Brazil Olympics 2016
- Thread starter Walter
- Start date
Great Britain's Jade Jones retained her Olympic taekwondo title by beating Spain's Eva Calvo Gomez in the final.
In Rio time, it was Great Britain's third gold of the day, although it came not long after 2am this morning UK time.
23-year-old Jade, from Flint in North Wales, who is also the European champion, had to fight through four fights on Thursday to retain her Olympic crown.
Rio Olympics 2016: Jade Jones retains -57kg taekwondo title
BBC News
19 August 2016
Fantastic Jones wins second Olympic title
Great Britain's Jade Jones retained her Olympic taekwondo title - winning GB's 22nd gold of the 2016 Games.
The 23-year-old won a thrilling final 16-7 to defeat Spain's Eva Calvo Gomez in the -57kg category in Rio.
Two head kicks (a head kick being worth three points) in the third round sealed victory for Jones - who has now won both GB's taekwondo golds since its introduction as a medal sport in 2000.
"I'm still young so to be double Olympic champion already is crazy to be honest," she told BBC Sport.
"I started crying before the semi-final because I was just so nervous and felt so much pressure. But I pulled it off when it mattered so I'm just so happy.
"I obviously knew I'd feel some pressure as the reigning Olympic champion but I didn't realise how much it would be.
Great Britain's Jones and Spain's Gomez do battle in the final
"The support has been amazing here and I just want to thank everyone. It means the absolute world to win again."
Her success means Welsh athletes have now contributed 10 medals, including four golds, at the Rio Games.
Sailor Hannah Mills and cyclists Owain Doull and Elinor Barker have also won gold in what has been a record medal haul for Wales.
Four fights in a day: How Jones won gold again
Jones won at London 2012 to claim GB's first Olympic gold medal in the sport and is the current European champion.
The top-ranked Briton had to battle through four fights on Thursday to retain her Olympic crown.
She comfortably saw off Morocco's Naima Bakkal with a 12-4 victory before a 7-2 success against Raheleh Asemani of Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Her dominance continued with a 9-4 success over Sweden's Nikita Glasnovic in the semi-final to set up a fight against world number two Calvo Gomez.
Jones took a 6-0 lead in the first round with two head kicks to exert her authority on the contest.
The Spaniard fought back in the second round to close to 7-6.
The pair traded cut kicks at the start of the final round before Jones connected with two head kicks in quick succession to secure gold.
Rio Olympics 2016: Jade Jones retains -57kg taekwondo title - BBC Sport
In Rio time, it was Great Britain's third gold of the day, although it came not long after 2am this morning UK time.
23-year-old Jade, from Flint in North Wales, who is also the European champion, had to fight through four fights on Thursday to retain her Olympic crown.
Rio Olympics 2016: Jade Jones retains -57kg taekwondo title
BBC News
19 August 2016
Fantastic Jones wins second Olympic title
Great Britain's Jade Jones retained her Olympic taekwondo title - winning GB's 22nd gold of the 2016 Games.
The 23-year-old won a thrilling final 16-7 to defeat Spain's Eva Calvo Gomez in the -57kg category in Rio.
Two head kicks (a head kick being worth three points) in the third round sealed victory for Jones - who has now won both GB's taekwondo golds since its introduction as a medal sport in 2000.
"I'm still young so to be double Olympic champion already is crazy to be honest," she told BBC Sport.
"I started crying before the semi-final because I was just so nervous and felt so much pressure. But I pulled it off when it mattered so I'm just so happy.
"I obviously knew I'd feel some pressure as the reigning Olympic champion but I didn't realise how much it would be.
Great Britain's Jones and Spain's Gomez do battle in the final
"The support has been amazing here and I just want to thank everyone. It means the absolute world to win again."
Her success means Welsh athletes have now contributed 10 medals, including four golds, at the Rio Games.
Sailor Hannah Mills and cyclists Owain Doull and Elinor Barker have also won gold in what has been a record medal haul for Wales.
