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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 9:02:45 AM
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Tinkerbell_
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Miss Giggles
No wonder Americans have such a bad reputation. I forgot the one usa guy's name (cause I was barely awake) who got the bronze and said he wanted a gold or something. Now Lauryn Williams says that someone must have used a voodoo doll on their team because they dropped the baton when the announcers said they weren't organized and didn't practice together that much.
Race walking is odd but they're still just as fast or faster as many runners.
It was actually a Swedish wrestler. He threw his bronze down in protest so the committee stripped him of his medal. Here's an article about it.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 9:42:19 AM
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agapetos
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quote:
With manners I like them better but I realise this is the bad manners of only one individual so I don't see that as a reflection of the whole country. Ummm... excuse me, but as you have absolutely no idea why he didn't shake hands with anyone else you can't say he's got bad manners, especially given the magnitude of the event ~ he may have just been too excited to stop and think 'Oh, I have to shake hands with everyone before everything else.'
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It was actually a Swedish wrestler. He threw his bronze down in protest so the committee stripped him of his medal. I think that's a whole different event. There have been plenty of people who have said they wanted the gold ~ either vocally or by body language. The British womean's coxless four were devestated to have gone into second place ~ as was one of the US woman swimmers. There's even a bank in Munich that's holding some US medals for basketball (I think) because the US refused them.
And on the other hand, there have been many who come second and are delighted about it. One of the best was the men's 10k freshwater swim yesterday. A Brit lead from the front but was overtaken at the end by the Dutch swimmer. The Brit said of the Dutch guy 'He deserved it. He's a great guy.' And I agree, he did deserve it ~ he battled cancer 7 years ago. Sometimes it's a pity that they can't give out medals for courage.
Maybe it is those things we should look at instead of looking at the bad all the time ~ especially when the bad isn't your country.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 9:42:24 AM
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babbred
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quote:
ORIGINAL: garsyt
Personally, I would hope London wouldn't evict people from their homes just to make room for a stadium or a road, like was done in China.
Too late. A couple of years ago my husband and I were watching a program called "Best and Worst Places to Live in Britain." Among the worst was some neighborhood of London, but then the host said, "Check back in 2012, though. This is where they're going to have the Olympics, so the city is planning to do some major overhauling of this area and the real estate will probably be much more exspensive when they're done."
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I DO believe that London can and should do just as fabulous program, just on a smaller, more intimate scale.
I think we knew from the moment that China got the olympics that they were going to go all out and huge!
Blessings,
Garsy
When we lived in Britain we lived up north. We were so glad we didn't live in London. OMG, it is going to be so crowded there with all those extra people.
Yes, I thought that was interesting about what's-her-name saying the US track team was jinxed. It didn't surprise me, though. Most of this country claims to be Christian, and even among those who aren't, other spiritual stuff like the New Age movement is prominent. Spirituality is much more a force in American life than in Europe (at least from what I observed).
Speaking of wrestling guy, who was that American track guy who was moping because he "only" got a silver medal? Geesh, that was embarrassing. 
Somebody said they were glad the beach volleyball was over. Although it was entertaining, I have to say I agree. Hearing the American women's team constantly hyped as the best got a little irritating. I stopped watching them because I thought, "Why don't you just go ahead and give them the gold medal?" 
I also like what one of the commentators said. "Let's be honest. If the women weren't wearing bikinis, this sport would be a lot less popular." 
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 9:42:26 AM
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Miss Giggles
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No it was Walter Dix. He accepted the medal but I guess its just the way he phrased it. The American Track and Field team is a bunch of sore losers :)
Now Laura Wilkenson (the diver) or however you spell her name is a good example. She knows its her last Olympics, she put out her best performance with her injuries and has her plans set for what she is going to do when she retires from diving.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 10:08:34 AM
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agapetos
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"Check back in 2012, though. This is where they're going to have the Olympics, so the city is planning to do some major overhauling of this area and the real estate will probably be much more exspensive when they're done." Oh but excuse me ~ MUCH of London, not to mention many other cities here have been overhauled in recent years. London experienced a lot of bombing and many houses were put up very quickly after the war (or in some cases simply repaired). They are long overdue for sorting out.
