2012 London Olympics Thread

[smzimbabwe]

It may be un-American, but I've always kinda rooted against Phelps.

NBC coverage causes me to root against a lot of the Americans, mainly the ones they super hype up unless I already liked or had an opinion of that athlete before...

Maybe not actively root against, but kinda happy when they fail, if there's a difference...

[crashcarson15]

I sometimes feel bad rooting for the USA's Olympians / teams that always win. Like, beach volleyball... it's a sport the US has dominated. It's like rooting for the Yankees.

[pmoehrin]

It may be un-American, but I've always kinda rooted against Phelps.

NBC coverage causes me to root against a lot of the Americans, mainly the ones they super hype up unless I already liked or had an opinion of that athlete before...

Maybe not actively root against, but kinda happy when they fail, if there's a difference...

The only real complaint I have about NBC's coverage outside of the tape delay is Ryan Seacrest needs to get off my TV screen. And there's no warning for when he's going to be on. The 100M breast stroke will have just finished up and he's just there blabbering on about Michael Phelps mom or something. Maybe if he was an actual sports personality I would be alright with it, but I'm not. He's just a glorified disc jockey who's there because one of the producers at NBC thought it would be a neat idea.

[dfwabel]

Its kind of funny to watch because you can tell Costas has that I hate so god damn much because you have no business being here laugh going on everytime the two are on TV together.

Costas is jealous and his comments during the Parade of Nations illustrated that. He makes about $6M/year, on par with Jim Nantz and Joe Buck.

Lauer makes $25M/year from NBCUniversal. Sadly, Seacrest is "new media" since he signed a contract with Fox and "Idol" producer Fremantle Media for $15/year with a bonus of $10M, plus he works for NBCUniversal's E!, owns every Kardashian show, still has a nationally syndicated morning show and bought part of what was formerly HDNet from Mark Cuban.

As "sportsy" as you want it to be, it still is a TV show first and NBC is doing their best to capitalize on that fact. The Super Bowl is more than a four hour game, thus we get the other things in pre-game and halftime. Same with the Kentucky Derby. If you ran a network, you would be very much like CBS Sports Net or even BET in catering to a specific audience and that does not work when you pay $1B to broadcast events.

[Viper]

It may be un-American, but I've always kinda rooted against Phelps.

NBC coverage causes me to root against a lot of the Americans, mainly the ones they super hype up unless I already liked or had an opinion of that athlete before...

Maybe not actively root against, but kinda happy when they fail, if there's a difference...

The trouble with that approach is, even if/when the hyped-up American athletes do fail, NBC just beats their failure to death instead of their success. And then there are cases like Phelps and Jordyn Wieber where they end up getting to do both. No, you can't win that game...

...but apparently, in badminton, you can tank it.

[NJTank]

In 2008 Phelps won a couple of his golds by barely out-touching opponents at the wire. Tonight in the 200m butterfly he was the one who got out-touched. It shows how much close races in swimming come down to basically the luck of the draw - not who's ahead just before the finish, but who happens to be at a favorable point in their stroke to be able to out-touch the other guy.

On the other hand, Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock has another idea on why Phelps has not matched his 2008 8-gold sweep:

Over breakfast last week, my FOX Sports colleague Amy Van Dyken explained to me about the now-outlawed full-body suits that led to all of those swimming records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The full-body suits made the swimmers float on water.

Fascinating.

If things don?t quickly improve for Michael Phelps during these Olympics, you might start hearing serious discussion about the 2008 swimming results being tainted. History could be revised and Phelps might be regarded in some circles as Mark McGwire/Barry Bonds Lite. I?m not calling Phelps a cheater. He didn?t cheat. But maybe he?s the king of a tainted era.

Maybe it?s easier to swim in eight events when you?re floating on water?

Every one was just about wearing the suits so thats not it. Phelps is four years older and has nothing to prove. This is just a victory lap before he retires in a sport where you are old at the age of 25.

It may be un-American, but I've always kinda rooted against Phelps.

NBC coverage causes me to root against a lot of the Americans, mainly the ones they super hype up unless I already liked or had an opinion of that athlete before...

Maybe not actively root against, but kinda happy when they fail, if there's a difference...

The only real complaint I have about NBC's coverage outside of the tape delay is Ryan Seacrest needs to get off my TV screen. And there's no warning for when he's going to be on. The 100M breast stroke will have just finished up and he's just there blabbering on about Michael Phelps mom or something. Maybe if he was an actual sports personality I would be alright with it, but I'm not. He's just a glorified disc jockey who's there because one of the producers at NBC thought it would be a neat idea.

