Official 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens Thread [Archive]

Morgana

07-27-2004, 11:13 PM

The crickets are still peacefully chirping in this thread, but in just a few weeks, it will become a 3-week non-stop party. At least, that's what I'm hoping it will become. :D

I'm currently specumalating over who is going to win the men's basketball gold, gone are the days of the US Dream Team. I am actually glad, I mean, how boring was that? I didn't even follow Olympic basketball back then because it was like, gee... I wonder who will win? :rolleyes: But now the playing field is more even, I'd be actually surprised if the US won the gold. Many star players have pulled out due to security reasons, but I'm glad Tim Duncan is still on, he's one of my fave players.

It's hard for me to predict who will win the gold without seeing the different teams play, but some exhibition games will be played before the Olympics start, so the results of those might give me a better idea. One thing is for sure, with the team the USA has now, things will definitely be exciting in terms of competition.

Go Tim Duncan! :D

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/basketball/news/story?id=1847368

Unicron

07-28-2004, 04:06 AM

http://www.australiaday.gov.au/images/AnimatedFlag.gif

17 days to Go

Top 5 finish is our Goal!

Moviefan1234

07-29-2004, 01:29 PM

I'm looking forward to the Olympics. I just love good ol' international competition. The basketball, cycling, and swimming seem to be my favorite events, but I do enjoy watching just about everything.

horrorfreak13

07-30-2004, 01:00 PM

Well Carmelo Anthony is getting a little cocky guaranteeing gold well the US have shown the past few years that they are beatable if memory serves me correctly they had to qualify in the final round to get in.

The Score in Canada showed a good piece with the US assistant coach Greg Popovich(I'm sure it's spelt wrong) and you can hear him tell the players there are going to be calls that are just calls and you can't go NBA like on them just give the ref the ball and move on.

It appears out best hope for medal or at least one of them is Patricia Felicien the #1 ranked hurdler and I like her chances to get a gold for Canada.

Morgana

07-30-2004, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well Carmelo Anthony is getting a little cocky guaranteeing gold well the US have shown the past few years that they are beatable if memory serves me correctly they had to qualify in the final round to get in.

The Score in Canada showed a good piece with the US assistant coach Greg Popovich(I'm sure it's spelt wrong) and you can hear him tell the players there are going to be calls that are just calls and you can't go NBA like on them just give the ref the ball and move on.

It appears out best hope for medal or at least one of them is Patricia Felicien the #1 ranked hurdler and I like her chances to get a gold for Canada.

Carmelo needs to shut up and practice more Olympic basketball.

I didn't see the program with Popovich, but I've read an ESPN article, and right now the US team sounds more like the Indians from the movie Major League than a guaranteed gold winner. They're gonna have to work for it, it won't be handed to them on a silver platter. Which, I think, will make for an exciting competition for every nation involved. Don't underestimate anyone.

Morgana

08-01-2004, 07:17 AM

Well, the US basketball team won its first exhibition game against Puerto Rico, but not without Iverson acting like a prima donna. Iverson, LeBron James, and Amare Stoudemire were benched for showing up late for a pre-game meeting, and after having read this article, I feel a very strong urge to slap the shit out of Iverson.

I don't care if he's the captain, if he can't follow the rules and set a good example, and considering his past with Larry Brown... I think I would actually leave his ass at home. :mad:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/basketball/news/story?id=1849938

mikeyD

08-03-2004, 07:17 PM

I'm a big fan of the summer games. I thought more people would be. I was psyched to hear there is going to be 24/7 coverage this year.

Moviefan1234

08-03-2004, 07:44 PM

http://www.sportsline.com/olympics/story/7548171

If that isn't a wakeup call for the US Men's Basketball team, I don't know what is. They absolutely got their asses handed to them.

mikeyD

08-04-2004, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
http://www.sportsline.com/olympics/story/7548171

If that isn't a wakeup call for the US Men's Basketball team, I don't know what is. They absolutely got their asses handed to them.

Hopefull that's a wake up call. I would hate to see them end up like they did at the world championships. Does anyone know where I could find a detailed schedule of what NBC is showing and when?

Morgana

08-04-2004, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by mikeyD
Hopefull that's a wake up call. I would hate to see them end up like they did at the world championships. Does anyone know where I could find a detailed schedule of what NBC is showing and when?

Here's a link, I think it gives the activities for every day of the Olympics.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tvlistings/index.html

Now that there are not that many days to count, I can finally do a countdown. Only 10 days left to go! :D

horrorfreak13

08-05-2004, 12:53 PM

Well Carmelo do you still guarantee the Gold medal still they barely can beat Germany I tell you the rest of the World is better than the media and people in the US think.

While Canada beat greece in exhibition for the baseball I think Canada has a great shot at the Gold they have a very good team I just hope the Colorado Rockies do the noble think and let Jeff Francis go and play for Canada.

Right now Sports Illustrated has Canda projected to win 14 medals and odds are Canada will win between 12-16 medals.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/medal.picks/

What I have a problem with this person's pick is where's Simon Whitfield last year's gold medalist and also Gail Rivers over Pedrita Felicien I don't fucking think so.

Morgana

08-05-2004, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well Carmelo do you still guarantee the Gold medal still they barely can beat Germany I tell you the rest of the World is better than the media and people in the US think.

While Canada beat greece in exhibition for the baseball I think Canada has a great shot at the Gold they have a very good team I just hope the Colorado Rockies do the noble think and let Jeff Francis go and play for Canada.

Right now Sports Illustrated has Canda projected to win 14 medals and odds are Canada will win between 12-16 medals.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/medal.picks/

What I have a problem with this person's pick is where's Simon Whitfield last year's gold medalist and also Gail Rivers over Pedrita Felicien I don't fucking think so.

I think at least the few of us in this sports forum know the US men's basketball team is not looking so golden this year. Germany did not even qualify for the Olympics, and the US barely sqeezed by them in an exhibition game. Oye vey.

The women's 100m hurdles... I think it's gonna be really close between Gail Devers and Perdita Felicien. Hurdles are always a little unpredictable because people will clip the hurdles, and sometimes they just downright trip and fall. Both ladies are experienced enough not to do either though. I'm not going to guess who will win, but I think it'll definitely be one of the more exciting races. (I think the most boring are the short distance sprints... 100m, 200m... I prefer the longer distances, the hurdles, and the steeple chase.)

Only 9 days left till the Opening Ceremonies. Who-hoo! :D

mikeyD

08-05-2004, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Here's a link, I think it gives the activities for every day of the Olympics.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/tvlistings/index.html

Now that there are not that many days to count, I can finally do a countdown. Only 10 days left to go! :D

Cool, thanks for posting that link. Glad to see the countdown is on.

Morgana

08-08-2004, 09:28 PM

I'm neglecting my countdown...

Only 6 days left!

All right, who's crapping their pants with excitement? I'm crapping my pants with excitement! :D

horrorfreak13

08-09-2004, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
I'm neglecting my countdown...

Only 6 days left!

All right, who's crapping their pants with excitement? I'm crapping my pants with excitement! :D

Well let's see what other sports are there right now there's???????? CFL football, NFL pre-season, and not much else well at least I'll get to see it live which CBC almost all day live TV coverage YIPPIE!!!!!!! compared to NBC which lives on taped coverage

I think the only live coverage NBC will have is the opening ceremonies but that's just a guess.

Indiana Sev

08-09-2004, 12:54 PM

Is it over yet?

:D

Morgana

08-10-2004, 12:54 AM

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Is it over yet?

:D

Come now Sev, get into the Olympic spirit. Get drunk if need be, that sometimes helps to get through watching certain sports. ;)

Horrorfreak, I watched the preseason Redskins-Broncos game tonight. Man, was I bored out of my skull. I'll be happy when regular season kicks off. Till then...

Only 5 days left till the Olympics! :cool:

outsyder

08-10-2004, 02:03 AM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
well at least I'll get to see it live which CBC almost all day live TV coverage YIPPIE!!!!!!!

And at what ungodly hour will I have to watch them?:)

horrorfreak13

08-10-2004, 12:15 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Horrorfreak, I watched the preseason Redskins-Broncos game tonight. Man, was I bored out of my skull. I'll be happy when regular season kicks off. Till then..

Man you must have missed the great ending Denver gets a TD with 1:30 to go and the Redskins win it with 3 seconds left on a winning field goal WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Anyway the Colorado Rockies announced that Jeff Francis Canada's ace won't be going to the olympics and will be called up by Colorado some time within the next 2 weeks FUCKERS!!!!!!!!! :mad:

Originally posted by outsyder
And at what ungodly hour will I have to watch them? :)

Well right now it's either that or fustrate ourselves while 2 people won't mention names try and negotiate a new NHL CBA and everyone else is not optimistic or find what "reality TV" show crap is on TV right now :confused:

Indiana Sev

08-10-2004, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Come now Sev, get into the Olympic spirit.

Maybe I'll watch an event or two but I'm definitely going to skip the 6-hour long opening ceremonies. :D

For the next two weeks, consider this thread yours, M.

Oh yeah, GO CANADA! :p

horrorfreak13

08-10-2004, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Maybe I'll watch an event or two but I'm definitely going to skip the 6-hour long opening ceremonies. :D

Are you sure it's 6 hours it feels like 10 hours to me. :D

Morgana

08-10-2004, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Man you must have missed the great ending Denver gets a TD with 1:30 to go and the Redskins win it with 3 seconds left on a winning field goal WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I did, I did miss that. I watched parts of the first half, and then I caught a glimpse of the score in the second half... and then, out of sheer restlessness, I went for a run. Hmm... didn't think that game would amount to anything.

Sev, I'll take care of this thread, woorry not. ;)

GO... oh wait, I'm not rooting for any nation in particular. I have fave athletes from a variety of nations. GO WORLD! :D

horrorfreak13

08-10-2004, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
GO... oh wait, I'm not rooting for any nation in particular. I have fave athletes from a variety of nations. GO WORLD! :D

And I'm rooting for Canada and seeing how many more people join the cheaters which at this point consists of 1/3 of the US team and 2 greek baseball players.

