The Official Olympic Thread

[ChesterDave]

4th boxing medal to GB

[Imy]

Joshua wins

[Chazza]

Better performance than against the Cuban but will need to step it up again in the semi.

[Liverpel]

I see Brian O'Driscoll took part in the women's weightlifting.

http://www.balls.ie/2012/08/03/brian-odriscolls-female-olympic-weightlifting-doppleganger/

[ChesterDave]

Wendy Houvenaghel not a happy bunny

[ChesterDave]

Wendy Houvenaghel attacks coach and British cycling, expect sympathy. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19147279

[ChesterDave]

The fella that got kicked out the 1500 for not trying in the 800 is back in.

Only reason he didnt try was because he missed the official withdrawal deadline so right decision for me

[ChesterDave]

Casual stereotyping/racism on BBC When you think of Italy you think food, romance, bad driving....

[baitman]

Casual stereotyping/racism on BBC When you think of Italy you think food, romance, bad driving....

thats terrible

for me, it'd be police corruption/organised crime, football corruption and political corruption/dodgy politicians

[Nicey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85w63...ayer_embedded#!

[Nicey]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/322305_449224045100762_131385657_o.jpg

[Alex]

No chance, with Golf and Rugby coming back for Rio. I don't think there is enough room for another combat sport.

[Reece]

If anyone else like me was wondering what you'd be able to see at the Velodrome/Pringle post games, then here is the answer:

Post Games

The Eastway Cycle Circuit was demolished for the VeloPark before being merged with the new park.[26] It was announced that along with the VeloPark there would be three new cycle circuits created around London.[27] In early February 2007 the plans for the VeloPark were revised with no mountain bike course.[28] By mid-February it was announced that Hog Hill would be the temporary relocation of the Eastway Cycle Centre.[27] The promised cycle speedway track will not be built.[29] In August 2011 it was announced that the road race course will be rerouted to allow more space and parkland after suggestions from Sport England and British Cycling. The course will now cross the River Lee and parkland linking up with other cycle routes in London.[30]
British Cycling will remain based at the Olympic-standard Manchester Velodrome which has been a catalyst for the success of British Cycling in recent years, most notably at the 2008 Olympic Games.[31] Team manager of British Cycling, David Brailsford has stated that the new indoor National BMX Arena in Manchester and the undulating terrain of North West England, ideal for practising road race cycling, offer a distinct advantage over London.[32] An agreement was struck in 2012 to bring track cycling to the London Velodrome post-2012 Olympics, with events such as Revolution series which have proved popular in Manchester.[33]
The London Development Agency (LDA) have funded a new permanent road cycle circuit and mountain bike course at the Redbridge Cycling Centre, costing £5m. The London Borough of Redbridge will be funding the facility up to the completion of the legacy London Velopark. Work is underway to identify an operator of Hog Hill beyond 2012.[34]

Found myself loving the cycling so I might have to get down there at some point

[Neil Young]

"We have identified four sports where there is virtually no chance that anyone from a poor country can win a medal - equestrian, sailing, cycling and swimming," says Prof Forrest [sports economist at University of Salford].

Money invested and medals won

Sport Funding Gold Silver Bronze

Archery £4.4m 0 0 0
Athletics £25.1m 3 1 0
Badminton £7.4m 0 0 0
Basketball £8.6m 0 0 0
Boxing £9.5m
Canoeing £16.1m 1 1 0
Cycling £26m 6 1 2
Diving £6.5m 0 0 0
Equestrian £13.3 1 1 0
Fencing £2.5m
Gymnastics £10.7m 0 1 3
Handball £2.9m 0 0 0
Hockey £15m 0 0 0
Judo £7.5m 0 1 1
Modern Pentathlon £6.3m 0 0 0
Rowing £27.3m 4 2 3
Sailing £22.9m 1 1 0
Shooting £2.5m 1 0 0
Swimming £25.1m 0 1 2
Synchronised swimming £3.4m 0 0 0
Table tennis £1.2m 0 0 0
Taekwondo £4.8m 0 0 0
Triathlon £5.3m 0 0 0
Volleyball £3.5m 0 0 0
Water polo £2.9m 0 0 0
Weightlifting £1.4m 0 0 0
Wrestling £1.4m 0 0 0
Tennis* n/a 1 1 0

Total £264.1m 18 11 11

SOURCE: UK SPORT

Of the big money sports, it looks like swimming has seriously failed to deliver. And sailing hasn't done that well either.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19144983

[Darkon]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/the-100-meter-dash-one-race-every-medalist-ever.html?smid=fb-share

Comparing all the 100m winners in the Olympics ever.