Beijing Summer Olympics 2008 [Archive]

Colors

08-07-2008, 08:13 AM

Jack Flak

08-07-2008, 08:16 AM

sassafrassquatch

08-07-2008, 08:19 AM

d00d, we have ninjas!

China Journal : Who is That Masked Athlete? (http://blogs.wsj.com/chinajournal/2008/08/05/who-is-that-masked-athlete/)

Jae Rae

08-07-2008, 04:22 PM

I can't be the only one excited. It's probably cheesy, but the Olympics give me a chance to see cool new things. And are pretty much the only time I watch sports at all, really.

I've got a bit of a pulse on the Winter Olympics (liked snowboarding, ice skating, and that weird biathalon-thing with the skiing and target practice... and totally became unhealthily obsessed with the curling), but I don't really know what I should watch in the Summer Olympics. Any tips?

You're not the only one - my 15 year-old daughter is very psyched. Yesterday I asked her what was up first - swimming, diving, gymnastics? She didn't know. She's excited about it all.

US usually has strong swimming and one of the American swimmers is getting a lot of attention. Diving and synchronized diving are cool. Track & field can be fun. Just immerse yourself in the offerings. Our local paper has a list of highlights that'll be on that day or the next.

Have fun!

kelric

08-08-2008, 01:03 AM

I've always enjoyed the olympics too - I'm horribly ashamed to admit it, but the anthem always gets me going. The frustrating thing is that most of what I really would like to see is the sports that never get any coverage elsewhere - things like archery, rowing, canoeing, horse jumping, etc. What we usually get is 9 of 14 evenings of gymnastics/figure skating.

Still, I always look forward to it :).

JivinJeffJones

08-08-2008, 01:52 AM

AllAboutSoul

08-08-2008, 06:38 AM

I really don't watch a lot of the summer games, but when I do, I enjoy the diving, gymnastics, and swimming. I'm into the winter games more.

Colors

08-08-2008, 07:28 AM

Events I find oddly compelling:

Weight-lifting
Female gymnastics :ninja:
Diving
Graeco-roman wrestling (the rules of which are reputed to be known by only 5 ppl on the planet, none of whom are telling)

Then of course there's the men's 100m sprint (aka Which Country Has The Best Steroids This Year).

:laugh: ... Sometimes it's aka Which Country Has Gotten Itself the Most Kenyans, to be fair.

Last summer Olympics I saw women's weightlifting. That was mind-boggling.

Beat

08-08-2008, 07:51 AM

I haven't watched the Olympics since that female gymnast twisted her ankle on that gnarly jump but still landed it perfectly.

ygolo

08-08-2008, 09:45 AM

(1996)That was a legendary team of gymnasts

Magnificent 7: Atlanta 1996 Montage

I remember the 1996 Olympics well, because we were there for part of it.

I watched the gymnastics on TV, and I still think it was the most competitive sporting event I have seen.

Here is a recap from the American perspective:
Olympic Champions - Atlanta 1996 Team - USA - Part 1 of 5
Olympic Champions - Atlanta 1996 Team - USA - Part 2 of 5
Olympic Champions - Atlanta 1996 Team - USA - Part 3 of 5
Olympic Champions - Atlanta 1996 Team - USA - Part 4 of 5
Olympic Champions - Atlanta 1996 Team - USA - Part 5 of 5

The Russian and Romanian routines very generally amazing also (as were the Chinese, Ukranian, and the Belarusian routines). But since the U.S. won (and because YouTube is probably still U.S. centric), the U.S. videos were easier to find.

Rachelinpa

08-08-2008, 04:09 PM

EXCITED!

ygolo

08-08-2008, 07:35 PM

On the Today Show, Adrew Bernard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bernard), Professor of Economics at Tuck School of Business made medal count predictions.

