Olympic Games Paris 2024 - AH Thread [Thread banned posters listed in first post.]

There is a lot of talk about our 4 x 400m women's team when the reality is they probably won't qualify even with Mawdsley and Becker. And even if they do qualify which I doubt, and even if Adeleke runs the final they are long-shots for a medal. Depends on the draw for their heat but the standard here is above what they are used to, I don't see them making the final.

Does anyone know the timing for it?

Could Adeleke run the semi of the 4x400 or is she only available for the final?

Shes only available for the final

And yes, it fatigues athletes. Any analyst will tell you that.

Back up the truck a little there, Roscommon…. !

But I agree with most of the above. RTE editorial angle should try to tone down the hype, and to be fair the vast majority of guest panellists are astute and fair in their input, Tom Freyne for example is the epitome of a solid, realistic and 'military' attitude— sh1t happens out there and we just didn't pull through this time. It's the same with Cameron Hanly who provided detailed and fair analysis of the actual jumping event. It's the RTE anchor presenters who shovel on the hype and hyperbole in between the copious ad-breaks in my opinion.

Equestrians have not produced Olympic success, aside from CO'C, but you cannot avoid the fact that it remains a sport in which we are world renowned and valued. It was noted that it is worth about 1 billion to the country, so if Equestrian teams qualify I'm happy to see them compete.

Granted there are those who dismiss this and I'm waiting patiently for some usual suspects on here to provide some socio-political, quasi-intellectual critique about 'niche' nonsense and other whatnottery. Of course Equestrianism is elite and niche, that in itself is no reason to denigrate those who dedicate their lives to it and represent the country at the very top level.

Getting in early with the "it's worth x amount defence" 🤣

We are traditionally exporters of quality sport horses and thoroughbreds; we also export human talent as we are highly regarded as coaches and those with a high level of horse expertise. Thus in many cases our domestic indigenous advantages are felt beyond these shores. It doesn't translate into medal success for Ireland however, the reasons for which may be multi-faceted. It's also not comparable to athletic events as animals are involved. Equally, it's no harm to remember that we have had numerous international champions and team successes over many decades, aside from Olympic medals, which is not the only metric for success.

Haha 😀 - for clarity, I'm no 'horse-whipping doper' defender whatsoever

I wouldn't agree with the suggestion any of the athletes out there this morning "underperformed".

O'Sullivan ran a pb and just missed out, a really brave effort - the clip by the Japanese athlete on the final bend may have cost her also. Healy literally gave it everything she had in her heat, collapsing over the line. You have to remember that absolute times can be bad markers for understanding effort - in Healy's heat the pace ratcheted up really significantly across the last 600m. I'm sure she is absolutely devastated she didn't hang on, but effort was absolutely not in question.

Mawdsley ran a pb in the heat and was the fastest non qualifier. Hard to come back the next day and run another pb type effort, which is what was required. Becker meanwhile ran a much faster time than her heat, and close to her pb. There is nothing to criticise here at all - both athletes performing their very best or close to it on the biggest stage. The standard of competition is really high, that's why Adeleke is so exciting.

Finally, for the showjumpers, qualifying for a final with the opportunity to go in the last 3 was an achievement in of itself. A brutal course out there, as demonstrated by only 3 of 30 competitors jumping clear.

We are maybe a bit spoiled so far this Olympics. Progressing through heats and qualifying rounds in the Olympics is a fine achievement, in any sport. All we should ever hope for from our athletes is they perform towards the limits of their capability on the big stage. Being "disappointed" when Irish athletes just fall short is a privilege.

good on you, you're a great supporter, wouldn't want you to be my coach but a great supporter, well done.

They were each competitive in their rep heat, and both ultimately missed out on the semi final by less than half a second. I think that validates the decision to try.

Very often, the showjumper does not own the horse, they are the 'talent' backed by the money. I think it was AJF O'Reilly who actually owned Cian O'Connor's infamous horse in 2004 (open to correction) so in many cases, private finance rather than government funding is what drives Equestrian sport at the top level. Plenty riders in that final were either riding an Irish-bred or Irish-prepared horse, some had been guided/coached by Irish equestrians over time, alongside the 2 Irish riders themselves.

Yeah, of course.

Whats the point of a forum if it isn't to give an opinion?

Very odd reply.

Interesting (or maybe not) when Sonia ran the 1500m semi final in Barcelona in 1992, when she was a similar age to what Sophie is now, she finished 11th in a time of 4:06.24. Sophie was 7th today in 4:00.23. Maybe demonstrates how much room she has to grow

It is wazzzle. That's my opinion. You gave your opinion that it's a normal reply.

Lets see how they get on in the Heats on Friday. Hopefully they have not taken too much out of their legs.

They both underperformed. They admit that themselves. I am glad they hold themselves to higher standards. I rate them both highly and know they are better than what they showed this morning, and so do they. We can wave the flags and utter platitudes all we want but it's about results, and performing at your best when it counts. Simple.