Four fights in a day: How Jones won gold again
Jones won at London 2012 to claim GB's first Olympic gold medal in the sport and is the current European champion.
The top-ranked Briton had to battle through four fights on Thursday to retain her Olympic crown.
She comfortably saw off Morocco's Naima Bakkal with a 12-4 victory before a 7-2 success against Raheleh Asemani of Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Her dominance continued with a 9-4 success over Sweden's Nikita Glasnovic in the semi-final to set up a fight against world number two Calvo Gomez.
Jones took a 6-0 lead in the first round with two head kicks to exert her authority on the contest.
The Spaniard fought back in the second round to close to 7-6.
The pair traded cut kicks at the start of the final round before Jones connected with two head kicks in quick succession to secure gold.
Rio Olympics 2016: Jade Jones retains -57kg taekwondo title - BBC Sport
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Ashton Eaton wins back-to-back decathlon gold
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/ashton-eaton-wins-back-to-back-decathlon-gold/2016/08/18/5552d62c-656c-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_olynighttrack-1am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
"You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."
-- King Gustav of Sweden
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/ashton-eaton-wins-back-to-back-decathlon-gold/2016/08/18/5552d62c-656c-11e6-96c0-37533479f3f5_story.html?hpid=hp_rhp-top-table-main_olynighttrack-1am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
"You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."
-- King Gustav of Sweden
.. and he's a thoroughlly decent guy, too. I suppose that the hillbillies that called him a traitor for wearing a "Canada" hat as his wife competed are from the same tribe as those threatening the Trump baloney sandwich maker.
Meh, no problem. The Trumpeters hate him already for being mixed race. Let them sit in a circle and grunt at each other, Mr. Eaton couldn't possibly care less.
I'm waiting for some British athletes to wreck a store and then claim they were robbed. Then I'd give the prize to the Brits.
I watched the men's triathlon last night, what an amazing grueling race, a long swim, a long bike
race, then a long run.
allistar gold, brother jon silver
the two british brothers were first and second, it was very touching to watch them for quite a while
run side by side, then one pulled ahead, and they finished 1,2.
Canadian was 15th, also very good, considering the difficulty and also the numbers entered.
race, then a long run.
allistar gold, brother jon silver
the two british brothers were first and second, it was very touching to watch them for quite a while
run side by side, then one pulled ahead, and they finished 1,2.
Canadian was 15th, also very good, considering the difficulty and also the numbers entered.
This is the most successful Olympics ever for Wales:
They should be competing under the Dragon.
"Mixed race" ... human and what else?
My genome indicates that I'm mixed race ... human and Neanderthal (yours too).
Mowich said:
I saw that.
The horse jumping was actually quite entertaining in this Olympics. Kudos to all who participated.
Also watched some of the team synchro, rhyth, and t & f.
Britain's women have won gold in the Olympics for the first time ever, giving Britain its first hockey gold medal in the Olympics since the men triumphed in Seoul in 1988.
Britain were up against world champions Netherlands in the final. The match finished 3-3 and Britain went on to win 2-0 on penalties in a dramatic shootout, with Britain's keeper Maddie Hinch - probably the best keeper in the world - making a string of fine saves.
Earlier, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 to take the bronze medal.
Rio Olympics 2016: GB women win first hockey gold on penalties
20 August 2016
BBC Sport
GB win hockey gold
Great Britain's women have won a first Olympic hockey gold medal by beating defending champions the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The final finished 3-3 in normal time, with Britain's keeper Maddie Hinch making a string of remarkable saves.
And the Dutch, the current world champions, could not beat Hinch in the shootout, which Britain won 2-0.
Helen Richardson-Walsh and Hollie Webb scored the decisive penalties to win Britain's 24th gold at Rio 2016.
With two days of competition remaining, it is their 58th medal in total, seven short of their tally at London 2012.
