BS: Olympics?

Subject: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 08:35 AM

Are ya gonna watch?

Wave a flag?

Cheer on those youth that have strived for perfection with dedicated training?

Some of them did it without drugs.

Some of them we can actually be proud of.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Kaleea
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:38 PM

Are they having gymnastics? Or is that a summer thing? I can never remember past the obvious snow ski is winter & yachting is summer kind of stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST,beadie
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 02:41 PM

This morning, a local radio station was reporting that a U.S. Olympic ski team member has been summarily dismissed from the team by NBC chairman Dick Ebersol.

        The skier was released because, according to the report, "he is utterly devoid of any compelling personal drama that could be exploited by the network. He has not had to overcome any physical disabilities. His family is excruciatingly average, middle class and bland. He has two opposite-sex parents, a dog and no black-sheep siblings. The family lives in an average neighborhood in New Hampshire in a four-bedroom Cape Cod style home. He has never donated or received an organ transplant. Neither he nor any of his close relations are or have ever been afflicted with cancer, ALS, Alzheimer's, nor are any of them considered to be Jerry's kids. He has never been a drug user or an alcoholic. In short, he is useless to the team for public relations purposes, and, despite his excellent skiing ability, supporting him through the course of the games would be an unnecessary expense that would produce no benefit whatsoever to NBC."

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:28 PM

I'll be cheering!!! I shall be especially cheering the Canuck curlers!!! One the men's side, one of the lads, 5th, is a Moncton boy, of note I might add. The fab four are Newfs. Brad Gushue's team from St. John's. Hurrrrryyyyyy!! Hard!

I'll be cheering the Canucks at every event. Well, of course, in hockey, I shall be cheering for the US. Or anyone but the Canucks. Todd? Todd? Fucking toad. I am absolutely and thoroughly disgusted... ashamed, terribly so. How could this piece of fucking trash be allowed to represent Canada?

And, before you say that I shouldn't wish against the other players because of Todd, I say, anyone who would lace up with Todd ain't no Canuck neither. No way what he did was justified, no matter what. No way what he did can ever be forgiven. If ya can't fight like a man, ya ain't a Canuck... yer a thug and a coward. SPIT!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:49 PM

Olympics? Oh...yeah, the commercials and interviews and political reports and scandals, with some athletic events highlights tossed in for punctuation! We shall see.....

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: bobad
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 03:58 PM

Yer spot on with the portrait of the "unknown" athlete who is a revenue non-generator for the network beadie. It's a sorry state of affairs.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:18 PM

what a sorry bunch of cranks here on Mudcat

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:20 PM

Am I going to be watching?

Most likely not ... just don't find it interesting.

Rather watch International poker on T.V. ... even though I don't have clue what they're doing ... it's the intrigue, the strategy, the intense focus of a truly prefessional poker player that I find fascinating.

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 04:36 PM

No

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: freightdawg
Date: 10 Feb 06 - 11:46 PM

Re: Beadie's comments up above. Realign his comments 180 degrees and you have exactly the rationale why Michelle Kwan is going to skate for the US. Total nonsense. She has been "injured" or "unable" to skate for most of the past year. Skips the US nationals because of an "injury" that supposedly will prevent her from skating. Then, a few weeks later she puts on a personal little audition in front of 5 members of the US Olympic committee and voila, she's on the team. Internet voters agree because "we love a good story, and Michelle Kwan is a compelling story". She has choked in the last two Olympics and has virtually no chance this year, but she's on the team because when she skates the National Banking Channel (NBC) will make a ton of money. So much for competing for the right and honor to represent your country. So much for dedicating 4 years of your life to trying to earn a spot on the team. Hey, all you need is a compelling story, a supposed "injury" and a top-flite PR company. You too can go to the Olympics for the good ol' U S of A.

On the positive side, there will be a lot of really fine young athletes from many, many countries who just want to wear their country's colors and will be competing in the true sense of the Olympic ideal. I love the Olympics, I just wish we could see more of those who are competing for the sheer joy of athletic competition. (Anyone remember "Eddie the Eagle" or the Jamaican bobsled team?)

