Lucas Tanglen Clinches Championship

Under the capable management of Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon won the second Fantasy Olympiad on the final day Sunday.  They entered the day in third place but moved up to first when the USA beat Spain 107-100 for the men's basketball gold medal.  That gave Postmodern its second 50 point gold medal in the sport.  An hour later, it was all over when Croatia defeated Italy 8-6 for the men's water polo gold.  The head-to-head victory for Postmodern over former first place team Da Nang Dynamos removed all doubt about who would lead the final standings.

Da Nang Dynamos were seemingly always in front of the competition, leading at the end of 11 out of the 16 days.  Postmodern Pentathlon was expected to win by many, but they never actually led until hours before the end of the Games.  Now they'll top the leaderboard for the next year and a half.  It's just another example of a team that trailed throughout, got pumped up by hearing 2 Unlimited's "Get Ready For This", and cruised to victory.

Typical of a team based in the coastal lowlands, the Dynamos outscored their rivals by 120 points in the water sports entering Sunday.  Even that advantage didn't help in the water polo final.  The loss was certainly a crushing blow to Dynamos fans everywhere - yet it was hardly shocking to a fan base that sets its calendar by spring hockey playoff losses to Rochester Americans, summers of mediocre baseball, and long winters never brightened by a football playoff appearance.

Dynamos manager John Binz is reportedly considering an attempt to appease fans of the beleaguered franchise by having a lot of 22-year-old girls in size XS Cubs shirts in the stands.  It remains unclear whether this marketing move will translate to the Eastern Hemisphere.

Final Standings

Here are the final Fantasy Summer Olympic standings - the first to feature Postmodern Pentathlon on top.  They're followed by Da Nang Dynamos, The Jim Thorpes, and Paragons.  Lithuania's Laura Asadauskaitė-Zadneprovskienė won the Modern Pentathlon gold medal, lifting Paragons into the first division.  Laura's gold medal is clearly a great flirt with Paragons manager Dave Spence, whose last name can't possibly be looking bad from her perspective.

Paragons' success dropped defending champion Los Cornballers to the second division, just ahead of sixth place Chariots of Fire.  Seventh place Golden Girls proved to be a one-weekend wonder, as they led the first two days of competition before a free fall that was never really slowed.  They barely held off the last place Zurich Zebras, who won two 25-point medals Sunday.  Don't feel sorry for the Zebras - not only did they intentionally lose badminton matches, but their manager is the type of person who if this situation ever came up, would probably cock block another league manager from a girl who is wearing a wedding dress at a dive bar.

STANDINGS THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

1.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon

533.2 Points
Basketball 100 (2G)
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Football 25 (1S)
Handball 25 (1G)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Water Polo 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Boxing 21 (1G, 2S, 3B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 18.2 (1G, 4S, 1B)
Athletics 15 (1G, 3S, 4B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Wrestling 14 (2G, 2B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Field Hockey 6.3 (1B)
Modern Pentathlon 6.3 (1B)
Sailing 5 (2B)
Diving 1.6 (1B)
Taekwondo 1.6 (1B)

2.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos

493.3 Points
Swimming 129.6 (16G, 9S, 6B)
Athletics 50.4 (8G, 5S, 4B)
Volleyball 50 (1G, 2S)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Gymnastics 36.4 (3G, 5S, 4B)
Sailing 35 (3G, 1S)
Boxing 23 (2G, 1S, 2B)
Wrestling 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Water Polo 12.5 (1S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Handball 6.3 (1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Cycling 5.6 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Taekwondo 3.2 (1S)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes

481.3 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Football 50 (1G)

Canoeing 30.1 (3G, 2S, 3B)

Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Basketball 25 (1S)
Volleyball 25 (1G)
Water Polo 25 (1G)
Boxing 24.9 (2G, 2S, 1B)
Athletics 23.5 (2G, 5S, 4B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)

Diving 15.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 2S, 3B)

Modern Pentathlon 12.5 (1S)
Taekwondo 11.1 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Field Hockey 6.3 (1B)
Handball 6.3 (1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)

Badminton 5 (1S)

Wrestling 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

4.  Dave Spence, Paragons

399.7 Points
Table Tennis 62.6 (4G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 50 (2G)
Field Hockey 37.5 (1G, 1S)
Modern Pentathlon 25 (1G)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Athletics 20.4 (4G, 1S, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 17.8 (2G, 1S)
Canoeing 17.3 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Boxing 15.3 (1G, 1S, 2B)
Equestrian 14.7 (3S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Wrestling 12.6 (3S, 3B)
Basketball 12.5 (1B)
Sailing 10 (2S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Volleyball 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)

5.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
380.3 Points
Athletics 72.7 (9G, 13S, 7B)
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Canoeing 26.7 (3G, 2S, 1B)
Football 25 (1S)
Volleyball 25 (1G)
Wrestling 21 (2G, 2S, 3B)

Boxing 19.2 (2G, 2B)

Sailing 15 (1G, 1S)

Basketball 12.5 (1B)

Triathlon 12.5 (1S)

Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)

Tennis 10 (1S)
Taekwondo 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

6.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire

371.1 Points
Volleyball 56.3 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Athletics 30 (4G, 4S, 4B)
Wrestling 25.2 (4G, 2B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Boxing 17.3 (2G, 1B)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Field Hockey 12.5 (1S)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Canoeing 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Cycling 2.8 (1S)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)

7.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
266.7 Points
Diving 48.7 (6G, 3S, 1B)
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)

Field Hockey 25 (1G)

Athletics 18.3 (3G, 1S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Canoeing 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Water Polo 6.3 (1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
263.4 Points
Wrestling 35 (4G, 2S, 5B)
Basketball 25 (1S)
Handball 25 (1G)
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (2G)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 14 (1G, 3S)
Boxing 13.4 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Taekwondo 9.5 (1G, 2B)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Water Polo 6.3 (1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Dynamos Take Lead; 3 Teams Still In Race

Heading into the final day, the Fantasy Summer Olympics couldn't be closer as three teams still have a good shot at victory.  This is always a hotly contested championship, but this Fantasy Olympiad could end up turning on something so simple as the league's collective failure to draft a silver-medal winning handball team.  It's an ironic failure indeed considering that nearly half the league has inadvertently given or received a Montenegro Women's Handball since competition began.

Da Nang Dynamos reclaimed their normal spot at the top of the standings Saturday with a 70.1 point day.  Written off for not having teams in the 50-point gold medal games, they used a balanced performance with 17 medals across seven sports.  The Dynamos' day was led by Russia athletics (eight medals, four gold).

Moving into third was Postmodern Pentathlon, with a huge 112.1 points.  Team USA took the 50-point gold in women's basketball, Norway took the 25-point gold in women's handball, and Brazil won Postmodern 25 points despite being upset the gold medal men's football game.

The Jim Thorpes dropped out of first place, scoring only 44.1 points on the day thanks to Team France's decision not to show up for the gold medal game in women's basketball.  It was the biggest disgrace for France since their 1873 defeat in the Franco-Prussian War to a made up country that everybody knows doesn't exist.