Total Medal Count
U.S.A 105
Russia 92
China 81
Germany 51
Australia 49

Gold Medal Count
China 37
U.S.A. 36
Russia 25
Japan 17
Australia 16

He used the following formula:
Mit=α*ln(Popit)+β*ln(Income/pop)it+δ*Mit-1 +γ*Hostt

It was hard to read because of the font used. But if I read it correctly, it is a fairly simple emperical formula. It seems like α, β, δ and γ are empirical constants. The inputs are the population, income, the previous medal count, and whether or not the country is a host country.

msnbc.com Video Player (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26091157#26091157)

Jack Flak

08-09-2008, 12:49 AM

I watched the gymnastics on TV, and I still think it was the most competitive sporting event I have seen.
2003 TDF

Hmm

08-09-2008, 01:46 AM

I'm excited too!

bluebell

08-09-2008, 04:02 AM

I loved watching the opening ceremony (I don't usually, but I liked it this time).

My favourites to watch are gymnastics and diving.

LadyJaye

08-09-2008, 05:10 AM

The ceremony was quite colorful! And geographically, it was quite an education. I always have to be reminded that Montenegro isn't a French-held island nation.

VanillaCat

08-09-2008, 05:18 AM

On the Today Show, Adrew Bernard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bernard), Professor of Economics at Tuck School of Business made medal count predictions.

Wow, they can do that? I guess we'll see if it's right...

ygolo

08-09-2008, 08:03 AM

Wow, they can do that? I guess we'll see if it's right...

Well, I don't know if they can or not.

It wasn't clear what was meant by "96% success rate." Does it mean he gets the medal count order correct 96 percent of the time? Or does it mean that |actual-predicted|/predicted<0.04?

Does it take into account project 119?

I don't know.

The guy was basically brought out like a freak-show exhibit. I thought it would be rather intersting to ask follow-up questions, but unlike other spots where there are just simple, chatty questions that filled in details. It turned into an exhibition of bubbleheadedness by the journalists.

Colors

08-09-2008, 08:15 AM

Just finished the pre-taped Opening Ceremonies on the west coast. I <3 Bob Costas.

ygolo

08-09-2008, 08:35 AM

Just finished the pre-taped Opening Ceremonies on the west coast. I <3 Bob Costas.

I just finished it myself too. Bob Costas has always struck me as a very professional, articulate sports reporter.

Jack Flak

08-09-2008, 09:28 PM

Catching the end of the road race right now on NBC, good riding going on.

ceecee

08-10-2008, 02:16 AM

The opening ceremonies were absolutely breathtaking, innovative and frankly..jaw dropping. It is always heartwarming to see the athletes and the happiness of just being there on their faces. I am more of a Winter Olympics person but I love the gymnastic, diving, and track events.

Jack Flak

08-10-2008, 01:42 PM

The world should just die. I could understand it if the world media politely ignored how fucked up China is for the sake of covering the Olympic Games, but as I type NBC's running a fluff piece on a Chinese-American who decided to move to China because of how great it is. I hope she doesn't plan on being a migrant worker or rice farmer.

Add: Is there a good internet feed of actual GAMES at the Olympics? I've had enough of this shit. Now Lester Holt is exercising with King Dipshit as if anyone's going to tape this routine and use it tri-weekly.

Angry Ayrab

08-10-2008, 05:58 PM

Samuel De Mazarin

08-10-2008, 06:10 PM

I hate watching sports with a passion, but how the fuck are we (usa) losing in the shooting competitions. Shit, just pick up a couple of guys from texas and maybe north dakota, and you should bring back 10 gold medals. WTF.

Shooting tin cans and minorities with sawed-off shotguns isn't equivalent to Olympic-level precision shooting.

[sorry, I had to go there!]

:D

WobblyStilettos

08-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Go team GB! :static:

Hmm

08-10-2008, 07:12 PM

Watching basketball right now.

<3 Yao Ming

YouTube - Yao Ming LeBron James Coke Commercial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23lEhypXIVw)

Magic Poriferan

08-11-2008, 12:38 AM

As is usual, I will be happy every time Russia, China, or the USA loses. However, since it's in Beijing, China has bumped up from it's usual #3 on my list to #1. What I especially want to see(though I don't expect it) is for the Japanese to beat the Chinese at gymnastics. That would be perfect! Throw in Taiwan beating them at table tennis for good measure.

JAVO

08-11-2008, 06:38 AM

The frustrating thing is that most of what I really would like to see is the sports that never get any coverage elsewhere - things like archery, rowing, canoeing...

Exactly! The only way for me to watch these sports and judo is online, and even then I have to lie about who my cable provider is to do that! :doh: :steam:

Colors

08-11-2008, 07:55 AM

I saw plenty of rowing this morning...?

