2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS.
 

Next Friday they start. Is anyone here a huge fan of the Olympics? I end up watching alot of the events, but I must profess to not being a fan of most of the sports that are showcased.

I'm a huge fan of the track and field side of it. The 100 meter dash should be pretty interesting this year. Three guys in it (Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt) have all run in the low 9.7's, which has never been done before ever.

The 400 meter dash should also be pretty interesting as well. Jeremy Wariner, the white guy, has dominated that race for the last four years. However, in the last couple of a months this other guy LaShawn Merritt has beaten him twice. Can LaShawn Merritt beat Wariner when the gold medal is actually on the line?!?!?!

Track is such an under-rated sport. I can kinda see why it doesn't get a lot of attention because it is hard to televise a track meet, but still.

Annnnnnnnnddd I don't give a shit about any of the other sports other than women's diving.

People love to hate on the Olympics. I dunno why. I really don't care about any of that "dream team" business at all thought and I would rather see a bunch of unknown kids play like they used to do, but whatever. Also everyone likes Michael Phelps and I hate him because he is a fucking idiot. But I like the Olympics.

I also get sad when I see people with a lot of pride for their nation because I have none of that with the USA.

I am a huge fan of the Olympics, I appreciate amazing athletes. I have a tremendous amount of respect for athletes a lot of people pass off as "gay", like swimming, and gymnasts, especially. I used to be in gymnastics (true story), that shit is so fucking hard, requires insane commitment. I can't wait for the Olympics, gonna be glued to my TV, mainly because of team USA dominating basketball, and I am also pumped for the Track events. What time are we gonna see this shit here in the States, becaues of the time difference and stuff?

I am at the Olympics right now. Should be pretty good barring any major organizational mishap. Went into the Bird's Nest last night and it is incredible. The Water Cube from the outside is really awesome too, but I'll mostly be in the National Indoor Stadium, where gymnastics will take place.

Nice, dude. Have fun, take a lot of pics, k?

Mos def

http://chrosmcdougall.com/blog/wp-co...8/dsc02293.jpg

This thing is incredible, by the way

Mostly I'm interested in the men's basketball and the softball.

Got a ticket to a USA softball game, not sure who they play though.

I'm looking forward to Men's basketball, I also curious to see how the girl from America does on the Russian Womens basketball team (huge drama involving but can't lie it has kinda caught my interest) but other than that I'm not really looking forward to it but I am sure I'll check it out here and there. I do like to see America win a ton of medals though

I'm looking out for the people's champions this olympics again. The people that can't swim, the shot putters doing the 100m dash that kind of thing.

Eric 'the Eeel' that was the name of that guy!

I think China has a very legitimate chance at beating the U.S. in the medal count this year

I love watching the olympics. I enjoy the Winter more though.

Why are you at the Olympics, BCWWF? IS it just because you're a fan, or is it part of something else?

I'm here through a program and I will be reporting on the gymnastics events, although I won't be writing any stories that you read. It's kind of confusing, but basically I gather quotes and put them in a database, and then other reporters can access the database and use the quotes.

I've been here going on five weeks though; pretty crazy country so far. Hopefully they are prepared.

sounds awesome. Good on you. :y:

How's the smog? What's the standard of living and everything like in Beijing? Do you get any hassle or anything? I'm really interested in China.

I probably sound like a right ignorant prick. But there was a great Panorama episode last night on how corrupt China is and that. How's your experience?

Beijing Olympics: Flags showing Cross of St George, Saltire or Welsh dragon banned
British sports fans and athletes will be banned from waving the Cross of St George, the Saltire or the Welsh dragon at the Beijing Olympics.


By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter
Last Updated: 5:32PM BST 05 Aug 2008

Draconian rules imposed by the Chinese authorities mean that flags of any non-competing nation are likely to be confiscated from fans, who could be barred from venues if they refuse to comply. Athletes could even be disqualified from competing if they break the rules.

Because Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland are not individually represented at the games, only the Union Flag of Great Britain will be allowed inside the stadiums.

The regulation is widely believed to be aimed at preventing supporters of an independent Tibet from making political statements by waving its flag, but it will be enforced across the board.

Fans of British tennis star Andy Murray, who often wave Saltires from the stands, and cyclist Geraint Thomas, who is Welsh, are among those who will be affected.

