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.

dpkay08 · 07-27-12, 02:40 PM

i like the Olympics Only because everyone is Happier like the Jubilee, everyone get's together

Oberon · 07-27-12, 03:00 PM

Well, it's show time, let's see what all the hype has been about...

STEED · 07-27-12, 03:27 PM

Is it over yet?

Egan · 07-27-12, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Is it over yet?

It's never going to be over.

Takeda Shingen · 07-27-12, 03:50 PM

Whether we agree or disagree about the nature of the athletic competition, I think that most of us can come together in the recognition that the opening and closing ceremonies are always incredibly painful affairs. It's as though each host nation seeks to outdo the others in the creation of bad performance art.

STEED · 07-27-12, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Egan

It's never going to be over.

Heck!

Jimbuna · 07-27-12, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

Is it over yet?

Just watch and enjoy ya miserable bugga...there was a flag ceremony representing all arms of the forces, well what's left of them

Oberon · 07-27-12, 04:32 PM

Been quite impressed so far if I'm honest. Loved the Industrial revolution, with the chimneys rising from the ground and stripping away the countryside. Needed a bit more railway though, they missed out one of our big contributions to the world.
Nice nod to the inventor of the internet too, as well as Brunel, and a guest appearance by Lizzie herself. Very nicely done in my opinion, now there's just the mystery of who will light the torch.

It's got to be David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor or there'll be a giant gaping hole in the space-time continuum, not to mention several hundred thousand disappointed fans.

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

07-27-12, 03:27 PM	#10
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Is it over yet? __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

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.

07-27-12, 02:40 PM	#8
dpkay08 Nub Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Gosport, United Kingdom Posts: 2 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	i like the Olympics Only because everyone is Happier like the Jubilee, everyone get's together

07-27-12, 03:00 PM	#9
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Well, it's show time, let's see what all the hype has been about...

07-27-12, 03:50 PM	#12
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Whether we agree or disagree about the nature of the athletic competition, I think that most of us can come together in the recognition that the opening and closing ceremonies are always incredibly painful affairs. It's as though each host nation seeks to outdo the others in the creation of bad performance art.

07-27-12, 04:32 PM	#15
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Been quite impressed so far if I'm honest. Loved the Industrial revolution, with the chimneys rising from the ground and stripping away the countryside. Needed a bit more railway though, they missed out one of our big contributions to the world. Nice nod to the inventor of the internet too, as well as Brunel, and a guest appearance by Lizzie herself. Very nicely done in my opinion, now there's just the mystery of who will light the torch. It's got to be David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor or there'll be a giant gaping hole in the space-time continuum, not to mention several hundred thousand disappointed fans.