1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,627 Speaker 1: from newstalksb. 3 00:00:12,867 --> 00:00:16,107 Speaker 2: Let's get you back to Paris. James mcconey normally joins 4 00:00:16,147 --> 00:00:18,227 Speaker 2: us a little bit later than this, but he's what's 5 00:00:18,267 --> 00:00:19,867 Speaker 2: halp us three in the morning, so I think he 6 00:00:19,907 --> 00:00:22,747 Speaker 2: wants to get to bed, So let's get to Let's 7 00:00:22,747 --> 00:00:25,787 Speaker 2: get to James mcconey. Now, brilliant work that you're doing 8 00:00:25,827 --> 00:00:28,667 Speaker 2: over there, James, absolutely terrific the stuff I've seen coming 9 00:00:28,707 --> 00:00:31,627 Speaker 2: back from you Star Defrance. You've been at the track 10 00:00:31,667 --> 00:00:34,547 Speaker 2: and field. What's it like, mate? It looks amazing. 11 00:00:35,707 --> 00:00:38,587 Speaker 3: Oh, it looks amazing and thanks Pineer. I appreciate it, mate. 12 00:00:38,667 --> 00:00:43,227 Speaker 3: Feedback from you is definitely appreciated and valued. I think 13 00:00:44,107 --> 00:00:46,067 Speaker 3: Star de France is not as we know it. 14 00:00:46,187 --> 00:00:48,707 Speaker 4: Of course, it's the rugby ground with you all blacks play. 15 00:00:48,707 --> 00:00:52,747 Speaker 3: They've put down the purple track the French fans that 16 00:00:52,787 --> 00:00:56,107 Speaker 3: they love to chair, especially their their own athletes. But 17 00:00:56,507 --> 00:00:58,827 Speaker 3: it's a real wall of sound and all the athletes 18 00:00:58,827 --> 00:01:02,027 Speaker 3: are saying the atmosphere is the best they've ever experienced. 19 00:01:02,587 --> 00:01:06,027 Speaker 3: And I was lucky enough to see Zoe Hobbes come 20 00:01:06,067 --> 00:01:09,027 Speaker 3: see in her heats in one hundred meters and looking 21 00:01:09,147 --> 00:01:13,187 Speaker 3: really good running eleven point eight, I think, but just 22 00:01:13,187 --> 00:01:17,347 Speaker 3: a shame. It's a shame because she was looking at 23 00:01:17,427 --> 00:01:22,267 Speaker 3: such good nick that she dipped out in the semifinals 24 00:01:22,427 --> 00:01:25,667 Speaker 3: and you would have seen the final, I'm guessing Piney 25 00:01:25,867 --> 00:01:29,227 Speaker 3: and it was great to see even underdog get up. 26 00:01:29,427 --> 00:01:34,787 Speaker 2: Yeah, Saint Lucia's Julian Alfred beating hot favorite Shakari Richardson. Yeah, 27 00:01:34,787 --> 00:01:38,027 Speaker 2: I just love the one hundred meters. It's just one 28 00:01:38,067 --> 00:01:40,187 Speaker 2: of the iconic events. And you're right about Zoe. You know, 29 00:01:40,867 --> 00:01:44,107 Speaker 2: eleven point eight would have gotten her into the final 30 00:01:44,147 --> 00:01:46,547 Speaker 2: as one of the next fast She ran eleven o 31 00:01:46,627 --> 00:01:48,547 Speaker 2: eight yesterday. She said she was in really good form, 32 00:01:48,867 --> 00:01:51,747 Speaker 2: just not to be but man, an Olympic semi final 33 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:55,147 Speaker 2: for a one hundred meter sprinter from New Zealand doesn't 34 00:01:55,147 --> 00:01:55,827 Speaker 2: happen very often. 35 00:01:55,907 --> 00:01:58,467 Speaker 4: James, Yeah, exactly. Let's be honest. 