Paris Olympics 2024, Women's BMX Qualifying: An American in Paris

You all should be proud of me, I resisted the temptation to call this one "An American Perris in Paris."  Mainly because I wasn't sure how to spell her name when I painted it.  Perris Benegas (USA) did enough to qualify to compete for a medal in Women's BMX Freestyle.  I am having trouble finding when the actual medal event is or has taken place.  According to the internet it already has, and she took Silver.  So this may be the only painting of this event.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"An American in Paris PO24-38" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Beach Volleyball: Rejected

This is Cheng of the Team USA Beach Volleyball team of Cheng/Huges rejecting the spike of Chameneau of the French team of Chameneau/Vieira.  The teams fought two close sets under the shadow of the Effiel Tower in their second pool play game to decide who goes into the finals.  The USA won today but the second set went to three match point serves.  This was not the point that decided the game, but it was the one that set up the first match point.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Rejected PO24-37" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Redeemed!

It was such a moment of joy when Simone Biles (USA) finished her final routine in the team's final rotation on the Floor Exercise.  After hugging, high-fiving, and jumping in each other's arms, the team climbed up on the stage to chants of "USA! USA! USA!"  They unfolded the American flag and held it aloft prior to the classic pose for the cameras.  I caught this image as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera looked up at the flag of the country they represent having just won the Gold Medal in the Team Finals.  The title refers back to their defining this year as their 'Redemption Tour.'  Clearly winning the team title by over five points counts as redemption, not that they needed it.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Redeemed! PO24-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Stick in Like Butter

I owe this title to Jordan Chiles' (USA) father Timothy.  As she finished her uneven bars routine he could be heard just before she ended her routine telling her to "stick it like butter!"  I'm sure it wasn't the first time he had said it, but it was the first time I had ever heard it.  The announcer and I both enjoyed it.  I also love that as she sticks the final landing of her Floor Exercise routine, her head coach Cecile Caquete-Landi and the rest of her team celebrate her performance.  As she finished, it was clear to them all that the team had won the Gold Medal.  In their minds that had finished the goal of the "Redemption Tour" coming back from their disappointment of taking silver rather than gold in Tokyo.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Stick It Like Butter PO24-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Balance

The Italian Team was in the same rotation as the Americans and were being very supportive of their main rivals for an Olympic Medal. They would hug and congratulate each other as the other left the stage after their competition. Alice D'Amato (Italy) was on great form as she helped carrier her team to a Silver Medal in the Women's Gymnastics Team All Around competition on the Balance Beam. They just edged out Brazil for the honor, with the latter coming home with the Bronze.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Balance PO24-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's 100M Backstroke: Off the Wall

Looking at this painting now, it is a bit difficult to see that we are looking at the fronts of these swimmers as they leap away from the wall at the start of the 100 Meter Backstroke.  Off the wall first in green is Kaylee McKeown (Australia) on her way to winning the Gold Medal and setting a new Olympic Record.  To her rights is Regan Smith (USA) who took the Silver Medal, and to her right is her teammate Katharine Berkoff who finished the night with the Bronze Medal.  Australia has been dominating in the pool in Paris, with few other countries getting a win in any of the other races.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Off the Wall PO24-33" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Angelic

I stand in awe of most Olympic athletes and most particularly gymnasts.  But Suni Lee's (USA) back story of a rare kidney disease just a year or so ago is amazing.  My wife suffers with PKD and has had a kidney transplant.  I know what kind of suffering it can bring!  She is doing well now, but nothing like being able to qualify for an Olympic team.  For Lee to be able to come back from that and be here in Paris is nothing short of amazing.  Then to nail her Uneven Bars routine so flawlessly, wow!  Just in case you weren't impressed enough, she had to step in and do the Floor Exercise tonight for a sick teammate.  After this routine, Team USA knew that they were almost guaranteed a gold medal in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Angelic PO24-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Precisely

The American women's gymnastic team came to Paris with more than a goal to win Gold, they came to redeem themselves for Tokyo.  I don't quite understand why they feel they need redemption for winning a Silver Medal, but whatever motivates them.  Like the American men last night, they came out firing on all cylinders!  They stomped the Vault, and  Jordan Chiles (USA) opened up their rotation on the Uneven Parallel Bars with precision.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Precisely PO24-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Rugby: Sliding into a Medal!

It took a missed extra point kick by Australia to give the American women a chance in the final seconds of the Bronze Medal match.  After a couple of tackles and skilled passes, Team USA got the ball to Alice Sedrick who evaded Australia's final player to race down the pitch to score!  She tied the game with just six seconds left to play.  And then she made the extra point to give Team USA its first Women's Rugby medal.  Admittedly, women's rugby has only been a game at the Olympics since 2016, but still a first time is still a first time.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Dropping In PO24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Surfing Qualifying: Dropping In

I was wondering how Paris would be able to stage a surfing event for these Summer Olympics.  I don't know why I didn't think of Tahiti.  Despite being literally on the other side of the world, it was the perfect place to host the surfing events.  During Monday's qualifying rounds Gabriel Medina (Brazil) had a near perfect ride going so far as to come out of the curl of the wave holding up ten fingers in an appeal for a perfect score of 10.  He didn't get it.  But it was roughly a 9.7, not too bad.  Unfortunately for the Brazilian, the points won't carry over to his bid for a Gold Medal.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Dropping In PO24-29" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Street Skateboarding: Backside

