2012 Olympic thread

Gargamel · 07-25-12, 08:06 PM

Discuss!!!

Some tidbits to get us started:

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/con...tguid=9Xalsbbv

Takeda Shingen · 07-25-12, 08:49 PM

The problem that I have with the Olympics is the same problem that I have with college football. That is, it has become the opposite of what it claims to be.

the_tyrant · 07-25-12, 09:23 PM

I remember seeing Michael Phelps win his 8th gold in Beijing live. Say what you will about the Olympics, but it inspired me to swim better.

Gargamel · 07-25-12, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

The problem that I have with the Olympics is the same problem that I have with college football. That is, it has become the opposite of what it claims to be.

Unlike college football, olympic athletes are clearly pseudo amateur. They have sponsors and all that which allow them to train, usually on their own, or with a handful of coaches or teammates, and with little to no chance of making a career in their sport. Name 1 professional fencer, hell name 1 pro fencing league.

College football and basketball players are hand picked and brought into a sports machina that tries to churn out championships. Look at the penalty penn state just took. I believe, and correct me if im wrong, that is fairly close to Pittsburgh pirates payroll over similar time frames.

Comparing most Olympic athletes against big college sports is apples and oranges.

Edit: http://buccofans.wikispaces.com/Pirates+Payroll+History Ok it's close. But still proves my point, if a pro team and college team have that money to burn....

Takeda Shingen · 07-25-12, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargamel

Unlike college football, olympic athletes are clearly pseudo amateur

Which is exactly the image that the NCAA tries to project. The reality is quite different. Like Olympic athletes, players in the big name programs are granted full scholarships and do little more than train, practice and play the games on Saturdays. They are both student and amateur in name only, like their Olympic counterparts. And just like the false image that the Olympics tires to project of the everyman in competition for his nation, I find it repugnant.

EDIT:

Quote:

College football and basketball players are hand picked and brought into a sports machina that tries to churn out championships. Look at the penalty penn state just took. I believe, and correct me if im wrong, that is fairly close to Pittsburgh pirates payroll over similar time frames.

Which is exactly like the gold medal machines that are US swimming, US gymnastics, US track and field, Team USA basketball (which is, unironically, completely populated by professional athletes), etc. Not to mention the gold medal count which practically starts every night's broadcast. Instead of a collegiate pissing contest, we are given an international pissing contest.

Krauter · 07-25-12, 11:47 PM

Good luck to my fellow teammate and friend David Tremblay in the 55kg wrestling event!

Takeda Shingen · 07-26-12, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krauter

Good luck to my fellow teammate and friend David Tremblay in the 55kg wrestling event!

That's pretty cool. I remember back in Atlanta there was supposed to be some distant cousin of mine competing in one of the shooting events; whether archery or rifle and which event therein I have no idea. Of course, my mother also claimed that we were distantly related to former NFL quarterback Bubby Brister, so take all of this with a grain of salt.

Oberon · 07-26-12, 02:56 AM

BossMark · 07-26-12, 03:29 AM

Just one question
What as that tosser Beckham have to do with the Olympics ?

And am going stick my neck out here and say that GB will win 30 gold medals

Jimbuna · 07-26-12, 04:36 AM

Cycling will probably be GB's most successful area but the number of medals up for grabs is fewer (not sure by how many) than the last olympics because of a rescheduling/restructure of the sport.

TarJak · 07-26-12, 07:46 AM

So how are the poms fairing with the media blitz that comes with holding the Olympics?

kiwi_2005 · 07-26-12, 08:04 AM

The weight lifting and track events is what i will be watching.

Herr-Berbunch · 07-26-12, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

So how are the poms fairing with the media blitz that comes with holding the Olympics?

I'm finding it ok, I've not watched the news for a few nights and I've picked my viewing choices wisely - the only remotely Olympic things I've watched are:

2012 - a comedy about the Olympic Deliverance Committee in the run-up to the games in a mockumentary style.

Ab Fab Olympic Special.

Victoria Pendleton: Cycling's Golden Girl - documentary about Victoria Pendleton, for those who don't know her -

She does scrub up well.

Aside from those, I really can't be bothered other than to watch my former colleague Pam Grainger in the Paralympic pistol shooting.

danlisa · 07-26-12, 08:23 AM

Don't click link if you're wanting a surprise during the opening ceremony.

