Olympics a Bust?

[dr_mabeuse]

Anyone watching the Olympics? I decided to try and get into this time, and I've got to say these are the dullest and flattest Olympics I've ever seen. Is it just me and the network coverage over here, or are they really that bad?

The men's figure skating was dismal--no flash, no grace, no personality. The crowds seem drugged or asleep, the skaters couldn't wait to finish and get out of there. The races lack any sense of drama (except for snowboard cross and skeleton so far), and no one has any personality

It's bad when curling is the most exciting event.

Iis snowball fighting an event?

 

[3113]

The men's figure skating was dismal--no flash, no grace, no personality.

I'll agree with the figure skating in general excepting the Chinese couple where the girl fell, got back up and they went on to win the silver. Otherwise, the figure skating so far has been lacking in any real sparkle, shine or stand-outs.

Snowboarding, on the other hand, has been pretty wonderful. I think that sport has really saved this Olympics. I love the fact that the snowboarders in the Half-Tube were listening to iPods--each boarding to their own song. And that they took chances, even if it meant losing, to fly as high and far as they could.

And there was that marvelous, last minute cross-over move that allowed the U.S. to win yesterday's cross-over race--boy, that was a excting. The boarders just flew--and there was no telling who would win. Right down to the wire.

I think what said it all was at the end, watching the men's figure skaters get their medals--they stood all stiff; one did cry but they looked, I think the British have the word: Knackered. Wiped out, wrung out, whipped.

But then...then we saw the Snowboarders. There was the U.S. Winner with France and Denmark (?) and they were hugging and grinning. They went through the Anthem, medals about their necks, arms about each other. They looked like good buddies who'd just had the best time of their lives.

Snowboarding. A refreshing shot in the arm for this Olympics.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

But then...then we saw the Snowboarders. There was the U.S. Winner with France and Denmark (?) and they were hugging and grinning. They went through the Anthem, medals about their necks, arms about each other. They looked like good buddies who'd just had the best time of their lives.

Snowboarding. A refreshing shot in the arm for this Olympics.

I wonder if figure skating has just gotten to big for itself, too serious and un-fun. The skaters almost looked like they were just doing a job.

 

[impressive]

Iis snowball fighting an event?

No, but perhaps they'll add snowballing as a demonstration event.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I wonder if figure skating has just gotten to big for itself, too serious and un-fun. The skaters almost looked like they were just doing a job.

Winter Olympics: too much figure skating and ice dancing (wtf?), and not enough men's diving.

 

[Liar]

Winter Olympics: too much figure skating and ice dancing (wtf?), and not enough men's diving.

Into what? Snow?

 

[zeb1094]

Into what? Snow?

LMAO!

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Into what? Snow?

Imagine the shrinkage!

 

[carsonshepherd]

That's why I like the Summer Olympics so much better...

 

[3113]

I wonder if figure skating has just gotten to big for itself, too serious and un-fun. The skaters almost looked like they were just doing a job.

Oh, without a doubt. It's way too high pressure. And I think all those old-world coaches and demanding judges don't help.

How can those atheletes possibly have any any joie de vivre under such circumstances?

 

[bholderman]

It would depend on what your intent is on getting out of the Olympics. Personally, I've been paying attention via RSS feeds and been enjoying what has been taking place.

Then I turn on NBC and find myself in a visual torture chamber.

As an American, obviously I root for the USA. But I have to admit to being somewhat satisified that a lot of the professional athletes are getting their asses kicked. I remember when we kept screaming to get American pros into the Olympics, simply because the Eastern bloc did so. Unfortunately, there definition of a pro was far different from ours, and that is revealing itslef at these Olympics. There is a current editorial on Yahoo regarding most of the American pros as spoiled, and I have to agree. It harkens back to the Olympic basketball team that embarrassed the UNited States so. The American professional is self-serving, and has a cushy life to go back to regardless of the outcome.

In the film (I'm not sure of the historical reality of the scene), Miracle, the coach drives the team to exhaustion during training occasionally asking them who they play for. Time and again, they state the college where they came from. Its only when Mike Eruzione spits out, "United States of America," does anyone get the point. That's the point that has been forgotten and national pride and hunger went with it.

That being said, from an international point of view, I'm enjoying a lot of the successes brought about by the other nations. Sweden's female hockey team, being one of them, that is the best example of that hunger that I mentioned.

Am I watching the Olympics, not really, that seems to be ruining the experience.

 

[shereads]

I wonder if figure skating has just gotten to big for itself, too serious and un-fun. The skaters almost looked like they were just doing a job.

It's all about the scores now.

One of the skaters complained that the new, less subjective scoring system - a reaction to judging scandals and allegations of bias - has removed the incentive for skaters to take creative risks. They're rewarded for technical perfection and the number and difficulty of certain moves in a routine. The sheer dramatics that bring an audience to its feet no longer count for much, because the judges have less leeway to play to the crowd.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

It's all about the scores now.