Morgana

08-11-2004, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
And I'm rooting for Canada and seeing how many more people join the cheaters which at this point consists of 1/3 of the US team and 2 greek baseball players.

I'm rooting for whoever won't be stripped of their medal two years from now because of doping. ;)

Bullet Tooth Tony

08-11-2004, 03:47 PM

Can't wait.

Not sure how good GB will do. Our atheletics team is in a pretty poor state at the moment. I can see Gold for Paula Radcliffe in the marathon and that 17 year old in Boxing.

Still can't wait to watch so many different and diverse sports in the coming weeks.

How could anyone not be excited?

Benny

08-12-2004, 08:47 AM

U S A!!!!!
It looks like NBC is showing a lot more Olympics coverage than in years past, especially on their cable stations (hah, I hope Bravo will have a Queer Eye for the Olympian Guy or something like that.) I'm also getting TiVo tomorrow, which is perfect timing so I can decide which events I want to watch and when. If this all fails me, I also get CBC and they always have good coverage so I can flip to them whenever NBC is showing a quasi-inspirational story about the handball player from Cameroon who was raised by alligators and paralyzed from the waist down at age 3. :D

I think the US Basketball team, by the way, will finally get their act together and win the Gold.

Moviefan1234

08-12-2004, 01:56 PM

I'm really getting psyched for the olympics! I'm one of those people who is really hardcore in routing for my country's athletes, so I'm going to probably keep my comments in this thread to a very minimum in the next two weeks, but go USA! :cool:

horrorfreak13

08-12-2004, 02:05 PM

I'm excited for Canada's baseball team even though we are losing our ace because Colorado won't let him go to the olympics and they are going to call him up in September AFTER THE FUCKING OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and this is all despite the fact that Colorado is 50-62 and won't make the fucking playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I wonder if the player was American would the team still find a way to send him to the olympics probably.

Morgana

08-12-2004, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
I'm really getting psyched for the olympics! I'm one of those people who is really hardcore in routing for my country's athletes, so I'm going to probably keep my comments in this thread to a very minimum in the next two weeks, but go USA! :cool:

Now now, you stop that, Moviefan. I'm sure the Aussies, the Brits, and the Canadians will be loudly supporting their athletes, we need some US representation. Don't you be going nowhere, this is a party for the whole world! :cool:

Again, since NBC covers the Olympics, here's a link to NBC Olympic site for anyone who's interested.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/index.html

Opening Ceremonies tomorrow night! Damn, I've just soiled myself from excitement again. :( :D

Morgana

08-12-2004, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
I'm excited for Canada's baseball team even though we are losing our ace because Colorado won't let him go to the olympics and they are going to call him up in September AFTER THE FUCKING OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and this is all despite the fact that Colorado is 50-62 and won't make the fucking playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I wonder if the player was American would the team still find a way to send him to the olympics probably.

That blows hardcore, man. I don't know what his contract says, but unless there's some clause in it that prevents him from going to the Olympics, I really see no reason why they would not let him go. Geezzz, how many productive years does an athlete have, and how often do the Olympics come around? You can't deny someone the opportunity. :mad:

horrorfreak13

08-12-2004, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
That blows hardcore, man. I don't know what his contract says, but unless there's some clause in it that prevents him from going to the Olympics, I really see no reason why they would not let him go. Geezzz, how many productive years does an athlete have, and how often do the Olympics come around? You can't deny someone the opportunity. :mad:

Colorado says he's not going and he's not going and it sucks what pisses me off is that he will be called up pretty much after the olumpics are pretty much done and Colorado isn't in a fucking playoff race.

I can understand Justin Morneau not going he's playing well regularly on a team that contending for a division I can understand that but it's fucking mindboggling why Colorado won't let Jeff Francis go to the olympics. :mad:

Indiana Sev

08-12-2004, 03:23 PM

Indiana Sev

08-12-2004, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
so I'm going to probably keep my comments in this thread to a very minimum in the next two weeks, but go USA! :cool:

Why?

There is nothing wrong in being patriotic, especially in this thread.

But do me a favor and keep your enthusiasm for Ladder 49 to a minimum. :D

Morgana

08-12-2004, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by Benny
whenever NBC is showing a quasi-inspirational story about the handball player from Cameroon who was raised by alligators and paralyzed from the waist down at age 3.

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Those stories crack me up! And it's probably some producer who makes the whole thing up anyway.

It's always some African runner who grew up without running shoes or something. :D

Arrrggg... MEN!

Those inspirational stories make me blubber and make me take out a box of kleenex.

Inspirational stories are the only reason I got into the Triple Crown. Back in 1999, there was this inspirational horse story, and I've been following the Triple Crown ever since. Though, I must admit, the stories have been getting lamer and lamer each year since. I need more MOVING and DRAMATIC inspirational stories! :D

Indiana Sev

08-13-2004, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by Morgana
Arrrggg... MEN!

Those inspirational stories make me blubber and make me take out a box of kleenex.

That's funny, for me, it's the female gymnastic events that make me take out the kleenex.

:D

I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Moviefan1234

08-13-2004, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Why?
There is nothing wrong in being patriotic, especially in this thread.

I only said it because in the past a couple schmoes have gotten a little peeved at me for being vocal about Americans in competition.

Indiana Sev

08-13-2004, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
I only said it because in the past a couple schmoes have gotten a little peeved at me for being vocal about Americans in competition.

Dude, go all out! The whole point of the Olympics is that you can feel free to cheer on your country and be proud. As long as you're not being disrespectful towards others (which you never have), don't even worry about it.

I personally don't care who wins. I stopped being caught up in the "competition" and "honor" of the Olympiad when judges started getting payed off and "athletes" started shooting up horse and koala tranquilizers.

Okay, that's my last anti-Olympics rant until the closing ceremonies, I swear. :D

Morgana will take over now, with her bright-eyed optimism and obsession for Russian male swimmers...;)

Morgana

08-13-2004, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
That's funny, for me, it's the female gymnastic events that make me take out the kleenex.

:D

I'm kidding, I'm kidding.

Ya know, speaking of gymnastics... I can't believe one of my all-time favorite gymnasts, Svetlana Khorkina, will still be competing in Athens. She's 25 now, traditionally much too old to be competing against the teenage pipsqueaks. I hope she does well. You go Svetlana!

Ladies and gentlemen, fellow sports nuts... in just a few hours the Olympic flag will be raised, the Olympic cauldron will be lit. Let the Games begin!

http://tkdtutor.com/03Dojang/Facility/FlagImages/olympic-flag1.gif

Morgana

08-13-2004, 11:21 AM

http://www.smc.edu/schedules/archives/profiles/2001/011/coverstory/images/lenny_by_pool.jpg

And may the swimmers NOT wear full body suits. ;)

horrorfreak13

08-13-2004, 12:11 PM

Aleight lets bet people what country's going to have the first positive drug test(It was bound to happen sometime) I think there is a on line betting service where you can bet for that.

Also since there is no C in the greek alphabet Canada or will come in with Kenya or somewhere around there.

Then what the hell happens with Chile, Congo, China and all those other countries that begin with C.

Kanada ok that's too fucking weird.

Morgana

08-13-2004, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13

Kanada ok that's too fucking weird.

In my native Czech tongue Canada is spelled Kanada. I'm getting all sentimental and misty-eyed now...

Let's see, which country will get busted first for illegal substance use... I think America is on a roll, I'll give it to the US. Marion Jones is still being investigated, if she ends up positive, her head will roll in the middle of the Olympics.

horrorfreak13

08-13-2004, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Let's see, which country will get busted first for illegal substance use... I think America is on a roll, I'll give it to the US. Marion Jones is still being investigated, if she ends up positive, her head will roll in the middle of the Olympics.

It's either that or the Russians but the real question is will any of the doughheads release it when an american gets a positive test so far at least the USADA is doind something that should have been done 15-20 years ago which the USOC never even bothered to look into at all.

Morgana

08-13-2004, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
It's either that or the Russians but the real question is will any of the doughheads release it when an american gets a positive test so far at least the USADA is doind something that should have been done 15-20 years ago which the USOC never even bothered to look into at all.

I think the whole process is pretty screwed up. Larry Wade, for example... they knew he had tested positive, but they let him go to the Olympic trials. And one day before he was going to compete, information that he had tested positive was leaked. He ended up withdrawing, didn't even race... now my question is, if they knew, why did they even let him go to the trials?

I was reading somewhere that they should go about it like they do in the NFL. Don't leak any information until a punishment has been handed out.

horrorfreak13

08-13-2004, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
I think the whole process is pretty screwed up. Larry Wade, for example... they knew he had tested positive, but they let him go to the Olympic trials. And one day before he was going to compete, information that he had tested positive was leaked. He ended up withdrawing, didn't even race... now my question is, if they knew, why did they even let him go to the trials?

I was reading somewhere that they should go about it like they do in the NFL. Don't leak any information until a punishment has been handed out.

I'm pretty damn certain that's not the only case where the USOC has done this and sent athletes that had tested positive for something. :confused:

I think maybe doing it liek the NFL would be a good thing at least there's a program in there where if you are caught you get suspended and each time you break the rules the suspension gets longer and longer.

Morgana

08-13-2004, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
I'm pretty damn certain that's not the only case where the USOC has done this and sent athletes that had tested positive for something. :confused:

I think maybe doing it liek the NFL would be a good thing at least there's a program in there where if you are caught you get suspended and each time you break the rules the suspension gets longer and longer.

Oh I'm not saying Wade's is the only case, I used it as a very recent example.

