The 2016 Olympic Games

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Super Saturday II has been cancelled owing to lack of co-operation. Feckers.

It shows how far we've come as a track and field nation when a session providing a gold, silver and bronze is disappointing.

I'm gutted for JEH. Coming back after a having a baby to retain her gold would've been a fitting and extraordinary achievement.

I think it was Hazel Irvine (a brilliant brilliant sports host who should have been promoted to cover a lot more of the beebs sports coverage) who pointed out that in Atlanta 1996 the entire British team won one gold. That's only 20 years ago. We've come on unbelievably far by virtue of funding our athletes like we're a totalitarian state. Huzzah!!!

[BBD]

Expectations have certainly risen, the inevitable day when GB under performs will be a meltdown for the media

[fivepointer]

More good stuff. The rowing 8's were fabulous and yet again the cyclists are dominating. 3 track & field medals are not to be sneezed at.

Murray will win gold or silver. Whatever the merits of tennis as an olympic sport (it isnt really) there's no denying Murray is giving this a real go. Likewise Rose in the golf, even if thats another sport that shouldnt be represented.

Eugene rightly praises Hazel Irvine who is terrific, but Clare Balding is on another level. She is quite brilliant.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Djoko's tears in losing tells me that tennis very definitely is now an Olympic sport.

[Which Tyler]

Djoko's tears in losing tells me that tennis very definitely is now an Olympic sport.

I'd question that it even needs that much qualification.

Edburg calling his Olympic Bronze his most treasured possessions (let alone various other gold medalists, and legends of the game)...
Murray calling his flag bearing the proudest moment of his life...
Rafa playing through an injury that'd keep him out of a grand slam...

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Djoko's tears in losing tells me that tennis very definitely is now an Olympic sport.

I'd question that it even needs that much qualification.

Edburg calling his Olympic Bronze his most treasured possessions (let alone various other gold medalists, and legends of the game)...
Murray calling his flag bearing the proudest moment of his life...
Rafa playing through an injury that'd keep him out of a grand slam...

Aye. You could pick any number of things as evidence that it matters to them. Most tennis players now have not known a time when it wasnt an Olympic sport. They all seem to take it very seriously indeed.

[Which Tyler]

It's like Hingis is the fat kid at school whom the teacher had to make the other girls let join in.
The ball goes in her general direction, only by mistake, or the very last possibility. That pairing is just so lopsided.

[Digby]

Djoko's tears in losing tells me that tennis very definitely is now an Olympic sport.

I'd question that it even needs that much qualification.

Edburg calling his Olympic Bronze his most treasured possessions (let alone various other gold medalists, and legends of the game)...
Murray calling his flag bearing the proudest moment of his life...
Rafa playing through an injury that'd keep him out of a grand slam...

Aye. You could pick any number of things as evidence that it matters to them. Most tennis players now have not known a time when it wasnt an Olympic sport. They all seem to take it very seriously indeed.

I'm not sure it should be there as it's still not the pinnacle of the tennis world, and rather it's another very big event. And then to consider squash isn't there it just feels a little wrong, which racket sport is getting included is all about the money, and whilst there does come a point at which raising money is important I'm just not convinced the Olympics is hard up for cash.

[Donny osmond]

Just watched Max Whitlock win gold on the floor, almost happier about the Brazilians getting 2nd and 3rd and then saluting all the way thru God Save the Queen after!! Absolutely brilliant.

[Sandydragon]

Super Saturday II has been cancelled owing to lack of co-operation. Feckers.

It shows how far we've come as a track and field nation when a session providing a gold, silver and bronze is disappointing.

I'm gutted for JEH. Coming back after a having a baby to retain her gold would've been a fitting and extraordinary achievement.

I think it was Hazel Irvine (a brilliant brilliant sports host who should have been promoted to cover a lot more of the beebs sports coverage) who pointed out that in Atlanta 1996 the entire British team won one gold. That's only 20 years ago. We've come on unbelievably far by virtue of funding our athletes like we're a totalitarian state. Huzzah!!!

Indeed. Rewarding success rather than everyone gets medals (or funding) for turning up has made a huge difference.

[Donny osmond]

Justin Rose might be about to get gold in the golf...........

[Donny osmond]

GET FUCKING IN THERE

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Justin Rose might be about to get gold in the golf...........

I've always said that golf was an important and vital part of the Olympic programme...

