Games of the XII Olympiad - Roleplay Thread

[Novumera]

Novumera Never Trails in Rout of Gregoryisgodistan

Novumera coach Clay McQueen didn't expect to be part of a 25 point game against Gregoryisgodistan. Neither did the opposition coach. McQueen was the only one of the two who was pleased with the surprise. Lim Terrell scored 20 points, Nicholas Siddall added 13 and Dale Short had 12 points and six assists as Novumera routed Gregoryisgodistan 84-59. It was the second victory in a row for the Blue Cows, who lost their first game.

'I didn't see it coming,' McQueen said. 'I didn't think the numbers were going to be the way they were. The lads were dialled in. They were fresh. We had a couple of days break and that showed in our performance.' A Gregoryisgodistan guard had 21 points for the country. 'I didn't see it coming,' their coach said. 'We've had great effort, great attitudes, really practised well and played well and kept playing better...At the end of the day, to mr it's about quality possession. We didn't have enough of them today.

Novumera played without two of its top players. David Bone rested a left ankle injury, and Lee Reynolds missed his second consecutive game with a sprained left knee ligament. Their absences mattered little against Gregoryisgodistan, who never led and were out scored 48-24 in the paint as Novumera's guards drove to the basket with ease. After both teams struggled in the early moments, Novumera uncorked a 10-0 run to seize a 15-4 lead. The Blue Cows' lead would never shrin, below nine points and Novumera held a 39-24 edge at the break and shot 55.9 percent for the game.

'I was really pleased looking at the scoreboard and seeing we were up by a lot, especially in the first half,' Terrell said. 'We haven't had a good first half yet.' Defence was not the only problem for Gregoryisgodistan. Novumera scored 22 points off 17 Gregoryisgodistanian turnovers, and they shot an awful 26.7 percent before the break and made just 4 of 22 of its 3 pointers. 'Our shot selection I thought was atrocious in the first half,' said the coach. It was a contrast to the slow start that plagued Novumera against Darmen. It was the Blue Cows' largest ever victory. 'I believe this is the best game we've played so far in the tournament,' Siddall said. 'We were just fresh mentally and physically.'

The game stats for Novumera are below.

Position-Name-Points-Rebounds-Assists-Steals-Blocked Shots
F: Cody Edwards-7-5-0-0-0
F: Carlton Eustis-12-4-1-1-2
G: Lim Terrell-20-3-2-1-0
G: Dale Short-12-3-6-3-1
G: Fredric Bryson-2-3-3-1-0

F: Trevor Flanagon-6-7-0-0-1
G: Edgar Causey-3-2-0-0-0
G: Nicholas Siddall-13-5-3-1-0
G: Timothy Yu-9-1-1-0-0

[The Atlae Isles]

The following was a leaked transcript of a conversation in the Atlaesian section of the Olympic Village.

---

2000 Hours
Olympic Village
July 12, 12017

Eli Schermer: Hey, have you heard the news?

Athletes (could not differentiate): No, what is it?

Eli Schermer: Someone's blaming their [unintelligible] on stolen bananas.

Andie Schroeder: Who eats bananas?

Eli Schermer: I guess they're not tasteless and mushy in foreign countries.

Nikalao Ivan: If it'd get me a medal, I'd eat bananas too.

Ayame Poindexter: Just move on. He's a sore loser.

Lily Geist: But still, it's funny how someone can blame a fruit for their Olympic loss.

Silvestro Jager: Are you sure bananas are even fruits?

Marie Travere: Well, at the end of the day, the Olympics is hard but also funny.

---

End of Conversation

[Kalosia]

Kalosia u l'Olimpiade
Official coverage of the XII Olympic Games by Lë Puntu Kuotidianu

Sitšilianu Siblings Second in Standings on Second Day

In Beach Volleyball today, Paolo and Luka Sitšilianu faced Tim Peterson and Paul Slaughter from Electrum. While the two won the first round, they only managed to score 8 points in the second round. Given the tie, a third, tie-breaker round was held, in which the Kalosian brothers enjoyed a narrow victory.

What exactly happened? Neither athlete nor any representative of them were available for comment. Rumours speculate something as simple as a bad stomach, or perhaps sores from the previous night's light training. Regardless, they still managed to beat our fellow regional athletes, and will continue to receive support from fans and spectators from across Kalosia.

With the 2nd match day for Men's Beach Volleyball over, the duo's standings are at joint second with Maxwell Allen and Michael Petran from Coldfield, while Santaclausisgodistan's Sapient Calling Bird and Sapient Calling Bird are leading the table for Group E. Paolo and Luka will have a day to rest before they return to the arena, so we certainly hope they use the day to rest and effectively prepare for their next game the day after.

Weightlifting: Heavy Hearts for Kalosia

Today was the final for Weightlifting in the Women's 69kg category. 33 athletes from 21 countries competed, including Kalosia.

At the end of the day, Amanda Khan from Eastfield Lodge emerged victorious, while Martia Harkitay from Taeshan got the silver and Maryanne Holdom from co-hosting nation Kelssek was the second runner-up, following closely. Our own Nadin Kruž came 26th out of the 30 athletes that finished, with a score of 230. The journey ends here for Nadin, but there are 6 other Kalosian athletes who we can put our hope on, yet to reach the end.

End of Day 5: How are our athletes doing?

Badminton–Men’s Singles
Natanael Zola: Due to play on Day 12
Rian Kruž: Due to play on Day 12

Cycling–Men’s BMX
Masimilian Dalesso: (Schedule TBA)

Fencing–Men’s Individual Sabre
Ǧamal Albukkori: Defeated in 2nd round
Rafael Korsikanë: Defeated in 2nd round

Tennis–Women’s Singles
Maria Pariǧi: (Schedule TBA)

Volleyball–Men’s Beach
Paolo Sitšilianu & Luka Sitšilianu: 2 matches completed, still in group qualification round

Weightlifting–Women’s 69 kg
Nadin Kruž: 26th out of 33 athletes, all sessions competed

[Sargossa]

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport


Unlikely Heroes


José Dorado reports;

Sargossa is a nation of sports lovers, that much is certain, but not every sport is treated equally. Some sports receive far more interest, publicity and, perhaps most crucially, funding than others. You just have to look at the breakdown of medals won to see where most of that money goes. Of the nation’s 170 medals a massive 61 have come in Athletics, 40 in Swimming and 11 in Boxing. Unsurprisingly these are also sports that enjoy huge publicity across the nation. Admittedly the big guns of Football, Tennis and Volleyball have only accounted for a combined total of 9 medals, but there are fewer opportunities in these disciplines. But, for Sargossans, the Olympics is as much about the underdogs as it is about the national icons. Let’s take a look at a few of those underdogs.

It was only a few months ago that the Basketball Federation of Sargossa (BFS) proudly announced that the grand final of the Women’s Basketball League (WBL) attracted an attendance of nearly 10,000. For a SuperLiga fixture this would have been cause for huge alarm, for Basketball it was the continuation of a burst in popularity. Popularity helped by international exposure at events like the Summer Games. Yes Sargossa’s women may have suffered a 93-74 defeat to Abaja but seeing them on the global stage in the darker blue is giving inspiration to young lasses across the nation.

The BFS are hoping that Olympic coverage will create the same boom in popularity as was enjoyed by the nation’s women footballers. Some years ago most would have scoffed at the thought of the fairer sex enjoying the beautiful game. Then came the Olympics, followed by a stunning silver medal at the 8th Games in Liventia, and suddenly Women’s Football was well and truly on the sporting map. The ladies may have narrowly lost to Valanora, gold medal winners on that day in Orean, but they’re still well in the hunt in Group A.

For some just being here is a once in a lifetime opportunity, certainly the Women’s Water Polo side must feel that way about using the magnificent facilities at the Eldura Aquatics Ground. It’s a world away from anything they’re used to back home. And for a side not expected to achieve anything a win can be just as good as any medal. Their reactions after their 7 – 6 win over Listonia showed just how much it meant to them.

Away from the team sports there’s been a concerted effort to improve the overall performances in the Shooting events. For a nation that prides itself on its martial history past showings in the shooting have left a lot to be desired. But this year the Olympic Authority got both the military and the security forces involved, making the team a mixture of talented amateurs from the shooting clubs and a number of professional marksman and women. Two such professionals are Roberto Martínez and Antonio Sicardo, who finished first and third in the Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol qualifying. In the final Sicardo tailed off but Martínez held out for Sargossa’s third gold of the Games.