I think what should be done is the minute an athlete tests positive he/she is handed a suspension. I don't understand why the process takes months and months... and then there's all these sport courts of arbitration where the athletes can argue their case... how can you argue your case when you've tested positive? It all just seems so ridiculous, and disorganized.

horrorfreak13

08-13-2004, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
I think what should be done is the minute an athlete tests positive he/she is handed a suspension. I don't understand why the process takes months and months... and then there's all these sport courts of arbitration where the athletes can argue their case... how can you argue your case when you've tested positive? It all just seems so ridiculous, and disorganized.

That should happen but then you get cases like Torri Edwards I think that's who it is that has a 2 year suspenion but is appealing it for god knows what reason probably the I'm american and I don't deserve this treatment or my favourite one of them all I didn't know it was a banned substance I didn't know what I was taking

Idiots. :confused:

BananaDancer

08-13-2004, 02:53 PM

just found this thread. so pumped for the olympics. I'll def be watching swimming, gymnastics and basketball. Mix in a little track and field for flavor

Morgana

08-13-2004, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
That should happen but then you get cases like Torri Edwards I think that's who it is that has a 2 year suspenion but is appealing it for god knows what reason probably the I'm american and I don't deserve this treatment or my favourite one of them all I didn't know it was a banned substance I didn't know what I was taking

Idiots. :confused:

I don't even know what these people could be taking that it would cause so much confusion. I run every day, and granted, I'm not an elite runner, but the only thing I take is caffeine. (I dope with coffee. :D) I know there's a list of all the substances that are considered illegal... so what other kind of shit are they taking that IS legal? It boggles the mind. :confused:

Originally posted by BananaDancer
just found this thread. so pumped for the olympics. I'll def be watching swimming, gymnastics and basketball. Mix in a little track and field for flavor

Hey welcome aboard, Banana. Grab a seat, grab an Olympic flag, and cheer on your fave athletes. :cool:

Morgana

08-14-2004, 02:51 PM

All right, here's my Opening Ceremony review...

I did enjoy parts of it, but I think the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, in general, have just gotten out of control. It's become one HUGE, long, and expensive extravaganza. Nations, more often than not, end up losing money by hosting the Olympics. My suggestion on where they could save some is by cutting the Opening Ceremony in half. With 202 nations competing, just get to the point... start with the Parade of Nations, raise the flag, light the cauldron, end of story. The cauldron in Athens, btw., is the most bizarre looking thing I've ever seen at an Olympics, I prefer something a little more traditional.

It looks like Greece may have won the doping contest, one of their athletes has not passed a test. It didn't come up positive, but he didn't pass either. So that's a little weird. Especially given he was actually supposed to light the cauldron. He was excused from that duty.

So now the competition starts for real, I'm currently watching swimming heats. Much to my dismay, some swimmers are wearing the full body swim suits. Hmpf! ;)

sharkstank

08-15-2004, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

you'll be hearing from my lawyers :D
anyway, im a winter olympic man myself. all about the hockey

WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Moviefan1234

08-15-2004, 07:01 AM

A few weeks ago I was concerned Phelps reached his peak too early in the year, but he looked pretty good last night. However, that was his best event. Ian Thorpe looked as good as I'm sure we all expected. In the road race in cycling, I was pleased to see Axel Merckx grab the bronze. His father must be proud.

Morgana

08-15-2004, 02:37 PM

I'm really happy for Thorpe, I've always liked him. And after that Olympic trial DQ disaster he had earlier this year, I'm glad he was able to get his 400m freestyle gold medal.

Phelps is looking good so far, though I hate it when the sponsors and the media completely overhype and overexpose an athlete. And they do it to someone at each Olympics. (Remember Kim Zmeskal? There was so much hype prior to the Olympics, she ended up totally bombing, and then was very quickly forgotten.) I don't think it's fair to the athlete. Phelps seems to be taking it in stride, but being expected to win 7 or 8 gold medals... that's a lot of expectation to be putting on a 19 year old kid. Hey even if he ends up winning only one gold medal, that's still damn good. He's got a lot of years ahead of him, maybe even another two Olympics. He'll have a chance to rake in his medals.

Men's gymnastics... words cannot express how much I dislike Blaine Wilson. He is an arrogant SOB, I think karma may have bitten him in the ass when the head judge made some rule changes. (It may have been unfair, but it was unfair towards every nation, not just the US. And let's face it, unexpected shit happens during the Olympics.) To me it looked like Wilson attempted the element he fell off the bars on just out of anger. And it bit him in the ass. I honestly believe the US team would have been better off had they left Wilson at home. There's guys like Paul and Morgan Hamm, who are just a class act, and who always seem to save the day... and there's other talent waiting in the background that should've been given the chance to go instead of Wilson. (He was only added to the team at the last minute anyway, he did not do well at the Olympic trials.)

Men's basketball update... the US is trailing Puerto Rico by 22 points at halftime. Nope, this is not the Dream Team of past years.

PS I had misunderstood what was going on regarding Kostas Kenteris, the Greek athlete who was supposed to light the cauldron. He, and another Greek athlete, actually entirely missed a drug test, they never took it. They've been suspended, the IOC is still mulling their case over. This is probably the worst way for a host country to be kicking their Olympics off. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5687281/

Moviefan1234

08-15-2004, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Men's basketball update... the US is trailing Puerto Rico by 22 points at halftime. Nope, this is not the Dream Team of past years.

They absolutely sucked today, a deserving loss. They had no urgency, they acted as if nothing was wrong. If it were me who had that reputation riding on my shoulders as they do, I'd be getting pissed off and playing as hard as I possibly can. They need to learn they won't even make the medal round if they don't start playing TEAM BASKETBALL. Throwing uninspired three point bricks up there ain't gonna do a damn thing, this isn't '92 anymore.

Benny

08-15-2004, 08:53 PM

The US Men's Olympic Basketball Team should never be called the "Dream Team" again! We lost by 19 to a country that is our own TERRITORY, how embarrassing is that! At first I thought The US would at least get silver, now I doubt they'll get a medal at all.

Well Phelps isn't gonna break Mark Spitz' record, but that was to be expected, I still think he's been doing a great job so far. But the swimmer I'm really rooting for is Natalie Coughlin, she is like a machine in the pool, a very beautiful machine that is. :D

Anyone else hooked on the table tennis? That's really fun to watch and fast-moving. I like watching beach volleyball too, especially the women. (I know Morgana, I'm such a MAN!)

It's such a plus getting the CBC. They show a lot more live events than the Peacock and its "family of networks" (haha what a lame term!). Actually I've been quite impressed with the coverage so far. They're on 3 or 4 channels at once, so there's always something I'll want to watch so that's good.

ToRontoRon

08-15-2004, 09:14 PM

Originally posted by Benny
It's such a plus getting the CBC. They show a lot more live events than the Peacock and its "family of networks"

I guess I can understand showing events in prime time as opposed to live on weekdays, (although I always prefer live by a wide margin), but on a weekend, why not show the live stuff such as the 4x100 swimming men's relay as it's happening? Stupid me, I had flipped to NBC to watch some stupid taped men's beach volleyball and I missed CBC's live coverage of one of the biggest events of the games. That'll learn me for watching NBC. :mad: :(

Morgana

08-15-2004, 09:56 PM

Originally posted by Benny

I like watching beach volleyball too, especially the women. (I know Morgana, I'm such a MAN!)

Are you following women's diving at all? That's what I would be into if I was a MAN... or a lesbian. Female divers are not as husky as their swimmer counterparts, and they do wear actual swimsuits, as opposed to full or partial body suits. ;)

Speaking of diving... maybe I'm just too old-fashioned, but what is the point of synchronized diving? If the whole point is for two divers to look like one, why not just stick to one diver? I think synchro diving is rather silly, I just can't get into it. I do like regular diving, though I prefer to watch the men... in their little Speedos. :D

Rowing seems like a fairly intense sport. (My dad's been kayaking all his life, and even I kayak once in a while... water sports like that are interesting to me.) And I've always loved that word "repechage". Repechage... for some reason it cracks me up. Especially when Costas says it.

Morgana

08-16-2004, 10:11 AM

Quickie recap of women's gymnastics...

The US women were looking strong at the beginning, but then started making mistakes in the second rotation. Russia is looking shaky... though I can't be completely sure because fecking NBC didn't show much of them. :mad: Romania is rather blah, but they're solid, and who I was actually most impressed with are the Chinese. I only caught their beam routines though, it was getting much too late to watch anything else.

I believe the team competitions start tomorrow night, I wouldn't even be able to guess who's going to win. Nerves are always a big factor at the Olympics in gymnastics, the ladies who can keep keep it together the most will win.

OH... almost forgot... the men's gymnastics team final will be taking place tonight. I think Paul and Morgan Hamm will do well, as for the rest of the US team, who knows? The Romanians and the Chinese will probably have a few good routines, and Russia, just like their women's team, is looking shaky. I'm not sure if sexy Alexei Nemov will even be competing, it looked like he pulled a back muscle Saturday night. He is probably the last solid male gymnast Russia has produced, without him I'm not sure they can do well.

Also tonight... several exciting swimming finals. Damn I love the Olympics. There's some exciting sports to watch every night. :D

horrorfreak13

08-16-2004, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Benny
It's such a plus getting the CBC. They show a lot more live events than the Peacock and its "family of networks" (haha what a lame term!). Actually I've been quite impressed with the coverage so far. They're on 3 or 4 channels at once, so there's always something I'll want to watch so that's good.

That's the bonus of haveing CBC they cover live in the morning and afternoon and broadcast what was on TSN and whatever was on CBC on the morning in the evenings since TSN does do coverage of the olympics in the early mornings at 1:00AM but I'm almost out by then compared to the peacock network that shows what 1 hour a day of live coverage.

Canada still without a medal well that was expected early on I'm sure we can win eventually.

I knew Michael Phelps wasn't going to win 8 gold medals the chances of that were astromonical although seeing him and Thorpe compete against each other is intresting they are the top 2 swimmers no dought hell even CBC did a profile on Michael Phelps so CBC dosen't just cover Canadians.

