Olympics 2012 in London

[wyly]

On what basis do you base this feeling on?

the celebration finishing 2nd or 3rd seem over the top compared to Olympics of the past, finishing 2nd or 3rd was considered a loss...I think what we're seeing a shift in media attention where 2nd or 3rd is okay, but if 2nd and 3rd is okay why not 4th and 5th...

How do you know if the athletes are just being polite and saying how great it is to even win a medal to the media and then go home, cry their eyes out, and throw the medal in some draw like a spoiled kid?

ya you could be right I don't know...I was never satisfied finishing 2nd, no one remembers who finished 2nd let alone 3rd...finishing 2nd in the world would piss me off to no end... Edited August 3, 2012 by wyly

[wyly]

I'm glad that athletics finally begins. Watching swimming, fencing, judo or archery is fun for a couple of days every four years but in athletics there are likely to be races which you still remember one week after the olympics are over.

very true, the only victories I can recall are the hockey win in vancouver and salt lake city, Bolt's 100m, Donavon baileys 100m and jonhsons 100m win/loss other than those few I couldn't name another olympic winner, the year they won and the event they won...

[msj]

the celebration finishing 2nd or 3rd seem over the top compared to Olympics of the past, finishing 2nd or 3rd was considered a loss...I think what we're seeing a shift in media attention where 2nd or 3rd is okay, but if 2nd and 3rd is okay why not 4th and 5th...

Ah, yes:

A feeling based on a memory from a guy unwilling to have a discussion about the corruption of a sport because he thinks the other guy doesn't like the sport even though the other guy does like the sport.

C-R-E-D-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y

[wyly]

Ah, yes:

A feeling based on a memory from a guy unwilling to have a discussion about the corruption of a sport because he thinks the other guy doesn't like the sport even though the other guy does like the sport.

C-R-E-D-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y

the other member was trolling (as you are doing now), cross posting, and exhibits the Dunning-Kruger effect...as far as this forum is concerned when the topic is soccer I am an expert I don't put up with silly debates with wannabe experts who think they know more than I do...

I-M-M-A-T-U-R-I-T-Y :lol:

[msj]

the other member was trolling (as you are doing now), cross posting, and exhibits the Dunning-Kruger effect...as far as this forum is concerned when the topic is soccer I am an expert I don't put up with silly debates with wannabe experts who think they know more than I do...

I-M-M-A-T-U-R-I-T-Y :lol:

Oh, those are good excuses.

You come up with so many!

[Mr.Canada]

The other thing I have noticed is how proud our athletes are even when they don't win gold, but get a silver or bronze. Unlike some athletes from countries much larger than Canada who actually burst into tears of despair for the fact that they "only" won a silver or a bronze! What's with that?

Sport is an emotional thing. If you've never competed it's hard to explain and it's impossible to explain each persons feeling or emotions but I'll give an overview of almost any athlete.

A person puts everything they have into a sport, they devote everything they have to it. While competing serious people will push themselves as hard as possible and then will push themselves beyond the point of being physically ill. All this in pursuit of being the best. Sometimes when a personal goal is reached or exceeded it can be an emotional time.

Athletes are fiercely patriotic. Often standing on the podium hearing your own homelands national anthem can also stir up emotions as well.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Mr.Canada

[Mr.Canada]

very true, the only victories I can recall are the hockey win in vancouver and salt lake city, Bolt's 100m, Donavon baileys 100m and jonhsons 100m win/loss other than those few I couldn't name another olympic winner, the year they won and the event they won...

I remember most of the rowers as well but then again I like rowing. I think it comes down to ones own likes and dislikes as well. And I'll never forget that skeleton guy(Jon Montgomery) who after winning a gold medal walked down and chugged from a pitcher of beer...lol.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Mr.Canada

[guyser]

the other member was trolling (as you are doing now),

Gloves off now....k?

Bullshit. You are pissed your argument about the sport of soccer being more expensive than hockey was shown to be false.

And then I bring up the fact, supportable from news sources, that soccer indeed has suffered scandal relating to match fixing, and you wont discuss. Dont worry, I havent touched on the poor record of soccer hoolaganism. Wont either. It may set you off.

If you want to bury your head in the sand because you cannot accept that the sport you love and the sport I quite like (and have not said ONE disparaging word about) has suffered problems in the past is not my problem. But dont try to make the argument I was trolling or dont understand the game. Because I understand it well.

I never would suggest that I understand the nuances that you do, nor the expertise like you do, but to toss me aside because you have no time for anyone less knowledgeable than you is ridiculous.

cross posting,

Oh good lord, thats the best you have because I falied to put the source in my post, since corrected?

and exhibits the Dunning-Kruger effect...as far as this forum is concerned when the topic is soccer I am an expert I don't put up with silly debates with wannabe experts who think they know more than I do...

I-M-M-A-T-U-R-I-T-Y :lol:

Dunning kruger is a pile of bs in this situation. Never once did I debate the game with you, just the cost.

Quit pouting.

Immaturity is running the mouth about things the other never touched upon.

