Olympian1010

However, there's a chance some of the smaller NOCs can take quotas there. for instance.

Olympic silver medalist Chris Mazdzer

By the way, this event will serve as a qualification event for the 2025 World Games. Top 5 European teams will get quotas

I see this said in a lot of circles, but I'd love to know the criteria that determines which athletes are more "deserving" to be at the Olympics. I think its a slippery slope to judge qualification on. While Australian athletes may have had an easier route in this case, they still had to train and work for years to get to the level they are at.

@vinipereira any consideration given to having more than one category for adaptive athletes (ie. splitting individuals and teams, or doing gendered individual awards)?

Last (as fas I know) international multi-sports games of the year begin today It's another one of the minor para sports games: https://worldabilitysport.org/world-abilitysport-games/world-abilitysport-games-2023/ (livestreaming available at that website)

Pretty common occurrence. They used to have a ski club even, but it went inactive due to safety concerns (a lot of rocks).

Perhaps Russia and Belarus won’t be able to win any continental quotas after all…

No snow in LA yet either

Guess Paris2024 is in a festive mood

Was she unable to find childcare? I know that’s a big problem for US athletes who get pregnant during their career.

Whoops.

It looks two-man bobsleigh will go from 30 to 28 sleds for 2026, unless I’m reading the qualification system wrong: https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Olympic-Games/Milano-Cortina-2026/qualification-system/Qualification-System-for-Bobsleigh.pdf#_ga=2.224973466.1211644203.1701366838-1218356110.1681323134

Alpine skiing qualification system was approved today: Link There were no changes to the overall quota from 2022, but there was a pretty significant change in the FIS Points needed to qualify in Giant Slalom and Slalom… 2022: 160.00 2026: 120.00 It will be interesting to see how this affects overall participation at the Games. NOCs will be allowed a maximum of 4 teams per gender in the combined events.

I would assume so, but I haven’t seen any information about that yet.

No idea. I don’t feel like the world really needs another geopolitical conflict at the moment though

will hold a referendum this week on whether a majority of territory should be considered Venezuelan. It all stems for a territorial dispute going back to 1899 apparently. Here’s a good overview of the situation: https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-guyana-essequibo-territory-dispute-maduro-referendum-d3e65757ca8da2355994ec8a44c148ba is also militarizing their Northern border as a consequence: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/brazil-increases-northern-border-military-presence-amid-venezuela-guyana-spat-2023-11-29/

I wasn't aware of any that. It doesn't really change my opinion of song, but I guess it shows my age and geography

Fox and Pajon definitely have a good amount of name recognition as well. Although, there are quite a few athletes with memorable results or personalities on there.

Smajlaj seems unlikely to win given his qualification scandal. I'm honestly surprised his candidacy was cleared (even it was possibly determined at some point he didn't have a major role in the scandal).

I believe it had more to do with "commercial conflicts" between 2028 and 2030. Although, I'm sure they'll be happy to guarantee some more broadcast dollars. To be honest, I'm not sure what the consequences of back-to-back editions in the same country would be, so can't really form an opinion on that.

Finally had a couple days to rest, so here are my personal votes for those interested. - 12 (This was the standout song to me. I liked the lyrics, beat, and overall presentation. The music video gave me a good laugh @Belle) - 11 (I heard this song so much in childhood. Speed Network had a bunch of ads with this song. Nostalgia vote @OlympicIRL) - 10 (Amusing presentation, beautiful lyrics, and nice vocals @Roamingrover86) - 9 (I like Lorde. I think this song gets points even if I didn't know her though. Nice curveball @dcro) - 8 (Pop with traditional sounds? Obviously scored points from me. Looking forward to seeing what she comes up with for Eurovision.) - 7 (Again, nice piece of more traditional music. Vocals and atmosphere were great @kungshamra71) - 6 (I just liked this one. A solid, well produced song @catgamer) - 5 (Again, another song I just vibed with after a while. It had a memorable chorus @Werloc) - 4 (Another song with solid production and great visuals @Vic Liu) - 3 (Could have snagged a few points earlier if I was in a single jury @Dnl) - 2 (Jazzy, traditional, great vocals. All things that work in favor of getting points from me @Memo) - 1 (This song just felt a bit more "out there" than many of the others, so I wanted to reward a more bold choice in my opinion.) - R1 (A nice modern pop song, just wasn't enough room in my top 12 @NikolaB) - R2 (Same as above @IoNuTzZ) - R3 (I liked the song, it just ultimately didn't score points @justony) - R4 (I know it didn't score points, but this might be my favorite Argentine entry at TISC.)

32 candidates will run in IOC AC elections next summer in Paris.

@intoronto let me know if they have room for one more. I’m still looking for employment in the sports industry at the moment

Great spread of nations winning quotas at this event.