Ok I serioulsy I wonder what Carmelo Anthony is thinking now the uS was what 3-22 on the 3 point range and the 3 point line is 3 feet closer my god and I thought thses guys were professionals.

I'm excited for the baseball team Canada is 2-0 after killing Italy today

I'm waiting for womens beach volleyball to start and track and field to start I know that's a little later on in the olympics.

quoth_the_raven

08-16-2004, 02:26 PM

double postage.

quoth_the_raven

08-16-2004, 02:27 PM

So Team GB are doing pretty shite...one silver medal, in synchronised diving of all things.

not a good start.

Can't believe one of our swimmers crashed into an underwater camera during a practice. Thats just beyond belief. She came last in her heat. Not surprise as she'd only just had her legs stitched up...

:(

Morgana

08-16-2004, 07:06 PM

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
So Team GB are doing pretty shite...one silver medal, in synchronised diving of all things.

not a good start.

Can't believe one of our swimmers crashed into an underwater camera during a practice. Thats just beyond belief. She came last in her heat. Not surprise as she'd only just had her legs stitched up...

:(

Hey there, nephew Quoth. Glad to see you join our little Olympic party. You and Bullet Tooth Tony are our Great Britain delegates. :cool:

I just realized, being I'm a transplant to the US, I'll be torn as to who to root for in the decathlon. Being I'm from the Czech Republic, I want to root for Roman Sebrle. (It's not like the Czechs will win that many medals anyway, they'll need all the rooting they can get.) But than I also really like Tom Pappas too. I hate being torn... guess I'll just end up rooting for both. That way I won't end up disappointed.

Unicron

08-16-2004, 09:54 PM

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI OI OI

Team AUST has had a great start!!!!!

GO THORPE!!!!!!

Morgana

08-16-2004, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by Unicron
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OI OI OI

Team AUST has had a great start!!!!!

GO THORPE!!!!!!

Right ON! We have a delegate from Australia! You guys have got the right spirit. No way in hell can Athens ever outdo Sydney. Sydney put on the best summer Olympics I've seen in my lifetime! :cool:

I've peeked at the results on internet sites, but I'll pretend I know nothing as the swimming finals will be televised in the US right about now. Gotta run and watch. ;)

Update...

Now that I've seen the 200m free race, this definitely does appear to be Thorpedo's Olympics so far. Very exciting race between him and Pieter van den Hoogenband. Good to see Ian is still in such great shape!

Peirsol got his gold medal, and it's also good to see my man Lenny Krayzelburg do respectably against the younger whippersnappers. Hey if nothing else, Lenny gets a medal for being the best-looking swimmer from me. :D

Men's gymnastics- team finals... Japan certainly wasn't detected by my radar, and I partly blame NBC and their very lopsided coverage. NBC showed none of the Japanese team in the preliminaries, and even in the team finals, in which they won the gold, they showed Japan only on one event. HELLO! (Note to NBC: if I wanted to watch American athletes only, I'd watch the Nationals. But this is the Olympics, please show more of other countries!!)

From what NBC did show, Japan certainly deserved their gold medal. Their high bar routines were out of this world!

Also, I'm rather disappointed with the audience turnout at the gymnastics competitions, the hall is perpetually 2/3 empty. Either the Greeks are not into gymnastics, or they don't have much interest in their own Olympics. Either way, it's a sad sight. I've never seen a hall so empty during an Olympic competition. :(

horrorfreak13

08-17-2004, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by Morgana
Men's gymnastics- team finals... Japan certainly wasn't detected by my radar, and I partly blame NBC and their very lopsided coverage. NBC showed none of the Japanese team in the preliminaries, and even in the team finals, in which they won the gold, they showed Japan only on one event. HELLO! (Note to NBC: if I wanted to watch American athletes only, I'd watch the Nationals. But this is the Olympics, please show more of other countries!!)

That's where I like CBC more than NBC where more of it is acually live and they don't just focas on Canada all the time althought TSN is covering the olympics pretty heavily this year too so it's 2 channels to choose from althought I'm not up when TSN is covering the olympics from 1:30AM-6:00AM. Althought they pretty much replay what they show there at 6:00PM-10:00PM or somewhere around there.

And we got our first medal a bronze in Synchronized diving anf all I want to know is what in the blue hell is synchronized diving? Also while I'm at it when did it end up being an olympic sport?

Also Our baseball team is 3-0 after wipping the Dutch's asses 7-0 and have outscored their opponents 23-3 this team has a very good chance at a gold.

Morgana

08-17-2004, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
That's where I like CBC more than NBC where more of it is acually live and they don't just focas on Canada all the time althought TSN is covering the olympics pretty heavily this year too so it's 2 channels to choose from althought I'm not up when TSN is covering the olympics from 1:30AM-6:00AM. Althought they pretty much replay what they show there at 6:00PM-10:00PM or somewhere around there.

And we got our first medal a bronze in Synchronized diving anf all I want to know is what in the blue hell is synchronized diving? Also while I'm at it when did it end up being an olympic sport?

Also Our baseball team is 3-0 after wipping the Dutch's asses 7-0 and have outscored their opponents 23-3 this team has a very good chance at a gold.

I wish I could still get CBC, I used to when I lived up in Washington state. But here in Oregon I haven't been able to get it either on cable or on the DishNetwork. Don't know how else I can get it... I want my Canadian TV, dammit. Hmpf!

Synchronized diving... :D. I've made a quip about it in a prior post, but hey it's still a medal. I think it must've been added in the past 4 or 8 years, though I wouldn't bleed if they removed it again. The Olympics have just gotten too huge, and some of the newer sports are a little silly, methinks.

Tonight should once again be exciting... more finals in swimming, and the women's gymnastics team medal is on the line. The only thing I feel safe predicting is that the attendance at the gymnastics competition will once again be very poor.

Benny

08-17-2004, 02:34 PM

I saw the end of the men's gymnastics event last night, and the Japanese team was incredible! What a performance that was.

Horrorfreak- I think the CBC gives its fair share of time to the Canadian athletes though, especially in the swimming. I'm sick of hearing stuff over and over about this one guy, Rick Say, and how great he is because he actually made the finals in one event. Woo-hoo!

Equestrian has to be the fucking stupidest "sport" ever! Why not have horse racing as an Olympic sport, all Equestrian is is a guy dressed up fancily trotting around an area on his well-groomed horse. Wow, what excitement!

I really do hope the USA beats the Greeks today in basketball, but I doubt it after Sunday's abysmal performance.

horrorfreak13

08-17-2004, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Benny
Horrorfreak- I think the CBC gives its fair share of time to the Canadian athletes though, especially in the swimming. I'm sick of hearing stuff over and over about this one guy, Rick Say, and how great he is because he actually made the finals in one event. Woo-hoo!

I really do hope the USA beats the Greeks today in basketball, but I doubt it after Sunday's abysmal performance.

Well sometimes there are a couple of commentators that go overboard. I'm amazed someone else knows who Rick Say is but we all knew he didn't have a chance against Phelps, Thorpe and that other guy Hoogendoobble whatever his name was.

I wonder if the Greeks start beating up the Americans will the commentators on NBC say this time I felt they did a good job and appeared to be unbias in their loss to Puerto Rico aren't they like #6 or 7 in the world.

Well we are still stuck with 1 medal but not for long are rowing mens 8s are among many of our rowing teams that have a great chance at getting gold or silver.

I also can't wait until Canada's baseball team plays Japan or Cuba and hopefully beat them up like they did to the Netherlands today.

Grandmaster C

08-17-2004, 04:27 PM

Speaking of Say, he had some harsh words for his teammates after the Canadians finished 5th in the 4x200m relay. Although IMO, it wasn't as bad as he thought it was, it's still a refreshing change to see a Canadian athlete say that they're not happy with how they finished.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/olympics/national/2004/08/17/Sports/relay200m_final040817.html

Moviefan1234

08-17-2004, 05:13 PM

I just got done watching the USA/Greece men's basketball game. And it looks like they took a step in the right direction. We played with emotion and pride today. They still are shooting the ball terribly, but I think the shots will begin to fall soon. This is a definite positive, the effort they showed today. They made me proud.

Morgana

08-18-2004, 01:18 AM

Women's gymnastics team final...

Prettiest gymnasts to watch: Yelena Zamolodchikova - Russia, Terin Humphrey-US, Catalina Ponor - Romania. Hey I'm old school, I've done some gymnastics in my time. And I appreciate when I can see a good combination of athletics, as well as artistry. No amount of athletics can make up for grace and artistry. Gymnastics is meant to be both.

Svetlana Khorkina... I've loved her for years. But seeing as this is her last Olympics for sure... please eat now, girl. You're much too skinny and sickly looking!

Romania wins the gold, US wins silver, and much to my surprise, Russia wins bronze. The Chinese fell apart, had they been able to keep it together, I think they would've been able to beat everyone. But at the Olympics, one never knows.

I like the new three up, every score counts format... it cuts the bullshit and gets to the point. With the old format, if a gymnast who goes first does shite, there will still be pressure on the ones to follow. So why waste everyone's time? I like efficiency. ;)

ToRontoRon

08-18-2004, 02:15 AM

Originally posted by Grandmaster C
Speaking of Say, he had some harsh words for his teammates after the Canadians finished 5th in the 4x200m relay. Although IMO, it wasn't as bad as he thought it was, it's still a refreshing change to see a Canadian athlete say that they're not happy with how they finished.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/olympics/national/2004/08/17/Sports/relay200m_final040817.html

"I was trying to make up for mistakes our team made earlier in the race."

I don't like that part of what he said. Especially with his teammates standing right next to him when he said it. Even if it's accurate, he still shouldn't have said it on live T.V. He could have just ripped into them in the lockerroom instead of trying to point the fingers at others as to why the team lost. It's a pretty uncanadian thing to do, imo.