There are two cities within 40 miles of where I live that have undergone major rejuvination over the past few years ~ actually one is still undergoing it, another is not long completed.
I suppose that some people would prefer that other live in a house that has no decent heating, double-glazing, power supplies (I have a friend who bought a house a few years back that was so delapadated it had old type electrical sockets, but had been lived in just before she bought it). While some people will be upset should they have to move, there are also people who want to live somewhere better.
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Speaking of wrestling guy, who was that track guy who was moping because he "only" got a silver medal? Geesh, that was embarrassing. I've said it before ~ you can't expect people always to behave perfectly at times like this. They've given their all to get a gold because that is what their country, family and friends want for them and it's what they've worked towards for so long. For many, anything else is hard to take. And let's face it, how many of us have been upset when simple plans (maybe a promotion or buying a house or whatever) haven't gone our way ~ and we sulk and expect tea and sympathy.
Why don't you all focus on those who get silver or bronze, or nothing and can still smile and congratulate the winners and move on?
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 10:31:59 AM
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babbred
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ORIGINAL: agapetos
Oh but excuse me ~ MUCH of London, not to mention many other cities here have been overhauled in recent years. London experienced a lot of bombing and many houses were put up very quickly after the war (or in some cases simply repaired). They are long overdue for sorting out.
There are two cities within 40 miles of where I live that have undergone major rejuvination over the past few years ~ actually one is still undergoing it, another is not long completed.
I suppose that some people would prefer that other live in a house that has no decent heating, double-glazing, power supplies (I have a friend who bought a house a few years back that was so delapadated it had old type electrical sockets, but had been lived in just before she bought it). While some people will be upset should they have to move, there are also people who want to live somewhere better.
Somebody asked if people were going to be evicted for the London games, and I was simply stating a fact: yes, they are. The pics they showed on that TV show of that London neighborhood were horrible. It could definitely use some improving. To be frank, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with your last point. The city of London is clearing out slums to make way for the Olympic sites. When the games are gone, the price of housing in that area will have skyrocketed (along with the rest of London). Whoever lived there before won't be able to afford to live there afterwards. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I have no idea. I live in America now.
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I've said it before ~ you can't expect people always to behave perfectly at times like this. They've given their all to get a gold because that is what their country, family and friends want for them and it's what they've worked towards for so long. For many, anything else is hard to take. And let's face it, how many of us have been upset when simple plans (maybe a promotion or buying a house or whatever) haven't gone our way ~ and we sulk and expect tea and sympathy.
Why don't you all focus on those who get silver or bronze, or nothing and can still smile and congratulate the winners and move on?
The least the guy could have done was go over and congatulate the winner. I've seen countless athletes do that as a show of good sportsmanship. All this guy did was sit over on the edge of the track and sulk.
Has anybody else found the Chinese attitude a little scary? I mean, when that male track star had to bow out due to injury, the commentator was saying, "I can't believe this. I've never seen anything like it. People are sobbing in the stands because this guy can't run. They've been told that This is the Most Important Moment in the Olympics, when this big star runs and wins the glory, and now they don't know how to handle it." A co-worker of mine was saying that they rip these young kids away from their families and make them spend most of their lives training, so you don't like to think about what they do when the athletes can't perform or do it badly...
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 10:45:21 AM
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agapetos
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I mean, when that male track star had to bow out due to injury, the commentator was saying, "I can't believe this. I've never seen anything like it. People are sobbing in the stands because this guy can't run. They've been told that This is the Most Important Moment in the Olympics, when this big star runs and wins the glory, and now they don't know how to handle it." You know something, if these games had been on US soil and Phelps bowed out due to injury, many Americans would have been devestated too. Not only was Liu 'the face of the games', he was China's best hope for a gold medal. You just need to recall the Mary Decker situation to realise China aren't the only one who get emotional over their stars.
