Olympics

[Spanky]

Thoughts on Olympics.


Spankster

[Charon]

i think thank god they are being held in another country.

that we won't be at risk.

sad, but true.

[Spanky]

Barely Boring Historical Note:

Before the oligarchy of Athens was overthrown--Sparta was on Athens side, being an oligarchy--there was the Olympics.  Way before.  Many historians credit the Olympics with being at least a a partial catalyst for the overthrow of the absolutist government of Athens and the birth of the first democracy. The Olympics had a long history of allowing anyone to compete against anyone, not limited to nobility.  And lots of times bakers, farmers, and whomever could compete, and often win, against their rulers. 

Spank

[Spanky]

Anyone notice that turn Phelps did on his leg of the 100 m IM?  Looked like a blue whale under water, and actually gained his advantage before he ever hit the surface.  Takes a lot of perfectly executed moves to get that many golds, not enough to just be a good "swimmer."
Amazing. 



spank

[Linville]

Hi Spanky

I was watching a little bit of them and noticed the were scoring different than I recalled

Top was a 15 I think

Gymnastics the bar in air and the one with handles  

I am always amazed at how in shape they are

I have always liked to waych the ice skating

Wrestling , some hockey ....

Oh yeah the swimming And Mark Phelps huh didn't know he was back really

Spank yes it sure takes those little extras to be really great

I am going to try and see the swimming since you were talking about it now

Thanks 
Spankster

[WhichBlair]

I have to say I love them. Not so much the major sports, basketball, soccer, tennis etc. but the "minor" sports can be really fun to watch. Archery, Rugby 7's (not so minor really I guess), velodrome cycling, sailing...

Say what you want about NBC's TV coverage (which has been terrible), the online coverage can't be beat. It's all there. Some of them have no announcers so you just get this raw coverage. Watching sailing is so peaceful...no one talking. Just the sounds of water and wind. You can open up the list of events and see what's live and pick one. 

When I'm in my office I always have something going...and it's about the only thing I get a raging case of FOMO lol. Did I miss something great in trap shooting? Did I miss the gold medal archery final? 

The swimming events shown delayed at night are really fun also. 

So when I have to leave for a client visit I wonder what I'm missing

TMI, but I love them!

[WhichBlair]

I have to say I love them. Not so much the major sports, basketball, soccer, tennis etc. but the "minor" sports can be really fun to watch. Archery, Rugby 7's (not so minor really I guess), velodrome cycling, sailing...

Is NBC showing Rugby 7s? I was looking and couldn't find it scheduled. Nice to see rugby return the the Olympics after being gone since 1924.

I think I mostly saw it online, but I'm pretty sure I saw some of it on their network coverage but I could be wrong. Rugby 7's is in my top 2 or 3 events to watch.

[Spanky]

I wish to hell the news media wouldn't announce the winners before I get a chance to watch the competition on TV.  Or, at least, give that "spoiler" alert where you can turn off the sound on the TV and look the other way when they do.   






Spank

[barq2]

I wish to hell the news media wouldn't announce the winners before I get a chance to watch the competition on TV.  Or, at least, give that "spoiler" alert where you can turn off the sound on the TV and look the other way when they do. 

Hi,
Fair point. I also question whether sport is news. Sometimes it is newsworthy e.g. when a particularly remarkable event occurs, but why repeat everything thats on the sports channels anyway? Hadn't really thought of it as spoilers before, but that's a good point too.

[Spanky]

Just watched the U..S. women's basketball destroy China, 105-60 or .  Since the introduction of women's basketball  either USSR/Russia or U.S. have won the gold . . . but, the world, as did the men competition is slowly catching up. 

In 1992, after a couple of Olympics where pro U.S. players were not allowed on the team, the world began to catch up, so the U.S.O.C. decided it would be o.k. for pros to play.  I'll quote here a couple of short paragraphs on that 1992 team.

" And what a band it was. Start with three of the game's all-time greats: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Add the irrepressible Charles Barkley for a little spice, as well as seven more NBA All-Stars: centers David Robinson and Patrick Ewing, power forward Karl Malone, swingmen Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin and Clyde Drexler and point guard John Stockton. Complete the roster with Christian Laettner, the best college player of 1991-92 and a future NBA All-Star.

Opponents didn't have a chance, but they didn't care. One player, while trying to guard Magic Johnson, was seen frantically waving to a camera-wielding teammate on the bench, signaling to make sure he got a picture of them together."

Coach Daly pointed out it would eventually prove to be the best thing for world-wide basketball, and now the world's men teams  compete against  good teams made up of NBA players. 

Same will eventually happen with women.  Took women in U.S. years to get support, same with world.  Though China got a hurt put on them, then played every possession.  Their point guard was about as tall as a fire plug, but she played fierce and confident. 

The U.S. will win, but I have to root for the world in this sport.

Spank