STANDINGS THROUGH SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos

467.5 Points
Swimming 129.6 (16G, 9S, 6B)
Athletics 50.4 (8G, 5S, 4B)
Volleyball 50 (1G, 2S)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Gymnastics 30.8 (2G, 5S, 4B)
Sailing 35 (3G, 1S)
Wrestling 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Boxing 15.3 (1G, 1S, 2B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Handball 6.3 (1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Cycling 5.6 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Taekwondo 3.2 (1S)

2.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
447.8 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Football 50 (1G)

Canoeing 30.1 (3G, 2S, 3B)

Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Basketball 25 (1S)
Volleyball 25 (1G)
Water Polo 25 (1G)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Athletics 20.3 (2G, 4S, 3B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)

Diving 15.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 2S, 3B)

Boxing 13.4 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Taekwondo 11.1 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Field Hockey 6.3 (1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)

Badminton 5 (1S)

Wrestling 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

3.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon

444.9 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Basketball 50 (1G)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Football 25 (1S)
Handball 25 (1G)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 18.2 (1G, 4S, 1B)
Athletics 15 (1G, 3S, 4B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Boxing 13.3 (2S, 3B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Wrestling 8.4 (1G, 2B)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Field Hockey 6.3 (1B)
Modern Pentathlon 6.3 (1B)
Sailing 5 (2B)
Diving 1.6 (1B)
Taekwondo 1.6 (1B)

4.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
350.2 Points
Volleyball 43.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Athletics 30 (4G, 4S, 4B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Wrestling 19.6 (3G, 2B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Boxing 17.3 (2G, 1B)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Field Hockey 12.5 (1S)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Canoeing 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)

5.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
346.2 Points
Athletics 72.7 (9G, 13S, 7B)
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Canoeing 26.7 (3G, 2S, 1B)
Football 25 (1S)
Wrestling 19.6 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Sailing 15 (1G, 1S)

Basketball 12.5 (1B)

Triathlon 12.5 (1S)

Boxing 11.5 (1G, 2B)

Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Taekwondo 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

6.  Dave Spence, Paragons
343 Points
Table Tennis 62.6 (4G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 50 (2G)
Field Hockey 37.5 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Athletics 20.4 (4G, 1S, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Canoeing 17.3 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Equestrian 14.7 (3S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Wrestling 11.2 (3S, 2B)
Rowing 17.8 (2G, 1S)
Sailing 10 (2S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Boxing 3.8 (2B)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)

7.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
265.3 Points
Diving 48.7 (6G, 3S, 1B)
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)

Field Hockey 25 (1G)

Athletics 18.3 (3G, 1S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Canoeing 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Water Polo 6.3 (1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
207.1 Points
Wrestling 35 (4G, 2S, 5B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (2G)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 14 (1G, 3S)
Boxing 13.4 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Taekwondo 9.5 (1G, 2B)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

No Changes Friday At Top of Leaderboard

It's too little, too late, but Paragons moved into the first division Friday by more than doubling every other team's point totals dor the day.  Paragons rallied behind a pair of 25-point team gold medals by Russia (women's synchronized swimming) and the Netherlands (women's field hockey).  Admittedly I don't know much about the sport but it seems likely that this defender, Sophie Polkamp, was key to the Dutch victory.

Despite Polkamp's best efforst, it's still a three-team race for the fantasy championship.  Third place Postmodern Pentathlon moved a bit closer to the leaders and has three aces in the hole as Brazil men's football and USA men's and women's basketball all will compete for gold medals in the Games' final weekend.  Second place Da Nang Dynamos, who previously led for ten straight days, now trail The Jim Thorpes in a near-dead heat.

The Thorpes, however, are guaranteed at least 25 more points with France set to compete in the women's basketball gold medal game Saturday.  The Dynamos could be the odd team out, as a USA victory would bolster Postmodern Pentathlon's chances while a France upset may create too much separation behind The Jim Thorpes.  All in all, there's a legitimate shot that this Fantasy Olympic championship is the most that has ever been riding on a women's basketball game.

STANDINGS THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 9

1.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
403.7 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Football 50 (1G)

Canoeing 30.1 (3G, 2S, 3B)

Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Volleyball 25 (1G)
Water Polo 25 (1G)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Athletics 19.2 (2G, 4S, 2B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)

Cycling 15.4 (1G, 2S, 3B)

Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Boxing 9.6 (1G, 1B)
Taekwondo 9.5 (1G, 1S)
Diving 9.4 (2S, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)

Badminton 5 (1S)

Wrestling 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

2.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos

397.4 Points
Swimming 129.6 (16G, 9S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Volleyball 37.5 (1G, 1S)
Sailing 30 (3G)
Athletics 26.8 (4G, 3S, 2B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (1G, 4S, 4B)
Wrestling 19.6 (3G, 1S)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Cycling 5.6 (1S, 2B)
Boxing 3.8 (2B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Taekwondo 3.2 (1S)

3.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
332.8 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Synchronized Swimming 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 3S, 1B)
Athletics 15 (1G, 3S, 4B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Boxing 13.3 (2S, 3B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Wrestling 7 (1G, 1B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Field Hockey 6.3 (1B)
Sailing 5 (2B)
Taekwondo 1.6 (1B)

4.  Dave Spence, Paragons
311 Points
Table Tennis 62.6 (4G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 50 (2G)
Field Hockey 25 (1G)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 16.1 (3G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Equestrian 14.7 (3S, 1B)
Sailing 10 (2S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Wrestling 7 (2S, 1B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Boxing 3.8 (2B)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

5.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
310.5 Points
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Athletics 24.6 (3G, 4S, 3B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Volleyball 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Wrestling 18.2 (3G, 1B)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Field Hockey 12.5 (1S)
Boxing 9.6 (1G, 1B)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

6.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
304.7 Points
Athletics 64.2 (8G, 11S, 7B)
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Football 25 (1S)
Canoeing 25.1 (3G, 2S)
Sailing 15 (1G, 1S)
Triathlon 12.5 (1S)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Taekwondo 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Wrestling 8.4 (2S, 2B)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Boxing 3.8 (2B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

7.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
232 Points
Diving 45.6 (6G, 2S, 1B)
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Athletics 16.2 (3G, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Water Polo 6.3 (1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
179.6 Points
Wrestling 30.8 (4G, 1S, 4B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Taekwondo 9.5 (1G, 2B)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Cycling 8.4 (3S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Boxing 5.7 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Jim Thorpes Take Lead

The Jim Thorpes summoned the spirit of their founder, Jim Thorpe, to score 135.8 points Thursday.  It was by far the best day of any team this Olympics.  They are now in first place after getting 25 point gold medals in men's beach volleyball (Germany) and women's water polo (USA), to go with the Games' first 50-point medal, USA women's soccer.

Da Nang Dynamos, who had led the league for over a week straight, got only two silver medals and fall to second.  Postmodern Pentathlon got four medals, none of them gold, and falls to third.

STANDINGS THROUGH THURSDAY, AUGUST 8

1.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
384.4 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Football 50 (1G)

Canoeing 30.1 (3G, 2S, 3B)

Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Volleyball 25 (1G)
Water Polo 25 (1G)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)

Athletics 17.1 (2G, 3S, 2B)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 1S, 3B)

Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Taekwondo 9.5 (1G, 1S)
Diving 9.4 (2S, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Boxing 7.7 (1G)
Synchronized Swimming 6.3 (1B)

Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)

Badminton 5 (1S)

Wrestling 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

2.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos

373.7 Points
Swimming 129.6 (16G, 9S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Volleyball 37.5 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 22.5 (3G, 3S, 2B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (1G, 4S, 4B)
Sailing 20 (2G)
Wrestling 16.8 (3G)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Taekwondo 3.2 (1S)
Cycling 2.8 (2B)

3.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
303 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 3S, 1B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Synchronized Swimming 12.5 (1S)
Athletics 10.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Boxing 7.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Sailing 5 (2B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

4.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
292.6 Points
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Athletics 22.5 (3G, 3S, 3B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Volleyball 18.8 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Wrestling 18.2 (3G, 1B)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Boxing 7.7 (1G)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)

5.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
281.4 Points
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Athletics 57.8 (7G, 10S, 7B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Football 25 (1S)
Canoeing 25.1 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 12.5 (1S)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Wrestling 8.4 (2S, 2B)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Taekwondo 6.3 (1G)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Sailing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

6.  Dave Spence, Paragons
246.3 Points
Table Tennis 62.6 (4G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 25 (1G)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 16.1 (3G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Equestrian 14.7 (3S, 1B)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)
Boxing 1.9 (1B)

7.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
223.7 Points
Diving 45.6 (6G, 2S, 1B)
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 10.8 (2G, 2B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Water Polo 6.3 (1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
171 Points
Wrestling 23.8 (3G, 1S, 3B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Cycling 8.4 (3S)
Taekwondo 7.9 (1G, 1B)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Boxing 5.7 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Treanor/Walsh Gold Leads Dynamos

They may have three names like our female Facebook friends, but Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings won their third beach volleyball gold medal Wednesday for Team USA and the Da Nang Dynamos

The Dynamos made a strong statement with six medals on the day, which also included Team USA's beach volleyball silver and a sailing gold for Australia.  Second place Postmodern Pentathlon picked up only one bronze and lost over 55 points in the standings.

