Olympic Correspondent Royer- Olympic Review Day 1-3

While I was off melting in NC and definitely not crying while attending my first real wedding this past weekend, Olympic Correspondent Royer was vigilantly stuck to his couch in his American Flag tank top, vigorously and thoroughly inebriated off the Olympic Fever that has spread across the Atlantic from London.  Lucky for you all, Royer's Olympic Fever broke long enough to recap the opening ceremony and the first 3 days of competitions, while also giving us a look ahead to the next few days of swimming, shooting, sword fights, tumbles, flips, reach arounds, paddling, rowing, pinging, ponging, and anything else you could think of that may deserve precious medals.  So take your vitamins, remember to hydrate, and get ready for a big dose of 'MERICA! because Royer's fever is contagious!

First days of Competition

Since this is the first weekend of Olympic Competition I am making a list of Firsts that happened over the past three days. I am also going to assume ya’ll don’t live under a rock so I am regularly going to skip some of the bigger stories. You don’t need to hear me talk about Jordan Wieber crying for a while or Phelps getting fourth. That shit is everywhere. This is an advanced blog and I plan on giving ya’ll a more in-depth look. Buckle your seat belts.

First Time I seriously considered if an army of Mary Poppins could defeat Voldemort.

Do I think it would be an interesting fight? Yes. Do I think the Marys could win? Yes I do. In the long run their sheer numbers could wear him down. They aren't afraid of shit. Do I think it was weird as fuck? Definitely. Overall I think the opening ceremonies got a little funky after the first hour. The beginning was slow at first but really started growing on me. The pastoral scenes with Maypole, smoke stacks, men in muttonchops everywhere & a forged ring were very British. The children in beds, teens texting & house party scenes just didn't do it for me. They finished strong with the cauldron lighting by a group of teens fooling everyone that was speculating on what famous person would light it. So overall I give London a B for opening ceremonies. I’m going to forget the awkward love story and glow in the dark beds by the weekend so no real harm done.

First time Japan medaled in the women’s team archery event

This was one of those random events that I instantly got into. Team archery is fun to watch because while you think archery is a very individualized sport the format pits team against team in a face paced and suspenseful way. Japan had an athlete named Miki Kanie pronounced Connie. With the goofy bucket hat and Velma glasses how could you not instantly want her to win? I was rooting for Japan until I saw Ksenia Perova. She can do archery and probably break some faces. She would have kicked the shit of out Katniss. It came down to the last arrow from Russia. Ksenia needed a 10 but she only got an 8. Congratulations Japan.

First time I didn’t find women’s beach volleyball sexy.

I understand it is chilly when they play at night. But the fake sports bra over the t-shirt reminds me of a water park. Step it up London. But on a more serious note all the US beach volleyball teams are doing great. Misty & Kerri still haven’t lost a set. They are not as dominant but still know how to handle the pressure and kick some ass when they are tied at 18.

First time a woman in the 53kg category lifted 131kg in the clean and jerk.

Zulfiya Chinshanlo is a teen prodigy from Kazakhstan and lifted 288 pounds. That is like lifting a fat jaguar above your head. Insane. I watched this competition at work. Unfortunately streaming weightlifting doesn't have commentary so I had no clue what was happening but still impressive. But on a bigger note have you noticed a lot of Kazakhstan athletes & teams these games? They already have two golds which ties their gold haul from Beijing and it is only day 4 (the other was men’s road race). They might have just joined my countries to permanently cheer for list.

First time anyone alive has seen Great Britain win a team gymnastics medal.

Once large mistakes started spreading through the United States performances like disease in the movie Contagion I started cheering for the home squad of Great Britain. They have a ginger, sasquatch junior & someone with one of the worst haircuts I've ever seen. Eclectic bunch but the royal family was out and home soil always makes some miracles happen. When Japanese superstar Kohei Uchimura basically fell off the Pommel Horse we all thought GB had won the silver. Next thing you know a Japanese coach is waving a wad of money in the judges faces and suddenly they have the silver medal and Ukraine has nothing. I know the payment is part of the rules but I thought this was one of the most Un-Olympic things I've seen so far. I don’t know who to blame but I applaud the British spectators for booing. Those silver & bronze medals are tainted and someone should have to take care of the ravens for a while as punishment.

Gold Medals are happening all the time so here is a fast & furious rundown of things to watch and my predictions:

Tuesday

Women’s 200m IM

China’s Ye Shiwen beasted the 400 IM and would have beat Lochte in the last 50 free. Watch out for another gold and freakishly fast performance.

