2016 Rio Olympics

[Brian G]

That's what I thought.  I wouldn't mind posting it originally but not able to update it regularly.

Try one of those 3rd party deals like google docs.

[AT]

Men's 200 meter dash
Justin Gatlin
LaShawn Merritt
Ameer Webb

Thoughts:

Gatlin won't have to worry too much about fatigue from the 100. Most of his biggest threats will be doing the same. Gatlin will have a bit of a problem against Usain Bolt who's best event is probably the 200. Gatlin does have the 2nd best time in the world this year with the only person having a better time being someone he beat in their most recent race. Once again, Gatlin is shooting for gold but will have a tough time doing it. He should medal.

Merritt doesn't have much experience on the national stage in the 200. He is one of the best 400 runners in the world and is trying for a 200-400 double at these Olympics a la Michael Johnson. He certainly has the talent, having the fastest time in the world this year. Most of his competitors won't compete in the physically demanding 400, but LaShawn should be a contender for gold and at least a medal.

Webb has the 3rd fastest time in the 200 this year. Yes, the 3 Americans who qualified have the 3 fastest times. Webb is new to the global stage unlike his two teammates. Webb has the talent to definitely make the final but there are only 3 medals and beating out his two teammates or Bolt for one of them would be a huge accomplishment.

[AT]

Women's 200 meter dash
Tori Bowie
Deajah Stevens
Jenna Prandini

Thoughts:

Bowie, the jumper turned sprinter, has the 2nd fastest time in the world this year. She should definitely be a contender for the gold medal and at least a medal. She has an outside shot at the 100-200 double.

Stevens is still in college as an Oregon Duck. She just finished 2nd in the NCAA 200 meter dash. She's young, inexperienced, and has the 6th fastest time in the world this year. I think a realistic goal for her is to make the finals and her ultimate goal is to medal. It would just be icing on the cake.

Jenna Prandini is the most beautiful woman ever a talented 100-200 sprinter. She did edge out the reigning Olympic champ at the US trials to make it this far. She has some championship experience from last years 4x100 relay team. Jenna has the 12th best time in the world this year so I think making the final would be a great goal for her.

[WPWells]

Jenna Prandini is the most beautiful woman ever.

Can't say I disagree with this sentiment

Also, you're awesome for doing all these amazing previews!!!!

[AT]

Men's 400 meter dash
LaShawn Merritt
Gil Roberts
David Verburg

Thoughts:

Merritt has been one of the best 400 runners in the world recently and this year looks no different. He won gold in this event in the 2008 Olympics and has competed and medaled at many championships since. He will be doing the 200 later on but this is LaShawn's event. He has the best time in the world, but Kirani James is right on his heels. Merritt and James have had one of the best rivalries in track that I've seen in awhile. Merritt will probably get gold or silver.

Gil Roberts will be new to this kind of stage. He has the 11th fastest time in the world. He has the capability to make the final but it will be hard for him to medal.

David Verburg does have some experience on the championship level but it's all through relays. Verburg will be able to run individually as well now. David has the 18th best time in the world. His goal should be to just make the finals, which will possible. Medaling will be tough.

[AirWarren]

I think it is garbage. The Olympics should be held in countries where they can provide safety and health. Brazil is not one of those places. Heck, it should only be held in the USA, UK, or Australia. Period.

Hold it in the USA all the time if you ask me.

[Longfellow]

I'm fine with places like China (not Beijing, too much pollution), Tokyo, or Germany. Anywhere that's economically stable, unlike Brazil, and that has the ability to provide adequate security and health accommodations. Clean water is a must as well. No Zika virus is preferable too

[WPWells]

Rotate between first world countries. Even second world countries (like Brazil and Russia) have proven that they can't do it.

[Longfellow]

I was 8 years old when the Games were in Athens. From the torch lighting all the way through to the end, I remember just being in awe of everything about the Games. It kills me to entertain the idea that there will be young kids who see the disarray of Rio and will be turned off of the Olympics forever

[AirWarren]

Yup!!


