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[Memles]

Wasn't he aiming for 8?

The US Men lost the 4x100 Relay to South Africa, so the quest for 8 ended there.

 

[Kiriku]

The US Men lost the 4x100 Relay to South Africa, so the quest for 8 ended there.

Yes, but he originally said he was aiming for 8. Since he "lost" one gold, I don't see the point with aiming specifically for 7 gold medals. Well, naturally he's aiming at winning as much as possible, but the 8 gold challenge was a special goal as far as I know.

 

[videogamer]

Well, they only have 1 billion possible competitors to select from.

Add to that how the state sponsors sports academy's that basically train kids to compete in olympic events from early childhood and it shouldn't surprise anyone.

As the country gets richer, expect them to only dominate the olympics more.

Well, China does focus very hard on getting medals. Some ways they are getting at this:

1. They have focused on womens' sports early on. They were ready for womens' weightlifting when it became an olympic sport.
2. They began training people for less competitive sports, such as tae kwon do/judo.
3. They are pushing in kids with the right bodies into sports at a very young age.

 

[NetMapel]

Well, China does focus very hard on getting medals. Some ways they are getting at this:

1. They have focused on womens' sports early on. They were ready for womens' weightlifting when it became an olympic sport.
2. They began training people for less competitive sports, such as tae kwon do/judo.
3. They are pushing in kids with the right bodies into sports at a very young age.

I found it really hard to imagine how the Chinese government is able to track down young children with the right bodies and eventually train them for years for olympic... there are just so many people in China.

 

[videogamer]

I found it really hard to imagine how the Chinese government is able to track down young children with the right bodies and eventually train them for years for olympic... there are just so many people in China.

The cold war may have ended, but the echoes of that struggle linger in China's athletic-training program. Across the nation, nearly 400,000 young hopefuls in 3,000 sports schools toil to bring glory to their motherland. Most are plucked from elementary school and sent to train at these state-run sports academies before the age of nine—regardless of their interest in athletics. Given such a concerted culling of China's 300 million youngsters, it's perhaps no surprise that in less than two decades of Olympic participation, China—which stayed away from the Games in previous decades in protest of Taiwan's participation—has transformed itself from a sporting afterthought with just five gold medals in 1988 to a juggernaut with 28 golds in 2000. By Sydney, China had climbed to No. 3 in the overall medals tally, trailing only the U.S. and Russia.

Mao's legacy endures today, as scouts trawl China's vast countryside and jam-packed cities every year to find the best athletic prospects. Kids with tiny hips and flexible limbs are funneled into gymnastics or diving, children with lightning-quick reflexes are destined for table tennis or badminton, while beefier types are tagged as weight lifters. At nearly every elementary school around the nation, amateur anatomists measure youths' bones to predict their future heights, and the tallest are reserved for provincial volleyball, basketball or handball squads. "Just name the sport," says Xu Guangshu, former principal of the Shichahai Sports School in Beijing, another Olympic cradle. "If you give us enough money for proper training, we can create Olympic stars. We have so many children to choose from."

Two years ago, "talent-selection officers" spotted Xu Jiamin, the now-12-year-old daughter of Guangdong farmers, and recruited her for her long legs, short torso and large hands—ideal attributes for a weight lifter. Xu had never heard of weight lifting when the scouts approached her, and she says her parents weren't sure a career lifting barbells was what they wanted for their little girl. But the officers impressed upon them that weight lifting could be Xu's ticket out of rural poverty. Besides, with Beijing 2008 coming up, Xu might one day represent her nation on home turf.