I loved the opening ceremonies. And the cutest couple on the planet. Yao Ming and the little earthquake survivor.

Just saw Jason Leezak's amazing catch-up to Bernard (France) in the final leg of the 4x100m relay. Amazing. 0.08sec ahead!

Jack Flak

08-11-2008, 07:58 AM

I saw plenty of rowing this morning...?
It was twice as good when NBC's commentary track went dead for five minutes. I could actually focus on the race.

Schizm

08-11-2008, 10:17 PM

That's what you get when you talk smack to the USA men's swimming team.

Magic Poriferan

08-12-2008, 06:18 AM

Japanese only got silver for the Men's gymnastic team. Foo! :tongue10:
Well, we'll see how they do for the individual competition.

Jack Flak

08-12-2008, 06:21 AM

Jonathan Horton was perfect on every apparatus I saw. If he has another day like that he'll win some Golds.

Samuel De Mazarin

08-12-2008, 06:54 AM

Even though I'm American, my Indian heritage compels me to give Abhinav Bindra props for winning India its first-ever individual Olympic gold medal... he won gold in the 10-meter air rifle event... pretty cool...

Magic Poriferan

08-12-2008, 06:57 AM

Colors

08-12-2008, 08:59 AM

But Raj and Tan really took a chunk out of the team's over-all score on the pommel horse. Even if they didn't mess up, they had some uninspired routines. They better be buying Artemev a lot of stuff on the house. He was the only good dude with the pommel horse.

And what was the deal with Hagerty? Totally messed up on the mat.

Horton had better do good, because I'm starting to think he's the only one that's gold material. That is, he'd better do good for the USA. I'd love to see them lose, of course.

Kinda glad the Hamms bowed out and was really impressed by the men's gymnastic team. I'd forgotten that men's gymnastics doesn't have the bizarre and awkward "dancing" action on the floor exercises (like the poor female gymnastics does). China looked really good on the parallel bars... Japan looked really good on the high bar.

Horton was awesome. (Is the team captain always the shortest person?)

Falcarius

08-12-2008, 10:43 AM

Samuel De Mazarin

08-12-2008, 10:51 AM

It is about time they did, a country of their size and population should really win more.

You forget that since the departure of the blood-sucking British Empire, and due to internal squabbles and corrupt politics, plus the overwhelming conservatism of families all around India, and the lack of a proper infrastructure for the propagation of world-class athletics, India has been much more focused on economics and class struggles than on sports. In other words, India doesn't have a sports culture and, needless to say, the concomitant sports infrastructure.

A common problem in India with a great athlete is that he's totally beaten down by parents who say, "What? Running? I'll have none of this sprinting-frinting nonsense... you finish your school and get high marks, study, and get a good proper job..."

Even those parents who are supportive rarely have enough money to send their kids abroad for training, because the government doesn't put much money into proper sports training within the country.

__________________________________________________ _

I don't know... you're not really wrong, Falcarius, in calling attention to their size and population, but there's a lot more going on, including the fact that 70% of that massive population is rural and 95% of the population is ultra-conservative and considers sports a waste of time when it comes to their own children. India's only recently beginning to buck up and put more emphasis on sports outside of cricket (they've gone downhill in field hockey, which was their sole source of Olympic golds, since the 70's)...

Jae Rae

08-12-2008, 03:32 PM

That's what you get when you talk smack to the USA men's swimming team.

Yes, it was magnificent. I've been really loving the swimming, men's and women's.

Magic Poriferan

08-12-2008, 09:32 PM

It is about time they did, a country of their size and population should really win more.

Well, Samual has already covered it much better than I could, but indeed, India has a comperable population to China, but the spirit is entirely different.
One can't assume that the same size will yield the same results.

Domestic culture aside, it's kind of funny how you can compare a country's foreign policy to its place in the olympics. It just doesn't seem like a country that was a part of the non-alignment movement would be an olympic juggernaut, you know? But Russia, China, and the USA. No surprise that they'd put so much effort into beating other countries in even the most symbolicly petty way.