Keep it in America!

[AT]

Women's 400 meter dash
Allyson Felix
Phyllis Francis
Natasha Hastings

Felix has been more of a 100-200 meter specialist most of her career. This year the 30 year old will be running the 400. She has ran on 4x400 meter relays at championships before and she definitely has the talent. She has the 2nd fastest time in the world and her time was only bested a week ago by a Bahamian athlete while Allyson hasn't been doing competitions. I think Felix is still a favorite for the gold. She should medal.

Francis has the 5th fastest time in the world and a few people ahead of her are Americans who didn't qualify. Francis should make the final and be right in the mix of things for a medal.

Hastings is an experienced runner who ran at the 08 Olympics. She has the 7th fastest time in the world, but again, some of those ahead of her are Americans who didn't qualify. Hastings should make the final, although it's no way a sure bet. I could see her battling it out for a medal although she might have a tough time doing so.

[AT]

Men's 800 meter run
Clayton Murphy
Boris Berian
Charles Jock

Clayton has the 20th fastest time in the world. Now a lot of athletes ahead of him won't be competing in this event at the Olympics so it's more like he will be the 15 seed. In the 800 and above, races become much more tactical and your time trial skills aren't tested as much as your racing skills. Clayton did run in last year's championships so he's not a newbie to this stage. He made the semi finals last year. I think Clayton's goal should be to make the final. Medaling will be difficult.

Although he was beat out by Clayton at the trials, Berian probably has the most potential to medal. He has run extremely fast. His main problems are that he has no experience on the big stage and that he is a better time trialer than racer. Boris has the 11th fastest time in the world, but will probably be more like the 8 seed. I think he can make the final and if the pace goes out fast, he could end the American medal drought in this event. It will be very tough to do so, though.

Jock does have a bit of experience at the championship level from 2011 when he was the best collegiate 800 runner. He didn't make it out of the first round there, though. Jock has some guts in the way he runs, but having the 43rd fastest time in the world makes it hard for me to say he will do much. Jock obviously has higher goals set for himself but I think getting out of the 1st round is good and making the semifinals would be awesome.

[Lionheart88]

I'm fine with places like China (not Beijing, too much pollution), Tokyo, or Germany. Anywhere that's economically stable, unlike Brazil, and that has the ability to provide adequate security and health accommodations. Clean water is a must as well. No Zika virus is preferable too

Has Germany hosted since Munich?

[Longfellow]

No they haven't. I could dig a German Olympics. It wouldn't be the wurst thing

[AT]

Women's 800 meter run
Kate Grace
Ajee' Wilson
Chrishuna Williams - RAZORBACK ALERT

Kate has really had a great year at the age of 27 after some average years after college. This will be Kate's first championship experience, though. She has the 14th best time in the world. Her experience with racing will help and she's been riding a good wave all year. I think she can make the final. Medaling will be tough for Grace, but not impossible.

Wilson is probably America's best chance to medal in this event. Ajee' has the 18th fastest time in the world this year but had the fastest time in the world last year. In the 2013 championships, she made the 800 final. With all these factors, I think the goal for Ajee' is to make the final and shoot for a medal which is definitely doable.

Former Razorback Chrishuna Williams has a great story. She was a 400 runner her first three years of college. She decided to give the 800 a try her senior year and she immediately became one of the best in the NCAA at it. She helped propel the Lady Razorbacks to their first Indoor Track title in 2015 with a placing in the 800. After her eligibility was exhausted, she stuck with 800 running and one year later she is on the Olympic team! So what are her prospects? She has the 19th best time in the world. She doesn't have any championship experience. I don't think someone who works as hard as her will be just "happy to be there" but I'll say getting out of the first round will be a success and anything after that is gravy.

[Brian G]

Great work Alma.  Very enjoyable!

[AT]

Men's 1500 meter run
Matthew Centrowitz
Robby Andrews
Ben Blankenship

Centro, as Matthew is called, is a great American talent in the 1500. At the 2011 and 2013 championships, he bronzed and silvered. At the 2012 Olympics, he finished 4th. Centro has the 19th fastest time in the world, but you can throw out times in the 1500 for the most part once you reach the Olympics. It all comes down to if you can race and Centro can race. He should make the final and fight for a medal.

Robby Andrews was in college in 2012 when he barely missed the Olympic team. Since then he has struggled but slowly progressed back to good form this year. He has an incredible last lap, but on the international stage, those last laps have to be incredibly fast if that's how you are going to race. The slower the race, the better it is for Andrews. I think he could make a final, but I wouldn't bet on it. He has such a inconsistent race strategy that it really just depends. I don't see him medaling. This will be his first experience at the international championship level.

Ben is one of my personal favorite runners to watch. He has the 31st fastest time in the world. He runs with guts, but guts isn't enough. I think the best we can hope for is an appearance in the finals since he has no experience at this stage. Don't think he will contend for a medal.

[AT]

Women's 1500 meter run
Jenny Simpson
Shannon Rowbury
Brenda Martinez

Jenny, in my personal opinion, is the best distance runner for the US, relatively. Since 2007, she has been on each championship team including the two Olympics making this her third one. She has not won an Olympic medal yet, but she won gold at the 2011 championships and silver at the 2013 championships. Jenny has the 9th best time in the world and is a racer. She should definitely make the finals and be a medal contender, maybe even a gold medal contender.

Rowbury finished 6th at the last Olympics, even ahead of Jenny, and some of the athletes that finished ahead of her were caught using PEDs. She also holds the American record in this event from last year. Rowbury has the 30th best time in the world but hasn't raced much this year until the trials were approaching. Shannon is a good racer and should make the finals. Medaling isn't out of the question.

Brenda has a little championship experience, but this is her first Olympic team. She has the 18th best time in the world. She races very strong and gutsy. It's hard to believe but I could see her making the finals too, but I don't think she has much of a chance medaling.

[RTF]

What is sad is how corrupt the Olympic committee is.....  Its a "what can you do for me" society though. I mean, come on, the winter Olympics in China.... THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE SNOW!! I would boycott the Olympics but I feel bad for the athletes and enjoy watching them compete.

[Longfellow]

China has snow. Yanqing, the district in which skiing events would be held, has regular snow during winter. Just not a lot of snow. I'm very excited for those Winter Olympics. I should be in China then, so hopefully I can attend

[RTF]

China has snow. Yanqing, the district in which skiing events would be held, has regular snow during winter. Just not a lot of snow. I'm very excited for those Winter Olympics. I should be in China then, so hopefully I can attend

Yes, that ONE mountain does get snow on it ( and very little amount), but it can not sustain all of which the winter Olympics require. I just seen where China is going to have to bring in thousands upon thousands of snow machines if they are going to make this work.

[Lionheart88]

Northern China gets quite a bit of snow.  Also, Tibet.



US Women's National Soccer Team plays their opening game tonight, 5 PM.  The local chapter of the American Outlaws will be at Dugan's for the game.  You're all welcome to join us.

[AT]

Men's 5000 meter run
Bernard Lagat
Hassan Mead
Paul Chelimo

Lagat will be in his FIFTH Olympics and at 41 he will be the oldest US distance runner ever. Lagat is a veteran, good racer, and even showed he has his patented kick still at the Olympic trials. Right now he has the 41st best time in the world, but countries are allowed a max of 3 athletes per event and there are plenty of Ethiopian and Kenyan runners ahead of him who won't be competing. He has the smarts and experience to make it through the rounds. Will his older body stay in good form? He could easily make the finals, but he will have to have a lot of things fall right for him to medal.

Mead is a 26 year old Minnesota graduate who did run at the world championships last year in the 10K and finished 15th. Hassan has the 14th best time in the world. I think he can make the final pretty easily, but medaling will be tough. Maybe last year's experience will help him.

