Games and Rings
  • A Blog for Olympic Sports Fans

A Little Roundup 03.25.21

3/25/2021

0 Comments

 
The Nathan Chen - Yuzuru Hanyu duel is the marquee event at the World Figure Skating Championships this week. Who has the edge?
Picture
Meanwhile, get to know Anna Shcherbakova - and her jumps - as she heads to the ladies' finals in the lead.

Indian table tennis player Sathiyan Gnanaseskaran reaches Tokyo 2020, completing a comeback from Rio 2016 qualification heartbreak and a deep personal loss.

"Sexism isn't a women's issue, any more than racism is a Black issue." Tennis champion Venus Williams opens up for Vogue in a personal op-ed.

More tennis: count Simona Halep as another star looking for Olympic success this year.

Champion biathlete from Germany Arnd Peiffer announces his retirement.

Field hockey: Great Britain's top Olympic scorer Ashley Jackson "steps away" from the team.

For Chinese Taipei boxer Chen Nien-Chin, success at the Olympics will be another in a career of challenges to overcome.

Tokyo 2020-bound sport climbing star Adam Ondra chats with El Capitan-free solo star Alex Honnold.

Congratulations to New Zealand's Olympic sports athletes who were recognized by the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards for a decade of excellence, including rowers Hamish Bond & Eric Murray and Nathan Cohen & Jason Sullivan, golfer Lydia Ko, and canoeist Lisa Carrington.

The Irish Field (paywall): Equestrian Cian O'Connor finds success with his partner horse, Kilkenny.

More Ireland: Arthur Lanigan-O'Keefe maintains a composure over what he can control as he approaches the start of his modern pentathlon season.
Picture
Olympic 49er sailor Pawel Kolodinski is in the thick of competition again and targeting Tokyo 2020, after a long recovery from a broken leg.

Yukiko Ueno, Yamada Eri, and Yukiyo Meno - all holdovers from the gold medal-winning team 13 years ago at Beijing 2008 - named to Japan's softball team for Tokyo 2020.

Get to know Laurent Dubreuil, recent speed skating world champion, who has finally channeled family experience in the sport into elite success.

Sweden's women's handball team went from 11th at last year's world championships to an impressive qualification this past weekend. It took a new approach with a younger team to do it.
​
R.I.P. to two-time Olympic snowboarder Julie Pomagalski of France, who passed away at age 40 after an avalanche accident.

And, Barcelona 1992 champion judoka Toshihiko Koga passes away at age 53, after a long battle with illness.

Weightlifter Yulduz Jumabayeva gets a hero's reception in Turkmenistan for a belated gold medal award.

​Fredrik Samuelsson leads a community of decathletes and heptathletes in a campaign to preserve combined events' place in athleteics.

Contribute your thoughts on World Athletics growth in their landmark survey.
​

Passionate about motherhood not impeding opportunities, former Olympic runner Alysia Montano launches "&Mother", to help support professional athletes.

​Even more Ireland: 
Relive Irish legend Eamonn Coghlan's rise to elite running, via key development in the United States, courtesy of Buzz.ie.
Picture
0 Comments

A Little Roundup 03.22.21

3/22/2021

0 Comments

 
A very happy 30th birthday, indeed, as alpine skier Alexis Pinturault wins both the overall World Cup and giant slalom titles this weekend. Petra Vlhova is the women's first Slovakian overall winner. Congrats!
Picture
It's three in a row for the 2021 Nordic Combined overall World Cup winner, Jarl Magnus Riiber.

Alexandra Escobar leads a talented group of Ecuadorian female weightlifters with Olympic dreams ahead of the Pan American Championships next month. (in Spanish)

New Zealand boxing gets a boost as heavyweight David Nyika, recently turned professional last month, is officially selected for Tokyo 2020.

The Olympic Channel: gymnast Larisa Iordache, back last year from injury setback, is determined for an Olympic return.

Missing the birth of his first child might be worth it if Ryan Seaton can qualify for his third Olympics in 49er sailing this week.

With Olympic qualification secured, Daria Dimitrieva shares how Team Russia's women's handball is determined to repeat as gold medalists.

Yang Jiayu continues China's recent dominance in women's race walking with a world record race, bettering the previous mark by 49 seconds.

After a setback of a year in 2019, veteran heptathlete Anouk Vetter is back on track to tackle Olympic qualification this spring.
Picture
R.I.P., Katherine Diaz Hernandez, Olympic-hopeful surfer who passed away in a freak lightning accident.

Nevin Harrison: though she may be a world champion, she's only 18, and has only raced once in the last two years...but she's earned her way onto Team USA's canoeing team.

Meet Alicia Lucas, Australian gold medalist from Rio 2016 in rugby sevens, in the latest Female Athlete Project podcast. She's 'Quirky'!

Tokyo 2020 profiles Cat Osterman, star player for Team USA softball, who's come out of retirement for another go at Olympic gold.

For swimming champion Adam Peaty, it "isn't just about winning, it's about dominating" as he looks to the Tokyo Olympics.

