OT: I love the Olympics

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I don't usually watch the Olympics, but when I do, I prefer to watch speed walking
 
It seems most of the good events (translate, ones that interest me) are on when I'm not able to watch. I also watch things I don't normally (diving, gymnastics, track and field among others) but honestly rowing bored me. And while I've been to live soccer games and found them exciting, on TV it seems dull. Maybe I'm not knowledgeable enough to appreciate the fine points. Archery was sort of cool. Still peeved they eliminated baseball and softball. And while I understand the skill in swimming just watching is a tad dull, probably because it's hard to really see well, unlike in track where you can really see them run.

Also have to say I'm pretty focused on the utterly improbable Oakland A's who won in 15 innings last night, er, this morning.
 
crandc said:
It seems most of the good events (translate, ones that interest me) are on when I'm not able to watch. I also watch things I don't normally (diving, gymnastics, track and field among others) but honestly rowing bored me. And while I've been to live soccer games and found them exciting, on TV it seems dull. Maybe I'm not knowledgeable enough to appreciate the fine points. Archery was sort of cool. Still peeved they eliminated baseball and softball. And while I understand the skill in swimming just watching is a tad dull, probably because it's hard to really see well, unlike in track where you can really see them run.

Also have to say I'm pretty focused on the utterly improbable Oakland A's who won in 15 innings last night, er, this morning.
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I think swimming is exciting when there's something on the line. There's just so many heats and semis and such. They really don't need to televise half the swimming that makes it on the TV.

One question I have is about kayaking... when did they add that? I've never seen kayaking before, and it feels like they're trying to compete with the x games. It's kind of cool that they build a fake rapids course, but it's probably one of the most boring events I've watched so far.

Also, I'm finding that the events that are scored by judges seem really biased. That's why I've always liked sports like basketball, football, or even volleyball because for the most part it's based on player scoring and the refs are not the only source of points.
 
Natebishop3 said:
I think swimming is exciting when there's something on the line. There's just so many heats and semis and such. They really don't need to televise half the swimming that makes it on the TV.

One question I have is about kayaking... when did they add that? I've never seen kayaking before, and it feels like they're trying to compete with the x games. It's kind of cool that they build a fake rapids course, but it's probably one of the most boring events I've watched so far.

Also, I'm finding that the events that are scored by judges seem really biased. That's why I've always liked sports like basketball, football, or even volleyball because for the most part it's based on player scoring and the refs are not the only source of points.
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I agree about some of the swimming heats. I think everything from the semi's on are pretty exciting. It's crazy how much ground some of them can make up in the last 50m. I don't know how anyone could watch our relay (or Phelps winning by .01 seconds) from the last Olympics and not find it exciting.

As for kayaking, apparently the Slalom (I think this is the man made course) has been around since 1992 and the distance races since the 30's. I've never watched more than a few seconds of it, so I can't say if I liked it or not. I don't know if I could watch the distance races now that I think about it. I can appreciate crew, but watch 1KM of Canoe riding sounds horribly boring to watch.
 
I think the popularity of the olympics is that they cut right to the chase really quickly. you don't have to watch all the bullshit associated with following a sport for a long time. basically its like if you just played the last 2 minutes of game 7 of the NBA finals on TV, of course it will be "exciting" and you'll be "a fan".
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
I think the popularity of the olympics is that they cut right to the chase really quickly. you don't have to watch all the bullshit associated with following a sport for a long time. basically its like if you just played the last 2 minutes of game 7 of the NBA finals on TV, of course it will be "exciting" and you'll be "a fan".
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I get the feeling you're one of those people who doesn't like things because they're mainstream and everyone else likes them.
 
Natebishop3 said:
I get the feeling you're one of those people who doesn't like things because they're mainstream and everyone else likes them.
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So you don't believe what he said? I think it's spot on. Casual NFL fans who don't follow a team might watch the conference championships and the Super Bowl. Casual college football fans watch the big bowl games. March Madness. NBA Finals. Stanley Cup. World Series.
 
A lot of these sporting events in the Olympics are hard to identify with. But what I identify with and why I like the olympics is I'm watching athletes who have devoted their life to that one particular sport and have become the best in the country. And the part I really enjoy is they do it out of passion for the sport, not for the money.

Most althletes have invested time and money they know they aren't going to get back. But they have found a passion and risen to the top. I have a real respect for all the countless and thankless hours they and their parents have committed to reach this point.
 