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Peace
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 12:30 AM

"the Jamaican bobsled team"

Cool Runnings.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:20 AM

I thought the Italians did a beautiful job with the opening ceremonies, esp. the acrobats using the vertical "web" to form a dove of peace and I LOVED they had Peter Gabriel singing "Imagine." The coordiantion of all of thoe dnacers forming a skier, from aerial viewpoints, was just incredible, too. All in all, it was really beautiful.

I think it is exciting to see snowboarding so well represented by both men and women and will be watching the skating, also.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 05:20 AM

The opening ceremonies were a surreal hoot. They resembled a cross between Dante's Inferno and an elementary school play on acid. I mean, first a stage bathed in red and dancers on fire followed by ice skating cows and dancing pine trees! The skaters in Holstein cow-patterned outfits and the ice-skating Amish crones were to die for. And the Dada sculptures of bizarre figures painted in camouflage patterns supported by twenty sets of real legs in ballet shoes dancing en pointe --Busby Berkeley, move over!

And then there was Laura Bush in the audience watching Susan Sarandon help carry the Olympic flag and Yoko Ono read the words to "Imagine." Gee, do you think the Italians managed to land a few political zingers, sublety be damned?

Elmer

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:25 AM

Are we backing Australia to win the speed skating again?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 07:35 AM

And here cooomes the Uzbekistan team to the music of Disco Inferno??
whew what a strange moment.

What a beautiful moment when acrobats flew and then came to gether to form a beautiful bird.

Best of all - Nessun Dorme sung by Luciano concluded the entire ceremony. The chills the cheers the smiles were incredible/.....in contrast the elaborate pyrotechnics afterwards only got polite applause after Pavarotti sang.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 08:54 AM

yes, some inpressive moments during the opening Ceremony.
The Human Dove of Peace (beautiful), Pavarotti (wow) Peter Gabriel (neat and very appropriate)
South and North Korean Athletes entering together (hope), The Human Mosaic forming a Winter Olympic Athlete, the Guys with the Rocket packs on their backs (I like fire :) and the nine year old Girl singing the Italian National Anthem, the Women bearing the Olympic Flag and the way the Olympic Flame was ignited, The Lighting Tech was quite amazing.
There were a few things that went on that left me thinking huh??(Disco Music as the entrance anthems being one!!!) hey but why dwell on things I didn't enjoy or get!!! when there was so many really clever and wonderful things going on that I did.

So let the Games commence indeed...

Speed Skating.. LOVE IT/Hockey..LOVE IT/Xtreme...Love them
I am not an every event watcher but some more than others I thoroughly enjoy so for the first time in a while I will tune in to the TV a few times to get wooped up lol

It is such a surreal experience, for me anyway, watching all the different Countries enter. While war and discord rage around the World certain Countries under conflict enter and suddenly all I see are Human beings, not Politics or War. That in itself is an achievement that I truly wish could last way after the Olympics have ended.


Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Scoville
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 11:54 AM

I haven't watched the Olympics since the opening ceremony at Hammerfest (I got to meet on of the Fjord ponies that was pulling a sleigh, when I was in Stavanger the preceding summer. His name was Sun King. He was beautiful).

It's too repetitive. They never show the events I want to see, anyway. The summer Olympics annoys me even more--way too much swimming and diving (sorry, I'm just not convinced they need that many different divisions, and I'm definitely not convinced they need to televise so many of them) and not nearly enough equestrian.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Lady Hillary
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:39 PM

Perhaps we ought to add a DN or other ice boating class and have a winter regatta. There may be a chance to see yachting in the winter since we don't get to see in in the summer.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 03:46 PM

Had no intention in watching but can't help it when it is on most stations. Just finished watching a young Canadian from Alberta (Jennifer Heil) win goal in the Mogules. You know, when you put politics and all other crap aside and go directly to the athelic who give so much of themselves and take such pride in their country, to me . It's worth it. The look on this young ladies face and her parents and friends what great cherished memories. I think I'll watch more.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST,Raptor
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 04:14 PM

Thats what I'm talkin about!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 05:31 PM

Only just had the opening ceremony and already some participants have been busted for drugs..... check here . Nothing changes does it.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Feb 06 - 11:57 PM

Call me a killjoy if you wil, but I have a problem with so much money being spent on a sports carnival. It's not about the honour of competing, it's all about the "glory" of winning - and of course the lucrative contracts that winning can attract.

