Olympics 2012

Good win for Katie Taylor. But it's early in the competition for her.

Heartbreaking scenes in the sea. Annalise looked to have the wind in her sails early on but not to be.

What annoys me more is that it's not as if the Chinese don't have enough medals already.

Terribe for Annalisa - she will come again.

Katie Taylor is awesome. It was a fantastic fight and Jonas may have beaten any other fighter with that performance but not Katie. It was a supreme performance - speed, movement, accuracy, power and sheer class. She will not be stopped - as I said here years ago. A girl I know was there and said it was the most amazing occasion she had ever attended.

Katie, John Joe, Michael and Paddy - keep it lit guys!

Go on Katie

Another good night on the track today. Kirani James was outstanding, and might one day go closer than anyone else has to Michael Johnson's world record. Throw in Felix Sanchez' tears, and Yelena Isinbayeva, and it was another fine evening!

Had an invite for Athletics this evening but corporate politics way above my pay grade involving relationships with the host resulted in a blanket polite late decline on Thursday.

Disappointed but in any case the scenes at the boxing arena show that it was the place to be. Loudest moment on the decibelometer per The BEEB.

Have to admit a major U-turn on this. Was very much in the TC camp about this being a non -sport but having taken the bother to watch 8 minutes will fully admit that skill and strength displayed Was realms beyond what I was expecting.

I know we are all rooting for Katie and I think she will strike gold but top of list will be if John Joe wins gold.

Dodgy looking win from the Algerian in the 1500m. Running away from a world class field off a slow pace is not an easy thing to do.

RTE studios suggesting as much too..

[quote="Thomas Clarke"]Dodgy looking win from the Algerian in the 1500m. Running away from a world class field off a slow pace is not an easy thing to


His 800m pace from the weekend stood to him

Yeah, as dirty looking a race as I've seen in a long time. Shouldn't even have been running after the 800m fiasco.

Thomas Clarke wrote:Yeah, as dirty looking a race as I've seen in a long time. Shouldn't even have been running after the 800m fiasco.

What sort of testing procedure is there for this sort of an aberration?

He will be drug tested, but unlikely they will find anything. Not yet anyway, and, even if they do, it will have denied someone the chance to win their title on the track.

Missed most of tonight's action although caught the end of the 1500m semi-final the last night and again tonight - Steve Cram was not convinced by the Algerian.

I am very suspicious of all Britains gold medals. Very unusual for them to win so many. I am not convinced.

Thomas Clarke wrote:He will be drug tested, but unlikely they will find anything. Not yet anyway, and, even if they do, it will have denied someone the chance to win their title on the track.

You mean they wouldn't be unable to detect the particular drug he may have used?

Jonsmith wrote:

Thomas Clarke wrote:He will be drug tested, but unlikely they will find anything. Not yet anyway, and, even if they do, it will have denied someone the chance to win their title on the track.

You mean they wouldn't be unable to detect the particular drug he may have used?

Would work on assumption that if someone took something it was in pre-season training to fast-track
development/recovery time - The benefit remains but traces of anything that might have been used are long gone.
The time to test is random off season testing

Bronze for Irish showjumper Cian O'Connor. This time, let's hope he clears the final fence...

After today we Irish are the best at fighting and riding.

Thomas Clarke wrote:Bronze for Irish showjumper Cian O'Connor. This time, let's hope he clears the final fence...

or better still that the horse does.

Fair play to Katie Taylor. Gold for Ireland. The hopes of a nation on her shoulders and she fails to disappoint. Magnificent!!!!!!!

Well done Katie Taylor, haven't seen the fight yet, had to listen to Marty Morrisey on the way home from work.

Fair play to her she's a credit to herself her family and Ireland as a whole. I know there are many who are against women boxing but you have to hand it to her she would give a few of her male counterparts a run for their money!!

I'd say today's win will swell the old bank account by a few shillings, let's hope Barnes, Nevin and Conlan can repeat the feat.

bocerty wrote:... she would give a few of her male counterparts a run for their money!!

Let's not get carried away Boc! But still, very well done to Katie on her gold medal. Congratulations.

David Rudisha - superstar!! One of the greatest runs that I can recall seeing in an olympic track event. A fabulous athlete with a sense of occasion. Simply outstanding.

Jimmy magee stole gorge Hamilton's line " a nation holds its breath ... " katie was magnificent and when the anthem was sung tyou would have thought it was a provincial final day

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:... she would give a few of her male counterparts a run for their money!!

Let's not get carried away Boc! But still, very well done to Katie on her gold medal. Congratulations.

TC there a video of her on YouTube sparring with Paddy Barnes, have a look and see what you think then,