SportsBet Magazine Olympic Edition

Olympic EDITION

THE

LIVE YOUR PASSION

AUGUST 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

Letter from the Editor 8 Masthead 10

IN FOCUS

Road to Rio 12 Olympic Planner 16 Michael Phelps: On My Terms 24 Usain Bolt: Ready to Rumble 30

SPORTS

Aquatics 24 Athletics 32 Basketball 34 Soccer 38 Olympics 40 Golf 44 Tennis 46

M ANLINESS Grillers’ Corner: Brazilian BBQ 54 Mantelligent: Travel Smart 56

FITNESS

Health is Your Wealth 55

TRAVEL

Mancation Destination: Rocking Rio De Janeiro 48

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

EDITOR’S LETTER

It is with a true passion I bring to you the Olympic Edition of SportsBet Magazine.

Authentic in our expert analysis, accurate in the reporting of stats, up to the moment sporting news, betting trends and events coupled with wit, irony and just the right amount of jest. I’m confident that SportsBet Magazine will be your ultimate sporting resource with its simplistic betting platform, and pure entertainment value for Sporting Enthusiasts.

Once upon every four years the World is united through sport.

Men, Women, Children from all walks of life from all over the globe tune in to watch their heroes. Some dare to dream, others cheer for joy. I don’t think there has been a more important Olympic Games than that of the XXXI Olympiad.

At a time the world has been divided, we all come together to cheer on the greatness and dedication from athletes from all countries. We embrace their stories, commitment and courage on a stage where color, race or religion no longer matter. All are equal on their quest for gold.

Just qualifying for the Olympic games requires extraordinary sacrifice. It is a true gateway to brilliance and bettering ourselves, for individuals,

teams and countries it gives hope. When the world comes together through sport, all differences are put aside and something very special is formed.

Inside the issue we take you through the in depth analysis of the day to day coverage of the XXXI Olympiad.

We outline the major stories already told and some yet to be scripted. None larger than our cover model Michael Phelps who’s destined to finish on his terms.

We hope you enjoy the issue and SportsBet Magazine will continue to be your ultimate resource for always coming out on top. Welcome to the issue and to SportsBet Magazine.

MICK MCCABE | editor-in-chief

MASTHEAD

PUBLISHER Michael McCabe

EXECUTIVE M AN AGING EDITOR Ian Wilson

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O LY M P I C E D I T I O N

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ROAD TO RIO

The Summer Olympics of 2016 will be officially known as the Games of the XXXI Olympiad and it will be held at Brazil’s city of Rio de Janeiro.

The motto or the catch line of this Olympics is ‘Live your passion’ which probably showcases the way Brazilians live their lives. There will be 306 events in total spread around

28 sporting categories which are to be hosted by 35 different competition venues. The Opening ceremony will be held at the Maracana Stadium of Rio de Janeiro on 5th of August 2016 and the Closing ceremony will be held at the same venue on the 21st August, 2016. The announcement of the Rio 2016 games was done

at the 121st Session of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) in Copenhagen, Denmark on 2nd of October 2009. This will be the first time that a South American (or a Latin American) city is hosting an Olympiad.

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REAL RIO

PROBLEMS OVERSHADOW EXCITEMENT On the eve of the first Olympic games in South American history, anticipation and excitement has been overshadowed by complacency and blame as the city of Rio De Janeiro and the country of Brazil prepare last minute actions to pull off the biggest event in its nation’s history.

Copacabana Beach is an Olympic construction site. The beach volleyball venue is going up, broadcast studios rise on scaffolding above the sand and a mammoth tent is jammed with thousands of pricey souvenirs. But there are few signs across town in crumbling, workingclass areas that the Rio de Janeiro Olympics open in just a week.

Promises that hosting the Games would remake even Rio’s most ramshackle neighborhoods have been eclipsed by myriad problems.

Security threats and soaring violence, the Zika virus, slow ticket sales, and water pollution in venues for sailing, rowing and distance swimming. Body parts washed up on proposed Olympic beaches, and

an Olympic village that is merely half complete with complaints of no electricity and leaking sewerage.

Not to mention hanging over it all is the impeachment trial of President Dilma Rousseff, expected to start days after the Olympics end.

About 10,500 athletes and up to 500,000 foreign visitors are expected for the games.

Few will see the real Rio, where the poor are being pummeled

by Brazil’s worst recession since the 1930s, soaring crime and unemployment over 10 percent.

Most can’t afford an Olympic ticket or a $100 souvenir soccer ball emblazoned with the Olympic logo. If it’s not a catastrophe, the Olympics could provide Brazil with

greater legitimacy. You attract a lot of people from all around the world.

You have heads of state coming in. It puts you on the map, and if you’re doing well, it could have a tremendously positive impact. But it will require a lot to compensate for the negative press that is inevitably going to be out before, during and after the Olympics. If the Olympics is not a success, it will be economically catastrophic for Brazil.

Who will showcase to the world everything they have to offer, the good, the bad and the ugly. Come the closing ceremony will be addressing praise and success to a country that embraces life with the motto “live your passion” or talking about crime, zika and how did the Olympic commitee let that happen.

OLYMPIC s w o h s o n

Without fail every Olympic year the games are surrounded by some sort of major controversy.

This year you can multiply that by many, however the Zika Virus albeit out of summer in Rio still stands out as the major threat. For that reason and a concerning growing list of others many of our much anticipated and headline athletes will be riding the armchair just like us from home this year. Here's just a few that will be missed in Rio.

SYDNEY LEROUX

JORDAN SPIETH LIONEL MESSI

P R I N C E W I L L I A M , K AT E M I D D L E T O N & PRINCE HARRY MILOS RAONIC

LEBRON JAMES J A S O N D AY

STEPH CURRY

ROGER FEDERER

M ARI A SH ARAPOVA

E T A M I T L U THE

oio iR io R R o o i RDiR R E N N A L P AILY

With so much sport in such a short time, it's very easy to get overwhelmed throughout the Olympic games event window.

So we've drawn up a daily event planner guide at potentially intriguing events on the Rio Olympic schedule (all times Eastern), keeping in mind athletes and teams must go through qualifying to reach finals.

W E D N E S D AY, A U G 3 D AY - 2

SOCCER (NOON-2 P.M.)

SWEDEN WOMEN VS. SOUTH AFRICA The first event of the first Olympics in South America, two days before the Opening Ceremony.

SOCCER (3-5 P.M.)

BRAZIL WOMEN VS. CHIN A The first Rio Olympic event involving Brazilian athletes. Five-time World Player of the Year Marta leads the host nation in search of its first Olympic soccer title. Like SwedenSouth Africa, this match will take place in Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium.

SOCCER (6-8 P.M.)

U.S. WOMEN VS. NEW ZEAL AND The Americans eye their fifth title in six Olympic tournaments and will open against a nation they beat 2-0 in the London Olympic quarterfinals.

The match is in Belo Horizonte.

T H U R S D AY, A U G 4 D AY - 1

SOCCER (3-5 P.M.)

BRAZIL MEN VS. SOUTH AFRICA If Brazil’s women can’t end the host nation’s Olympic soccer dry spell, maybe Neymar can lead the men to their first gold. Their first match comes in Brasilia against a nation making its second-ever Olympic men’s soccer appearance.

F R I D AY, A U G 5 D AY 0

OPENING CEREMONY

The Olympics will open at the famed Maracanã, which will also host soccer semifinals and finals late in the Games. The Opening Ceremony will be highlighted by the Parade of Nations and cauldron lighting, the final torchbearer always a closely guarded secret. (Of note, the

final torchbearer has actually been multiple people at the last three Olympics, so it will be interesting to see if Rio ends that streak.)

S AT U R D AY, A U G 6 D AY 1

GYMN ASTICS (1:30-4 P.M.)

U.S. MEN’S QUALIFICATION By the end of the day, the top eight nations of 12 overall qualify for the team final, and the top 24 gymnasts competing on all six events make the all-around final (maximum two per country). The U.S. has qualified into the team final at the last four Olympics and put two men in the all-around final at the last three, and don’t expect any different this time.

What’s left to decide? Keep an eye on apparatus final qualifying. The top eight per event make each of the six apparatus finals (maximum two per country).

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

The women’s 4x100m freestyle relay (10:24 p.m.) could be another U.S.-Australia duel. The Aussies broke the world record at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and dominated at the 2015 World Championships. The U.S. quartet will likely include Abbey Weitzeil and Simone Manuel, who went onetwo in the 100m free at the Olympic Trials. Katie Ledecky, better at the longer freestyle races, has an outside shot at being on the team, but likely only if she is used in the morning prelims and has a fast split time.

S U N D AY, A U G 7 D AY 2

GYMN ASTICS (4:30-6PM)

U.S. WOMEN’S QUALIFICATION Same as the men, the top eight of 12 nations and the top 24 allaround gymnasts and top eight per apparatus qualify for medal finals (maximum two per country) by the end of the day. The U.S. always qualifies into the team and allaround finals. Watch this: If three U.S. women compete on all four

events in qualifying, then one won’t qualify for the all-around final (like in 2012, when Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman beat Jordyn Wieber).

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

Dana Vollmer, returning from childbirth, defends her Olympic title in the 100m butterfly (9:03 p.m.), but Swedish world champion Sarah Sjostrom could be the favorite.

