2010 Winter Olympics thread...

[QUOTE=RICHARD;2241165]

I think it's time to stop allowing "pro" athletes to compete.

Their attitude really stinks.

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Sometimes... Like in 2006 when Mike Modano played for Team USA in hockey. He was whining about having to make his own travel and lodging arrangements. Boo freaking hoo dude... THAT is what you are thinking about when you are playing the game with your countries name on your shirt? No wonder the team got spanked.

But then other times... Its fantastic. The hockey tourney this time around has been amazing. Slovakia beats Sweden... Canada DESTROYS Russia... The US beat Canada...

Now, my only caveat is if they are going to let NHL players play, they should play by NHL rules. Last night, the Czech Republic lost the game on a goal that would not have happened if NHL rules were in effect. A defenceman in front of his goalie for Czech had his helmet knocked off. He HAD to retrieve it before he could continue to play. Doing so left a wide open lane to shoot and Finland scored on the play. In the NHL, he loses his lid? So what. These are the best of the best. They know what they are getting in to.

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

I hate NBC...Buttheads!

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NBC is driving me bonkers. Their coverage seems to be assuming that my attention span is only a few minutes long. I don't want to see only a few figure skaters or a few aerial skiers, and I don't want to see only the American competitors. I want to see figure skating or aerial skiing or bobsleigh or whatever sport we're focusing on right now. Yesterday they showed women's aerial skiing - and they showed the Chinese women, an Australian woman (I though of Wom!), and the American women. That's the way I would prefer to watch it.

On CNBC they are showing almost all curling and hockey, things where they can't show just a few competitors and then go to something else.

For both the women's and men's hockey I would be really happy if the U.S. and Canada receive gold and silver. Either way would be fine. There are 4 Blackhawks between the U.S. and Canadian teams, so I think Chicago will be happy with the outcome no matter what. There's been so much interest in hockey (both the Blackhawks and IHL Chicago Wolves) ever since the Winter Classic last year; it is a lot of fun.

Just saw the pictures of the Canuckian Women's hockey team smoking and drinking on the ice waaaaayyyyyy after their win.

Am I the only one who is cringing about this and the women who brought their kids onto the ice for the medal ceremony?

I know I sound like an idiot when I complain about these things but, the Olympics are turning into a showcase of bad taste and stupidity.

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Last week there was a European speedskater that climbed into the stands to hug his relatives.

THAT was a way to celebrate!

I love my Olympics, toward the end of this year's offerings I lost interest because of the coverage, the boorish behavior of the athletes-I was watching one program talking about the Bitten Bronze Medal incident and someone said, "What did they expect when they invited snow-boarders to the Olympics?"

Speaking of the idiot that left because of the photos that were taken of him?

His town will give him a parade anyway and children will be allowed to ditch school and line the route. I guess some dope winning a bronze medal, then acting like an idiot, can be overlooked when that is the best thing that has happened to the town in a while.

I guess the time had to come when "The Day John Boy Fell into the Hay Baler"
was supplanted by Scotty Lago Day-The guy who got his Bronze Medal Licked at the Games!

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In two weeks we can look at some real athletes.

http://www.vancouver2010.com/paralym...ule---results/

There is something way more interesting and humbling about watching people who REALLY OVERCOME adversity.

Having to move into the Olympic Village because you wear fur, is not adversity.;):confused::mad:

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

Just saw the pictures of the Canuckian Women's hockey team smoking and drinking on the ice waaaaayyyyyy after their win.

Am I the only one who is cringing about this and the women who brought their kids onto the ice for the medal ceremony?

I know I sound like an idiot when I complain about these things but, the Olympics are turning into a showcase of bad taste and stupidity.

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Bringing their kids on the ice - did you cringe when the Red Wings won The Cup in 2002, and Steve Yzerman came out to get The Cup with his daughter by his side?

Look at it from this perspective - winning the Gold Medal at the Olympics is the pinnacle for these women. They are not going back to McMansions and lucrative NHL contracts.

Hayley Wickenheiser, age 31, is considered by many to be the best female hockey player in the world. This was her 4th Olympic medal. Where does she go now?

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Just saw the pictures of the Canuckian Women's hockey team smoking and drinking on the ice waaaaayyyyyy after their win.
Am I the only one who is cringing about this and the women who brought their kids onto the ice for the medal ceremony?
I know I sound like an idiot when I complain about these things but, the Olympics are turning into a showcase of bad taste and stupidity.

