If you live in the UK, you might be sick to death of hearing and seeing images of the Olympics everywhere. The press, tv, radio...everything. Put the tv on now and no question the main channels will be carrying the bloody Olympics. The BBC and its news channel have gone 100% Olympics, I turn on to hear what is going on in Syria and all I get is smiley happy faces yapping about how good London is in its staging of the Olympics. Olympics. I'm sick of the word itself. It is everywhere. Olympics Olympics Olympics. Oh yes, and one more thing...Olympics. >:(
Did I mention the Olympics? The Olympics are on.
Say, did I hear that the Olympics are somewhere near you, Johnnie?
I ignore The Olympics completely no matter where they be...
Not even for the event new to these games, the Zombie Toss?
Zombies are so last decade...
Quote from: MN Dave on July 27, 2012, 08:41:37 AM
Zombies are so last decade...
You're betting against Romney, then?
Quote from: karlhenning on July 27, 2012, 08:47:22 AM
You're betting against Romney, then?
You can bet on it.
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on July 27, 2012, 08:44:26 AM
I like the signs inside the Underground train carriages, that say "During the Olympics, it may be quicker to walk." Too damn right. Mrs Molloy works in a hospital beside the Olympic shooting venue, which means that not only is she delivering babies to the sound of gunfire, but it now takes her 3 hours to get to work instead of 1.
Well, things would have been so much better if Romney had managed things . . . .
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on July 27, 2012, 08:44:26 AM
...a hospital beside the Olympic shooting venue...
How did they allow
that?
Quote from: Scots John on July 27, 2012, 08:38:52 AMIf you live in the UK, you might be sick to death of hearing and seeing images of the Olympics everywhere.
I do not live in the UK, but I am sick of hearing about and seeing images of the Olympics. Have been for a few years.
What? The Olympics? I had no idea.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2519/4040674644_9674f58681.jpg)
That could be Stylized Double Portrait of Sock-Monkey Couple
Now that all the pish is over with, the athletes can now show us what the Olympics are about - which is not London or the UK - but the pinnacle of sports participation and competition Worldwide. The weeks of build ups and opening ceremony which were all about London and the UK and nothing about World Class achievement in sport, all that can be forgotten now...I do enjoy the Olympics and often marvel at the feats of some of the athletes. But all the utter irrelevant pish that goes before makes the UK appear self obsessed - which it is. Only the BBC can spoil it by continuing to harp on about how wonderful and great London and the UK is without actually concentrating on the SPORT.
Although my wife is always enthusiastic about the opening ceremonies, I find them totally boring and a waste of time. Sports action is what I want!
I'm very impressed with these opening ceremonies, very creative. And I'm normally not fan of these.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 27, 2012, 04:16:10 PM
I'm very impressed with these opening ceremonies, very creative. And I'm normally not fan of these.
...although it has become a little tiresome, the first part was by far the most impressive.
Quote from: Scots John on July 27, 2012, 02:20:08 PM
Only the BBC can spoil it by continuing to harp on about how wonderful and great London and the UK is without actually concentrating on the SPORT.
John, you've probably never encountered American coverage of the Olympics, from which you would walk away believing that only Yanks are competing in the Olympics, and those folks from other countries are there simply because they needed some background scenery. During the Cold War it was more interesting...because we Free Peoples of the West (meaning the US, with help from the UK, Australia and Canada and sometimes West Germany) were battling to make sure we got more medals than the Commies.
Except in the medal count, in which we are breathlessly told how many medals each country has won that day, and how the home court advantage is working.....
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2012, 05:31:30 PM
John, you've probably never encountered American coverage of the Olympics, from which you would walk away believing that only Yanks are competing in the Olympics, and those folks from other countries are there simply because they needed some background scenery. During the Cold War it was more interesting...because we Free Peoples of the West (meaning the US, with help from the UK, Australia and Canada and sometimes West Germany) were battling to make sure we got more medals than the Commies.
Except in the medal count, in which we are breathlessly told how many medals each country has won that day, and how the home court advantage is working.....
:-X Yes, I can imagine that quite vividly and without difficulty. Similar coverage here...I think the production units in the UK have learned a thing or two from America.
I cheered when Daniel Barenboim was one of the Olympic flag holders. :)
Paul McCartney signing 'Hey Jude'....not sure what that has to do with the Olympics.
Would have rather heard Sir Edward Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance', or something by Vaughan Williams or Holst' 'Planets.
One thing I found odd....why Great Britain? Why not England and Scotland having their own separate nations compete?
Quote from: Scots John on July 27, 2012, 06:05:30 PM
:-X Yes, I can imagine that quite vividly and without difficulty. Similar coverage here...I think the production units in the UK have learned a thing or two from America.
This is not restricted to the United States or the UK. Canada is just as boastful of its athletes and its coverage of the Olympics (no more so than in Vancouver).
I'm sure the same goes for other countries.
Is tea considered a performance enhancing drug? ;D
Enjoyed the start of the opening ceremonies, the ring making was cool....then the music/dance montage started and I checked out. Athletes marching in now....fairly boring. Now just waiting for Sir Paul and to see who lights the torch. We are obviously watching it on delay. :)
Mohammed Ali was another of the flag bearers...second time he's had a featured role in the Opening Ceremony. He was the one who lit the flame in Atlanta.
And this http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18906710 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18906710) (read from the bottom up--that's how it's formatted)
Quote
2152:
And is rudely reawoken as Simon Rattle spots his lack of concentration - Bean gets back to work to complete the piece with a flourish!
2151:
Mr Bean is content again and is dreaming about the film Chariots of Fire - we now see a replica of the famous scene of the race across the beach.
But wait a minute - Mr Bean is dreaming he is in it and is being overtaken by most of the runners.
So he gets in his car and is driven along the beach as he tries to overtake them.
He ends up in the lead but is overtaken again - only to nobble the leader so he can win...
Tripp Mickle tweets: "Mr Bean has this entire place cracking up."
Thirza Legg says: "Mr Bean on the Olympics ceremony has made my life complete!!!"
2149:
Mr Bean is on his smartphone during the performance and is very interested in a text message he has received while he plays the tune's repetitive note on the keyboard with one finger.
He sneezes and changes finger before getting up to try to reach his rucksack for a tissue. He now plays with an umbrella - and yes, he has his tissue!
2147:
And breathe. This is the "interlude" - and this sounds very familiar indeed. Who's up for a burst of Chariots of Fire?
Here, it's performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Simon Rattle with Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean on keyboards!
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 27, 2012, 07:07:44 PM
Would have rather heard Sir Edward Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance', or something by Vaughan Williams or Holst' 'Planets.
I heard Pomp and Circumstance and Nimrod briefly played in the beginning of the ceremonies.
Quote from: 71 dB on July 28, 2012, 03:20:29 AM
I heard Pomp and Circumstance and Nimrod briefly played in the beginning of the ceremonies.
Oh, ok. I missed that then. I turned the TV on when they were just starting the nations and flagbearers walking in.
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 28, 2012, 04:00:27 AM
Oh, ok. I missed that then. I turned the TV on when they were just starting the nations and flagbearers walking in.
Yes, you missed those by about 2 hours. :D Anyway, only short clips were played. You missed nothing.
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 27, 2012, 07:07:44 PM
Paul McCartney signing 'Hey Jude'....not sure what that has to do with the Olympics.
If only he had sung "Her Majesty" . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on July 28, 2012, 04:36:30 AM
If only he had sung "Her Majesty" . . . .
He should have ended with "The End", which was cool. "Hey Jude" brought things a bit downhill.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 28, 2012, 04:55:45 AM
He should have ended with "The End", which was cool. "Hey Jude" brought things a bit downhill.
