Nickyc707

But it isn't that simple is it. If the genders don't have equality of opportunity it becomes difficult if not impossible for the less fairly treated gender to display the "quality" and "achievements" to which you refer.

Verbal diarrhoea?

First time at an Olympics since Athens. It's like looking at a race course where the horses run clockwise instead of anti-clockwise like Sandown Park. Can't remember a less attractive rowing venue. Hopefully the water is cleaner than Rio.

Flag bearers are Hannah Mills (Sailing) & Mohamed Sbihi (Rowing).

Hannah Mills (Sailing) & Mohamed Sbihi (Rowing)

In the GB senior squad at 12 and a World Cup winner at just 15. A precocious talent. I feel really sorry for her but at least she only has to wait three years for another opportunity.

Not going to get into politics beyond denying any culpability for electing the current Govt. I suspect that Gracenotes may be closer to the mark than they were in 2016 although they themselves have noted the difficulties caused by the lack of international competition and in particular the absence of many of the top Chinese athletes when making their forecasts. Of course it's not only Chinese athletes, e.g. current Olympic champion Giles Scott took a three year leave of absence from Finn class sailing and so isn't rated as a potential medallist. Longer term I'm hoping sport won't suffer funding cuts but not for the reasons you suggest might drive Boris & Co.

The GB shooters have been in Tokyo since last Monday but I was surprised not to see Amber in the image they tweeted from the airport. Now we know why she wasn't there.

She seems to have been around forever but she's still only 23 so at least potentially there may be more chances ahead of her.

BBC report on Gracenote forecasts. https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/57888185.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16268598197654&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Folympics%2F57888185 Interestingly, having forecast a British total in the low 40s and a table placing of 8-9th for most of the cycle, they have upgraded GB's performance just before the Games. They also note that they may be underestimating GB's track cycling squad. Can't help but wonder if this reflects their big miss on GB's performance in 2016.

They admit their forecasts have been hampered by Covid, notably due to a lack of participation in events by China's top athletes.

Good to see all the athletes are making sure they keep hydrated. https://mobile.twitter.com/hesterdressage/status/1416308026512977920/photo/1

They've also excluded all three badminton doubles events.

What is an action sport?

Appearances: 29th. One of three countries together with France and Switzerland to have competed at every summer and winter Olympics. Team : 376 (176 men, 200 women). GB's largest delegation to an overseas OG and the first time women competitors have exceeded the number of men. Oldest: Carl Hester, 54 (DOB 29/6/67) - Equestrian Youngest: Sky Brown, 13 (DOB 12/7/08) - Skateboarding Longevity: Carl Hester is competing at his 6th Olympic Games since his debut in 1992. Only one GB athlete has competed at more Games. Archer Naomi Folkard is competing at her 5th consecutive Games. Only two female GB athletes have competed at more Games. Siblings: 1/ Tom & Emily Ford (Rowing) 2/ Jennifer & Jessica Gadirova (Gymnastics) 3/ Charlotte & Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne (Rowing) 4/ Joe & Max Litchfield (Swimming) 5/ Luke & Pat McCormack (Boxing) 6/ Harry & Hannah Martin (Hockey) 7/ Andy & Jamie Murray (Tennis) 8/ Tiffany Porter & Cindy Sember (Athletics) 9/ Hannah & Jodie Williams (Athletics) 10/ Adam & Simon Yates (Cycling) Twins: 1/ Jennifer & Jessica Gadirova (Gymnastics) 2/ Luke & Pat McCormack (Boxing) 3/ Adam & Simon Yates (Cycling) Trivia: The oldest athlete ever to win an Olympic medal in athletics was "Tebbs" Lloyd Johnson who was from my home town of Melton Mowbray in the English Midlands. He was aged 48 years and 15 days when he won a bronze medal in the 50Km walk at the 1948 Games.

On that basis the chances of it being ratified are slim to none.

Between 47 and 55. No guesses on the number of Gs.

Georgia? Trump will be asking for a recount.

Tennis 6 (+1). Total of 376 unchanged. Liam Broady added to team.

Just a precaution for a tight hamstring.

Changing sports there was another boost for your selection Sky Brown who won gold at the X Games yesterday.

Added to which we're talking about a very small group of athletes.

Brownlee would probably be best employed as a support rider in the individual event trying to deliver Yee in the leading group for the run.

Asher-Smith is just one of a group of likely medallists I mentioned and frankly I think you're badly underestimating her in the 200m.

Yes, I'm far far more confident in picking medallists than gold medallists! There are also some imponderables like who still makes it as far as Tokyo including competitors from other nations, who avoids health issues when they arrive and how athletes deal with the weather conditions in outdoor events, especially after so little competition during the past two years. The potential for surprises is probably greater than at any OG I can remember. PS Talking of imponderables I'm really looking forward to seeing how Tom Pidcock performs in the MTB.