EOA Summer Olympiad 2024 (Live Coverage)

by **Novo Wagondia** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 1:38 am

Calendar · Event Program · Forum Thread · Olympic Factbook · Results

Tip: Visit the Santa Catalina 2024 Drive for maps, charts, seed lists, and other exclusive Olympic content!

OOC: Welcome to the official forum hub for the 2024 EOA Summer Olympiad, capping over two months of development within the Empire of Andrew region. This thread is formatted as a sports blog, produced by Wagondia's national broadcaster MPP, and as such will feature live analysis of Olympic results as they are published, in addition to general-interest content about the culture of the games and its host city — Santa Catalina, Wagondia.

The 2024 Olympic Games will be staged over two in-game weeks (opening on 28 September and closing on 30 October). Given the time needed to manually seed, simulate, and report each sporting event — no scorinators will be used in the production of these games — one in-game Olympic day will roughly correspond to a week in real time. With the exception of a handful of team events that begin competition before the opening ceremony, events will be published first in day order and then in alphabetical order, so that day one of competition will begin with aquatics and end with wrestling, for example.

These Olympics are taking place within the confines of the Empire of Andrew, and are not open to athletes from outside of the region. Productive commentary and questions from all nations regardless of region are welcome, however a response cannot be guaranteed. Have a look around and enjoy your visit to Santa Catalina!

Trending on Libra: Siblings Hifumi and Uta Abe of Japan win gold and silver medals, respectively, in half-lightweight judo

Today's Weather
(Day 2)

Introduction

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games (Portuguese: Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de 2024), also known as Santa Catalina 2024, is an ongoing international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 28 September to 13 October in the Wagain Empire. The event will mark the third time that the Wagain Empire has hosted an Olympic Games (after Mexico City 1968 and Rio de Janeiro 2016), and the second time the Games have been held in South America. The Wagain capital of Santa Catalina will act as the principal host city, with select events scheduled to be held in the adjoining province of Brazil. A record 6,525 athletes from 13 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to participate in nearly 350 overall events, outlined in detail on the Olympic Results and Medal Table dispatch.

The sports of karate, polo, and baseball & softball, which were added on a provisional basis at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Kaohsiung, will return to the Olympic programme, while rugby sevens, squash, cricket, and breaking will make their Olympic debut. Competitions will be staged across 47 venues in Santa Catalina proper, as well as nine satellite locations in the adjacent province of Brazil. Care has been taken to select temporary or pre-existing venues where possible, with new constructions kept to a minimum to reduce costs and promote sustainability.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games are being branded under the slogan Além do Horizonte ('beyond the horizon'). This represents not only the warm and verdant land, sand, and seas of the New World, but symbolizes Wagondia's broader commitment to looking forward and embracing the possibilities of the future. Além do Horizonte reflects a vision of progress rooted in cultural innovation, social development, sustainability, and global unity. It is about reaching for new heights, exploring untested frontiers, and leaving behind a legacy that will inspire future generations. The motto encapsulates Santa Catalina's aspiration to be a beacon of hope, progress, and peace for all of Earth, as its nations and peoples begin to strive for the Stars.
.

Note: Emblem designed by Mackensie Hessler

Host City and Country

Santa Catalina is the political capital of Wagondia and the seat of its imperial family. Affectionately referred to as the Cidade Safira (sapphire city) or Cidade dos Murais (city of murals) by locals (themselves known as 'Xapenhos'), Santa Catalina is also a major node of global commerce, culture, and diplomacy, home to the headquarters of the United Council of Peoples (UCP) and the Communidade, as well as the largest entertainment industry in Latin America. It is classified as an "Alpha +" level world city by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group.

Santa Catalina is jurisdictionally part of the Distrito Federal (Federal District), an enclave surrounded on all sides by the province of Brazil. The city shares many cultural attributes with its larger neighbor, namely the use of Portuguese as a daily language medium. It is located on both banks of the Rio Sanlúcar in a transitional landscape between the hilly Espinaço Mountains and the humid Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Temperatures are consistently warm year-round, averaging around 24 °C (75 °F), which combined with Santa Catalina's vibrant culture and excellent transportation links make the city one of the hemisphere's top tourist destinations. Some of the city's major attractions, showcased as part of the Olympic development agenda, include Morro do Cruzeiro, Mercado Verghetti, Palácio Leopoldina, Pequena Osaka, and Praia da Choupana. Following the games, many of the expected upgrades to infrastructure and sporting facilities will be retained, in order to provide for fuller leisure and recreation opportunities for local residents.