In my twitter feed, I read a chap say, Macca singing “Hey, Jude” at every major British concert is like Granddad repeating the same boring story every Christmas.
Another tweeted, “Hey, Jude” was always too long — which I do not think true, but goes to show that Sir Paul has made it so.
I enjoyed the ceremony, especially the humour, multi-culturalism and emphasis on positive aspects of British life like music, Shakespeare, children's lierature the NHS (notwithstanding all its problems) etc. Also, the self-deprecating humour (Bond parody and Mr Bean/Simon Rattle). I thought that the whole thing was brilliantly choreographed and consider it great that the performers were mainly volunteers.
Quote from: Szykneij on July 28, 2012, 04:55:45 AM
"Hey Jude" brought things a bit downhill.
indeed, it was just superfluous then.
Hell, The Arctic monkeys were better at being the Beatles than the Beatle himself. That says a lot...
Quote from: vandermolen on July 28, 2012, 05:16:12 AM
I thought that the whole thing was brilliantly choreographed and consider it great that the performers were mainly volunteers.
It was nice to see the volunteers having the loudest/longest cheer of the evening as well ! :)
Only downside for me (beside Macca) were the BBC commentators... just wished they'd shut the f... up more often last night >:(
I too, John, tend to dislike quite a few aspects of the Olympics. However, I did rather enjoy most of the opening ceremony, watching it up here in Norfolk with my grandparents. It certainly was very impressive. The part with Mr Bean with the LSO/Rattle was truly one of the most hilarious things I have ever watched! I was crying with laughter throughout! :D I doubt I'll be watching much of the sport though, really not my thing... ;)
My wife, who enjoys the Beatles like the rest of our family, thought Paul should have just sung The End and then called it a night. ;D
The whole dance montage with the digital age and then going through the decades I thought was dreadful. The rest was decent, but the forged ring....now that was cool!
By all accounts, Rowan Atkinson shone!
The ending of the ceremony, lighting of the cauldron and fireworks, were quite dramatic, well done.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 28, 2012, 05:50:54 AM
The ending of the ceremony, lighting of the cauldron and fireworks, were quite dramatic, well done.
Kind of cool how the flame is closer to the ground. Like I told my brother-in-law who was wondering how London would top China I said, "You cannot top what China did, but you make it different....maybe even cooler." I believe they did just that.
I was kinda hoping they would have all the actors who have portrayed The Doctor from Doctor Who, in costume and run around the stadium with the flames before lighting the cauldron, now that would have been way cooler.
Quote from: Papy Oli on July 28, 2012, 05:17:48 AM
indeed, it was just superfluous then.
Hell, The Arctic monkeys were better at being the Beatles than the Beatle himself. That says a lot...
That's true about the Arctic Monkeys (just typed 'Arctic Convoys' by mistake :o)
Can't wait for the Spice Girls at the closing ceremony. ;D
Did I miss it, or was any evidence of Elton John completely missing from the ceremonies? I heard music by the Stones, Pink Floyd, the Kinks, Bowie, and a host of other British artists, but I don't remember hearing anything by Elton. Since his presence is usually all over events like this, it was surprising not to see his face.
I feel it appropriate to record here the fact that the London 2012 Olympics caused a traffic jam in Miami today.
At least, I'm assuming the Olympics is at the root of the matter.
The traffic jam--on a Saturday afternoon--was caused by the fact that our local stadium, Sun Life Stadium, which normally hosts the Miami Dolphins (American) football team, and various Superbowls and major events, as well as the University of Miami Hurricanes (American) football team, and until last year* the Florida Marlins baseball team (and therefore where both of the two World Series which they won were played), is tonight the site of a game between Chelsea and AC Milan. I'm assuming the Olympics forced Chelsea to find an alternate venue, and we in Miami were the lucky blokes. (Couldn't they have borrowed another British stadium? It's not like they're the only (rest of the world) football team in the UK?)
I forgot the game was today and got caught on the way home from work. At least it was not as bad as when they have SuperBowls or Dolphins games, and it would probably would have been worse if Chelsea were playing a team from Latin America. (We do usually have a major matchup between Latin American teams once or twice a year here.) But you Londoners may take comfort in the fact that the Olympics are screwing up traffic in cities beside your own.
*this year they moved to a new, taxpayer funded stadium in the City of Miami, and changed their name to Miami Marlins. Which, since I don't actually live in Miami, allows me to abandon my tepid support for them and resume unalloyed allegiance to the Only Baseball Team Actually Worth Being A Fan Of aka the Boston Red Sox.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 28, 2012, 05:14:21 PM
the Only Baseball Team Actually Worth Being A Fan Of aka the Boston Red Sox.
Followup--it seems I was wrong to blame the Olympics for Chelsea being in Miami.
They were actually here as part of a series of exhibition games meant to raise the profile of soccer (non-American football) in the US. Out of four games, they've won one, lost two, and tied one. Last night's game was one of the losses, although apparently most of the fans in the stadium were rooting for Chelsea (not surprising given the number of Brits, both ex-pats and tourists, and Bahamas/English speaking Caribbean folks to be found in Miami). Attendance was put at over 57,000, the second highest for any soccer game played in that particular locale.
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 27, 2012, 07:07:44 PM
Would have rather heard Sir Edward Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance', or something by Vaughan Williams or Holst' 'Planets.
It would have been certainly great!
Although I didn't see the opening ceremonies, I've been following these Olympic games; I'm especially interested in watching football, swimming, tennis and athletics.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2012, 07:42:20 PMMohammed Ali was another of the flag bearers...second time he's had a featured role in the Opening Ceremony. He was the one who lit the flame in Atlanta.
No conviction was recorded.
Millions of our money to see which freak can run the fastest.
Can't say I have been following the Olympics closely, though it's hard not to notice. But sickened by two events:
1 The Chinese badminton pair throwing the match. Vanessa could have defeated them with Kimi. They, along with three other pairs got thrown out. I think they should have thrown out the other Chinese pair as well.
2 The US swimming coach publicly saying the Chinese swimmer who won two gold to be possibly on drugs. I guess every winner and non-winner technically could be. But to say so without evidence during the competition after one of your own lost is just sick. Should a coach from some other country said the same about Phelps, Lochte, Bolt, etc... Well, the US print media I have read mostly report it with focus on why and how the accusation might be true. But that is entirely beside the point. Good to see most other media outside of the US are more objective.
I generally prefer the winter olympics. The summer games simply has too many events for anyone to follow any events completely. So you just get the "let's get to the so and so venue for such and such golden moment". It becomes a highlight show at best and does become a medal count game.
I almost always pull for the athletes from small nations who don't usually win medals. For that reason I don't really get to cheer much. I remember in the Asian games Afganistan won cricket, and the Asian Football Championship that Iraq won. Those were sporting moments worthy of my time. 8)
Quote from: springrite on August 01, 2012, 08:29:28 AM
Can't say I have been following the Olympics closely, though it's hard not to notice. But sickened by two events:
1 The Chinese badminton pair throwing the match. Vanessa could have defeated them with Kimi. They, along with three other pairs got thrown out. I think they should have thrown out the other Chinese pair as well.
2 The US swimming coach publicly saying the Chinese swimmer who won two gold to be possibly on drugs. I guess every winner and non-winner technically could be. But to say so without evidence during the competition after one of your own lost is just sick. Should a coach from some other country said the same about Phelps, Lochte, Bolt, etc... Well, the US print media I have read mostly report it with focus on why and how the accusation might be true. But that is entirely beside the point. Good to see most other media outside of the US are more objective.
I generally prefer the winter olympics. The summer games simply has too many events for anyone to follow any events completely. So you just get the "let's get to the so and so venue for such and such golden moment". It becomes a highlight show at best and does become a medal count game.
