#tennis at the summer olympics 2024

[stateofsport211]

📸 🎥 Eurosport LV

The second set turned out to be a similar battle to the first, but it came down to experience. The first four games ended with service game holds (2-2), but C. Alcaraz minimized the deficit through his volley before he held his serves to 3-2. A forehand pass allowed the Spanish second seed to be a point ahead somewhere in the game, but Novak still held his service game to 3-3.

Interestingly, in the next game, the first seed's final volley went out for an equalizer before C. Alcaraz held his serves to 4-3. It took two more games before he produced a successful volley in response to Novak's lob, but the latter's preceding forehand minimized the gap even further before Novak's forehand winner forced the deuce even if C. Alcaraz held his serves to 5-4.

Several games later, the tie-breaker became inevitable, and it was all to play for as it could affect the flow either way. Novak's forehand winner secured the early mini-break to 1-0 before he held to 2-0, and he had not looked back since despite being mini-broken back, scoring a cross-court forehand winner to 3-2 before holding his serves to 4-2 thanks to his forehand down-the-line winner. By then, Novak went after C. Alcaraz's forehands, whose errors from such wing contributed to Novak's match point creation. Ultimately, Novak took the second set 7-6(2) thanks to his forehand winner, finally securing his gold medal after a long wait.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Zhiying Zeng’s eyes begin to sparkle and her gestures become more animated as she recounts the day her lifelong Olympic dream came true.

She had to wait longer than most athletes, too: At 58 years old, Zeng will be one of the oldest Olympians at Paris 2024.

But for Zeng, whose Olympic journey began in China in the 1970s and culminated in qualification for Chile’s table tennis team earlier this year, it was worth the wait.

She had even retired from professional table tennis aged 20 – something which allowed her the opportunity to uproot her life in Asia and move across the Pacific Ocean to Chile – and at one stage went almost 20 years without playing.

“It was the biggest dream of my life,” she tells CNN Sport with a thick, unmistakable Chilean lilt.

“Even when I was a little girl and they would ask me what my dream was, I would say: ‘Become an Olympian.’”

Chile has now been Zeng’s home for 35 years and she is as Chilean as they come.

She is known in her adopted country as ‘Tania’ – because Chileans struggle pronouncing the Z in her name – and her favorite dish is pantruca, a kind of dumpling soup.

She also eats beans, a staple of the Chilean diet, every week.

Zeng loves empanadas, too, but doesn’t indulge too much now that she’s an elite athlete again. “Too many calories,” she laughs.

From China to Chile

Zeng was born in Guangzhou in 1966 and picked up a paddle almost as soon as she was physically able.

Her mother was a table tennis coach, which meant the then-government housed the family next to a sports complex, allowing Zeng to train every day and surround herself with professional players.

She was trained by her mother until the age of nine when, Zeng says, she became a typical grumpy child that didn’t want to be coached by a parent.

So her mother enrolled her in a school that employed a table tennis coach and after nearly two years, aged 11, she entered an elite sports academy.

Even in China, by far the world’s most dominant table tennis nation, Zeng’s talents were evident from an early age.

She became a national junior champion and won several regional tournaments before turning professional at the age of 12.

When she was 16, she was called up to the Chinese table tennis team for the first time.

“So many players in China have that dream because it’s so hard to achieve,” she says.

However, in 1986, two years before table tennis made its Olympic debut at the Games in Seoul, the “two color rule” was introduced, meaning the two sides of the paddle now had to be different colors instead of both black.

Zeng explains that the two faces of the paddle produce different types of effects on the ball and she would regularly rotate it in her hand to confuse opponents.

The different colored faces meant opponents could better predict her shots.

“The change of rules affected my game a lot,” she recalls. “That’s when I had a big downturn and left the national team.”

It was a painful moment for Zeng, who says she idolized players who were not much older than her that had already become Asian or world champions, and she was desperate to follow in their footsteps.

But the rule change paved the way for the next chapter in Zeng’s remarkable story.

In 1989, she received an invitation to coach schoolchildren in Arica, a city in northernmost Chile.

