The XXXII Olympiad, better known as the 2020 Summer Olympics or Tokyo 2020, has officially started... in the middle of 2021.... and after a global pandemic threatened to cancel the whole event.

In an effort to distract you from the current controversies surrounding these games, allow us to take you back in time to when life was simpler. We're heading back to the XXVII Olympiad or the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia in Blind Landing.

First off, you don't need to know a thing about Olympic gymnastics to enjoy Blind Landing. Host Ari Saperstein takes care of that for us as we join athletes on the wild journey for gold in the all-around final.

What you do need to know is that the all-around is an event that athletes meticulously train for over the span of years and that it can also set the tone for athletes throughout the rest of the games and even their careers. So, when the organizing committee for the event neglects to configure the equipment properly, disaster and controversy are inevitable.

In the first half of the event, eight athletes fell as they catapulted their bodies over the vault. Eight. Something was wrong and everyone was left unimpressed.

Stephen and Evan
Your Podcast Delivery crew