LINK (it's honestly the layout for the ceremony)

What were they thinking? Pretty dancers and awesome fireworks last time around and 'we' come up with that?

or

All that's missing is Frodo and Friends.

I will be selectively viewing the events that interest me on the BBC iSport player. At all other times the TV will be tuned to something interesting.

Skybird · 07-26-12, 08:36 AM

Interest: zero. Olympic spirit and ideals: zero. Advertizing: maximum. Financial benefits for the host: extremely deficitary at every Olympic event since Munich 72 (I saw a docu on TV some time ago where they calculated costs versus economic benefits for all summer and winter Games since 72, and they were always left with deficitary balances which seem to fall deeper into the red numbers with every event following). Compensation due to infrastructure built for the event: insufficient.

Panem et circensis. Olympia has little to do with it. Britons may want to riot and hang their government for having increased their debts by bringing the games to London. I for myself am happy that Munich and Berlin have lost their recent candidacies. Berlin and Olympics? Read about how the left senate have messed up the - megalomaniac but headless - airport project at Berlin Schönefeld, and you know how well-suited this senate would have been with the organisaiton of such an event. Economic corruption and political and administrational incompetence rank very high in Berlin.

Last Olympics I followed with interest and enthusiasm, was LA 84.

07-25-12, 08:06 PM	#1
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	2012 Olympic thread Discuss!!! Some tidbits to get us started: http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_289563/con...tguid=9Xalsbbv __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

07-25-12, 09:23 PM	#3
the_tyrant Admiral Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,272 Downloads: 58 Uploads: 0	I remember seeing Michael Phelps win his 8th gold in Beijing live. Say what you will about the Olympics, but it inspired me to swim better. __________________ My own open source project on Sourceforge OTP.net KGB grade encryption for the rest of us

07-26-12, 03:29 AM	#9
BossMark Fleet Admiral Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 15,272 Downloads: 278 Uploads: 0	Just one question What as that tosser Beckham have to do with the Olympics ? And am going stick my neck out here and say that GB will win 30 gold medals __________________ Never trust the Tories look what Thatcher and Major did in the 80s and 90s and look what the wicked witch May is doing now doing now

07-26-12, 04:36 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,685 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Cycling will probably be GB's most successful area but the number of medals up for grabs is fewer (not sure by how many) than the last olympics because of a rescheduling/restructure of the sport. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-26-12, 08:04 AM	#12
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	The weight lifting and track events is what i will be watching. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

07-25-12, 08:49 PM	#2
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	The problem that I have with the Olympics is the same problem that I have with college football. That is, it has become the opposite of what it claims to be.

07-26-12, 02:56 AM	#8
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20

07-26-12, 07:46 AM	#11
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	So how are the poms fairing with the media blitz that comes with holding the Olympics?

07-26-12, 08:23 AM	#14
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	Don't click link if you're wanting a surprise during the opening ceremony. LINK (it's honestly the layout for the ceremony) What were they thinking? Pretty dancers and awesome fireworks last time around and 'we' come up with that? or All that's missing is Frodo and Friends. I will be selectively viewing the events that interest me on the BBC iSport player. At all other times the TV will be tuned to something interesting. __________________

07-26-12, 08:36 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,669 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Skybird Interest: zero. Olympic spirit and ideals: zero. Advertizing: maximum. Financial benefits for the host: extremely deficitary at every Olympic event since Munich 72 (I saw a docu on TV some time ago where they calculated costs versus economic benefits for all summer and winter Games since 72, and they were always left with deficitary balances which seem to fall deeper into the red numbers with every event following). Compensation due to infrastructure built for the event: insufficient. Panem et circensis. Olympia has little to do with it. Britons may want to riot and hang their government for having increased their debts by bringing the games to London. I for myself am happy that Munich and Berlin have lost their recent candidacies. Berlin and Olympics? Read about how the left senate have messed up the - megalomaniac but headless - airport project at Berlin Schönefeld, and you know how well-suited this senate would have been with the organisaiton of such an event. Economic corruption and political and administrational incompetence rank very high in Berlin. Last Olympics I followed with interest and enthusiasm, was LA 84. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.