STANDINGS THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
367.6 Points
Swimming 126.7 (16G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Volleyball 37.5 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 22.5 (3G, 3S, 2B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (1G, 4S, 4B)
Sailing 20 (2G)
Wrestling 16.8 (3G)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Cycling 2.8 (2B)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
292.2 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 3S, 1B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Synchronized Swimming 12.5 (1S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 7.5 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Sailing 5 (2B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

3.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
248.9 Points
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Athletics 15 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Wrestling 12.6 (2G, 1B)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Equestrian 8.3 (1G)
Volleyball 6.3 (1B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)

4.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
248.6 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)

Canoeing 17.5 (1G, 2S, 3B)

Cycling 12.6 (1G, 1S, 3B)
Athletics 10.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Synchronized Swimming 6.3 (1B)

Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)

Taekwondo 6.3 (1G)

Badminton 5 (1S)

Shooting 1.7 (1B)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
240.2 Points
Table Tennis 62.6 (4G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 25 (1G)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 16.1 (3G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Equestrian 10.5 (2S, 1B)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

6.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
223.4 Points
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Athletics 45 (5G, 8S, 7B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Triathlon 12.5 (1S)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Wrestling 7 (2S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Sailing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

6.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
208 Points
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Diving 39.3 (5G, 2S, 1B)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 10.8 (2G, 2B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Taekwondo 3.1 (1S)
Canoeing 1.6 (1B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
144.4 Points
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Wrestling 18.2 (2G, 1S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Cycling 8.4 (3S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Athletics 2.1 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Postmodern Pentathlon Cuts Dynamos Lead

Da Nang Dynamos had another poor day as they lost half of their previous lead over favored Postmodern Pentathlon.  Postmodern Pentathlon took eight medals Tuesday to the Dynamos' four, and now trails by only 20 points with both USA basketball teams still alive in the medal rounds.  Spain's Ona Carbonell and Andrea Fuentes won Postmodern's biggest medal of the day, the 12.5-point silver in synchronized swimming.  In every still photo of synchronized swimming ever, the athletes look like murderers.  Not gun murderers, stabbing murderers.

Farther down in the standings, a couple of teams had big days Tuesday to move into a tie for third place.  Paragons scored 47.1 points and was led by Russia's 25 point synchronized swimming gold medal in women's duets.  Chariots of Fire got a league-high 61.2 points, including the day's other 25-point gold medal in men's triathlon.

STANDINGS THROUGH TUESDAY, AUGUST 6

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
310.6 Points
Swimming 126.7 (16G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (1G, 4S, 4B)
Wrestling 16.8 (3G)
Athletics 16.1 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 2.8 (2B)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
290.8 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Equestrian 22.9 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Cycling 15.4 (1G, 3S, 1B)
Weightlifting 15 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Synchronized Swimming 12.5 (1S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 7.5 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Sailing 5 (2B)

T-3.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
223.5 Points
Gymnastics 43.4 (5G, 4S, 3B)
Triathlon 31.2 (1G, 1B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 11.8 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Diving 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Equestrian 8.3 (1G)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

T-3.  Dave Spence, Paragons
223.5 Points
Table Tennis 50.1 (3G, 2S)
Synchronized Swimming 25 (1G)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Sailing 20 (1G, 2S)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 16.1 (3G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Equestrian 6.3 (1S, 1B)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

5.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
223.2 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 18.2 (5S, 1B)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 1S, 3B)
Athletics 10.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (3S)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Synchronized Swimming 6.3 (1B)
Badminton 5 (1S)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

6.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
203.3 Points
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Diving 39.3 (5G, 2S, 1B)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 10.8 (2G, 2B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

7.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
183.7 Points
Cycling 53.2 (8G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Athletics 25.7 (2G, 6S, 5B)
Triathlon 12.5 (1S)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 6.3 (1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
143 Points
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Wrestling 16.8 (2G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Cycling 8.4 (3S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Table Tennis 6.2 (2B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Athletics 2.1 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Dynamos Reassert Dominance

The embattled Da Nang Dynamos added to their lead Monday, ranking second in the league with 30.5 points on a slow day for medals.  Swimming had given the Dynamos 16 of their 22 medals through nine days of competition, but with no action in the pool on Monday they added to their lead with golds in athletics, gymnastics, wrestling, and sailing.  When Australian Tom Slingsby won sailing gold in the Men's Laser, it was a great moment in sport that was already forgotten by the time this post went up.

Chariots of Fire had the best day in the league, scoring 32 points with seven medals, but it was good enough only to move into sixth.

STANDINGS THROUGH MONDAY, AUGUST 6

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
297.9 Points
Swimming 126.7 (16G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Gymnastics 21 (1G, 4S, 3B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Athletics 11.8 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Wrestling 11.2 (2G)
Sailing 10 (1G)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
252 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 26.7 (3G, 2S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Gymnastics 7 (1S, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Weightlifting 5 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
202.6 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 16.5 (5S)
Athletics 10.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Cycling 5.6 (1S, 2B)
Badminton 5 (1S)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

4.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
195.8 Points
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Diving 34.6 (5G, 1S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 10.8 (2G, 2B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Gymnastics 7 (1G, 1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
175.7 Points
Table Tennis 37.6 (2G, 2S)
Shooting 21.8 (3G, 1B)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 15 (3G, 1S)
Sailing 15 (1G, 1S)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)
Wrestling 2.8 (1S)

6.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
162.3 Points
Gymnastics 28 (3G, 3S, 2B)
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Shooting 23.3 (2G, 3S)
Equestrian 12.5 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 11.8 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)
Wrestling 1.4 (1B)

7.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
143.5 Points
Cycling 39.2 (6G, 1S, 2B)
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Athletics 18.3 (2G, 3S, 4B)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
120.1 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Gymnastics 15.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Wrestling 14 (2G, 2B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Cycling 8.4 (3S)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Athletics 2.1 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Dynamos Lead Slipping

Postmodern Pentathlon moved closer to first place, again posting the best day of any team Sunday with 66.7 points.  Great Britain's Andy Murray brought them 30 of those points as he won gold in men's singles and silver in mixed doubles.

Da Nang Dynamos remain in first, but the lead built by Team USA's remarkable swimming performance continued to slip away.  With Postmodern Pentathlon's Team USA expected to take the 50 point gold medals in men's and women's basketball, they've now officially become the favorite in the second Fantasy Olympiad.

