Only interested in the football and some cycling. The rest is garbage.

Sixteen fearless predictions for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games

ANTICIPATION is building ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics as doping drama, health and safety concerns and medal predictions dominate discussion.

We predict the stories that will make headlines in Australia and around the world.

A BUMPY RIDE FOR RIO

Amid fears around crime, infrastructure, pollution and social unrest, Rio will get through its hosting of the Games but not without a hitch. Hopefully it will ultimate be a safe Olympics, but there are just too many issues not to expect a few dramatic headlines or events.

HEALTH FEARS TO BE REALISED

There’s been plenty of bad press about Rio’s polluted waterways and the fact they are carrying dangerous levels of disease-causing viruses. The fears will be realised when a handful of athletes fall ill and are forced to pull out of events in sailing, rowing or canoeing.

RUSSIAN ATHLETES TO COMPETE

Russian athletes are suspended from international athletics competition but officials will clean up their act just enough to convince the International Association of Athletics Federations the blanket ban should be lifted. However a ‘clean’ Russian team will take a big hit on the medal tally with the likes of Germany or France threatening their spot in the top three nations.

LIGHTING STRIKES THRICE

He’ll be pushed by Justin Gatlin all the way and there will be little in the finish. But Usain Bolt will confirm himself as one of the greatest Olympians in history, becoming the first man to complete the triple-triple — winning three successive Olympic titles in the two sprint events and the 4x100m relay.

SALLY TO SURRENDER OLYMPIC TITLE

Australia’s queen of the track Sally Pearson will throw everything at the defence of her London Olympic gold but a troubled build-up with injury will ultimately take its toll and prevent her from overcoming younger rivals including Jamaican world champion Danielle Williams.

MICHAEL PHELPS TO CRACK 20 GOLD MEDALS

Phelps — the most decorated Olympian of all time — is back for one last Games and his form this year suggests he’s not coming back just for a good time. While South African star Chad le Clos will make like difficult, Phelps will get at least one individual and one relay gold to improve upon his astounding haul of 18 gold medals.

LARKIN TO LEAD AN AUSSIE REVIVAL

The Dolphins had a dismal time in London, winning just a solitary gold for their worst performance in the pool in 20 years. But they’ll bounce back with at least seven six in Rio, setting the tone for the entire Australian team. Backstroker Mitch Larkin will lead the way with individual gold in the 100m and 200m events and Emily Seebohm will star for the women with up to four medals.

CAMPBELL SISTERS TO SHARE THE GLORY

Bronte Campbell upstaged older sister Cate to win both the 50m and 100m freestyle world titles but Cate will turn to the tables to win the 100m and Bronte will take out the one-lap splash and dash. The duo will also team up to help Australia defend its title in the women’s sprint relay.

AN AUSSIE ‘M’ TO WIN MEN’S 100m FREESTYLE GOLD

James Magnussen is still unofficially the fastest man in history with the fastest time (47.10 seconds) outside a ‘supersuit’ but injury has set back his preparations. He’s still capable of atoning for his London near-miss but it may well be the rising Cameron McEvoy who steals the show to become Australia’s first gold medallist in the event since Michael Wenden in 1968.

NEW ZEALAND TO DENY AUSTRALIA ANOTHER RUGBY CROWN

Wallabies Quade Cooper and Henry Speight will help fire Australia into medal contention, and Fiji and South Africa will be thereabouts, but the might of New Zealand featuring Sonny Bill Williams, Liam Messam and rising star Ardie Savea will dominate on their way to gold.

ELLIA GREEN TO BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME

Australia’s women’s sevens side is the current favourite for gold and in 22-year-old former sprinter Green they have an excitement machine capable of lighting up the tournament in Rio.

The 22-year-old was the Player of the Tournament at the recent Dubai Sevens, where she scored nine tries in six matches to help Australia to victory.

MEGARES TO CEMENT HER LEGACY

Already the most prolific track cyclist of all time and an Australian Olympic legend, Anna Meares will cap her remarkable Games career with gold in the women’s kieren to make it a remarkable fourth straight Olympics with a medal.