Morgana

08-18-2004, 07:53 AM

Well, the US didn't win the doping contest, that honor goes to Greece... just hours before the two Greek athletes' fate was going to be decided they withdrew from the Olympics. So we probably will never know what the IOC was going to do with them. The US does come in a close second though, Torri Edwards has just been suspended for 2 years. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5705316/

I found this little interactive thingy that tells which substances are banned, and what they do to the system... I'm surprised to find caffeine on the list. I can understand why popping a dozen caffeine pills before a race would be considered bad, but can't athletes even have a cup of coffee? (Shit I can't even get out of bed in the morning without having my coffee.) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5581196/

In other news... the shotput final will be held today, which kicks off the track&field part of the Olympics. (Though most events won't actually start till Friday.) Now guys, get a hold of yourselves. I know these shotput mamas are just hot babes, but no need for a riot! Kidding! :D

Oh and here is a link to the medal count. I'm not too hung up on it, but I do like to check which medals my country of birth has won... since they usually win in some obscure sport that doesn't even get televised. So far the Czechs have won 1 bronze in shooting, of all things. :rolleyes:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer04/medals?page=total

horrorfreak13

08-18-2004, 12:16 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Well, the US didn't win the doping contest, that honor goes to Greece... just hours before the two Greek athletes' fate was going to be decided they withdrew from the Olympics. So we probably will never know what the IOC was going to do with them. The US does come in a close second though, Torri Edwards has just been suspended for 2 years. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5705316/

I found this little interactive thingy that tells which substances are banned, and what they do to the system... I'm surprised to find caffeine on the list. I can understand why popping a dozen caffeine pills before a race would be considered bad, but can't athletes even have a cup of coffee? (Shit I can't even get out of bed in the morning without having my coffee.) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5581196/

Well the 2 greeks were banned until their hearing so it would have been enevetable for them to be banned anyway.

Torri Edwards is still suspended for doping and tried to get out of it.

Wait a minute Caffeine is a banned substance fuck that I need coffee and pepsi and any damn thing else that has caffeine like how's that supposed to give you an advantage?

It's quite intresting thought when Ben Johnson got banned for taking steriods in 1988 we all assumed he was the only one on it but right now we assume everyone is on it even if they pass the drug test.

Also I don't know if anybody caught it the other day but a guy from Montreal his name is Ron Bensimhon during the 3m synchonize diving finals who had some web address on his chest and jumped in the pool (I don't know what the web adress was I think it was goldenpalace.com). He was sentenced to 5 months in prison his previous appearence was the World Figure Skating Championships in Dortmand Germany were he stripped down to reveal the web address I don't remember that one thought.

I never saw it this morning but a canadian pair of rowers were disqualified because they were in South Africa's or some horseshit like that I never saw or anything because it was probably playing at 4:30AM but at least the men's 8 rowing team went through and gold medal favourites while our women's water polo team came back from being 5-1 and stunned the US 6-5 now all they have to do is beat Hungary and they are in the semi-finals.

Morgana

08-18-2004, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Well the 2 greeks were banned until their hearing so it would have been enevetable for them to be banned anyway.

Torri Edwards is still suspended for doping and tried to get out of it.

Arrrgggg... you're so picky with your contest! I know it's supposed to be about who tests positive first, but I'm generalizing who gets kicked out and causes a stir first.

horrorfreak13

08-18-2004, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Arrrgggg... you're so picky with your contest! I know it's supposed to be about who tests positive first, but I'm generalizing who gets kicked out and causes a stir first.

Sorry I wasn't trying to be picky or anything I'm waiting to see someone from the olympics tests positive first althought I don't think we will ever know if those greek sprinters were taking any banned substances hopefully we do.

What I can't wait for is the track and field events then after that I wonder who or how many will test positive I'm still amazed that caffeine is a banned substance.

Morgana

08-18-2004, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Sorry I wasn't trying to be picky or anything I'm waiting to see someone from the olympics tests positive first althought I don't think we will ever know if those greek sprinters were taking any banned substances hopefully we do.

What I can't wait for is the track and field events then after that I wonder who or how many will test positive I'm still amazed that caffeine is a banned substance.

Well, if these two Greek athletes ever want to compete in a future Olympics, the IOC will reopen their case. And since they withdrew from these Olympics, the IOC didn't have a chance to sanction them. But they will if they ever want to compete again. Apparently Kenteris may have missed three drug tests. I don't know how he could pretend he didn't know he was supposed to take a drug test prior to the Olympics. I would think athletes, coaches, and organizations would be especially vigilant about these things prior and during the Olympics. The "I didn't know" excuse doesn't fly with me.

Caffeine is the elixir of life! Damn, there goes my Olympic dream... I can never become an Olympian now because I love caffeine too much! ;)

Update... I just found out the Czechs have won their second medal (silver) in yet again, shooting. Glad the Czech women can handle their air rifles and pistols. :rolleyes:

I'm thinking one way to make Olympic shooting more exciting is by making it sort of like fencing. People would actually be shooting at each other, they'd be using blanks, and they'd wear bullet sensitive vests (which would detect who got shot first)... the whole thing could be like an old style duel. If well organized, I think such a sport could be a hit. Kidding, of course.

Pvt. Joker

08-18-2004, 09:13 PM

As reported by Eastside Boxing

Olympic Update – Siler Advances

18.08.04 - By Matthew Hurley: American Ron Siler advanced to the 16th round in the flyweight division of the Olympic games. The team captain scored a 32-18 decision victory over Australia’s Bradley Hore. Siler now moves into a second round bout against Tulashboy Doniyorov of Uzbekistan on Saturday.

The young American is actually the oldest member of the Olympic team at 24. Siler, a promising amateur, spent time in prison for assault but since his release has rededicated himself to boxing and his family which includes five children and a sixth on the way. The young flyweight represents one of the few hopefuls for a gold medal at this years games.

“My expectations are gold,” he said recently. “Anything else is not an option.”

Nevertheless, expectations for this Olympic team are extremely low. In fact the US has only won two gold medals in the last three Olympic games. The glory of the 1984 team is a faraway, distant memory. Famed trainer Emanuel Steward recently remarked that so many athletes are veering away from boxing and opting for basketball or football that the amateur ranks are weakening year in and year out. Also with so little coverage of amateur boxing on the airwaves potential fighters don’t see dollar signs in the fight game. Olympic boxing has been denigrated to the point where badminton is scheduled in TV Guide but boxing isn’t. The insanity of that is simply mind boggling. But such is the state of boxing’s respect in the mainstream media.

Still, Siler remains upbeat and confident. He was a bronze medallist in the 2001 world championships and since turning his life around he’s pursued his dream of gold with a passion. Trained by his father the little fighter is determined to bring the medal home and he is probably Team USA’s best hope for the ultimate glory.

Further results:

Flyweight Rav’Shee Warren was the first American to lose, dropping a 22-9 decision victory to China’s Shiming Zou.

Heavyweight Devin Vargas stopped Morocco’s Rachid El Haddak in the third round.

Tonight super heavyweight Jason Estrada takes on Tonga’s Ma’afu Hawke.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunently CNBC continues to say boxing is on. However, every time I try to tune in, noting but the news in on. This really pisses me off and has been ruining my nights lately.

These results are all American as Canada only sent five fighters this Olympics, Booooooo. However there is only one worth watching. Jean Pascal a middleweight from Queebec is ranked 3rd in the world and is a definent medal hopeful. He has a lot of power but is wild. I hope he does well even though he shouldn't be going, but that's a another story.

I'll keep everyone posted as best I an on the results for the boxing aspect of the Olympics.

Pvt. Joker

08-18-2004, 09:23 PM

Nevermind, Jean Pascal was eliminated by a Cuban boxer. Adam Turpish from Canada was eliminated after being cut on the nose. However Benoit Gaudet advanced after defeating Somluck Kamsing, Thailand, 32-17. Let's see how he does.

For our American friends Vincente Escobedo kept Americans undefeated in the boxing ring with a third-round knockout of Jose David Mosquera on Monday. Go team.

Morgana

08-18-2004, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by Pvt. Joker

Nevertheless, expectations for this Olympic team are extremely low. In fact the US has only won two gold medals in the last three Olympic games. The glory of the 1984 team is a faraway, distant memory. Famed trainer Emanuel Steward recently remarked that so many athletes are veering away from boxing and opting for basketball or football that the amateur ranks are weakening year in and year out. Also with so little coverage of amateur boxing on the airwaves potential fighters don’t see dollar signs in the fight game. Olympic boxing has been denigrated to the point where badminton is scheduled in TV Guide but boxing isn’t. The insanity of that is simply mind boggling. But such is the state of boxing’s respect in the mainstream media.

I think this very well explains why we're not seeing any Olympians turn into boxing mega stars.

I've said this in my other post, but back in the early-mid 80s when there was only one channel who carried the Olympics here in the States (as opposed to the current 6), boxing got its share of coverage. Instead seeing all those new sports that have been added since, you got to see some boxing. I didn't think this was bad. I don't think of boxing as a some brutish sport, it's all rather technical. (And come on, who here doesn't like at least the first Rocky movie?) I'd rather see some boxing than synchronized diving, and the other shite sports NBC is wasting my time with. You can still catch some boxing on one of the side cable channels, but NBC has not made it convenient. Oh well, times have changed, I guess. :(

Thanks for the update, Pvt.

Pvt. Joker

08-18-2004, 10:31 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
I don't think of boxing as a some brutish sport, it's all rather technical. (And come on, who here doesn't like at least the first Rocky movie?) I'd rather see some boxing than synchronized diving, and the other shite sports NBC is wasting my time with.

Thanks for the update, Pvt.

Your welcome and I thought you should know that after saying that I am offically in love with you:D.

I keep everyone updated.

Morgana

08-19-2004, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by Pvt. Joker
Your welcome and I thought you should know that after saying that I am offically in love with you:D.

I keep everyone updated.

Well, I'm very flattered, Pvt. ;)

I think anyone with even a semi-athletic background can appreciate how much training goes into boxing. It's not just two guys who put on gloves and try to bash each other in. And I would like to see some of the professional bouts, but what pay-per-view charges is just more than my budget allows for. But the fact that these channels can afford to charge tells you boxing hasn't gone completely out of style. So that, at least, is encouraging.

I'll keep up with your thread, I believe De La Hoya has a match coming up. If I could watch it, I would. ;)

Morgana

08-19-2004, 03:03 AM

Wow, I just watched Paul Hamm come back to win the gold in the men's gymnastics all-around, I can't think of anyone more deserving. Well, maybe his twin brother Morgan. I've watched them for several years, and both have been quiet, unassuming, and very solid... you could always count on them. Paul delivered exactly when he needed to in the last rotation, had he messed up on the high bars he would've been history. He won by a mere .012 points. Whew! That's as close as it gets!

In swimming, van den Hoogenband also came through in the 100m free, that was another close race. Happy Thorpe, who swam in a mere lane 8, came in third. I don't think he was expected to medal at all.

Horrorfreak, something is abrewing in weightlifting. Apparently somebody has already been sent home, and more positive drug tests are expected to come in. The story is still developing. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/weightlifting/08/19/bc.oly.weightliftingwtl.ap/index.html

sharkstank

08-19-2004, 04:55 AM

i saw Hamm too, and that was an awesome comeback

WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Moviefan1234

08-19-2004, 08:27 AM

I have a question for you Morgana. How old is this Courtney Kupets(sp?). Please tell me she's at least 18, I don't want to feel like a pedophile.

And Tyler Hamilton won the gold medal in the Men's time trial in cycling. I'm so happy for him, he's had horrible luck in the sport. He just seems like a standup guy, and he deserves some success. Also congrats to Bobby Julich for taking the bronze.

BananaDancer

08-19-2004, 09:46 AM

I saw that comeback by hamm too, i thought he'd never come back after the vault he messed up.

And i'm pretty sure kupets is 18 or at leats i'm hoping too

Morgana

08-19-2004, 11:13 AM

I had to look it up, guys, but Kupets turned 18 only a few weeks ago. So you're safe. ;)

And here's a little piccy for you, just because I'm nice. The women's all-around should be exciting this evening, btw. Again, I can't even begin to predict who'll win.

http://www.gymbox.net/images/KupetsVCbars1debre120Kopie.jpg

horrorfreak13

08-19-2004, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
Horrorfreak, something is abrewing in weightlifting. Apparently somebody has already been sent home, and more positive drug tests are expected to come in. The story is still developing. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/weightlifting/08/19/bc.oly.weightliftingwtl.ap/index.html

I heard about it last night and it's just unbelievable. Wafa Ammouri from Morroco was sent home and 5 others at least have tested positive. It's unbelievable but most of us knew someone was going to get banned it's a matter of when becuase I really don't think we will ever see a drug free games.

Well the flag barrer jinx continues Nicolas Gill was eliminated in the first round. While some good news out rowing teams except for our women's lightweights moved onto the finals.

Also last night I watched the Craig Kilborn show last night. "Do you know what the greek word is for U.S. Basketball is?, Clippers. :D

Also some humor this was in yesterday's Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/images/thestar/img/040818_moudakis_cartoon2.jpg

:D

Benny

08-19-2004, 02:32 PM

Wow! The US Men's team won again! This time in double-figures! Who'd imagine that!

Congrats to Paul Hamm for winning the all-around men's gold in gymnastics last night. He made quite the comeback after falling to 12th after his vault.

Pvt. Joker- CNBC airs boxing 5-8pm every day, after the markets close.

Jennie Finch is another major hottie... and definitely over 18 for all you pedophiles!

Jyrka

08-19-2004, 05:15 PM

Just watched Greece - Lithuania in basketball. I'd just like to say that LITHUANIA FUCKING PWNZ and I'd be very very surprised if USA comes even close to them.

Pvt. Joker

08-19-2004, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by Benny
Pvt. Joker- CNBC airs boxing 5-8pm every day, after the markets close.

They keep on saying it's on but everytime I try to watch it, the news or stock market talk comes on. Hopefully it'll be on tonight, thanks Benny.

Morgana

08-20-2004, 02:23 AM

Damn, what was that DQ bullshit after Peirsol's race? Did anybody else feel like it was just an attempt to get back at him for (rightfully) accusing Kitajima of using an illegal kick in the 100m breaststroke? That's what it looked like to me, and I think it's a pile of horseshit. Glad Peirsol got his medal despite this attempt to discredit him.

Carly Patterson wins the gold in the women's all-around... she's not someone I'm really taken with as she doesn't particularly stand out for me, but she was solid, so she deserves the gold. Courtney Kupets did not have a good night medal-wise, but you guys will have another chance to lust after her on Sunday as she tries to medal on the bars. ;) I'll miss Khorkina, she stood out. Not only was she one of the rare tall gymnasts, but she was always a bit of a character. It'll probably be a while before someone like that comes along again. Glad she was able to smile, despite getting a silver, I'm used to seeing her cry at the Olympics.

Somebody please tell me when beach volleyball will be over. I know it's babes in bikinis, but I couldn't be more bored with it. Reason I even bitch about is because NBC is wasting my time with it during primetime. Though I don't follow it much, I don't mind regular volleyball, but I think beach volleyball is another one of those shite sports that should've been left off the Olympic list. They should just make the frisbee toss an Olympic sport and show that at primetime, thereby totally killing my interest in the Olympics.

Lecherous comment of the night: I know the male swimmers shave their entire bodies. I wouldn't mind helping some of them with that task. :)

sharkstank

08-20-2004, 04:42 AM

um...how old is carly patterson :D
AWESOME stuff tonight from the female gymnasts. ive watched about 30 whole minutes of the olympics, half was hamm making the amazing comeback for the gold, the other half was carly winning the gold. good stuff

WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

quoth_the_raven

08-20-2004, 05:30 AM

Team GB are really starting to fly up the medal table now good stuff :D

Moviefan1234

08-20-2004, 07:09 AM

Originally posted by sharkstank
um...how old is carly patterson :D

She's underage I'm afraid. 16 I believe.

I can't believe that crap that happened with Peirsol. I was trying to figure out how in the world that kick was deemed illegal.

Today the woman's soccer team takes on Japan, I've been following them a lot during the last year or so. Hopefully Hamm can win gold before her retirement.

Morgana

08-20-2004, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234

I can't believe that crap that happened with Peirsol. I was trying to figure out how in the world that kick was deemed illegal.

I was confused by that call myself. I'm not an absolute expert in swimming, so when Rowdy Gaines and Markus Rogan say there was nothing wrong with that turn, I'll take their word for it. With Kitajima in the 100m breaststroke it was obvious, he did a dolphin kick, and then quickly cleaned up his act in the 200m. (Plus he had already been accused of doing the illegal kick in another competition, so he has a history of it.) But with Peirsol, I was pretty confused. I think it was just an attempt to discredit Peirsol. He pretty much led the protests against Kitajima, so I think he was targeted. Politics at the Olympics, I tell ya.

Well, track and field starts for real today, I'm a very excited camper! :D

Morgana

08-20-2004, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by quoth_the_raven
Team GB are really starting to fly up the medal table now good stuff :D

I think you guys are up to 8 medals now. Not too shabby. :)

The Czechs have won a bronze in the men's C2 slalom... yay, finally they get a medal in what I would consider a legitimate sport. Now they need to win another 5 medals, thereby equalling the number they won at the Sydney Olympics. I'm sure Sebrle (unless he really fucks up) will win a medal in the decathlon, so we need to get another four from somewhere else. Making it a glorious total of 8 medals. :D

horrorfreak13

08-20-2004, 12:02 PM

We have another medal WOOOOOOOO! Karen Cockburn won a silver in trampoline that now doubles our medal count up to 2.

At least we are no longer stuck at 1 but that will increase over the weekend with the rowing teams the men's 8s have a great shot at gold.

The Canadian baseball team got whacked 9-1 to Japan well it's only 1 loss they have Cuba next and then it's the finals.

Morgana

08-20-2004, 07:32 PM

I was just watching the men's 10,000m race, and wow... I'm just blown away by the insane speed the Ethiopians were running at. The winner, Bekele, was even sprinting the very last lap. That's just insane. He would've lapped me about 50 times had I run in that race. lol. Congrats to the Ethiopians, they are unquestionably in phenomenal shape.

Jyrka

08-21-2004, 02:44 AM

Wahey! Estonia just got our second medal - a silver is rowing. Now we have a grand total of TWO medals, the other being a bronze in judo. That's a lot better than the silly silly countries near us ie Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Lithuania. Norway was lucky today but we all know they suck too.

Unicron

08-21-2004, 04:00 AM

Our Women swimmers kicked the boys ass this Games! Good on them! The guys didnt look at all interested! :mad:
Still more medals up for grads for our female swimmers! :cool:

After a few days with adding to our medal Tally. Team Australia has started the weekend off with two more gold and a World Record to boot so far. Expecting more medals as the rowing continues
So Far after 7days Australia has....
Gold.......9
Silver........5
Bronze......8
Total.........22

Ranked 4th overall

Not bad at all :cool: ;)

Moviefan1234

08-21-2004, 08:37 AM

Good night of olympics last night. Morgana got her last look at Krayzelburg. What a gracious gesture by Phelps in letting Crocker swim in his place today. It really shows his class.

It always pains me to watch the track events. I consider myself a good runner as it's something I do daily, but they make me look like an old man. Devers' nails annoy the hell out of me though.

This afternoon's USA/Lithuania men's basketball game is huge. It's going to show if the US are going to be able to contend for medals or not. I'm pretty pumped up for the game.

Morgana

08-21-2004, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234

It always pains me to watch the track events. I consider myself a good runner as it's something I do daily, but they make me look like an old man. Devers' nails annoy the hell out of me though.