It was a job she adored, but it wasn’t until 2003 that she picked up the paddle to play competitive table tennis again.

She wanted to introduce her son, who was 13 at the time, to the sport in order to drag him away from playing too many video games and watching too much television.

In 2004 and 2005, Zeng comfortably won two national tournaments but once again stopped playing when her son was old enough to go to training on his own and travel with the team’s coach.

Third time’s a charm

Zeng only picked up a paddle again when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

“More than anything, just to exercise because we weren’t doing anything locked down in the house except eating!” she laughs.

“I got the bug and, once we were able to leave, I immediately wanted to play against someone to see what level I was at – and see if I could I still run or not.”

She contacted the federation in Iquique, where she lives today and owns a furniture business, and was soon playing – and winning – regional tournaments against mostly men given there were few female players.

“That gave me a lot of confidence,” she says.

“I had no problems with running, with fatigue or anything. I wanted to know how much more I could do.”

In 2022, the Chilean Table Tennis Federation sent an announcement to the regional associations that it was hosting a tournament to put together a team for the 2023 South American Table Tennis Championships.

Despite her success, Zeng was skeptical about going.

All of the best players in the country would be there and she doubted that she would be able to keep up.

In the end, she only went because a friend managed to convince her.

“‘Go and find out if you can compete or not. If not, at least you’ll be left with no doubts,’” she recalls her friend telling her. “I thought she had a point.”

Zeng qualified for the team, of course, and led Chile to first place in the team tournament, while also coming second in the singles and women’s doubles.

“I forgot what I was afraid of and what I was worried about,” she says.

But it wasn’t until the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago that her life really changed.

After her first appearance at the tournament, Zeng became a national icon overnight.

After losing the first two sets in her opening match, Zeng rattled off four straight to win 4-2 in front of her new adoring fans.

Chileans gave her the nickname ‘Tia Tania’ – Auntie Tania – and the AP reported that one young fan said he had gone just to watch the “table tennis grandma.”

Even Chilean President Gabriel Boric became a fan and congratulated her on a “tremendous” victory.

Zeng, who will play Lebanon’s Mariana Sahakian in the preliminary rounds of Paris 2024 on Saturday, says being in Santiago as an athlete during the Pan Am Games was a surreal experience.

She spent much of her time with other athletes, going out to dinner and taking photos.

“I lived like that when I was 15,” she says, recalling her time as a professional in China.

“It had been a long time since I experienced something like this. I was like an excited teenager again. I forgot I was 56!”

It proved to be a successful tournament on the table, too, as Zeng won team bronze for Chile alongside Daniela Ortega and Paulina Vega.

Zeng’s sons also noticed that her Instagram following had grown by almost 10,000 in a matter of days and had to teach her how to use social media, so she could keep her hordes of new fans updated.

Finally, 38 years after she gave up on her Olympic dream, Zeng qualified for Paris 2024 at a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Lima, Peru, in May this year.

Zeng says she didn’t sleep at all the night before the deciding game as she played out every imaginable scenario in her head.

On match point, when she went to collect the ball, her mind again began to run wild.

“Calm, calm,” Zeng, who says mental fortitude is her biggest asset in table tennis, repeated to herself. “You’ve got one more point.”

After winning match point, the emotion of everything she had experienced in the sport came flooding out.

Her father, who is 92 and regularly visits her in Chile, and her brother stayed up until 5 a.m. in China to watch the match, while her husband and friends were in Lima to celebrate the moment with her.

“My dad was able to see his daughter qualify for the Olympics,” she says, visibly emotional.

“He used to take me to training and to matches when I was a girl and now at 57, I made it. I made it.”

[qweenofurheart]

I’ve been thinking of making a zine about sports or tennis—not that i necessarily have a lot to write about—i want to make a booklet that’s similar to a photography book, but with drawings.

[tasiaadams18art]

Tennis Paris 2024.

[ollieflopkins]

The fact that the euros, the copa america, wimbledon, and silverstone/f1 triple header are all happening at once is perhaps peak human experience

[sonic5421]

The People's Republic of China absolutely earned this gold medal after the drought since Athens in 2004. Amazing work from Zheng. She deserves that passing out in joy after winning the gold.

