dodge

It’s fine for time trials but having them in same road race last year (and this year) is awful. No idea who they’re racing against

Since winning silver in the 2016 Olympics 2016 world champion (single) 2017 world champion (single) 2018 world champion (double) 2019 world champion (double) 2021 Olympic champion (double) 2022 world champion (double) 2023 world champion (double) 2024 Olympic champion (double) 2024 world champion (single) Paul O’Donovan making his case for the greatest lightweight rower of all time

Really weird that this is announced now when it seems to have been sorted before Paris

Men Women Total Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Gold Silver Bronze Asian Games 2022 3 0 1 4 2 3 7 2 4 European games 2023 1 2 2 1 2 0 2 4 2 2024 World Qualifier 1 2 1 4 0 1 4 2 2 8 2024 World Qualifier 2 1 3 3 0 0 3 1 3 6 African Qualifier 2023 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 Pan Am Games 2023 0 1 3 0 1 1 0 2 4 Pacific Games 2023 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 Just a quick comparison of where the medalists qualified from as I was interested myself

It’s interesting that you believe the problem is with the countries that people wish to move to, and not with the countries that some are desperate to leave None of this is relevant to an English born Australian returning to represent his native country of course

OK this is getting weird but do you honestly believe those figures? Do you actually believe that the Winter Olympics is popular in countries that don’t have snow at winter? (At the same time as the IOC claims they need to include the likes of breakdancing to make the summer games more appealing) If you do, then fair enough

As we say here: “never not at it…”

Most people don’t care anyway. The Winter Olympics isn’t even shown in 3/4 of the world

This is my point about gatekeeping. The vast, vast, vast majority of the world doesn’t have ice or snow for winter. So while you think it’s a “fundamental principle”, it was only applicable to the 16 countries at the first games and their neighbours. So instead of opening up new sports to get them included in the games, you and others want to keep them out. That’s fine. That’s your choice. I’d prefer if others were included. And again, I don’t feel strongly on it (as in I’m not going to fall out with anybody over it) but I’d include cross country running and cyclo cross.

and of course that’s where it first appeared at the Olympics

It’s not about Ireland. We’re as likely to win at cross country running as we are skeleton But you can’t say “it never ceases to amaze me how much it bothers people” when the thought of cross country running in the Olympics has clearly made you angry. Ha FWIW, it doesn’t bother me if it’s included or not. I find the gatekeeping around it hysterical though

Agreed. Winter sports can include sports played at winter like cross country and cyclocross

The last world curling championship was held in April. The last mixed championship was held in October But they’re “winter” sports

Hi, idiot here, cross country running and cyclo cross should ABSOLUTELY be in the winter games but the same 20 odd countries are afraid of opening up their games to outsiders They have their rule about games being needed to be played on snow and ice but IMO that’s a far more ridiculous idea than allowing cross country running in.

Normally I’d agree, but we need to flush out flag football first