For helping the US win a Bronze medal…and aggressively napping

The men’s gymnasts entered the team competition after a rocky qualification round. One of the biggest headlines was Brody Malone having a very bad night by not qualifying for the all-around competition or any individual apparatus finals. So it all came down to the team competition. And to one man…Stephen Nedoroscik.

Some people are good at public speaking, some are good at solving math problems. Others are good at building things with their hands. Stephen somehow discovered that he is good at one of the weirdest men’s gymnastics apparatus, the pommel horse, and became one of the best in the world.

Do you remember unimpressed Mckayla Maroney, the amazing vaulter who made the Olympic team in 2012 just to vault? Stephen is the same for the men’s team, brought to Paris just to pommel that horse. But Mckayla and Stephen are also the complete opposite because Mckayla is remembered for bringing that fire and sass. Stephen took a different approach today brought those sleepy guy vibes and napped at every opportunity.

I’m pretty sure at one point the announcers said something like “and we found Stephen again”. I’m assuming he was napping under the bleachers like any classic sleepy athlete. Why waste energy by staying awake during one of the biggest moments of your life to date?

But jokes aside, he did exactly what he was brought to do. The US men have been struggling on the Pommel Horse for the last few Olympics and needed a ringer and Stephen did what he needed to do to help get the US men back on the team podium after 16 years!

While Mckayla might not be impressed because it’s not a gold medal, I am impressed Stephen, and I think you are now the official king of all men who have to squint when they take their glasses off.

For my 7 faithful followers and the people from China who started reading during the last Olympics, I’m currently doing in-person Olympic coverage for my nephews and will be back to multiple blogs a day Monday.

Did just watch the Women’s gymnastics live and very, very nervous.

One of my favorite things about each Olympics is who gets the first medal for the United States. And this time it is Sarah Bacon and Kassidy Cook winning silver in 3m Synchronized Diving. They are nicknamed Cook’N’Bacon and my new heroes.

I was also about to make a joke about making sure Kazakhstan doesn’t get too cocky and start coming for us also getting on the medal table so early but then I read this below and thought that’s what it’s all about.

“I’m feeling perfect. This was the first (Olympic) competition for me, and I got third place, so it’s perfect,” IslamSatpaev said when asked what it felt like to win the first medal of Paris 2024.

Full honesty, I missed some pieces of it for deep-dish pizza but my multiple Olympic sources told me I didn’t miss much. If anything I would love to see the initial live broadcast and not the primetime replay. I heard the mechanical water horse ran for much longer in the afternoon viewing and I am still trying to figure out if it was on giant water skis or a submarine.

Overall, I applaud them for trying to do something different. And I think there is something interesting there, especially in a very historic city like Paris. I really liked the journey through the city and the special moments at some of the best-known buildings and locations. And they addressed a complaint we’ve all had about previous opening ceremonies…when the F is the parade of nations going to be over. They actually tackled that challenge head-on and said we are going to weave the parade throughout the entire program so it’s not just 90 minutes straight of people walking.

But I think I just figured out why I don’t think it was a resounding success for me. Olympic opening ceremonies are usually pretty abstract with little vignettes highlighting aspects of culture and moments in history and you just roll with it. Paris used a lot of pre-recorded moments that were not abstract and went deep into specific narratives. Like the Phantom dude seeing the Mona Lisa missing and the amazing Minion short film and then the painting is just floating in the river and then we are just pretending the French suddenly don’t care about their most prized piece of art.

It’s like they started with a very elaborate storyboard of the entire opening ceremony and then slowly had to cut things out for logistic reasons and time and what was left was bleh. Like the last season of Game of Thrones. One second you are watching Kirabati on a tiny boat wondering why they got one to themselves and the next second you are watching the start of a threesome after vandalizing a library. And just like GoT, it ended with a person atop the iron throne/tower with a unique style of speaking who is overcoming a physical disability to show the world what’s possible. Who doesn’t love a surprise Celine Dion performance?

I give it a B overall for taking a huge risk and the amount of amazing memes I already saw this morning. Go Big or Go Home.

To avoid the other news of the day…SNOOP DOGG

Based on almost no facts, headlines I saw on Instagram but didn’t verify and random things that I associate with France. None of these will come true, but if they do, someone owes me a beer/hummus.

Anastasia and Dmitri finally make it back to Paris and light the cauldron

The animated masterpiece Anastasia was actually a true story and Paris was the key to both of their hearts. Anastasia’s been traveling the world with Dmitri and at 120 years of age, they are ready to settle where they defeated a terrifying demon horse and solidified their love. Their contributions to public safety in Paris will be rewarded by having the honor of lighting the Olympic Cauldron to officially open the 2024 Games.

Drones help Zinedine Zidane headbutt a football over the Eiffel Tower

In a nod to his most talked about moment, Zidane will be on the ground and headbutt a soccer ball. With the power of drones and croissant magic, the ball will grow fifty times in size and slowly go over the top of the Eiffel Tower landing on the other side to none other than…the Olsen Twins reprising their roles from Passport to Paris. I will accept half drinks if a portion of this is correct. Zidane and drones have to make an appearance.

