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Post by seventeen on Jul 28, 2012 1:56:42 GMT -5
No doubt we'll have something to say about the Olympics, ergo this thread. I love the drama which results at times, but hate the incredible waste of money for something that could cost a lot less if it was run by someone other than pompous bureaucrats. They are the worst example of lazy, pampered, self centred ingrates you can find, alongside some African dictators.
Let's hope the athletes overshadow everything else.
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Post by blny on Jul 28, 2012 14:15:53 GMT -5
I know there's already some flack about the opening ceremony. What I saw, I liked. I thought the 'mountain terrain' at the end of the stadium was a nice homage to so much of the country side, and to encorporate putting the flags of all the countries on it was a nice touch. The foundary to create the rings was unique, and paid respect to England's lead in the Industrial Revolution. Bond and the Queen entering the stadium via base jump was a bit campy, but it's a humorous way to celebrate to significant parts of their culture.
Overall, it's incredibily difficult to organize and pull off such a huge event. To do it in a way that hasn't been seen before is even more difficult.
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Post by seventeen on Jul 31, 2012 22:39:28 GMT -5
I think we should design our own events. It's always killed me that some sports present almost hundreds of medals, whereas others (like soccer and basketball for example) present two golds each, for women and men.
In swimming you can get a medal for the synchronized 200 meter individual medley in the 81 kg class or at least it seems that way. What would swimming present? Fifty or more gold medals? How many people dive competitively? Probably as many as luge or skeleton. How many people in the world play soccer....a billion? Only two medals. Seems a little overweighted toward elitist sports, huh? If there's an event that could benefit from consolidation, it's the Olympics.
Next up, the 15,900 meter platform relay walk in the 61 kg class.
Later, the International Olympic committee throw. How far can you throw an overweight Olympic committee member? True strength will be in evidence and there will be no drug test.
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Post by duster on Aug 1, 2012 12:21:33 GMT -5
Meanwhile, badminton is being dragged through he mud thanks to the Chinese, Indonesians and Koreans. All three teams disqualified for throwing games.
The Chinese were so obvious that they were booed off the court and the referee openly accused them of throwing the game while it was taking place. For a country where saving face is important, they don't seem to be bothered by it at all.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 1, 2012 14:18:33 GMT -5
Not surprised about China's ascent to the top. They've been a factor for years now.
Canada not doing too bad, I suppose. One silver and four bronze. I was into judo back in the 80's. Really happy for Antoine Valois-Fortier. Nice return on all of the hard work.
Men's 8's was an exciting race to the finish. I don't know if they would have caught the Germans even if they did have more time. That German team knows when to kick it up a notch and when to coast.
Cheers.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 1, 2012 14:25:57 GMT -5
Meanwhile, badminton is being dragged through he mud thanks to the Chinese, Indonesians and Koreans. All three teams disqualified for throwing games. The Chinese were so obvious that they were booed off the court and the referee openly accused them of throwing the game while it was taking place. For a country where saving face is important, they don't seem to be bothered by it at all. Missed that Duster. I'll have to go back on the replays. Throwing games? Just never know I guess. I mentioned about the Chinese rise in sports. They're involved in everything including curling. I wonder what's in the grain ... Cheers. |
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 1, 2012 17:44:08 GMT -5
What's the incentive to "throw" games at an Olympics? Lemme guess...did Marcellus Wallace meet with them prior?  |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 2, 2012 6:53:46 GMT -5
What's the incentive to "throw" games at an Olympics? Lemme guess...did Marcellus Wallace meet with them prior? One of my fave movies of all time. "... that's pride 'screwin' with you. SCREW pride!" Cheers. |
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Post by franko on Aug 2, 2012 7:56:50 GMT -5
kinda thinkin' that's a typo ;D |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 2, 2012 8:54:28 GMT -5
kinda thinkin' that's a typo ;D Bummer! Thanks man ... ;D |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 2, 2012 12:26:45 GMT -5
Not surprised about China's ascent to the top. They've been a factor for years now. Canada not doing too bad, I suppose. One silver and four bronze. I was into judo back in the 80's. Really happy for Antoine Valois-Fortier. Nice return on all of the hard work. Men's 8's was an exciting race to the finish. I don't know if they would have caught the Germans even if they did have more time. That German team knows when to kick it up a notch and when to coast. Cheers. State funded athletes who are hand picked at such a young age make these games very tough in which to compete, that's for sure. That men's 8 race was great. Loved the pics once they were on the medal dock: 8 giants and a hobbit! Yeah, I know, you want your coxswain to be really small. Haven't seen the replay of the ladies 8 and their silver this morning. Will catch it tonight. I also thought Hayden's bronze medal 100 m free bronze race was great. They profiled the adjustments he made in his start, his turn, and his final stretch...from his semi final race. That's one heck of a lot of adjustments in the equivalent to a swimming sprint. It also got him a medal finally. Back to seventeen's comments about the number of events: it is mindblowing. Contraction means less ticket sales, so I cannot really see it happening in this day and age unfortunately. It sure does fill the TV coverage up with a whole lot of things you would never watch or, at best, only once every four years. Even the winter games have expanded with a bunch of new sports, mainly the X-Games sports. The big difference is those are really fun to watch. Syncronized 20kg shetland pony diving is a lot less so. |
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Post by Cranky on Aug 2, 2012 13:06:09 GMT -5
Mehh.......