Zheng Qinwen (郑钦文) becomes the first Chinese tennis player in history to win an Olympic gold medal in singles after defeating Donna Vekić in two straight sets (6–2, 6–3) on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Stade Roland Garros, 3rd August, 2024. This ends China's twenty-year wait for an Olympic gold medal in tennis since the women's doubles victory in 2004.

[fyhuangxiaoming]

Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming is spreading the joy after his cousin, Chinese table tennis athlete Chen Meng, took home a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Huang, 46, celebrated on Weibo after Chen, 30, defeated her Chinese teammate Sun Yingsha in the women’s table tennis singles final on Aug 3 with a final score of 4-2.

[aquamarine-dream-queen]

Paris 2024 Summer Olympics Day 11: Tennis

Two can play at that game. But nonetheless, everyone wins when we have fun.

[flyertemplates]

Athletic Games Flyer Template is very modern psd flyer that will be the perfect invitation for your Sportsbar Event or party! All elements are in individual layers and the text is fully editable!

2 PSD files – 4”x4” with 0.25” bleed + 1080×1080 Rgb Social Media Ready

[petersong2]

Paris Olympic Games 2024 is almost here🎉

Les Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 approchent🎉

Se acercan los Juegos Olímpicos de París 2024🎉

Die Olympischen Spiele 2024 in Paris stehen vor der Tür🎉

Si avvicinano le Olimpiadi di Parigi 2024🎉

Os Jogos Olímpicos de Paris 2024 estão a chegar🎉

Olympische Spelen Parijs 2024 komen eraan🎉

Tá Cluichí Oilimpeacha Páras 2024 ag teacht🎉

Paris 2024 kommer🎉

Paris 2024 er på vej🎉

Pariisi 2024 on tulossa🎉

Párizs 2024 jön🎉

París 2024 er að koma🎉

Paříž 2024 se blíží🎉

Paríž 2024 sa blíži🎉

Pariz 2024 prihaja🎉

Έρχονται Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Παρίσι 2024🎉

Paris 2024 po vjen🎉

Париж 2024 идва🎉

Paris 2024 se apropie🎉

Paris Olimpiyat Oyunları 2024 yaklaşıyor🎉

2024 年巴黎奧運即將到來🎉

パリ2024が近づいています🎉

파리 2024가 다가온다🎉

Paparating na ang Paris Olympic Games 2024🎉

Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 akan datang🎉

Olimpiade Paris 2024 akan datang🎉

Paris 2024 đang đến🎉

ปารีส 2024 กำลังจะมา🎉

पेरिस 2024 आ रहा है🎉

প্যারিস অলিম্পিক গেমস 2024 আসছে🎉

પેરિસ 2024 આવી રહ્યું છે🎉

పారిస్ 2024 వస్తోంది🎉

पॅरिस 2024 येत आहे🎉

பாரிஸ் 2024 வருகிறது🎉

ಪ್ಯಾರಿಸ್ 2024 ಬರಲಿದೆ 🎉

Paris 2024 is coming🎉

‎دورة الألعاب الأولمبية في باريس 2024 قادمة🎉

‎پیرس 2024 آ رہا ہے۔🎉

#Paris2024 #Paris #France #Olympics #reels #sports #パリ2024 #OlympicGames #JeuxOlympiques #SummerOlympicGames #JuegosOlímpicos #OlympischeSpiele #Olimpiadi #JogosOlímpicos #OlympischeSpelen #París2024 #OlympijskéHry #OlimpiaiJátékok #OlympiskeLege #OlympiskeLeker #OlympiskaSpelen #Olympialaiset #파리2024 #deportes #sport #travel #Olympia #Ólympíuleikarnir #IgrzyskaOlimpijskie  #Ολυμπιακοίαγώνες  #olimpiaijátékok  #ओलंपिकखेल #Παρίσι2024 #অলিম্পিকগেমস  #โอลิมปิก #news #ஒலிம்பிக்

