Tag: 2021 Olympics

Leslie Jones delivers a hysterical NSFW rant about Olympic steeplechase qualifying

LOL.

The Olympics are nearly upon us, and once again, comedian/actress/host Leslie Jones is giving us the gift that keeps on giving: rants while watching amazing Olympics action.

This time, she’s going nuts over steeplechase, the track and field sport in which runners have to jump over obstacles (including over hurdles into puddles) as they race for the finish line.

It’s a pretty shocking sight if you’ve never seen a steeplechase, so you could completely understand this reaction.

As you might have figured out from the headline, there’s A LOT of NSFW language, including in the actual text of the tweet. So, WARNING: make sure to put on headphones.

Here you go:

We hope this means more Leslie Jones Olympics coverage.

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Field finalized for Tokyo Olympics men’s golf competition; Sergio Garcia out for Spain

Garcia and Dustin Johnson highlight a handful of the world’s best players who declined to compete.

Major champions Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen joined Masters and U.S. Open winner Dustin Johnson in declining playing spots in the men’s golf competition in next month’s Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The field of 60 was finalized Tuesday; the replacement list was also determined.

The men’s competition will be held July 29-August 1 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan. The women’s competition is August 4-7 at the same locale.

Representing the U.S. will be Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau. Johnson said in March he would not be playing if he earned one of the USA’s four spots. Patrick Cantlay is the team’s first reserve.

“I’m going. I’m so excited. It’s going to be one of the best things of my life,” 2020 PGA champion Morikawa said after tying for fourth in the U.S. Open last Sunday. “To think back that I was an amateur two years ago, literally two years ago, and to be on this team and to be heading to Tokyo puts a smile on my face.”

Garcia, who played in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and tied for eighth, will not join world No. 1 and newly minted U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm in playing for Spain.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I love the Olympic Games, but my first priority (is) to represent Spain on the international stage in the Ryder Cup. My number one goal is to identify in the European team without having to wait for hopeful invitations. Representing Spain in the Olympic Games is an honor and an enormous responsibility that requires 100% of your mental effort,” Garcia said in a message he posted on social media.

He will be replaced on the team by Rafa Cabrera Bello, who tied for fifth in Rio.

South African and 2010 Open championship winner Oosthuizen, who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open, was replaced by Christiaan Bezuidenhout. Germany’s two-time major champion Kaymer was replaced by Hurly Long.

Also deciding not to play were England’s Tyrrell Hatton, ranked No. 11 in the world, Matthew Fitzpatrick, ranked No. 21, and Lee Westwood, ranked No. 27. England will be represented by No. 20 Paul Casey and No. 33 Tommy Fleetwood.

The field was restricted to the top 60 in the OWGR. The world’s top 15 players would be eligible, with a country limited to four players. After that, players will be eligible based on the world ranking, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.

The medal winners from the Rio Olympics did not qualify – England’s Justin Rose (gold medal), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (silver) and USA’s Matt Kuchar (bronze).

Full Olympic men’s golf field, teams

Field finalized for Tokyo Olympics men’s golf competition; Sergio Garcia out for Spain

Garcia joins Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and Dustin Johnson in declining spots for the Olympics.

Major champions Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer and Louis Oosthuizen joined Masters and U.S. Open winner Dustin Johnson in declining playing spots in the men’s golf competition in next month’s Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The field of 60 was finalized Tuesday; the replacement list was also determined.

The men’s competition will be held July 29-August 1 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan. The women’s competition is August 4-7 at the same locale.

Representing the U.S. will be Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau. Johnson said in March he would not be playing if he earned one of the USA’s four spots. Patrick Cantlay is the team’s first reserve.

“I’m going. I’m so excited. It’s going to be one of the best things of my life,” 2020 PGA champion Morikawa said after tying for fourth in the U.S. Open last Sunday. “To think back that I was an amateur two years ago, literally two years ago, and to be on this team and to be heading to Tokyo puts a smile on my face.”

Garcia, who played in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and tied for eighth, will not join world No. 1 and newly minted U.S. Open champion Jon Rahm in playing for Spain.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I love the Olympic Games, but my first priority (is) to represent Spain on the international stage in the Ryder Cup. My number one goal is to identify in the European team without having to wait for hopeful invitations. Representing Spain in the Olympic Games is an honor and an enormous responsibility that requires 100% of your mental effort,” Garcia said in a message he posted on social media.

He will be replaced on the team by Rafa Cabrera Bello, who tied for fifth in Rio.