Someone poops in the Seine

I heard Parisians opposed to the Olympics used the river as a bathroom when the mayor was taking a publicized swim to show how clean it is. There is no way someone doesn’t continue that trend during the opening ceremony to get on TV as one of the boats goes by. My official guess is when the Italy boat gets announced.

Vikings will infiltrate the nautical parade of nations

Vikings invaded Paris via the Seine in 845 and again in 885-886. They heard Paris is using the river as the parade of nations instead of a traditional stadium and they are not happy. Vikings had become peaceful citizens over time and one of their biggest sources of joy was being the volunteers at Olympic Games who stand in the stadiums and clap for 4 hours and guide the athletes. Paris poked the bear by taking away that opportunity and now the Vikings will repeat history by infiltrating tonight’s ceremony on a boat and re-invade Paris.

A US Men’s Rugby Player Falls Off the Boat

The US Men’s Rugby team has done their duty for the Stars and Stripes so they are in full party mode. They are doing a wine and cheese tour right now but skipping lunch because they want to try as many types of Brie as possible. Someone will give them a basket of baguettes to eat while they get dressed for tonight’s ceremony but it will go untouched in favor of more wine. This will lead to someone leaning over the edge a little too far and falling into the river, hopefully not near the third prediction. Good news, he’ll be fine and get rescued by the French boat that will be right behind them. A French water polo player will comfort him and they’ll fall in love.

I just found out that I’m terrible at escape rooms so fingers crossed one of these comes true and I actually have psychic powers instead.

How did USA do?

Better! In alphabetical order accompanied by a fictional character who I think would do well in the sport:

Archery

Casey Kaufhold had the best day of the four American athletes during the qualification round. She finished in 4th place setting up the US women for a 4th place ranking in team competition and a 3rd place ranking in the mixed team competition. She’ll be joined by long-time medalist Brady Ellison. I’m hoping that with their powers combined, they can get Casey’s first medal and Brady’s last Olympic medal! Go team go!

Football

The US women made their 2024 debut in dominant fashion winning 3-0 over Zambia. They are hoping to return to the gold medal match after not making it to the final in the last two games, and off to a great start.

Handball

We don’t have any handball teams so we technically didn’t lose, hooray! But I did watch Spain against Brazil and remembered how unique/silly of a sport it is. We haven’t had a team since 1996, and we only had one then because the games were in Hotlanta and got the host/pity spot. Should I start training for LA2028?

Rugby Sevens

The men’s team had a spectacular game this morning against Uruguay, 33-17, securing their spot in the quarter-finals. But lost that quarterfinal match later in the day to Australia 18-0. The sky was out, their thighs were out and we thank them for doing their best. Do they get to hang out now for the rest of the games? Those cardboard beds have their work cut out for them.

Just for fun

Did you also watch the US men in Rugby Sevens and think who is that masked man playing for Uruguay? Is his face ok? Or is it just an intimidation factor like the Phantom of the Opera and he doesn’t want anyone to know his true identity? Well, I couldn’t resist. His name is Baltazar Amaya. You’re welcome.

From some of my favorite gay comedians. I’m not saying there is going to be a lot, or any, thoughtful commentary on the Olympics from these 4 gentleman. But if you need something fun, give them a listen.

I Never Liked You

with Matteo Lane & Nick Smith

Two Guys, Five Rings

with Bowen Yang & Matt Rogers

Just a quick shout-out to Salt Lake City for getting the Winter Olympics in 2034. I’ve been there, twice! They really love the Olympics with some great public monuments, a fun museum and an Olympic sports park that is multi-seasonal! And I don’t care if there were technically no other cities in the running, we needed a win today. Time to start cutting out at least 1 family-sized tub of Hummus a month to save for the Olympics.

And I have to give one of my all-time favorite winter Olympic athletes, Chris Mazdzer a shout-out for getting up at 3am to celebrate in the streets of Salt Lake City.

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How did USA do?

Not the best opening day for the USA. But since the opening ceremonies aren’t until Friday and this is pool play let’s just pretend that Saturday is the real first day of competition.

Men’s Rugby Sevens

The official Skies Out, Thighs Out team tied France 7-7 and then lost to Fiji 38-12 later in the day. They have to beat Uruguay tomorrow to have any chance of advancing. But apparently Fiji is as good at Rugby Sevens as Maui is at saying You’re Welcome unsolicited, so no real surprises today. I think the USA was just happy to be here but really planning for growth leading up to LA2028.

Fun fact, one of our best players, Perry Baker, once played for the Philadelphia Eagles!

Men’s Football

Not the Eagles kind of football, the Ted Lasso kind. But nothing good to report here either. We lost 0-3 to France. The host team usually has a little bit of a boost from the crowd and in this case, the smell of croissants and brie. But since this was the US men’s first Olympic match in 16 years we could have used a little bit more of a morale boost. But onward and upward to New Zealand on July 27!

Talk of the Town – Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan got their first ever Olympic goal in Men’s Football. But their fans were the talk of the town going wild and having a grand old time. Check out this dude’s square hat. Is that a future fashion trend? Only time will tell.

And just for fun…