"It's difficult to put into words what this means," said Richardson-Walsh.
"Seventeen years ago, when I started my career, we were so far off this. It has taken so much hard work and it means absolutely everything."
Webb's winning penalty sparked celebrations from the British team - bronze medallists four years ago - after they survived long periods of pressure at the hands of their feted opponents.
The Netherlands are the world's number one team, have won gold at the two previous Olympics and are the reigning world champions.
And while they showed their quality for much of the game, they were repelled by a spirited British performance, summed up by the heroics of Hinch.
Hinch's little black book
None of the four Dutch penalty takers were able to beat GB keeper Maddie Hinch
The goalkeeper saved an early penalty stroke from Maartje Paumen and kept out a number of Dutch penalty corners.
Britain led at the end of the first quarter through a Lily Owsley tap-in, before Kitty van Male and Paumen put the Dutch in front.
GB then levelled twice to take it to penalties, with Crista Cullen sweeping the ball home to make it 2-2 before Nicola White finished off a goalmouth scramble either side of another Paumen strike.
Before the shootout began, Hinch got out a little black book with notes on the opposition - and the homework paid off as she kept out four Dutch penalties before Webb scored the decisive fifth for GB, who won all eight matches in Rio.
Earlier, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 to take the bronze medal.
What they said
Keeper Hinch said: "Goalkeeping has its highs and lows. You can be a villain, but you can also be a hero in the moment.
"It helped that the Dutch had a shootout in their semi-final, so that gave me a chance to see what they do.
"I basically give myself a game plan for each player and I execute that. Thankfully it worked. The Dutch did what I thought they would do."
Great Britain captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and wife Helen Richardson-Walsh became the first married couple to win gold for Britain since Cyril and Dorothy Wright in the sailing in 1920.
"To win an Olympic medal is special," said Kate. "To win an Olympic medal with your wife there next to you, taking a penalty in the pressure moments is so special. We will cherish this for the rest of our lives.''
Now 36, Kate confirmed "100%" that it would be her final GB appearance.
"I will retire as a reigning European champion with England and an Olympic champion with Great Britain," she said.
GB coach Danny Kerry said: "We know we're good at shootouts. We have some tough characters taking them and we have probably the best goalkeeper in the world. Some days you know you're going to win."
Netherlands coach Alyson Annan said her team "dominated the whole game", adding: "Tactically, we were strong. Technically, we were strong. Physically, mentally, we were the better team. That makes it much more disappointing.''
Analysis
Simon Mason, former GB Olympic hockey player
"I am genuinely struggling to put that into words. GB were under pressure for huge chunks but we thought if it went to penalties they could win. Fair play Maddie Hinch. Just incredible. That will change the face of British hockey."
View from the sidelines
Luke Reddy, BBC Sport in Rio
"That was the most exhilarating 15-minute spell I've been lucky enough to watch at the Games. Every attack was met with tense silence, roars breaking out when danger passed.
The families went through despair, nerves, joy, relief and much more. There were tears, a lot of tears."
Hollie Webb's winning penalty sparked jubilant scenes
She was quickly joined by her ecstatic team-mates
GB women's first gold follows two bronze medals in hockey
It was all a bit too much for Princess Ariane (left) and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh (left) and wife Helen Richardson-Walsh (right) are the first married couple to win gold for Britain since Cyril and Dorothy Wright in the sailing in 1920
Rio Olympics 2016: GB women win first hockey gold on penalties - BBC Sport
Britain's not occupied anymore. We've voted for Brexit.
Lutalo Muhammad suffers agonising last-second taekwondo defeat
There was also drama in the men's -80kg taekwondo final between Great Britain's Lutalo Muhammad and Ivory Coast's Cheick Sallah Cisse.
