Am finally getting to jot down some thoughts on two documentaries I watched recently, both featuring Olympic sports, and both now available in the United States via Amazon Prime streaming. Watching the two in close order elicited conflicting emotions on being an Olympic fan.

Carolina Marin: I Can Because I Think I Can (2020)
​(book version available, too!)

Filmed before the Covid-19 pandemic rescheduled Tokyo 2020, Carolina Marin offers a look at the challenges the Olympic badminton champion faces in defending her title.

Entering the Rio 2016 tournament as the number one seed, Marin became the first non-Asian player to win an Olympic women's singles gold, and became a Spanish hero. The series picks up in early 2019, after Marin has won her fourth European title and third world championship. Tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in a late January match, her plans for a second Olympic gold are in jeopardy. Carolina Marin looks back at how Marin got started in the sport and made leaps in success with her coach, Fernando Rivas, and follows her as she works to regain competitiveness by the end of the year. As 2020 begins, she is presented with a major new challenge to her focus, as her father has a coma-inducing accident.

Presented in four episodes, Carolina Marin is a reminder of why we root for athletes - their humanity, their struggles, their passion and drive. Marin is a unique champion, and one can't help but root for her as she works to reclaim her top perch in the game. Her on-going story is a prime example of the inspiration Olympic athletes provide.

On the other hand...

Tainted Blood: The Untold Story of the 1984 Olympic Blood Doping Scandal (2017)

Filmmaker Jill Yesko's documentary on the United States' 1984 cycling team is from 2017, but surprisingly I only encountered it a few months ago. It's a sobering reality check on what can, and does, happen to elite competition when doping opportunities tempt.

The U.S. hadn't won an Olympic cycling medal since Stockholm 1912, and the Los Angeles 1984 Games presented an exciting opportunity to stop the drought. And stop the drought, indeed...the U.S. came away with nine medals across both road and track events.

Turns out, much of the team's overall success came from now-banned blood transfusions. This was brought to light shortly after the Games, but Yesko takes a deep dive into the how and why, interviewing former athletes and team officials on the details. While not strictly prohibited at the time of the Games, the secretive practice of blood transfusions was certainly widely viewed as unethical, and possibly unsafe. How it occurred at the less-than-upfront hands of team leaders is the heart of the Tainted Blood.

It's a depressing reality check on the willingness to find an easy way to success when offered. And, more depressing to know that the problem still exists. Cycling's track record of clean competition remained poor throughout much of the following years, and today, sports of all stripes still face the challenge of ensuring fairness. As a sports fan, I much prefer the world view of hard work-equaling-success that Carolina Marin​ offers.

Bring on 2021!

Along with millions of Olympic and sports fans, I'm wishing for a successful, smooth, and healthy Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. After this year's postponement, there are still serious lingering concerns on participant and spectator Covid-19 protocol, which likely won't be answered until the springtime at the earliest. But we do need a "beacon of hope" to help frame a pandemic recovery. And, today, I choose to look at the glass half-full to start off the year.

I certainly am an Olympics fan. I have been since first falling in awe with the spectacle at Los Angeles 1984. From tradition of ceremony, to compelling competition, and from unsung heroes to the camaraderie of various athletes coming together, I am all in.

That said, my fandom doesn't mean that I don't have some recommendations. So, in honor of the new year, here are Games and Rings' top ten wishes for the Olympics in 2021.

Let me know what your own wishes are in the comments.

​Run, Caster, Run

Middle-distance runner Caster Semenya has one more appeal up her sleeve, to the European Court of Human Rights. Double Olympic champion in the 800 meters, Semenya is currently blocked from defending her title unless she takes testosterone-inhibiting measures, under somewhat arbitrary and selectively exclusionary new World Athletics rules.

As argued a few months ago, World Athletics is on the wrong side of history's trajectory toward human rights in this case. Semenya was born female and is female. She - like some others - is just a female with elevated - but natural - testosterone, and who happened to win the genetics lottery suited for a career in athletics. Why should she be punished for that? Let her run.

Protest for Change

Team USA recently announced not only that "It is a human right to peacefully call upon racial and social injustices during the...Games" but also that "denying the right of respectful demonstrations...runs counter to the Olympic...values."

Wow. This doesn't just run counter to Team USA's own recent actions - just ask fencer Race Imboden and hammer thrower Gwen Berry for their thoughts - it runs against the International Olympic Committee's own Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which bans any political protest, including kneeling or even wearing an armband. The IOC even issued its Rule 50 guidelines at the start of the year.

But a year filled with Black Lives Matter activism and increased racial awareness sure can change perspective. World Athletics, representing track & field, issued a President's Award to Mexico City 1968 protestors Tommie Smith and John Carlos (and fellow medalist Peter Norman), a surprising indication that maybe the organization will support its own athletes' Olympic protests. 