Ledecky should swim her first of possibly three individual finals of the Games in the 400m freestyle (10:01 p.m.). She has won every major 400m free title in this Olympic cycle, including breaking the world record.

The men’s 4x100m freestyle relay (10:54 p.m.) has traditionally been a marquee event. Several teams could factor into the medals, including reigning Olympic and world champion France, Australia, the U.S. and host nation Brazil. The U.S., which failed to make the 2015 World Championships final, should be led

by Olympic 100m free champion Nathan Adrian. Michael Phelps has been part of this relay at the last three Olympics. Phelps didn’t swim the 100m free at Trials but could still be placed on the relay team.

M O N D AY, A U G 8 D AY 3

GYMN ASTICS (3-6 P.M.)

MEN’S TEAM FIN AL China, winner of the last two Olympics, had its world championships winning streak of six snapped by rival Japan last year. The U.S. looks to return to the podium after finishing fifth at the 2012 Olympics and the 2015 World Championships.

FENCING (8 A.M.-5:15 P.M.)

WOMEN’S SABRE American Mariel Zagunis took gold in 2004 and 2008 but tearfully dropped to fourth in 2012, after carrying the U.S. flag into the Opening Ceremony. Ibtihaj Muhammad is set to become the first American to wear a hijab in Olympic competition. Zagunis is ranked No. 3 in the world. Muhammad is ranked No. 8. The final is at 4:45 p.m.

RUGBY (6-6:30 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL The first rugby medals since 1924 will be awarded, though this is the first time rugby sevens has been part of the Olympics.

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

Of the four finals, the best hope for U.S. medals comes in the men’s 100m backstroke (9:38 p.m.) with David Plummer and Ryan Murphy, who rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the world this year. The U.S. has won this event at each of the last five Olympics. Australian Emily Seebohm is the favorite in the women’s 100m back (9:30 p.m.) with 2012 Olympic champion Missy Franklin missing the Olympic team in the event.

T U E S D AY, A U G 9 D AY 4

GYMN ASTICS (3-5:10 P.M.)

WOMEN’S TEAM FIN AL The U.S. has never won back-toback Olympic team golds, but it will be favored if the dominating performances at the 2014 and 2015 World Championships are any indication. China, Great Britain and Russia are also podium contenders.

Romania, which earned medals at every Olympics from 1976 through 2012, failed to qualify a full team for Rio.

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

The U.S. swimming Big Four of

Phelps, Ledecky, Franklin and Ryan Lochte could all be in finals. Ledecky and Franklin took gold and bronze at the 2015 Worlds in the 200m freestyle (9:19 p.m.). Phelps could swim the 200m butterfly final (9:28 p.m.) at a fifth straight Olympics.

Lochte figures to be in the 4x200m free relay final (10:38 p.m.) for a fourth straight Games after finishing fourth in the 200m free at Trials.

W E D N E S D AY, A U G 10 D AY 5

GYMN ASTICS (3-5:45 P.M.)

MEN’S ALL-AROUND FIN AL Japan’s Kohei Uchimura could become the first man in 44 years to repeat. Top rivals include Brit Max Whitlock, Cuban Manrique Larduet and Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev. The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Danell Leyva, may not compete in the all-around after only making the Rio team as a replacement for the injured John Orozco.

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

In the men’s 100m freestyle final (10:30 p.m.), Nathan Adrian could try for a repeat title, after winning by .01 in London. His biggest threat may be aspiring Australian physicist Cameron

McEvoy. Franklin and Ledecky could anchor the U.S. in the women’s 4x200m free relay (10:55 p.m.).

T H U R S D AY, A U G 11 D AY 6

JUDO (2:30-4:40 P.M.)

WOMEN’S 78KG MEDAL ROUNDS In 2012, Kayla Harrison became the first U.S. Olympic judo champion.

She’s since missed a year due to knee surgery, took bronze at the 2014 Worlds and was upset in the round of 16 at the 2015 Worlds, but she is ranked No. 1 in the world.

GYMN ASTICS (3-5:10 P.M.)

WOMEN’S ALL-AROUND FIN AL The U.S. could put two women on the podium, and three-time reigning world champion Simone Biles is a heavy favorite. The top two U.S. women in all-around qualifying on Day 2 will earn places in the final.

Biles will likely be joined by either Aly Raisman, who missed a bronze medal in 2012 by a tiebreaker, or Laurie Hernandez, the first U.S. Olympic gymnast born in the 2000s.

London Olympic champion Gabby Douglas appears unlikely to compete in the all-around after finishing seventh at the Olympic Trials.

RUGBY (6-6:30 P.M.)

MEN’S FIN AL Watch out for Fiji, which has never earned an Olympic medal in any sport but has won two straight World Series season titles. The U.S. could factor into the medals.

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

Lochte and Phelps should go headto-head for the final time in their careers in the 200m individual medley final (10:01 p.m.). Phelps took gold in this event at the last three Olympics, while Lochte earned silver in 2004, bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012. Phelps edged Lochte by .31 at the Olympic Trials, but it’s Japan’s Kosuke Hagino who has the fastest time in the world this year.

F R I D AY, A U G 12 D AY 7

TRACK AND FIELD (10:10 A.M.)

WOMEN’S 10,000M FIN AL The first track and field medal event includes Americans Emily Infeld and Molly Huddle, who went three-four at the 2015 World Championships.

Shooting (2-3 p.m.): Women’s skeet. Kim Rhode, already the first American to earn individual medals in five straight Olympics, could become the first Olympian from any nation to earn medals on five different continents.

SWIMMING (9-11 P.M.)

Franklin, Phelps and Ledecky could swim their last individual races of these Olympics back-toback-to-back in the women’s 200m backstroke final (9:03 p.m.), men’s 100m butterfly final (9:12 p.m.) and women’s 800m freestyle final (9:20 p.m.). All defending Olympic champions, they are arguably each’s signature event. Ledecky is a huge favorite, Phelps is arguably a favorite over Laszlo Cseh and Chad le Clos and Franklin is an underdog, ranked No. 9 in the world this year.

S AT U R D AY, A U G 13 D AY 8

ROWING (9:40-9:50 A.M.)

WOMEN’S EIGHT FIN AL The U.S. has won 10 straight Olympic or world titles dating to 2006.

TENNIS (11 A.M.-7 P.M.)

WOMEN’S SINGLES MEDAL M ATCHES Serena Williams could become the first repeat Olympic tennis singles champion. She and sister Venus Williams are the only women in the field who have previously earned Olympic singles medals.

CYCLING (3:53-4:21 P.M.)

WOMEN’S TEAM PURSUIT FIN AL The U.S., led by two-time 2012 Olympic silver medalist Sarah Hammer, took gold at 2015 Worlds, the first team gold for U.S. men or women in a track cycling event at a world championships or Olympics.

TRACK AND FIELD (7-10:15 P.M.)

Training partners Mo Farah and Galen Rupp will look for another one-two in the men’s 10,000m final (8:25 p.m.). The world’s fastest woman will be crowned in the 100m final (9:35 p.m.). Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took gold in 2008 and 2012. No woman has won the same individual Olympic track and field event three straight times, but she could be beaten by countrywoman Elaine Thompson, the U.S.’ English Gardner or Tori Bowie or the Netherlands’ Dafne Schippers. Great Britain’s Jessica Ennis-Hill can repeat as Olympic heptathlon champion after coming back from childbirth.

SWIMMING (9-10:40 P.M.)

The competition concludes with the shortest and longest events (women’s 50m free, men’s 1500m free) and both medley relays, which should mark Phelps’ final race (10:04 p.m.).

The U.S. men have never lost the Olympic medley relay, excluding the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games.

S U N D AY, A U G 14 D AY 9

GOLF (6 A.M.-3 P.M.)

MEN’S FIN AL ROUND

The first Olympic golf medals since 1904 will be awarded at the conclusion of the 72-hole stroke-play tournament. British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden and American Bubba Watson are the highest-ranked golfers in the field.

TENNIS (11 A.M.-7 P.M.)

Men’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles finals. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray won the last two gold medals. That means an Olympic title is one of the glaring holes on the résumés of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Serena and Venus Williams won doubles gold in 2000, 2008 and 2012. Federer is expected to pair with Martina Hingis in mixed doubles for Switzerland.

GYMN ASTICS (1-4 P.M.)

Apparatus finals. The U.S. could have medal threats in men’s floor exercise (1 p.m., Jacob Dalton), women’s vault (1:44 p.m., Biles) and uneven bars (3:14 p.m., Madison Kocian).

TRACK AND FIELD (7:20-9:30 P.M.)

The last two Olympic champions could face off in the men’s 400m final (9 p.m.) — Grenada’s Kirani James and American LaShawn Merritt — but the favorite could be world champion Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa. The world’s fastest man will be crowned in the 100m final (9:25 p.m.). Usain Bolt could try to become the first Olympic men’s runner to win the same individual event three straight times. Americans Justin Gatlin and Trayvon Bromell are among the top challengers.

M O N D AY, A U G 15 D AY 10

GYMN ASTICS (1-3:25 P.M.)

The host nation has the defending Olympic still rings champion, Arthur Zanetti, who became Brazil’s first Olympic gymnastics medalist in London (1 p.m.). Biles won the last two world titles on balance beam (2:42 p.m.).