I almost always pull for the athletes from small nations who don't usually win medals. For that reason I don't really get to cheer much. I remember in the Asian games Afganistan won cricket, and the Asian Football Championship that Iraq won. Those were sporting moments worthy of my time. 8)
1. Agreed. Doesn't matter who was involved (South Korea and Indonesia were among the offenders, not just China), throwing matches in order to get easier opponents down the road is anti-Olympic anti-Sport at the least, and a slap in the face to the spectators, without which...
2. Agreed. He had no business saying that. Although to be precise, it was a Brit BBC commentator who began the whole affair within seconds after the end of the race. It's up to the anti-doping people to make a hue and cry, not other competitors, wo can, at best, only sound like sour grapes.
I love Field events, used to look forward to the Olympics (started in Rome, 1960 and haven't missed since) to see the only javelin, shot put, hammer, high jump etc that I would see for another 4 years. Since I don't have streaming video at home, the likelihood of seeing it any more is between slim and none, and slim just left town. Like I need to see more freaking basketball. Or football. Those sports don't belong in the Olympics, sorry sports fans... >:D
8)
They should have stuck with these:
Ancient Olympic Events
Boxing
Equestrian events
Chariot racing
Riding
Pankration
Pentathlon
Discus
Javelin
Jump
Running
Wrestling
Running
Wrestling
Yeah... I must admit, my immediate response to the badminton scandal was "What?! Badminton is an olympic sport?!"
Quote from: jwinter on August 01, 2012, 09:50:46 AM
Yeah... I must admit, my immediate response to the badminton scandal was "What?! Badminton is an olympic sport?!"
Wait till the UK send in application for DARTS!
Quote from: springrite on August 01, 2012, 08:29:28 AM
Can't say I have been following the Olympics closely, though it's hard not to notice. But sickened by two events
2. The US swimming coach publicly saying the Chinese swimmer who won two gold to be possibly on drugs. I guess every winner and non-winner technically could be. But to say so without evidence during the competition after one of your own lost is just sick. Should a coach from some other country said the same about Phelps, Lochte, Bolt, etc... Well, the US print media I have read mostly report it with focus on why and how the accusation might be true. But that is entirely beside the point. Good to see most other media outside of the US are more objective.
I remember reading that the female Chinese swimmer had a faster time in her final leg than the male swimmers. That does sound very odd.
However, since her tests have been negative, she can't be denied the Gold.
I hate the Olympics. I wish they would go away - I am sick of them dominating the sports coverage, crowding out most of the baseball news. Yuk. Every four years is way too often. Try every 400 years.
>:D
Chanced to watch about two minutes of fencing, the US lady defending gold medalist lost a match. Don't know how much more I could watch, but it was an engaging two minutes.
Quote from: Arnold on
Today at 02:58:09 PM (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php?topic=20768.msg648772#msg648772)
I hate the Olympics. I wish they would go away - I am sick of them dominating the sports coverage, crowding out most of the baseball news. Yuk. Every four years is way too often. Try every 400 years.
>:D
I'm a Phillies fan. Crowding out this season's baseball news is fine by me...
Quote from: karlhenning on August 01, 2012, 11:00:58 AM
Chanced to watch about two minutes of fencing, the US lady defending gold medalist lost a match. Don't know how much more I could watch, but it was an engaging two minutes.
I watched some fencing as well, but that included half an hour of a protest and a crying Korean fencer.
I will NOT watch trampoline even if they attach live car batteries to my nuts!
Quote from: springrite on August 01, 2012, 11:03:57 AM
I will NOT watch trampoline even if they attach live car batteries to my nuts!
Not again?!
Quote from: MN Dave on August 01, 2012, 08:47:47 AMThey should have stuck with these:
Ancient Olympic Events
Boxing
Equestrian events
Chariot racing
Riding
Pankration
Pentathlon
Discus
Javelin
Jump
Running
Wrestling
Running
Wrestling
What about the poetry and choral events?
Unbelievable moment for myself last night, listening to Ockeghem's Requiem on my ipad, the Kyrie dominating most of this moment, while the US women's gymnastic team was finishing their performance and then waiting for scores. Seeing there reaction to their victory along with the spellbinding music of Ockeghem was quite moving, I'm sure still being a somewhat new father and seeing that these are young kids had an added affect.
I'm no true fan of the Olympics or the majority of the sports that take place, but I cannot deny how impressed I am with the athletic ability of these participants. And seeing the look of pure joy or complete heartbreak from those that spend years training for these events is what sticks with me.
Quote from: springrite on August 01, 2012, 08:29:28 AM
Can't say I have been following the Olympics closely, though it's hard not to notice. But sickened by two events:
1 The Chinese badminton pair throwing the match. Vanessa could have defeated them with Kimi. They, along with three other pairs got thrown out. I think they should have thrown out the other Chinese pair as well.
2 The US swimming coach publicly saying the Chinese swimmer who won two gold to be possibly on drugs. I guess every winner and non-winner technically could be. But to say so without evidence during the competition after one of your own lost is just sick. Should a coach from some other country said the same about Phelps, Lochte, Bolt, etc... Well, the US print media I have read mostly report it with focus on why and how the accusation might be true. But that is entirely beside the point. Good to see most other media outside of the US are more objective.
#1 - Agree.
#2 - Agree and disagree. I think back to the '80's when there were complaints about some of the East bloc teams in the same way. There was no evidence. Should people have said nothing? I also think about Lance Armstrong, who denies it, but there are may people who claim otherwise. If he did use them, he did it while being tested for drugs and was never caught. In sports in general, I think it is still being done, despite testing, and that the drugs are ahead of the testing. I actually believe the Chinese swimmer if she says she didn't use them. I'm not so sure I believe the coaches and the system behind her. They appear inhuman to me, something that is perpetuated with stories about not telling a swimmer their grandparents died a year ago or that her own mother was sick!! Maybe these are not representative of how things are done - I don;t know. But if it were a swimmer from another country, I would feel the same doubt, because the time is a bit of an anomoly. Is it fair? No - absolutely not. But that is also the world we live in.
How about poor Shin A Lam? The referees of that match are a disgrace for their profession and violated the olympic spirit big time. They should be banned for life from refereeing. Also the behavior of Britta Heidemann was outrageous: to show so much enthusiasm over such a shameful and dubious victory betrays a petty character and a complete lack of honor. I was very glad and pleased when she lost the final.
Quote from: Florestan on August 01, 2012, 11:53:36 PM
How about poor Shin A Lam? The referees of that match are a disgrace for their profession and violated the olympic spirit big time. They should be banned for life from refereeing. Also the behavior of Britta Heidemann was outrageous: to show so much enthusiasm over such a shameful and dubious victory betrays a petty character and a complete lack of honor. I was very glad and pleased when she lost the final.
The Korean fencer? Agree totally. Of all the stories, that's the one that upsets me the most because it seems like the match was just stolen from her. The attempt to give her a medal after the fact seems to support that.
Quote from: Florestan on August 02, 2012, 12:07:51 AM
???
Referring to this...http://sports.yahoo.com/video/south-korean-fencer-refuses-olympic-154000114.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/video/south-korean-fencer-refuses-olympic-154000114.html) (it's a video, but I am not finding an article at the moment)
Here is text if you don't want video: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181812/London-2012-Olympics-Shin-A-Lam-refuses-special-medal.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181812/London-2012-Olympics-Shin-A-Lam-refuses-special-medal.html)
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 27, 2012, 07:09:57 PM
One thing I found odd....why Great Britain? Why not England and Scotland having their own separate nations compete?
The Welsh and Scots' flags are not even allowed into the venues. The only flag of the UK the spectators are allowed to sport is the Union Jack. So much for free speech.