36 00:01:58,467 --> 00:02:01,387 Speaker 3: One hundred meters has become the biggest event at the 37 00:02:01,427 --> 00:02:07,507 Speaker 3: Olympics and Zoe has been outstanding for a few years now, 38 00:02:07,627 --> 00:02:13,987 Speaker 3: and really her PB of ten point eight nine would 39 00:02:13,987 --> 00:02:16,947 Speaker 3: have won bronze. So that's why I feel sad for 40 00:02:17,027 --> 00:02:20,107 Speaker 3: Zoe because it's really hard to get it right. Alfred 41 00:02:20,187 --> 00:02:23,067 Speaker 3: run ran her PB of ten point seven two. I 42 00:02:23,107 --> 00:02:28,467 Speaker 3: think tonight, so look Zoe, I hope she doesn't quit. 43 00:02:28,507 --> 00:02:30,267 Speaker 3: She wants to take a break. I think there's plenty 44 00:02:30,307 --> 00:02:32,787 Speaker 3: more in the tank from Zoe. What we really need 45 00:02:32,827 --> 00:02:35,227 Speaker 3: I think in New Zealand sprinting is relay teams. We 46 00:02:35,307 --> 00:02:38,147 Speaker 3: need to is even mix relays. Now it's a shame 47 00:02:38,307 --> 00:02:41,587 Speaker 3: Eddie and Kettya decided to leave the sport, but look 48 00:02:41,627 --> 00:02:44,227 Speaker 3: watch the space. I think he might come back and 49 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:48,387 Speaker 3: help us in that regard because I think having those 50 00:02:48,427 --> 00:02:51,987 Speaker 3: relatives athletes a bit more of a They're not just 51 00:02:52,027 --> 00:02:55,027 Speaker 3: on the brink of this or nothing. You know, you 52 00:02:55,187 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 3: need to have a campaign to build around and even 53 00:02:59,507 --> 00:03:02,067 Speaker 3: teammates you can see the camaraderie. I was in camp 54 00:03:02,147 --> 00:03:04,547 Speaker 3: with the New Zealand athletics team and I think it 55 00:03:04,547 --> 00:03:07,347 Speaker 3: would really help if there was a team of sprinters. 56 00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:09,467 Speaker 4: So you know, keep your eyes peeled. 57 00:03:09,467 --> 00:03:11,827 Speaker 3: If you see anyone who's quick, make sure you get 58 00:03:11,827 --> 00:03:14,707 Speaker 3: them good good coaching. James Mortimer did a good job 59 00:03:14,707 --> 00:03:17,307 Speaker 3: with Zoe, so you know all is not lost for 60 00:03:17,347 --> 00:03:17,787 Speaker 3: the future. 61 00:03:17,867 --> 00:03:20,867 Speaker 2: Yeah, well it's type the She also catches a few 62 00:03:20,867 --> 00:03:23,267 Speaker 2: eyeballs of young boys and girls who think, man, I 63 00:03:23,267 --> 00:03:25,587 Speaker 2: can run fast. I'll give that a crack as well. 64 00:03:26,027 --> 00:03:28,747 Speaker 2: Not to be for Tom Walsh. Unfortunately, an injury has 65 00:03:28,827 --> 00:03:31,387 Speaker 2: really put paid to his chances of another Olympic medal. 66 00:03:31,427 --> 00:03:32,627 Speaker 2: That was tough to watch, wasn't it. 67 00:03:33,787 --> 00:03:36,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's really hard for Thomas. Again, I saw him 68 00:03:36,947 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 3: in training. He was looking great. He'd trimmed down because 69 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:42,347 Speaker 3: I think he knew that his best chance was to 70 00:03:42,387 --> 00:03:45,187 Speaker 3: stay quick and stay fast. He's doing a lot of 71 00:03:45,227 --> 00:03:47,827 Speaker 3: speed training to compete with a behemoth of a. 72 00:03:47,867 --> 00:03:49,147 Speaker 4: Man and Ryan Krauser. 73 00:03:49,547 --> 00:03:52,427 Speaker 3: And there's a cruel irony that he threw twenty two 74 00:03:52,467 --> 00:03:54,627 Speaker 3: point nine to zero to win the gold because that 75 00:03:54,747 --> 00:03:58,307 Speaker 3: is Tom Walsh's PB from back in twenty nineteen, I think. 