Games of the XI Olympiad—roleplaying thread

by **Commerce Heights** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 8:44 pm

This is the roleplaying thread for the Games of the XI Olympiad, to be held in Aeropag, Paripana. OOC discussion should take place in the Olympic Games discussion thread.

SCHEDULE
Qualifying events in athletics, basketball, football, handball, hockey, rugby, volleyball, water polo, American football, and baseball-softball will take place from Wednesday, 2016-07-27 to Wednesday, 2016-08-03. The format, hosts, and schedules of all qualifying events will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.

The Olympic Games will open on Saturday, 2016-08-06 and close on Monday, 2016-08-22. In certain sports, preliminary rounds will take place prior to the opening ceremony. A full schedule of events will be made available by Monday, 2016-08-01.

PARTICIPATING OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Eighty-five Olympic committees and independent Olympic athletes are participating in these Games:

Abaja (ABJ) (roster)
Amazonesta (AMZ) (roster)
Amnarei-asud (AMN)
The Archregimancy (ARC)
Arioslavia (ARO)
Astyrian Unified Team (AST) (roster)
Avissian Union (AVU) (roster)
Banguela (BNG)
Banija (BNJ) (roster)
Benjamin Mark (BNM)
Blackhelm Confederacy (BKC) (roster)
Britonisea (BRI) (roster)
Bulgar Rouge (BUL)
Cosumar (COS)
Drawkland (DRK)
Dunnës (DUN) (roster)
East Saintland (SNT)
Eastfield Lodge (EFL)
Edhros (EDH)
Electrum (ETM)
Electrum Diplomatic Offices (EDO)
Electrum Unified Team (EUT)
Eonstar (EON) (roster)
Estogium (RWH)
Ethane (ETN)
Ferkas (CKF)
Fluvique (FLU) (roster)
Free Swiss States (FSS)
Glisandia (GLS) (roster)
The Greater Vakolicci Haven (VKL)
Gregoryisgodistan (GGS)
Hannasea (HAN) (roster)
Independent Olympic Athletes (IOA) (roster)
Judea (JUD)
Kaboomlandia (KBM)
Kannap (KAN)
Kelssek (KSK) (roster)
Kernansquillec (KRN) (roster)
Khade (KHD) (roster)
Kriegiersien (KGS)
Krytenia (KRY)
Kur’zhet (KRZ) (roster)
The Licentian Isles (TLI) (roster)
Liventia (LEN) (roster)
Llanrhyddid (LLA) (roster)
Mapletish (MAP) (roster)
Mattijana (MTJ) (roster)
Ndaku (NDA) (roster)
Neu Engollon (NEG) (roster)
North Eurasian Unified Sporting Team (NES) (roster)
Orion Islands (ROI)
Paputu (PAP) (roster)
Paripana Sporting Council (PSC)
Pederal na Republika ng Pilipinas (RPH)
Qasden (QAD)
Republic of Kaboomlandia (RKB)
Romberg (KKR) (roster)
Royal Kingdom of Québec (QUE) (roster)
San José Guayabal (SJG)
San Llera (SAN) (roster)
Sargossa (SRG)
The Sarian (TSA)
Serbian Empire (SRB)
Serretes (SER) (roster)
Smertolina (SME) (roster)
Soviet Socialist Electrotehnics (SSE)
Swibia (SWI) (roster)
Taeshan (TAE)
Terre des Gaules (GUL) (roster)
Thatius (THA) (roster)
Tobiasia (TOB)
Togonistan (TGN)
Trellin (TRL) (roster)
Uzekia (UZK)
Valanora (VAL) (roster)
Vangaziland (VNG) (roster)
Vekaiyu (VEK) (roster)
Vettrera (VTR)
Vilitan Union (VLT) (roster)
ViZion (VIZ) (roster)
West Angola (WAN)
West Phoenicia (KWP) (roster)
Wray (WRY) (roster)
Yellow Star Republic (YSR) (roster)
Zillmerilic (ZMC)
Zitru (ZTR) (roster)

OTHER THREADS
Roster thread
Results thread
Qualifying results thread
Signup thread (closed)
Olympic Games discussion thread

by **Mattijana** » Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:54 am

Olympics Countdown-10 Places Where We Might Do Reasonably Well

Archery

Mattijana has a skillful and growing archery team and this is reflected in the delegation for the Olympic events. Matej Pingov and Katija Adrianova are the main medal hopes, but are backed up by some up and coming archers looking to earn some experience and maybe an outside chance of some glory.
Archery has become an increasingly popular sport in Mattijana and a medal or two would help continue this growth.

Athletics-Long Jump

The Long Jump has been the best represented field event in Mattijana for some time, yet it was hammer thrower Brawno Longarmija who took the nation's first field medal, a silver. A strong long-jump team will be looking to get the jumpers back on top this time round however. Mattias Bergkaler is very highly rated, as is Claudia Masič in the women's competition. Masič also has capable backup in the form of Eli Dalisič, another world-class competitor.

Long Distance Athletics

Long distance running in Mattijana was boosted by the surprise victory of Benja Michelson in the men's marathon last Olympiad. He returns in the men's marathon with Katija Granška, another potential medal winner, contesting the women's marathon.
Back on the track, Nikita Mennićela is looking good ahead of the women's 5000 and 10,000 metres. A relatively new face in the athletics team, she took the rest of the national field by surprise, winning her first ever domestic race. Since then she has developed into a tactical runner, but still has the legs to finish the job.

Road Cycling:

Road Cycling is a popular sport and pasttime in Mattijana and the country is also well represented in the Olympics. Indeed, it was in the road race last time out in Electrum that Mattijana won it's first ever Olympic medal as Petre Lara joined a daring late break to edge out his opposition and snatch the bronze.
Lara remains in the 5-man team for this event with strong support from Petrovijanka Cycling domestique Mattias Birjkemann. Whilst Birjkemann is an expert at helping other cyclists win, he packs a punch himself, particularly around hilly sections, and will be a clear plan B is something should happen to Lara.

Birjkemann is also the main Mattijanan hope in the time trial having won the Mattijanan national time trial by a comfortable margin. He has good stamina and a refined aerodynamic position that enables him to shave off vital seconds.

Hockey

Hockey is arguably the number one sport in Mattijana with a massive following across the country and Mattijana will once again send two strong sides to the games. As has been the case for the last year or so, it is the women who look the stronger side coming into the games and it was they who were the closest to taking a medal last time out, coming an agonising 4th. Both sides however are capable of doing well.

Rugby Sevens

Mattijanan teams will be looking for victory in this new Olympic sport. Popular in Mattijana due to the mixture of skill, speed and fitness required for success rather than the emphasis on strength and force found in the 15 a side game, two solid teams were assembled in a fairly short space of time. The women are the most impressive and will be thrilled if they can notch up the first ever Rugby Sevens Olympic Gold medal.

Shooting

Another surprise from the Electrum games was the win for Niko Molotnikov, the first ever Mattijanan Gold. His exploits inspired many to take up a sport which emphasises skill, practice and mental strength over overall fitness and the team for this edition of the games is bolstered in strength. Molotnikov returns in two events, joined by the highly-rated Florian Djudšak. Katija Malenkova, Louisa Aspelkova and Ameli Morizia are the medal hopes in the women's events.

Table-Tennis

Strange as it seems, Table-Tennis has become a very popular sport in Mattijana. This is mainly due to the exploits of Ulina Samarova whose swashbuckling play took her to the quarter finals of the Electrum Olympics, a totally unexpected situation. Samarova returns to the women's competition with strong hope Uvan Borlanzić the national favourite in the men's competition.

Tennis

Tennis is another contender for Mattijana's most popular sport. International athletes have also made an appearance recently having participated at the Electrum open and now the San Sebastian Open in San Jose Guayabal. Alex Dimitrov is the main singles medal hope with Julian Slazić also fancied after providing his nation's best showing in Electrum.
The women's singles competition could also get interesting with Lara Basič the best prospect for Mattijana. Slazić and Basič also contest the mixed doubles and should be well prepared as they normally play together in the slams.

Triathlon

A very popular sport in Mattijana as it places emphasis on consistency with many different strengths, the country has managed to gather a strong team for the Olympics having participated in the World Championship event in Dunnës, where they were second in the medals table behind only the host nation. Matej Triglav and Dominik Illicić are the strong male competitors, Triglav taking silver in Dunnës, whilst Katarina Radovlič is looking incredibly strong before the women's competition having taken gold in the warm-up event.

by **Dunnes** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:44 am

Meet the Team
A Diverse Set of Athletes Lead Dunnes in Aeropag

Anna Pruter, 26, Track and Field
As a second placer in the University Championships 1500m, Anna Pruter expected to get signed by a sponsor after her senior year. The call never came. “It was tough those first couple of years. It’s hard to be a professional athlete with no sponsors and no coach.” After racing indoors on her own, she sought out Coach Craig Virignio at the Beaches College in North Mirola. Virignio, a coach of 20 team champions in the University 2nd Division, agreed to coach her, with one condition. She try the steeplechase. She did that outdoor season and was crowned the national champion. Then she finally got her sponsor. A year later at this year’s Olympic Trials she won again. However she also made the team in her original event, the 1500m. “Coach Craig was laughing afterward.” said Pruter. “He said if I could've just made the team in the 1500, then why bother with the steeplechase.” Pruter will compete in both the Women’s 1500m and 3000m Steeplechase on the track in Aeropag.

Evan LaGue, 23, Swimming
A life long lifeguard, LaGue is more proud of the lives he’s saved on the Valencia Beaches he watches over, than the medals he's won all over Dunnes. “I always joke my fastest times are swimming out to save kids, not in the pool.” LaGue remarked. Originally taken as a summer job, at age 15, the backstroker is now a lieutenant with the Valencia Beach Department. “It makes swimming viable for us cash strapped athletes.” His typical day involves getting up at 5:15 to head to the pool before work, which starts at 9:30. His beach hours are usually done by 6:00 which gives him time for a second pool session before heading to sleep. He will race the 100, and 200 backstroke, as well as the 400 Medley Relay in Aeropag.

Tim Chan, 29, Boxing
Tim Chan isn't what you'd imagine a boxer to look like. He's a scrawny fellow, standing at 5’9. A former drug dealer on the streets of Mirola, an accidental meeting during a brief stint in prison gave Chan a life passion. “I was supposed to be going to the mail room.” Chan explained. “Instead I wandered into a boxing meeting. After that I got hooked and started fighting in the prison gym. When I got out the parole officer recommended I take it up as something to do, and I traded the jail cell for a room at the Olympic Training Center.” Not considered a medal favorite, Chan wants to enjoy the games the best he can. “I want to enjoy this. I want to show others that if your down and out, you can still get back and fight.” Chan will be competing in the Men’s Light Flyweight division.

Emmy-Kate Dustin, 21, Triathlon
The newly crowned Under-23 World Champion, Dustin comes to this Olympics as the up and comer dark horse in her sport. “Winning in Mirola, by such a margin just gives me so much hope that I can stand on the podium in Aeropag.” She said a week after Worlds took place in Mirola. “I’m a rookie olympian so I just feel like I have nothing to lose.” A year ago however, she wouldn't have been so hopeful. “I had two stress fractures last year” Dustin explaied. “So instead of running and biking, I just swam, and swam, and swam. Ironically that has probably given me the advantage this season.” Dustin will compete in the Women’s Triathlon, along with World Bronze medalist Jocelyn Vides, and Jossi Bonnet.

