dodge

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

I hope she doesn’t get selected. If she does get selected, I hope she doesn’t qualify. If she qualifies, I hope she loses The same way I feel about Saskia Tidey in sailing FWIW she’s out a statement to say she’s exploring all options

IABA say they’re disappointed but if it’s what she really wants, they won’t stay in her way Had a quick chat with someone who should know and he thinks it won’t happen because GB have their own process

Neil is usually on the ball a

Just on Tara Hanlon, she’s no longer part of the national squad, so you can rule her out of future combinations

Ireland needs to get some freestylers qualified but with the 4x100 medley qualified they might be OK

There are tons of “soft” entries in every sport. It’s a good thing too.

There's no chance of using a women's quota for the men's events

They probably all should have asterisks on them saying “*pending they don’t test positive” at this stage