Zika, drugs, and medals: The Rio Olympics thread

[Valmy]

The Olympic pool infested with algae overnight after the filter system got clogged.

Clogged with what? Michael Phelps' awesomeness?

[Valmy]

Superman wears Simone Biles underoos.

[Valmy]

Holy shit. Canada's own John Saunders died today in Rio

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/longtime-espn-host-john-saunders-dead-age-61/story?id=41267652

John Saunders, one of the familiar on-air faces of ESPN for nearly 30 years, has died. He was 61.

Saunders hosted studio and play-by-play programming. He covered college football, basketball and the NHL for the network, in addition to anchoring SportsCenter. He was also host of The Sports Reporters.

Born in Canada, Saunders was an all-star defenseman in the junior hockey leagues of Montreal and played at Western Michigan before becoming one of the most prominent broadcasters of his time.

Saunders was a founding member of The V Foundation for Cancer Research and served on the board of directors.

"John was an extraordinary talent and his friendly, informative style has been a warm welcome to sports fans for decades," said John Skipper, president of ESPN and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, in a statement. "His wide range of accomplishments across numerous sports and championship events is among the most impressive this industry has ever seen. More importantly, John was a beloved and devoted family man who cared deeply about people and causes, as evidenced by his long-standing efforts as a passionate board member for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

"He was one of the most significant and influential members of the ESPN family, as a colleague and mentor, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

Saunders joined ESPN in December 1986 to anchor SportsCenter. But he became a voice on college basketball and the WNBA and hosted ESPN's coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs from 1993 to 2004. He also worked on coverage of the World Series and Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Saunders' survivors include his wife, Wanda, and daughters Aleah and Jenna.

Wow just completely out of the blue. RIP.

[Grey Fox]

He was in RIO!?!

[Martinus]

The Olympic pool infested with algae overnight after the filter system got clogged.

Clogged with what? Michael Phelps' awesomeness?

Maybe it's from the frogs that left those marks on his back?

[Grey Fox]

All of Canada's medal, so far, have been from women. Our men athletes are very disappointing.

Also, our 16 year old swimmer has now 3 medals, no Canadian has more than 4. [in swimming?]

[The Larch]

Spain won its first gold medal for these games yesterday in Women's 200m Butterfly (go Mireia! ), and now has one gold and one bronze, also won by the same swimmer. We're finally ahead of powerhouses such as Kosovo and the Independent Olympic Athletes (actually Kuwait under an Olympic flag because their federation is suspended), who already had one gold medal each. 

[jimmy olsen]

They are completely ignored over here, the Special Olympics get more coverage than the Winter ones.

It is because you suck at them. I get it.

Of course, if we were any good some attention would be paid to them. Spain only won 2 medals ever in the winter games, a gold in Nagano and a bronze in Albertville, the winners were actually brother & sister. Unless that family produces more competitors we won't ever won another medal in winter games again. We are just not a winter sports country.

It doesn't snow in the Pyrenees?

[Valmy]

It doesn't snow in the Pyrenees?

Oh it does. I knew a few avid skiers in France and they sometimes went to the Pyrenees though the Alps was more popular for whatever reason.

[grumbler]

It amuses me greatly that the Olympics, which were created to showcase individual athletic talent, are now just another means of expressing nationalistic competition.

Of course, it is immensely sad to think that people actually get worked up with joy at the idea that "Canada won a gold medal" when, in fact, it was an individual who just happened to be from Canada that won the medal.  Of course, the IOC cynically exploits those nationalistic feeling with their "national teams" and the playing of anthems at award ceremonies, but why do people fall for that shtick?  The IOC is known to be corrupt and despicable, except when the anthems get played.

[Valmy]

Can't hear you grumbler too busy chanting USA USA USA.

Hey weren't you the guy boasting about how Phelps was a Michigan man? 

[DGuller]

It amuses me greatly that the Olympics, which were created to showcase individual athletic talent, are now just another means of expressing nationalistic competition.

Of course, it is immensely sad to think that people actually get worked up with joy at the idea that "Canada won a gold medal" when, in fact, it was an individual who just happened to be from Canada that won the medal.  Of course, the IOC cynically exploits those nationalistic feeling with their "national teams" and the playing of anthems at award ceremonies, but why do people fall for that shtick?  The IOC is known to be corrupt and despicable, except when the anthems get played.

I think there are cases when the whole nation can legitimately feel proud.  Russian performance in Sochi was the accomplishment of the entire state apparatus.

[garbon]

Can't hear you grumbler too busy chanting USA USA USA.

[Brazen]

One a day-by-day basis, Team GB is ahead of its 2012 medal win schedule, surprisingly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/36970388

[Valmy]

I think there are cases when the whole nation can legitimately feel proud.  Russian performance in Sochi was the accomplishment of the entire state apparatus.

Well done.