Edited August 3, 2012 by guyser

[-TSS-]

Are there any other sports at olympic games than tennis and soccer of which it can be said that winning the olympic gold will never be considered the most prestigious achievement of the sport? Well, I guess the US basketball-players may not price winning the olympic gold as high as winning the NBA-title but that must be because the US are miles ahead of others at basketball.

[Boges]

Are there any other sports at olympic games than tennis and soccer of which it can be said that winning the olympic gold will never be considered the most prestigious achievement of the sport? Well, I guess the US basketball-players may not price winning the olympic gold as high as winning the NBA-title but that must be because the US are miles ahead of others at basketball.

Golf in 2016 won't be the biggest prize to any of the participants, Nor will 7's Rugby, I'd say.

Boxing isn't the peak of its sport.

Not sure if Beach Volleyball Gold is the biggest thing since there are professional circuits out there.

Gold Winter Olympics obviously isn't the biggest for Men's Hockey players.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Boges

[-TSS-]

Indeed, I forgot about boxing. The olympic games are often a stepping stone for boxers as they enter their professional careers.

[Boges]

Indeed, I forgot about boxing. The olympic games are often a stepping stone for boxers as they enter their professional careers.

You could also claim that wrestlers could use the Olympics as a stepping stone to MMA. I wonder how long before that becomes an Olympic sport.

[Bonam]

It has become very obvious that hosting the olympic-games is a very bad business for the host-city and host-country. Ironically the last olympic games which yielded some economic profit were the Atlanta games 16 years ago and those games have been branded as the most soulless and boring games ever.

The Vancouver games were worth it for the new highway to Whistler alone

[guyser]

Boxing isn't the peak of its sport.

.

No kidding and sinking even further down the credibility scale each and every day.

The scum that populates that sport, made worse with the ref from the other night is a travesty.

But in the past it was a glorious road to travel for most of them.

Wrestling Gold is probably one that fits your criteria, at least according to Hamiltons finest wrestlers , all whom are from one family and gone to the Oly's, and are my close friends.

[-TSS-]

No kidding and sinking even further down the credibility scale each and every day.

The scum that populates that sport, made worse with the ref from the other night is a travesty.

But in the past it was a glorious road to travel for most of them.

Wrestling Gold is probably one that fits your criteria, at least according to Hamiltons finest wrestlers , all whom are from one family and gone to the Oly's, and are my close friends.

You are probably referring to the boxing-match where the Japanese guy practically beat the hell out of his opponent who was on the floor for five times but yet the referee raised the underdog's hand as a sign of victory at the end.

The thing which puzzles me is did the score-counters really get the japanese guy's opponent to win the match? After all, the referee does not decide who wins a match, it is the score-counters.

[guyser]

The thing which puzzles me is did the score-counters really get the japanese guy's opponent to win the match? After all, the referee does not decide who wins a match, it is the score-counters.

Good point. Probably why they overturned the refs call.

Not to mention suspending him and sending him home

[Guest American Woman]

In typical hyperbolic fashion Mr Canada's assertion is already wrong.

No where near what we will bring in either.

For the record (and its tainted as you'll see) was the LA Olympics , 44 medals, but no one should count that as a true goal

Apart from that, 22 at Atlanta. Hard pressed to beat that but who knows.

Thanks for the info. I wonder what the record win was - and which country achieved it? Seems as if that kind of information should be easy to find, but I'm either missing a key word in the search or just not trying hard enough. At any rate, I agree that the 22 at Atlanta would be the true goal to beat, as the LA Olympics weren't 'typical' in the countries represented (or more accurately not represented) - and as you said, who knows? - plenty of time left.

Pretty shitty. 0 Gold, 2 Silver, 5 Bronze.

Keep in mind Canada don't have the Collegiate system to support athletes like the US does. Most athletes need help from the governing government body or the meager corporate sponsors they can attract.

Plus the population is 1/10th of the size. That's not that much of an excuse because the Aussies pwn at the Summer games but then again Canada does very well at the Winter Games.

Population is a factor, but as you said, it makes a difference if it's the Winter or Summer games, too - with Canada, of course, winning the record Gold in the Winter Olympics.

[guyser]

Thanks for the info. I wonder what the record win was - and which country achieved it?

Non LA or Moscow Olympics (since those 2 are tainted)?

USA w 239 in St Louis, waaaaay back in 1904.

In the modern era it was the USSR so, think of that as you like, personally I cant truly accept that since who knows how clean they operated for one thing, and they did include all those now independant countries in the count.

The last four Summer Oly's it has been the USA , most golds too 'cept for Beijing, and China won that count.

Seems as if that kind of information should be easy to find, but I'm either missing a key word in the search or just not trying hard enough. At any rate, I agree that the 22 at Atlanta would be the true goal to beat, as the LA Olympics weren't 'typical' in the countries represented (or more accurately not represented) - and as you said, who knows? - plenty of time left.

Actually the IOC does not keep count, others do.

Part of the problem is the world has changed greatly since most of us were born.

There are all those old Russian Federation/USSR countries, , Belarus,Tajikastan, Kazakhstan and a couple more 'Stans , Ceylon is now Sri Lanka

Another problem is how does one weigh the count from WWII to early 90's with East Germany.