Kira Moiru, 19, Swimming
If you would've asked Kira Moiru what event she’d be competing in this Olympics during the last Olympiad, she surely would've said Water Polo. She would’ve been wrong.
After repeated concussions left her unable to play water polo, her coach suggested she enter a swim meet for fun. Always fast in the pool for water polo she thought she would be pretty good as she warmed up for her first meet. Then the races started. “I had three races that day. When I won the first one, I thought, ok this must be a bad field, but when I set the meet record in the second event I was truly shocked.” One thing led to the next, and within a couple of years she had hit the olympic qualifying standard while on scholarship at Wilson Hall University. “It’s proof that there really is destiny.” Moiru said. When asked about her chances in Aeropag, “I want to make semi’s and finals, so I can have the experience for the next games.” She will compete in the 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 4x200m Freestyle Relay, and will anchor the 4x100m Medley Relay.

Tad and Ken Kasai, 28, Tennis
The Kasai’s are famous for their on court communication, and it’s easy to see why: They’re twins. Dunnes’ most famous tennis stars, the duo look to use communication to beat down opponents in Aeropag. “We were connected for nine months in the womb so its easy to explain how we communicate on the court.” Kim joked. “We don't have any goals we just want to see where the competition takes us.” said Tad. “We would be a big upset, but thats what the olympics are about, dreaming.” The Kasai twins will compete in the Men’s Doubles Tennis Tournament.

by **Ferkas** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 12:18 pm

Ferkian Team Departs for Aeropag

Qualifying Rounds Await Many Participants

The Ferkian Olympic delegation is underway to Aeropag for the XI Olympiad as the nation looks forward to its hopefully triumphant return to the Olympic stage. However, unlike years past, competitors in several events will have to go through preliminary qualifying competitions before competing in the "Olympics proper". Although mostly affecting team sports, the qualifying rounds also include all athletics events being contested on the track. To help prepare fans for these preliminary rounds we have broken down each of the Ferkian entrants involved.

Water Polo - Mens and Womens

In water polo it will be the top-24 teams advancing, and our teams seem reasonably well situated to advance. Although neither team is expected to stand out on the international stage they are considered by many analysts to be "above average, if unremarkable". The question is, is above average enough to advance? Insiders with the Ferkian Water Polo Authority indicate that they would not be too suprirsed by a narrow advancement, although in their more honest moments they do admit that they wouldn't expect either squad to last that long if they did make it past the qualifying rounds. Solid as these teams may be they are not considered medal threats.

Basketball - Mens and Womens

Again, 24 teams will advance to the next round. Led by Richmond Dugan, the men's team may be able to advance into the next round, their attacking style of play just strong enough to offset for some less than impressive tendencies on the defensive side. Meanwhile the women, playing without star player Meghan Wainwright, are considered a long shot at best to advance. Wainwright, who withdrew herself from Olympic consideration after suffering a knee injury in May, had been expected to led the team in all offensive categories. Experts saw her as the best chance for the team, without her they are unlikely to make much noise.

Football - Mens and Womens

Again, both teams are about equal, but not in a good way. However popular football may be in Ferkas, the level of play domestically just does not rise to the level of top level international squads. While there has been some discussion within the Ministry of Sport and the Ferkian Football Association about increasing the teams international participation nothing has come of it yet and the teams appear largely ill-prepared for the level of play they will likely experience. Nevertheless it is expected that viewership and fan support will be high. Maybe enthusiasm will help carry these teams beyond their predicted struggling.

Handball - Mens and Womens

Almost unknown except by those who play it, handball was never expected to be a medal winning event for Ferkas. Now that there is an extra set of competition before the games properly begin that appears even more certain. While both the men and women will compete their hardest almost no one is predicting them to advance.

Hockey - Mens and Womens

Ice hockey is the second most popular winter sport in Ferkas, but its summer sister hasn't caught on quite as well. While the men's team may squeak by into the next round it doesn't seem likely that the women will. The men are led by veteran Head Coach Steve St. Pellier, who has announced that after 40 years of coaching this will be his last tournament. Coach St. Pellier is perhaps best known for guiding the Southby Sonnets to five consecutive national titles between 1996-2000. In total his teams have won 19 national titles, a truly impressive feat. Fans of the sport will no doubt be tuned in to see if he can pull off yet another surprise in his final outing.

Rugby Sevens - Mens and Womens

Perhaps to the surprise of many Ferkian sports fans, Ferkas has national rugby teams and those teams will be in Aeropag. But, likely not for too long. The last minute decision of the Ministry of Sport to include the teams, the result of extensive pressure from the Rugby Union of Ferkas (RUF), has confused and aggravated many in Ferkas. Neither team is seen as being ready for an international debut, and the womens squad consists solely of university club team players, since no professional womens league exists. The RUF has indicated that it is hoping to expand its league in the coming years, many experts see this Olympic push as an attempt to drum up interest and press. While more people are talking about rugby in Ferkas it doesn't seem to be too positive.

Volleyball (Beach and Indoor) - Mens and Womens

Men, women, beach, indoor - take your pick, it doesn't matter. Sub-par all around and unlikely to make much noise, the inclusion of volleyball in the Ferkian roster is again the product of pressure from the Engleton and Vertal Islands districts. Both district sports federations pressured heavily for the sports inclusions. Their claim is that the sports have great symbolic value to the inhabitants of both districts, which are smaller and fairly removed from traditional Ferkian sporting spheres. Skeptics claim that the districts just want to make sure they have some of their own as Olympians, given their historic under-performance in other events.

Gridiron Football - Men

Sneaky good. An oddly strong team entry for a sport which is really starting to catch on in Ferkas. Led by quarterback Mitch Hodgekiss, star receivers Larius Greene and Timothy Martins, and the sensational Horace Greely anchoring the defensive line this is a team that may upset some unsuspecting foes. Although an odd time of the year for many to be playing, this team has shown signs of being well-prepared. Analysts who watched the open practices raved about a dynamic passing attack and stout play in the trenches. Some concerns do remain about a middling run game and a shaky secondary, but if the team can sort out those issues they should be well situated to move through the qualifying rounds.

Athletics - Mens and Womens

Saving the best, and longest, for last. With the sheer depth of athletics in Ferkas, on the track in particular, we should do fairly well here. The biggest challenge may be perspective though. In a nation which treats any failure on the track as a personal affront to its collective dignity the pressure and expectations will be high on every athlete competing, even in these preliminary rounds. Below we breakdown the event groups and try to highlight some of the key points for fans to keep an eye on.

Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m) - Men

44 athletes per event will make the cut, and you can expect it to be tight. The mens sprint squads are strong throughout, with athletes like Orlando Fletcher (100m, 200m), D'Ashawn Briggs (200m), and Fredie Mendoza (400m) being just some of the leading contenders. With Ferkian entrants across the board appearing to be in top form it is hard to predict how they will sort out in tight international races.

Middle Distance (800m, 1500m, 3000m SC) - Men

The qualifying window gets tighter here - 44 spots in the 800m, 33 in the 1500m, and 27 in the 3000m SC - so expect the competition to rise accordingly. Arturo Sanders, fresh off his national title in the 800m, should be a strong contender, but don't sleep on Dave Strickland. Strickland also competed in the 1500m at this years FNAA championships and had an extra set of racing en-route to his runner up finish in the 800m. The 1500m squad is much the same - James Paul Peterson and Todd Woodson lead it, while fan favorite Ken Figueroa is sure to get plenty of attention. The unsponsored runner, who trains on his own, made the Olympic team this year after barely making the final. He also competed in the 5000m at the FNAA championships, showing the strength which should help him with these extra rounds.

Finally, the 3000m SC is another spot where our men should excel. Ever since Kyle Reper won the first Ferkian athletics gold at the V Olympiad this event has been the 'signature' Ferkian Olympic event. Although Reper won't be competing in the event this time the team of Scott Jones, Harold Schneider, and Cody Maxwell is frighteningly impressive. Jones had to break the 8 minute mark to win at the FNAA meet, and despite running 8:07.52 Maxwell was within two seconds of missing the team. Hopefully Ferkian depth can translate again to Olympic success.

Distance (5000m, 10000m) - Men

Distance running, the heart of Ferkian sport culture. Carl James ran 12:59.93 at the trials...and is an alternate. Impressive top performances matched with incredible depth have long been the hallmark of Ferkian distance running, and the expectations are no different for Aeropag. Garth Murray, who began his 2016 season with his national record setting performance in the indoor 3000m event (7:25.38), is set to lead the men in the 5000m, although Adrian Erickson and Quinton Cassidy are both eager to assert themselves and will no doubt excel just as well.

Cassidy returns in the 10000m, having pulled off the qualification double at the FNAA championships with his great national championship winning run. While Curtis Richards ran a cracking 27:02.27 to finish second and miss first by less than a second, all the attention seems to be focused on Kyle Reper, who will compete yet again for Ferkas. He returned strong earlier this year, moving up in distance to make the Olympic marathon team, but he wasn't satisfied with one spot. The three time Olympic medalist (3000mSC Gold, V Olympics; 5000m Gold, VII Olympics; 10000m Silver, VIII Olympics) will return to the event where he last saw success, adding a veteran presence to this fantastic set of competitors.

Hurdles and Relays (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 4x100m, 4x400m) - Men

Pending a disaster in the exchanges or a dropped baton, expect both relay teams to put up strong showings and qualify for the next round. While never completely without controversy, the relay selections this year have been met with enthusiasm from most in the Ferkian sprinting world. In the high hurdles make sure you keep an eye on Emilio Clayton. Since changing coaches and moving to the Westbrooke Heights Club he has been on a roll and shows no signs of slowing down soon. Meanwhile it's Troy Murphy in the 400m hurdles, he successfully defended his national title at the FNAA championships and hasn't turned in a poor performance since placing fifth in an early season showing out at the North District Spring Showing meet.

Sprints (100m, 200m, 400m) - Women

The same as with the men, the womens sprinters are top quality and most reasonable expectations are that they will advance. However, given the competitive and make-or-break nature of the Olympics, it is impossible to guarantee anything. None of the entrants are doubling, which should allow for complete focus on making it into the next round, without having as many concerns for balancing energy across multiple events and rounds. One athlete to watch is Rochelle McCarthy-Pierce, who finished third in the FNAA championship 400m just a month and a half after resuming training having been sidelined by a stress reaction in her foot. She regained form quickly leading up to the FNAA championships, the question now is if she can continue making such dynamic process as she moves on to the Olympics.

Middle Distance (800m, 1500m, 3000m SC) - Women

Strength across the board, each event is loaded with the leading names in Ferkian athletics and expectations are high. Aiko Cohn, who won the 1500m at the FNAA championships set a personal record in the 5000m (14:57.83) as well and is showing excellent form and strength. Rebecca Cross, also competing in the 1500m, took a step in the opposite direction and made the FNAA final in the 800m as well, highlighting the speed and finishing kick that has led to her such success so far. But don't think that it's all about the 1500m, as both the 800m and 3000m SC are stacked as well. Several of our analysts have pegged this event category as the most competitive on the Ferkian team, male or female.

Distance (5000m, 10000m) - Women

Again, the distance entrants show off Ferkian strength and pride in the event, with spectacular performances across the board at the FNAA championship and impressive resumes for all the Ferkian entrants. The biggest story is probably the absence of Ada Poole, who finished third in the 10000m at the FNAA championship. She was forced to remove her name from consideration after she fell on a training run, breaking her wrist and severely spraining her ankle. She is replaced by fourth place finisher Doreen Brock-Peaks, the 2014 collegiate champion who hasn't had as much success as of late until her strong showing at the FNAA championships. She will be an interesting one to watch as she is currently being training independently while coaching a high school team in South Exbridge.

