CCB

Oh wow, I'm not thinking about the Peking Games at all. First Tokio (or not). But in the Women's 3000 meter there's one clear favourite for me: Martina Sablikova from Czech Republic. For the Dutch Antoinette de Jong is the best we have. Reigning 3000 meter Olympic Champion Carlijn Achtereekte didn't even qualify for this year's World Championships and former 3000 meter Olympic champion Ireen Wüst decided not to skate this distance anymore. Tips: Martina Sablikova , Antoinette de Jong , Isabel Weidemann , Natalia Voronina and of course Miho Takagi . Takagi could win medals

That's for sure. I was born to panic

What is not can still come. The virus continues to surprise. And in Japan they are more anxious than anywhere else.

In Japan the approval of the vaccines takes much longer. Strange, but in neighboring countries vaccinations have already started. I assume the Games will be canceled. In my opinion only 1% chance that it will continue.

Apparently Japan only starts vaccinating in May 2021. That seems pretty late. The Olympic games are no longer realistic to me.

Well, same 'problems' here. I need free time in summer anyway, so I think I will be off duty in late July/early August. For now I hope the vaccins do their job and everyone stays healthy. Unfortunately Japan only starts their vaccination program at the end of February. At the same time I very much hope the Games will go on. But as we all know: hope is deferred disappointment ...

Mathieu van der Poel really wants to participate in the MTB Olympics rather than the Tour, but the question is what his sponsor wants. But first of all: Covid-infections in Japan are increasing rapidly, so at this moment I don't expect the Games will go on at all.

Netherlands will have only 4 riders, because they choose an extra track cycling rider instead of 5 riders for men's road rice. The 4 Dutch riders will be presumably Wilco Kelderman, Tom Dumoulin, Steven Kruiswijk and Sam Oomen. Not sure if the extra track cycling rider (Jan Willem van Schip) also rides the road race. Favourites: BELGIUM for sure. Hoping for Wout van Aert!

Team: track cycling sprint (Lavreysen/Hoogland/van den Berg/Büchli). I agree with your other choices, although speedskater Jutta Leerdam deserves as well to be sportswoman of the year.

[hide] Medal Matches December 20th, 2020 Third Place Match Date & Time (GMT +1) Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 December 20th 2020, h. 15:30 Croatia 6 Denmark Final Date & Time (GMT +1) Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 December 20th 2020, h. 18:00 France 4 Norway [/hide]

[hide] Semifinals December 18th, 2020 4 Nations, the 2 Winners from each Semifinal will qualify for the Final. The 2 losers from each Semifinal will play the Third Place Match. Semifinals Date & Time (GMT +1) Nation 1 T1 T2 Nation 2 December 18th 2020, h. 18:00 France 3 Croatia December 18th 2020, h. 20:30 Norway 7 Denmark [/hide]

Congratulations to Croatia. Never expected, but a nice surprise. Welcome back at the European top! Unfortunately The Netherlands don't play a good tournament. Without Estavana Polman the team misses creativity. Still nice we can play for the 5th place against Denmark or Russia.

Indeed, but US, Canada and Australia are normally way too good for the rest of the field. Maybe France can challenge the top 3. The Netherlands (4th in Rio) becomes weaker in the 4x100 freestyle relay every year. Two 53's and two 54's are enough for a final spot, but not to be a danger for a medal. Maybe GB and/or China?

The French federation requires very difficult times indeed, based on the 8th time of the last World Championships. In The Netherlands we find the requirements already too strict, which are based on the 12th time of last year's World Championships. In any case, only real medal candidates will qualify for France. Good luck with tonight's and tomorrow's sessions (looking forward to the 100 freestyle!).

Pretty good performancy by Melanie Hénique; she also set a year's best time on the non-Olympic 50 fly. And things are looking very good for a strong French 4x100 women's team: Gastaldello, Wattel (53.72), Bonnet (53.82) and Hénique maybe will be able to fight for a medal.