105 replies to this topic

[jkempa]

Here's my observation: The music played between points in Beach Volleyball is god-awful.

[Nick Kaufman]

Here's my observation: The music played between points in Beach Volleyball is god-awful.

What would you prefer? A combination of alt and prog rock perhaps?

[The Napkin]

They really need to pick up the tempo on the US anthem. It's a march not a funeral dirge.

[DegenerateSoxFan]

They really need to pick up the tempo on the US anthem. It's a march not a funeral dirge.

I thought it was a drinking song originally.

[I am an Idiot]

I don't know where Kristine got this but she sent it to my email.

Check out Phelp's diet.

Phelps' diet - which involves ingesting 4,000 calories every time he sits down for a meal - resembles that of a reckless over eater rather than an Olympian.
Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase "Breakfast of Champions" by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise.

He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.
At lunch, Phelps gobbles up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - capping off the meal by chugging about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

For dinner, Phelps really loads up on the carbs - what he needs to give him plenty of energy for his five-hours-a-day, six-days-a-week regimen - with a pound of pasta and an entire pizza.
He washes all that down with another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

He breaks a lot of toilets.

Bob Costas reeled this off on-air following one of those NBC-produced feel-good short films about the daily lives of the athletes. Apparently he had, like, page 86 of Phelps' training diary or something along those lines. But seriously, for a guy who eats that much, his workout regimen must be unreal.

[TrishPike]

The Americans also never accepted their silver medals in 1972 basketball. They are apparently still sitting in some vault somewhere.

Many of them also have it written into their wills that their families never accept the medals either.

[LateRally]

Bob Costas reeled this off on-air following one of those NBC-produced feel-good short films about the daily lives of the athletes. Apparently he had, like, page 86 of Phelps' training diary or something along those lines. But seriously, for a guy who eats that much, his workout regimen must be unreal.

A blog on Yahoo had some more on this. Apparently his typical week was about 30 hours of training.

To be honest this isn't that crazy. I swam and played water polo for a pretty competitive HS program in LA, and during the summers we had two-a-days where we were in the pool 5 hours a day, plus another 1-2 hours every other day doing weights and other strengthening exercises. On the worst days we knocked out over 12,000 yards (about 7 miles). Doing that much work, you had to take in 8-10,000 calories without even thinking about it. No one ever kept track of this stuff, but most of us on the team had diets not far off from Phelps'. And there are lots of kids at the HS and college level who are nowhere close to being Olympians who are doing this kind of training. Phelps and others probably just do it in a much more structured and well-organized way.

[neil]

While sex is not an Olympic sport it is expected to be an activity in the Beijing village housing 10,500 athletes, all of whom are in great shape and with plenty of free time on their hands once knocked out of the Games.

This is really not helping my Alicia Sacramone fantasies.

[amh03]

I was surprised to hear the latest business endeavor by Mark Spitz & Nadia Comaneci - apparently they're selling botox these days.

Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Nadia Comaneci, 46, will head to Beijing in a few days for this year’s Olympic Games. But first she and longtime friend and swimming champ Mark Spitz, 58, will stop in Dallas on Tuesday to promote the "Your Personal Best" campaign on behalf of Botox Cosmetic. We chatted with them recently to find out how they live their own "personal best."

Link

[Bellhorn]

Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere, but the Globe has an article on the correct pronunciation of the word Beijing. Kind of ridiculous that NBC has apparently been getting it wrong the whole time.

[reggiecleveland]

Canada got a medal! We caught Togo! Watch your fucking back Uzbekistan!

[cannonball 1729]

U.S. 50m Rifle shooter had a huge lead going into the last round...and then completely missed the target on his last shot, finishing fourth. Worse, at the last Olympics, he had a similarly huge lead going into the last round and then shot someone else's target.

Incidentally, his wife (from the Czech Republic) has two shooting gold medals so far this olympics.

[Ananti]

US fencer Keeth Smart, rallies against the Russians with his team down 40-35, out scoring his opponent 10-4 to win the team semi-finals 45-44.

[fletcherpost]

Chris Hoy is a machine. The UK Cycling team are a machine.