I was told to try to keep out of London for the 50 dys of both Olympics and the prep, and to work elsewhere. But I have been aston London last week and this week and it is quieter than normal, I get to sit on the underground when normally I am standing up shoulder to armpit with other commuters. But no doubt close to the main venues it is a different story.
Realy shameful about the badminton athletes. The people who paid to see the event will not get their money back.
Mike
Water polo just became interesting:
(http://www.hifisentralen.no/forumet/attachments/off-topic-hja-rnet/147357d1343860505-ol-i-london-2012-olympiatra-den-funny-olympics-fun-olympics-dh-dh-dh-dh-dh-dh-dh-dh-dh-beijing-2008-funny-olympic-pics-funny-olympic-gam.jpg)
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 02, 2012, 12:22:53 AM
Referring to this...http://sports.yahoo.com/video/south-korean-fencer-refuses-olympic-154000114.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/video/south-korean-fencer-refuses-olympic-154000114.html) (it's a video, but I am not finding an article at the moment)
Here is text if you don't want video: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181812/London-2012-Olympics-Shin-A-Lam-refuses-special-medal.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181812/London-2012-Olympics-Shin-A-Lam-refuses-special-medal.html)
Thanks, I didn't know that.
QuoteThe medal will be for 'aspiration to win and respect for the rules,' said the International Fencing Federation in a statement.
This is like adding insult to injury. She was right in refusing this
bribe.
Quote
'They have never experienced this before with three attacks in the last second. Their timekeeping machine only has seconds, not fractions of a second. It cannot handle a situation like yesterday. That they admit.'
Excuse me? What human being in the full possession of his minds can really believe that it is humanly possible to have fencing 3 attacks in just 1 second? This is madness. Instead of frankly admitting that they made a huge mistake by forgetting to reset the clock (which is a fully understandable human error) they blame the clock itself for not being able to count fractions of seconds (which is a plain lie: see the results for swimming or athletics, where they count fractions of seconds all right).
Kafka anyone?
Shame on them, three times shame on them!
Quote from: knight66 on August 02, 2012, 01:15:26 AM
The Welsh and Scots' flags are not even allowed into the venues. The only flag of the UK the spectators are allowed to sport is the Union Jack. So much for free speech.
The flags of Catalonya was allowed in the Barcalona Olympics and it was all over the place, including in the grounds at the opening ceremony. For that, the Catalonyans cheered the King's speech wholeheartedly. That was a wonderful moment.
I gather it is to do with possible 'rebel flage of other nations thereby creeping in. Sport/politics/big business.....the usual stuff I guess.
Mike
Quote from: knight66 on August 02, 2012, 04:20:22 AM
I gather it is to do with possible 'rebel flage of other nations thereby creeping in. Sport/politics/big business.....the usual stuff I guess.
Waving "rebel flags" is not allowed, but officially robbing a fencer of her well-deserved medal is... Talk about the olympic spirit, honor and all that... ;D
Hey, I'm watching the Dick van Dyke Show
I prefer my physical comedy vintage, I suppose . . . .
Watch out for the ottoman.
Quote from: karlhenning on August 02, 2012, 04:27:28 AM
I prefer my physical comedy vintage, I suppose . . . .
Buster Keaton! Vintager than yours! Ha!
Ods boddikins!
Quote from: MN Dave on August 02, 2012, 04:31:10 AM
Watch out for the ottoman.
I wonder if Vegas has odds on his tripping each week a new show premiered?
Quote from: knight66 on August 02, 2012, 01:15:26 AM
The Welsh and Scots' flags are not even allowed into the venues. The only flag of the UK the spectators are allowed to sport is the Union Jack. So much for free speech.
Thank you for letting us know that Mike. I went nuts and write a long diatrible about it, then discovered this in the English press:
"China made the ruling to stop protesters waving the flag of Tibet. "
"Flags of nations that are not competing will be confiscated..."
It applies to the English national flag also. So whilst still disgruntled, I eventually deleted my rant. :-(
With more sports and events to come, I am glad to see the Olympics opening up and being discussed by proper Olympians and sports people on the BBC, not newsreaders gloating over how great London is for all this.
PS: As you may remember Mike, there are no 'free speech' laws in the UK whatsoever, just like we have no bill of rights and stuff.
Weightlifting is the only sport I can watch for more than 2-3 minutes, though I pretty much never get to see any. This year's game did result in one memorable and painful looking injury thus far:
(http://www.whatsonningbo.com/news_images/41bf5572052ad8b1_weightlifting%20_injury.jpg)
I wish him a speedy and full recovery, but this so looks like an "agony of defeat" moment.
Quote from: Todd on August 02, 2012, 08:39:17 AM
Weightlifting is the only sport I can watch for more than 2-3 minutes, though I pretty much never get to see any. This year's game did result in one memorable and painful looking injury thus far:
(http://www.whatsonningbo.com/news_images/41bf5572052ad8b1_weightlifting%20_injury.jpg)
I wish him a speedy and full recovery, but this so looks like an "agony of defeat" moment.
It looks like he hath engaged in experimental sexual frolics. But on the brighter side, I too wish him a speedy and full recovery, poor fellow.
Quote from: Scots John on August 02, 2012, 08:46:13 AM
It looks like he hath engaged in experimental sexual frolics. But on the brighter side, I too wish him a speedy and full recovery, poor fellow.
To be more clinical if I may for a moment, John; it looks more to me as though experimental sexual frolics will be naught but a fond memory for him. Poor bastard! :-\
8)
Quote from: Scots John on August 02, 2012, 08:27:13 AM
Thank you for letting us know that Mike. I went nuts and write a long diatrible about it, then discovered this in the English press:
"China made the ruling to stop protesters waving the flag of Tibet. "
"Flags of nations that are not competing will be confiscated..."
It applies to the English national flag also. So whilst still disgruntled, I eventually deleted my rant. :-(
With more sports and events to come, I am glad to see the Olympics opening up and being discussed by proper Olympians and sports people on the BBC, not newsreaders gloating over how great London is for all this.
PS: As you may remember Mike, there are no 'free speech' laws in the UK whatsoever, just like we have no bill of rights and stuff.
John, I remember reading somewhere that in English law, whatever is not forbidden is permitted. So by inference we have free speech except to the extent it is constrained, but as time moves on we experience an increase of restriction. I don't know what the differences are in Scots law in this subject. They have different roots.
Mike
Here's a really minor issue. What I don't understand is why some countries order the medal count by golds only. It's like the others (silver and bronze) don't mean anything.
Because winning is all that matters! Everybody knows that!
http://www.youtube.com/v/6dlyCTswYH0&feature=g-logo-xit
Ladies and gentlemen, US Olympic gold medalist, Ryan Lochte.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 02, 2012, 11:33:47 AM
http://www.youtube.com/v/6dlyCTswYH0&feature=g-logo-xit
Ladies and gentlemen, US Olympic gold medalist, Ryan Lochte.
As Mel Brooks would say, Oy vey. :)
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 02, 2012, 11:00:34 AM
Here's a really minor issue. What I don't understand is why some countries order the medal count by golds only. It's like the others (silver and bronze) don't mean anything.
What do you mean by "some countries"? I thought it was always done that way, everywhere. :-\
For the past few years, Bernie Ecclestone has been floating the idea of awarding the F1 championship each year to the driver with the most number of wins in that season, but it hasn't garnered enough support to become the rule, though.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 02, 2012, 11:00:34 AM
Here's a really minor issue. What I don't understand is why some countries order the medal count by golds only. It's like the others (silver and bronze) don't mean anything.
It is done that way by just about every nation except the US.