South African and 2010 Open championship winner Oosthuizen, who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open, was replaced by Christiaan Bezuidenhout. Germany’s two-time major champion Kaymer was replaced by Hurley Long.

The field was restricted to the top 60 in the OWGR. The world’s top 15 players would be eligible, with a country limited to four players. After that, players will be eligible based on the world ranking, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top 15.

The medal winners from the Rio Olympics did not qualify – England’s Justin Rose (gold medal), Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (silver) and USA’s Matt Kuchar (bronze).

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WATCH: Sha’Carri Richardson blows past the competition in 100-meter heat at Olympic trials

Sha’Carri Richardson dominated in Friday’s 100-meter heat, running a 10.84 to advance to the semifinals as the top qualifier.

The United States hasn’t had a woman win the 100 meters at the Olympics since Gail Devers won her second straight gold medal in 1996. But Sha’Carri Richardson gives the U.S. an opportunity to do just that next month in Tokyo, as evidenced by her dominant performance during Friday’s Olympic trials.

Richardson entered the weekend as the favorite in the 100 meters at U.S. Olympic track and field trials, and she showed exactly why during Friday’s heat, where she blew past the competition running a 10.84 to advance to the semifinals as the top qualifier.

While Richardson didn’t get off to the best start, she took control at the midway mark of the race to pull away from the competition. For comparison sake, second-place finisher Mikiah Brisco ran 11.15.

Take a look at Richardson’s dominating win. And, yes, she really is that fast.

Richardson’s performance left everyone impressed to say the least.

This is just the beginning for Richardson, who is a favorite to represent the U.S. in Tokyo. In April, she ran a 10.72, which is the sixth-fastest 100-meter time in history.

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Penn State men’s volleyball sending three former stars to Olympics

A trio of former Penn State men’s volleyball players is preparing to bring home the gold at this summer’s Olympics in Tokyo.

The Olympic roster for Team USA this summer in Tokyo continues to add a bit of Penn State flair. The newest additions to the Team USA roster include three former men’s volleyball players.

Matt Anderson and Max Holt were each named to the official 12-man roster. In addition, Aaron Russell was named as a team alternate.

This will be the third Olympic appearance for Anderson. Holt will be heading to his second Olympic Games. Both players were a part of Penn State’s 2008 national championship men’s volleyball team. Russell was a part of back-to-back teams that reached the semifinals.

Penn State is the only Big Ten school represented on the Team USA men’s volleyball squad. Long Beach State leads all schools with four former players on the official roster as an active player or alternate. BYU is the only other school with three representatives. Stanford (2), Loyolya University of Chicago (2), UCLA (2), Cal-Irvine (2), Hawaii (1) are the other schools with former players on the USA roster for the Olympics.

The Olympics are scheduled to begin on July 23, with the men’s volleyball tournament set to begin on July 24.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

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Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins commits to play for Team Canada in 2021

In the run to the 2021 Olympic games in Tokyo, Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins has committed to play for Team Canada.

After back-to-back losses in the Western Conference play-in tournament, Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is turning his attention to the 2021 run to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On Tuesday, the former No. 1 overall draft pick committed to playing for Team Canada on Instagram. Wiggins hasn’t suited up for Team Canada since 2015.

Wiggins will likely play a key role in Canada’s Olympic campaign alongside potential teammates Shai Gilegous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Lu Dort, Kelly Olynyk, Tristian Thompson and Brandon Clarke.

Starting in late June, Team Canada will need to qualify for a spot in the Olympics with a tournament in Victoria, B.C. If Canada can win their qualifying tournament against a field that features China, Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey and Uruguay, the team will clinch their first spot in the Olympic basketball tournament since the 2000 summer games in Sydney.

Via @22wiggins on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRqlGItI2X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Via @wigginsenterprise on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRsb1IFpsp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Wiggins is coming off an impressive first full season in the Bay Area, averaging 18.6 points on 47.7% shooting from the field and 38% from long distance. The Kansas Jayhawk product added 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals in 33.3 minutes per contest.

The 2021 edition of the Olympics is slated to start on Friday, July 23 in Tokyo.

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How to watch Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf try to earn a spot at the Olympic Trials

Guess will find out now fast he really is.

You know DK Metcalf is NFL fast. His downfield speed allowed him to become pretty much the perfect wide receiver for Russell Wilson last season, as he caught 83 passes for 1,303 yards.

