The Olympic Thread

um, I thought the focus of the Olympics has always been on the medals competition between countries. Of course it's a nations competing against nations thing, whereas the Tour de France is not. Ideally, the athlete is there to represent her/his country, not himself.

Originally posted by sonickteam2:

Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
The Olympics are a pile of shit, and I'm not watching.

There's not even a single player from Greece on the Greek baseball team.

Isn't there an American guy coaching Russia or some other foreign basketball team?

Why do we have to have a goon like Alan Iverson representing us?

ok, how about everyone but Rhett voice thier thoughts. Rhetts sound like some tobacco chewing, gun toting Dale Earnhardt fan standing in line at Wal-Mart somewhere.

My roommate announced yesterday that she had a revelation – "So cool - The Olympics started in Greece and now they are being held [again] in Greece!?!"
ah, epiphanies :roll:

i agree totally with our english friend… i'm loathe to watch primetime olympics coverage because of the special interest stories on the atheletes, all of which have some perdictable element of personal tragedy.

at least they are providing coverage on other cable channels, so it was a fun to watch some womens field hockey (australia vs germany) and table tennis. not that i would make a point of watching either exclusively, it gets a bit tedious after awhile.

the womens beach volley ball, i'm sure is being tivoed in certain households :D

Originally posted by Sugartastic Tee Silk:

My roommate announced yesterday that she had a revelation – "So cool - The Olympics started in Greece and now they are being held [again] in Greece!?!"
ah, epiphanies :roll: [/QB]

I wonder if the stadiums were empty first time round?

I wonder if the winners of events get little boys as prizes, like during the first Olympics?

Yeah some good points but do you think most americans are going to watch a ukranian woman and a polish woman battling for gold in the pole vault? There's just no $$ in that for NBC. Sad but true. Sure the whole thing is a grab for cash for NBC but what do you suggest they do? Broadcast the events that will earn them less money?

And i'd hardly say anyone has characterized phelps as a failure now that his bid for 8 is spoiled when his relay team lost. And even though I've watched very little coverage thus far he hardly looks like a loser.

All in all though…yeah these are commercial times, and the Olympics are no different. It's sad, but not at all surprising. I still enjoy the competition in the sports that interest me…at least when I have a chance to tune in.

And I must admit I delight in the pummeling of the american basketball team. :D

Originally posted by chaz:
And i'd hardly say anyone has characterized phelps as a failure now that his bid for 8 is spoiled when his relay team lost. And even though I've watched very little coverage thus far he hardly looks like a loser.

interesting article
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/olympics2004/swimmingandpool/story/0,14805,1283985,00.html

What makes Phelps a loser is that he referred to Jenna Bush as "hot".

Originally posted by chaz:
Yeah some good points but do you think most americans are going to watch a ukranian woman and a polish woman battling for gold in the pole vault? :D

I guess the European sports fan is different from their American counterpart then…..how many Europeans, other than the Russians of course, do you think watched the miracle on ice? Lots and lots and lots and lots….Do you think it was just Brazilians and Germans watching the world cup final? Or Portugese and Greeks watching the Euro 2004 final.

I agree wholeheartedly that the NBC network coverage sucks a little. The cable channels are at least showing "all" of certain events, even if its not Americans or American dominated.

I watched the Iraq football match and some good badminton matchups!

that one lady on CNBC freaks me out though, the anchorwoman who talks with her teeth together, very wierd. but not as wierd as Jim Lampley.

So are you a Coke drinker, or a Pepsi drinker?

Originally posted by chimbly sweep:
personally, the corporate bullsh*t turns me off. I mean, have y'all heard about how people carrying a Pepsi won't be allowed into events, since Coke paid so much for their sponsorship? If you're wearing the wrong logo on your shirt you may be asked to wear it inside out, too.

That's what I call games about peace and love.

whatever.

Originally posted by sonickteam2:

that one lady on CNBC freaks me out though, the anchorwoman who talks with her teeth together, very wierd. but not as wierd as Jim Lampley.

the one that constants moves her head while talking? yeah she's a bit over the top… wonder what station she does the weather at.

Originally posted by Bollocks:
[QB} oh, one more thing. The olympics should be for amature athletes only….no professional athletes should be allowed to compete. [/QB]

That is such crap, the Olympics are supposed to be the best from each country. Thats why we lose in baseball, cause we have 20 year olds competing against older players who have played together for a long time. Same with Basketball, a team that plays good together for a long time will beat a team of great players that hardly ever play together. (except the original dream team of course). If you really wanted to be fair, you should just say, anyone over 22 should not be in the Olympics.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
That is such crap, the Olympics are supposed to be the best from each country. Thats why we lose in baseball, cause we have 20 year olds competing against older players who have played together for a long time.

more likely in 2006 than 2005 there may be a world cup of baseball, and I don't think the US would be easy winners

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1658802

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:

Originally posted by Bollocks:
[QB} oh, one more thing. The olympics should be for amature athletes only….no professional athletes should be allowed to compete.

That is such crap, the Olympics are supposed to be the best from each country. Thats why we lose in baseball, cause we have 20 year olds competing against older players who have played together for a long time. Same with Basketball, a team that plays good together for a long time will beat a team of great players that hardly ever play together. (except the original dream team of course). If you really wanted to be fair, you should just say, anyone over 22 should not be in the Olympics. [/QB]

Sounds like a weak excuse for the two events your country should dominate but totally choked at.

It's just my opinion that the Olympics should be for amatures only….defeats the purpose in my opinion having the pro's compete, but that's just me.

Originally posted by Bollocks:

It's just my opinion that the Olympics should be for amatures only….defeats the purpose in my opinion having the pro's compete, but that's just me.

arent there other athletes that compete professionally in other sports in other countries?
i mean i know theres the NBA and NHL and stuff, but dont some countries pay thier national teams/athletes?

i say, use em, if they are the best

Forget patriotism. I root for the Chinese athletes. They win gold in almost every competion they are in. Talk about perfectionists.

I think part of the problem is that the definition of a professional athelete is so vague. If your government pays for your training and all your living expenses how is that so different than being paid to wear a certain kind of bathing suit?

Who knows….the only sport it really effects for the us is basketball and baseball and the u.s. dominance in both those sports is all but finished. For all I know professional ping-pongers make millions in South Korea….

Originally posted by sonickteam2:
arent there other athletes that compete professionally in other sports in other countries?

Yep, there was a piece on NPR this morning noting that some NBA players are playing for their home countries in the Olympics.

Originally posted by chaz:
pays for your training and all your living expenses

i guess college athletes are out too then!