Home Blog Page 98

Is it time to pay U.S. Olympians a salary?

By
Rich Perelman
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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 14, 2018: What does it take for an athlete to win at the highest level, up to and including the Olympic Games?

For one, money. While the focus is on the actions – or lack thereof – of the United States Olympic Committee and the U.S. national governing bodies in each sport with regard to the sexual abuse scandal in gymnastics and possibly other sports, athletes are still training and trying to get ahead.

A long-ago blog post by 2004 Olympic shot put champion Adam Nelson suggested that a part of the puzzle could be athlete stipends or salaries. Is it time to look at this more closely?

We review the situation and how it might work in our Lane One commentary, plus your update on the worldwide carousel of sport:

(1) THE TICKER: Don’t look now, but Belgium’s Borlees might not be the only world-class brothers on a World Championship relay team. How about the American Kerley brothers?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Fear the pink? One of the most interesting situations to follow will be whether U.S. cross-country gold medalist Kikkan Randall will change the IOC or vice versa as she begins her eight-year term, pink hair and all!

(3) ALPINE SKIING: The Alpine World Cup season concludes with the World Cup Final in Sweden, with four seasonal discipline titles still in play, including one for Lindsey Vonn!

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When will the Int’l Paralympic Committee give its athletes the spotlight?

By
Rich Perelman
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Andrew Parsons of the Int'l Paralympic Committee and Thomas Bach of the Int'l Olympic Committee (Photo credit: IOC)

TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 12, 2018: With considerable fanfare, the heads of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed an agreement extending the IOC’s support for the IPC through 2032.

Thomas Bach and Andrew Parsons both hailed the agreement as a way to “enhance the Paralympic brand” and “give financial stability to the IPC for at least the next 14 years.”

What it didn’t do was remove the Paralympians from the shadow of the able-bodied Olympians who dominate the public’s attention so thoroughly during the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games that precious little is left over.

Why not give the Paralympians all of the spotlight be moving their Games to one year earlier? It can be done in a cost-effective way and will multiply the impact of the Paralympics on the public. It’s time.

We review the how and why are in our Lane One commentary, plus a big weekend in sport with coverage of 24 events in this 32-page issue:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC is well aware of the IAAF’s continuing pushback against Russian doping and an Executive Board member says it’s time for “negotiations.” This is not good.

(2) ALPINE SKIING: An early birthday present for American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin, who turns 23 on Tuesday: a second World Cup overall title and a fifth Slalom discipline title!

(3) ATHLETICS: Stunning NCAA Indoor Championships: two world records and four American records, including a monstrous 44.52 in the 400 m by 20-year-old Michael Norman!

(4) CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: U.S. star Jessie Diggins makes more history by winning the first medal by an American in a Holmenkollen distance race!

(5) SHOOTING: Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode equals her own world record and leads a 1-2 U.S. finish in women’s Skeet at the ISSF World Cup season opener in Mexico!

When will the Int’l Paralympic Committee give its athletes the spotlight?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Andrew Parsons of the Int'l Paralympic Committee and Thomas Bach of the Int'l Olympic Committee (Photo credit: IOC)

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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 12, 2018: With considerable fanfare, the heads of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee signed an agreement extending the IOC’s support for the IPC through 2032.

Thomas Bach and Andrew Parsons both hailed the agreement as a way to “enhance the Paralympic brand” and “give financial stability to the IPC for at least the next 14 years.”

What it didn’t do was remove the Paralympians from the shadow of the able-bodied Olympians who dominate the public’s attention so thoroughly during the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games that precious little is left over.

Why not give the Paralympians all of the spotlight be moving their Games to one year earlier? It can be done in a cost-effective way and will multiply the impact of the Paralympics on the public. It’s time.

We review the how and why are in our Lane One commentary, plus a big weekend in sport with coverage of 24 events in this 32-page issue:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The IOC is well aware of the IAAF’s continuing pushback against Russian doping and an Executive Board member says it’s time for “negotiations.” This is not good.

(2) ALPINE SKIING: An early birthday present for American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin, who turns 23 on Tuesday: a second World Cup overall title and a fifth Slalom discipline title!

(3) ATHLETICS: Stunning NCAA Indoor Championships: two world records and four American records, including a monstrous 44.52 in the 400 m by 20-year-old Michael Norman!

(4) CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: U.S. star Jessie Diggins makes more history by winning the first medal by an American in a Holmenkollen distance race!

(5) SHOOTING: Six-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode equals her own world record and leads a 1-2 U.S. finish in women’s Skeet at the ISSF World Cup season opener in Mexico!

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Is the IAAF suddenly the best hope to lead international sport?

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 9, 2018: Just a few days after the close of the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, leadership in international sport may have jumped from the International Olympic Committee to the worldwide governing body in track & field, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

In a single day this week, the IAAF Council adopted a report recommending complete expulsion of the Russian athletics federation if it does not become fully and quickly compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IAAF’s own requirements, which have not been met.

The Council continued its freeze on young athletes – mostly from Africa – essentially being bought by countries who want medals, or even just participation in the World Championships and similar events.

And it signaled that new regulations were on their way to control the cases of too-high testosterone in some female athletes, which – although natural – provides an unfair advantage at the highest levels of the sport.

Clear and decisive. Does this make the IAAF the real leader in sport?

The IAAF has its problems as well; its chief executive officer resigned over the federation’s commercial programming, but its actions were impressive. We review the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: The NCAA indoor track & field championships are this weekend, with a host of world-leading or near-world-leading performers getting ready to compete for their schools, plus the boycott of the final Biathlon World Cup in Russia is growing.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The Winter Paralympic Games will start tonight (Korean time) in PyeongChang, with a record number of athletes and countries competing. But North and South Korea will not march together this time.

(3) ALPINE SKIING: Mikaela Shiffrin gets ready to wrap up her second consecutive World Cup overall title this weekend in Germany, an early birthday present as she turns 23 next week!

(4) FOOTBALL: U.S. women take the SheBelieves Cup on an own goal from England’s keeper in the final game of the tournament. Who hit the shot that turned into a goal? Read on …

(5) SHORT TRACK: OK, media darling Maame Biney didn’t do too much at the Winter Games, but she shined at the World Junior Championships, winning three medals and one world title!

Is the IAAF suddenly the best hope to lead international sport?

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 9, 2018: Just a few days after the close of the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, leadership in international sport may have jumped from the International Olympic Committee to the worldwide governing body in track & field, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

In a single day this week, the IAAF Council adopted a report recommending complete expulsion of the Russian athletics federation if it does not become fully and quickly compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the IAAF’s own requirements, which have not been met.

The Council continued its freeze on young athletes – mostly from Africa – essentially being bought by countries who want medals, or even just participation in the World Championships and similar events.

And it signaled that new regulations were on their way to control the cases of too-high testosterone in some female athletes, which – although natural – provides an unfair advantage at the highest levels of the sport.

Clear and decisive. Does this make the IAAF the real leader in sport?

The IAAF has its problems as well; its chief executive officer resigned over the federation’s commercial programming, but its actions were impressive. We review the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: The NCAA indoor track & field championships are this weekend, with a host of world-leading or near-world-leading performers getting ready to compete for their schools, plus the boycott of the final Biathlon World Cup in Russia is growing.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The Winter Paralympic Games will start tonight (Korean time) in PyeongChang, with a record number of athletes and countries competing. But North and South Korea will not march together this time.

(3) ALPINE SKIING: Mikaela Shiffrin gets ready to wrap up her second consecutive World Cup overall title this weekend in Germany, an early birthday present as she turns 23 next week!

(4) FOOTBALL: U.S. women take the SheBelieves Cup on an own goal from England’s keeper in the final game of the tournament. Who hit the shot that turned into a goal? Read on …

(5) SHORT TRACK: OK, media darling Maame Biney didn’t do too much at the Winter Games, but she shined at the World Junior Championships, winning three medals and one world title!

