Rio 2016 Olympics: Lilly King owns Yulia Efimova

Yulia Efimova, self proclaimed "champ"

There's some old school Cold War drama brewing in Rio. Looks like NBC can bring back the term "Must See TV."

Yulia Efimova, a controversial swimmer from Russia who was suspended for doping in 2013 then tested positive for Meldonium in March 2016, held up her finger with a #1 sign after finishing first in her qualifying heat. She was initially banned from the Rio 2016 Olympics, but then the IOC (International Olympic Committee) lifted the ban to allow her to participate. A number of other Russian swimmers were also banned only to have the IOC lift it.

Cameras cut to US swimmer Lilly King wagging her finger at Efimova while watching on a screen. In an interview, King stated, "You’re raising your hand #1 and you’ve been caught for drug cheating. I’m just not a fan." Smackdown! King and Efimova go toe-to-toe in the Women's 100m Breaststroke final Monday night around 9:54pm ET on NBC.


Ireland swimmer Fiona Doyle was left out of the semi-finals, and upset that someone who previously doped was upset that Efimova may have taken the place of someone who was clean. She rightfully had plenty to say, “Cheaters are cheaters. She has tested positive five times and she’s gotten away with it again. It’s like FINA keep going back on their word, and the IOC keep going back on their word."  Doyle continued, “And FINA caved in to (Russian President) Putin, and that’s just not fair on the rest of the athletes who are clean. Who are you supposed to trust now? They have signs all over the village saying we are a clean sport, and it’s not. And I just don’t think that’s fair.”

In the Men's 4x100m freestyle, Team USA took gold, giving Michael Phelps his 19th gold medal. France took silver and Australia won bronze. Russia, who were booed by the crowd in Rio, finished 4th after the Aussie's thankfully edged them out. I'm sure they know the word Karma? It would be sweet justice for Efimova to finish 4th or lower tomorrow night as well.

Though we do need to be clear that Russians aren't the only ones who have doped or will continue to do so. However, the widespread state-sponsored cover up by Russia is what bothers people, and the fact that athletes who have been caught are still participating in the Olympics, taking places of athletes who are clean. 

Sepp Blatter Resigns From FIFA

Sepp Blatter has resigned from FIFA in a surprising move today, a week after winning re-election. Rumors have it that the FBI has mounting evidence on his involvement in the FIFA corruption scandal. It is doubtful he will show up to the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada, as Canada would extradite him in a heartbeat. Loretta Lynch has officially defeated Blatter in a Penalty Shootout.

A new election will happen in December, and Luis Figo along with Prince Ali could be favorites to replace him.

The best tweet in response to this came from Megan Rapinoe:

Ding dong the witch is dead. Daddy got his hand caught in the cookie jar🙈☕️🐸.

— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 2, 2015

Now we can hopefully have some positive change in FIFA. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is in question and could be taken away. There are already over 1000 migrant workers who have died constructing stadiums for the tiny nation. The 2018 World Cup in Russia might also be in jeopardy.

This comes on the same day as Abby Wambach's birthday. I know she is one happy birthday woman!

After Sochi 2014, Russia Approves Use of Force in Ukraine

A quick serious note. There is political upheaval going on in Ukraine right now. The people wanting to join the European Union overthrew the government, with former pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych being ousted. Russia has approved use of their military in Crimea, and Russian troops have taken over the region. Ukraine has since mobilized their military, seeing Russia's actions as an "act of war".

Crimea is semi-autonomous. It is part of Ukraine, but is self governed with many Russians living there. However, Ukraine was "gifted" Crimea by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The location on the Black Sea makes it a desirable location and why Russia wants it in the first place.

This all has happened in the days after the close of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Charter states, "the goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." Yet they have intervened in the Ukraine with force, instead of letting the Ukranian people make their own decision. Its not like this is the first time the Olympic Charter has been called into question with regards to Sochi hosting. Speaking of Sochi, after spending a record $51 Billion on the Olympics, one has to wonder how much use they'll actually get out of everything they built in Sochi. With mild/warm weather even during winter, how many winter sports events will Sochi attract?

Sochi 2014: Week 1 Stories

The ugly Sochi 2014 Logo looks a little better this way

The first week of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics are in the books, with plenty of story lines of course from the funny to the inspirational.

- Oshie in Sochi! The USA-Russia men's hockey game delivered on every level, and it ended with TJ Oshie giving the US the victory in the Shootout. Oshie was on the bubble before the Olympics, but the US took him to the Olympics because of his success in Shootouts, and it paid off. USA men's hockey will be looking to win their first Gold Medal since Lake Placid 1980, which featured the "Miracle on Ice" victory over the Soviet Union. Oshie 2014 shirts are now being sold online playing off the NBC Sochi logo.

- USA-Canada Women's Hockey. It was a back and forth heated battle, much like the USA-Canada Women's Soccer match from London 2012. Canada ended up on top in this one after trailing to start the 3rd period, scoring 3 goals in that last period. The Women's Hockey tournament as a whole has been much improved over Vancouver 2010, which featured a large number of blowouts. Canada outscored opponents 41-2 in Vancouver, but in Sochi 41 goals were scored by all teams combined, with much closer games.

