XXXth Olympiad - London

[Holdfast]

Wish they'd fuck football off out of the Olympics anyway - should have rugby in instead - it's a lot more aligned to being played in the Olympic spirit than football is.

Sevens is going to be part of Rio.

And Golf. Hurrah!

That's the one that gets my head scratching. I like watching golf, but an Olympic sport... yeah, well...

Having said that, part of the fun of the Olympics is having bizarre events within its massive programme. It's like a giant bazaar of eclectic sports. The more the merrier; why not?

Today, really great stuff by Murray in the singles to break his final streak. Louis Smith must be feeling a little jaded for losing on a tiebreaker. I loved the attitude in Ben Ainslie's interview earlier in the week where he went all Bruce Banner with the "you don't want to make me angry..." stuff, so it was really great to see him come through and win another gold and back up those words.

 

[Shaytan]

France were pretty awe inspiring in the swimming as well. Considering Australia did incredibly badly, I think France got their mojo.

Oh yes, actually 3rd nation after the USA and China in swimming.
They won the medals fencing didn't.

 

[Roger Wilco]

So because it's not popular in Europe it shouldn't be played? Baseball is incredibly popular in Latin America and, as you stated, in several countries in Asia to include Korea, Japan and Taiwan. If table tennis and trampolining are in the Olympics there really isn't a reason why baseball SHOULDN'T be included.

How many countries are really competitive in baseball? 4 if you're generous? And of course that's only if the USA don't really take the event seriously. If they care, they'd be unbeatable, see basketball times a hundred.

That's also why I think/hope cricket will never be Olympic, and why rugby shouldn't be.

 

[Angel4576]

That's the one that gets my head scratching. I like watching golf, but an Olympic sport... yeah, well...

Having said that, part of the fun of the Olympics is having bizarre events within its massive programme. It's like a giant bazaar of eclectic sports. The more the merrier; why not?

I don't really begrudge any sport being included in the Olympics - in fact, the more wide-ranging the better as far as I'm concerned. It's a festival of sport, so why not.

How many countries are really competitive in baseball? 4 if you're generous? And of course that's only if the USA don't really take the event seriously. If they care, they'd be unbeatable, see basketball times a hundred.

That's also why I think/hope cricket will never be Olympic, and why rugby shouldn't be.

Following on from my point above, I don't mind what sports are in the Olympics - however, one way of making the likes of Baseball, Cricket, Rugby and Football more competitive would be to include them, but have them as amateur-only events like the Boxing still is.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

So because it's not popular in Europe it shouldn't be played? Baseball is incredibly popular in Latin America and, as you stated, in several countries in Asia to include Korea, Japan and Taiwan. If table tennis and trampolining are in the Olympics there really isn't a reason why baseball SHOULDN'T be included.

How many countries are really competitive in baseball? 4 if you're generous? And of course that's only if the USA don't really take the event seriously.

By that rationale they should have scrubbed gymnastics back when it was dominated by the Soviets and Romanians.

Six countries have medaled in baseball (Australia, Cuba, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US), but other countries like Canada and the Netherlands have done pretty good as well.

Cuba has the most golds (three), the most silvers (two), and the most medals total (five), so it's not like the US dominates the sport exclusively.

 

[tomalak301]

And diving is something you do from a stool in an inflatable swimming pool...

If you want baseball in the games, it will have to stay at an amateurish level. It's not popular enough outside North America and some asian countries.

I actually agree with you regarding the Diving, and over the years I've gone from liking it to finding it boring. As for baseball, I'm fine with it staying at the amateur level and it's gaining in popularity in the last several years. It should come back.

I miss baseball in the Olympics. Can you imagine if football were an Olympic sport? Brady to Fitzgerald...and it's another touchdown. The US leads 77-0 and the Russians are fresh out of ACLs.

American Football is something I don't want to see as an olympic sport because (And I'm sorry to Canada for this) it's pretty much a US exclusive sport. It's kind of my same argument about bringing the Super Bowl to London. Keep America's biggest game in America, and putting it overseas is becoming even more greedier than they already are.

As for the comments to me about Trampolining and baseball, the reason I compared the two is because I feel it's a ligit question. Yeah you can't do those tricks on the Trampoline in your backyard, but to me it is still weird that there is a trampoline sport in the Olympics. If you enjoy it though, more power to you.

Baseball and Softball should still be in the Olympics. If we have a World Baseball Classic (And I don't know the number of countries who participate in that), why not have it in the Olympics.

As for Golf, you could do a golf tournament in a weekend for Olympic gold. That sport has grown so much internationally over the years and I would love to see the Likes of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, and Rory McElroy as Olympians.