Mr Thomas said: "It would be great to do a lap of honour draped in the Welsh flag if I win a gold medal, and I'm very disappointed if this rule means that would not be possible."

MPs have urged Gordon Brown to demand the Chinese scrap the ruling, which they say is a further example of China's human rights abuses.

Hugh Robertson, the shadow sports minister, said: "The right to wave your national flag has always been a central part of the spectator experience at every Olympic games. To see it banned now for internal political reasons contradicts an essential part of the Olympic experience and freedom of expression."

A spokesman for the British Olympic Association said the flag ban appeared to have been brought in under Rule 51 of the Olympic Charter, which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

The Chinese would regard the waving of flags of non-competing nations as a 'political demonstration' and the Olympic Charter gives them the power to disqualify rule-breakers, saying: "Any violation of (Rule 51) may result in the disqualification or withdrawal of the accreditation of the person concerned."

To make their intentions crystal clear, the Chinese have added on the official website for the games: "To avoid delays at security and to maintain an orderly flow, please DO NOT bring the following articles to any venue... flags of non-members of the Olympics or Paralympics; flags or banners larger than 2m x 1m; flagpoles; any banners, slogans, fliers, brochures or samples."

Cathy Owens of Amnesty International, said: "With so many domestic activists silenced, I'm not surprised that the Chinese authorities want to control what can be seen at Olympic venues.

"We don't want politics to overshadow the games, but the Chinese Government promised to improve human rights when they were awarded the Olympics, and this promise has been broken."









Well that's kinda pathetic :|

I dont' follow the sports played in the Olympics but I am glued to my tv whenever the Olympics come around. It's a shame this country sucks at summer games.

Much bigger fan of the winter games.

Gonna watch Dexter Fowler, Casey Weathers, and Jayson Nix dominate baseball

Women's volleyball is a wonderful thing

What, how? Hockey is the only thing I like about them.

Well Blitz is Canadian, SammyG, thus he likes the winter games more because it has Hockey and Curling.

How can anyone enjoy watching Curling is beyond me. It is by far the gayest sport ever, in my opinion.

Love the Olympics, hopefully NZ punches above our weight in the medal count again, as we always do :D

All that the Olympics is is a bunch of amateur sports that nobody cares about shoved into 1 so that everybody can pretend that they enjoy them for 2 weeks in every leap-year.

This one will be remembered as the worst ever, coz of the commy cunts and their stupid rules, smoke, drug cheating, terrorism attacks, etc.

I love how if there's something wrong, i.e algae on a lake they just draft in a million people to sort it out. I want the British government to draft these guys in to deal with roadworks over here.

The Hamm Bros. are both out.

Better layoff the Ninja Warrior.

The Canadian Women's soccer team beat Argentina yesterday. The official start is not here yet, but the games have begun. Was surprised to hear that we have a slight chance at medalling in Soccer as Canada never seems to do well anywhere in that sport.

I love watching the swimming races. IT'd be pretty cool to see Phelps win 8, although I hate the American team

You know... that was a joke about Canadians right?

I apologize, I didn't get it. Hockey is cool, though, during the Winter Olympics, love that shit.

Shall be catching the cycling. Track sprinting is the goods people!!

Yeah like the winter ones better mostly because of hockey, but I dig the snowboarding and skiing events too.

Also curling is the worst "sport" in the world.

This ceremony has been amazing so far.

Wow! Opening Ceremonies tonight! Just got back watching it from some Budweiser private party. It was actually kind of lame there, but the choreography in the Ceremonies was sick. I could see the fireworks from my room when I got home, too.

BRAZIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLL

http://barstoolsports.com/article/wa...hronized/2545/

http://fnxradio.com/blogs/bigjim/stupidhot.jpg

<font color=goldenrod>I'm mainly interested in seeing the baseball, softball, and basketball. The track is also pretty interesting.

This girl at a nearby school might wind up on the US Softball team someday. She finished up her junior year at HS last year with 7 perfect games (5 of them happened in a row), 12 no-hitters, and through 195 innings she put up 486 strikeouts and a 0.07 ERA. Her team had a perfect 27-0 record and won the championship. Absolutely ridiculous.</font>

"And here..........we.................go."

From ESPN.com (And probably on every other news site)

Relative of U.S. volleyball coaching staff killed in attack

BEIJING -- A knife-wielding Chinese man attacked two relatives of a coach for the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball team at a tourist site in Beijing, killing one and injuring the other on the first day of the Olympics on Saturday, team officials and state media said.