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-9:50 P.M.)

Kenyan David Rudisha broke the world record en route to London Olympic gold in one of the trademark events of those Games. He could repeat in the 800m final (9:25 p.m.).

Allyson Felix could try to follow her 2012 Olympic 200m title with gold in the 400m against a field that could include scrutinized South African Caster Semenya (9:45 p.m.).

T U E S D AY, A U G 16 D AY 11

TRACK AND FIELD (8:50-10:15 A.M.)

American Christian Taylor, who missed breaking a 20-year-old world record by the length of a cigarette at the 2015 World Championships, looks to repeat as Olympic champion in the triple jump.

GYMN ASTICS (1-3:15 P.M.)

The artistic gymnastics competition concludes with three apparatus finals. The U.S. has the reigning Olympic and world champs in women’s floor exercise in Raisman and Biles (1:45 p.m.). High bar is traditionally the most exciting men’s apparatus final (2:30 p.m.).

Uchimura is the reigning world champion. Flying Dutchman Epke Zonderland is the defending Olympic champion.

WEIGHTLIF TING (6-7:40 P.M.)

MEN’S SUPER HEAVY WEIGHT FIN AL The world’s strongest man will be determined. Russian Aleksey Lovchev, the 2015 World champion, is excluded from the Games due to a doping ban.

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-9:50 P.M.)

Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba is the favorite in the women’s 1500m (9:30 p.m.), after she broke a 22-year-old world record last year. The U.S. has

earned at least one medal in the 110m hurdles (9:45 p.m.) at every Olympics (excluding the boycotted 1980 Moscow Games). The top U.S. hope appears to be University of Oregon wide receiver Devon Allen, who won at Trials and ranks second in the world this year.

W E D N E S D AY, A U G 17 D AY 12

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-10 P.M.)

The U.S. could send reigning Olympic champion Brittney Reese and reigning world champion Tianna Bartoletta into the women’s long jump final (8:15 p.m.). The women’s 200m (9:30 p.m.) figures to produce a new Olympic champion — one of the Netherlands’ Schippers, Jamaica’s Thompson or the U.S.’ Bowie. The U.S. could sweep the 100m hurdles (9:55 p.m.), despite having a group of three first-time Olympians.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL (11-11:50 P.M.)

WOMEN’S GOLD-MEDAL M ATCH The Copacabana Beach venue will be rocking if a Brazil pair reaches the final. American Kerri Walsh Jennings is favored to reach this final with an eye on her 4th straight gold, this time with new partner April Ross replacing the retired Misty May-Treanor.

T H U R S D AY, A U G 18 D AY 13

WRESTLING (4:05-5:45 P.M.)

WOMEN’S WRESTLING FIN ALS Reigning world champions Helen Maroulis (63kg, 4:50 p.m.) and Adeline Gray (75kg, 5:35 p.m.) could become the first female U.S. Olympic wrestling gold medalists.

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-9:30 P.M.)

American Joe Kovacs, coached by his mom growing up, is the reigning world champion in the shot put (7:30 p.m.). The two-day, 10-event decathlon finishes with the 1500m (8:45 p.m.), where Ashton Eaton could become the first repeat champ since 1984. That will be followed by the women’s 400m hurdles final (9:15 p.m.), which might include high schooler Sydney McLaughlin, the youngest U.S. Olympic track and field competitor since 1972. Bolt could close the night with his last individual Olympic event, the 200m final (9:30 p.m.).

BEACH VOLLEYBALL (11-11:50 P.M.)

Men’s gold-medal match. Like the women, the medal favorites begin with Brazilian and American pairs.

Alison and Bruno of Brazil are the 2015 World champions. Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena of the U.S. have the most international tournament titles in the world this year.

F R I D AY, A U G 19 D AY 14

WATER POLO (2:30-3:50 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL The U.S. finally took gold in 2012 after silver in 2000, bronze in 2004 and silver in 2008. The Americans are overwhelming favorites, since they hold every major title (Olympics, world championships, World Cup, World League).

SOCCER (4:30-7 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL The U.S. earned gold at four of five Olympic tournaments since the introduction of women’s soccer in Atlanta 1996. However, if the U.S. and Brazil both top their groups and their quarterfinals, as expected, they will face off in the semifinals Aug. 16 and not the final.

WRESTLING (5:30-5:45 P.M.)

MEN’S 74KG FREEST YLE FIN AL

American Jordan Burroughs won gold at London 2012 and at the world championships in 2013 and 2015. Only two U.S. wrestlers have won gold medals in consecutive Olympics.

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-9:45 P.M.)

The women’s pole vault final (7:30 p.m.) could be very interesting.

There’s 2012 U.S. Olympic champion Jenn Suhr. There’s, potentially, Russia’s biggest track and field star, two-time Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva, if she is allowed to compete outside of Russia’s suspension. And then there’s Brazil’s top track and field athlete, 2011 World champion Fabiana Murer. The women’s and men’s 4x100m relay finals (9:15 p.m., 9:35 p.m.) close the session, with Bolt likely racing for the final time in his Olympic career in the latter.

S AT U R D AY, A U G 20 D AY 15

GOLF (6 A.M.-3 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL ROUND The only other time women’s golf was part of the Olympics, the U.S. swept the medals in 1900.

That’s quite unlikely in Rio, given South Korea’s dominance on the professional tours.

TRI ATHLON (10 A.M.-12 P.M.)

WOMEN’S RACE American Gwen Jorgensen is the favorite after winning the last two world titles, though she has been beaten in two of her last four starts.

Triathlon has been part of the Olympic program since 2000, and the U.S. has collected one medal, a bronze in 2004.

BASKE TBALL (2:30-4:50 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL There’s no reason to believe the U.S., on a 41-game Olympic winning streak going into Rio, won’t take a sixth straight gold. It will likely be a matchup with Australia, France or Spain.

DIVING (3:30-4:55 P.M.)

MEN’S PL ATFORM FIN AL The sport’s marquee event is the last of eight in the Olympic diving program. In 2012, American David Boudia won the first U.S. diving gold since 2000. As was the case four years ago, China and Brit Tom Daley are his primary competition.

SOCCER (4:30-7 P.M.)

MEN’S FIN AL Will Brazil, led by Neymar, make it to the gold-medal game at the Maracanã with a shot at winning its first Olympic men’s soccer title?

TRACK AND FIELD (7:30-9:40 P.M.)

The women’s high jump (7:30 p.m.) picture has shaken considerably in the last year. U.S. teen Vashti Cunningham broke through to win the world indoor title in March.

The reigning Olympic and world champions are from Russia, which is banned from Olympic track and field.

South African Caster Semenya, she of the gender-testing controversy of 2009 and 2010, looks like the favorite in the 800m (8:15 p.m.) after taking silver in 2012. The final night of track and field concludes with the women’s and men’s 4x400m relays (9 p.m., 9:35 p.m.).

VOLLEYBALL (9:15-11:15 P.M.)

WOMEN’S FIN AL Brazil defeated the U.S. in the last two Olympic finals. But the Americans, now with Karch Kiraly coaching, swept Brazil in the 2014 World Championship semifinals en route to gold.

S U N D AY, A U G 21 D AY 16

TRACK AND FIELD (8:30-11:15 A.M.)

The men’s marathon takes to the

Rio streets. Kenya is traditionally strong, but Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich pulled off the upset at London 2012. Meb Keflezighi, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, qualified for the U.S. team in February at age 41.

VOLLEYBALL (12:15-2:15 P.M.)

MEN’S FIN AL This is one of the most coveted gold medals for the host nation. Brazil took gold in 2004 and silver in 2008 (behind the U.S.) and 2012.

BOXING (1-1:15 P.M.)

WOMEN’S MIDDLEWEIGHT FIN AL Claressa Shields has not lost since she became the first U.S. Olympic women’s boxing champion at London 2012.

BASKE TBALL (2:45-5:05 P.M.)

MEN’S FIN AL The U.S., despite lacking some NBA superstars, should reach the final and be heavily favored for its sixth gold medal in seven Games in the Dream Team era. Spain took silver in 2008 and 2012 but lost in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals to France.

The Spaniards will be without Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

CLOSING CEREMONY

The Olympic cauldron will be extinguished at the Maracanã and anticipation will grow for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

O LY M P I C E D I T I O N

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MICHAEL PHELPS: ON MY TERMS

Already the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps is applying himself for one last chance to get his Olympic farewell right having fallen in love with swimming again. It seems a peculiar thing to say for the owner of a record 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold.

Four gold medals and two silver in London in 2012 seemed a fitting enough finale to a career that peaked with Phelps’s stunning eight-gold performance in Beijing.

However Phelps knew deep down that he could have done more four years ago, and that “haunted” feeling made it impossible for his postLondon retirement to stick.

“I never wanted to have that ‘what if,’” Phelps said of his decision to

mount a fifth Olympic campaign in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 31.

“This journey has been incredible. Being able to fall in love with the sport again is something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I did it on my terms.”

His comeback has been far from smooth in Phelps like fashion always controversial. Disrupted by a drinkdriving arrest that sparked a painful period of self-examination. Phelps has emerged stronger, his renewed relationship with his estranged father resonating even more after the birth of his own son, Boomer, with fiancee Nicole Johnson in May.

