1) THE TICKER: The United States Olympic Committee named U.S. Golf Association communications and marketing chief Sarah Hirshland as its new Chief Executive.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Stunning, unhappy news that U.S. Cross Country gold medalist and new IOC member Kikkan Randall has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

(3) FOOTBALL: Sure, Croatia and France are in the World Cup final on Sunday, but what’s the story with that checkerboard design scheme the Croatians wear?

(4) ATHLETICS: The U.S. is favored in a new nations-scoring event coming up in London this weekend, while the U.S. leads in medals, but suffered upsets in both 100 m events at the World Junior Championships in Finland.

(5) CYCLING: The stars of the opening week of the Tour de France? The veteran superstar – Peter Sagan – and a rookie, Columbia’s Fernando Gaviria. They’re even at two stages apiece … so far.

This issue includes an ON DECK previews of Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Rowing ~ Triathlon; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Shooting ~ Taekwondo, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Tokyo and Paris sign mutual-cooperation accord, but will they really cooperate?

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4616 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 13, 2018: With considerable fanfare, the chief executives of the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee and Paris 2024 committee signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in various areas to help ensure the success of both Games.

It’s a good idea, but will these organizations – and beyond them, the Los Angeles 2028 organizers – really cooperate in ways that will help those organizing committees learn the confidential lessons that can make their efforts more productive?

That will require a level of trust far beyond what was on the note they signed in Tokyo this week and a real willingness to help each other. Will they really cooperate?

See what’s at stake in our Lane One commentary, plus reports on action on and off the fields of play in Olympic sport:

(1) THE TICKER: The United States Olympic Committee named U.S. Golf Association communications and marketing chief Sarah Hirshland as its new Chief Executive.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Stunning, unhappy news that U.S. Cross Country gold medalist and new IOC member Kikkan Randall has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

(3) FOOTBALL: Sure, Croatia and France are in the World Cup final on Sunday, but what’s the story with that checkerboard design scheme the Croatians wear?

(4) ATHLETICS: The U.S. is favored in a new nations-scoring event coming up in London this weekend, while the U.S. leads in medals, but suffered upsets in both 100 m events at the World Junior Championships in Finland.

(5) CYCLING: The stars of the opening week of the Tour de France? The veteran superstar – Peter Sagan – and a rookie, Columbia’s Fernando Gaviria. They’re even at two stages apiece … so far.

This issue includes an ON DECK previews of Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Rowing ~ Triathlon; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Cycling ~ Shooting ~ Taekwondo, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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Remember when 108,000 came to see a track meet at Stanford?

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 11, 2018: There was a time when track & field was a higher-profile part of the American sports scene.

Like when 108,000 spectators invaded Stanford Stadium in 1960 for the U.S. Olympic Trials and saw five new or tied world records as the American team was selected, just about this time 58 years ago.

Or two world records set 15 minutes apart 35 years ago, or an astonishing act of sportsmanship, well out of the public eye, by an American sprinter and his friend from the Netherlands Antilles.

We live so fast today that we’ve lost some of these memories, but thanks to one man’s efforts, they have come back to life and we wanted to share them with you.

Get the full details in our Lane One commentary, plus a full report on an ultra-busy time in Olympic-sport action worldwide:

(1) THE TICKER: You want domination? How about the U.S. men’s U-17 teams at the FIBA World Cup? Five tournaments starting in 2010, five titles, a 37-0 record and an average final score of 105-63!

(2) ATHLETICS: The real U.S. championship in the men’s 100 m will actually take place at the Rabat Diamond League meet on Friday: Noah Lyles, Ronnie Baker, Michael Rodgers … and Christian Coleman!

(3) CANOE-KAYAK: Historic Canoe Slalom World Cup triple-double by Australian star Jessica Fox in Augsburg last weekend!

(4) ATHLETICS: A stirring shot put competition at the IAAF World Junior Championships, with American Adrian Piperi claiming a silver medal and an American Junior Record!

(5) CYCLING: The star of the first four days of the Tour de France is first-time rider Fernando Gaviria of Colombia, while American Ruth Winder leads the women’s Giro d’Italia at the halfway mark!

This issue includes an ON DECK preview of Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Shooting ~ Sport Climbing; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Canoe-Kayak ~ Cycling, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Remember when 108,000 came to see a track meet at Stanford?

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4610 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 11, 2018: There was a time when track & field was a higher-profile part of the American sports scene.

Like when 108,000 spectators invaded Stanford Stadium in 1960 for the U.S. Olympic Trials and saw five new or tied world records as the American team was selected, just about this time 58 years ago.

