Olympics Thread

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 2:55 AM PDT Comment 78 comments

I thought that I wouldn't give a shit about the Olympics this year, but after the amazing Opening Ceremonies and the equally amazing 4x100 swimming relay tonight, I figured a thread for the Olympics was in order.

I'm not really a "RAH, RAH, USA!" type of dude -- and I think the last time I cared about the Olympics was 1996 -- but I have to say that the first three days have been very fun. With the French swim team vowing to "smash" the U.S. squad, it was a blast to see the United States, as a rare underdog, pull off an upset in the 4x100 relay.

And I can't say it enough: If you missed the Opening Ceremonies, open up Azureus or whatever you use and go find it. It was truly incredible. And if you can find it in HD, even better. It was a spectacle.

WOO SPORTS!

P.S.: As much I'd love to talk politics, this is LL, so I'm declaring this thread a ZOMG NO POLITICS! zone. The mods obviously have the right to override that, but I'm playing it safe.

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The 4x100 was fantastic.

Going into the race I honestly could not have cared less. But that last 50 meters (really the last 25 meters) I felt like I was about to jump out of my chair. Very exciting.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Aug 11, 2008 3:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I didn't care at all until I heard the "smash" talk.

Bring it, fuckers.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 3:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't it?

I was watching it like, “Holy shit the French swimmer just took a HUGE lead in the final leg . . . OK dude is actually kind of closing on the French guy . . . is this happening? . . . no way . . . OMG PWNED EAT ASS FRANCE! YOU JUST GOT SMASHED!”

I don’t dislike France in the slightest. (FREEDOM FRIES LOL AMERICA!) This was a rare moment of nationalism for me. And as I mentioned, a lot my emotion was based on the previous comments by the French swimmers. But damn it was fun.

I just want to see history. And for that reason, I’m wearing a Michael Phelps jersey. That jersey is a Speedo, with a picture of Phelps’ face taped to it.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 3:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't care LESS about the Olympics. I mean, seriously, fuck that shit.

But I happened to tune into NBC when the 4×100 was running. WOOOOO BITCHES. AMERICA! FUCK YEAH!!

That last 50 meters was incredible. The announcers had already called it for France! And then Lezak came back to set a world record! After two previous years of disappointment! To keep the dream alive for Phelps! And to humiliate those cheese-eating surrender monkeys!

Yeah, I guess I can get into that nationalistic Olympic groove myself.

"Maybe Chief has to go and grab somebody from his neck and throw him into the wall."

by esoteric on Aug 12, 2008 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've deleted four of my own comments so far to stick to the no-politics rule.

This is harder than I thought. But wise.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 3:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Politics ends at the water's edge

We can all enjoy America’s success at the expense of arrogant Frenchmen.

"Maybe Chief has to go and grab somebody from his neck and throw him into the wall."

by esoteric on Aug 12, 2008 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swimmer Bernard says France will 'smash' U.S.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 3:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I didn't think men were allowed to get a tattoo in that spot.

by Jed MC on Aug 11, 2008 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not a physically imposing man by any means,

but both times I have been to France one thought has consoled me. “I can whoop the ass of every single dude in this country.”

by thewyrm on Aug 11, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by R.J. Anderson on Aug 11, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 13 recs

Rec'd a billion times.

by Wilder. on Aug 11, 2008 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swimmers are absolutely fucking nuts.

and that explosion was wonderful to watch when I got home from work around 1:00 am last night.

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Aug 11, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My whole family was screaming at midnight.it was great! Or whatever time it was.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Aug 11, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am awarding this gif a recommendation of merit.

by BrianL on Aug 11, 2008 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phelps has the reaction time of Clement's bat speed

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Aug 11, 2008 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

friggin rec'd. awesome...

by nwtrev on Aug 11, 2008 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now that's a swimmer worth rooting for

by Gomez on Aug 11, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw yeah that's the stuff right there.

"Maybe Chief has to go and grab somebody from his neck and throw him into the wall."

by esoteric on Aug 12, 2008 12:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too am not much of an Olympics man.

But I sat down and watched some of the swimming with my parents. Also got a chance to see the men’s gymnastics team in action…I must say, the pommel horse routine by the kid with the Russian sounding last name (for the United States) was amazing. I was literally going “what the hell” at the T.V., astonished that he managed to swing his legs so close to the horse without crashing into the side of it.

Don’t know if they got gold or not but even the other teams were standing there clapping in amazement.

by Omerta on Aug 11, 2008 3:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Women's softball and Wrestling!

Very very rarely do I get a chance to watch REAL HONEST TO GOODNESS Wrestling.
I grew up wrestling. I even had a few summer coaches that made the Olympics back in the late 90’s. So yeah waiting to see that.

And Women’s softball is… well, cute girls and baseball. What isn’t there to love?

by mark sobba on Aug 11, 2008 3:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Very good

That lead looked insurmountable, but the last leg was fantastic. Likewise the women’s 400m which was won in a similar fashion at the end, making up a body-length of distance over the last 25m.

Can’t wait for the indoor cycling and the athletics, but would happily pass on the equestrian and shooting, thank you.

The Chinese seem to be pretty confident that they can top the medal table this time around. Will be interesting to see how it pans out in the next few weeks.

The english Mariner who isn't EnglishMariner --- P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Aug 11, 2008 6:02 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I've been looking for a place to post this

Jim Caple has been on fire lately

The ♥ Jose Lopez ♥ Watch - 140 H, 16 BB, 49 G Left

by seattlebruin on Aug 11, 2008 7:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I normally don't give a shit about the Olypmics, but holy crap these have been fun to watch.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 11, 2008 8:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I even watched trap shooting yesterday.