MARC LEISHMAN TO WIN AN OLYMPIC MEDAL

One for the longshot backers. With Adam Scott indicating he won’t play, we’re tipping Marc Leishman will join Jason Day in representing Australia and, having proved his ability to contend at the top level, will jag a place on the podium.

BRAZIL TO ACHIEVE RECORD MEDAL HAUL

Home advantage is huge in sport and the Olympics is no different with the host nation traditionally lifting. That, combined with the fact Brazil are already an improving sporting nation, will see the hosts smash their previous record haul of five gold medals at the 2004 Athens Games.

BOOMERS TO BATTLE FOR BRONZE

Australia has never won an Olympic medal in men’s basketball but an NBA-heavy Boomers squad looks primed to give it a decent shake in Rio. There’s Andrew Bogut, Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova just to name a few, while college superstar Ben Simmons could also be there. We’re tipping Australia can defy the odds to make the medal rounds and battle it out for bronze, possibly against the host nation.

TIM CAHILL TO SCORE FOR THE OLYROOS

Socceroos legend Cahill has scored in three World Cups and wouldn’t it be great to see him find the net for the green and gold at an Olympics? Should they qualify, Australia will be able to take three over-age players and at 36, Cahill is still among the nation’s most potent attacking weapons, so why not him?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/16-fearless-predictions-for-the-2016-rio-olympic-games/news-story/2c5816411cb72dfe5b58fc5fe8d7ad3e

I'm a part of an endurance family. I always watch the triathlon and swimming. Can't wait til I have the patience to put in the hard yards :lol:

On a related note, here's what my uncle did last month.

Going for a double crossing of the English Channel later this year.

Why no love for swimming? This group getting sent over is probably the strongest we've had since Sydney/Athens

Rio Olympics 2016: Analyst predicts Australia to shine in Rio, toppling Great Britain

A number cruncher is predicting a return to the glory days for Australia at the Rio Olympics, tipping a fourth-place finish on the overall medal tally.
Simon Gleave has been working the Olympic numbers for four years, putting them through a data-processing program as the head of analysis for US-based Gracenote, a sports and entertainment data provider.
Gleave is picking the US to top the table with 42 gold and 102 medals overall, with China second with 31 gold and 78 overall - the same order as London four years ago.


He has predicted Russia to finish third with 22, followed by Australia with 18, one ahead of Great Britain.

That would be a massive improvement on Australia's 10th-place finish in London and match the placing in Athens in 2004 and Sydney in 2000, when the host country also finished fourth. Australia's best gold medal haul is 17 in Athens in 2004.
It's one behind Australia's best-ever finish of third, back at the 1956 Games in Melbourne.
Australian Olympic officials are more circumspect, eyeing a fifth-place finish.
Gleave listed a number of break-out athletes including American swimmer Michael Phelps, who would collect five more gold medals and a bronze, bringing his overall total to 28 with a career gold-medal haul of 23.
"In terms of medal-count and order, it's going to be close to what we have," said Gleave, who in 2012 - using a less sophisticated program - predicted within four medals the results of 16 of the top 20 teams.
Gleave will issue updates again in June, July and August, just days before the August 5 opening.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/rio-olympics-2016-analyst-predicts-australia-to-shine-in-rio-toppling-great-britain-20160427-gog7n5.html

Nick Kyrgios calls Australian Olympic chief's bluff over Rio snub threat

Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Kitty Chiller, all but daring Australia’s Olympic team boss to overlook he and team-mate Bernard Tomic for the Rio Games.

Australian Olympic Committee chef de mission Chiller put the pair on notice last week after a raft of behavioural issues on and off the court.

Chiller spoke out in the wake of Tomic facing up to a match point in Madrid holding his racquet the wrong way – which came just days before the world No22 withdrew just eight minutes into his opening round match in Rome.

But after cruising to an easy first-round win over local wildcard Salvatore Caruso in Rome, Kyrgios returned serve over a possible Games snub.