Hurdles and Relays (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 4x100m, 4x400m) - Women

Not quite as strong as the other events, the womens hurdles and relays still offer excellent chances for advancement and strong opportunities for medals. In the hurdles keep an eye on Alicia Adams (100m hurdles) and Mindy Lambert-White (400m hurdles) who are both the class of their event this year, dominating the domestic circuits. The womens relays have had some problems in recent seasons with exchanges, which would prove a challenge in Aeropag. The FNAA hopes to have addressed this problem by lengthening the pre-departure team training camps, where extensive focus was placed on improving the exchanges and getting the relays to work together as a unit.

by **Swibia** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:57 pm

Swibian Olympic Bulletin
As brought to you by the Swibian Olympic Committee

Welcome to the first Swibian Olympics Bulletin for the 11th Summer Olympics.

It's a brief one for you today, as the tournament is just about to begin. The Swibian Olympic Committee (SWI) has, with some administrative difficulties, successfully entered into the Games of the XI Olympiad, or the 11th Summer Olympics. First things first, all Swibian competitors in the following sports will have to go through the qualifying stages: athletics (track events only), basketball, football, handball, hockey, rugby, beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, water polo, American football, and baseball.

For athletics, Swibian competitors have been sorted into the Neverend Grand Prix, alongside all participants from the Rushmore region, as well as a number of others randomly allocated to the group. The Neverend Grand Prix, as the name suggests, will be taking place in Neverend, Liventia. As a side note, if Swibia fails to qualify any athletes for an individual event (aside from relays), then our best performer in that event will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games.

In both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball, the Swibian teams have been sorted into Pot 1, but it is not yet clear which qualifying event they will be taking part in. Stay tuned for that. Again, in both the Men’s and Women’s Football, Swibian teams have been allocated into Pot 4, and further details will be made clear when they are announced. In the Men’s and Women’s Handball, the Swibian teams are both placed into their respective Pot 2s, and the same in the Hockey. In the Indoor Volleyball, both teams are placed into Pot 1.

On the bright side, the organizing committee has decided that no qualifying event is necessary for the Softball, and so all teams automatically qualify. As it is a demonstration event, the results are not as important, but we will still be rooting for the home team. Go Swibia! The Swibian Olympic Committee is still formalising the official rosters for the team events, which will hopefully be made public tomorrow. Tomorrow is also the date of the beginning of the qualifying stages, so we wish any Swibian athletes competing the best of luck.

by **Free Republics** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:21 pm

To: Derek Wright, Chairman, Paripana Sporting Council
From: Kaleb O'Reilly, Consul, Free Republics
Subject: Important Matters Regarding the Games of the XI Olympiad
Encryption: Highest

Mr. Wright,

I am writing to you regarding the upcoming Games of the XI Olympiad. As you know, I am a rich businessman who is always looking to make a deal that is mutually beneficial. I'm sure you've seen O'Reilly Towers, or at least you did before I closed the Greatest Nation in the Multiverse off to the Lesser Nations, and I'm sure you looked on in awe. If you didn't, you would have if you saw it. Believe me. I am rich, believe me and I am powerful, believe me and I am making the Free Republics Great Again, believe me.

Even though Paripana can never be as great as the Free Republics, I want you to be great as well. Indeed, I wish greatness on every nation in the multiverse which is why I recently authorized the liberation of Saintland for the true, the legitimate King as chosen by the Patriarch of the True Church of Iesus Christus, King Andreas. And we won that war because I'm a winner, believe me.

But what I'm actually writing to you about is the Olympics. You see, because my nation is so Great, we're sending the largest delegation in the history of the Olympics. Believe me. And when I say we're sending the largest delegation ever, I mean it and I expect every member of this delegation to have the right to participate in the Opening Ceremony, believe me. If that doesn't happen, I already have a rather flattering counterfeit version of the Ceremony ready to broadcast on FBC that will make your nation look so great to the people of the greatest nation in the multiverse. Besides, it would be a shame if somebody invaded your nation immediately after the Closing Ceremony, believe me. Therefore, I strongly recommend that you permit my delegation to march into the Olympic Stadium single-file wearing their oh so lovely military style uniforms.

Sincerely,

Consul O'Reilly

The Nightly News with Omid van Elburg was in progress...

Omid van Elburg - From a wonderful and heartfelt poem about the Greatness of Consul O'Reilly from an elementary school student, we now turn to our top story for tonight, the upcoming Games of the XI Olympiad where the Free Republics will soon seek to bring home gold medals in every single event. We now turn to our Olympic experts Ambrosia Pisani and Maria Furst for some analysis of the upcoming Olympic Qualifying tournament.

Maria Furst - Thank you Omid. As the organizers of the Olympics lack the capacity to permit every Olympic athlete to compete in Aeropag, athletes will instead have to compete in a serious of qualifiers, unless they're from Paripana Sporting Council, which awarded itself free qualification in everything.

Ambrosia Pisani - You know Maria, that is so unfair!!! We are the Greatest Nation in the Multiverse and clearly our athletes are the best at everything so we should qualify automatically.

Maria Furst - I know, Ambrosia. This is ridiculous, but unless Consul O'Reilly wants to Make Paripana Great Again there's simply nothing we can do about it.

Ambrosia Pisani - So true! I wish our Wise and Handsome Consul would just Make Everybody Great Again already! Its so stupid that there are nations that aren't Great like us!!!

Maria Furst - Yes, it is, but we can't do anything about it. Besides, we're not going to the Olympics to wage war. We're going to the Olympics to illustrate our Greatness to the lesser nations.

Ambrosia Pisani - Yes and that is why we're going to start our rundown of Qualifying by talking about what the Olympics stupidly call athletics but everybody who isn't a stupid foreigner calls track and field.

Maria Furst - Yes and the only qualifier for track and field that we care about is the one in Ick-ah-loot, Quebec or however you pronounce it.

Ambrosia Pisani - This qualifying competition features all of the nations from Atlantian Oceania, all of the nations from Astyria, big names like Vekaiyu, Kelssek and Archregimancy and, yes, both us and the Sanctii.

Maria Furst - You know, Ambrosia, this is without a doubt the strongest qualifying tournament for track and field. Ick-ah-loot gets more qualifiers than any other region for most of the events.

Ambrosia Pisani - The more's the merrier and I'm sure all of the Republican athletes are going to qualify easily.

Maria Furst - Of course they are! On another note, because Paripana is feeling nice, if a nation qualifies nobody, their best performer in qualifying still qualifies!

Ambrosia Pisani - That is outrageous. So, after the FFR wipes the floor with everybody, we'll still have to deal with some of those clowns in the Olympics. No fair!!!

Maria Furst - Nobody ever said this format was fair.

Ambrosia Pisani - You can say that again!!!

Maria Furst - Now moving on to basketball where both of our teams are competing in Paripana.

Ambrosia Pisani - We have basketball teams? Who cares about that stupid sport?

Maria Furst - Apparently, the Republic of Kolarotium is a basketball hotbed so Consul O'Reilly has, in his infinite wisdom, decided to send their best players to compete.

Ambrosia Pisani - But still, its a stupid sport played by sissies with gigantism who can't handle contact. I've never seen a basketball player who wasn't butt ugly.

Maria Furst - You can say that again, sista. But, it looks like I misread. Apparently, we can be drawn into either event because we're not from AO.

Ambrosia Pisani - How stupid!! Why can't Paripana just tell us whether our basketball team has to go to Quebec or Paripana already?

Maria Furst - Moving on to soccer where we will apparently play home-and-away matches even though there's no way in hell that we're allowing some stupid foreigners into the Greatest Nation in the Multiverse.

Ambrosia Pisani - Fortunately, we won't be playing the Sanctii in men's soccer. Instead, we'll be playing a shitty team from some minnow and then we'll play some mediocre team in the second round.

Maria Furst - You know, I think it may be a good idea to play our "home" leg in Saintland so our opponents can see the glory of our Great War Machine up close and personal.

Ambrosia Pisani - Yeah, maybe its a good idea to stick our "qualifying" match in Saintland even though the country is still a warzone because of those stupid Gregoryisgodistanis who don't want Saintland to be Great Again.

Maria Furst - You know, I hope Consul O'Reilly is watching and that he heard your suggestion. If not, maybe a cBot can take it to him.

Ambrosia Pisani - Yeah. Over in women's soccer, its even better because the Paripanans have had the good sense to give us a bye to the second round. That means we'll only have to play one home-and-away round.

Maria Furst - But we can't play that one in Saintland. That would violate their laws against women participating in sports.

Ambrosia Pisani - That it would so do!!! Maybe we should hold our women's qualifier in Acedonia.

Maria Furst - You know, that's a terrific idea, Ambrosia, so long as the Acedonians agree to let us provide security.

Ambrosia Pisani - That shouldn't be a problem. If it is, Consul O'Reilly might have to think about Connecting them.

Maria Furst - But Connection is great. Just ask the Taxachussans.

Ambrosia Pisani - So all we have to do in women's soccer is beat some shitty team from pillar to post at "home" and at their shitty nation and we're in? Awesome!

Maria Furst - That it is. It looks like there's also going to be qualifiers for handball, field hockey, beach and normal volleyball, water polo, football and baseball.

Ambrosia Pisani - What about softball?

Maria Furst - It says here that, as there are just 19 softball teams entered, the qualifying tournament has been cancelled.

Ambrosia Pisani - Yay!!!

Maria Furst - In other news, the qualifiers for baseball and football are going to be held solely in Aeropag.

Ambrosia Pisani - I hope our football team gives every single one of their opponents a concussion!! Foreigners are the worst!

Maria Furst - You know, they all deserve exactly that except for the Sanctii. And we have run way over our alloted time for tonight, so on behalf of Ambrosia, I apologize to Omid and send it back to him.

Omid van Elburg - Thank you ladies. That was a most enlightening and entertaining segment. Only in the Free Republics can you find women as beautiful as those two, believe me. Now to our colleague Amber O'Donnell in Baseton where we have breaking news about the latest in the Veleik Nicholls Treason Trial...

by **Llanrhyddid** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:08 pm

A Foreigner's Guide to Llanrhyddid
Canllaww Estroyyn d Llhanryddid

Hello from Llanrhyddid! We are very excited to take part in our first sporting competition! In order to explain the nuances of Llanrhyddid, its history, its culture, and its sports, we at the SNL (Sefydliadd Newyddion Llanrhyddid) will be releasing a multi-part series to foreign media organizations describing the Ddeyrnass Cudd, or Hidden Queendom. A city-state hidden in the Mynyddoedd Iwerdd, the Llhanx are a proud, but welcoming people. We hope that you enjoy getting to know our beautiful nation.

A linguistic note. This series will be published in English, a language taught to all Llhanx school children and generally known throughout the multiverse. However, there may be some words in Llanx, the national language of the Llhanx people (a variant of Brythionic). These words will be translated to the best of our abilities. We apologize for any spelling and grammatical errors that result and beg patience as English is not our first language.

So, let us begin!

Overview

The roots of Llanrhyddid can be traced back 3,000 years. This is when the a band of hunter-gatherers, the Llhanx, tribe first crossed the Adderyn Pass, one of two mountain passes that go through the Mynyddoedd Iwerdd into the Cwcudd. The Mynyddoedd Iwerdd, a collection of mountain ranges that encircle a fertile valley, provided cover from invaders, if harsh climates, allowing the Llhanx tribe to grow within its safe confines. Establishing an economy based on subsistence agriculture of hardy grains that could exist at the harsh altitude and thin oxygen of the Cwcudd, the Llhanx tribe grew to a population of around 80,000 by 1000 BL.

Then, disaster struck. A series of harsh winters, known as the Marwoladd Glynn, left the tribe starving, their precious grain reduced to a handful of seeds. The sole water source in the Cwcudd, the Afon Tibedd, froze, leaving the tribe short on sustenance. And, a plague, the Marwoladd Ddu, decimated the tribe, dropping thousands by the month. The population dwindling, tribal queen Carwen sent two parties out of the Cwcudd, one through the Adderyn Pass and the other through the Dwysil Pass, hoping that one of them would find resources for the tribe's survival.