“It’s a cool thing for Nicole and I, for where we are in our lives,” Phelps said.

His relationship with long-time coach Bob Bowman endures, with Phelps voicing absolute trust in Bowman’s ability to prepare him for his last Olympic hurrah.

He has a chance to make more history as he seeks a fourth straight gold in the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley. The only Olympians to win four consecutive titles in the same individual event are athletes Al Oerter in the discus (1956-68) and Carl Lewis in the long jump (1984-96).

And he would love to avenge his 2012 loss to South African Chad le

Clos in the 200m fly, the first event Phelps ever swam in the Olympics back in Sydney 2000.

At the peak of his career, Phelps said he was out to change his sport.

Despite some run-ins with authority, he was suspended for six months in 2014 after a drink-driving case.

Phelps has raised swimming’s profile in America with displays of individual excellence as well as thrilling duels with the likes of Ryan Lochte and Milorad Cavic.

The US Olympic trials are one testament to his success, drawing upwards of 14,000 fans per session.

But his more lasting legacy is found in the swimmers he inspired, some of whom, like le Clos, he will race in Rio and some of whom have yet to reach the international stage.

Once the most intimidating man in the ready-room, Phelps now says he wants to mentor younger swimmers.

For the first time he has been selected by his peers to serve as a captain of the US men’s team.

“I just want to be able to help some of the younger guys,” he said.

With swimming heading “in a direction I love,” Phelps says there’s “still more” for him to do.

“Do I know what that is right now?

No. But I still feel that we can do more to promote this sport, even to another level than where we are right now.”

But Phelps insists he knows what his future contribution won’t include -- another competitive campaign.

“This is it. This is it, no more,” he vows. “The body is done. This is my last one.”

G R E AT N E S S B Y NUMBERS

The most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals in three Olympiads.

Holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (18, double the

second highest record holders) Holds the record for most Olympic gold medals in individual events (11) Holds the record for most Olympic medals in individual events for a male (13) In winning 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, Phelps took the record away from fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz (7) for the most first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won 4 golds and 2 silver medals, making him the most successful athlete of the Games for the third Olympics in a row.

Phelps is the long course world record holder in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley as well as the former long course world record holder in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley.

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MAKING A SPLASH IN RIO

SWIMMING PREVIEW - W H O T O W AT C H I N THE POOL Greatness can be hard to define but two words suffice for Olympic swimming - Michael Phelps.

Despite a global cast of world record holders, champions and swim sensations preparing to light up the Rio pool, the greatest of all time will again be the centre of attention at his farewell Games.

Phelps, who retired in 2012 before reuniting his passion for the pool again, may not win the most medals but his fifth Olympics are about more than that.

“I came back because I wanted to,” he said at the U.S. trials. “I wanted to do this for me.”

The 31-year-old has three individual events (100 metres butterfly, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley) plus relays with a younger-looking U.S. team that has rung some changes since London.

However big the splash he makes, Phelps is ratings gold as he seeks to add to his record haul of 18 Olympic titles and 22 medals in total.

Winner of the 100 butterfly and 200 IM at the past three Olympics, Phelps can become the first swimmer to win the same individual event at four Games in a row.

He is not the oldest U.S. swimmer in Rio, however, with former bad boy and 2000 gold medallist Anthony Ervin back at 35. Ryan Lochte, 31 and an 11 times medallist, will be at his fourth Games.

If anyone is going to carry Phelps’ mantle at a meet that will run well past midnight on some days to cater for U.S. viewers, then it is likely to be Katie Ledecky.

The 19-year-old American holds the world record in 400 and 800 metres freestyle and could complete a golden triple with the 200 as well.

Ledecky, who won four individual golds at last year’s world championships in Kazan, Russia, is the youngest member of the U.S. squad but looking unbeatable in 800.

Team mate Missy Franklin, who won four golds and a bronze in 2012, will compete in only two individual events and a relay after a disappointing trials.

AUSTRALIAN COMEBACK

The rest of the world, and particularly the Australians, sense an opportunity.London saw the once-mighty swimming nation slump to its lowest Olympic haul in 20 years, with a subsequent review highlighting a ‘toxic culture’, but Rio can expect a fighting comeback.

“I think swimming has got its mojo back which is a great thing,” said head coach Jacco Verhaeren after national trials in April. Cate Campbell set a 100m freestyle world record in July while sister Bronte is world champion but both face a challenge from Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom.

On the men’s side, Cameron McEvoy will chase gold in the blue riband 100m freestyle, one of five events he will contest.Golden couple Emily Seebohm and boyfriend Mitch Larkin go to Rio as world champions in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.

The Europeans will get in on the act, with Britain’s breaststroke world champion Adam Peaty and 200m free world champion James Guy hoping to succeed for a country that has not had a male Olympic swimming gold medallist since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988.

Hungary, Italy, France - with reigning 50 metres freestyle world and Olympic champion Florent Manaudou - and the Netherlands all have potential medal winners too.

Africa will look to South Africa’s Cameron van der Burgh, the reigning champion and Peaty’s big rival in 100m breaststroke, and Chad Le Clos, who beat Phelps to 200m butterfly gold in 2012.

The scourge of doping, in a year darkened by scandals in Russia, also hangs over the pool with 2012 gold medallists Sun Yang of China and South Korea’s Park Tae-hwan back in Rio after suspensions.

Pollution is also a major concern for the open water swimmers after dangerous ‘super bacteria’ were found off Rio’s beaches.

BETTING *MAJOR SWIMMING MARKETS

SWIMMING MEN’S 100M BUTTERFLY 2.10 3.00 5.00 10.00 15.00

MICH AEL PHELPS CH AD LE CLOS L ASZLO CSEH JOSEPH SCHOOLING TOM SHIELDS

SWIMMING MEN’S 200M BUTTERFLY

2.20 2.25 4.50 12.00 17.00

L ASZLO CSEH MICH AEL PHELPS CH AD LE CLOS DAIYA SE TO JOSEPH SCHOOLING

SWIMMING MEN’S 100M FREESTYLE

1.62 5.50 5.50 10.00 15.00

CAMERON MCEVOY N ATH AN ADRI AN ZE TAO NING CLEMENT MIGNON VL ADIMIR MOROZOV

SWIMMING 200M FREESTYLE

2.00 2.38 8.00 13.00 13.00

SUN YANG JAMES GUY YANNICK AGNEL PAUL BIEDERM ANN CONOR DWYER

SWIMMING MEN’S 1500M FREESTYLE

1.57 3.00 5.00 11.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

GREGORIO PALTRINIERI SUN YANG M ACK HORTON GABRIELE DE T TI CONNOR JAEGER JACK MCLOUGHLIN RYAN COCHRANE

SWIMMING MEN’S 4X100 MEDLEY

1.30 3.50 12.00 34.00

USA AUSTRALI A GREAT BRITAIN RUSSI A

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USAIN BOLT

READY TO RUMBLE IN RIO

With his victory in London on July 22nd, Usain Bolt put to rest any doubts about his health, setting the stage for the Rio Olympics showdown with archrival, Justin Gatlin. In which Usain selfly admits “my sport needs me to win”.

The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, proved any news of his demise was premature. Coming off a hamstring injury that sidelined the Jamaican superstar sprinter for one month, Bolt stormed back into the Rio Olympics’ gold medal conversation winning the 200-meter dash at the London Anniversary Games.

Bolt is the 100-meter and 200-meter world record holder, and with his Jamaican teammates, also holds the world record in the 4x400m relay.

He enters the 2016 Rio Olympics as the back-to-back reigning Olympic champion in all three events,

sweeping all three in both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games.

Just a month ago, it appeared that Bolt’s chance to defend his Olympic crown would be in jeopardy. After winning the 100m semifinals at the Jamaican Olympic trials, Bolt was forced to withdraw from the finals after experiencing discomfort in his hamstring. To the shock of track and field fans around the world, it was later discovered that Bolt had suffered a Grade 1 hamstring tear and his status for the Rio Olympics seemed in doubt.

After a month of recuperation, all eyes were on Bolt as he made his return Mid July to the same stadium where he took three gold medals in 2012. And after 19.89 seconds, Bolt put all fears about his health to rest, storming to victory in the 200m.

Bolt’s performance not only allayed fears of track and field fans worldwide, but also the concerns of Jamaican Olympic officials who

were criticized in some circles for including Bolt on the squad despite his failure to complete his country’s Olympic trials.

One of those critics was Bolt’s nemesis and main threat to his defense of his Olympic crown, American Justin Gatlin. Gatlin, winner of the 100m gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games told the media Bolt would not have received preferential treatment if he were American. “He’s injured and he has a medical pass,” Gatlin said. “That’s what his country does. Our country doesn’t do that.”

Bolt’s return to form sets the stage for the much-anticipated confrontation between the two archrivals. If all goes as planned, the two will lock horns at the men’s 100m sprint final on Sunday, August 14th at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhão) in Deodoro.

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ATHLETICS: TRACKING THE DOPE

A year of unrelenting misery, of corruption, cover-ups, bans, appeals and doping, doping, doping, has ripped the heart and soul out of athletics, the sport that likes to think of itself as the heart and soul of the Olympics.