76 00:03:58,347 --> 00:04:00,947 Speaker 3: But let's not forget Look, if this is Tom Walsh's 77 00:04:01,307 --> 00:04:03,947 Speaker 3: final Olympics, we don't know that yet. I don't think 78 00:04:04,867 --> 00:04:08,987 Speaker 3: he hears World champions from twenty seventeen. He is one 79 00:04:08,987 --> 00:04:12,987 Speaker 3: of the great seventh best of all time. And remember 80 00:04:13,027 --> 00:04:16,947 Speaker 3: some of those throws were definitely thrown by people juice 81 00:04:17,267 --> 00:04:19,627 Speaker 3: back in the day who had never caught. But Tom 82 00:04:20,387 --> 00:04:24,587 Speaker 3: is a great athlete and I hope he's an awkward 83 00:04:24,627 --> 00:04:26,667 Speaker 3: age is and he thirty two right now with a 84 00:04:26,747 --> 00:04:31,147 Speaker 3: baby on the way next month. To go another Olympics 85 00:04:31,987 --> 00:04:34,587 Speaker 3: might be tough, but I hope he does. And it 86 00:04:34,627 --> 00:04:36,627 Speaker 3: was great to see Jacko come seventh as well. 87 00:04:36,747 --> 00:04:40,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll watch the space on tom Walda. Choppaters contend 88 00:04:40,267 --> 00:04:42,387 Speaker 2: to go a bit longer than some other athletes, so 89 00:04:42,427 --> 00:04:45,267 Speaker 2: I guess we just wait and see. Speaking of those 90 00:04:45,347 --> 00:04:47,587 Speaker 2: who are I guess nearer the end of their Olympic 91 00:04:47,867 --> 00:04:51,147 Speaker 2: career than the start. Had the absolute pleasure of chatting 92 00:04:51,147 --> 00:04:54,347 Speaker 2: to Emma Twig a couple of hours ago, and you know, 93 00:04:55,067 --> 00:04:57,307 Speaker 2: here's an athlete who was ready to throw it all away, 94 00:04:57,347 --> 00:05:01,827 Speaker 2: in fact, did retire after Rio twenty sixteen Golden Tokyo silver. Today, 95 00:05:01,907 --> 00:05:03,667 Speaker 2: I love the story of Emma Twig. 96 00:05:04,907 --> 00:05:07,627 Speaker 4: Absolutely. Emma Twig is not the biggest athlete. 97 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:10,227 Speaker 3: I'd say she'd probably be the smallest in that field, 98 00:05:10,787 --> 00:05:14,627 Speaker 3: and to finish with another Olympic medal is just an 99 00:05:14,667 --> 00:05:15,587 Speaker 3: awesome achievement. 100 00:05:16,747 --> 00:05:19,067 Speaker 4: She was already one of the greats. 101 00:05:19,107 --> 00:05:21,587 Speaker 3: I think she's in that pantheon of greats, but then 102 00:05:21,667 --> 00:05:24,707 Speaker 3: to just cemented it with another medal. She came fourth 103 00:05:24,867 --> 00:05:27,147 Speaker 3: in London and then fourth again in Rio and that 104 00:05:27,187 --> 00:05:32,467 Speaker 3: prompted that retirement, and you know, just the one of 105 00:05:32,467 --> 00:05:36,027 Speaker 3: those just digging deep a show of great But also 106 00:05:36,067 --> 00:05:38,987 Speaker 3: the other thing with Emma is she's a true leader 107 00:05:39,147 --> 00:05:42,107 Speaker 3: and she speaks her mind and it rubs people. 108 00:05:41,987 --> 00:05:42,667 Speaker 4: Up the wrong way. 109 00:05:42,707 --> 00:05:45,827 Speaker 3: But I'm telling you everybody in your life, you need 110 00:05:45,867 --> 00:05:48,467 Speaker 3: an Emma Twig in your life. She'll tell you how 111 00:05:48,507 --> 00:05:50,627 Speaker 3: it is and you might not want to hear it, 112 00:05:50,707 --> 00:05:52,987 Speaker 3: but it's coming from a good place and it's all 113 00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:57,227 Speaker 3: about actually making things better. So she actually does move 114 00:05:57,267 --> 00:06:01,827 Speaker 3: into say a managerial administrative role, it'll be the best 115 00:06:01,907 --> 00:06:05,547 Speaker 3: thing for rowing in New Zealand, for sport in New Zealand. 116 00:06:05,827 --> 00:06:08,027 Speaker 3: And look, she's the sort of person that she was 117 00:06:08,467 --> 00:06:11,507 Speaker 3: to fly business class or first class around the world. 