Eight months passed and no word came back from the parties. Assumed dead, the Llhanx braced for another harsh winter. Then, a miracle. The Adderyn Party, led by Aiddan Quinlan, returned. They brought no food, no water, and no relief from the elements. But they brought news of a great prophet, and a book of revelations from high.

The prophet's name was Ddefaid, and a member of the party, Tadhg Traherne, had come upon him in the woods while hunting for a pheasant dinner. As Tadhg approached, the prophet waved his hand and said, "Croys fy madd. Clywydd d gair eich dduw" (roughly translated to: "Welcome my son. Blessed are you to hear the word of our God.") Ddefaid then gave Tadhg a book, saying "Mae hyyn dn orchymydd ein dduw" (roughly translated to: "Follow the command of our God.") He then walked away into the forest, leaving young Tadhg with the book of revelations.

Armed with this knowledge, but unable to read its contents, the party hurried back to the Cwcudd so that it could be deciphered. When the scribes read it, tears of joy came to their eyes. The book told the story of a people, favored by their God, who put the people through trials and tribulations to strengthen them to follow his command. In then end, the people were rewarded with everlasting bliss, a state of Glan. The scribes could only interpret this to mean that they were God's favored people and that their trial would soon be at an end.

The good news was proclaimed, and the tribe waited for the troubles to end. One more harsh winter, and suddenly, the climate started to temper. The Afon Tibedd thawed and the Llhanx were able to plant their few remaining seeds and reap a bountiful harvest. The rebuilding process could begin and the Llhanx set upon it with the faith that they would one day be rewarded.

The story of Ddefaid, while almost mythological (and possibly fictional), played a large role in the cultural formation of Llanrhyddid. To this day, the cult of Ddefaid exerts a large influence of Llhanx society. Although the securalization of Llanrhyddid has taken some power away from the Church, the effects of the story of Ddefaid can be seen all through Llhanx culture. Understanding Llanrhyddid can only be done with the context of understanding Ddefaid.

We will now jump a couple thousands years forward to the beginning of the Modern Era about one hundred years ago. Over these millenia, Llanrhyddid remained shockingly static. Subsistence agriculture continued to serve as the main economic activity of the people. The matriarchy was firmly established, with a hereditary Queen an assembly of female delegates that advised her. Men were pushed into the military and farming, while women ran the country as scribes, bureaucrats, and teachers. The population continued to grow, numbering about 350,000 at the turn of the last century. Business carried on as usual.

That was when Queen Meave came to power. Not content with the status quo, Meave, along with a few ambitious delegates, pushed through major reforms. The military was strengthened, with a mandatory service act being passed. This act remains in force to this day, mandating that all men must serve two years in the military while all women must serve two years in the government, diplomatic corps, or educational corps. The sciences were promoted, with major technological progress developing new industries and new forms of energy. Mandatory education was instituted, with all girls and boys receiving ten years of forced schooling, quickly boosting the national literacy rate from under 50% to the mid 90s.

In return for the support of the delegates, Meave agreed to devolve some political power. The 2914 BL constitution created a legislative body with lawmaking power, the House of Delegates, consisting of 120 delegates elected by party line. Citizens were granted voting rights following completion of the service requirement. The Queen retained executive power as the Head of State and the Head of Government, and the line of succession was established as the first born daughter of the Queen.

The passage of the Constitution marked the beginning of Modern Llanrhyddid. The House of Delegates went through a Progressive Era in the 2940s, passing laws governing consumer protection and public health, a Militaristic Phase in the 2960s in which Forts Adderyn and Dwysil were built, guarding the two mountain passes into the Cwcudd, and a Technological Phase in the 2980s, in which public transportation was expanded and new energy sources were farmed with the construction of the Ddrws Solar Farm that currently provides 85% of the power used in Llanrhyddid. Buoyed by new health measures, the population grew to 840,000, allowing for labor differentiation and the establishment of cottage industries. Today, Llanrhyddid is a modern nation, with an emerging economy and a growing footprint in the world. Led by Queen Eluned, the state has expanded all through the Cwcudd, conquered the highest peaks of the Mynyddoedd Iwerdd, and constructed the modern infrastructure necessary for interstate relations. We are proud to serve as ambassadors of our culture and our nation!

In our next piece, we will explore the Llhanx geography, government, economy, and infrastructure.

Until then, Carydd to all!

Ailis Frighil
Cyfarwyddwr, Sefydliadd Newyddion Llanrhyddid

by **Ndaku** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:33 pm

International Football || Association Football || Tennis || Track and Field || Volleyball || Swimming || Olympics || Handball
Tuesday 26 July 2110

Ndakene Olympians Brace for Qualifiers

AEROPAG - This is it! Ndaku's first major tournament uniformly since the World Cup 2074, before the Great Species War. This Olympiad is more than a regular international tournament to many Ndakenes, Arioslavians, Britonish, and Estogians. This is a tournament showing Ndakene solidarity, but most importantly, human solidarity in remembrance of the billions who passed away during the War.

The athletics qualifiers is expected to be extremely competitive. Ndaku's track and field team will be in Aeropag along with its Ultimaversian comrades Arioslavia, Britonisea, and Estogium. Along with Ultimaversians competing for qualifying in track and field are Esportivans, including Banguela, Ethane, Free Swiss States, The Licentian Isles, Mattijana, San José Guayabal, The Sarian, Vangaziland, Vettrera, Wray. These nations are notable for their appearances and performance in the World Cup cycles. Along with the Ultimaversians and Esportivans in Aeropag will be Abaja, Benjamin Mark, Bulgar Rouge, Eonstar, Ferkas, Kaboomlandia, Republic of Kaboomlandia, Selimab, West Angola, West Phoenicia. Qualifiers commence tomorrow and live coverage will be broadcasted on NdakuSports-Athletics Channel!

The Ndakene Men's National football team will be placed in pot 4 qualifiers against Amnarei-asud, Benjamin Mark, Bulgar Rouge, Ferkas, Kelssek, Serbian Empire, Swibia, Togonistan, Vekaiyu, and West Phoenicia. The Ndakene Women's National football team will too be in pot 4 along with Ultimaversion compatriot Arioslavia. Coverage of football qualifiers will be broadcasted via NdakuSports-Football.

The men's national handball team will be in the same pot with fellow Ultimaversian compatriots along with Ethane, Free Swiss States, Kriegiersien, The Licentian Isles, Mattijana, Pederal na Republika ng Pilipinas, and San José Guayabal. The Women's national handball team is too with Ultimaversian compatriots in pot 1 and will have to face Bulgar Rouge, Ethane, Free Swiss States, The Licentian Isles, Orion Islands, Paputu, San José Guayabal, Serbian Empire, and Vettrera. These seem to be very interesting matchups, but we'll have to see for ourselves via the NdakuSports-Handball Channel!

The Men's Ndakene Rugby team of Ndaku are to play their first games internationally and will face Britonisea, along with the Astyrian Unified Team, Drawkland, East Saintland, Ethane, The Greater Vakolicci Haven, Kriegiersien, The Licentian Isles, Mattijana, the North Eurasian Unified Sporting Team, Orion Islands, Pederal na Republika ng Pilipinas, San José Guayabal, West Phoenicia, and Wray. The Women's Ndakene Rugby team of Ndaku will face Britonisea, along with Ethane, The Greater Vakolicci Haven, Kelssek, Kriegiersien, The Licentian Isles, Mattijana, Neu Engollon, North Eurasian Unified Sporting Team, Orion Islands, Paputu, San José Guayabal, Serbian Empire, Tobiasia, and Wray. Coverage of all matches will be broadcasted through NdakuSports-Rugby.

Antoine Rapnouil and Raimon Amann will fly the Ndakene Revolutionary Flag in pot 1 of the Men's Beach Volleyball qualifiers while Guiraud Remesey and Fabrice Besanceney do so in pot 3. For women's beach volleyball Ndakene compatriot teams Naomie Coralie/Stephania Patrick and Alisia De Santigo/Sissie Abujamal will battle for qualification in pot 1.

The Ndakene men's national volleyball team are in the same pot with fellow Arioslavians and the Britonish, and they are in for quite a journey for qualifying. Along with compatriot Ultimaversians, Ndaku will most likely deal with the Astyrian Unified Team, Bulgar Rouge, Eonstar, Ethane, Free Swiss States, North Eurasian Unified Sporting Team, Orion Islands, The Sarian, Selimab, Swibia, and Wray. The Ndakene women's national volleyball team are with fellow Arioslavians, and they are most likely to take on Abaja, the Astyrian Unified Team, Eonstar, Ethane, Kriegiersien, Pederal na Republika ng Pilipinas, The Sarian, Serbian Empire, Swibia, Vangaziland, Vettrera, or Wray. All volleyball action will be broadcasted on NdakuSports-Volleyball, be sure to tune in!

Water polo will be the final event Ndakene Olympiads need to qualify for, and both the men's and women's national teams seem to have a decent ride to glory. For the men's national water polo team, they will most likely face in pot 1 the Astyrian Unified Team, Drawkland, Dunnës, East Saintland, Edhros, Electrum, Estogium, Ethane, Ferkas, Free Republics, The Greater Vakolicci Haven, Kannap, The Licentian Isles, Mapletish, Paputu, Taeshan, Uzekia, or West Phoenicia. On the women's side, Ndaku could face Britonisea, Dunnës, Eastfield Lodge, Edhros, Fluvique, Free Swiss States, Judea, Kannap, Kriegiersien, Mattijana, North Eurasian Unified Sporting Team, Orion Islands, Pederal na Republika ng Pilipinas, San José Guayabal, Sargossa, Tobiasia, Vettrera, or West Phoenicia, depending on how circumstances turn out to be.

Although Ndaku has chances for scoring high through other athletes in other events that do not require a qualifiers, these qualifiers events are known to be the most anticipated, watched, endorsed, and favorited. Competition at these games are going to be very fierce, but the Interplanetary Federation has been through times where the world almost collapsed from within. Coming from a nation teaching the world about our Solar System and the Antino Solar System through extraterrestrial colonies, a nation that survived the most catastrophic war ever fought by Mankind, and a blessed nation, these athletes are representing more than their national flag. They represent courage, determination, and commitment. Good luck to all of our athletes, and let the games begin!

Related trending sports news

Tennis: Ndakene tennis players return to the game en masse
Association Football: Abajan footballers join the Ndakene Premier League

by **Kernansquillec** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:39 am

Questions for an Olympian

A historic return?
For only the second time in it's long history, Kernansquillec will be sending a delegation to the Olympic games. Just who will be going remains in the balance, but all of the 571 teams and athletes put forward by Kernansquillec's National Olympic Committee will be desperate to secure their place at these historic games to be held in Aeropag, Paripana. But expectations will be high for whoever qualifiers. At their last and, to date, only Olympic appearance, Kernansquillec went on to secure 12th place in the medals table, winning 40 medals including 10 goals. Two world records were set by Kernansquillecan athletes and still stand today. And nowadays, the overall picture of sport in the Green land is much improvement, with considerably more professional and semi-professional teams and clubs, as well as improvements infrastructures thanks to significant government investment at grassroots level.

Why did Kernansquillec not participate in more Olympic games?
Kernansquillec's absence from the games has been a source of conflict for quite some time, both within the Kernansquillecan NOC and within the Olympic Council. Kernansquillec's NOC has long opposed the strict and intrusive procedures that the Olympic Council demands in regards to drug testing. Seen by the NOC and indeed Kernansquillecan courts as a violation of personal privacy and decency. While in the pre-war period, the NOC caved in and made atheletes undergo the drugs tests, allowing a team to be sent to Emberton games in Krytenia, in the post war period, the NOC refused to budge. Multiple legal disputes and high-ranking clashes would follow. But for the Olympic games set to begin shortly, a compromise deal was struck between the NOC and the Olympic Council, where a certain amount of intrusive tests will be tolerated, but not to extant previous demanded which was considered to be beyond levels of acceptable intrusion. Should the entente cordial continue, fans may be able to hope for further Kernansquillecan appearances at the games, but there can be no doubt that tensions remain high between the NOC and Olympic Coucil.