Or two world records set 15 minutes apart 35 years ago, or an astonishing act of sportsmanship, well out of the public eye, by an American sprinter and his friend from the Netherlands Antilles.

We live so fast today that we’ve lost some of these memories, but thanks to one man’s efforts, they have come back to life and we wanted to share them with you.

Get the full details in our Lane One commentary, plus a full report on an ultra-busy time in Olympic-sport action worldwide:

(1) THE TICKER: You want domination? How about the U.S. men’s U-17 teams at the FIBA World Cup? Five tournaments starting in 2010, five titles, a 37-0 record and an average final score of 105-63!

(2) ATHLETICS: The real U.S. championship in the men’s 100 m will actually take place at the Rabat Diamond League meet on Friday: Noah Lyles, Ronnie Baker, Michael Rodgers … and Christian Coleman!

(3) CANOE-KAYAK: Historic Canoe Slalom World Cup triple-double by Australian star Jessica Fox in Augsburg last weekend!

(4) ATHLETICS: A stirring shot put competition at the IAAF World Junior Championships, with American Adrian Piperi claiming a silver medal and an American Junior Record!

(5) CYCLING: The star of the first four days of the Tour de France is first-time rider Fernando Gaviria of Colombia, while American Ruth Winder leads the women’s Giro d’Italia at the halfway mark!

This issue includes an ON DECK preview of Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Shooting ~ Sport Climbing; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Athletics ~ Badminton ~ Canoe-Kayak ~ Cycling, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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Is it time for the IOC to consider a Do-It-Yourself Olympic Games?

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. General George S. Patton has some advice for the IOC's current bid-city problems!

U.S. General George S. Patton has some advice for the IOC’s current bid-city problems!TSX HEADLINES – for July 9, 2018: The iconic World War II U.S. General George S. Patton used to quote Napoleon’s maxim, L’audace, l’audace, toujours l’audace: “Audacity, audacity, always audacity.”

With Graz’s withdrawal from the 2026 Winter Games race and the field shrinking, could this be the right time for the International Olympic Committee to simply dispense with bidders and stage the Games itself?

It would need to partner with a city and country through a National Olympic Committee for all of the necessary services, but what a way to prove that the “new norm” it touts so strongly is actually the way to host a Games in the 21st Century.

We explore the current situation and the possibilities in our Lane One commentary, plus a full report on a heavy weekend of Olympic-sport action worldwide:

(1) WORLD CUP: A tournament dominated by Europe is ending the way it should, with an all-European final four. How many times has this happened in the 21 editions of the World Cup? The answer, the new odds on each team winning and the statistical report you won’t see anywhere else!

(2) ATHLETICS: A preview of the IAAF World Junior (U-20) Championships, set to start on Tuesday in Finland, with a strong U.S. team trying to top the medal count for the fourth straight time. Watch out for thrower Alyssa Wilson!

(3) BASKETBALL: The U.S. won its fifth straight FIBA U-17 men’s World Cup with six consecutive routs, ending with a 95-52 win over France. Did the U.S. end up averaging more than 100 points a game?

(4) SWIMMING: Double World Champion Chase Kalisz ended the Tyr Pro Swim Series with a six-meet sweep of the 200 m Fly, 200 m Medley and the 400 m Medley! But he was only one of nine stars who won two or more events in Columbus.

(5) TABLE TENNIS: No American has ever won an Olympic medal in this sport. But new stars in the men’s and women’s Singles events could change that in the years to come; find out more, especially about 18-year-old Kanak Jha!

This issue includes an ON DECK preview of Athletics; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Badminton ~ Basketball ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Volleyball, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Is it time for the IOC to consider a Do-It-Yourself Olympic Games?

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. General George S. Patton has some advice for the IOC's current bid-city problems!

[wpdm_package id=4603 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 9, 2018: The iconic World War II U.S. General George S. Patton used to quote Napoleon’s maxim, L’audace, l’audace, toujours l’audace: “Audacity, audacity, always audacity.”

With Graz’s withdrawal from the 2026 Winter Games race and the field shrinking, could this be the right time for the International Olympic Committee to simply dispense with bidders and stage the Games itself?

It would need to partner with a city and country through a National Olympic Committee for all of the necessary services, but what a way to prove that the “new norm” it touts so strongly is actually the way to host a Games in the 21st Century.

We explore the current situation and the possibilities in our Lane One commentary, plus a full report on a heavy weekend of Olympic-sport action worldwide:

(1) WORLD CUP: A tournament dominated by Europe is ending the way it should, with an all-European final four. How many times has this happened in the 21 editions of the World Cup? The answer, the new odds on each team winning and the statistical report you won’t see anywhere else!

