Just a bump reminder that we have the annual Stadium Race from Schalke FC's ground in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday evening.    

Since I didn't follow the Games that closely, two categories I'm having trouble finding candidates for are Comeback of the Year and the Olympic Spirit Award (the Paris 2024 award for individuals who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship at the Games or have shown great determination in overcoming obstacles). If you guys have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.      Comeback of the Year   Adam Peaty (Swimming) Tom Daley (Diving) Kristof Milak (Swimming) Matteo Berrettini (Tennis) Paula Badosa (Tennis)  Sunisa Lee (Artistic Gymnastics)     Olympic Spirt Award   Fariba Hashimi (Road Cycling) Flavia Saraiva (Artistic Gymnastics) Ellie Black (Artistic Gymnastics) Csanad Gemsi (Fencing) Silina Pha Aphay (Athletics) Sander Skotheim (Athletics) Cindy Ngamba (Boxing)  

Have mercy, I can't last 18 days without sleep.  

This might be unpopular but it would allow way more sports and quotas and cities to host at a lower cost. 

Not another RayGun please.

I think Julia Tannheimer will continue to perform so well on the flatter courses in Ruhpolding and Antholz, which will suit her technique. Oberhof will be more exciting, the courses are very demanding, but quite comparable to the World Championships in Lenzerheide. That's why I'm really looking forward to Oberhof this season. Anyone who can cope well with the courses in Oberhof should also be able to run at the front at the World Championships.

My IF THE OLYMPICS WERE THIS CHRISTMAS predicted medal table   17-18-12---47 15-12-7---34 13-8-8---29 11-10-7---28 9-5-7---21 8-13-3---24 7-6-9---22 6-7-6---19 6-6-9---21 6-6-5---17 5-8-6---19 3-2-4---9 2-6-4---12 2-2-4---8 2-2-3---7 1-1-3---5 1-0-3---4 1-0-3---4 1-0-3---4 0-3-0---3 0-1-0---1 0-0-2---2 0-0-2---2 0-0-1---1 0-0-1---1 0-0-1---1 0-0-1---1 0-0-1---1 0-0-1---1

Thanks for your predictions, they are very interesting.   But here it will be a different format. Combined events - pairs of athletes, one male/female will perform in downhill and other will perform in slalom. E.g. Team SUI 1 Odermatt plus Meillard.

Interesting (optimistic) predictions for GB. Don‘t See Them winning 5 golds (more than China and as many as Canada). I think 3 golds are more Realistic (Brookes + 2 in curling/skeleton). Especially gold for Bankes seems To be a rather optimistic prediction, given that Casta is 11 years younger and just beat Bankes.

Medal Table (Change from 2022)    - 20 (+4)  - 13 (+1)  - 13 (+5)  - 9 (+7)  - 9 (=)  - 7 (+2)  - 7 (=)  - 6 (-2)  - 6 (-1)  - 5 (+1)  - 5 (+4)  - 4 (+1)  - 4 (-5)  - 3 (+2)  - 2 (=)  - 1 (=)  - 1 (+1)      -5,  -2,  -2,  -2, , -1, , -1, , -1 fail to male the list   On 1st glance 1 feel I have underestimated Canada, Sweden and Finland, and overestimated GB (obviously) and Netherlands.    If the Russians aren't competing then the Norwegians will have a field day in cross country skiing, but it is too early to tell.   World cups and championships aren't always the best measure for some sports but it's the best I can find.      As an overall trend I feel this will be a strong games for the European nations (home advantage) but the Asian nations might struggle, not necessarily at the extent I predicted here but I don't think their results will be as good as Beijing.