STANDINGS THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 5

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
267.4 Points
Swimming 126.7 (16G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Gymnastics 12.6 (3S, 3B)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Diving 7.8 (2S, 1B)
Wrestling 5.6 (1G)
Athletics 5.3 (2S, 1B)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
243 Points
Badminton 60 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Tennis 30 (1G, 1S)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Shooting 23.4 (3G, 1S)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1S, 2B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
201.2 Points
Tennis 65 (3G, 1B)
Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 16.5 (5S)
Athletics 10.7 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Badminton 5 (1S)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

4.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
193.3 Points
Fencing 45 (3G, 2S, 2B)
Weightlifting 40.1 (5G, 2S)
Diving 34.6 (5G, 1S)
Shooting 25.1 (2G, 2S, 3B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 9.7 (2G, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Gymnastics 7 (1G, 1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
167 Points
Table Tennis 37.6 (2G, 2S)
Shooting 20.1 (3G)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Athletics 15 (3G, 1S)
Sailing 15 (1G, 1S)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

6.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
132.5 Points
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Cycling 33.6 (5G, 1S, 2B)
Athletics 12.9 (1G, 2S, 4B)
Gymnastics 11.2 (1G, 2S)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Badminton 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Wrestling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

7.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
130.3 Points
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Gymnastics 22.4 (3G, 1S, 2B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Shooting 13.3 (1G, 2S)
Athletics 11.8 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Sailing 2.5 (1B)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
108.2 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Gymnastics 15.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Wrestling 7 (1G, 1B)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Cycling 5.6 (2S)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Postmodern Pentathlon Moves Into 2nd

Postmodern Pentathlon moved into second place Saturday with a league-best 62.6 points.  They got two more gold medals from China badmintonm, and also took the women's triathlon for the first 25-point medal of the Games (Switzerland's Nicola Spirig).

STANDINGS THROUGH SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
236.3 Points
Swimming 126.7 (16G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Rowing 14.4 (3S, 2B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (3S, 1B)
Diving 6.2 (2S)
Athletics 4.2 (2S)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
176.3 Points
Badminton 37.5 (3G, 1S, 1B)
Triathlon 25 (1G)
Swimming 20.7 (3S, 8B)
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
160.4 Points
Tennis 40 (2G)
Swimming 27.8 (1G, 6S, 3B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 22.5 (2G, 1B)
Weightlifting 13.2 (4S)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Cycling 4.2 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

4.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
155.6 Points
Weightlifting 33.4 (4G, 2S)
Fencing 35 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Diving 25.2 (4G)
Shooting 23.4 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Tennis 15 (1S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Athletics 5.4 (1G, 1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
149.9 Points
Table Tennis 37.6 (2G, 2S)
Shooting 20.1 (3G)
Swimming 16.2 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Athletics 12.9 (3G)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Triathlon 6.3 (1B)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

6.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
115.6 Points
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 24.9 (3G, 2B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Gymnastics 16.8 (2G, 1S, 2B)
Shooting 13.3 (1G, 2S)
Athletics 5.4 (1G, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

7.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
102.6 Points
Rowing 39.2 (4G, 2S, 2B)
Cycling 32.2 (5G, 1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (1G, 1S)
Athletics 6.4 (2S, 2B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Shooting 5 (1S, 1B)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)

8.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
85.6 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Gymnastics 12.6 (2G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Tennis 10 (1S)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Fencing Controversy

In a horrific and embarrassing turn of events, it was discovered that both Chariots of Fire and The Jim Thorpes have China fencing on their roster.

Extensive research has revealed that The Jim Thorpes are the rightful owner, having drafted China fencing with the second pick of the 14th round.  Chariots of Fire drafted China fencing in round 18 when the team wasn't available.

All pages have been updated.

Dynamos Take 65 Point Lead

I have been busy moving, now it's time to catch up on standings.

Da Nang Dynamos continued to run away with the Fantasy Olympics Friday, earning a league-best 44.3 points to open up a huge lead on the competition.  USA Swimming won the Dynamos three more golds and South Korea picked up the final gold medal in that sport.

STANDINGS THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 3

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
204.9 Points
Swimming 114.9 (14G, 8S, 6B)
Archery 40.6 (3G, 1B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Gymnastics 9.8 (3S, 1B)
Rowing 9 (2S, 1B)
Diving 6.2 (2S)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)

2.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
139.5 Points
Weightlifting 33.4 (4G, 2S)
Fencing 35 (2G, 2S, 2B)
Diving 25.2 (4G)
Shooting 21.7 (2G, 2S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Athletics 4.3 (1G)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

3.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
113.7 Points
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Swimming 16.3 (2S, 7B)
Badminton 12.5 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Rowing 3.6 (1S)
Athletics 2.1 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

4.  Dave Spence, Paragons
111 Points
Table Tennis 37.6 (2G, 2S)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 2S)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Swimming 8.8 (1G, 1S)
Rowing 7.1 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Weightlifting 3.4 (2B)

5.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
100.9 Points
Swimming 23.4 (1G, 5S, 2B)
Judo 23.3 (1G, 3S, 3B)
Fencing 12.5 (1G, 1B)
Rowing 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 9.9 (3S)
Athletics 3.2 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)
Cycling 4.2 (1S, 1B)

6.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
97.5 Points
Swimming 25 (3G, 2G, 1B)
Rowing 23.1 (3G, 1B)
Judo 21.4 (2G, 4B)
Gymnastics 12.6 (2G, 1B)
Shooting 6.6 (2S)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

7.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
73.9 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Gymnastics 12.6 (2G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Swimming 5.9 (1S, 2B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 2.8 (1S)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
70.6 Points
Cycling 26.6 (4G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 21.4 (2G, 1S, 2B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (1G, 1S)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Badminton 2.5 (1B)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)
Athletics 1.1 (1B)

Dynamos Extend Lead

Da Nang Dynamos further asserted their dominance Thursday - they entered the day in first place and closed the day having scored a league-high 37.5 points.  Three more golds for Team USA swimming led the charge, and the Dynamos were also helped by South Korea's 12.5-point gold medal in women's archery.

Golden Girls, who got another gold from Italy's fencing team but didn't do much else, remain in second.  The Dynamos' Achillies flaw, though, could end up being the fact that swimming competition ends after Saturday.  Athetics will dominate the schedule, and there's no home field advantage in pure athletics.

Paragons had the only other 30-point day, moving into third on the strength of China's gold and silver in table tennis.

STANDINGS THROUGH THURSDAY, AUGUST 2

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
160.6 Points
Swimming 92.7 (11G, 7S, 5B)
Archery 28.1 (2G, 1B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 12.5 (2S, 1B)
Gymnastics 7 (2S, 1B)
Diving 6.2 (2S)
Rowing 3.6 (1S)
Canoeing 3.2 (2B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)

2.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
129.2 Points
Weightlifting 33.4 (4G, 2S)
Fencing 32.5 (2G, 2S, 1B)
Diving 25.2 (4G)
Shooting 21.7 (2G, 2S, 1B)
Rowing 7.2 (2S)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

3.  Dave Spence, Paragons
95.1 Points
Table Tennis 37.6 (2G, 2S)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Canoeing 9.4 (1G, 1S)
Swimming 8.8 (1G, 1S)
Judo 7.2 (2S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

4.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
91 Points
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Swimming 16.3 (2S, 7B)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Canoeing 12.6 (2G)
Cycling 12.6 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 10.7 (1G, 2B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

5.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
84.7 Points
Swimming 23.4 (1G, 5S, 2B)
Judo 19.7 (1G, 2S, 3B)
Fencing 12.5 (1G, 1B)
Rowing 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 3.3 (1S)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)
Cycling 1.4 (1B)

6.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
72.4 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Gymnastics 12.6 (2G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Swimming 4.4 (1S, 1B)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)
Cycling 2.8 (1S)

7.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
63.5 Points
Swimming 19.1 (2G, 2G, 1B)
Judo 14.3 (1G, 4B)
Rowing 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 6.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
41.9 Points
Cycling 15.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 12.5 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (1G, 1S)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Paragons Regain Respectability

On the same day when they had two athletes thrown out of the Olympics for intentionally losing a match, Paragons got back in the race with Wednesday's best performance by any team.  China took the gold and silver in women's table tennis singles, and Paragons also benefitted from gold and silver medals in men's rowing.  Da Nang Dynamos and Golden Girls continued to be the class of the league.