- Sochi Problems, or #SochiProblems, taking social media by storm. Even though Russia spent $51 Billion on these Olympics, more even than Beijing 2008, various buildings were still being completed up until the start. Everything from yellow water to doors locking, to uncovered manholes to worries about the Russian Government using cameras to spy on people. Controversy has also been rampant, from questions on if they were killing stray dogs, to some of that $51 Billion being pocketed by officials.

- Bob Costas and his pink eye. It started out in his left eye, but by Monday had moved over to his right eye as well, creating the ultimate Sochi Problem. This may have been prevented had he just wore a condom over his left eye like Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from TLC did in the 90s. Always use protection! Meredith Vieira & Matt Lauer have taken over, though Costas will be back this week.

- Opening Ceremony snowflakes fail. In what quickly became a meme, 5 giant Snowflakes were supposed
to transform into the Olympic Rings. However, one of them failed to "come out"...maybe in protest of Russia's horrendous "Gay Propaganda" law? Suck it, Putin! Russian TV cut to stock footage of all 5 rings open during one of the rehearsals...even though it was instantly shared from the stadium by people all over social media. You can't fool anyone with Live TV nowadays.

- Noelle Pikus-Pace made a fantastic comeback to win Silver in Women's Skeleton. She missed the Torino 2006 games after her leg was broken badly by a Bobsled in October 2005 that failed to brake and ran into her. She then barely missed out on a medal at Vancouver 2010, finishing 4th. She kept her spirits high through it all and won the silver, jumping up into the crowd to meet her friends and family, showing viewers what the Olympic spirit is all about.

2022 FIFA Fall/Winter World Cup?

FIFA exec Jerome Valcke has announced that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar won't be held during the Summer because of the extreme heat in Qatar...moving it to begin in either November, December, or January. However, FIFA VP Jim Boyce then said they haven't decided on a date yet. So we have two contradicting statements coming from people representing FIFA...which isn't really a surprise. I believe Valcke, and FIFA is just trying to save face in order to try and stop there being an uproar about the time of the 2022 World Cup ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

This is causing quite the controversy as it would interrupt the club calendar of the various football/soccer leagues in different parts of the world, the biggest being Europe. It would also fall during the NFL playoff chase, offering up yet another dilemma, especially for FOX Sports, who have the TV Broadcast rights. Though I guess it could be a good distraction for fans of teams who are eliminated from NFL Playoff Contention.

They wouldn't be able to have the event in February 2022, because then it would clash with the Winter Olympics. All these years after choosing Qatar, FIFA is just now realizing it is way too hot there to have it in the Summer? I guess the dollar signs in their eyes while they were taking bribes from Qatar & Russia (2018 host) were confusing them.

Putin & The Sochi 2014 Soviet Union Olympics

Sochi 2014 Logo, the worst Olympic logo ever

I'm surprised people are still saying the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics are being held in Russia, because from now on I'm going to be calling it the Soviet Union. It feels as if they've slowly turned back into the Soviet Union, led by an oppressive government and a dictator/former KGB officer named Vladimir Putin that seeks to deny people rights simply for being born different. I'm surprised they haven't opened up concentration camps for gays yet. Though who knows, that could be on the horizon from Comrade Putin and his cronies. People who think gays "choose" to be gay are both mental and stupid. The Russian Government fits the bill, seeking to snuff out any gay Russians who would dare come out. Lady Gaga recently lashed out at the Russian government, for seeking to ban her under their "anti-gay propaganda" stance. That is a law they enacted after artists like her started expressing support for gay rights on Russian soil at concerts.

We all know what happened to Pussy Riot (the female Russian punk rock band, jailed on "hooliganism" charges) when they dared to do something their government didn't like. They were jailed for going to an Russian Orthodox Church and performing an anti-Putin song to protest. Wait...I thought communism was gone? Guess again, its just in a shiny new package. And yes, "hooliganism" and "blasphemy" are both things you can be jailed for in Russia. In 2013.

Yet Russia, aka the Soviet Union 2.0, is supposed to be opening their arms to the world with the Winter Olympics. Fat chance of that happening. Boycotting would be pointless, it is far better to go there and make some noise. Some people say you shouldn't get political at a sporting event. However, the Russian government is doing exactly that by trying to push their ignorant laws on athletes and fans. USA runner Nick Symmonds dedicated his silver medal to gay friends, right on Russian soil. Emma Green Tregaro, a Swedish high jumper, painted her nails rainbow colors and was then sadly forced to paint over them by the IAAF.

Keep up the protests everyone. It should be interesting to see what goes on when the big stage of the Sochi 2014 Olympics rolls around.

Meteorites Crash in Russia

Chelyabinsk in Urals, a region in Russia, was rocked by a meteor or meteorites. Thanks to YouTube there is actual video footage of the meteor(s) in the sky, and one that has sound of it crashing into the Earth. Or possibly into some cars, as alarms start ringing and glass breaks once you hear the loud blast caused by the meteor. One crashed into a zinc factory, causing a large explosion. Now of course, the crazies are out trying to prove it was a UFO.

Here are the two impressive videos of the event. The first video shows the meteorites falling through the sky towards land. It would be even more impressive if "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith from Armageddon was on the car radio. The meteorites streak through the sky at around 12 seconds in. In the second short video you can hear the crash and sonic boom that rattled buildings.