Who's going to make it?
A number of sports are going to be involved in qualifiers, but no all. Hence we already know the name of quite a few athletes who will certainly be involved at the Olympic games. Dino Clara (Eventing, Equestrian), the Kernansquillecan flag bearer for the opening ceremony, now has her place sealed, along with all other athletes involved in the Equestrian events, but also in aquatics, archery, badminton, boxing, canoeing, cycling, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.

At least one Kernansquillec in every individual event is guaranteed to qualify in the athletics. Just who depends on the results, but of course should all Kernansquillecans finish high enough in the Neverend Grand Prix in Liventia, they could all qualify. Keeping up? Well, also bare in mind that certain athletes have already qualified. Such is the case of team Kernansquillec captain and marathon runner, Titus Gula. All non-track athletes will compete in Aeropag.

Teams in football, basketball, handball, hockey, rugby, volleyball (beach and indoors) and water polo will also have to qualify though a variety of formats, ranging from group stages to home and away ties. Hopes will be high in football, handball, hockey and rugby to secure places at the games, but with both football teams set to play two rounds of knockout football, an unlucky draw or a one-off poor performance could spell the end of their hopes.

How did Uzekia qualify?
In case you're not aware, Uzekia will indeed be sending a small delegation of athletes to the Olympic games. For our international readers, Uzekia is a small nation located to the north of Kernansquillec in the Rushmore region. The country is an authoritarian dictatorship who's leaders don't appreciate Kernansquillec much at all. And the Great War, which is still fresh in the minds of most Kernansquillecans, was fought against Uzekia who invaded most of Kernansquillec a few decades ago, leaving a trail of blood and horror in their wake. While relations are peaceful enough today. So with Uzekians at the Olympic games and being somewhat reintegrated into the international community is seen as shocking by quite a large part of the Kernansquillecan nation. And with the prospect of matchups between Kernansquillecan and Uzekian athletes, there is a chance that things could boil over, both on and off the pitch.

The new logo of
Team Kernansquillec

Any prospect of Kernansquillec vs. Uzekia in the qualifiers?
Given the likelihood of Rushmori nations coming head-to-head in most qualifiers, the possibility in a real one. Kernansquillec could face Uzekia in either basketball group or in the men's rugby group, while a matchup is also possible depending on the draws and the results in the second round ties of both football events. And, given the number of athletics events to be held in Rushmore between 23 nations, across 24 events, it's almost inevitable that the two will meet on the track.

I heard something about kits being revealed?
Indeed. Following on for the NOC releasing it's new logo for the Kernansquillecan delegation, they have also announced the official team shirt of the XI Olympiad will be revealed this week. While athletes featuring at the qualifiers shall not wear it, all Olympic competitors will be wearing it (or variants of it adapted to specific sports). Details will also be released about the planning of the NOC in regard to sending its athletes to Aeropag.

by **Hannasea** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:09 am

Selection of articles from Hannasean sports media.

Olympic delegation about winning hearts, not medals, admits Coffee Minister

Taekwondo star set to kick up a storm as flagbearer

Hannasean athletes braced for tricky qualifying competitions

by **Confederate Islands Of Paputu** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:47 am

PAPUTIAN SPORTS GAZETTE

HERO RICHARD HAMILL CHOOSEN AS FLAGBEARER
It will be Richard Hamill. The flagbearer for the first Olympic Games ever of Paputu will be the high jumper. He is very famous in Paputu thanks to his engagement in politic and in volounteering, being an ambassador of many humanitarian associations. Probably because of this, and because he will probably be the only medal possiblity for athletic, the Paputian Comitate has choosen him as standard-bearer. His career is coming to an end, because of his age (33), and so this olympic games will be his only opportunity to write his name in history.
"I'm surprised and glad that I will have this role", stated Hamill, "I think that Paputu has great athletes and I think that we can win some medals".

HOW MANY MEDALS CAN PAPUTU WIN?
Paputu is at its first Olympic Games. This mean that the ahtletes are not very expert about this events, and emotion can be very dangerous and counterproductive. Some sports are definetly not for Paputians. Swimming and diving will not probably give to us great results, but pay attention to Arthur McKay in the 10 000 metres marathon, he can reach the final.
Athletic is performed everything in Paputu, but probably we will see only Hamill fighting for a medal. In the womens marathon Margitta Fisher and Lindsey Wood are hoping to reach high positions, but some athletes are superior to them.
Jason Noler, a BMX racer, is one of the favourite in his category.
It's from shooting that Paputu has the biggest possibilities to achieve a medal. The greatest shooter of Paputu is Oliver Cressingham, who whill partecipate in the Men’s 50 m Rifle Prone, being the favourite athlete. Cressingham will probably contend the victory with an another paputian player: Alex Clyde. The Men's 50 m Rifle Prone is an opportunity to see two paputians standing on the same podium.
In table-tennis Zu Lao, son of chinese people, has some opportunities to fight for medals.
Beach volley is a loved sport in Paputu, so pay attention to the two paputian teams. Olivia Mottersfield has stated that "A medal is possible and it's my dream. I feel in a great shape in these days, and I think that this is a great opportunity for me and Erika to reach a result that would make us the first paputians to achieve a medal in volley."
Generally, it's hard to see outstanding athletes in Paputu, but there are many good ones that can compete and fight in order to reach the finals. So, maybe, we will see a few surprises that could give unexpected medals to Paputu.
Qualifications for some sports starts today, and the coaches of Baseball and Water Polo teams will announce their roster today.

by **Sargossa** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:13 am

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport

In The Doldrums

Blanco Borrayo reports;

It has been a tough few years for Sargossan sport on the international stage and blame for that has now fallen squarely on one man, Sports Minister Domingo Orbina. The former boxer turned successful businessman and politician had been widely credited with the vast sporting strides made across the Greater Republic under his tenure. But he always had a short fuse, which eventually proved his undoing. After emerging from a vicious power struggle with the nation’s football hierarchy, a struggle that saw the national side briefly exiled from international competition, Orbina felt compelled to bring the rest of the governing bodies to task. He demanded personnel changes, threatened to withhold funding and generally made a nuisance of himself.

Events would finally come to a head at the biannual Games of the Greater Republic in Maturín. Scores of elite competitors boycotted the event in protest at the Sports Ministry’s interference in their respective disciplines. Consequently the crowds too stayed away and the whole event was something of a damp squib. Nonplussed, Orbina ordered the nation’s Olympic Authority dissolved and decreed that all sporting governing bodies would come under the direct auspices of the Ministry. Cue more boycotts, arguments and the widespread suspension of various sporting events. All of which did the minister no favours in the eyes of the public .

The final nail in Orbina’s coffin was smacked into place when his machinations saw Sargossa miss out entirely on a place at the Games of the Tenth Summer Olympiad. Annoyance turned to fury as fans were denied a chance to see their very best compete at a Rushmori Olympics and finally the President himself got involved. Orbina was summarily dismissed, pending fraud charges for alleged misuse of Ministry funds, and a ‘normalisation’ committee was created to bring the whole sorry mess to a close.

And so to the now, where the respective leagues are back up and running, the fans have returned and all is back to a relative calm. The Olympic Authority of Sargossa (OAS), now under the charge of former Director of Elite Athletics Cesáreo Espinoza, has hosted a successful Olympic trials and a large team has been selected to compete against the very best the sportiverse has to offer. Yet there is still a simmering of anger after the momentum of several increasingly impressive Summer Games performances had been forcibly stalled. That greats like world record holder and two time 100m gold medallist Matías Almeida were denied a final chance to shine is still something that rankles with competitors and fans alike. But those rankles will surely disappear in the wake of a successful few weeks in Aeropag.

Having now been assembled the next step for Sargossa’s Olympic delegation is to be almost immediately separated as the bulk head off to Aeropag, while various teams travel to their respective qualifying tournaments. And an early contender for most stressed member of the team probably goes to Juan Verzeri , Espinoza’s replacement at the head of Sargossan Athletics. Having taken fourteen medals from the 9th Games in Zube and fifty one track and field medals in total he will be under huge pressure to ensure that some members of the nation’s much vaunted athletics department actually emerge from the Rushmori qualifying event in Liventia. Because there won’t be much pride restored if our top medal hopes aren’t even there.

by **Kriegiersien** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:30 am

The qualification for the Olympics starts.

A short overview over the participating Kriegiersien Teams.

Water Polo:
The Kriegiersien men still have an amateuer status and are playing as such. The women, winning bronze at the last Olympics, are missing all their Electrum players that had won this medal for Kriegiersien in Electrum. Even though Captain Anita Waterfall came back from retirement as playing coach again, the team is not in shape for a medal. The players are young and talented but, as legendary Coach Waterfall agreed, "too young". "But we want to qualify at least. I want to participate at my fourth Olympics".
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: Men: very low Women: average

Basketball:
Both mens and womans team were assembled under short notice. Without any players playing in other nations with better leagues, as in the last Olympics and World Championships, the team consists purely out of the best players from the first National league of Kriegiersien.
"We have a good amount of talent", said the Sport Minister, Vladimir Dopin.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: average

Football:
In difference to some other nations Kriegiersien is sending the best players they have to the Olympics. Also the teams lack (as nearly all teams from Kriegiersien) international experience, the coach could get together the best players in the sport the Kriegiersiens play and love most.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: average.

Handball:
Handball is a further mass sport in Kriegiersien but had no success on the international stage ever. Especially the woman league is considered to be third tier at best now.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: Men: average Women: very low

Hockey:
Athough all sorts of stick games are loved in Kriegiersien, the field hockey team missed any major results. The hopes are high to change that, but especially the womans squad is not considered to be good enough.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: Men: average Women: low

Rugby Seven:
Only in the last second the military league gave their go and rescheduled the start of the season, so that the best players could be send. Until then, it was unclear if a team would be send at all to the Olympics. Now, as it was clear that Rugby is a medal event and the best players in these game could play, both teams were assembled with the greatest players the nation has to offer. Rugby is played and organised in the Kriegiersien military on a level that dwarfes the "civilian" league to an amateur event. Medals are expected here. Even though the woman won the last Olympics in New Gelderland, they were not qualified directly, as it was a demonstration event at that time.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: Excellent

Volleyball:
The woman are considered to be a bit better then the man, but both teams have players who are on the hight of their caree with an age average of 24. The results in the test matches were mixed.
Chances to qualify for the Olympics: average to good

Athletics:
Atlanta Johnson is expected to qualify for the 200 and 100 m in the qualification event in Neverend. To win another medal in Aeropag, one of the greatest Kriegiersien sport stars and multi talent, has the hopes and goal to win the Grand Prix in at least one competition.

by **West Phoencia** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:45 am

West Phoenicia has an advantage for this Olympic Games. Most of the nations are unaware of how West Phoenician athletes will perform. The reverse of that is with so many nations involved will West Phoenicia leave a mark. They did a remarkable job at the Paralympics and they hope to continue that success.

West Phoenicia which adores its sports as much as their religion has high hopes for a good outcome for these games.

West Phoenician Sports Journalist Tyson Phillips weighs in on sports where West Phoenicia may pick up some medals.

Swimming

The Men's Freestyle and Butterfly has some strong members. Hope is lying in Lucas Haggerty and Allan Komad. While for the Women's Freestyle has Davina Auckland and Melanie Power as real contenders. Mel Thomas in the Backstroke is also considered someone who may pull in a medal.

