FINA World Championships

[HappySpur]

Happening in Barcelona

Just finished watching coverage here in the USA. I think it was tape delayed, but two really great 4X100 Relays with the French Men coming out of nowhere to win and the US women making up a 3 leg deficit on the last 50m with Megan Romano. And what was lost a bit in that was the fantastic finish by my favorite swimmer Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands to take 3rd.

Also the Brazilians looked good and seem to be building towards 2016. We'll know more in 2 years in Kazan, bu they could be on the heels of us and the Australians if this continues.

 

[Misfit]

I watched it live today. The relays were rully good. I always love to see the Dutch doing well. As usual, punching way above their weight in sports. PVDH was a bit of a crush for my wife a few yrs back.

Brazil always seem to flatter to deceive but they've got some genuine depth developing there. Also hope to see the Saffers building a little bit of a challenge at the Olympics. The Aussies are going through some tough times right now, in many sports in fact. You've got to think they'll turn it around soon but London wasn't the first blip. Who knows if the changes they have made/ are making to their whole set-up pay off.

it'll still be the US way out in front, maybe the Aussies still coming in a lonely second but maybe the gap is much closer this time. The only danger being the French, Brazilian, Saffers etc all beating each other rather than challenging the ridiculous depth of the US.

GB will send out the usual collection of fat, ginger no-hopers. We've had our token gold medals this century already. Only another near 90 yrs to wait for the next few. Oh, except my darling daughter of course. Mercifully she has some Aussie/Norse blood in her to off-set my athletically redundant Saxon/Norman genes.

 

[HappySpur]

The Russians had a good relay, but they really punch below their weight in general.....much like the Chinese (who seem to focus on diving)

 

[Misfit]

The Russians had a good relay, but they really punch below their weight in general.....much like the Chinese (who seem to focus on diving)

Yes. Oooh, my wife also had a thing for Popov come to think of it. Utter trollop.

But yes, swimming is quite big in Russia too, especially in military circles I believe. No idea why they aren't stronger really. I think the Chinese certainly start to climb up the tables what with their baby-training camps etc. and as you say, they are bossing the diving comps.

 

[Misfit]

Van Den Burgh beaten by Sprenger. Still, the gayest event there is. Hardly anybody will have seen it. Your shame will be private, Cameron.

 

[Misfit]

Filho get the 50 fly again. Those fly guy are simply mahoosive.

/6'4", 200lbs guy made to feel puny

 

[HappySpur]

Filho get the 50 fly again. Those fly guy are simply mahoosive.

/6'4", 200lbs guy made to feel puny

i wonder why they don't do 50's for fly, back and breast at the Olympics. The sprints are so fun

 

[Misfit]

The politicking I think. Most of the other sports already throw major paddies each and every cycle about how many medals are available wrt swimming.

The Olympics is about the swimming for me. A few track events and maybe a bit of cycling thrown in after. The swimming is king though.

 

[HappySpur]

Medal Tally

http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3892&Itemid=1519

Currently
1 - China (almost exclusively in diving)
2 - Russia
3 - US

 

[Misfit]

That'll quickly change over the next few days though.

The Russians are really cleaning up in the synchro stuff.

 

[HappySpur]

Katie Ledecky......fucking hell.

 

[Misfit]

Yep. Couple of impressive performances out there yesterday. Just settling down to catch the last couple of hrs of comp right now. 200 fly about to start.

 

[HappySpur]

Yep. Couple of impressive performances out there yesterday. Just settling down to catch the last couple of hrs of comp right now. 200 fly about to start.

I have to watch recaps during the week online. Weekend we will get shows on NBC covering the week.

 

[Misfit]

I have to watch recaps during the week online. Weekend we will get shows on NBC covering the week.

It always amazes, with the plethora of channels you guys have available in the States, how often you have to settle for fairly significant sporting events on tape delay or highlights etc.

At least you've been spared seeing the ridiculous shoes Lochte is wearing.

 

[HappySpur]

So you were right. It did change. USA took overall, with Missy Franklin winning 6 of our 29 pool medals. China made a big comeback in swimming. Ended up with as many as France with 9.

 

[Misfit]

Good meet though. Some fine individual performances and a couple of records thrown in.

Congrats Murica. GB collected a couple of token medals to justify the millions spent on the coaches salaries and swimming grants. Meanchwile, local pools keep closing...

 

[HappySpur]

Good meet though. Some fine individual performances and a couple of records thrown in.

Congrats Murica. GB collected a couple of token medals to justify the millions spent on the coaches salaries and swimming grants. Meanchwile, local pools keep closing...

That's sad.

You know my town doesn't have one. We have to utilize two adjacent towns for practice and meets. But the scary thing is that we pay nearly 4 million a year just to rent time in those pools. So the expense is probably tempting.

If I ever win the lottery, I swear I would put it all into building a pool for our town.

 

[Misfit]

Nice one man. The local councils in London do their very best but their budgets have been slashed these last few yrs. The lottery over here is actually one of the biggest investors in local/grassroots sports. Been a God-send in that respect.