Men’s Skeet

US’s Vincent Hancock & Norway’s Toe Brovold are the favorites both holding a 125 record. We already have the women’s gold medalist. Royer’s Prediction: Gold-USA Silver-Norway

Women’s Gymanstics Team Final

Hopefully the choking disease the US men got didn’t transfer to the women. I’m looking at John Horton specifically, he looks handsy.

Wednesday

Women’s Singles Table Tennis

China is looking to go 1-2, like always.

Men’s Gymnastics All-Around

Can the men shake off the team final? Can Danell hide under his towel any longer to make things go away? Royer’s Prediction: Danell takes bronze.

Women’s Sabre

USA Flag bearer goes for her third gold.

Mens & Women’s Cycling Time Trials

America needs some redemption after the road race event. Taylor Phinney looked pissed and I think both teams are fired up.

Royer’s Prediction: Between men & women we walk away with 2 medals.

Men’s K-1

USA kind of sucks at the white-water canoe & kayak but still fun to watch. Royer’s prediction: Poland's Mateusz Polaczyk takes gold.

Thursday

Men’s 200 IM

Phelps v Lochte round 2.

Mens 200m backstroke

Lochte has been great but not legendary so far. I think this will be his come back.

Rowing Women’s 8

US women have been dominant. Royer’s Prediction: Golden Perfection for USA.

Women’s gymnastics All Around

I think tonight’s team will have some impact. Royer’s Prediction: Bronze for local favorite Ali Raisman.

Women’s Team Foil

Italy swept the individual. If they don’t win they are getting a prime location on the upset page of the scrapbook.

Royer’s Prediction Scorecard

Correct: 3

In the ballpark but still wrong: 2

Not even close: 1

Until Next Time here is an album courtesy of NBC Olympics of women’s beach volleyball players in bikinis and a few close-up booty shots to counter-act the water park chic trend of these games: http://www.nbcolympics.com/photos/beach-volleyball/the-women-of-beach-volleyball.html

Nick's quick Olympic rant of the day: 

My beef with the IOC comes from the deplorable state of the Olympic Equestrian events.  All we hear about is the granddaughter of the queen, 14th in line to the throne, bumming a ride around on some poor horse who's doing all the work, jumping over shit.  Or Mitt Romney's wife owning one of the horses, essentially blazing a campaign trail all over the poor animals's moment of competitive glory.  Well, I believe the IOC is out of focus, can we please remember who the real athletes are? When the medals are handed out, who gets the medals?  The hard working horse who did all the work or the freeloader who showed up dressed like they were headed to a dinner party with the Duke of York?  What size are the medals?  Hello, Olympics, can we please get some properly sized medals for the horses! So what if most medal winning horses will end up bartering their newly won medals for 3 tons of oats, 40 bushels of apples, and a retreat to the luxury mating farm in the Hampton's, that's their hard work, they earned it!  Instead the lazy freeloaders from the prep schools get all the accolades, while the horses are left in their stalls, bereft of proper amenities fitting world class athletes.  Give the horses their dignity back!

Olympic Correspondent Royer: Olympic Preview Part 2

While I'll be in North Carolina attending a wedding this weekend (congrats Jake and Meredith!), Olympic Correspondent Royer will be unresponsive on his couch.  No, he won't be dead, I hope his brain can withstand the excitement of London 2012 kicking off tomorrow. He'll be in his wheelhouse for the coming weeks, watching as much Olympics as humanly possible (he might be on HGH in order to watch more than humanly possible, we haven't tested him yet so there's no way of knowing).  So if Royer has taught me anything recently it's "Stop it! Don't try to make bus friends, start making Olympic friends! Now give me back my team USA magazine!" (actual quote that happened... true story).  May I present, the greatest thing since Sergeant Stubby,  Olympic Correspondent Royer's Olympic preivew, part duex!: 

Olympic Preview #2: First Weekend of the Olympics

I’m sitting at work watching the Olympics. This will basically be my life for the next two weeks. My boss already caught me watching soccer yesterday and did not seem to have a problem with a tiny soccer video in the bottom of my screen. I am a capable multi-tasker and feel no guilt. Suck It. I would also like to give ya’ll fair warning that streaming the Olympics while not at home takes some time to figure out. I almost punched my computer in the face yesterday out of frustration. Things that really grind my gears include not being able to watch the Olympics, people that wear non-athletic clothing while running & bananas. Short list but you don’t want to be on it.

