Stacy's Olympics Blog

 Bela Karolyi was larger than life!  When I was growing up, he was known as the best gymnastics coach (along with Marta) there was!  I still remember seeing Nadia and seeing Mary Lou for the first time.  They were sooooo good and there he was, right along with them. Whether you believe the allegations of his very tough coaching strategies or not, he did a lot for the sport of Women's Gymnastics and should be remembered for such.   Rest peacefully, Coach! https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/16/sport/bela-karolyi-the-polarizing-coach-who-helped-launch-gymnasts-to-olympic-stardom-dies-at-82?utm_source=cnn_Five+Things+for+Sunday%2C+November+17%2C+2024&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=QRHEcvE57qXlS%2FIU6By4Vmooc0tYrgHmoQ%2F6spEcwry%2FP7fsyQLHBDr9%2BNoW6HMk&bt_ts=1731851225190

  Paris Olympics are over but what is LA planning?  While seeing Tom Cruise jump off the stadium and out of a plane was interesting that didn't really show us much.  The musical acts were nice but also....not really showing us much of what do expect.  I do hope that Hollywood puts some money into the Olympics and helps the organizers publicize the event! They are not building any new, permanent venues.  SOFI stadium will host swimming with a temporary pool built just for the Olympics, similar to what they did at Olympic Trials this year in the Colts Stadium.  Athletes are going to stay in the dorms at the UCLA.  It also sounds like baseball and softball will be held in Oklahoma City?!?!  I don't get that but as we get close I'm sure more will be explained. Opening Ceremonies will be in the LA Memorial Stadium just like the last two times LA hosted the Summer Olympics.  No plans to make a new cauldron or anything but I'm sure some updates to t...

  Well, it is the last day of the Summer Olympics.  Paris did a great job and I'm sad it is over.  I have to say that my answer to the question, "What is your favorite event?", has always been a tough one to answer.  Up until now, I've answered Modern Pentathlon.  While I still like the event, I fell in love with it in it's classic form where athletes shot real pistols, then went on to fence all the other competitors to one touch, then did a 200M swim, then had to take a horse they have only known for 20 minutes through a small jumping course, and then finally a 5 km run.  You see this was meant to be a soldiers test.   Picture a soldier behind enemy lines.  He has to get a message through to his allies.  He may have to shoot at the enemy and when he runs out of bullets, may need to use his sword to fight his way out.  He may need to cross a body of water and if he is lucky, he may find a horse to ride through the countryside. ...

  It's Saturday and lots of medals to be decided today! Men's Marathon:  What a tour of Paris!  The men ran all the way out to Versailles and back!  Ethiopia finished with a new Olympic Record in first winning Gold!  Belgium was not far behind and takes Silver.  Kenya wins Bronze.  Team USA put in a great showing coming in 8th & 9th. Men's Platform Diving:  The field turned up the heat and the younger of the Chinese divers definitely felt it!  Japan had a GREAT DAY!  Turning in the highest score of the meet!  The elder Chinese diver was unphased and won the Gold.  Japan won Silver. Team GB won the Bronze.  The men's field is getting closer and closer to dethroning China.  Perhaps in 2028, we will see someone knock China from the top.  As it is, China won all 8 gold medals in diving. Flatwater: Women's 200M Sprint:  Team USA's phenom Nevin Harrison finished in a photo-finish with Canada, but the photo s...

  It's Friday and lots of great action today!  Here's what happened. Women's Golf:   Team USA is inching up but they may run out of time!  Let's go Ladies! Men's Open Water Marathon:   Swimming in the Seine seems to be something that Team Hungary enjoys!  They led the field almost from the start and finished 1 & 3.  Germany stuck with the Hungarian leader and thought about making a move for 1st in the last 200 M but the current of the Seine changed his mind and he decided Silver was his color, instead. Men's Platform Diving:   In the Prelims, we found out that Team USA was able to add a diver and they added veteran, Loschiavo.  It was a good that we did, since Tyler didn't make it out of the preliminary rounds but Loschiavo did.  Team Mexico, Team Canada, and Team GB are giving Team China some nerves!  Unfortunately, Team USA did not make it out of the Semifinals, but the Chinese did seem to be feeling some heat from the others ...