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IOC’s attempt to reduce Games costs is all about icing, not the cake

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 7, 2018: The International Olympic Committee announced with great fanfare “The New Norm,” a collection of 118 recommendations to the process of bidding, planning and staging the Olympic Games and Winter Games moving forward.

The 58-page report claims its concepts could save as much as $959 million if all were appropriate and applied. All fine, but does this solve the IOC’s problems of countries not wanting to stage the Games because of costs?

No, because of the basic framework of the Games remains the same: it’s too big.

We review the situation and the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

  • How many media were actually in PyeongChang? Drum roll: the numbers please …
  • The U.S. and England women’s football teams meet to finish the SheBelieves Cup!
  • U.S. shooters Ashley Carroll and Aeriel Skinner go 1-3 in Guadalajara World Cup

 

IOC’s attempt to reduce Games costs is all about icing, not the cake

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 7, 2018: The International Olympic Committee announced with great fanfare “The New Norm,” a collection of 118 recommendations to the process of bidding, planning and staging the Olympic Games and Winter Games moving forward.

The 58-page report claims its concepts could save as much as $959 million if all were appropriate and applied. All fine, but does this solve the IOC’s problems of countries not wanting to stage the Games because of costs?

No, because of the basic framework of the Games remains the same: it’s too big.

We review the situation and the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

  • How many media were actually in PyeongChang? Drum roll: the numbers please …
  • The U.S. and England women’s football teams meet to finish the SheBelieves Cup!
  • U.S. shooters Ashley Carroll and Aeriel Skinner go 1-3 in Guadalajara World Cup!

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Endgame: Abused gymnasts asking for USOC & USA Gymnastics takeover

By
Rich Perelman
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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 5, 2018: The legal entanglements concerning the Larry Nasser sexual abuse scandal will go on for years. But two of the highest-profile filings, for U.S. gold-medal-winning gymnasts McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, ask for an unusual remedy.

Sure, the normal requests for compensatory damages are in there, as well as punitive damages against USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and others. But one request is unusual: court supervision of both organizations!

Imagine a California judge supervising either organization; that’s not going to happen, but it could be a catalyst for actions by others – the Federal government perhaps? – or keep major U.S. competitions out of the state altogether.

We review the situation and the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus coverage of 16 different sports in this 33-page issue:

(1) THE TICKER: Tokyo 2020 selects its mascots, Justin Gatlin’s new-old coach and the 2018 plan for the uninteresting FINA World Cup. Spoiler: the new plan is just about as boring as the old plan.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Service to the memory of the great Roger Bannister, the first sub-4:00 miler, and much, much more.

(3) THE MAIN EVENT: Christian Coleman and the U.S. dominate the IAAF World Indoor Championships, but loses the world record in the men’s 4×400 m to Poland! Plus, British officials disqualify 26 athletes or teams during the meet?

(4) CYCLING: U.S. wins two golds and four total medals in UCI World Track Cycling Championships – including a world record – but the real story is a Dutch rider gone Wild!

(5) GYMNASTICS: Strong wins by World Champion Morgan Hurd and U.S. All-Around champ Yul Moldauer at the American Cup in Illinois.

Plus a big beach volleyball win for Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena, U.S. Rugby wins in Seven Series, Taylor Ruck stars in the Tyr Pro Swim Series and Ester Ledecka loses and wins in the same race!

Endgame: Abused gymnasts asking for USOC & USA Gymnastics takeover

By
Rich Perelman
-
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 5, 2018: The legal entanglements concerning the Larry Nasser sexual abuse scandal will go on for years. But two of the highest-profile filings, for U.S. gold-medal-winning gymnasts McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, ask for an unusual remedy.

Sure, the normal requests for compensatory damages are in there, as well as punitive damages against USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and others. But one request is unusual: court supervision of both organizations!

Imagine a California judge supervising either organization; that’s not going to happen, but it could be a catalyst for actions by others – the Federal government perhaps? – or keep major U.S. competitions out of the state altogether.

We review the situation and the details are in our Lane One commentary, plus coverage of 16 different sports in this 33-page issue:

(1) THE TICKER: Tokyo 2020 selects its mascots, Justin Gatlin’s new-old coach and the 2018 plan for the uninteresting FINA World Cup. Spoiler: the new plan is just about as boring as the old plan.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Service to the memory of the great Roger Bannister, the first sub-4:00 miler, and much, much more.

(3) THE MAIN EVENT: Christian Coleman and the U.S. dominate the IAAF World Indoor Championships, but loses the world record in the men’s 4×400 m to Poland! Plus, British officials disqualify 26 athletes or teams during the meet?

(4) CYCLING: U.S. wins two golds and four total medals in UCI World Track Cycling Championships – including a world record – but the real story is a Dutch rider gone Wild!

(5) GYMNASTICS: Strong wins by World Champion Morgan Hurd and U.S. All-Around champ Yul Moldauer at the American Cup in Illinois.

Plus a big beach volleyball win for Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena, U.S. Rugby wins in Seven Series, Taylor Ruck stars in the Tyr Pro Swim Series and Ester Ledecka loses and wins in the same race!

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Bach’s embrace of Russia a re-run of an old Samaranch movie

By
Rich Perelman
-
Spain's Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC President from 1980-2001

TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 2, 2018: The International Olympic Committee’s quick re-embrace of Russia didn’t suit a lot of people, but for those who have watched the Olympic Movement over time, we’ve seen this movie before.

IOC chief Thomas Bach became a member in 1991 and had 10 years to learn from the brilliant Juan Antonio Samaranch, the organization’s 21-year president from 1980-2001. Unity was his theme and he insisted on it at all times. That’s Bach’s play now.

The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: U.S. biathletes – and others – are boycotting the World Cup Final, scheduled to be held in Russia at the end of March, and aren’t shy about saying why.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: There are those who are cheering at the resignation of USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun, but he left the organization in better shape than he found it … twice.

(3) THE MAIN EVENT: A third straight 3,000 m win for Ethiopia’s Ginzebe Dibaba at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Britain, but an upset in the men’s high jump and a medal for the U.S. in the women’s high jump.

(4) FOOTBALL: Megan Rapinoe’s goal stood up as the U.S. edged Germany, 1-0, in a windy, snow opener to the SheBelieves Cup.

(5) GYMNASTICS: USA Gymnastics chief executive Kerry Perry posted a text and video message to the gymnastics community on Thursday. It’s worth a look.

Bach’s embrace of Russia a re-run of an old Samaranch movie

By
Rich Perelman
-
Spain's Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC President from 1980-2001

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TSX HEADLINES – for Mar. 2, 2018: The International Olympic Committee’s quick re-embrace of Russia didn’t suit a lot of people, but for those who have watched the Olympic Movement over time, we’ve seen this movie before.

IOC chief Thomas Bach became a member in 1991 and had 10 years to learn from the brilliant Juan Antonio Samaranch, the organization’s 21-year president from 1980-2001. Unity was his theme and he insisted on it at all times. That’s Bach’s play now.

The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: U.S. biathletes – and others – are boycotting the World Cup Final, scheduled to be held in Russia at the end of March, and aren’t shy about saying why.

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: There are those who are cheering at the resignation of USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun, but he left the organization in better shape than he found it … twice.

(3) THE MAIN EVENT: A third straight 3,000 m win for Ethiopia’s Ginzebe Dibaba at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Britain, but an upset in the men’s high jump and a medal for the U.S. in the women’s high jump.

(4) FOOTBALL: Megan Rapinoe’s goal stood up as the U.S. edged Germany, 1-0, in a windy, snow opener to the SheBelieves Cup.