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Oh come on now Richard, get your head out of your butt. I really disagree with you on this one. It's all over the media up here. From what I heard this morning, champagne was flowing in the dressing room after the game and after the arena emptied out they skated back on to the ice for photos and apparently lit a cigar. Now given the fact that one of the players is only 18 and the legal drinking age is 19, some stupid (and I use that word loosely) reporter picked up on it. Hello!!!!!!?????? You try busting your butt all the way to the gold and I'll let you smoke and drink where ever and with whomever you want. I support them all the way.

Just wait until we kick your **** in men's hockey....:D

OK, I'm down off my soapbox now.

They go into the kitchen where they belong, ALL OF THEM.;)

The coaches too!:eek:


Pro hockey is different.

Everyone shakes hands, hug each other, Bettman comes out and hands the Cup to the Captain and everyone skates around. Look, I didn't get excited when Anaheim won and didn't care..

LOLOL, I will never get used to seeing a woman with a cigar shoved into her pie hole. Men are just as nasty and stupid looking, especially when they smoke it down to the stub. Cigars are a pretentious, nasty and a stinky habit.

Look what the Victory Cigar did to Sid Luckman!*

I can get into booze swilling, but the cigars...ewwww.

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Slick,

That's one reason KAN AH DAH, will never become the most hated country on earth, like us, We make everyone wait until they are 21, for most things.

Look,
I remember the 68 black power incident, the 72 US basketball protest, and while it wasn't in the Olympics, there was a French skater who had a hissy fit because she didn't win. She pi$$ed off the crowd somehow during that competition.

I understand the idea these athletes have worked hard and have sacrificed to get to and compete, in the Games. Don't get me wrong-the ceremonies are for the athletes-that's the pinnacle and for some, their last hurrah.

I'm not stupid and I do look past the obvious stuff you pointed out.

But, unless there are some kinds of rules in place, stuff gets out of hand - the athletes in the Olympics have steadily become pros.

You can argue that the old Commie teams- Blood doping/packing and steroids anyone? - were pros, but they did have to answer to the goons running the show.

Some of today's participants are sponsored by huge companies, they don't have to worry about money for trips, equipment....So, why should they worry about actually behaving?

In Japan one guy lost a medal because he toked up, our men's hockey team trashed some accomodations after they had their lunches taken away?

The hockey team was composed of our best pros? What does that say about us, the mighty U.S.A.

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Every woman and woman's sports team-actually every woman who becomes famous and is seen as a role model, has this HUGE pair of shoes to fill.

So, they must take this "famousosity" even more seriously.

When the cigar and booze thing happens at a women's college or high school competition we will give them a pass. Hey, the Olympic team did it, why not them?

I really do understand the desire to share a moment with your family, isn't it enough that they are there with you? And what about the other families/kids/sibs that could not make it or were in the stands????



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Now that I have my head out of my butt, both of you should thank you lucky stars that you aren't here.

Otherwise, I have laundry, dishes and I WANT A SANDWICH AND A BEER- NOW!:eek::o:rolleyes:


Women have a real big problem becoming 'equals' as far as men go.
You have a definite identity when it comes to your own future, but, us guys have gone before you and haven't done a real good job when it comes to setting some examples.

I want pickles and mayo on that sandwich too.

On second thought I'll get it myself, you guys want one too?


And I do love you both.

No, you don't have to iron my t-shirts.;)



*I know it's RED AUERBACH.

LOL, and I do have "olympic experience".
:D

My "olympic experience".

Back in '84 the company I worked for decided to have a "House Olympics" at the park.

Someone dropped my name into the pool and I became one of the people charged with thinking up events for the day.


We put together some events like a cafe tray race, bedpan races, box folding and stuff like that....

In the office I grabbed a german gal, a white temp, a thai gal, black dude and me. We were a rainbow coalition......:D


We ended up kicking arse up and down and ended up being cheated out of the top spots because the AH that ran the clinic had to combine three teams
to make one team to beat us, I tried to get a fair ruling on the changes but you cannot fight city hall.

I know we won that day, and I had a great time, we also used to play ball against the doctor's and would wipe out butts with them..LOL, Slick? maybe that's where I found comfort with having a head my rear!:)

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Check it out.

I live my life on the "safe side".

When I see kids that are pulled into 'adult situations' I worry about them becoming part of the detritus that us adults leave laying around. The kids last night were well behaved, but imagine having a kid running around and falling?