Just wait till you ARE actually old like me. ;)

I don't mind watching the young whippersnappers, despite my advancing years. When I was a teenager I used to think if I train really hard I could be like them. But now that only Devers is older than me (and I hate her nails too, btw.), I enjoy watching the Olympics on a different level. And I'm aware I'll never be an Olympian now, but I still run in local fun/charity races, just because I still love running so much. And there's competition in virtually every age group nowadays... there's even the World Masters Games, which are like the Olympics, but they are for older athletes. But they are just as competetive. They may not be as popular with the viewers, but somebody who is an athlete at heart will not want to give up his sport just because he is past his prime, so popularity hardly matters. Whatever age group, you can keep on competing in your sport, and I think that's pretty cool. And it's also possible to keep on enjoying watching the Olympics, and appreciate what the young kids are doing. :cool:

Phelps letting Crocker race is a classy move, kid's got a good head on his shoulders. Unless he decides to spontaneously retire, I'm sure we'll see Phelps in the next Olympics, which I'll be looking forwards to.

Pvt. Joker

08-21-2004, 02:40 PM

Canada's men's baseball team lost to Cuba, booo.

Hey did you know in rowing they have a division or something called coxless. Men's coxless fours, LOL, wonder what the requirments are for that division:D .

Watched an American Light Heavyweight Andre Wardbeat up on a strong but overmatched Italian Clemente Russo 17-9. This guy has real speed and real power. His style is going to carry him far in the pros. However his next match is against 2-time world champ Evgeny Makarenko from Russia. Ward only has ever lost once in the ameaturs and that was because of a broken hand. This should be an interesting fight to watch, hopefully TSN will be carrying it.

My boy Estrada will be taking on Cuban Michel Lopez Nunez although I'm not sure when, hopefully I'll be able to see this too.

ToRontoRon

08-21-2004, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by Unicron
So Far after 7days Australia has....
Gold.......9
Silver........5
Bronze......8
Total.........22

Ranked 4th overall

Not bad at all :cool: ;)

Oh yeah, well here are Canada's up to date totals......

Gold........0
Silver.......2
Bronze....1
Total.......3

Tied for 37th overall

So there. :p

Bullet Tooth Tony

08-21-2004, 06:33 PM

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39982000/jpg/_39982596_gb203152.jpg

What a day to be British!

Best since 1924!

GOLD: 5
SILVER: 2
BRONZE: 2

Up to the dizzy heights of 11th now ;)

Doesnt look like much but I'm chuffed. Paula should add another to that tally tomorrow. The Coxless Fours was so exciting I thought my heart was going to stop.

Morgana

08-21-2004, 06:54 PM

I've been an American citizen for many years now, but the US doesn't really need me to keep a medal count as they usually end up raking in the most medals. So I'll keep a medal count for my native country.

The Czechs:

Gold: O
Silver: 1
Bronze: 2

Shit, we still only have 3 medals, when does the decathlon start?!

Update... in men's basketball, the US loses by 4 points to Lithuania. Something tells me the fight for the gold will be a very intense one.

Also in the news... Paul Hamm's all-around gold medal victory is being protested by the South Koreans. Evidently one of their own gymnasts wasn't given an accurate routine start value (which would've given him the gold medal instead), and three judges have been suspended. Hamm will get to keep his medal, however. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5781309/

Tweek

08-21-2004, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
I was just watching the men's 10,000m race, and wow... I'm just blown away by the insane speed the Ethiopians were running at. The winner, Bekele, was even sprinting the very last lap. That's just insane. He would've lapped me about 50 times had I run in that race. lol. Congrats to the Ethiopians, they are unquestionably in phenomenal shape.

-does a jig for ethiopians/eritrean-
but i'm biased. hehehe

Morgana

08-21-2004, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by Tweek
-does a jig for ethiopians/eritrean-
but i'm biased. hehehe

I expect Ethopia will do well in the 1500, the 5000, as well as the marathon. There's more medals on the way. :)

Speaking of running... what the fuck was Alan Webb doing yesterday? He didn't even qualify for the 1500m. I'm just shocked and amazed. I couldn't quite tell whether it was poor strategy or whether he was just outclassed, but he lost nearly the entire field. This is just devestating, I thought he had much better chances than that.

Benny

08-21-2004, 11:52 PM

Wow, a white girl won the 100 meters!

As a runner, I'm glad to see that the track events have begun. The final lap of the 10K yesterday was amazing, running 53 seconds for the lap after running 24 previous laps is quite an accomplishment. The Ethiopians are just dominant in anything above 1500 meters.

I thought it was a classy move by Phelps to let Crocker swim the butterfly leg of the IM relay. Phelps must be very tired, and he's already won 7 medals (and still gets one for this race), so I was impressed when I heard that he was gonna do this. Even without him, the team shattered the World Record and had an amazing performance start-to-finish.

Besides all of our troubles politically, you know it's a bad time to be an American right now when the "Dream Team" (or Nightmare Team as Sports Guy Bill Simmons calls them) cannot beat Lithuania. Now I know Lithuania has had decent basketball teams, but this again was another bad loss, not nearly as bad as Puerto Rico though thankfully.

I'm not even gonna bother putting up the USA's medal count, everyone knows how much we kick ass (except for men's basketball) already! :D

Tweek

08-22-2004, 01:26 AM

i saw part of lithuania vs. us.

man that was depressing.

ToRontoRon

08-22-2004, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by Morgana

Also in the news... Paul Hamm's all-around gold medal victory is being protested by the South Koreans. Evidently one of their own gymnasts wasn't given an accurate routine start value (which would've given him the gold medal instead), and three judges have been suspended. Hamm will get to keep his medal, however. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5781309/

Seriously, how do you make a mistake like that? Unreal. Obviously the Korean should get the Gold. I know it's a gold medal and all, but Hamm really didn't deserve it and if I were him I think I'd give it back and ask for a silver. Same deal for the silver medalist, he should ask for the bronze.

This reminds me of when Ed Spague's wife won the gold for the U.S. when a judge punched in the wrong score and screwed a Canadian. The Canadian ended up with the gold, but so did the American.

Or of course just two years ago with the whole Salé/Pelletier skating thing.

Would you really want a medal that years from now you'll look at and know you didn't earn? I think when Hamm is 50 years old and looks at his medal, he'll be more proud if he looks at a silver and knows he truly earned it and did the right thing. I'm not trying to pick on Hamm at all, because these types of things have happened before and I can't recall anyone voluntarily giving back a medal, I'm just saying how I'd feel if I were in his shoes.

ToRontoRon

08-22-2004, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by Tweek
i saw part of lithuania vs. us.

man that was depressing.

One person's depression is another's cause for celebration. ;)

What was with that one Lithuanian dude draining all those three's late in the game. That was CRAZY!

Morgana

08-22-2004, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by ToRontoRon
Seriously, how do you make a mistake like that? Unreal. Obviously the Korean should get the Gold. I know it's a gold medal and all, but Hamm really didn't deserve it and if I were him I think I'd give it back and ask for a silver. Same deal for the silver medalist, he should ask for the bronze.

This reminds me of when Ed Spague's wife won the gold for the U.S. when a judge punched in the wrong score and screwed a Canadian. The Canadian ended up with the gold, but so did the American.

Or of course just two years ago with the whole Salé/Pelletier skating thing.

Would you really want a medal that years from now you'll look at and know you didn't earn? I think when Hamm is 50 years old and looks at his medal, he'll be more proud if he looks at a silver and knows he truly earned it and did the right thing. I'm not trying to pick on Hamm at all, because these types of things have happened before and I can't recall anyone voluntarily giving back a medal, I'm just saying how I'd feel if I were in his shoes.

Oh I agree with you. As much as I like Hamm, with a mistake like this, the gold should rightfully go to the South Korean. The South Koreans didn't protest in time, so Hamm will get to keep his medal, but at least the questionable judges have been removed before tomorrow night's individual apparatus competition. I think it's possible the South Korean may be given a belated gold medal, but it depends on what the committee decides. Either way, the South Korean is the true gold medal all-around winner.

Wow, both old fart Inge de Bruijn and old fart Gary Hall, Jr. defend their 50m free title, I'm happy for both of them because, well... I'm an old fart too! :D

Tonight was the last night of swimming competitions, half of the Olympics are already over. It's going by so fast. :(

Nesterenko wins the gold in the 100m, I haven't seen a white woman win a sprint since the Cold War days when many Eastern Bloc athletes were on steroids. But I'm not accusing anyone of anything.

Damn, Stacy Dragila failed to make the finals, her and Alan Webb have just been the biggest shocker to me so far.

Update...

The Czechs have won a silver in men's Quadruple scull rowing. YESSSS!! We're up to four now. :cool:

sharkstank

08-22-2004, 04:58 AM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
She's underage I'm afraid. 16 I believe.

im 17! YAY :D
saw a buit more today. u.s. mens b-ball lost again, and the womens swimming got our asses handed to us by australia

WWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

HanasaMO

08-22-2004, 08:08 AM

I just saw the 50m air rifle final. The american guy's final shot was a zero.

Morgana

08-22-2004, 12:58 PM

And the stripping of the medals begins...

A Greek weightlifter has been stripped of his medal for failing a drug test, and a female Russian shotputter failed a test post-competition. There will be hearings, and all that jive, but it looks like she'll lose her medal. Not that I'm shocked...

Did anyone watch the women's shotput? I watched a bit, and only one competitor looked even remotely like a woman. The rest frighteningly resembled men. :eek:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5788096/

Moviefan1234

08-22-2004, 01:19 PM

Originally posted by Tweek
i saw part of lithuania vs. us.

man that was depressing.

I feel your pain. The game bummed me out for the rest of the day yesterday. I still think we'll get gold though, just as long as they keep fighting hard and improving with every game.