(5) GYMNASTICS: USA Gymnastics chief executive Kerry Perry posted a text and video message to the gymnastics community on Thursday. It’s worth a look.

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U.S. performance in PyeongChang wasn’t great, but it wasn’t a disaster

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

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 28, 2018: The U.S. medal count in PyeongChang wasn’t what was hoped for and there were plenty of critics. Plenty.

But a closer examination of how the U.S. did as a team, based on our own exclusive analysis showed that the American squad hardly failed at the Winter Games. Taking into account the top eight places in event – as the International Olympic Committee does when awarding diplomas – the U.S. finished third overall. And when placements in the top eight are reviewed, the U.S. was no. 2, behind only Norway.

There’s a lot more to consider, and we have a sport-by-sport review of the U.S. situation in winter sports in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE MAIN EVENT: The IAAF World Indoor Championships are this week in Birmingham (GBR) and all eyes will be on sprinter – and world-record setter – Christian Coleman. We have a comprehensive preview.

(2) SCENE & HEARD I: The NBC ratings are in for PyeongChang and the peacocks crushed it, doubling up the combined Primetime audience of ABC, CBS and Fox combined. Naturally, there are critics; so what…

(3) SCENE & HEARD II: We were all wrong about Jorien ter Mors and Ester Ledecka being the first to win medals in two sports in the same Games. It’s happened before … but not lately. One star who did it (in 1924): Tarzan!

(4) FOOTBALL: U.S. women’s team faces no. 2 Germany, no. 3 England and no. 6 France in SheBelieves Cup, starting Thursday. Last year’s tournament didn’t go so well for the U.S., and this time?

(5) SWIMMING: Star-studded fields for the second Tyr Pro Swim Series in Atlanta: Nathan Adrian, Chase Kalisz, Penny Oleksiak, Federica Pellegrini, Sarah Sjostrom and more!

U.S. performance in PyeongChang wasn’t great, but it wasn’t a disaster

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

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 28, 2018: The U.S. medal count in PyeongChang wasn’t what was hoped for and there were plenty of critics. Plenty.

But a closer examination of how the U.S. did as a team, based on our own exclusive analysis showed that the American squad hardly failed at the Winter Games. Taking into account the top eight places in event – as the International Olympic Committee does when awarding diplomas – the U.S. finished third overall. And when placements in the top eight are reviewed, the U.S. was no. 2, behind only Norway.

There’s a lot more to consider, and we have a sport-by-sport review of the U.S. situation in winter sports in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE MAIN EVENT: The IAAF World Indoor Championships are this week in Birmingham (GBR) and all eyes will be on sprinter – and world-record setter – Christian Coleman. We have a comprehensive preview.

(2) SCENE & HEARD I: The NBC ratings are in for PyeongChang and the peacocks crushed it, doubling up the combined Primetime audience of ABC, CBS and Fox combined. Naturally, there are critics; so what…

(3) SCENE & HEARD II: We were all wrong about Jorien ter Mors and Ester Ledecka being the first to win medals in two sports in the same Games. It’s happened before … but not lately. One star who did it (in 1924): Tarzan!

(4) FOOTBALL: U.S. women’s team faces no. 2 Germany, no. 3 England and no. 6 France in SheBelieves Cup, starting Thursday. Last year’s tournament didn’t go so well for the U.S., and this time?

(5) SWIMMING: Star-studded fields for the second Tyr Pro Swim Series in Atlanta: Nathan Adrian, Chase Kalisz, Penny Oleksiak, Federica Pellegrini, Sarah Sjostrom and more!

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An “A” for PyeongChang now, but the grade may be revised later

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 26, 2018: The PyeongChang Games are over, so how good were they?

There are still a lot of questions to be answered before a final grade can be given, but the Korean organizers did the big things well. Our initial grade is an “A,” but there are issues that could change that grade significantly over time.

We review the four big issues the organizing committee had to confront – competitions, cost, organization and impact – and rate how they did in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: Korean “friendship” may be extended to a new event, in 2021, plus what pole vaulters want from the IAAF and Ato Boldon’s opinion of how good Christian Coleman is!

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The worldwide association of anti-doping organizations ripped the IOC a new one for its haste to reinstate the Russian National Olympic Committee. It says the interests of clean athletes have “no priority” for the IOC!

(3) ATHLETICS: Breakthrough at the Tokyo Marathon for American Amy Cragg, who took five minutes off her best and now ranks no. 5 in U.S. history!

(4) BASKETBALL: U.S. men’s national team made a mojito out of Cuba in latest World Cup qualifier, being played in Santa Cruz, California. Their next game is Monday night vs. Puerto Rico.

(5) WEIGHTLIFTING: New U.S. star Harrison Maurus won another U.S. Junior title, this time in a new weight class and upped his personal combined-lift best to almost 750 pounds!

An “A” for PyeongChang now, but the grade may be revised later

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 26, 2018: The PyeongChang Games are over, so how good were they?

There are still a lot of questions to be answered before a final grade can be given, but the Korean organizers did the big things well. Our initial grade is an “A,” but there are issues that could change that grade significantly over time.

We review the four big issues the organizing committee had to confront – competitions, cost, organization and impact – and rate how they did in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: Korean “friendship” may be extended to a new event, in 2021, plus what pole vaulters want from the IAAF and Ato Boldon’s opinion of how good Christian Coleman is!

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The worldwide association of anti-doping organizations ripped the IOC a new one for its haste to reinstate the Russian National Olympic Committee. It says the interests of clean athletes have “no priority” for the IOC!

(3) ATHLETICS: Breakthrough at the Tokyo Marathon for American Amy Cragg, who took five minutes off her best and now ranks no. 5 in U.S. history!

(4) BASKETBALL: U.S. men’s national team made a mojito out of Cuba in latest World Cup qualifier, being played in Santa Cruz, California. Their next game is Monday night vs. Puerto Rico.

(5) WEIGHTLIFTING: New U.S. star Harrison Maurus won another U.S. Junior title, this time in a new weight class and upped his personal combined-lift best to almost 750 pounds!

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EXTRA: PyeongChang Games close: Norway on top, Russia not

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 25, 2018: The PyeongChang Games are over, but will not soon be forgotten, for both good and bad:

  • Norwegian domination, with the most medals in a single Winter Games;
  • First time ever that an athlete won medals in two different sports … in one Games!
  • First time an athlete won two gold medals in two different sports … in one Games!
  • The biggest medal-winner in Olympic Winter Games history wins the final event;
  • Best double in Olympic history: gold medal on Wednesday, election to the IOC a day later!

On top of all of this was the Russian issue, with two doping positives – out of a total of three in the Games – forcing the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to maintain its suspension … for a few more days.

This issue has the full list of Winter Games medalists and our exclusive play-by-play of the Closing Ceremony!

EXTRA: PyeongChang Games close: Norway on top, Russia not

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 25, 2018: The PyeongChang Games are over, but will not soon be forgotten, for both good and bad:

  • Norwegian domination, with the most medals in a single Winter Games;
  • First time ever that an athlete won medals in two different sports … in one Games!
  • First time an athlete won two gold medals in two different sports … in one Games!
  • The biggest medal-winner in Olympic Winter Games history wins the final event;
  • Best double in Olympic history: gold medal on Wednesday, election to the IOC a day later!

On top of all of this was the Russian issue, with two doping positives – out of a total of three in the Games – forcing the International Olympic Committee Executive Board to maintain its suspension … for a few more days.

This issue has the full list of Winter Games medalists and our exclusive play-by-play of the Closing Ceremony!

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EXTRA: Topsy-turvy Games continue: U.S. wins Curling, no vote on Russia

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 24, 2018: The PyeongChang Games have been an exercise in patience and unpredictability. The weather has been alternately perfect and perverse and the carefully-planned schedule has been thrown – literally – to the wind.