Not a person alive thinks the East Germans ran a clean prgramme, the whole lot of it was dirty, and likely much of the USSR was too.

Hell , when an East German female swimmer has a better beard than me, something aint right.

The list of countries who have never won a medal is huge, bigger than the list of those that have won.

Population is a factor, but as you said, it makes a difference if it's the Winter or Summer games, too - with Canada, of course, winning the record Gold in the Winter Olympics.

Yup, true that.

As a country if you look at the combined, we actually do pretty good. We are I believe in the top ten of total medals overall and considering our size, aint too bad.

What contiues to shock me is Spain. I have no idea why they suck so bad at other than Soccer. Boggles my mind, 46M people 115 medals total.

Norway,5M people and 447 medals.

I get Norways dominance of Winter sports, but not dominate in summer, yet they beat Spain.

Must be lovers not fighters.

Edited August 3, 2012 by guyser

[Guest American Woman]

Non LA or Moscow Olympics (since those 2 are tainted)?

USA w 239 in St Louis, waaaaay back in 1904.

I found those statistics, but didn't give it too much weight since so much has changed since then - and I get the impression you feel the same way. That is the answer to my question, though, I guess. Perhaps it's not a very pertinent question.

In the modern era it was the USSR so, think of that as you like, personally I cant truly accept that since who knows how clean they operated for one thing, and they did include all those now independant countries in the count.

The last four Summer Oly's it has been the USA , most golds too 'cept for Beijing, and China won that count.

I have to say that I agree with you re: the USSR; and I thought the U.S. had done well overall in recent years, but couldn't really find any confirmation.

Actually the IOC does not keep count, others do.

I didn't realize that, but that would explain why I have been having a difficult time finding what I feel are reliable statistics.

Part of the problem is the world has changed greatly since most of us were born.

There are all those old Russian Federation/USSR countries, , Belarus,Tajikastan, Kazakhstan and a couple more 'Stans , Ceylon is now Sri Lanka

Another problem is how does one weigh the count from WWII to early 90's with East Germany.

Not a person alive thinks the East Germans ran a clean prgramme, the whole lot of it was dirty, and likely much of the USSR was too.

Hell , when an East German female swimmer has a better beard than me, something aint right.

All very true.

The list of countries who have never won a medal is huge, bigger than the list of those that have won.

Yup, true that.

Yeah, my daughter and I were just recently discussing that. I have to wonder, though, how many don't even participate in the Olympics, or don't on a regular basis.

As a country if you look at the combined, we actually do pretty good. We are I believe in the top ten of total medals overall and considering our size, aint too bad.

Not bad at all. Very impressive.

What contiues to shock me is Spain. I have no idea why they suck so bad at other than Soccer. Boggles my mind, 46M people 115 medals total.

Norway,5M people and 447 medals.

I honestly think in large part it's because people from different countries think differently, have different priorities. Soccer, of course, is a big priority in Spain. As for the rest, probably not so much. I also think some countries try harder to prove something while yet others feel more of a need to prove something. Perhaps Spain doesn't fit into those categories. Also, I think that some countries require that people have a tougher physical constitution, and perhaps Norway has historically fallen into that category and it's just been carried through to the present. Just a thought.

I get Norways dominance of Winter sports, but not dominate in summer, yet they beat Spain.

Must be lovers not fighters.

Could be. Not all cultures are as competitive by nature as others.

[-TSS-]

Never mind Spain. India, the planet's second most populous country, has a medal-tally of 9-5-8. Or Pakistan, another very large country, 3-3-4. Not al the countries are dependant on sporting achievements as a major source of their national identity.

Actually, China is undergoing a similar phase now as did the former Soviet Union or East-Germany in the past where sporting achievements are something to boast about. Probably China will also mature in the future.

[wyly]

Never mind Spain. India, the planet's second most populous country, has a medal-tally of 9-5-8. Or Pakistan, another very large country, 3-3-4. Not al the countries are dependant on sporting achievements as a major source of their national identity.

Actually, China is undergoing a similar phase now as did the former Soviet Union or East-Germany in the past where sporting achievements are something to boast about. Probably China will also mature in the future.

for some who suffer from Olympic fever it's inconceivable that that many people/countries don't give a crap who wins what, there are billions who aren't even watching ...

[wyly]

the eye candy treat of the olympics isn't beach volleyball...it's the Netherlands women field hockey team... orange women or just go to google images...

[Wilber]

does the horse get a medal? no...rider with the best horse wins...shouldn't be an olympic sport...

You clearly know nothing about horse sports.

[-TSS-]

The Moscow and LA-games were both very weird ones because of the boycotts. A Finn won the hammer final in LA, which was really rubbish as he would have struggled to make it to the top 10 had all the Eastern-Europeans been there.

[wyly]

You clearly know nothing about horse sports.

you clearly no nothing about human athletics...Ian Millar at age 65 is not an athlete...his horse is the athlete...equestrian events=stupid pet tricks....

bring on flyball, doggie frisbee, sheep herding...