dodge

Updated schedule for tomorrow semi finals start at 9:00 (local time) finals start at 10:10 (local time)

The world rowing site is a disaster since they ‘upgraded’ The audio comms worked for me when the main page loads but that isn’t all the time. I’ve no tracker. The results page doesn’t load and forget about looking up old results (a great feature of the old site) Anway based on times it’s a 3 boat battle for the the 2 spots in W4- ; Ireland, Italy and China The LW2x team have also won their heat. Very promising start

This looks about right to me but so hard to judge the non-Europeans in particularly as they haven't raced against the field in nearly 2 years

The favourable bit to France is they don’t have to play any team of note until the semi final by then whoever they’ve faced will likely have had 2 tight games France, effectively, has a bye to the semi final

Confirmed that it’s the top 2 into a semi final for the men. Seeding looks very favourable to France (when they don’t need it!).

M1x Top Two Finish to Qualify Daire Lynch W4- Top Two Finish to Qualify Fiona Murtagh Eimear Lambe Aifric Keogh Emily Hegarty LW2x Top Three Finish to Qualify Margaret Cremen Aoife Casey That’s the squad for the qualifier. They’re confident of the women’s four qualifying and hopeful for the lightweight double At the recent European championships the fours won silver. The young crew LW2x were 5th

Ewan first sprinter dropped today

Ewan could feature today. Obviously Lotto messed up hugely yesterday but today's parcours isn't as difficult as Milan San Remo and he nearly won there. Sagan still the favourite of course, but I wouldn't discount Ewan

and they're giving North Korea every chance to reverse their decision to pull out

There's loads of factors at play. Triathlon was mentioned earlier but that's mass start and the difference between 35 starting and 55 starting isn't that much logistically. The same way they're going to allow over 80 now in the marathon in Athletics. Others are a bit more difficult to keep a rein on but they've even tightened up in swimming with the removal of the B time automatically allowing A time holders competing in multiple events. There are plenty of sports with only one entrant per NOC too; sailing, rowing, weightlifting and all the combat sports. All of which is to say that we all have our favourite sports, and we all know which sports give our countries a better chance of medalling, but it's not an easy job for the IOC and the sports federations. It's OK that we don't all get our wishlist

I don’t see the problem really. Different sports have different rules and different allowances No harm done

So then?

The men’s k1 goes to As with the women’s k1, Ireland just misses out

It’s or for the quota in k1 One of the 2 Polish paddlers need to beat 88.58. We’ll find out in the next 20 minutes or so (as it’s unlikely Noel Hendrick’s time will be enough to qualify for the final for Ireland) Ireland is hoping for each of them to miss a gate

They've just given 50 penalty points to the Polish paddler from heat 2. So is still in with a shout too

Madison Corcoran of Ireland was unlucky. She was 4th fastest paddler but 8 penalties was far too many. even 6 points would have been enough for her to make it through

I wrote about the current situation for Ireland here on balls.ie Your clicks are appreciated as I try to push for more Olympics articles...

Thanks, I wasn't using the filters correctly!

Only two going for African quota now with pulling out. It’s a straight battle between and 15 European countries going for the final spot with and the favourites updated entry list here

Folks, does anyone have a link for the latest relay rankings? I know it will change rapidly, particularly with the European championships in May, but I see them mentioned a bit and I can't find them

fwiw Oliver Dingley lives and trains in and has done since before the last Olympics It is wild that Ireland now has a diving team!

it’s 2 weeks to Lucerne. The Asia/Oceania qualifier is before that There’s no way startlists will be announced for another 10-14 days

Tanya Watson is the first woman from to qualify for the Olympics in diving. wowp

How dare you?! These championships are now more important than all others

Yesssss!! So happy for the team