Rio Olympics Megathread

[Big Jim P]

The first gold medal went to an American by the name of Virginia Thrasher in the Air Rifle competition.

Apparently America overwhelmingly dominates the shooting sports. Big surprise, right?

[Risottia]

The first gold medal went to an American by the name of Virginia Thrasher in the Air Rifle competition.

Apparently America overwhelmingly dominates the shooting sports. Big surprise, right?

Actually yes, except for the rifle, three positions (men) and archery, individual (men).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_O ... n_shooting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_O ... in_archery

[Wray]

I find it a bit weird how close the spectators can get to the road-race cyclists - there's capability for some damage to be done, and not to mention how annoying it must be for the riders.

[Risottia]

I find it a bit weird how close the spectators can get to the road-race cyclists - there's capability for some damage to be done, and not to mention how annoying it must be for the riders.

Pretty standard for cycling. Take a peep at what happens at the Tour, the Giro, or the World Championship.

[Wray]

I find it a bit weird how close the spectators can get to the road-race cyclists - there's capability for some damage to be done, and not to mention how annoying it must be for the riders.

Pretty standard for cycling. Take a peep at what happens at the Tour, the Giro, or the World Championship.

Yeah I suppose, always struck me as odd. Makes for entertaining viewing, though.

[Parah]

As a Brazilian, the follow countries have we supports: JAPAN, France, USA, Russia, Italy, Spain, Palestine, Israel, Cuba, China and UK. And sorry North Korea, we hate you.

[Gauthier]

While the Serbian double rowing boat capsized.

It's in the poison water, wasn't it?

Now we will see if Serbs are really stronk.

[Rio Cana]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I thought that the opening ceremony was underwhelming.

A local sports caster said the Chinese and UK. opening ceremony might have been more awespiring but that the Brazilian opening ceremony had more style. The sports caster prefered the Brazilian opening ceremony because of this. It was really quite good.

[Britonisea]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I thought that the opening ceremony was underwhelming.

A local sports caster said the Chinese and UK. opening ceremony might have been more awespiring but that the Brazilian opening ceremony had more style. The sports caster prefered the Brazilian opening ceremony because of this. It was really quite good.

Local = Brazil? = Rio?

I find it a bit weird how close the spectators can get to the road-race cyclists - there's capability for some damage to be done, and not to mention how annoying it must be for the riders.

Don't remember that in London 2012

[Rio Cana]

A local sports caster said the Chinese and UK. opening ceremony might have been more awespiring but that the Brazilian opening ceremony had more style. The sports caster prefered the Brazilian opening ceremony because of this. It was really quite good.

Local = Brazil? = Rio?

I find it a bit weird how close the spectators can get to the road-race cyclists - there's capability for some damage to be done, and not to mention how annoying it must be for the riders.

Don't remember that in London 2012

By "Local" I mean at my current location which is not in Brazil but 5.220 Km. (3240 miles) from Rio.

[Rio Cana]

We won the first round in female table tennis.

Adriana won 4 to 2 against a Nigerian player. She is the youngest player at 15 years. Shes a natural when it comes to table tennis.

For those that have no idea who she is watch this interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn_soyPBqPA

[The Chinese Union]

When does Track and Field start?

[Britonisea]

When does Track and Field start?

12 AUG 2016

[The Chinese Union]

When does Track and Field start?

12 AUG 2016

Thanks. Usain Bolt has allegedly been poisoned. Hopefully he can recover in time for his events.

[Trumpostan]

Wow everyone in this thread is extrwmely ignorant about the economic benefits of tourism. EXTREMELY IGNORANT

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/br ... -1.1246845

The UK saw a decline in tourism in 2012.

http://www.theatlantic.com/internationa ... il/493697/

Spending on Rio 2016 favored the rich, and not a little bit either.

With sewage lines still lacking, world-class rowers and sailors will compete in waterways tainted by drug-resistant bacteria. Meanwhile, amid Brazil’s deepest recession in decades, Rio’s governor declared a “state of public calamity” last month because—thanks in part to the Olympics—his administration had run out of money to pay for public security and healthcare. Cops and firemen have taken to camping out at the international airport, holding banners that read “Welcome to Hell.”

Not everyone, however, has emerged a loser. Contracts for everything from stadium and train-line construction to port renovations have funneled billions of dollars in taxpayer-subsidized revenues to a handful of Brazil’s most powerful, well-connected families and their companies. This disconnect—between populist promise and the uneven benefits that followed—is emblematic of the failed Olympic ambition to remake Rio, and a slew of questionable priorities that have brought Brazil to its knees.

Beijing 2008 saw similar things. People's homes being bulldozed to make way for stadiums that exist today as white elephants that just stand around.

Soccer World Cups in 2010 and 2014 saw more of the same. Everything to cater to western sponsors, and all sorts of measures to make sure the poor are kept as far away from the venues as possible. And all made massive losses on hosting, the cost of which is disproportionally borne by those whose services are cut.

And the less said about Athens 2004 the better, the financial losses of that one still borne by the country.

http://www.businessinsider.com/economic ... &IR=T&IR=T

There are studies that point to the benefits of large sports events being grossly overstated in order to rally support for such events.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/08/10/ma ... y-off.html

No evidence for the claim that major sports events like the Olympics bring more tourism or draw in more investment.

Fortunately Bostonians and other people in Mass managed to kill Boston 2024 before the bid even got off the ground (after politicians and USOC had selected Boston for the US bid).

They even admitted to having overstated potential benefits and that they would have signed the IOC's financial guarantee and change certain laws. Incidentally the new USOC candidate is LA, the last to ever make a profit on such a major tournament (1984) and that was only because they were able to dictate terms to the IOC on account of being the only bidder.

[Commerce Heights]

Soccer World Cups in 2010 and 2014 saw more of the same. Everything to cater to western sponsors

Western sponsors like Emirates, Hyundai/Kia, Sony, MTN, Mahindra Satyam, Marfrig, Oi, and Yingli (and that’s not even including the national supporters)? Does the word “western” just mean “I don’t like it”?

[Lamadia III]

A group of I believe seven are currently in Rio, 'shadowing' Team GB as part of an experience organised by the school. Very exciting; they arrived in Rio a few days ago, and will remain there for the duration of the games, going to the stadiums, speaking to our athletes, and having a lovely time.
I will, of course, be rooting for Team GB- we are certainly doing very well so far, and could make this one of our better olympics.

[Luminesa]

12 AUG 2016

Thanks. Usain Bolt has allegedly been poisoned. Hopefully he can recover in time for his events.

Oh no! Prayers for Bolt!

[Luminesa]

USA! XD

We apparantly also kick rear-end in basketball and soccer.

[North Libya]

I really wanted to got to Rio but you know, Zika and the fact I am poor

[Luminesa]

I really wanted to got to Rio but you know, Zika and the fact I am poor

Yeah...probably better to just stay home right now.

[North Libya]

I really wanted to got to Rio but you know, Zika and the fact I am poor

Yeah...probably better to just stay home right now.

Yup

[Lamadia III]

I visited Brazil a few years ago, actually, and it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Full of live & colour; a fantastic part of the world. A nice place for such a sport event, putting aside socio-economic issues surrounding said decision.

[Luminesa]

Yeah...probably better to just stay home right now.

Yup

Unless you're, like, willing to bathe in mosquito spray for a whole week.

[Infected Mushroom]

I will be rooting for China to support their disputes in the Pacific islands.