Winter Olympics

[Sigarms]

I still remember watching the American's beat the soviets in 1980 at Placid. Always remembered watching the ice skating with my parents as a boy during the Winter Olympics as well.

That said, since I've grown older, I see the olympic's as nothing more than political propaganda one way or another, added the realism of the debate between amature vs paid professional, and at this point, really don't care about the Olympics, period.

If anything, countries fight and bribe to host these Olympics, and for what? (add you have the Olympic committee which is no different than organized crime / politics IMO looking for the bribes).

See below, came across this today..

South Korea stands to lose over $1B from Olympics

I'm not really watching, don't really care, and don't have the boys watching them as well. Kind of feel like I'm robbing them by not watching them, but they don't really seem to care either.

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

 

[rekees4300]

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

Watched the opening ceremony but that was it. Couldn't care less about those 20-something pampered kids getting their 15 minutes of fame. On the other hand, I think there is some benefit to the Olympics for promoting world peace. Better to be competing on a sports field than a battlefield.

 

[CoachEarl]

I was in Kindergarten and remember the Miracle on Ice. We were snowed in so hanging out down stairs in the room with the wood stove. My dad screamed and hollered and jumped around and ran around the house in his underwear. I remember that like it was a movie I saw. Might be why I get so excited during sports. LOL

 

[CobyRupert]

Harumph!
...and right now, it's just a bunch of socialist countries (with a fraction of the population), making the Greatest Country in the World (TM) look like it's taking a standardized math test. Good thing we had those Korean immigrant's daughter win us the Gold in snowboarding! This had better change!


Country/Gold/Silver/Bronze/Total
Germany 5 2 2 9
Netherlands 4 4 2 10
Norway 3 5 3 11
Canada 3 4 3 10
United States of America 3 1 2 6

 

[deanocraft]

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.

 

[Snobdds]

I love the skiing and snowboard sports, even the cross country events. The ice based sports I could care less about.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I can't watch judged events. If the winner is determined by a stopwatch or measuring tape I might pay attention. I did watch a little skiing last night. Winner determined by stopwatch...

It's the same for me with the summer Olympics. Synchronized swimming = no thank you, freestyle swimming = ok, gymnastics = nope, track and field = yes!

The story about the first female USA skater to complete a triple axel in the Olympics was kind of deceiving. Tonya Harding actually completed two triple axels in international competition, it just wasn't an Olympic year. I think 9 female skaters have completed triple axels in competition before so the story wasn't nearly as big as the media made it seem.

Kevin

 

[MossRoad]

I skip the ice skating (don't enjoy the ballet, either), although there's something to be said about couples ice dancing. Very strict rules about how close they have to stay to each other. Most impressive. The snow boarding was fantastic. Anyone see that 17 year old boy from the U.S. named Red? Saw several interviews with him after he won the gold medal. He was raised watching the X games, so he thought those were a big deal. However, he said something to the effect of how he never realized just how big the Olympics were, the crowds, the countries.... he said he got it now. It is a big deal. Very articulate young man.

Also watched several interviews with the 17 year old girl that won the gold in the half pipe. She was so grateful to her parents, who are Korean immigrants. Her dad wanted to learn how to snow board, and he knew his little girl was a daredevil, so he took her when she was very small, and soon, she was better than him, and then really took off. She said something to the effect of how proud she was to be able to represent her parents' and familys' original country, South Korea, and her own country, the U.S. at the same time. Also a very articulate young woman.

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

 

[MossRoad]

The story about the first female USA skater to complete a triple axel in the Olympics was kind of deceiving. Tonya Harding actually completed two triple axels in international competition, it just wasn't an Olympic year.

Kevin

And therefore, it wasn't in the olympics, so it wasn't deceiving at all. It was truth. Nothing against Tonya Harding's athletic ability, but she never did it in the olympics, plain and simple.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't care for judged events all that much, either. Not to say it isn't athletic, though. It's brutal. But I'm more of a speed, goal, farthest, fastest, accurate, etc... kind of fan. Watched the cross country skiing and biathelon... ouch! Wife and I haven't been cross country skiing in about 10 years. We got some good snow last weekend, so we broke out the skis and went to a local park. We used to do 4-5 miles in that park no problem. After a mile, we found ourselves taking the trail back to the car! :laughing: My legs hurt the next day! But, we did see a bald eagle, so that was nice. :thumbsup:

 

[/pine]

Methinks the olympics are nothing but yet another way for a global organization to make money and build power...

IMO the sports (games) are a joke...many I would not even consider an actual sport...many are just physical art forms...

"Winter olympics"...give me a break!... the entire concept of world competition is ludicrous considering all the countries that never have snow or ice...

IMO, no type of team sports belong in the olympics, way too many variables to determine the "best in the world"...I like team sports I just don't think there is any actual way to determine the best with only round robin formats

IMO the "Olympics" should be just simple basic, single participant running, jumping, spear and rock chucking and swimming...

Golf in the olympics...a really bad joke with no punchline...

Now to get back to the topic...I kind of like watching curling...it's entertaining...I just don't see it as a worthy world competition...

 

[tcreeley]

The fun is gone without the Russians there- like when the US boycotted the olympics one year. There is hype- that I can do without, and good athletic performances. I hate people winning- because they come from the country that buys the judges off!.

Where is US hockey?

 

[smstonypoint]

When will ski jumping be on the air?

I have always enjoyed seeing the "Agony of Defeat."

Steve

 

[MossRoad]

Some of it has already taken place. More to come. See link.

Ski Jumping | Daily Schedule - Pyeongchang 218 Olympic Winter Games

 

[MossRoad]

And a handy schedule for all the events...

Competition Schedule - Pyeongchang 218 Olympic Winter Games

 

[oosik]

Its been years since I've watched the winter olympics. Enjoyed the athletes - hated the judging & politics.

 

[otlski]

The fun is gone without the Russians there- like when the US boycotted the olympics one year. There is hype- that I can do without, and good athletic performances. I hate people winning- because they come from the country that buys the judges off!.

Where is US hockey?

I think they start a few days from now. So no NHL players this year which is okay for me; I am watching the Bruins as I type. The US team is patched together with a few university players, a few AHL guys, some Americans from the KHL, and guys playing in Europe. Most of the very good college players played in the World Juniors and are not available for the Olympics - too bad too, they would make for an exciting team to watch.

+1 for the Biathlon

 

[ktm250rider]

Love the olympics. Watch it all except figure skating...well i actually watched a little the night before opening waiting for moguls qualifiers. Short track speed skating, slipestyle, all downhill skiing, 1/2 pipe, luge bobsled. Dont really care who wins, just love the competition!

 

[mjarrels]

Want to loose a billion dollars? Host the olympics!

mark

 

[EddieWalker]

Now that Westminster is over with, we might give the Olympics a try. The Akita took second in Group, two years in a row. His name is Nick, and we've been talking to his owner about breeding him to our little girl, Kami when she is ready. The owner wants to, but we're are still holding off. As far as kids playing in the snow, it's not as interesting as seeing the best dogs in the country!!!!