One of the skaters complained that the new, less subjective scoring system - a reaction to judging scandals and allegations of bias - has removed the incentive for skaters to take creative risks. They're rewarded for technical perfection and the number and difficulty of certain moves in a routine. The sheer dramatics that bring an audience to its feet no longer count for much, because the judges have less leeway to play to the crowd.

I miss the East German women with their beards and suspicious pantloads.

They had a nice national anthem too.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Figure skating is beyond me. I'm impressed with people who can skate, but I just don't know enough abou tit to know a difficult manuver from a routine one.

I'm impressed that skiers can stay off their rumps, but that about does it.

I would opine that with only one super power, the games have lost some of the edge they once had for American viewers. Much as space travel became passe' after we won the space race.

To be fair, I can't remember an olypics I really got into. I'm used to football & baseball. Sports where I have aquired a good working knowledge of the games and rules. It's just very hard to be a spectator for events where you don't really understand what is going on.

I can really appreciate the mechanics, strategy and result of a well timed safety blitz or the artistry or a perfectly turned double play. A tripple lutz? Double sowkow? I don't understand the need, or the skill level needed and it looses a lot when you just don't know what you are watching.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Something's happened to American athletes too. They're kind of obnoxious now.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Something's happened to American athletes too. They're kind of obnoxious now.

I think it's the money. You see winter athletes featured in Visa card commercials before they have achieved anything. You see "the next michale jordon" signing multi million dollar footwear deals before he is even drafted.

Ad people want pro athletes as spokesmen. And they pay through the nose to land them. And I think it really affects the psyche of a lot of people, to become obscenely rich over night. Especially when you have yet to preform.

 

[hunting_tiger]

Anyone watching the Olympics? I decided to try and get into this time, and I've got to say these are the dullest and flattest Olympics I've ever seen. Is it just me and the network coverage over here, or are they really that bad?

I don't know about your tv coverage but if you call this Olympics flat and dull then i wonder which Olympics you compare with.

You have had some amazing races in cross country skiing and biathlon. The downhill races where great both for men and women.

I have enjoyed the figure skating that i have seen so far but I still can't understand how the chinese girl could skate after that nasty fall. I like the new judging system, no more room for cheating judges like it was last time when more then one gold ended up in the wrong hands.

I also think that it has been a good mix of favorites and surprises that have won.

Lindsey Jacobellis will be a classical along in winter Olympics along with Eddy the Eagle and Steven Bradbury.

Canada - Switzerland 0-2.

I almost forgot Aamodt's third Olympic gold in Super-G today, he took his first in 1992.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I'm too obsessive to watch... if I started, I would just never stop!

 

[Liar]

Canada - Switzerland 0-2.

Yeah, that was a bit of a WTF? moment today.

 

[crazycatt]

Winter Olympics can only mean one thing to a Canadian guy... a gold medal for the Canadian hockey teams

It also means no NHL for a few weeks!

 

[Honey123]

I watch the Olympics and I always think of the Literotica ones...and then I miss Tatelou...

 

[CharleyH]

Anyone watching the Olympics? I decided to try and get into this time, and I've got to say these are the dullest and flattest Olympics I've ever seen. Is it just me and the network coverage over here, or are they really that bad?

The men's figure skating was dismal--no flash, no grace, no personality. The crowds seem drugged or asleep, the skaters couldn't wait to finish and get out of there. The races lack any sense of drama (except for snowboard cross and skeleton so far), and no one has any personality

It's bad when curling is the most exciting event.

Iis snowball fighting an event?

There are crowds? I have seen near empty venues, especially for mens figure skating. curling and womens hockey. It sometimes seems the Italians only go to venues where they have potential medal players? Half the excitement is the crowd, example: even in our own experience of going to a horror movie or comedy. Is the movie better in a full theatre, or at home alone?

 

[3113]

There are crowds?

All out having cappuccinos? If I were there, I'd much rather be drinking those chocolate/espresso drinks at a nice little café....

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I just havent watched much of ti at all...

I flipped it on once and saw curling... and I was just wondering WTF is that all about...

 

[Belegon]

In the film (I'm not sure of the historical reality of the scene), Miracle, the coach drives the team to exhaustion during training occasionally asking them who they play for. Time and again, they state the college where they came from. Its only when Mike Eruzione spits out, "United States of America," does anyone get the point. That's the point that has been forgotten and national pride and hunger went with it.

according to interviews I have seen with other members of that team, that scene is pretty close to the real event, close enough it might as well be considered accurate if not completely verbatim.

Eruzione himself denies it ever happened.

I also once wanted the pros, to offset the soviet bloc's tactics...now I long for the amatuers again sometimes...

there are still good examples out there though...pure joy moments, good people. The "pros" may overshadow them, but they don't erase them...