2016 Olympics

[BridgeTroll]

Did you know the games have already begun and the US womens soccer team is on its way to repeat as gold medal winners...  I watched them dominate the Kiwi's last night...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/03/usa-blanks-new-zealand-womens-soccer-olympics-group-play-opener/88047344/

United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was targeted for abuse by Brazilian fans on Wednesday night as the women's national team began its quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal by defeating New Zealand 2-0 in Belo Horizonte.

Starting in the second half, Solo was booed by local supporters at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte — with fans loudly chanting "Zika" every time she cleared the ball from her penalty area.

The controversial World Cup and Olympic champion has been outspoken about her concerns over traveling to Brazil due to the Zika virus. Earlier this week, she posted a photograph of herself on Twitter wearing a beekeeper's mask and holding a giant bottle of insect repellent. Her post was widely reported in the Brazilian media.

Former national team player and NBC analyst Kate Markgraf insisted the U.S would use the Solo taunts as motivation.

"The last thing you want to do is to give any reason for the U.S to come together," Markgraf said. "You give them something to focus on instead of getting worried about how they will perform, that can only be a positive for them."

Entering the tournament as hot favorites after winning the Women's World Cup last year, the Americans were rarely troubled in their Group G opener and cruised to victory thanks to goals from captain Carli Lloyd and star forward Alex Morgan.

Lloyd, the reining World Player of the Year, put Jill Ellis' side ahead after only nine minutes, sending a looping header into the net following a tidy cross from Tobin Heath.

New Zealand tried gamely to resist but was broken down again just a minute into the second half. Morgan Brian sent a clinical pass into the box and hit the fast-advancing Morgan, who made no mistake with a low left-foot drive that beat goalkeeper Erin Nayler.

Just like in the World Cup, the U.S. backline proved impossible to break, leading to a comfortable second half once the two-goal advantage was established.

The team will next face their toughest group opponent, world No. 3 France, on Saturday, where victory would be enough to clinch a quarterfinal spot.

[Adam White]

Did you know the games have already begun and the US womens soccer team is on its way to repeat as gold medal winners...  I watched them dominate the Kiwi's last night...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/03/usa-blanks-new-zealand-womens-soccer-olympics-group-play-opener/88047344/

United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was targeted for abuse by Brazilian fans on Wednesday night as the women's national team began its quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal by defeating New Zealand 2-0 in Belo Horizonte.

Starting in the second half, Solo was booed by local supporters at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte — with fans loudly chanting "Zika" every time she cleared the ball from her penalty area.

The controversial World Cup and Olympic champion has been outspoken about her concerns over traveling to Brazil due to the Zika virus. Earlier this week, she posted a photograph of herself on Twitter wearing a beekeeper's mask and holding a giant bottle of insect repellent. Her post was widely reported in the Brazilian media.

Former national team player and NBC analyst Kate Markgraf insisted the U.S would use the Solo taunts as motivation.

"The last thing you want to do is to give any reason for the U.S to come together," Markgraf said. "You give them something to focus on instead of getting worried about how they will perform, that can only be a positive for them."

Entering the tournament as hot favorites after winning the Women's World Cup last year, the Americans were rarely troubled in their Group G opener and cruised to victory thanks to goals from captain Carli Lloyd and star forward Alex Morgan.

Lloyd, the reining World Player of the Year, put Jill Ellis' side ahead after only nine minutes, sending a looping header into the net following a tidy cross from Tobin Heath.

New Zealand tried gamely to resist but was broken down again just a minute into the second half. Morgan Brian sent a clinical pass into the box and hit the fast-advancing Morgan, who made no mistake with a low left-foot drive that beat goalkeeper Erin Nayler.

Just like in the World Cup, the U.S. backline proved impossible to break, leading to a comfortable second half once the two-goal advantage was established.

The team will next face their toughest group opponent, world No. 3 France, on Saturday, where victory would be enough to clinch a quarterfinal spot.

It's weird that it starts before the opening ceremonies. Maybe too many matches (and the early ones are not as important)?

[BridgeTroll]

Stands were pretty empty... they dogged Hope Solo all night...  Ziiiiiiiiiiiikkkkaaaaaaaaaaaaah 

[fsquid]

Did you know the games have already begun and the US womens soccer team is on its way to repeat as gold medal winners...  I watched them dominate the Kiwi's last night...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/03/usa-blanks-new-zealand-womens-soccer-olympics-group-play-opener/88047344/

United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was targeted for abuse by Brazilian fans on Wednesday night as the women's national team began its quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal by defeating New Zealand 2-0 in Belo Horizonte.

Starting in the second half, Solo was booed by local supporters at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte — with fans loudly chanting "Zika" every time she cleared the ball from her penalty area.

The controversial World Cup and Olympic champion has been outspoken about her concerns over traveling to Brazil due to the Zika virus. Earlier this week, she posted a photograph of herself on Twitter wearing a beekeeper's mask and holding a giant bottle of insect repellent. Her post was widely reported in the Brazilian media.

