Olympics. Yay or Nay?

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:21 pm

So y'all been watching it?? From the lack of posts i thought maybe there's not been much interest...apart from the pervs at the Chicago lan glued to the leotards that is.

The drugs crap has been a pain in the arse, not that it wasn't expected, just that i had to explain it to the kids this year which bellittled some of the competitions we had sat through together. "why did that discus thrower get the gold taken away from him dad?" *sigh* I think the Greeks have handled it well, and the speed that the results of the tests come through is excellent. You can't say it dosn't taint the spectacle. Has it not crossed your mind that maybe we should wait untill the pee pee test has come through before we congratulate the winner.

Maybe there should be 2 seperate events drugolympics and cleanolympics, with better cash incentives for the clean ones.

I've really enjoyed these games, to the extent that i come home from work, crack a seal and lay on the couch 'till the evening (thens is in the same time zone as me

) One sport i've got into is the indoor cycling. What a cracking event. I watched somthing called the "madison" tonight which was 200 frantic laps with 32 guys and complicated rules thrashing it out for a bit o' glory. Riveting stuff.

Anyway that's a bit of commentry about the games. Wadda ya gott say.

ps. i think the 100/200 meter runner Crawford (i think thats his name) is the coolest guy in Greece at the mo'

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:27 pm

3 words: Womens Beach Volleyball!

What else is there to say?

Robo · Post by **Robo** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:16 pm

I've seen 3 USA runners in some 400m events. I really don't think its fair.

I think it should be 1 runner per nation per event, and the eight that are decided are from the worlds eight top ranking nations in that event itself.

Basically, a nation should not have more than 1 runner in a single event - it is then a more fair contest and there is an equal chance that a nation will gain a medal.

Is that what you guys call "my 2 cents" or something?

Avder · Post by **Avder** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:41 pm

I watched some womens gymnastics. Thats about it.

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 3:44 pm

Robo!!! Steve Cram. Steve Ovett. Sebastian Coe.

No i don't agree with that. Three runners from a country that makes a fast time to qualify is ok in my opinion. Why should a very fast american (or whatever) be denied the chance of getting silver even though he's streets ahead of the rest of the competition but not better than his compatriot.

Hattrick · Post by **Hattrick** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:38 pm

Well, Since I was attending a hog show last week I had very little time to watch the Olympics.
In the time I did have I got to see mostly the mens swimming ,Womens diving,womens gymnastics and womens 100m race.

The main thing That caught my interest was Gail Dever's dissapointing runs in the 100m and her dissapointment in the 100m hurdles. It's too bad about her injury in practice, I think she was definately able to win the gold in both events werent it for that injury.

The one thing that did shine to me was lauryn williams' impressive sprints and the heartfelt story about her father and how their community stepped up to help her whole family be there to celebrate with her!

I am sure there were more athletes with equally good as stories behind them and for sure there were better placings, but these were the 2 things that caught my attention of the very little competition I got to watch.

All in all I enjoyed what little I saw of the olympics and took pride in watching Americas athletes do well.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:37 pm

I've been watching it nonstop since the beginning. In fact, I programmed all 5 NBC networks into the Favorite Channels menu of our remote

. There's been lots of great stories, including Michael Phelps's amazing 8 medals and our dual golds in the men's and women's all-around gymnastics. Regarding the latter, regardless of any judging mistakes, Hamm truly is the champion. He pulled off the impossible by coming back from that fall on vault, and it was amazing to watch. However, I will say that the judging really needs to get their act together; the debacle with the crowd booing the judges for ten minutes straight at the men's high bar was ridiculous. The best part about the Olympics is getting into sports that you'd never even watch otherwise, such as table tennis, badminton, water polo, and even soccer

. I've also learned about a few sports I never knew existed. For example, there's something called handball, apparently very big in Europe, that's a sort of cross between basketball and lacrosse. I thought they meant the one played indoors with white gloves and a small rubber ball

. Another one is men's field hockey, which I didn't even know existed. (Doesn't everyone watch field hockey for the chicks in skirts?

) The best part about the Olympics, though, is rooting for your own athletes, no matter what event they're in. There's nothing better than hearing the Star-Spangled Banner playing while a US athlete stands atop the medals podium

.