 

[clint g]

So because it's not popular in Europe it shouldn't be played? Baseball is incredibly popular in Latin America and, as you stated, in several countries in Asia to include Korea, Japan and Taiwan. If table tennis and trampolining are in the Olympics there really isn't a reason why baseball SHOULDN'T be included.

How many countries are really competitive in baseball? 4 if you're generous? And of course that's only if the USA don't really take the event seriously.

By that rationale they should have scrubbed gymnastics back when it was dominated by the Soviets and Romanians.

Six countries have medaled in baseball (Australia, Cuba, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US), but other countries like Canada and the Netherlands have done pretty good as well.

Cuba has the most golds (three), the most silvers (two), and the most medals total (five), so it's not like the US dominates the sport exclusively.

This. Anyone who thinks the US is the dominant force in baseball doesn't follow the sport. Even in the World Baseball Classic (where the US sends professional players), the US hasn't taken the gold.

Following on from my point above, I don't mind what sports are in the Olympics - however, one way of making the likes of Baseball, Cricket, Rugby and Football more competitive would be to include them, but have them as amateur-only events like the Boxing still is.

Since the Summer Olympics conflict with the MLB season, Olympic Baseball was an amateur level sport (mostly college players)

 

[tomalak301]

Spoiler: Womans 400M Track Race

Having Great Britain and the US on the Medal Stand for the 400M is a very good thing.

 

[gblews]

Instead, how about a return of rope pulling to the Olympics?

Whoa. Talk about boring...

 

[tomalak301]

Spoiler: Mens 100 Meter Dash

That was an awesmoe race. Jamaica and the US in the Top 5. Isn't that the way people thought. Still, Usian Bolt is a joy to watch, but just that entire thing lived up to the billing and then some.

 

[Winged Victory]

I feel for Federer not winning the singles gold--his last chance at a golden slam. It was hard to watch him get drubbed like that. But a Silver medal is not that shabby! And if he had to lose, I'm OK with it being to Murray. Andy's had a fabulous year, even if no Grand Slam yet. And he won silver in the mixed doubles. Go Team GB!!

 

[Camren]

That's the one that gets my head scratching. I like watching golf, but an Olympic sport... yeah, well...

Having said that, part of the fun of the Olympics is having bizarre events within its massive programme. It's like a giant bazaar of eclectic sports. The more the merrier; why not?

I don't really begrudge any sport being included in the Olympics - in fact, the more wide-ranging the better as far as I'm concerned. It's a festival of sport, so why not.

I don't agree with this. The Olympics should be the pinnacle of sporting achievement for those that take part. That is never going to be the case with footballers, tennis players, and golfers. They will always have bigger prizes to aim for than the Olympics. Whereas track, field, pool, and participants of other traditional Olympic sports, there is no higher achievement than gold at the Olympics.
Football at the Olympics is awful, absolutely dreadful. Telling that it's the only sport at the 2012 games where the stadiums aren't being filled with spectators (genuine fans, not corporate/sponsor folk).

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Just saw the beach volleyball match with Walsh/May. Is it me or is it a bit cruel to play "Another One Bites the Dust" on match point? I felt a bit bad for the overmatched Italians.

 

[Trekker4747]

So since Phelps is the most-winning medal recipient of the Olympics, ever, do you think he'll get the Wheaties box this year again, or do you think Kellogg's is still bitter over that whole "water bong" thing?

 

[SmoothieX]

I actually agree with you regarding the Diving, and over the years I've gone from liking it to finding it boring. As for baseball, I'm fine with it staying at the amateur level and it's gaining in popularity in the last several years. It should come back.

I miss baseball in the Olympics. Can you imagine if football were an Olympic sport? Brady to Fitzgerald...and it's another touchdown. The US leads 77-0 and the Russians are fresh out of ACLs.

American Football is something I don't want to see as an olympic sport because (And I'm sorry to Canada for this) it's pretty much a US exclusive sport. It's kind of my same argument about bringing the Super Bowl to London. Keep America's biggest game in America, and putting it overseas is becoming even more greedier than they already are.

As for the comments to me about Trampolining and baseball, the reason I compared the two is because I feel it's a ligit question. Yeah you can't do those tricks on the Trampoline in your backyard, but to me it is still weird that there is a trampoline sport in the Olympics. If you enjoy it though, more power to you.

Baseball and Softball should still be in the Olympics. If we have a World Baseball Classic (And I don't know the number of countries who participate in that), why not have it in the Olympics.