Former national team player and NBC analyst Kate Markgraf insisted the U.S would use the Solo taunts as motivation.

"The last thing you want to do is to give any reason for the U.S to come together," Markgraf said. "You give them something to focus on instead of getting worried about how they will perform, that can only be a positive for them."

Entering the tournament as hot favorites after winning the Women's World Cup last year, the Americans were rarely troubled in their Group G opener and cruised to victory thanks to goals from captain Carli Lloyd and star forward Alex Morgan.

Lloyd, the reining World Player of the Year, put Jill Ellis' side ahead after only nine minutes, sending a looping header into the net following a tidy cross from Tobin Heath.

New Zealand tried gamely to resist but was broken down again just a minute into the second half. Morgan Brian sent a clinical pass into the box and hit the fast-advancing Morgan, who made no mistake with a low left-foot drive that beat goalkeeper Erin Nayler.

Just like in the World Cup, the U.S. backline proved impossible to break, leading to a comfortable second half once the two-goal advantage was established.

The team will next face their toughest group opponent, world No. 3 France, on Saturday, where victory would be enough to clinch a quarterfinal spot.

It's weird that it starts before the opening ceremonies. Maybe too many matches (and the early ones are not as important)?

yea, the winners will play 6 and too tough to put that into 15 days.

[BridgeTroll]

Womens soccer got a tough win against the French team.  We have our first Gold... In Air Rifle...

https://www.youtube.com/v/6Qaz9uL6I5E

[BridgeTroll]

If you get a chance to watch Katie Ledecky swim... do it.  Absolute domination.   

More domination by Womens gymnastics team... Wow!


Day 2 U.S. medals

Gold
Katie Ledecky, Women's 400m freestyle (swimming) *World Record
Men's 4x100m freestyle relay (swimming)

Silver
Alexander Massialas, Men's individual foil (fencing)

Bronze
Corey Cogdell, Women's Trap
Dana Vollmer, Women's 100m butterfly (swimming)
Cody Miller, Men's 100m breaststroke (swimming)
Leah Smith, Women's 400m freestyle (swimming)

Highlights

Phelps does it again: Michael Phelps swam an impressive second leg to give the U.S. a lead they would never relinquish in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Nathan Adrian closed it out for the gold.

Ledecky lives up to the hype: The 19-year-old phenom absolutely destroyed her own world record in the 400m freestyle to take the gold. She won by nearly five seconds.

Women's gymnastics dominates: Looking nearly unstoppable, the U.S. women's gymnastics team nearly swept the qualifying events. Simone Biles and Aly Raisman qualified for the individual all-around competition.

Vollmer takes bronze: Dana Vollmer was no match for Sweden's Sarah Sjostrom, who set the world record, but she took third place in the 100m butterfly.

[Adam White]

Don't forget Adam Peaty (UK) - he destroyed the competition in the 100 metre breaststroke. He set a world record in his qualifying heat and then beat that in the final.

[JaxAvondale]

Don't forget Adam Peaty (UK) - he destroyed the competition in the 100 metre breaststroke. He set a world record in his qualifying heat and then beat that in the final.

That guy is a beast! He destroyed his competition.

[Adam White]

Don't forget Adam Peaty (UK) - he destroyed the competition in the 100 metre breaststroke. He set a world record in his qualifying heat and then beat that in the final.

That guy is a beast! He destroyed his competition.

I've barely watched the Olympics, sadly. Saw a bit of bicycle racing and rowing on Saturday. But I managed to just catch his qualifying race. Crazy. I want to see the final - it's all over the news here as it's the UK's first gold.

I'm looking forward to the track events.

[JaxAvondale]

Jacksonville's Ryan Murphy wins Gold in the 100m backstroke.

[JaxAvondale]

Don't forget Adam Peaty (UK) - he destroyed the competition in the 100 metre breaststroke. He set a world record in his qualifying heat and then beat that in the final.

That guy is a beast! He destroyed his competition.

I've barely watched the Olympics, sadly. Saw a bit of bicycle racing and rowing on Saturday. But I managed to just catch his qualifying race. Crazy. I want to see the final - it's all over the news here as it's the UK's first gold.

I'm looking forward to the track events.

The track events were great in London. I'm missing the BBC Olympic coverage this cycle. I thought they did a great job 4 years ago.

[Adam White]

Don't forget Adam Peaty (UK) - he destroyed the competition in the 100 metre breaststroke. He set a world record in his qualifying heat and then beat that in the final.

That guy is a beast! He destroyed his competition.

I've barely watched the Olympics, sadly. Saw a bit of bicycle racing and rowing on Saturday. But I managed to just catch his qualifying race. Crazy. I want to see the final - it's all over the news here as it's the UK's first gold.

I'm looking forward to the track events.

The track events were great in London. I'm missing the BBC Olympic coverage this cycle. I thought they did a great job 4 years ago.

I never realised that I (apparently) really like steeplechase.

I had cable last time and there were a whole bunch of Olympics-only extra channels - I could watch whatever I wanted. Not this year.