On the Women’s side Paulita Rosado was rewarded for being the first Sargossan to come through the Archery qualifying for quite some time with coverage of her first round match being beamed across the nation live on SargoSport. She may have lost 113 -107 to Amelia Defence but she won’t have to buy a drink when she returns home for a long time to come. While Jazmín Villa, Ivanna Curbelo and Estrella Mariano may never have to buy a drink again. The live TV coverage joined them just in time for their nail-biting win over the Greater Vakolicci Haven in the quarter final of Fencing’s Team Epée competition and, although they may have been outclassed in the semis by that nation they dusted themselves off to win a hugely unexpected bronze against Cosumar in the bronze medal matchup.

[Kriegiersien]

Pressconference after Weightlifting - Men’s 85 kg

Journalist: Mr. Handy, this is your first silver medal and the first for Kriegiersien at these Olympics. How do you feel?
Mr. Handy: I am proud that I was able to serve my na..na..nation with this second place.
Journalist: Did you feel fear or concern when the giant blimps floated over the city? Do you talk with other athletes about such incidents?
Mr. Handy: I am proud to serve my nation at these Olympics.
Kriegiersien publicist: He is fully focused on the competition.
Journalist: Don't you think it is unfair to compete against humans as a robot?
Kriegiersien publicist: I want to answer that. In a multiverse that allows humans, Ponies, Furies and Furry to compete alike, it is only correct that robots get a chance, too. It doesn’t matter if you are a convicted mass murder or unfair sportsman, all are here, united under the great Olympic idea.
Journalist: But wouldn't you admit that it is cheating to compete using superior technology?
Publicist: But no. He hasn't even won. We can be sure that Edgar Donaldson and Emilio Garcia Perez from Coldfield and Quebec are also enhanced beings with Powers beyond imagination. Who knows what drugs, magic or mechanical enhancements they used to win here. Of course I have no proof, but who wants to judge?

*muttering in the room, after a while a further Journalist asks a question*

Journalist: Mr. Handy, what do you think about the fact that you don’t get a golden crown, like humanoid Kriegiersien athletes would get it?
Publicist: As already stated, Mr. Handy is happy to serve and doesn't need these gimmicks as reward.
Journalist: Mr. Handy. What is your first name? Do you have one?
Journalist: Do you eat? What food do you eat? What do you like? Bananas?
Journalist: Do you have a relationship with Mrs. Codsworth?
Journalist: Is that a tear coming from his eye?
Publicist: That are just tears of joy because of the success.
Mechanic: I think that is a leak, we can fix that.
*the Mechanic starts to use a welder*
Publicist: The interrogation is over!
*Mr Handy is dragged back outside the room*

[Kelssek]

Here is cutoff.

[Liventia]

Cyclists hit podium again as national federation sets six-medal target

NOVONAYA— It may be a reduced Liventian delegation staying in the Athletes' Village in Novonaya these two weeks, but the 36 cyclists have already chalked up three medals for a country that has grown weary of the politicking surrounding Liventia's entry to the ongoing Games of the Olympiad.

Beth Westwood claimed a superb gold in the women's road race on day one and there has since been more joy on Novonaya's streets for Liventia, with Charlie Huws securing silver in the men's time trial.

Huws was not picked for the road race squad—Stephen Windsor was CyclingLiventia's preferred choice to lead the five-man team—and so came into the race fresh on a course that looked to suit his penchant for hilly time trials. Just 51 men took part in the event, a low not seen for some time in the Olympics, which further boosted Huws' chances at a medal.

Departing the start gate five from the end, he knew that defending Olympic champion Invaa'a Kuilak of the Vilitan Union was the leader out on course, while in the hut home favourite Nicholas Sawyer held the lead at one hour, five minutes and fifty-five seconds. Huws put in what he calls "the ride of my life", taking over a minute off Kuilak's final time of 1:03:43 to clock 1:02:31. Agonisingly, Aaron Townsville—the man racing immediately after him—then took three seconds off his time to claim victory.

"It's a bit deflating right now," he admitted immediately after the Townsville crossed the line. "Silver is amazing, but I had gold there and to lose it by three seconds after what I gave out there is painful."

He did have cause to celebrate later in the day when his track teammates Jake Bexley, Riley Kelly, Bobby Asquith and Jonathan Collins qualified for the bronze medal race-offs in the men's team pursuit, while Patt Bass and Leslie Lafaille claimed gold in the women's team sprint—a curious event in which the organisers allowed teams of three to participate, despite the signup regulations stipulating teams could be formed of no more than two riders.

"Well, we didn't have to come up against any teams of three in direct head-to-head competition so it doesn't bother us," Bass mused. "You'd think they'd check, though."

"We won, anyway," noted Lafaille. "That's a gold medal I never dreamt of winning."

A confident CyclingLiventia, in conjunction with the Liventia Olympic Association, has now set a formal medal target for the remaining athletes of six total medals, meaning the team is expected to win three more. The best chances would appear to be in the women's cross-country mountain bike race, and the two keirin events, with Becca Taylor, Bexley, and Morgan Johnstone all heavily favoured to win medals.

[Teremaran Olympics Delegation]

Al-Duhaba, Gragastavia
Al-Duhaba National Equestrian Center
A few days prior...

“Oh, Humphrey! Humphrey! What have they done to you?”

Bashir Hassan rushed into the stable stall of his beloved friend, the gate swinging back and forth behind. He fell to his knees before the majestic beast, tears welling in his eyes as he beheld the horrendous change to his steed. After all they had been through together, the best response that Hassan could return was a mournful wail of, “Oh, Humphrey!”

“Pretty good, isn’t it?”

Hassan’s head whipped around with an audible crack. Leaning against a pillar was Hussein Al-Fayez with a smug smirk across his face. As he saw Hassan’s expression, the smirk grew into a stupid grin, and his eyes flipped between the camel and Hassan.

“What do you know about this? What have you done?”

“Relax!” Al-Fayez said, striding through the open gate. He poked the side of the camel, “It’s just papier-mâché.” He ran his hand along the camel’s back, “They said we couldn’t ride camels, and we don’t have the budget to afford horses. I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am just to lose is all, because of some stupid regulations.”

Hassan turned back to Humphrey, who bleated happily in reply to Al-Hayez. He squinted a little, trying to make out what was camel and what was not. Under the mask of dried paste, the two eyes of his gallant steed were there, staring back into him with the same love and affection that Hassan felt for the creature, even under the matte brown paint. He rose from his knees, clods of dirt falling from his trousers, and he grasped Humphrey’s head lightly between his hands, touching his forehead to Humphrey’s. He whispered something inaudible, patted the camel on the nose, and stepped over to stand beside Al-Hayez. Hassan sighed, and said, “No. You are right.”

“It’s a great solution,” Al-Hayez said with a laugh. “No one will be the wiser. Would you believe that this is the work of our uniform designer?”

“Rashad?” Hassan asked, “He would be the one to do something like this!” He shook his head, “Nothing is sacred anymore. Not even our camels. We are told we cannot ride our camels, as our ancestors did when they roamed the deserts, and now, Rashad can paint our camels like they’re nothing more than a blank canvas. It is most upsetting.”

“Would you rather ride on an actual horse?”

Hassan shook his head, “Of course not. I am grateful for Rashad’s work, but that does not mean it will not bother me. It is as if we are hiding a part of ourselves. We are, and always will be, a camel-riding people, but they wish to take that away from us. And so, we hide our camels. Deception is not God’s way.”

“That sounds like sophistry,” Al-Hayez snorted. “We have two choices: either ride horses, or not compete at all. If this eats away at your sense of moral righteousness, then I’m not going to stop you from dropping out. At that point, you might as well join the boycott.”

Hassan sighed again, and cast his gaze across Humphrey’s coat. He ran his hand across the brittle surface that glittered in the light being cast down from the bare bulb hanging from the ceiling. He took a deep breath, and asked, “What about the hump?”

“We’re still working on that one,” Al-Hayez said with a smile. “Maybe it’s just a tumor?”

“That will not do,” Hassan said. “But I must admit, he has turned into a magnificent horse. He had me fooled at first glance.”

“The disguises need only be that good. Enough to fool the customs inspectors and the referees, but not much else. As long as the officials think we’re riding horses, then we’re riding horses. Beyond that, it makes no difference. Besides,” Al-Hayez said, pausing slightly, “Even if our horse does have a tumor, everyone’s so wrapped up in supporting the disabled. What’s a disabled animal between friends?”

“Between the two, there lives a camel named Humphrey.”

[The Atlae Isles]

1645 Hours
Novanaya, Kelssek
July 13, 12017

The Atlaesian Equestrian-Dressage Individual Team was ecstatic. They had not just qualified, but were going into the finals in a few days. Nothing could bring down their happiness.

That was...until they woke up the next morning to practice, and when they had arrived at their stables, the horses were gone. The gates were still locked, and there seemed to be horseshoe prints aside others...led by probably heavier men in size 10 shoes. However, this was an absolute disaster. How could they participate if they didn't have horses?

They immediately called for Kelssekian authorities, and they arrived with stunning speed. They asked almost dismissive questions, almost desensitized to the apparent crime.

The police soon left, but there seemed to be no solution in sight.

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

From: His Imperial Majesty the Jacques IX <RQOC.Royal@rqoc.que>
Sent: July 14, 2030, 19:30
To: The RQOC Community <RQOC.General@rqoc.que>
Cc:
Subject: Daily Update - Day 6

Dear Athletes and Staff members,

Good evening. I hope all of you had great time during today's competition and hope that the stay has been comfortable and safe in Kelssek and Vekaiyu. As it always is with daily olympic newsletters, the RQOC has a long list of congratulations, reminders and warnings to place forward:

Firstly, I would like to deny reports that I was sighted in streets of Novonaya with significant alcohol consumption within the Old Town district of Novonaya, leading to my lack of presence over last 2 days. For last 3 days, I've been sick and was ordered to contact nobody while on my time recuperating. Fortunately, I do have the list of those who started the rumour and they will be having very interesting conversations sometime this week.

Secondly, we would like to congratulate our medalists from today's events : Gaelle Pilon (34, Levis, Capitale-Nationale), in her 3rd olympics, finally overcame all the hurdles and won gold medal in Shooting - Women’s 10 m Air Rifle; and Jessie Tomlinson (23, Bathurst, Acadie) in Judo - Women's 70kg. Their performances, third medal from Shooting and second from Judo, are to be highly commended and congratulated as the Quebecois delegation continues strong performances throughout the day.

Thirdly, our commiserations go to Stephanie Bernier, who placed 7th in Cycling - Women’s Individual Time Trial, our quartet of Arlene Lafontaine, Erica Yang, Celine Lamouche and Kylie Clague who placed 4th in Swimming - Women’s 4×100 m Freestyle Relay. While falling short, their efforts nonetheless should be recognised and we wish them the best of their time for rest of the olympics.

Fourthly, the RQOC's official stance regarding the latest letter to all nations concerned by Riyna Yovisktre, the Chairwoman of the Vekaiyun National Olympic Council, is going to be firm and strong: the RQOC, unless requested by the Vekaiyun Government and military, will not withdraw Beheaded Rapist and Republican for the sake of integration. What the VNOC ignores and calls this as a matter of segregation is ridiculous in nature. The Quebecois national teams haven't stayed in the Olympic Village since the Centralis and Nassau Bay Games because of best interests we have for our athletes. The Quebecois delegation, after lessons learned from logistic difficulties back then, have not stayed in the village because the RQOC feels that it's not the best way to prepare for our competition, not to mention the great need for our athletes to spend time with their families after a long season preparing. This stance will not change, unless specifically requested by the Vekaiyun Government and military.

Fifthly, the RQOC would like to advise those heading to their competition venues to use their respective portals at least an hour before their call-up time with your coach(es). In recent times there has been a good number of technical issues that the portals have been facing and as a result, additional traveling time (up to 90 minutes) is expected. Unfortunately this is the best way to guarantee your arrival on time and the RQOC apologises in advance of the inconvenience.

Sixthly, the on-board maintenance and horticulture staff has informed the RQOC that 4th and 8th floor marijuana cellars of Hell's Angel, as well as their 5th, 6th and 7th floor counterparts in Beheaded Rapist and Republican, will be on a 24-hour maintenance period. We would like to advise all those containing their marijuana in their respective vaults to not panic and obtain cannabis in local dispensaries in either Novonaya or Provinsk - on their own expense. The RQOC will not be responsible for any financial charges involving the acquisition of cannabis in either nation.

Seventhly, in light of the situation surrounding Austin Von Dixie, the RQOC would like our athletes, friends and families to behave in a way expected of Quebecois peoples. As the people from the Land of the Morning Calm, True North and Wide, such behaviours will be condemned and dealt with accordingly should any of us, including myself, to cause a pathetic publicity stunt involving a poor performance because of a "missing banana". So far we have not had any incidents comparable in fashion, but should this happen, expect measures to be taken immediately and accordingly.

Lastly, I would like to wish your athletes the best of our luck and strengths to perform the best. Onward, Quebec!

Yours Sincerely,
Jacques IX

[Spaam]

Ellar Qualifies For Dressage Special

Ellar on Rainbow Dash

Equestrian captain Sheera Ellar has qualified for the Equestrian Dressage Grand Prix Special, while the Spaamanian Equestrian team just missed out on the team special by one point. Ellar, who was riding the beautiful white Rainbow Dash, was again the best of the team, finishing in equal 14th spot on 70.833 points after a good routine that only had a few mistakes in it. But she was still six points off the leader, Vangaziland's sole equestrian Gretchen Granite, and will need to improve to have a chance at a medal.

Tarron Hersys, who is not known for his high-level dressage, was the next best Spaamanian in 33rd, but missed out on qualification by two points on Rarity. Makaela Pakian, who was riding Twilight Sparkle, was disappointed with her routine and finished in 44th,
while Theodemar Elceran stumbled with Applejack and only managed 70th out of the 101 competitors. Ellar and Rainbow Dash will next be in action in two days on the 16th in the individual grand-prix special.

[West Phoenicia]

A Olympic Games Tourist Day out in Novonaya, Kelssek

The Olympics for the host nation is not always about the sports. It is also a great opportunity to flaunt your country to the rest of the world. To display your gleaming assets and hide your homeless. To display your culture and educate the guests to your nation.

The following is an email that The Howell family wrote from there hotel room to family back home in West Phoenicia.

Dear Aunt Pitty-Pat,

It was a really shame that you were unable join us on our trip to watch the XII Olympic Games. Especially as we know how much you love Equestrian and Shooting, by the way Equestrian started today and all the horses looked lovely. A lovely West Phoenician Equestrian rider named Jocelyn Rhodes, let the children pat her horse, it was a beautiful black horse with gold and scarlet ribbons, it's name was Sugar Plum Nightmare.
It must have been a very lucky pat, as Jocelyn Rhodes, currently places 11th in the Equestrian Dressage individual and our nation is really wowing judges as we rank 5th in the Equestrian team rankings.

So we are sorry you are not here to see the horses, but that fall you took down the stairs resulting in two fractured legs and a hip must be a priority was nasty and I know you are still recovering.




I am sure you will find this funny, the Equestrian is held at Catfields Park. I walked up to some official and asked will they be showing horses or cats. The official looked at me like I was on drugs. Which kind you seem pretty easy to access here in Kelssek. Hard to believe recreational drugs here are fine. When back home it would be prison time. And wifey did cause a minor stir when she went into a chemist to purchase some tablets for a headache and was offered something stronger. It appears LSE a brand of headache tablet in West Phoenicia is not sold here, and she nearly purchased lsd. While we enjoy our trip, that kind of trip is not what we wanted.

Whilst on the other hand Firearms are heavily restricted and I have had to leave mine at the front desk of the hotel in a safe. Unlike West Phoenicia where I have the right to carry around my gun if I choose. Just goes to show every nation is different.

The thaler, or whatever they call their money here, is quite confusing and I still fill that the money changer ripped us off when he found when were just visiting. Luckily we try to use our cards as much as possible. But I did use cash to buy you a Souvenir stuffed beave which cost: τ6.99, it is rather ugly, but I know how you like tacky tourist gifts Aunt Pitty-Pat.

We decided to take the kids out and about, soak in the cultures of Kelssek and tomorrow we may go to Vekaiyu on a bullet train, if wifey feels okay, she tasted some very strong spicy food at a local food vendor and she hasn't left the bathroom since she got back to the hotel. We even thought we heard fireworks, but it was just wifey on the bog.

Very strange nations, nothing like West Phoencia at all. And at times, you want to stop and stare at the citizens but you didn't want to offend them or be rude. I suppose if everyone looked normal it would be boring. But we did have to control the baby, who kept pointing at their body parts which did not look like ours.

We did have a pleasant tour of the Novonaya Gallery admiring what they call art. It was very different to our art, and while we are not art critics we did speak...I guess a little too loud at how odd it was, but some of it was quite colourful. After the kiddies touched a painting we were asked to leave by the art gallery curator who called us uneducated Philistines. When I correct her and said we were educated West Phoenicians he rolled his eyes and walked away.

The highlight of the day was attending Prairielands Park it is this wonderful re-creations of Vanardian encampments, music and horse archery performances and a log flume ride that we took the kids on 3 times. They enjoyed it and want to come back next year just to come back to Prairielands Park. However the candy apples were not like back home, I am unsure what the flavour was, but that will be avoided next time.

We shall be home in about a weeks time, and we have plenty of photos to show you. Miss you and wish you were here.

Johnny Howell and family. xxx

[Electrum]

Centralis Herald - Sports Section - Enver Hassan

A different perspective

I found myself sitting at the Islasi Rostrovistre Sen Provinsk, or the Water Palace, being posted to report on the water polo and diving events in Vekaiyu. I must confess to had experienced a life changing epiphany whilst I was at the Water Palace. I firmly believe that we should scrap all our conventional methods of building pools and emulate exactly what the Vekaiyuns have done, which is to build raised pools, which creates two levels of the viewing experience: above the pool and below the pool. The pool is encased in polycarbonate, so that of course, it is see through.

The Vekaiyuns are known for their obsession of polymer. Known for their proposal to introduce 4th place polymer medals several Olympic Games ago, I never knew the extent of their obsession. Now, I completely understand why they are obsessed. Just a walk through the wondrous Water Palace reveals the wide expanse of just blue. It is the focal point, the centre of attention: you can't help but feel consumed and overwhelmed by the sense of blueness in the water. Just seeing the legs or even the occasional tail from underwater is unlike anything that I've ever seen before, and it is this experience that showed me how the Vekaiyuns revere the aquatic sports so much. Exotic sports like underwater hockey, which will be a demonstration event at these Olympics, are bound to have great views below the water. It's because of these fantastic views that I propose we build a similar pool of this type in Electrum.

Why am I advocating for this change? It is simple: The new perspectives that you see are phenomenal. Admittedly, the utility of watching the diving events at the lower levels of the Water Palace is quite low (just who would want to see the exit of a dive when it is all about the entry?), it is fascinating to see all the action that happens underneath in the water polo events. Unlike the diving, most of the action happens below the water, all the dirty tricks, all the shenanigans happens below the water. It is a rough and tumble sport because obviously none of the umpires can see what is happening underwater. What's happening above the water is the ball being thrown, and swimmers trying to get to the ball. Everyone looks as calm as possible, and aside from the occasional splashing, it doesn't seem like anything at all is happening.

Beneath the surface however, as I said, it is a different story. It seriously is like a warzone, with athletes of both sides trying to grab, pull and push down in order to gain the valuable positioning to get to the ball the quickest. In most of the games that I have witnessed in the Water Polo, I saw scratching of the fingers, some punching and of course, tugging on the uniform, all for the sake of getting some leverage, or some kind of positioning advantage. It is like a bloodbath and is nothing that you could ever see from up top. Being close to the action, and being able to cheer and boo every time the opponent or the team you're cheering for did something dirty is simply an awesome feeling. You feel more connected to the players, and seriously would create better fan engagement for all.

The cost may be prohibitive, but it will be all worth it in the end: we could be able to generate greater ticket revenues by selling both above pool/below pool seating, as well as increased public interest in you know, having a freaking see-through pool from top to bottom. We could even ask for a discount from the Vekaiyuns, seeing that they are the experts in polymer manufacturing, and clearly have the better technology in these sorts of things than Electrum. This is just one of the many exciting things I discovered in Vekaiyu, I wish my stay would never end!

[Kriegiersien]

Mr. Weekend had lost the semi final and the match for bronze in Archery.

For his devoted fans that was a shock, a disaster. He was god for them, a failure impossible.

The enigmatic man, who always wears an eye patch (sometimes left, sometimes right), had just arrived in Kriegiersien and immediately won the Kriegiersien championship. That created many followers, who got ecstatic very fast and the whole fandom escalated in a short time. Although looking like being in his sixties or older, he mastered the modern bow like born with it.

Soon nothing else then the gold medal was expected. He had become a god, untouchable, but then, he lost. Close, but he lost. The fans couldn't believe it. One could only just prevented from committing suicide.

For some of his teammates, who did not do better (worse, to be exact), it was not that of a surprise.
“I have seen other gods been smashed here”, commented experienced Olympics participant Aires, who had lost in the round of 16.



The Ponies finally made their entrance. In dressage they could show their colorful fancy footwork and grace and everyone was delighted, except the ones who weren't.
They all qualified and as a team they reached the Grand Prix Special together with Sargossa as 6th placed and last team.
The Ponies just missed conversations with the other athletes. "We could again only talk with some of the coaches, who are sitting on them", reported a still startled Brownie Soldier, who was best Kriegiersien representative as 12th placed.
So, there will be more of them.




Durin won bronze in the 90 kg Judo competition. He is the first of the Kriegiersien star athletes taking a prize home. After losing against the later gold medal winner Amendo Kásaso from the Paripana Sporting Council, he was able to win against Alejandro Aragón from Sargossa and the deciding repêchage for bronze against Daffyd Lewis-Jones from Kelssek, which was a tough fight against the home crowd.

After the medal ceremony, he was moreover awarded with the golden crown for Kriegiersien medal winners from the Kriegiersien president himself, whose bodyguard he also is.

„My wife insisted on him as bodyguard and now we know why she decided that this strong, young, good looking man should always be on our side“, said the proud president, while Durin tried to smile bravely, shaking his hand, the golden crown leaning on his read haired head and the medal around his thick neck.

It was a happy end for everyone.

[The Orion Islands]

Day 1
Men's basketball Orion Islands 84, Atlae Isles 73 Status: Out of final playoffs
Women's Football Orion Islands 2, Velstrana 2 Status: In final rounds, 12th seed
Women's Water Polo Orion Islands 7, Velstrana 7 Status: In final playoffs, wild card, 8th seed
Day 2
Women's Basketball Orion Islands 93, Benjamin Mark 78 Out of final rounds
WIP

[Todd McCloud]

RP Cutoff for Day 7.

Also, due to stuff going on, I will likely not be able to get results up until approximately Saturday morning. All the best!

[West Phoenicia]

--- Trey Devlin

West Phoenician Amelia Defence can really tout her nickname "The Queen of Archery" after a fabulous result at the Novonaya, Kelssek and Provinsk, Vekaiyu XII Summer Olympics which saw her fight against all obstacles to win, earning West Phoenicia another gold and Amelia bragging rights as being the best female archer in the world.

Ever since she received a bow and arrow as a gift as a child, she has been competing ever since earning the respect from thousands of fans who follow who drama on and off the field.

It started in the ranking round where she placed a comfortable 18th.

• In the first round she defeated 112–107 Paulita Rosado of Sargossa 112-107.
• In round 2 she came up against a familiar face, NS Archery foe Marlie Yikati of Qasden who she defeated 112-110.
• In the round of 16, she beat out  Halana Scip of Greater Vakolicci Haven in a nail biting tiebreaker which swung her way 10–9
• At the Quarter-finals she defeated Petunia Sokol of The Atlae Isles 114-110.
• She scrapped through the Semi-Finals taking on Yvonne Eberhardt of the Paripana Sporting Counci winning 109-108
• She headed into the gold medal challenge, going up against Anja Lunde of Asendavia beating her 112-111.

Amelia Defence will go home a winner where she has called for her to take centre stage in the Welcome home parade that is awarded to Olympic games medallist winners. In other startling news rumours are bouncing around the nation of a possible romantic match up between Amelia Defence and Crown Prince Glenton Gryphon-Bush Philopator III.
If wedding bells are in her future, we may see her returning as a Princess at the next Olympics.


Amelia Defence has an impressive biography that can be seen below.

Amelia Defence Bio:

Full Name: Amelia Octavia Defence
Place of Birth:Olympia Hills; West Phoenicia
Age 22:

First national tournament: West Phoenicia Winter Archery Cup
Placed: 2nd

Latest National tournament: West Phoenicia Winter Archery Cup
Placed: 1st.

First international tournament: Aeropag Summer Olympic Games
Placed: Top 64.