For years, YEARS I petitioned the IOC to allow couch potato events....but no matter who I bribed, no matter how many hookers I bought for us, they refused to allow them.
Alas..........much like BC and his world renown ability to be turned down by woman, even mail order jail house brides.......I will NEVER be recognized for my many well hidden talents.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 2, 2012 13:31:14 GMT -5
Not surprised about China's ascent to the top. They've been a factor for years now. Canada not doing too bad, I suppose. One silver and four bronze. I was into judo back in the 80's. Really happy for Antoine Valois-Fortier. Nice return on all of the hard work. Men's 8's was an exciting race to the finish. I don't know if they would have caught the Germans even if they did have more time. That German team knows when to kick it up a notch and when to coast. Cheers. State funded athletes who are hand picked at such a young age make these games very tough in which to compete, that's for sure. I find this to be extreme. There's nothing wrong with winning, or preparing from a young age for winning (heck, a expat friend of mine in Dallas says they start identifying sports talents in youngsters as early as ages 5/6). But I find, with the Olympics especially, that winning often equates to a political statement. It was really prevalent with the old Soviet Union, but it's still there with China, and to some extent, the USA. That coxswain is from Belleville and the sure heaped the credit on this guy. Gives you an idea just how much of an impact a good coxswain can have. Would like to see them add tug-o-war added to the list. It was part of the original Olympics back in the day and there's a movement to get it reinstated. Cheers. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Aug 2, 2012 17:45:05 GMT -5
That coxswain is from Belleville and the sure heaped the credit on this guy. Gives you an idea just how much of an impact a good coxswain can have. Cheers. The coxswain for the ladies 8 is 52 years old and now has competed in 7 Olympics and has medaled in 5. She is the first Canadian to medal in five separate Olympics. She has been a big part of the ladies rowing success for a while now. |
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 2, 2012 18:36:46 GMT -5
State funded athletes who are hand picked at such a young age make these games very tough in which to compete, that's for sure. I find this to be extreme. There's nothing wrong with winning, or preparing from a young age for winning (heck, a expat friend of mine in Dallas says they start identifying sports talents in youngsters as early as ages 5/6). But I find, with the Olympics especially, that winning often equates to a political statement. It was really prevalent with the old Soviet Union, but it's still there with China, and to some extent, the USA. And Canada's "Own the Podium" is more bark than bite...but still....along the same lines. I detest national pride in such terms. I'm GLAD to live in Canada, but I don't equate medal standings to quality of life. I enjoy remarkable athletic feats no matter the nationality of the athlete. Too many walls in this world, if you ask me. And I'd like to know how far such nations go to ensure the BEST athletes are trained and yes, brainwashed, into performing well for the "country". Scouting (and perhaps "plucking") genetically-superior children for nationalistic/political prowess at the Olympics could very well be a form of state-imposed servility. Athletic slavery, you might say. Talk about ultimate pressure to succeed and extreme (and completely unnecessary) shame if no medal is won. It would make for a good doc. |
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Post by seventeen on Aug 2, 2012 18:38:49 GMT -5
That's one way to get a medal! I wonder if the Cdn Olympic Hockey team stick boy gets a medal? I could do that if I trained hard enough. Lift, pull, hand over. Lift, pull, hand over.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 2, 2012 18:44:33 GMT -5
The speed walk. That's an event that kills me. Can you believe they actually give a medal for that? The contestants should be chased by lions, then we'd see a speed walk, and a lot more entertainment.
