August 7th 2024
How bout’ Gabby Thomas? Lost in the Biles, Ladecky groundswell, her 200 (m) performance in a word: sensational!
Folks in Western Massachusetts especially giddy today; Thomas is from Northampton, Mass.; went to the prestigious Williston/Northampton School and graduated from Harvard with a degree in neurobiology.
Her family has great connections at UMass/Amherst thru her father; she has a twin brother Andrew and the Thomas family is beloved throughout the Bay State.
Just an amazing young lady and family!
Watching the Romanian gymnast being taken down by a post defacto scoring adjustment was sad to watch. Ana Barbosu —- no athlete at ANY level — should never be subjected to such humiliation.
So let’s see? The score change was the result of a recognition of the U.S. gymnast’s “degree of difficulty?” Why do the judges get a “mulligan” on their scoring acumen? Pay attention to the routines and know every facet thereof!
This is a disgrace! US gymnast Jordan Chiles received a 0.1 upward boost knocking Barbosu off the bronze medal spot on the podium. The U.S. coaching staff initiated the appeal. The rules allow for it. Change the rules.
Romania’s Prime Minister is boycotting the Closing Ceremonies— can’t blame him.
If it’s the Olympics there’s going to be both breathing moments of accomplishments and unnecessary despair to young athletes who already are challenged mentally by intense media coverage.
Ana Barbosu was subjected to cruelty & abuse. Her country will honor her as a medal winner. Beautiful move. But they can’t erase the video of a humiliating snub on a global stage.
Pray that some good can emerge from this or, if nothing else, the stupidity and laziness of the judging panel gets its due.
Watching Freddie Freeman come up to the plate after a 10 day absence to attend to his ailing son was heartwarming. The Dodger superstar returned to LA from a road trip upon word his son was diagnosed with Guillen-Barre’s syndrome— a serious neurological affliction.
Freeman was showered with a standing ovation, rival Philadelphia Phillies players doffed caps and touched their hearts and FF wept openly. Gulp.
Brittany Griner, meantime, rebuffs the U.S. National Anthem at the Olympics which is sick and mind-boggling.
Griner served 9 months in a Russian jail possessing drug paraphernalia while playing in the country two years ago.
President Biden facilitated an inmate swap to free Griner giving up a felonious arms dealer in exchange for
her immediate freedom.
She expresses her gratitude by turning her back on our anthem? On an Olympic stage with millions watching?
And Caitlin Clark doesn’t make our Olympic team?