Muhammad was leading 6-4 with just ONE SECOND remaining and about to celebrate another gold medal for Great Britain - and another in taekwondo, with Britain's Jade Jones having won gold in the women's -57 kg tournament - with the clock having stopped for a few moments. With the clock restarting and the remainig one second being played Cisse managed to get Muhammad with a massive kick, worth four points, to win the match at the death by eight points to six, sparking scenes of wild celebration by the Ivorian.
Manchester and London to host Olympic celebrations
20 August 2016
BBC News
Gold-winning cyclists Joanna Rowsell Shand, Ed Clancy, Jason Kenny and Steven Burke all train in Manchester
The success of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic stars is to be celebrated with events in Manchester and London, Theresa May has announced.
There will be a parade through the streets of Manchester and another event in the capital in October.
The Prime Minister said: "It will be a celebration fit for heroes - and rightly so, because that is exactly what they are."
Manchester City Council said the area "couldn't be more thrilled".
Deputy leader Sue Murphy said: "We will be sure to show our athletes the meaning of celebration.
"The city has been a medal factory, pumping out golds as the home of British cycling and British Taekwondo.
"It's fantastic to see the product of years of hard work and training at the centres of excellence in east Manchester."
The decision to stage the parade in the north of England follows calls for it to be held outside the capital to reflect the contribution made by athletes from across the UK.
Thousands of people lined the streets of London for the 2012 victory parade
Olympians and Paralympians paraded through the streets of London after the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games
Meanwhile London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was delighted there would be a further event in the capital to mark the achievements of Britain's competitors.
"Our athletes have performed heroics in Rio and their exploits have gripped the entire nation," he said.
"My team will continue to work with the government and sports chiefs to help develop plans for wonderful celebrations."
The success of Scotland's Olympians and Paralympians will also be celebrated with a special homecoming event at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on 28 September.
Jason Kenny and fellow cyclist and fiancee Laura Trott live together near the Manchester Velodrome
Mrs May said: "For the past fortnight, the people of the United Kingdom have been filled with pride as we've watched our Olympians take victory in so many sports with power, grace and control.
"In every discipline and at every stage, Team GB have shown the world what we're made of: determination, dignity and true sportsmanship.
"They haven't just made history; by showing just how far talent and hard work can take you, they have inspired the next generation.
"They have also shown the importance of supporting elite sport and that is something this government remains wholly committed to."
Smaller parades are expected to be held for individual athletes in their home towns.
The town council in Stone, Staffordshire, has said it will hold a parade for K1 slalom gold medallist Joe Clarke, 23, who will be hoisted aloft in his kayak on 29 August.
ITV is also planning to switch off all seven of its channels for an hour on 27 August to encourage people to take part in sport as part of the I Am Team GB campaign.
The northern powerhouse
Manchester is certainly basking in a golden glow from Rio with a host of the medal winners living and training in the area.
Manchester and London to host Olympic celebrations - BBC News
Britain were up against world champions Netherlands in the final. The match finished 3-3 and Britain went on to win 2-0 on penalties in a dramatic shootout, with Britain's keeper Maddie Hinch - probably the best keeper in the world - making a string of fine saves.
Earlier, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 to take the bronze medal.
Rio Olympics 2016: GB women win first hockey gold on penalties
20 August 2016
BBC Sport
GB win hockey gold
Great Britain's women have won a first Olympic hockey gold medal by beating defending champions the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The final finished 3-3 in normal time, with Britain's keeper Maddie Hinch making a string of remarkable saves.
And the Dutch, the current world champions, could not beat Hinch in the shootout, which Britain won 2-0.
Helen Richardson-Walsh and Hollie Webb scored the decisive penalties to win Britain's 24th gold at Rio 2016.
With two days of competition remaining, it is their 58th medal in total, seven short of their tally at London 2012.
"It's difficult to put into words what this means," said Richardson-Walsh.
"Seventeen years ago, when I started my career, we were so far off this. It has taken so much hard work and it means absolutely everything."