*About Russia: They are really sucking this year! Too busy with Georgia or something? :D

ygolo

08-12-2008, 10:03 PM

Just saw Jason Leezak's amazing catch-up to Bernard (France) in the final leg of the 4x100m relay. Amazing. 0.08sec ahead!

I used my DVR to do a stop motion frame-by-frame of the touch. Man that was close. Leezak definitely won. I know people knew that already, but I really had to go frame by frame to see it.

*About Russia: They are really sucking this year! Too busy with Georgia or something? :D

Yeah, I think the Today Show's economist guest (Andrew Bernard) will be tuning his economic model after this. What is the medal count anyway?

OK, here it is:
Overall Medal Standings - The official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games (http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml)

Upon review, Russia isn't doing THAT bad. Just not a headliner.

Magic Poriferan

08-12-2008, 10:13 PM

Basically, Russia is sucking by Russian standards.

Mempy

08-12-2008, 11:07 PM

The Olympics are so cool. I really feel the highs and the lows, even the highs and the lows of the other countries. Sometimes, when a player does something really worth clapping for, I just wish they could HEAR my clapping.

Edited to clarify: I don't clap, but I wish they could hear my clapping and know that I'm impressed and supportive of them.

LadyJaye

08-13-2008, 01:54 AM

Yes, it was magnificent. I've been really loving the swimming, men's and women's.

One must admit that the male swimmers have physiques that are really easy on the eyes. ^..^ Meowsah!

Anonymous

08-13-2008, 01:58 AM

One must admit that the male swimmers have physiques that are really easy on the eyes. ^..^ Meowsah!

My interest in women's volleyball may have increased for similar reasons. :D

Mempy

08-13-2008, 02:22 AM

One must admit that the male swimmers have physiques that are really easy on the eyes. ^..^ Meowsah!

All male Olympians have figures that are easy on the eyes. Swimming, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, etc.

Tsk, tsk, padawan.

AllAboutSoul

08-13-2008, 03:28 AM

Greatest Olympian In modern history! Way to go Phelps!

Samuel De Mazarin

08-13-2008, 04:08 AM

All male Olympians have figures that are easy on the eyes. Swimming, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, etc.

Tsk, tsk, padawan.

They have different types of physiques though, physiques whose differences may be more or less attractive to people with different aesthetic tastes... gymnasts have flexible bodies but packed with obscure musculature which throws some people off, particularly with the male gymnasts, who often look very "compressed"... swimmers have the super svelte look with the characteristic "V"-shape and trim muscles... most tennis players aren't particularly ripped, though they're in super shape (Nadal and the Williams' sisters are notable exceptions that highlight the rule). Basketball players tend to look a lot more muscled, like sprinters... long distance runners are often unbearably skinny (as opposed to slim).

Tsk, tsk, padawan.

ajblaise

08-13-2008, 12:26 PM

One thing I noticed is that the US women's gymnastic team is all smoking hot.

INTJMom

08-13-2008, 10:34 PM

Greatest Olympian In History! Way to go Phellps!
What exactly makes him the greatest?
Because yesterday they said he was going for his 10th medal,
and then they said that Mark Spitz had 11,
so I didn't get it.

INTJMom

08-14-2008, 02:59 AM

FACT BOX

Michael Phelps' two victories at the Beijing Games yesterday saw him surpass the nine Olympic gold medals won by Paavo Nurmi, Carl Lewis, Mark Spitz and Larysa Latynina.

PAAVO NURMI

Brilliant Finnish middle and long-distance runner. Nurmi won a total of nine gold and three silver medals in the 12 events in which he competed at the Olympic Games from 1920 to 1928. In 1932, Nurmi was unable to compete at the Games, as he had received money for his running and was considered a professional.

CARL LEWIS

American Lewis, a dominant force in 100m, 200m and long jump, scorched to nine Olympic golds and one silver between 1984 and 1996.

MARK SPITZ

The legendary Californian took two relay golds in Mexico in 1968, but won a record seven golds at one Games in Munich four years later, setting a world record in each of the seven events.

LARYSA LATYNINA

Ukrainian gymnast is the only athlete in any sport to have amassed 18 career medals. She won her nine golds between 1956 and 1964.

Awesome Phelps sets Olympic gold medal record - The Scotsman (http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport/Awesome-Phelps-sets-Olympic-gold.4388605.jp)

Jack Flak

08-15-2008, 02:08 AM

What does the funny tape the beach volleyball players wear do?