I'm sorry, but the title was just too tempting.  While I don't know the exact name of the trick that won the Silver Medal for Jagger Eaton (USA), I do know that 'backside' is part of its name.  And of course, we are looking at this skater's backside.  It is a bit of a relief that I can still paint a sport that I know so little about.  Way, way back in the 70s I did some skateboarding and wasn't very good.  Admittedly, as in most sports, the equipment is so much better now.  On the other hand, that is about the time I discovered the joy of cycling and all other sports fell away.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Backside PO24-28" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Street Skateboarding: Taking a Risk

Nyjah Huston (USA) put together a great 45 seconds run of tricks that put him into the medal competition.  With five attempts to hit a best trick he felt sure it was worth the risk on this one.  I'm sorry I am not up on the skateboarding lingo, so I can't tell you the name of the trick that won him the Bronze Medal.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Taking a Risk PO24-27" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Doing One Thing Very Well

The final apparatus for Team USA in the team competition was the Pommel Horse.  It was the only event that Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) was competing in for the team.  Not only had he waited throughout the entire event, but he was the last to go in USA's rotation.  He seemed to be keeping himself calm and very relaxed all evening.  He was very cool as he tweaked the set-up of the horse to his exact specifications.  Then he jumped up and started his near flawless routine.  I can't believe that he was able to do two single arm spins in his 45 second appearance on the Olympic stage.  As he came off the floor, the team knew that they had (and he) had done enough to win a Bronze Medal for Team USA.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Doing One Thing Very Well PO24-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around

Brody Malone (USA) picked a great time to come right in his High Bar routine.  During qualifying he fell off twice fortunately the team was still able to qualify for the team all-around despite his uncharacteristically bad routine.  So tonight, he was spot on!  At this point he is flying through the air towards a perfect landing.  He personified the gymnastic adage, 'fly high, stick the landing.'  Like his teammates before him he did his part to make sure the USA medals in team gymnastics in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Airbourne PO24-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Eyes on the Men

The title comes from a mission of Frederick Richard (USA).  It is his goal to get more people into men's gymnastics, particularly to get people of color into and in the sport that means so much to him.  He was one of five American men vying to win a medal in the team gymnastics all-around event.  It has been several summer Olympics since Team USA has won any medal in this event.  All of the team posted excellent numbers and stuck their landings to keep the team in the medal hunt.  Richard certainly did his part for the team in the Parallel Bars.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Eyes on the Men PO24-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Who Will It Be?

It was truly amazing to see Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) fight his way back to the front of the race after having a flat tire.  I am quite sure that neither Victor Koretzky (France) nor Alan Hatherly (South Africa) were overjoyed to see the Brit.  Pidcock has just come off of the Tour de France, so he has a deeper fitness and stamina then most anyone else in the race.  These three just have about another kilometer to race and it is unclear who will take which medals, but it will be these three for the top three places.  Koretzky had one more attack in him and dropped Pidcock for a bit.  Pidcock did come back and passed the Frenchman on a narrow stretch making contact in the effort.  Koretzky had to pull a foot out of his cleats and there went his Gold Medal.  Pidcock repeated his Tokyo Olympics Gold, with Koretzky finishing with the Silver, and Hatherly the Bronze.  The Bronze is the first Olympic Mountain Biking medal for his country, his continent and his hemisphere.  Well done all three!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Who Will It Be? PO24-23" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: In the Middle

Alan Hatherly (South Africa) found himself caught almost exactly halfway between the lone leader and the group chasing behind.  With three more laps to race, he was fourteen seconds off of the lead, and thirteen seconds ahead of a chasing group of four guys.  Should things go right for him, he will become not only the first South African to medal in an Olympic Mountain Biking event, but he will be the first from the southern hemisphere to do so.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"In the Middle PO24-22" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Cascading Alone

Victor Koretzky (France) suddenly found himself alone off the front of the race.  He had been with Tom Pidcock (Great Britain) but the Brit had a flat tire and was gone just like that.  As he bumped over the rocks that make the Cascade section he started building his lead on those chasing from behind.  Would he be able to hold them off to repeat the race of his countrywoman Pauline Ferrand Prevot?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Cascading Alone PO24-21" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Mountain Biking: Leading Them Around

Unlike the women's race yesterday, the men stayed in a large peloton as they made their way around the first two laps of the four and a half kilometer Mountain Bike course.  They were led up the climb again by Mathias Flueckiger (Suisse) who was closely watched by Victor Koretzky (France) and Tom Pidcock (Great Britain).  Just peeking into the frame is his teammate Nino Schurter.  Each country is only allowed a maximum of two men in the race, but most are the only one representing their country.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Leading Them Around PO24-20" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Mountain Biking: The Sprint for Silver

Despite having to chase down the leaders of the race after having a flat tire, Haley Batten (USA) had enough left to sprint away from her erstwhile Swedish companion.  She was able to open a gap and claim the first Olympic Medal for the USA in Women's Mountain Biking.  She is now a Silver Medalist in these Olympic Games!  Chapeau, Haley!  At the finish the first thing she did was hug and congratulate the woman she had sprinted away from, Jenny Rissveds.  The two were then joined by the Gold Medalist, Pauline Ferrand Prevot.  Such a great show of sportsmanship, or should I say sportswomanship?

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"The Sprint for Silver PO24-19" (Original art by Greig Leach)