Summer Olympics/Paralympics, Tokyo, delayed to 2021

[UK Redsox]

This is an example of the sort of nonsense (without some of the horrific racist language) that gets posted on every article in Japan about Naomi Osaka. Yahoo.jp is the worst, and no wonder she doesn't want to live here. On the Olympic torch lighting:

'But, what did she do to deserve it? What has she ever done for Japan? If they wanted somebody who is bi-racial, why not Hachimura or Darvish? At least they grew up in Japan and can, you know, speak Japanese. Their Olympic accomplishments are the same as hers - nothing. At tennis player? Why not Sugiyama Ai? She has won grand slams and an Olympic medal in tennis. Matthew (Mashu) Baker? He has a gold medal in Judo. It should have been an accomplished Olympian, maybe in judo since it is from Japan. Or an athlete from Tohoku. Or the children from Tohoku. Not a corporate shill'.

That person's view ignores the fact that Yu Darvish isn't competing in the Olympics and, in fact, isn't even eligible to compete in the Olympics due to being on a Major League Baseball roster.

[cdbearsfan]

Baseball, and men's football, should both be kicked the fuck out if they aren't going to send their best players. Disgusting when you think of the players in sports like squash who would kill to take part.

[UK Redsox]

Baseball, and men's football, should both be kicked the fuck out if they aren't going to send their best players. Disgusting when you think of the players in sports like squash who would kill to take part.

Yep, it's bizarre that Squash can't get in when you consider all the semi-sports that do and, as you say, the sports where the best players don't take part.

[cdbearsfan]

The football one is arguably worse as it is so inconsistent, and gives an unfair advantage to certain clubs. Liverpool, for instance, were succesfully able to pressure Mo Salah into not playing despite the fact that there was no major African competition this summer. Douglas Luiz, by contrast, goes to the Olympics straight from the Copa America.

The IOC should tell FIFA they have to abolish the clubs' veto and get rid of the age restrictions if they want men's football to stay in. Women's football should, obviously, remain as they always give the Olympics the respect it deserves.

Talking of women's football, have to feel some sympathy with Zambia's Barbra Banda. She's played two, scored hat-tricks in each, and has yet to be on the winning side having lost 10-3 to the Dutch in their opening game and drawn 4-4 with China today.

[Axl Rose]

This is an example of the sort of nonsense (without some of the horrific racist language) that gets posted on every article in Japan about Naomi Osaka. Yahoo.jp is the worst, and no wonder she doesn't want to live here. On the Olympic torch lighting:

'But, what did she do to deserve it? What has she ever done for Japan? If they wanted somebody who is bi-racial, why not Hachimura or Darvish? At least they grew up in Japan and can, you know, speak Japanese. Their Olympic accomplishments are the same as hers - nothing. At tennis player? Why not Sugiyama Ai? She has won grand slams and an Olympic medal in tennis. Matthew (Mashu) Baker? He has a gold medal in Judo. It should have been an accomplished Olympian, maybe in judo since it is from Japan. Or an athlete from Tohoku. Or the children from Tohoku. Not a corporate shill'.

That person's view ignores the fact that Yu Darvish isn't competing in the Olympics and, in fact, isn't even eligible to compete in the Olympics due to being on a Major League Baseball roster.

It doesn't fit that person's agenda, I guess.

As.for Barbra Banda, sign her up for the Villa women's team!

[UK Redsox]

Probably easier to stop an over-age player like Salah going than it would be to stop someone who's in the proper age bracket, eg Doug

[cdbearsfan]

It isn't, the clubs have veto either way, I believe. If Villa wanted to stop Luiz playing, we could have done so. There are no Juventus or Man City players at the tournament, either. Certain clubs have more power over players and feel more able to turn them down, so it's another way of giving power to the established elite.

[TopDeck113]

The cycling road race can sometimes be a lottery with favourites finishing dozens of places behind the winner, so pleased so see a medal rostrum for the men's event consisting of Carapaz, van Aert and Pogacar.

[Villa Lew]

Shock in the  women's cycling

[Scott Nielsen]

Confirmed the peloton was not aware Kiesenhofer was out front. Thus van Vleuten thinking she had won gold. Unbelievable really.

[Brazilian Villain]

Yep, it's bizarre that Squash can't get in when you consider all the semi-sports that do and, as you say, the sports where the best players don't take part.

It does seem weird and it'd be nice to watch a sport I actually play.

Quite enjoyed the skateboarding (hard to figure out the scoring). Just wish the commentators would shut up for a nanosecond, they make Rpbbie Savage sound like Helen Keller. 3 on 3 basketball can f**k off though, what next, attack v defence in football?

[Brazilian Villain]

Great also to see the Tunisian kid win in the 400m despite the general US / AUS dominance in the pool.

[Abbeyfealeavfc]

Great ride from the Austrian to win the gold in the ladies cycling.

[charlatan]

BBC coverage is hopeless. Only two channels with lots of stuff being shown either delayed or on both channels at the same time and far too much time wasted on presenters blathering with guests. Had been thinking I might take some time off to watch the rugby sevens this week, but unless I shell out for Eurosport's online feeds it would be a waste of time. At least Eurosport tells me what they are going to be showing on their two TV channels so there is a clear indication that the mountain biking will probably (this is Eurosport after all) be on tomorrow for example (and won't be interrupted every five minutes by reports on other sports).

[Somniloquism]

Confirmed the peloton was not aware Kiesenhofer was out front. Thus van Vleuten thinking she had won gold. Unbelievable really.

They don't have race radios or contact with the coaching staff like they do in normal races. So no way of finding out someone extra broke off unless told when they reeled the front riders. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is something you can decide.