Colors

08-15-2008, 04:14 AM

I was also curious about this, and they mentioned it on Kerri Walsh really fast while I wasn't really listening (so I looked it up):

I found this Yahoo answer: The black markings on Walsh's shoulder are a sort of medical tape. Specifically, it's called kinesio tape, a special elastic material designed to support muscles while offering an unimpeded range of motion. Walsh had shoulder surgery last fall to remove bone chips, bone spurs and scar tissue that had built up over a lifetime of setting and spiking. The tape, and taping method, help stabilize the shoulder during the match and aids in circulation.
Black stuff on Kerri Walsh's shoulder? - Yahoo! Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080814074829AA7oTdV)

On the watching front, the men's all around individual kept me up until 2 am. I don't know why they won't show it live for the Pacific Coast anyway.

Jack Flak

08-15-2008, 05:26 AM

The judges are getting ridiculous in women's gymnastics. Giving higher scores to Chinese when they practically fall off three times vs. an American who aces it.

Samuel De Mazarin

08-15-2008, 05:31 AM

The judges are getting ridiculous in women's gymnastics. Giving higher scores to Chinese when they practically fall off three times vs. an American who aces it.

It's a composite score...

Pretty much a maximum of 7 points in column A for difficulty of elements, with each element counting for a maximum of .7 points... so, ten of the hardest elements get you 7... there are bonus points (.2) for moving directly out of one difficult element to another... but anyway, column A is a max of 7, and the gymnasts are scored cumulatively starting from a default of 0.

And then there is the performance of the routine... the number of mistakes that must be penalized... taken from a beginning score of 10... a fall would count for -.8... etc.

With all of this in mind, it is obvious why the Chinese are doing better... they are generally performing harder routines, so even with falls they're generally still coming out ahead. Also, when I saw the team competition in gymnastics, the Chinese were consistently better than the Americans.

Jack Flak

08-15-2008, 05:33 AM

With all of this in mind, it is obvious why the Chinese are doing better... they are generally performing harder routines, so even with falls they're generally still coming out ahead. Also, when I saw the team competition in gymnastics, the Chinese were consistently better than the Americans.
Are you watching the individual all-around? Well the commentators were getting pissed too. Right after I posted Nastia Liukin did a great balance beam and got a good score, and she's in first now, so I'm hopeful.

Samuel De Mazarin

08-15-2008, 05:33 AM

Are you watching the individual all-around? Well the commentators were getting pissed too. Right after I posted Nastia Liukin did a great balance beam and got a good score, and she's in first now, so I'm hopeful.

Ah, I've not been watching individual... I'll take a gander... Liukin's incredible...

oasispaw

08-15-2008, 06:10 AM

since i don't have tv, all these olympics have made me excited for is chinese food, which is not chinese by chinese standards at all.

Mempy

08-15-2008, 06:11 AM

WOO NASTIA LIUKIN AND SHAWN JOHNSON! HOWEVER YOU SPELL THEIR NAMES! WOO! :D :static:

Wow. I freaking LOVE watching this stuff. Wow. They did SO well. I try to keep my bias for the American gymnasts to a minimum and try to appreciate what the other girls do right, but I doubt I do a very good job of it. I'm proud of all those gymnasts, though.

The adrenaline and nervousness and exhilaration they must feel when competing!

AllAboutSoul

08-15-2008, 06:36 AM

Jack Flak

08-15-2008, 07:57 AM

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9427/nastiaor6.jpg

This was the picture on some internet story on the victory. I can't figure it out. I think she's ENFP by the way, VI. Not based on THIS silly picture though.

Colors

08-15-2008, 08:59 AM

Man, Nastia was transcendent. :nice: Well-won. (With a balance beam possibly even better than her team all-around one.)

(And the replays of the NBC commentator Bella (sp?) watching the routines never gets old. Especially the hitting of Bob Costas.)

Victor

08-15-2008, 01:10 PM

It's funny. I played sport at school but when I left, I stopped. And now when I read the newspaper every morning, I read every part, especially the comics, but I never read the Sports pages.

But still, I thrill to gold medal winners on the front page of the Australian.