STANDINGS THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
123.1 Points
Swimming 70.6 (8G, 6S, 4B)
Archery 15.6 (1G, 1B)
Judo 14.2 (2G)
Fencing 7.5 (1S, 1B)
Diving 6.2 (2S)
Rowing 3.6 (1S)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Canoeing 1.6 (1B)

2.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
115.6 Points
Weightlifting 33.4 (4G, 2S)
Diving 25.2 (4G)
Fencing 22.5 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Shooting 21.7 (2G, 2S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Rowing 3.6 (1S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
74.5 Points
Swimming 23.4 (1G, 5S, 2B)
Judo 19.7 (1G, 2S, 3B)
Fencing 12.5 (1G, 1B)
Diving 6.3 (1S, 2B)
Weightlifting 3.3 (1S)
Canoeing 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Rowing 1.8 (1B)

4.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
71.1 Points
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Swimming 10.5 (7B)
Judo 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Canoeing 6.3 (1G)
Cycling 5.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
61 Points
Table Tennis 18.8 (1G, 1S)
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Rowing 10.7 (1G, 1S)
Judo 7.2 (2S)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

6.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
60.9 Points
Weightlifting 21.8 (2G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Gymnastics 7 (1G, 1B)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Swimming 4.4 (1S, 1B)
Table Tennis 3.1 (1B)

7.  Craig Emmert, Chariots of Fire
54.6 Points
Swimming 19.1 (2G, 2G, 1B)
Judo 12.5 (1G, 3B)
Shooting 6.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Rowing 1.8 (1B)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
32.7 Points
Cycling 9.8 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Rowing 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Gymnastics 8.4 (1G, 1S)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Emmert Anounces Team Name

In an ill-fated attempt to leap to the top tier of teams along with the Dynamos and Golden Girls, Craig Emmert has named his team "Chariots of Fire."  I never figured out why this track and field movie was named after chariots.

Craig's Team will heretoforth be known as "Chariots of Fire."  Jersey sales should be brisk.  This site will eventually perform a Stalin-like wiping of all previous mentions of the defunct team name.

Zebras-Led Conspiracy Disgraces Sport

On the surface, the Fantasy Olympics are nothing but a lighthearted game among friends.  But a dark and seamy underworld lurks not far beneath - an underworld which can't easily be glossed over by a brightly colored blog.  How disappointing that even our fantasy world can be plagued with the same widespread corruption, underhanded dealing, and self-serving machismo that we normally only see in the real world.  I refer, of course, to the shameful actions of three of our Fantasy Olympic teams.

In the badminton tournament, it is possible to qualify for the medal rounds with one match to go in pool play. Several women's doubles teams achieved this, meaning Tuesday's matches were only for seeding.  Postmodern Pentathlon manager Lucas Tanglen was desperate to take both the gold and silver, meaning Chinese teams needed to qualify on each side of the bracket.  This could only happen if Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang lost, so Tanglen ordered them to tank the match.

Not to be outdone, Zurich Zebras manager Christina Binz told her South Korean team to try to lose the match as well.  That a Switzerland-based team would use a top 50 overall pick on badminton was always inexplicable...it now became nefarious.  At least the Chinese succeeded in losing the match.

Binz now needed her other South Korean team to lose to prevent both of her teams from meeting in the quarterfinals.  So she doubled down, ordering Ha Jung-eum and Kim Min-jung to blow the next match against Indonesia.  But Paragons manager Dave Spence, failing to live up to his sanctimonious team name, told the Indonesians to lose as well.  Binz's squad once again failed at failling as Indonesia lost.

Everything came to a head today when all eight players involved in the scandal were booted from the Olympics.  The South Koreans appealed but their appeal was denied.  Finally they had managed to lose.

"I think it's really important they do something about it, because we've been seeing it a lot, Los Cornballers badminton competitor Christinna Pederson (Denmark) told reporters.  "It's a shame for our sport that all of us love so much.  I can't believe they could do it at the Olympics.  It's such a shame."

"The extra 'n' I have over Christina Binz may be pointless," Pederson continued, "but the extra integrity is not."

USA Swimming Puts Dynamos In First

Da Nang Dynamos moved into first place in the Fantasy Olympics Tuesday as USA Swimming continued to dominate the medal count.  The Dynamos edged out Golden Girls for the overall lead by picking up eight overall medals, including medals in all four of the day's swimming events.  After golds from Alison Schmitt (women's 200 freestyle) and the men's 4x200 freestyle relay team, USA Swimming now has earned more fantasy points than all but two entire teams.  Schmitt now has three medals at the Olympics.  By the 2016 Rio games she will no longer need to use a mug shot as her official picture.

Postmodern Pentathlon had the second-biggest day, picking up 26.5 points thanks mostly to Germany's sweep of the equestrian events.  Had manager Lucas Tanglen not blown the first overall pick, the USA swimming points and first place would be his.  It's a small consolation indeed for a former newspaper copy editor to win two medals in something called "Individual Eventing."

A bronze medal from New Zealand's equestrian team moved Los Cornballers into double digits in points.  The reason that the defending champions have yet to win a gold is obvious based on this picture of Cornballers tennis stars Ana Ivanovic and Novac Djokovic, which was just posted to Ivanovic's Facebook fan page.  "I'm going to enjoy playing as a team with Novak in January," Ivanovic wrote. Clearly the Cornballers have no respect for their coaching staff and are just in London for sex.

STANDINGS THROUGH TUESDAY, JULY 31

1.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
95.6 Points
Swimming 58.8 (6G, 6S, 4B)
Archery 15.6 (1G, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Diving 6.2 (2S)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Fencing 2.5 (1B)
Canoeing 1.6 (1B)

2.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
92.4 Points
Weightlifting 23.4 (3G, 1S)
Fencing 22.5 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Diving 18.9 (3G)
Shooting 18.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

3.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
59.1 Points
Judo 17.9 (1G, 2S, 2B)
Swimming 17.6 (1G, 3S, 2B)
Fencing 12.5 (1G, 1B)
Diving 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 3.3 (1S)
Canoeing 3.1 (1S)

4.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
55.8 Points
Equestrian 18.7 (2G, 1B)
Judo 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Canoeing 6.3 (1G)
Swimming 7.5 (5B)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

5.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
46.8 Points
Weightlifting 15.1 (1G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Swimming 1.5 (1B)

6.  Craig Emmert, Craig's Team
41.1 Points
Swimming 17.6 (2G, 2G)
Shooting 6.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Judo 5.4 (3B)
Equestrian 4.2 (1S)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

7.  Dave Spence, Paragons
26.2 Points
Shooting 13.4 (2G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
11.2 Points
Cycling 2.8 (1S)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Equestrian 2.1 (1B)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

USA Swimming Leads Dynamos Charge

The third day of Fantasy Olympic competition belonged to Da Nang Dynamos, who pulled within seven points of first behind four medals from the USA Swimming team and one from Mexico diving.  Team USA took gold  in both the men's and women's 100 meter backstroke.

By winning the women's backstroke finals only 14 minutes after her semifinal heat, Missy Franklin became the first 17-year-old Colorado high school student in 13 years to gain worldwide fame in under 30 minutes.

Despite the Dynamos' big day, Golden Girls held onto first place when the Chinese diving and weightlifting teams each won their second gold medal of the Games.  "Consider it one-eighth of a Women's 58kg Weightlifting gold medal for every team in the Fantasy Olympics," said Golden Girls manager Theresa Yerger as she briefly looked up from a copy of Quotations from Chairman Mao.