Synchronized Swimming

The women's duet has a top shot of pulling in a medal win. With Nadia Bosnia and Daria Primary competitng. Currently they are the reigning Synchronized swimming champions in West Phoenicia.

Water Polo

If they an dominate the qualifiers the Men's Water Polo team has a great chance to secure a Sikver or Bronze. It's a united team and they are hungry for international recognition.

Archery

Ameila Defence is a West Phoenician champ and high hopes to pull in a gold for the nation.

Long Jump

With such stiff competition Gaius True-Path has bets placed on him that he will pull a medal for West Phoenician glory.

Decathlon

While Malachi True-Path has his sights set for Gold in the mens Decathlon. Having placed first 5 times in the National event.

Basketball

With the injection of extra funding the Men’s Basketball team is eyeing off a Gold medal. Or else funding will be cut. It is filled with the dream team of players in the West Phoenician Basketball League.

Equestrian

The West Phoenician Equestrian Team has gone hard or go home this game. And with such talent there is hope they will pull in 2 medals this games.

Gymnastics

The Female gymnasts also have a great chance of picking up some medals. With private donors paying big for this sport.

Shooting

The West Phoenican team has sent nothing but their best to dominate the Olympics in the shooting.

Weightlifting

Keep your eyes on this sport. As i will not be surprised to see West Phoenicia's name mentioned in the medal tally for this sport. The athletes are tough and there is an great chance to pick up a few medals in these events.

Softball

The Women's Softball. Will be playing hard. The line up is out of this world. They will stop at nothing to win gold. The Team is made up of the very best players in the Woman's Softball West Phoenicia League.

Squash

Chang Vu and Arabella Tennessee are ones to watch. Both are stellar players. They are in top form. And it would be criminal if they didnt each pull a medal.

by **Banija** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:22 am

The All-Banija Sports Magazine
The only nationwide publication that is all sports, all the time!

Olympic Qualification begins for Banija's athletes

Banijan football players warming up in pre-Olympic Training Camp

BUSUKUMA- Banija's athletes are set to begin Olympic Qualifiers soon, for the right to go to the City of Aeropag in Commerce Heights and compete in the XI Summer Olympiad. This is Banija's second Summer Olympic Games, and third Olympics overall. After not medaling at their first ever Summer Olympiad, they were able to medal at the Winter Olympic Games, when one of the Banijan speed skaters took the gold, meaning to date he is the only Banijan to ever medal at the Olympics.

We'll go through the Banijan qualifiers by competition. First, of course, are Banija's athletics competitors. There is no qualifying for swimmers, as everybody will go directly to the Olympic Games. Banija's athletic competitors will be competing in the City of Iqaluit, in the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. Banija will have ten competitors in Quebec, and the eyes of Banijan track fans will be on Quebec to see how many Banijan athletes actually qualify for the Olympics proper. All of Atlantian Oceania's athletes will be there, so it will undoubtedly be a tough bracket, but there is confidence that at least a few track athletes will be good enough to qualify for Aeropag itself.

Now, for the sport that Banija is extremely passionate about, soccer. Banija, once again, is sending both a men's team and a women's team, as co-ed sports teams are simply not a thing inside the Kingdom of Banija. The qualification process for the men is a two-step process. As a Pot 2 team, they will be drawn against a Pot 3 team for a home & home 2 legged tie, with the winner advancing to the next round for another one. If you win both 2 legged ties, then you will qualify for the Olympics proper. Jan Cassallerus, after narrowly being eliminated in the group stage of the Cup of Harmony due to goals for tiebreakers, has kept his job for this tournament, but the pressure will be immense to at least advance to the 2nd round of qualification.

A very similar process is used for women's qualification as well. Considering the obsession that this nation has with the men's team, there is not any kind of similar pressure for this women's team, so gaining victories at all would be a net positive for the exposure of this team. For beach volleyball, the Okafor twins have yet to be drawn into a group from their Pot, but there will be a double group stage to determine who will go to Aeropag for the actual Olympic Games. Banija's tennis athletes, with momentum from the Centralis Open, will automatically qualify for the Olympic Games.

For indoor volleyball, the qualification process is very similar for both the men and the women. Both teams will be drawn into tough groups, played in either Quebec, Liventia, or Aeropag itself, and the top two teams in each group will qualify directly for the Olympic Games. The volleyball teams had a decent showing at the Olympic games the last time around, so the hope around these parts is that the volleyball team will continue to show some growth, especially with the women playing in the International Volleyball Federation competitions.

Lastly, for the sport that everybody in Banija is most excited about, we have gridiron football. This sport is definitely on the upswing within Banija. A 4th place finish at the last World Bowl, which was followed by Banijan school Loyola-Istria winning the latest NSCF (NSCF 14) championship, respect for Banijan football is definitely going up. They are confident that they can qualify for Aeropag, and they, out of any Banijan team or athlete participating in qualifiers, will have the most pressure on them, even though their sport is "only" a demonstration sport. Passion for gridiron football runs deeper than anything else in this country, and that is why they will follow this football team with passion and heavy interest.

by **Electrum** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:07 am

Statement from the Electrum Olympic Commission

New Chef de mission appointed, expectations set for upcoming Olympics

Nicole Vasilevski, a former gold medallist in the women's beach volleyball competition has been appointed the new Chef de mission for Electrum for the Games of the XI Olympiad held in Aeropag. The two-time Olympic medallist (also winning bronze in the Kytler Peninsulae) is trading the sand for the office and has outlined her expectations for the Electrumite delegation in the upcoming Olympics.

In a short statement, Vasilevski said that, "It is unreasonable to expect us to achieve the same level of standard that we reached when we hosted the Olympics with New Gelderland last time -- We want to achieve fourteen gold medals, so that Electrum can reach 100 gold medals total throughout all our Olympic participations, and thirty medals total. Yes, it is thirty less [gold medals] than last time, but we don't have the home advantage, and I want to be conservative in our estimate. We also have qualification for the track athletics and the team events."

Electrum is, along with other nations, participating in qualification for the first time. It is a sensible option, given the fact that, for example, in one matchday in the Electrum Olympics, eighteen basketball, indoor volleyball and water polo matches had to be played, 22 soccer and beach volleyball matches had to be played every day in order to eliminate the vast amount of teams into a suitable number so that a finals phase could be played at the end to select a winner. Eventually, there would be a downfall in viewing numbers as there were too many teams to keep track of, and too much sport to watch. It also created an issue with infrastructure, as several new playing courts, bleachers, etc. had to be added to keep up with the exceptionally large number of entrants. Electrum had to resort using four water polo pools and schedule approximately four-five matches in each pool to keep up with the numbers, meaning that action continued all day and into the evening. The infrastructure problem would be even worse in the Olympic Tower, as it has no where else to expand to (it is of course, a tower). Not to mention there are other problems too, including staffing, ticket sales, etc. It would be just spread too thin.

In the track athletics, Electrumite gold medallists Miyagi Impor, Samantha Brown as well as the women's 4x400 team are guaranteed spots and are not needed to qualify. The other team sports will see Electrumites travel to a large array of locations in order to qualify for the Olympics proper. Instead of a long and drawn out pool phase, qualifying will weed out the bad teams, leaving only the exceptional ones to be given a chance to actually compete in the Olympics and minimise the infrastructure necessary to host the event. Electrumites will be travelling to Liventia and San Llera for some of the Rushmori qualifiers, and the Royal Kingdom of Quebec and Paripana for other test events. In time, we will see which teams will qualify, but it is hoped that Electrumite teams in Pot 1 will qualify. Of course, there are already teams which have already qualified such as the women's basketball team, who won the gold medal last time and Laura Morris/Brigitte Keyes will take Electrum's spot in the beach volleyball, taking the spot vacated by chef de mission Nicole Vasilevski and her partner.

Sally Lines, the current Olympic Council Vice President, praised the nations which were hosting the qualification, and thanked them for the effort: "It is a fantastic opportunity to see up and coming nations have a chance in hosting Olympic qualifiers -- who knows, maybe one day they will host the Olympics themselves!"

Maximillion von Trier, the EOC President will be jetting around the Olympic qualifiers around the multiverse, checking on the progress of the Electrumite teams. The flamboyant man, known for his colourful suits and passion for sport will bring a smile to our athlete's faces as they try and get that ticket into the Olympics.

by **The Serbian Empire** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:18 am

The Serbian Sporting News

It's time for the Olympiad again and the last one was quite the stunning effort with Serbian athletes bringing home 24 medals, 9 of which were gold. This delegation is the largest ever at 475 entries, and the Olympiad record holders in Marisa Darkovic, Mirela Blagojevic, and Jana Krejci are back to compete again. However, some have questioned if the Serbian Empire has been handing out citizenship to foreign-born athletes too easily in order to appease High Empress Marisa. Many of the athletes born outside of the Empire are ethnically Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Macedonian, Istrian Italian, Kosovar, or Slovene. However, a new era of athletes rumored to have been rejected by their homeland's national delegations have been handed citizenship without any ties to land that the Serbian Empire occupies.

Our coverage role has expanded to include the Olympiad Qualifiers for many of our athletes. Most will be unlikely to advance to the big show, but there's a few gems in there capable of at least threatening to contend for medals. Most particularly, the volleyball player duos of the sisters Blas-Gordanovic and the male duo of Dusan and Mandic. Others likely to survive qualifying include women's 10,000m runners Jana Rusnak and Adrijana Crncevic, hurdlers Gordan Klefbom-Markovic and Danijela Novak, and several women's teams mentioned in the odds section. The best performer from our delegation in the event if they don't automatically qualify will also be in. However, many of those athletes would be harder to predict since they're close to equally highly regarded in national competition.

Flag Bearer will likely be named tomorrow. Finalists include Cissnei Orta, Marisa Darkovic, and Radovan Pejic. Orta's name has been rising in certain circles as the future of Serbian track and field at just 18 years of age.

Betting odds of teams making it through qualifiers

Basketball
Men's: 150:1
Women's: 40:1

Football
Men's: 100:1
Women's: 75:1

Handball
Men's: 100:1
Women's: 3:1

Hockey
Men's: 85:1
Women's: 5:2

Rugby Sevens
Men's: 100:1
Women: 2:1

Water Polo
Men's: 20:1
Women's: 3:2

Indoor Volleyball
Men's: 200:1
Women's: 4:3

by **Astyrian Olympics Delegation** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 1:08 pm

Serreten Olympic Training Facility
Discus Throw Program
Falmouth, Eastern Coast, Serretes
July 15th, 2016

Uhtred of Chippingbourough screamed as the polished metal disc flew from his fingertips and spun through the air, just flat enough so as not to catch the wind but with enough elevation to fly nearly 230 feet. He stepped back in the concrete ring and stared out into the grassy sector.

The sector lines were faded. The Olympic budget was too small to worry about painting sector lines. They barely had enough money for electric lighting in all the buildings as it was. He was a big man, his shoulders and arms heavy with muscle from years of training. His legs bulged, the quadricep clearly visible through the thin compression shorts he wore. Uhtred stood nearly 6’5” and weighed almost 280 pounds. His arms were long allowing the creation of massive amounts of centrifugal force and thus the high spin speed on the metal disc.

Uhtred had never excelled in shot put or any other track event except discus. At 17, he was the U19 Serreten champion and he had only progressed since then. In 2011, he had claimed the national record. Now at nearly 30 and nearing the end of his professional career, he trained for his last international competition. His coach nodded his satisfaction with the throw and went to collect the disc from the boggy training field. Uhtred turned and walked back towards the weight room facility. A collection of other Serreten Olympians were already in there, all under the careful supervision of their various coaches. He noted the boisterous arrival of eight much younger men, all covered in tattoos and earrings. The Men’s Eight Rowing team. He nodded his greeting. He had heard rumour of the group of men before him, hard drinking men, more at home in open whale boats than the Olympics. None of them had ever participated in the sport before but in an effort to expand Serreten athletic dominance, the government took on the charge of the unruly whalers. Soon, the result of their experiment would be seen. Uhtred had little hope. None of the men were disciplined enough.