Quote from: Opus106 on August 03, 2012, 12:54:57 AM
What do you mean by "some countries"? I thought it was always done that way, everywhere. :-\
In the US, they count by total medals, not by gold medals. You can go to yahoo US and see what I mean. I have no idea what it is like elsewhere (too many countries to know what they do), which is why I wrote, 'some countries.'
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 01:10:53 AM
It is done that way by just about every nation except the US.
But does this make sense to you (not just you, but anyone interested in answering)? It doesn't to me. Is it perhaps cultural?
I always thought the US does it because in this way the US is almost ALWAYS #1 on the table in the end. That includes the cold war years between US and USSR, and presently with US and China.
Apparently most of the world think it makes sense. You may think the way you do, but most others seem to think "5 bronze beat 4 gold" makes no sense either. There is no right or wrong so there is no sense arguing. It's just everyone doing what they think makes sense to them.
Actually, the US view of other sports are just like the rest of the world. If you think about it, no one considers gettging into the Super Bowl a high number of times (Buffalo Bills) as a greater achievement than winning it N-1 number of times. The same goes in baseball where the Boston Redsox, until there more recent World Series titles, were considered a less than succcessful team than the teams who have won the series but gotten into the World Series less often. In the US, it is Winning the Title is All that Counts EXCEPT in the Olympics.
Afterall, Gold means you WON that competition.
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 01:52:27 AM
I always thought the US does it because in this way the US is almost ALWAYS #1 on the table in the end. That includes the cold war years between US and USSR, and presently with US and China.
Apparently most of the world think it makes sense. You may think the way you do, but most others seem to think "5 bronze beat 4 gold" makes no sense either. There is no right or wrong so there is no sense arguing. It's just everyone doing what they think makes sense to them.
The Soviet Union regularly beat the US (no matter how you counted), and many times, so did East Germany. The US does ok at the winter olympics, but has never really been a leading contender there. As to medals, it only makes no sense to me if someone thinks bronze medals are worthless. I rather like that the Olympics recognize more than just the winner.
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 02:08:29 AM
Actually, the US view of other sports are just like the rest of the world. If you think about it, no one considers gettging into the Super Bowl a high number of times (Buffalo Bills) as a greater achievement than winning it N-1 number of times. The same goes in baseball where the Boston Redsox, until there more recent World Series titles, were considered a less than succcessful team than the teams who have won the series but gotten into the World Series less often. In the US, it is Winning the Title is All that Counts EXCEPT in the Olympics.
But that analogy doesn't really work for the Olympics (where the goal is to get a medal more likely than not, though of course everyone wants to win), nor is it the true spirit of the games (what it is supposed to be anyway). When they talk about Phelps being the most decorated, they don't stop with the 15 or so gold medals, but include all the medals. I am currently watching from abroad, and the country I am in (non-English speaking and not Western Europe) introduced its medal winners including all the medals they won (silver and bronze included). When I watch races, I am always as equally interested in 2nd and 3rd place (and often lower) as I am who won. So perhaps there is a culural element as well. In most countries, I don't know about China, you get a monetary reward for any medal, not just gold.
As I said, there is no sense trying to have others agree. It is just that people feel differently. No one ever said that a bronze is worthless. I certainly did not. None of the nations which are in the majority of listing by gold thinks that a bronze is worthless. There is no point in making the others WRONG. I never said you are wrong. I merely explained why most other nations are listing it that way. That is ALL.
If you think others are wrong, fine. I never stated that anyone is right or wrong.
How about a fourth place medal...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/british-man-sending-4th-place-medals-athletes-miss-085932854--oly.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/british-man-sending-4th-place-medals-athletes-miss-085932854--oly.html)
Quote"Tom Daley and Pete Waterfield miss medal after fourth-dive failure." .......David Mitchell doesn't think the failure label is fair either. Which is why he's created his own medals to bestow upon the Team GB divers, and other athletes who finish one place short of the bronze.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 03, 2012, 03:57:38 AM
How about a fourth place medal...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/british-man-sending-4th-place-medals-athletes-miss-085932854--oly.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/british-man-sending-4th-place-medals-athletes-miss-085932854--oly.html)
Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Aluminum... That may work... :D
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 03, 2012, 01:18:37 AM
In the US, they count by total medals, not by gold medals. You can go to yahoo US and see what I mean. I have no idea what it is like elsewhere (too many countries to know what they do), which is why I wrote, 'some countries.'But does this make sense to you (not just you, but anyone interested in answering)? It doesn't to me. Is it perhaps cultural?
Of course it makes no sense. In this logic let's do away with the silver and bronze medals and have just the gold. As far as my own country is concerned (most of you know that it's Romania) we count each and every medal. We would of course like to have only gold but silver and bronze are just as valuable to us. :)
There is an advert airing for a new NBC show during the Olympics, a 'sitcom'. The character is introducing Shawn Johnson (former Olympic sweetheart) to his group and says she was a winner and a loser and was here to talk about it. She says "lose? I won a gold and 2 silvers", and the guy replies "see? Win, lose, lose...". My personal opinion is that one wins a medal of any sort, and hard-earned it is too. I also deplore the rampant nationalism involved, which I suppose makes me the loser... :-\
8)
Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on August 03, 2012, 04:15:22 AM
. . . I also deplore the rampant nationalism involved . . . .
You telling me you weren't waving the Texas flag at the LA games? ; )
Quote from: karlhenning on August 03, 2012, 04:20:55 AM
You telling me you weren't waving the Texas flag at the LA games? ; )
If he was, you can bet is was a big'un! :)
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 04:03:01 AM
Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Aluminum... That may work... :D
Or we could base the medal system on the galvanic series:
1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Mercury
4. Copper
5. Lead
6. Steel
7. Potassium
8. Lithium
You might want to be careful that the potassium and lithium medals don't get in contact with water ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on August 03, 2012, 04:20:55 AM
You telling me you weren't waving the Texas flag at the LA games? ; )
Nah. I think the athlete who executes the best performance should be praised, no matter his/her accident of origin. I am a purist,
Karl. :)
8)
Quote from: North Star on August 03, 2012, 04:24:51 AM
Or we could base the medal system on the galvanic series:
1. Gold
2. Silver
3. Mercury
4. Copper
5. Lead
6. Steel
7. Potassium
8. Lithium
You might want to be careful that the potassium and lithium medals don't get in contact with water ;D
I feel for the athletes who finish too far behind and gets the radio-active medals. In addition to the health risk, they may also become targets for kidnapping from nations with nuclear aspirations.
In corporate America, that's called incentivizing.
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 05:06:19 AM
I feel for the athletes who finish too far behind and gets the radio-active medals. In addition to the health risk, they may also become targets for kidnapping from nations with nuclear aspirations.
That might inspire some organizations to gather a football (soccer) team or two, preferably ones that had not seen a ball before.
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 02:08:29 AMIf you think about it, no one considers gettging into the Super Bowl a high number of times (Buffalo Bills) as a greater achievement than winning it N-1 number of times.
"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing."
Second and third place are good. First place is better. The only thing better than first place is first place involving a world record.
Winter or summer, I think my least favorite Olympics sports are the ex- X-Games events. They should be left to the X-Games where they belong.
Quote from: springrite on August 03, 2012, 06:59:07 AMWinter or summer, I think my least favorite Olympics sports are the ex- X-Games events.
Did you include curling?
Xtreme Badminton!
Quote from: Todd on August 03, 2012, 07:01:49 AM
Did you include curling?
Oh I love Curling. Anything grandma can do together with her grandkids is a good event in my book!
Apparently, if you want to make a living from the Olympics, Italy is the country to be from, giving over $180k to gold medal winners!!
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html)
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 03, 2012, 11:26:40 AM
Apparently, if you want to make a living from the Olympics, Italy is the country to be from, giving over $180k to gold medal winners!!
