Joshi

Even though we beat Montenegro. NZ's centers still suck. If only Steven Adams would make himself available just this once....

That was quite some devastating last 400m from the NZ W8 and even better to deny Australia

Join the club NZ is in the same boat. Pun very much intended.

It's quite obvious the US only care about the big boats. It will be interesting to see them v Ger/GB and NED in the M8+ and also v NZ in the W8+. They could walk away with minor medals in both though. Which would be a shock for their W8+ which is by far their strongest boat.

So many accusations without any proof is a bit retarded but anyway. The reason for China's shock development if you say is the appointment of perhaps the greatest rower of all time Sir Steve Redgrave (GBR) who oversees Chinese Rowing. Along with former Olympic gold medalist and multiple WC Nathan Cohen (NZL). They have taken rowing to a different ball game by making them live in camp for 50 weeks of the year. Which is I think abuse but anyway. Ireland are there because since the O'Donovan's won silver it's really catapulted rowing in that country in terms of participation and sponsorship wise. Therefore their full-time job now is just being a rower. Instead of working a full-time job and trying to be a rower. It also helps that coaches from NZ and GB are being there too. Thanks to sponsorship. If you look at World Cup results for the past 3 years the NZ women have practically fronted for NZ instead of the men. Last year's WC were an anomaly where NZ were ill and walked away with a poultry 3 medals and not one gold. Our worst result in 15yrs. So a bounce back was always going to happen. So if you think something sinister is going on well so be it. But let's just ignore the fact that NZ has always been good at rowing at WC and Olympic level. NZ men are going through a changing of the guard and it will be after the next Olympiad that we will see them up there again. GB aren't as good at the moment due to injuries particularly in the sweep squad. But what's the bet they will comeback at Tokyo 2020. I think GB have done a stellar job in qualifying a lot of boats with all these injuries.

They would've assessed this during the b finals and came up with the conclusion to redraw the lanes hence why we had at least a 20 mins delay between a para rowing event and the W4x. These things happen and it's not unusual for these things to happen in a rowing regatta.

Lane 5 and 6 are the fast lanes. Normally 3 and 4 are. That's where the best boats are because of the redraw due to unfair conditions. Finish 1st in the SF you get the best lanes.

To be honest I think the Italians rowed their final in the SF. I think the Sinkovic bros gave them a huge psychological blow and they haven't really recovered.

How impressive was that Chinese and Irish M2x. Perhaps the surprise of the regatta for me and I cannot see anyone beat that Chinese W4x

Looks like my prediction is coming true for NZ at the moment. Currently 4 women's crews are in for 2020 with 2 more women's crews to join them which his highly likely and maybe 1 in the b final if lucky. Currently only 1 men's crew has made it to 2020. How pathetic is men's rowing in NZ an absolute disaster. Manson may not even qualify the single.

How funny the NZ W4x had only been put together a few weeks ago because they were reserves for priority boats and now find themselves in the Olympics after their 2nd race ??. Mind due it just shows how strong women's rowing is in NZ at the moment. Thank goodness the M8+ are in the final but they have their work cut out to make the Olys still with only 5 of the 6 in the final to go through automatically.

I like Pita but I think he makes a mockery of the sport. Interesting people's perception on Tonga and that they jokingly make a few comments or remarks about Tonga being an island nation and that they should be good or better at this. Well it's true but not in flatwater canoeing. If the Olympics had events that involved outrigger canoeing or boats that use Va'a in place of the regular canoe or kayak well yes the Pacific nation's which includes the biggest Pacific nation of all NZ would dominate. But that just won't happen lol. Interestingly though Pita and Carrington are of the same race both being Polynesian with Carrington being Maori. I suppose if some Pacific athletes were afforded the same opportunities as Carrington well then perhaps we'd see them win instead of just participating.

So after day 4 NZ has 13/14 Olympic crews still in the contention for Olympic qualifying. With as expected the Men's 4- missing out. Men's 8 are probably the biggest disappointment so far. They need to drastically improve to get out of their repecharge. W1x, W2-, W2x, LW2x, W8+ are looking excellent. Out of the men's crews only the M2- look likely to challenge for a medal. As I said the Men have really found this quadrennial very difficult. I will not be surprised if all 7 women's crews qualify but the W4x and W4- are still a bit of an unknown since these crews have only really formed this year. As for the men's only the M2- look good. Which is a pathetic return. But the M1x, M2x, M4x, LM2x, M8+ are still there but expect the majority of them to drop out sooner rather than later. So perhaps 7 to 8 crews may make it. Majority of them will be women. NZ will send no crews to the Last Chance regatta next year. So all crews are on notice to qualify at this regatta. If not kiss your Olympic dream goodbye and wait for another 4 years.

NZ men's rowing is probably the weakest it has ever been and I can only see minor medals for a few crews. On the flip side the women are probably the strongest it has ever been.

Belarus look in absolute top form too.

Lisa looks absolutely fit and focussed this year. There seems to be a real mean ruthless streak about her nowadays.

If I remember right Sir Peter Snell did the 800/1500m double and won both events to establish himself as one of the greatest middle distance runners in history. Absolute legend.

Cuban sports has really fallen in the past decade. Is it due to lack of funding in sports institutes? A mass of defections? Or does the country now have other priorities that the state have neglected and are finally given the attention it needed after so many years? Over the years they have massively punched above their weight but now we are just witnessing the decline even more.

I'm so happy for Clareburt a star on the rise. In an ironic twist Jay Litherland is both Japanese and Kiwi who represents the USA

Excellent another swimming medal and a gold one for Suid Afrika

At least it's on TV in the Netherlands. Not even shown in Australia or New Zealand TV. State or Pay.

Karma has definitely bitten Australia here but I will say one thing at least the media at this side of the world won't try covering this up like let's say China and Russia. I had my doubts but this has made news on every major outlet and newspaper in the country. In fact so much so snippets of tomorrow's national papers will have it on the front cover. At least the state media won't run and cover it up like China or Russia

Very. But at least some Aussies have some sense. One lady on there is making a point about her being a tax payer and the tax payer in Australia gives hundreds of millions to the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport). That this should all come out in public and not behind closed doors that public have the right to know the situation with regards to this saga. Also the goings on in Aussie sport. It should be all very transparent.

I'm just reading through her Instagram and some of the big Australian stars of yesteryear are all there commenting and supporting her. One of them Leisel Jones who is a big anti drugs advocate and who often calls out Sun Yang is sympathising with her. What a double standard and am quite happy the Chinese trolls are calling her out

They would because the media here will just brush it off as some kind of mistake. It clearly isn't a mistake. You kinda sensed something was up when she suddenly made herself unavailable. Not a good look for Australia either way.