I won't be watching.

Cheers
JennieG....grumpy old woman and proud of it!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 01:51 PM

Rather watch paint dry.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 02:01 PM

I agree JennieG .. well said.

sIx ...grumpy old man and proud of it!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Greg F.
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 05:23 PM

Bread and circuses. Keep the plebe's minds engaged with meaningless crap.

It was ever thus.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 12 Feb 06 - 07:58 PM

sIx - perhaps we should start The Grumpy Old Farts Olympic Boycott Movement?

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 06:58 AM

I'm up for that... GOFOB sounds like my kind of club..... Can I start an I Don't Want to Pay For It chapter (IDWoPFE) for those of us in east London - we're already feeling the effects!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:55 AM

Liz the Squeak:Yes you can,and you have my blessing.I'll be the first to join.Over here,we already got screwed over- The Stade de France.They built it out beyond the black stump.It was going to be the greatest thing since sliced baguette.It was going to bring "prosperity"Ho Bloody Ho,To the area.Can't recall how many thousands it is supposed to accomadate,but the parking "facilities" hold 5,000 cars!And you wouldn't want to ride the metro,no way.And the beat goes on!

David

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 08:12 AM

As a form of comfort to the Members of the GOFOB there is one eco friendly thing about the Turin Olympics.
Instead of medals being awarded to the winners it would seem the Olympic Committee have found a use for the millions of unwanted CD's that are tossed away daily.
So the lucky winners are proudly sporting Gold, Silver or Bronze coloured old CD's with a hole in the middle, maybe where it used to say 'Try AOL for Free' ect.
Now that has to count as something a tiny weeny bit postive:)
My best Wishes to all the members of the GOFOB.
What is the GOFOB motto by the way?
Love and Light
Jude:)

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: leftydee
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:08 AM

I'm a very lucky American to be just over the Canadian border so that I can watch the Olympics on Canadian TV. American coverage is all hype and profiles. They rarely show anything that an American isn't likely to win a medal. CBC, while a bit patriotic, shows the whole spectrum of events regardless of likely winners. It makes it enjoyable to see the competitions. Much superior coverage to NBC.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:22 AM

Tivo is my friend - at least I can zoom past the ads, and the hype and watch the little bits of sport they broadcast. Now if we could convince the network that 6 hours of hockey and 13 minutes of other events doesn't comprise balanced reporting.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:23 AM

I have an ex-student competing with a chance of a medal. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Please root for Nicola Minichiello/Gualtier (as she was as a student) in the British wonens' 2 person bobsleigh team.

P.S I taught her IT not bobsleighing.

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 10:53 AM

The US coverage must be awful. A friend told me once they didn't even mention all medalists. I love downhill skiing and cross country skiing.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:05 AM

Mention all medalists? If there isn't a prominent US athlete in the event we are lucky if they mention the EVENT.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:13 AM

Have to agree on that.
I went so far as to email NBC about my disgust..as if that will help!!! made me feel a bit better dumping the disgust right back at them..lol :)
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 11:17 AM

On the other hand - the website is pretty nice - they are posting results at *almost* realtime....I'm "watching" the 500 meter speed skating right now , and women's luge...

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 12:45 PM

I think "What the hell do they think they're doing going down a snow covered mountain on a tea tray in nothing but their longjohns and not even a decent butt flap on 'em, they'll catch their deaths of cold and probably kidney trouble as well, they shouldn't be out of the house without their vests on, and what's with the funny hat?" would make a good motto for GOFOB, don't you?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 12:51 PM

Oh Indeed Liz:)
Perhaps a a tad long especially if you decide apon a coat of Arms, as it would have to a rather large Coat of Arms for that particular Motto to fit around it...lol

Gotta agree with the hat thing...brutal is not the word, especially the ones with pigtails attached, have you seen those?????
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 01:58 PM

I heard that "Grandma Luge" was injured Sat AM in a practice run, but heard nothing since. Anyone know how she's doing?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:00 PM

broken wrist. she had to withdraw.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: freightdawg
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:35 PM

Maybe just once or twice during the Olympics the NBC nincompoops get it right and show an athlete other than U.S. getting their gold medal. I think it was Saturday night they showed a German athlete (forgot which sport - nordic skiing maybe?) receive his medal. LOVE that anthem - gave me goose bumbles all over and even made me choke up a little. For those of us who can only dream about such an experience it is just too cool to see athletes from all across the world get their national anthem played just for them, to recognize their accomplishment.