I loves me some Olympics. I could care less about 99% of the sports, but it’s really cool to watch people that are the absolute best in their particular discipline be rewarded for the kind of work it takes to get to the Olympics.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Aug 11, 2008 9:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Swimming is the best summer Olympic sport to watch.

I have been glued to the action at the Water Cube. I have watched the 4×100 Men’s relay a dozen times now and it keeps getting better and better. It’s like watching the Dark Knight again and again.

The opening ceremony was flipping awesome. I am not an artistic dance fan, but that was just unbelievable because of the sheer size of choreography. The Chinese are the biggest winners of these events and things are just getting started.

by Wilder. on Aug 11, 2008 12:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was watching around 3am Sunday morning and there was a handball match...

... handball? what is that?

My favorite is the diving.

Oh and suck it France (in a spirited competitive way..not a mean way)

by nwtrev on Aug 11, 2008 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I played handball in junior high.

It’s halfway between water polo and lacross.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 11, 2008 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There was an ad in the Times for a handball team to play in the 2012 Olympics

Since the host country apparently has to have teams for every event, and GB doesn’t play handball…

I was tempted to offer goalkeeping services.

by Graham on Aug 11, 2008 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Peter Schmeichel was a handball goalkeeper at school

He says it’s where his “star jump” technique comes from.

by Alex B on Aug 12, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Team handball looks like it totally rocks

by Nick S on Aug 11, 2008 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As opposed to individual handball

which kinda sucks.

by Two Rs and Two Ls on Aug 11, 2008 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Handball is my ticket to London in 2012

by Matthew on Aug 11, 2008 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matthew Carruth: the Michael Jordan of handball

by Gomez on Aug 11, 2008 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now we just need to sell pictures of Matthew partying to the English tabloids and we're set for life!

The ♥ Jose Lopez ♥ Watch - 146 H, 16 BB, 44 G Left

by seattlebruin on Aug 11, 2008 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch out

Only a matter of time before a crazed German develops an all-encompassing crush on him and decided to get stabby.

by marc w on Aug 11, 2008 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Monica Seles?

Matthew doesn’t habitually grunt IIRC

by Gomez on Aug 11, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A different crazed German...

by marc w on Aug 11, 2008 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

I was thinking of the crazed guy that stabbed her.

by Gomez on Aug 11, 2008 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is there actually a club in Seattle that plays?

I’d love to give it a try

by Nick S on Aug 11, 2008 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching the Olympics makes my severe insomnia more bearable.

Basically I watch the obscure sports live. Fun times. My favorite discovery so far…the Argentinian Women’s Field Hockey Team.

by SethGrandpa on Aug 11, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I second this. They are very talented.

by nwtrev on Aug 11, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My all-time favourite Olympic sport is the Modern Pentathlon

Fencing
Shooting
Show Jumping
Swimming
Cross-country running

What’s not to like? The IOC keeps threatening to take it away, but they haven’t yet.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 11, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like that it's the 'Modern' Pentathalon.

I love the biathalon, too. Cross-country skiing and shooting? Well why the hell not!

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 11, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In places like Norway, Finland, Russia, and Canada, the biathlon is a way of life.

And it’s the Modern Pentathlon to dostinguish it from the Pentathlon in the ancient Olympics (which was the precursor to today’s Decathlon, except with wrestling).

The modern pentathlon was supposed (when someone thought of it in the late 19th century) to simulate all the skills necessary to work as a messenger in wartime. Fencing and shooting, plus riding, running, and swimming.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 11, 2008 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do generally prefer the winter sports.

But then my country does a lot better in the winter sports.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 11, 2008 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I watch the biathlon obsessively during the Winter Olympics.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 11, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of my favorite Seinfeld bits was about that.

How many alpine snipers are into this? To me it’s like combining swimming and strangle a guy. Why don’t we have that? That makes absolutely as much sense to me. Just put people in the pool at the end of each lane for the swimmers.

by Teej on Aug 11, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The IOC can't take it away. Dolph Lundgren will annihilate them all if they do...

by marc w on Aug 11, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd love to compete in the "Modern Pentathlon"...though i don't know a thing about fencing

by Smith18 on Aug 11, 2008 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's okay.

Modern Pentalthetes generally suck at either fencing or shooting. Since one requires you to be really steady, and the other requires you to be really twitchy (it’s one-touch epée), you can’t really be good at both.

The top pentathletes are usually mediocre in both to avoid being awful in either.

And the show jumping is done using a horse chosen for you at random that you don’t meet until 20 minutes before the competition, the swimming is over 300 metres (a distance no one else swims), and the running is 3 km cross country. All done in one day.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Aug 12, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball and softball going away next games is stupid.

by Mariner John on Aug 11, 2008 6:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The IOC hates Amurica.

by thewyrm on Aug 11, 2008 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Considering all the countries that play baseball...

this baffles me.

by BrianL on Aug 11, 2008 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Constructing a field solely for base/softball in countries that do not play the sport

(see: Greece)

is incredibly wasteful and stupid.

by Matthew on Aug 11, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greece has a league now though.

The same with every country that has hosted the Olympics since baseball was introduced. England may be a problem but they at least have leagues. I guess with the WBC baseball isn’t really necessary in the Olympics but it at least gave the lesser baseball playing countries (Netherlands, Australia) a chance to win (or not fail completely) occasionally since they were playing against minor leaguers rather than major leaguers.

by Mariner John on Aug 11, 2008 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs