Official Summer Olympics Thread

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 13, 2008 4:12 pm

green1 wrote:
pbans wrote:
buffettbride wrote:
diverg wrote:
pbans wrote:
buffettbride wrote:and keep in mind, they have to be 16 in the olympic year, so they can actually be 15, as long as they turn 16 before dec 31st. at least that's how i've interpreted it.

i know in a few other events, they've said that a few players have had their 16th birthdays during or just before/after the olympics.
Michael Phelps was 15 in the last Olympics..........

Those little girls though........that's just it, they're little girls.

The thought of them being taken from their families at the age of 3 to 5 and put in training.....seeing their families ONCE a year......all for a SPORT?
I know there are differences in cultures blah blah blah, but that just seems sick and wrong to me.
Ummm Michael is 23 in this Olympics. So he would have been 19 last time..not that it matters any.
This is Phelps 3rd Olympics, so he's been 15, 19, and 23.
okay....yeah, I skipped an olympics.....I knew he was fifteen in his first one.....I feel much better about my Mrs. Robinson-esque thoughts knowing he's 23.
coo coo cachoo

Phelps just doesn't do it for me. Aaron Piersol on the other hand...

You can cradle-rob all you want, Paigey.

It's crazy to think Phelps could do another 1-2 Olympics!

ejr · Post by **ejr** » August 13, 2008 4:17 pm

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
ph4ever wrote:I'd be willing to bet that their looks are because of delayed puberity. Think about it ladies, we all know that all kinds of things can affect the mensus cycle. These girls, training since 3 - they are probably given diets to supress their growth - to keep them small.

Anyway that's my theory
I don't necessarily disagree, but I think it is also in conjunction with being younger than they say. Heck, one only needs to look at our past Olympic teams to know that we did the same growth stunting to our girls. You can keep them smaller in stature, but faces and mannerisms will still mature. I look at Deng Linlin and the way she stands and walks looks just like my niece...that of a little girl. And look how her teammates treat her...they all mother her. That was another big giveaway for me.

I am with you on this. I have a hard time watching gymnastics because of all of this. And then there is the hypocrisy of Bela Karoly who really was a master at all that is being criticized, and who thinks there should be no age restriction whatsoever.

creeky · Post by **creeky** » August 13, 2008 4:26 pm

An Apology

Hi
It has been bought to my attention that my "aussie humour" has been found to be offensive in this thread and one other.

I wish to apologise if this has offended anyone.

I will take some of the blame I guess - the other is down to cultural differences. It was all done tongue in cheek - as we do to each other here in Australia - ie I get daily digs about me about Newcastle, at the moment our football team - ie "Drugscastle" instead of Newcastle - and I just laugh and say "just jealous we are not sharing our dealer" etc etc.

I think anyone that knows me - knows that I am not someone who goes out intentionally to hurt people - I am raised in a different country - different values, different humour, different most things ..... sometimes mixing cultures does not work.

Anyway - as some know - I am not well again. I have experienced extreme highs and extreme lows - and this is usually the time I have been on BN - to release those highs or help the lows. I am off today to seek further medical advice.

I have now made a decision - that as it is apparent I have hurt friends - I am leaving BN for a period of time - not sure how long or if it is permanent.

I need to do this not just for my own health in the long run - as there is still an aspect of BN that adds to my poor health (not going in to that) - but because I have upset friends.

Anyway - again - sorry - nothing was intended as hurtful toward you as individuals or the USA. I honestly can tell you that I have many hundreds of times defended the USA to people "most of them are not the stereotype - gotta get to know the real people " type thing .. so I think I am a USA supporter - but as an aussie - we have international sporting rivalry - (and here is my last bit of humour) - lucky there are no kiwis on here ....

Ok ... cya.

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » August 13, 2008 4:32 pm

(((Jenny))))
Thank you for that.

As it has been noted many times on BN, sometimes humor doesn't come across in the written word.

I guess there is a rivalry in your country with our swimmers---I don't know much about the politics in swimming, but I'm glad to see the US and the Aussies do well.
Didn't I email you to congratulate you on a medal win?