Participating National Olympic Committees (NOCs)

The Santa Catalina Games will see 6,525 individual athletes competing for a place on the medal podium. For the first time in Olympic history, there will be gender parity, with 3,420 (or 52%) of competitors identifying as women. The largest number of athletes will compete in aquatics (701), followed by athletics (606) and rowing (368).

Every athlete hails from one of 13 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), representing every continent on Earth. This includes all 9 member states of the United Council of Peoples, as well as 4 out of 8 non-member observer states. The State of Greenland, Republic of Luhansk, and Free Economic Zone of Rapture all elected not to send their own delegations. The partially-recognized Free Lucijan Government, currently engaged in a civil uprising against the Tsarist regime, agreed to participate in a unified Lucijan team under a neutral banner. The 2024 games will be the first to feature Corsahnim as an independent state.

Corsahnim (CYB) - 291
Cybusian Empire (CYB) - 748
Formosan Republic (FOR) - 417
Kingdom of Bhutan (BTN) - 7
Kingdom of Thailand (THA) - 347
Marmaran Empire (EME) - 921
People's Republic of Orson (ORS) - 775
Republic of Nepal (NEP) - 51
Santa Lucija (LUC) - 603
Timmian Confederation (TIM) - 935
Wagain Empire (WAG) - 813 (host)

by **Novo Wagondia** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 1:43 am

Results and Medal Table

Day 1 · Day 2 · Day 3 · Day 4 · Day 5 · Day 6 · Day 7 · Day 8 · Day 9 · Day 10 · Day 11 · Day 12 · Day 13 · Day 14

Aquatics · Archery · Athletics · Badminton · Baseball & Softball · Basketball · Boxing · Breaking · Canoeing · Cricket · Cycling · Equestrian · Fencing · Field Hockey · Football · Golf · Gymnastics · Handball · Judo · Karate · Modern Pentathlon · Polo · Rowing · Rugby Sevens · Sailing · Shooting · Skateboarding · Sport Climbing · Squash · Surfing · Table Tennis · Taekwondo · Tennis · Triathlon · Volleyball · Weightlifting · Wrestling

by **Novo Wagondia** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 4:10 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

Intro Theme

Good morning to all those who are tuning in across the empire and around the world. This is Mídias Públicas Panamericanas, the voice of the tropics, coming to you live from the International Olympic Broadcast Centre in Itutinga Parish, Santa Catalina. I'm Aleixos Mazzioti, veteran baseball player turned senior sports correspondent at MPP, and I'll be co-hosting this blog for the next few weeks. Wagondia has waited a long time for the return of the Olympics!

@ZCarreira_MPP

Eight years to be precise! I was in university in Rio during the Olympics there, and let's just say I don't have many sober memories from August 2016. I'm Zelda Carreira, friend of the show and lifestyle correspondent at Xapenho Magazine here in Santa Catalina. I'll be helping Aleixos to run this blog, while of course providing some color commentary about the beautiful city we both call home. Boa sorte!

by **Novo Wagondia** » Fri Sep 27, 2024 11:45 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

Now Zelda, one of my favorite things about the Summer Olympic Games is the quadrennial reminder that certain sports (I'm looking at you, modern pentathlon) not only exist, but are actually quite watchable — exciting, even! Watching the eight or twelve best athletes in the world put their life's craft on public display is an awe-inspiring moment, and one that over a million fans will get to experience over the next two weeks.

Those fans will have to wait until after the opening ceremony for the drama and intrigue of the medal podium, but that doesn't mean the Olympic Village is quiet. Most athletes arrive 5-10 days before the start of the Games to acclimatize to their new home, check in with coaches and medical staff, and of course continue to train. For a select few athletes, namely those competing in men's and women's rugby, their moment of reckoning comes early, with all but the final medal rounds contested in the couple of days before the opening ceremony. For sports nuts like me, this offers the very first taste of Olympic competition, so where else would we be on this drizzly afternoon but the Estádio Macaquinho, Wagondia's national rugby stadium?

@ZCarreira_MPP

As an native of Argentina, Ale, you may not know that macaquinho means 'little monkey' in the Xapenho dialect of Portuguese. It's a fitting name for this gem of a stadium built in 1937, and tucked in between the gentle waters of the Rio Sanlúcar and the towering backdrop of the Morro do Cruzeiro. Accounts differ on the origin of the term, but my personal choice has to be the onetime abundance of marmosets in the area, specifically the Wied's marmoset native to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. They aren't as numerous as they once were, but you can still catch an occasional sighting in Parque Pacifico, particularly if you've left a tasty treat unattended.

