The Official 2012 Summer Olympics Thread

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by RchW

I like your splits.

Yeah, but I think it's permanent now, Rich. The other identity has become annoying; I'm just tired of the non-sequitur nonsense that people get into when they see "Yankees" or that hated logo. I went back to 1998 Yankees in a fit of pride but, really, my fandom is nobody's business and the Yankees don't need any defending or promoting from me. So, as just plain "Bru," maybe now some people will read what I say without the stupid bias against all Yankee fans and all New Yorkers.

The rest of "youse" guys, go back through this thread and READ CAREFULLY what 1998 Yankees had to say! ()

[Teddyballgame]

I don't understand what 1998Yankees had against Michael Phelps though.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Teddyballgame

I don't understand what 1998Yankees had against Michael Phelps though.

I don't think 1998 Yankees has anything against Michael Phelps. I think '98 recognizes that 18 Olympic gold medals is a great accomplishment.

What's bothering him, though, is the adoring fascination of the media with Phelps which immediately, immediately translates into $$$ as the perfectly timed mammoth back page ad that '98 posted demonstrates. And, I think he's got a problem with carpetbagging superstar professionals invading the Olympics and destroying all amateur competition. Like watching the NBA and Wimbledon all over again, only against high school and college players.

1998 Yankees seems to have this romantic notion about Olympic competition for the joy of competing and excelling, even if one finishes with bronze. Or if one is just proud to have been there at all. The drive for gold or nothing by athletes who have cashed in (or want to join the gold rush) has disgusted him.

And gee, that's funny. He is a Yankees fan, so he must on the side of unfair, one-sided, money-funded, crushing of all competition, no? Even though his favorite team is the 1998 Yankees which excess money did not buy. Even though he says some Yankees fans have never liked the Steinbrenners.

But, enough talk about 1998 Yankees. I don't think we'll be seeing much of him anymore!

[Teddyballgame]

I still don't get it. I understand your point about professional basketball players joining up and playing, sure. But other athletes dedicate hundreds of hours of training and work into the Olympics, who are we to determine who is doing it for joy and who isn't? Also, Phelps had spent essentially his whole life training swimming and he reached a level of recognition where there were endorsements and money for him, are you suggesting this is a bad thing?

[jaxmagicman]

The irony had nothing to do with Yankee 98 or whatever his name is. He was railing against the favoritism showed to athletes like Michael Phelps. The only answer is, he was winning, A LOT. He is popular so NBC is going show him. That is almost the EXACT same argument you hear when someone complains about Yankee games being on TV every single week. That was all I was getting at. I just found it funny is all.

[ukhotstove]

I don't have a problem with Phelps, far as I'm concerned he's earned his dues over the years. In fact most taking part in the Olympics have earned their dues even the tennis players playing in Davis Cup games and such, the sports I have a problem with are football and basketball more so basketball.

As I've stated in the past I'm not a big basketball fan so somebody will have more knowledge but looking at the USA team and maybe other teams it seems that they are willing to play in the Olympics but not in the World Championships, in fact looking online theres a list a mile long of players declining to play in the World Championships but snatching an invitaion to play in the Olympics, personally if it was up to me you wouldn't get an invitation to the Olympics if you declined a world invitation in the past.

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by Teddyballgame

Also, Phelps had spent essentially his whole life training swimming and he reached a level of recognition where there were endorsements and money for him, are you suggesting this is a bad thing?

I think this could be a bad thing if we don't treat it carefully actually. It's one thing for kids to all want to be doctors, but it'd not be a good thing if too many kids want to spend all their time swimming. The chance of becoming the next Michael Phelps is extraordinarily small, and the backup career options aren't anywhere as good if you aren't a champion.

Glorifying professional athletes always has this problem.

[The Funk]

Generally speaking, if the olympics isn't the pinnacle of the sport it shouldn't be in the olympics. So no football or basketball.

That said, what about say road cycling? There isn't exactly a pinnacle for road cycling. Obviously the Tour de France for stage racers, but for many types of riders it wouldn't be.

Tennis as well, it kind of fits in with the top level grand slams I suppose.