Farther down in the standings, Los Cornballers continued to languish in last place despite a Pyrrhic victory gained when their manager Ellis Kunka successfully challenged the scoring in men's team gymnastics. Japan wound up with a silver medal, meaning Los Cornballers now only trail by 61.1 points.  Kunka was reportedly inspired by the time John Russell was thrown out of a Pirates-Brewers game in August 2008.

STANDINGS THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 30

1.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
70.2 Points
Fencing 22.5 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Shooting 18.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 16.7 (2G, 1S)
Diving 12.6 (2G)

2.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
63.8 Points
Swimming 42.6 (4G, 5S, 3B)
Archery 15.6 (1G, 1B)
Diving 3.1 (1S)
Fencing 2.5 (1B)

3.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
41.2 Points
Weightlifting 15.1 (1G, 1B)
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Fencing 5 (1S)
Swimming 1.5 (1B)

4.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
36.5 Points
Swimming 13.2 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Judo 16.1 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Diving 4.7 (1S, 1B)
Fencing 2.5 (1B)

T-5.  Craig Emmert, Craig's Team
29.3 Points
Swimming 11.8 (2G)
Shooting 6.6 (2S)
Gymnastics 5.6 (1G)
Judo 3.6 (2B)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

T-5.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
29.3 Points
Judo 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Swimming 6 (4B)
Gymnastics 1.4 (1B)

7.  Dave Spence, Paragons
19.5 Points
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
9.1 Points
Cycling 2.8 (1S)
Gymnastics 2.8 (1S)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

An Unlikely Road To Stardom

Chinese table tennis player Ding Ning, who is favored to win two gold medals in London, admitted today that she learned the sport while drunk in the basement of the Tau Kappa Epsilon house at Heilongjiang University.

Dave Spence chose the Chinese table tennis team with his first round pick - apparently unaware that in northeast China, "hard work and dedication" is just a synonym for "Goldschläger and poor taste in men."   Fantasy Summer Olympics Blog has obtained this photo of the hallowed training ground.

Ning dated one of the Tekes for two years, if "dating" consists of playing ping-pong and Spades in that disgusting basement and then walking home unsatisfied when your boyfriend passes out drunk on Milwaukee's Best Ice.  But her boyfriend seemed to be maturing and even surprised her with a trip to the Netherlands after spring semester finals in 2011.  She was certain he would propose to her during the vacation - but it turned out that the idiot had only brought her to Rotterdam to control her into competing in the World Table Tennis Championships.

Ning won the individual gold medal and a team silver, which empowered her to break up with that dick and refuse to be on his team for the mixed doubles tournament.  Back on campus, she subsequently dated two other TKE brothers to make her ex jealous.  The Tekes are the only house that plays ping-pong instead of beer pong, so her skills continued to improve and she is now ranked #1 in the ITTF World Rankings.

Ning, 22, is hopeful that this won't be her last Olympics:   Kappa Alpha Psi has an air hockey table and she expects this Justin guy to text her back before the 2014 Sochi Games.

Golden Girls Continue To Lead

Through two days of competition, Golden Girls are still the class of the league.

Da Nang Dynamos moved into second as USA swimming won five more medals Sunday, including Dana Vollmer's gold in the 100 butterfly.  South Korea took the 12.5 women's archery team gold medal for the Dynamos.  But it wasn't enough to come close to the Girls, who picked up gold medals in diving and shooting and silverss in fencing, shooting, and weightlifting.  Chinese shooter Guo Wenjon won Golden Girls' fifth gold of the Olympics when France's Celine Goberville (undrafted) blew the last shot of the women's 10m Air Pistol.  No one has ever been this happy to screw up the biggest moment of their career:

Los Cornballers are now languishing in last place, their victory in the Fantasy Winter Olympics long forgotten.  Cornballers manager Ellis Kunka is rumored to be investigating whether Lindsey Vonn can do the Steeplechase.

STANDINGS THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 30

1.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
57.2 Points
Fencing 22.5 (1G, 2S, 1B)
Shooting 18.4 (2G, 1S, 1B)
Weightlifting 10 (1G, 1S)
Diving 6.3 (1G)

2.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
43.1 Points
Swimming 25 (2G, 3S, 3B)
Archery 15.6 (1G, 1B)
Fencing 2.5 (1B)

3.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
29.5 Points
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Weightlifting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Judo 7.1 (1G)
Swimming 1.5 (1B)

4.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
23.4 Points
Judo 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Swimming 1.5 (1B)

5.  Dave Spence, Paragons
19.5 Points
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Judo 3.6 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)

6.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
18.8 Points
Swimming 10.3 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Judo 5.4 (1S, 1B)
Diving 3.1 (1S)

7.  Craig Emmert, Craig's Team
15.1 Points
Swimming 11.8 (2G)
Shooting 3.3 (1S)

8.  Ellis Kunka, Los Cornballers
6.3 Points
Cycling 2.8 (1S)
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

Teams By Sport

Archery
Chariots of Fire - Ukraine
Cornballers - India
Da Nang Dynamos - South Korea
Golden Girls - France
Jim Thorpes - Taiwan
Paragons - USA
Postmodern Pentathlon - China
Zurich Zebras - Italy

Athletics
Chariots of Fire - Jamaica
Cornballers - USA
Da Nang Dynamos - Russia
Golden Girls - Ethiopia
Jim Thorpes - Kenya
Paragons - Great Britain
Postmodern Pentathlon - Germany
Zurich Zebras - Cuba

Badminton
Chariots of Fire - Netherlands
Cornballers - Denmark
Da Nang Dynamos - Great Britain
Golden Girls - USA
Jim Thorpes - Malaysia
Paragons - Indonesia
Postmodern Pentathlon - China
Zurich Zebras - South Korea

Basketball
Chariots of Fire - Lithuania
Cornballers - Australia
Da Nang Dynamos - Angola
Golden Girls - Argentina
Jim Thorpes - France
Paragons - Russia
Postmodern Pentathlon - USA
Zurich Zebras - Spain

Boxing
Chariots of Fire - Ireland
Cornballers - Cuba
Da Nang Dynamos - Ukraine
Golden Girls - Nigeria
Jim Thorpes - Great Britain
Paragons - Kazakhstan
Postmodern Pentathlon - Russia
Zurich Zebras - China

Canoeing
Chariots of Fire - Canada
Cornballers - Hungary
Da Nang Dynamos - Slovakia
Golden Girls - Belarus
Jim Thorpes - Germany
Paragons - Great Britain
Postmodern Pentathlon - France
Zurich Zebras - Australia

Cycling
Chariots of Fire - Switzerland
Cornballers - Great Britain
Da Nang Dynamos - New Zealand
Golden Girls - Italy
Jim Thorpes - Australia
Paragons - Spain
Postmodern Pentathlon - Germany
Zurich Zebras - France

Diving
Chariots of Fire - Russia
Cornballers - Italy
Da Nang Dynamos - Mexico
Golden Girls - China
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Germany
Postmodern Pentathlon - Great Britain
Zurich Zebras - Australia

Equestrian
Chariots of Fire - Great Britain
Cornballers - New Zealand
Da Nang Dynamos - Denmark
Golden Girls - Sweden
Jim Thorpes - France
Paragons - Netherlands
Postmodern Pentathlon - Germany
Zurich Zebras - USA

Fencing
Chariots of Fire - China
Cornballers - Romania
Da Nang Dynamos - Russia
Golden Girls - Italy
Jim Thorpes - China
Paragons - France
Postmodern Pentathlon - Netherlands
Zurich Zebras - Germany

Field Hockey
Chariots of Fire - Argentina
Cornballers - USA
Da Nang Dynamos - New Zealand
Golden Girls - Germany
Jim Thorpes - Australia
Paragons - Netherlands
Postmodern Pentathlon - Great Britain
Zurich Zebras - Spain

