Well, it’s only Day Two of the London Olympic Games, and there have been a few surprises both in the Equestrian world and outside that bubble we encase ourselves in so tightly. Some of the upsets and overall surprises:
1. Japanese Rider Leads the Way After Dressage Day 1
Pretty sure you get it by now, but in case you had forgotten, no, Michael Jung isn’t in the lead. Neither is William Fox-Pitt, or Day 1 leader Ingrid Klimke. Instead, it’s Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa who is holding down the Number 1 spot. He scored a 38.9 to lead the way going into cross-country. Learn more about him on his Olympic page. Things I noticed? He weighs 139 pounds and looks like my dentist. The Japanese team are in 6th place, ahead of the United States, who are currently in 7th.
2. Ryan Lochte Beats Michael Phelps
Ryan Lochte, who in 2008 won three medals in swimming, and has since then become America’s number one swimmer, beat Michael Phelps in the final of the 400m Individual Medley yesterday. Phelps won gold in the event the last two Olympics, in both Athens and Bejing. If you ask me, they’re both winners. I mean honestly, you guys look great.
3. Chinese Men Gymnasts Falter
If you ask my mom, all the men’s gymnasts are great. “Just look at that handstand!” was a literal quote from last night. Reigning champions China, who are without their star gymnast Teng Haibin after he withdrew from the Games with an injury, faltered a bit during the Qualification round yesterday. Guo Weiyang, who came in as a replacement, fell a couple times, and the entire team finished in sixth. The United States men qualified in first with stellar individual performances.
4. Hope Solo Calls Out Brandi Chastain
Not sure WHAT United States goalkeeper Hope Solo was thinking when she took to Twitter to fire off these little gems, directed at Women’s Soccer legend, and current NBC commentator Brandi Chastain:
Its 2 bad we cant have commentators who better represents the team&knows more about the game @brandichastain! #fb
and this little ditty:
Lay off commentating about defending and gking until you get more educated @brandichastain the game has changed from a decade ago. #fb
The U.S. Women have won both of their opening matches, and will move on to the quarterfinals after their last group stage game against North Korea in Manchester on Tuesday.
5. People are Still Watching Beach Volleyball
With cold temperatures in London (it was 58 degrees at the start of NBC coverage) the women’s beach volleyball teams have had to, wait for it, put on shirts. Yet, people are still watching! Good news for the sport, and the athletes, to know that it’s not the bikinis that get the ratings (even though they are).