They don't sell tickets to that, do they?
Can you imagine having your grandchildren around as you regale them with stories of your Olympic experience?
"Yep, Lester, I got that gold in the speed walk, in '16. Whaddya mean, what's a speed walk. That's when you walk fast...really, really fast."
"But Granpa, why wouldn't you just run?"
There wouldn't be any human beings on earth if neanderthals speed walked instead of running. Whoa, sabre tooth got another one! It's a massacre out there ladies and gents. The speed walking is just not doing it.
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Post by Cranky on Aug 3, 2012 12:48:43 GMT -5
How do you train for speed-walking?
Mexican food.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 3, 2012 15:53:44 GMT -5
Great win for the women's soccer team taking out Great Britain 2-0. Filigno with the first goal on a nice chip into the top corner, the result of a well-placed corner kick. That was the goal of the tournament for me.
The USA is up next and Canada doesn't have a good record against the Americans. I guess they gave the USA a good game a few weeks ago in an international friendly.
Cheers.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 3, 2012 19:16:20 GMT -5
I thought the women's soccer team had a good chance to advance past GB, but it's good to see them actually do it. The host country often has an advantage though, so good job by the ladies. The US are a different kettle of fish. They're a pretty good team, better than Canada on most days. Most days  . Perhaps the next game is not one of those 'most days'. At least the Canadians seem to have some momentum and good chemistry. Even though she's not around anymore, I thought the attitude and style of the team changed immensely under Carolina Morace. There seems to be a lot of criticism of her, but at least under her tenure, they started to play the short game instead of constant 30 yard bombs that only gave up possession. She also stood up for the team against the bureaucracy, so I don't criticize her like others. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 3, 2012 19:55:46 GMT -5
I was listening to the CTV build-up to the game and the one thing the girls all seem to agree on is that, they're always properly prepared for their games. They give their new coach all of the credit there.
They lost to the USA in a 'friendly' not too long ago, but they didn't outplay the Canadians. Apparently it was a pretty good game. They'll need to kick that up a notch on Monday.
A young guy from NS advanced in boxing. Custio Clayton took out 5th-ranked Cameron Hammond of Australia.
Cheers.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 7, 2012 1:59:34 GMT -5
Really disappointing result to the women's soccer game. The Canadian girls played perhaps as well as they could, Christine Sinclair had a legendary game, and the ref ends up playing way too big a role in the whole thing. One wonders. This Norwegian ref supposedly has all the credentials, but I saw someone who totally lost control of the game. Neither team knew what was going to be called or not. She'd call some hard tackles and the let others go, and she didn't play favourites in that area. She made two critical mistakes in the game and they cost Canada a goal each time. First she missed an obvious hand ball call in the penalty area on an American girl, and then made one of the most atrocious calls I've ever seen, for delay of game against McNeil the Canadian keeper. No warning (which is always given), just a freebie free kick for the US with less than 10 minutes to go, right in the penalty area. I don't know if that woman's name was Quisling, but Canada got robbed. You always wonder if it was just incompetence or something worse, and in soccer and in the Olympics, you never know. It really was an atrocious call, especially given the importance of the moment. You just don't affect a game of that importance if you're the ref. If you have to make a call, it has to be really obvious, clear, and on a play that might have affected the outcome otherwise. A kick from the goalie is not such a play. Objective refs give a warning, add on 30 seconds and go from there. I'm still fuming. We beat the brats, but not the ref.
PS. Sinclair is one hell of a player.