Women’s soccer played yesterday and beat France 4-2. France got off to a quick start but we came back and won easily. It was definitely not an amazing performance by our gals but I don’t think we need to worry yet. This also lets me introduce a new contest: Hottest 5 Olympians. There are two criteria: hotness & a medal. Also, the hottest Olympian will need to win a gold medal. Alex Morgan, you are a strong contender, win the gold and you have a good shot at being numba 1. You just need to keep Brazil under-control.  They embarrassed Cameroon yesterday with some self passes and other absurdities. I don’t want to see any of that shit against us.

Looking towards this weekend gold medals are going to come fast & furious starting Saturday. To help you all prepare I have selected some events you might want to check out.

Saturday

Men’s 400 IM: Lochte V Phelps round 1. Sounds like Phelps has been a Slacking-Off Susan lately and is not in shape enough to win this one (http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/sports/2012/07/10/tyler-clary-calls-out-michael-phelps/). Royer’s Prediction: Lochte beats Phelps

Women’s 4 x 100: Big race for the women as it could be Missy Franklin’s first medal and Natalie Coughlin matching the record for most successful female Olympian. I’m rooting for you ladies!

Women’s Individual Foil: Italian superstar Valentina Vezzali has won the last 3 gold medals and is going for the big numba 4 in a row, kind of a big deal. There is an American Lee Kiefer that is ranked #5. She looks like she is 12. Let’s hope we don’t get our own version of the Chinese Women’s Gymnastics 14 year old scandal that happened last Olympics.

Men’s Team Archery: We are ranked NUMBA ONE! But South Korea has won the past 3 Olympics. I feel like we are going to blow this one so unfortunately my bet has to be on South Korea. They have the Olympic momentum. Royer’s Prediction: Gold-South Korea Bronze-USA

Sunday

Men’s Weightlifting 123 pounds: I have no idea who is favored to win, probably China but watch this and see very small men lift crazy amounts of weight. Its insane.

Women’s Weightlifting 117 pounds: Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon of Thailand. Longest name award? I am going to watch just to learn the pronunciation.

Men’s 100 Breaststroke: Japan’s Kosuke Kitajima is a cheater (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5714746/), someone please kick his ass.

Judo Men’s Half Light: So my favorite country besides the USA is Mongolia. Don’t ask why (http://www.southparkstudios.com/clips/153634/mongolian-eradicator). The scrapbooks have a special section dedicated to Mongolia. Mongolia got their first gold medal in Beijing. They naturally celebrated aggressively. Khashbaataryn Tsagaanbaatar is set to do some work in this event.  I also consider myself a connoisseur of recent Mongolian Film (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_Mongolia . Royer’s Prediction: Mongolia adds to the gold medal count.

Women’s Diving 3m springboard Synchro: USA hasn’t won a diving medal since 2000. From what I saw in the trials we need some miracles. Royer’s Prediction: China continues diving dominance.

Monday

Men’s 100 Backstroke: MATT GREVERS GET ER DONE. One of my favorites.

Women’s 100 Backstroke: Missy Franklin can you handle the pressure? I say yes, she isn’t going to pull a Katie Hoff. Get it Girl (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/swimming/story/2012-05-19/missy-franklin-surprise-dancing-denver-broncos/55076482/1) Royer’s Prediction: Missy Franklin gets her first individual gold medal.

Men’s Gymnastics Team: I think this is going to be very fun to watch and I am going to get a little crazy with my prediction. I know Chinese athletes as a whole are known for their consistency and accuracy but I think not being on their home turf will make a difference. Royer’s Prediction: Gold-Japan, Silver-USA, Bronze-China.

As always, please enjoy the Olympics responsibly. And by responsibility I mean get drunk, cheer aggressively for random sports and athletes and savor these moments. It will be another four years before they come around again. God Speed. And to get you even more pumped here is a song by Muse for the London Games:

-Olympic Correspondent Royer

Olympic Correspondent Royer: Olympic Preview Part 1

Olympic Correspondent Royer is back again this week to get you all pumped for the Olympics, which start a week from today.  Enjoy!

Olympic Preview Part 1

Olympic Correspondent Royer back on the case. We are almost a week away from the Opening Ceremonies and the US women’s football team takes the field next Wednesday against France (BOOO) for some preliminary pool play. SO EXCITING. For this preview I’m going to discuss a shortlist of things you should look out for during the games. (Next week expect a more athlete & sport focused preview).