Now the International Olympic Committee is having its own scheduling issues, unable to come up with a decision on Saturday about whether to reinstate the Russian National Olympic Committee in time to allow the Russian flag to be used in the Closing Ceremony.

In the meantime, the Games aren’t over. As so often happens in an Olympic Games, new heroes have emerged and favorites have faded and there are still four events to be completed on Sunday. We have the details and more in this EXTRA:

  • Team scoring: U.S. moves into second, passing Germany! Can it last?
  • Unimaginable U.S. win in Curling final over Sweden turned in the 8th end;
  • Canadian men win bronze in Ice Hockey over the Czech Republic;
  • Czech Ester Ledecka makes history and wins Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom;
  • Joey Mantia just misses Speed Skating bronze as Mass Start events debut.

EXTRA: Topsy-turvy Games continue: U.S. wins Curling, no vote on Russia

By
Rich Perelman
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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 24, 2018: The PyeongChang Games have been an exercise in patience and unpredictability. The weather has been alternately perfect and perverse and the carefully-planned schedule has been thrown – literally – to the wind.

Now the International Olympic Committee is having its own scheduling issues, unable to come up with a decision on Saturday about whether to reinstate the Russian National Olympic Committee in time to allow the Russian flag to be used in the Closing Ceremony.

In the meantime, the Games aren’t over. As so often happens in an Olympic Games, new heroes have emerged and favorites have faded and there are still four events to be completed on Sunday. We have the details and more in this EXTRA:

  • Team scoring: U.S. moves into second, passing Germany! Can it last?
  • Unimaginable U.S. win in Curling final over Sweden turned in the 8th end;
  • Canadian men win bronze in Ice Hockey over the Czech Republic;
  • Czech Ester Ledecka makes history and wins Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom;
  • Joey Mantia just misses Speed Skating bronze as Mass Start events debut.

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Give NBC a silver medal for consistent quality in a bad time zone

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 23, 2018: NBC spent a reported $963 million on the right for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, but didn’t know where it would be held. When PyeongChang was selected, the network knew it was going to have some issues with the time zone.

But it did quite well and its presentation of the Games had flair in spots, was comprehensive and competent most of the time and had some highlights that will be remembered in broadcast history forever! It also had a first, in presenting an Olympic talk show to rival anything on its competitor channels and showed room to grow even more as America’s Olympic network.

We review the good, the great and the rest in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: A second Russian doping positive complicates the question of possible Russian reinstatement before the Closing Ceremony. National anti-doping agencies are aghast at the idea that Russia could be cleared before the end of the Games!

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: Czech Ester Ledecka upset every formchart in the world with her surprise win in the women’s Alpine Super-G. Now she’s the favorite in the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom. Will she be upset?

(3) FIGURE SKATING: Historic first gold for the Olympic Athletes from Russia team comes from a 15-year-old who was a junior athlete a year ago! Full coverage of the dramatic last group, where the medals were decided.

(4) ICE HOCKEY: Amid its best Winter Games ever, Canada loses in Curling and now loses in the men’s ice hockey semifinals? What is going on here?

(5) ATHLETICS: The first World Marathon Major of 2018 is Sunday, with a possible world-record attempt by Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang and others!

Give NBC a silver medal for consistent quality in a bad time zone

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 23, 2018: NBC spent a reported $963 million on the right for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, but didn’t know where it would be held. When PyeongChang was selected, the network knew it was going to have some issues with the time zone.

But it did quite well and its presentation of the Games had flair in spots, was comprehensive and competent most of the time and had some highlights that will be remembered in broadcast history forever! It also had a first, in presenting an Olympic talk show to rival anything on its competitor channels and showed room to grow even more as America’s Olympic network.

We review the good, the great and the rest in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: A second Russian doping positive complicates the question of possible Russian reinstatement before the Closing Ceremony. National anti-doping agencies are aghast at the idea that Russia could be cleared before the end of the Games!

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: Czech Ester Ledecka upset every formchart in the world with her surprise win in the women’s Alpine Super-G. Now she’s the favorite in the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom. Will she be upset?

(3) FIGURE SKATING: Historic first gold for the Olympic Athletes from Russia team comes from a 15-year-old who was a junior athlete a year ago! Full coverage of the dramatic last group, where the medals were decided.

(4) ICE HOCKEY: Amid its best Winter Games ever, Canada loses in Curling and now loses in the men’s ice hockey semifinals? What is going on here?

(5) ATHLETICS: The first World Marathon Major of 2018 is Sunday, with a possible world-record attempt by Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang and others!

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EXTRA: U.S. continues sudden medal rush, while Russia lobbies to end suspension

By
Rich Perelman
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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 22, 2018: Although not expected to be at the top of the medal table in PyeongChang, the U.S. Olympic Team was definitely underperforming through most of the Winter Games.

Suddenly, however, there’s been a medal rush – and more to come – as the Games slide toward the finish on Sunday.

That’s the good news for U.S. fans, especially the heart-pounding win over Canada in the women’s ice hockey final. But for those watching the international politics of the Olympic Movement, the newest fight is over Russia.

Will the IOC lift its suspension of the Russian National Olympic Committee in time for its athletes to march under the Russian flag in the Closing Ceremony? The Russians are making dramatic steps to help make that happen; we have the details, plus:

  • A big win for the U.S. as one of its gold medalists is elected to serve on the IOC;
  • Team scoring: the U.S. performance surge is within 10 points of no. 2 Germany!
  • Medal rush: details of U.S. medals in Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard;
  • Inspiring win for the U.S. women in ice-hockey rematch with Canada!
  • Stunner: U.S. beats Canada in men’s Curling; will play for gold on Saturday!

EXTRA: U.S. continues sudden medal rush, while Russia lobbies to end suspension

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 22, 2018: Although not expected to be at the top of the medal table in PyeongChang, the U.S. Olympic Team was definitely underperforming through most of the Winter Games.

Suddenly, however, there’s been a medal rush – and more to come – as the Games slide toward the finish on Sunday.

That’s the good news for U.S. fans, especially the heart-pounding win over Canada in the women’s ice hockey final. But for those watching the international politics of the Olympic Movement, the newest fight is over Russia.

Will the IOC lift its suspension of the Russian National Olympic Committee in time for its athletes to march under the Russian flag in the Closing Ceremony? The Russians are making dramatic steps to help make that happen; we have the details, plus:

  • A big win for the U.S. as one of its gold medalists is elected to serve on the IOC;
  • Team scoring: the U.S. performance surge is within 10 points of no. 2 Germany!
  • Medal rush: details of U.S. medals in Alpine, Freestyle and Snowboard;
  • Inspiring win for the U.S. women in ice-hockey rematch with Canada!
  • Stunner: U.S. beats Canada in men’s Curling; will play for gold on Saturday!

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Will Olympic waste lead the IOC to the same ending as “War Games”?

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 21, 2018: Remember the 1983 movie “War Games” with Matthew Broderick as the teenager who hacks into the U.S. missile-defense system and almost starts a nuclear attack?

After considering all the possibilities, the computer decides that “The only winning move is not to play.”

That’s the danger the International Olympic Committee is facing as stories seep out of PyeongChang about the cost of the Games – now estimated at $12.9 billion, about 61% higher than originally budgeted – and the lack of legacy plans for a quarter of the shiny, new venues … and the continuing degradation of the venues remaining in Rio de Janeiro from the 2016 Games. The IOC is urging the Brazilian government to tear some of them down!

There are more details to consider in our Lane One commentary, but with just four cities currently even contemplating a bid for 2026, it’s a worrysome time for the IOC. There’s a lot more, however, in this issue:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: What is going on with USA Track & Field, as it places its elected president on “administrative leave.” One well-known running Web site asked, “Was this a silent coup?”