I used to coach a female soft ball team and an adult league team.

I can tell you that I hated dealing with the kids around the field. Thrown and hit balls, thrown bats, kids wandering away or breating the crap out of each other. I know, it's the Olympics and such....there's security and people around.

They games this year were kinda muted by the deaths of people around it.
A participant, the mother of an athlete and Koenig/Boner, who had no part of the games, yet takes his life in the city where they are being held?


Things like that are not fair, especially when the world shows up at your doorstep looking to escape the BS of everyday living.

You all have valid points.



But I wanted AMERICAN CHEESE on my sandwich, not Swiss!:eek::rolleyes:;)

500 meter men's short track events tonight - can't wait. :p Who else is rooting for Apolo Ohno?

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Originally Posted by Alysser

500 meter men's short track events tonight - can't wait. :p Who else is rooting for Apolo Ohno?

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I live for ST. This is where the rubber meets the road. FOUR HOURS, to go.

I want Celski to win something....he deserves it.

I am in love with K Reutter.

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Dude, Curling too. The Canuckian skip has a great rear end.:D

I went out to stack wood for the fireplace, what could happen in the first 5 minutes of the game?

I came in, saw the second goal? One goal already?

Now it's 6-0.


Time to watch short track!:D

http://images.cheezburger.com/comple...3473751609.jpg

Im apparently going to miss at least the st quarterfinals thanks to a trip to the mall. wanna update for me richard? :D

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Originally Posted by Alysser

Im apparently going to miss at least the st quarterfinals thanks to a trip to the mall. wanna update for me richard? :D

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Done...I misread the schedule, they printed what was going to be contested and in another column what was going to be shown. I think you will get the race before I see them!

All I can say is WOW >.< I hate referees, he BARELY touched the guy. :mad:

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Originally Posted by Alysser

All I can say is WOW >.< I hate referees, he BARELY touched the guy. :mad:

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I haven't seen the race....but I know all the results now.:(

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Slick and Grace,

Here, you may understand the Kan ah Dah controversy this way..


A friend throws a party and invites you to go because there is a guy you are both interested in, who will be in attendance.

The three of you sit on the couch all night until the guy is won over by your friend. You call it a night and go home disappointed.

The next morning you open your computer ! You see that there are pics posted of your friend and the guy on the couch, smoking cigars, drinking and playing grab arse.


How do you feel?;)

Is Mexico represented by only one athlete?

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

I haven't seen the race....but I know all the results now.:(
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Slick and Grace,

Here, you may understand the Kan ah Dah controversy this way..


A friend throws a party and invites you to go because there is a guy you are both interested in, who will be in attendance.

The three of you sit on the couch all night until the guy is won over by your friend. You call it a night and go home disappointed.

The next morning you open your computer ! You see that there are pics posted of your friend and the guy on the couch, smoking cigars, drinking and playing grab arse.


How do you feel?;)

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Hey, I can grab my own arse, thank you very much. Honestly, it wouldn't bother me that much - I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over it. It's their business, whatever they want to do, so be it. I shrug my shoulders.

Now excuse me, my pizza is about to be delivered and I need another beer!!! ;):D

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Originally Posted by blue

Is Mexico represented by only one athlete?

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As the old joke goes?
All us Mexicans that can run, jump or swim are in the U.S./canada already.;)

Just one....:confused:

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

As the old joke goes?
All us Mexicans that can run, jump or swim are in the U.S./canada already.;)

Just one....:confused:

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Not only just one, but I think Mexico is being represented by a German.

I know Mexicans can ski, snowboard and skate, Ive seen them do it. Im sure they can do the curling because there is sweeping involved.

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Originally Posted by blue

Not only just one, but I think Mexico is being represented by a German.

I know Mexicans can ski, snowboard and skate, Ive seen them do it. Im sure they can do the curling because there is sweeping involved.

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And we can clean up the venues after the events.;):)


There is a huge German population in Mexico and they were there in the 'early days'.

If you listen to the Mexican folk music, you can hear the German 'oom pah' band influence.

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

If you listen to the Mexican folk music, you can hear the German 'oom pah' band influence.

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So is there Mexican Polka? I love a good polka!

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Originally Posted by blue

So is there Mexican Polka? I love a good polka!

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The word are a little different..

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The short track relay was the best 7 minutes of the Games.

That is probably the last sporting event I have a burning desire to see.

Dang, that was fun, fast and frantic...
WOW!