118 00:06:11,747 --> 00:06:14,027 Speaker 3: She'd be doing it to look after the people who 119 00:06:15,147 --> 00:06:17,667 Speaker 3: are in struggles street in the sport. You know, she 120 00:06:17,907 --> 00:06:21,307 Speaker 3: has always got an eye out for how athletes are 121 00:06:21,347 --> 00:06:22,107 Speaker 3: fairing and how the. 122 00:06:22,627 --> 00:06:25,747 Speaker 4: Volunteers are going. So I've got nothing but admiration for Emma. 123 00:06:25,867 --> 00:06:28,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's been another great rowing regatta for New Zealand 124 00:06:28,507 --> 00:06:31,507 Speaker 2: at these Olympic Games. Just before you go, you haven't 125 00:06:31,547 --> 00:06:33,827 Speaker 2: had the chance to go to the judo, have you 126 00:06:33,907 --> 00:06:38,147 Speaker 2: and see that massive French guy, Teddy Rhiner when another 127 00:06:38,227 --> 00:06:39,267 Speaker 2: gold medal. Have you seen that? 128 00:06:40,507 --> 00:06:42,067 Speaker 4: Yes? I did see Teddy Rhiner. 129 00:06:42,187 --> 00:06:47,547 Speaker 3: He is something asight to behold, six foot eight, one 130 00:06:47,627 --> 00:06:51,307 Speaker 3: hundred and forty kgs, not an ounce of fat on 131 00:06:51,467 --> 00:06:51,867 Speaker 3: the guy. 132 00:06:52,307 --> 00:06:54,947 Speaker 4: He is just an absolute beast. 133 00:06:55,027 --> 00:06:58,227 Speaker 3: But you don't expect a judoka to be that height 134 00:06:58,747 --> 00:07:01,387 Speaker 3: because it's all about, you know, controlling your center of 135 00:07:01,427 --> 00:07:05,547 Speaker 3: gravity and dominating your opponent and getting them to the ground. 136 00:07:05,627 --> 00:07:08,107 Speaker 4: So you've think like a big tree like that would 137 00:07:08,107 --> 00:07:08,827 Speaker 4: fall easily. 138 00:07:08,987 --> 00:07:12,627 Speaker 3: Well he didn't, and that's his fifth Olympic gold medal. 139 00:07:13,227 --> 00:07:16,867 Speaker 3: He won the individual one hundred kg plus and in 140 00:07:16,947 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 3: the teams event, it's weird. It was tied with Japan 141 00:07:20,787 --> 00:07:22,947 Speaker 3: and they went to sudden death and they sort of 142 00:07:23,067 --> 00:07:25,667 Speaker 3: spin in the wheel and they decide which of the 143 00:07:25,947 --> 00:07:30,187 Speaker 3: of the five teammates or maybe six have to fight, 144 00:07:30,267 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 3: and it just spun over to heavyweight men and the 145 00:07:33,867 --> 00:07:40,627 Speaker 3: crowd erupted because out comes Teddy against this massive Japanese 146 00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:43,507 Speaker 3: guy who looked like he was kind of like could 147 00:07:43,587 --> 00:07:45,787 Speaker 3: potentially be a suma wrestler. 148 00:07:45,427 --> 00:07:47,667 Speaker 4: And in you know, in the next life. 149 00:07:48,147 --> 00:07:52,107 Speaker 3: And so that was just a battle Royale and Teddy 150 00:07:52,147 --> 00:07:53,907 Speaker 3: delivered and look it was. 151 00:07:54,387 --> 00:07:57,707 Speaker 4: It's I've got a new found love of the sport. 152 00:07:57,747 --> 00:08:02,307 Speaker 3: I guess I've always respected judo and played rugby with it. 153 00:08:02,387 --> 00:08:05,227 Speaker 3: With a good judo cus Steve Surage, who was you know, 154 00:08:05,267 --> 00:08:07,907 Speaker 3: flipping on your back and before you know it tie 155 00:08:07,947 --> 00:08:12,067 Speaker 3: you in knots like a pretzel. But seeing that, and 156 00:08:12,147 --> 00:08:14,347 Speaker 3: I mean it's France. They love that sport. I mean 157 00:08:14,427 --> 00:08:17,747 Speaker 3: judo and fencing. You know how we love rowing and 158 00:08:17,827 --> 00:08:20,467 Speaker 3: kayaking at the Olympics, Well, the French love their judo 159 00:08:20,507 --> 00:08:21,507 Speaker 3: and fencing for real. 160 00:08:22,427 --> 00:08:25,227 Speaker 2: Just before