Come on now, Bob Costas needs some one on the set he is taller than.

[Still MIGHTY]

In 2008 Phelps won a couple of his golds by barely out-touching opponents at the wire. Tonight in the 200m butterfly he was the one who got out-touched. It shows how much close races in swimming come down to basically the luck of the draw - not who's ahead just before the finish, but who happens to be at a favorable point in their stroke to be able to out-touch the other guy.

On the other hand, Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock has another idea on why Phelps has not matched his 2008 8-gold sweep:

Over breakfast last week, my FOX Sports colleague Amy Van Dyken explained to me about the now-outlawed full-body suits that led to all of those swimming records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The full-body suits made the swimmers float on water.

Fascinating.

If things don’t quickly improve for Michael Phelps during these Olympics, you might start hearing serious discussion about the 2008 swimming results being tainted. History could be revised and Phelps might be regarded in some circles as Mark McGwire/Barry Bonds Lite. I’m not calling Phelps a cheater. He didn’t cheat. But maybe he’s the king of a tainted era.

Maybe it’s easier to swim in eight events when you’re floating on water?

Hey Whitlock, what about the 8 medals (6 gold) he won in Athens? You hack...

Anyways, congratulations to Phelps a HUMONGOUS record and still with 3 chances to increase his number.

US could still use some more golds to take the true lead over China. It's tough when China's winning some of the smaller events that the USA just really has no competitive part in (table tennis, et. al.)

----

As for those smaller sports... Handball! To echo what some like Bill Simmons have said, why isn't this bigger!?! Why aren't we good at it!?! Handball is AWESOME. Fast, physical, skilled, high scoring. Every chance I get, I've got handball on my computer feed. Women's and men's. Just a fantastic sport.

And the other end, field hockey... as an ice hockey fan, you think it'd be something I could get into, but I can't. It's like soccer with sticks, but I can actually get into soccer. Field hockey is slow and boring and just flat out uninteresting. It "looks" like ice hockey, but it's missing a lot of the things I love in ice hockey (phyicality, speed, quicker all around play, and hell, scoring.)

[The_Admiral]

As for those smaller sports... Handball! To echo what some like Bill Simmons have said, why isn't this bigger!?! Why aren't we good at it!?! Handball is AWESOME. Fast, physical, skilled, high scoring. Every chance I get, I've got handball on my computer feed. Women's and men's. Just a fantastic sport.

I like handball. I think it could really take off if it didn't feel for all the world like something a gym teacher improvised.

[rainmaker17]

It may be un-American, but I've always kinda rooted against Phelps.

NBC coverage causes me to root against a lot of the Americans, mainly the ones they super hype up unless I already liked or had an opinion of that athlete before...

Maybe not actively root against, but kinda happy when they fail, if there's a difference...

That. Plus Phelps comes off as kind of a jerk. Whining when he loses, cocky when he wins.

[waltere]

The best thing about the Olympics is getting to watch sports that wouldn't otherwise be on anyone's radar at all.

So far this Olympics I've found myself watching quite a lot of archery & canoe slalom & getting quite into both, for completely different reasons. Archery is just pure tension, drama & the ultimate test of nerve, plus I am amazed by the regularity they can hit a target the size of a CD from 70 meters away. Canoe Slalom on the other hand is entertaining, surprisingly high octane, & actually looks damn fun. Also add me to the list who think handball should be WAY bigger than it is.

[NJTank]

Its Shuttlecock madness

Badminton Scandal rocks the Olympics

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57484108/olympic-badminton-teams-disqualified-for-throwing-matches/

[Seadragon76]

Its Shuttlecock madness

Badminton Scandal rocks the Olympics

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57484108/olympic-badminton-teams-disqualified-for-throwing-matches/

I prefer Badminton-Gate myself.

But seriously... Why are they throwing these matches? If they wanted to face better opposition, win your match! That's how you get better.

[Still MIGHTY]

As for those smaller sports... Handball! To echo what some like Bill Simmons have said, why isn't this bigger!?! Why aren't we good at it!?! Handball is AWESOME. Fast, physical, skilled, high scoring. Every chance I get, I've got handball on my computer feed. Women's and men's. Just a fantastic sport.

I like handball. I think it could really take off if it didn't feel for all the world like something a gym teacher improvised.

Yeah I guess if i had one, that's my one complaint. It looks awesome and I've loved watching it, but it does almost seem like it's made up. Like something they'd replace dodgeball with once parents complained about violence/bullying or whatever.

