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."