[Which Tyler]

I'm not sure it should be there as it's still not the pinnacle of the tennis world, and rather it's another very big event. And then to consider squash isn't there it just feels a little wrong, which racket sport is getting included is all about the money, and whilst there does come a point at which raising money is important I'm just not convinced the Olympics is hard up for cash.

It depends how you define pinnacle - it's certainly the equal of the slams as the pinnacle for prestige (which is the measure I use). Others say that because there's not prize money and no ranking points, then it can't be considered a pinnacle - I argue that the fact that the top players turn out and care this much despite that show that it is.

Either way, I think we can categorically say that the argument as to whether it's the pinnacle or not is undecided.
Unlike football, basketball, baseball, golf etc


ETA: Does that golf gold put us level with China for golds (ahead of silvers)? can't tell how quickly the tables are updated; or if I've missed some news from somewhere.
Smith and Whitlock going in the pommel horse now, could push us ahead (or equal).

ETA: OK, still one behind; I'm thinking of the Cycling guarantteed-but-not-yet-won gold.

[Which Tyler]

ETA: Does that golf gold put us level with China for golds (ahead of silvers)? can't tell how quickly the tables are updated; or if I've missed some news from somewhere.
Smith and Whitlock going in the pommel horse now, could push us ahead (or equal).

ETA: OK, still one behind; I'm thinking of the Cycling guarantteed-but-not-yet-won gold.

Whitlock and Smith grab Gold and Silver ont he Pommel Horse - pushing us ahead of China in the medal table

[WaspInWales]

Fwcking hell!

Epic results all round.

Really pleased for Rose. He's clearly enjoyed every minute of his Olympic experience.

Couldn't help but chuckle when spectators thought the golf ball would make a nice souvenir on two separate occasions!

[Donny osmond]

I HAVE WATCHED GB GET 3 GOLD MEDALS TODAY WHO NEEDS FRICKIN DRUGS COME ON ANDY MURRAAAAAAAAAY

[Digby]

It depends how you define pinnacle - it's certainly the equal of the slams as the pinnacle for prestige (which is the measure I use)

That's the bit I've a problem with in that I'd rank all the big slam events ahead of the Olympics, and at least for the men I'd add in that the slams are best of 5 whereas bar the final the men drop down to the normal best of 3 in the Olympics. I'd probably have the Olympics on a par with the end of year tour championship.

[belgarion]

London had Super Saturday looks like Rio's going to have Super Sunday, 3 golds already, 1 defo to come in the
cycling & possibly 2 more, 1 in Tennis 1 in Sailing to come. Will definately have 3 more silvers

[Eugene Wrayburn]

It's not going to be as good as London in terms of golds. It might get near in terms of medals. We certainly look like beating the 45 medal target from UK Sport. It's an amazing performance already. I remember the dark days. This is incredible for any lover of sport.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

It depends how you define pinnacle - it's certainly the equal of the slams as the pinnacle for prestige (which is the measure I use)

That's the bit I've a problem with in that I'd rank all the big slam events ahead of the Olympics, and at least for the men I'd add in that the slams are best of 5 whereas bar the final the men drop down to the normal best of 3 in the Olympics. I'd probably have the Olympics on a par with the end of year tour championship.

It looks like the tennis players don't agree with you, which rather resolves the argument.

[belgarion]

It's not going to be as good as London in terms of golds. It might get near in terms of medals. We certainly look like beating the 45 medal target from UK Sport. It's an amazing performance already. I remember the dark days. This is incredible for any lover of sport.

Aye, Atlanta '96, Max Whitlock has won more Golds on his own TODAY than the whole of Team GB did over 2 weeks

[Which Tyler]

Gold confirmed in the sailing

[Digby]

It depends how you define pinnacle - it's certainly the equal of the slams as the pinnacle for prestige (which is the measure I use)

That's the bit I've a problem with in that I'd rank all the big slam events ahead of the Olympics, and at least for the men I'd add in that the slams are best of 5 whereas bar the final the men drop down to the normal best of 3 in the Olympics. I'd probably have the Olympics on a par with the end of year tour championship.

It looks like the tennis players don't agree with you, which rather resolves the argument.

So any sport which has participants which consider they should be an Olympic sport gets to partake?

[Which Tyler]

No, but to ignore the opinions of the only people who count, as to the prestige of the Olympics within their sport is... silly.

Its not that tennis players think that tennis should be in the Olympics; it's that tennis player consider an Olympic gold at least as prestigious as a grand slam title.