The Olympic Games

[Al Creed]

Doing a search of the forums, I did not find a thread on the Olympics, so, being an Olympic year(Athens, Greece, this year), what are your opinions on this Quadannual event?

To be honest, I watch the Olympics, without fail. Since 1992 in Barcelona, I try and catch every event (whenever possible), to see athletes competing for the sake of competing (all endorsements put aside, but not ignored, of course).

Of course, the Olympics have their problems, such as a corrupt IOC, and a sublte re-enforcement of nationalism (to which, sometimes I submit to...Hey, no one is perfect, am I right?), which plague the Olympics.

Enough of my opinion (for now,) what do you guys think?

(I post this in OI, to give Everyone a chance to opinionate on this subject)

[The Children of the Revolution]

Of course, the Olympics have their problems, such as a corrupt IOC, and a sublte re-enforcement of nationalism (to which, sometimes I submit to...Hey, no one is perfect, am I right?), which plague the Olympics.


Well, since we're living in a capitalist society full of fiercely competitive nation states, may as well enjoy it while it lasts, eh? :P COME ON GREAT BRITAIN / NORTHERN IRELAND!!!

I like the olymipcs too. There are several "problems" that need to be addressed though. The use of drugs and steroids is one. Yes, people claim that extensive testing is getting rid of the issue... but it's not! It's just making it worse. I love the way that "explosive" sports (in which the participants can achieve the most noticable performance increase by using steroids etc.) are dominated by rich countries whilst the "endurance" sports (long distance; i.e. 3000m +) are dominated by Ethiopians and Kenyans. The Europeans don't even get a look in!

Also, there are too many wussy sports such as "synchronised swimming" and the like. These ought to be banned; they are simply a joke.

My favourites are the long distance track events, (Haile Gebrselassie is wonderful to watch; sadly, his reign is coming to an end!) the swimming, cycling and the rowing. Because Brittania rules the waves! :lol:

[Y2A]

Also, there are too many wussy sports such as "synchronised swimming" and the like. These ought to be banned; they are simply a joke.

True, this is one of the biggest reasons that I don't like to watch the olympics. I find the world cup far more entertaining and believe it does a better job of attracting international attention then the Olympics.

[Al Creed]

I'm partial to the Track (Running), wrestling, Rowing (for some odd reason) for Summer.

I like the WInter Olympics a little more. Hockey (Of course:P), Bobsled, Curling (It's MUCH more fun than it looks on TV. Challenging too) and Biathelon for the Winter events.

***

Ah yes, the Drugs are also another problem with the Olympics.

The whole thing is a big fiasco. Canada has a history with drug scandal. Aside from Ben Johnson, in 1996, In Atlanta, there was Silken Lauman, who got in hot water for taking the wrong kind of Cold medication. As well, in Nagano, there was Ross Rebilgati (sp), the snowboarder who almost had his medal taken away for having pot in his bloodtsream.

[The Children of the Revolution]

The winter olymipcs are fantastic!!!

My favourite sport of all time is skiing; I never used to appreciate it but after 3 weeks experience on the slopes and several bruises later, I have realised the enormous skill it takes to get anything near good!!

Also, Ice Skating is wonderful.



I find the world cup far more entertaining


I presume you mean the Athletics World Cup??? Yes, it is good... but lacks the prestige of the Olympics!!

[Al Creed]

Originally posted by The Children of the [email protected] 1 2004, 11:48 PM
The winter olymipcs are fantastic!!!

My favourite sport of all time is skiing; I never used to appreciate it but after 3 weeks experience on the slopes and several bruises later, I have realised the enormous skill it takes to get anything near good!!
Try Curling, After one bonspeil, you develop a whole new appreciation for it.

[Stapler]

Being a canadian I feel the need to gloat about our victories in salt lake, it's only natural.

[Urban Rubble]

I think drug testing needs to be increased, but they also need to distinguish between performance enhancing drugs and recreational drugs. I think it's insane that they tried to take Rebagliatti's snowboard trophy for smoking herb. Do they realize that herb is not going to help your performance ?

I was almost to the point where I was going to try out for snowboarding (halfpipe) for the 2000 games, but I tore my ACL. So no Olympics for me.

[The Children of the Revolution]

I was almost to the point where I was going to try out for snowboarding (halfpipe) for the 2000 games


Man, you must have been good!!

From my experience with snowboarding, (i.e. laughing at boarders sat on their asses the whole time and cutting them up on the slopes :lol: ) it is very tricky to master. Or even to learn!!



Try Curling, After one bonspeil, you develop a whole new appreciation for it.


Hmmm, I'm not so sure... :unsure:

[Saint-Just]

Euro 2004 will be great too, if you are from a football-loving country.

[The Children of the Revolution]

Yes, though England drew the group of death!! (As usual...)

[Intifada]

Yes, though England drew the group of death!! (As usual...)

as long as sven doesnt field no-hopers like emil heskey, england will do well.

[The Children of the Revolution]

Retract that statement NOW infidel!! As long as he doesn't play the great PHIL NEVILLE we'll be fine!!