There is not a doping cloud hovering above the track and field programme at the Rio Games, there is a dense, filthy smog that has enveloped every corner and left the sport teetering on the edge of the abyss.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt will probably still stop the world when he bids for his incredible sprint triple triple, Briton Mo Farah will be hugely feted if he becomes only the second man to do the distance double-double, while New Zealander Valerie Adams will underline her status as one of the greatest women throwers of all time if

she makes it three in a row in the shot.

But those performances, and every other over 10 days in Rio, will be viewed through the prism of doping, with the absence of Russian athletes a daily reminder of the sport’s curse.

It is not that everyone thinks Bolt, Farah and Adams have been boosted by drugs. It is potentially worse -people increasingly no longer care.

A year ago Bolt was hailed as the saviour of athletics after beating Justin Gatlin, twice convicted of doping offences, in the world championships 100m.

If Bolt’s hamstrings hold out then he has a great chance of further enhancing his position as a, or possibly, the “legend” of the sport by winning both sprints again and helping Jamaica to a third successive

4x100m gold. He did enough in his final run in London to indicate that he is healthy, and just now needs to rediscover the race sharpness that has seen him bestride the sport for the last eight years.

Gatlin will be back in Rio, still complaining about his convictions, still paid a fortune by sponsors and still coached by another former convicted doper, Dennis Mitchell.

With the United States at the forefront of the calls to ban Russia it is hardly a ringing endorsement of a commitment to a clean sport.

Dozens of other runners, walkers, jumpers and throwers will compete in Rio seeking the adulation of the crowd, the glory of the medal and the financial rewards of the victory, having already served time for cheating.

T H E C U LT U R E

On the other hand, dozens who have never been convicted of an offence will be absent due to the ban on Russian athletes taking part.

Russia finished second behind the United States in the athletics medals table in 2012 but the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) decided the culture of doping was so ingrained in the country and the evidence of abuse so widespread that they remained banned en masse from all athletics.

Several other strong athletics countries, particularly endurance powerhouse Kenya, will be on duty in Rio on the back of a huge number of doping positives and with their anti-doping controls routinely criticised as inadequate.

Not to mention as if dealing with the daily wave of doping discussions was not enough of a challenge for the IAAF and IOC, another controversy will raise its head again in Rio if, as expected, South Africa’s Caster Semenya lives up to her tag as probably the hottest favourite on the track in the women’s 800m.

Since her teenage triumph in the 2009 world championships, Semenya has had a troubled time. She was initially withdrawn from competition while she underwent gender tests and scientists argued over whether she should be allowed to compete

because of an inflated testosterone level.

She is now back running impressive times but still at the centre of debate about her eligibility.

In the men’s 800m David Rudisha is battling for his best form and if he were to retain the title it would be a hugely popular triumph for the Kenyan.

IAAF President Seb Coe said he thought Rudisha’s world record victory was the highlight of the 2012 Games and the Briton, former 800m world record holder and twice Olympic 1,500m champion, would dearly love his focus in Rio to be on such uplifting performances.

That, however, is highly unlikely to be the case.

The men’s marathon will bring the athletics programme to a close on Aug. 21 but that will almost certainly not be the final curtain.

If previous championships are anything to go by, retrospective doping disqualifications from the throwing events will start almost immediately while further doping offences could be drip fed to an already totally disillusioned public up to and beyond 2024.

The question for athletics is will anyone be around then to notice?

* BETTING MENS 100M SPRINT 1.44 3.00 13.00 17.00

USAIN BOLT JUSTIN GATLIN TRAY VON BROMELL YOH AN BL AKE

MENS 200M SPRINT 1.40 4.50 9.00 17.00 17.00

USAIN BOLT JUSTIN GATLIN L ASH AWN MERRIT T YOH AN BL AKE ANDRE DE GRASSE

MENS 4X100M RELAY 1.40 3.00 26.00 41.00 41.00 41.00

JAM AICA UNITED STATES GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE CAN ADA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

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MEN’S BASKETALL: A SLAM DUNK

The allure of Olympic basketball sits oddly wedged between fantasy and formality. When we talk about Team USA, we’re dreaming of an All-Star team-up unbridled by NBA conferences or awards voting, the best of the best joining forces to represent their country. Given that wealth of talent, the United States will always be favorites in international play, more so than any country in any sport played anywhere. The caveat: even when the on-court product is at its peak, blowing out smaller countries is wholly unsurprising and can border on anticlimactic. Winning gold is a standard, but so is finding a way to make the dominance appealing.

The last two Olympic wins dodged the issue and checked all the boxes, helped by the power of clean narrative. After struggling in the early 2000s, the “Redeem Team” of ’08 restored the glory. An alltime stacked 2012 roster bridged three eras, from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James to Kevin Durant and most everyone in-between.

Peak excellence still belongs to the

legendary 1992 squad, as neither scouting nor analytics nor hindsight can ever truly unseat the Dream Team’s star power and cultural cachet. The Rio Games begin with the same expectations as always, but on a strange, different tonal note that’s characterized by absence.

Don’t get it twisted—Team USA remains the absolute favorite, and to watch them lose at any point would be a total shock. But before getting to who is playing, you can’t avoid who’s not. LeBron. Stephen Curry.

Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul. James Harden, Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin. The list goes on and the reasons vary. It feels like crying wolf to point out, but the last time this many American stars passed on the Olympics was 2004, and their replacements came back with bronze.

That said, Mike Krzyzewski is 75–1 as coach of the national team, which has not lost a game since falling to Greece in the semifinals of the 2006 World Championship. The pressure to not slip up persists, B-team or not,

and there’s more than enough on the roster to accomplish the task and do it in proper aesthetic fashion.

Starring for the U.S. the last time it lost was 22-year-old Carmelo Anthony, now the elder statesman tasked with helping a new group mesh. The other Olympic holdover is Durant, ready to properly team with Warriors pals Klay Thompson and Draymond Green for the first time. DeMarcus Cousins brings destructive interior scoring. Paul George and Jimmy Butler offer added versatility on both sides of the ball. If there’s any kind of hole, it’s at the point, where NBA champ Kyrie Irving and first-timer Kyle Lowry are more scoring-minded and sacrifice more size than Team USA traditionally prefers. DeAndre Jordan will ably anchor the defense, but expect smart teams to find ways to make him shoot free throws. Yes, we’re nitpicking.

Could another country actually win this thing? Not for lack of trying, and though most of the world’s powers are present, the U.S. won’t be the

the only country missing pieces.

Traditional challenger Spain will be without Serge Ibaka (prepping for next season) and Marc Gasol (recovering from injury), leaving older brother Pau Gasol to do much of the lifting at age 36. He’s one of several international greats likely playing in their last Olympics, with his new Spurs teammates Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker on their way out for Argentina and France.

In group play, expect Les Bleus to at least test Team USA , with international experience and NBAquality talent at every position.

Serbia, Lithuania and Croatia bring talented teams per usual, but there’s nobody with the depth and scoring on paper to topple the Americans.

Other things to know: No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons will be absent for up-and-coming Australia.

Canada, the world’s other rising nation, will be absent altogether.

Bojan Bogdanovic plays for Croatia, Bogdan Bogdanovic plays for Serbia, and the hopes of both countries fall partially on the potent jump shots of their frequently confused shooting guards. African champs Nigeria and surprise FIBA Americas winner Venezuela round out the field.

It’s not quite the A-list tournament one might have hoped for, but there’s still a lot of parity in the field. Maybe fresh faces are exactly what Team USA needs to make gold-or-bust stay fun. For those looking to fill the off-season basketball void, it’s all worthy of attention.

P L AY E R S T O W AT C H

KEVIN DURANT, USA

Put simple KD is out to win back American hearts. It was always going to be exciting to watch Kevin Durant rain down threes in this tournament, but as you may have heard, his job situation recently changed. We’ll get a sneak preview of what the 2016–17 Warriors look like as KD lines up alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

Should he choose, Coach K can bust out the nuclear football and run out America’s version of the new, improved death lineup, with a reasonable faux-Curry in Kyrie Irving and several worthy options

at forward. Plus, this creates the only 100% acceptable opportunity to bandwagon-root for Golden State.

PAU GASOL, SPAIN

One of the most successful international players ever suits up for what is likely his last go with Spain, who have won two straight silvers and return a talented, cohesive group. They’re still very much a threat, and will lean on Gasol’s interior wizardry to make a run at the medal rounds. Once again, they’ll go as far as he can take them.

RUDY GOBERT, FRANCE

From an intrigue standpoint, the enormous Jazz center may be the most important player in Rio. France made a run in qualifiers without him, and since there’s no restricted area in international play, the 7’ 1” Gobert can park himself around the rim for pretty much the entire tournament. If he keeps out of foul trouble, his defensive impact creates a window for France to make a run.

DARIO SARIC AND M ARIO HEZONJA, CROATI A

The former, a 76ers draftee, has been a curiosity for NBA fans and a key player for his country at a young age.

The latter, an immensely talented gunner, is due for more playing time with the Magic next year. They’re part of an extremely talented generation of young Croatian players who should properly arrive over the next several years.

G R O U P - S TA G E M AT C H E S T O W AT C H

USA VS. CHIN A, AUG. 6

The Americans open play against China, who feature NBA hopeful and Rockets draftee Zhou Qi.