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: A historic day for the U.S. with a first-ever medal in women’s Cross Country skiing and the first women’s medal in Speed Skating since 2002! Plus a look at today’s possibilities, with Mikaela Shiffrin going and the USA-Canada women’s ice hockey final!

(3) CROSS COUNTRY: Full coverage of the historic U.S. women’s duo of Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins as they won the women’s Team Sprint for the first U.S. Cross Country medal at the Winter Games in 42 years!

(4) SPEED SKATING: Another drought ends, with three U.S. women teaming up for a bronze in the Team Pursuit, ending the American medal drought in the sport of eight years.

(5) BASKETBALL: The U.S. men’s national team – made of up G League players – is competing this weekend in qualifying games for the 2019 world championships!

Will Olympic waste lead the IOC to the same ending as “War Games”?

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 21, 2018: Remember the 1983 movie “War Games” with Matthew Broderick as the teenager who hacks into the U.S. missile-defense system and almost starts a nuclear attack?

After considering all the possibilities, the computer decides that “The only winning move is not to play.”

That’s the danger the International Olympic Committee is facing as stories seep out of PyeongChang about the cost of the Games – now estimated at $12.9 billion, about 61% higher than originally budgeted – and the lack of legacy plans for a quarter of the shiny, new venues … and the continuing degradation of the venues remaining in Rio de Janeiro from the 2016 Games. The IOC is urging the Brazilian government to tear some of them down!

There are more details to consider in our Lane One commentary, but with just four cities currently even contemplating a bid for 2026, it’s a worrysome time for the IOC. There’s a lot more, however, in this issue:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: What is going on with USA Track & Field, as it places its elected president on “administrative leave.” One well-known running Web site asked, “Was this a silent coup?”

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: A historic day for the U.S. with a first-ever medal in women’s Cross Country skiing and the first women’s medal in Speed Skating since 2002! Plus a look at today’s possibilities, with Mikaela Shiffrin going and the USA-Canada women’s ice hockey final!

(3) CROSS COUNTRY: Full coverage of the historic U.S. women’s duo of Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins as they won the women’s Team Sprint for the first U.S. Cross Country medal at the Winter Games in 42 years!

(4) SPEED SKATING: Another drought ends, with three U.S. women teaming up for a bronze in the Team Pursuit, ending the American medal drought in the sport of eight years.

(5) BASKETBALL: The U.S. men’s national team – made of up G League players – is competing this weekend in qualifying games for the 2019 world championships!

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EXTRA: Dutch skater ter Mors beats Ledecka to the history books

By
Rich Perelman
-
Skating star Jorien ter Mors of the Netherlands

TSX EXTRA– for Feb. 20, 2018: The shock of Ester Ledecka’s victory in the women’s Super-G race led many to think she would become the first to win medals in two different sports in the same Winter Games. After all, she’s the favorite in the Parallel Giant Slalom in Snowboard.

But it was 28-year-old Dutch skater Jorien ter Mors who got there first, thanks to a world record in the Short Track women’s 3,000 m relay and a couple of disqualifications.

We have the details of a crazy sequence that gave ter Mors a bronze medal in Short Track to go along with her win in the women’s 1,000 m in long-track Speed Skating.

That’s not the only thing that happened in a wild Day 11:

  • Canada passes the U.S. for third in our exclusive team scoring;
  • What did the training runs tell us about the women’s Downhill?
  • Elana Meyers Taylor sitting second, but ready to strike in Bobsleigh;
  • Historic scores in Ice Dancing leaves world-record setters with silver;
  • Quality win for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team and on to the quarters.

EXTRA: Dutch skater ter Mors beats Ledecka to the history books

By
Rich Perelman
-
Skating star Jorien ter Mors of the Netherlands

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TSX EXTRA– for Feb. 20, 2018: The shock of Ester Ledecka’s victory in the women’s Super-G race led many to think she would become the first to win medals in two different sports in the same Winter Games. After all, she’s the favorite in the Parallel Giant Slalom in Snowboard.

But it was 28-year-old Dutch skater Jorien ter Mors who got there first, thanks to a world record in the Short Track women’s 3,000 m relay and a couple of disqualifications.

We have the details of a crazy sequence that gave ter Mors a bronze medal in Short Track to go along with her win in the women’s 1,000 m in long-track Speed Skating.

That’s not the only thing that happened in a wild Day 11:

  • Canada passes the U.S. for third in our exclusive team scoring;
  • What did the training runs tell us about the women’s Downhill?
  • Elana Meyers Taylor sitting second, but ready to strike in Bobsleigh;
  • Historic scores in Ice Dancing leaves world-record setters with silver;
  • Quality win for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team and on to the quarters;

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Is the U.S. team really failing in PyeongChang, or is it better than it looks?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Chloe Kim celebrates her 2018 Olympic Snowboard Halfpipe win (Photo by Jon Gaede)

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 19, 2018: Some 63 of 102 total events have been completed at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and the U.S. has just 10 medals, on its way to its worst medal-winning performance in 20 years.

Is this a failure?

It’s worth looking more deeply into the metrics of the U.S. performance – and that of other countries at the Winter Games – and we do with our exclusive, eight-place team scoring and our placing count, showing which countries have the most top-eight finishers … athletes who won medals, or could do so in the future!

Hint: Norway and Germany are doing great, but on these counts, the U.S. is not having such a bad Games after all.

The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The International Olympic Committee might be pushing a little too hard to keep Calgary in the race for 2026. A City Counillor pushes back at comments from an IOC Vice President about how the IOC is “helping” Calgary with its local media.

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: More rough weather headed for PyeongChang changes the Alpine schedule again, and causes Mikaela Shiffrin to drop the Downhill in favor of the Combined. How will this impact Lindsey Vonn?

(3) ICE HOCKEY: What we have been waiting for: Canada vs. the U.S. for the women’s gold medal. Details on the best U.S. performance of the tournament so far, in its semifinal win.

(4) ATHLETICS: We all thought it could happen … and it did! A world record in the 60 m for Christian Coleman and seven world-leading marks for U.S. athletes at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque!

(5) ROWING: Results of the first “World Indoor Championships.” What? Indoor rowing? No water? Say what?

Is the U.S. team really failing in PyeongChang, or is it better than it looks?

By
Rich Perelman
-
Chloe Kim celebrates her 2018 Olympic Snowboard Halfpipe win (Photo by Jon Gaede)

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 19, 2018: Some 63 of 102 total events have been completed at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang and the U.S. has just 10 medals, on its way to its worst medal-winning performance in 20 years.

Is this a failure?

It’s worth looking more deeply into the metrics of the U.S. performance – and that of other countries at the Winter Games – and we do with our exclusive, eight-place team scoring and our placing count, showing which countries have the most top-eight finishers … athletes who won medals, or could do so in the future!

Hint: Norway and Germany are doing great, but on these counts, the U.S. is not having such a bad Games after all.

The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE BIG PICTURE: The International Olympic Committee might be pushing a little too hard to keep Calgary in the race for 2026. A City Counillor pushes back at comments from an IOC Vice President about how the IOC is “helping” Calgary with its local media.

(2) PYEONGCHANG PANORAMA: More rough weather headed for PyeongChang changes the Alpine schedule again, and causes Mikaela Shiffrin to drop the Downhill in favor of the Combined. How will this impact Lindsey Vonn?

(3) ICE HOCKEY: What we have been waiting for: Canada vs. the U.S. for the women’s gold medal. Details on the best U.S. performance of the tournament so far, in its semifinal win.

(4) ATHLETICS: We all thought it could happen … and it did! A world record in the 60 m for Christian Coleman and seven world-leading marks for U.S. athletes at the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque!

(5) ROWING: Results of the first “World Indoor Championships.” What? Indoor rowing? No water? Say what?

