Day 12: Spinning Her Wheels

Kristen Faulkner was not even on the USA Olympic Cycling team a month ago. She wasn't even riding bikes until 2017. After getting a venture capitalist job in NYC, she picked up riding a bike in Central Park as a hobby.  She realized she liked it, was pretty good at it, and started trying some races. She won races, lots of 'em.  Quit her job, turned to cycling professionally four years ago. She didn't qualify for the Olympic team initally, but then Taylor Knibb also qualified in the Triathlon and resigned her spot on the cycling team to focus on that event. Faulker got the call up from USA Cycling, and a month later, she took advantage and blitzed the leaders at the end to claim the road race gold.

So the US threw her on the Cycling track sprint team, and now Faulkner has pedaled her way to a second Gold Medal! 20 points in cycling that none of us had any foresight to select either.

Not too bad for a ride in the park. Maybe one of us could be a badminton savant? Time to chase your passion.

Speaking of passion, the Artistic Swimming title was delivered today, and Team de Triomphe splashed and dazzled her way into second place with the Chinese team claiming the Gold. The US team performed their "Sorceress" routine and secured their first medal in forever.  With Russia banned, this made it a wide open competition for the first time in forever.

Fierce Splashing

The Paris games have made a big deal about this being a very equal opportuinty Olympics, with women's events being available in all disciplines. Buuut, there's no men's artistic swimming. Interestingly enough, there was a rule change for this year that allowed a max of two men on each roster.  None were selected for the teams.

DISTANCE:

• Race Walk Mixed Relay GOLD - Alvaro Martin, Spain - Athletic Avengers

WEIGHTLIFTING - the first medals getting raised up!

• GOLD - China Men and Women - Synchronized Race Walkers, Team de Triomphe
• BRONZE - USA Men - Hunchback of the Swimming Lane

CYCLING

• Men's Team Sprint  - SILVER - Great Britain - Ethan Hayter and Oliver Wood of Synchronized Race Walkers and Baguette the Gold
• Women's Team Sprint - BRONZE - Great Britain - Elinor Barker and Neah Evans of Athletic Avengers and Macronian Cheese

ARTISTIC SWIMMING - CHINA GOLD for Team de Triomphe - 20 point boost!

WRESTLING

• GOLD - Iran Men - Eiffel Power
• SILVER - Armenia Men - Team de Triomphe
• BRONZE - Armenia Men - Team de Triomphe; Kyrgysztan Men - Macronian Cheese x 2!; Cuba Men - Hunchback of the Swimming Lane; Japan Women - Seine Superstars

SPRINTING

• 400m - Quincy Hall, USA - GOLD - Seine Superstars

BOXING

• France Men - Silver AND Bronze - Synchronized Race Walkers