#trip #summer #July #olympiques #Olímpicos #Olimpíadas #オリンピック #巴黎奧運 #올림픽

#奧運 #SukanOlimpik #journey #tourism #ओलंपिक #অলিম্পিক #Olympics2024 #openingceremony

#football #rugbysevens #Handball #archery #shooting #badminton #rowing #volleyball #equestrain #fencing #hockey #Jodo #ArtisticGymnastics #basketball #Diving #swimming #skateboarding #tennis #BeachVolleyball

#waterpolo #Roadcycling #Canoeslalom

#TableTennis #Boxing #ArtisticSwimming

#Athletics #basketball3x3 #breaking #CanoeSprint #BMXFreestyle #BMXRacing #MountainBike #Roadcycling #Trackcycling

#golf #Marathonswimming #modernpentathlon #Rhythmicgymnastics

#sailing #Surfing #Sportclimbing #Taekwondo #Trampoline #triathlon #Weightlifting #Wrestling

[petersong3]

Paris Olympic Games 2024 is almost here😎

Les Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024 approchent

Se acercan los Juegos Olímpicos de París 2024

Die Olympischen Spiele 2024 in Paris stehen vor der Tür

Si avvicinano le Olimpiadi di Parigi 2024

Os Jogos Olímpicos de Paris 2024 estão a chegar

Olympische Spelen Parijs 2024 komen eraan

Tá Cluichí Oilimpeacha Páras 2024 ag teacht

Paris 2024 kommer

Paris 2024 er på vej

Pariisi 2024 on tulossa

Párizs 2024 jön

París 2024 er að koma

Paříž 2024 se blíží

Paríž 2024 sa blíži

Pariz 2024 prihaja

Έρχονται Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Παρίσι 2024

Paris 2024 po vjen

Париж 2024 идва

Paris 2024 se apropie

Paris Olimpiyat Oyunları 2024 yaklaşıyor

Париж 2024 уже близко

‎دورة الألعاب الأولمبية في باريس 2024 قادمة

2024 年巴黎奧運即將到來

パリ2024が近づいています

파리 2024가 다가온다

Paparating na ang Paris Olympic Games 2024

Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 akan datang

Olimpiade Paris 2024 akan datang

Paris 2024 đang đến

ปารีส 2024 กำลังจะมา

पेरिस 2024 आ रहा है

প্যারিস অলিম্পিক গেমস 2024 আসছে

પેરિસ 2024 આવી રહ્યું છે

పారిస్ 2024 వస్తోంది

पॅरिस 2024 येत आहे

பாரிஸ் 2024 வருகிறது

ಪ್ಯಾರಿಸ್ 2024 ಬರಲಿದೆ

‎پیرس 2024 آ رہا ہے۔

Paris 2024 is coming

#Paris2024 #Paris #France #Olympics #sports #パリ2024 #OlympicGames #JeuxOlympiques #SummerOlympicGames #JuegosOlímpicos #OlympischeSpiele #Olimpiadi #JogosOlímpicos #OlympischeSpelen #París2024 #OlympijskéHry #OlimpiaiJátékok #OlympiskeLege #OlympiskeLeker #OlympiskaSpelen #Olympialaiset #파리2024 #deportes  #olympiques #Olímpicos #Olimpíadas #オリンピック #巴黎奧運 #올림픽 #sport #travel #trip #journey #vacation #sightseeing #summer #July #olympiques #Olímpicos #奧運 #SukanOlimpik #journey #tourism #ओलंपिक #অলিম্পিক #Olympics2024 #openingceremony #football #rugbysevens #Handball #archery #shooting #badminton #rowing #volleyball #equestrain #fencing #hockey #Jodo #ArtisticGymnastics #basketball #Diving #swimming #skateboarding #tennis #BeachVolleyball

#waterpolo #Roadcycling #Canoeslalom

#TableTennis #Boxing #ArtisticSwimming

#Athletics #basketball3x3 #breaking #CanoeSprint #BMXFreestyle #BMXRacing #MountainBike #Roadcycling #Trackcycling

#golf #Marathonswimming #modernpentathlon #Rhythmicgymnastics

#sailing #Surfing #Sportclimbing #Taekwondo #Trampoline #triathlon #Weightlifting #Wrestling

[stateofsport211]

📸 🎥 Eurosport LV

After five consecutive service game holds, S. Errani/J. Paolini then controlled the match tie-break as they mini-broke due to Diana's forehand error in response to their preceding cross-court forehand (4-2), following it up with an unreturned serve to consolidate their lead to 5-3, as well as S. Errani's volley to hold to 6-3. Their point construction domination then continued through a working smash to 7-3.