BRAZIL VS. LITHUANIA, AUG. 7

Two tough frontlines collide as Nene and the hosts take on Jonas Valanciunas and a hard-nosed Lithuanian squad.

SERBI A VS. FRANCE, AUG. 10

Young Nuggets star Nikola Jokic leads Serbia in a game that should have big seeding implications.

USA VS. FRANCE, AUG. 14

The Americans’ final group game could present their stiffest test of the group stage, with Nicolas Batum, Boris Diaw, Gobert and Tony Parker on the other side.

SPAIN VS. ARGENTINA, AUG. 15

International legends and new Spurs teammates Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili face off for what will likely be the last time.

G O L D - M E D A L D AT E S

Sunday, August 21, 2:45 p.m. ET (For gold), 10:30 a.m. ET (For bronze)

RULE REMINDERS

FIBA play features a shorter three-point line, a trapezoidal lane area, 10-minute quarters and a different-feeling basketball. The shot clock resets to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound, players get just five personal fouls and can’t call their own timeouts. As for the format, the top four in each group advance and are then seeded into a cross-group bracket, where A1 plays B4, A2 plays B3 and so forth. Headto-head results and point differential are the second and third tiebreakers.

* BETTING 1.08 12.00 15.00 26.00 31.00 34.00 34.00 51.00 251.00 501.00 1,001.00 1,001.00

USA SPAIN FRANCE SERBI A BRAZIL ARGENTIN A LITHUANI A CROATI A AUSTRALI A NIGERI A CHIN A VENEZUEL A

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MEN’S SOCCER: BRAZILIANS UNITE

Neymar leads host and favorite Brazil in Rio, but Argentina, Mexico and Germany will pose threats in a strong men’s soccer field at the Olympics.

restricted Under-23 event, and four years later in Atlanta, organizers agreed to add a bit of star power by inviting three older players per team.

Men’s Olympic soccer has always been played in a strange sort of sporting limbo. It’s usually the best-attended competition at a given Games, but it’s never quite established itself as a marquee event.

Olympic soccer affords fans outside the host city access to the Games, and it remains a great way to discover and celebrate new talent.

But at the moment, an Olympic medal remains a secondary honor in the soccer world. Just ask Lionel Messi, who claimed gold with Argentina in 2008 but still felt as though he’d won nothing truly major for his country when he announced his international retirement following a loss in June’s Copa América Centenario final. Or ask Jurgen Klinsmann, the U.S. national team coach and technical director

Hindered by an amateur’sonly policy at the beginning, Olympic soccer subsequently was overshadowed by the World Cup and then dominated for decades by state-sponsored players from Europe’s Eastern Bloc. In 1992 the men’s tournament became an age-

(and 1988 bronze medal winner) who kept his job after the Americans failed to even qualify for a second consecutive Olympiad.

That being said, this summer’s tournament matters immensely to the hosts. For evidence, look no further than last month, when Brazil sacrificed any shot at the Copa América as part of its quest to win an Olympic title. At the senior level, Brazil is soccer’s most decorated nation. It has won the World Cup a record five times. But it still doesn’t have the full set. France is the only country that has won a World Cup, Confederations Cup, senior continental championship, Olympic gold medal, Under-20 World Cup and Under-17 World Cup. Brazil needs only the gold medal to join that exclusive club, and it’s

so desperate to get it that officials left Neymar, the Barcelona forward who’s the country’s best player, off the Copa América team so he could fill one of the over-age spots on the Olympic squad.

It’s practically unheard of to prioritize a U-23 event over a senior competition, but Brazil needs this.

The humiliating 7-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany in Belo Horizonte still stings two years later (and will for years to come).

Another home-soil failure may send a program that’s under considerable pressure (coach Dunga was fired following the Copa) into a tailspin.

For Brazil, which lost the 2012 Olympic final to Mexico, these Games are serious business. For a country in recession and under worldwide scrutiny, the country of Brazil and city of Rio need this.

The rest of the field is tough to handicap. Olympic tournaments often feature surprises, and

countries that typically don’t challenge for World Cup honors, especially those from Africa and Asia, have fared far better at the U-23 level. Meanwhile, squads from Europe, home of the past three World Cup winners, have claimed only one of the last nine Olympic medals (Italy won bronze in ’04).

There are few household names among the over-age players, thanks in part to this summer’s Copa América and European Championship tournaments and in part to the August kickoff to international club soccer’s preseason.

A couple of exceptions will be playing for Mexico, which is taking its title defense seriously. Club América star Oribe Peralta, 33, will be leading the attack. He scored the gold medal-winning goal four years ago. He’ll be joined by UANL Tigres defender Jorge Torres Nilo, an El Tri mainstay.

* BETTING 1.91 6.50 7.00 10.00 17.00 17.00 21.00 21.00 26.00 34.00 41.00 67.00 67.00 151.00 151.00 501.00

BRAZIL ARGENTIN A GERM ANY PORTUGAL COLOMBI A MEXICO DENM ARK SWEDEN NIGERI A JAPAN ALGERI A SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH KOREA HONDURAS IRAQ FIJI

OLYMPIC SPIRIT Just qualifying for the Olympic games requires extraordinary sacrifice. It is a true gateway to brilliance and bettering ourselves, for individuals, teams and countries it gives hope.When the world comes together through sport, all differences are put aside and something very special is formed. Here’s just a few that have already inspired us in their quest for gold at the XXXI Olympiad.

YUSRA MARDINI THE GREAT ESCAPE

“In the water, there is no difference if you are a refugee or Syrian.”

Yusra was a dedicated swimmer in her hometown in Syria, destined to dream of Olympic glory. Last August her training was interrupted by bomb scares, so she bravely fled across the Aegean Sea. Midway the boat she was travelling on motor gave away, Yusra help guide 30 others to land. She then picked up her training in Berlin and qualified for the newly created Refugee Olympic team. “I want to inspire and make other refugees proud of me” she quoted.

IBTIHAJ MUHAMMAD BREAKING MOLDS

“It is my duty to reach as many people as I can, not just with my talent but through my voice.�

A devout Muslim who prays five times a day, Ibtihaj will represent team USA and in doing so will become the first to do so wearing a hijab. Her dedication to her religion and representing team USA was outlined when fasting for ramadan in the leadup to the Olympics. The Duke graduate from New Jersey will be battling for gold in the fencing.

CARLIN ISLES TURNING POVERTY AND PAIN INTO RUGBY GLORY

“I feel alive when I run fast. The feeling is indescribable.�

Carlin grew up in the foster care system, it taught him to be tough at times eating as little as dog food for survival. At age 8, he managed to turn a corner.

He was then adopted and able to discover his magical talent, speed. His talents led him to football and sprinting but the young man from Ohio found home on the rugby field. With rugby reinstated as an Olympic event for the first time since 1924, Carlin will represent his homeland on their quest for gold.

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GOLF: THE CUP’S HALF FULL

Golf was first played at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900, only to be removed after 1904 – it returns in 2016 after more than a century’s absence.

By now we all know about the players who have pulled out of the Olympics in Rio. But what about who’s playing? Contrary to what it seems like in the media, golf in the Olympics will go on. There will be stars in attendance too. Not mega-stars like Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy but stars nonetheless.

“I’ve just been excited,”

said one of Britain’s contenders Justin Rose.

“I can’t really explain from my point of view.

I’m excited about it, treating it as a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. I understand that it’s been tough scheduling, and I understand all of that side of things. But when it’s once every four years, I think it’s something you can certainly make an exception for. That’s been my attitude towards it.

Just being a part of Team GB, in a sense you feel like you’re part of something bigger than just your individual sport as well.”

Here’s a look at Team Great Britain as well as all the other squads for this 60-player field. Each player’s field ranking is in parentheses (i.e. Bubba Watson is the highestranked player).

UNITED STATES

Bubba Watson (1) Rickie Fowler (3) Patrick Reed (7) Matt Kuchar (8)

SWEDEN

Henrik Stenson (2) David Lingmerth (14) Great Britain Danny Willett (4) Justin Rose (5)

SPAIN

Sergio Garcia (6) Rafael Cabrera-Bello (9)

SOUTH KOREA

Byeong Hun An (10) Jeunghun Wang (26)

NEW ZEAL AND

Danny Lee (12) Ryan Fox (44)

ARGENTIN A

Emiliano Grillo (13) Fabian Gomez (25)

DENM ARK

Soren Kjeldsen (15) Thorbjorn Olesen (21)

AUSTRI A

Bernd Wiesberger (16)

GERM ANY

Martin Kaymer (17)

Alex Cejka (39)

TH AIL AND

Kiradech Aphibarnrat (18)

INDI A

CAN ADA

David Hearn (35) Graham DeLaet (40)

Espen Kofstad (52)

PHILIPPINES

Nino Bertasio (54) Matteo Manassero (60)

PARAGUAY

Siddikur Rahman (55)

IREL AND

Camilo Villegas (56)

Wu Ashun (36) Hao Tong Li (38)

Joost Luiten (21)

Miguel Tabuena (37)

Thomas Pieters (22) Nicolas Colsaerts (33)

Fabrizio Zanotti (41)

BELGIUM

SOUTH AFRICA

Jaco Van Zyl (23) Brandon Stone (28)

NORWAY

CHIN A

Anirban Lahiri (19) SSP Chawrasia (44)

NE THERL ANDS

BRAZIL

Adilson da Silva (50)

Padraig Harrington (42) Seamus Power (50)

M AL AYSI A

ITALY

BANGL ADESH COLOMBI A M AL AYSI A

Gavin Kyle Green (58)

MEXICO

AUSTRALI A

Danny Chia (45)

Rodolfo Cazaubon (59)

JAPAN

Mikko Ilonen (46) Roope Kakko (53)

W H AT ’ S T H E F O R M AT ?