@AMazzioti_MPP

Much to bear in mind for the 30,000 or so fans who have made their way here from around the world. Rugby sevens, the variant of the sport chosen for Olympic competition, is a fast-paced, shortened version of the game consisting of two halves of just seven minutes each. Not to mention there's only seven players on each team, compared to the usual fifteen. It's a favorite among Olympics fans, and before long they'll be treated to the opening matches in this single-elimination tournament. The upcoming match between no. 8 West Africa and no. 1 Corsahnim is doubly significant — it will be the first ever time that Corsahns have competed at the Olympics under their own flag. They're the only national team to be debuting in this Olympic cycle, and men's rugby in particular is arguably their best chance at a gold medal, so stay tuned!

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 10:53 am

2024 Olympic Tracker
@MPP_Olimpíada

Official results in for the quarter and semifinals in men's rugby:

Quarterfinals
[-] Corsahnim (11 pts) defeats West Africa (3 pts)
[-] Marmaran Empire (40 pts) defeats Wagain Empire (21 pts)
[-] Santa Lucija (29 pts) defeats PR Orson (16 pts)
[-] Timmian Confederation (7 pts) defeats Cybusian Empire (0 pts)

Semifinals
[-] Corsahnim (28 pts) defeats Marmaran Empire (6 pts)
[-] Santa Lucija (18 pts) defeats Timmian Confederation (7 pts)

RETWEETSFAVORITE
1,1933,485

12:45 SCT || 27 September 2024

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 10:56 am

2024 Olympic Tracker
@MPP_Olimpíada

Official results in for the quarter and semifinals in women's rugby:

Quarterfinals
[-] Timmian Confederation (37 pts) defeats West Africa (11 pts)
[-] Corsahnim (30 pts) defeats Santa Lucija (3 pts)
[-] Cybusian Empire (16 pts) defeats Marmaran Empire (11 pts)
[-] PR Orson (49 pts) defeats Wagain Empire (21 pts)

Semifinals
[-] Timmian Confederation (36 pts) defeats Corsahnim (15 pts)
[-] Cybusian Empire (19 pts) defeats PR Orson (0 pts)

RETWEETSFAVORITE
8762,546

16:45 SCT || 27 September 2024

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 11:13 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

As promised, all but the final matches of men's and women's rugby sevens have been brought to a close, with some pretty exciting and not entirely expected results. There was little luck for the host nation, with the Wagain team failing to make it out of the first round in their home stadium. On the other hand, number one-ranked Corsahnim met expectations, setting themselves up for a potential first national gold in the men's tournament. The comparatively low-ranked Lucijans will stand in their way, while the Cybusians will come up against a Timmian powerhouse in the women's tournament.

Don't expect to see ribbons around anyone's neck until Sunday the 29th — for now the focus of the entire Olympic apparatus will shift to preparing for the opening ceremony. But if you're keen to view event brackets and compare results across disciplines, they will gradually be released on the main results dispatch, generally as soon as results are announced here.

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 1:06 pm

@ZCarreira_MPP

Welcome back to Santa Catalina, folks! It's nearly time for what is arguably the marquee event of the Olympic calendar — the opening ceremony. Every nation attempts to impart its own flavor on this this sanctified ritual, but over 128 years certain traditions remain sacred, including the athletes' parade, the Olympic oath, and of course the lighting of the Olympic flame. Expect to see this and more in about half an hour, as fans stream into the Estádio Nacional to the lively (and slightly hypnotic) tune of pounding percussion. Thousands of volunteers have been practicing for weeks to make the main event run tonight, as of course will the principal choreographers, Lia Rodrigues and Bruno Beltrão, who reportedly had a long creative leash to make this ceremony one for the history books. Stay tuned!

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 1:49 pm

@AMazzioti_MPP

After a countdown that got the crowd here absolutely brimming with anticipation, the sky just absolutely erupted into brilliant reds, blues, yellows, and greens — the colors of the Olympic rings. Zelda and I are sitting in the press box at the Estádio Nacional, freshly renovated for the purposes of these games, but I'm pretty sure you could see this fireworks show all across the city, from Ilha do Pão in the west to Angra da Cruz in the east.

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 2:21 pm

@AMazzioti_MPP

And with the smell of smoke still wafting through the warm Wagain night, Empress Carmen I has risen to her feet in the imperial box. She's the youngest head of state in the world, just 28 years old, having assumed the emerald throne back in 2018 following the tragic death of her father Eduardo. It was the late emperor who opened the last Olympic games in Wagondia, way back in Rio. This time around, that honor will fall on the young Carmen. Even though competition has been ongoing for a couple days now, the games aren't formally open until she says the word.

@ZCarreira_MPP

Carmen is wearing a signature outfit today, reflecting the sense of style which has become something of a trademark for her. Her emerald gown is by Pinharanda, with a subtle embroidery featuring traditional Wagain folk patterns. The real show-stopper, however, is the empress's flowing elbow-length cape, a classic touch adorned with subtle gold and silver accents in Olympic style.

She has begun her speech with a welcome addressed to 'honored athletes, esteemed leaders, and citizens of the world', not to mention the dozen or so dignitaries and fellow heads of state in attendance tonight.

@AMazzioti_MPP

The Empress has made explicit reference to the motto of these games: Além do Horizonte (literally 'beyond the horizon').

In her words: "Today, as we stand together on this historic stage, we celebrate more than the Games. We celebrate the spirit of unity, the strength of human will, and the power of coming together to achieve something greater than ourselves. This Olympic moment is a reminder that we are all connected—through sport, through friendship, and through our shared future.

Wagondia, my beloved homeland, has always looked beyond the horizon with hope. It is in this spirit that I stand before you today, proud to be part of this global celebration of peace, excellence, and perseverance. I am humbled by the weight of this moment — for all those who face great challenge that demands cooperation, understanding, and bold action.

The world has placed its hopes and dreams in the hands of the athletes who gather here. You are the ambassadors of your nations, not just through the strength of your bodies but through the grace of your character. As you compete, remember that you carry the aspirations of millions with you, and that the true victory lies in the bonds we forge, in respecting one another, and in building bridges where there were once walls.

To the young people of the world, I say: this is your moment. Dream big. Strive for greatness. And know that in every step you take, the world is watching and cheering you on.

With that spirit of hope and determination, it is my honor, on behalf of the people of Wagondia, to declare the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad open.”

@AMazzioti_MPP

It's official — let the games begin! Santa Catalina officially joins the illustrious roster of cities who have hosted the Summer Olympics, beginning all the way back in 1896 with Athens. The Empress's opening oration has a definite point to it, fairly unusual for what is often a 'smile and wave' type of affair. It comes at a time of remarkable global tension, when several of the national delegations present tonight would not otherwise be seen under the same roof, let alone fraternizing with each other in a moment of shared human achievement.

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 3:18 pm

@ZCarreira_MPP

Just after the opening of the games, the lights in the Estádio Nacional have now been dimmed considerably, allowing the night sky to envelop the crowd of 80,000. The lights are projecting moving patterns of soft yellow and blue light across the field, invoking the shimmering waters of the Rio Sanlúcar under a full moon. Under this cover, a corps of dancers from the Balé Nacional do Curiango have begun the first of two artistic segments in tonight's ceremony, produced by the Brazilian choreographer Bruno Beltrão. But you won't see any leotards and pointe shoes tonight — these ballerinas come from the urban traditions of hip hop.

Their movements begin in explosive fashion, combining the dynamism of the street with the principles of contemporary dance. Rapid, raw spins, runs, and jumps combine death-defying parkour moves with the precision of martial arts like capoeira, the stadium lights drawing us into a framed, intimate choreographic landscape. The soundtrack is an equally raw portrait of life in a South American city, with folk-style soundscapes evolving into minimal, industrial scores, and beat-infused percussive avant-garde jazz.

Above: Members of the Curiango National Ballet performing in the opening ceremony

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sat Sep 28, 2024 3:55 pm

@ZCarreira_MPP

The vibe in the Estádio Nacional is slowly brightening from the dark, primal soundscape of the street dance, soon to be replaced with the lively colors of the parade of nations, in which every delegation enters the stadium behind their flag, heads held high with the anticipation of victory. Two things to look out for here — the uniforms of each delegation, inspired by national dress, and the flag-bearers themselves, which each nation elects from among its most promising athletes at the games. Each of the 13 national olympic committees (NOCs) present in Santa Catalina will walk around the track in a pre-determined order, with the Marmaran team coming first by custom (due to the heritage of the ancient Olympics in Greece) and the Wagain team bringing up the rear as host. The rest will proceed in alphabetical order in the language of the host city, which is of course Portuguese.

