OT - couple general Olympic thoughts
1. It's nice to know that the new, culturally confident China isn't above playing "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and other stadium anthems during breaks in the action.
2. I'm enjoying the pains to which NBC is going to downplay the more unsavory aspects of Beijing and China, and how little bits of truth occasionally leak out. For instance, during the opening ceremonies, Bob Costas went out of his way to stress how the air pollution wasn't that bad. Then today during the beach volleyball, one of the announcers said, "You know, it might be a good thing that it's raining. It'll get some of the particles out of the air." Ouch.
August 10th, 2008 at 3:32 PM ^
If that's the worst you're hearing, then its not too bad. Every large sporting event in the past century has had some idiotic bitching involved, like Athens 2004 "OMG NOBODY'S IN THE SEATS", Jacksonville's Superbowl - "OMG Jacksonville sucks!", Detroit's Superbowl - "What the hell! its freezing! I need a bulletproof vest!" Arizona's - "Everybody's flying in in Corporate Jets! Think of the Environment!" - I don't think people are happy unless they can complain about some sort of unsavory aspect of a host city.
And from experience, the days after it rains in Beijing are the best days to be there. The wind and rain carry off all the accumulated smog and you get some very nice sunny days.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:45 PM ^
Detroit's Superbowl - "What the hell! its freezing! I need a bulletproof vest!"
hahahahaha
August 10th, 2008 at 10:39 PM ^
It's more the notion that sportscasters have to celebrate the fact that it won't be too smoggy that just underscores how ridiculous things are. The world's greatest marathoner won't run because he's afraid of breathing in too much of the air. Maybe next time they'll choose a more, uh, breathable city for the Olympics. (And no, that's not exactly the only issue people have with China hosting the Games.)
August 11th, 2008 at 9:21 AM ^
I'm not arguing that the air in China isn't bad, or that there aren't human rights violations or anything, but I do think that the world media is kind of harping on the stupid issue (smog) vs. actual issues.
A couple of cases in point: Mexico City 1968 Summer Olympics: I'm not sure what Mexico City was like then but now its a smoggy mess worse than Beijing, and has the added benefit of being over a mile above sea level. A week before the games started 300 student protesters were killed by the police and military, a mini Tiananmin Square, but 10 days before the games.
The 1984 Olympics were held in LA, not exactly the poster child for clean air and all of the old Soviet athletes weren't allowed to go, underscoring the ridiculous politics of the age.
I mean, if you want to draw attention to shoddy construction practices/the Sichruan earthquake, rampant corruption, human rights violations, Darfur, all of that is legitimate. Smog - a byproduct of an 1970's level infrastructure and the Gobi Desert was readily known 8 years ago. Blame the IOC for choosing Beijing.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:25 AM ^
As a side note, and I just found this out, did you know that Detroit was the runner up bid for the 1968 Olympics?
That would have been wonderful, with the race riots and everything. We were probably better off with the summer games in Mexico City.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:38 AM ^
because it's true.
Jacksonville does suck ass.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:28 PM ^
Regarding the songs being played over the PA.....already during beach volleyball I have heard the following tunes:
That new Kid Rock song 'All Summer Long.' He sings "smoking funny things" so I hope the Chinese have not signed out a warrant for his arrest. Also, I heard that stupid Lou Bega song from many years backs; the as-insipid ChumbaWonba (sp??); All Right Now by Free; the old Cab Callaway big band tune (Hi Dee Hi Dee I D O.....you know what I mean) and some other songs that I cant remember now, but some were ridiculous, others classic tunes.
That, with the scantily clad dancers during the timeouts and at least at one venue, it is all about the grand, boisterous rocking American culture. The boys at WLA can not be too happy about that....lol
August 10th, 2008 at 5:32 PM ^
August 10th, 2008 at 10:18 PM ^
That, with the scantily clad dancers during the timeouts and at least at one venue, it is all about the grand, boisterous rocking American culture. The boys at WLA can not be too happy about that....lol
I think I'm on the verge of getting ostracized from the WLA, because in my opinion "booty" trumps ideology any day of the week. Well, that and I haven't been writing.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:14 PM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 7:48 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 8:09 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 9:40 AM ^
I loved how Weber-Gale squirmed under Phelps' arm to upstage him in the shot. Hilarious.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:44 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 9:58 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 9:50 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 7:44 PM ^
How can I blame them? Gee, I don't know. Ever paid any attention to China's human-rights record?
