The Tokyo Olympics - A Success Or A Fail? You Be The Judge.
COVID was a non-starter, Tokyo went over budget by 400% and then there are Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart.
Photo: Instagram/Olympics
On all accounts, the Tokyo Summer Olympics have gone off without incident, but that doesn't necessarily mean one would consider them a success. We cover the good, the bad and the ugly of this year's Summer Olympics.
Go team go,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Good
You can't talk about this Olympics without talking about COVID. The pandemic delayed the games a year, and while there were fears of a total outbreak, it seems like the precautions worked. A few high-profile athletes like John Rahm (golf) and Coco Gauff (tennis) tested positive, but overall, COVID was a non-event. WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT?
Americans Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky continued to dominate in the pool. He won five gold medals, and she made history, winning her sixth individual gold. There is no word on Dressel's future, but Ledecky has already promised that she'll be back for 2024 in Paris. LIKE A FISH
Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart's commentary on the Olympics was the unsung hero of the Games. They've covered everything from Tonga's shirtless flag bearer to Tom Daley's gold medal-winning synchronized dive. Although our favorite moment has to be their take on the dressage routine by Mopsie, the "rave horse." CAST THAT PONY IN A MUSIC VIDEO
Bad (Turned Positive)
Being a good sport is in the DNA of the Olympics, and we have to look no further than the track and field competition. First, Isaiah Jewett (USA) and Mijel Amous (Botswana) collided during the 800-meter race, falling. The two picked each other up and finished the race together. IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, JOIN 'EM
In the high jump, after tying Mutaz Essa Barshim (Qatar) and Gianmarco Tamberi (Italy), were offered a chance to have a jump off to determine a gold medal winner or share the gold. The two agreed to share the gold. The exclamation mark was Tamberi leaping into Barshim's arms to celebrate their co-victory. NICE GUYS TIE FOR GOLD
It seemed like a death sentence for US Women's Gymnastics (and NBC's ratings) when Simone Biles dropped out of the team all-around and subsequent events. But not so fast. With Biles out, her teammates Suni Lee (gold – all-around), Jade Carey (gold – floor) and MyKayla Skinner (silver – vault) all medaled in individual events. Every member of the US Gymnastics team went home with a medal, including Biles, who earned a silver (team all-around) and bronze (beam). STEPPING UP
Ugly
The biggest gut-punch was to the city of Tokyo. It’s estimated that the city spent around $35 billion to put on the Olympics - a far cry from the initial $7.3 billion budget. With the games being delayed a year and no Olympic tourists, it’ll be tough for them to recoup their costs. According to a University of Oxford study, each Olympic Games since 1960 has overrun its budget by 172 percent on average. This Olympics is over by 400 percent. OUCH
It may all work itself out by the end, but the overall TV ratings have been down for the Olympics. Some cite the time difference, confusion on where to catch the coverage and prominent name athletes exiting competition early. The ratings, which are down 42% from Rio 2016, may cause NBC to make right with some advertisers. They sold more than $1.25 billion in commercials and are paying $1.1 billion for broadcast rights. (Keep in mind that doesn't include production costs, salaries, etc). AS LONG AS IT'S IN THE GREEN
The Rundown: The 5 Most Talked About Sports Moments of 2016
It wouldn’t be the end of the year without a host of lists to celebrate the year that was. We’re bringing you the most talked about sports moments of 2016. Chatting to your NYE date has never been easier.
Break out the bubbly,
The Last Night’s Game
The five most talked about sports moments of 2016
- Cubs win! The Chicago Cubs (MLB - Major League Baseball) ended their 108-year championship losing streak by coming from behind in the World Series to defeat the Cleveland Indians. Chicago went wild with an estimated five million fans attending the victory parade.
- Summer Olympics in Brazil. The Zika scare. Ryan Lotche’s late night antics (and maybe his hideous blue hair?) landed him in hot water. Michael Phelps retired with 28 career Olympic medals, 23 of them gold. Swimmer Katie Ledecky became the most decorated female of the Rio Olympics. The U.S.A. women’s gymnastics team, The Final Five led by Simone Biles, dominated the competition.
- Championship Cavs. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA (National Basketball Association) championship, ending the City of Cleveland’s 52-year professional championship drought. LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and their Cavs were down three games to one but managed to take home the title over the Golden State Warriors.