Its Shuttlecock madness

Badminton Scandal rocks the Olympics

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57484108/olympic-badminton-teams-disqualified-for-throwing-matches/

I prefer Badminton-Gate myself.

But seriously... Why are they throwing these matches? If they wanted to face better opposition, win your match! That's how you get better.

It's round robin play. They were trying to lose one of their early matches then win the rest to get a better/easier quarterfinal draw. They did a terrible job at trying to suck haha. Hitting it right into the net or ground. C'mon.

[NEW.ERA]

Canada got a Silver!!! YAY!!!

[crashcarson15]

As for those smaller sports... Handball! To echo what some like Bill Simmons have said, why isn't this bigger!?! Why aren't we good at it!?! Handball is AWESOME. Fast, physical, skilled, high scoring. Every chance I get, I've got handball on my computer feed. Women's and men's. Just a fantastic sport.

I like handball. I think it could really take off if it didn't feel for all the world like something a gym teacher improvised.

Yeah I guess if i had one, that's my one complaint. It looks awesome and I've loved watching it, but it does almost seem like it's made up. Like something they'd replace dodgeball with once parents complained about violence/bullying or whatever.

Its Shuttlecock madness

Badminton Scandal rocks the Olympics

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57484108/olympic-badminton-teams-disqualified-for-throwing-matches/

I prefer Badminton-Gate myself.

But seriously... Why are they throwing these matches? If they wanted to face better opposition, win your match! That's how you get better.

It's round robin play. They were trying to lose one of their early matches then win the rest to get a better/easier quarterfinal draw. They did a terrible job at trying to suck haha. Hitting it right into the net or ground. C'mon.

China wanted to ensure their #1 team wouldn't meet their #2 team until the final, so they could win both the gold and silver.

[NEW.ERA]

As for those smaller sports... Handball! To echo what some like Bill Simmons have said, why isn't this bigger!?! Why aren't we good at it!?! Handball is AWESOME. Fast, physical, skilled, high scoring. Every chance I get, I've got handball on my computer feed. Women's and men's. Just a fantastic sport.

I like handball. I think it could really take off if it didn't feel for all the world like something a gym teacher improvised.

Yeah I guess if i had one, that's my one complaint. It looks awesome and I've loved watching it, but it does almost seem like it's made up. Like something they'd replace dodgeball with once parents complained about violence/bullying or whatever.

Its Shuttlecock madness

Badminton Scandal rocks the Olympics

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-33747_162-57484108/olympic-badminton-teams-disqualified-for-throwing-matches/

I prefer Badminton-Gate myself.

But seriously... Why are they throwing these matches? If they wanted to face better opposition, win your match! That's how you get better.

It's round robin play. They were trying to lose one of their early matches then win the rest to get a better/easier quarterfinal draw. They did a terrible job at trying to suck haha. Hitting it right into the net or ground. C'mon.

China wanted to ensure their #1 team wouldn't meet their #2 team until the final, so they could win both the gold and silver.

All of this becoming Canada's benefit. Eliminated in the Ro16, only to get a call that they're going to the Quarters. Now they just beat Australia, and are guaranteed a shot at a medal.

[Still MIGHTY]

The IOC representative helping hand out the men's 100M freestyle swimming medals right now is a man from Canada by the name of Richard Pound...

Everyone, make your jokes!

[NJTank]

I know all about him Dick Pound he is the head of the anti steroids group/

[Viper]

I know all about him Dick Pound he is the head of the anti steroids group/

All this talk about Dicks and (shuttle)cocks is starting to make this thread downright pornographic. All that's missing is Germany's "Die Mannschaft" - who, alas, didn't make it to London.

Meanwhile the JWNT's head coach is drawing some heat - but, at this point, no sanctions from FIFA or the IOC - for a similar tank job in their final group-stage game.

LONDON – The Olympics' match-fixing controversy spread to the soccer tournament on Wednesday after revelations that women's world champion Japan deliberately drew its final group game. Japan's head coach Norio Sasaki ordered his players to adopt a game plan focused entirely on defense against South Africa on Tuesday, despite their opponent being one of the weakest in the competition.

In this case the idea was to cut down on travel; their quarterfinal will be played at the same site (Cardiff) as yesterday's draw, as opposed to Glasgow where they otherwise would have played.

[The_Admiral]

Japan's head coach Norio Sasaki ordered his players to adopt a game plan focused entirely on defense against South Africa on Tuesday, despite their opponent being one of the weakest in the competition.

Sasaki better be careful with that beverage on the edge of his table. He might Tippett.