Weird Mascots-I googled Olympic mascots and here are the results:

There are some recognizable animals in the mix like platypus, bear, rabbit & sasquatch. But the Chinese Power Ranger Bears, Izzy from Atlanta & Gumby blockheads from Torin get one of these from me: 

London is keeping a solid tradition of absurd mascots. The wikimachine told me they are supposed to be drops of steel or something. Their pear shaped bods and single eye remind me of a level one video game bad guy that help you learn the controls like jump and fireball. What I love most about mascots like Cyclops 1 & 2 are the bar conversations that arise over what they remind you of. So starting thinking of weird things you can shout out when that inevitable conversation starts. Olympics!

Stupid Controversies-I couldn’t call myself an Olympic Correspondent if I didn’t address the first of what will be many stupid controversies that ruffle some feathers until world records start getting broken. Yes it is unfortunate that Polo had the outfits made in China. But Dear Politicians, you can’t say jackshit. The US Olympic Committee is funded privately and not by the state of Nevada (I donated a stitch to help our team, did you? https://raiseourflag.teamusa.org/Content/index.aspx). The uniforms for the Opening Ceremonies look great. Super Classy and Super American and I am damn proud of Polo being our team’s sponsor. 

On a different popular story regarding poon-goss in the Olympic Village: Drop down and get your Eagle On Gurlz & Boyz.

Non American Sports- Things I didn’t learn in gym class but love watching include team handball, judo, competitive weightlifting, water polo & archery. These athletes get some attention once every four years and I like to give them some loving. I don’t know the rules of handball. 

Have no clue about scoring or the competition format in archery. Don’t understand the difference between defense and molestation in water polo but it does not matter. Pick a new sport that you have never seen. The commentators usually do a decent job of explaining the basics and pick some random to cheer on. Even if they grew up on the other side of the planet they probably waded up a creek with friends growing up just like you. Show someone random some loving and get over-excited about a sport you couldn’t explain even though you are jumping up and down that your person won.

Opening Ceremonies-The Chinese opening ceremonies were ridiculous. If you haven’t watched them you should be deported from the planet, no exceptions. 

How will London follow with a severely smaller budget? No clue and I honestly don’t like to think about it because it will reduce my wonder factor on July 27^th. The lighting of the Olympic torch is a hot topic and I want to see the queen pull a Katniss and fire an arrow through a flame held by Kate into the torch. We will need some excitement after the parade of nations and I think that could do the trick. The opening ceremonies are my Superbowl so if we are in the same room please prepare to get punched multiple times out of excitement. You don’t have to put much thought into these just be ready for some awesome.

Learning all about a Foreign Country-Former tennis player and Bryant Gumbel lackey Mary Carillo always puts extra effort into making special reports on the culture of the host country. While I feel like we all know a decent amount about our neighbors across the pond (we did revolt against their tyranny many moons ago) I’m excited to learn some new stuff. In Beijing she talked about panda porn and back in Salt Lake she called men’s double luge a “bar bet gone bad.” I think we can expect great things from Mary for these games. Will she try to re-create her own stone henge? Will she join some hooligans in a street fight? We only have to wait a week to find out. Mary, please bring your A game. Readers, please get ready to get your learn on.

And last but not least: OLYMPIC PARTIES! I am co-captain for a bar night next Thursday that will be Olympic themed and involve medals at the end of the night. What are you doing to get in the spirit? I also will always wear at least one piece of red, white or blue clothing the entire duration of the Olympics (underwear included, don’t question my patriotism or I will eagle flash you). The Olympics are the perfect excuse to drink a few extra beers on a Wednesday night because it is men’s team table tennis finals…duh. So get your red, white & blue, Olympic shirts (best bday gift ever) and beer cozies ready. It is going to be the best two weeks ever. 

Golf Swings, Freeze Pops, and Holla's

Nick Goes Golfing
Do they let gingers on the PGA Tour?  Probably not, and for good reason (sunburns, ability to speak to snakes, lack of depth perception/care of the well being of others, etc.), but that hasn't stopped me from endangering the men, women and children that haphazardly inhabit the surroundings of local golf courses where errant tee-shots and deadly slices from the rough pose constant threats to their safety (I know all you riders of the 45 bus at 6am last Friday enjoyed my beautiful my tee shot on the first hole, which nearly smashed into your bus and bounced along side for a wonderful break from the monotony of your early morning commute).  As a relative golf novice, in my recent outings I've found an achievable goal to be not losing all your balls and refrain from throwing/hurling your clubs (sadly even if just for fun its still frowned upon).  Having played a round of 9 holes last week on the William J. Devine course across the street from the Franklin Park Zoo (yes, that's the zoo that gorilla broke out of a few years back), I can proudly say that I lost only 3 balls and somehow managed to actually make par on the par 4 3rd hole (albeit, with a delay due to the sprinklers turning on, which definitely caused me to miss my birdie putt...).  So with my recent successes in mind, here's my 5 funny videos of other peoples golf swings, that are way awesomer/awkward than mine!

