Originally Posted by
Lisa.B:
“At least Team GB are in a completed section. 
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...age-unfinished
It's just one nightmare after another. The housing market has bombed, so nobody is buying the properties for after the Olympics, the guy bankrolling the Athlete's Village is probably now heavily in debt.
Even some of the stadia still isn't complete because of the financial issues.
Check out the lovely shadow that centre court will have because it seems they're leaving it unfinished.”
Tbh, it would be a big ask for any country to host the World Cup and Olympics back to back. Only a handful would be able to manage and have plenty of existing infrastructure/stadia, Brazil ain't one of 'em.
Originally Posted by amelia_lee:
“Agree about Aggie, she would have multiple slams in another era, but then maybe her head may get in her sometimes. She's had chances at some slams, when she lost to Sabine in the semi's at Wimbledon, she played a bad match, credit to Sabine who played well, but Aggie wasn't there.
To be clear, I really don't think IW is the fifth slam. I just don't think the Olympic's are at all. I think Larry markets it as that and it gets said a lot, but to me it's not. I do think the WTF's are right up there though, they may be all about the money, but if you have to beat all of the top ten to win a title, it's pretty big.
Yes the Williams sisters did miss it, for clear reasons, but all of the other top players will go and they have now gone back too.
But again, I think it's slams and masters that are the peak of their careers, obviously it's an achievement to win a gold, but it's not a huge gap if you haven't because it's not what tennis is about.”
Of course you rate the WTF when Rog has a cabinet full of 'em. I can't take an event where you can lose twice but still end up with the trophy seriously. Just a glorified exho and Kermode's chance to milk the European cash cow once more before the year ends. Not budging on this
Originally Posted by amelia_lee:
“Gosh, that is bad.
I have to say, I never understand this, it's like it comes up suddenly, but they know for years that they have the games, so get it together!”
Well yes, but Brazil has corruption up the wazoo. Must take ages for anything to get done and plenty of stuff won't get done, if they can get away with it.
I think Third World countries should prioritise their own citizens and address the chronic problems they have before they bid for these stupidly expensive sporting events, with their inevitable white elephants. Very few Olympics have managed to turn a profit. In Brazil's case it's widespread crime, stark inequality, environment, endemic corruption...too many to list. No wonder Brazilians are so angry. Prob a discussion for a different thread, but eh.
Originally Posted by
Lisa.B:
“Belinda Bencic has withdrawn from Rio. Fair enough reasoning given her injury woes.
Does continue to put Hingis in a pickle though!”
Bloody hell, this wrist thing seems proper serious. BB's momentum has ground to a halt.
Will Martina pair up with Timi Bacs now?