Chelimo is somewhat new on the US distance scene. He did compete at the indoor championships in the 3K and finished 7th, but this is a whole new animal. Haven't seen him run much and he was a big underdog to even make the team. I think rooting for him to make the final is a realistic goal.

[WPWells]

Northern China gets quite a bit of snow.  Also, Tibet.



US Women's National Soccer Team plays their opening game tonight, 5 PM.  The local chapter of the American Outlaws will be at Dugan's for the game.  You're all welcome to join us.

I wish I was there (or with the Outlaws at Smoke & Barrel!)

[AT]

Women's 5000 meter run
Shelby Houlihan
Kim Conley
Abbey D'Agostino

Houlihan was a great runner at Arizona state but this is her first US team experience. In the 5K and 10K, African women runners have been dominating even more than their men counterparts. US women have made huge strides lately to catch up, but we aren't on their long distance level yet (we do hold our own in the 1500). Not trying to take the lazy way out here, but this will be true for each of these three women's prospects: Happy if they make it past the first round, ecstatic if they make the final, and absolutely stunned if they medal.

This is Conley's 2nd Olympics. Just to show you how stiff the competition is, Conley PRed in London and still didn't make it out of the first round. She missed last season because of injury and the 30 year old came through at the trials. I like Conley's running.

D'Agostino was an absolute stud at the collegiate level. She was like Dominique Scott for Dartmout but might have even been better. She only missed the last Olympics by .19 seconds but did make last year's 5K US team.

[AT]

US Women's Narional Soccer team starting group play against the New Zealanders on NBCSN.

I have Cox cable so it's on channel 73. 0-0 in the 7th minute now.

[AT]

Lloyd scores right before the 9 minute mark.

1-0 USA

[beach bum]

They say the men's and women's basketball teams will be staying on a cruise ship docked. What a wise choice to not stay in the Olympic Village.

[AT]

Men's 10000 meter run
Galen Rupp
Shadrack Kipchirchir
Leonard Korir

Galen is the reigning silver medalist in this event. Galen is no doubt one of the best in the world at this event and a forerunner for this new age of US distance running. He will be running the marathon a little over a week after running the 10K. He will be in contention going into the last lap and will have a chance at a medal.

Kipchirchir gave Galen a run for his money at the Olympic trials. He doesn't have the experience on this big stage like Galen, though. He ran with Galen sitting on his heels, but if he can run with Rupp again, he could finish high. Don't see him medaling. He is an Oklahoma State grad.

I don't have much to say about Korir. He is from the same Kenyan hometown as Kipchirchir and they both joined that Army program (WCAP) to become citizens. Good luck to him!

[AT]

(I think #8 will become US's new soccer sweetheart this year)

Women's 10000 meter run
Molly Huddle
Emily Infeld
Marielle Hall

Huddle is a great talent. She had been a 5K runner until last year, owning the 5K American record. Last year as a 10K runner, she made the world championships and was about two inches from grabbing the Bronze medal for the event until she celebrated early and her teammate, Infeld, leaned and nabbed 3rd place from Huddle. Molly should be a contender for a medal.

Emily Infeld, mentioned above, grabbed the bronze medal at last year's championships. She has been injured a lot, not even running this year until the Olympic trials. She obviously has the talent to medal, though.

Hall was just recently a standout distance runner at Texas. She made the US team as a 5K runner at last year's championships. She's a great runner and will have a respectable showing but I don't see her getting a medal.

[Lionheart88]

(I think #8 will become US's new soccer sweetheart this year)

I liked Julie Johnston before she was cool.  lol

[AT]

I liked Julie Johnston before she was cool.  lol

She's a very good looking woman. But Jenna Prandini still has my heart.

US scored again but I wasn't in the room when they did.

Team America - 2
Middle Earth - 0

59 minutes in.

[Lionheart88]

She's a very good looking woman. But Jenna Prandini still has my heart.

US scored again but I wasn't in the room when they did.

