JoshMartini007

Yeah, they've massively overestimated the depth of non-European continents. The number between compulsory places and additional quotas should be flipped, as in... World Champ - 1 Host Nation - 1 Africa - 2 Asia - 2 Europe - 2 Pan American - 2 (or 1 for each if they still want to have the split) Oceania - 1 (should they meet the minimum qualification) Wild Card - 1 And then take the top 20 from the previous competition's results. It's a bit weird as only 24 teams participated last year, but it'll make more sense in future editions. Basically the quota distribution for 2021 using my method would be... Africa - 4 + 1 Host Asia - 4 Europe - 15 + 1 World Champ Pan America - 5 (4 South America + 1 North America/Caribbean) Oceania - 1 (Should they meet minimum qualification) Wild Card - 1 Not sure why they want to split Pan America. It may have made sense when there was only 24 teams as Argentina/Brazil/Chile were ahead of the rest of the continent, but after that the two regions are a lot more comparable (with an advantage to North America/Caribbean) and more often than not the continent should have at least 4 teams at each edition.

Another reason why most people put up with Oceania quotas for Australia and New Zealand is that more often than not they have enough talent to at least justify a spot for them. Similar for United States/Canada in Pan America or China/Japan/South Korea in Asia. Of course this does not occur for all events, but at the same time, sport federations don't want to make it look like only 1 or 2 continents care about the event or else they risk the event being cut from the Olympics.

Sadly until we create a system where 200+ nations can participate there's always going to be someone missing out. It's unfair to make things easier for Pacific nations by removing Australia/New Zealand while doing nothing to help the small states of Europe or smaller Caribbean nations in Pan America, etc (or by creating a very complicated qualification system that essentially makes the tripartite commission redundant). While a lot of continental quotas do end up going to the big nations from each continent it's still better for the smaller nations than the alternative of not having continental quotas.

Yeah, a Slovenia win here means only Portugal can catch them. A Hungary win makes things a bit more crazier. Looking at the schedule I would think Hungary would be the favourites at that point as they only need to win one match while the other likely need to win both of their matches. Of course things get a bit more crazier should Sweden defeat Norway later today.

It's a 12 team tournament and when you exclude the already qualified nations, Slovakia is probably among the best not yet qualified. Looking at the qualification tournament only five from Europe will qualify to the final Olympic qualifier so you need a top seven finish. Though I doubt Pan America will send three nations with both the United States and Canada already qualified so I guess Europe will send more teams.

So despite having four nations in the quarter-finals it looks like Western Asia is going to have only one reaching the semi-finals.

We're at that stage where 12 feels too few where nations like France or Germany could miss out, but 16 is too much as it causes nations like Malta to compete. I guess it depends on the philosophy you have...

That's two sailing quotas for Mozambique now. Not too surprised if that is true. I wonder if there was any footage of the race, I would like to watch a 1 vs. 7 race with the one winning overall.

I feel Group A is stronger than Group B

Nice to wake up with Canada winning a couple of medals.

Serbia and Croatia are not exactly powerhouses on the women's side. It would help the sport if they (along with Montenegro) were though

Looking at the current entry list for the Miami World Cup which will double as the North America & Caribbean qualifier. Excluding the Laser/Laser Radial not too many eligible nations are competing in multiple events outside of . is competing in the men's RS:X while is competing in the men's Finn (he has a good chance at winning the quota). Currently are eligible in both Laser events while are eligible in the men's laser and are eligible in the women's laser radial. Additionally, is the only eligible nation to compete in the women's 470 so it may obtain a free quota.

I know, I guess I was expecting Croatia to "only" lose by 20 goals

34 - 1 Did Croatia know they couldn't win and decided to save their strength for Slovakia to ensure they would reach the quarter-finals?

At this point, can they even call it a fleet race? It's essentially a match race...

I'm happy for them. With their success in speed skating in roller sports, it is only natural that they can also have success on the ice version (and short track) at the Winter Olympics. Hopefully this medal at the Youth Olympics encourages them to continue with the investment.

My point still stands, they can't be bothered to do the research or find someone that knows the athletes (which I admit would be quite difficult as this is youth sports).

Nope, it's easier/cheaper to throw in some news reporter that they were already paying to do the job.

It's also the Youth Olympics, so I'm not surprised that they are finding it difficult to attract top English speaking talent...

That's quite common sadly. For a lot of people, sport only exists at the Olympic or World Championship (if at that) level. You'd think a commentator would know better or at least be given a paper with that information, but you know, paying someone to figure out that information is too much for some media outlets.

Yeah, rugby and weightlifting are pretty much the top sports for Pacific Nations... One can only wish . Too bad the IOC is allergic to more athlete quotas. Maybe they'll reduce it to 10 person teams

Yeah, it's quite possible it will decide the second team to compete in the final Olympic qualifier.

Montinho/Afonso continue to lead after winning two more races on day 3 Angola's women still lead Mozambique by two points.

If it's or it'll be their first athletes qualified to the games.

It's not so much that they were excluded, it's because they didn't apply to compete. It's quite expensive to travel, especially in team sports.