Olympics

Episode 278 – The Miracle Games

278 – Tokyo 2020 Olympics Review

In the middle of a global pandemic it’s amazing that the Tokyo 2020 organising committee could get a games going at all. That they could bring the athletes of the world to Japan and get them to compete with no socialising, in front of no crowds, at such a high level is nothing short of a miracle.

Australia equalled its best gold medal count with 17. Thanks largely to the women’s swim team. While aquatic sports in general won 15 of the 17 gold for Australia. Aussies tore up the track and field events with three medals. And the Boomers won their first ever medal after so many heartbreaking moments over the years.

Penrith’s own Jess Fox won a gold and a bronze in the whitewater canoeing and Penrith born Melissa Wu won a bronze in diving which is almost as good as gold given the two Chinese divers were out of this world.

Internationally there were some amazing performances. Karsten Warholm burning up the 400m hurdles track sits atop the mountain. But Eliud Kipchoge going back to back in the marathon, Katie Ledecky winning the distance double, Marcell Jacobs winning the first 100m track title for Italy and the 4-way battle for the men’s 1500m freestyle were all great moments.

All the hurdles, the Covid tests, the masks, the awarding teammates medals, the friendly TV time zone, and the world class performances made Tokyo 2020 one of the most satisfying Olympics in memory.

0:00:00 – Introduction
0:07:30 – Swimming
0:24:00 – Athletics
0:43:50 – Cycling
0:58:40 – Kayak & Canoe
1:07:00 – Basketball
1:16:00 – Football
1:19:00 – Other Sports
1:26:00 – Favourite Moments

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August 10, 2021 0

Episode 277 – Olympics and More

277 – NRL, AFL, Motorsport, Olympics, Darts, Tour de France, NBA Finals

It’s a 4 man weave this week with Erik and Mendy joining the show to preview the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

First up it’s the NRL and Melbourne are clearly the class of the field at the moment. And they’ve been doing it without two of their best players.

The AFL is throwing up strange results every week. And this was no exception. Richmond beat Brisbane, but with Dusty Martin out for the season is their dynasty finally over? And the Melbourne Western Bulldogs clash this week should be a belter.

Supercars raced around Townsville again on the weekend. Where to now for a sport that doesn’t have a lot of available tracks right now? Oran Park and Lakeside are no longer options. In the F1 Hamilton dive bombed Verstappen. We’re not the British media so we won’t defend Hamilton on this one.

And then it’s the Olympic preview. We run through a few of the events we’re really looking forward to. Race Climbing seems to have captured the imagination of the whole team. The Basketball should be one of the most competitive on record. And Pies has found a couple of events that could bring about a world record.

We finish off with some darts, NBA Finals and Tour de France talk.

It’s a big show. But we had fun catching up.

0:00:00 – Preamble
0:13:00 – NRL
0:58:00 – AFL
1:21:00 – Motorsport
1:33:00 – Tokyo 2020 Preview
2:07:00 – Darts, NBA Finals, Tour de France

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July 22, 2021 0

Episode 251 – Red Bull Olympic X-Games

251 – Darts, Surfing, Motorsport, Olympics, Cricket, NFL, Soccer

Mendy joins Pies and The Producer in studio. We haven’t talked darts in a while so it’s back. Who are the best going around at the moment? Is there a dearth of talent at the top? Plus Mendy has been keeping up to date with the surfing from Hawaii and is poised to tackle the Dakar Rally.

The Olympic Games have included Break Dancing to the schedule for Paris 2028. And Pies is not happy.

The Wallabies had another draw with Argentina.

In the cricket, Australia and India split the 6 limited overs matches with India taking out the Dettol T20 Series 2-1. Hardik Pandya hit some long bombs and Glenn Maxwell has been in good form for Australia. But how good are the bowlers really?

All of a sudden the NFC East is looking decent with wins away for the Giants and Washington. Can they keep up the form this week? Plus the Rams moved into first place courtesy of the Seattle loss to NY.

In the Premier League, crowds were welcomed back but nothing has changed at the top with Tottenham continuing to dominate. Son and Kane bagged a couple of scintillating goals against Arsenal. Meanwhile Manchester City and United are lurking just outside the top 4.

All that and more from the newly streamlined Bats and Balls Podcast.

0:00:00 – Darts, Surfing, Motorsport
0:15:00 – Olympic Breakdancing & Speed Climbing
0:33:00 – Rugby
0:36:00 – Cricket
1:01:00 – NFL
1:10:00 – Soccer

Episode 229 – 2000 Cathy, Thorpey & Smashed Guitars

2000 Year in Review

We brought out the big guns this week. It was Pies’ choice to remember the year 2000.

Before we get into the year in review we kick off by taking a look at the current state of play.

The NRL title was taken out by the Broncos. Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor were the wingers and Luke Phillips played a blinder in a losing GF side.

Essendon were one of the best sides to ever play AFL. They won 21 of 22 during the home and away season and romped through the Finals to win the flag.

But the Sydney Olympics were the big story of 2000. We remember Cathy Freeman, Ian Thorpe, the 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, Tatiana Grigorieva and Jai Taurima. It was a golden Olympic Games for Australia and the best games ever.

Then we rattle home with the rest of the sporting world including 3/4 of the Tiger Slam.

Podium
Gold – Cathy Freeman
Gold – Men’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Team
Bronze – Venus Williams

0:00:00 – Current Sports
0:22:00 – NRL
0:47:00 – AFL
1:10:00 – Sydney Olympic Games
2:02:00 – Other Sports
2:12:00 – Pop Culture

Next Week – 1983

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The Games

The Dream – Americans

The Dream – Fatso The Fat Arsed Wombat

Cathy Freeman 400m

4 x 100m Freestyle Relay

May 1, 2020 0

Episode 226 – 1996 – Kalu, Kieren & Plugga’s Point

1996 Year in Review

Pies, Erik and The Producer are back to review 1996.

Manly beat St George in the ARL Grand Final after one of the bigger blunders in GF history. Dragons fans will tell you it was the turning point. But did they really look like threatening Manly coming from 7th against the minor premiers?

Sydney Swans gathered huge momentum in the AFL. Tony Lockett won the Coleman medal and the Swans made the Grand Final, ultimately losing to North Melbourne.

Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Australia made the final but they were no match for the co-hosts. Your memory may be of Kaluwitharana and Jayasuriya throwing the bat at everything. But was that actually the case?

Atlanta hosted to Olympics. There were quite a few great performances. Michael Johnson and Marie-Jose Perec won 200m 400m doubles. Donovan Bailey won the 100m and in the pool Kieren Perkins overcame lane 8 to stun the swimming world.

Plus the Chicago Bulls won 72 games and a title and Aussie Graeme Lloyd pitched in a World Series Championship won by the NY Yankees.

Podium
Gold – Tony Lockett
Silver – Kieren Perkins
Bronze – Aravinder de Silva

0:00:00 – ARL
0:27:00 – AFL
0:44:00 – Cricket World Cup
1:02:00 – Atlanta Olympic Games
1:18:00 – Other Sports and Pop Culture

Next week – 2005

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