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EXTRA: Time for a breather, but there is more history to be made in Korea

By
Rich Perelman
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Finish of the Biathlon men's 15 km Mass Start: that close after skiing 9+ miles!

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 18, 2018: As the second half of the Games starts, the pace is a little slower. Only six finals on Sunday and just three on the schedule for Monday. But there is history to be made at these Games and we note five events to watch to see if the record book is going to be re-written. Plus our reports on:

  • Our exclusive 8-place team scores, with the U.S. standing third!
  • Alpine Skiing: Marcel Hirscher ready to make history as the favorite in the Slalom!
  • Biathlon: How would like to have to sprint, after skiing 9.3 miles? It happened …
  • Ice Hockey: U.S. playoff path set as men’s group play ends; Slovakia again?
  • Speed Skating: Nao Kodaira untouchable and U.S. misses another medal opportunity

EXTRA: Time for a breather, but there is more history to be made in Korea

By
Rich Perelman
-
Finish of the Biathlon men's 15 km Mass Start: that close after skiing 9+ miles!

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 18, 2018: As the second half of the Games starts, the pace is a little slower. Only six finals on Sunday and just three on the schedule for Monday. But there is history to be made at these Games and we note five events to watch to see if the record book is going to be re-written. Plus our reports on:

  • Our exclusive 8-place team scores, with the U.S. standing third!
  • Alpine Skiing: Marcel Hirscher ready to make history as the favorite in the Slalom!
  • Biathlon: How would like to have to sprint, after skiing 9.3 miles? It happened …
  • Ice Hockey: U.S. playoff path set as men’s group play ends; Slovakia again?
  • Speed Skating: Nao Kodaira untouchable and U.S. misses another medal opportunity.

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EXTRA: The Olympics is just different than any other event

By
Rich Perelman
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The rings make it special: Maame Biney (USA) in the Short Track 500 m (Photo by Jon Gaede)

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 17, 2018: If look closely at the aerial shots from PyeongChang, you’ll often see quite a few – or a lot – of empty seats. This is not a sold-out Games.

But for the athletes, even those who are battle-hardened by years of World Cup experience and World Championships in their sport, this is different.

We asked athletes in advance of PyeongChang 2018 why the Games were different and they gave one reason about all others. We have the answer and some astonishing events in today’s edition, including:

  • Our exclusive 8-place team scores, with the U.S. doing better than you would think!
  • The shock of the women’s Super-G, but the winner was a better skier than people knew;
  • Norway’s Marit Bjoergen ties for the most medals won in Winter Games history!
  • More history in the men’s Free Skate, and not just by repeat winner Yuzuru Hanyu;
  • Stunning comeback for Lizzy Yarnold, now also a two-time Olympic champ in Skeleton;
  • How about a third back-to-back gold medalist on Saturday … in ski jumping!

EXTRA: The Olympics is just different than any other event

By
Rich Perelman
-
The rings make it special: Maame Biney (USA) in the Short Track 500 m (Photo by Jon Gaede)

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 17, 2018: If look closely at the aerial shots from PyeongChang, you’ll often see quite a few – or a lot – of empty seats. This is not a sold-out Games.

But for the athletes, even those who are battle-hardened by years of World Cup experience and World Championships in their sport, this is different.

We asked athletes in advance of PyeongChang 2018 why the Games were different and they gave one reason about all others. We have the answer and some astonishing events in today’s edition, including:

  • Our exclusive 8-place team scores, with the U.S. doing better than you would think!
  • The shock of the women’s Super-G, but the winner was a better skier than people knew;
  • Norway’s Marit Bjoergen ties for the most medals won in Winter Games history!
  • More history in the men’s Free Skate, and not just by repeat winner Yuzuru Hanyu;
  • Stunning comeback for Lizzy Yarnold, now also a two-time Olympic champ in Skeleton;
  • How about a third back-to-back gold medalist on Saturday … in ski jumping!

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What do we do when we find out our heroes aren’t perfect?

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 16, 2018: Americans cheered Shani Davis when he won speed skating gold medals in 2006 and 2010. But not so much when he turned petulant after not being selected to carry the U.S. flag at the Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang.

Shaun White’s comebacks in the qualifying and final of the men’s Snowboard Halfpipe event were thrilling, but then the questions turned to a lawsuit filed against him for abuse.

What are we to make of these medalists? Heroes? Scoundrels? We can learn from both of them and other athletes who charge toward their goals. Some perspective in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) PANORAMA: Jacobellis. Chen. Shiffrin. Was Friday the worst 80 minutes in U.S. Olympic history?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: A member of the International Olympic Committee expelled for bad behavior during the Games? Really? This is a first.

(3) SPEED SKATING: A Dutch girl who had already reached her goals this season – competing in the second tier of the World Cup – wins the gold medal, while her teammate says “This feels terrible.”

(4) ATHLETICS: A preview of the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque this weekend, could a world record be in the offing for Christian Coleman?

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport;
our PYEONGCHANG 2018 report; ON DECK previews of Athletics and Gymnastics, and SCOREBOARD reports on Alpine Skiing and Athletics, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

What do we do when we find out our heroes aren’t perfect?

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 16, 2018: Americans cheered Shani Davis when he won speed skating gold medals in 2006 and 2010. But not so much when he turned petulant after not being selected to carry the U.S. flag at the Opening Ceremoy in PyeongChang.

Shaun White’s comebacks in the qualifying and final of the men’s Snowboard Halfpipe event were thrilling, but then the questions turned to a lawsuit filed against him for abuse.

What are we to make of these medalists? Heroes? Scoundrels? We can learn from both of them and other athletes who charge toward their goals. Some perspective in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) PANORAMA: Jacobellis. Chen. Shiffrin. Was Friday the worst 80 minutes in U.S. Olympic history?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: A member of the International Olympic Committee expelled for bad behavior during the Games? Really? This is a first.

(3) SPEED SKATING: A Dutch girl who had already reached her goals this season – competing in the second tier of the World Cup – wins the gold medal, while her teammate says “This feels terrible.”

(4) ATHLETICS: A preview of the USATF Indoor Championships in Albuquerque this weekend, could a world record be in the offing for Christian Coleman?

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport;
our PYEONGCHANG 2018 report; ON DECK previews of Athletics and Gymnastics, and SCOREBOARD reports on Alpine Skiing and Athletics, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

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Gold rush starts for Shiffrin; how deep is the mine?

By
Rich Perelman
-
American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 14, 2018: Brilliant and brave skiing by Mikaela Shiffrin brought a hoped-for – but not expected – victory in the women’s Giant Slalom in PyeongChang. Her best event, the Slalom, in which she is the defending Olympic Champion, comes next, and she could enter three more events at the Games.

Is she heading toward history? Only six athletes in the nearly 100-year history of the Games have won five medals in a single Games and only one alpine skier has won as many as four medals in one Games.

Who are they? What did they do? We have the details, plus:

  • Not very cool what’s happening with the Jamaican women’s Bobsled team;
  • Marvelous, emotional skating ends Aliona Savchenko’s 16-year quest for gold in Pairs;
  • More history for Norway’s Marit Bjoergen in Cross Country … but she didn’t win;
  • U.S. women drop 2-1 decision to Canada, but does it really matter?
  • Dutch finally lose in Speed Skating … or did they?

Friday’s finals in PyeongChang include Shiffrin in the Slalom, plus Lindsey Jacobellis trying for another Olympic medal in women’s Snowcross and the start of the men’s Short Program in Figure Skating, with Nathan Chen, Yuzuru Hanyu, Javier Fernandez and others.

Gold rush starts for Shiffrin; how deep is the mine?

By
Rich Perelman
-
American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 14, 2018: Brilliant and brave skiing by Mikaela Shiffrin brought a hoped-for – but not expected – victory in the women’s Giant Slalom in PyeongChang. Her best event, the Slalom, in which she is the defending Olympic Champion, comes next, and she could enter three more events at the Games.