[LahoudOrBillyC]

Chris Hoy is a machine. The UK Cycling team are a machine.

What, you mean there are events going on that are not simply focused on Americans? Cool. Sure, I realize that more Americans ride bikes than swim, but we need to watch events where people we never met but who live in our country somewhere do well.

[ngruz25]

Fencing is so weird. They wear flashing helmets? Why is the sport played in the dark?

[Fred not Lynn]

What, you mean there are events going on that are not simply focused on Americans? Cool. Sure, I realize that more Americans ride bikes than swim, but we need to watch events where people we never met but who live in our country somewhere do well.

What you mean to say is, "They still have bike racing? I know they used to have that for two weeks in France until a couple years ago, but I thought they stopped".

All that said, who says you "need" to watch sporting events - as if it's some cultural requirement, like going to the symphony make you a better person.

I'm all about Americans enjoying the breadth of worldwide sport, but not if you feel some "obligation" like it's a school assignment and you're going to have to do an essay - if you gain joy from watching sport, watch sport, if not, don't. Personally, I think those who enjoy the Olympic Games would be well advised to possibly embrace some of these sports and athletes outside of the complusory 2 week in 4 year period. With the internet, and with streaming video and audio, you're not limited to what the TV networks force feed you anymore...

[Comfortably Lomb]

I'm tired of Michael Phelps. And volleyball.

[johnmd20]

I'm tired of Michael Phelps. And volleyball.

You're one of the few, which is why NBC is already fretting about the ratings loss they will have with Phelps being finished.

I'm not 100% tired of Phelps, I watched most of his races and the win last week in the medly was inspiring and watching him with the 8th gold last night had me screaming to myself in my apartment. It's a great story. But, yeah, they have shown a lot of Phelps, the long interview today with his mom was boring and I'd rather watch some people chuck the shot put or the discuss. Then again, he did something no other olympian has ever done, so there's that aspect of it.

As per volleyball, whether it's beach or in the gym, I don't agree, that shit is cool!

[WakefieldKnuckler]

I watched Olympic Handball for the first time in my life yesterday...and I can honestly say that I liked it

[jkempa]

I watched Olympic Handball for the first time in my life yesterday...and I can honestly say that I liked it

[BigMike]

I watched Olympic Handball for the first time in my life yesterday...and I can honestly say that I liked it

I went to the Team Handball final in 1996, 35,000 people going nuts over a sport 34,000 of them had no F'in clue what the rules were.

We we just all going nuts watching the Croatians, who are just some of the best people in the world to watch a sporting even with. I have also crossed paths with them at Water Polo as well

I'd love to watch more of that

[JimD]

I enjoyed last night's coverage of womens diving. The Olympics should have more sports where we get to watch ladies showering, even if they are wearing swimsuits.

[Fred not Lynn]

Take Your Bronze Medal And Shove It

Well, looks like the IOC agrees to his proposal, saving him the trouble of putting it in his will.

Wrestling bronze medal of Swedish Abrahamian stripped by IOC

[grantb]

The online broadcast is great, and should be replicated with all major sporting events. When are we ever going to see Judo or Archery broadcasted? It certainly is amazing what they can do.
I, too, am sick of being force-fed the American stories. Sure, I'm rooting for the USA, but if the top finishers don't include an American, I don't really need to hear B.S. commentary the whole race about them

[fletcherpost]

The judo is all done and dusted.

[Tony the Pony]

Do they space those bars (gymnastics, not pubs) further apart based on height of the athlete? I keep closing my eyes anticipating somebody hitting they other bar with their legs and crashing into the floor.

Oh - and that diving stuff earlier was great! Maybe Tric and I can work out a routine for next year's party at Fris'

[fletcherpost]

Do they space those bars (gymnastics, not pubs) further apart based on height of the athlete? I keep closing my eyes anticipating somebody hitting they other bar with their legs and crashing into the floor.

No they keep the bars in the same place for everyone. however the height of a gymnast does to a degree determine some of the moves they can and can't do when going between the bars (not pubs).

The wee tiny Chinese lassies can do things the taller girls cannot. Much of it is not legal and frowned upon in civil nations such as ours.