Will Robinson · Post by **Will Robinson** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:47 pm

I don't know all the details but...
If I won the gold medal on an accounting error I'd want to give it to the Korean guy who deserved it.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 8:03 pm

Actually Will, according to the one former gymnast doing commentary for NBC, there was a mistake in the parallel bars routine that was missed by the judges. This would have cancelled out the extra fraction of the point that the judges missed, making the whole debate moot. Regardless of this, Paul Hamm performed the high bar routine of a lifetime, and in his own words, getting the gold was the greatest event of his life. That's not something that should be marred because of a judge's mistake. Another point to consider is that officiating mistakes are part of most sports. How many times have World Series games or Superbowls hinged on bad calls? Remember the questionable call involving Tom Brady during the AFC championship a few years ago? My point is, if all of these results could later be overturned due to those mistakes, we'd never get clear winners. The South Koreans waited until the day after to file a protest, when by rule they should have done so right after the event ended. Of course, Paul Hamm's gold will never be taken away, but I don't think the South Korean should get one; luck is part of the equation in any sport, and he was on the bad end of it.

Personally, I think that even if the South Korean had earned the extra tenth of a point on the parallel bars, Hamm would have been given a high enough score on the high bar to beat him. His routine was, for all intents and purposes, flawless. I think that, had he performed the same routine with the extra tenth required to get the gold, the judges would have given it to him.

DCrazy · Post by **DCrazy** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:45 pm

I'm still pissed about NFL postseason 2000 (I think) when the refs wouldn't let the Jets, who won the coin toss on a VERY windy day at Camden Yards, choose the goal they wanted to defend. "You have to choose either Kick or Receive." BULL! So what happened? The Ravens had the wind at their backs for the entire first half, and succeeded in knocking the Jets out of the playoffs.

IsAB · Post by **IsAB** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:31 am

Yay!
The thing i've enjoyed most about the Olympics is the everlasting party in the streets of Athens around the Acropolis, never seen so many ppl happy at the same time, in the same place

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 6:44 am

DCrazy wrote:I'm still pissed about NFL postseason 2000 (I think) when the refs wouldn't let the Jets, who won the coin toss on a VERY windy day at Camden Yards, choose the goal they wanted to defend. "You have to choose either Kick or Receive." BULL! So what happened? The Ravens had the wind at their backs for the entire first half, and succeeded in knocking the Jets out of the playoffs.

Championship teams find a way to overcome adversity.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:46 am

One thing you forget, DCrazy: That means the Jets had the wind at their backs for the entire second half. So, they really had no excuse for not getting back in the game.

DCrazy · Post by **DCrazy** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 10:52 am

The wind had died down by then. I happened to be going from MD to NYC that day too.

Zero! · Post by **Zero!** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 11:00 am

ive been watching track and field and some swiming.USA is getting killed in b-ball but thier still gona win gold.

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:30 am

I'd just like to state here and now that synchronised swimming is the most crappiest sport ever invented by human kind.

With ballrolling/hoopcatching/ribbonflinging gymnastics a close second.

Thankyou. Flabby out.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:37 am

Truer words were never spoken, FC

.

(I'd also like to add that stoppage time is the most idiotic idea ever conceived in sports

. I still don't understand why they just don't stop the clock in soccer.)

Asrale · Post by **Asrale** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 12:41 am

I'd like to add that Paul Hamm is an ass and a tool. Regardless of what anyone thinks he should have done (keeping it or giving it to the Korean), when he gets back to this country it's inevitable a lot of people will be making fun of him (I image the late-night hosts will come up with a variety of jabs). He does NOT know how to be tactful and handle a situation maturely. Like I said, what a tool, thinking only about himself.

The Olympics are rockin' anyway. Who cares what the event is, I just like cheering on the American(s). Who's with me?

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:53 am

Asrale, he's not a tool. I don't think he's done or said anything that isn't appropriate. I just heard on the news that the International Gymnastics Federation sent a letter to him asking him to give up his gold medal. The US Olympic Committee didn't even deliver the letter to him, saying the request was "despicable." I, for one, agree. Think how you would feel if, after giving the performance of a lifetime and winning the gold medal, you were told that it was only because of an error that you won. I feel very sorry for Paul Hamm; he's had the greatest moment of his life tarnished by some judge's stupid error and by relentless media barrage. Should Hamm give up his gold? Absolutely not. Is he the Olympic gold medalist, regardless of the judges? Absolutely. Was he the best gymnast that night? I, for one, believe he was, since I don't think anyone else could have recovered from that fall the way he did. Paul Hamm isn't saying anything tactless by stating that he feels like the champion; it's the truth. The South Koreans had their chance to protest the judge's ruling; they didn't in a timely fashion, and so they now have to live with the consequences. Human error is a large part of sports, and you have to either accept it or stop competing.