Poor Chinese farmers don't tend to disagree with government officials putting on a hard sell, so Xu's parents relented, allowing her to be sent to a district-level sports school, where she cried for days at the prospect of constantly lifting heavy weights. Xu transferred to Weilun last year, where she now trains six hours a day, six days a week. She sees her parents once a year. During the school year, Xu also attends a couple of hours of class a day, but she admits she's often too tired to pay attention during the evening academic sessions. On a scorching summer afternoon, Xu is wearing a shirt emblazoned with a Barbie doll, and her hands are covered with calluses and blisters. "Weight lifting isn't too much fun, but it's my job," she says. "My coach tells me that no matter how many times you fail, if you succeed once, that's good enough." Watching Xu shuffle up to the barbell, rub chalk onto her torn hands and clean-and-jerk 40 kg above her 33-kg body, Lin Zhiyi, a former swimmer and current Weilun administrator, shakes his head. "Weight lifting is terrible for these girls' bodies, especially their backs," he says. "But as long as it earns China medals, their sacrifice is worth it, isn't it?"

http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501040816-678686,00.html
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~118~2335587,00.html

 

[NetMapel]

Argg... sad story, but you cannot ignore the power the Chinese government have on its people, and its ability to get whatever it wants. I wonder what happens to the Chinese athletes who lost in the olympics.

 

[DMczaf]

Brazil's swimmer Mariana Brochado stands near the pool before a training session in the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, August 12, 2004. The swimming competition at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) starts on August 14. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes

 

[xabre]

That's how they always did it going back to the cold war rivalry days.

According to this system 41 bronze is better than 40 gold. No one else I've seen does it and it's cheap.

Poor Chinese farmers don't tend to disagree with government officials putting on a hard sell, so Xu's parents relented, allowing her to be sent to a district-level sports school, where she cried for days at the prospect of constantly lifting heavy weights.

This is a similar tactic employed by military recruiters in the US to sign people up for the military in areas with high unemployment and little potential exists for opportunity. I'd rather be signed up as an athlete personally but each to their own.

I wonder what happens to the Chinese athletes who lost in the olympics.

The same thing that happens to the North Korean athletes (such as the one whose now won silver three times at weightlifting), they go home, train and then go to the next Olympics.

 

[Memles]

Yes, but he originally said he was aiming for 8. Since he "lost" one gold, I don't see the point with aiming specifically for 7 gold medals. Well, naturally he's aiming at winning as much as possible, but the 8 gold challenge was a special goal as far as I know.

He was trying to defeat Marc Spitz's record of 7 Gold Medals...he still had a chance to tie it.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Brazil's swimmer Mariana Brochado stands near the pool before a training session in the Olympic Aquatic Centre in Athens, August 12, 2004. The swimming competition at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) starts on August 14. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes

You have spread the Olympic spirit. Thank you.

 

[OmniGamer]

whooo us men's gymnastics team takes silver

not bad considering they haven't even won a medal in 20 years

and never in a non-boycotted olympics

Thanks a lot for the spoiler :mad

I'm stickying this, but please be mindful that us Americans are cursed with piss-poor time-delayed coverage, so use spoiler tags when commenting on events as they happen and visibly label what event you are talking about.

 

[yoshifumi]

Thanks a lot for the spoiler :mad

oops sorry

 

[videogamer]

This is a similar tactic employed by military recruiters in the US to sign people up for the military in areas with high unemployment and little potential exists for opportunity. I'd rather be signed up as an athlete personally but each to their own.

You know, there's a difference between 10 year old kids and teenagers.

 

[yoshifumi]

ooh usa wins a bronze in judo by submission

hahaha oh man it was actually awhile ago

 

[yoshifumi]

when do the track and field events start?

 

[duderon]

Station: MSNBC
Showing time: Wed, Aug 18 1:30 AM
Americans compete for gold in the Men's Shot Put final as Sydney silver medalist Adam Nelson, 2004 World indoor champion Christian Cantwell and three-time world champion John Godina look to be top contenders.

Thar you go

Ha, Christian Cantwell didn't make the olympics...

 

[Shinobi]

According to this system 41 bronze is better than 40 gold. No one else I've seen does it and it's cheap.

I've always seen it done that way...total medals, then if several countries have the same total of medals they're measured based on who has the most gold, then silver medals.


Since I posted about it in another thread just now, does anyone ever remember watching this movie?

I haven't seen it since 1989, when I moved from England to Canada. It was one of the first movies we taped on the VCR that dad had bought for Christmas in 1985, and we must've watched it about 20 times. Cheesey as hell, with a cheesier soundtrack. But it was such a great concept. I always envisioned it making a cool video game.

