Swimming

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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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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