The man then committed suicide by throwing himself from the second story of the site, the 13th century Drum Tower just five miles from the main Olympics site.

The brutal attack shortly after midday was all the more shocking because of the rarity of violent crime against foreigners in tightly controlled China, which has ramped up security measures even more for the Olympics.

The stabbing came only hours after what by many accounts was the most spectacular opening ceremony in Olympic history and it has already dampened some of the enthusiasm.

"They are deeply saddened and shocked," Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said of the volleyball team.

The U.S. Olympic Committee said in a statement that two family members of a coach for the men's indoor volleyball team were stabbed at the Drum Tower "during an attack by what local law enforcement authorities have indicated was a lone assailant."

One of the family members was killed and the other was seriously injured, it said, without giving details.

The U.S. Embassy also confirmed the attack to ESPN and said it responded to the incident, but did not identify the victims pending notification of next of kin.

The official Xinhua News Agency identified the attacker as Tang Yongming, 47, from the eastern city of Hangzhou. It said Tang attacked the two Americans and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured, at 12:20 p.m. on the second level of the ancient tower, then leapt to his death immediately afterward. The second level of the tower is about 130 feet high.

Seibel said the two Americans who were attacked were not wearing anything that would have identified them as Americans or part of the U.S. team. He could not name the coach.

"They were not wearing apparel or anything that would have specifically identified them as being members of our delegation" or as Americans, he told The Associated Press.

He said it is "too early to say" whether the U.S. delegation or athletes will require additional security.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Buangan said the embassy was working with Chinese authorities to find out more. He said U.S. officials were in contact with relatives of the two Americans who are in Beijing.

"Out of respect for the families involved, we can't say more than that," Don Q. Washington, another embassy spokesman, told reporters.

Police blocked off streets leading to the Drum Tower immediately after the attack and cordoned off the area with yellow police tape. Security officers were examining the scene on the tower and below.

Attacks on foreigners in China are extremely rare. A Canadian model was murdered last month in Shanghai, but police said that was because she stumbled onto a burglary.

In March, a screaming, bomb-strapped hostage-taker who commandeered a bus with 10 Australians aboard in the popular tourist city of Xi'an was shot to death by a police sniper.

Shanghai and Beijing are still safer than most foreign cities of their size. Punishments for crimes against foreigners are heavier than for crimes against Chinese, and police-linked neighborhood watch groups are highly vigilant. Chinese are not allowed to own guns.

Even so, the U.S. government now warns Americans against muggings, beatings and even carjackings, especially in the nightlife and shopping districts of large cities.

Built in the 13th century, the Drum Tower is one of the few ancient structures still in Beijing, and was used to tell time in imperial China for the city, using drummers who pounded their instruments to mark the hours. It is located on an important central axis of the city, to the north of the Forbidden City, the former home of the emperor.

The White House said President Bush, who is in Beijing for the opening days of the games, was informed of the incident, and that his heart goes out to the families of the victims. It said the administration and the Beijing U.S. embassy have offered those families any assistance they need. Also, U.S. officials have been speaking to Chinese authorities about the incident.

International Olympic Committee spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said in a statement that the committee had received reports of the attack and was in contact with Beijing Games organizers "to find out full details, and are ready to provide whatever assistance we can."

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Not even 24 hours in and this happens. Wonder how this is gonna go down between the governments.

Jesus christ, fucking chinks.

wait what

IT WAS CHANG

These are the last Olympics to feature baseball (at least in the near future) It will be replaced by things like Trampoline. wild yeah?!

<font color=goldenrod>lol Michael Phelps won and the recording of the American national anthem they are using was completely off key and ended suddenly right in the climatic moment of the song before the final two lines :o

Wonder how badly they've fucked up every other anthem but their own</font>

I wonder what Australian TV will have left to show after the swimming events (and with them, any chance of an Aussie winning a medal) are finished

Watched him win the medal, pretty intense, MaryKate was on the edge of her seat, christ, also i heard from people (huge swimming fans) that he is infact a huge prick

This is the last year of softball in the Olympics.