And tonight I get to feast my eyes on the lovely Courtney Kupets again. :D

Morgana

08-22-2004, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by Moviefan1234

And tonight I get to feast my eyes on the lovely Courtney Kupets again. :D

I'll give you a head start. ;)

http://www.shanfan.com/usa/kupets/ck03n231.jpg

Another update shocker... Gail Devers falls after the first hurdle, she is out of the 100m hurdle finals. I wasn't sure whether she could win the gold, but I didn't think she would fail to even qualify. She does appear injured though, so maybe now she can tell us what's wrong with her leg. She's kept quiet about it up to this point

The women's marathon is today... that's a distance I would never even consider running. It's just too long. But kudos to those who can handle such a grueling distance. :cool:

Pvt. Joker

08-22-2004, 01:49 PM

Romania protests boxing decision

Associated Press

8/22/2004

BUCHAREST (AP) - Romania has officially protested the loss of Olympic boxer Marian Simion, accusing the referees of not being fair, sports newspapers reported Sunday.

Romania's Boxing Federation lodged the protest Saturday, saying the decision to give Ramadan Yasser of Egypt a 36-24 victory in the round of 16, 75-kilogram bout was incorrect, the online daily Gazeta Sporturilor reported.

Simion, a two-time Olympic medallist, is one of Romania's best boxers.

Rudel Obreja, the general manager of the Romanian Boxing Federation, filed the complaint immediately after the match but was pessimistic.

``We know there is only a very small chance to succeed, because according to regulations a result mustn't be changed,'' Obreja said. ``They will probably suspend the judges, but what good does this do to us? We've lost an athlete.''

He was alluding to a decision by Simion to retire. The athlete, a silver medalist in Sydney and bronze medallist in Atlanta, divulged his decision to the daily Prosport.

``I think I was robbed ... I was convinced I was leading,'' Simion said.

The International Amateur Boxing Association was to meet on the matter Sunday

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surprise surprise, it was only a matter of time before the reffereing in this years Olpympic's would be called into question. It has been terrible the since it started, not calling fouls or holding or swarding too many fouls too the boxers who are the favorites.

Pvt. Joker

08-22-2004, 01:52 PM

Iraqi boxer falls in second-round match

Associated Press

8/22/2004

ATHENS (AP) - Najah Ali lost his light flyweight bout to Armenia's Aleksan Nalbandyan on Saturday, ending the improbable run of Iraq's only Olympic boxer after just one victory.

Ali was outpointed 24-11 in the second-round match, but he still provided a dramatic conclusion to his 10-month journey from a job in a Baghdad furniture factory to the bright lights of Athens, where he carried the flag of the reconstituted Iraq team.

The diminutive Ali struggled to reach his taller opponent while falling behind in the first 2 rounds, but he then cut Nalbandyan's mouth with a punch. He spent the final round frantically attempting to open the cut wide enough to get the Armenian fighter disqualified, but was unsuccessful despite an exciting chase.

``I only needed one punch - one punch,'' Ali said with a shake of his head.

The crowd embraced the boxer's effort, chanting ``Ali! Ali!'' in the fourth round of a bout that came on the same night the Iraq soccer team advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Australia.

When the fight ended, the disconsolate boxer was lifted off the mat in a bear hug by Maurice (Termite) Watkins, his colourful American coach.

``All of the people were my people,'' Ali said.

Afterward, both Watkins' shirt and Ali's uniform were spotted with Nalbandyan's blood.

``He fought a fantastic fight,'' Watkins said. ``We did this in 10 months, and they've all been getting ready for this for four years. I think of him like my son. I love him very much.''

Last Wednesday, Ali surprised nearly everyone at Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall with a dominant 21-7 victory over North Korea's Kwak Hyok Ju. After the fight, Ali proclaimed himself ``a symbol for freedom.''

That attitude was reflected in the slogan Watkins chose for the back of Ali's uniform: Iraq Is Back. The Iraqi Olympic Committee was reinstated by the IOC in February after a nine-month ban due to the leadership of Uday Hussein, who tortured athletes who failed to reach his standards.

``I don't care about political things,'' Ali said. ``I'm just a fighter. I do my sport. . . . (But) it was very hard to forget everything, especially the situation in Iraq.''

Watkins, a Texan and former used-car salesman, went to Iraq last year to perform pest control for the U.S. Army. He wound up coaching the Iraqi boxing team, eventually choosing the 24-year-old Ali to accept a special invitation to the Athens Games.

Ali spent six weeks training with the U.S. team in Colorado earlier this year, also making stops in Houston and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. United States coach Basheer Abdullah joined Watkins in Ali's corner for both fights, wearing a neon-green track suit with ``IRAQ'' on the back.

Ali would love to fight in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but Watkins believes the fighter also will pursue a postgraduate degree. Ali plans to return to Baghdad soon to see his family, which has been following his Olympic exploits on television.

``But first, we're going to get some ice cream,'' Watkins said. ``The only thing that's going to hurt tonight is his stomach. I wouldn't let him eat it before. . . . I'm pretty tough. I'm not quite as tough as Uday, but I'll cut the ice cream off.''

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought this was a nice story and for the most part an untold one.

Bullet Tooth Tony

08-22-2004, 02:43 PM

Poor old Paula. I really thought this would be her time but it just wasnt meant to be. I hope she picks herself up for Beijing.

The conditions were unbearable and the route didnt help and seeing her in tears at the side of the road was horrible.

Moviefan1234

08-22-2004, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Bullet Tooth Tony
The conditions were unbearable and the route didnt help and seeing her in tears at the side of the road was horrible.

You're right, it really was tough watching that. I hate to see any athlete have to go through that. Just watching them run it made my jaw drop. I can't imagine running for that long in heat like that. I know they train for it, but it still continues to amaze me.

And Morgana, you are much too kind! But I thank you just the same. :D

Morgana

08-22-2004, 03:16 PM

I'm still in the midst of watching the women's marathon, but I can't imagine running such a distance in such heat. I'm sure my fellow schmoe runners here will agree that running in the heat is not only harder, but it's also unpleasant. I run in temps above 90, but I don't enjoy it. It's just yucky. And for these women to be running a whole marathon... they couldn't pay me enough to do it. Mucho props to these lady marathoners!

PS I haven't seen what happened to Paula yet, but I'm sad for her already. :(

Update... I've seen the finish of the women's marathon now, and watching Paula was heartbreaking. She only had some 3.5 miles or so to go. But, no doubt she gave it all she had, and that's all you can ask of a person. In this day and age there's big emphasis on time and breaking records, but just being able to finish a marathon is still a big accomplishment in my book. Unfortunately, it just wasn't Paula's day today. Btw., 15 others also dropped out of the race, so Paula wasn't alone. It's a tough course, and tough conditions, I'll be curious to see how the men will handle it.

Congrats to Mizuki Noguchi, and Deena Kastor also had an impressive race coming from behind to win the bronze.

Unicron

08-22-2004, 10:26 PM

A healthy day in the medal count for Australia.

Winning our First EVER gold medal in Diving!! (its amazing what you can do when you poach a Chinese Coach:D ) Also taking the bronze in the 10m platform

Our Rowers where in 5 final but only managed a silver and Bronze.

In the VellaDome our Cylclist are in top form taking a silver and bronze overnight

Also our Softballers are into the gold medal match agasint the US. We will get flogged but hey........Silver is nice :cool:

After Day 9
Gold......12
Silver..... 8
Bronze...12
Total......32
Still holding strong in 4th

PS* China takes the lead in the Gold medal count. Cant wait for 2008:p :D

Morgana

08-23-2004, 12:00 AM

10m platform divers have a certain degree of balls. I've gone up a 10m platform once, I looked down, and I said screw this. It's too scary! :eek:

Congrats to Chantelle Newbery for winning the gold in the 10m platform. Glad motherhood didn't ground her, she apparently thought of giving up on the sport. But now she has a gold medal she can show, and maybe even inspire, her kid with. :)

Justin Gatlin wins the 100m dash... hearing him talk, he doesn't sound like the sharpest pencil in the box. But that's ok, he just needs to know in which direction to run. I would've actually preferred had Shawn Crawford won, he seemed like he would've been a colorful successor to Mo Greene. (I don't get too excited over the 100m dash, so the more colorful the participants, the better.)

In gymnastics Khorkina does horribly on the high bars, and with this, she bids the Olympics good-bye. She was apparently unhappy with the scores she was given in the all-around, she blamed the judges, spoke of some conspiracy, spoke unkindly of Patterson... but I'm not sure she's being very realistic. She's just being Svetlana. Geez, when will the next amusing gymnastics diva come along?

Also, the Czechs won a silver medal in sailing, as well as a bronze in the men's high jump. (I didn't even know we had a halfway decent high jumper.) Two more medals, and I'll be very pleased.

PS If if hear the name Misty fucking May one more time I'll go fucking insane. Is beach volleyball over yet? Grrrrrrrrrrrrr...

horrorfreak13

08-23-2004, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by Morgana
And the stripping of the medals begins...

A Greek weightlifter has been stripped of his medal for failing a drug test, and a female Russian shotputter failed a test post-competition. There will be hearings, and all that jive, but it looks like she'll lose her medal. Not that I'm shocked...

Did anyone watch the women's shotput? I watched a bit, and only one competitor looked even remotely like a woman. The rest frighteningly resembled men. :eek:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5788096/

Well the Russian woman lost her medal and his banned I just say let's rename it to the Drug Olympics.

Also Canada has it's first gold of the games in Kyle Shewfelt in Artisitic Gymnastics and our first medal ever in that event and we are guaranteed another medal today in women's wrestling when Tonya Verbeek goes for gold that will bring our medal count up to 5.

I've never seen shotput on TV in the olympics since CBC and TSN never show it and NBC I've seen myself staying away from their coverage since almost everything has been taped.

I'm a little disapointed in our rowing teams 4 medal hopefuls and our only medal is a silver in the mens lightweight 2000m and we lose gold by .08 to Great Britain and our men's 8 who didn't lose a race in 2 years finish 5th. :confused: At this point we will be lucky to get 10 medals.