Football
Chariots of Fire - France
Cornballers - Japan
Da Nang Dynamos - Spain
Golden Girls - Hungary
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Sweden
Postmodern Pentathlon - Brazil
Zurich Zebras - Great Britain

Gymnastics
Chariots of Fire - China
Cornballers - Japan
Da Nang Dynamos - Russia
Golden Girls - Romania
Jim Thorpes - Germany
Paragons - Canada
Postmodern Pentathlon - Great Britain
Zurich Zebras - USA

Handball
Chariots of Fire - Russia
Cornballers - Denmark
Da Nang Dynamos - Spain
Golden Girls - Angola
Jim Thorpes - Croatia
Paragons - South Korea
Postmodern Pentathlon - Norway
Zurich Zebras - France

Judo
Chariots of Fire - France
Cornballers - Uzbekistan
Da Nang Dynamos - South Korea
Golden Girls - China
Jim Thorpes - Japan
Paragons - Cuba
Postmodern Pentathlon - Brazil
Zurich Zebras - Georgia

Modern Pentathlon
Chariots of Fire - Germany
Cornballers - Russia
Da Nang Dynamos - Italy
Golden Girls - Ireland
Jim Thorpes - Great Britain
Paragons - Lithuania
Postmodern Pentathlon - Hungary
Zurich Zebras - Ukraine

Rowing
Chariots of Fire - New Zealand
Cornballers - Great Britain
Da Nang Dynamos - Australia
Golden Girls - Canada
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Germany
Postmodern Pentathlon - Czech Republic
Zurich Zebras - Romania

Sailing
Chariots of Fire - France
Cornballers - New Zealand
Da Nang Dynamos - Australia
Golden Girls - Austria
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Great Britain
Postmodern Pentathlon - Poland
Zurich Zebras - Spain

Shooting
Chariots of Fire - Italy
Cornballers - Serbia
Da Nang Dynamos - Germany
Golden Girls - China
Jim Thorpes - Russia
Paragons - USA
Postmodern Pentathlon - South Korea
Zurich Zebras - Czech Republic

Swimming
Chariots of Fire - France
Cornballers - Sweden
Da Nang Dynamos - USA
Golden Girls - Germany
Jim Thorpes - Australia
Paragons - Netherlands
Postmodern Pentathlon - Japan
Zurich Zebras - Great Britain

Synchronized Swimming
Chariots of Fire - USA
Cornballers - Great Britain
Da Nang Dynamos - Egypt
Golden Girls - Canada
Jim Thorpes - China
Paragons - Russia
Postmodern Pentathlon - Spain
Zurich Zebras - Japan

Table Tennis
Chariots of Fire - Russia
Cornballers - Japan
Da Nang Dynamos - Germany
Golden Girls - USA
Jim Thorpes - South Korea
Paragons - China
Postmodern Pentathlon - Congo
Zurich Zebras - Singapore

Taekwondo
Chariots of Fire - Dominican Republic
Cornballers - Turkey
Da Nang Dynamos - Iran
Golden Girls - South Korea
Jim Thorpes - China
Paragons - Mexico
Postmodern Pentathlon - Great Britain
Zurich Zebras - USA

Tennis
Chariots of Fire - Serbia
Cornballers - Switzerland
Da Nang Dynamos - Czech Republic
Golden Girls - France
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Spain
Postmodern Pentathlon - Great Britain
Zurich Zebras - Russia

Triathlon
Chariots of Fire - Great Britain
Cornballers - Spain
Da Nang Dynamos - Portugal
Golden Girls - New Zealand
Jim Thorpes - South Africa
Paragons - Australia
Postmodern Pentathlon - Switzerland
Zurich Zebras - Canada

Volleyball
Chariots of Fire - Brazil
Cornballers - Russia
Da Nang Dynamos - USA
Golden Girls - Cuba
Jim Thorpes - Germany
Paragons - Italy
Postmodern Pentathlon - Poland
Zurich Zebras - China

Water Polo
Chariots of Fire - France
Cornballers - China
Da Nang Dynamos - Italy
Golden Girls - Australia
Jim Thorpes - USA
Paragons - Hungary
Postmodern Pentathlon - Croatia
Zurich Zebras - Serbia

Weightlifting
Chariots of Fire - Ukraine
Cornballers - Turkey
Da Nang Dynamos - South Korea
Golden Girls - China
Jim Thorpes - Russia
Paragons - Belarus
Postmodern Pentathlon - Iran
Zurich Zebras - North Korea

Wrestling
Chariots of Fire - Japan
Cornballers - Azerbaijan
Da Nang Dynamos - Iran
Golden Girls - Turkey
Jim Thorpes - Bulgaria
Paragons - Georgia
Postmodern Pentathlon - USA
Zurich Zebras - Russia

Golden Girls Take Early Lead

The first time I saw Theresa Yerger, my only thought was "Clearly this girl knows a lot about women's fencing."  Sure enough, I was proven right as her Italian team captured a clean sweep of the women's Individual Foil.  This was enough to propel Golden Girls to a lead after the first day of Olympic competition.

Da Nang Dynamos are in third, but they suffered a critical blow as the heavily favored South Korean men's archery team choked and only took the bronze.  "I'm seriously starting to have legitimate thoughts about which Korea is better," commented manager John Binz.

STANDINGS THROUGH SATURDAY, JULY 29

1.  Theresa Yerger, Golden Girls
32.6 Points
Fencing 17.5 (1G, 1S, 1B)
Shooting 8.4 (1G, 1B)
Weightlifting 6.7 (1G)

2.  Lucas Tanglen, Postmodern Pentathlon
17.1 Points
Judo 8.9 (1G, 1B)
Shooting 6.7 (1G)
Swimming 1.5 (1B)

3.  Christina Binz, Zurich Zebras
14.2 Points
Archery 12.5 (1G)
Weightlifting 1.7 (1B)

4.  John Binz, Da Nang Dynamos
13.4 Points
Swimming 10.3 (1G, 1S, 2B)
Archery 3.1 (1B)

5.  Brian Schwartz, The Jim Thorpes
9.5 Points
Swimming 5.9 (1G)
Judo 3.6 (1S)

6.  Dave Spence, Paragons
9.2 Points
Archery 6.3 (1S)
Swimming 2.9 (1S)

7.  Ellis Kunka, Cornballers
3.5 Points
Judo 1.8 (1B)
Shooting 1.7 (1B)

8.  Craig Emmert, Craig's Team
3.3 Points
Shooting 3.3 (1S)

Chariots of Fire Roster

Manager:  Craig Emmert

Round 1 Pick 4 - China Gymnastics

Round 2 Pick 5 - Jamaica Athletics
Round 3 Pick 4 - Brazil Volleyball
Round 4 Pick 5 - Switzerland Cycling
Round 5 Pick 4 - Great Britain Triathlon
Round 6 Pick 5 - Great Britain Rowing
Round 7 Pick 4 - France Swimming
Round 8 Pick 5 - Russia Diving
Round 9 Pick 4 - France Judo
Round 10 Pick 5 - Italy Shooting
Round 11 Pick 4 - Ukraine Archery
Round 12 Pick 5 - Serbia Tennis
Round 13 Pick 4 - Japan Wrestling
Round 14 Pick 5 - Argentina Field Hockey
Round 15 Pick 4 - France Sailing
Round 16 Pick 5 - Canada Canoeing
Round 17 Pick 4 - Great Britain Equestrian
Round 18 Pick 5 - China Fencing
Round 19 Pick 4 - Germany Modern Pentathlon
Round 20 Pick 5 - Dominican Republic Taekwondo
Round 21 Pick 4 - Lithuania Basketball
Round 22 Pick 5 - Ukraine Weightlifting
Round 23 Pick 4 - France Football
Round 24 Pick 5 - Ireland Boxing
Round 25 Pick 4 - Russia Handball
Round 26 Pick 5 - France Water Polo
Round 27 Pick 4 - Russia Table Tennis
Round 28 Pick 5 - Netherlands Badminton
Round 29 Pick 4 - USA Synchronized Swimming

Analysis:  Craig hasn't sent me a team name yet which certainly reflects poorly on his entire strategy.  Reflecting more poorly on this team is the pick of Switzerland cycling in round 4 with the 29th overall pick.  I had them ranked sixth in cycling, i.e. they would have been available ten rounds later.