Webb's winning penalty sparked celebrations from the British team - bronze medallists four years ago - after they survived long periods of pressure at the hands of their feted opponents.
The Netherlands are the world's number one team, have won gold at the two previous Olympics and are the reigning world champions.
And while they showed their quality for much of the game, they were repelled by a spirited British performance, summed up by the heroics of Hinch.
Hinch's little black book
None of the four Dutch penalty takers were able to beat GB keeper Maddie Hinch
The goalkeeper saved an early penalty stroke from Maartje Paumen and kept out a number of Dutch penalty corners.
Britain led at the end of the first quarter through a Lily Owsley tap-in, before Kitty van Male and Paumen put the Dutch in front.
GB then levelled twice to take it to penalties, with Crista Cullen sweeping the ball home to make it 2-2 before Nicola White finished off a goalmouth scramble either side of another Paumen strike.
Before the shootout began, Hinch got out a little black book with notes on the opposition - and the homework paid off as she kept out four Dutch penalties before Webb scored the decisive fifth for GB, who won all eight matches in Rio.
Earlier, Germany beat New Zealand 2-1 to take the bronze medal.
What they said
Keeper Hinch said: "Goalkeeping has its highs and lows. You can be a villain, but you can also be a hero in the moment.
"It helped that the Dutch had a shootout in their semi-final, so that gave me a chance to see what they do.
"I basically give myself a game plan for each player and I execute that. Thankfully it worked. The Dutch did what I thought they would do."
Great Britain captain Kate Richardson-Walsh and wife Helen Richardson-Walsh became the first married couple to win gold for Britain since Cyril and Dorothy Wright in the sailing in 1920.
"To win an Olympic medal is special," said Kate. "To win an Olympic medal with your wife there next to you, taking a penalty in the pressure moments is so special. We will cherish this for the rest of our lives.''
Now 36, Kate confirmed "100%" that it would be her final GB appearance.
"I will retire as a reigning European champion with England and an Olympic champion with Great Britain," she said.
GB coach Danny Kerry said: "We know we're good at shootouts. We have some tough characters taking them and we have probably the best goalkeeper in the world. Some days you know you're going to win."
Netherlands coach Alyson Annan said her team "dominated the whole game", adding: "Tactically, we were strong. Technically, we were strong. Physically, mentally, we were the better team. That makes it much more disappointing.''
Analysis
Simon Mason, former GB Olympic hockey player
"I am genuinely struggling to put that into words. GB were under pressure for huge chunks but we thought if it went to penalties they could win. Fair play Maddie Hinch. Just incredible. That will change the face of British hockey."
View from the sidelines
Luke Reddy, BBC Sport in Rio
"That was the most exhilarating 15-minute spell I've been lucky enough to watch at the Games. Every attack was met with tense silence, roars breaking out when danger passed.
The families went through despair, nerves, joy, relief and much more. There were tears, a lot of tears."
Hollie Webb's winning penalty sparked jubilant scenes
She was quickly joined by her ecstatic team-mates
GB women's first gold follows two bronze medals in hockey
It was all a bit too much for Princess Ariane (left) and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Captain Kate Richardson-Walsh (left) and wife Helen Richardson-Walsh (right) are the first married couple to win gold for Britain since Cyril and Dorothy Wright in the sailing in 1920
Rio Olympics 2016: GB women win first hockey gold on penalties - BBC Sport
Britain's not occupied anymore. We've voted for Brexit.
Lutalo Muhammad suffers agonising last-second taekwondo defeat
There was also drama in the men's -80kg taekwondo final between Great Britain's Lutalo Muhammad and Ivory Coast's Cheick Sallah Cisse.
Muhammad was leading 6-4 with just ONE SECOND remaining and about to celebrate another gold medal for Great Britain - and another in taekwondo, with Britain's Jade Jones having won gold in the women's -57 kg tournament - with the clock having stopped for a few moments. With the clock restarting and the remainig one second being played Cisse managed to get Muhammad with a massive kick, worth four points, to win the match at the death by eight points to six, sparking scenes of wild celebration by the Ivorian.