[The Funk]

Also, no golds today. The olympics sucks. And Argentinian hockey players are fit!

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by The Funk

Also, no golds today. The olympics sucks. And Argentinian hockey players are fit!

You'll be giving them the Falklands next overall I'd go with the Dutch, wonder if it's too late in the day to become a womans hockey coach

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by The Funk

Also, no golds today.

I was getting a bit bored with our national anthem though I have come up with an alternate anthem if Ogogo wins gold.

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - GOING TO A GO-GO - YouTube

Ok I'll get my coat

[The Funk]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

You'll be giving them the Falklands next overall I'd go with the Dutch, wonder if it's too late in the day to become a womans hockey coach

I'd happily swap the Malvinas for a few of their hockey gals. If only they were mine to give.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by The Funk

I'd happily swap the Malvinas for a few of their hockey gals. If only they were mine to give.

Get your tins of corned beef and leave with them more alternate anthems we could use

Boxing
Rocky Theme Tune - YouTube

Track
The Spencer Davis Group - Keep on Running - YouTube

Sailing
Rod Stewart - Sailing - YouTube

BMX/Mountain Bike
Queen - Bicycle Race - YouTube

Taekwondo
Kung fu fighting the song - YouTube

Equestrian
Tv Theme - The Adventures Of Black Beauty - YouTube

PS

Did you know if GB's track team were a country they'd be top ten in the medal table

[The Funk]

If only Clancy hadn't spent all his time marking the Australian in the points race and missed all the key moves Also, wasn't there a mistake in the elimination where a guy didn't leave, or the wrong guy left, which meant he missed out on silver?

[The Funk]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Get your tins of corned beef and leave with them

I live near London, I'm not going with the hockey teams so tantalisingly close.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Like most rules when they are brought in the 6 second rule used to be enforced, mostly now the course of action is to book the goalkeeper and like you state you can watch a 1,000 games and probably see it enforced once if your lucky, personally I wouldn't have given a free kick nor a penalty.

Was interesting reading an article about that being Canada's strategy. Hold onto the ball. Someone on the USA team was standing next to the ref counting the seconds as the goalie held on to the ball.

[Déjà Bru]

This.

London 2012 Olympics: Winning moments - The Big Picture - Boston.com

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by The Funk

Generally speaking, if the olympics isn't the pinnacle of the sport it shouldn't be in the olympics. So no football or basketball.

That said, what about say road cycling? There isn't exactly a pinnacle for road cycling. Obviously the Tour de France for stage racers, but for many types of riders it wouldn't be.

Tennis as well, it kind of fits in with the top level grand slams I suppose.

You could easy invert it and get rid of the Olympics completely and just have each sport's World Championships as they all have them.

Originally Posted by The Funk

If only Clancy hadn't spent all his time marking the Australian in the points race and missed all the key moves Also, wasn't there a mistake in the elimination where a guy didn't leave, or the wrong guy left, which meant he missed out on silver?

When isn't there a mistake in an elimination race? They're always a farce from the start with people out and not out and then some not pulling off and then the video shows a different result to what was given. That's why they don't have a medal elimination race at the World Championships.

[The Funk]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

You could easy invert it and get rid of the Olympics completely and just have each sport's World Championships as they all have them.

True, but then part of the olympicyness of them is that they're every four years, rather than annual. There's no, 'oh well next year' if you cock up, it's four year wait, which is a long time. Besides, there's so much money involved.

When isn't there a mistake in an elimination race? They're always a farce from the start with people out and not out and then some not pulling off and then the video shows a different result to what was given. That's why they don't have a medal elimination race at the World Championships.

We have the technology to measure people to the 1/1000 of the second, put men on the moon, film locusts copulating in super slow-mo high definition and make things that are both microwaves and ovens. We have the technology to work out who comes last in a bike race and also, if they don't leave the track when they should, we have the technology to shoot them.

[The Funk]

Incidentally, GB's double gold medal cyclists Laura Trott and Jason Kenny are officially an item. I have a feeling Dave Brailsford's behind this, already planning for the 2036 olympics.

THAT'S why we're so good at track frenchies. Planning, not magic wheels.