That is just a small part of the Olympic experience. The other part is the comraderie. The broadcasters told the story that during the last Olympics when the last place finisher of a long nordic race crossed the finish line one of the people there to cheer him on was the gold medal winner.

That, m'friends, is what the Olympic spirit is all about.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Donuel
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 02:43 PM

Since Pavarotti sang, its all been down hill,
except for sakting which is flat.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 06:18 PM

Can we start a fund for the buying of beige cardigans and high waisted trousers please? We can call it the Boycotting Olympic Grumpy Old Fart Fund... or BOGOFF.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:12 PM

I just watched the womans snowboarding. Wow the Americans were great!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 07:24 PM

Yes, I did to Raptor and I agree.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 08:54 PM

NBC Nightly News in the US is around 6.30pm and during the broadcast they give the results of the Days winners but warn folks first they are going to show them on the screen so if you don't want to know because you plan to watch the event later you can just look away.
I looked away tonight because I didn't want to know about who won the Medals in a certain event that will be on later.
During the commercial break however NBC was telling folks to watch the Today show tomorrow morning because they would be talking to the medal Winners of the ******(I won't say in case) and basically blew the Results...eh so much for looking away ...lol

Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: number 6
Date: 13 Feb 06 - 09:05 PM

LTS and Jennieg ... it certainly sounds like a good idea!! Where do we start ... a website, anti-Olympic TV ads ???

sIx

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 05:29 AM

Sorry Liz, beige isn't my colour - try lime green! I also resent my hard-earned being chucked away on something that I have no interest in whatsoever.

During the Athens Olympics a year or 2 ago (I don't take much notice really when it was) there was an article in a local paper saying how many condoms were distributed to the athletes, it was thousands. Are we paying for a great f**kfest or what? Do we get a say in who goes to bed with whom? Can we breed (say) a ski jumper to a figure skater, so that the resulting offspring could jump higher and faster?

Any other suggested pairings?

Cheers
JennieG....Olympic Stud Mistress! I like that title!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 06:31 AM

Where are you going to wear the stud, Mistress Jen?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:26 AM

Why is it that when a figure skater falls on her ass, skates over to the side, takes 2 minutes, then goes back to her programme like it never happened, they call her courageous and then give her a silver medal?

I fall on my ass all the time. I must be one brave mother. Where's my medals?

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:56 AM

because they know the damage the fall did to her and they know what it is going to take for her to be thrown through the air later in the program - only minutes after a fall.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Greg F.
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 12:10 PM

Because the whole shebang is contrived bullshit from the get-go, Raptor,that's why.

Its all about making money. Sport is the LAST thing its about.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 12:21 PM

BTW - if you saw the replay of the fall - from the way she fell (onto her knee, not her butt) she was probably lucky to be able to continue at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:01 PM

But she did fail to do a perfect skate!

Silver?

She didn't seem hurt after she shook it off.

I think it looked a lot worse than it was.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:34 PM

Raptor I watched a re run of the fall this morning on the News and I was looking at her knee as she fell and as she rose.
I honestly think I saw a Bruise already forming on her knee as she got up...OUCH!
As to wether or not on the reskate and Medal issue. I can't say.
I only tuned into the accident and not the event..that makes me pretty sick eh:) (I didn't delibaretly do that, it just happened that way honest!)
LOL

Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Kaleea
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:42 PM

Seems like I used to be able to watch actual olympic events which included the athletes from the other countries. That was the fun of it for me. Now, evidently, one has to pay for all the cable channels to hell & back in order to see much of the actual competitions. I can recall staying up all night every night to see the coverage years ago. ah well.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 02:52 PM

The judging system doesn't deduct any more or less for a fall from a quad throw axle then for a fall from a single axle -

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:11 PM

Can we breed (say) a ski jumper to a figure skater, so that the resulting offspring could jump higher and faster?

Jennie - good word, "offspring"! I had visions of them doing just that from the moment they were born. As for the ski jumper - you could probably knit me one of those :-)

Jenny

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 14 Feb 06 - 09:14 PM

ROFL..knit me a ski jumper...good one Jennie
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: alison
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 12:34 AM

speaking of accidents

what happened to the poor sod in the womens luge who head butted the wood and covered the rest of the course unconscious?

I was waiting for them to say "she is recovering in hospital" or something to that effect......... but no mention of it.... she wasn't an Ozzie so thats probably why we didn't haar... any other countries report it?

all those falls reminded me of the time John Noakes did the Cresta run on Blue Peter (thats one the UKers will remember)

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 05:51 AM

alison... Hard headed Canuck.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 10:02 AM

Hey does that mean we get a silver?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Alba
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 11:10 AM

No, sorry Raptor they took the poor woman away in a helicopter before she could do a re-run!
:)
Love
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:08 PM

Australia has got its third ever gold at the Winter Olympics finally overtaking Liechtenstein.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 15 Feb 06 - 03:29 PM

Looks loke they may take over canada as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 05:27 PM

The hockey today was great.

If NHL was this clean and sporting I'd become a fan again.

Raptor(waving Canadian flag)

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 05:47 PM

I really would cheer, but, Moore just filed against Bertuzzi in Ontario. I'll save my cheering for Moore. Sigh... it's a sad day for Canuck hockey when this thug helped win. Sorry, Rap. I am Canuck to the nth degree, but, I just can't cheer for any team that would allow Todd to play. Especially my team.

But... what about our darlin femmes, eh? The Yanks are sayin they showin off! Ha! Last time, they put the Canuck flag in their locker room and walked on it. Didn't work. This time, they are dissin the fact that the lasses are not only great, but playing by Olympic rules. Typical trash talk.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 07:10 PM

I waz talking about the femms I still won't watch the men. I don't believe we should have brought criminals with us to Italy.

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 08:31 PM

Rap... good on ya. Any other Canucks out there feel the same way? Send your feelings to Hockey Canada... after all, if you are PAYING for it, PAYING TODD, ya might wanna tell them how ya feel. Hockey might be a Canuck passion, but rules and fair play are far above winning... tell the assholes that let Todd play that they are not Canucks. Even if it's Wayne.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Feb 06 - 09:41 PM

Hell, I'm still unhappy they put aside the amateurs-only rule.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 07:43 AM

Todd's not the only one I don't want representing me. Heatly Killed his friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 06:21 PM

Well, Switzerland jump wiped up the ice with Canada's best and worst, 2 to zip (in Men's Hockey).

Incidentally, both winning goals were scored for the Swiss by Paul DiPietro who is living there now, but comes from my hometown, the Sault (he used to play for Montreal).

I'm laughing. If the Canucks want to medal this time, they'd better pull up their woollies.

But the way things are now, Olympic men's hockey is just like the NHL, only the players are all mixed up on different teams.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 07:34 PM

Best game so far......the Fins and the Czech.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Feb 06 - 07:38 PM

jump?

Should be "just" above.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Firecat
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 05:52 PM

Skeleton Bobsleighing has been all over the papers in the UK, cos we won a silver in the women's competition. The GB women's curlers aren't doing too well though...

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 06:09 PM

If I hear one more interveiwer ask a contestant, winning, losing or injured..."So, how did it make you feeeeeeeeeel?", I think I shall spew! They are actively milking animosities, errors, problems, personalities and pain instead of achievement. They practically put the silly girl who lost the gold on snowboard cross on the rack until she sort of admitted she was showing off.....and the speed skating gossip is getting tedious!

I wish there were the equivalent of a 'neutral' network feed like we have for the US Congress procedures.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 10:51 PM

I think there's too much emphasis on "medalling" myself. It should be about the competition, international athletes meeting each other and competing for their countries and putting their heart into it. Winning first place just means it was your day that day. Everybody has "off" days and "on" days. Medal scores don't mean one country is better than another. The medals are there for something to compete for, but I'm sick of seeing the continuous rundown on how many golds, silvers & bronzes each country nabbed.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 12:02 AM

Couldn't have put it better myself Cluin! An athlete could make a personal best time, even a country or world record......but if they don't win "A Medal" they are denigrated.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Hrothgar
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:56 AM

Thanks for our gold medal, Canucks.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 12:01 PM

I like a story in this morning's paper about the Dutch fans at speed skating.....it is the national sport in Holland, and they cheer for *everyone*.... a bit louder for the Dutch, and a LOT louder for winners, but they approve of everyone who makes the effort!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 01:58 PM

Do you know where I can find a picture of the athletes forming the human dove?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:27 PM

9 to 6 in the women's hockey. BUT, Canada leadin 4 to 1. Yeehawwww!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 04:51 PM

Great Game

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:45 PM

What a great bunch of atheletes!!!! And... excuse my sexist remarks here, but, lard sufferin Moly Joeseph!! That Yankee team is loaded with BABES!!!! Talk about some comely lasses!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 01:14 PM

A short trivia quiz for Winter Olympics (all of that is completely irrelevant of course).

(1) (the only easy question) Athlete winning most gold medals at during one Winter Games?
(2) Athlete winning most gold medals altogether at different winter games?
(3) Female athlete with most medals altogether (whatever colour)?
(4) Only athlete so far (until today; he was joined today by another athlete; this is still yesterday's formulation) to win 4 gold medals in the same event at different winter games.
(5) There are a couple of athletes (at least four) winning medals at five different winter games, name one.
(6) (now the really difficult one, because I don't see how you could google that) Which couple, husband and wife, has won four gold medals each in Winter games?
(7) Multitalent: Name the athlete who did win a gold in the ski jump and at the same winter Olympics was also the fastest downhill skier.
(8) The most sucessful Winter Olympics country by far, if you calculate medals per inhabitants.
(9) Longest medal career: Which athlete won medals at two Winter Games separated by twenty years?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:27 AM

Here's a question. On CBC theres a comercial about the 1948 Canada Hockey team put togeather by the air force needing the RBC to pay for the boat trip to switzerland cause they "couldn't Skate".

Couldn't they fly, they are the air force?

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 02:04 PM

Just caught the last 10 minutes of the Yanks and Finns in the men's hockey. Exciting stuff!! I was on the edge of my seat. 4-3 for Finland. RATS!

Tonight, the men's curling should be interesting... USA vs CAN. Eh Spaw?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 03:39 PM

You can be sure I'll be there from end to end! The Canadians are really tough and experienced but they can be beat as we've seen. Maybe Pete and the boys can take them this time!!! They put a hurtin' on the Scots the other day before the Newfies tromped them. Could be our turn!!!(;<))

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: bobad
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 05:42 PM

Well the world's so called hockey superpower is on it's way home after loosing the quaterfinal game to Russia 2 - 0, and believe me they were full value for their loss - they didn't score a goal in 3 games. This puts them on a par with such hockey superpowers as Byelorusse, Switzerland and Latvia. Back to the drawing board.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:50 PM

I only got to see the 1st period, but I saw Russia outskating and outshooting Canada at every turn.

Just goes to show you, a collection of star players does not a team make.

And why was Pat Quinn coach? The Leafs haven't had a sniff at the Cup in almost 40 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:54 PM

BTW, my post on 18 Feb 06 - 06:21 PM above, says Switzerland beat Canada in Men's hockey 2 to nothing (that score sound familiar? every team beat them the same).

Brain fart. It was Finland, not Switzerland... the Suomi, not the Swiss. Can't believe that one got by.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 06:58 PM

And, yeah, I know. The Finns ousted the US in men's hockey today. And I did see that whole game. It was a good one.

Womens relay speedskating final today was exciting too. Close and Canada slipped in on the last lap to take the silver away from China. Korea took gold as predicted.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: bobad
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 07:15 PM

Canada was beaten 2 - 0 by Switzerland, Finland and Russia.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 08:03 PM

Well ratselfrazzle............

We didn't play too well tonite and Canada was on top of its game so......I'll be cheering for the Newfs in the Gold game and we CAN beat GB for the Bronze but we'll have to have a solid performance from all 4 guys.....and that CAN happen.

Considering the US wasn't even supposed to make it this far, we've done okay. If this group stays together they will contend in the Worlds and in the next Olympics.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:03 PM

Coulda went either way at half time, Spaw. The sixth was put the pressure on. I'll be cheering them for te bronze.

Ironic that Todd nailed that Ruskie behind the puck and took the penalty that turned the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 09:13 PM

??? The sixth was what put the pressure on. I'll be cheering for them for the bronze.

No... seriously... not even one.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Feb 06 - 11:36 PM

Doh! again.

I need sleep I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: GUEST,dianavan
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 01:23 AM

Oh my! Did you see Canada in the cross country? How about that young gal from B.C.? What a powerhouse! She finished with a beautiful smile and extra energy. too. She left her competition in the dust (I mean the snow).

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 06:28 AM

Hey Ted !! '99' !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 06:30 AM

Thank you Terence.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 08:57 AM

The curling yesterday was fascinating!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:18 AM

Now, that's CLASS!! Hat's off to the lasses from Norway to shake hands at the end of the 8th. Bronze for the Canuck curlers.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:30 AM

I think the Norwegians would have been happy to shake after the 5th end if the rules had allowed it!! Another of those situations where a bad day was had by multiple team members and especially their very experienced Skip. BTW, when the Norwegian Third throws she looks like a cobra!

The Canadians did a fine job and really kept the pressure on when it would have been so easy to lighten up. Good interview afterwards with the Skip too. They wanted the Gold but they're pretty happy with the Bronze.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: MMario
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 09:33 AM

Interesting fact last night - they said there are under 300 curlers in Norway - but over a million in Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 06 - 10:53 AM

But, it only takes four good ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 07:17 AM

Oh-oh. The Yanks just took a point in the first end, with the hammer. Can the Scots capitalize?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 07:38 AM

Wow. The Yanks forced the Scots to one point in the second. New game, with the hammer back!

Say, did ya notice that the Scots are speaking in some kinda strange code? Don't sound like proper English to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 07:54 AM

When ya gamble with a piss poor call like that, nay, the worst call I have ever seen in curling, and ya get three, ya gotta have horseshoes up the ass!! It's a wonder Fenson can stand up. Lucky SOG!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 09:46 AM

USA's first medal in curling!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 09:51 AM

YES

.......WE WON THE BRONZE BUY HOOK OR BY CROOK......but Pete played a great tenth and delivered a perfect hammer!!!!

It ain't gold but for the US team, it might as well be!!!! Now if the Newfs can bring it home we'll have a great situation for North America!

I thought Butch Rojeski was going to have a heart attack....LOL......A really nice story about his wife appeared the other day and I know this makes for a special victory for Sean and his Dad. All of the guys played pretty well today and deserved the win.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 11:12 AM

Canucks are up in 20 minutes. Yes, Spaw, I suppose you could call them Newfs. Three of the four are Newfs. The provincial government has closed the schools. Can't recall where the old fellah on the team is from. Anyone know? Hehehe.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 01:15 PM

I'll give youse a hint. If that Canuck rock had not been lying second at the end of the fifth, everyone in Moncton woulda been on his ass for not getting the Finnish stone out. Russ Howard is a legend here. He must be losin it! If I had the broom in the house, I woulda been all over the ice behind the T-line when the Finnish stone was about three feet from the line.

nailbitingnu

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 01:32 PM

Why? Newfs are the nicest people I've ever met, but, JAYSUS!! That's too bad. Only up 7. Yehaw! And, did you see Russ skippin around like a youngster?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 02:02 PM

I wish I was on George Street, St. John's, Newfoundland.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: bobad
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 02:08 PM

There'll be a whole lotta Screeching going on in NFLD tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 02:34 PM

There's a bit of horn honkin going on in Moncton, too. I live near a main drag, and it's noisy. When Mark said he didn't like that shot in the sixth and Russ said, more or less, "Just do it.", that won the game. The fact that Mark (MVP, no doubt) was curling 98% (98 fucking %!!!) and that Russ had the balls to make him throw that stone... what a combination. And, hats off to Mike Adam for stepping aside to allow Russ to play.