INTJMom

08-15-2008, 02:46 PM

The judges are getting ridiculous in women's gymnastics. Giving higher scores to Chinese when they practically fall off three times vs. an American who aces it.Yes that was very frustrating.
But at least justice was done in the end.
I LOVE watching Bella Karolli watch the girls! He's fun!

Jae Rae

08-15-2008, 03:40 PM

The judges are getting ridiculous in women's gymnastics. Giving higher scores to Chinese when they practically fall off three times vs. an American who aces it.

Reminds me of the Soviet bloc days when the East Germans (skaters and gymnasts) could do no wrong and were scored on what they were capable of doing rather than what they had done.

Demigod

08-15-2008, 10:48 PM

Basically, Russia is sucking by Russian standards.

What is Canada's excuse?

Colors

08-16-2008, 01:36 AM

It's not the Winter Olympics? :devil:

Orangey

08-16-2008, 09:02 AM

Has anyone yet witnessed the travesty that is the boxing scoring system? I just watched about four matches, and I've come to the conclusion that the scoring is entirely arbitrary.

Mempy

08-16-2008, 10:04 AM

[PIC]

This was the picture on some internet story on the victory. I can't figure it out. I think she's ENFP by the way, VI. Not based on THIS silly picture though.

I think she was possibly on the uneven bars in this pic, if that's what you can't figure out.

Jack Flak

08-16-2008, 10:10 AM

I think she was possibly on the uneven bars in this pic, if that's what you can't figure out.
LOL no that was obvious, I couldn't figure out why they picked that one.

Modern Nomad

08-16-2008, 10:13 AM

Im disappointed that the Chinese spectators booed and heckled the Korean archers, during their shooting, which may have cost Korea a gold medal in archery.

I have a feeling that the Olympic spirit is not as alive as it used to be.

Either way, I hope it gets revived in London!

ygolo

08-16-2008, 01:40 PM

Swimming remains the most exciting sport of these olympics. 1/100 of a second? Are you kidding me?

Jack Flak

08-17-2008, 01:23 AM

Green-Clad Olympic Archer Steals Gold Medals From Rich, Gives Them To Poor | The Onion - America's Finest News Source (http://www.theonion.com/content/news/green_clad_olympic_archer_steals)

Also, the women's marathon is on, I'm smashing my toes with a hammer to keep myself entertained. Why do they have to show the whole thing? I have an idea too. There should be a huge swimming pool one step past the finish line. I know I'd want to collapse into some cool water after that.

Mempy

08-17-2008, 07:47 AM

LOL no that was obvious, I couldn't figure out why they picked that one.

Yeah, me either; there were no doubt a billion better ones they could have picked from that night. I googled Nastia the other night and found one I really, really liked (not from the Olympics, I think).

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/1152927213_c1b85f5d66.jpg?v=0

I think the amazing thing about this picture is how HIGH she is, and how graceful she looks even at that height.

Jack Flak

08-18-2008, 08:47 AM

I think the amazing thing about this picture is how HIGH she is, and how graceful she looks even at that height.
It's the stuff dreams are made of. *sigh*...Gold medal dreams.

Usain Bolt decimated the field in the Men's track 100m final. He was 2 to 3 meters ahead at the line. I don't know if they've done the 200m yet, but he either won it or he's going to.

Colors

08-18-2008, 10:04 PM

He was awesome! The commentators were *so* disappointed that he didn't seem to run as fast as he could've though (he slowed down to check on the others/start celebrating in the last 15 meters or so). But give him a break! He won the gold medal by a huge margin and still broke the world record! (I think the previous one was by him too.)

Jamaica took the women's 100 m dash too.

Jack Flak

08-18-2008, 11:21 PM

(I think the previous one was by him too.)

Jamaica took the women's 100 m dash too.
Yeah it was.

She was adorable when they talked to her after the finish. I forgot her name though.

Geoff

08-18-2008, 11:36 PM

Team GB finally punching above their weight. For a little country, we rock. Especially at all the posh sports like sailing :)

Jack Flak

08-19-2008, 07:43 AM

Games can be watched here. Might have to download some MS software.

2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games | Free Online Videos, Olympic Event | Athlete Interviews | NBC Olympics (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/index.html)

Turkish_Cats

08-19-2008, 11:45 AM

Aha,China will take the first place of Golden Medal Standings...