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html)
I am surprised that Greece was not on the list. It seems the countries who are close to being broke give the most money. The Chinese money is right on the mark. But sometimes local government may give some more, like an apartment, better jobs for the family members, etc. I hear that Azerbajian, India also pay an incredible amount. But given that they don't win too many medals, the total outlay is not that big.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 03, 2012, 11:26:40 AM
Apparently, if you want to make a living from the Olympics, Italy is the country to be from, giving over $180k to gold medal winners!!
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-olympic-medal-winners-bonuses-170523656.html)
I saw a full-page in yesterday's newspaper announcing the plan of the state of Haryana to award Rs. 25M (~ $450,000) for a gold medal winner, 15 for a silver and 10 for bronze, to medal winners from the state (and jobs too!). The first Indian medal winner (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/sports/article3703878.ece), the shooter Gagan Narang, will be richer by a crore when he comes back home.
The politicians here get a bit more crazy with offering monetary rewards when the occasional championship is won by the country, despite turning a blind eye to the terrible state of infrastructure for most sports other than cricket.
Quote from: Scots John on July 27, 2012, 08:38:52 AM
If you live in the UK, you might be sick to death of hearing and seeing images of the Olympics everywhere. The press, tv, radio...everything. Put the tv on now and no question the main channels will be carrying the bloody Olympics. The BBC and its news channel have gone 100% Olympics, I turn on to hear what is going on in Syria and all I get is smiley happy faces yapping about how good London is in its staging of the Olympics. Olympics. I'm sick of the word itself. It is everywhere. Olympics Olympics Olympics. Oh yes, and one more thing...Olympics. >:(
Did I mention the Olympics? The Olympics are on.
That was the reason I was more than happy when NYC lost to London on the bid for hosting this year Olympics since I work in Manhattan.
The greatest day in modern Olympics history for Great Britain? I'd think so! What a great day for you chaps! Even a most typical defeat in penalties by the football team couldn't dampen it.
BTW, I believe it is the first time in pentathlon history the winner won the last event in the last run to win it. What a way to finish!
During a badminton match 2 days ago, the Chinese player requested for the floor to be mopped because of sweat on the floor. This is always granted. But for some reason the ref refused and threatened the player with point penalty if she does not continue to play on that floor without mopping.
The the next player the player torn her ligament. She finished the match which she obviously lost and will be out of action for months.
The officiating at this Olympics has been the worst in memory.
Quote from: springrite on August 05, 2012, 03:14:04 AM
During a badminton match 2 days ago, the Chinese player requested for the floor to be mopped because of sweat on the floor. This is always granted. But for some reason the ref refused and threatened the player with point penalty if she does not continue to play on that floor without mopping.
The the next player the player torn her ligament. She finished the match which she obviously lost and will be out of action for months.
The officiating at this Olympics has been the worst in memory.
Ouch! It's certainly dangerous to play if the floor is wet.
The officiating has certainly been dreadful.
Usain Bolt has won the 100m race, it was a spectacular final! :)
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 05, 2012, 12:59:42 PM
Usain Bolt has won the 100m race, it was a spectacular final! :)
And crated a new Olympic record too. I'm glad it wasn't all a waste staying up late on a Sunday night. Just by looking at how much he slowed down towards the end of the semi-final sprint, it was clear that he was going to rocket through in the final.
Quote from: Opus106 on August 05, 2012, 01:04:46 PM
And crated a new Olympic record too. I'm glad it wasn't all a waste staying up late on a Sunday night. Just by looking at how much he slowed down towards the end of the semi-final sprint, it was clear that he was going to rocket through in the final.
Yes, that's true, he looked very confident through all the turns. If there had been a higher temperature, Bolt would have provably beaten the current record of the 100m.
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 05, 2012, 12:59:42 PM
Usain Bolt has won the 100m race, it was a spectacular final! :)
Yeah, I read about it, on Twitter, because we have NBC, that wants to show all the best highlights at 8pm when they can get the most viewers, NOT when it's actually happening..so lame.
Bolt was amazing again, shame about Jukka Keskisalo's injury in men's 3000m Steeplechase, the speed was ideal for him, and a medal would have been probable.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 05, 2012, 01:16:36 PM
Yeah, I read about it, on Twitter, because we have NBC, that wants to show all the best highlights at 8pm when they can get the most viewers, NOT when it's actually happening..so lame.
Well, what you call lame is actually an attempt to hold their losses down below $100,000,000. They paid $1.18 billion for the rights to broadcast, knowing going in that they were going to lose money but also that having such a prestige event would benefit them in the long run. As it turns out, viewership is up 9% from Beijing, so they will do better than expected. How much viewership do you imagine they would get by showing premier events at 1:00 in the afternoon? A few desperate housewives and unemployed's maybe? I think you have to look at the bigger picture; they may well be only programming executives, but that doesn't automatically make them morons. If they were congressmen too though.... :D
8)
However, if you DO want to complain about something, I think this quote from a reader's comment section says it all:
"The time delay sucks, but it's nothing compared to the patronizing, condescending and vapid commentary NBC works into its Olympics narrative."
That's the nut of it for me. >:(
8)
Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on August 05, 2012, 02:05:13 PM
Well, what you call lame is actually an attempt to hold their losses down below $100,000,000. They paid $1.18 billion for the rights to broadcast, knowing going in that they were going to lose money but also that having such a prestige event would benefit them in the long run. As it turns out, viewership is up 9% from Beijing, so they will do better than expected. How much viewership do you imagine they would get by showing premier events at 1:00 in the afternoon? A few desperate housewives and unemployed's maybe? I think you have to look at the bigger picture; they may well be only programming executives, but that doesn't automatically make them morons. If they were congressmen too though.... :D
8)
I fully understand why NBC's coverage is this way, it's called prime time for a reason. In fact I even said in my original statement that they show the highlights when they can achieve the highest ratings, my rant is more of a personal one, I spend way too much time online or watching other stations that release the winners information as it happens, I have yet to watch an event I didn't already know the outcome of, that is ultimately because of my own doing and curiosity, but it still frustrates me.
And...I'll still watch it, on NBC, during prime time.
;D
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 05, 2012, 02:47:46 PM
I fully understand why NBC's coverage is this way, it's called prime time for a reason. In fact I even said in my original statement that they show the highlights when they can achieve the highest ratings, my rant is more of a personal one, I spend way too much time online or watching other stations that release the winners information as it happens, I have yet to watch an event I didn't already know the outcome of, that is ultimately because of my own doing and curiosity, but it still frustrates me.
And...I'll still watch it, on NBC, during prime time.
;D
Have you tried the streaming feed that they have? I can't stream at home because of my feed rate, and at work because of the Rules, but I understand that they show things in real time there.
But anyway, I check CNN's web page on a regular basis every day for years and they are the worst about posting the results; not even a link to them, but a big headline that you can't miss. So I usually know the results too, but actually it rather whets my appetite for seeing the real thing later on. This has been an issue every time the Games originate from Europe ever since I started watching in 1960 from Rome. Not a new thing anyway. The easiest way to handle it is to reconcile to a suck situation. Before NBC, it was ABC's problem. So it goes. :)
8)
Those living near the Canadian border are the lucky ones since they can watch the Canadian broadcast LIVE!
Are the women weightlifters all women?
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 05, 2012, 01:16:36 PM
Yeah, I read about it, on Twitter, because we have NBC, that wants to show all the best highlights at 8pm when they can get the most viewers, NOT when it's actually happening..so lame.
Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on August 05, 2012, 02:58:45 PM
Have you tried the streaming feed that they have? I can't stream at home because of my feed rate, and at work because of the Rules, but I understand that they show things in real time there.
