Olympics 2021

[The Sultan]

This continuing desire for NBC to treat the Olympics like a drama with highlights is maddening.  What other network doesn't show sporting events live these days?

[JWags85]

This had nothing to do with judges or tanking. It is almost definitely not just "drama".

I'm not saying its manufactured drama or anything for show, but it is all very dramatic.  Dramatic doesn't have to be negative.  The greatest gymnast of all time dropping out of a team competition mid-way is dramatic, period.

And obviously I would never downplay mental health or victims of sexual abuse, but I'm not sure its fair to say thats what she was affected by specifically.  After she has been an absolute supernova in the 3 years of competition, including sweeping the 2019 World Championships and nearly sweeping the Olympic trials since revealing she was a victim.  There is an insane amount of spotlight on her and pressure on her going into this thats related to only her athletic achievements and legacy, much less any abuse.  You could be completely right but I think its unfair to her to speculate on what mentally rattled her.

[shoothoops]

Haven't a lot of the swimming events been live on NBC in the 8-10 PM window?

Many of the swimming semifinals and finals have been live USA time in the 9:30pm Eastern to 11:30pm Eastern time windows. That is mid-morning/lunch time in Tokyo.

[CreightonWarrior]

As an FYI the NBC Sports app has streamed virtually everything live, they just haven't advertised it because peacock is as well but you have to pay for it.

All the Semis and medal races have been live in our prime time, most of the qualifying rounds have been in the middle of the night in the US.

[rocky_warrior]

As an FYI the NBC Sports app has streamed virtually everything live, they just haven't advertised it because peacock is as well but you have to pay for it.

Coverage hasn't been bad.  But it's certainly been a disorganized mess of when & where to find things - especially if you're wanting to follow live.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

NBC has been running a lot of Live events on USA, CNBC, NBC Sports Network & The Olympic Channel.

[drewm88]

As an FYI the NBC Sports app has streamed virtually everything live, they just haven't advertised it because peacock is as well but you have to pay for it.

All the Semis and medal races have been live in our prime time, most of the qualifying rounds have been in the middle of the night in the US.

I believe the same goes for their website as well as Xfinity. You can get live streams of each sport, just not with the American commentary, production packages, etc. Swimming seems to be the Australian broadcast.

[🏀]

Newsflash: NBC Sports suck at broadcasting sports.

[MU82]

Simone Biles said she withdrew from the women's team final because she wasn't in a good place mentally to compete after facing so much pressure to win.

Biles, Team U.S.A.'s star, said she had been struggling with the stress of being the greatest gymnast in history, and outside expectations were just too hard to combat. She said she was not certain whether she would compete again at the Tokyo Games.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/27/sports/olympics/russia-wins-gold-medal-gymnastics.html?campaign_id=60&emc=edit_na_20210727&instance_id=0&nl=breaking-news&ref=headline&regi_id=108420427&segment_id=64537&user_id=d36dcf821462fdd16ec3636710a855fa

[jesmu84]

NBC going mad on YouTube and the rest of the internet to quash all highlights/images/videos/memes/etc.

I get it. They own the rights. But in the social media age, more exposure/access is good for your product.

Just look at NBA vs MLB

[Warrior Code]

Being laid up from surgery I've been watching a ton of Olympics coverage.

I watched the women's triathlon in the entirety.  Very compelling until the run when Flora she just floored it.  It was the Bermuda women's fourth Olympics and the announcers said Olympic experience in this event helps immensely. 
The Philippine women was in lockdown, so was lifting big water cooler bottles and whatever she could rig up at home to keep up her training.

Most importantly, it was the first gold ever for Bermuda and the Philippines.  That's a good story line.

Is that right? That's surprising to me. Don't they have a history of success in the combat sports? I thought for sure they'd have had at least a winning boxer or two over the years.

[MuggsyB]

Really a shame to hear about Biles. 

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Is that right? That's surprising to me. Don't they have a history of success in the combat sports? I thought for sure they'd have had at least a winning boxer or two over the years.

She was the first.

[MuggsyB]

Its my understanding that up in Alaska during her practice swims they would throw in a hungry polar bear in the pool; just as an incentive.