Team America - 2
Middle Earth - 0

59 minutes in.

Tobin Heath's still my favorite, really hoping she can bag an Olympic goal this time around; its her third Olympics, and she has two gold medals but has yet to score.

[WPWells]

Julie Johnson, Lion Queen

I'm a Sauerbrunn fan myself

[Longfellow]

No one will ever replace Alex Morgan

[AT]

The good girls win!

USA - 2
New Zealand - 0

[beach bum]

Everyone's preference is showing haha..... I am a Christen Press fan myself. And I will take a 2-0 first win.

[RATTLER43]

Great stuff AT; keep it coming.

[AT]

Thanks for all the encouragement, guys,
Men's 110 meter hurdles
Devon Allen
Ronnie Ash
Jeff Porter

The short hurdles have always been deep on the men's side for the US and this year is no different. The gold medalist and silver medalist from the last Olympics didn't even make the team. Devon Allen has tore it up in the collegiate ranks where he is still an Oregon Duck. He is a two time NCAA champ and now a US champ. Devon has the 2nd fastest time in the world, but the good thing for you Razorback fans is that former Razorback Omar McLeod has the fastest time in the world for Jamaica. I think it will come down to Allen and McLeod for the gold medal. I always root for the USA in the Olympics, but I won't be too disappointed if McLeod wins. Allen should medal either way.

Ash has some experience on the world championship stage. He false started last summer, though, so not much experience. I think Ash, who has the 8th fastest time, will make the final but will need to be at his best and PR to get a medal.

Porter, who qualified for the London Olympics, was the lone American to not medal at the last Olympics in a weird twist of fate. Porter's experience and having the 11th fastest time makes me think he can reach the final but I don't see him medaling. Making the final is a high goal to achieve in this increasingly difficult event.

[AT]

Women's 100 meter hurdles
Brianna Rollins
Kristi Castlin
Nia Ali

Rollins is not the best in the world at this event, she is the 2nd best, but luckily for her, the best and world record holder did not qualify for the US Olympic team. The US women are dominating this event right now and I think Rollins takes home the gold. Rollins did win gold at the 2013 championships.

Castlin sort of surprised everyone by how she ran fast times this year, 3rd fastest in the world, and made the Olympic team. She's 28 which is older compared to these other hurdlers. Castlin could give Rollins a run for her money, but look for Castlin to medal.

Ali is like Castlin in the fact that she burst onto the scene this year. She won the indoor 60 hurdles world championship and now has the 4th fastest time in the world entering this Olympics. I think she medals with her only problem being she has too many American teammates hogging the medals! Yes, if you are looking for an American sweep in a track and field event, look here.

[AT]

Men's 400 meter hurdles
Kerron Clememt
Byron Robinson
Michael Tinsley

After the last Olympics where Clement finished 8th in the finals and didn't do much afterwards, I thought he was done competing at a high level. Kerry's proved me wrong this year, though. He has the 2nd fastest time in the world with the #1 guy not qualifying out of the trials. There's some guys right on his heels, so he's not guaranteed the gold by any means. Look for Clement to medal.

Byron Robinosn, talk about a name I didn't expect to see here. He is a collegian who wasn't able to compete at the NCAA championships, so I was shocked he was competing at the trials, and more shocked to see him qualify for the team! He has the 9th fastest time, so look for him to compete for a finals spot. Medaling isn't out of the question.

Michael Tinsley is a rare Arkansas native in track and field who isn't a Razorback. He was silver at the last Olympics and the reigning gold medalist isn't running anymore. Watch for Michael to make the final with the the 8th fastest time in the world. His two silver medals from major world championships shows he knows how to race, but he is 32 so he won't have many more chances. I think he will push hard for another medal and come close.