8)
What about YouTube? They have parallel webcasts of all events happening at any moment, with and without commentary, from 240 all the way up to 1080p video quality. In fact, I watched the 100m dash last night (very early morning, rather) on YT.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2012, 06:55:22 PMAre the women weightlifters all women?
Define the words "all" and "women."
Speaking of weightlifting, another agony of defeat moment during a 432 pound snatch:
(http://www.bz-berlin.de/multimedia/archive/00376/Matthias-Steiner-a_37693918.jpg)
Liu Xiang.
In a way, the best finish. The most poetic way to end his career. I don't think another gold would top this.
The USA vs China women's volleyball semifinal that just finished was a nail biter. USA won.
Quote from: -abe- on August 07, 2012, 10:11:38 PM
The USA vs China women's volleyball semifinal that just finished was a nail biter. USA won.
China never made it to the semis.
Was it Japan? (Japan beat China yesterday 3:2)
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 01:37:57 AM
China never made it to the semis.
Was it Japan? (Japan beat China yesterday 3:2)
Beach volleyball...
Quote from: springrite on August 07, 2012, 04:49:23 PM
Liu Xiang.
In a way, the best finish. The most poetic way to end his career. I don't think another gold would top this.
I was sad for him, but greatly impressed with his actions. The essence of the Olympic Spirit.
8)
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 01:37:57 AM
China never made it to the semis.
Was it Japan? (Japan beat China yesterday 3:2)
Yes, beach volleyball. China plays Brazil for the bronze tomorrow. The 2 US teams play each other for gold/silver. It has been a good tournament so far, which is say despite the finish, just good solid play.
8)
Quote from: Gurnatron5500 on August 08, 2012, 04:30:33 AM
Yes, beach volleyball. China plays Brazil for the bronze tomorrow. The 2 US teams play each other for gold/silver. It has been a good tournament so far, which is say despite the finish, just good solid play.
8)
Vanessa never appreciated beach volleyball and complain about the players not jumping, not blocking, too slow, etc. When we were on our vacation, she got a little tired walking on the beach. I said: "Now imagine you play volleyball on this sand."
Now, she appreciates them!
BTW, did anyone read that article on "The REAL Medal Count"? Oh geez...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/united-states-leads-china-real-medal-count-220604173--oly.html
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 04:40:58 AM
Vanessa never appreciated beach volleyball and complain about the players not jumping, not blocking, too slow, etc. When we were on our vacation, she got a little tired walking on the beach. I said: "Now imagine you play volleyball on this sand."
Now, she appreciates them!
BTW, did anyone read that article on "The REAL Medal Count"? Oh geez...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/united-states-leads-china-real-medal-count-220604173--oly.html
They clearly didn't watch the women's soccer games (particularly the US v Canada semifinal)!!
Maybe the only truly objective event is Gladiator Fighting in which the loser dies. No controversy. No points. No judges.
Well, let's ignore that silliness and watch the beautifully objective and subjective event of Equestrian!
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 04:40:58 AM
BTW, did anyone read that article on "The REAL Medal Count"? Oh geez...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/united-states-leads-china-real-medal-count-220604173--oly.html
That is a very tough nut there. And as I have stated here earlier, I don't really care about final medal counts etc. But I do care about things like judging vs actual play to help determine a winner. Another example came last night when the American girl got a low score on a very good routine on the balance beam. The coach protested that the judges had made an error, and a review determined that in fact, they probably did. Her score was adjusted and she ended tied for third place, but the tie-breaking system determined that she had won the bronze, not the girl who had been initially thought to win it. I thought this entire affair was tragic, and spoke very poorly of the judging system. Later on, some of the scores in the floor exercise were ludicrous, although no more complaints were filed. Nonetheless, it all leaves a bad taste in your mouth if you are a fan of pure sport. Much like the French judges who got tossed from the 2002 Winter Games for throwing scores to the Russian figure skaters in return for Russian money.
Incroyable! :o
However, turning all that dung into a different medal count in order to satisfy ones nationalistic ambitions is equally
incroyable. ::)
8)
Quote from: mc ukrneal on August 08, 2012, 04:51:15 AM
They clearly didn't watch the women's soccer games (particularly the US v Canada semifinal)!!
That was a fantastic game! I'm proud of the Canadian women, and their hard fought battle against the # 1 team in women's soccer. They were so close!
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 04:54:58 AM
Maybe the only truly objective event is Gladiator Fighting in which the loser dies. No controversy. No points. No judges.
(http://bostondirtdogs.boston.com/Headline_Archives/BDD_mp_flesh_5.3.jpg)
2-point deduction. Illegal use of the feet.
Quote from: springrite on August 08, 2012, 04:54:58 AM
Maybe the only truly objective event is Gladiator Fighting in which the loser dies. No controversy. No points. No judges.
Well, let's ignore that silliness and watch the beautifully objective and subjective event of Equestrian!
Or maybe some ballroom dancing... http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/ballroom-dancing-olympic-sport-200900602.html (http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/ballroom-dancing-olympic-sport-200900602.html)
Are our American friends still going to see the 200M in "Prime Time"?
Quote from: springrite on August 09, 2012, 11:51:56 AM
Are our American friends still going to see the 200M in "Prime Time"?
Assuredly. :(
Usain Bolt has won even the 200m and with a very good time, such a great race!
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 09, 2012, 12:03:13 PM
Usain Bolt has won even the 200m and with a very good time, such a great race!
He ran all out for the first 80, slowed a bit for Blake to catch up, ran ahead and slowed again before the finish. I wonder if he could have finished 18.99 if he wanted.
Quote from: springrite on August 09, 2012, 12:05:37 PM
He ran all out for the first 80, slowed a bit for Blake to catch up, ran ahead and slowed again before the finish. I wonder if he could have finished 18.99 if he wanted.
That's exactly how I saw it, too. Looked to me like he could have done 18.99.
Quote from: springrite on August 09, 2012, 12:05:37 PM
He ran all out for the first 80, slowed a bit for Blake to catch up, ran ahead and slowed again before the finish. I wonder if he could have finished 18.99 if he wanted.
Quote from: North Star on August 09, 2012, 12:18:02 PM
That's exactly how I saw it, too. Looked to me like he could have done 18.99.
I agree; I don't know why he slowed down, he could have done the new world record....
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 09, 2012, 12:36:58 PM
I agree; I don't know why he slowed down, he could have done the new world record....
I think he wanted to run a 19.15 or something, so he could leave room to break the record again. Like the pole vaulters, he wanted to break the world record many many times instead of setting a record that even he wouldn't be able to touch again.
Damn judges. Betty Heidler's hammer throw measuring mess-up was unbelievable. It can't be too difficult to measure the throw, but some people aren't even capable of that.
Quote from: North Star on August 10, 2012, 11:50:28 AM
Damn judges. Betty Heidler's hammer throw measuring mess-up was unbelievable. It can't be too difficult to measure the throw, but some people aren't even capable of that.
I didn't see that. What happened?
Quote from: springrite on August 10, 2012, 11:52:56 AM
I didn't see that. What happened?
They probably had some technical trouble with the measuring equipment, and didn't measure her throw, and told her to throw again. After an appeal, they've measured it now, and she got bronze with the throw.
Quote from: North Star on August 10, 2012, 11:56:38 AM
They probably had some technical trouble with the measuring equipment, and didn't measure her throw, and told her to throw again. After an appeal, they've measured it now, and she got bronze with the throw.
I don't see her listed as the bronze medalist, though.
Quote from: springrite on August 10, 2012, 12:13:25 PM
I don't see her listed as the bronze medalist, though.
Well, I skipped a bit ahead - they only just made it official. It was obvious from the video that her throw would give her bronze.