Is she heading toward history? Only six athletes in the nearly 100-year history of the Games have won five medals in a single Games and only one alpine skier has won as many as four medals in one Games.

Who are they? What did they do? We have the details, plus:

  • Not very cool what’s happening with the Jamaican women’s Bobsled team;
  • Marvelous, emotional skating ends Aliona Savchenko’s 16-year quest for gold in Pairs;
  • More history for Norway’s Marit Bjoergen in Cross Country … but she didn’t win;
  • U.S. women drop 2-1 decision to Canada, but does it really matter?
  • Dutch finally lose in Speed Skating … or did they?

Friday’s finals in PyeongChang include Shiffrin in the Slalom, plus Lindsey Jacobellis trying for another Olympic medal in women’s Snowcross and the start of the men’s Short Program in Figure Skating, with Nathan Chen, Yuzuru Hanyu, Javier Fernandez and others..

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America loves the Olympic Games, but Olympic sports? Not so much.

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 14, 2018: You would think that the Winter Games, especially after seeing Chloe Kim and Shaun White in sensational form in the Snowboard Halfpipe, would be the biggest sports story in the country, right?

Not so fast. One national commentator is more interested in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling them “the best story in sports.”

It points out the disconnect between one guy on television and more than 20 million Americans watching the Games nightly, plus more during the daytime and online.

Who is this guy and why can’t Olympic sports get some of the same media attention that a mid-season basketball game gets? The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) PANORAMA: Did you know that NBC has a bigger than working on the Games than the total number of athletes competing?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Even during the PyeongChang Games, the International Olympic Committee is getting a headache about the future of the Winter Games!

(3) SNOWBOARD: Immortals: Shaun White achieved the highest of UCLA coach John Wooden’s values in his Pyramid of Success. See what it was and how he did it … in detail.

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport; our PYEONGCHANG 2018 report; ON DECK previews of Archery ~ Athletics ~ Gymnastics, and SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics and Hockey, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

America loves the Olympic Games, but Olympic sports? Not so much.

By
Rich Perelman
-

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TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 14, 2018: You would think that the Winter Games, especially after seeing Chloe Kim and Shaun White in sensational form in the Snowboard Halfpipe, would be the biggest sports story in the country, right?

Not so fast. One national commentator is more interested in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, calling them “the best story in sports.”

It points out the disconnect between one guy on television and more than 20 million Americans watching the Games nightly, plus more during the daytime and online.

Who is this guy and why can’t Olympic sports get some of the same media attention that a mid-season basketball game gets? The details are in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) PANORAMA: Did you know that NBC has a bigger than working on the Games than the total number of athletes competing?

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: Even during the PyeongChang Games, the International Olympic Committee is getting a headache about the future of the Winter Games!

(3) SNOWBOARD: Immortals: Shaun White achieved the highest of UCLA coach John Wooden’s values in his Pyramid of Success. See what it was and how he did it … in detail.

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport; our PYEONGCHANG 2018 report; ON DECK previews of Archery ~ Athletics ~ Gymnastics, and SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics and Hockey, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

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Sensational Snowboarding keys Day 4 in PyeongChang

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic Snowboard champ Chloe Kim (USA)

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 13, 2018: It was the snowboarder’s day at the Winter Games in PyeongChang.

First came American Chloe Kim, 17, who put down a winning run in the first round, but stuck around for two more runs and produced a sensational third run to win the gold medal with a score of 98.25!

That was great, but then came the men’s qualifying – just qualifying – and it turned into an even more entertaining show with five men over 90 points and Shaun White, now 31, taking on all comers.

His first-round score of 93.25 looked like the sure leader for the day, but he was passed twice in the second round and then came back with a stunner: 98.50, even better than Kim and a statement about what it will take to beat him in the final.

There’s a lot more, including:

  • Our exclusive team scores after four days;
  • How robots could ski where the athletes couldn’t;
  • A gold medal, at last, for Austria’s super-skier, Marcel Hirscher;
  • Back-to-back golds for Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger in Luge;
  • More Dutch domination in Speed Skating (are these people human?).

Tonight/tomorrow’s finals will include Mikaela Shiffrin in the women’s Slalom and possibly the first U.S. Speed Skating medal since 2010 (or maybe not).

Sensational Snowboarding keys Day 4 in PyeongChang

By
Rich Perelman
-
Olympic Snowboard champ Chloe Kim (USA)

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 13, 2018: It was the snowboarder’s day at the Winter Games in PyeongChang.

First came American Chloe Kim, 17, who put down a winning run in the first round, but stuck around for two more runs and produced a sensational third run to win the gold medal with a score of 98.25!

That was great, but then came the men’s qualifying – just qualifying – and it turned into an even more entertaining show with five men over 90 points and Shaun White, now 31, taking on all comers.

His first-round score of 93.25 looked like the sure leader for the day, but he was passed twice in the second round and then came back with a stunner: 98.50, even better than Kim and a statement about what it will take to beat him in the final.

There’s a lot more, including:

  • Our exclusive team scores after four days;
  • How robots could ski where the athletes couldn’t;
  • A gold medal, at last, for Austria’s super-skier, Marcel Hirscher;
  • Back-to-back golds for Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger in Luge;
  • More Dutch domination in Speed Skating (are these people human?).

Tonight/tomorrow’s finals will include Mikaela Shiffrin in the women’s Slalom and possibly the first U.S. Speed Skating medal since 2010 (or maybe not).

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What do you do with an unrepentant relative? The IOC’s continuing Russian dilemma

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 12, 2018: It’s not unusual to have a relative who just won’t cooperate with the rest of the family. They are right and you are always wrong.

And so the International Olympic Committee has needlessly put itself under pressure with comments that it might lift its suspension of the Russian National Olympic Committee prior to the Closing Ceremony, so that the Russian flag could fly during that event.

It will, says the IOC, all depend on how the Russians act at the Winter Games, even including their fans.

Not everyone agrees with this, including a couple of IOC members who made their views known prior to the opening of the Games, and the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has its own list of conditions for Russian reinstatement.

The obstacles and options are explored in our Lane One commentary, plus our review of Monday’s action in PyeongChang:

(1) PANORAMA: Mother Nature takes over in PyeongChang and our exclusive, eight-place team scoring of the Games through three full days of competition.

(2) SPORT-BY-SPORT: Reviews, results and medalists in Biathlon ~ Figure Skating ~ Freestyle Skiing ~ Ski Jumping ~ Snowboard ~ Speed Skating, and who really won the U.S.’s bronze medal in the Figure Skating Team Event.

(3) BEYOND THE GAMES: Terrific New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, with American Donavan Brazier moving toward a new American Record in the 800 meters, and medals for the U.S. men’s Foil and women’s Epee team in World Cup fencing!

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport; SCOREBOARD reports on the XXIII Olympic Winter Games plus Archery ~ Athletics ~ Fencing ~ Judo, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

What do you do with an unrepentant relative? The IOC’s continuing Russian dilemma

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=3997 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 12, 2018: It’s not unusual to have a relative who just won’t cooperate with the rest of the family. They are right and you are always wrong.

And so the International Olympic Committee has needlessly put itself under pressure with comments that it might lift its suspension of the Russian National Olympic Committee prior to the Closing Ceremony, so that the Russian flag could fly during that event.

It will, says the IOC, all depend on how the Russians act at the Winter Games, even including their fans.

Not everyone agrees with this, including a couple of IOC members who made their views known prior to the opening of the Games, and the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has its own list of conditions for Russian reinstatement.

The obstacles and options are explored in our Lane One commentary, plus our review of Monday’s action in PyeongChang:

(1) PANORAMA: Mother Nature takes over in PyeongChang and our exclusive, eight-place team scoring of the Games through three full days of competition.