Jack Flak

08-19-2008, 11:54 AM

Will? They've been in the lead since day 1 or close to it. Thanks in part to the underage gymmasts. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmf5GTALw6o) Hey, at least our athletes get to fly home to America. Plus we have half the golds with a quarter the population.

But the Russians took first place in my book. I'm not ashamed to say that watching this live was a religious experience: http://i38.tinypic.com/ipbimb.jpg

Geoff

08-19-2008, 01:54 PM

Plus we have half the golds with a quarter the population.

Not as well as the Brits, but a reasonable performance ;)

InaF3157

08-19-2008, 05:12 PM

Yeah it was.

She was adorable when they talked to her after the finish. I forgot her name though.

Shelly-Ann Fraser

Team GB finally punching above their weight. For a little country, we rock. Especially at all the posh sports like sailing :)
I think I read that, with the last gold medal in track that it won, GB now has had its best Olympics in a century.

Jack Flak

08-21-2008, 03:06 AM

Usain Bolt decimated the field in the Men's track 100m final. He was 2 to 3 meters ahead at the line. I don't know if they've done the 200m yet, but he either won it or he's going to.
He just broke the world record in the 200m. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the 400 as well.

PinkPiranha

08-21-2008, 03:43 AM

One of the Chinese divers looks emaciated. She said she was moved from gymnastics to diving because she "doesn't like to eat" and "keeps her weight down". That poor girl looks horrible. Why is no one intervening? Her teammate looks perfectly fine, typical rangy Asian little girl with some proper padding on her.

Magic Poriferan

08-21-2008, 05:23 AM

He just broke the world record in the 200m. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins the 400 as well.

If he does take gold for the 400, then he really will have a historic claim to make.

In other news, the USA women's beach volleyball team became the first team to win gold back-to-back. They also have some ridiculous winning streak, like 108 games. I'm not even sure if they lost a set in these Olympic. Let me see that I'm quite disappointed that they won. I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people that really hates it when a team dominates. I feel like there's nothing to watch when it's so one sided, and I get reallu tired of hearing about the winning team. The same thing happened for me with the Yankees years ago.

Jack Flak

08-21-2008, 05:32 AM

They said on TV that May and Walsh haven't lost a set at the Olympics, 2004 or 2008.

I get tired of the repeated hypberbole in sports coverage. When I see something special, I don't need to be reminded again and again that it's special. But I don't necessarily mind dominance if it's based on talent (and not money like it may be in baseball).

MacGuffin

08-21-2008, 03:12 PM

If he does take gold for the 400, then he really will have a historic claim to make.

In other news, the USA women's beach volleyball team became the first team to win gold back-to-back. They also have some ridiculous winning streak, like 108 games. I'm not even sure if they lost a set in these Olympic. Let me see that I'm quite disappointed that they won. I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people that really hates it when a team dominates. I feel like there's nothing to watch when it's so one sided, and I get reallu tired of hearing about the winning team. The same thing happened for me with the Yankees years ago.
Domination is so rare. If it happens involving people/teams I don't care about (like the Olympics) I like to see it.

Unless there is a huge underdog upset. But you can't get those without domination first.

Geoff

08-22-2008, 12:58 AM

Those american athletes need some practices on the baton changes. Ok, so do the Brits... but not quite as awful :D

Jack Flak

08-22-2008, 02:03 AM

Those american athletes need some practices on the baton changes. Ok, so do the Brits... but not quite as awful :D
That was sad, I think USA would have won [that race].

Add: My god, I didn't realize the women did it too. That's pathetic.

Jae Rae

08-22-2008, 06:33 AM

That was sad, I think USA would have won [that race].

Add: My god, I didn't realize the women did it too. That's pathetic.

Yes, quite a night for missing the baton. One would think they'd practice, practice, practice passing it. They showed Marion Jones not being able to catch up with the person she was supposed to pass the baton to in 2004, so it's happened before.

Magic Poriferan

08-23-2008, 03:17 PM

Domination is so rare. If it happens involving people/teams I don't care about (like the Olympics) I like to see it.