Congrats on the Dutch Gold Medal in the cycling.

[fletcherpost]

I'm getting into the men's triathlon. Fuck me these guys are fit and strong.

[Tony the Pony]

I'm getting into the men's triathlon. Fuck me these guys are fit and strong.

I love triathlons. I heard it was invented by a Turk in The Netherlands a few decades ago. Walked to the swimming pool, and came back on a bike.

Anyway, I miss most of the sports being somewhat of a lazy TV watcher in the States. The Netherlands still have chances to take gold in both field hockey tourneys, I think, and make it into the Top 10 medal-wise. Field hockey. Heh heh.

[DukeSox]

New nominee for best name in the Olympics? And he's a trampoliner!

[Hendu's Gait]

The Nigerian music/refrain played in the stands for their soccer matches is really f'in annoying.

[fletcherpost]

Wow, the women's Taekwondo. It's all kicked off. The British girl against the Chinese girl in the quarter final. The ng has been suspect like n the boxing. Four corner jkudges all with akey pad and you need three judges of four to score a point. With ten seconds to go the British girl was down a point, she scored a clean head shot which is worth 2 points but it never scored, even though it is as clean a head shot a you could see.

She lost the fight. A protest ensued and they reversed the decision. Fuck me. And the official apologised to the Chinese people in the arena but said "Justice Comes First." There's been nothing like it in the sport before. But i have to say the judging has been so suspect when the Chinese have been competing. So this is victory for honest competition.

Oh yea, the announcement has not been made in Mandarin Chinese yet. When it does it could well kick off some more. The Chinese girl should have called it though. I hope you guys get to see a replay of this cos the head shot was something else. I mean foot straight to face.

They still haven't announced it yey. Fuck me the Chinese girl was a double Olympic Champion and the biggest star in Chinese Taekwondo. Great drama.

Edit: Now there's chanting in the arena. Now they have shown the revised line up for the semi final which is due to begin. It was delayed to allow for the protest.

And they made the anouncement and the Chinese went daft. Then the athletes have just come out for the fight and the crowd were not happy at all. I feel sorry for both the athletes. To have to fight in an Olympic semi final in this seriously hostile atmosphere.

I hope this gets wider coverage.

Edited by fletcherpost, 23 August 2008 - 04:45 AM.

[LateRally]

Is that the equivalent of the "BULL SHIT!" chant in Chinese?

So in the next match, the Chinese, who could not give two shits about this Mexican chick, are cheering her like she's a national hero.

BTW there is ZERO TV coverage of taekwondo here in the US. All online only.

[fletcherpost]

Is that the equivalent of the "BULL SHIT!" chant in Chinese?

So in the next match, the Chinese, who could not give two shits about this Mexican chick, are cheering her like she's a national hero.

BTW there is ZERO TV coverage of taekwondo here in the US. All online only.

It's like when someone made the golf analogy. Golers get absolute silence and no crowd movement before they take a shot. But in so many other sports athletes have to contend with serious distractions from the crowd and they get on with it. But i can't see how the British lass wasn't affected by all that. Not surprised she lost by a fair margin.

Quality drama though.

Edited by fletcherpost, 23 August 2008 - 05:15 AM.

[cjdmadcow]

At least Sarah Stevenson kept her cool after originally being shafted by the judges during her bout with the Chinese girl...unlike our Cuban friend in the picture below, competing in the Mens +80kg category.

Taekwondo Player Banned For Life

BBC Video (might only be viewable to UK users)



Ouch.

Edit to insert picture & video

Edited by cjdmadcow, 23 August 2008 - 10:09 AM.

[SoxFanSince57]

A 6' 5" WR sprinter! How big will humans get?

I am totally blown away by the size of some of these athletes. This is like the same quantum jump in size that was seen when the Boomers entered the scene and now we have it again. Damn.

I have great confidence that Bolt will be able to SMASH his own WRs in the 100 and 200 at least once or twice more during his career. Just WOW.

[Catcher Block]

Lisa Leslie just did a post-game interview on the court after her game with Australia...while wearing her 3 gold medals (from '96, '00, and '04) around her neck. Just a little arrogant.

