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We’re on the ground in Rio covering the 2016 Summer Olympics. Check out all our coverage here.
Welcome to the latest episode of Hot Takedown, FiveThirtyEight’s sports podcast. On this week’s show (Aug. 10, 2016) we look at the different ways to appreciate the performances by U.S. swimmers and gymnasts at the Olympics. Is it better to marvel at the statistical dominance, or just sit back and be in awe of the athleticism on display? FiveThirtyEight’s very own Allison McCann also checks in from Rio, where she says things are going relatively smoothly. Then, an extended significant digit segment on Ichiro Suzuki, who just tallied his 3,000th hit in the majors. Neil Paine wonders: What would Ichiro’s career stats look like had he played his entire career in Major League Baseball?
Links to what we discuss are here:
- Ben Morris on U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky’s prowess, and how others may join her assault on the record books.
- Allison McCann’s dispatch from Rio: a bit rocky, but overall no different from other major sporting events.
- The New York Times breaks down how Simone Biles completes her signature floor move, “The Biles.”
- In a sport usually decided by fractions of points, the U.S. women crushed their gymnastics opponents.
- Neil Paine says Ichiro Suzuki is a rare combo: “old and good.”
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