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 7, 2012 7:50:00 GMT -5
Come on, seventeen. The Americans need the medals, don't ya know?  The Olympics can boast of integrity all day. Our species is noted for corruption in all forms at all levels. Start with the wooing of the IOC and what it takes to put the icing on the host city selection cake. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 7, 2012 9:27:51 GMT -5
Really disappointing result to the women's soccer game. The Canadian girls played perhaps as well as they could, Christine Sinclair had a legendary game, and the ref ends up playing way too big a role in the whole thing. One wonders. This Norwegian ref supposedly has all the credentials, but I saw someone who totally lost control of the game. Neither team knew what was going to be called or not. She'd call some hard tackles and the let others go, and she didn't play favourites in that area. She made two critical mistakes in the game and they cost Canada a goal each time. First she missed an obvious hand ball call in the penalty area on an American girl, and then made one of the most atrocious calls I've ever seen, for delay of game against McNeil the Canadian keeper. No warning (which is always given), just a freebie free kick for the US with less than 10 minutes to go, right in the penalty area. I don't know if that woman's name was Quisling, but Canada got robbed. You always wonder if it was just incompetence or something worse, and in soccer and in the Olympics, you never know. It really was an atrocious call, especially given the importance of the moment. You just don't affect a game of that importance if you're the ref. If you have to make a call, it has to be really obvious, clear, and on a play that might have affected the outcome otherwise. A kick from the goalie is not such a play. Objective refs give a warning, add on 30 seconds and go from there. I'm still fuming. We beat the brats, but not the ref. PS. Sinclair is one hell of a player. I have a closed discussion on the Olympics on Facebook. Absolutely brutal result. Canada could have defended that one-goal lead all the way into the gold medal game. That hand-ball in the penalty area wasn't a penalty at all. If you listen to the Canadian analyst it's "hand-to-ball" and not "ball-to-hand" that determines a foul, and in this case the latter definitley applied. I think USA knew that their biggest obstacle to the gold was Canada and judging by the way they celebrated, I think that's true (IMHO anyway). What was hard for me to stay tuned to the channel was listening to the American striker after the game; (paraphrase) ... who wants it more ... who's hungrier ... yadda, yadda, yadda ..." Well, that's all well and fine, but she also failed to mention that her team also got two very questionable calls go their way and without those calls they'd be playing for bronze. Are bad calls part of the game? Sure. But, when those calls rip away everything you've prepared a lifetime for, well ... Cheers. |
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Post by Tankdriver on Aug 7, 2012 9:47:42 GMT -5
Canada was hosed in that game. No doubt about.it. I think there were two other bad calls missed aswell. One was when the ball hit the American and the ref called it on canada, which gave the usa a corner kick. I can't remember if they scored on that corner or not, but still a good chance. Another was when Canada had kicked the ball in front of the US goal and it went of the chest of their forward and the ref called it a hand ball cancelling out that chance. Too bad we don't have the media power of the US. If the roles were reversed, fixed would be shouted from every media outlet and an investigation would be under way.
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Post by franko on Aug 7, 2012 10:46:56 GMT -5
didn't realize that Chris Lee was reffing the Olympics
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Post by flowerpower on Aug 7, 2012 17:16:13 GMT -5
Canadian players including Christine St Clair could be suspended by FIFA for their controversial comments on the refereeing of that game. Should this happen, it would add insult to injury and our chance of beating France for the bronze medal would be slim. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONDON - FIFA, the governing body of soccer, is investigating controversial comments made by the Canadian women’s soccer team after their semifinal loss to the U.S. Monday night. At this point, it’s unclear if that could mean suspensions for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France. The Canadians were critical of the work of Norwegian referee Christian Pedersen, including Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, who questioned her integrity.“We feel like we didn’t lose. We feel like it was taken from us,” said Sinclair, who scored all of Canada’s goals in the game. “It’s a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started.” Said FIFA in a statement: “Following the Olympic Women’s semifinal match between Canada and the USA played at Old Trafford on the evening of 6 August, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is currently analysing incidents that occurred after the conclusion of the match. “Further information will be provided only after the Committee are in possession of all the elements of the case.” That certainly makes it sound like Sinclair or other players could face disciplinary action including being suspended for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France. Pedersen made a series of controversial calls that led to USA’s 4-3 win in extra time Monday night. A source with the Canadian Soccer Association said the organization did not expect there to be any sanctions for Sinclair or any of her teammates for their comments critical of Pedersen. The controversial sequence started with Canada leading 3-2 with about 10 minutes to go in regulation when Pedersen missed what looked like a hand ball committed by the Americans in the their own penalty area. Shortly after that, Pedersen made an extremely rare call and penalized Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod for delay of game when she ruled Pedersen took more than six seconds to put the ball in play. Pederson awarded the U.S. a free kick and it glanced off Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson and then hit Canadian defender Marie-Eve Nault in the arm while she was in the penalty area. Pederson then awarded the Americans a penalty kick and star Abby Wambach tied the game. After the game, Sinclair tweeted from her Twitter account (@sincy12): “I would like to thank everyone back home for all the love and support. It means the world to us all. One more game to get on the podium.” chris.stevenson@sunmedia.ca www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/source-sinclair-not-expected-to-face-suspension-over-post-match-comments |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Aug 7, 2012 18:48:59 GMT -5
I saw the game and I saw the calls that ended Canada's run for gold. While the Americans committed one more foul than the Canadians did, the referee decided to blow the dust off a yellow-aged paper in the rule book. This six-second rule is in place to prevent a delay of game by the goalkeeper. However, it's hardly ever used and it certainly wasn't used in the games I've seen anyway. I can't even remember the last time I even heard of it called in the English Premiership, which I watch much more than women's soccer.