Latest International Win:Novonaya, Kelssek and Provinsk, Vekaiyu XII Summer Olympics.
Placed: Placed first. Gold medal winner



NS Archery Open Appearances:

1. NS Archery Open- Mattijana
2. Calix City Open-Kebec
3. Royal Judean Archery Cup
4. Nassau Bay Trophy

NSAO Ranking: 2nd


Strengths: Charm.Grace.Poise. Elegance . Charismatic. Performer

Weaknesses: Stubborn, Melodramatic, Sways under pressure.



In other news:

• West Phoenician archer Franky England to quit international archery circuit after cat fight with Amelia Defence ended in her humiliation.

• Darren Eastlow/Tom Eastlow fighting strong to make it to top of their division in Men's Beach Volleyball. Tom Eastlow denies stuffing speedos.

• Kylie Wolfe/Sofia Doc a dynamic duo and shinning hope for West Phoenician women's beach volleyball. 3 games, 3 wins.

• Eve Central's cycling bronze glory in Women's individual sprint.

• Samuel Le Percy places 12th in the Canoeing (Slalom) - Men’s C-1. A small blow to the West Phoenician Canoe Federation who needs medals to stay afloat.

•[u] Lord Austin Von Dixie fires back at media outlets branding him attention seeking. Progress to 50m Freestyle finals with the help from a special delivery of West Phoenician bananas.

[Teremaran Olympics Delegation]

The Teremaran Olympics Committee
Provinsk, Vekaiyu

Einar Troggerssen and two of his aides from the YSR delegation arrived in the hotel conference room they had reserved in Provinsk for the meeting of the Teremaran Olympics Committee: the gathering of all the major delegation officials from the contributing nations of the region. A few Teremaran officials would be vid conferencing in from a similar rented room in Novonaya, Kelssek, where the other half of the Teremaran Unified Delegation was competing. Despite any political differences, like the athletes in their charge, the various Athletic department and ministry heads from the contributing nations had (hopefully) set aside ethnic and political differences in order to work together, organize and even divvy up administrative and coordination duties, with all of them taking up dual duties within whichever half of the Unified delegation they found themselves in, Provinsk or Novonaya.

In the room, several of his counterparts had arrived. He looked over the least known of them, the Austrakian athletics ministry official, a Walther Liebsgott. The man was younger than most of the others, with sandy blonde hair and classically chiseled cinema star looks. He’d been thrust upon the Unified committee at the last figurative minute, without much introduction or explanation. With a few subsequent brief meetings under their belt, no one had learned much further about him as he simply sat and observed each time, making no verbal contributions other than what was nominally required.

Einar knew just a brief bit about Austrakia, and most of that had to do with the Teremaran Great War. What he knew about their current standings was that they were a very isolated, neutral nation, as far right wing as the YSR was left wing and their current ultra-nationalist ruling party was cracking down and taking a very authoritarian hold on the small nation to a degree that they hadn’t seen in decades. In any case, this Liebsgott man would need some extra observation. What little he did say didn’t seem to match with one who would be very familiar with athletics and the world of sport beyond a basic knowledge.

The Neu Engollians were present. Jean-Marc Koepller, the Neu Engollian Minister of Athletics and two of his aides were already comfortably seated in some of the chairs around the table. Koepller hadn’t taken either of the end seats at the table, traditional, egotistical power seats, but he was just two seats from one of them. It was a strategic, telling move that Troggerssen noted. Other than that, they seemed in a very amicable mood.

The Gauls were also filing in, albeit on screen as they were in Novonaya. They gave cursory waves to everyone and continued to dither in whispered Gaulic French to themselves. They were led by Cédric Piaget, the Gaulic Minister of Athletics. He had one underling with him, while the rest were on ‘herding’ duty, as Troggerssen called it. Like many Gauls of powerful stature, he was a shorter than average man that prided himself on his salt and pepper well styled traditional hair cut and fancy Paritte suit.

Dimitri Romanov, the Falkasian Olympics Committee chairman, sat off to one side of the table. He had no aides, as they had been dispersed between both sides and amongst the athletes to make sure that everything went smoothly. It wasn’t so much a big brother approach as they were trying desperately to keep some of the younger athletes out of trouble. The Falkasian team was much younger, as summer games were not a tried-and-true hallmark of the country, and as such, much of their delegation amounted to whomever they could get their hands on.

He nodded courteously, albeit absentmindedly, as the Austrakian and Yellowsians had entered the room. Apparently the two dark horses of the bunch had wildly differing ideas of what constituted quality upper management, although the irony of such a thought did not fall upon his own deaf ears either. It had been a long flight in and an even longer couple days trying to get the logistics of everything sorted out. It was slowly dawning on him how much of a nightmare the Olympics must be for the support staff behind the scenes. If he was this drained, he can’t imagine what it must be like for a baggage porter.

Finally, straggling behind the rest, was the pair of Gragastavians. Both were almost carbon copies of one another, only one was mustachioed and the other wore glasses. Carrying black vinyl briefcases, they made their way through the room in a single-file line and took their seats, across from Romanov, in perfect unison. The mustachioed man, identified by his nameplate as Hassan Al-Bahr, placed his briefcase on the table in front of him, unlatched the clasps, and flipped it open. He shuffled with the papers inside, before finding the correct ones, setting them aside, and replacing the briefcase next to his chair. Next to him, Habib Shalhoub sat with his legs crossed and hands neatly folded on the table. Like Al-Bahr, he had next to no expression on his face, other than the businesslike determination that seemed to be part of the uniform for all white-collar workers in the whole nation of Gragastavia.

Shalhoub traced his professional history to a sporting goods company based out of Al-Hamra, and by a few arranged marriages, political connections, and bartering with goats, he managed to curry favor with the leading officials of the Gragastavian Olympic Commission. On the other hand, Al-Bahr had achieved his position by way of sheer force of bureaucracy. He began his career as a junior undersecretary in the Ministry of Administrative Affairs, and worked his way up, jumping between ministries and appointments as he was needed, until he found himself in the good graces of the Royalist Party, specifically the senator charged with overseeing sports and entertainment in the nation. Though one was an actual bureaucrat and the other was corporate bureaucrat, both men were the quintessential image of a Gragastavian executive: stolid, dark-suited, and very, very dull.

The Glisandian, Valberg Gundvardurski, was in Novonaya with the Gauls and was just visible in a corner of the screen in the conference room. He was happy enough to not be around some of their Tavlyrian neighbors, although he wouldn’t have cared much either way. Like some of the more rural Glisandians, he had a very thick and bushy beard that had tones of reddish hair mixed with blonde and white.

As they all seemed to be present and time was precious so they could all get back to keeping tabs on some of their more rowdy athletes, Koepller was the first to speak to get the ball rolling.

“It’s good to see you all, some of you in the flesh, again. It’s been a while for some of us, while some of us saw each other just a few months back during the Winter edition of the 12th Olympiad and some of us have been in touch since to coordinate this project. Some of us are unfamiliar with each other. It would be nice to do introductions, but I don’t think we have that kind of time. So...without further adieu, I’d…”

The Gaul in Novonaya, Piaget, jumped the gun, feeling a bit impatient. The video camera auto zoomed in on him, the sensors recognizing that he was talking. They were using an advanced Schwyz Logiztek system that hadn’t been put out on the public market yet.

“Pardon...Je suis désolé, but…Monsieurs Shalhoub and Al-Bahr, I feel I need to address this now. I’m still hearing rumors of camels being brought for the equestrian events. I thought the NSOC was quite clear on that position. I really hope you all don’t do something that will get our whole unified delegation sanctioned, or even worse, disbarred from competing. After all, there’s a lot of hopes, not to mention millions of NS Dollars, at stake here. Is this camel thing true?”

Upon hearing the question, both men jointly furrowed their eyebrows. They turned to one another, whispered a few words among themselves, then nodded, as they reached agreement. Al-Bahr took the lead, his mustache seeming to do more talking than his mouth, and answered, “That question is very offensive, sir. You assume that because we are Gragastavian, we are not able to ride animals other than camels. As I am sure you well know, sir, the Gragastavian Olympic Commission released a statement some time ago announcing that we intended to abide by the NSOC’s decision to ban our ungulate olympians from the Games, despite the affront to their athletic ability. To assume that we would resort to underhanded methods, acting with complete disdain for the regulations set forth, is quite insulting and degrading to this esteemed assembly.”

As Al-Bahr finished his response, Shalhoub quickly filled the air, before anyone else had a chance to open their mouth. He looked to Al-Bahr and said, “I believe that the Gaulic gentleman may be confused.” Shalhoub then turned to the camera, “Sir, I can confirm that our camels will be attending the equestrian events, but only as spectators. As they had earned the right to compete, prior to that shameful announcement, we feel that it is only right that we allow our tawny friends to support their riders. I hope, sir, that that answers your question.”

Romanov looked down towards the floor as he grinned, doing his best to shield the reaction from his counterparts. It took every ounce of his self-control not to laugh. On the one hand, who was he to say if the Gragastavians were offended? Yet, on the other hand, he knew full well it was just another front to deflect the question in a way that would generate enough plausible deniability for each and every one of them to generate their own conclusions. He had worked with hundreds of Gragastavians across his career from varying levels within their hierarchy, and one thing they all shared was the almost stereotypical shrewdness prescribed to pesky Arab traders. It wasn’t a stereotype in the case of the Gragastavians, insofar as it was simply a guaranteed and well-understood part of their culture. It was also this reason why the FSIS made heavy use of GRITS operatives in joint operations. They could be captured, interrogated, and still walk out of the prison having sold their captors a stake in some exclusive overseas beachfront timeshare.

Al-Bahr turned his attention to the man across the table, his face still somewhat red from the indignation that washed over him as he had listened to Piaget’s question. “Do you think our camels are funny, Mr. Romanov?” he asked, his accent sounding a bit thicker than usual.

Piaget squinted at the screen at Romanov. He had been so focused on the Gragastavians that he hadn’t even registered the reactions of the other delegation heads. Just as quickly, he dismissed the Falkasian, shaking his head. He was a man on a mission.
“I’m sorry to offend you, but I think you need to listen to what you are saying, here. So, you brought camels here just to spectate? Is this a joke? I…” His aide was fervently trying to whisper in his ear...Something about ‘cultural sensitivity’. He physically shoved the younger Gaul off.
“...Listen, my son served on one of the Qasifyan peacekeeping operations...” [Qasifya was a former colony of Gaul, a warlord divided desert with a bit of a coast, a neighbor of Gragastavia, and probably the main shit show of the region followed closely by Gragastavia or Glisandia, depending on opinion.]
”He told me stories. I’m well aware of how you conniving, fable telling Arabs are. Again, I remind you what is at stake here. If you put a camel out on those equestrian tracks, it doesn’t just affect your rider, it affects the whole delegation, no matter what corner of Teremara we come from! We could all be looking at expulsion and sanctions! Millions flushed down the tubes for what?! Camel love?!!”

During this exchange, Koepller remained riveted but mute. He knew a bit about the camel dilemma as he was one of the lead organizers of the committee. At this point, he wasn’t sure if he should step in or let things take their course. While he had nothing against the Gauls as a people, Piaget happen to be a bit abrasive for his social tastes. If he could avoid more unpleasantness, he would, but that cat also seemed to be well out of the bag.

The Austrakian, going by the name of Liebsgott, seemed almost amused, but not quite outright chuckling like the Falkasian. He sat back with arms folded to watch the show.

The Glisandians and Yellowsians in turn seemed mildly horrified, terribly confused, and much like deer caught in the headlights, as the Western expression went. If anyone could have imagined nationalistic in nature disputes on the Committee, it would have most likely been between the two bitterly hostile Northern Tavlyrian neighbors, or...at the very least between the Austrakian and the Neu Engollians, also being a bit cantankerous with each other, but not this drama unfolding.

Whereas Shalhoub remained cool and collected in the face of the Gaul’s onslaught, Al-Bahr did not. His face grew beet red, and his mustache began to curl into a sneer of cold contempt. He slammed his fist into the table, causing his nameplate to hop into the air, and as he did so, Al-Bahr abruptly rose to his feet, his chair cascading down behind him. “Sir,” he said, his accent now thick to the point where one could easily be forgiven for thinking he was speaking his native Arabic, “I will not stand for this insult to our nation!” The irony, of course, was that he was standing. “You think that, because we respect the animals that graciously allow us to ride upon their backs, we do not understand a simple directive? You, sir, must either be daft or a racist, and I sincerely hope it is the former! These camels earned the right to compete as olympians, and that right has been snatched away from them. Even so, we have no intention of disgracing them further, and will extend them the same respect that the olympians of old received. We treat our camels with the respect they are due, but that is something I doubt an imperialist like you would understand.”

Shalhoub did crack a small smile at the image of camels wearing crowns of olive leaves on their heads, but cast the thought out of his mind as he returned his attention to the end of Al-Bahr’s tirade. Again, before giving anyone else time to speak up, Shalhoub jumped in with a more measured response: “We have already made the necessary arrangements, and the camels will be seated in the viewing box alongside the official Gragastavian delegation. The funds necessary have already been disbursed from the independent GOC account, so there should be no cause for alarm to this committee. I extend my thanks to Mr. Al-Bahr and Mr. Piaget for their concern on this matter, and I trust that we can put this matter behind us to get on with the official business of this meeting, rather than accuse each of other of deceit based on dubious rumors and hearsay.”

Koepller nodded.
“I must agree with my colleague, Mr. Shalhoub. I don't know about all these arrangements for the camels, but all the same, these wild accusations aren’t necessary nor are they warranted. We need to have more faith in each other if we are to keep this delegation unified.” The Neu Engollian cleared his throat,
“I might also remind Mr. Piaget that the contingent being contributed by his country don’t all originate from his actual country. Quite a few are Marveillian and even Qasifyan by special dispensation able to compete under the Gaul banner. Most of whom are ethnic Arab. He might keep that in mind that were they to hear of this display of such negative attitudes towards their ethnicity, it might be quite demoralizing towards those Gaul nationals of Arab descent that look to you for your leadership.”

[To be continued…]

---

RP Courtesy of Austrakia, Falkasia, Glisandia, Gragastavia, Neu Engollon, Terre Des Gaules, Yellow Star Republic

[Kalosia]

Kalosia u l'Olimpiade
Official coverage of the XII Olympic Games by Lë Puntu Kuotidianu

Sitšilianu Siblings Win Third Match, Lead Group Standings

Today the Sitšilianu Siblings — who have so far dominated coverage of Team Kalosia in the Olympics — have defeated Sapient Calling Bird and Sapient Calling Bird from Santaclausisgodistan in Beach Volleyball. As a result, they are now leading the standings for Group E for the Men's category.

"What a relief" Paolo, the older of the two, said. "We were worried that we'd break our winning streak so far." His brother, Luka, added, "Well now the pressure of maintaining that streak is just going to be bigger and bigger. At least we have the weekend off."

With the next match on July 17, the two have stated that they will continue to rest and train for the game on Monday. As Paolo said, "After all, what else is there to do? Now is not the time to back down."

Viewing Parties Being Held Across Kalosia

A viewing party held in a municipal stadium in a suburb of Monterra

Hundreds of viewing parties ranging from small house gatherings to huge public events were held for the live broadcast of the Opening Ceremony in Provinsk, Vekaiyu.

While some of them were officially sponsored by companies and partners affliated with the Kalosian Olympic delegation or even with the organizers of the Olympics themselves, the vast majority of viewing parties were small gatherings in private spaces (i.e. homes and other personal residences). The biggest event, within the Kalosian Sports Complex in Monterra, was attended by over two thousand people, and included a pre-concert by artists such as Dahlia, whose song Sport di'l Eta was made the official song of the Kalosian team in the IX Games.

Although interest for the individual events are nowhere as high as that for the Opening Ceremony, viewing events continue to be held throughout the island nation. Many sports bars across the country have pledged to focus on showing broadcasts of the individual sporting events - both live and on delay - on their screens for the duration of the Games. A screen has been temporarily installed in front of the main Ministry of Sports and Recreation building which will broadcast sporting events that Team Kalosia is taking part in, as well as showing current standings and other Olympic-related information.

Although the Opening Ceremony has passed, the Games are ongoing, of course, and you can continue to celebrate the Olympic spirit by showing your support for Team Kalosia, by engaging in all kinds of sports, and of course by staying tuned to our news coverage of the XII Olympic Games!

[Mattijana]

Olymija-The Olympic roundup

Mattijana To Honour Medallists

The Mattijanan community department, in conjunction with the department of sport, have decided to honour athletes who win medals for Mattijana at the winter or summer Olympics with special titles. Those who win gold will be awarded the OGM, silver medallists the OSM and bronze medallists the OBM.

Julian Petrov, the Mattijanan sports minister, said that "the awards allow us to recognise the efforts of those who earned the greatest prizes in sport representing the country. It will offer a legacy for those athletes which will last forever and help us to remember their efforts, particularly those who won our very first Olympic medals."