For its part, the IOC did give a tepid "we'll look into it" response to Team USA's recommendations. Of course, determining "appropriate" allowable protest and over what issue would be problematic on a global stage like the Olympics, with the wide variety of national interests and backgrounds. But isn't the Olympic stage built on inspiration and striving for better-ness? Will we see a meaningful gesture that spurs conversation toward greater social good? Will the IOC act supportively? Yes, I'm anxious to see it.

A Russian Comeuppance

In its bid to dominate its home Games of Sochi 2014, Russia undertook a doping system that provided its athletes with performance-enhancement and an elaborate coverup. That this was a state-level scheme is no longer in dispute.

What has been the punishment? Four years later, at Pyeongchang 2018, "Russia" was banned but Russian athletes were allowed to compete under an "Olympic Athletes from Russia" moniker. Huh? Essentially, Russian officials were absent, as was the Russian flag and anthem, but otherwise, the team carried on. Really, "Russia" still participated...their flag was honored and their anthem sung.

In 2016, the IOC declined to ban Russia outright despite recommendations by the World Anti-Doping Agency to do just that and following confirmation of deeper state-level manipulation. World Athletics took matters into its own hands and heavily restricted Russian presence in track & field, but elsewhere across the Games, Russia flourished.

Now, after an appeal of a stronger WADA ban, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has reduced penalties and restored possible Russian participation at the Games. This will likely again come under a "neutral" banner. The upcoming World Men's Handball Championship next month offers a template, with Team Russia becoming Team "Russian Handball Federation", while still wearing team colors. To paraphrase, if it looks like Russia and carries the name "Russian", it is Russia.

Not much of a punishment for carrying out the largest doping affront against the Olympics, state-sponsored no less. Russia's actions in Sochi disrespected the Games, and its role as host, to say the least. And, so far, Russia has, as U.S. Anti-Doping Agency head Travis Tygart said in response to the recent CAS reduction, "once again escape(d) a meaningful consequence proportional to the crimes...".

What can be done? A repeat of 2018's "Olympic Athletes from Russia" team seems on the way, which has shown to not be much of a deterrence. Although they didn't in 2016, perhaps individual federations should take World Athletics' lead in restricting participation within their own sports. In the meantime, I'm wishing for a subdued Russian presence...maybe somehow there's a team-wide demoralization that affects performance. That's unlikely, but something needs to shake Russia into sincere compliance. Fair, and trusted Olympic-spirit competition needs it.

A Full-Strength Basketball Tournament

The Covid-19 pandemic has upended the sporting calendar in 2020, with ripple effects across next year and beyond as all sports negotiate the Olympic behemoth planted now in 2021. At this stage, many rescheduled dates have been set, and one potential high-profile conflict has emerged over the last few weeks.

The National Basketball Association's modified 2019-20 season, which should have ended in June 2020, finished in October. This pushed their 2020-21 season to start later than normal, in December, which then pushed the potential NBA Finals end to July 22. That's one day ahead of the Opening Ceremony for Tokyo 2020. This means a significant number of potential Olympians would not be available, or interested, in Tokyo participation given the tight turnaround between the NBA season and the Games, particularly for those that will be making deep post-season runs.

U.S. stars are not the only ones affected. Spain's team usually features NBA-ers Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Nikola Mirotic. Rudy Gobert plays for France, while Patty Mills, Ben Simmons, and Matthew Dellavedova feature for Australia.

Olympic qualification is massively affected, too. Usually, the final Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are held in the NBA off-season. But now in 2021, the qualifiers are set for late June, which would mean in the middle of the NBA post-season play. Would-be stars for the teams trying to qualify in these tournaments include Slovenia's Luka Doncic and Goran Dragic, Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Serbia's Nikola Jokic...not having them available would carry serious implications for their national teams' Olympic dreams.

Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich is well aware of the timing conundrum, and he's in a tight turnaround, too, as an active NBA coach. Having an NBA-star-studded Olympic tournament has been a highlight of the Games since Barcelona 1992, and I'm hoping that Tokyo's version will also feature the world's best. I'm not sure how this will happen...it's unlikely a significant number of star players will miss the NBA playoffs and not be too tired to play on, but we'll see how it plays out. I also fear that, if NBA-ers pass on the Games en masse, it will set a precedent on not appearing at the Games, allowing the NBA to further push their World Cup at the expense of the Olympics.

Still thinking about last week's Court of Arbitration for Sport decision on Russia's punishment for its Olympic-sized doping scheme. Here's a good piece speaking to the, well, head scratching that the outcome has produced. I'll Also let Emma Coburn sum up the immediate frustration many athletes feel..

Tara Geraghty-Moats wins a historic Nordic Combined, the first-ever World Cup event for women.

I think sport climbing is the first individual sport to have its Olympic field for 2020 complete, after the remaining continental championships concluded this weekend. Congrats to Australians Tom O'Halloran and Oceania Mackenzie and South Africans Christopher Coffer and Erin Sterkenburg who round out the competition for Tokyo.