@AMazzioti_MPP

There are 6,525 individual athletes who will be competing as these Olympic Games, so this may take a minute! While you're out scouting for some snacks, take comfort in the fact that this is the first ever Olympics with as many women competing as men — 52% to 48% in fact. This is reflected in the choice of flag bearers, with some pretty powerful sportswomen set to introduce themselves in just a moment. We will have to pause for a short commercial break, but stay tuned for the entry of the Marmaran team right after!

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 8:25 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

Welcome back to the hundreds of millions of fans around the world tuning into this moment — the start of the parade of nations, when the world's premier athletes will formally present themselves to the world. First out the gate is the delegation from the Marmaran Empire, heartland of the ancient Olympics.

@ZCarreira_MPP

And this Marmaran team is certainly embodying that classical spirit in their choice of uniform today. They've opted for a short-sleeved tunic made from Egyptian linen, with bold terracotta red trim. A bronze brooch depicts Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory, with a brown leather belt and gladiator sandals. The team's flag-bearer is Kaylia Nemour of Algeria, a gymnast who is considered one of the top contenders in the women's individual all-around competition, as well as the floor exercise, balance beam, and uneven bars disciplines. She is hoping to become the first African gymnast to win a medal in an Olympic Games, having done so already at the World Championships. As the first athlete to enter the stadium, Mamaran flag held high, the crowd is erupting in support of Nemour, who also wears a laurel wreath crown in another nod to Marmara's Mediterranean heritage.

@AMazzioti_MPP

The Marmaran team is the second-largest of these games, with 921 total athletes present. They have arguably the best chance of taking down the Timmian sports juggernaut here in Santa Catalina, having come just one gold medal shy of achieving that feat in Kaohsiung three years ago. They are an especially fearsome presence in combat sports like judo, karate, and wrestling, as well as diving, table tennis, weightlifting, and shooting.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Exalted Marmaran Empire

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 8:39 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

And right behind the Marmarans is the smallest delegation you'll see today, with just 7 athletes. This is, of course, is Bhutan, a remote kingdom and UCP observer state nestled in the Himalayan Mountains.

@ZCarreira_MPP

Bhutan is known to a be a culturally quite conservative country, with a Buddhist theocratic heritage, and this is reflected in their choice of dress. Each of the country's athletes is wearing a jacket inspired by the traditional Bhutanese toego, with beautiful golden yellow and black coloring. A maroon sash, or kera, is worn around the waist in a nod to monastic robes, and the delegation certainly wins the award for most striking footwear — brilliantly patterned knee-length tshoglham boots.

@AMazzioti_MPP

All but one of the Bhutanese delegation are participating in archery, the kingdom's national sport. Bhutan's flag-bearer, Lam Dorji, is captain of the nation's men's recurve team, and has complemented his outfit with a yak-fur hat inspired by the nomadic herding groups of the Himalayas.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Kingdom of Bhutan

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 9:02 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

The delegation of the West Africa Confederation is up next, representing one of the few African states to maintain independence throughout the era of European empire. The Malian people recently voted to re-establish the office of constitutional head of state, or Mansa, continuing a chain of strong leadership which began all the way back in 1235 with Sundiata Keita.

@ZCarreira_MPP

The Malian people are not ones to shy away from asserting independence, and have done so beautifully with their choice of national uniform. Their athletes are sporting a wide-sleeved, free-flowing robe inspired by the ubiquitous West African boubou, and designed for comfort in Santa Catalina's summer heat. Its forest green, gold, and red design represents the colors of the Malian flag, with patterning drawn from traditional bogolanfini fabrics (cotton hand-dyed with fermented mud). Especially prominent is the fawohodie, or freedom symbol. Each athlete also wears a necklace of cowrie shells, symbolizing protection and good luck.

@AMazzioti_MPP

The Confederation's flagbearer is Essian Adjei-Mintah, captain of the 'black stars' men's field hockey team, who shocked the world with their improbable run for the gold medal in Kaohsiung. He's easily visible in his straw Fulani hat, which looks, quite frankly, bad*ss. With a record 527 athletes in Santa Catalina, the Malian delegation is hoping to reach for medals across the board, though their best hopes remain in athletics, cycling, shooting, and combined sports, including triathlon and modern pentathlon.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the West Africa Confederation

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 9:30 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

And a thunderous applause symbolizes who might be coming next... the powerhouse Timmian Confederation. Victors at the last Summer Olympic Games and most before then, Timmies are born athletes, but their natural lead has been steadily chipped away by states like Marmara and Orson, who are looking to prove they are the new top dog in the world of sports. It remains to be seen whether the TC can hold onto their hard-fought title, but they are certainly still the squad to beat.