VanillaGorilla said:
So you don't believe what he said? I think it's spot on. Casual NFL fans who don't follow a team might watch the conference championships and the Super Bowl. Casual college football fans watch the big bowl games. March Madness. NBA Finals. Stanley Cup. World Series.
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No, I don't believe what he said. I think the reason why people follow the Olympics is because it's one of the few times where people are proud of their country, support their country, and root for their country. It's only once every four years that it happens.

People watch the superbowl for the commercials, or the halftime show... or just to get drunk with their friends. I think most non-basketball fans don't give a shit about the NBA Finals, or Stanley Cup, or the World Series. I don't watch hockey or baseball and I would consider myself to be an above-average sports fan.

The Olympics, on the other hand, will bring in people who don't watch any pro sports. My fiancee is a good example She doesn't give a shit about the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL.... but she loves the Olympics. She watches the gymnastics, she watches the swimming, and the diving, among other things.

The Olympics are in a whole other category.
 
Natebishop3 said:
No, I don't believe what he said. I think the reason why people follow the Olympics is because it's one of the few times where people are proud of their country, support their country, and root for their country. It's only once every four years that it happens.

People watch the superbowl for the commercials, or the halftime show... or just to get drunk with their friends. I think most non-basketball fans don't give a shit about the NBA Finals, or Stanley Cup, or the World Series. I don't watch hockey or baseball and I would consider myself to be an above-average sports fan.

The Olympics, on the other hand, will bring in people who don't watch any pro sports. My fiancee is a good example She doesn't give a shit about the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL.... but she loves the Olympics. She watches the gymnastics, she watches the swimming, and the diving, among other things.

The Olympics are in a whole other category.
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yeah. Because olympics skip the actual sport and work getting there and fast forward to the championship moments.

{Poasted via palm pilot}
 
EL PRESIDENTE said:
yeah. Because olympics skip the actual sport and work getting there and fast forward to the championship moments.

{Poasted via palm pilot}
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Yeah.... The NBA skips the work getting there and fasts forward to the guys making millions of dollars.

I watch the NBA, I don't give a shit about college hoops or high school ball. Does that make me a casual fan?
 
Natebishop3 said:
No, I don't believe what he said. I think the reason why people follow the Olympics is because it's one of the few times where people are proud of their country, support their country, and root for their country. It's only once every four years that it happens.

People watch the superbowl for the commercials, or the halftime show... or just to get drunk with their friends. I think most non-basketball fans don't give a shit about the NBA Finals, or Stanley Cup, or the World Series. I don't watch hockey or baseball and I would consider myself to be an above-average sports fan.

The Olympics, on the other hand, will bring in people who don't watch any pro sports. My fiancee is a good example She doesn't give a shit about the NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL.... but she loves the Olympics. She watches the gymnastics, she watches the swimming, and the diving, among other things.

The Olympics are in a whole other category.
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I'm just really only a fan of team sports, and I couldn't give any less shits about gymnastics, swimming, diving, or any other random event. I'm not one for patriotism.

I think you're off on the amount of people that tune in to professional sports championships versus the Olympics. It's easy to make that mistake, since the Olympics are all at the same time, four years apart. If every major league sports championship was in one month with so much hype and media coverage I think it'd be very similar.
 
VanillaGorilla said:
I'm just really only a fan of team sports, and I couldn't give any less shits about gymnastics, swimming, diving, or any other random event. I'm not one for patriotism.

I think you're off on the amount of people that tune in to professional sports championships versus the Olympics. It's easy to make that mistake, since the Olympics are all at the same time, four years apart. If every major league sports championship was in one month with so much hype and media coverage I think it'd be very similar.
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Actually, you might be closer to reality if you put every major sports event from around the world in a two week period with the hype and media coverage. You're forgetting that this is a global event. It's not just the United States, so the reason why the Olympics is special is because every American can claim ownership. There are only 30 NBA teams, so many people/cities/states are left out. That's not the case with the Olympics....

But hey, you don't like the Olympics. I'm not trying to get you to enjoy something, I'm trying to get you to understand why so many of us enjoy it. I would hope you could at least understand that.
 
Natebishop3 said:
Yeah.... The NBA skips the work getting there and fasts forward to the guys making millions of dollars.

