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Yeah, true, though that was 2006. This current team, you're absolutely right, doesn't deserve it.

Damnit. As a half-American, a US-Syria playoff would have been amazingly interesting. Though tensions would probably get high. I just feel terrible for the Syrians. And Australia has to be one of the most boring World Cup sides ever. They always show up and are always forgettable. US, on the other hand... I'm not really a fan of their team either. But wow... The Russians are probably laughing their asses off Though would have been a good match there too- US vs Russia. Go Honduras

I’ve always liked this song. Czech entry: done

Poor Zahra.. think she's fallen about 5 times

I guess we'll be a reserve nation then.

What are these minimum requirements? Are these a certain point score?

Who knows It would be Martinez who gets the spot left over, shame he'd miss the Games. Philippines will have other athletes though I think. I'm fairly sure Ukolova won't qualify but with three of our categories qualified, Ukolova could get an additional quota for the team event. Maybe Eliska Brezinova, even.

Quite sad for them. Thought they'd done enough. Great to see and ! I watched the Slovak skaters (Mysliveckova is Czech actually!) and I have to say I really like them. I don't know, they always look like they're having lots of fun on the ice.

It sounds like they may have changed Majorov's qualification criteria. Now he needs 'Top 8 finishes' at Grand Prix/Challenger events. Not sure what the means specifically. But this article and others released yesterday make no mention of the 260 point rule. http://www.nsd.se/sport/majorovs-ord-efter-os-platsen-sjukt-bra-nm4656436.aspx

Ahahahaha I am out of date with Czech music ever since I don't live there. I will try to find something.

Does anyone know where I could find a livestream for the first day of the World Cup? Eurovision is only showing the last two days.

Huh. Interesting! What was meant to be in it?

Well, I'm not sure if this is really a thing people do, starting threads like this. But what the hell. Anyways I was thinking: what new sports and events could we see in Beijing 2022? My personal suggestions would be: Women's Nordic Combined (9/10)- This is the obvious one. There's a Continental Cup and it seems only logical after women's ski jumping. Doubt it would be very competitive or have many participants at the start but you never know. After it gets to the Games more people will take it up. Mostly Germans who do this so far. Synchronized Skating (7/10)- We have swimming and it has a competitive scene, quite different to figure skating, has been submitted by the ISU before but was rejected due a lack of competitive participating nations apparently. Russia, Finland and Canada sort of rule it and that's it. I know some Czech teams exist (my friend was on one) but they're not quite on that level. Definitely gaining popularity though, there are many nations now. Skill gap between best and rest has narrowed, too, and I think it has a chance. Speed Skiing (4/10)- I can understand why it hasn't been contested in awhile, what with the, well, death and danger. But I think it deserves to be included simply for the novelty of it. It's the fastest non-motorized sport where humans travel faster than terminal velocity. World Cup has many competitors and nations represented on the men's side, though for women there is still much to be desired. And the gear looks ridiculously awesome. I contacted FIS they said they are open to the idea but the process doesn't begin until after the 2018 Games. Women's Team Ski Jumping (6/10)- They are testing this out for the first time this year. Would much prefer it to a mixed event. Think if they increase the number of female competitors (which they'll hopefully have justification to do) then this could be added. Biathlon Single Mixed Relay (5/10)- Not really sure about this one since we already have many relays in Biathlon. It's a fun discipline though. Though I wouldn't switch it out for the Mixed Relay I don't think. Also worth noting you could add in mixed relays for literally anything, like Cross-Country Skiing, or a combined one of Bobsleigh and Skeleton... Ice Climbing (7/10)- Will be demonstration sport apparently at the 2018 Games. Kind of like the idea, even though it's less traditional. Skiing Big Air (3/10)- Freestyle Skiing could do a thing where Big Air is swapped out for one of the events. Maybe. But there are many Freestyle events already. Snowboarding Parallel Slalom (5/10)- Similarly Parallel Slalom and Giant Slalom could be alternated out each year. The same snowboarders compete in both of those events anyway. Bandy (2/10)- Not very knowledgeable about this sport. May be a bit too similar to hockey and would mean many more athletes for not many more medals. Could make Somalia's Olympic debut. Haha. Short Track 3000m (4/10)- Short Track does this 3000m individual race now. Since China's very big on Short Track maybe the extra event wouldn't hurt. Telemark Skiing (0.5/10)- This discipline has always confused me a little. Apparently it's kind of like alpine meets cross-country. Not sure if I'd support it, seems almost unnecessary, but I'll keep an open mind. Mountaineering/Orienteering (0.5/10)- I'd like to see these at the Olympics one day. Though it would be difficult to pull of in Beijing where all snow venues would be artificial anyway. Almaty, it would have worked. Ski Flying (0.1/10)- It won't happen in 2022. But if the next Games are near a ski flying hill, I would LOVE to see this as at least a demonstration event. Sled Dog Sports and Ice Stock Sport (0.1/10) Said they want to join the Olympics but way more growth needed. Winter Pentathlon (0.01/10)- Last appeared in 1948. Sounds very cool. Involved only two winter events out of the five though. I'd target it for 2026, and I'd include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, speed skating, luge and maybe snowboarding or curling even. It would be so fun to do so there could be lots of interest. Mahjong (why/10)- Yes you'd better believe it. They're trying to make it a demonstration sport. At the Beijing Winter Games. Interesting. I know it's Chinese culture but it's a game, and has nothing to do with winter frankly... https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2017/08/05/mahjong-proposed-demonstration-sport-2022-beijing-olympics But it's a demonstration sport, so won't be too critical. What do you guys think? Any other sports you'd like to see added? Feel free to also give what you think the various chances are.