“I mean, if you don’t want to pick me or Bernard, you know, there are plenty of others you can pick to represent your country as well,” Kyrgios said on Monday. “If you don’t want two of the best players in Australia to represent your country, so be it.”

Chiller described Tomic’s behaviour as “appalling” after the 23-year-old – when questioned about his match-point antics – said he didn’t care because he was worth $10 million.

Kyrgios admitted behaviour would be a factor in the pair’s selection, but defended Tomic’s actions.

“Yeah, for sure I think, you know, the behaviour has to be monitored going into the Olympics, representing your country,” Kyrgios said.

“But, you know at the same time I think, with Bernard’s case with that match point – I mean, its not easy playing Fabio [Fognini] on clay. It’s Bernard’s least preferred surface.

“I’m sure he competed nearly every other point in the match. I don’t really know what he was doing, but that one point he gets scorched for when he probably tried his heart out the rest of the match.”

While Tomic’s Italian Open campaign lasted less than 10 minutes due to illness, Kyrgios took care of Caruso 6-1, 6-2 to set up a second round clash against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic.

The win continues Kyrgios’s strong clay court form, but he remains wary of the challenge awaiting him in round two.

“I’m confident going forward, but, at the same time, Raonic’s got one of the best serves in the world,” Kyrgios said. “If he’s having a lights-out day when he does everything, you can’t really do too much.

Raonic recorded a tough 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over Italian Marco Cecchinato in the first round, while France’s world No7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has withdrawn from the tournament with a thigh muscle injury.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/10/nick-kyrgios-calls-australian-olympic-chiefs-bluff-over-rio-snub-threat

Time for another update. Tennis looking shaky as ever for Aus

Australia will win a record 18 gold medals at Rio Olympic Games, says sports data research organisation


AUSTRALIA will win a record 18 gold medals and finish fourth on the medal tally at the Rio Olympics, according to the latest predictions of an internationally respected sports data research organisation.

And should Russia be barred from competing in the athletics meet following last year’s drug scandal, Australia could leapfrog them into third place.

US-owned company Gracenote, a leading provider of entertainment and sports data to major corporations and sporting organisations including the Australian Institute of Sport, has Australia below only the US, China and Russia on its most recent “Virtual Medal Table”, with a predicted total medal count of 41 that includes 13 silver and 10 bronze.

Australia’s record gold medal haul is the 17 won in Athens in 2004.

The predicted 18 gold medals come mainly from swimming, with eight, then two each to rowing and sailing and one each to track cycling, BMX cycling, slalom canoe, shooting, men’s hockey and women’s rugby sevens.

In the pool world champions Mitch Larkin and Emily Seebohm are tipped to win two gold medals each in the 200m and 100m backstroke, with individual golds going to Cameron McEvoy and Cate Campbell in the men’s and women’s 100m freestyle, and Bronte Campbell in the 50m freestyle. The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay is also favoured for gold.

The other athletes tipped for gold are Jessica Fox (slalom canoe), Caroline Buchanan (BMX), Men’s Four and Kim Brennan (rowing), Warren Potent (shooting), Tom Burton and the pairing of Matt Belcher and Will Ryan (sailing), and the men’s team pursuit (cycling).

Australia’s only projected medal in track and field at present is a silver to walker Jared Tallent, although defending 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson – now ranked 12th in her event by Gracenote analysts – is expected to move into contention as she continues to produce improved performances after injury.

Australia’s world No.1 golfer Jason Day is tipped to win silver behind the USA’s Jordan Spieth.

Speaking from his base in the Netherlands, Gracepoint’s Head of Analysis, Sport, Simon Gleave, said the projections were based on extensive data collected over a four-year period between Olympics.

“We take into account all competitions of world class, such as world championships and world cups, for all 306 Olympic medal events over the four years,” he said.

“We weight them on two criteria, how recent they are, and the strength of the competition.

“We look at the top eight in each event and then through calculations using a set algorithm, we come up with a projected ranking.

