Crs97

Sanne's routine was beautiful, and I loved the pirouette series, but I thought Laurie's beam was clearly better. Not really all that close to me.

Thanks, Growsonwalls, I totally agree with those points. Gabby deserved better than she got this Olympics. I am glad she is feeling the love now.

When I saw Bela onscreen, he looked thin and not focused, but someone said something to him and he started to smile as the camera pulled away. I am hoping they caught him at a pensive moment. I thought someone said earlier in an interview that he is happy on the ranch with his chickens and retired from gymnastics. An earlier poster said something about Martha's mistakes in choosing the team. Did I misread the post, or could they explain the mistake? Because I don't see a wrong choice regarding this Olympics and these five.

The divers deserved better than this. All their years of hard work for this? They deserved better than a green swamp and lame excuses.

Bart Connor-gold on parallel bars in 84 Just watched gymnast from India on vault

Sam is a douche, but crappy crowd cheering each mistake during his routine. Badly done, Brazil. Badly done. Thanks goodness it happened to Sam rather than to someone nice.

Totally understand, tessaray. I feel the same way; not enthused, but intrigued enough to stick around I guess.

Great article about Gabby: https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/gymnastics-world-changed-then-turned-000000705.html Sometimes people stink.

xaxat, I laughed hard when I saw that commercial. Had to explain to the family just why it was so funny!

Kassidy and Abby both advanced today! Way to go, girls!

Hubby wants Katie to be the only person swimming the freestyle relay race for the U.S. just to give the other swimmers a chance. I think she would still take gold! Amazing!

I always liked Chris Everett's answer when asked about going out on top: "I won't know what top is until after I start going down." Gabby can still clearly compete, even if she isn't considered the best anymore.

Regarding whether Michael is arrogant, all I know is that I have a friend whose son swam competitively for awhile. Phelps came to a meet; it was probably after his second Olympics. My friend's son said that he was uncomfortable with the crowd, but was very nice to them in the back area. After the races he saw the kids playing video games and asked to join in. Huge age gap between Phelps and the swimmers, but apparently love of video games knows no age. Anyway, he came away thinking Michael was quiet, but nice.

I got nostalgic and watched Olga's bar routine again from 1972. For all the dramatic acrobatics shown tonight, Olga's routine is still my favorite because she so seamlessly wove between both bars. I hate how today's women pretend the lower bar doesn't exist. I never warmed up to Nadia and still cannot forgive her for bringing the cowboy tuck to the women.

My app shut down during Rebecca's routine, but otherwise ran fine. I was able to get it back befor Aly started. Whew!

Did they pick their shoes to match the medal ribbons?

I especially loved Simone's middle pass when she turns to start it. I really dislike when they stand in the corner forever before running. Way to go, Simone and Aly! Well deserved!

I never want someone to get hurt, but if you need your coach to stand beside you for every trick, you shouldn't be doing them.

I was explaining to my sons that when I was their age and on a swim team, you took two strokes per breath in breaststroke and your head couldn't go completely under water. Just another reminder to them that I am old.

Grew up in the south in the 70's and 80's. Said the pledge and sang the star spangled banner every day in elementary school. We were specifically taught not to put your hand over your heart during the anthem. I only knew it was a thing when they used it to question Barack Obama's patriotism. IMO, it is the result of petty people with petty issues to feel superior over.

I don't know how I missed that Le Clos was the fool who called Michael out at worlds and, when Michael that same day at another meet swam a faster time, tried to argue it shouldn't count because Le Clos wasn't swimming against him. (Who in the world believes that swimming against the elite flyers would have made Phelps swim slower?!?) Then Le Clos' dad joined the mix, arguing that Michael's times don't matter because Chad will always beat him. I am very much of the mindset that you act like you've won before, but I don't have a problem with Michael in this instance telling Le Clos to look at the scoreboard, look at the stadium, and choose a seat.

When she handed him Boomer, I really wanted to read her lips saying he needed a diaper change! Michael was very emotional on the podium. He has been pretty vocal about how disappointed he was in himself in London; incredible that he has been able to get the medals back!

Does "Final" come from being Marta's last team?

My sister bought the total red/white/blue channel package back in the 1990's and LOVED it! I was working, and she called me throughout the day to update me on stuff. I was so bummed that it was a critical and commercial flop because it was the perfect way to watch the Olympics. My boys are loving the NBC sports app and have been talking about handball and fencing and other, more obscure Olympic sports. They are finding a lot on the television as well. I just don't have the time to research when/how to watch my favorite stuff live so accept the primetime coverage for what it is.

At first I didn't think much about Le Clos' antics, but then he continued it with this smirk that suggested to me he knew exactly what he was doing. I think Rowdy at one point used the phrase "milking it" and I assumed that was exactly what it was-get in the camera frame and do stuff that gets the press talking about how you beat him once and hope it rattles Phelps. Phelps all but eye-rolled when asked about it and said essentially everyone has their own way of getting ready. Le Clos' way was stupid and didn't work if the semi final results are considered. I hate Le Clos now just for giving the media a new something shiny to focus on instead of reporting the events.