Olympics 2024

Hi everyone,

So I know the opening ceremony was a bit of a letdown and was offensive to some. I'd only watched a little bit before getting bored. The ballet tableau alone was distasteful but hey ho every opening ceremony is different.

I'm not condoning the behaviour at all, I just can't comment on it as I turned it over before things kicked off in a serious manner.

But what I can comment on is how amazing Team GB, Team USA, Team Ireland and Team Australia are. I've been watching the Gymnastics and the Swimming and I have to say in both sports there has been some intense competition.

First off Adam Peaty of Team GB what a swimmer! He has taken the sport to new heights and bless him tested positive for Covid on Monday. He's hoping to be well for the relays at the end of this week. Get well soon Adam!

Then we have Rebecca Downie who is such an impressive gymnast and who puts 110% in everything she does. Her uneven bars routine from yesterday's Women's Team final was out of this world. And although Team GB came 4th today I am super proud of them for all they've achieved in the Olympics so far.

Team USA's swimming team are succeeding rapidly. I mean Torri Huske and Nic Fink are taking the Olympics by storm. It is incredible to see how much work and training is put into each athlete to be able to compete in the Olympics.

And Team USA's Gymnastics Team are on fire. The great Simone Biles is back and she's making her mark again. Taking gold with Team USA yesterdayin the Women's Team Final- wow what an accomplishment! She's been through a lot since Tokyo 2020 and I am so proud of her for speaking up as well.

Team Ireland have made the history books this year with a gold medal and bronze medal in the swimming and I couldn't be prouder. Mona McSharry is from County Sligo which isn't far at all from where my dad grew up in County Mayo. She got the bronze medal in the Women's 100 metre breaststroke which is an amazing achievement to behold. And Daniel Wiffen- wow I am absolutely bawled over with his gold medal in the Men's 800 metre freestyle. What an accomplishment for both of them!

Team Australia has been coming on leaps and bounds in the swimming in particular this year. So far their best competitors are Mollie O'Callaghan, Kaylee McKeown and Ariarne Titmus. What a team. It just shows you how hard each team work in their sports and how much effort you have to put in to even be considered for the Olympics.

Overall I am impressed with how all 4 teams I have mentioned above have advanced this year thus far. What a challenging Olympics is has been so far and the competition has been very close.

The standings so far are as follows:

1. JAPAN

2. CHINA

3. AUSTRALIA

4. FRANCE

5. SOUTH KOREA

6. USA

7. GREAT BRITAIN

8. ITALY

9. CANADA

10. HONG KONG

11. GERMANY
    

12. KAZAKHSTAN

13. SOUTH AFRICA
    

14. BELGIUM

15. IRELAND

16. AZERBAIJAN

17. NEW ZEALAND

18. ROMANIA

19. SLOVENIA

20. SERBIA

21. UZBEKISTAN

22. BRAZIL

23. SWEDEN

24. KOSOVO

25. MEXICO

26. POLAND

27. TURKEY

28. FIJI

29. GEORGIA

30. MONGOLIA

31. NORTH KOREA

32. TUNISIA

33. INDIA

34. MOLDOVA

35. CROATIA

36. EGYPT

37. SPAIN

38. GUATEMALA

39. HUNGARY

40. SWITZERLAND

41. SLOVAKIA

42. TAJIKISTAN

43. UKRAINE
    

But there is still a lot of Olympics left to do this list could change dramatically!

Unfortunately Japan & China were off their game yesterday in the Women's Team Final of the Gymnastics. A few falls and mistakes are very costly in terms of difficulty and also in terms of execution as well as deductions. They are usually teams to beat alongside team USA but yesterday it just wasn't their day and it was clear on their faces that they weren't happy with their performance. But they will have another chance at the international games later this year.

Whose your favorite team so far? Have you been watching the Olympics? What's your favourite sport? Who are you rooting for?

Let us know!

Lily xxxx