@gamecockjoe I think it was because there wasn’t a motor doping picture available. (Because there’s never been a case in triathlon). So they just picked someone who rides so fast you think he must use a motor anyway.
What happens if you persist in accusing a triathlete of being a motor-doping cheat?
One of the more bizarre triathlon stories I’ve covered recently.
https://t.co/NTbNpsDP5F
Podcast mainly about tomorrow’s World Triathlon Congress and why the devil is in the 102-pages of detail on the vote to change the constitution. Plus, Hyathalon, money and more.
https://t.co/5pZtClxDeI
Long thought @kellydomara’s Triathlonish was the best newsletter covering the sport, so very happy to be her co-host on the relaunched audio version. Ep 1 here. All feedback welcome: good, bad or ugly.
https://t.co/cyA0z51qV1
Jonny Brownlee retires from professional triathlon. A few thoughts, and the only time I can think of in Olympic history where bronze meant more than silver, and silver meant more than gold.
https://t.co/5ZdfE1o1HJ
If you have all the events in pay-to-go arenas you may have some revenue, but little value. No cycle road racing, triathlon or marathon - the events that hit the streets for free that involve a city and people can get behind.
The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was probably the most joyous major event I've ever covered because a whole city *completely* bought into an event that became an 11-day party.
I just found out the 2026 Commonwealth Games began in Glasgow today, and I live 30 miles away.
Parallels between rise and falls of Argentina 1986 & 1990, and 2022 & 2026 World Cup experiences are striking. Winners to beaten finalists. Both teams built around the image of one man, both triumphed spectacularly and ended ingloriously as the red mist descended.
Why has the independent investigation into two deaths in Ironman Ireland in 2023 been mothballed? This and other reflections from the past month in triathlon. https://t.co/v4y8l24QjS
@stevechu75 👍 On reflection, think the Netherlands match in ‘96 was a better quality performance, with this game a bigger result. 4-1 against the Dutch though - conceded a late consolation to make sure Scotland went out.
Has there been a more impressive performance or result in England's finals history? (As mad as it sounds, are we going all the way back to the 1966 World Cup final?)
On the flip side, if England do progress it’ll be one of the finest results in the Three Lions’ World Cup or European Championship finals history. Which underlines the size of the task.
On-field officials can’t see every off-the-ball incident & also know simulation happens. But they’re also confident that if anything is serious enough to meet a red card threshold, VAR will pick it up. So, to answer @mrdanwalker’s question, yes, they are doing a good job.
A problem that VAR currently doesn’t solve. Several of the Paraguayan actions merited cautions, yet the French players consistently exaggerated their responses. Yellow for both players would have been just on multiple occasions, but VAR isn’t set up to intervene.
I don’t really have a problem with Paraguay’s game plan. They were trying to frustrate, annoy and rattle France and the French did well to laugh most of it off. They clearly felt that was their best chance to progress. It was ugly but it could have worked.
The issue is that when they crossed the line - and they did on numerous occasions - the referee did nothing. It is unbelievable that they didn’t get a single yellow during the game.
How would you rate the standard of refereeing at this tournament?
On the flip side, if England do progress it’ll be one of the finest results in the Three Lions’ World Cup or European Championship finals history. Which underlines the size of the task.
As much as I want to see England progress, I make Mexico favourites for the last 16 clash in the Azteca tomorrow evening due to unique circumstances around the tie. If Tuchel’s side do go out, they’ll be quite an inquest into preparation for what was a foreseeable last 16 clash.
Chat with @LucyAnneCharles for @220Triathlon. Encouraging form at Ironman Lanzarote, particularly as the effort was capped at 80%. Strong thoughts on the avoidable 'blister-gate' situation too.
https://t.co/ECDVANVRwO
Enjoyed interviewing Jane Tarrant of Linked Breathing for this piece and learning about D spot, R spots, NOS buttons and tongue placement.
https://t.co/hPw7Leq2uQ