Take break Jenny----BN will be here when you are ready to get back.
I hope you feel better soon.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 13, 2008 4:41 pm

ejr wrote:
Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
ph4ever wrote:I'd be willing to bet that their looks are because of delayed puberity. Think about it ladies, we all know that all kinds of things can affect the mensus cycle. These girls, training since 3 - they are probably given diets to supress their growth - to keep them small.

Anyway that's my theory
I don't necessarily disagree, but I think it is also in conjunction with being younger than they say. Heck, one only needs to look at our past Olympic teams to know that we did the same growth stunting to our girls. You can keep them smaller in stature, but faces and mannerisms will still mature. I look at Deng Linlin and the way she stands and walks looks just like my niece...that of a little girl. And look how her teammates treat her...they all mother her. That was another big giveaway for me.
I am with you on this. I have a hard time watching gymnastics because of all of this. And then there is the hypocrisy of Bela Karoly who really was a master at all that is being criticized, and who thinks there should be no age restriction whatsoever.

Does Bela do anything anymore besides spout at the mouth? Seems like he leaves the coaching up to Marta--or am I mistaken?

creeky · Post by **creeky** » August 13, 2008 4:44 pm

springparrot wrote:(((Jenny))))
Thank you for that.

As it has been noted many times on BN, sometimes humor doesn't come across in the written word.

I guess there is a rivalry in your country with our swimmers---I don't know much about the politics in swimming, but I'm glad to see the US and the Aussies do well.
Didn't I email you to congratulate you on a medal win?

Take break Jenny----BN will be here when you are ready to get back.
I hope you feel better soon.

Swimming goes back to at least Sydney - in the mens relay and some things that transpired - and we are a small country and like to knock over hte big countries - just how it works .......

and yes you did - though as our emails dont always talk - you probably didnt get my answer.

and to demonstrate I am a good sport - I did go in to work yesterday and congratulate a staff member of mine from India on them winning a gold medal yesterday ......

As I said - cultural differences ............... feel free to let rip at how bad aussies are on the track ... we will have the olympics turned off by then cause we s***

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » August 13, 2008 4:44 pm

:looking at the clock on the wall.:
:"add three, carry the one.. six and nine is fourteen..:

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » August 13, 2008 4:49 pm

I watch most of the Olympic coverage regardless of what the sport is. If the USA is involved, I'm watching. Can we win all events---of course not, do we always look good in a sport---heavens no. But I feel like that is the way to support our teams.
Do I understand all the sports I watch, nope, but I watch anyway.

With that being said....
GO USA

creeky · Post by **creeky** » August 13, 2008 4:52 pm

springparrot wrote:I watch most of the Olympic coverage regardless of what the sport is. If the USA is involved, I'm watching. Can we win all events---of course not, do we always look good in a sport---heavens no. But I feel like that is the way to support our teams.
Do I understand all the sports I watch, nope, but I watch anyway.

With that being said....
GO USA

I watch a lot we are not involved in - but for me to watch track - is like sitting you down to a game of football

Must try and get myself together to get to work - I am late .....

Signing off from BN ...

SharkOnLand · Post by **SharkOnLand** » August 13, 2008 4:54 pm

I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me

Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » August 13, 2008 5:02 pm

SharkOnLand wrote: So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.

No sh*t.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » August 13, 2008 5:08 pm

SharkOnLand wrote:I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.

Be glad you're not on the freaking west coast. They tell us it's live and it's really 3 hours old.

I found out today that if I watch on the Canadian television station I'll get it live. I forgot all about them.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » August 13, 2008 5:24 pm

ph4ever wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.
Be glad you're not on the freaking west coast. They tell us it's live and it's really 3 hours old.

I found out today that if I watch on the Canadian television station I'll get it live. I forgot all about them.

that's because they do time in metrics. it offsets our English system measurements and results in "rtb"s

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » August 13, 2008 5:37 pm

SharkOnLand wrote:I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.

Yeah, I found that out the hard way by coming into this thread early on. The West Coast ceases to exist.

I now know not to come into this thread, but it's pretty apparent when something "big" has happened because the thread keeps hopping. It isn't just BN though, yahoo, aol, the newpages...all of them put a big banner headline long before those of us out west have even started the primetime coverage.

Add in radio and TV and you really need to live in a box if you don't want to see or hear the results. Oh well, it's not always a bad thing..i can decide if I want to stay up late or not.