Quote from: North Star on August 10, 2012, 12:19:18 PM
Well, I skipped a bit ahead - they only just made it official. It was obvious from the video that her throw would give her bronze.
What I read is that it was ruled a foul rather than a problem with measuring the distance.
Update: Apparently that was the ruling at the time, and it is overturned by review.
Quote from: springrite on August 10, 2012, 12:31:15 PM
What I read is that it was ruled a foul rather than a problem with measuring the distance.
Read from where? The Finnish commentators at least said that there was a problem with measuring. Perhaps she threw too early or late, or the judges thought that she did.
Quote from: North Star on August 10, 2012, 12:36:01 PM
Read from where? The Finnish commentators at least said that there was a problem with measuring. Perhaps she threw too early or late, or the judges thought that she did.
Because the change affected a Chinese athlete who is now out of the medal, the officials gave the Chinese team an official explanation. That was the official explanation.
Quote from: springrite on August 10, 2012, 01:02:44 PM
Because the change affected a Chinese athlete who is now out of the medal, the officials gave the Chinese team an official explanation. That was the official explanation.
Could you clarify; what was the official explanation?
Quote from: North Star on August 10, 2012, 01:16:58 PM
Could you clarify; what was the official explanation?
The throw was originally ruled a foul because of a foot foul. After video review, it was "confirmed". But after the protest, they reviewed again and had a different interpretation of what happened and it is no longer ruled as a foot foul. Thus that throw counted.
Quote from: springrite on August 10, 2012, 01:19:38 PM
The throw was originally ruled a foul because of a foot foul. After video review, it was "confirmed". But after the protest, they reviewed again and had a different interpretation of what happened and it is no longer ruled as a foot foul. Thus that throw counted.
Thanks.
Spectacular final of diving from the 10m platform! Pity Tom Daley hasn't won the gold medal, I supported him; but his bronze was great anyway. Congratulations to the american diver David Boudia who has won the final, his score was really impressive.
The Olympics finish today. MUSE will be playing in the final show. That I WILL tune into.
***Suddenly does the Usain Bolt victory stance***
A poll showed that many people in China are not planning to watch the closing ceremony tonight. That is not surprising. But the reason many people gave was interesting. Apparently, many people (actually most people) did not enjoy the music part in the opening ceremony, which of course is a big part. The problem, which I imagine is true for many people around the world, is that there's so much music, a few verses from so many different musicians and different bands, many "old timers", so that unless you are very familiar with the history of western pop music and rock and roll, and have been for a long time and know musician who were stars before you were born, you go through a long time without knowing what is going on. And each song last such a short time that you can only enjoy it if you already know it well. Otherwise, before you can get a feel for it, it ends and the next group of old people starts again on another one.
Mr. Bean...now, he's someone these people know.
Anyway, good game from Spain. I was hoping they could win. But great showing. They should be proud.
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 11, 2012, 01:12:02 PM
Spectacular final of diving from the 10m platform! Pity Tom Daley hasn't won the gold medal, I supported him; but his bronze was great anyway. Congratulations to the american diver David Boudia who has won the final, his score was really impressive.
Daley is a great sportsman, it's nice to see athletes get that excited over a bronze. Even when Boudia did his final dive, Daley knew he was outdone but graciously clapped for Boudia.
The men's 5000 race was more intense than I expected. The man Great Britain, name slips my mind, won.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 12, 2012, 08:41:57 AM
The men's 5000 race was more intense than I expected. The man Great Britain, name slips my mind, won.
Mo Farah. Amazing dash to the finish, I agree.
(http://www.london2012.com/mm/Photo/sport/General/01/40/32/47/1403247_M01.jpg)
Quote from: springrite on August 12, 2012, 08:25:41 AM
A poll showed that many people in China are not planning to watch the closing ceremony tonight. That is not surprising. But the reason many people gave was interesting. Apparently, many people (actually most people) did not enjoy the music part in the opening ceremony, which of course is a big part. The problem, which I imagine is true for many people around the world, is that there's so much music, a few verses from so many different musicians and different bands, many "old timers", so that unless you are very familiar with the history of western pop music and rock and roll, and have been for a long time and know musician who were stars before you were born, you go through a long time without knowing what is going on. And each song last such a short time that you can only enjoy it if you already know it well. Otherwise, before you can get a feel for it, it ends and the next group of old people starts again on another one.
Mr. Bean...now, he's someone these people know.
Anyway, good game from Spain. I was hoping they could win. But great showing. They should be proud.
Apparently much much of the closing ceremony will be a combo-pop-rock concert? *yawn*
In other news: Stephen Harper has decided that the Canadian flag will now be bronze and white. ;D
Interesting. (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/0813/China-s-response-to-2012-Olympics-American-physique-tough-to-beat) (I of course can't confirm if the article is accurately portraying the China's People's Daily article or not.)
Quote from: Todd on August 14, 2012, 11:19:15 AM
Interesting. (http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2012/0813/China-s-response-to-2012-Olympics-American-physique-tough-to-beat) (I of course can't confirm if the article is accurately portraying the China's People's Daily article or not.)
Reasonably accurate, but...
1: There was no one who were looking for or was expecting a "blowout" over the US.
2: The translation of the word "physique" made it sound very different from what was meant.
3: The overwhelming sentiment was against the continuation of the system that sacrifice everything to get more medals. The Liu Xiang situation was discussed much and most people seem to think that he would have and should have stayed away but was "pressured" to be there. This criticism was on the state media as well.
I would like to see fewere medals but more people actually participation in sports and other physical activities as part of their lives. China get the most medal in sports that no one other than the ones in the training camps participate in. The total number of people who actually do gymnastics, diving, fencing, archery, etc. for fun, recreationally and not on a state sponsored program is probably close to zero. The overall physical fitness of the gerenal population is appalling. People want a change to that. The article is probably agreeing with this sentiment.
There are politicians (ministry of sport, the provincial sports administrations, etc.) whose career depends on producing good medal counts. But to say that the country is trying to use it to show Chinese supremecy is just hogwash, or at least way overblown to fit into this "Chinese Monster", "China Threat" propaganda, which is just as bad.
Quote from: springrite on August 14, 2012, 11:38:32 AM3: The overwhelming sentiment was against the continuation of the system that sacrifice everything to get more medals.
Seems reasonable to me.
Criticize all you want. Hate it all you want. NBC won. The London Olympics is a ratings success.
The viewers may be angry. The viewers may protest. But these same viewers still watched. And NBC won. Capitalism won.
Hooray for Capitalism!
Ratings and NBC and capitalism don't bother me, but why the Spice Girls? That bothers me.
Quote from: Todd on August 14, 2012, 12:01:50 PM
Ratings and NBC and capitalism don't bother me, but why the Spice Girls? That bothers me.
I understand they sang both of their hits. What more could you want? :)
8)
Just when you had figured that the '90s were incapable of generating original musical talent, along come the Spice Girls in a reunion calculated to reinforce your thesis.
Quote from: Todd on August 14, 2012, 12:01:50 PM
Ratings and NBC and capitalism don't bother me, but why the Spice Girls? That bothers me.
They're very popular and look great; that's good enough.
Quote from: Sammy on August 14, 2012, 06:48:28 PMThey're very popular and look great; that's good enough.
They
were popular, certainly. But so was Bananarama. Why no Bananarama?
Quote from: Todd on August 15, 2012, 11:42:22 AM
They were popular, certainly. But so was Bananarama. Why no Bananarama?
Because they are too old and certainly don't look as great as the Spice Girls.
Quote from: Todd on August 15, 2012, 11:42:22 AM
They were popular, certainly. But so was Bananarama. Why no Bananarama?
Typical of GMG, always wanting a banana option!