As for Golf, you could do a golf tournament in a weekend for Olympic gold. That sport has grown so much internationally over the years and I would love to see the Likes of Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, and Rory McElroy as Olympians.

Oh it's just a pipe dream, I don't think most countries would know the difference between the goal post and the hash marks, but it's our most popular sport by far and it would be fun to see it in the Olympics.

I don't know why it never caught on internationally, whatever the reason it's probably the same reason no one gives a rip about soccer or rugby or cricket here.

And definitely keep the Super Bowl on US soil.

 

[Star Wolf]

So because it's not popular in Europe it shouldn't be played? Baseball is incredibly popular in Latin America and, as you stated, in several countries in Asia to include Korea, Japan and Taiwan. If table tennis and trampolining are in the Olympics there really isn't a reason why baseball SHOULDN'T be included.

How many countries are really competitive in baseball? 4 if you're generous? And of course that's only if the USA don't really take the event seriously. If they care, they'd be unbeatable, see basketball times a hundred.

That's also why I think/hope cricket will never be Olympic, and why rugby shouldn't be.

I don't think so make them play with wood and two hot pitchers can overcome a lot, especially in a designated hitter league.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

So since Phelps is the most-winning medal recipient of the Olympics, ever, do you think he'll get the Wheaties box this year again, or do you think Kellogg's is still bitter over that whole "water bong" thing?

Maybe they'll put his face on a bag of Doritos?


Also, I think there should be a medal for most conspicuous use of kinesthesiolgy(sp?) tape.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I don't know man. All this Michael Phelps greatest Olympian ever talk seems a bit much. Yeah, he's a badass swimmer, but some of it is the endless permutations of distances, strokes and relays. I know these days athletes have to be specialized, but he's not exactly Jim Thorpe for me.

And why should Jim Thorpe be considered greater than Michael Phelps? Not that I'm questioning Thorpe's athletic prowess, but to imply that Phelps is not as good as another Olympian in history is absurd. Michael Phelps would likely suck at golf, gymnastics, archery, fencing, and a dozen other sports/competitions, but the fact that he has won over 20 Olympic swimming medals in his career says a lot about his being one hell of a great swimmer and Olympian.


Frankly, I don't get why certain existing events shouldn't be included in the Olympics. I'm more in favor of including events that are currently not part of the competitions. I don't really give a shit about football or golf, but if it counts as a sport and promotes competition, why the hell not? The focus ought to be what should be included instead of what shouldn't be.

I've only enjoyed one sporting event in my life, and that is BOWLING. I'm not a pro. I don't watch bowling competitions, but I would be curious to see it as an Olympic sport and, and as a teen, fantasized about joining the Olympics as a bowler.

CORRECTION: According to wikipedia, bowling was a sport in the 1988 summer games in Seoul. It was the first and only time it was ever played.

 

[SmoothieX]

So since Phelps is the most-winning medal recipient of the Olympics, ever, do you think he'll get the Wheaties box this year again, or do you think Kellogg's is still bitter over that whole "water bong" thing?

Maybe they'll put his face on a bag of Doritos?


Also, I think there should be a medal for most conspicuous use of kinesthesiolgy(sp?) tape.

Can I be the one that gets to tape/untape her?

 

[Gryffindorian]

Spoiler: women's individual vault final

Who knew that Maroney would mess up the easier of her two vaults in the most important meet of her life? She could do that vault in her sleep. She did it at Worlds last October and took gold running away. I have never seen her mess up that vault. Never. The average score costs her the gold by a tenth. She must be sick and--quite frankly--she has good reason. She knows she's a better vaulter than Izbasa, but Izbasa takes the gold and it's perfectly fair. At least Wieber was done in by an arbitary rule. Raisman lost her AA bronze because another arbitrary, tie breaking rule. Maroney had the gold in the palm of her hand, and she gave it away to a lesser vaulter. . The medal was hers to take. Oh.....how could she do that? I'm not bemoaning it. The other girl earned the gold on this day, but....sickening. This is going to stick in her craw for a long, looooooong time and there's no other medal coming to console her like the team medal was able to console Wieber.

I can't believe she fell on her butt during the first attempt, but you know, a silver medal ain't so bad. One quality I don't admire about some of these athletes, including Phelps himself, is the sense of hyper competitiveness. To them, they either win a gold medal or they don't. I suppose a lot of that has to do with pride or arrogance. I could see Maroney was really soured by the outcome, but she had only herself to blame. Whereas Danell Leyva was happy with getting a bronze in the individual all-around, Maroney was so unhappy she was reluctant to even congratulate her winning opponent. I think a lot of these errors have to do with nerves.