dodge

I never thought the likes of Marley or Clancy were medal contenders to be fair. Now once you’re in the Olympics, you can get an Aidan Walsh type draw and medal, but I’ve always said that most needed a good draw to have any chance. Harrington remains the only one of the current squad who has won a world championship medal at an Olympic weight, and that tells a story. There aren’t many who’ve got out of the prelims Aoife O’Rourke has been unlucky with draws in her two previous global events, but she’ll be a strong medal contender. Two from boxing would be a great return As would 4/5 overall considering we’ve only earned more than 3 four times in our history. O’Donovan & McCarthy remain the only Irish entrants where I’d be shocked if they didn’t win a medal. Everyone else is either a contender we hope improves (Wiffen, Adeleke, the rowing pairs/doubles) or in a sport where one second can change everything (boxers, McClenaghan) The great part is that unlike most years we do have about 12-15 (you can add sailing, Lara Gillespie, Ben Healy, rugby team, the equestrian teams etc) who are contenders, even if outside shots. The more of those you have, the more medals you’ll win over time

I’m not sure I’d argue with Australia and US swimming given how they perform at every major championships

She scraped by in the earlier round too but Serbia are doing remarkably well at their home event. That might be a factor

The finalists are known. 3 spots for the singles, 2 spots for the lightweight doubles women’s single Men’s single LW womens double LW mens double Austria and Poland are the two nations with one boat qualified and multiple chances here. Ukraine would need to pick 2 if all 3 of their boats qualify in the same position (ie if 2 win, and 1 finishes 2nd, the winners qualify. If they all win, or all finish 2nd, the NOC must choose) For everyone else, finishing in a qualifying position will see them win their quota

It’s the same. Poland already has a boat qualified. so the paragraph at the bottom of page applies. They can qualify one boat “except in the case where two or more place first” in the regional qualifiers

Poland can qualify a maximum of 2 crews, and only if they both win the event. If 3 win their event, they’ll have to choose two. If only one crew wins, but multiple finish in qualifying position (or none win, but finish in qualifying positions), Poland can choose only one quota

She’s racing in the European championships, not the Olympic qualifiers. It’s a separate event (same place, same weekend)

First prelims today Women’s single (top 2 from each heat into finals) Men’s singles (top 2 from each heat into SF) Lightweight women double (prelim race order) lightweight men (top one into final) in the first heat & both close to Poland. In second, Ukraine just beat Suspect all other crews out of quota contention

While I don’t think she will win a medal (she hasn’t been top 5 in any race this year), she’s a very interesting character. Shes 28 and this is her first ever professional season. Before this year her only races were representing her country

Confirmed by Fintan that he’s not 100%. Same with Aoife Casey. I’m told it’s not serious and there’s no worries for the rest of the season

No lightweight doubles. Presume an injury/illness to Fintan. Paul still down for the heavyweight singles

Yeah. Odd championships. Several countries still boycotting and more sending B squads (or mixed squads!) Ireland went 4/5 today (including the walkover when Petrova unfortunately pulled out)

Rowing team for the European champs Lightweight double Paul O’Donovan/Fintan McCarthy lightweight single Jake McCarthy openweight single Paul O’Donovan (!) lightweight single Mags Cremen Openweight double Zoe Hyde/Alison Bergin Aoife Casey isn’t fit. Hyde was injured for World Cup 1 so they’re in here It’ll be interesting to see if POD does the heavyweight single and the LW double…

Sure. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either SA or GB win a medal, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise when one or both doesn’t qualify for the record so far this seaisn Dubai 1st 10th 11th 12th Cape Town 6th 7th 9th 10th Perth 5th 8th 11th 12th Vancouver 7th 9th 11th 12th LA 2nd 4th 11th 12th HK 6th 8th 11th 12th South Africa on top in 4 of the 6. Spain 2nd in 3 of last 4. Only one event where 2 of these 4 weren’t the bottom two

Don’t think any of them are guaranteed to win. 4 very flaky teams. Obviously GB are still heavy favourites