In the last Olympics post, I mentioned that I’ve been watching the surfing which is new to me (and relatively new to the Olympics) and that’s one of the joys of this competition as a viewer - finding those odd sports that you’ve never heard of before and that absolutely captivate you.

Surfing was good, patient and reliant on the weather. We’re waiting for the surf to come back to finish off that competition. In a complete contrast, kayak cross is absolute chaos. That’s a new event to the Olympics this year and I love it. Watching the regular canoe slalom is exhausting, those rowers fighting hard to get their boat where they want it to go. Kayak cross is all of that plus racing against other people for the same patch of water. People are getting hit over the head with paddles, ending up pointing the wrong way, and ultimately fighting for their right to win. I feel like there aren’t big hugs and congratulations at the end of these races, the way there are at other events.

Sticking with the surf, I got into windsurfing right near the end of that competition, particularly how people can take different lines to get to the same place. Always fun when tactics play a part. And on the beach, if in a totally different location, I’ve really enjoyed beach volleyball. It feels like this is what tennis would be if it had sensible scoring - really easy to follow and quick action.

The athletics is well underway, and whilst the running and jumping and throwing is all a lot of fun (high jump final last night was amazing, those odd little bunnies with their sleeping bags and their notebooks and shouting at the bar), I want a combination of them all. The steeplechase is the closest that we have, but it feels like they could do more. Of course, I’m thinking of the Eliminator from Gladiators, but I reckon with how popular ninja style events are, there’s scope for an assault course type sport at the Olympics at some point.

Finally, I’ve just started watching the bouldering today and it looks SO HARD. The first thing these climbers are presented with is an overhang that forces them upside down and stretched out to capacity. It seems impossible but I’m assuming the organisers know what they’re doing. Can’t wait to see how this develops.