Scott Hend (26) Marcus Fraser (27) Yuta Ikeda (29) Shingo Katayama (30)

FRANCE

FINL AND

VENEZUEL A

Jhonattan Vegas (47)

CHILE

Gregory Bourdy (31) Julien Quesne (32)

Felipe Aguilar (48)

Ricardo Gouveia (34)

Cheng Tsung Pan (49) Wen-Tang Lin (57)

PORTUGAL

TAIWAN

Golf is making its Olympic comeback in Rio after an absence of 112 years. The format is the standard four rounds of 18-hole stroke play scheduled over four

consecutive days. The player with the lowest cumulative score will win gold. There is no halfway cut as only 60 players are in each field.

WHO ARE THE FAV O U R I T E S ?

More than half of the men’s world’s top 10 pulled out citing the Zika virus, leaving American world number five Bubba Watson as the topranked player. Team-mate Rickie Fowler and Europeans Henrik Stenson - the new Open champion - and Sergio Garcia should also challenge, along with Danny Willett and Justin Rose.

W H E N I S I T O N?

The men’s event runs from 11-14 August.

O LY M P I C E D I T I O N

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TENNIS: GAME, SET, GOLD

Unlike London 2012, where the green grass of Wimbledon hosted the Olympic competition, matches in Rio will be played on hardcourts at the Olympic Tennis Centre, which features 16 courts, some of them temporary. A total of 172 players are expected to compete in five events, men’s and women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles, held from August 6-14.

MEN’S GOLD

Tennis is always one of the most intriguing events due to how the Olympics relates to the normal tour. Massu took the win in 2004 while 2008 and 2012 saw Nadal and Murray take the gold. Both will be contenders this year although Rafael Nadal is seen as on the downswing and not a natural hard court player.

Andy Murray won the 2012 US Open title as well as the 2015 Canadian Masters. Novak is yet to have won an Olympic title but both impressive past performances on a similar court.

Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori were the 2015 US Open finalists while Jo Tsonga and Milos Raonic have been strong on the court but Milos pulled out to Zika concerns. Stan Wawrinka, Richard Gasquet, David Goffin, David Ferrer, Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut are all top sixteen players. Pablo Cuevas has had a strong season but is not a great hard court player. Jack Sock, Alexander Zverev, Juan Martin Del Potro and Giles Murray are unranked players who can contend.

Not knowing the draw and motivations of players make the

tournament hard to judge. Surely Novak will be motivated to get Olympic gold in what could be his last chance. Murray and Del Potro already have Olympic medals but are brilliant players having strong years. Cilic, Kei and Tsonga would be the next most likely candidates.

But this really could be a lottery outside of Djokovic.

P L AY E R S T O W AT C H

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SERBI A)

The world number ones Wimbledon woes may rejoice in olympic gold.

The extra rest and time to reflect are just what the doctor ordered for the champion. Olympic gold has deceived him so far, but let’s not forget last olympics was played on grass just like Wimbledon last month. Back to the hard court surface, and a chip on

the shoulder Novak will be wearing gold on the podium.

RAFAEL N ADAL (SPAIN)

Rafael hasn’t played a match since May 27, when he withdrew from the French Open with a left wrist injury. The 14-time Grand Slam champ and 2008 Olympic gold medalist in Beijing 2008 is Spain’s flagbearer and is expected to return to competition in Rio in singles, and in doubles with partner Marc Lopez.

ANDY MURRAY (GREAT BRITAIN)

The defending gold medalist enters Rio with momentum after dominating the field at Wimbledon en route to his third major title.

Unlike four years ago, he won’t have the home crowd behind him—but he’s an early favorite to defend his medal.

JUAN M ARTIN DEL POTRO (ARGENTIN A)

Del Potro fell to Federer in the 2012 Olympic semifinals, but the Argentine’s last four years have been characterized by injuries. After returning from an extended injury spell in February, Delpo is showing signs of reinvigoration, upsetting Stan Wawrinka at Wimbledon this summer.

RULES REFRESHER

Matches are played in best-of-three sets, except for the men’s singles

final, which is decided in the bestof-five sets format, with a final set tiebreak, if necessary.

There will be 64 players each in the men’s and women’s singles draws, 32 teams each in the men’s and women’s doubles draws and 16 teams in the mixed doubles.

Players will not receive WTA or ATP rankings points, or prize money, for participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

G O L D M E D A L D AT E S

Friday, Aug 12: Men’s doubles Saturday, Aug 13: Women’s singles Sunday, Aug 14: Men’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles

MANCATION

DESTINATION

ROCKIN RIO DE JANERIO “Live your passion”

Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvelous City, as Rio is known in Brazil.

Synonymous with the girl from Ipanema, the dramatic views from Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain, and fabulously flamboyant Carnival celebrations, Rio is a city of stunning architecture, abundant museums, and marvelous food. Rio is also home to 23 beaches, an almost continuous 73-km (45-mile) ribbon of sand.

Enthusiasm is contagious in Rio. Prepare to have your senses engaged and your inhibitions untied. Rio seduces with a host of images from the joyous bustle of vendors at Sunday’s Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair); the tipsy babble at sidewalk cafés as patrons sip their last glass of icy beer under the stars; the blanket of lights beneath the Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain); the bikers, joggers, strollers, and power walkers who parade along the beach each morning.

Borrow the carioca spirit for your stay; you may find yourself reluctant to give it back.

Brazilians are famous for their celebrations and patriotic heart warming spirit, what better place to celebrate and embrace the Games of the XXXI Olympiad.

EVERY THING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE BEST OLYMPIC RIO EXPERIENCE SCORING TICKE TS TO AN EVENT The first thing to know about Olympic ticketing is that everything depends on your nationality. Each country has its own agency, and citizens are asked to purchase tickets through them. Those reading this in the United States will use CoSport. You’ll need to create an account, log on, and search for available tickets. At publishing, there were still tickets available for events like Track and Field, Basketball, Golf, Handball, and Taekwondo and inventory is constantly changing with so many afraid to travel for a wide combination of reasons right now. Also, there are multiple hotel packages available that include tickets to specific events. Act fast, however, as ticket and package availability tends to dwindle the closer each day gets to the games. It’s also a good idea to get on CoSport’s email alert system. As additional tickets are made available, you’ll want to be the first to know. Don’t be afraid to try ticket exchanges like stubhub and even Ebay for that perfect last minute seat.

DO I NEED A VISA? Typically, American visitors need a travel visa (around $160) to get into Brazil. Luckily, that requirement is being waived for a select few countries, including the United States, during the Olympic games. The temporary visa waiver program will be in effect from June 1 to September 18, giving travelers more than nine weeks prior to the games and a month after to travel to Brazil visa-free.

RIO’S L ACK OF HOTEL ROOMS It’s no secret that hotel room inventory in Rio is limited, which is why the Rio Olympic organizing committee has signed an agreement with Airbnb, naming the company as the official alternative lodging supplier.

The apartment sharing service has been operating in Brazil since 2012 and estimates around 20,000 listings throughout Rio. A quick search shows multiple rooms available for rent with an average nightly rate around $250. Prices are bound to fluctuate in the days leading to the Olympics and rates can sometimes be negotiated with hosts. Those with a higher budget can opt for one of the many hotel packages available. CoSport has a variety of options, which include guaranteed tickets to events. The cheapest starts at $2,746.50 per person

for two nights and is conveniently located near a competition venue. Most hotel locations are scattered throughout neighborhoods hosting events.

FAMILI ARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE CIT Y’S CULTURE AND EVENT VENUES Rio is the second largest city in Brazil and residents speak Portuguese. The local currency is the real, which is pronounced “rey-al” and is currently worth $0.25.

Events will be hosted in four neighborhoods: Deodoro, Maracana, Barra, and Copacabana, so it’s important to take a look at the Olympic map to determine the zone where the events you want to attend will occur.

Barra will serve as the heart of the games, hosting the largest concentration of venues. As far as weather is concerned, the country will be experiencing the end of its winter season. That’s right, winter. Don’t expect it to be overwhelmingly warm, as temperatures tend to average around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The city is known for its beaches, so travelers should make sure to carve out some time to enjoy the sand while indulging in the local cuisine. Grab a drink from the many juice bars and enjoy the delicious exotic fruits from the region. Sure, the games are exciting, but Rio has plenty to offer in and of itself. Take advantage of the fact that you’re there!

ADVENTURE RIO Even if you’re the most experienced traveller don’t be afraid to seek a quality tour guide in Rio De janeiro.

Many locals do not speak english, road rules are hectic and local transport can be somewhat sketchy to say the least. They don’t cost a great deal and will allow you to squeeze as much into your Olympic journey in this beautiful city as possible. This will allow you to go beyond the just seen attractions of the city and allow you to see history and culture thru the eyes of a local.