Testiculese · Post by **Testiculese** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 10:47 am

I was cheering for the Asian gals, actually...

Just kidding, I've not watched the events at all. (But if I did, I'd be rooting for the Asian gals!)

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 11:16 am

Agreed Testi, i think they're wonderful athletes as well.

Birdseye · Post by **Birdseye** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:07 pm

I've been dissapointed seeing a lot of sprinters/track atheletes giving up or slowing down near the finish, especially in qualifying rounds. Pathetic.

Robo · Post by **Robo** » Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:13 pm

Did you see the way the chinese athlete ran in the 10000m? Heheh.

The 10km toilet run... w00t.

Arol · Post by **Arol** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:18 am

Dedman wrote:3 words: Womens Beach Volleyball!

Oh Yah!
Edit.
Just took in the womens handball finals.
Double overtime! Still tied. Went to 5 free throws per team.
Danish gold!!!
A nail biter for sure!

Asrale · Post by **Asrale** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 11:55 pm

Top, you don't seem to get it either. While I do have an opinion of what Paul Hamm should have done, I'm not here to say what it is. The fact is, he's a self-centered tool.

You've got all these people left and right bantering about this so-called "controversy" with two people caught in the middle, the Korean and Hamm, but the fact is that at the Olympics you have a LOT of countries being represented, and possible political tensions. Right now South Korea has a love/hate relationship with the USA. On one hand they really depend on this country for their economy, but on the other they don't like what ole Bush is doing with N Korea, they want our troops out of the DMZ, etc.

Cut to the Olympics and you have Hamm being a tool saying "oh this was MY Olympic moment" and "I rightfully got the gold medal" and "the gold medal is MINE, I'm not going to give it back" (approximate quotes from interviews). Completely oblivious to the bigger picture. He thinks it's all about him and his medal and that he "earned" it.

If Hamm didn't want to look like a tool on global TV, you think he could've been more tactful about his selfishness, deferring to a spokesperson who actually knows something about PR as opposed to himself. Whether or not the judges made a mistake, the instant Hamm got the gold he was all "it's mine, ALL mine, haha you suckers," like some 10-year-old.

Sirius · Post by **Sirius** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:02 am

Interesting. Gold-medal winners who don't know how to win gracefully are almost as bad as those who take drugs to do it sometimes.

Women's handball finals... I saw that much. I'd never even heard of the sport until a few days before, but dude, that match OWNED. Couldn't get any more intense if you tried. Certainly fits a gold medal match, even if it really is a little hard to say that one team or another is better at the end of the day.

The gymnastics FC mentioned maybe be crappy, after a style, but I was able to appreciate how insanely difficult it would be to get right. Some of the tricks were amazing, even if it looks more like cheerleading than sport.

Flabby Chick · Post by **Flabby Chick** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:18 am

I do appreciate you need to put a hell of a lot of work into it to be profficiant at it but it just looks a bit.....silly to me!!

Highlights for me was the handball also, fantastic game. A big downer for me was the closing ceremony, what a load of poo. Half the athletes left after half an hour, it was so boring. In Sydney 4 years ago, everyone was ratarsed and had a blast. Never mind, back to watching Man U balls there season up again!!

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:19 am

Birdseye wrote:I've been dissapointed seeing a lot of sprinters/track atheletes giving up or slowing down near the finish, especially in qualifying rounds. Pathetic.

That is what they do during the qualifying rounds. It's all about energy management. It isn't a smart idea to expend more energy than you absolutely have to until the finals. Even then, with many athletes running more than one event energy conservation is even more important.

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:25 am

Asrale wrote:Top, you don't seem to get it either. While I do have an opinion of what Paul Hamm should have done, I'm not here to say what it is. The fact is, he's a self-centered tool.

You've got all these people left and right bantering about this so-called "controversy" with two people caught in the middle, the Korean and Hamm, but the fact is that at the Olympics you have a LOT of countries being represented, and possible political tensions. Right now South Korea has a love/hate relationship with the USA. On one hand they really depend on this country for their economy, but on the other they don't like what ole Bush is doing with N Korea, they want our troops out of the DMZ, etc.

