- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Winter Olympics
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Team Italy
Posted on 2/17/26 at 9:41 am
Posted on 2/17/26 at 9:41 am
The Italian team is racking up the medals to never before seen levels for that country. I get there is usually a home country bump but I'm starting to wonder a little about this now.
I just watched the Italian team dust Team USA in speed skating team pursuit gold medal race. If I heard it right, the Americans were favored and had not been beaten before.
I get that host countries dump a bunch of resources to prepare in order to do well, but I'm left wondering if there is something more going on here. Maybe some doping or other funny business. Just saying, it's starting to get suspect.
I just watched the Italian team dust Team USA in speed skating team pursuit gold medal race. If I heard it right, the Americans were favored and had not been beaten before.
I get that host countries dump a bunch of resources to prepare in order to do well, but I'm left wondering if there is something more going on here. Maybe some doping or other funny business. Just saying, it's starting to get suspect.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 10:41 am to SoDakHawk
Every sporting event, league, organization is nothing more than wraslin’ style entertainment.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 7:33 pm to SoDakHawk
quote:
watched the Italian team dust Team USA in speed skating team pursuit gold medal race. If I heard it right, the Americans were favored and had not been beaten before.
Just watched it on the primetime broadcast. That was more about the Americans melting down in the back half than anything
We've choked in so many Gold Medal moments this year.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 8:46 pm to SoDakHawk
quote:
I just watched the Italian team dust Team USA in speed skating team pursuit gold medal race. If I heard it right, the Americans were favored and had not been beaten before
That was all precision. The Americans were all over the place in the third quarter of the race. The Italians were just more disciplined.
Posted on 2/17/26 at 9:36 pm to SoDakHawk
The host country gets to practice at the venues and in the arenas. Familiarity is a big deal
Posted on 2/18/26 at 9:28 pm to The Boat
quote:As I understand it, don't they also get to participate in every single event, instead of having to qualify for it like other nations do?
The host country gets to practice at the venues and in the arenas. Familiarity is a big deal
I seem to remember host nations getting that right, and preparing for it beforehand by giving temporary resources to prepare for events they usually wouldn't be interested in. And every so often it pays off.
Posted on 2/19/26 at 1:46 pm to Scoob
quote:
As I understand it, don't they also get to participate in every single event, instead of having to qualify for it like other nations do?
I seem to remember host nations getting that right, and preparing for it beforehand by giving temporary resources to prepare for events they usually wouldn't be interested in. And every so often it pays off.
Yep. That is the biggest reason for the host bump--its more visible in the Summer Games where there are more events.
Just putting a little bit of resources (because you have to and your hosting) results in more bronze and silvers in those niche sports.
Popular
Back to top
5








