Anyone arsed?
There might be a couple of events that get my Olympic-weenie jumping but it just doesn't compare with the Summer Olympics.
I suppose it's because I come from a warmer climate and the Winterval sports are a bit foreign to me but they just don't have the oomph that the Summer provides.
Winterval competitions that pique the interest:
Speed Skating
Bobsled
Ski Jump
I think the Olympics would be great if only:
1. They would stop televising them live.
2. They would ban advertising from equipment and apparel used by "athletes."
3. They would go back to amateurs only.
4. They would always hold the summer games in Athens and the winter games in the same Scandihoovian locale. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO STOP WASTING TAX MONEY IN OTHER NATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
5. They required members on national olympic committees to have at least half a brain apiece.
My biggest bitch with the Winter Olympics is that they're pretty much made for television. In the skiing and skating events, the Olympics are nowhere near the most important stop on the professional tour. Most of the athletes are using the Olympics as tuning up for the world championships.
The stupidist thing ever in the winter olympics? Testing snowboarders for THC. Jesus, ALL of those guys are potheads. You think normal people do that? ::)
Last note: I was so incensed about the last summer olympics being held in Slave Labor Poison Exporting Can Write on the Air But Not Breathe it China, that I didn't watch a single event -- not live, not replayed on television, nor did a read a word about it in the press. And I survived fine.
I can't be arsed with events like figure skating or indeed, any type of skating and biathlon. However, as a keen skier I just love watching the downhill and super-g. After watching the Hahnenkamm weekend a couple of weeks back, I reckon that Didier Cuche is going to clean up in the men's competitions.
The Luge is always fun too. A couple of years ago some massive lady did it and bounced off every single corner on the way down. Quite hilarious.
Uh-huh, SWMBO is gearing up for it.
Just as long as it does not coincide with either the Prem games (especially Fulham) or the 6 Nations, then it will be watched, I guess.
Curling!
I can just see it being played on some lake in northern Ontario. Sort of like shuffle board at the local pub. Thrown the rock and take a swig. Gotta like it.
I actually got into trouble over curling once. Forget which Olympics it was, but I was on business in Toronto and the Canadian curling team was playing the Scots (I think). It was lunch time local time and I was having a burger at the bar. It got pretty packed all of a sudden and since the Scots/Brits were winning I was caught cheering...Lo and behold I was told to leave immediately (didn't have to pay, so I wish I had ate more of the burger) and got shoved out the fire exit.
Canadians are supposed to be harmless, but don't mess with their curling
I am excited for the hockey tournament. Its the closest thing to the world cup for hockey fans.
Quote from: AmericanJames on February 04, 2010, 03:26:59 AM
I am excited for the hockey tournament. Its the closest thing to the world cup for hockey fans.
Agreed.
Most other winter games are, overall, meaningless. Hockey however has no similar, #1 international competition, except for that thing in the spring that coincides with the NHL playoffs.
I, like AmJames and EQ, really enjoy the downhill skiing and hockey...that's about it.
Actually, I can get into the speed skating if a countrymen is involved and bobsleding and luge can be interesting as well.
I get up for it, and I want to see Americans win everything. I am a very proud person, and this is important as far as Im concerned.
Vancouver is goign to be a great locale for this setup.
I am looking forward to watching it all, I love the ski jumping, all the skiing type events really, the hockey is going to be fantastic, ill even watch curling.
Looking forward to watching Lindsey Vonn. I hear she can beat most of the men.
She probably can. She is also a pretty lady.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://online.wsj.com/media/von1_G_20091124182301.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snowmenu.com/lindsey-vonn-working-out-in-the-gym/&usg=__KhDJy3MXC3nT_x-PEtH66Ce4EYU=&h=369&w=553&sz=55&hl=en&start=18&itbs=1&tbnid=gW6Qhym57yjWeM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlindsey%2Bvonn%2Bnaked%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://online.wsj.com/media/von1_G_20091124182301.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snowmenu.com/lindsey-vonn-working-out-in-the-gym/&usg=__KhDJy3MXC3nT_x-PEtH66Ce4EYU=&h=369&w=553&sz=55&hl=en&start=18&itbs=1&tbnid=gW6Qhym57yjWeM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlindsey%2Bvonn%2Bnaked%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
very pretty, but couldn't you have found a better picture?
