Dragon

This is probably the only website where race walking gets written about more than the men's 100m...

Rumours are that she's just getting better and stronger at every aspect

All I can say it that, in 2012, I predicted 15 gold medals for GBR and they won 29. In Rio I predicted 17 and they won 27. I hope I'm not too biased.

I'll give an example of how hard it is to predict some medals. Christina Hammer of Germany has been a world professional boxing champion for 10 years. Earlier this year she decided to try to qualify for the Olympics. Immediately she becomes a hot favourite for a medal. Then the final qualifier get cancelled and she has no chance to qualify for Tokyo.

Whitlock, Taeja James and Dominic Cunningham

Well, Valegro was 14 in Rio and not as good as he was in London. The top German horses are 14,16,17 while Freestyle is 12 and still improving... Despite that, I think Germany will probably still win both golds this year

DPR Korea will never accept that

So let's break down what I expect to do in Tokyo. First thing to say is that it will be the worst GBR performance since 2004 but a lot better than anything in the last half of the 20th century. Athletics 4 medals including 1 gold. Heavily favouring the women's events Boxing 3 medals including 1 gold. Canoeing 3 medals incuding 1 gold Cycling - down a lot on previous Olympics but still 5 medals including 2 golds (women's distance races on the track will still be hard to beat) Equestrian - 4 medals (2 gold) , I expect GBR to win both eventing golds. Also would not be shocked if Charlotte Dujardin wins a 3rd dressage gold (her horse is young and improving whilst the best German horses are getting old) Gymnastics - 3 medals inc 1 gold. Whitlock to retain pommel horse title Judo - 1 medal Modern Pentathlon - 2 medals inc 1 gold Rowing - 3 medals inc 1 gold Rugby - 1 medal Shooting - 2 medals inc 1 gold (both in shotgun classes) Skateboarding - 1 medal Swimming - 5 medals inc 2 gold (Peatty will repeat) Triathlon - 2 medals Football - 1 medal Taekwondo - 4 medals inc 2 gold Total 44 medals 15 gold Down from 67 medals 27 gold in Rio Edit -I forgot Sailing . 3 medals 1 gold Revised total 47 and 16

Shaoxing, CHN 8 April Women's 3000 S/C Zhang Xinyan 9:20.32

Also from Lusaka, ZAM Women's 200m 10 April Rodah Njobvu 22.69 Beatrice Masilingi 22.72

I have the feeling the Namibian 400m runners could be the real thing. After all Masinlingi was the fastest runner in the world in 2020. Now she's a year stronger.

Although even if the real time is a second or even two seconds slower, they'd still be good times for teenagers

Still a great performance despite the suspicions. Unless we'll find more problems...

Men's Marathon. Tuscan Elite Marathon Samuel Tsegay 2:06.53 But he applied for citizenship last year and is waiting on a decision

Women's 400m wow!!!

None of the top 6 teams have any positive Covid tests

Men's 50k walk

Perry Baker (men's rugby sevens) World sevens player of the year - broken leg

Or https://bluecattechnical.shinyapps.io/RoadtoTokyo/_w_d41a0cfc/

Strangely, the major story of this announcement concerns the "pregnant girlfriend". That's Nia Ali, the world 100 hurdles champion, who now has no chance of representing the USA in Tokyo.

"Diplomatic boycott" US athletes will go but no diplomats or government officials. If you have to protest this seems a good way to do it. Won't have an effect on the team.

Well, it's very interesting that this was revealed on the day Japan extended trade sanctions on DPR Korea for another two years. I'm sure this a political decision by North Korea rather than anything to do with the virus.

Talking Olympic qualifying. Does anyone know how many countries are affected by this qualifying rule? We know Thailand, Egypt and Malaysia but the IWF website has not been updated since January so I guess there must be more? "With reference to Article 12.6 IWF ADP, should two or more Athletes or other Persons affiliated to an IWF MF/NOC be found to have committed a violation of the IWF ADP giving rise to a period of ineligibility of four years or more on the occasion and during the In-Competition period of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (including following further analyses of samples), the concerned MF/NOC shall be automatically prevented from recommending, entering and/or proposing affiliated Athletes or other Persons for participation in the next ensuing Olympic Games following the final decision imposing the (first two) relevant sanctions (and shall take all necessary measures to prevent such participation), without prejudice to any other sanction that may be imposed in accordance with the IWF ADP."