That would work.  I have yet to meet a polar bear that wasn't hungry. 

[Billy Hoyle]

Is that right? That's surprising to me. Don't they have a history of success in the combat sports? I thought for sure they'd have had at least a winning boxer or two over the years.

A couple of silver and bronze medals (10 total in history) but this was the first gold.

She's 4-11, 121 pounds, and she threw up 280 pounds to win it.

[MuggsyB]

A couple of silver and bronze medals (10 total in history) but this was the first gold.

She's 4-11, 121 pounds, and she threw up 280 pounds to win it.

Damn....that's rather impressive.

[JWags85]

She's obviously incredibly accomplished and has cemented a great legacy, but Ledecky turning out to be one of the biggest hyped disappointments of the games.  Not only has Titmus dominated her, but Ledecky was never even a remote medal contender in the 200 Free once the raced started.

The way Women's swimming is moving younger and younger, you have to think the days of Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson winning medals into their late 20s, much less their 30s, are over.

[Billy Hoyle]

When did Hong Kong start fielding their own team? And Siobhan Haughey could not be a more Irish name.

[warriorchick]

She's obviously incredibly accomplished and has cemented a great legacy, but Ledecky turning out to be one of the biggest hyped disappointments of the games.  Not only has Titmus dominated her, but Ledecky was never even a remote medal contender in the 200 Free once the raced started.

The way Women's swimming is moving younger and younger, you have to think the days of Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson winning medals into their late 20s, much less their 30s, are over.

It wasn't that long ago where you were an old woman at 20 in Women's swimming.  One of my competitors, Tracy Caulkins, held four world records by the time she was 15.  She was supposed to compete in the 1980 Olympics, when she was 17, but you know what happened there.  By the time 1984 rolled around, she was well past her peak, as were most of her contemporaries.

[Lennys Tap]

Bruce Springsteen's daughter is on the Olympic equestrian team? Hilarious. You've come a long way from the swamps of Jersey, Bruce!

[jficke13]

When did Hong Kong start fielding their own team? And Siobhan Haughey could not be a more Irish name.

Enjoy it while it lasts...

[MuggsyB]

She's obviously incredibly accomplished and has cemented a great legacy, but Ledecky turning out to be one of the biggest hyped disappointments of the games.  Not only has Titmus dominated her, but Ledecky was never even a remote medal contender in the 200 Free once the raced started.

The way Women's swimming is moving younger and younger, you have to think the days of Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson winning medals into their late 20s, much less their 30s, are over.

I don't think Ledecky was favored in those events?  She's best in the distance events.

BTW,  they never talk about it, but the greatest Olympic individual performance ever is probably Heiden in 1980.

[shoothoops]

She's obviously incredibly accomplished and has cemented a great legacy, but Ledecky turning out to be one of the biggest hyped disappointments of the games.  Not only has Titmus dominated her, but Ledecky was never even a remote medal contender in the 200 Free once the raced started.

The way Women's swimming is moving younger and younger, you have to think the days of Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson winning medals into their late 20s, much less their 30s, are over.

???

Ledecky's 400 time was the 3rd fastest in history. It's the 2nd fastest she has ever done it. (She also holds the World Record for it)

She just crushed the 1500 for Gold. (Great job by UT's Erica Sullivan for Silver) She is expected to win 800 Gold. And she has another chance in the relay.

Only Michael Phelps (13) has won more individual swimming Olympic Gold Medals than Ledecky's 5. (tied with Krisztina Egerszegi.)

[Billy Hoyle]

It wasn't that long ago where you were an old woman at 20 in Women's swimming.  One of my competitors, Tracy Caulkins, held four world records by the time she was 15.  She was supposed to compete in the 1980 Olympics, when she was 17, but you know what happened there.  By the time 1984 rolled around, she was well past her peak, as were most of her contemporaries.

Janet Evans, Amanda Beard, Katie Grimes, Lia Neal, Anita Nall. So many teens who have made the US team.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Biles withdraws from individual all around.  Disappointed for her, she's a great role model for little gymnasts (like my 6 year old.)