you go, it looks from here as though 161 00:08:25,347 --> 00:08:27,947 Speaker 2: everybody who turns up to watch these Olympic sports, and 162 00:08:27,987 --> 00:08:30,227 Speaker 2: there have been so many of them, it's just having 163 00:08:30,267 --> 00:08:33,387 Speaker 2: a party. There are DJs everywhere, There are all sorts 164 00:08:33,427 --> 00:08:36,347 Speaker 2: of fan engagement zones. Does it feel to you like 165 00:08:36,387 --> 00:08:38,507 Speaker 2: that on the ground that the people of Paris have 166 00:08:38,627 --> 00:08:41,507 Speaker 2: just taken a month off and are enjoying enjoying a 167 00:08:41,547 --> 00:08:42,547 Speaker 2: city wide holiday. 168 00:08:43,667 --> 00:08:45,427 Speaker 4: Yeah, there are two schools of thought. 169 00:08:45,507 --> 00:08:49,347 Speaker 3: There are the DJs and there I'm quite near a canal. 170 00:08:49,067 --> 00:08:51,187 Speaker 4: Which people will remember from the movie Unnerly. 171 00:08:51,307 --> 00:08:54,387 Speaker 3: It's actually it's picture perfect, and the French are out 172 00:08:54,387 --> 00:08:58,747 Speaker 3: there drinking in the streets responsibly. Of course, there's there's buskers, 173 00:08:58,787 --> 00:09:02,667 Speaker 3: there's the whole thing going on, just socializing and it 174 00:09:02,987 --> 00:09:07,907 Speaker 3: just feels wonderful. And the restaurant have TVs and they're 175 00:09:07,947 --> 00:09:11,267 Speaker 3: celebrating every single freach victory. And then there's other people 176 00:09:11,307 --> 00:09:13,987 Speaker 3: who say, well, half of Paris is left because they 177 00:09:14,027 --> 00:09:14,827 Speaker 3: knew it was going to. 178 00:09:14,867 --> 00:09:17,587 Speaker 4: Be a real problem, so they've left us to it, 179 00:09:17,907 --> 00:09:19,787 Speaker 4: and it's worked up quite nicely. 180 00:09:19,827 --> 00:09:24,427 Speaker 3: Actually, there's been a few cramped trains and very hot trains, 181 00:09:24,467 --> 00:09:28,027 Speaker 3: and you know, I've probably sweetd more. This has been 182 00:09:28,067 --> 00:09:29,827 Speaker 3: really good for me Piney. To be honest, you won't 183 00:09:29,827 --> 00:09:31,147 Speaker 3: recognize me when I come back. 184 00:09:32,427 --> 00:09:33,787 Speaker 4: And if I could have. 185 00:09:33,827 --> 00:09:38,187 Speaker 3: Only just eliminated the pastries from the equation, I would 186 00:09:38,227 --> 00:09:40,747 Speaker 3: have maybe even reached a gold weight by the end 187 00:09:40,787 --> 00:09:43,187 Speaker 3: of Paris. Yeah, long at last. 188 00:09:43,307 --> 00:09:46,227 Speaker 2: Yeah, you simply cannot go to Paris without without sampling 189 00:09:46,267 --> 00:09:49,627 Speaker 2: the pastries, though that would be that would be sacrilege. James, 190 00:09:49,667 --> 00:09:52,507 Speaker 2: great to chat us. Always enjoy the next week and 191 00:09:52,547 --> 00:09:54,867 Speaker 2: we'll catch up again one more time from Paris next Sunday. 192 00:09:55,907 --> 00:09:58,787 Speaker 4: Sounds good, mate, Take it take it easy, all the best. 193 00:09:58,867 --> 00:10:00,627 Speaker 2: All the best to you too, James, get some sleep. 194 00:10:00,747 --> 00:10:03,627 Speaker 2: It's twenty to four in the morning over there. Please 195 00:10:03,667 --> 00:10:06,827 Speaker 2: get your head down at some point, James only big 196 00:10:06,867 --> 00:10:09,347 Speaker 2: part of our Sundays and doing great work over at 197 00:10:09,347 --> 00:10:10,987 Speaker 2: the Olympic Games for skyte. 198 00:10:11,387 --> 00:10:14,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 199 00:10:14,667 --> 00:10:17,947 Speaker 1: to News Talk sed B weekends from midday, or follow 200 00:10:17,987 --> 00:10:19,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.