Paris Olympiad 2024

I think with a lot of sports we competed in Paris some of them are going through re - building phases atm like Gymnastics, cycling and maybe swimming & boxing too with retirements etc. I do think we have a good nucleus of a squad to build on for 2028 and do feel there will be long discussions on which we should put more focus on & where lottery funding should go - I would say that will possibly be a big long discussion over the next year - 18 months.
I wonder how many could see funding cut.

The one other thing I'd be looking closely is how we prepare a cricket team for LA.I don't know IF it is a def return to the Olympics for cricket or if it will be a demonstration sport only. I would say it also all depends on how crowded thr programme will be as well.

I would like to thank Snooks, for his sterling work, over the past few weeks, on the Paris Olympiad 2024 thread.

So 'For Those About To Rock, (Or in my case, drink some beer) We Salute You'.

Must agree Sbooks did it far better than the BBC

The hours and days leading up to the opening ceremony saw pockets of disruption that posed worry and threat. But once the sporting action settled in and French medals flowed all those worries and threats ebbed away.
Parisians and the people of France immersed themselves in story after story of sporting immortality.
From Leon Marchand to Teddy Riner amongst many more the power to inspire took hold. French crowds raucously and passionately got behind those that represented them. The sort of unity rarely seen in France of recent times grabbed the baton and took it all the way to the finish line in a blaze of wonderous Olympic glory.
The facilities were excellent for pretty much every sport.
None more so than The Stade de France. A spectacularly beautiful arena especially the purple athletics track that was simply stunning to my eyes.
The backdrops to so many of the venues from Versailles to Marseille to Paris were utterly majestic.

The sporting action was magnificent even if some of the judging and officialdom was anything but .
Gymnastics moves to put the mortals backs out.
Wonder tries in the Rugby Sevens.
Photo finishes in the Rowing.
Startling comebacks in the Triathlon and the Mountain biking.
The best golfers in the world falling in love with the Olympics.
Armand Duplantis going full greedy with a Gold and a world record. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone following suit.
The bond of trust and love between human and horse restored to its true peak of power.
The Golden slam for Novak Djokovic. And the fond farewell of Scotland's mightiest sporting son and if the good folk north of the border will allow one of Britain's too. Sir Andy Murray with his final bow taken and awe inspiring legacy left behind.

My moment of Paris 2024?
The ambition realized for the girl from Atherton who dared to dream. Step forward Keely Hodgkinson.
A spectacular Olympic debut in Tokyo.
Denial in Eugene. (World Championship)
Despair in Birmingham. (Commonwealth Games)
Dejection in Budapest. (World Championship)

Paris?
No. Not this time.
NOT......THIS......TIME.
The frustration, the learning from agonies past fired her will, her belief, her resolve and her spirit. To be an Olympian by itself is a privilege. Just ask Megan Keith about that.
To be favourite for Gold is also a privilege but laden with burden of expectation that has crippled so many before Keely.
Yet she embraced the pressure, embraced the sacrifice and embraced the challenge with humility and dignity. As ever with such athletes it is the work we don't see on cold winter mornings in the howling wind and pouring rain.
It's the treats we take for granted that such athletes deny themselves in pursuit of a higher plain and greater glory.
At the tender age of 22 with many more Olympic cycles ahead.
A generational talent that would not be denied.
I salute you Keely Hodgkinson.

So yes, Paris it was worth it don't you think?
I loved it all and loved you all too.
This was a special time to be alive. The first post COVID Olympiad and one that I deem to have been a triumph.
Memories to last for a lifetime.

My love affair with the Olympiad burns as strong as it ever did.
The purest sporting event of them all. Farewell Paris. You did your country proud .

Los Angeles 2028......follow that if you dare.

(11-08-2024 20:08 )gunnar Wrote:  I would like to thank Snooks, for his sterling work, over the past few weeks, on the Paris Olympiad 2024 thread.

Yeah, this is one reason I've probably enjoyed this Olympiad more than any previous one, so cheers Snooks, no-one can colour in text like you can

Absolutely nailed it snooks some real special moments after the party was laboured in Tokyo personally shouldn't have happened until we got more of the world sorted out with all the vaccinations etc
As for Los Angeles seeing some of plans some events are going to be even bigger than Paris if all is true and happens

For those who want Team GB medals condensed into a few minutes I will hand you over to the BBC montage.....

Every Team GB medal at Paris 2024 Olympics - https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/videos/ce9z0pjyke2o

The Paralympics runs from Wed, 28 Aug 2024 – Sun, 8 Sept 2024. Hopefully Snooks will step forward and do the honours. Hint, hint

^ I will try my best but it will be a lot harder because of my work commitments.
I took the last two weeks off work so had more time. I will try and provide updates but they won't be up to the minute during working hours unfortunately.

GB were the winners in last nights closing ceremony. Whilst other teams were clothed in their offical tracksuits (including an aweful claret set warn by Canada), the GB team had fabulous hawaiian style shirts, which included the flowers of hall the home nations.

A great idea for a hot night in Paris..