Several points later, S. Errani/J. Paolini scored a complete package point, where they started with S. Errani's underarm serve before both pairs engaged in a net exchange full of never-ending volleys, ending with the former's smash to hold to 8-5. However, Mirra/Diana tried to minimize the gap with an unreturned serve to 8-7, and the serving came good for the Italian pair in the next 2 points, winning the match tie-break 10-7 to finally secure a tennis gold medal for Italy to close the sector.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

•

—

Sir Andrew Barron Murray OBE (born 15 May 1987) is a British former professional tennis player.

He was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 41 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 in 2016.

Murray won three Grand Slam singles titles, two at Wimbledon (in 2013 and 2016), one at the US Open (in 2012), and reached eleven major finals.

Murray was ranked in the top 10 for all but one month from July 2008 through to October 2017.

He was in the top 4 in eight of the nine year-end rankings during that time.

Murray won 46 ATP Tour singles titles, including 14 Masters 1000 events and two gold medals at the Summer Olympics.

[accio-victuuri]

wang yibo - loewe feature interview 🎤

In between taking shelter from the rain, while the crew on set was busy moving equipment, we were determined to seize this precious moment and have a conversation with China's highly anticipated all-around artist Wang Yibo on the set of the 2025 Spring/Summer global campaign.

Wang Yibo not only served as a torchbearer for the Paris Olympics Games but was also nominated for the Golden Rooster Award for his outstanding performance in the movie "Hidden Blade" released in 2023. He even played with tennis superstar Novak Djokovic on the Great Wall.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg of his colorful life: the new LOEWE global brand ambassador has also achieved impressive results in the Zhuhai Station of the Asian Road Motorcycle Championship and the Zhuhai Station of the 2024 GTSC Series. His love of speed and passion is also reflected in rock climbing, cave exploration, and Discovery's new program "Exploring the Unknown". In the program, he ventured deep into the tropical rainforest of Hainan to challenge his survival skills.

In between the sound of camera shutters, we explored the secrets of Wang Yibo's multifaceted life.

Q: "How does it feel to work with the LOEWE creative team on this campaign?"

WYB: "The shoot was a pleasure and I loved the outdoor scenes. The air was fresh, the environment was beautiful, and there was a mountain that looked perfect for rock climbing!"

Q: "Not all LOEWE global brand ambassadors or ambassadors can show off their skills on the racetrack! So how do you reconcile your work in music, film and fashion with your identity as a racing driver?"

WYB : "LOEWE's creativity itself is very diverse and has infinite possibilities. I like to try some new challenges, and we all pursue innovation."

Q: "Can you tell us about your passion for motorcycling or GT3 racing?"

WYB: "I love the feeling of speed and the thrill of competition."

Q: "How do you balance your multiple careers and interests? Do you ever feel like one career takes up too much of your time and you neglect the others?"

WYB: "These things are not contradictory in themselves. Works can take me to experience different lives, and hobbies allow me to be myself. I just need to focus on doing the one thing I want to do at each stage."

Q: "So far, you have been involved in many fields of art creation, including music, film and television, and dance. Can you talk about how you got started?

WYB: "It must be because of my love for dance that I started on the path of art."

Q: "Is there a similar sense of intensity and excitement in the arts and sports you participate in?"

WYB: "Both require a lot of concentration and adequate preparation. Artworks are relatively more enjoyable, while sports activities are more exciting."

Q: "What was it like playing tennis with Novak Djokovic on the Great Wall?"

WYB: "It was unforgettable, and there may never be another opportunity like this."

Q: "Are fashion, sports and acting more connected than most people think?"

