The Tokyo 2020 Non Athletics Thread

[marra]

I believe that if winning a gold medal would not be seen as the ultimate achievement in your sport then it should not be there. Cricket, football, golf, tennis (and I'm an avid tennis fan) shouldn't be there when grand slams, golf majors, Ryder cups and world cups would be the biggest prize. Would rather squash or netball even were included.

Whilst I understand that argument, the problem with that is that can become something og a self fulfilling prophecy. If your sport is a popular sport but isn't an Olympic sport already, how could winning Olympic gold ever become the ultimate achievement? Does that mean that we only keep the Olympics for sports that aren't popular?

Things change. Winning the T20 cricket world cup right now might be the biggest thing for those guys. But if they were given an Olympic berth, who is to say that in 10-20 years time that might not be seen as bigger? That's literally what has happened with rugby 7s, for example.

And the Ryder Cup is only relevent if you are in the US or Europe and the IOC has made no secret that they are trying to make the games a more global event.

[philipo]

With the Tokyo Olympics now over, other sports are already vying to be included in future iterations.

[Search for ...]

Cricket in the Olympics: ICC to bid for sport's inclusion in Los Angeles 2028

Netball Australia intent on having their sport at Brisbane's Olympics in 2032

With skateboarding and speed climbing apparently now mandatory, as it keeps it real, bruv, then where will it end?

May I suggest that the IOC actually just franchise out their brand so that every internationally recognised sport (including mixed team knitting and non-binary tiddlywinks) can run an Olympic tournament, quadrennially, though not necessarily at the same time in a two week period, there, everyone will be happy!

See you in Paris.

Well said Carter. By the way why is there no interest in Volleyball in this country? A great athletic team sport??

[trickstat]

Well said Carter. By the way why is there no interest in Volleyball in this country? A great athletic team sport??

Volleyball is an odd one. I do think that quite a large proportion of the British population have played it at some stage, mainly during a school lesson or on a beach somewhere, but only a very small percentage of those have ever played in a properly organised team or joined a club.

[philipo]

Never understood this indifference for a great sport
Now the OG is over I have massive delight to watch youtubes 3 hours plus coverage of the mens all round gymnastics. With such knowledgable commentary.
Great

[Taffy2]

Any thoughts on which sports stars might call it a day after Tokyo. I can see Whitlock, Kenny , Guy , Daly and Glover calling it a day.

I think Peaty will take a break but come back.

[Occasional Hope]

Peaty is doing Strictly this autumn.

[Ladyloz]

I think Jason Kenny and Helen Glover have pretty much said that's it.

Laura Kenny and Max Whitlock have both said they plan to go on to Paris.

Tom Daley could go either way I think. I think James Guy will stay on. He's a similar age to Peaty and with just 3 years to go to Paris I don't see him quitting.

[Taffy2]

Yes I know re Strictly. Hope he does well.

[marra]

I'd be amazed to see Peaty not take the Worlds seriously.

Far more likely that the Commonwealths/Euros are given the second class status by the swimmers if they have to choose - certainly the GC Commonwealths weren't prioritised by a lot. Peaty won the 100 there in a relatively pedestrian time (by his standards) and lost the 50m to Cam van der Burgh which is the only long course championship he's lost since the 2014 Commonwealths, as far as I'm aware.

If I were to guess, I'd say we have a full swimming squad for all 3 - they'll taper for the worlds and then try to taper again in the summer for a combined push at the commonwealths/Euros.

[Ladyloz]

@ Marra with Peaty doing Strictly I am guessing he won't be back training seriously until after Christmas. I would imagine that's too soon for a May World Champs.

A home Commonwealth Games is a different beast to one in the Gold Coast. I don't think it'll go down too well if loads of big names skip it & that applies to all sports. There will be a certain amount of pressure applied for sports to send strong teams.

[marra]

Someone with more knowledge of swimming training can correct me, but I'd say 4 months is more than enough time for him to get back into "fighting" shape - I've seen other experienced swimmers turn around average form within 8 weeks before now. Especially for someone who is, relatively speaking, still a country mile ahead of everyone else. Unless Kamminga or someone goes crazy, he doesn't even need to be at his absolute best to still win.

And I'm not expecting swimmers to skip the Commonwealths at all. As I said, I expect them to taper for May and late July. It's not dissimilar to what they did for this year - tapered for British trials in April, then the Olympics.

If any team suffers, it's most likely to be the Euro team. Although I also wouldn't be surprised if some swimmers do a reduced program at the CWGs, to show their face.

It's all speculation though. Every athlete will do things differently. There will be some athletes, especially the younger ones, who probably will just focus on the CWG completely.

[treadwater1]

Your mentioning of SPOTY got me to look up the odds with the bookies. Daley is quite a firm favourite, which is understandable, J Kenny second favourite, which I’m pleased to see given he’s now our most successful Olympian and he hasn’t had the recognition he deserved in previous years. Max Whitlock 7th on the list, which I find quite harsh since he’s been so successful in a sport we have absolutely no history in

[RunUnlimited]

Your mentioning of SPOTY got me to look up the odds with the bookies. Daley is quite a firm favourite, which is understandable, J Kenny second favourite, which I’m pleased to see given he’s now our most successful Olympian and he hasn’t had the recognition he deserved in previous years. Max Whitlock 7th on the list, which I find quite harsh since he’s been so successful in a sport we have absolutely no history in

Hmm, on the Whitlock point, while it was true that Great Britain's history in gymnastics was pretty non-existent apart from the very earliest years of it's inclusion at the Summer Olympics, in the last 15 to 20 years, that perception has changed quite drastically.

We've now had individual or team medallists at every Olympic Games since 2012 and Beth Tweddle was winning World and European championship medals all the way back in 2003. GB has been building a history in gymnastics recently, and with the Gavirova twins performing so admirably in Tokyo, the future is looking bright for further success.

[Taffy2]

Louis Smith also won a medal in 2008.

[carterhatch]

I think what is needed is a 'Non-Tokyo, Non-2020, Non- Athletics' thread ...

[fchd]

The first day of Paralympic 2020 action saw Dame Sarah Storey win her 15th Paralympic Gold Medal with an easy win in the 3000m Individual Pursuit

She lapped here British team mate Crystal Lane-Wright in the final, so no time was recorded but here time in the qualifying of 3:27.057 was over a second quicker than Rebecca Romero's gold medal time in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the last time the event was held in the Olympic Games.

Yes, I know the bike technology will have had something do with it, but Storey is not only a Paralympian, but she is well over 40. Very impressive.

[Taffy2]

The first day of Paralympic 2020 action saw Dame Sarah Storey win her 15th Paralympic Gold Medal with an easy win in the 3000m Individual Pursuit

She lapped here British team mate Crystal Lane-Wright in the final, so no time was recorded but here time in the qualifying of 3:27.057 was over a second quicker than Rebecca Romero's gold medal time in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the last time the event was held in the Olympic Games.

Yes, I know the bike technology will have had something do with it, but Storey is not only a Paralympian, but she is well over 40. Very impressive.

Storey was also part of the able bodied pursuit team for years. Formidable athlete and person. Loved seeing her family on tv. Proud flag waver, even as a taffy.

[marra]

The Ind Pursuit is still run at the WC - Storey's time would have got her a medal there every year bar 2020. A truly extraordinary athlete and a great ambassador for the sport both able-bodied and Paralympic.