Now Metcalf wants to test himself against the fastest sprinters the United States has to offer and has opted to run in the USATF Golden Games today in hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Trials in June.

Our Charles Curtis has already produced an exhaustive look at what we think we know about how fast Metcalf can actually be.

Track athletes, as USA TODAY’s Tom Schad reported, are excited to face Metcalf and presumably dispel the notion, once and for all, that any football player truly has “track speed.”

It’s not that they don’t believe Metcalf is a world-class athlete; they just know he hasn’t been practicing the specific skills needed to win this race as much, or as long, as they have. Here he is working on his start:

I’m the furthest thing from a track expert, but you can see here that, from this position, Metcalf appears to lack that elite burst you’d get from the best of the best.

Still, it’s going to be thrilling to watch him give it a try, right? Metcalf is scheduled to run in the 100m prelims, which start at 3:32 ET.

NBC has coverage of the event, so you have a few streaming options:

Metcalf didn’t run track in college and it’s not entirely clear how much training he’s done for this race, so he’s clearly an underdog. According to NBC, a 10.44 was good enough to advance to the finals in a similar recent meet. Metcalf, based on his 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine, could come close to that.

If Metcalf does make it, that race is scheduled for 5:03 and would be broadcast on NBC, and could be streamed via the following:

Metcalf needs a 10.05 to automatically qualify for the trials, but NBC says anything under a 10.20 would likely be good enough.

Hitting either of those marks would be amazing for Metcalf. And even if he doesn’t, he’s still very, very fast.

(You didn’t honestly think you’d get through this post without seeing this highlight, right?)

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Former Penn State fencer is heading to the Olympics

Andrew Mackiewicz has clinched a spot representing Team USA in Tokyo this year.

A year after the Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, spots for the delayed summer games are beginning to fill up. One of the latest world-class athletes to punch their ticket to the Olympics is former Penn State fencer Andrew Mackiewicz.

Mackiewicz was one of three new additions to Team USA’s men’s and women’s saber teams. Mackiewicz clinched his spot on the Team USA roster based on cumulative results over the past year. This will be the first Olympics experience for Mackiewicz.

Penn State will also be representing at the Olympics by former wrestler David Taylor, who secured his first trip to the Olympics in early April.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast: Will Penn State play Virginia Tech?

Penn State has rescheduled two games lost in 2020, but the series with Virginia Tech has shown no signs of life.

Remember when Penn State was scheduled to play Virginia Tech for the first time in 2020? Then a global pandemic hit and threw some massive curveballs at the entire sports calendar. The Big Ten decided not to play football at all and eventually opted to come back with a conference-only schedule, so there was no chance to see Penn State make the originally scheduled trip to Blacksburg to face the Hokies in Lane Stadium.

Hope for seeing this series hit the field is looking pretty bleak at the moment. Penn State recently scheduled games against two other non-conference opponents from its original 2020 schedule with future games against Kent State and San Jose State worked into the future schedule, but the moment may have passed for Penn State and Virginia Tech to get a makeup game or series on the books.

In today’s Locked On Nittany Lions podcast, we review the recent changes to the future Penn State football schedules and more. Other topics discussed in today’s podcast include:

Follow Locked On Nittany Lions on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and wherever else you get your podcasts. Or, you can catch today’s episode below and listen in your browser.

Follow us on Twitter @NittanyLionWire and like us on Facebook for continuing coverage and commentary on the Nittany Lions.

Former Penn State wrestling star David Taylor is heading to the Olympics

Former Nittany Lion wrestling star and world champion David Taylor outdueled another former Nittany Lion to punch his ticket to the Olympics

The legacy of Penn State wrestling is ready to hit the mats at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan later this year. David Taylor officially clinched his spot on the United States wrestling team for the Olympics on Saturday, marking his first trip to the Olympics.

To top it off, Taylor had to go through another former Nittany Lion wrestling star to do so. Taylor defeated former Penn State wrestler Bo Nickal for the top spot in the 86 KG finals with a 4-0 in the first of a best-of-three matchup, and 6-0 in the second. Taylor did not yield a point throughout the Olympic trials.

David Taylor, left, wrestles Bo Nickal at 86 kg in the finals during the fourth session of the USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials, Saturday, April 3, 2021, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Credit: Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services

Taylor was an NCAA gold medal winner in 2021 and 2014 and a finalist two other times during his time at Penn State. His international profile has already begun with a gold medal at the Pan American Championships in 2018 and 2019. He will be among the favorites in his weight class at the Olympics later this year.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.