@ZCarreira_MPP

And as usual, the Timmian team has entered the stadium in style. Their athletes are wearing a classy combination of red sports jacket with white piping, navy blue waistcoat, and matching red silk necktie and pocket square. A lapel pin features the Olympic rings, which were of course designed by a Timmian — Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games. It's a true old-school varsity look which nonetheless appears fresh and youthful on this squad of top sportsmen and women.

@AMazzioti_MPP

There was plenty of competition on who would carry the Timmian flag into the stadium, but in the end the honor went to Lebron James, who even from this distance appears to tower (literally) over the competition in his flag-bearer's white flat cap. He will captain the Timmian men's basketball team, considered one of the greatest assemblages of sports talent of all time (my editor reminds me that they weren't quite good enough to beat the Wagains, which they famously failed to do by one point in the last Olympic gold medal match).

With 935 athletes competing in every sport on the Olympic program, the Timmies are a force to be reckoned with in nearly every discipline, but you can expect the strongest performances in baseball, basketball, golf, gymnastics, and tennis.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Timmian Confederation

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 9:52 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

Next arriving in the Estádio Nacional is the delegation of Corsahnim, making their debut as both an independent state and an Olympic team. The Corsahns have a dark yet proud and diverse history, having been chased from their native homeland of Cape Town in 2007. Resettled in the Solomon Islands in 2022, they have much to prove as a new force on the world stage.

@ZCarreira_MPP

The Corsahn uniform is inspired by the rugged terrain of the Cape Province. The centerpiece is a safari jacket in cream-and-charcoal earth tones, with shoulders emblazoned in burnt orange — the Corsahn national color. They are also the first national delegation to come out in shorts, which seems an obvious choice in 80° heat.

@AMazzioti_MPP

Their flag-bearer is Siya Kolisi, a figure well known to rugby fans around the world as captain of the 'springboks', or Corsahn men's national team. In addition to the Corsahn flag, he carries a raffia slouch hat, with a blue ribbon incorporating traditional Melanesian woven patterns. Having already delivered the springboks to the finals in men's rugby, Kolisi is hoping to also secure his nation's first ever Olympic gold, though the Corsahns also stand a decent chance of medalling in cricket, rowing, golf, and surfing. There are 291 Corsahn athletes here in Santa Catalina.

Above: The Olympic uniform of Corsahnim

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 10:12 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

About halfway through the parade of nations, we now see a local favorite entering the arena — the delegation of the Cybusian Empire. Their athletes hail mainly from Czechia, Poland, and Germany, birthplace of so many of the historical figures who developed Santa Catalina and first put this region on the map.

@ZCarreira_MPP

Cybusians are known to always be dressed to the nines, and have hardly disappointed here. Their delegation is dressed in a traditional thigh-length kefta with a stand collar and three-quarter sleeves, maintaining a formal aesthetic without being too heavy for summer wear. The kefta itself is deep blue with silver accents inspired by art nouveau design, namely the graceful forms of olive branches so closely associated with the Olympic games. Gold clasps and cuffs are another nod to Olympic victory, with a tasteful imperial red sash bringing the ensemble together.

@AMazzioti_MPP

Of the 748 Cybusian athletes at these Olympic Games, Adam Ondra has been chosen to bear their country's flag. He's a champion sports climber widely considered to be the strongest climber of his generation, and a major force in popularizing the sport (which returns to the Olympic program on a permanent basis this year). Ondra is wearing a grey felt fedora to distinguish himself from his compatriots, decorated with a single kestrel feather in a symbol of strength and vitality. Expect strong performances from Cybusian athletes not only in climbing, but in such diverse sports as aquatics, fencing, sailing, shooting, and weightlifting.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Cybusian Empire

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 10:37 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

Right after the Cybusians come the athletes of the West Indies Federation. They're one of the smallest states competing in Santa Catalina, consisting of five islands in the Caribbean which unified in 1958, and maintain close ties with Wagondia to this day.

@ZCarreira_MPP

The West Indians may just win the award for most colorful ensemble, Ale. They're wearing an open-collared cotton shirt with a turquoise-and-coral blazer inspired by the Madras cloth commonly found in Caribbean markets. If there was any doubt, palm frond patterns remind the audience that this is a tropical country, and really quite a nice place to live.