I don't think it's very rare, actually. A great deal of sports, especially in the Olympics, have one or two countries that crush the others. I repeat that I think it's boring. I'm trying to recall, did May and Walsh even lose a single set? That's annoying. I want to see some real competition!

Now, I wanted to see Brazil beat the USA in men's volleyball, but that's for a different reason. That was because I just like seeing the USA lose.

arcticangel02

08-23-2008, 06:58 PM

GO AUSSIE!

When it comes to gold medals (heck, or even medals in general) per million people of population, Australia is kicking everyone's asses. :D

I also love love love seeing the underdog win - like watching that guy from Togo in the kayaking/canoeing win bronze, which was the first ever olympic medal for his country. Awwww. It was even worth the Aussie missing out. :)

nottaprettygal

08-23-2008, 07:11 PM

The biggest F sport has to be synchronized swimming. What the heck is that all about?

AllAboutSoul

08-24-2008, 05:48 AM

Well, that they have to be really good swimmers and very strong to keep from drowning while they do all that crap. I dunno what else though.

Jae Rae

08-24-2008, 06:09 AM

The American women and men won the 400-meter relays. Looks like all that baton-passing practice paid off. Women were strong and expected to win, although it was close with the Jamaicans. Men were not expected to win and they set a new Olympic record. Both were fun to watch.

Jae Rae

08-24-2008, 09:26 PM

Jack Flak

08-27-2008, 05:37 AM

Mheh. I put on NBC to catch Conan, and Liukin's on Leno.

Norm McDonald called the uneven bars scoring "a bunch of commie gobbledigook."

InaF3157

08-27-2008, 11:40 AM

Mheh. I put on NBC to catch Conan, and Liukin's on Leno.

Norm McDonald called the uneven bars scoring "a bunch of commie gobbledigook."

:huh: I thought gobbledygook referred to jargon/language.

Colors

08-27-2008, 05:44 PM

Olympic gold for the Aussie platform diver. He was fantastic and his reactions and emotions were touching. First, elation at his high score. Then, anxiety as he watched the next diver - he didn't realize he'd already set the bar unbeatably high. Next, happiness as his girlfriend hugged him, saying "Hon, you just won the gold medal." Finally, tears, as it all sank in.

It was awesome. But not his girlfriend (as Matthew Mitchum is the only openly gay male competing in the Olympics). Not that you would know that from NBC's coverage. :rolli:

I'm a little sad it's all over, but also a little relieved. 17 days is intense. At least the wait between Summer and Winter Olympics is short (~1.5 years). The wait between Winter and Summer is too long (~2.5 years).

ygolo

08-27-2008, 06:10 PM

Not that anyone else would care, but I figured I would check out Bernard's predictions

Total Medal Count Predictions vs Actual
U.S.A prediction-105 actual-110
China prediction-81 actual-100
Russia prediction-92 actual-72
GBR prediction-(Not in top 5) actual-47
Australia prediction-49 actual-46
Germany prediction-51 actual-41

Gold Medal Count Predictions vs. Actual
China prediction-37 actual-51
U.S.A. prediction-36 actual-36
Russia prediction-25 actual-23
GBR prediction-(not in top 5) actual-19
Germany prediction-(not in top 5) actual-16
Australia prediction-16 actual-14
Korea prediction-(not in top 5) actual-13
Japan prediction-17 actual-9

VanillaCat

08-27-2008, 06:13 PM

Interesting. For predictions, they're not too bad.

Geoff

09-07-2008, 03:48 PM

I've been watching the paralympics this morning. Particularly interesting watching the cycling (where as with the able olympics, the GB is rocking in the medals). Quite amazed at this japanese guy who's legs are almost entirely metal and mechanical racing around the track.. not as fast the British guy though :)

The british guy lives and works near me.. and trains nearby. Poor guy.. first he damages his brain in a crash... in a coma.. struggles to recover. Then 10 years to the day later he is out delivering milk for a job, trips over a cat on a doorstep.. falls hurts the same part of his brain and ends up with cerebral palsy. Not a very lucky life. Still, great effort in the cycling though, he destroyed the opposition. It's odd.. watching them cycle you'd think they don't have major disabilities, so fast and talented... then afterwards collecting the medal it's all limping and leaning a crutch.

My heart and admiration goes out to them.