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To be frank, I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with your last point. It's the fact that you're suggesting, by mentioning just one programme for fact, that the only reason London is being rejuivinated is because of the Olympics. You have lived here and I can't believe that you haven't seen or heard of a single city that's also been or is being rejuivinated in parts.
quote:
The least the guy could have done was go over and congatulate the winner. I've seen countless athletes do that as a show of good sportsmanship. I've seen countless athletes too. I'm sorry, I think that too many Americans are being too harsh on people who haven't gone to other competitors to congratulate them.
I didn't see Phelps (or his team mates) do it in at least one event and I saw plenty of swimmers that did.
< Message edited by agapetos -- 8/22/2008 10:56:09 AM >
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 11:06:23 AM
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garsyt
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Honestly the only time I've seen any athletes congratulate each other was in volleyball both inside and beach, and in gymnastics. Plus to be fair - TV only shows us so much. We don't see all, between the replays and cuts out to family members in the stands and what not, I'm sure we miss a lot.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 11:12:27 AM
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stamper_ben
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quote:
And let's face it, how many of us have been upset when simple plans (maybe a promotion or buying a house or whatever) haven't gone our way ~ and we sulk and expect tea and sympathy. I'll pass on the sympathy. Just supply crumpets with the tea. 
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 11:24:46 AM
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stamper_ben
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quote:
As for the tea ~ I'd be speaking to those Bostonians if I were you ~ rumour has it they threw it all in the harbour! You figure it's all brewed up by now?
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 11:50:29 AM
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agapetos
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BINGO! I agree! I enjoy seeing the emotion! It makes me think "This person is TRULY thrilled with their victory!" I would much rather see a show of genuine show of elation and happiness. I agree. I will also say that I just saw an interview with someone (I think a heptathlete) who just really enjoyed the experience, despite (I think) not winning a medal. He waved his hands in the air and said joyfully 'I'm an Olympian!' and went on to praise the other competitors in his event ~ saying each and every one was a great athlete.
Not everyone can be gracious in winning. Not everyone can be gracious in losing either.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 11:52:07 AM
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Ps103
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quote:
ORIGINAL: garsyt
quote:
ORIGINAL: lexie
quote:
quote:
With manners I like them better but I realise this is the bad manners of only one individual so I don't see that as a reflection of the whole country.
Ummm... excuse me, but as you have absolutely no idea why he didn't shake hands with anyone else you can't say he's got bad manners, especially given the magnitude of the event ~ he may have just been too excited to stop and think 'Oh, I have to shake hands with everyone before everything else.'
I agree with this. I am so sick of people criticising Usain Bolt (and not just because of my Jamaican connection  ) Every sprinter has come out and said that they love Usain, they love competing with him and he is a great guy. No one who races with the guy has been hurt by any of his actions.
It's so easy to say that he shows poor sportsmanship and he is too high on himself. They criticise him for dancing on the track or for celebrating too early. The man is Jamaican.....that is his culture, that is how they celebrate. He is just happy to cross the line first and so is the rest of his country. They are happy to break world records, but that's not what they are there for...like Usain said - that's what the circuit is for, at the Olympics it's all about getting there first.
And if we want to criticise people for showboating, then maybe we need to bring up the name Maurice Greene. Why can't people just show their raw emotions on the track without people criticising them for poor behaviour. We see these people for a few minutes on the tv and seem to think that we know their minds and attitude.
BINGO! I agree! I enjoy seeing the emotion! It makes me think "This person is TRULY thrilled with their victory!" I would much rather see a show of genuine show of elation and happiness.
Usain is a joy to watch!
Garsy
I like watching him, too. I like to see people happy.
All the Jamaicans can run a hole in the wind--they are really fast!
I thought I was finsihed with the Olympics when the gymnastics were over, but I got caught up in watching them run
(I'm another one that prefers the winter games--I like the ice skating best of all. Yes, I am a sissy.  )
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 12:01:16 PM
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agapetos
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I'm another one that prefers the winter games--I like the ice skating best of all. Yes, I am a sissy. I'm not too sure sissy is the right word, those blades are incredibly sharp and certainly not for sissies ~ either participating or watching!