- Take a knee. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (NFL - National Football League) started taking a knee during the national anthem to demonstrate police brutality and racial oppression. No matter how you feel, the protest propelled the conversation and motivated action around the nation.
- Legends retire. Everyone’s favorite quarterback and five-time MVP Peyton Manning called it quits after winning the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos (his second Super Bowl victory). Although post retirement he's still starring in primetime, but in advertisements.
Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers were terrible in his final season of basketball but the 18-time all-star still went out on top with five NBA Championships. He and his wife welcomed their third baby girl during his retirement. Better than 73-year-old Mick Jagger who’s still working and having babies.
- Honorable mention. Jimmie Johnson won his seventh career NASCAR championship, tying the record set by driving legends Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty.
Overtime
- Northwestern University will wear stickers on their helmets to honor Craig Sager, an alum of the school. Sager, who lost his battle with cancer on Dec. 15th, was one of the most respected sideline reporters in sports and was known for his colorful outfits.
Sideline stat
- In 2000 the Fertitta brothers purchased UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) for $2 million. In 2016, they sold it $4 billion, the most expensive transaction for an organization in sports history. Glad we don’t have to pay those taxes.
Coaches’ corner
- The sports world lost so many sports icons this year including "The Greatest" boxer Muhammed Ali (74), sports reporter Craig Sager (65), women's basketball coach Pat Summitt (64), Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez (24) and the storied golfer and namesake of your favorite refreshment Arnold Palmer (87).
The Rundown: Weekend Wrap Up - Medal Monday
We had Olympic fever all weekend and there’s no signs of it stopping. While you might not believe it, there are other sports happening now as well. Don’t worry – we’ve got you. You’re going to be the hit of the water cooler this morning.
Chatty Cathy,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Summer Olympics
- Record shattered. Swimmer Katie Ledecky beat her own world record and won gold in the 400-meter freestyle swim. Previously, Ledecky dominated in the London Olympics winning her first gold medal at just 15-years-old.
- Badass bruising. With a win in yesterday’s relay race, Michael Phelps won his 19th career gold medal (23rd medal overall). If you were curious about the round bruises on his body, they're not crop circles. Phelps was simply channeling his inner Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow. Those bruises were from cupping, an ancient Chinese technique using suction to increase blood flow to relieve muscle tension.
- There’s a first time for everything. Serena and Venus Williams encountered an Olympic first. They we’re knocked out of medal contention with their first Olympic loss as a doubles team. The number one ranked duo lost to an unranked Czech Republic team.
- Cracking job. French gymnast Samir Ait Said left the crowd speechless but for all the wrong reasons. He literally snapped his lower leg in half on his vault landing. To add insult to injury, paramedics dropped his stretcher on the way out of the arena. Talk about kicking a man when he’s down.
- The deets. U.S.A leads medal count with 12. Click for the complete medal count and for a schedule of events.
MLB (Major League Baseball)
- This used to be my playground. New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez announced he will play the last game of his career this Friday. Rodriguez has had a record career that was tainted by steroid use and was a tabloid regular for dating Hollywood starlets (think Madonna and Cameron Diaz). He will remain with the team through next year as a “special adviser” while bringing home the remainder of his $275 million paycheck. For the record, the Yankees are having one of their worst seasons in a long time.
NFL (National Football League)
- The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony went off without a hitch this weekend. The Hall of Fame Game scheduled to follow? Not so much. The game between Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was cancelled due to field conditions. The paint used on the field for the midfield logo and end zones was too hard which threatened player safety. In a silver lining moment, the teams held a makeshift fan fest for those in attendance and their money will be refunded.
Overtime
- Team Russia was banned from the 2016 Paralympic Games for allegedly violating international doping rules. International Paralympic Committee President Philip Craven said Russia has "catastrophically failed its para athletes. Their medals-over-morals mentality disgusts me."
Sideline stat
- Miami Marlins’ Ichiro Suzuki reached a career milestone this weekend hitting his 3,000th career hit. He is only the 30th player in baseball history to reach that milestone.
Coaches’ corner
- We were stumped while watching Team U.S.A. play in volleyball yesterday. Why? We weren’t sure why there was one team member in a different colored jersey (in this case a red shirt vs the team’s white ones). Answer? That player is called the libero; a player that chosen specially for defense – they cannot serve or spike, but can play anywhere on the court.