Quote from: finnster01 on February 07, 2010, 12:28:38 AM
She probably can. She is also a pretty lady.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://online.wsj.com/media/von1_G_20091124182301.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snowmenu.com/lindsey-vonn-working-out-in-the-gym/&usg=__KhDJy3MXC3nT_x-PEtH66Ce4EYU=&h=369&w=553&sz=55&hl=en&start=18&itbs=1&tbnid=gW6Qhym57yjWeM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlindsey%2Bvonn%2Bnaked%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://online.wsj.com/media/von1_G_20091124182301.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.snowmenu.com/lindsey-vonn-working-out-in-the-gym/&usg=__KhDJy3MXC3nT_x-PEtH66Ce4EYU=&h=369&w=553&sz=55&hl=en&start=18&itbs=1&tbnid=gW6Qhym57yjWeM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlindsey%2Bvonn%2Bnaked%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG)
The workout she is doing in the video must be the latest rage cause it is similar to the routine I do on M,W nights at gym I belong to.
Oh, she's a hot athlete as well!
I'll watch when they have something interesting...mud 'rasslin would work for me.
Quote from: finnster01 on February 04, 2010, 02:26:45 AM
I actually got into trouble over curling once. Forget which Olympics it was, but I was on business in Toronto and the Canadian curling team was playing the Scots (I think). It was lunch time local time and I was having a burger at the bar. It got pretty packed all of a sudden and since the Scots/Brits were winning I was caught cheering...Lo and behold I was told to leave immediately (didn't have to pay, so I wish I had ate more of the burger) and got shoved out the fire exit.
Canadians are supposed to be harmless, but don't mess with their curling
Jesus Christ, Finny. The same thing happened to me at the same time in the same olympics DURING THE SAME MATCH. I was in an airport bar somewhere between flights and the game was on TV. I made some crack about it being a better spectacle if they used vacuum cleaners instead of brooms and I thought I'd bought it for sure. Thankfully, they were all young and fit, and I was well past 50. I've learned to look for those maple-leaf thingies on backpacks again.
Man, I'd completely forgotten about that.
Did anybody else see this? very sad, rest in peace mate
Video removed by you tube
Hey AmJames, the video is kaput...obviously the guy passes, RIP, but do you know any details? Was that this year?
this was today. the guy was going 88 mph on the luge and lost control flew out of the stadium and hit a steel stanchion.
It was really sad to see.... incredible really.
Well the winter countries start battle tomorrow for the medals..... USA, Russia, Canada, and Germany to battle it out for top spot. Hope the French dont win anything.
Odds on GB placing in any of the events I thought I heard was 3/1
Very sad story for the young Georgian. My prayers for his family and loved ones.
Having said that, what on earth makes a grown man sit on a piece of wood going down a curvy and slippery slope in 90 miles per hour?
There is always the glass of pills option. Seems to be slightly simpler.
Quote from: HatterDon on February 03, 2010, 05:15:42 AM
I think the Olympics would be great if only:
1. They would stop televising them live.
2. They would ban advertising from equipment and apparel used by "athletes."
3. They would go back to amateurs only.
4. They would always hold the summer games in Athens and the winter games in the same Scandihoovian locale. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO STOP WASTING TAX MONEY IN OTHER NATIONS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
5. They required members on national olympic committees to have at least half a brain apiece.
My biggest bitch with the Winter Olympics is that they're pretty much made for television. In the skiing and skating events, the Olympics are nowhere near the most important stop on the professional tour. Most of the athletes are using the Olympics as tuning up for the world championships.