Larisa Iordache makes a statement in her return to elite gymnastics, after an injury-filled last few years. Iordache led the Romanian women to a team silver in the European Championships this weekend, and won three individual medals to become the second-most medaled female in the event ever. Unfortunately, her comeback is too late for the Tokyo 2020 field, but perhaps she can spark a welcome Romanian team comeback of its own at the senior level.

"Wee Rooster" Brendan Irvine is eager for his second Games in boxing, after becoming the last to qualify for Tokyo 2020 before the pandemic shutdown this year.

Ever wonder what Olympian Gus Kenworthy's home looks like? Architectural Digest has you covered. (p.s. check out his patio, too)

Modern pentathlete Gintare Venckauskaite is ready for her second Games, after her strong debut at London 2012.

Track cyclist Felix English interviews with the Olympic Federation of Ireland on the drama of Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020.

​Tennis legend Roger Federer still has Olympic dreams, hoping for the elusive singles gold.

Covid-19 strikes Japan's leading medal hope in karate's kata event at Tokyo 2020, Ryo Kiyuna.

U.S. basketball standout Diana Taurasi - four-time Olympic gold medalist - tells ESPN that she doesn't have any plans to retire anytime soon.

More basketball: Star player Ramu Tokashiki tears her ACL, and likely sinks Team Japan optimism for a good Tokyo 2020 run. (Was my feature last week of Tokashiki as an athlete worth watching a curse??)

Mission Accomplished: world record holder Kevin Mayer meets the Olympic qualifying standard in the decathlon event on Reunion Island this weekend. (But what has he done to his hair??)

Marie-Jose Perec is French Athletics' athlete of the century.

New African Magazine names long distance runners Brigid Kosgei and Joshua Cheptegei as two of their "100 Most Influential Africans" for 2020.

Hear from Renaud Lavillenie on an appreciation for athletes' voices and his work to give them profile in the latest feature from Spikes.

She's 57, and on her way to her fifth Olympics as Tokyo 2020's oldest table tennis player, Meet Luxembourg's Ni Xialian.

Elite international swimming is underway in 2020, with two match days completed of the International Swimming League's revamped season. Congrats to all the participants!

World champion sprinter Salwa Eid Naser is cleared of breaking doping testing rules. "This was a case very much on the borderline.". Of course, backlash ensues...

​13 positive Covid-19 tests on one swimming team!

Beach volleyball Olympian Martin Reader shares some mental strength tips along with breathing exercises via Pan Am Sports.

London 2012 Olympians Kellie Wells and Lavonne Idette debut as contestants on The Amazing Race.

​After gymnastics and figure skating, maybe it's artistic swimming's turn to look inward at abuse allegations and reports of misconduct.

Unfortunately: I bet if she were a man, she'd have the respect.

Nikola Karabatic: Will Team France be without its star handball player on the road to Tokyo?

More from The Olympic Channel: Flavia Saraiva is determined to medal for Brazil in Olympic gymnastics.

​Biathlon World breaks down the finales of the winning 2019/20 seasons for Dorothea Wierer and Johannes Tinges Boe in honor of the recent World Statistics Day.

Canadian bronze medalist Erin McLeod talks with FIFA.com on the importance of mindfulness and what she has been doing lately.

Badminton is a big sport in India; its stars movements are certainly scrutinized. Just ask PV Sindu.

Russia: Isn't it beyond time to get tough?

Australian rugby sevens star Chloe Dalton looks to inspire with a new podcast supporting women's sport.

The Irish Times looks at how Team Ireland is shaping up, with a prospect of a record-number of athletes qualifying for the next Games on the horizon.

It really was "World Record Day" in Valencia yesterday!

Olympians Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart lead the Seattle Storm charge to the WNBA Finals championship.

ISU.org takes a look at rising star Rika Kihira's, well, rise from the junior ranks to senior impact.

Sport climbing superstar Adam Ondra is the focus of this Olympic Channel profile. He loves climbing!

Pentathlete Samantha Schultz tells Team USA things she learned in the on-going Tokyo Tuesday series.

The Simpsons and @steart_: Can you find the Olympic athletes?

Tokyo 2020: With a 2019 World Cup podium finish, Sanjeev Rajput put himself on track for his third Olympics. Now he wants his first medal.

On this date in 1965, swimming legend - 11x Olympic medalist - Matt Biondi was born.

​Read all about it! The world's best athlete, Kevin Mayer, has a biography coming soon.

The Olympic Channel​: The current pandemic has Mikaela Shiffrin introspective on her career.

USA TODAY looks at the unique experiences of fencer Ibithaj Muhammad and golfer Mariah Stackhouse as Black women in traditionally White-dominated sports.

No tears: Isn't systemic, state-sponsored doping "unsportsmanlike"?

​All hail Horus!