Those who won medals for Mattijana before the scheme begins will still be honoured.

Svetlanic wins first Mattijanan Gold

Mattijana have at last won their first gold medal of the games, as Julian Svetlanic raced to a joint victory in the 100m freestyle swim. The Mattijanan led most of the race after a good getaway and turn, but was hauled in by home favourite Yorev Biristravi over the final 30 metres, and it was neck-and-neck as both swimmers hit the finish.

There was some initial confusion as neither swimmer knew who had won, but the timing screens could not separate the pair and so it was decided that both should take home the gold.

Svetlanic said that it was "a massive honour" to have taken the first gold for Mattijana and join "an exclusive group of incredible athletes." He will become Mattijanan's newest OGM at a ceremony in Petrovijanka after the team's homecoming.

What to Expect Next

Matej Burgisov looks in good form ahead of the Men's C1 Canoe slalom final after qualifying third fastest in the semi final with a time of 84.44. One penalty for a touched gate cost him one of the top two spots, but he was rapid enough to secure third, a position that bodes well for the final.

Edvard Makarov also sneaked through qualification of the K1 Slalom, qualifying 15th fastest after a scrappy second run. His first was eventually good enough to scrape through however, and he will be looking to up his game in the semi final.

[Furnifold]

BeeDee Loretta got up, early in the morning as usual, to begin her training regimen. She ran her usual amount, did isolated targeting of body motions, and listened to the advice and criticism of her coach when he arrived. She went back to her hotel room to eat breakfast and get her body worked on by her trainer. This time though, her trainer didn't arrive outside the door, she was already in the room. See, Loretta and her trainer had a sort of "fling" going on, in that her trainer would help correct and relax her muscles after regular work hours. The trainer spent the night over, and inexplicably, wasn't up with Loretta in the wee hours of the morning, as she expected. That's a good thing in all honesty, she thought. Having her around me for a very long period of time would be too much of a distraction. The trainer worked on massaging BeeDee's tired legs, which caused BeeDee to chuckle to herself. This is basically what she was doing last night, I wonder if she ever turns "trainer mode"off. BeeDee suddenly felt a little nervous, because her coach would most certainly not approve of this affair. She said to her trainer, "hey, like, I really enjoy hanging out with you, but we can't keep doing this. Coach would be pissed, you would probably be let go, and I would be cloistered in my room for the remainder of the Olympics." So it was settled, the trainer would only come when summoned, and only to help Loretta after practice. But it would not turn out that way, they were just too into each other. They looked at each other, and... well let's just say there was nothing stipulated about the trainer enjoying herself while working to relieve Loretta after practice.

---

Artemis Gay continued to prep and ready himself for the upcoming table tennis match. He was unsure of his seeding at this time, but his coach had a much better handle on this kind of thing, so he relied on his coach for that advice. He was also enjoying the city life as much as possible. The cocktails he consumed drained him, coupled with the constant practicing, he sometimes had no energy to even meditate! Going out and enjoying the scene was his way of recuperating energy, but he did not go overboard. He knew of some athletes who went hard and were really impacted when their event came up. He also was nervous about other athletes who had finished competing, because they could be spending the rest of the time drinking, getting high, and partying. And he did not want to be around these people, lest he be tempted or they do something to harm his chances. Gay was in it for the top prize, he was committed and ready to get the gold.

---

A small plane arrived in Novonaya earlier this morning. On it was Raina Al-Hassani and Um Toni, female triathlon runners for Furnifold. Their event was not until the 25th, and they were not present during the opening ceremonies. Instead, they were in Furnifold, caring for their ailing grandmother. Raina and Um are cousins, and both have been training together for their entire lives. Raina, the older of the two, excels in swimming and running, while Um is strong on the bicycle. They were originally expecting to be at the opening ceremonies, but before it began their grandmother became real ill. She was able to recover, but their entire family could not make it because. But, the two have arrived and are ready to succeed!

[Electrum]

OOC: Permission is already granted to roleplay this.

Provinsk Staso Vilistruyave
Drug Testing Room

The four Electrumites, Cathy Lane, Hila Blomberg, Josie Maples and Cara Ulrist were giddy after their gold medal winning victory in the 4x200 free event. With all the poolside interviews done and dusted with the excited Electrumite press, they moved onto the drug testing room: a mandatory requirement for any swimmer after a victory. It was a procedural matter really: no Electrumite would ever dare take drugs thanks to the relentless efforts of the domestic Doping Testing Agency, so it was a quick wait in the lobby, they get called in to get drug tested, and then exit for the medal ceremony.

For Cathy Lane, it was something she had done before: she knew what to expect, given that she won medals in previous Olympic Games, but for the other three, it was their first ever medal. For Ulrist, it was even more bittersweet: she had been trying for two editions now for a medal, and now was her last chance to win a medal before she would have to retire. She was one of the oldest members on the team, and since the selection for swimming spots on the Electrumite team was very competitive, she felt that this would be her very last chance for a medal - she felt that she peaked just in time for the Olympics. She had come so close last time, being in the same team in the 4x200 event with Lane and two other athletes, the team came dead last in the final. Now they were in first, and Ulrist wanted to soak it all up. Ulrist was the anchor of the team too, and managed to storm past her Vekaiyun appointment to snatch victory by just four tenths of a second.

That was, until the Vekaiyuns entered the room. It was immediately apparent how disaffected the Vekaiyuns were - how dare the Electrumites snatch glory out of their hands in their home event? It was the four sneers that said it all. The vulpines, although shorter and smaller than the humans, were still imposing in their swimsuits and their not-quite-a-human-look. Ulrist just couldn't resist saying something. At home, she was known as a chatterbox - she couldn't help it but say something to lighten the mood.

"Well that was really close, I'm sure you'll do well next time!" Ulrist tried to act sincere, but she knew as the words came out of the mouth that it didn't feel like it. One of the Vekaiyuns replied, with a bigger scowl than before.

"Oh look at me I'm a human! I have larger muscle mass and taller than you! Please, save your pity for someone else." Ulrist was shocked. This wasn't how she pictured winning her first ever medal at the Olympics: all the articles and photos always seemed to show the athletes hugging and smiling with each other, she was just trying to be nice. Maples felt like she had to respond in turn too.

"Yes, Cara, you should save your pity. It's not like we have those 'speed swimsuits,' which is practically cheating." One of the other vulpines, Isassi, got offended.

"It's to make up for our obvious disadvantage. Didn't you get the memo?" Voices were being raised -- the team from the Atlae Isles just stood their gobsmacked as the two other relay teams argued about the merits of swimsuits in competition. Blomberg got close to pulling some punches, but it was Lane, the wisest, who had to restrain her. Likewise, the Vekaiyuns did the same for Isassi. It would have all gone downhill had punches been thrown - as soon as they had the medal ceremony, everyone would be asking questions about someone's black eye. Luckily for the athletes, they were saved by a meek looking attendant who had just saw a few moments of what had happened, calling the Electrumites to a separate room to be tested.

Just twenty or so minutes later, the three teams would be smiling happily for the cameras: but they all knew that the smiles were fake.

[Vilitan Union]

The Report from Novonaya and Provinsk :: Basketball Team Comes Out from the Shadows

It hasn't been the competition that the Vilitan Union's Men's Basketball team might have dreamed of when they made their way to Novonaya and Provinsk for the XII Summer Olympic Games, but they were still having fun. Posting a point differential of negative forty-six and just one game to play following their 78-84 defeat to co-host nation Vekaiyu, it was almost certain defeat for the Net Cats men who would need a miracle to move on to the playoff round at this point.


It was a different story, however, for the Vilitan Union women's team who defeated Cosumar 84-68 in their Matchday 3 contest at the Kastruviyev Arena to keep within striking distance of Division A leaders Qasden who had beaten the Vilitan Union by a score of 100-70 on the previous matchday. The Women are still very much in contention with two matches to play and could still progress with a pair of victories.

Of course, the Vilitan Union Women's team is led by the Maraksa sisters Kuli, Juli and Turtii. While Kuli Maraksa is one of the stars of the team Turtii and Juli tend to see their role coming more from the bench, but still find themselves a critical part of the Vilitan Union setup.