The stupidist thing ever in the winter olympics? Testing snowboarders for THC. Jesus, ALL of those guys are potheads. You think normal people do that? ::)
Last note: I was so incensed about the last summer olympics being held in Slave Labor Poison Exporting Can Write on the Air But Not Breathe it China, that I didn't watch a single event -- not live, not replayed on television, nor did a read a word about it in the press. And I survived fine.
...I'm with my Texan cousin, I haven't watched the last 4 Olympics, they are mainly corrupt - not so much the athletes, but the IOC receiving favours, the local politicians mates winning contracts to build stadiums with taxpayers money and then selling the structures to the private sector, naturally to companies that 'donate' to said governments. Isn't it strange that every time an olympic bid is made the actual costs are 5 or 6 times the estimates that won them the bids!
The large numbers of viewers who watch for the duration of the games hardly ever go to such events personally, look at the average crowd at athletic events in the intervening years, almost non-existent - so why so much money pumped into the event?
Come 2012 I will spend 2 weeks with the telly off, even though I will be paying towards it before and after the event for many years to come... >:(
5 Medals for the Yanks already, and were leading the group!
Quote from: clintclintdeuce on February 14, 2010, 11:28:59 PM
5 Medals for the Yanks already, and were leading the group!
6 now.
Looks like the Canadians are struggling a bit:
(http://www.nbc.com/assets/images/promotes/2010/02/16/2531_beyond_279_exclusive_001.jpg)
Some sports are brilliant. Ski racing, phenominal. However, I am biased. My son started to ski when he was 4. At age 17 he went off to a ski school, similar to a specialist football academy for really good players. It is fascinating to watch your son ski at 70mph. (and scary) when only 17 years old..
A couple of his mates made it to the US ski team and he might have had a chance with the Brits' team but for 2 serious injuries, resulting in his retirement from racing.
TV coverage....absolute crap in USA but brilliant in canada where they actually show the events and not 70% advertising and stupid stories about the competitors.
Curling, like cricket, can draw you into it. Loved the story about being thrown out of an event in Canada. (Finnister I think).
You gotta love how NBC still thinks in 1985.
NO LIVE SPORTS! ONLY PACKAGED TAPE DELAY! PUFF PIECES ABOUT POLAR BEARS LOCATED THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY!
You Brits may complain, but the BBC has been a godsend with MOTD, the Superbowl, and now this.
I'm just about to put on my Robin Hood pants and long johns to go outside to the grocers.
I don't remember wearing this at all, but right now I feel like I am a skater in the olympics. Good news very, very few people that know me will catch me in the act.
What happened to global warming?
Sorry Finn, but it's the obligatory...TPIWWP!
This Post Is Worthless Without Pics!
Man, those injuries can wreak havok on a young athlete. They are hard to swollow, that it for sure. It also shows how lucky those who do get to compete at that high of a level are to even make it w/out getting injuired. For every Wayne Rooney and Didier Cuche there is I can most definitely find 10 just like them who didnt make it due to injury.
How about more biathlon tomorrow??? Can't wait :o :o
Quote from: finnster01 on February 18, 2010, 04:50:38 AM
How about more biathlon tomorrow??? Can't wait :o :o
Yeah, fit and heavenly European women wearing spandex and shooting rifles.
Why are you complaining about this?
I actually wasn't complaining mate. I guess it is standard fare here in the US. Get the old rifle out, hop in the truck, go to the store, buy the groceries and drive back home.
You should be winning all the medals in the biathlon with the amount of weaponry laying about in this country
finn if it came down to shooting and then eating mcdonald's we would win but unfortunately it involves some sort of exercise so we're out of luck
Quote from: AmericanJames on February 18, 2010, 03:14:13 PM
finn if it came down to shooting and then eating mcdonald's we would win but unfortunately it involves some sort of exercise so we're out of luck
We got our first medal in this event...
Also, it has alot to do with our skiiers being amateurs and the Europeans doing this for a living.