Manchester and London to host Olympic celebrations
20 August 2016
BBC News
Gold-winning cyclists Joanna Rowsell Shand, Ed Clancy, Jason Kenny and Steven Burke all train in Manchester
The success of Britain's Olympic and Paralympic stars is to be celebrated with events in Manchester and London, Theresa May has announced.
There will be a parade through the streets of Manchester and another event in the capital in October.
The Prime Minister said: "It will be a celebration fit for heroes - and rightly so, because that is exactly what they are."
Manchester City Council said the area "couldn't be more thrilled".
Deputy leader Sue Murphy said: "We will be sure to show our athletes the meaning of celebration.
"The city has been a medal factory, pumping out golds as the home of British cycling and British Taekwondo.
"It's fantastic to see the product of years of hard work and training at the centres of excellence in east Manchester."
The decision to stage the parade in the north of England follows calls for it to be held outside the capital to reflect the contribution made by athletes from across the UK.
Thousands of people lined the streets of London for the 2012 victory parade
Olympians and Paralympians paraded through the streets of London after the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games
Meanwhile London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was delighted there would be a further event in the capital to mark the achievements of Britain's competitors.
"Our athletes have performed heroics in Rio and their exploits have gripped the entire nation," he said.
"My team will continue to work with the government and sports chiefs to help develop plans for wonderful celebrations."
The success of Scotland's Olympians and Paralympians will also be celebrated with a special homecoming event at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on 28 September.
Jason Kenny and fellow cyclist and fiancee Laura Trott live together near the Manchester Velodrome
Mrs May said: "For the past fortnight, the people of the United Kingdom have been filled with pride as we've watched our Olympians take victory in so many sports with power, grace and control.
"In every discipline and at every stage, Team GB have shown the world what we're made of: determination, dignity and true sportsmanship.
"They haven't just made history; by showing just how far talent and hard work can take you, they have inspired the next generation.
"They have also shown the importance of supporting elite sport and that is something this government remains wholly committed to."
Smaller parades are expected to be held for individual athletes in their home towns.
The town council in Stone, Staffordshire, has said it will hold a parade for K1 slalom gold medallist Joe Clarke, 23, who will be hoisted aloft in his kayak on 29 August.
ITV is also planning to switch off all seven of its channels for an hour on 27 August to encourage people to take part in sport as part of the I Am Team GB campaign.
The northern powerhouse
Manchester is certainly basking in a golden glow from Rio with a host of the medal winners living and training in the area.
- The velodrome training centre for Team GB's track cycling athletes, who have brought home 11 Olympic medals, is based in the city with many of the team living nearby - including Sir Bradley Wiggins.
- Jason Kenny, now one of Britain's most decorated Olympians, hails from Bolton in Greater Manchester while team pursuit gold-medallist Steve Burke comes from nearby Colne in Lancashire.
- Taekwondo star Jade Jones, originally from Flint in north Wales, now lives and trains in Manchester.
- Rower Matt Langridge, who won gold in Rio with the men's eight, was born in Crewe and grew up in Northwich, Cheshire.
- A number of athletes also bringing home medals live over the border in Yorkshire. The Brownlee brothers, diver Jack Laugher and cyclist Ed Clancy are all proud Yorkshiremen.
Manchester and London to host Olympic celebrations - BBC News
Manchester ... the Paris of the err, umm ...
...the Florence of ummmmm....
... the Vienna of the ahhhh ....
... nicer than Sheffield
...the Florence of ummmmm....
... the Vienna of the ahhhh ....
... nicer than Sheffield
Manchester's a fantastic city, the "capital" of Northern England. If you count Greater Manchester, which includes Bolton where I live, then it has a population of three million, making it the UK's second-largest city.
How dare these Europeans try to claim Britain's Olympic gold medals as their own?