WYB: "Although they seem to cross boundaries, they are actually a manifestation of inner spirit. They all show a person's spiritual outlook and convey a person's attitude."

Q: "What does 'craft' mean to you?"

WYB: "No matter what field you are in, passion is an indispensable driving force. For me, 'craftsmanship' is a spirit of innovation. I can feel passion and innovation in the style of LOEWE. It is simple, pure and full of soul, truly embodying the essence of Spanish craftsmanship, transforming the beauty of life into a comfortable and pleasing fashion art."

[muirneach]

so about those czexes and their darling chinese third... a timeline

2020/2021

so imagine you're some flop czech tennis player who honestly isn't very good and somehow you start dating this really cool woman. and she's way out of your league. but you're in love! so who cares everything is wonderful :3 also you are an entire nineteen years old. lol. lmfao even. [authors note: i feel like this post from 2020 is kateřina's first soft launch but i genuinely don’t know? could be unrelated. whatever]

KOZERKI OPEN 2022

you're grinding it out on the challenger tour and you beat this random guy in the final of some random polish tournament in august 2022 in a weirdly lopsided three setter. you two are the 5th and 6th seeds and come into the event ranked 160th and 161st in the world. he never makes a challenger final again. whatever. you probably won't see him again.

AUSTRALIA 2024

fast foward to 2024. somehow you and that guy partner up for doubles for australia. you're not super close and both usually play singles but well why not. somehow you run all the way to the semis together.

MARSEILLE 2024

so you stay together and at your second ever event together you win a title. it's both your first ever atp main tour titles!! and now you guys are great friends.

CLAY SEASON AND THE CHANNEL SLAM 2024

clay season is a little rough for you at first but he does like, pretty well. you guys get to the doubles semis in barcelona. before going to roland garros you do beat novak casually at a 250 and this gets you to your first ever singles final, and lose. but suddenly people care about you a little bit! in roland garros and wimbledon you and your best friend both lose in the same rounds in singles. you play doubles though, and get to the quarters at roland garros. you also play mixed doubles with your girlfriend at roland garros and lose first round. she wins the channel slam in womens doubles. you and your girlfriend break up.

PARIS OLYMPICS 2024

it's the olympics now. you and her had signed up to play mixed doubles because luckily you were from the same country. it's a little awkward, but out of pride for your country you stay in the draw.

you're doing singles too, obviously, but you have to meet your best friend in the first round, which sucks. you win in 3, again, but lose next round so what was the point.

but it's okay, cause your now ex girlfriend is so good at doubles that she drags you all the way to the gold medal match. pride for your country.

but the draw once again brings you and your best friend together. he's had a weird olympics too, his partner withdrew last minute and won gold in singles, so now he's with someone he hadn't played with before, but suddenly they're in finals across from you. you win, obviously, in straights, his and his partner's luck could only last so long against someone as good as your ex girlfriend. but hey, he wins a medal too.

you and your ex kiss, people speculate if you really broke up or not, you joke about it but she confirms it. rough. but you are a gold medalist.

ASIAN SWING 2024

none of you three do anything big in north american hard court summer. then your best friend gets to his first ever tour level final at a 250, just like you, and also loses. in his home country. where he had hoped to become the second man from his country to win a singles title. at nearly the exact same time as his loss, his compatriot wins a final, also in their home country, making HIM the second man to win a singles title instead. damn.

SHANGHAI 2024

you two go to your best friend's hometown event. he loses in a heartbreaking first round. you play doubles, and also lose first round. it's not like he has to bear his entire country's expectations or anything.

however you upset a top three player in singles and get to your first masters semi. in his hometown. and he's the first thing you mention post-win, via the format of camera writing. tomas <3 partner zzz :^)! you lose that semi, but who cares, it was a great run.