I watch the NBA, I don't give a shit about college hoops or high school ball. Does that make me a casual fan?
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Like i said watching the olympics is akin to watching Game 7 of the NBA finals in the 4th quarter. Your interest is there only to see someone win. Its bandwagon fan support of the worst kind. Would you be a casual fan if you only watched Game 7 of the finals to "see championship basketball"? sure. Same with the olympics, its all the fandom, national pride and good feelings without any of the work involved in following a sport. Its only interesting because you are watching the final race/match without having to actually follow them throughout any of the hard work, losses, trials throughout their careers.

not to mention the jingoism involved in such a shallow involvement in the athletes.
 
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Natebishop3 said:
Actually, you might be closer to reality if you put every major sports event from around the world in a two week period with the hype and media coverage. You're forgetting that this is a global event. It's not just the United States, so the reason why the Olympics is special is because every American can claim ownership. There are only 30 NBA teams, so many people/cities/states are left out. That's not the case with the Olympics....

But hey, you don't like the Olympics. I'm not trying to get you to enjoy something, I'm trying to get you to understand why so many of us enjoy it. I would hope you could at least understand that.
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I do understand it, I was also just making sure you understood where I was coming from. I don't hate the Olympics in any way, if I'm really bored I tune in for a couple minutes just to see what it is, but I'm not interested in who wins, medal counts, or anything like that. Only basketball. As my neighbor said to me yesterday, Happy Olympics!
 
I think Treaty of Batum nailed it. Sure, a few big names will get endorsement deals. But that's only a small number of US athletes and I don't know if it even applies to people from other countries. For most of them, hell, how many people can name the archery gold medalist? But they have worked all their lives, giving up fun times, for this 2 weeks and their few minutes of competition. Hard not to admire.
 
Iron Sheik on team USA wrestling:

Come up with a signature move and name Jordan Burroughs could use in London?
"The Jordan.” Not like the Michael Jordan but he still the Real American. He can break the pinkie finger like Sheikie. He break people back with his pinkie. Because he a big strong [expletive] for America. I be happy. His name could be “the Real” and his finisher be “the Humble.” Give me a hell yeah!

How do you feel about the "Flying Squirrel" nickname Ellis Coleman gave himself?
Flying squirrel remind me of Ultimate Warrior because he a little rat when he jump in ring like that idiot Jose Canseco or Mel Gibson. I would never respect the squirrel because the squirrel have no [expletive].
Wow, aggressive. Could the Iron Sheik beat any of the current wrestlers on Team USA?
In my day I beat living [expletive] out of all Olympian who challenge the legend. I put them in a camel clutch, break they back [two or three expletives], and make them humble. But now I am not in same shape as before so I don’t [expletive] with them.

How would the Olympics benefit from adding ropes around the mat?
The rope protect you and you cannot run away like little [expletive] in ring like Jose Canseco.
How would Hulk Hogan do against the current Olympic team?
Hulk Hogan don’t last long like because [a few expletives] he not a real man like the Sheiky baby. He get beat bad like [wow... not printing that] and never make it to Olympics. Only for the Olympics for being [or that]. [editors note: He definitely hates Hogan.]
Are you ready for a comeback?
I know if I training I can beat the [expletive] out of anybody who [expletive] with me. I am the real legend not like the jabroni the Tom Cruise.
How do you feel about the American wrestling team this year?
They all workers but need to pay their due to be legend like Iron Sheik. Buy my [expletive] shirt!! USA #1!
 
Damn, Freeland has looked like a definite NBA-level talent today against Spain, with the Gasol brothers & Ibaka. Looks like GB's going to come up short, but Freeland has had a pretty solid game today.
 
Gabby Douglas wins top gold in gymnastics and some morons get on her for her hair?

Probably a bunch of overweight couch potatoes.

She's winning Olympic gold, not competing for America's Top Model.
 
crandc said:
Gabby Douglas wins top gold in gymnastics and some morons get on her for her hair?

Probably a bunch of overweight couch potatoes.

She's winning Olympic gold, not competing for America's Top Model.
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It's like some people only posting that Adele is "fat" instead of talking about her music.
 
Natebishop3 said:
It's like some people only posting that Adele is "fat" instead of talking about her music.
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No kidding. It's like the internet is just one long Open Mic Night, and we don't have any money for booze to make it less unfunny.
 
So did anybody actually watch GB and Spain play today? I saw Freeland had a great line, but how did he actually look out there? Any good one-on-one matchups?
 
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