@AMazzioti_MPP

The West Indies have sent 89 athletes to Santa Catalina — a decent-sized team for their size — many of them in the federation's preferred pastime of cricket. The WIF is also fielding a handful of stars in athletics, including the sprinter Kirani James, who leads the pack as flag-bearer in his smart panama hat.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the West Indies Federation

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:18 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

And who could forget the Formosan Republic, who of course hosted the last Olympic games to great acclaim. Coterminous with the island of Taiwan, the Formosan Republic was for many years semi-isolationist, though it rapidly democratized and opened up to the international system over the past thirty years, and is now a world leader in high tech.

@ZCarreira_MPP

The Formosan delegation looks smart in their slim-cut blazers, which embody the jade green, stellar gold, and cream colors of the nation's flag (known poetically as Meifeng). On the lapel is a pin of the crescent sigil of the Formosan Republic. The ensemble is simple yet forward-looking, evoking an almost futurist self-conception which speaks to Formosa's rising presence as a spacefaring power.

@AMazzioti_MPP

There is a considerable contingent of 417 Formosan athletes in Santa Catalina, hoping to capitalize on historic success in archery, baseball, basketball, and taekwondo. The republic's flag-bearer is Tai Tzu-ying, recognized as one of the greatest talents in women's badminton (another national specialty). As the world record holder in number of weeks atop the global badminton ranking, Tai is again a favorite for individual gold. She wears a pearl and gold headdress tonight, inspired by traditional Chinese wedding attire.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Formosan Republic

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 11:33 am

@AMazzioti_MPP

A bold look coming up from the athletes of the Republic of Nepal, another UCP observer state hoping for some modest success here in Santa Catalina. Sandwiched between Marmaran China and Orsonian India, Nepal has struggled to assert its independence against foreign powers in recent decades, and these games represent a powerful exercise in national self-determination.

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Opting for a slightly more casual look than the blazers and sashes we've come to expect thus far, Nepal's athletes are wearing a contemporary take on the traditional daura-suruwal. The design scheme of crimson and gold represent luck and prosperity in the Hindu faith followed by many Nepalis, with ornate decoration inspired by the motifs of Dhaka cotton fabric.

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There aren't too many Nepali athletes present tonight, just 51 in total. That said, hopes are high for a medal in the popular sports of cricket or badminton. The country's flag-bearer, easily identifiable in her Dhaka topi hat, is Anjani Teli, a boxer who will be competing in the women's flyweight category.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Republic of Nepal

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 12:34 pm

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A big team coming up in the People's Republic of Orson, which has devoted considerable resources into making these games a national triumph. A communist state recently born from the ashes of an autocratic empire, the People's Republic has a long road ahead to reform its deeply hierarchical society. In a country where humans were formerly a toiling underclass, the Olympics are a chance to right historic wrongs and celebrate a more inclusive model of citizenship.

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The inspiration for the Orsonian team's look tonight is the so-called 'red uniform'. Consisting of a casual crimson-colored guayabera and black pants, it is worn by many Communist party functionaries as a symbol of progress in opposition to the conservative full-body Kāhu-Tarāu. In these games, the uniform has been modified somewhat, with shorter black bush shorts and rich Austronesian designs in black and white. The patterning is a riff on the Maori 'koru' or fern frond, symbolizing new life and growth with a typically Orsonian attention to natural spiritualism.

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The Orsonian team is one of the larger delegations in Santa Catalina, with 775 athletes competing across all sports. They are most fearsome in the water, especially rowing, sailing, surfing, and aquatics, reflecting the country's ancient seafaring heritage. Some of the world's most renowned swimmers are Orsonian-raised, including flag-bearer Annapurna Ojha of India, who distinguished herself as the single most decorated Olympian in the 2021 games, with three golds and a bronze medal. Ojha has become something of a media darling in the People's Republic, with a broad appeal across all sectors of society, and she has a good chance to win as many if not more medals this time around. Tonight she wears a ceremonial korowai, or cloak, made from flax tassels, and a headdress of tropical flowers native to Oceania.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the People's Republic of Orson

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 1:14 pm

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Just three more nations to go, and here you're getting two for the price of one. Santa Lucija is one of the world's oldest monarchies, but has recently been in the throes of a civil war. The rebel Free Lucijan Government (FLG), formed in 2018, is led by a former prime minister and controls roughly half of the nation's land area, mainly in the sparsely populated east of Lucija. Faced with the prospect of forcing Lucijan athletes to wade into factional politics, the International Olympic Committee instead brokered a remarkable compromise, which will see a unified team compete in Santa Catalina.