Quote from: AmericanJames on February 18, 2010, 03:14:13 PM
finn if it came down to shooting and then eating mcdonald's we would win but unfortunately it involves some sort of exercise so we're out of luck
I just think I tried out for the event as I inadvertently evidently jumped the line in McDonalds here in Harlem and got a right old school talking to by someone in what looked like a pimp outfit. I respected that, apologized, went to the back and waited for my turn. The guy was even pleasant on the way out after he got his order and shook my hand. I thought he was going to pull out a Magnum 44 or something. I didn't know what was going on. Memo to self: Have to be a tad more careful at the moment
What do you make out of curling? It's a bit like shuffle board on ice, isn't it? It's more like something you do on a cruise ship than in the Olympics in my opinion.
U.S. leads with 18 medals now.
Quite pleased with cheering for the US to be honest.
We have very few chances on a medal other than the odd Torvill/Dean impersonation in figure skating or some fat chick from Manchester on one of those planks of wood going down 200 miles an hour. Good fun to watch though, and go USA!!!
Quote from: finnster01 on February 18, 2010, 02:43:41 PM
I actually wasn't complaining mate. I guess it is standard fare here in the US. Get the old rifle out, hop in the truck, go to the store, buy the groceries and drive back home.
Mr Finn,
You forgot the bit about popping a few off at the local road kill en-route.
I wouldn't mind popping off some of these figure skaters. I have been watching a bunch of strange people for about an hour now ice dancing to some horrible tango music. Time to change channels me thinks
Holy Lord, UK won a gold in something...skeleton. I bet she had a six pack of ESB before she attempted going head first down the hill on that contraption.
Amy Williams smokes.
Quote from: finnster01 on February 20, 2010, 04:29:19 AM
UK won a gold in something...skeleton. I bet she had a six pack of ESB before she attempted going head first
Its Team GB. Not UK...
And she did wear a massive helmet so no dangers there,,,
Quote from: W@T on February 20, 2010, 08:02:30 AM
Quote from: finnster01 on February 20, 2010, 04:29:19 AM
UK won a gold in something...skeleton. I bet she had a six pack of ESB before she attempted going head first
Its Team GB. Not UK...
And she did wear a massive helmet so no dangers there,,,
It is UK to me mate, and that Georgian chap that died had an even bigger helmet on
This is great to have something different on the tele to watch at night but I can't keep up.
I don't know who any of these competitors are, including the Americans.
How am I supposed to care what these people are accomplishing? ???
5 and a half minutes left...can Team USA win a gold medal in Men's Hockey?
Come on boys!
Well, we need to tie it up first! :D We're down 2-1 with less than 5 to go...
Ya Baby!!!! 24 seconds left and here come the Yanks!!! 2-2!
Taking it to overtime! Come on you USA!
Sudden-Death overtime! No shootout crap today! This is good sports-drama!
Well toot...Canada wins their sport.
Congrats to them. Hooray for Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars Captain.
I dont even like the sport but hockey OT is the best! USA showed great heart, just like in soccer. Gotta love Ryan Miller - amazing goalie! Wanted a USA win, but hats off and congrats to Canada; they were too good.
Great game i just wish somebody other than Crosby would have scored
The hockey didn't dissapoint... if you are a canadian.
But our gay guy beating the stuffing out of the Russian gay guy in figure skating was awethome...
Linsey Vonn and Mancusso rivalry was a bit embarrasing.
Bode Miller made me proud.
Shaun White invented snowboarding didn't he? so not sure why they have that "competition"
Snow/ ski cross was awesome I love the idea of sending down 4 people on a slippery slope at the same time and may the best man/woman win.
Curling is interesting for the last ??? inning? or two
Appollo and the speed skating was pretty cool ...
I guess I have to say I'm a big fan of the olympics. And there was a young brit bird that won the Skeleton competition, so that was pretty cool, not since eddie the eagle have I seen a brit playing in the snow/ice... I suppose if they ever made darts and other beer games an olympic competition we would see more of them...
