The Rio Farce, Day -3: Pokemon No, and other problems.

Well, soccer begins tomorrow.  Will probably tune in the lesser events to actually educate myself and have fun before something forces a boycott or somesuch...

• Pokemon Go mania has hit Olympic coverage.  With many athletes discouraged that, apparently, you will not be able to play Pokemon Go at Olympic venues or housing, the reigning gold medalist all-around in mens' gymnastics is probably happy at this result!  Kohei Uchimura played the game, so much that, when you racked up roaming charges, his bill was pushing 50,000 yen!!! (About $4,950.)  It was negotiated down (being defending Olympic champion for your country has it's perks!), but Uchimura probably had a sigh of relief.  Podium training is tomorrow as well for the men.  (ESPN)
• Some people may think it arrogance, most who've followed along may think it necessary:  The USA basketball team of NBA'ers will not stay at the Olympic Village, choosing to stay offshore at a cruise ship instead.  (Deadspin)
• It now appears that much of the actual IOC is effectively accepting the Games are about politics and doping.  In the actual IOC meeting preceding the Games in Rio, only one major member of the IOC actually stepped up and voted "no confidence" in Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC whom, either through the reality of Olympic sport, his support for Vladimir Putin, or both, has repudiated the WADA report in calling for the Russians to be banned from the Games.  (Inside The Games)
• In the ongoing final appeals for Russia, Inside the Games reports that the disqualified rowers have been denied their appeal, two of the banned Russian swimmers have actually won their appeal, and the whole remaining facade is falling apart.
• The Asian shotput champion's B-sample came back positive, so Inderjeet Singh is probably out, but British cyclist Lizzie Armitstead has been cleared of a possible violation for missing three drug tests.  I guess being a world champion rather than simply a continental one might have perks too!  (Inside the Games)