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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:12:00 am

Title: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:12:00 am
Since i spent most of the weekend (and will spend most of the next two weeks) watching the Olypmics, i thought we'd have a thread for it and i dont see one yet.
 
    A couple thoughts I have..
 
   1. the US Olypmic basketball team is a digrace.
 
   2. the United States claim baseball to be "America's Pastime" except you cant even qualify for the Olympics in it?
 
   3. Badminton is cool.
 
   4. Canada really sucks at summer sports.
 
 
 anyone else?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: ratioci nation on August 16, 2004, 10:14:00 am
for some reason watching water polo does not seem that bad at 1:30 in the morning
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 10:15:00 am
After the disgraceful nationalistic coverage in this country during the last Olympics I have absolutely no interest in it this time round.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 10:16:00 am
I really like the swimming.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 10:17:00 am
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?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:20:00 am
Quote
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.
 
    and yes, China's B-ball coach is American. So is Austrailia's gymnastics coach, cant figure that out yet.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: nkotb on August 16, 2004, 10:20:00 am
It is disgusting that American news corporation would focus their attention on Americans competing in the Olympics.  What a disgrace.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
  After the disgraceful nationalistic coverage in this country during the last Olympics I have absolutely no interest in it this time round.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:21:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  It is disgusting that American news corporation would focus their attention on Americans competing in the Olympics.  What a disgrace.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
  After the disgraceful nationalistic coverage in this country during the last Olympics I have absolutely no interest in it this time round.
[/b]
:)
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: kosmo vinyl on August 16, 2004, 10:25:00 am
after watching the opening ceremony's bob costas has become a PILS... Putz I'd Like to Slap
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 10:27:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  It is disgusting that American news corporation would focus their attention on Americans competing in the Olympics.  What a disgrace.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
  After the disgraceful nationalistic coverage in this country during the last Olympics I have absolutely no interest in it this time round.
[/b]
I was waiting for some doodle to come up with a response like that, thank you.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:29:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
 I was waiting for some doodle to come up with a response like that, thank you.
good to see you back mank!
 
 
  but do you really want to watch a bunch of chubby British girls try to synchronize dive? or how about those slippery Canuck swimmers who finish 7th in the qualifying heats!  
 
   at least the Americans win medals
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: jkeisenh on August 16, 2004, 10:30:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: nkotb on August 16, 2004, 10:31:00 am
Mankie, it's just ridiculous.  What do you honestly expect?  You are in AMERICA.  Should this surprise you?  When have our news agencies given any attention to world events that didn't directly involve our interests?  
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
   
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  It is disgusting that American news corporation would focus their attention on Americans competing in the Olympics.  What a disgrace.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Bollocks:
  After the disgraceful nationalistic coverage in this country during the last Olympics I have absolutely no interest in it this time round.
[/b]
I was waiting for some doodle to come up with a response like that, thank you. [/b]
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 10:33:00 am
I think the Olympics would be better if if everyone played in the nude, as it was originally. Well, except for maybe the women weightlifters should remain clothed.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:34:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  I think the Olympics would be better if if everyone played in the nude, as it was originally. Well, except for maybe the women weightlifters should remain clothed.
and the fencers.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: nkotb on August 16, 2004, 10:34:00 am
And any German "women" team.  
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  I think the Olympics would be better if if everyone played in the nude, as it was originally. Well, except for maybe the women weightlifters should remain clothed.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 10:37:00 am
I dunno...woulda been nice to see Katherina Witt skate in the nude, back in the day.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by nkotbie:
  And any German "women" team.  
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  I think the Olympics would be better if if everyone played in the nude, as it was originally. Well, except for maybe the women weightlifters should remain clothed.
[/b]
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 10:37:00 am
Quote
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.
man, i am glad i am not THAT bitter.  Sure, I hate the commercials and advertising and all the BS politics that go into it. But i try to look at the athletes and at least "pretend" that i am watching the dreams of many and all that happy stuff.
 
   I can ignore the corporate part for two weeks.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: lily1 on August 16, 2004, 10:39:00 am
no shit, kosmo. coud he have sounded anything more like a dumb american? embarrassing.
 
 btw, brazil's outfits for the ceremonies were the best! the german outfits looked like this big wad of flesh walking down the track.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
  after watching the opening ceremony's bob costas has become a PILS... Putz I'd Like to Slap
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 10:45:00 am
Okay, let me try to explain myself a little better.
 
 The Olympics should be about the games first and foremost. Of course emphasis in this country should be on the Americans competing, but not the only focus.....I really don't give a rats arse if the American athlete competing in the polevault was potty trained at age 2, or prefers peanut butter and marmalade to peanut butter and jam. Just show the fucker jumping over the bar...as well as the other polevaulters jumping too. And if the doodle is eliminated during the heats, then continue showing the event through to the medal round for crying out loud.....this attitude by NBC has now bitten them in the arse. Case in point. The swimmer Phelps was all hyped up to win 8 golds and therefore beat Spitz record. He lost in his second race so that is now not possible. Because of the way they marketed this poor bloke he now looks like a total loser and nobody cares what the fuck he does from this point on.
 
 How would the tour de Frog have been covered if NBC had done it? The last 5 minutes of the odd stage when Armstrong was in the lead?
 
 That's my point...show all the games, even if America isn't the strongest in a particular event.
 