“In events such as swimming and athletics we are able to take results of events through the Olympic qualifying period and, using the best time recorded, hold a virtual race to come up with the most likely winners.

Of course when it comes to actual Olympic competition anything can happen, but we calculate the projected results based on all the information available.”

With some countries still to hold their Olympic selections, the predictions will be continually updated but, as it now stands, Australia sits four gold medals behind Russia and only one ahead of fifth placed Great Britain with Germany a further two behind.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/olympic-games/australia-will-win-a-record-18-gold-medals-at-rio-olympic-games-says-sports-data-research-organisation/news-story/c93081a6c1b351074fee7e63ac9712fb

Nick Kyrgios hits back at Australian Olympics team chief Kitty Chiller, asks fans if he should go to Rio

Backed by Tennis Australia, Nick Kyrgios has reignited a war of words with Kitty Chiller ahead of the Rio Olympics by launching a fresh social media attack.

Instead of treading carefully after again being warned about his behaviour by the Australian Olympic team boss, Kyrgios took to Twitter to respond before launching a Facebook poll on whether he should go to Rio.

Chiller set the scene for fireworks in the wake of Bernard Tomic's Rio withdrawal on Friday when she claimed Kyrgios did not understand what it meant to be an Australian Olympian.

TA poured more fuel on the fire when it later released a statement backing world number 20 Kyrgios as the country's brightest chance of an Olympic tennis medal at Rio.

However, Kyrgios upped the ante with his social media response.

He took exception to Chiller's claim that he was coming off an ITF suspension.

Kyrgios received a fine and suspended ban last August for his crude "girlfriend" sledge of Stan Wawrinka.

"Coming out of suspension? What on earth are you talking about? I was never under a suspension ??????" he tweeted, before later deleting the post.

He stirred the pot further with his Facebook poll that asked followers whether he should go to Rio or should stay out of the Olympics.

"If you think the Australian Olympic tennis team would be better without me then comment on this photo ... BUT if you were the selector and you would want me out there battling for a medal LIKE and SHARE this picture."

The fans answered his question emphatically, with Kyrgios receiving 861 comments but 6,800 likes and more than 800 shares.

Tennis Australia comes out in support of Kyrgios

TA made clear where their loyalties lay following Chiller's comments on Friday.

"Since the disciplinary action taken against Nick last year, he's made a concerted effort to improve his performance and behaviour, and full credit to him," TA president Steve Healy said.

"It's unfortunate that he's been included unfairly in recent discussions on player behaviour that have not involved him."

Chiller would not speculate on whether world number 22 Tomic had beaten selectors to the punch by ruling himself out of the Rio Games on Friday.

But she made it clear what she thought of Kyrgios, saying she would be appalled if anyone repeated his antics at an Olympics.

Tomic and Kyrgios were placed on notice by Chiller last week after a raft of behavioural issues on and off the court.

Kyrgios made light of it via social media, referring to the team boss as "that Kitty Chiller", and all but dared selectors to overlook him for Rio.

"I think some of Nick's comments in social media have shown that maybe he doesn't understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian," Chiller said on Friday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-14/nick-kyrgios-reignites-rio-war-of-words-with-chef-de-mission/7414536

Rio 2016: Raelene Boyle rails against Nick Kyrgios and is no fan of tennis at the Olympics

FORMER track queen Raelene Boyle has urged Australia not to pick Nick Kyrgios in its Rio tennis team, believing his antics cheapen Olympic medals.

While Bernard Tomic has withdrawn from Games contention, Kyrgios intends to go and last week put up a bizarre Facebook post asking his fans whether he deserved to be chosen.

The Tennis Australia board met in Melbourne on Monday, where Kyrgios’ selection was discussed.

If, as expected, TA endorses Kyrgios’ nomination, the Australia Olympic Committee will next month either ratify his selection for the August Games or refuse to pick him on behavioural grounds.

Tennis Australia officials, never renowned for their courage in behavioural crackdowns, have started to rally behind Kyrgios, claiming his behaviour has improved over the past four months.

