Less than a month to go now. Another 3 sports previewed..
TENNISHere’s hoping the TV interest generated at Rio 2016, will give this little known sport a much needed shot in the arm. Who knows, it may even become popular.
I can’t help thinking the IOC have missed an opportunity with Tennis.
Imagine if they made it a masters event, strictly for the over 50’s. You can’t tell me there wouldn’t be more interest in the veterans – Borg, McInroe, Connors, LeConte & Becker going at it in slow motion, than the current bunch of flogs.
From an Aussie perspective we could wheel out Newc, Roachy and the Woodies in the double. Interest in the womens game would also peak. That’s if they only allow Steffi Graf & Anna Kournikova to play…no one else…..ok Maria Sharapova in a 3 way. Add your own honey. Game, set, match.
The Olympic tournament features men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Standard Tournament fare.
Leading the Australian hopes will be World no.16 Samantha Stosur, who will be playing at a record fourth Games for an Australian female player.
Joining Stosur in the 64-strong singles draw and partnering her in the doubles is 22-year-old Daria Gavrilova. The Russian-born tennis player and world no.56 became an Australian citizen last year, despite her love of AFL club Carlton.
In the men’s side exciting young gun Thanasi Kokkinakis will make his long awaited return from injury at the Olympic Games. With an injury protected world ranking of no.81 the 20-year-old has been pursuing a comeback timed to make his Olympic debut. He’ll be joined in the men’s singles by world no.67 John Millman.
I expect the normal crew – Djokovic, Federer & Nadal in the mens. The Williams Brothers along with a few obscure Europeans to be battling out the medals in the womens side.
Don’t hold your breath for Aussie medalists here.
TRIATHALONSwim, ride, run. Give it a crack when you get a moment, it’s bloody hard. Especially when you get off the bike & go for a jog. Jellylegs, just like Collingwood in September….. err, no sorry July. Let’s face it, it’s been a long time since the ‘pies played any footy in September.
Olympic athletes compete on a course consisting of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run. On the mens side of things there are a couple of Spainards at the top of the world rankings, along with Brits (Twins) Alistair & Jonathon Brownlow.
A quick look at the womens current world rankings lists Bermudas Fiona Duffy as #1. A few Poms, and Kiwi’s in the top 5. From an Aussie perspective Charlotte McShane & Ashleigh Gentle are our best ranked competitors. Veteran Emma Moffat however may have the experience to claim a medal in Rio.
Some medal potential here for Australia, particularly from the women, as the Aussies have medalled at every Olympics in Triathlon since its inception in Sydney 2000.
VOLLEYBALL (TRADITIONAL) & VOLLEYBALL (BEACH)Now here is a sport for the voyeurs out there. What’s not to like, tall athletic women jumping and diving about in tight shorts.
The Beach variety is even better. Serve, dig, set, spike, block, set, spike….. retrieve your bikini bottoms out of your butt crack. Fabulous stuff.
Apparently the blokes play as well.
Indoor matches are played in the best of five set format. The first four sets are played to 25 points and the fifth set to 15. For all sets a 2 point advantage is required, with no cap.
Indoor matches feature The libero (Tony?) is a specialised defensive player that is only allowed to replace a player in the back row. When they are substituted out of the match they can only be replaced by the person they originally replaced themselves. They are not allowed to complete an attack hit when the ball is above the height of the top of the net and do not serve. A team may only have one libero. When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains a point and the right to serve, and its players rotate one position clockwise.
In the Beach variety - A team can win points whether they are serving or not. The team that wins the point serves for the next point.
A team may only touch the ball three times before it is sent back over the net. These touches must be alternate unless a player blocks a ball at the net – in that circumstance they are then able to take the team’s second of three hits also.
No Australian teams participating in the Indoor game. In the Baywatch version - Womens pair - Louise Bawden and Taliqua Clancy will be in the Green & Gold - G Bangers in Rio.
Some medal hopes for Australia.
1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.... And don't you forget it!
