Rio Olympics 2016

With both Marchant and James in the semi-finals of the women's track cycling sprint that will be guaranteeing at least medal in that event.

 

Apparently he has been disqualified, but a protest has been lodged, though Burnell is not confident it will make any difference and he is being very scathing about the race officials.

 

It's called polo

 

Out of the horsey jumping. Defending champions as well.

Get rid.

 

If you have chance, check out Michael Conlan of Ireland losing in the boxing to a Russian.

An absolute unmitigated ****ing disgrace.

 

That's polo isn't it?!

I agree the golf was brilliant and I do like Justin Rose,he speaks very well I always think.

 

Oops sorry Guy!

 

People like polo

 

A Polo is much the same as Golf, but with extra horsepower.

 

Ladies beach volleyball now on BBC4....you are welcome

 

I was listening on 5L late last night and a Kazak lost to a Russian which everyone thought was shocking. Some odd results certainly.

 

Jean Jacques Burnell? Thought judo was more his thing.

 

Laura Trott. Hertfordshire's finest.

 

Arise Sir Jason and Dame Laura. 10 gold medals in that household alone, amazing. Very tense in the keirin final though, two false starts!

 

Should have sacked the numpty on the scooter.

Another gold or silver incoming in the 3m diving shortly.

 

Brilliant day again.

Questions are being asked by our cycling rivals, the French, Germans and Aussies, implying that something is dodgy (whilst not actually saying it).

 

Our performance in Olympics has been staggeringly better than any other competition for years. There is weight to the argument that our team is manically focused on the Olympics and plans everything around them, to the finest detail (which bucketloads of funding allows them to do).

Still, the gulf in class is bound to raise questions. I highly doubt it though. This would have to be the most elaborate and systematic doping routine in history, arguably more so than US Postal, if it goes back to before 2008. I believe we have a culture of honesty in the UK. If there were anything dishonest going on behind the scenes, then there are enough riders who've been eaten and spat out by the ruthless British Cycling system to be the white knight who blows the lid off the whole thing.

Besides, I'm not convinced I've ever seen a knowing drug cheat look truly happy. Behind the smile you can always detect a hint of restraint. Of guilt. There is a thoroughly genuine joy that runs through much of that team, something I just dont think would exist if there was widespread doping.

 

Team GB have cycling helmets that they only use for the Olympics and no other event..it's that meticulously planned

 

GB used wheels that were too round apparently according to one French complaint. It turned out they were French manufactured wheels that the French team turned down.
http://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/...-fuels-french-row-over-our-cycle-8015045.html

In reality there's been a bucket load of cash chucked at the sport. Everything is managed down to the minutest detail to the extent of sleeping times and orientation. It's just hugely researched, not to mention the fact that success breeds success.

We've come a long way from Chris Boardman winning on a bike he made out of his old washing machine.

 

Wouldn't explain why they've been mediocre in the run up to the Olympics though

 

One of the BBC commentators said a few days ago that some of the British bikes had been specially built with the chain on the left hand side. As all track cyclists always turn left then the extra bit of weight is on the left and as the bike pushes through more air on the right their is less air resistance due to the chain being on the left. These are the levels of details that the team are going to to eek out tenths of seconds here and there.

 

Topping the medal table with 5 golds, a silver and 3 bronze at the World Championships in March is far from 'mediocre'.

 

Didn't know that and sort of contradicts the Australian Anne Meares who has been quoted as saying ‘The British are just phenomenal when it comes to the Olympic Games, and we’re all scratching our heads going, “How do they lift so much when in so many events they have not even been in contention in the World Championships?”.

 

I think that was the Aussie or American bikes, but your point still stands about the level of detail.

 

American bikes.

 

Anna Meares used to be dominant, the Australian's have performed poorly at this Olympics and they need a narrative that doesn't include poor preparation, being 'past it' and having a badly run system.

A little like the FA and the England football team. Everyone else is to blame.

 

He won one in 2013 and one earlier this year. Still very impressive the way the Brits peak for the Olympics though.

 

That was Graeme Obree in the World Championships wasn't it? Boardman's was designed by Lotus and cost a fortune in R&D, Obree's cost about £100 and was all his own work. Obree's the forgotten man of the British cycling revolution, his life story is sad but very interesting. He built the bike himself, struggled with his sexuality, attempted suicide several times and got fired from a Tour de France team for refusing to dope.

 

Thanks fro the correction. Sounds like the Obree story would make a decent film.

 

I saw the following tweet :-

Imagine Trott and Kenny have kids. Never will a child have been under so much pressure taking their cycling proficiency

 

Even worse was the Kazakh heavyweight absolutely batter the Russian. Good clean shots and almost a knockout, but somehow a unanimous win for the Russian. Unbelievable/

 

It's completely subjective, but most of the UK cyclists seem like meek, down to earth people - almost geeky in a way, as if their cloistered life of training and diet has caused them to avoid developing graces or egos. I can't see people like Laura Trott or Rowsell doping, at least not knowingly. They're just nice, young people.

 

That was one of the other teams actually. I think the French or the US. Developed and revealed too late for us to try and copy it.