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Lucija's delegation has looked to an idealized past in their uniform choice, which evokes the formalism of Tolstoy-era Russia. Athletes are wearing a wool frock coat with a high collar and ornate buttons straight out of War and Peace. Crimson and gold patterning on the cuffs and lapels is drawn from the khokhloma style of Russian folk art, with depictions of small flowers, berries, grasses, and leaves native to Lucija.

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Despite the manifold challenges of maintaining a sports infrastructure in a warzone, Lucija has still managed to send an impressive 603 athletes to Santa Catalina. They are hoping to keep a lid on traditionally strong sports like gymnastics, judo, and wrestling. Fresh talent also promises to make inroads for Lucija in aquatics and in tennis, where flag-bearer Daniil Medvedev (dutifully wearing a ushanka despite the heat) has a decent chance of bringing home gold. If the Lucijan standard present tonight looks a bit off, that's because it is! As part of the deal brokered by the IOC, the unified Lucijan team is competing under a neutral black, white, and gold tricolor, without the usual heraldry associated with the controversial House of Romanov.

Above: The Olympic uniform of Santa Lucija

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 2:24 pm

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Our penultimate entry is the Kingdom of Thailand, the Southeast Asian monarchy and onetime Orsonian client state which has attempted to chart its own path in recent times.

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And what a dashing outfit they've put together! A simple white silk shirt is accuented by a brilliant saffron yellow sash and belt, with subtle maroon cuffs in a nod to the old white elephant standard of Siam. Men and women both are wearing loose-fitting black breeches inspired by the traditional chong kraben, which accentuate the bright saffron rather nicely.

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Of all the observer state delegations, Thailand's is by far the largest, at 347 athletes. There are a few standouts among them, particularly in boxing and badminton, but the kingdom's flag-bearer is the taekwondo champion Panipak Wongpattanakit, who interestingly holds the rank of Flying Officer as an active duty member of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Kingdom of Thailand

by **Novo Wagondia** » Sun Sep 29, 2024 4:02 pm

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As the final national team prepares to made its appearance, the crowd here in Santa Catalina is already roaring with anticipation. This, of course, is the Wagain Empire, which as host always closes out the parade of nations. It's been a long road of planning and preparation since these games were awarded to Santa Catalina way back in 2014, but on this night you can begin to understand what all the anticipation has been building towards. The Prime Minister, Fradique Barrachina, who did much to bring the Olympics to Santa Catalina in his final term as mayor, is waving from the stands, looking as proud as a father on the day of his daughter's wedding.

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The Wagain team is now streaming out onto the track in their fresh new uniforms, produced with union labor at the Santa Catalina-based Bacani fashion house. Looking to Bacani's own Filipino heritage for inspiration, the designer based their uniform around the barong, an embroidered long-sleeved formal shirt woven with organic fibers from the pineapple plant. The sheer, breathable fabric is a natural solution to the issue of a hot, humid climate. Standing collars are also clearly having a moment, based on the number of times we've seen them tonight, and Bacani does them well, with calado-style hand embroidery reminiscent of art nouveau floral motifs (the native ipê flower was reportedly a model). Stately navy blues round out the outfit in a narrow belt and long skirt.

Not to be outdone, Bacani has also produced a sports version of the Wagain dress uniform, in a more relaxed tracksuit style perfect for training or social outings in the Vila Olímpica. A limited edition replica is being produced for general purchase, and has apparently been flying off the shelves at the Pecanha-Morris department store.

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The man leading the Wagain team in his navy boina gaucha needs no introduction. Recognizable to sports fans the world over, he is of course Lionel Messi, Argentina's greatest son (and thus a distant relation of mine), and longtime captain of the Wagain national football team. The host delegation expects good results from the team sports of football, baseball, volleyball, and polo, all of which enjoy profound popularity in the emerald empire, as well as the traditional mainstays of aquatics and athletics, boxing, sailing, and cycling. There are 813 Wagain athletes in total who have made the trek to their nation's capital, making this the third-largest delegation overall. If there's a such thing as a home field advantage (there is), there remains an outside chance that Wagondia could top the medal table, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Above: The Olympic uniform of the Wagain Empire

Above: The 'sport version' of the Wagain uniform

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