Nope ... this game was taken away from the players with that call and the subsequent indirect kick awarded to the USA inside the CDN penalty area. As the CTV analyst was saying, it's a case of "ball-to-hand", not "hand-to-ball". The CDN girl simply did not intentionally hit the ball with her arm.
However, as another CTV analyst was saying two days ago, the English were getting the calls all through the preliminaries. They got another call today when CDN boxer, Custio Clayton, was outright robbed by boxing officials earlier. He clearly lost the first round but he rebounded and dominated the next two rounds convincingly.
They're going to appeal this one, but in the end I think we're going to have to take it. The Olympics have become a very discouraging emotional roller coaster for me, at least in the last few days. Canada simply isn't taken seriously by some of those who are calling the shots.
On a positive note, Derek Drouin of Corunna ON, won bronze in his first-ever international meet of any kind. It's our first medal in the high jump since Greg Joy in '76. I remember that one too.
Cheers.
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Post by CentreHice on Aug 7, 2012 21:59:29 GMT -5
Clayton was fighting a home-country boy...transparent bias from the judges. Shameful. The appeal was denied.
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Post by flowerpower on Aug 8, 2012 8:25:11 GMT -5
The Star.com by Kathal Kelly COVENTRY, ENGLAND—Faced with a hugely controversial decision, FIFA took the smart route on Wednesday afternoon — they ducked and took cover. Canadian star Christine Sinclair will play in Thursday’s bronze medal match after a curious and (from the homer perspective) convenient cop-out by the sport’s governing body. Instead, FIFA will deal with the situation after the completion of Thursday’s match. Sinclair and teammate Melissa Tancredi made comments after losing 4-3 to the U.S. about Norwegian referee Christina Pederson. Pederson called a six-second violation on the Canadian goalkeeper that led to the tying goal by the U.S. Canada lost the game in extra time. Suspensions are probably still forthcoming, but they will not affect Canada’s run to a first traditional team sport medal in the Summer Olympics since 1936. “In view of the elements currently at its disposal, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considers that further investigation will be needed regarding incidents that occurred after the conclusion of the match between Canada and the U.S.A. on 6 August at Old Trafford,” FIFA said in a release. “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is therefore not in a position to take any decision at present. Further information will be provided in due course, but not prior to the bronze medal match between Canada and France on 9 August.” This is, of course, a Nunavut-level snow job. What further ‘elements’ could FIFA need? Sinclair’s comment — that Pedersen “decided the game before it started” — was included in the post-game quote sheets released by the Canadian Soccer Association. However, it is also a tacit admission that Pedersen blew the game when she called an exceedingly rare six-second violation on Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod. That call led directly to the tying goal, and then to the U.S. victory in added extra time. Pedersen will not officiate either of the final two matches. Her Olympics is over. One suspects that her international career is likely done as well. Like all referees coming out of big tournaments, she will face some sort of exit interview in the coming days. Sinclair will in all probability lose games, too. But those games can afford to be lost. Thanks to this, she will still get in what one hopes is the biggest game of her career. www.thestar.com/sports/london2012/football/article/1238626--christine-sinclair-will-not-be-suspended-for-soccer-comments |
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. Perhaps the next game is not one of those 'most days'. At least the Canadians seem to have some momentum and good chemistry. Even though she's not around anymore, I thought the attitude and style of the team changed immensely under Carolina Morace. There seems to be a lot of criticism of her, but at least under her tenure, they started to play the short game instead of constant 30 yard bombs that only gave up possession. She also stood up for the team against the bureaucracy, so I don't criticize her like others. 
