5 Summer Olympic Storylines To Follow
Kon'nichiwa world.
This week marks one year until the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo. They’re already off to a better start than Rio (although that’s probably no surprise to anyone) and there are new athletes and events in the spotlight.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. Baseball and softball are on the dance card for the first time in 12 years. A women’s softball game will be the first event of the 2020 Olympics. It’s being held two days before the Opening Ceremony and will be played in Fukushima, the site of the 2011 nuclear plant meltdowns. YOU GLOW GIRL HAS A WHOLE NEW MEANING
2. Karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will make their Olympic debuts. Hopes are that by adding these sports, more millennials fall in love with the Olympics. That being said, don't count out the “old” guys. There’s talk that 47-year-old surfing icon Kelly Slater might make a run at the inaugural event in Tokyo. NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S GAMES
3. Some of your favorite Americans are expected to return to Tokyo. The U.S. women soccer team is eyeing their first World Cup-Olympic back-to-back championships, Simone Biles will be the veteran on the gymnastics team, the “Flying Tomato” Shaun White could swap a snowboard for a skateboard and the queen of U.S. track, Allyson Felix, is on her journey back after an emergency C-section in November sidelined her. HI OLD FRIEND
4. Sponsors are clearly excited about the games with $3 billion already spent on domestic sponsorships, a record three times more than any other Summer Olympics. Mother Earth is excited too because the medals will all be made out of recycled gadgets, i.e. that old cell phone. SPIRIT FINGERS
5. Two storylines that are sure to be part of the conversation leading up to the games include the rules put into place by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) that limits the ability of certain athletes with high levels of testosterone to compete as women. Enter South African runner Caster Semenya, who claims the IAAF used her as a guinea pig to see how regulating her testosterone levels via medication affected her performance on the track. Then there’s New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard, who could become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics. Hubbard, who formerly competed as Gavin Hubbard, began transitioning six years ago and has been taking the weightlifting world by storm. THE CENTER OF DISCUSSION
Wednesday Wisdom
Let’s talk shop with the top three biggest stories in sports today including who is getting a little cosmetic work done, why we'll never be able to afford a sports team and proof men drive women to drink? READ
When I Met You In The Summer
The weather is heating up and so is the conversation. Stay cool with your newfound sports knowledge.
The weather is heating up and so is the conversation. Stay cool with your newfound sports knowledge.
Own the weekend,
The Last Night’s Game Team
World Cup
When you pledge allegiance to the flag. Despite being one of the top teams in the World Cup, Spain fired their head coach days before the tournament began in Russia. They play soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and his talented Portuguese team today. Spanish fans might be a little conflicted because Ronaldo hails from Portugal but plays professionally in Spain for Real Madrid. Also watch for Gerard Pique, singer Shakira’s partner and baby daddy, who plays for Spain. 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD CUP
Overtime
Minor League baseball teams are known for their zany publicity stunts and these two are no exception. After a fan vote, a Staten Island team is changing their name to the Staten Island Pizza Rats for a few games this season, as an ode to a hungry subway rat. Not to be outdone, the St. Paul Saints will become the "Raccoons" for one game in honor of the heroic raccoon that scaled a St. Paul office building and captivated a nation earlier this week. IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE
Sideline stat
Who said diamonds were only a girl’s best friend? The Super Bowl winning Philadelphia Eagles (NFL – National Football League) received their championship rings and my how they sparkle with their 219 diamonds. Amongst the many carefully considered features, the ring has a dog mask to signify the team’s role as the ultimate underdogs in the postseason and for the first time ever, they’re inscribed with the player’s own signature. PICS
Coaches’ corner
It was a rough first day at golf’s U.S. Open Tournament. Not only was the traffic on Long Island horrendous, taking some players three hours to get to the course, but the actual golf was pretty tragic too. Tiger Woods made a veteran move, staying on his $20 million yacht near the course but that still didn’t help his game. Known for being a challenging course, Shinnecock Hills sent the players home yesterday with the highest average scores in 25 years. TRAFFIC STINKS
What to watch
All eyes will be on Russia and Omaha, Nebraska this weekend. (We never thought we’d say that in the same sentence). The College Baseball World Series starts tomorrow and features eight college teams ranging from the defending champion Florida Gators to first-timers like the Washington Huskies. The double elimination tournament runs through June 27. SCHEDULE & TEAMS
BBQ Banter
Wrapping up a three-day weekend with quick read so you can dominate today’s BBQ with the right small talk, an epic pool float and the perfect poolside cocktail.
Wrapping up a three-day weekend with a quick read so you can dominate today’s BBQ with the right small talk, an epic pool float and the perfect poolside cocktail.
Just don't bring the Indy 500 victory drink for the host,
The Last Night's Game
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you feel like you’re doing three people’s jobs. King James still reigns supreme as his team beat the Boston Celtics last night in game seven to head to the NBA finals. Even though this will be LeBron James’ eighth consecutive appearance in the finals, some say this is his biggest feat yet because he has carried his team on his shoulders for the entire season.
Overtime
Hanging out in exotic locations with models is an average Sunday for quarterback Tom Brady (NFL – National Football League). Decked out for a white party, he spent his time at the Monaco Grand Prix (F1 – Formula One Racing) yesterday with model Bella Hadid at a sponsor event. He also took time to toss the football with race winner (see coaches’ corner). BEST DAY EVER?
Sideline stat
There’s still a chance for a rematch of the past three years of the NBA finals, featuring the Cavs and the Golden State Warriors, if the Warriors win tonight. Steph Curry and his team are in Houston to take on the Rockets in game seven tonight.
Coaches’ corner
Yesterday was a great day to be from the land down under, with the Aussies taking home victories in both the Indy 500 (IndyCar) and the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. First, Daniel Ricciardo dominated the picturesque course in Monaco, celebrating his victory with his signature shoey – a celebratory drink out of the shoe he wore for the race. (More like eewey). BOTTOMS UP
Then there’s Australia’s own Will Power, who chugged the traditional Indy 500 victory cocktail, a nice bottle of milk, after racing in scorching hot temperatures. Although all eyes were on Danica Patrick, whose racing career came to an end with a crash less than halfway through the race. INDY
What to watch
What happens in Vegas is certainly not staying in Vegas tonight in the first of seven games in the battle for the Stanley Cup (NHL – National Hockey League). This is the first time in 20 years the Washington Capitals have been in the finals and it's the first year on the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team. ARE YOU READY FOR IT?