Vilitan Union Basketball	Womens Roster	
Starters		
C	Watend'aa Wuzkoszali
SF	Ateeli	Horneta'a
PF	Polaili	Yutoaza
SG	Kuli	Maraksa
PG	Ladi'i	Gam'iiakok
Bench		
C	Turtii	Maraksa
SF	Marila	Trapa'pin
PF	Lonina	Aneta
SG	Truvala	Zaga'a
PG	Kioao	Aneta
U	Juli	Maraksa
U	Nikka	Bokka

While the Vilitan Union Women's Roster wasn't announced in time for press in the XII Olympic Media Guide, there are many good stories on the roster. Beyond the Maraksas is the sister duo of Lonina & Kioao Aneta. All eyes however will likely be on Watend'aa Wuzkoszali who many thought would have to miss the Olympic Games due to a knee injury suffered over the Winter. Determined as ever, however, Wuzkoszali has not only made the team but has performed well for the Net Cat women in the opening three matches of the tournament as starting center.

The Vilitan Union Basketball Teams are using the standard Tropicorp Sports provided Vilitan Union top in Blue but they have gone with the traditional sleeveless look also shared by the Vilitan Union Track & Field team.

It has been a tough few days for the Vilitan Union team at these Olympic Games with no medals and some dissapointing results particularly on the football pitch where the defending champion Vilitan Union Men are still searching for their first victory.

There have also been a number of near misses for the Vilitan Union contingent - earning consideration as the unofficial 'Polymer Medal' slot including Igizia Yuil'alao's 4th place showing in the Women's 800m Freestyle Swimming event at the Provinsk Staso Vilistruyave where she finished just 0.03 seconds behind the touch of Kim Klein. On the men's side, Beni'i Watkinsa'agle nearly became the first Vilitan Union shooter to medal in the Skeet competition, finishing just one point off the podium also in the 'Polymer' slot with a score of 144 when compared with Bronze Medal winner Amir Nasli of Kelssek who posted 145.

While it wasn't quite a polymer performance, Tilsi Nubalaki-Kuilak finished 6th in the Women's Individual Time Trial cycling event, a disappointment for the Vilitan team in an event that she, along with teammate Kalita Amalona, felt they would be more competitive. That said, there are still many strong events left on the schedule for the Vilitan Union with the Water Polo team events still within reach as well as the start of the Athletics Competitions next week.

[Sargossa]

SSM | Sargossan State Media
International Edition - Sport


Life's A Beach


José Dorado reports;

In the arena of volleyball Sargossa’s women have consistently shown that they are a match for the very best the sportiverse has to offer. Domestically both the indoor and beach varieties host popular and well-funded leagues, a strong foundation that has proven crucial when the nation’s representatives have found themselves thrust upon the international stage. In Olympic terms, it’s historically the beach version that has been the source of most success. Twice the great team of Maria Vega and Alda Montero reached Olympic finals, before falling short, while the Camino sisters went one better, taking gold from the Games in Zube.

As is traditional in Olympic years the Palmador National League also served as the qualifying event for the Games, with the two teams that reached the grand final also winning the right to represent Sargossa in Kelssek. Mia Abasto and María Paula Costa may have lost that grand final in Dunas but they’ve channelled that disappointment into some strong performances here in Kelssek. They may have been taken to a third set by a typically grey and dingy duo from Gregoryisgodistan but, spurred on by the kind of vocal support that any opponent of those from the pariah state can expect, they came through 15 – 7 to remain the only unbeaten team in Group H. They may be national champions but the team of Danika Candela and Cierra Zayas still have work to do in Group E, having dropped their opening match to the Britonisea pairing of Cash and Kaye. They’ve bounced back with a second successive straight sets win, the Quebecois team of Beatrice Lindahl and Nishinoya Tsugumi the latest victims, but hopes of progression are currently out of their hands.

On the Men’s side, the level is much lower. Emilio Vargas and Jorge Abad certainly battled hard against Sami Julianic and Dominik Saranic but fell 15 – 11 in the third to record their fourth defeat in four. But in Group D Mario Vergera and Juan Miguel turned the form book on its head with a shock straight sets victory over the previously unbeaten duo from the Fujisawan Territories. It was a win that took them off the foot of the table with two matches left to play.

Over in Howes Park the Canoeing events are in full swing. Kesare Limas came eighteenth in the Women’s C-1 Slalom event, which probably constitutes a great victory in the modern annuls of Sargossan Canoeing. There’s also a great deal of focus currently centred on the Olympic Velodrome, a place devoid of Sargossan representation. Whereas great battles between the likes of Krytenia, Bostopia, Sorthern Northland and Liventia have captured the imagination within Velodromes past the good people of Sargossa have struggled to consider Cycling as much more than a pastime. Certainly we can dig out participants for the Road events, the Mountain Biking and the BMX competition but the Velodrome remains a scary and peculiar place.

Less peculiar is Catfields Park, home to events we can actually make some sense of. The Shooting has been a roaring success thus far, with a series of strong performances from Sargossan competitors culminating in two medals. And a third agonisingly slipped away in the Women’s Skeet. Esperanza Tasia finished the qualifying competition in fourth place overall, to reach the final. But in that final nerves seem to set in and Tasia dropped from fourth to sixth. While over in the picturesque surrounds of the Novonaya Riverfront Expo Manolo Granero finished in the top twenty of the Men’s 94kg Weightlifting. Which will be something to tell the grandkids.

Up in Vekaiyu the team sports are reaching their crucial stages and Sargossa’s representatives, carrying wildly differing expectations, are in the thick of it. There was a rare sight indeed at the Kastruviyey Arena, where Sargossa’s Men enjoyed an 88 – 73 win over the Royal Kingdom of Quebec in the Basketball. It was a first win of the tournament for Sargossa and one which was enjoyed thoroughly by those fans who had made the trip. Greater things were expected from Yemestrovi Field, where the footballers took to the pitch against Britonisea. Rodrigo Defederico’s side may have been held to a slightly disappointing 2 – 2 draw but they remain top of Division C, three points clear of Mattijana but having played a game more.

[Kriegiersien]

Diary of Dr. Li, Swimmer, 50 m Women's Freestyle

Day 1

5:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 10 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Training.
15:00 Team meeting
16:00 Watching Ann in 100 m Butterfly. She gets 11th in the heat. I am am so proud of my darling.
17:00 Short Training session under competition conditions
18:00 Ann gets last in the Semis. Comforting my poor daughter.
19:00 Exploring the city together with Ann. She seems to get better.
21:00 Bedtime

Day 2

5:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 10 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Training.
15:00 Team meeting
17:00 Short Training session.
19:00 Exploring the city. Found a tiny Britonensian pub. Terrible service, but still better food then the locals. Just can't stand that.
21:00 Bedtime

Day 3

5:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 12 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Training.
15:00 Telling the coach what I think about the meetings.
17:00 Short Training session under competition conditions
19:00 Strolling in the city. Meeting a swimmer from Vekaiyu. Casual Sex. Interesting.
23:00 Bedtime

Day 4

6:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 6 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Training.
15:00 Calling the father of my kids. Everyone fine.
17:00 Short Training session.
19:00 Exploring the city. Having a nice evening with a girl from West Phoenicia.
23:00 Bedtime

Day 5

5:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 13 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Training.
15:00 A fan wanted to make a selfie with me. Then getting an autograph. Then a blood and urine sample. At this point I got suspicious and ran away.
17:00 Short Training session
19:00 Ann tells me that she has met a swimmer from Mattijanan. She wants to live with him and move there. I told her that she is old enough to make her own stupid mistakes. She didn't seem to be satisfied with the answer.
21:00 Bedtime

Day 6

5:00 Waking up. Stretching. Running 5 miles. Shower.
7:00 Breakfast. Yellow Pills.
8:00 Training
9:00 Blue Pills to cover up Yellow Pills.
10:00 Massage
13:00 Feeling followed.
17:00 Short Training session
19:00 Watching TV. One of our robots wins silver in Weightlifting. Looks like the one who mops the floor in our lab.
21:00 Bedtime

Day 7

5:00 Waking up. Calling a colleague of mine. He assures me that there is no danger at all.
10:00 Waking up again. Stretching. Breakfast. Relaxing until the Competition starts. Nervous.

Heats. Ending 12th. Qualified with 25.07 for the semis.

Semi Final 24.46. Good time. Placed 8th together with Ikrisia Sulevire and Ella Reilly. Discussion with referees if that is enough for the final. Some say yes, others don't know. We are waiting.

21:00 Party with some of our Beach Volleyball players and some referees from Electrum.

00:00 Vomiting. Feeling sick for the rest of the night. But will be fit in the final. If there is one for me.