END OF SEASON 2024 -> START OF SEASON 2025.

after a first round exit at the last masters for both of you, the season ends. your ex girlfriend gets the year end number 1 for doubles though, again. new season. united cup. both your countries fumble to the united states. whatever! your ex girlfriend wasn't even playing for your country

AUSTRALIA, AGAIN. 2025

it's australia again. where it all began for you and your friend. he very politely asks you if he can play mixed doubles with your ex girlfriend and you laugh and tell him yes. it's not like you and her were gonna play. they end up losing first round anyways.

he loses first round in singles. you get to the third round but can't beat djokovic again. you still enter in doubles, naturally. but fail to defend your semi finals points by falling third round as well.

and yeah, your ex girlfriend wins another slam in womens doubles. she's still better than anyone could dream to be.

and all this time you're just a random czech guy trying to figure out how to make your shorts shorter, which is totally not distracting for either of your doubles partners when you crouch in front of the net or anything.

[as-is-yours]

happy 2024 summer olympics!

some tog watching the olympics hcs for the soul because i love the olympics and i decided they do too:

andy competed in the ORIGINAL greek olympics. yes she did

with the guard being as competitive as they are, the olympics are a BIG deal in the safe house - it’s like the football world cup but all day every day for three weeks straight

it’s obviously too dangerous for the guard to attend the olympics these days with all of the cameras and media, so they hunker down in a safehouse and watch as much as they can on TV

they used to go most years though, nicky even told nile that he considered competing in olympic shooting back in the mid 1900s but it was too high profile to risk it

quynh was in the ocean when they brought back the olympic games as we know them today. her first olympics year back with the guard she asks andy why everyone is clothed and where the victors wreaths are

nile LOVES the olympics so she fits right into the dynamic when the first olympics of her time with the guard roll around

she was a little nervous about coming on too strong that first year, but when she saw how hard they roast each other and how much they goaded her into being just as competitive and aggressive as they were, she settled in easily

they would later regret unlocking that part of her once they realize how painful watching the olympics with an american is

nile keeps a scoreboard on the wall next to the TV where she updates the medal counts daily and reminds everyone who’s winning (the usa)

joe, quynh, and booker prefer the summer olympics while nile and andy prefer the winter olympics. nicky is just happy to make some money off of booker when france loses, no matter the season

“andy im getting us a peacock account to watch the olympics, they’re starting next week” “peacock account? what the hell is peacock? like the bird??”

there’s ALWAYS a bet going on. for the full duration of the olympic games there is never not a bet going on

nile will be doing joe’s dishes for a month after kaylia nemour beat suni lee in the uneven bars final

booker owes nicky €300 after italy advanced out of the first round of the women’s doubles tennis tournament (france did not) and another €1000 for italy winning the gold medal

andy stays out of the betting for the most part, or just picks the best athlete rather than one representing her home nation

“andy, that’s cheating—” “the scythians were nomadic. i don’t even remember where i was born so i’ll pick whichever athlete i damn well please, and you—” “okay, fine! we get it!”

andy found quynh wandering in a desert, quynh doesn’t really remember where she’s from either so she picks her favorite athletes based on vibe and which countries were her favorites to travel around with andy

there aren’t nearly as many north african athletes as there are italian, french, and american so joe starts adopting the athletes with the most heartwarming comeback/underdog stories as his faves

i feel like nile LOVES usa gymnastics having been a teen watching gabby douglas and simone biles!

that girl was SAT for every gymnastics event cheering on team usa like it was her job

andy has broken her neck attempting to pull off the stunts she sees in olympic snowboarding, gymnastics, skateboarding, figure skating, etc…. but sometimes she nails them. and it’s sick as fuck

nile is from the midwest i know she’s an ice hockey enjoyer. she pregames the winter olympics by making the guard watch miracle (2004) (nicky cries)

booker makes a drinking game for watching the games. he prints out the rules and pins them up next to nile’s medal count. take a sip when an announcer starts yelling, a shot when a random celebrity is shown on the broadcast, and finish your drink when a medalist cries

whenever great britan places below one of the guard’s countries, copley receives a very vulgar and unsportsmanlike text from them

no, quynh does not watch swimming events. thank you for asking

the couch is NOT a safe space. anything goes during the olympics. anyone who gets too mean (or whose athlete loses) can and will be pushed off the couch and exiled to the armchair

i will surely update this as the olympics continue and my friends and i get up to more hijinks. stay tuned and enjoy the greatest sporting event ever conceived