Day 1: Mid-Distance Races (800m) and Polo

With the enthusiasm of yesterday's opening ceremonies still going strong (I'll post a new topic on them once I've edited all the images for them), we turn first to the 800-meter track races, taking place on the track at Johannes Melkovitch Stadium:



In the packed stands, the home crowd cheered the Lower Columbian runners to the first gold medal of this Simlympiad, edging out athletes from Georgiapolis and DeKalb. As the national anthem blared out of the stadium's speakers, jubilation among the spectators grew to unprecedented levels.

It felt good to win at home.






Meanwhile, Crown Insurance Park had its field marked off for the polo matches.



Past Simlympic host city Dunstonville made a strong showing, besting the riders of Capital City and Olympus City to join in the Nyhaveners' celebrations.