Magnus Kirt looks like he's doing okay...
as does Valentin Lavillenie...
More Joey Mantia...
Valentin Belaud gives 'blue steel' while out and about.
Talk about opening up new sponsor categories!
I'm a year behind on this, but so are the next Olympics, so...just finished Roy Tomizawa's "1964: The Greatest Year in the History of Japan", and it's a must-read for Olympic aficionados out there. Inspired by his father's work as a journalist at Tokyo 1964, and by, as he notes himself, the dearth of '64 retrospectives, Tomizawa crafts a look back at those Games that recalls the charm and passion of David Wallechinsky's "The Complete Book of the Olympics". That biennial encyclopedia had been a mainstay read for me and countless Olympic fact geeks, with its countless anecdotes and statistics. Although "1964" reminded me of the pain of missing Wallechinsky's works since he retired the title post-2014, it certainly brought back the joy of discovering background notes and anecdotes even for just one Games. From insight into the exploits of famed champions like Bob Hayes, Ann Packer, Yukio Endo, Billy Mills, Dawn Fraser, and Dick Roth (who has an appendix on exhibit!) to the charms of also-rans of like Sri Lanka's multi-lapped Ranatunge Karunananda and the unique Hong Kong field hockey team, "1964" offers a satisfying array of personal connection. Where Tomizawa shines, though, is his presentation of the 1964 Games as a "coming out" for the Japanese, primed to showcase themselves and Asia after a post-World War II rebuild and imposed introspection. The passion of the host nation to impress is laid bare through its hospitality - witness long jumper Diana Yorgova's Japanese wedding - to its rise in technology as visitors are wowed by Seiko's sporting emergence and the sleek bullet trains. (Japanese cameras were certainly becoming the must-buy for visitors then!). The hosts' rapt attention to the medal efforts of its women's volleyball team, marathoner Kokichi Tsubaraya, or judoka Akio Kaminaga against Anton Geesink showcase a competitive spirit to prove themselves on the world stage. Juxtaposed is the sense of what Tokyo 2020 might portend. While 1964 followed a post-war reconstruction, 2020's Games follow a period marked by recession, earthquakes, and tsunamis, and a fall behind China in Asian prominence. Published in July 2019 before the Games' postponement, "1964" still is a relevant pre-cursor to those interested in the to-be, hoped-for grandeur of Tokyo 2020. p.s. Find more of Tomizawa's work on his own Olympic blog, theolympians.co. There, he includes a treasure trove of images of action and ephemera, not available on at least my e-book edition. The site offers more in-depth reporting on his stories, plus additional retrospection on related personalities and events. p.p.s. I also highly recommend Alex Kerr's "Lost Japan" from 1994, which showcases the author's intimate view of Japan and provides a wonderfully compelling perspective of the country today (er, in the 1990's) to compare against when viewing Tokyo in 2021. Next up on my list...an interesting Irish Times column by running great Sonia O-Sullivan, reflecting on her career after reading "The Russian Affair" has prompted the book's place on my to-do reading list. Profiling the whistle-blowing athletic couple Vitaly and Yuliya Stepanov(a), "The Russian Affair", published late last month, promises to "read like a spy novel...and an epic love story". The coach and athlete got caught in the Russian system of doping, before going public with their experiences and helping spur attention to Russia's corruption in drug testing (and taking). O'Sullivan, like many, is wistful and frustrated when thinking about the Russians she competed against. As an Olympic fan, I expect to be similarly saddened by what has happened while hopeful that individuals like Vitaly and Yuliya have conviction.
The IAAF's Diamond League returned to serious action on Friday, highlighted by Joshua Cheptegi's world record in the 5,000 meters. It was a record that had stood for 16 years, and one targeted by the world champion this year. Between that performance and the slew of other continental and personal records set across the meet - including Faith Kipyegon's .17-off the 1,000 meters world record - it's apparent that a lot of folk were ready for fast times right about this time of year. "This time of year", of course and unfortunately, is one week after when Tokyo 2020 athletics were to have been contested.
And, Cheptegei may not be done yet!
Ahead of the Monaco meeting, budding Olympic superstar Noah Lyles opened up to Tokyo 2020 on his mental health challenges as he looks forward to next year's Games.
Meanwhile, another U.S. sprint star, Justin Gatlin, previews his 'side of his story' as he looks ahead to his career winding down, and shares his 'Gatlin UNTOLD' documentary.
The Guardian took a quick look recently at Observer Magazine's coverage of Montreal 1976, dubbing it 'the troubled Games'. Though, not sure the point of The Guardian's brief share, other than maybe take an opportunistic dig. As part of its on-going Olympic retrospective, The Associated Press looks back at Atlanta 1996 as a milestone Games for women athletes. I certainly remember, here in the United States, that that was a definite media storyline, with good reason as the U.S. women dominated gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and softball in very visible and lasting fashion.
Javelin star Julius Yego weighs in on his prospects for the postponed Games with Capital Sport.
I knew that name was familiar! The Chinese Global Television Network reports that Zhou Jihong is targeting a vice-president role next year with FINA. Zhou was the first of a long - a very long - line of Chinese diving gold medalists when she won the 10-meter platform event at Los Angeles 1984. Amongst other accolades, she is the first Chinese diver to have been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. I'm at-the-moment agnostic on her expected candidacy, but I sure love the memory of excitement watching the then-unknown Chinese team make a grand statement at those Games. Uh-oh: Cross-country star Petter Northug, Jr. finds himself in a tough spot, after a traffic stop leads to a drugs scandal for the retired athlete. Owning up to it in an Instagram post, Northug awaits legal fallout.
A reminder on the disadvantages a lot of the world's athletes face when aiming for sport success...who wouldn't root for these South Sudanese?
The Olympic Channel's Nick McCarvel checks in on the long, unique rivalry - and bond - between tennis stars and multi-medalist sisters Venus and Serena Williams.
On a roll McCarvel also shares an engaging interview with Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizerone, reigning silver medalist ice dancers, revealing what they've been up to in the last months and their evolution in style.
Qatar 2032?: Again, please...no. R.I.P. to Gergely Kulcsar, one-time giant of track and field, and three-time medalist.
Recapping a Busy Weekend of Great Posts...
Noah Lyles makes a statement.
Tristan Walker and friend hang out outdoors.
Tamas Kenderesi is looking dapper.
Marco Lodadio enjoys his vacation.
Steele Johnson visits San Francisco.
A nice moment for a magical place. Today marks the 100th anniversary of Team New Zealand at the Olympic Games, after its debut at Antwerp 1920. In total, New Zealand has now appeared at 25 Summer Games and 16 Winter Games, represented by a total 1,387 Olympic athletes. Just a few of the prominent names include Peter Snell, Nick Willis, Annelise Coberger, Lydia Ko, Valerie Adams, Tomas Walsh, Danyon Loader, Mark Todd, Russell Coutts, Lorraine Moller, Eliza McCartney, Ian Ferguson, John Walker, and Barbara Kendall - not to mention multiple rowers, rugby-er's, cyclists, triathletes, snowboarders, hockey stars, and many more. Congratulations!
​Read more here.
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Above: Athens' Kallimarmaro, the site of the 1896 Summer Olympics
About This BlogAn Olympics fan blog celebrating all things Olympic sport athletesRead about me.
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