1.) Charles Barkley- I have to start with the best, Sir Charles, the round mound of rebound!  He could prolly beat me real good in a round of golf, but his swing is just silly awesome!  Plus, its a montage!

2.) Darren Mills?-  For the record, when I yell, "give 'em the funny one!", this is what I'm referring to.

3.) Jon Daly- I feel like this video, and golfer in particular, needs very little explanation.  The dude hammers golf balls for a living and enjoys beer, cigarettes, and women, what more need I say?

4.) This Guy- I guess this some guy (as in "look at this fucking guy"). Surprisingly he hit it pretty good, but I think he flopped a bit and shouldn't get the foul call...

5.) Happy Gilmore- Actually it's Padraig Harrington doing the Happy Gilmore swing all in the name of science, but you get the idea, greatest golf swing of the 90's!

HR DERBY CHALLENGE:
This past Monday evening was Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby.  It has become an annual tradition of sorts for my friends and I to convene and watch these grown men try to bash the balls.  For those of you who missed it, this year's derby took place in Kansas City, various highlights/low-points (you can decide which is which) included Prince Fielder winning, MLB wallowing in all the Gatorade promotional money, Chris Berman wearing a snazzy tie, Adam Jones helping John Kruk take down a platter of locally produced ribs, all of Kansas City booing the shit out of Robinson Cano, and Hall of Fame former Royal, George Brett, showcasing an incredible knack for professionalism at the broadcast table.  Yet all this was trumped by the annual challenge (fantasy/drinking/eating game) played by my friends and I while watching, this year we used a hybrid of beer and freeze pops.  The rules are simple, everyone selects/assigned one of the 8 participants in the derby.  When your guy is up, its your turn.  If he hits a home run, you tell someone to drink or eat a freeze pop. If he swings and miss, you drink/eat a freeze pop (if you're hitter was Robinson Cano, like Philpott, and hit zero homers, you finish your beer).  Gold ball (last ball of round) counts as double.  Various socials include kids in the outfield falling/diving, something funny happening, home run hits something funny, etc., you get the idea.  This year I ended up doing the Freeze Pop Challenge during one of Prince Fielders turns, which consisted of eating two whole freeze pops as fast as possible (I wasn't that fast, disappointing indeed, but I'm willing to give it another go).  A fun way to spend a Monday night in July, you should prolly try it next year.

Now, I present a list of "This weeks I'll holla's at you":

• Good luck and safe travels to my brother, Matt, who is once again off to Ethiopia.  This time I expect you to return with some type of wildlife for me to play with, preferably a monkey.
• I'm happy to report that my god daughter is close to, if not already, taking steps (f*** baby steps, Cory stomps around!), as well as being the cutest and most accomplished baby swimmer since her father, Robert Walter, was back in the spring of 1989.  Also Cory resides over the "2nd district court of judging the shit out of Olympic Correspondent Royer", where she's stern but fair, and you'll always know when it's time to play/yell in restaurants.

Cory and Walter

• Preliminary gutting stages of the yet to be named boat project I've been working on (as part of a team on with Walter and OCR, as well as others) are near completion, with hopes of getting the boat into an actual boat yard soon.  With some luck, we'll be out of the high seas come 2014...
• I would like to take the opportunity to wish Olympic Correspondent Royer a happy birthday today.  In the Olympic Countdown to London we are 2 weeks away from the opening ceremonies, so you know OCR is having a grand ole time these days!  Today's Olympic betting line is the number of times Royer will stay home from work, social outings, and other appointments to watch the Olympics: +/- 9.5.
• During the holiday week ('MERICA!), Kevin and I (but mostly Kevin) decided helped out our landlady Marlene with some yard work one evening, hilarity ensued.  We found some random stuff buried in weeds and vines in the backyard we never use, including a vintage bike with a locked back wheel, a boogie board, and dog leash line.  Less than 2 months left in Davis, but when else are we gonna live behind a library above an old woman?