But Boyle, who won three silver medals in three Olympics, believes he is not worthy of selection.

“Kyrgios can’t go, it would be embarrassing if he went,’’ she said.

“I also believe tennis should not be at the Games.

“He just does not seem to have the morals. He manages himself very poorly. I am surprised that his management group and the people around him don’t seem to be doing anything.

“Someone should be saying to him “c’mon mate, just concentrate on the tennis and represent your country with pride’.

“You just don’t need people from around the world saying ‘that Australian guy, my god.’

“I am not saying I was perfect. I had a few run-ins. But I was not rude and I did not disrespect my competitors.’’

Boyle echoes the growing opinion that tennis does not belong at the Games.

“The sad thing in these guys cheapen the medals for everyone else. And I am talking about people whose lives have been based around winning those medals,” she said.

“The trouble is that the Olympics is not the pinnacle of these guys sport. It is just a novelty of finding out what the Olympics are about rather than having worked hard and trying to get there.’’

Kyrgios’ Olympic selection is far from a formality with chef de mission Kitty Chiller deeply concerned by his behaviour, not the least being several potshots at her on social media including one which referred to her as “that Kitty Chiller.’’

Chiller has been on a two-year crusade around Australia urging Rio bound athletes to behave responsibly and she has said that after standards flagged at the last Games in London, behaviour is as important as medals in Rio.

“I’ve said all along it’s not just about winning on the court, it’s how you go about it,’’ Chiller said.

“If he thinks going along to the Olympic Games is wholly about winning — sure, we want everyone to win — but it’s about behaviour on and off the court.’’


http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/olympics-2016/rio-2016-raelene-boyle-rails-against--nick-kyrgios-and-is-no-fan-of-tennis-at-the-olympics/news-story/217ce5b1ed2c13494a4eb860ca16e4bc

Andy Murray defends Nick Kyrgios over ongoing feud with Australian Olympic Committee

WORLD No.2 Andy Murray has defended Nick Kyrgios amid criticism of the tennis star from the Australian Olympic Committee.

The AOC’s chef de mission, Kitty Chiller, has threatened to snub Kyrgios for this year’s Rio Olympics over his behaviour, but Murray can’t see what all the fuss is about.

“I know him away from the court and he is a good guy,” Murray told the UK Daily Mail.

“He is funny, polite, he makes fun of himself, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. And I think he does seem to be learning all of the time.

“Every week just now he’s doing well. He’s playing matches, he’s travelling more, he’s playing more events. So I hope for him that he is there (at the Rio Olympics).

“I don’t really understand it, but I guess because tennis players are some of the more famous ones, everything that they do gets seen, on a daily basis almost. But I think Nick’s behaved pretty good this year.”

Those comments echo the thoughts of Tennis Australia president Steve Healy, who has given Kyrgios his full backing.

“It’s unfortunate that he’s been included unfairly in recent discussion on player behaviour that has not involved him,” Healy said.

“His performances this year have been markedly improved and it’s obvious he’s showing more maturity.”

On Friday, Chiller fired a verbal volley Kyrgios’ way over a tweet in which he called out the team boss.

“We have had nothing official except for some ill-advised, shall I say, comments about me and what it means to be an Olympian,” Chiller said of the tweet.

“I think some of Nick’s comments in social media have shown that maybe he doesn’t understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian.

“It is not just about winning on the court - it’s about how you go about it.”

“And if he doesn’t understand that ... I’ve said all along it’s not just about winning on the court, it’s how you go about it. If he thinks going along to the Olympic Games is wholly about winning — sure, we want everyone to win — but it’s about behaviour on and off the court.

“As with any athlete. There are a couple of athletes on notice. Nick has just come off a suspended sentence from his International Tennis Federation. Any athlete that has just had a disciplinary action from their international federation is on watch.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/andy-murray-defends-nick-kyrgios-over-ongoing-feud-with-australian-olympic-committee/news-story/c1dc44473eaa16f701744686e79cb765