The Olympics were one of the only carrots out there that could have been held out as an incentive for China to reform itself. Instead, the IOC let China off the hook - and as we've seen, it is now using the games to crack down even more than usual on political dissent.
Toronto and Paris, the other two finalists in the bidding, were fully capable of putting on a good show, while being located in non-authoritarian regimes. They also have breathable air.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:27 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 10:38 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 11:02 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 11:19 AM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 1:47 PM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 10:50 PM ^
Considering that Leveaux said charming things like "He won by a fingertip, that's nothing" and Bousquet added "I guess experience beat out talent in the last leg" it's amazing that they didn't call them "those fucking Frenchies." Bousquet is one of those low-class SEC types (Auburn) as well as being French, so what can you expect?
Michigan wracks up two more medals tonight!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:33 PM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 9:43 PM ^
has no hook. these people don't possess the morality to not violate human rights for all the obvious reasons, and the olympics will be the catalyst for changing that? i guess i have a hard time believing that Hitler would have eased off on poland & the jews had the IOC held out that carrot stick beyond '36. or Japan in 1940, or italy in '44. or the soviets in '80.
it's not in the IOC's mission statement to ensure every host country has a perfect record on human rights and pollution (thankfully b/c the US would have never hosted the 15 games they have over the years). one 5th of the earths population is chinese and this is their first time hosting these games. they made a commitment to the 08 games that no other nation could match. they will probably end up spending twice what london will for the '12 games (I think the Brits are shitting bricks that the '12 games will pale in comparison to the 08 games).so no, i'm not blaming the IOC b/c by all sporting-related accounts, it was a great choice.
in sum, IOC != UN
August 11th, 2008 at 10:00 PM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 10:31 PM ^
August 11th, 2008 at 11:02 PM ^
Phelps: 3 Golds, 3 World Records. This third one seemed particularly easy, and to cap it the PVK dude getting mention in the other swimming thread gets bronze!
August 12th, 2008 at 2:20 AM ^
August 12th, 2008 at 9:01 AM ^
Sommy - I'd say they're both fair game.
And yeah, I was pumped for Vanderkaay last night - it's another medal for a Michigan alum.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:43 AM ^
August 12th, 2008 at 4:51 PM ^
"once they start, NBC focuses on the actual freakin' Michael Phelps and people bitch about not talking about all the BS politics."
Fixed.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:10 AM ^
Man they look young. If you haven't read up on the controversy, check it out:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=ap-gym-yo…
It's very obvious that they are underage and China is lying. It's messed up that nothing will probably get done about it.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:46 AM ^
I swear to you, that little one (Linlin Deng) looked no more than 9 years old...16 my ass. (pictured here in the front: http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/82280200.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=17A…)
Personally, I don't think there should be an age limit. If you are good enough to compete, you should be able to. The Chinese women deserved their gold based on performance, but a rule is a rule and it's hard not to be at least a little bitter when looking at those girls b/c IMO, there is no way in hell they were of age.
I know gymnasts always look younger than the average female, but I think Bella Karolyi knows a 16 year old gymnast when he sees one, I just wonder about his agenda in bashing the Chinese team. Much of his comments were unsportsmanlike, bitter, and out of line (calling them half-people, and such). What is that? Gahhh, age restrictions are dumb and this certainly isn't the first time it's been done, I'm torn on this subject.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:56 AM ^
August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 PM ^
I understand the POINT of age limits, but these athletes train from when they are tiny. Olympic training may be more rigorous than other events, but let's not pretend that their everyday training isn't still ridiculously difficult. They are competing in every major competition except for the Olympics prior to 16y/o, so what's the difference with this one?