Heskey is a legend, and much underrated.

[Intifada]

As long as he doesn't play the great PHIL NEVILLE we'll be fine!!

phil neville is a much more useful player than emile heskey. heskey is meant to be a striker, but you would never have know that he was unless someone told you. how many goals has he scored for england? i cant even remember if he has scored for england! :lol:

[The Children of the Revolution]

Of course he has!! Don't be a fool!!

Anyways, he's more of a "target man". Owen is the finisher.

Football in the olympics, to return to the topic, is crap. Because it's all amateur based...

[Intifada]

foootball in the olympics is better than the other shit that they show. i really cant stand swimming races, how can you watch them? anyone remember eddie the eel?

[The Children of the Revolution]

I thought it was Eddie the Eagle?? The useless British Ski-Jumper...

I love watching swimming; it's a "proper" sport for sure. And the races are always so remarkably close after such a distance!! It also very technical, and involves much use of skill.

[Intifada]

no eddie the EEL, the swimmer from africa. he won because all the other swimmers were disqualified. he wasnt a good swimmer as he only swam in lakes in which crocodiles lived.

[Intifada]

sorry man, just realised it was eric the eel.

[Intifada]

heres a pic of him..

[cubist]

i love the track side of te olympics and the hockey.

i remember Eric what honour he competed with man, big respect.

[Intifada]

the sad thing is that the IOC is trying to ban what they call "no-hopers" from entering the olympics.

here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/2940114.stm)

[Saint-Just]

Originally posted by The Children of the [email protected] 2 2004, 01:20 PM
Yes, though England drew the group of death!! (As usual...)
Yes, as long as we can get past Croatia and Switzerland we will be alright. It will be good to watch though.

Who else is there besides Heskey?

[The Children of the Revolution]

The wonderful Francis Jeffers perhaps?
Or even that goal-scoring-machine Vassel!! What a waste of space he is...
Wayne Rooney is the only real alternative, (though it pains me to say that, being a Liverpool fan) but he is too similar to Owen - a runner / finisher rather than a target man.

Owen and Heskey for England!!

[Saint-Just]

Yes, I am a Liverpool fan too. I enjoy those two upfront for England. We could win the European Championships with those two upfront, just about I think. But I think we need better forwards to win the world cup.

Who are Italy and the Netherlands playing upfront these days?

[el_profe]

I only watch the running events, swiming, basketball, football(soccer), tennis and volleyball, especially the womens Italian volleyball team :D .

[Intifada]

I enjoy those two upfront for England. We could win the European Championships with those two upfront, just about I think

normally, chairman mao, you say some wise things, but that is just utter crap!

[Saint-Just]

Originally posted by [email protected] 3 2004, 09:42 PM

I enjoy those two upfront for England. We could win the European Championships with those two upfront, just about I think

normally, chairman mao, you say some wise things, but that is just utter crap!
:lol: I think you are wrong, I know that we do not have the best forwards in Europe. Italy and France are far better and other nations match us upfront, or possibly beat us. But, that is not to say we could not win. I do not think we will win, but it is possible. We are one of the favourites. In the context of the World Cup, what I said would be utter crap.

These are the teams. The only two that are guaranteed better than us are France and Italy. I think we probably had a better chance in Euro 96' though.

Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Greece
Italy
Latvia
Netherlands
Portugal
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

[Intifada]

owen is good, but heskey is useless. rooney or beattie would do a better job in my opinion. i personally think that either france, germany or portugal will win, england might come close.

[el_profe]

England wont win, I think if Holland can get a decent coach that can get them to play well they should win, look at all the talent they have. Italy also has a good team and Spain I think has a chance.
Portugal's stars are getting old, Figo is not the same he was 3 years ago and I dont think they have a very good striker. Of course France also has a great team I think its between France, Italy, Holland and maybe Spain.

[The Children of the Revolution]

England wont win


Yes we will!! Remember the World Cup?? England's match against Argentina (the cheating buggers) was SO good; we really proved we could play. It was only because of a slice by Ronaldhinio that we were knocked out. England for Euro 2004!!

[Saint-Just]

I think we could have Beattie or Rooney upfront instead of Heskey. We have good players in midfield and defence, not a good keeper though and no really outstanding forwards. I think we may do well to put Robinson in goal, he is probably better than James.

I agree TCOTR, I think we could win it. I think Spain and Portugal will be good, Portugal has Brazil's World Cup 2002 coach.

[Intifada]

i wouldnt write off portugal, they have home advantage and can play decent football. i agree that our keepers arent the best, our main asset is the midfield, we have one of the best midfields in the tournament in my opinion, its just whether or not we can score goals.

[Saint-Just]

We have a good defence to. Neville brothers, Campbell, Cole, Bridge. Our midfield is excellent, but France, Italy, Portugal and Spain have amazing midfields too. We have Beckham, Butt, Gerrard, Scholes and so on.

Your right about Portugal, but its easy to write them off because they have not done too well before. But really, they haven't got a team as good as France, England, Italy or Spain at all. I don't think Portugal will win it, certainly not.