 

[marsomega]

The one I loved and always wish they made a full blown olympics out of (lol kids can dream can they?) were of the Laugh-o-Lympics. When the Hanna Barbara cartoons and such...Never seen that one.

 

[Greenpanda]

when do the track and field events start?

not 'til the 2nd week, I think. although they're doing the men's shot put this week; they're holding it at the actual site of the original Olympics

 

[Greenpanda]

Yes, but he originally said he was aiming for 8. Since he "lost" one gold, I don't see the point with aiming specifically for 7 gold medals. Well, naturally he's aiming at winning as much as possible, but the 8 gold challenge was a special goal as far as I know.

Well, there's still another record he can tie. The most medals any athlete has earned in any single Olympics is 8, and Phelps is still on track to tie (but not exceed) that.

 

[Greenpanda]

For those that missed it - http://www.spursreport.com/Manugamewinner.wmv

Awesome, thanks for the link. Don't have CNBC so I missed it

Heard there was a good finish to the US/Croatia water polo game, too; anyone catch that?

 

[DrM]

Heard there was a good finish to the US/Serbia water polo game, too; anyone catch that?

you mean Croatia / US water polo game with US goal in the last second?

basketball is on program today.

 

[Greenpanda]

you mean Croatia / US water polo game with US goal in the last second?

basketball is on program today.

Yes. My bad.

 

[DrM]

In judo, women 63 kg category - bronze

Bah, she should win in semifinal, but (judges opinion) she played too defensive and 4th warning arrived after match.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

I have newfound respect for men's gymnastics. Good god, did you hear what happened to one of the guys on the rings during the US trails. He ripped his biceps, I can't even imagine the pain that would cause. Why the hell would you do those things, everything looks like it would tear me to shreds.

Second off, does anybody play water polo? Damn that looks like its tiring.

 

[Killthee]

I have newfound respect for men's gymnastics. Good god, did you hear what happened to one of the guys on the rings during the US trails. He ripped his biceps, I can't even imagine the pain that would cause. Why the hell would you do those things, everything looks like it would tear me to shreds.

I saw it and boy was that fucked up. Had Blaine Wilson had more time I'm sure he would have done way better in the preliminary's.

 

[Ripclawe]

Belgium's Jean-Michel Saive watches the ball during his men's singles third round table tennis match against Ju Lin of Dominican Republic at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites), August 16, 2004. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Germany's Jorg Rosskopf watches the ball as he serves against China's Wang Hao in their men's singles third round table tennis match at the 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) in Athens, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu

Segun Toriola of Nigeria keeps an eye on the ball as he serves to Patrick Chila of France during their Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) table tennis tournament second round match, August 16, 2004. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Singapore's Tan Paey Fern serves during her women's dubles third round table tennis match against Whitney Ping and Jasna Reed of the U.S. at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites), August 16, 2004. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Petra Cada of Halifax keeps her eyes on the ball while she serves during her game in table tennis women's singles first round against Olfa Guenni of Tunisia at the 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) in Athens, Saturday. Cada won Guenni 5-4, 11-7, 11-4 to advance. (AP/Chitose Suzuki)

 

[Ripclawe]

...MARCO?????

 

[Firest0rm]

...MARCO?????

lol what team is that? What an odd picture. The guys on the side don't look like their doing a victory stance. More like their constipated.

 

[yoshifumi]

those table tennis pictures are hysterical

 

[Fowler]

Daaaaaamnit, the US beat Australia in a thrilling 4x200m relay... Thorpe was charging, I swear if the race was just a metre longer Thorpe would have won it. Great stuff.

 

[Greekboy]

Great strategy by the US. Well deserved win.

 

[Nerevar]

lol what team is that? What an odd picture. The guys on the side don't look like their doing a victory stance. More like their constipated.

I think it's the South African swim team after they set the world record in the 4x100 freestyle relay.

 

[Suranga3]

Man, I love the olympics!

 

[Greekboy]

Awesome pic....

Greece vs USA in b-ball just started.

 

[Fatalah]

Go Greece! Keep it close! And then go in for the KILL!

