orangeman

I agree. This modern idea that skinny = healthy has really done damage to so many lives in our society. I've lived in East Asia where the majority of people are very skinny. And if you ask many of them to help you move a 20 lbs desk they'll faint from exhaustion. Not to mention the mental health damage they endure from endless ridicule if they eat more than 3 bites at dinner. There are healthy and unhealthy people of all sizes. I'm always amazed at the concern some people suddenly have for the health of strangers, especially women. But let's be real here, it has nothing to do with health and everything to do with hate, discrimination and selfishness. If it were about health, these people would care equally about steroid abuse, smoking, drinking and mental well-being (and thus wouldn't be so mean to strangers). Not that it should matter, but she lost 50 lbs over the last year. Again, if people actually cared about her health they would know that and be celebrating her progress rather than attacking her. But as I said, the hatred has nothing to do with concern for her health. In any event, DeAnna Price was on the American softball team, played 4 sports at the elite level in college and just won a gold at the highest level. Meanwhile some troll on the internet who probably struggles to scratch his own ass is trying to attack her because she doesn't fit his fantasy of the perfect woman. Who is the winner and who is the loser in this situation?

We'll take it!

What I find strange is that the women's 20km is tomorrow. Wouldn't some of the same athletes normally take part in both? I know that's true for the men, at least at the Olympics.

As someone from the country that came from behind in both to snag a bronze, I will remember both equally.

Great final 5km! Congrats to everyone, but Dunfee's charge in the last 10km was crazy!

Well I was going for a running joke, but I guess I jumped the gun.

He's going to hang out in the Bahamas for a couple of days before coming back to Canada?

And Dunfee gaining on him.

And with longer strides where they sort of leap in between.

Dunfee making his move!

She just won gold at the World Championships of Athletics. What have you done this week?

Yay drugs Americans! Jk of course. De Grasse!

I feel like "politically correct" is just a term to be thrown at anything people don't like. What is "politically correct" about the mixed relay? I guess you'd have to define "politically correct" to begin with. To me, politically correct would mean including a women's version of an event even if there's not enough competitors. It would mean including competitors from every continent even though they are not the best in the world (something that is already done). I don't see how a mixed relay is politically correct.

Watching the female hammer throwers celebrate is nice.

That's great! That's my point. All these events are for entertainment. Mixed relays, in swimming anyway (first time seeing it here in athletics) add a layer of strategy to the event that I find interesting.

Out of the answers so far, I understand this the most. It does seem like just another opportunity to give medals to the same countries. I don't really follow the "no history" answer, because that can be applied to everything new in order to prevent progress and innovation. I mean, steeplechase has history but is it a natural event? Are hurdles necessary? It's just for entertainment, it's not like any of these events have some sort of intrinsic value outside of athleticism.

Why is mixed relay any less valid than normal relay?

Apparently you can hand over the baton and then hang out on the track to trip up the competition and it's all cool. (Might be my greater experience in short track speed skating that confuses me on this).

De Grasse! Maybe Gatlin won't make the final now...

One last gold for Canada!

The gold Canada won in archery certainly helps. Cuba is in 3 finals in Judo, and they're 3 golds behind Canada. I don't think they have any other real chances, so even if they win all of those Canada would still finish ahead of them I think.

Will Argentina pass Canada on the medal table?

That relay was one of the most boring. 3/4 seconds between each, 1-2 2-3 and 3-4. But yay! Another silver!

It depends on how you count "the world", countries or population. It also depends on what you think the Olympics should be about. Baseball/Softball: It includes a good portion of regions (North and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and East Asia). It also includes an okay population when considering East Asia. I lived in South Korea and they watched every pitched during 2008, and went wild when they won gold. However, the infrastructure costs a lot, and it doesn't get the best players in the world. Cricket: I don't understand it, personally. But enough countries that are under-represented at the SOG would participate that would make it worthwhile. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc. There are African countries that could compete, as well. This could use the same sites as baseball. But since both would take multiple days, I'm not sure how that would work out. Personally, I like the idea of host countries getting to choose about 3 sports to include. Japan likes baseball, so fine. France doesn't have the infrastructure or the fan base, so they'd have...idk,...cheese making or something. ps. I grew up in Quebec, speak French. The only thing I love more than the French is making fun of the French.

Anyway, I don't want to sound like a negative Nelly. I'm proud of all our athletes. I really am. I've had a rough couple of days, and just want a win here and there. And I got it, so can't complain. Now I've had a drink or two, so I have opinions. You know what they say about opinions? They're like assholes. They stink.