The best way to line up your guide is to head straight to tripadvisor.com. Reviews and ratings tell it all and it will give you a comprehensive list at a busy tourist time in Brazil. Sights not to be missed include

CHRIST THE REDEEMER Christ the Redeemer was completed in 1931 and standing 120 feet tall, Christ the Redeemer (O Cristo Redentor) in Rio de Janeiro is the second largest statue of Christ in the world. It was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Cristo Redentor depicts Christ with his arms spread wide in a welcoming gesture, representing his role as redeemer of the world. It stands 120 feet high including the pedestal and is 98 feet wide. Made of concrete and soapstone and sculpted in a modern style, it weighs a total of 635 tons.

of Niteroi and the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Tickets are sold at the station located at Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). The cable car service runs between 8 am and 9 pm each 20 minutes of interval, for the most epic view of your life don’t forget to visit at sunset for the ultimate selfie!

Standing on a peak over 2,000 feet high, Christ the Redeemer is famed for its magnificent views over the city of Rio de Janeiro. The small Chapel of Nossa Senhora Aparecida (2006) at the base of the statue hosts weddings, baptisms and Mass on Sundays. There’s a convenient set of elevators or 220 steps to reach the top.

knowledgeable staffs will guarantee that guests experience a perfect and memorable stay with the Rubens at the Palace.

SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak that rises 396 meters high and presents a bird’s eye view of Rio de Janeiro from the mouth of Guanabara Bay. More than a million tourists visit Sugarloaf every year to enjoy a breathtaking view of surrounding beaches, mountains and forests. Ascent is made in two stages: first to the top of Urca Hill, travelling from Praia Vermelha to a height of 220 meters above sea level and then the cable car goes all the way to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, for a breathtaking 360 degree view of Rio de Janeiro, Guanabara Bay, the city

AUTHENTIC CUISINE

ACAI - PRONOUNCED AH-SIGH-EE Similar to a cross between a grape and a blueberry, the acai berry is a small, reddish-purple drupe consisting of a cluster of seeds, with only around 15 percent or so being edible, harvested from tall, slender palm trees found around the Amazon River basin of South America. These berries are also quite perishable, but have significant nutritional attributes when eaten fresh.

Rio is famous for its local fresh acai mixed with bowls of fresh fruit and granola or as a smoothie. They are delicious and nowhere else in the world compares to the freshness of the true acai treasure in Brazil.

For the best authentic Acai experience head to Casa

Do Acai. Its very popular with locals, which means you know the quality is fantastic and fresh. There located in Copacabana so if you’re planning on a beach day or catching any of the Beach Olympic events you have Breakfast and lunch covered Address - Rua Siqueira Campos, 143 | Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22031900

THE BRAZILI AN BBQ - CHURRASCO A trip to Brazil is never complete without many a meals with meat with a side of more meat.

A Churrascaria is a restaurant where servers dressed in Gaúcho attire walk around holding big pieces of beef on skewers and slicing them into mesmerized guest’s plates.

It is “all-you-can-eat” meat, there is usually a good salad

bar as well. Eating at a churrascaria is an experience and, to a large degree, it is an authentic Brazilian experience that will far outweigh any expectations you made have had from the Brazilian themed restaurant you’ve sampled back home. “Churrasco” is meat cooked over an open flame, typically in very large pieces using very large skewers. It can also be used to describe beef cooked on a grill over coals (much like the barbecue).

Our favorite restaurant was Rio Brasa which is widely renowned as the best steakhouse in all of Brazil. They offer a wide variety of churrasco with such a wide range of meats and side dishes available. They also have many carts for appetizers wheeling around which is great to taste local cuisine.

Address: Av. Ayrton Senna 2.541 | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22775-000,

GRILLERS' Corner WELCOME TO THE CARSON RODIZIO KIT!

Head to http://carsonrodizio.com to get yours today!

So you’ve been to Rio, now obsessed with Brazilian culture and their fascination with meat.

If you’re asking yourself is there a way to replicate that at home, the answer is yes!

The Carson Rodizio Kit is a rotisserie kit that converts your barbecue grill and backyard kitchen into a Brazilian style Steakhouse.

The Rodizio style of grilling takes advantage of gravity. It doesn’t fight against it or try to trap moisture by searing in juices as fast as it can. When racing against the gravity drying out clock, gravity will win every time.

Conventional grilling trains us to keep meat still and covered. It doesn’t matter how well a lid can trap heat in, gravity will always dry stationary meat out. Conversely, rodizio grilling utilizes a constant rotating method which keeps the juices circling and basting the food. That’s why there is no need for a drip pan when grilling or barbecuing with a Carson Kit. It leaves the meat so tender and flavourful it melts in your mouth. The best part the kit adapts to gas grills, Kamado grills, charcoal grills and even smokers and fire pits.

Health IS YOUR

Wealth

BRAZILIAN STYLE

SAMBA FITNESS

OVERVIEW

Samba Fitness is a new discipline that combines Brazilian Samba and fitness and teaches participants the basics of an ancient Brazilian dance together with the basics of cardio fitness. A samba fitness class is fun, welcoming and, at the same time, high impact in terms of the calories burnt and the physical workout it entails. The main component of the lesson is the music because it guides and leads all the exercises and creates a Brazilian carnival-like atmosphere.

WH AT IS IT

Samba involves basic samba movements, especially pelvis and leg movements, and it combines them in a choreographic way with aerobic sequences, training all the muscle groups in the body so muscles move in a coordinated and rhythmic way. This physical activity is comprehensive from a physiological point of view: it strengthens the body’s cardiovascular abilities since this is mainly an aerobic activity, but it can also improve muscle strength thanks to the coordinated movements of the arms which indirectly strengthen the skeleton.

THE BENEFITS

• Improves and strengthens the body’s cardiovascular abilities • Improves muscle coordination • Increases muscle tone and physical strength, • t works out the entire body, simultaneously developing all

muscle groups • It stimulates the skeletal system reducing the onset of bone and joint diseases, such as osteoporosis.

• The continual changes of direction and different workout levels improve the neuromuscular system’s ability to balance itself; • It gently improves the posture.

The various movements positively affect the muscles that control our posture (the abdominals, lumbar, spinal erector, back and shoulder muscles); • Tones the body so it looks slim and proportioned without overloading some muscles groups more than others, • It can be done by anyone no matter what their age or level of fitness is.

THE ACAI BOWL

THE BRAZILI AN SUPERFOOD

The acai berry has been heralded for an array of health benefits, but its strongest asset is definitely its taste.

Acai is a delicious tropical fruit and when it comes served as a bowl it makes waking up a whole lot easier.

Acai bowls look like ice cream, almost taste like ice cream, and make you feel good about your breakfast choice. It’s what breakfast dreams are made of. An acai bowl is basically a really thick smoothie that’s been topped with oatmeal, fruit or peanut butter. After eating a bowl, you will not only feel happily full (for hours) and have satisfied a sweet craving (no need to cave

for a donut), you’ll have also done something that was good for you.

Win win.

It’s simply a dish whose main ingredient is pureed acai berry or acai powder. Additional ingredients can include almost anything, but are typically granola, oatmeal, bananas, strawberries or other fruits. And so it turns out to be even easier than I thought. Get your hands on some Naturya Acai Powder (or another organic brand), add a big scoop to your oatmeal, (nut)milk or yogurt, add the other ingredients you love, done! The taste of the acai is very fresh and it makes your ‘regular’ breakfast even healthier than it was. The recipe (but like I said, experiment yourself!): • 250 ml rice milk • 1 scoop acai powder • 1 scoop soaked oatmeal • 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds • fresh mixed berries • dried mulberries • dried inca berries Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and enjoy

THE BENEFITS

Although some have said that acai benefits include burning fat, slowing aging, lowering high cholesterol, and increasing libido, it seems safe to say that the most likely benefits you could receive from acai are those you would get from any food with antioxidants and healthy omega acids: reduction of free radicals and improvement in heart health.

MANTELLIGENT TRAVEL SMART

There is just something about waking up in a new setting, seeing views you’ve only read about or viewed on instagram, finding yourself in a crowd that speaks a foreign language that helps you understand how amazing this world is. It really doesn't have to be as difficult and hard fought pressed to travel as some paint the picture.

Here's our top tips to travel in comfort and acquire that wink you deserve.

DRESS SH ARP BY DEFAULT Opportunity awaits the

traveling man who dresses in style! Seriously, they don’t offer that unexpected opening in first class to a man who looks like a bum, or even someone who looks ordinary. They want someone who is dressed to impress and will signal to others a positive feeling through their presentation and demeanor.

DRESS COMFORTABLY You want some room in your trousers, a shirt that stays tucked or is worn un-tucked, and nothing that pinches or rubs. I love my Mavi modern series jeans as they have a tiny

bit of stretch in them, which is nice when you’re about to embark on a 24 hour flight to Rio. I want to look good, but not sweat like i’m at a nightclub.

CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANIES BEFORE LEAVING Have them put a travel alert on your cards so that you don’t get a unexpected denial of service. With the recent breaches of security many card companies are being more aggressive on unusual behavior in spending. Honestly, we all agree it’s the most awkward feeling in the world.

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