 If Britain was like that sports would never be on the friggin telly over there.  :D  
 
 oh, one more thing. The olympics should be for amature athletes only....no professional athletes should be allowed to compete.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 10:50:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: eltee on August 16, 2004, 10:52:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
Quote
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. [/b]
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:
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: kosmo vinyl on August 16, 2004, 10:57:00 am
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
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 10:58:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Sugartastic Tee Silk:
   
Quote
[/b]
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?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 11:00:00 am
I wonder if the winners of events get little boys as prizes, like during the first Olympics?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 11:00:00 am
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
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: ratioci nation on August 16, 2004, 11:05:00 am
Quote
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 (http://sport.guardian.co.uk/olympics2004/swimmingandpool/story/0,14805,1283985,00.html)
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 11:06:00 am
What makes Phelps a loser is that he referred to Jenna Bush as "hot".
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 11:08:00 am
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 11:09:00 am
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 11:09:00 am
So are you a Coke drinker, or a Pepsi drinker?
 
 
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: kosmo vinyl on August 16, 2004, 11:12:00 am
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Guiny on August 16, 2004, 11:25:00 am
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: ratioci nation on August 16, 2004, 11:39:00 am
Quote
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 (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1658802)
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: mankie on August 16, 2004, 11:39:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by Rob_Gee:
   
Quote
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. [/b]
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 11:51:00 am
Quote
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
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: pepper*sans*salt on August 16, 2004, 11:53:00 am
Forget patriotism. I root for the Chinese athletes. They win gold in almost every competion they are in. Talk about perfectionists.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 11:55:00 am
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....
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Random Citizen on August 16, 2004, 11:57:00 am
Quote
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.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 12:06:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by chaz:
  pays for your training and all your living expenses
 
i guess college athletes are out too then!
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 12:08:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Random Citizen:
   
Quote
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. [/b]
i actually meant other sports. Canada has professional curlers and i think they are in the Olypmics.  i bet you didnt know that!
 
   and i bet theres a lot more "professional" athletes than that!
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 12:11:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
   
Quote
Originally posted by chaz:
  pays for your training and all your living expenses
 
i guess college athletes are out too then! [/b]
Excellent point!
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Random Citizen on August 16, 2004, 12:14:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  i bet you didnt know that!
 
 
There's a difference between knowing and caring.  ;)
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 12:27:00 pm
did anyone else notice that the Trampoline is an event now?
 
   why? god why?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 12:37:00 pm
Earlier this summer I heard all these radio ads campaigning to have poker added as an olympic sport.  I don't get it.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Celeste on August 16, 2004, 12:44:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  did anyone else notice that the Trampoline is an event now?
 
   why? god why?
that's definitely one they should do in the traditional nude style
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: ratioci nation on August 16, 2004, 01:20:00 pm
if for some reason you actually watch the primetime olympic coverage -- warning spoiler below
 ****************************************************
 
 
 
Quote
The best men's swimmer on the planet? It's still Ian Thorpe. The Aussie beat U.S. star Michael Phelps (right) to win Monday's 200-meter freestyle -- their only head-to-head race in Athens. Phelps, who finished third, will fall short of matching Mark Spitz's seven golds.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Guiny on August 16, 2004, 01:24:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by chaz:
  Earlier this summer I heard all these radio ads campaigning to have poker added as an olympic sport.  I don't get it.
Well if thats the case then the WWE (formerly WWF and WCW) Wrestlers should have an event.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 01:42:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by pollard:
  if for some reason you actually watch the primetime olympic coverage -- warning spoiler below
 ****************************************************
 
 
   
Quote
The best men's swimmer on the planet? It's still Ian Thorpe. The Aussie beat U.S. star Michael Phelps (right) to win Monday's 200-meter freestyle -- their only head-to-head race in Athens. Phelps, who finished third, will fall short of matching Mark Spitz's seven golds.
[/b]
you shouldnt be posting stuff like that, be nice, pollard...always needing to be the big tell!
 
   (that said, i knew, and plan to watch the Packers game tonight anyway)
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: pepper*sans*salt on August 16, 2004, 01:44:00 pm
Poor Mickey Phelps   :(  . One gold medal is good enough for him but not for everyone else.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 01:46:00 pm
I couldnt even swim 200m period.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on August 16, 2004, 02:00:00 pm
Another reason to quit smoking...
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  I couldnt even swim 200m period.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: chaz on August 16, 2004, 02:04:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by pepper*sans*salt:
  Poor Mickey Phelps     :(    .
Yeah this kid is under a lot of pressure...and he's only 19 years old.
 In his bronze medal race today he swam an all-time personal best time and set an american record too.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 02:07:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  Another reason to quit smoking...
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  I couldnt even swim 200m period.
[/b]
another reason for you to shut the hell up.
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: markie on August 16, 2004, 02:17:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  I couldnt even swim 200m period.
Is that because of all the drag from the goatee?
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: sonickteam2 on August 16, 2004, 02:21:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by mark e smith:
  Is that because of all the drag from the goatee?
so many things to say to that,markie... all of them highly inappropriate....
Title: Re: The Olympic Thread
Post by: markie on August 16, 2004, 02:25:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by sonickteam2:
  so many things to say to that,markie... all of them highly inappropriate....
I'm waiting.