Washington Times: Meet Jason Kozeniesky, Team USA shooter working toward his second Olympics. Can he win the USA's first gold in air rifle?

Find out "Ten Things Rafael Nadal Can't Live Without" along with GQ.

Giorgio Di Bonaventura: 3x3  basketball player can make moves off the court, too, as a contestant on Italy's dating show "Uominni e Donne".
Picture
0 Comments

A Little Roundup 02.08.21

2/8/2021

 
Team USA's Kallie Humphries makes history as she wins a fourth women's world bobsled championship this weekend. Her brakewoman was Lolo Jones, who also has previous world titles of her own - as a track athlete, in indoor hurdling. And on the next day, Germany continued its dominance, sweeping the men's two-man event, after taking the silver and bronze in the women's. The German sweep was led by Francesco Friedrich's tenth world title, a new championship record.
Picture
Natalie Geisenberger, with her eighth overall title, is the star of the show at the Luge World Cup's final stop in St. Moritz.

"My last two Olympics have been horrible experiences and I would like this one to be joyful". Short track speed skaterElise Christie shares with The Times her view on her career struggles as Beijing 2022 nears. (paid access)

Surfer Sally Fitzgibbons is the covergirl feature subject for Australia's Women's Health. 

​Here's a look at five athletes looking to complete unique doubles, competing at both the Tokyo Summer Games and the Beijing Winter Games coming up, including taekwondo star Pita Taufatofua who's already contested cross-country at Pyeongchang 2018. Other combinations include across cycling & speed skating and track and field & bobsled.

Sarah Davies: the chairwoman of the IWF's Athletes Commission details more governance problems for weightlifting. TL;DR: It's not good.

Cat Osterman: a softball legend plans for Tokyo 2020 to be a key part of her swan song season in 2021.

Tokyo 2020 also looks at Callum Hawkins, Team GB marathoner eager to upgrade his two fourth-place finishes at the world championships and put past race disappointment behind at the Tokyo Games.
Picture
Meet the Gerken Schofield sibling trio that can make history for Team Great Britain as freestyle skiing teammates at Beijing 2022.

Can middle-distance stars Wesley Vazquez and Ryan Sanchez bring milestone glory for Puerto Rico in the 800 meters at Tokyo 2020?

​Could U.S. football star Tyreek Hill make it to the Olympics as a sprinter?
​​
The Olympic Channel gets to know Italian Dominik Paris...herdsman, father, heavy metal singer...and world-class alpine skier.

Take a peek inside Serena Williams' Florida home.

R.I.P. to boxing champion, and Team USA's Montreal 1976 light heavyweight gold medalist, Leon Spinks. The champ was 67.

And more mourning for USA gymnastics great Dianne Durham who passed at 52 last week. Durham had made history in 1983 as the first African-American gymnastics national all-around champion.
Picture

A Little Roundup 01.11.21

1/11/2021

 
"World's Greatest Athlete" Kevin Mayer speaks with Olympic.org on goals for Tokyo 2020, Japanese culture, his world record, and much more.
Picture
Tamyra Mensah-Stock defeats Adeline Gray in a rare marquee matchup, and previews what is sure to be a tough Olympic trials for the lone 76kg spot in women's wrestling.

Race walkers Damian Blocki and Alana Barber have unique challenges in this pandemic: maintaining an enforced long-distance relationship while still each striving for Tokyo 2020.

Steeplechaser Emma Coburn is the latest profile on The Olympic Channel's podcast, sharing thoughts on her 2021 outlook, the new Athletics Association, and more.

Cold Water: Australian soccer star Steph Catley tells the The Sydney Morning Herald her reservations on seeing the Olympics happen this year, given the current state of the pandemic.

Ever want to see a 300lb+ bodybuilder try gymnastics? Let Nile Wilson show you the training.

Canadian Cynthia Appiah strives to represent her community in sport, as she pushes through barriers as a bobsled pilot.

More Canada: Sara Groenewegen is aiming for softball success at Tokyo 2020, after overcoming a coma in the run-up to qualification.
Picture
Kamila Stormowska opens up to isu.org on her recent struggles with focus and motivation, as she looks to "have fun" with her short track speed skating.

The Olympic Channel asks Willy Hernangomez what the secret to Spanish success in basketball is.

Multiple-time world and European medalist Damian Quintero sees an Olympic medal as the "jewel in the crown" to his career in karate.

Need some heartwarming news these days? CNN's latest "African Voices" includes a look at Ugandan boxer Hellen Baleke's work to empower women in her community through her sport and trade.

Rugby sevens player Camille Grassineau offers tips to fellow athletes on training in warmer weather.

Jessie Diggans becomes not just the first American, but the first non-European to win the prestigious Tour de Ski. (Thanks, Norway!)

Erin go Bragh! It's not often that Ireland is mentioned in elite winter sports. Congratulations to Thomas Maloney Westgaard's cross-country success this weekend.
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Team Ireland (@team_ireland_olympic)

A Little Roundup 12.17.20

12/17/2020

 
Mondo Duplantis makes the cover of Cafe magazine for a wide-ranging interview on sports usccess, family, golf, and more.
Picture
Middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi shares with Spikes her rise from a "small village" upbringing to world champion.