Zoe Strimpel
19 August 2016
The Telegraph
Hands off, Eurocrats Credit: Murad Sezer/Reuters
I was in Berlin when Germany won the World Cup in 2014. Fireworks, street parties, singing, dancing and lots of flag waving all spoke to a joyous national celebration – the due of any victor in international sport.
There is some irony, then, in this week's stunt from German consultancy Euro Informationen.
The company, whose clients include the European Commission and European Parliament, has produced a new Olympics medals table which puts the EU at the top.
The offending medal table Credit: TMG
The absurdity as well as the diplomatic idiocy of this gimmick is obvious. The EU – as any of its bureaucrats will proudly drawl – is not a country, it’s a bloc, and the Olympics does not award medals to blocs, much as Fifa does not.
But the truly amusing irony is that this ghastly competitor tops the chart largely because of the incredible medal haul of Britain, the very country it is currently absorbed in shaming and punishing for its rankly disobedient vote in June to leave the EU.
While this reading of Olympics victory is amusing, mainly for its whiff of "sore losers", its underlying impulse is far more sobering. For it is the perfect manifestation of an attitude which is just as common among the consultants, PR men and apparatchiks who surround the EU's institutions as among those within it – an obsession with conformism, and a visceral distrust of individualism.
When it comes to the EU – its commissioners, MEPs, and its shadowy Oort Cloud of unaccountable, long-lunch taking, lurking elites – it’s always a case of "you’re with us or against us". In fact, there isn't really a choice in the matter.
Even popular democratic attempts to go "against" have a history of being ignored. Famously, in 2005, the French were offered a referendum on whether to ratify a European Constitution.
After much thought, debate and a huge turnout, they voted against. So did the Netherlands. So the EU did what any power-crazy bloc would do, and put it through anyway, packaged as the Treaty of Lisbon.
A decade on, the French people are well and truly fed up of the EU, of its quotas, its rules, its diktats, its suppression of national free will. A 2015 survey found that a whopping 67 per cent of French people would get out.
And we all know what happened when Greece tried to disobey Brussels in 2015: to stave off Grexit, the EU dished out a punishment so brutal it involved the country's full surrender of economic power and the hobbling sale of €50bn in assets.
The EU may have broken Greece’s spirit. But the British vote to leave – following endemic inflexibility in negotiations with David Cameron last year – sent an unexpected and irreversible firework up its backside.
The machine cranked into action: rather than bend an inch, or rethink itself, it opted for an attitude of punishment, hoping to further suppress the discontent of other member states.
Post-Brexit, EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker immediately called demands by other EU nations for referendums "crass rabble-rousing" and sinisterly swore that it ‘should soon become clear that the UK was better off inside the EU’.
Europe's need to punish individualism and stifle dissent may have bullied the bloc into continuance so far, and the symbolism of this attempt to grab all the Olympics glory as one bland federation is clear.
But sorry Eurocrats, in this case you lose: it’s America first and, amazingly, Britain second, and no amount of huffing and puffing is going to change that.
This article was updated at 19:23 on August 19, 2016.
How dare these Europeans try to claim Britain's Olympic gold medals as their own?
Manchester's two best known products:
MANCHESTER UNITED
MANCHESTER CITY
GOLD - Great Britain
Kayak single 200m
An arm-wrestle of a race and you don't win an arm-wrestle against Liam Heath.
The Briton is neck and neck with France's Maxime Beaumont at 150m, but keeps his rhythm and prises his way in front to take gold.
************************
I'm looking forward to the men's football final at 21.00 BST tonight.
Will Brazil get revenge on Germany for the 7-1 drubbing that eventual tournament winners Germany inflicted on hosts Brazil in the 2014 World Cup?
hahahaha americans disqualified again , this time in 100m relay cause they're cheating trash. bronze goes to Canada because De Grasse's insane last 50 metre sprint that put them from 7th to 3rd.