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 12:02:24 PM
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gaylel1
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The U.S. track team except for a few performances and some medals won were an embarrment to this country. And yes, I'm talking about the men's and women's relay teams because of both teams dropping the baton. That is, in my opinion unacceptable. I really do not fault the team members, but I fault the coaches who after this Olympics should be fired. We should have done better in track. This proves that we need to have better training for our athletes.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 12:23:37 PM
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garsyt
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The problem with the American relay teams is the WAY the teams are picked. It's entirely possible that the individuals have NEVER run together before. I would much rather see a relay team picked first and then the individuals on that team may run in other events if they choose to. That way the individuals would first be comfortable as a team and would know how to act and react to each other.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 1:26:21 PM
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gaylel1
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ORIGINAL: garsyt
The problem with the American relay teams is the WAY the teams are picked. It's entirely possible that the individuals have NEVER run together before. I would much rather see a relay team picked first and then the individuals on that team may run in other events if they choose to. That way the individuals would first be comfortable as a team and would know how to act and react to each other.
Blessings,
Garsy
Yes, I agree, but in my opinion, it was no excuse whatsoever of their performance. The world is laughing at us because we our relay team cannot become a team. And they deserve the criticism because their performance was inexusable and this is because they were not trying at all. You can blame the rain or other factors, but two years in a row, something is wrong. No wonder track is a fading sport here in the states.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 2:56:18 PM
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lexie
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(I'm another one that prefers the winter games--I like the ice skating best of all. Yes, I am a sissy. )
Ahem...as a former competitive figure skater, I take offense to that. I have seen some pretty brutal figure skating accidents, and don't forget, we're the sport that brought you Tonya Harding!
About the relay - very few teams train together. The Canadian team just go together a few weeks before the Olympics to start training. And the Jamaican women's team, favoured to win because of their speed, dropped the baton. Most of the people on one relay team don't train in the same area of the country, so they don't get much time to get together.
I'm upset at the coverage of the men's relay final....Usain and Asafa were about to start dancing together, and the camera turned away!!! Hopefully someone caught it and I can see a replay later!
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 7:32:26 PM
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agapetos
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The world is laughing at us because we our relay team cannot become a team. Oh please stop being so paranoid! The world is not laughing at you. The US team wasn't the only one who couldn't get it together when it counted. The Brits and Jamaicans both went out too in semi's and finals. Life happens! Get used to it.
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No wonder track is a fading sport here in the states. Interestingly there was a report I caught about why Jamaica has so many great runners. It was pointed out that track was one of the few sports they had, whereas there is a pull from an early age for kids to go into other sports.
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According to my mother, biblical prophecy experts claim that the Lord will come back in that year. That could be a very interesting year...maybe we'll be watching the next Olympics from Heaven? Well only if the Lord comes back before the Olympics! I wonder what year the biblical prophecy experts will come up with if He doesn't come back in 2012?
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I fault the coaches who after this Olympics should be fired. We should have done better in track. This proves that we need to have better training for our athletes. Just because you may need better training for track athletes doesn't mean the current athletes need to be fired. I understand there's going to be a review of what went wrong and, I presume, a plan to improve things. Bad coaches should be fired yes ~ but if athletes aren't given the opportunity to train together for things like relays, is it the trainers fault?
Please folks, these are the Olympic games. Note the emphasis. It's a great feeling when our individual countries win a medal, and a sad one when they don't but it is after all simply 'games'. Some folk have criticised athletes for not congratulating other competitors, maybe that is a bad thing. It's just as bad to criticise your own athletes and their trainers for losing.
Reminds me of Britain not so long ago when all that people did was complain we never won any medals. Britain has done really well this time round. Maybe we will in future, maybe we won't. Such is life. I know that Britain has talent though and I'm proud of every one of our athletes who competed at these and past games.
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RE: Olympics 2008 - 8/22/2008 9:44:27 PM
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Miss Giggles
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Actually distance running is at most popular right now. Some marathons are full and many have a record number of participants. So track and field is not dead. Running's the "in" sport right now and i think triathlon participation may be up as well.
< Message edited by Miss Giggles -- 8/22/2008 9:53:16 PM >
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