OOOHHHHH USA and Canada in the gold medal final for men's hockey. Could I BE any more excited? :D

Women's 30 Km cross country skiing -

Gold - Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland. First Gold for a Polish woman - ever. In Poland's Olympic history there was only one other Winter Gold - back in 1972.

Silver to Marit Bjørgen, Norway. She goes home with 3 Gold, 1 Silver and a Bronze.

Tomorrow the men go 50 KM cross country.

I love watching these events. Ski for miles and miles, and most of the time it's close to a photo finish.

I just found out that Sweden beat Canada for the gold medal in women's curling yesterday. I had it on until about the 6th or 7th end and Canada was up 5 to 4. I was rooting for Canada :( Oh, well.

A Polish woman won a cross-country skiing gold medal! :) (I'm part Polish on my dad's side)

I'm going to have to race home from church tomorrow to see the entire hockey game. (I thought it was on tonight)

Did any of you see the piece Tom Brokaw just did? 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. Absolutely magnificent. Talk about LES.

I read a book about those events - read it twice actually.

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

I am in love with K Reutter.

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http://olympics.fanhouse.com/2010/02...rt/1#c25828720

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Originally Posted by Grace

Did any of you see the piece Tom Brokaw just did? 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. Absolutely magnificent. Talk about LES.

I read a book about those events - read it twice actually.

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Grace, I missed this. Is it online somewhere? Thanks.

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Originally Posted by RICHARD

http://olympics.fanhouse.com/2010/02...rt/1#c25828720

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Thank you, RICHARD. I am too, after reading this. :love::love::love:

I'd love to see NBC make a big fuss about her!!!!! ..tell more of her story, and those of other athletes, from other nations even? :eek:..

Instead, it's non-stop chats with Lindsey "Oops!" Vonn.. Last week it was all Shaun White all the time.. And now Apolo Ohno is moving up on them, to be featured on "Today" tomorrow morning..

Which medal will each receive, HOW will they finally be standing on the Talking-Heads podium?

Those Three Stooges are fine athletes, to be sure.. I'm just so sick and tired of LISTENING to them for two weeks now! I think all their blithering diminishes their athletic accomplishments.

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Originally Posted by phesina

Grace, I missed this. Is it online somewhere? Thanks.

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I'm looking to see if it's going to be shown again. It's about 45 minutes long.

There is a book, The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland, by Jim Defede, describing the events that Brokaw mentions. You can check it out here. I've read it twice; sent a copy to my brother who never reads anything - but he read this one in 2 days.

If I find a link to the Brokaw piece, I'll post it.

Canada has 13 freakin' GOLD MEDALS! And we are third in the medal tally with 25, after Germany and USA.

I think in Turn we got a total of 4 medals? Or was that in Calgary? I know we didn't do well in either location.

wow....

Men's 50 KM

Gold - Petter Northug, Norway, 2:05:35.5

Silver - Axel Teichmann, Germany, 2:05:35.8

Bronze - Johan Olsson, Sweden, 2:05:36.5

After 31 miles of skiing, the top three are just 1 second apart!!

Kings.

Absolutely!!

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Originally Posted by Grace

I'm looking to see if it's going to be shown again. It's about 45 minutes long.

There is a book, The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland, by Jim Defede, describing the events that Brokaw mentions. You can check it out here. I've read it twice; sent a copy to my brother who never reads anything - but he read this one in 2 days.

If I find a link to the Brokaw piece, I'll post it.

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Thanks, Gretchen.

Congrats to Canada!!! What a hard faught game! I am now a fan of hockey :D

A mens and womens hockey silver aint too bad for the US.

We WON???? OMG!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

I was listening on the radio and then got home...they had gone into overtime!

Hey, USA - according to what the medals mean, to be in the top two of the whole WORLD in ice hockey is stupendous! If not for you, no overtime. BRILLIANT, guys! BRILLIANT!:love::love::love::love::)

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Originally Posted by Catty1

We WON???? OMG!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

I was listening on the radio and then got home...they had gone into overtime!

Hey, USA - according to what the medals mean, to be in the top two of the whole WORLD in ice hockey is stupendous! If not for you, no overtime. BRILLIANT, guys! BRILLIANT!:love::love::love::love::)

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Oh man...I wish you could have watched. This was an awesome game even to a hockey noob like me. I am sooo glad I got to see the whole thing!

I told you all that we know how to handle a stick. :D:D

The US team didn't make it easy for us. Congrats for playing a great game and you should be proud.