Winter Olympics

[buckeyefarmer]

I like the competition. Last night, the half pipe was awesome... Those guys do some death defying stunts! And the downhill combined was pretty cool too. I am skeptical of the judging, though. It seems like the fix is in for sure... And I hate watching NBC coverage of anything. I find that their commentary always tends to dance around the edges of social or political topics instead of sticking to sports.

Agree,

I like to watch, the half pipe is amazing.

 

[RichM752]

We record the presentation. Blow through the commercials and "interest " stories. Watch the competitions and root for the home team.

 

[daugen]

I admit I've just been watching the highlights on rerun, no time to sit and watch more.
Sometimes I think the Olympics are like the UN, sure is good to have but some days you wonder what in the world they are doing.
There is a cheater mentality to the Russians I think goes back a long way. Same in China. The end justifies the means, even if you cheat.
But then that's politics not true sports ability of course.

Some of these personal sports achievements are amazing. The triple axel I've seen before, but you still go wow....

As anyone who has ridden a sled or toboggan as a kid, watching those downhill events is fun.
I sure wouldn't strap myself inside a luge...

I'm glad Pence ignored that female viper from NK, btw. She is bad news and part of the obvious politics in this event. Sad when there's as much interest in watching the politicians than watching the contestants.

 

[JGinNC]

... Anyhow, I'm competing in the olympics myself....

You're de-luge-ional. .

 

[MossRoad]

Hahaha!!! Nice! :thumbsup:

 

[Garandman]

The NHL did not let their players play, especially hurting Canada, Sweden and the US. The KHL (top Russian league) did, as did other European pro leagues. So mens hockey was different.

The US had an active KHL goalie, several college players, and several former NHLers like Bobby Butler and Captain 39 year old Brian Gionta, who played in the 2006 games. But they did not play together for a year like the 1980 team, and that hurt them on the international ice, which is 20 feet wider. They lost in a shootout to the Czech Republic. Sweden lost yesterday to Germany.

On the woman’s side, shockingly the gold medal game was between Canada and the US. Canada took a 2-1 lead into the third period, then the US tied it up. That led to the Overtime 4-on-4. The US had a lot of opportunities, then got a penalty with a minute left but Canada could not capitalize.

That led to a shootout. Nobody likes shootouts, because a hockey game is decided by something that is not a hockey game. But for other reasons (usually rink schedules) no one seems willing to play multiple overtimes.

Both teams sent out five shooters and that was also a tie, 1-1. So then it came down to single one on ones. In the second round, the Canadian player was stopped and one of the Lamaroux sisters scored this amazing goal to give the US women their first Gold since 1998.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scores the shootout winner | NBC Olympics

 

[Sigarms]

On the woman’s side, shockingly the gold medal game was between Canada and the US. Canada took a 2-1 lead into the third period, then the US tied it up. That led to the Overtime 4-on-4. The US had a lot of opportunities, then got a penalty with a minute left but Canada could not capitalize.

That led to a shootout. Nobody likes shootouts, because a hockey game is decided by something that is not a hockey game. But for other reasons (usually rink schedules) no one seems willing to play multiple overtimes.

Both teams sent out five shooters and that was also a tie, 1-1. So then it came down to single one on ones. In the second round, the Canadian player was stopped and one of the Lamaroux sisters scored this amazing goal to give the US women their first Gold since 1998.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scores the shootout winner | NBC Olympics

For myself, that is what the Olympic compition best represents for the "spirit" of the games and what it means to it's participants.

No huge money contracts and pro players playing. I'm assuming (and I could be wrong) that they play because they love the sport.

 

[cqaigy2]

Nice play by play on the womens hockey game!

First time i've not been able to get US or CBC Olympic tv to watch the games. I kind of miss it.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

My wife and I have spent a little time watching the Olympics most evenings. I'm enjoying it more than I expected to. I know that a small number of skiers and snowboarders make big money off endorsements, but most of the rest are probably barely covering expenses if they are fortunate.

 

[Garandman]

There is now a “Professional” woman’s league, but it is really semi-pro at best, with half a dozen teams. The women playing have full-time jobs. The league is new and all the women on both teams made a four year commitment for that one game.

As a youth hockey coach, the woman’s game offers great examples because they can’t body check. There is plenty of body contact but their positioning on both offense and defense is textbook.

 

[jerrybob]

The NHL did not let their players play, especially hurting Canada, Sweden and the US. The KHL (top Russian league) did, as did other European pro leagues. So mens hockey was different.

The US had an active KHL goalie, several college players, and several former NHLers like Bobby Butler and Captain 39 year old Brian Gionta, who played in the 2006 games. But they did not play together for a year like the 1980 team, and that hurt them on the international ice, which is 20 feet wider. They lost in a shootout to the Czech Republic. Sweden lost yesterday to Germany.

On the woman’s side, shockingly the gold medal game was between Canada and the US. Canada took a 2-1 lead into the third period, then the US tied it up. That led to the Overtime 4-on-4. The US had a lot of opportunities, then got a penalty with a minute left but Canada could not capitalize.

That led to a shootout. Nobody likes shootouts, because a hockey game is decided by something that is not a hockey game. But for other reasons (usually rink schedules) no one seems willing to play multiple overtimes.

Both teams sent out five shooters and that was also a tie, 1-1. So then it came down to single one on ones. In the second round, the Canadian player was stopped and one of the Lamaroux sisters scored this amazing goal to give the US women their first Gold since 1998.

Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scores the shootout winner | NBC Olympics

That women's hockey game was great.........a classic.......go USA!!!

 

[Buggs67]

We record the presentation. Blow through the commercials and "interest " stories. Watch the competitions and root for the home team.

+1
I think the coverage sucks. Lots of "talking head" time. BS background and featuring the favored performers. And the Skiers are a bunch of spoiled kids.

We blow thru 3 hrs of recording in about 1 hr.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My wife was really pizzd about the lack of coverage the other night. All yak.
Just shut up and show the action.

 

[CobyRupert]

Snowflakes...

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Is there anyone out there that really cares about the Olympics, and if so, why?

I love the Olympics because they epitomize the best of the human race. I don't care that the athletes get paid. Their performance is superhuman, and you don't get there with a couple hours of practice after work. I don't care what country they are from. I love to watch an event where they call skiing 10k a freaking sprint, then the athlete has to hit a target the size of a pingpong ball at 60 yards. I love watching some Norwegian taking turns on the downhill while going 80 mph on a couple slick sticks. I love watching the female figure skater who was the first woman in Olympic history to land a triple axel.

Once every four years, the best athletes in the whole world get together to match their strength. It makes me proud to be human. I love it.

 

[check]

I love the Olympics because they epitomize the best of the human race. I don't care that the athletes get paid. Their performance is superhuman, and you don't get there with a couple hours of practice after work. I don't care what country they are from. I love to watch an event where they call skiing 10k a freaking sprint, then the athlete has to hit a target the size of a pingpong ball at 60 yards. I love watching some Norwegian taking turns on the downhill while going 80 mph on a couple slick sticks. I love watching the female figure skater who was the first woman in Olympic history to land a triple axel. Once every four years, the best athletes in the whole world get together to match their strength. It makes me proud to be human. I love it.

Me too. Watched the final of the women's singles skating last night. Absolutely amazing. And very inspiring! If we could all be even half of what they are, the world would be a much, much better place.

 

[EddieWalker]

When did they finally start the women's skating last night? We turned it on, but it was short course speed skating that never ended. Finally we gave up and turned the channel and got into something else and forgot to check back for the skating.

Something that I've noticed is that with such a huge US team, there isn't anybody there that we are rooting for. No hero. It's just a bunch of kids that we've never heard of and can't get behind. Maybe that's why we enjoyed the Summer Games so much and not these games?

 

[buckeyefarmer]

When did they finally start the women's skating last night? We turned it on, but it was short course speed skating that never ended. Finally we gave up and turned the channel and got into something else and forgot to check back for the skating.

Something that I've noticed is that with such a huge US team, there isn't anybody there that we are rooting for. No hero. It's just a bunch of kids that we've never heard of and can't get behind. Maybe that's why we enjoyed the Summer Games so much and not these games?

I like the fact its mostly just a bunch of kids we never heard of, not a bunch of primadonas.

 

[kcflhrc]

Man, you guys are a tough crowd. If you don't want to watch the Olympics don't. Personally I enjoy it a lot. Don't understand all the hate towards it. These kids work their tails off to get where they are.

 

[Garandman]

Germany beat Sweden in men’s hockey, then beat Canada.

OAR (Russia) beat the Czechs. So Russia vs Germany for Gold/Silver.

All three countries with substantial presence in NHL now out.