Looks great! I would suggest also sharing it on the website if you are able to, not just the Facebook page! egyptsportsnetwork.net Also what y'all can do is share the link to the Egyptian Sports Ministry page on Facebook: @EGMoYouth. 'Share' and then 'To page'. If we can put it on the website we can also get a link we can email it with.

Thought I'd confirm it: Steveanus Wihardja says he will be entered in Short Track World Cups 3 and 4. His brother Johannes might be entered as well but that's unconfirmed. He has also asked his federation to enter him in Olympic accreditation. Chances of him qualifying for the Olympics are slim, his best time is around 45 seconds, 5 seconds behind the world's best. There is also no ice rink in Indonesia so he does all of his training on bikes and inline skates. If he gets lucky in one race, though, he can. The points system works so that one 20th place result gives more points than 3 25th places combined. Maybe in the heats if there was a collision in front... It's great that we'll actually see' Indonesia at the World Cup, though. For some reason the federation didn't tell him of the possibility So when I told him he was basically like "what oh that sounds good sign me up".

You, too. Great contact. Who knows, might make a difference. Lol

Yeah for sure. He said 2022 is his main ambition anyway but would very much like to try these ones. I guess send his message to the Sports Ministry as much as you can and hope for the best.

Google Translate works wonders. Yeah it would be great if the Egypt Sports Ministry sees this and decides to fast-track the creation of a ski federation.

Sweet. Can you please link the article when it's done?

Steveanus and Johannes Wihardja. Both represented Indonesia at the SEA games this year.

No worries. And hey let us know how it goes. What's the website of your sports network?

Haha. I only know because I kind of went and contacted the Indonesian skaters. Now I'm kind of becoming friends with one. Ill ask him on Thursday how his meeting went.

Awesome! Sure! His name is Helmy Elsaeed. I contacted him through Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/public/Helmy-Elsaeed#~!/profile.php?id=501522020 Here is an article about him. He's also a world record holder cyclist. https://www.nydailynews.com/amp/newswires/sports/egyptian-endurance-athlete-sets-new-goals-cycling-record-article-1.3360067 Other than that he's also done the Vasalloppett, a very famous and challenging marathon ski race. He'll be able to give you more insight into the situation of the federation! His coach is currently in contact with FIS and the Egyptian sports ministry. He also has an Instagram, @helmyelsaeed, where you can see videos of him skiing.

An update on : Helmy Elsaeed the cross country skier is trying to establish an Egyptian Ski federation. Apparently it never officially existed and the Egyptian who previously participated had dual US citizenship, so could go through them without national quotas (at the time none existed). The rules of Egypt's Ministry of Sport are that multiple clubs have to play a sport before a federation can be established. Helmy is the only skier, so is trying to get exceptions. He also said he might try to participate as an Independent Olympic Athlete (though I doubt the FIS will let him get points like that). Point is he has to get Egypt accepted by the Autumn meetings in October 3rd-7th as the preliminary entry deadline is on the 9th. If he can manage that he'll probably qualify. From what I've seen he's a capable enough skier.