dcro

Finally rewatched 16 Days of Glory (1984), for the first time in about 10 years or so. That was Bud Greenspan at the height of his powers. Wonderful Olympic film. Didn't mind its length (4.5 hours) at all. I am almost glad that the Olympics got postponed, since Olympic Channel probably never would have uploaded these films otherwise.

Greetings from the World Truffle Center...

He would have to give up on his whole athletics career pretty quickly if he is to become a driver. Would be a weird decision for someone who placed 5th at Europeans and 7th at Worlds before age 22...

I agree. It can take weeks to recover from a long, mediocre BM episode...

Yeah. Mixed-NOC mixed team sprint would be the perfect addition for the speed skating mix.

But probably there is not enough space for such addition... Unless it's mixed team sprint of course!

vd Poel uses "more than a shampoo"? Where do I sign up for that?

Well, hope Toms can win it today. Incredibly unlikely, I know...

I like the penalty shoot-out idea. My twist had us using a fixed number of judges (say 10). If they can't decide the winner, then another 5 judges are called up and their votesare revealed penalty style.

Since there are two repechage matches, should each have 15 judges? This would mean that everyone will get to judge one match, except for one judge who will do both. 13 judges or less would mean that some would miss the repechage stage completely, which could be fine too I guess. Rounds of 16 could have 11 judges per match. This would mean that everyone would be drafted for three matches, except for one judge again who will do four. Quarterfinals could have 13 judges per match. 23 judges would be drafted for two matches each, while 6 of them will officiate one match only (these could be the ones still in competition). Semifinals could again have 15 judges per match. Judges still in competition are fully excluded, leaving 25/26 eligible ones. Finals opened for everyone. For the Challenge Trophy (if held), we could be looking to just have 7 judges for each match? Including their quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

If cross-country is to replace anything, then that can only be 3000 m steeplechase. Steeplechase event was basically introduced to recreate cross-country conditions within a stadium.

But it makes up for almost as much effort as the main bracket. And it becomes somewhat bizarre when songs placed 17th-20th get to play 3 more matches than those ranked 9th-16th. Everyone would stay involved through judging.

How about scrapping the whole lower bracket? It would save plenty of effort for the organizer and jurors alike.

Asia with only 1/6 nations survivng. Oceania is out. Potentially we are looking at Albania v Macedonia showdown in the R16.

Japan is officially and amazingly the least liked song of the group stage, with only 5 votes on their tally. Belize is the only other nation with less than 10 votes (7).

Mali needs just one more vote. Taipei is out.

Not really sold to this idea of slow reveals. Mainly since this thread lacks any discussion.

Six African nations have already made the R16, and Mali/Angola can still join that list. Basically everyone save Zambia might progress...

Always a hope for Korea that Judge B will vote the same as Judge E.

I wonder if this is where the anomaly called Puerto Rico ends. Certainly seems like it.

Belarus about to choke again?

Another big retirement in the American dressage team.

And now the Paper Planes are playing on the same radio. Now, this is a surprise.

Casually listening to a radio, only to hear Rihanna and Diamonds. What are the odds?

What's up with that water polo logo?