mpjmcevoy

Agree, huge shame. I'm not as opposed to multiple champs in one year as some, but we saw similar problems - if not quite on the same scale - in the Euro athletics and World indoors. In sports were build and taper are big things (as opposed to the season long slog of cyclng or triathlon, for example) there needs to be a rethink on the timing of Olympic year Euros - hold them toward end of season well after the Olympics and you'll get a better product - sure some Olympicos might miss it, but others will treat it as a lap of honour, and a chance to meet heroes, and others will see it as a redemption opoortunity to rescue the season after Olympic disappointment, or missing them altogether, while also perhaps showcasing some new names for the new Olympic cycle.

Is this an indian mocking other countries doping?

The question is can IRL get to the mixed final without her? If they can, she'll absolutely run the final. but if they calculate they cannot, decisions will have to be made

I don't think it's impossible they've picked Waugh as having more long term potential, and Sophie is appealling.

S0 far we have 5 handbacks by GBR, 3 by CAN and now 2 by AUS

That's an easy position to take when tou have a country of 1.4 billion people obsessed with that one sport. My view is 'loathe away', but don't expect the rest of us to care, or capitulate.

Scotland and Ireland both lost against higher ranked opposition, so I suspect that's a wash. I don't think either team has any more T20s before 30 June. So as long as Bangla overturn Nepal, i think we're OK.

I think Greg Rutherford, Shara Proctor, Lorraine Ugen and Jasmin Sawyer did all right to be fair.

We really need a grassroots night of 10k m PBs style event for throws, jumps and multievents to create some momentuum and opportunity in these events

Apparently the boys have suddenly hit a rich vein of form and may even be the slightly better bet. Sadly Penny 24 is not currently a patch on Penny 23, but she's young. Penny 28 might be spectacular.

Am I right in thinking if Bangladesh come through tonight, Ireland qualify as next under rankings for 2026

Hard Agree. There are ways to utilise the Full Members and Senior associates to provide real incentives tot he rest of Europe without flooding the calendar - a tiered series where Netherlands and Scotland only join in at penultimate stage (sort of QF), and Ireland and England at the ulitimate stage (sort of SF). might not sound like much, and possibly only requires literally a game or two from England, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland, but it would be epic for other European teams to at least theoretically have a one off crack at a 'big boy' - at worst, the recognised best four European teams have a quick warm up for the summer. at best, a smaller European nation gets a major publicity boost.

I understand your pessimism only too well but I think you maybe 'do down' one or two of our chances to avoid heartbreak. The reality is, if Rhys hits two routines properl, Rhys wins a medal. He wasn't the double world champ in weak fields. Wiffen will defintely not be gold favourite, but his times, rather than his medals, still suggest strong medal chances. And I wold genuinely be astonishied if a couple of our women's boxers - mostly only two fights from a medal, don't bring it home. Rowing is a bit of an enigma, though I agree chances are not fantastic, but I think Adeleke is a warm favourite for some kind of metal, especially with syd and Femke giving the indy 400 the swerve, and the likeihood Ireland will put out a first choice mixed relay when other nations will not. If Rhasidat drops a relay, I suspect it will be the women's. Outside that the men's rugby sevens cannot be discounted, not the showjumpers and eventers, not Rory McI (despite his brainfade tonight)

Would love to see Italy move the Game on - they have the climate to support it! The more competitive teams in Europe, the better - Ireland have made the leap, it's been wobbly, but we've made progress, and scared both England and Pakistan at test level. Would love Scotland and Netherlands...and Italy...to move forward. Only way to break the 'Cartel' - and it probably eventually involves a URC style 'european' equivalent of the County championship.

Are they likely to get the women's doubles teams?

Hard to imagine Dart and Boulter as a doubles squad, though...

To be fair, Mexico had pulled a worldie last two sets to win the semi. Given where GBR men are, this is little short of a miracle, a HUGE filip for the sport in gb. The women are decent, they always had a punchers chance, but thus is utterly unexpected from men. And having lost the 'winnable' semi, to beat Germany....arguably best Q results since 2023 Artistic Gymnastics.

Sorry, SLO

The lads seriously outperformed in qualifying, but begorrah the bracket has absolutely fallen in their favour!

Women's Time Trial, I'm thinking USA, NED, NED (2) or GBR. Men's toss up between ITA and BEL, favouring ITA, Bronze between GBR, SVK, favouring GBR because it is pan flat Women's 400m AUS, Men's 400 not sure Womens 4 x1 AUS, USA, CHN Men's 4x1 USA, AUS, ITA CHN, Women's 3 Syn CHN, ITA, GBR (I think this event is a bit soft under CHN, medals could go just about anywhere) Sevens FRA or ARG, probably FRA, Bronze between NZL, FJI and IRL Shooting I think maybe CHN don't know enough about Fencing to guess, assume Italy will be strong, Korea? So I think best day one will be CHN, AUS, USA in that order. ITA will show well, and GBR may unsually pick up few Day 1 medals, though they're most ly bronze or bust chances. IRL have a punchers chance in the Men's Sevens, which would be super cool. biggest nailed on gold is China in the 3m Sycnchro, utter utter shock if they fail to realise that, followed by Dyggert in the Women's TT and Titmuss in the W400. most intriguing event, apart from 7sRugby which I just love as a sport is the men's time trial - clear group of favourites on a pan flat course for specialists (as it should be) but all likely to have different back issues and stories. Ganna v Remco, Tadej v Josh T, Wout?

Hell of a result for the GBR girls. Hopeful at least one individual guy gets through for a mixed pair.

One wonders if it was about setting up 1st reserve on the women's side, with the understanding that a situation MAY arise where Franklin thinks better of it and pulls out of the CX. Unlike the men, Mallory and Kimberley are each other's reserves in the main boats. Stechell is now in place to step in.

Actual golf majors do something very, very similar. Jack Nicklaus was limping his way around Augusta for decades after he was 'done' And the thing is, every so often, miracles happen because gold is a precision, not an athletic aerobic, sport - for example, tom watson's last great run at the open Championship - or Goran's wild card miracle at wimbledon

Obviously done to preserve a bit of star power, plus reward previous Olympic heroes - given the two on the men's side are likely to be Murray and Wawrinka, I'd say it's a roaring success. As for what other sports do such a thing, have you never seen the invite criteria for the golf majors (the nearest sport to tennis in individual global appeal)? Guys get into the Masters and the US Open who are barely able to walk. I'm half shocked they don't do the same for Olympic golf.

Pretty sure it's more subjective than top 2. French won't make top 2, but she is reigning Olympic champ, and clearly still has 'it'. I'd say 'form' will play a big part.