dodge

I’ve actually studied this exact topic. The “system” was indeed the basis, but let’s not kid ourselves on doping here.

I enjoy you saying this is nonsense followed by “eastern Europeans just doped more ruthlessly” So even when you agree with my point, you still have to argue. You remain unrivalled on here

Is someone genuinely asking why Eastern bloc countries fell off in terms of sporting results after the arrival of democracy? East Germany only competed in 5 Olympics in rowing, but they won 48 medals, including 33 gold. They were only overtaken by the US in 2016 in the all time medal list (and they’re still ahead of the rest) In Athletics, there’s still several European records that exist since the 80s with East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and the USSR all involved. This isn’t a slight on the fine people from Eastern Europe on here and the current athletes doing their best. But the answer to why they were so strong in the 1980s is doping. No one disputes this.

Their medal predications for Gold McCarthy/O’Donovan - Lightweight double sculls Rowing Rhys McClenaghan - pommel gymnastics Silver Daniel Wiffen - 800m free swimming Cian O’Connor - showjumping Kelly Harrington - 60kg boxing Bronze Daniel Wiffen - 1500m free swimming Rory McIlroy - golf

Gracenote medal predictions for Ireland Gold McCarthy/O’Donovan McClenaghan Silver Kelly Harrington Cian O’Connor Wiffen 800m Bronze Rory McIlroy Wiffen 1500m

Those 400m free times are insane Woo-min was about 3 seconds slower than his World Championship winning time, but the Aussie pair are way ahead of that, with Winnington only .19 off his PB already

Completely irrelevant here, but funny to me to see Hong Kong first in an alphabetical list of nations! (Japan and India first in some events too)

has sent a team that includes the 5 boxers who qualified at last year's European Games including Olympic champion Kelly Harrington It doesn't include boxers who fought at the last World Qualifier, or are scheduled to fight at the World qualifier in Thailand

I honestly have no idea. It seems it is a shock to most in the athletics world. No clarification yet

Maybe the Belgians aren’t smaller than the Dutch… But yes, the rest are.

Joking aside, the biggest issue is that lightweights were brought in to help nations whose people just aren’t as big as the power nations Mine is one of them, so I’m biased, but the following countries have had Olympic finalists in the last 20 or so years that aren’t from “traditional” rowing countries; Japan, France, South Africa, Greece, Cuba, Finland, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Belgium. Theres extra places for qualification too compared to heavyweight doubles so even more countries are brought in. Obviously some of the countries above have had the odd heavyweight success too but lightweights have brought in a lot to the sport. Shame, IMO, they’re excluded from the Olympics now

So far today in the rowing finals; Keogh/Murtagh silver behind the Dutch. They looked OK so probably still in the top 4/5 but without Australia and Romania we won’t know if they’re likely to contend for a medal yet Doyle/Lynch went off very slow but had an insane finish to grab bronze. They’ll need to be more consistent to challenge in Paris The women’s four were miles off two GB boats and finished in 4th as the Dutch eased away. Still a good regatta for them though and I’m more confident they’ll qualify now Timoney/Corrigan win the B final and let’s hope the illness/injury is behind them

Lots of impressive British boats yeah. I think the lightweight women’s double are the biggest “locks” for gold in Paris in any sport tbh

No errors here. Livestream working fine

Thanks for everything. It’s time to try something new My favourite for the 400m gold sounds like she’s retiring…

Squad announcement for world athletics relays Our big names all there on the women’s sides including Adeleke, Mawdsley, Healy and Becker. Interestingly Becker only listed as reserve for the mixed. The men include Tom Barr, Cillin Greene and Jack Raftery. Stalwart of the mixed team Chris O’Donnell is only listed as a travelling reserve No Men’s team so we have 4 men and 7 women travelling.

Squad announcement for Our big names all there on the women’s sides including Adeleke, Mawdsley, Healy and Becker. Interestingly Becker only listed as reserve for the mixed. The men include Tom Barr, Cillin Greene and Jack Raftery. Stalwart of the mixed team Chris O’Donnell is only listed as a travelling reserve No Men’s team so we have 4 men and 7 women travelling.

Good start for new women's four in Varese. Sanita won her heat too. Men's side didn't look as strong but they don't have to peak until July

Only the best countries have flag cousins

Nothing says post colonialism more than controlling how they spend their money

Women’s and mixed heats are within 2 hours of each other. Smaller countries will have to prioritise IMO So they might have their best runners in a heat one day, and a repechage in a different event the next day. Foregoing a final if they make it

First 3 events: beaten by last 3 events: beaten by The draw for Paris will be important

Ireland isn't sending our lightweights but the selections made in the open weights are interesting Sunita Puspure is back in the single after doubles in 2022 and fours in 2023 The four, yet to qualify for Paris, has two of the Tokyo medalists in Hegarty and Lambe joined by Long and Magner.

Then the answer will be no one, and it’s clear that some won’t accept that so around we go in circles again

I also think her behaviour has been incredibly disrespectful to Grainne Walsh