Cut to the Olympics and you have Hamm being a tool saying "oh this was MY Olympic moment" and "I rightfully got the gold medal" and "the gold medal is MINE, I'm not going to give it back" (approximate quotes from interviews). Completely oblivious to the bigger picture. He thinks it's all about him and his medal and that he "earned" it.

If Hamm didn't want to look like a tool on global TV, you think he could've been more tactful about his selfishness, deferring to a spokesperson who actually knows something about PR as opposed to himself. Whether or not the judges made a mistake, the instant Hamm got the gold he was all "it's mine, ALL mine, haha you suckers," like some 10-year-old.

First thing: The Olympics are supposed to be non politicized. That is a tradition dating back to the beginning. The "bigger picture" should never enter an athletes mind.

Second: He won an INDIVIDUAL gold medal. He has a right to be selfish about it.

Third: In a review of the Korean gymnasts performance on the parallel bars, it was discovered that a deduction that should have been taken, wasn't. The deduction was bigger than the mistake on the start value. So you see, if we really want to get all NFL instant replay on this, Hamm still legitimately won the gold.

Testiculese · Post by **Testiculese** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 11:02 am

Birdseye wrote:I've been dissapointed seeing a lot of sprinters/track atheletes giving up or slowing down near the finish, especially in qualifying rounds. Pathetic.

You sure that's not just tactics? Qualifying rounds might set some sort of bar, and the runners in the lead may not want that bar at it's maximum. A little leeway to account for a misstep, or whatever, is desired.

It seems to follow a line of thinking in bowling leagues. It's not always put out 100%, sometimes the handicap can put you farther ahead than your actual game. My team is in 2nd place, with only three bowlers instead of four, and a week offset in score (we signed on late). Tactics (as well as we are good) are securing the win for us. If the top team doesn't get overwhelming scores, I think we've the number one spot next week.

Or, maybe the runners are saving themselves from burnout? I don't know how far apart the qualifying and timed runs are...but if I ran my ass off when it wasn't really necessary (5 seconds ahead of the pack instead of laxing up at the end for 2 seconds ahead). I might overexert and be weaker for the real run.

Top Wop · Post by **Top Wop** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:17 pm

Birdseye wrote:I've been dissapointed seeing a lot of sprinters/track atheletes giving up or slowing down near the finish, especially in qualifying rounds. Pathetic.

And you can do better? By the sounds of it you seem to be quite experienced. So how many medals do you have? Cus you make yourself out to be quite the smartass.

As for Paul Hamm, it was not his fault that the judges screwed up. He was merely a contender . The judges were clearly at fault yet they wanted to shift the blame on someone else (is it no surprise that it could be because he is an American?). I find THAT to be pathetic.

Clayman · Post by **Clayman** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 6:34 pm

I've liked women's gymnastics ever since I watched the '96 olympics when I was 12 and had a crush on Dominique Moceanu.

I still watch as much of it as I can, though I didn't have as much time for it this year as I would have liked. The events I particularly enjoy are the running, swimming, gymnastics, vollyball, weight lifting, and multi-event competitions (triathlon, decathlon, etc.) I'm sure I'm missing some, but I'm typing this from memory.

BTW, am I the only one who's had the idea that they should release a multi-DVD (a box set would be awesome) of the olympics? This would be great for those who want to catch the highlights that they perhaps were unable to see in real time. I know I for one would purchase it.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:33 pm

That's a great idea, Clayman

. They have enough coverage from this Olympics alone to fill 20 DVDs, and then some

. They should also release some collections of classic Olympic moments, like the 1980 US vs. Soviets hockey game, or Mark Spitz's record-setting medal run. My mom has always been a huge Olympic fan, and I think I inherited the same gene. These past two weeks, I've had the NBC networks on nonstop

.

Birdseye · Post by **Birdseye** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:24 pm

"And you can do better? By the sounds of it you seem to be quite experienced. So how many medals do you have? Cus you make yourself out to be quite the smartass. "

Sounds like a projection of anger at me on other issues.

I'm talking about people who look like they intentionally let up in qualifying rounds. I could be mistaken, and never said I could do better.

Top Gun · Post by **Top Gun** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 11:02 pm

As Testi said, most of them let up to save energy, especially if they have multiple events in one night. Why over-exert yourself if you know you're in a qualifying position? Better to ease up and save the extra gas for when it really counts, in the final. Many swimmers did likewise in their qualifying heats; they weren't going to waste energy if they were guaranteed to move on.