[Fred not Lynn]

To have to fight in an Olympic semi final in this seriously hostile atmosphere.

I agree, the combatives arena is NO place for hostility...

Edited by Fred not Lynn, 23 August 2008 - 12:21 PM.

[The Napkin]

I agree, the combatives arena is NO place for hostility...

and no fighting in the war room either.

[Mr Weebles]

The Russian Federation broads just got a perfect score in synchronized swimming.

In Mr. Weebles' Imaginary Happy Place, they will now change into lingerie and have hot lesbian group sex in the dormrooms.

[gaelgirl]

The Russian Federation broads just got a perfect score in synchronized swimming.

In Mr. Weebles' Imaginary Happy Place, they will now change into lingerie and have hot lesbian group sex in the dormrooms.

Will they still be wearing the garish blue eyeshadow?

They are now showing ping pong finals. Ping pong is not a sport. I can get behind a lot of random shit in the Olympics -- I even think synchronized swimming is a real sport (it is incredibly difficult; I've never joined a team or anything, but I was friends with a few chicks in college who were elite syncro swimmers). Badminton, absolutely. Canoeing and dressage and synchronized diving, yep. Ping pong... no. Table tennis my ass. These ping pong players look like they are having epileptic fits.

I am also pissed NBC is showing the basketball teams' games live on both coasts, but Michael Phelps' final two swims (if not all of them) were tape delayed. Fuck that. The basketball players were even going apeshit for Phelps. I don't think the volleyball finals are live on both coasts, either, and I'm way more interested in seeing if they win gold than the basketball team. They only basketball game I was interested in was against Australia, and that was pretty much becuase I wanted to see Patty Mills from St. Mary's.

[DJnVa]

Here's the youtube of the dude kicking the ref

eqA0HUpICgY

[shawnrbu]

The best part is the other guy jumping for joy with his coach at the 51 second mark.

[Hendu's Gait]

Will they still be wearing the garish blue eyeshadow?

Yeah, I'm struggling to understand the concept of makeup combined with either swimming or athletic competition (in this case, both). When you add the makeup to the (bad) music and the (good) synchronization, it looks like a freak circus show IMHO. As much as I'd like to watch girls in their 20's in swimsuits, the makeup is a turnoff.

Somewhat similar opinion on Rhythmic Gymnastics.

[bsj]

I would very much like to see China NOT crack 50 golds...

49 right now...i dont know if they have any events left they are expected to win in...

US is at 34...assuming hoops wins, they'll get 35...I called 36 golds before the start of the games...is there 1 more out there? Men's volleyball?

[njingles3]

I would very much like to see China NOT crack 50 golds...

49 right now...i dont know if they have any events left they are expected to win in...

US is at 34...assuming hoops wins, they'll get 35...I called 36 golds before the start of the games...is there 1 more out there? Men's volleyball?

Both men's vball teams have won gold already. The women's indoor are the only ones not to win gold. A couple of those blown track events could have helped.

[Hendu's Gait]

You know how the Winter Games allow you to enter 2 Luge and Bobsled teams from the same country. It would be cool if they allowed it for some of the top/deep track and swimming relay teams.

[Fred not Lynn]

At least Sarah Stevenson kept her cool after originally being shafted by the judges during her bout with the Chinese girl...unlike our Cuban friend in the picture below, competing in the Mens +80kg category.

If you're a trained, world class Taekwondo athlete and you can't drop an untrained, unprepared, unprotected referee with one kick, you weren't going to win an Olympic Medal anyway. I like how it looks like the referee took the blow pretty well, and came back with his hands up, ready to fight.

[shawnrbu]

I would very much like to see China NOT crack 50 golds...

49 right now...i dont know if they have any events left they are expected to win in...

US is at 34...assuming hoops wins, they'll get 35...I called 36 golds before the start of the games...is there 1 more out there? Men's volleyball?

http://results.beiji...008-08-24.shtml

China has three boxing Gold Medal fights coming up. Good chance they'll win at least one of those.

The U.S. has men's volleyball in 30 minutes and men's water polo a few hours later.