This team recovered nicely, though, with some good sleeper picks including Serbia tennis in round 12 and Ireland boxing in round 24.  It's hard to root against any team that counts Ana Ivanovic as a member.  Craig has a deep team which might score points in the most disciplines, but there's no big time point scorer on this roster and therefore no overall championship.

Postmodern Pentathlon Roster

Manager:  Lucas Tanglen

Round 1 Pick 1 - USA Basketball

Round 2 Pick 8 - Brazil Football
Round 3 Pick 1 - China Badminton
Round 4 Pick 8 - Germany Athletics
Round 5 Pick 1 - Japan Swimming
Round 6 Pick 8 - Russia Boxing
Round 7 Pick 1 - Germany Equestrian
Round 8 Pick 8 - Great Britain Diving
Round 9 Pick 1 - France Canoeing
Round 10 Pick 8 - China Archery
Round 11 Pick 1 - USA Wrestling
Round 12 Pick 8 - Croatia Water Polo
Round 13 Pick 1 - Norway Handball
Round 14 Pick 8 - Iran Weightlifting
Round 15 Pick 1 - Switzerland Triathlon
Round 16 Pick 8 - Germany Cycling
Round 17 Pick 1 - Spain Synchronized Swimming
Round 18 Pick 8 - Great Britain Gymnastics
Round 19 Pick 1 - Great Britain Field Hockey
Round 20 Pick 8 - Czech Republic Rowing
Round 21 Pick 1 - Poland Sailing
Round 22 Pick 8 - Poland Volleyball
Round 23 Pick 1 - Great Britain Tennis
Round 24 Pick 8 - South Korea Shooting
Round 25 Pick 1 - Great Britain Taekwondo
Round 26 Pick 8 - Netherlands Fencing
Round 27 Pick 1 - Brazil Judo
Round 28 Pick 8 - Hungary Modern Pentathlon
Round 29 Pick 1 - Congo Table Tennis

Analysis:  Postmodern Pentathlon got the coveted #1 overall pick and blew it.  USA Basketball may win both gold medals if the men's team starts exerting defensive effort, but they still are unlikely to compile as many points as USA Swimming.  USA Basketball was still the legit top team on the board so all was not lost, and the next few picks were solid.  In round 6, though, manager Lucas Tanglen selected Russian boxing.  You would think everyone has seen Rocky IV on TNT, and you would be wrong.

Still, Postmodern Pentathlon hasn't lost it yet.  Brazil football is a threat to win two 50 point golds, and China badminton is a lock for 30 points or more.  Great Britain diving in Round 8 is the only truly awful pick here - one that is mitigated by solid drafting in the middle rounds.  There might not be enough here for a title, but a second division finish is certainly unlikely.

Zurich Zebras Roster

Manager:  Christina Binz

Round 1 Pick 8 - USA Gymnastics

Round 2 Pick 1 - Great Britain Swimming
Round 3 Pick 8 - Russia Wrestling
Round 4 Pick 1 - France Cycling
Round 5 Pick 8 - Cuba Athletics
Round 6 Pick 1 - South Korea Badminton
Round 7 Pick 8 - France Handball
Round 8 Pick 1 - Japan Synchronized Swimming
Round 9 Pick 8 - USA Equestrian
Round 10 Pick 1 - Spain Basketball
Round 11 Pick 8 - Serbia Water Polo
Round 12 Pick 1 - China Boxing
Round 13 Pick 8 - Great Britain Football
Round 14 Pick 1 - Australia Canoeing
Round 15 Pick 8 - Italy Archery
Round 16 Pick 1 - Germany Fencing
Round 17 Pick 8 - Russia Tennis
Round 18 Pick 1 - China Volleyball
Round 19 Pick 8 - Australia Diving
Round 20 Pick 1 - Singapore Table Tennis
Round 21 Pick 8 - Spain Field Hockey
Round 22 Pick 1 - Ukraine Modern Pentathlon
Round 23 Pick 8 - USA Taekwondo
Round 24 Pick 1 - Canada Triathlon
Round 25 Pick 8 - North Korea Weightlifting
Round 26 Pick 1 - Czech Republic Shooting
Round 27 Pick 8 - Georgia Judo
Round 28 Pick 1 - Spain Sailing
Round 29 Pick 8 - Romania Rowing

Analysis:  All I can say about this first round pick is that there are no bonus points for a patriotic yet touching human interest story targeted at female viewers, even if the team manager is that female viewer.  Russian wrestling is a great value at #24 overall, but I'm a bit concerned with the chemistry in the Olympic Village between the USA gymnasts and the Russian wrestlers.  Likewise, the USA gymnasts should be concerned.

After a short-lived rebound in the middle rounds, the questionable picks continued - including the choice of a weightlifting team from a country that has no food, as well as a table tennis team from a country that has no tables.  To have any chance at all, the Zebras will need some upsets in the team sports to claim the 50 point basketball and football gold medals.

Golden Girls Roster

Manager:  Theresa Yerger

Round 1 Pick 5:  China Diving

Round 2 Pick 4:  China Weightlifting
Round 3 Pick 5:  China Shooting
Round 4 Pick 4:  South Korea Taekwondo
Round 5 Pick 5:  Ethiopia Athletics
Round 6 Pick 4:  Italy Fencing
Round 7 Pick 5:  China Judo
Round 8 Pick 4:  Hungary Football
Round 9 Pick 5:  Romania Gymnastics
Round 10 Pick 4:  Nigeria Boxing
Round 11 Pick 5:  Sweden Equestrian
Round 12 Pick 4:  Germany Field Hockey
Round 13 Pick 5:  Argentina Basketball
Round 14 Pick 4:  Belarus Canoeing
Round 15 Pick 5:  Austria Sailing
Round 16 Pick 4:  Germany Swimming
Round 17 Pick 5:  Canada Synchronized Swimming
Round 18 Pick 4:  USA Table Tennis
Round 19 Pick 5:  New Zealand Triathlon
Round 20 Pick 4:  Cuba Volleyball
Round 21 Pick 5:  France Tennis
Round 22 Pick 4:  Australia Water Polo
Round 23 Pick 5:  Turkey Wrestling
Round 24 Pick 4:  France Archery
Round 25 Pick 5:  USA Badminton
Round 26 Pick 4:  Angola Handball
Round 27 Pick 5:  Italy Cycling
Round 28 Pick 4:  Ireland Modern Pentathlon
Round 29 Pick 5:  Canada Rowing

Analysis:  It's a good thing Senator McCarthy died in 1957 because Golden Girls manager Theresa Yerger is clearly a Communist.  She picked Chinese teams in the first three rounds, and probably only picked South Korea in round 4 because she thinks it should be Communist too and has a cardboard cutout of Kim Jong-il in her living room.  Any remaining doubts were dispelled a bit later when she tried to draft the USSR.

Political ideology aside, Golden Girls a decent team.  China diving, weightlifting, and shooting are all historic powers which rank first in their sports.  China shooting is a good value with the overall #12 pick as I had them ranked eighth.  To win, Golden Girls will require Argentina men's basketball to repeat its 2004 gold medal - a longshot this time around.