(2) SPORT-BY-SPORT: Reviews, results and medalists in Biathlon ~ Figure Skating ~ Freestyle Skiing ~ Ski Jumping ~ Snowboard ~ Speed Skating, and who really won the U.S.’s bronze medal in the Figure Skating Team Event.

(3) BEYOND THE GAMES: Terrific New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, with American Donavan Brazier moving toward a new American Record in the 800 meters, and medals for the U.S. men’s Foil and women’s Epee team in World Cup fencing!

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport; SCOREBOARD reports on the XXIII Olympic Winter Games plus Archery ~ Athletics ~ Fencing ~ Judo, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

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EXTRA: Shock and awe: stunning upsets and an Olympic three-peat

By
Rich Perelman
-
Red Gerard of the U.S. after winning gold in the men's Snowboard Slopestyle!

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 11, 2018: Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you did before you got to the Olympics, just that you got there. Then, you can worry about winning.

That’s what happened on the second full day of competition in Korea, as the men’s Luge was supposed to be a coronation of Germany’s great Felix Loch. Instead, a guy who hadn’t won a World Cup medal in his life took the gold.

An American slider who had been having what could charitably been called a mediocre season, won silver. And there were similar stories in other sports.

Of course, Dutch star Sven Kramer won his third straight 5,000 m race in Speed Skating and set an Olympic Record in doing so. So some things can be counted on.

The U.S. got its first two medals of the Games, with the details in this EXTRA edition, with sport-by-sport coverage of medal events in Biathlon ~ Cross Country ~ Freestyle Skiing ~ Luge ~ Snowboard ~ Speed Skating.

EXTRA: Shock and awe: stunning upsets and an Olympic three-peat

By
Rich Perelman
-
Red Gerard of the U.S. after winning gold in the men's Snowboard Slopestyle!

[wpdm_package id=3989 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 11, 2018: Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you did before you got to the Olympics, just that you got there. Then, you can worry about winning.

That’s what happened on the second full day of competition in Korea, as the men’s Luge was supposed to be a coronation of Germany’s great Felix Loch. Instead, a guy who hadn’t won a World Cup medal in his life took the gold.

An American slider who had been having what could charitably been called a mediocre season, won silver. And there were similar stories in other sports.

Of course, Dutch star Sven Kramer won his third straight 5,000 m race in Speed Skating and set an Olympic Record in doing so. So some things can be counted on.

The U.S. got its first two medals of the Games, with the details in this EXTRA edition, with sport-by-sport coverage of medal events in Biathlon ~ Cross Country ~ Freestyle Skiing ~ Luge ~ Snowboard ~ Speed Skating.

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EXTRA: Netherlands and Norway dominate first medals day

By
Rich Perelman
-
The all-time winner among Olympic Winter Games women: Norway's Marit Bjoergen, with 11!

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TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 10, 2018: The Netherlands is supposed to win a lot of medals in skating and it did. Norway is supposed to win a lot of medals in the various kinds of skiing .. and it did.

That’s the summary of the first day of the PyeongChang Games, but there was plenty of excitement along the way:

  • A final-jump win in the men’s Normal Hill Ski Jumping;
  • A new record for the most Olympic Winter medals won by any woman;
  • A thrilling win for Korea in front of a packed house in Short Track;
  • More hard feelings from a Russian bronze medalist;
  • Possible medal for the U.S. in men’s luge after two runs!

Plus, the U.S. Soccer Federation found its new chief for the next four years, choosing someone it knows very well (and did not play goal for the U.S. women’s national team). It’s all in this EXTRA edition, with sport-by-sport coverage of medal events in Biathlon ~ Cross Country ~ Short Track ~ Ski Jumping ~ Speed Skating.

EXTRA: Netherlands and Norway dominate first medals day

By
Rich Perelman
-
The all-time winner among Olympic Winter Games women: Norway's Marit Bjoergen, with 11!

[wpdm_package id=3981 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 10, 2018: The Netherlands is supposed to win a lot of medals in skating and it did. Norway is supposed to win a lot of medals in the various kinds of skiing .. and it did.

That’s the summary of the first day of the PyeongChang Games, but there was plenty of excitement along the way:

  • A final-jump win in the men’s Normal Hill Ski Jumping;
  • A new record for the most Olympic Winter medals won by any woman;
  • A thrilling win for Korea in front of a packed house in Short Track;
  • More hard feelings from a Russian bronze medalist;
  • Possible medal for the U.S. in men’s luge after two runs!

Plus, the U.S. Soccer Federation found its new chief for the next four years, choosing someone it knows very well (and did not play goal for the U.S. women’s national team). It’s all in this EXTRA edition, with sport-by-sport coverage of medal events in Biathlon ~ Cross Country ~ Short Track ~ Ski Jumping ~ Speed Skating.

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EXTRA: Elegant Opening Ceremony starts the XXIII Olympic Winter Games

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 9, 2018: There was cold, but there was also drama in a neat, compact Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang, Korea to start the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

We have the minute-by-minute description of the ceremony – including IOC President Thomas Bach’s complete address – and some observations on the meet-up of Korean tradition and technology. Plus our weekend previews of:

(1) ARCHERY: The Vegas Shoot brings together 3,500 archers for, among other things, the fourth stage and final of the World Archery Indoor World Cup.

(2) ATHLETICS: Good match-ups this Saturday in Boston for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the fourth leg of the IAAF World Indoor Tour.

(3) JUDO: Outstanding fields for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Paris Grand Slam, with seven no. 1-ranked athletes and three potential 1-vs.-2 match-ups.

EXTRA: Elegant Opening Ceremony starts the XXIII Olympic Winter Games

By
Rich Perelman
-

[wpdm_package id=3975 template=”5a3caadf84efa”]

TSX EXTRA – for Feb. 9, 2018: There was cold, but there was also drama in a neat, compact Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang, Korea to start the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

We have the minute-by-minute description of the ceremony – including IOC President Thomas Bach’s complete address – and some observations on the meet-up of Korean tradition and technology. Plus our weekend previews of:

(1) ARCHERY: The Vegas Shoot brings together 3,500 archers for, among other things, the fourth stage and final of the World Archery Indoor World Cup.

(2) ATHLETICS: Good match-ups this Saturday in Boston for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, the fourth leg of the IAAF World Indoor Tour.

(3) JUDO: Outstanding fields for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Paris Grand Slam, with seven no. 1-ranked athletes and three potential 1-vs.-2 match-ups.

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CAS dismisses final Russian appeals plus 34 Winter Games previews

By
Rich Perelman
-

TSX HEADLINES – for Feb. 9, 2018: All the appeals are done now, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport swept aside the last set of appeals by Russian athletes demanding to be invited to the Winter Games after their doping suspensions were overturned.

This finally sets the stage for a cold opening to the Winter Games in the open-air Olympic Stadium in PyeongChang, so cold that that 43,000 spectators will be issued complimentary hats, blankets and hand and footer warmers!

We also have our final previews in Alpine Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Skeleton and Ski Jumping, covering 34 events in all in our Lane One commentary, plus:

(1) THE TICKER: The newest dust-up in the U.S. camp is the choice of who will carry the flag into the Opening Ceremony. The loser called is “dishonorable.”

(2) THE BIG PICTURE: The cold is a running problem in PyeongChang, but so are fears over winds coming through this weekend that could scramble the skiing schedule.

(3) ATHLETICS: More world indoor leaders at the Dusseldorf and Madrid meets on the IAAF World Indoor Tour, including sensational sprinting from China’s Bingtian Su, who thanks the Dusseldorf crowd … in English!

This issue includes THE BIG PICTURE, a rapid-read status report on Olympic sport; SCOREBOARD reports on Athletics, and AGENDA, our calendar of top-level international events.

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