2008 Olympics

moderateamericain · August 9, 2008

Use this as an open forum, to discuss the contest, medals, etc.

But what I would like to write about is How relevant is it in todays world. Some people would argue that the Olympics are tarnished because of so many athletes using performance enhancing drugs. Sadly there is quite a few American athletes who are guilty of this. On the other hand the Olympics are the one time where we set aside are differences and come together and celebrate excellence. So my question for all of you to discuss is do you believe the Olympics are relevant and meaningful anymore. And If why do you think that. I reserve my thoughts till after a few post, this should get some interesting responses.

Sulaco · August 14, 2008

Use this as an open forum, to discuss the contest, medals, etc.
But what I would like to write about is How relevant is it in todays world. Some people would argue that the Olympics are tarnished because of so many athletes using performance enhancing drugs. Sadly there is quite a few American athletes who are guilty of this. On the other hand the Olympics are the one time where we set aside are differences and come together and celebrate excellence. So my question for all of you to discuss is do you believe the Olympics are relevant and meaningful anymore. And If why do you think that. I reserve my thoughts till after a few post, this should get some interesting responses.

The lack of response? Irrelevant? Or perhaps everyone is more interested in watching.

Edited August 14, 2008 by Sulaco

guyser · August 14, 2008

Use this as an open forum, to discuss the contest, medals, etc.
But what I would like to write about is How relevant is it in todays world. Some people would argue that the Olympics are tarnished because of so many athletes using performance enhancing drugs. Sadly there is quite a few American athletes who are guilty of this.

I think they are relevant and I enjoy them immensely (maybe not so much this summer) The incidents of doping are far fewer than ever before since the testing is so much superior than it was in the past.

What we are seeing more of is cheating of another kind, witness the Chinese gymnastics team , who by Olympic rule must be 16 and over to compete. There is no way those girls were close to 16 by any stretch. The Chines have already been caught via old newspaper clippings where some girls admitted they were 13 and 14 in January of this year. Another case is one girl admitted she was 14 when she won Gold.

Your American team is likely less tainted than a whole lot of other countries. IN the past they were pretty bad, but nowhere near the eastern bloc, especially the womens team members who forgot to tuck in their willy that grew as a result of 'roids.

Witness Marion Jones. Imagine if you trained clean and competed on her 4x100 team. A few years later you are stripped of your medal. Now convey that to now, the pressure to remain clean is palpable among the athletes.

But if you want a sore point from me, the name Carl Lewis still rankles. He was by all acounts dirty in Soeul, but was never tested by the IOC due to pressure from NBC. That he is ranked up there in the same stratosphere as Micheal Phelps is insulting to Phelps. Phelps is a wonderment of genetics, with a 6 foot 8 reach on a 6'4" body and size 14 feet (ladies pay attn now) Nothing he does nor says indicates he is on anything but hard training and great genes. ( did you know he eats 4000 calories at every meal? Breakkie is ,IIRC, 4 fried eggs, a stack of pancakes, 2 cups of coffee,4 bagels,cereal-now that is eating) Phelps has no acne , see Marion Jones and her husband-both caught-Ben Johnson looked like he bobbled for french fries, no gargantuan muslces where they shouldnt be and so on.

If you want dirty, look at Cycling. The whole thing is tarnished. Right from last years winner on down. ('cept for Armstrong but some aint so sure)