Laetitia Guapo has her eyes set on proving her #1 ranking in 3x3 basketball at Tokyo 2020.

One trend that 2020's pandemic lockdowns have caused is a disruption in local training options. Suddenly, more U.S. water polo players take to overseas opportunities to find competition.

​Table tennis...the new bookie's favorite?

​Amanda Chidester and Anissa Urtez are an Athletes United couple, but will be rivals on the softball pitch at Tokyo 2020.
Picture
After 91 World Cup podium finishes and 63 wins across ten straight years, freestyle skier Mikael Kingsbury is sitting out the start of this season to recover from injury.

Take a look at a short track speedskater's weekly regimen, through the eyes of Slovakian Petra Rusnakova.

​Karl Geiger isn't just this year's Ski Flying World Champion...he's also a new dad.

Dissension rising in Australian field hockey?

​Can Team USA make it out of last place at their next Handball World Championship appearance next year, and showcase the sport to potential U.S. fans?
Picture
<<Previous

    About This Blog

    Highlights from the world of Olympic sports, focused on the athletes, and as seen through the cheeky lens of this one particular, passionate fan.

    Navigate It

    ​A Little Roundup
    Biweekly links to select Olympic sport headlines and news, with a focus on the athletes

    Let's Get Social
    Biweekly selection of intriguing, provocative social posts from Olympic sport athletes
    ​

    Athletes Worth Watching
    Weekly roundup of features on emerging Olympic sports athletes to keep an eye on

    ​Ramblings and Things
    ​
    I have my own thoughts on Olympic sport news and athletes sometimes!
    Read more about me.

    Picture
    At Rio 2016's Barra Olympic Park
    Header: Kallimamaro stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Olympics in 1896

    Follow Me

    Picture
    Tweets by @GamesandRings

    Picture

    Picture

    Favorite Sites

    The IOC
    The Olympic Channel
    The Olympic Museum
    Olympic World Library
    ​
    Team USA
    World Athletics
    ​Athletics Integrity Unit
    WADA
    Court of Arbitration
    Around the Rings
    Inside the Games
    GamesBids.com
    ​AP Olympics
    NBC Olympic Talk
    NY Times ​Olympics
    USA TODAY Olympics
    Wiki Summer Olympics
    Wiki Winter Olympics
    ​Athlete365
    ​Olympic Historians
    World Olympians Assoc.
    ​Games Architecture​
    Art of the Olympians
    Olympic.org Results
    ​Olympedia
    ​Olympstats
    ​
    Olympian Database
    ​On This Day in Sports
    ​Olympic City Project
    ​
    Keep the Flame Alive
    ​Totallympics
    ​Qualifying to the Games
    ​Lost Olympians
    ​
    Olympians 1964 to 2020
    Outsports
    ​
    Queerstory Files
    Tokyo 2020
    ​Beijing 2022
    ​Paris 2024
    ​Milan Cortina 2026
    Los Angeles 2028


    Categories

    All
    A Little Roundup
    Alpine Skiing
    Aquatics
    Archery
    Artistic Swimming
    Athens 1896
    Athens 2004
    Athlete Spotlight
    Athlete Worth Watching
    Atlanta 1996
    Badminton
    Baseball
    Basketball
    Basketball 3x3
    Beach Volleyball
    Beijing 2008
    Beijing 2022
    Biathlon
    Bobsled
    Boxing
    Breaking
    Canoe/Kayak
    Cross Country Skiing
    Curling
    Cycling
    Cycling BMX
    Cycling Mountain Bike
    Cycling Road
    Cycling Track
    Demonstration Sports
    Diving
    Equestrian
    Fencing
    Field Hockey
    Figure Skating
    Freestyle Skiing
    Golf
    Gymnastics
    Handball
    Ice Hockey
    IOC
    Judo
    Karate
    Let's Get Social
    London 1908
    London 1948
    London 2012
    Los Angeles 1984
    Los Angeles 2028
    Luge
    Melbourne 1956
    Mexico City 1968
    Milano Cortina 2026
    Modern Pentathlon
    Montreal 1976
    Moscow 1980
    Munich 1972
    Nordic Combined
    Olympics
    Olympic Sports Media
    On This Date
    Other
    Paralympics
    Paris 2024
    Rhythmic Gymnastics
    Rio 2016
    Rome 1960
    Rowing
    Rugby Sevens
    Sailing
    Seoul 1988
    Shooting
    Short Track Speedskating
    Skateboarding
    Skeleton
    Ski Jumping
    Snowboarding
    Soccer (football)
    Sochi 2014
    Softball
    Speed Skating
    Sport Climbing
    Squash
    Summer Olympics
    Surfing
    Swimming
    Sydney 2000
    Table Tennis
    Taekwondo
    Tennis
    Tokyo 1964
    Tokyo 2020
    Track And Field
    Trampolining
    Triathlon
    Volleyball
    WADA
    Water Polo
    Weightlifting
    Winter Olympics
    Wrestling


    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014


    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly