Monthly Archives: April 2022

One of the six or seven excellent things about ones glamor profession is that, in the opinion dodge, one is encouraged to, in fact paid to, have opinions.

They are welcome even when they differ with the opinions of ones boss, because, lets face it, they fill a hole on the page. Take up the column inches. The paper comes out every day, and somebody has to have an angle.

Last week, my own personal boss, Sal Rodriguez, opined about one of his, well, several pet peeves: First, no one cares about the Olympics except tyrannical governments in pursuit of legitimacy. Second, Los Angeles is only hosting the 2028 Olympics because no other city was dumb enough to want it, with Budapest, Hamburg and Rome withdrawing.

So the following is where I disagree, sort of, with Sal about the upcoming Olympics, hosted by Los Angeles in 2028. Two cheers for L.A. Oly!

It was especially in those simpler, Wide World of Sports televised days of my youth that the Olympics seemed so cool. The first summer games I remember was Tokyo in 1964. Fewer than 20 years after the War. My grandfather had just returned from a trip to Japan with a tiny Sony transistor radio, the first Id seen, and I was fascinated by its miniaturizing Japanese minimalism. The very idea that nations were gathering there to play sports just decades after trying to blow each other up was so optimism-inspiring.

The Mexico City games in 68 were rather the opposite kind of a political awakening. Yes, athletically, it was totally cool when Bob Beamon went 29 feet, 2.39 inches in the long jump, beating the previous world record by almost two feet. Its still an Oly record. But when the government of President Gustavo Daz Ordaz ordered the military occupation of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma, and then killed hundreds of protesters well, as they had been chanting before getting shot: No queremos olimpiadas, queremos revolucin! Then Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the gold and bronze medalists in the mens 200-meter race, raised their black-gloved fists on the podium, and I was so proud to be an American, where weve got opinions, plus get to say what they are.

Yeah, all these summer and winters later, Sal is right to be wary about the upcoming 28 L.A. games. These days, its like China has taken them over, and bludgeoned all the fun out of them with totalitarian boots. I hated the fake snow at the recent idiotic pandemic Beijing monstrosity. The Olympics were no fun at all to watch. Something dour about all those young athletes, unable to mingle together, no fishbowls full of free condoms in the common rooms.

But I do have very fond memories of Los Angeles 84. We did what we said wed do Oly on the cheap! Southern California already had the facilities no need for a Birds Nest stadium boondoggle. The gleeful aesthetic colors by designer Deborah Sussman, with her husband, architect Paul Prejza, were all we needed to touch Southern California up. The games made money, tens of millions of dollars of which were given back to youth programs over the years. I had snapped up some tickets; had begun seeing someone who danced in the opening ceremonies; our first real date was in the Coliseum, for the end of the inaugural Oly womens marathon, gorgeously won by Joan Benoit of Maine. We married the next summer, and 37 years later, we are happily still married.

Will the 28 games here stir the same joy? Doubtful. Its a high bar, though. So if the athletes have fun, and we dont go broke, thats good enough. And, you know what? The real reason Im still glad well host the Olympics again: Were better at throwing this world party than Budapest, Hamburg or Rome.

Larry Wilson is on the Southern California News Group editorial board. lwilson@scng.com.

More:

L.A. 28: When the Olympics slink back to town - The Pasadena Star-News

No U.S. female gymnast has competed at an Olympics, then done NCAA gymnastics and come back to compete in another Olympics. That may change in 2024.

Suni Lee,Jade Carey,Jordan ChilesandGrace McCallum, four of the six members of the Tokyo Olympic team, participate in their first NCAA Championships next week. All could return to elite-level gymnastics at some point before the 2024 Paris Games.

Lee, the Olympic all-around gold medalist, repeated over the last eight months an unspecified desire to get back into international competition.

I dont think Ive reached my full potential yet. I have so much more in me, she recently told her coach at Auburn,Jeff Graba, according to ESPN.com.

Carey, the Olympic floor exercise champion, shared on social media on Wednesday that she accepted an invitation to a USA Gymnastics national team camp after NCAAs, a signal that she intends to compete at the U.S. Championships in August, while remaining dedicated to her Oregon State program.

ON HER TURF: More on Careys return to elite gymnastics

Chiles, who matriculated at UCLA, said in post-Tokyo interviews that a 2024 Olympic run was a possibility. She went farther last week, saying she will try to make this falls world championships team, according to Olympics.com.

I keep telling everybody, Im not done, Chiles said, according to the report, noting there was still something left to accomplish after a team silver in Tokyo.

McCallum, a Utah freshman, said Thursday that she hasnt decided yet whether she will return to elite-level gymnastics, a Utah spokesperson said.

Traditionally, but not always, a star gymnast going the college route has meant retirement from elite.

The NCAA format differs from elite. Routines are generally easier more emphasis is on execution than difficulty and the scoring system is still out of a 10.0, which international gymnastics did away with after the 2004 Olympics.

But the new name, image and likeness opportunities made NCAA gymnastics more appealing to Olympic medalists and future Olympic hopefuls who otherwise may have turned professional and become ineligible for college competition.

The only previous time that four U.S. female gymnasts from a single Olympic team later performed collegiately was after the 2000 Sydney Games.

Olympic all-around gold medalistsCarly Patterson,Nastia Liukin,Gabby DouglasandSimone Bilesall turned professional as teenagers. Biles, who committed to UCLA before turning pro in 2015, hasnt ruled out a run for a third Olympics in 2024, but has not announced any specific comeback plans.

Some recent U.S. Olympians stayed amateur and competed in college, but did not return to elite. Most recently, 2012 gold medalist Kyla Rossand 2016 gold medalistMadison Kocian, both for UCLA.

Women also successfully transitioned from NCAA to their first Olympics. Mohini Bhardwaj was 10th at the 1996 Olympic Trials, then went to UCLA and returned to elite to make the 2004 Olympic team. Alicia Sacramone, after missing the 2004 Olympics, competed for Brown and then made the 2008 team.

MyKayla Skinnerwas an alternate at the 2016 Rio Games, then competed for Utah for three seasons, moved back to elite and made the Tokyo team at age 24, becoming the oldest U.S. Olympic female gymnast since 2004.

Before womens gymnastics became an NCAA championship sport in 1982, Linda Mulvihill competed collegiately while at the University of Illinois among her three Olympic appearances in 1964, 1968 and 1972.

OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Favorite us!

See more here:

In a change, Olympic gymnasts go to college and plan return to elite competition - Home of the Olympic Channel

After its most dominating Olympics ever in diving, Chinas national team is seeing major changes.

China won seven of the eight diving golds in Tokyo with a silver in the other. It finished one-two in all four individual events.

Now, half of that 10-diver dream team has moved on, according to Chinese media. Most notably Shi TingmaoandXie Siyi, who swept the womens and mens individual and synchronized springboard gold medals, reportedly left the competitive side of the sport.

As haveWang Han, who took springboard silver behind Shi and then joined her for synchro gold, and male platform starsChen Aisen, the 2016 Olympic champion, andYang Jian, who took silver in Tokyo behind the still activeCao Yuan.

Shi, 30, is the biggest name and maybe the most expected after reportedly saying in Tokyo that it was likely her final Olympics. She is now reportedly coaching.

After legends Chen RuolinandWu Minxiaretired after Rio, Shi became the veteran leader of the womens team. She went four-for-four in her Olympic career, winning individual and synchro springboard gold in 2016 and 2021. She also won eight world titles between 2011 and 2019 between individual and synchro springboard.

Xie was told in 2014 that he would never dive again after breaking his right ankle. He later reaggravated the injury, and it ultimately ruled him out of Rio Olympic contention. After that, he won both world titles on springboard in the last Olympic cycle, in addition to his gold in Tokyo.

The national diving team now consists of 18 athletes, 15 of whom were born after 2000, according to Xinhua News Agency. The oldest is the 27-year-old Cao, who won gold medals in three different events at the last three Olympics.

Quan Hongchan, who won Tokyo womens platform gold at age 14, is also still with the program, according to Xinhua.

The world championships are this summer in Budapest.

NBC Olympic research contributed to this report.

OlympicTalk is on Apple News. Favorite us!

See the article here:

China divers retire after dominating Tokyo Olympics - Home of the Olympic Channel

OSHKOSH (NBC 26) For the first time in two years, Special Olympics Wisconsin basketball is back in action.

Valerie Juarez

"We love being back. We definitely miss being away and it all brought us back together, which is nice, said Trinity Harvey, a Special Olympic athlete.

Valerie Juarez

"It's really good to get to see our friends and all of our coaches and referees, said Curtis Gregory, Special Olympic athlete.

Valerie Juarez

Teams from all over Wisconsin gathered at the UW-Oshkosh Kolf Sports Center for a three on three tournament.

Valerie Juarez

It's a quicker game, but it's only half a court and allows everyone to compete, said Mark Wolfgram, Special Olympics Wisconsin tournament director.

Just hours before the tournament, Curtis Gregory said he wasn't sure he'd be able to compete.

"My grandma just passed yesterday and I'm trying to win for her. I know she's looking up for me right now, Gregory said.

Dedicating all his moves on the court for his grandma, Gregory said she's the reason why he had the strength to be here.

Valerie Juarez

"It's a little sore and still fresh for me. I just broke down and crying yesterday. I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. I'm looking ahead of the game, Gregory said.

Valerie Juarez

But even through the difficult times, this game of hoops continues to be stress reliever for many.

Valerie Juarez

Valerie Juarez

"I like going on the court and playing hard. I like doing fancy moves and stuff. Passing and shooting. Im a good shooting, said Darius, another Special Olympic athlete.

Valerie Juarez

Valerie Juarez

"Oh my gosh, I feel good. I really feel good. It was fun. I let the other team make some baskets too. They are here to play, too, so I figured I'd be a team sportsmanship, said Heather Hansen, another Special Olympic athlete.

Valerie Juarez

Valerie Juarez

This weekend's competition certainly empowering athletes of all abilities to continue shining on the court.

Valerie Juarez

More:

Special Olympics Wisconsin basketball is back in action - WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay

Andrew Heo competes in last years U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He will be at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena on Wednesday for a Tour of Olympians event.

Photo courtesy of US Speed Skating

The sanctioning body for American speed skating is looking to grow the sport, and it is branching out to all parts of the country.

So US Speedskating is launching the second Tour of Olympians to promote speed skating and bring 2022 Olympians to USS clubs around the country. Columbus Full Throttle Speed Skating Team will be hosting a pair of this years Olympic athletes on Wednesday for a special Skate with the Olympians event at Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena.

Its kind of a special thing that US Speed Skating started after the last Olympics, Full Throttle coach Taylor Burdekin said. After the end of the season, they go on tour with some of the clubs to help grow the sport and give back to the clubs a little bit. So we had applied to be a part of the tour and were selected as one of the clubs for the tour. Were pretty excited because we are a new club. Were looking forward to our skaters getting to meet some people who are accomplished in the sport. Hopefully, they will be inspired.

In attendance Wednesday will be 2022 Olympians Austin Kleba (long track) and Andrew Heo (short track). The athletes will interact with fans, promote the sport of speed skating and participate in off and on-ice activities.

Heo finished seventh in the 1,000 meters in this years Winter Games in Beijing. He won the bronze medal as part of the 5,000m relay team and finished fourth in the 1,500m at last years World Championships.

Burdekin trained with Heo in Salt Lake City, Utah, before she returned to her hometown of Columbus a few years ago. Heo, 21, who is from the Philadelphia suburb of Warrington, Pennsylvania, still trains in Salt Lake City.

Kleba won the gold medal in the 500m at this years Four Continents Speed Skating Championships. The 22-year-old Campton Hills, Illinois, native finished 27th in the 500m at this years Olympics.

Heo and Kleba plan to stick around for a Thursday morning session to work with Full Throttles roughly 15 members.

The public is invited to attend Wednesdays event to meet the athletes and have a chance to learn from the pros. No skating experience is necessary, and loaner skates will be available for free.

There will be a meet-and-greet with the athletes at 6:30 p.m., speed skating demonstration by the Olympians and local athletes at 7 p.m. and the Skate with the Olympians from 7:15 to 9 p.m. Those wishing to attend the event can find more information at fullthrottlesst.com or on the clubs Facebook page.

Of course, its a great way to introduce people to the sport of speed skating because theres not a lot of speed skating in Indiana, Burdekin said. Well play some games and do some speed skating activities, as well as let the people speed skate with the Olympians. Even if theyre not interested in becoming a speed skater, its an opportunity to meet people who have a high level of achievement.

See more here:

Two For The Show: Olympic speed skaters to visit for 'Skate with the Olympians' - The Republic

Credit: Fadeaway World

Bam Adebayo is one of the most versatile big men in the game. He is a capable finisher at the rim and playmaker on the offensive side, and a 5-position defender on the other end of the floor. Currently, Bam Adebayo averages 19.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 3.4 APG.

Even though Bam Adebayo is obviously an All-Star level player currently, it took him some time to get there. During the 2018-19 season, he put up 8.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, and 2.2 APG, and was even cut from the Team USA team that participated in the 2019 World Cup by Gregg Popovich.

Recently, Bam Adebayo opened up on that situation, and claimed that he felt some "animosity" towards Gregg Popovich because he felt as though he "should have been on that team". He added that he told Popovich that he'll "never forget" being cut by him after the conclusion of the 2020 Olympics. (3:37)

Definitely animosity, because I felt like I should have been on that team. But when we got to the Olympics I had to let my animosity go because he was my coach at the time.

But when we left, I let him know, from the time being in this Olympics we cool and you my coach, Im your player. We gonna be like you and Tim... But when we leave, just know, Ill never forget that you cut me.

"He respected it so much, he was like "Man, I can't be mad at that. I did what I thought was best for the team, but I got to live with that".

"Just know, whenever we play the Spurs, and you're coaching, to get me geared up for that game it's always going to go back to that. You cut me."

There is no doubt that this shows Bam Adebayo's competitive nature, and it's good to see that he used getting cut as motivation. He did end up being part of the 2020 Olympics and winning a gold medal with Team USA, so Gregg Popovich clearly saw his value later on.

As of now though, Bam Adebayo's focus will be on trying to win a championship with the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat have shown that they can play well outside of the NBA bubble this year, and perhaps we'll end up seeing them back in the NBA Finals.1`2

More here:

Bam Adebayo Reveals What He Told Gregg Popovich After The Olympics: "When We Leave, Just Know That I'll Never Forget That You Cut Me." -...