Ryan Lochte and James Feigen ordered to stay in Brazil
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-37108746
Harassment by embarassed Rio authorities is what it is.
I guess its not surprising that swimmers might come across as polished young adults in contrast to the gymnasts who come across as giggling girls. While there are always exceptions in both directions, the core of the US swimming team (and track team too) is built from college swimmers - current students, recent alumni, and college-bound high schoolers. Heck, it seemed like a lot of the swimming event finals were a sort of Cal/Stanford dual meet.
The core of the women’s gymnastics team does not come from college teams nor for the most part are they college-bound. They’re mostly teenagers who come from private training camps where they have been sequestered away from regular life and schooling from a very young age. And since college gymnastics is seen largely as the minor leagues - for girls who weren’t good enough for the big time and are not on the path to fame and riches, most of the Olympians are not college-bound either.
I thought the gymnastic girl’s answers were very practiced and scripted. They are under so much pressure and I understand the need to do that (practice answers). Look what happened when Gabby didn’t put her hand over her heart for the anthem.
I enjoyed most of the swimmers, but do think the Russian had a point about Lily King criticizing her. King is not in charge and the powers that be said the Russian could swim. I felt bad for her that King’s comments, and those of others, made the games an unpleasant experience. Russian said every time she came out to swim there were boos and whistles, and lots of hostility.
Yup, twoinandone, “practiced and scripted” is a perfect description.
Aly Raisman is I think 22 and pretty sure has not attended college. She has a LOT of endorsements and her interviews are always this very rote, monotone, cliche-athlete speak, no emotion… drives me crazy listening to her. She always is aware of where the camera is and will suddenly be “on” when that little camera light goes on when facing her. Very impressed and astounded by her gymnastics and obvious hard work, but not so much as a spokeswoman or a leader. She really cold-shouldered Laurie Hernandez when it looked as though Laurie would beat her for all-around at the trials (which she did). Just a bit too phony for me.
^^Madison Kocian is headed to UCLA next month after taking a gap year to train for the Olympics. I was happy to hear that. I hope the other girls consider continuing their education as well.
The Ryan Lochte story continues to get more bizarre. I’d want to get the heck out of the country too after that incident. (The Brazilian police showed up at the Olympic village to CONFISCATE the 4 swimmers’ passports (reportedly) as they investigated the robbery but they (at least Lochte) had already left the country. They apparently can’t find the taxi driver (my theory is that he was in on it). The police are accusing them of making the whole thing up. Now, none of us know (I don’t think) any of these swimmers, and it has been known to happen that unbalanced people report false crimes, but ALL FOUR swimmers with the same story? Are they all 4 co-conspirators? Or have the others not spoken up and Lochte is out in left field?
I will continue to believe the American athletes over the Brazilian police, i think. (Someone upthread mentioned the real cops possibly being in on it… who knows).
Honestly, Lochte’s boastful portrayal of his tale did make me a little skeptical upon first reading it. But, who knows? I don’t remember reading comments from any of the other swimmers that were in that taxi.
The US Show Jumping Team won the silver! One of their 4 riders had to withdraw her horse because of injury so there was no round that could be dropped. I haven’t watched it yet, but look forward to seeing it tonight. France won the gold and Germany the bronze. Individual showjumping is Friday. I will be routing for 23 year old Lucy Davis on team USA as she grew up riding here in California when my Ds were riding and competing and we saw her many times at horse shows.
I’m with Lily King. The Russian swimmer is a drug cheat.
Loving women’s water polo!
Saw a bit of the water polo match during lunch break. Jeez, those women in the pool are rough customers! I never saw such cheap shot and below the belt hitting during any Raiders and Steelers NFL game!
My kid played water polo in college. They always undersized their suits by 2-3 sizes for obvious reasons. The action that happens under water… 
One FB friend shared a musing by another FB friend asking what anthems should be played in case pirates were allowed to not only participate in the Olympics as a nation, but also won gold. He adds imagery of gold medal winning pirate swinging his/her cutlass and taking a swig of run as the Jolly Roger is raised at the olympic medal ceremony.
Keep in mind both are likely very exhausted and doing their best after a long week of intensely competitive events.
My nephews played water polo in high school (and played with and against guys currently on the US team). The stories they told me throughout the years made my hair stand on end. (To clarify, the stories were not about any of the current players). In my opinion, it’s a dirty sport. I hate it. There was a very serious injury at my daughter’s high school during a game that some felt was a criminal assault. I really don’t like the sport.
So that’s why there were major wedges! Those suits!
Very entertaining end to the semi-final of the men’s 200 m run.
I was glued to the tv till midnight every night last week. Not so much this week. I don’t even know what is on the schedule however I do see track whenever I have put the tv on. Looks like some of the athletes have gone home already after competition. I thought that everyone stays till the closing ceremony.
USA Today is reporting that Congee and Bentz were removed from their flight about to depart for the US from Brazil. Feigen supposedly is safe but still in Brazil. Feigen supposedly said via phone that he is trying to give the authorities what they want or need so he can get out . This is totally ridiculous.
If I were Feigen, I’d head to the embassy and stay there until I could get back to the US.