Furthermore, these girls' careers rarely live past their 20th birthday. They, I assume, would want as many years in international competition as possible before they are too old to compete (yes 21 is often too old for a gymnast). It sounds terrible that such youngsters are put through the rigors of adult athletic training, but that is the nature of this sport and the Olympics denying an athlete that is good enough and willing to compete is almost pointless considering those facts.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:46 AM ^
August 13th, 2008 at 8:58 AM ^
Alicia Sacramone (the girl who wouldn't cry) had just fallen off the balance beam which hurt us more since a Chinese girl had just fallen off too, and that was supposed to be where we made up ground. But her falling on the floor exercise was the dagger.
On the plus side, this led to more close-ups of her (it's ok to gaze, she's 20). Oh, and she punches hard (NSFW language).
August 13th, 2008 at 10:12 AM ^
Are ridiculous. The Chinese have had these girls in full time training since the age of 3. To say that they are protecting the girls from the dangers of the events by holding them out until 16 is silly. They are doing all of these things everyday in practice since a very young age.
If parents are willing to turn their kids over to the state sports machine at age 3, why should we care that they get to compete at age 12? Would I do that with my kids, no. But that is the system in China. The rule is stupid. The arguement should be about the recruiting and practice philosophy, not at what age they get some credit for their effort.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:24 AM ^
why should we care that they get to compete at age 12?
because 12 year olds should not be executing olympic level gymnastics. not enough strength and too dangerous. the 3 year olds may have been training, but they weren't doing triple axles or whatever they are called. i know boys don't even look at the pommel horse and rings until age 10-12 or something. i'm sure the girls aren't doing consecutive flips & all that at age 10. the point of the age limlit is to ensure that no athletes are being pushed beyond physical limits.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:32 AM ^
But its ok for a 14 year old English boy to dive off a 10 meter platform, or a 3m springboard and possibly hit his head? I mean, diving off a 10m platform is a lot more dangerous than falling from the uneven bars.
Besides, its not like these girls wouldn't be doing those exercises anyways at the age of 12,13,14. In China parents just enroll their kids in a state school. In the US insane helicopter parents move to Texas, enroll their kids in acadamies at age 6, and a lucky few make it to the Olympics. The only difference is that the government here won't fake passports for 14 year olds.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:25 PM ^
MA, my point is that the Chinese are doing the training for these events at a young age. Whether or not the girls compete in the Olympics, the training will go on. The IOC has no ability to limit the practice the girls do. Therefore, they are exposing themselves to the risks of the sport, and there are many, without any of the rewards associated with competing.
A valid argument may be that they wouldn't do the same level of routines in practice or that the psychological demands of competition may be too much, but it is pure speculation that those issues don't existing in their training facilities.
The real issue is if it is ok or not for girls starting at age 3 to begin training for the Olympics. I don't think it is. But I can't stop Chinese families from turning their daughters over to the state for Olympic glory.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:39 AM ^
August 13th, 2008 at 7:51 PM ^
- no point in comparing diving to gynastics. apples != oranges
- its not like these girls wouldn't be doing those exercises anyways at the age of 12,13,14..." & "they wouldn't do the same level of routines in practice ..."
maybe i'm naive, but how anyone can train 'for the olympics' at age 3-10 is beyond my cmprehension. i know there are elite camps and crazy parents with delusions of grandure, but i doubt 8 year old girls are vaulting at full speed and doing 960 deg+ aireal manuveures. they train in baby steps and then put it all together at age 12-13.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:53 PM ^
- no point in comparing diving to gynastics. apples != oranges
- its not like these girls wouldn't be doing those exercises anyways at the age of 12,13,14..." & "they wouldn't do the same level of routines in practice ..."
maybe i'm naive, but how anyone can train 'for the olympics' at age 3-10 is beyond my cmprehension. i know there are elite camps and crazy parents with delusions of grandure, but i doubt 8 year old girls are vaulting at full speed and doing 960 deg+ aireal manuveures. they train in baby steps and then put it all together at age 12-13.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:50 PM ^
August 14th, 2008 at 7:27 AM ^
getting away from the real issue here.
How awesome is Misty May's ass ? That is one high grade pooper.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:35 AM ^