Uhtred strolled over to a free platform, collecting a barbell as he went. He loaded up the barbell with a pair of 45 pound plates, as a warmup. He easily pulled the 135 pound powerclean. The weight didn’t phase him at this point in his training. The only time it had ever challenged him was when he was a gangly prepubescent boy. He loaded another pair of plates on, pulling three singles. The weight traveled to his chin easily each and every time. He paused, breathing deeply, before stooping to load a third pair of weights onto the bar. This time he paused to collect himself more than usual. A 315 powerclean was no laughing matter even for an Olympian. Nonetheless he pulled the weight easily for another three singles. Finally, he loaded another pair of plates on as well as a pair of half plates, this time under the supervision of his coach. The three singles this time were a struggle and Uhtred nearly failed on the third rep. His coach nodded his approval nonetheless.

Next, Uhtred moved into the squat rack where he underwent a grueling overload workout at 85% of his one rep max. With the bar loaded with 525 pounds, Uhtred squatted out three reps which he quickly followed with four 30 inch box jumps and then a four minute rest. He repeated the process eight times, before re-racking the weights and staggering to the shower house.

Serreten Olympic Training Facility
Decathlon Program
Falmouth, Eastern Coast, Serretes
July 15th, 2016

Ragnar of Lundholm heaved loudly as he reached the top of the 600 foot hill. It gained nearly 150 feet of elevation over its course. His chest was lathered with sweat, his hair fell from its braid, soaked as well. He was about to collapse into the grass when his coach, Ragnar of Lundholm the Elder ripped into his running form.
“God damn it. How many times do I have to tell you? Stop dropping your head so much. You look like a raging bull and you’re cutting off your air supply.”

As his father stalked off, Ragnar heard him mutter a string of profanities. He had gotten used to his father’s coaching methods a year after he started organized track, there was nothing much to understand. The obscenities were usually much harsher and even those didn’t phase Ragnar as they once had. Everything his father told him was for his own good and he knew that. If he wanted an international title, then it was necessary. Ragnar was only 22, but the best chance Serretes had at a gold medal. He knew that. Everyone knew that.
“Run another one.” He heard his father shout from the other side of the hill. Ragnar could only smile and sigh as he jogged to the bottom of the hill and began again. This time his father said nothing, just sent him to run a cooldown to loosen the muscles in Ragnar’s legs.

Rombergian Contribution to the Astyrian Unified Men's Association Football Team:

Assistant Coach: Franz Ingvarsson, 37, M.

Was a promising defender until injury force his early retirement at the age of only 25. Switched to managing shortly after, and won two Rombergian First League cups as assistant coach of CSKA Reichtenberg. May be given full managerial role at a First League club soon.

Forward: Tarik Hasanovich, 23, M.

Part of the Bosnian minority of Romberg, he like many others of his ethnicity preferred football to ice hockey, although this was by no means definitive. Showing great promise, he was the third youngest person to score in a Rombergian First League match, doing so barely two months after his nineteenth birthday. (Due to conscription, 18 year olds never play.) Is said to be on the radar of several large clubs. Prized for speed and accuracy.

Defender: Kasimir Belenau, 30, M.

A veteran of partial Glisandian descent, he is the current captain of the Rombergian national team. Known for his endurance, commonly running more than 10 km per match. Is also known for his aerial skill and high proficiency in headers - most of his career goals were scored this way from a spot kick or corner, although he has proven to be capable of using his feet well also. Is unlikely to be sold to another team as he has expressed his wish to remain in Romberg for his entire career.

Rombergian Contribution to the Astyrian Delegation Administrative Staff:

Freyja Edle von Narymova, 45, F. General Manager.

Had a successful career in business before founding her own management consultancy company. Recruited to serve on managerial board of several listed firms on the Rombergian Stock Market. Is not known for spectacular turnover or innovation, but is known for meticulous and ordered work leading to much better managerial and accounting practices. Ennobled in 2015. Her job is to oversee the general arrangements of the Astyrian team.

Aleksandr Kaufmann, 38, M. Journalist.

Well-known television anchor who retired after fifteen years on-screen, leading to a well-watched programme on Channel One News. Is known for his no-nonsense factual reporting - his departure is said to be a reason for the decline in quality of Channel One, which is now ridiculed as being somewhat like a tabloid. Now works freelance for various newspapers and magazines, as well as heading his own column. He is a solid choice for producing press releases and offering glimpses into the daily lives of the athletes.

Melisa Litzenbauer, 25, F. Social Media Personality

Has over two million online subscribers on a video-sharing platform and another six hundred thousand on a photo-sharing platform. She is massively popular among youth as these statistics can show, and she covers topics ranging from videogaming and politics to fashion and health. She is given special permission by the Rombergian Olympic Committee to cover the events of the olympics from her perspective, and to increase youth interest in the olympics through the use of social media.

by **Wray** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 1:44 pm

The National Reporter Olympic Preview: Part 1

It tends to be the biannual apex of Wray sporting activity and achievement: The Olympic Games, held this time, at short-notice, in Aeropag, Paripana, is Wray's fourth, and whilst the Green-and-White has experienced substantial success in each of the three previous editions (each time outdoing the previous effort), we are always cautious of overhyping the delegation.

A 386-strong delegation travels to Aeropag this time round, having qualified through a combination of qualifying events in Wray, meeting OSS (Olympic Standard Scores) in private meetings, and achieving direct qualification based on previous Olympic and International performance. It's a young delegation, with an unprecedented number of athletes qualifying through collegiate or youth programmes - the youngest, just 18, is 400m runner Emily Dale. It is a testament to the true quality of Wray's athletic programmes that it is capable of producing such quality at such young ages. A significant portion of Wray's old guard has moved on - none more prominent than the indomitable Brendan Matthews, holder of 7 Olympic medals, but the quality coming through in his wake promises to be equally as exciting as medal-potent.

Through five editions across five days, we'll preview the delegation, it's strengths and weaknesses, and it's chances for medals. We have 7 journalists covering over 100 events in 28 sports in what will be your essential guide to Wray's chances this summer.

Part 1: Diving to Archery
by The National Reporter Swimming Corespondent Adam Warrick

Diving has been the latest recipient of a hefty grant from the Government Sports and Recreation Board (GSRB), which has put a significant amount of cash into the development of a Centre for National Excellence in Highwood outside Cartersburg, as well as the improvement of regional centres, as well as the training of coaches and athletes.

So what has it produced? Currently, we can label two athletes who have a shot at a medal. Cameron Gallard, 22, from Turisee, SET, goes in the Men's 10m Platform. He's currently the national champion in the event, having taken the gold in May, and has risen from relative regional obscurity at alarming speed to book himself an Olympic spot. He's got flair, and he's brave - he won't shirk away from those tough dives in order to grab a few extra points when needs be. He's probably the strongest candidate, if any, to achieve a medal off the board - Kirstine Magnussen, 28, from Nelson's Bay, SET, is a decent prospect too - she's been to two games previously, and led the diving delegation on both those previous occasions. She goes in the Women's 10m Platform, as well as the Synchronised 10m Platform, with Alice Kennion, although the Nelsonite's strengths lie firmly in the individual event. 23 year old Will Sands, of Kirega, WP, is a young talent, albeit a bit more raw than Gallard - this will serve as a formulative experience in the 3m Springboard.

Swimming is virtually impossible to write a review for - frankly, it deserves it's own supplement in this paper, but the editors have requested it be 'sharp and succint'. I'll have a go. Essentially, owing to the nature of Wray Swimming's rigorous qualification and training programmes, virtually every entrant, at their peak, is capable of making an Olympic final. Requisite qualifying times for Wray's delegation are significantly above regular OSS compared to other sports, meaning potential athletes must achieve times which would see them do well in Olympic qualifying, just to get into the Olympics for Wray. Starting with the men, Tom Symonds and Fraser Kain, both of whom have drawn (rather unoriginal) comparisons to Brendan Matthews, go in the short freestyle events. Kain is more of an unknown quantity - he qualified through a regional event in Cartersburg as opposed to through the national trials, which the majority of entrants achieve qualification from. But his times were good enough - a 47.89 for the 100m Freestyle was near Olympic final-standard - and WS scouts said he was the real deal. He's young - 23 - so will be a fixture in Wray swimming for years to come. Symonds is a more recognisable name, and will have to take on the mantle of chief male freestyler now that Matthews has retired and Richard Campbell has been restricted to just the 200m event. In the 100m and 200m is the long-suffering Bryce Deering, perennially in the shadow of Matthews but now given the chance to shine - he could do some damage if he gets going. The Long-Distance events have never seen a lot of success for Wray - this time Stiaan Trasiac goes in the 1500m, an event notoriously difficult to predict, but he's got the stamina and the national pedigree behind him - a shiny set of club, regional and national gold medals this season.

In the stroke events, there's talent in all three: Ed Gottschalk is in the backstroke, a strong, tall and powerful swimmer, relying more on force provided by his 6ft 8" frame and 13.4ft arm-span. He's one of the more physically gifted athletes in Wray's delegation, if not the most technical. In the 100m Backstroke, Ashton Stoddart (26, Wuckell, ET) races as a wildcard pick, having not achieved the WS proscribed time, but considering no-one else besides Gottschalk did, and Wray were afforded 2 slots, Stoddart was given it. The two breaststroke races see Central Districts pairing Brodie Crossley and Alex Thorne, 24 and 27 respectively, compete both for Wray and against each other - they're fierce club rivals, Thorne for Blancher Park SC and Crossley for Pitora SC. To see them lined up across from one another in an Olympic final would be a treat for all. Jamie Giffen is another natural athlete, who could lend his considerable talents to any stroke, elects to go in the toughest physical pursuit, the butterfly, along with Louis Massola. Together they can mount a coherent challenge for some medalware. The Individual Medley, so long the domain of Matthews, has been taken up by 24 year old Toby Housla (pronounced 'Howler') from Chigaree Falls, ND, and James Willmore, 27, of Torran, SET, both talented swimmers across all strokes. In the longer medley, Zach Raymond and Branning Carrow both have outside shots at a medal.

The women are led, as ever, by freestyle queen Grace Spencer, who despite already having 4 Olympic Medals, is entering the prime of her career at 26 years of age. She races in the 50m, 100m, 200m, as well as the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x100m Medley Relay. It's a tough workload, but she's got the skill to dominate. Her understudy is 22 year old Makayla James, who's been making literal and metaphorical waves on the domestic circuit, and comes with the highest praises from the coaches at Wray Swimming. She could be primed for a breakout Games under Spencer. Rebecca Koen is a tip for the 800m freestyle, having Olympic experience and a bevy of domestic medals. Wray has full representation in the stroke events: Gi Porcelli, 26, from Gosforth, ND is a recently discovered talent in the backstroke, whilst Poppy Read has been a long-term development project for WS, hoping to come good. She is shorter than her average competitor, meaning she has considerably more strokes per length, but makes up for it with exceptional stamina and physical strength. In the breaststroke Laura Perry and Kirstine Rivers compete, with Perry the current national record holder in both the 100m and 200m, and looking to extend that dominance in the international arena. The Butterfly sees arguably Wray's most exciting talent - despite two previous Games, August Everett is still just 23 and itching to get an Olympic medal under her belt. She's accompanied in the 'fly by Madison Davis, 25, of Lincoln, CD. The 4x100m Relay team of Spencer/James/Mills/Clerwillis will be formidable as always, as well as the 4x100m Medley team. WS has put a medal target at 7, the WOA at 5-7, whilst I'm going to be no help at all and suggest 5 medals as the target for a talented roster in a crowded sport.