As for the rivalry, what we need to remember is that most of these athletes have the utmost respect for each other, and consider each other friends outside of the competition. There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition and rivalry, as long as it's kept in perspective.

I have always cheered the Aussies and Canadians on....sure I want the US to win but it can't always be that way.

And Mal....I wholly agree with you on Aaron Piersol <drooling smiley>. It sounds like he is one of the most popular and respected swimmers in the world. I only caught part of the story, but apparently he went to bat for another athlete in some competition and didn't back down until a ruling was overturned. I'll have to see if I can dig up the story online. Whatever it was, it made a big impression in the swimming world.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » August 13, 2008 5:53 pm

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.
Yeah, I found that out the hard way by coming into this thread early on. The West Coast ceases to exist. I now know not to come into this thread, but it's pretty apparent when something "big" has happened because the thread keeps hopping. It isn't just BN though, yahoo, aol, the newpages...all of them put a big banner headline long before those of us out west have even started the primetime coverage. Add in radio and TV and you really need to live in a box if you don't want to see or hear the results. Oh well, it's not always a bad thing..i can decide if I want to stay up late or not.

As for the rivalry, what we need to remember is that most of these athletes have the utmost respect for each other, and consider each other friends outside of the competition. There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition and rivalry, as long as it's kept in perspective. I have always cheered the Aussies and Canadians on....sure I want the US to win but it can't always be that way.

And Mal....I wholly agree with you on Aaron Piersol <drooling smiley>. It sounds like he is one of the most popular and respected swimmers in the world. I only caught part of the story, but apparently he went to bat for another athlete in some competition and didn't back down until a ruling was overturned. I'll have to see if I can dig up the story online. Whatever it was, it made a big impression in the swimming world.

I'm going to be really upset when/if the winter olympics have us on a freaking 3 hour delay.

RinglingRingling · Post by **RinglingRingling** » August 13, 2008 5:56 pm

ph4ever wrote:
Brown Eyed Girl wrote:
SharkOnLand wrote:I'm sure glad I don't log on here at night. You guys would be spoiling the results for me Of course, if I did, I wouldn't come in this thread.

They delay them by an hour in our time zone, so they can get the prime time ratings.

So, 'Live' is really, 'Live an hour ago'.
Yeah, I found that out the hard way by coming into this thread early on. The West Coast ceases to exist. I now know not to come into this thread, but it's pretty apparent when something "big" has happened because the thread keeps hopping. It isn't just BN though, yahoo, aol, the newpages...all of them put a big banner headline long before those of us out west have even started the primetime coverage. Add in radio and TV and you really need to live in a box if you don't want to see or hear the results. Oh well, it's not always a bad thing..i can decide if I want to stay up late or not.

As for the rivalry, what we need to remember is that most of these athletes have the utmost respect for each other, and consider each other friends outside of the competition. There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition and rivalry, as long as it's kept in perspective. I have always cheered the Aussies and Canadians on....sure I want the US to win but it can't always be that way.

And Mal....I wholly agree with you on Aaron Piersol <drooling smiley>. It sounds like he is one of the most popular and respected swimmers in the world. I only caught part of the story, but apparently he went to bat for another athlete in some competition and didn't back down until a ruling was overturned. I'll have to see if I can dig up the story online. Whatever it was, it made a big impression in the swimming world.
I'm going to be really upset when/if the winter olympics have us on a freaking 3 hour delay.

nah. time travels faster in cold air. it goes from dark to dark a lot faster in January than it does in June.

chippewa · Post by **chippewa** » August 13, 2008 5:59 pm

Wait a minute, we trademarked that whole "ph" thing.....didn't we?

Somebody call Jimmy's lawyers!

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » August 13, 2008 6:00 pm

chippewa wrote:

Wait a minute, we trademarked that whole "ph" thing.....didn't we? Somebody call Jimmy's lawyers!

Phish fans claim it also

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » August 13, 2008 6:45 pm

Michael Phelps eats 10-12 THOUSAND calories a DAY!!!

his arm span is SIX FEET SEVEN INCHES ACROSS

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » August 13, 2008 7:01 pm

I bet Phelps stinks at water polo and badmitton. How are these things Olympic events . . . watch; in four years skateboarding will be there too.