Trampoline has already been in the Olympics, it has been since Sydney. It makes more sense to have sports like gymnastics trampoline than baseball anyway, as it is an international sport and has meaning at the Olympics. Baseball and softball are barely international sports, and in the case of baseball the best players are arbitrarily not there. As long as there is the World Baseball Classic there is no need to see an international tournament of AAA players in the Olympics, in my opinion.

YESSSSS they're using the old NBA on NBC theme during basketball games.

Speaking of which, 1st half over in US-China game, China has made eight 3s, US has one. On the flip side, China has not dunked once, US has 11. Surprise surprise

Also did anyone see those Russian and Georgian shooters embrace on the podium after they got their medals? Pretty cool.

US soccer team really dicked it up at the end there.

I woke up to this

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Its one of the best things I've woken up to in a long time. And I don't feel pathetic saying that either

Spent alot of time yesterday watching the chicks gymastics, was awesome.
Looking forward to the triathalon, and NZ is kicking some arse in the rowing, which is nice.

I said stuff like trampoline, I wasn't saying trampoline per say. Anyway, the Olympic fans in the USA, Canada, other baseball countries would disagree with you.

Oh well.

-HAven't watched any Olympics yet :-\

Wooo Welsh woman wins gold medal :D



Nicole Cooke won Wales' first Olympic gold medal for 36 years as she clinched the Olympic road race crown.

The 25-year-old's stunning late charge secured Team GB's first gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"This is what I have dreamed of since I was 11 years old," said Cooke. "It is fantastic, I'm so happy and proud.

The Two-time World Cup champion was in a group of five that pulled away from the peloton in the 6km uphill climb to the finish.

Cooke, who finished fifth in the 2004 Athens Games, then won a sprint to the line before hoisting her arms in the air.

"We did it, it was perfect. It's a dream come true," said a jubilant Cooke, winning the 200th all-time British Olympic gold.

"I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start. I have worked so hard, I am so happy."

The 2002 Commonwealth champion won the prestigious Giro d'Italia in 2004, the women's equivalent to the Tour de France.

And Vale of Glamorgan ace Cooke timed her finish to perfection to clinch another major title in horrendous conditions and torrential rain.

"I'm glad the Chinese authorities laid on some nice Welsh weather for me," joked Cooke.

"It was a very tactical, very hard race and I was always concerned that the group behind would catch us.

She pipped Emma Johansson and Tatiana Guderzo at the finishing line to become the first Welsh woman to win Olympic gold since swimmer Irene Steer at the 1912 Stockholm Games.

Cooke finished in a time of three hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds to become Britain's first Olympic medalist in this event.

"I came over the line and there was so much - I was just so happy and there were so many emotions that were coming out all at once.

"I made so much noise because I guess that's just the person I am.

"I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start. I have worked so hard, I am so happy.

"I don't think it has sunk in yet. I still feel like the normal Nicole from before the race. But it's just so exciting.

Video - Delighted Cooke gets gold medal

Emma Pooley, who played a crucial pacemaking role in Cooke's gold-medal bid, came 23rd while the third member of the British team Sharon Laws finished in 35th.

"We all knew that we were good riders, but the best chance that we had was to ride as a team," added Cooke.

"Emma gave up her bid for glory but it meant that I could ride defensively and also save myself.

"I think it put the other teams on the back foot. The team worked so hard and the organisation was the best it ever has been - it's a pity they can't all get medals."

Simon Clegg, Team GB's chef de mission, said: "What a medal - it's not only gold but it's Team GB's 200th gold medal from the modern Olympic Games.

"Emma and Sharon did an awesome job in supporting Nicole in her race for gold."

Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, a former world road race champion, ended up in sixth - 21 seconds behind - together with Athens silver medallist Judith Arndt of Germany.

French great Jeannie Longo, 49, who is competing in her seventh Olympics, was 33 seconds behind the winner.

The 126km race was run in appalling conditions, with heavy rain making the road treacherous in places.

Cooke, together with Italy's Guderzo, Johansson of Sweden, Christiane Soeder of Austria and Denmark's Linda Melanie Villumsen Serup, led the field going into the final 10km.

At the bottom of the final climb, Cooke seemed to drop away from the other four riders as they turned the wet and slippy corner.

But she put on the gas during the lung-bursting slope to the line and had enough in the tank to edge home first.

"All congratulations to Nicole for a fantastic victory," said Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

"What you can't perhaps quite sense at home is just the torrential rain that was falling on Beijing - and despite those incredibly tough weather conditions, she won. So it's a wonderful victory and a huge lift for Team GB."

And Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe added: "This is a great start to the Beijing Olympics for Team GB and I have no doubt this medal will fire up the rest of the team to do their best in the next two weeks.

"Well done to Nicole Cooke - she has set us on our way."

Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, a former world road race champion, ended up in sixth - 21 seconds behind - together with Athens silver medallist Judith Arndt of Germany.

"Normally I'm good in the rain, but the problem was that it was really cold," said Vos, who was one of the pre-race favourites. "We expected warm weather."

French great Jeannie Longo, 49, competing in her seventh Olympics, finished 33 seconds behind the winner in 24th.

I typically don't find Asian girls attractive, but Zhang Xi from the Chinese volleyball team is 19 and is particularly good looking.

You should see the Norwegian Womens soccer team

SUCK IT, FRANCE!

SUCK IT LONG, AND SUCK IT HARD.

4x100 RELAY, BITCHES!

I'm not disagreeing with you that baseball is becoming an international game, but can you name even one player on the U.S. Olympic team (or Canadian, or any other team for that matter)?

Yeah that 4X100 was awsome.

Did anyone see that 17 year old powerlifter from China doing Clean and Jerk yesterday??

He weight like 120lbs and was throwing you 350lbs with ease.. Scary strong..

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympic...0a0a1fac40.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympic...nt_6924762.htm

Might have a ticket to the men's 100-meter dash final :D

Saw a beach volleyball match today; was pretty cool but it would be more fun to see an American team. This was men's teams from Argentina and Latvia.

Softball tomorrow: easiest ticket in town, but I got seats at USA vs. Venezuala, but since it's a double header I can technically go see Chinese Taipai (Taiwan) vs. Canada before, too.

wow, you know, I didn't even realize this wasn't the theme anymore for the NBA. I think I hear this theme even though another theme is playing. like selfconsciously or something.

Yeah, we have a olympic basketball thread, do we hav to spread it everywhere else?

You're a badminton fan, huh, Bad Company??

I like all sports.

Great effort by the final guy in the US relay swimming team to take out the gold the other day. Kept Phelps on track too.

Looking forward to the rowing finals! Probably our best chances for medals there, along with triathalon.

3-4th day and still no medals for canada... god we suck

The Dog Sled pulling our athletes hasn't arrived in Beijing yet.

Yeah, no medals for us either.
Really missed out on the 3 day eventing, had a strong side and usually do well.

Michael Phelps lol wow

5-5.

That relay broke the world record by..5...seconds..

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<font color=goldenrod>Ow :o Holy shit</font>

Holy fucking shit

LOL what

did not expect that

...Fuck

Man Djokevic is gonna win the gold in tennis now.

I think it's going to depend on how healthy Tyson Gay is. Anyone who has ever run track will know that those hamstring injuries are the worst thing that can happen to you.

Usain Bolt is a freak though. He is like 6'5 I think and he just gobbles that space up with his long stride. I predict he wins the gold in the 200, but for some reason I think he may not get gold in the 100.

So proud of Lukin and Johnson up there tonight winning those gold and silver medals :love:

See the Kyaking? Mad crazy shit, the course is mad. Kyaks are made of Kevlar or something, fucking sweet. The pairs or whever they call them are nuts too.

Rafa

That was the most amazing swimming ive ever seen, first phelps snatches the gold at the VERY last second, then Adlington gets her 2nd gold at 19 years old for team GB!!!!

7-7. WOWWWWW

Finally we win a couple medals!

We've got a medal in the cycling and rowing already, and a gold/sivler secured in cycling tmrw, ahahahahaha.

awesome Rockies prospect Jayson Nix hits the game tying home run and breaks his face in the US' game against Cuba

NZ finally gets on the medal table with our best ever overall haul in one day.

Mahe Drysdale, single sculls rowing, bronze

Nathan Twaddle and George Bridgewater, men's pair rowing, bronze

Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell, women's double sculls rowing, gold

Hayden Roulston, men's 4000m individual pursuit cycling, silver

Valerie Vili, shot put, gold.

Woooo!

It's official. 8 Gold Medals for Phelps

Fucking hate Phelps

WTF why Assman?!

I also hate Michael Phelps

We call that Tall Poppy Syndrome in NZ. Way of life here.