Water Polo has always been something that Wray should be decent at - it combines the physicality of rugby with the, er, swimming skill of swimming, but it's never received a lot of attention. The Men's side, led by 32-year old Angus Chappell, is overshadowed considerably the Women's side, headed by the Asteri twins, Chloe and Azalea. The Women's side could make a good run towards the medals, but expect the Men's side to be back on one of the first flights back to Cartersburg. Archery is a sport which doesn't have a lot visibility in Wray - for better or worse - and subsequently the six competitors don't have a lot of chance for a medal. They're talented - Rebecca Hennessey with a recurve bow is a terrifying sight, as we learnt in a Reporter special - but there's not a lot of funding and visibility, the athletes are all part-time and there's only limited national competition. No medals here.

Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of our Olympic Preview, looking at Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing and Canoeing.

by **Dunnes** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:45 pm

Mirola Today

Olympic Qualifying Preview

New for this year, the Aeropag Organizing Committee has decided to host qualifying events in sports with a multitude of entries. While the majority of Dunnes’ athletes and fans support the decision, it may make it difficult for some of our native athletes to advance to Aeropag. Today will mark the first day of qualifying for the some of the track and field athletes in Neverend, and Beach Volleyball athletes in Orean.

Athletics:
The runners jumpers and throwers of Dunnes will head to Reverend, Liventia for their qualifying event. The Dunians will be led by Orean Bronze Medalist Will Drinkwater in the 800m, Robert Franklin in the 5000m, who set the Olympic Trials meeting record last month, and Jacquelyn Smith, the two time defending champion in the 1500m in the morning. At night the focus will turn to national record holder Dan Reid in the 10000m, and Olympic Trials Champion Anna Pruter in the 3000m steeplechase.

Head Track Coach Ray Appenheimer sounded confident in yesterday’s press conference. “We’re fielding a strong team today. We’ve got some strong distance races where are athletes will look to conserve some energy for the later rounds.” Dan Reid shared his coaches appraisal, “This new format is all about conservation. I think we’re definelty gonna race on the tactical side of the spectrum and look to kick.” Will Drinkwater was also glad to get back to the country he won his bronze medal in. “It gives me a lot of comfort to get back in Liventia. I know I can win here.”

The team will face tough competition with their fellow Rushmori nations, especially the home nation, Electrum, and Mapletish, well known for their all around Olympic prowess. “We’re not intimidated, but at the same time we respect their athletics history.” said Bennett Gagnon, a 1500m runner. The athletes will have to finish anywhere from the top 6 in the 4x400m relay to the top 17 in the 200m to make it to Aeropag. The best athlete from a country will also qualify if no athlete from that country also qualifies.

Today’s events also include the preliminary rounds in the mens 200m, and 400m,10000m, 100mH, and 4x400m on the women's side. Later in the day are also the prelims in the men’s 400m and in the women's 200m.

Beach Volleyball:

Olympic Qualifying TV Information
9:00-15:00: Athletics (Morning Session) TV4
10:00-14:00: Beach Volleyball (All other matches) dsn.com
12:00-14:00: Beach Volleyball (LizDenis/Lynch v. TBD) DSN 1
12:00-14:00: Beach Volleyball (Bress/Caityln v. TBD) DSN 2
17:30-18:00: Athletics (Evening Session) TV4

The first matchday of the Langdon Open Olympic Qualifier will also be today. Nik Lizdenis and Jack Lynch are in group L5, and Max Minshull and Matt Donahue have been assigned to group L4. “It’s great to be back in Liventia” Nik Lizdenis said, referencing his quarterfinal appearance in the Orean Games. “ I know these sands, I know how to play here.” he said. The volleyball athletes will also play against Rushmore’s best including the pairing of Lisandro Marcial Gil Che from Mapletish.

The women’s teams of Bella Bress/Claire Caitlyn, and Katy Lynch/Sidney Smith also begin their Olympic run in Langdon. They have been assigned to groups L2 and L7 respectively.

by **Todd McCloud** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 6:29 pm

Excitement Over Qualifiers Coming to Vekaiyu
Reporting for V3 News Services, Rin Slakori

ELDURA - No less than twenty-two nations will compete on Vekaiyun soil for the chance to qualify for the Eleventh Summer Olympics in Aeropag. Beginning Thursday, festivities will kick-off with women's teams in four different venues scattered across the Vekaiyun nation. The contest will wrap up next Tuesday and will finish with eight teams from either side advancing. It is something that, quite frankly, has never happened before. The prospect of nations hosting qualifying events is a bit different, perhaps even taboo to some of the more seasoned nations, but nevertheless represents an opportunity for other nations to provide at least a tiny glimpse into what an international event as important as the Olympics would look like if hosted by their nation. For many nations, it's a welcomed challenge. For Vekaiyu, it's vindication.

Rewind to the Spring of 2013. Vekaiyu was coming off an impressive 3rd place showing in Krytenia and seemed poised for another strong showing next year. The Vekaiyun Olympic Council (VOC), headed by Verenyi Lemestrovyey, who replaced Riyna Yovisktre following the death of athlete Vinsent Oblervi one year earlier, motivated the council to submit a (rushed) bid for the Eighth Summer Olympics. The selected host city, Provinsk, was touted as "a city more willing to cater to such a challenge" when it came to the Olympics. Venues were selected and, in some cases, renovated in order to sweeten the deal. Among such renovations was the Hall of Kevlar, a large venue built in 1928 in order to stage indoor boxing matches. Taken from the text, "even today blue-collard Vekaiyuns will pack into the building, sit on the wood and metal seats, and scream into the cavernous building as opponents beat the tar out of each other." What the text failed to mention is that even during the writing of the bid the building was not fit for international showing. It wouldn't be until May of 2014 that renovations would be completed, renovations which included repairing some 2500 seats, bringing mats up to new international safety codes, and installing handicapped-accessible entries. The "gel-boxed" Camari Aquatic Arena was selected for all aquatic events, mostly because the innovative and artistically-stunning Islasi Rostrovistre Sen Provinsk (The Water Palace of Provinsk) would not be ready for the bid. It was zealous, it was daunting, and it was a mistake that would eventually cost Lemestrovyey his job, especially after Vekaiyu recieved zero of the 34 cast votes, to which Lemestrovyey remarked, "[We] cannot in the clearest of conscience cast a vote for Provinsk when we are called to vote for the best available option."

The Vekaiyun people were humiliated. Perhaps they felt as if they had spent several rounds in the Hall of Kevlar. Regardless, the people emerged with a bloodied nose and a cauliflower ear, but their spirits were not dimmed. Orean went on to host a successful Eighth Summer Games, and Vekaiyu again emerged as a top-five nation, thankfully taking the collective minds of the people away from the drama prior to the start of the games. As a matter of fact, Vekaiyu continued their consistent display at the Olympics through the Tenth Games, finishing in the top 5 for the fourth consecutive summer games.

But actually hosting an event continued to elude the Vekaiyuns. It would remain that way until the nation was presented with an opportunity to host the qualifying events in men's and women's water polo. Current VOC Chairwomen Riyna Yovisktre was a bit more methodical than her predecessor, performing several well-documented fact finding studies to determine if the nation was capable of hosting such an event and, if that was deemed possible, which cities and stadiums would offer the greatest variety while at the same time diminishing obstacles for international teams and fans. Vekaiyu, being a nation that is still attempting to become a fully bilingual nation, can be unfriendly at times toward individuals who are not fluent in Unionian, for instance. Her team considered that a top priority and, after a little bit of political drama between the progressive and conservative parties, settled on picking venues from four cities - Eldura, Provinsk, Calesu, and Soveri. They filed the bid on literally the last week and were notified of their acceptance shortly thereafter.

"It's vindication," Yovisktre said after announcing the acceptance of their bid. "It's something we've wanted since the start of 2013: a chance to prove ourselves. Not necessarily in the sense of proving ourselves to the world, but proving to us that we are indeed capable of hosting an international competition." She later went on to outline the conditions of her bid, underscoring the importance of impartial officiating. "[The Vekaiyun Women's Team] will not feature any 'hometown edge', except in the case of fan support."

"But it's not a win," she continued. "We have the opportunity, it is therefore up to us to make something of it." As to whether or not this would 'open the door' to other Vekaiyun hosting, she refused to comment. But while water polo remains an important sport in Vekaiyu, one could only imagine the excitement and fervor Underwater Hockey would bring to the Vekaiyun fanbase, but the fanaticism may have proven too daunting (Vekaiyuns are after all a bit on the picky side when it comes to that sport). Therefore, this particular sport may very well be what the nation needed in order to show what it is capable of on an international sporting scale.

by **Ndaku** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 6:52 pm

TIG|The Interplanetary Guardian
Sports || Health || Technology || Space || Domestic Politics || International Politics || Entertainment || World || Ndaku
Wednesday 27 July 2110

Minister of Defense Nicolas Roufosse Sends a Task Force to Vekaiyu

LISASI CITY - The men's and women's national water polo team are en route to Vekaiyu, a predominately nonhuman nation with a violent history against humans.

The Vekaiyu people are said to be known for being religious beings, most of which follow Vayan Catholicism. The general population is said to have a sense of family and competition. There was a period of time, however, when a ruthless and inhuman dictator named Max Venavle was in power. He was the main source of the cause of human hatred and disgust as he was said to even drink human blood and captivate them.

Nicholas Roufosse at NDISA headquarters, Lisasi City, Ndaku

The Vekaiyu current leader, Premier Ikrisia Levinile, is said to be a much more benevolent and inclusive leader, as specism is said to have decreased since Levinile's policies and programs came in to play. Specism in Vekaiyu is slowly becoming extinct but is still regarded in several areas of the nation.

Once Nicholas Roufosse, MoD obtained this information it did not take him too long to announce to the Ndakene Domestic and International Sports Association (NDISA) that safety of all athletes are and should always be a number 1 priority. Here's a bit of his speech at Lisasi City, Sambi, Ndaku: "While I fully understand the anticipation and excitement for the Vekaiyuns to host these tournaments, we must take into account that this is a nonhuman nation. Not only are they a nonhuman nation, but they have quite a history of human sentimism and violence! We are still in an era of reconstructing and recollecting the glory us humans had before the Wolves came and practically destroyed it all, and if something does happen, God forbid, while being in Vekaiyu and we could have done something to at least prevent it, I'm sure we would be extremely guilty.

"We all have experienced and seen the hard times these nonhumans have forced us into, and now that we're out of it, we should do anything in all of our ability to never go back. We must continue to move forward, united. I announce before you all that there will be Ndakene Task Forces sent to Vekaiyu not to cause trouble, but to ensure the safety of our athletes, as well as those who will be in the surrounding area of the water polo events. I ask to the Vekaiyun government to not consider this an act of war, rather, as an act of peace and security."

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by **Liventia** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:30 pm

And this is the cutoff for Day 1A of the Liventian qualifiers.

Results are now available here, with the exception of men's beach volleyball which will now be scorinated on Day 1B.

by **San Llera** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:34 pm

Whoops! Posted the cutoff in the wrong thread. Anyways...

The first cutoff of the Olympics! It's time for the Llerana Men's and Women's Olympic Handball Qualifiers!

Cutoff Music

Results will be edited into the mistake cutoff post shortly.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Wed Jul 27, 2016 9:05 pm

Alright, here is your Day 1 cutoff of the Quebecois Qualifiers!

Games of the XI Olympiad—roleplaying thread

Games of the XI Olympiad—roleplaying thread

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