Screech? Yeeees, please. A double dark and dirty, stirred with a finger.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 03:42 PM

It's a great day to be an "American.".....LOL

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 04:54 PM

Fantastic game. Wish I was on George Street tonight.
Beer

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 04:56 PM

We likes youse guys more than you think... sometimes. Hehehehe.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 04:29 PM

Well they are almost over and I for one have enjoyed watching the games. Canada did very well except for the men's hockey. A great prelude to what will take place here in 4 years.
I'm picking the Swedes to win the Gold in hockey.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:59 PM

I just had a look at the all Winter games medal table:

The winter Olympics are a very European event. Nearly all European countries have an entry in the all games combined medal table, the two largest missing are Greece and Ireland.

Outside of Europe (well, I count to Europe also all former USSR parts) the only ones ever having won winter medals are the four obvious (European plantations): USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and four countries from the far East: China, South and North Korea and Japan.

Total: 8 countries out of Europe and 30 European countries have ever won winter medals.

The most surprising (on a purely linguistic level) omission from the overall medals list is Iceland.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Peace
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 11:30 PM

Then there's this gal . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: sian, west wales
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:44 AM

And their boots were made in my home town, Port Colborne, Ont.

I'm very proud, and a li'l bit humble.

(((wipes a tear )))

siân

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:47 AM

I don't know why Peace, but that young lady brought a tear of happiness to my eye. Guess I'm becoming a sentimental old fart. Or is it the fact that I'm a proud Canadian and she just brought it out of me.
Beer

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Raptor
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 02:09 PM

OK closing ceremonies:
They pass the Olympic Flag from Tourin Mayor to Vancouver Mayor.

Then they take down the Olympic Flag down from the Olympic Pole

Two different flags.

Who wrote the script for this over the top, overdone, extravagent,waste of time?

But Avril Lavine looked good with long blond hair.

Raptor

Am I the only one who watched it?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Peace
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 02:23 PM

Any kid that can go take five medals in Olympic competition sure does it for me. There was another Winnipeg gal who took a gold, also. I didn't see the races, but I did read about 'em. I admire people who have 'gone the distance', win lose or draw, but yes you're right about it grabbing a piece of our Canadian hearts, Beer. Just something to know that these guys and gals are amateur with little funding and they go do it anyway. Love it.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 05:17 PM

Especially when you see what other countries pay their atheletes for bringing home medals. Google that and get an eye opener! Not only that... it's being considered here in Canuckville. I vote "I don't no."... so far.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: freightdawg
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 05:38 PM

From the "That was just about as cool as it gets" dept:

In the ladies 5,000 meter speedskating race the gold and bronze both went to the Canadians. So the gold medal winner invites the bronze medal winner to stand on the highest podium and arm in arm they sing "O Canada" while their two flags are being raised along with the German (silver) flag.

Man, that brought a tear to the old 'Dawg. I love the Canadian anthem anyway.

And, on a completely unrelated subject, I thought the renditions of the anthems this time around was spot-on. Not those hideous renditions that plagued the games in Athens. These were robust, brassy and loud when they needed to be, and soft and sentimental when they needed to be. Good work to the arrangers and performers!

Too bad the winter games will be in Vancouver in four years. It will be a shame to see the Yanks outdo the Canucks on their home snow/ice.

(laughing evily as I run with my tail between my legs).

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: Beer
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 06:08 PM

Don't run. WQhat for? We'll only pass ya!!
He! he!.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 05 Mar 06 - 09:27 AM

Team Canada (Winnepeg) vs BC in the final of the Scott Tournament at 13:30h AST.

Ah, fer ye ferriners, that's the BIG Canuck women's curling event.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics?
From: gnu
Date: 25 Mar 06 - 09:47 AM

USA and CAN for the bronze medal in the Women's World Curling Championship @11:30 EST. Winner plays Sweden tomorrow for the silver medal.