(2) ATHLETICS: A preview of the IAAF World Junior (U-20) Championships, set to start on Tuesday in Finland, with a strong U.S. team trying to top the medal count for the fourth straight time. Watch out for thrower Alyssa Wilson!

(3) BASKETBALL: The U.S. won its fifth straight FIBA U-17 men’s World Cup with six consecutive routs, ending with a 95-52 win over France. Did the U.S. end up averaging more than 100 points a game?

(4) SWIMMING: Double World Champion Chase Kalisz ended the Tyr Pro Swim Series with a six-meet sweep of the 200 m Fly, 200 m Medley and the 400 m Medley! But he was only one of nine stars who won two or more events in Columbus.

(5) TABLE TENNIS: No American has ever won an Olympic medal in this sport. But new stars in the men’s and women’s Singles events could change that in the years to come; find out more, especially about 18-year-old Kanak Jha!

This issue includes an ON DECK preview of Athletics; SCOREBOARD reports on Football ~ Badminton ~ Basketball ~ Beach Volleyball ~ Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Swimming ~ Table Tennis ~ Volleyball, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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Why is the U.S. so strong? Look no further than high school sports

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for July 6, 2018: The United States is the only country in the world that doesn’t support its Olympic sports program with government funding.

So how is it possible that the U.S. dominates the medal count at Games after Games? Start with the country’s high school sports programs.

Almost eight million U.S. high school students are involved in interscholastic sports, more than 52% of all high schoolers in the country. That’s where U.S. success starts, and that doesn’t even count the thousands of sports clubs and leagues outside of the school system.

We have a detailed look at the top sports played by boys and girls in our Lane One commentary, plus previews of a busy weekend in sports and this week’s action from around the world:

(1) THE TICKER: All three Italian candidates file their proposals to host the Winter Games in 2026, but the Italians must pick one next week. Plus, if all of the 2026 candidates flame out, could Barcelona be a back-up choice?

(2) WORLD CUP: The FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are Friday and Saturday and the oddmakers still like their first choice from almost three weeks ago: Brazil. Check out the stats and historical precedents for yourself and make your own choice!

(3) ATHLETICS: Sensational performances by Americans Noah Lyles and Shelby Houlihan at the IAAF Diamond League Athletissima in Lausanne, plus a 5,000 m decided when the leader pulls down his principal rival by the shorts!

(4) ATHLETICS: The amazing Bernard Lagat wins the U.S. 10 km Nationals at the Peachtree Road Race for his 15th American title … at age 43!

(5) BASKETBALL: The U.S. men’s U-17 squad has romped through its first four games by an average score of 102-50. Now, they’re in the FIBA U-17 World quarterfinals!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Volleyball; SCOREBOARD reports on Football, Athletics, Basketball, Golf and Volleyball, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

Why is the U.S. so strong? Look no further than high school sports

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=4596 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX HEADLINES – for July 6, 2018: The United States is the only country in the world that doesn’t support its Olympic sports program with government funding.

So how is it possible that the U.S. dominates the medal count at Games after Games? Start with the country’s high school sports programs.

Almost eight million U.S. high school students are involved in interscholastic sports, more than 52% of all high schoolers in the country. That’s where U.S. success starts, and that doesn’t even count the thousands of sports clubs and leagues outside of the school system.

We have a detailed look at the top sports played by boys and girls in our Lane One commentary, plus previews of a busy weekend in sports and this week’s action from around the world:

(1) THE TICKER: All three Italian candidates file their proposals to host the Winter Games in 2026, but the Italians must pick one next week. Plus, if all of the 2026 candidates flame out, could Barcelona be a back-up choice?

(2) WORLD CUP: The FIFA World Cup quarterfinals are Friday and Saturday and the oddmakers still like their first choice from almost three weeks ago: Brazil. Check out the stats and historical precedents for yourself and make your own choice!

(3) ATHLETICS: Sensational performances by Americans Noah Lyles and Shelby Houlihan at the IAAF Diamond League Athletissima in Lausanne, plus a 5,000 m decided when the leader pulls down his principal rival by the shorts!

(4) ATHLETICS: The amazing Bernard Lagat wins the U.S. 10 km Nationals at the Peachtree Road Race for his 15th American title … at age 43!

(5) BASKETBALL: The U.S. men’s U-17 squad has romped through its first four games by an average score of 102-50. Now, they’re in the FIBA U-17 World quarterfinals!

This issue includes ON DECK previews of Cycling ~ Gymnastics ~ Sport Climbing ~ Volleyball; SCOREBOARD reports on Football, Athletics, Basketball, Golf and Volleyball, plus AGENDA, our exclusive calendar of upcoming international events!

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