[Longfellow]

Ok. I'm done. The IOC had to break into the stadium today via bolt cutters after the keys to the Olympic stadium were lost. We're like 24 hours from the opening ceremony. This is getting ridiculous. As if it already hadn't been

[HorseFeathers]

Ok. I'm done. The IOC had to break into the stadium today via bolt cutters after the keys to the Olympic stadium were lost. We're like 24 hours from the opening ceremony. This is getting ridiculous. As if it already hadn't been

wow. ..just wow.....

[AT]

Women's 400 meter hurdles
Dalilah Muhammad
Ashley Spencer
Sydney McLaughlin

Dalilah has the fastest time in the world this year and was a silver medalist at the 2013 championships. I think she definitely wins a medal and probably the gold.

Spencer has been a 400 meter runner most of her career while sort of experimenting with the 400 hurdles. She ran both at the trials and this is the team she made. Ashley has the 5th fastest time in the world. Her lack of experience in such a technical event at a high level makes me wary, but I think she makes the final and could medal.

Sydney was born in 1999. That's right, she is 16 and the youngest US track Olympian since 1972. Sydney will turn 17 in a couple of days. She has the 7th fastest time in the world and could make the finals. Medaling will be very tough, but who the heck cares! She's a 16 year old Olympian! And a respectable one!

[AT]

Men's 3000 meter steeplechase
Evan Jager
Hillary Bor
Donn Cabral

Jager is America's best chance to medal since they last did in this event 31 years ago. Jager has only the 12th best time in the world but when you factor in that the Kenyans can only take 3, he is a 6 seed. He finished 6th at the London Olympics and has the American record despite tripping over the last barrier during the race. Jager is currently my favorite American distance runner. He is looking to break up the East African monopoly on this event, and I think he can do it.

Bor made a surprising move on the last lap at the trials to make the final. He has the 51st best time in the world, although his seeding is a lot higher if you take out everyone that won't be competing ahead of him. I hope he can make the final, but I don't know if he can.

Cabral was on the last Olympic team and actually ran with Jager before finishing 10th. He's a strong runner and has the 34th best time in the world. Cabral has shown he can make the finals of this event and I think he will, but I don't see him medaling.

[AT]

Archery started today. Looks like they did what they call the "ranking round" which just basically means seeding.

For teams, they seeded 16 teams and for individuals, they seeded 64 individuals. Once they are seeded, they will just face off as teams or individuals in a bracket for medals.

The US Women did not qualify a team, but did qualify an individual named Mackenzie Brown who came out of the ranking round with a 19th seed.

The men did have a team, which came out of the ranking round seeded 2nd! Their team consists of men named Zach Garrett, Brady Ellison, and Jake Kaminski.

On the individual side, Ellison came out ranked 2nd, Garrett came out ranked 15th, and Kaminski came out ranked 31st.

[RATTLER43]

The men are picked bronze and Ellison Bronze as well(he took silver last time) by SI.  USA!

[WPWells]

South Korea is dominant in Archery, so it was good for both the team and Ellison to make it on the opposite side of the bracket. That significantly increased their medal chances. I'm projecting a silver for the team (maybe gold if they get hot in the championship).

Side note: my spreadsheet is now living and breathing with updates. Anyone interested in seeing the best outline of the USA schedules and stuff, let me know and I'll get you in our email chain!

[AT]

Women's 3000 meter steeplechase
Emma Coburn
Courtney Frerichs
Colleen Quigley

Coburn holds the American record in this event from this June. She has the 3rd fastest time in the world. She was 5th at last year's world championships and 9th at the last Olympics. I think Emma has a good shot at a medal.

Frerichs just broke the collegiate record as a New Mexico runner in this event. She graduated and immediately qualified for the Olympic team. She has the 9th fastest time in the world and at least one girl ahead of her won't be competing. She should make the finals and watch for this woman to go after a medal, but have a tough time doing it.

Colleen finished 12th at last summer's world championships and has the 11th fastest time in the world this year. She was injured most of the year and trained for the trials and did magnificent to run a PB to make the team. Look for her to make the finals, but medaling will be extremely tough.

[AirWarren]

USA USA USA USA!