[BridgeTroll]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/sports/olympics/schedule-results-rio.html?_r=0

Rio Olympics: Here's What Happened Monday
By THE NEW YORK TIMESUPDATED 12:52 AM ET

American Swimmers Continue to Rack Up Golds

Men's 100 Backstroke: The United States has claimed every gold medal in the men's 100-meter backstroke since Canada's Mark Tewksbury touched the wall six-hundredths of a second before the American Jeff Rouse in 1992.

Ryan Murphy, a first-time Olympian, kept the streak intact Monday and set an Olympic record in the process. He was timed in 51.97, missing the world record, set by Aaron Peirsol in 2009, by three-hundredths of a second. Xu Jiayu of China won the silver, barely, over Murphy's teammate, David Plummer. Xu was timed in 52.31 to Plummer's 52.40.

Women's 100 Breaststroke: In the days leading up to this race, the American Lilly King criticized her Russian opponent, reigning world champion Yulia Efimova, for her "drug cheating," a reference to Efimova's 16-month doping suspension which ended in early 2015.

On Monday in Rio, King backed up her words, breaking an Olympic record in the process. King's time of 1:04.93 broke the Olympic record of 1:05.17, set by Australia's Leisel Jones in 2008. Efimova took the silver at 1:05.50.

Japan returned to the top of the men's gymnastics world, beating Russia and China in the team event.

The event was a renewal of the longtime gymnastics rivalry between Japan and China. China had won the last two gold medals, in 2008 and 2012. But Japan had Kohei Uchimura, the world's best gymnast — and perhaps the best of all time — anchoring their team.

In the final rotation, Japan took on Russia head-to-head in the floor exercise, holding a slim lead of 0.208 points. Japan went first. After an outstanding score from Kenzo Shirai and a good one from Ryohei Kato, Uchimura locked down the win with a 15.6. Combined, it was the best team floor exercise score of the night. Russia finished second, and China took the bronze.

Swimming: Conor Dwyer won the bronze medal in the men's 200-meter freestyle, missing a silver by 0.03 seconds when Chad le Clos of South Africa edged him at the wall with a 1:45.20. Sun Yang of China won the gold in 1:44.65.

Fencing: Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first United States Olympian in any sport to compete at a Games while wearing a hijab. Muhammad won her first match before losing in the round of 16.

Tennis: Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, lost to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-4.

Field Hockey: Having already defeated Argentina, the No. 2-ranked team in the world, the United States women's field hockey team did it again on Monday, beating Australia, which is ranked No. 3. Both victories came by a 2-1 score.

Swimming: The first-time Olympian Lilly King heads into the 100-meter breaststroke as one of only two American women — Katie Ledecky is the other — to enter the Games with the world's top time in an event this year.

Rugby: Women will receive Olympic medals in rugby for the first time ever when the rugby sevens bronze and gold medal matches are decided.

USA has 5 Gold out of a leading 19 medals to date with China next up with 5 Gold and 13 total.  Lilly King was pretty awesome last night...

Jacksonville's Ryan Murphy wins gold and sets an Olympic record and nearly had a world record... 

[BridgeTroll]

Busy and exciting night tonight... The women's gymnastics team is absolutely outstanding...  Phelps and Ledecky in the pool for Gold.  We should beat Columbia in Soccer but they are fun to watch... 



Women's team final (live at 3 p.m. ET on NBCOlympics.com, coverage on NBC, 8 p.m. ET): It has been a foregone conclusion for a while now that this was the U.S. women's gold medal to lose. After the team's showing during Day 1 of the event, that feeling still holds true. Led by three-time defending world all-around champion Simone Biles, who is competing in her first Games, the squad's main competition will come from second-place China. Here is the American lineup:

Vault: Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles

Uneven bars: Biles, Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian

Balance beam: Raisman, Hernandez, Biles

Floor exercise: Hernandez, Raisman, Biles

Swimming

Finals (9 p.m. ET on NBC): Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky will look to add to their Rio medal haul Tuesday night as four main finals are on the docket. First up, Ledecky goes for her second gold of the Games in the 200-meter freestyle, two days after breaking her own world record in the 400 free. Phelps, meanwhile, could pick up two more medals -- he swims against South African rival Chad le Clos in the 200 butterfly final and could take part in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay. Finally, Maya DiRado and Melanie Margalis square off in the women's 200 M final.

Soccer

U.S. Women versus Colombia, 6 p.m. ET: The USWNT need a win or draw against Colombia to win Group G after already booking a ticket to the quarterfinals. The U.S. Is 5-0-0 all time against Colombia, which has already been eliminated from advancing past group play. Marta and Brazil face South Africa at 10 p.m. ET and have been winning over the home crowd as Neymar and the men's team have disappointed so far.

http://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/page/w2w4-080916/2016-rio-olympics-tuesday-watch-list-includes-women-gymnastics-swimming-soccer

[Adam White]

One thing I think is silly is that Americans are the only people in the world who go by total medals instead of gold medals when determining the medal count. The USA is in first right now (and likely to end up first overall), as they are tied with China on golds and have more silvers. But if China earns a sixth gold, American media will still say the US is in first.