2016 Summer Olympics - Rio de Janeiro (August 5, 2016 - August 21, 2016)

[MaCruz]

Summer games are just 2 months away! Thread will be stickied as we get closer.

This will be the main thread for the Olympic games while we can create a separate thread for Basketball like we did for the 2012 games.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

Summer games are just 2 months away! Thread will be stickied as we get closer.

This will be the main thread for the Olympic games while we can create a separate thread for Basketball like we did for the 2012 games.

Should probably consider Mens/Womens Soccer for a thread as well.

[Moviefan1203]

USA! USA! USA!

I do wonder how the Zika virus will impact the Olympics this summer.

[MaCruz]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Should probably consider Mens/Womens Soccer for a thread as well.

We can do that. Feel free to create one.

[fatediesel]

It's going to be interesting to see how many athletes choose not to participate in the Olympics due to the Zika virus. There's rumors that multiple NBA players are on the fence about participating, and Pau Gasol has said he's unsure if he'll play for Spain's basketball team. Multiple top-tier golfers aren't planning on playing in the Olympics, but that has more to do with the event happening during their season. I can't see many athletes in sports like track and swimming where the Olympics is the pinnacle of their sport skipping the Olympics, but it could have a major impact on some other sports.

[BLMN]

China is smiling at this, they are the ones that always compete against us for #1 in gold. In a way it is good for other countries that almost never win medals, it gives them extra motivation and a better chance now.

[fatediesel]

Rory McIlroy announced this morning that he won't be playing in the Olympics due to fears over the Zika virus. That now makes 3 of the top 8 golfers in the world withdrawing with #1 Jason Day, #4 McIlroy, and #8 Adam Scott all choosing not to play, as well as #14 Louis Oosthuizen.

[R3P0]

Can you blame these guys this Zika thing is crazy

[BizCat]

Rio was a horrible choice.

[West E]

If i were an athlete at that level i definitely wouldn't go if we were planning on more kids in the near future. No way.

[MaCruz]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Rory McIlroy announced this morning that he won't be playing in the Olympics due to fears over the Zika virus. That now makes 3 of the top 8 golfers in the world withdrawing with #1 Jason Day, #4 McIlroy, and #8 Adam Scott all choosing not to play, as well as #14 Louis Oosthuizen.

Makes me wonder which players on the ATP and WTA tennis tour are going to withdraw.

Steph Curry won't be competing for basketball so he can rehab that injury during the offseason.

Also, professional boxers are now allowed to compete and I think there's no headgear in this games competition.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by West E

If i were an athlete at that level i definitely wouldn't go if we were planning on more kids in the near future. No way.

Ding ding ding. Zika is a terrifying disease.

[Terjyn]

Originally Posted by West E

If i were an athlete at that level i definitely wouldn't go if we were planning on more kids in the near future. No way.

I'm not sure I'd go even if not planning kids...the Guillain-Barre Syndrome thing is scary even for the athletes themselves.

[Tony208]

There is so much bad news coming out of Rio which is a shame cause I love the Olympics. I watch it religiously every 2 years.

Cops on strike? Although it does make me laugh about that time were pissed at Fast Five for portraying them in a negative light.

This Zika virus is no joke so I'm praying for them.

[Bigdog]

I really think the games should be cancelled, Brazil is simply not ready to host these games.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

I really think the games should be cancelled, Brazil is simply not ready to host these games.

I worry about security. The Olympics are a huge target.

[fatediesel]

Dustin Johnson has pulled out of the Olympics. That makes 7 of the top 17 golfers who have said they won't be playing in the Olympics, and it's widely expected that #3 ranked Jordan Spieth will also eventually pull out. Sweden's Henrik Stenson, the 6th-ranked golfer, is the only player in the top 10 who has confirmed he'll play.

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by Tony208

There is so much bad news coming out of Rio which is a shame cause I love the Olympics. I watch it religiously every 2 years.

Cops on strike? Although it does make me laugh about that time were pissed at Fast Five for portraying them in a negative light.

This Zika virus is no joke so I'm praying for them.

There's a lot more they don't talk about outside Brazil. What we hear here is nothing compared to the REAL situation there. But I was watching some Brazilian news the other day and a representative of Rio's committee said they will get help from Brazilian army forces as far as security of the athletes, venues goes. I don't know about the tourists, Rio can be very tricky if you don't know where you are going (that's a well known fact). On the bright side of things not too much sh*t happened during their WC in 2014 and other states btw worse than Rio were involved so we never know so far it does indeed look like a complete failure!

[Groot]

I'm concerned for people going over there to view and participate in the games. I know the media can blow up reports but it seems to be rather chaotic over there in all aspects. Crime, poor water conditions, Zika, garbage issues...and didn't they allegedly find body parts near the volleyball area?

I hope everyone comes out unharmed, and those with weakened health like Craig Sager don't have any complications from participating in it.

[FrancisM]

US will dominate especially in basketball even if Curry, Lebron and the likes wont play.