Marlene and Kevin, I took this picture, told her we were sending it Juan who was on vacation.

This Week in Bear News: While this is neither news or from this week specifically, my travels on the interwebs led me across this warning sign for bears, enjoy.

Olympic Correspondent Royer!

Editor's note: I'm proud to present the second guest blog, the first of, hopefully, many Olympic related posts by Olympic Correspondent Royer.  Royer has plenty of credentials including: he worked at a zoo once, fifth degree master of jorts/cut-offs, "bus-friend of the year 2009"- mbta bus route 34, plenty of street cred, and a bucket brimming full of AMERICAN PRIDE that's just sloshing around and over-flowing, getting all over everyone's shit, just how America likes it!  Enjoy! 

Greetings & Olympic Trial Recap

What happens every four years, is the best sporting event ever & gives me a reason to scrapbook? The Summer Olympics! Olympic correspondent Royer signing on to give the first of many guest blog posts about the London Games.

NERD!!!!

All true Americans watch gold medal finals like Men’s Basketball, 100 meter dash or swimming. I follow it all. Being a history/museum nerd I also like to document it with summer Olympic scrapbooks (and yes, I am seasonist and don’t put as much loving into the winter games but that will change in the future, don’t worry).

My Sydney scrapbook is a hodge podge of random sh*t shit (editor's note: Royer, swearing is not only allowed, but encouraged... I thought this was AMERICA?). I was 13, planning ahead was not one of my strong suits. My Athens book is everything I could fine in a colossal 3 feet x 2 feet monstrosity. Captain hindsight tells me that will be a pain in the ass to keep forever. For Beijing I picked individual teams or athletes from each sport. While my American flag hat, bathing suit & tank top say my patriotic level is on turbo I do have some athletes & teams from other countries that I always route for as long as they are not competing against USA.

For this year’s scrapbook I will be doing…THEMATIC PAGES. So to give a recap of the US Olympic Trials I will talk about some general themes plus a few of my favorite events & athletes.

We’ll Keep on Fighting Till the End: The trials are always a little hard to watch because four years is a long time in Olympic Athlete years (check this out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/sports/profiles-in-speed/age/sports-by-age.html). Dara Torres, Nastia Liukin & Bryan Clay all gave it their best but the Olympics are a young man’s game. The crowds gave them standing ovations and their Olympic dreams are over but my scrapbooks say they are still awesome.

We Are Young, So Let’s Set the World on Fire: As we all said goodbye to the stars of 2008 we also started cheering on and learning the faces of the future. Ashton Eaton set a world record in the decathlon. Youngster Missy Franklin qualified in four individual swimming events, set some records, and got jiggy with it on stage during her high school send-off assembly. Gabby “Flying Squirrel” Douglas won the all around competition while Needham local Ali Raisman also made the gymnastics team.  I don’t know about ya’ll but I am very excited to see them bring home some hardware.

Kick a little ass, ROCK, FLAG AND EAGLE! Our sprinters, Lochte & Phelps and men’s gymnastics team are all expected to be a force in these games. Like always, America is 2 legit 2 quit. Swimming, Track & gymnastics brought home 64 of our 110 medals in 2008. These are are sports and we are once again set to dominate.

My New Favorite Face:  Mckayla Maroney (center of photo). When the women’s Olympic team was announced she was one of the only girls not crying hysterically. This was especially good when the men’s team came over and creepily started trying to dance with all the 16 year old girls. She is also a sick nasty vaulter.

Biggest Disappointment: Alyson Felix got beat. No it’s a tie. It is going to be a run-off. Or not. It was a long week of following Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh and their drama of the last 100 meter spot that ended with an empty track and disappointment. Come on Jeneba, at least do it for the sport of Track and getting more people interested in an event that lasts 11 seconds.

My Olympic Hopeful: Galen Rupp. He won the 5k & 10k in the trials and I’m hoping he can help the United States get back on the distance running map. He is a goofy Oregon boy, following in the footsteps of greats like Pre, how can you not want him to win?

I hope ya’ll are counting down the days to July 27. I will be back with some previews but until that epic day here are three things to think about:

1. How do athletes get started in the modern pentathlon?
2. Who would win in an archery match, Robin Hood or men’s individual champion?
3. Will the Spice Girls be making an appearance during the opening ceremonies?

~Olympic Correspondent Royer

Olympic Countdown: 20 Days
This week's pre-Olympic Betting Odds: Spice Girls make an appearance at opening ceremonies (-150)