Paris Olympics 2024

So with the Olympics wrapping up, I think it's fair to say that it's been a pretty successful and entertaining games. But in terms of Australia's own performance and overall product that we got.

WHAT DID I LIKE?

* The return of crowds after the COVID games of 2020/21.

*Breaking the mould re the opening ceremony. While I didn't think it all hit (drag queens etc I just put down as being very European), I enjoyed their break from tradition and thought the boats down the Seine was a good idea. I think Brisbane could do something similar for 2032 on the Brisbane River?

*Impressive use of their landmarks. Seeing them run the Marathon and and Ride the Road Race across the Streets of Paris, play the Beach Volleyball at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Fencing at the Grand Palais. It's hard for anywhere to create as a great looking special as Paris. Maybe Barcelona with their Diving back in 92'?

*The USA coming back to the field a bit in terms of medal tally and Great Britain falling off their perch and finishing below us on the medal tally for the first time since 2004.

*Some of the amazing individual achievements. Obviously can't list them all. But the likes of Simone Biles, Kaylee McKeown, Jess Foxx, Cam McEvoy are some of the best performances I've ever seen.

WHAT DIDN'T I LIKE?

*The Olympic Cauldron/Flame. I said it during the opening ceremony that I wasn't sure how I felt about it not being in the athletics stadium. Well after 16 days I can say that I didn't like it. Almost never saw it during the Games and in that regard I hope it returns to a stadium for 2028.

*Breaking has no place in the Olympics IMO. While I think the Olympics has mainly hit with the sports they've introduced over the last 20 odd years, they missed the mark by some way here. It was laughably awkward, and not in an amusing way. Just cringe worthy.

*Australia not getting a  medal in the Field Hockey (mens or women's) for only the 2nd time since 1988 and our Rowers well off their normal achievements.

But that would be it for the things I wasn't overly big on.

So that's it until 2028 Los Angeles and after that we'll have it in Brisbane 2032. And before either of them it seems that the Commonwealth Games will proceed in Glasgow in 2026 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/13329851/major-development-glasgow-2026-commonwealth-agreement-reached/amp/ . Only 10 Sports apparently, down from the 20 at Birmingham 2022 and the 17 Glasgow had in 2014. I think we can say there will be no T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball, 3x3 Basketball or Para Powerlifting from 2022 and no Shooting that was at Glasgow in 2014. I think the other 6 sports in serious danger could well be Boxing (obvious reasons), then Badminton, Judo, Squash, Table Tennis and Triathlon. Question marks on Weightlifting, Wrestling and Lawn Bowls as well. The only guarantees for now seem to be Aquatics and Athletics. I'd also suspect Gymnastics and Cycling will be safe, while Rugby 7's, Netball and Hockey are amongst the most popular, but who knows?