 

[Greekboy]

43-40 US early 3rd.

EDIT: 57-53 US after 3.

 

[ZombieSupaStar]

apparently dribbling is optional in greek basketball



.... @ duncan foul just ........

 

[Greekboy]

apparently dribbling is optional in greek basketball



.... @ duncan foul just ........

Lame call is what I'm hearing.

 

[Ripclawe]

What a godawful pathetic team Stu Jackson put together. They can't shoot, can't pass, can't do anything worth a damn.

 

[yoshifumi]

at least they won though

 

[ZombieSupaStar]

I dunno they were losing they just had the clock on their side

 

[kevm3]

What is Richard Jefferson doing in ANY of these games? We barely eked that one by against Greece. Why did Larry Brown bench Lebron when he was getting hot? The problem with this game is mostly due to Brown's coaching style than the players. I'm glad we won, but an unimpressive victory it was.

 

[yoshifumi]

women's team gymnastics news:

Spoiler

romania gold, usa silver, russia bronze
a little disappointing considering that the usa women's team is reigning world champions, and this is one of their best teams in years. but still a silver is nothing to be really disappointed about.

i think the usa is now ahead in total medal counts

 

[golem]

tennis...

Spoiler

wow nice match between roddick and haas.. haas hung tough but andy was too much

 

[Stele]

i think the usa is now ahead in total medal counts

Still four behind in gold -- the important thing.

 

[calder]

DOLPHIN KICK?!? NBC AM CRYING!

Shit, it's always a tough call between NBC's homerist focus (you can usually tell when the American athlete isn't going to win gold because they'll deign to mention another countries athlete by name) and the CBC's annoying as fuck Brian Williams. CBC's coverage has it's faults (waaaaay too much whining and apologizing/sermonizing by Williams, god I hate him) but at least the coverage of the events isn't bad.

So far, TSN is my favourite broadcaster. They do the live feeds of the not-quite-elite events and they show a lot of great matchups not involving canadian athletes. Shame they seem to have local crews doing some of the technical stuff though - whoever they have working the trailer for baseball has *no idea* what camera to use during the action.

Haha, oldy but goody.

Brian Williams says "I tell you what" - 1 drink
Brian says "We'll have that for you in a minute" - 2 drinks
Brian does his distinctive laugh - chug until he stops laughing
Someone in the room imitates Brian's laugh - pour your drink on them
Brian calls whoever he's talking to by his/her full name - 1 drink
Brian interrupts his colour commentator to comment on the action (not the "cation" as picked up by a savvy surfer in Nova Scotia, although we've always thought Brian has a unique chemistry) - 2 drinks
Brian leans on his desk with both arms - 1 drink while leaning on the table or floor with both arms (don't spill!)
Brian taps his pen - 1 drink for each tap
Brian taps his earpiece - 1 drink for each tap
Brian says "Lemme ask you this" - 1 drink
Brian points or shakes his finger at the camera - 2 drinks
Brian talks to the camera crew or the director - 2 drinks
Brian reports what someone else told him, making it sound like a private conversation - 1 drink
Brian says "Lots more to come" - chug until lots more comes
Brian has a dramatic pause - chug until the pause is over
Brian tells you the scoring of a baseball play - 1 drink for every player/number
Brian tells you about a "great story" - 2 drinks
Brian pronounces a name wrong - 1 drink
Brian changes the pronunciation of a name through the course of the game/Games - 1 different drink for each different pronunciation (keep the fridge stocked!)
Brian points out the Canadians - 1 drink (preferably a Canadian) for every Canadian
Bri-an-se-pa-rates-ev-e-ry-syl-la-ble (i.e. Shatnerizes) - 1 drink for every syllable
Brian makes a stern face as he talks about drugs - 1 drink followed by a good hard suck on a lemon
Brian looks a bit silly wearing a headset microphone - 1 drink
Brian looks quite silly wearing a headset microphone - 2 drinks

 

[Kuroyume]

calder stop being a baby... if athletes are not going to play by the rules then their actions need to be pointed out. It's their... job, you know?

 

[Boogie]

My assessment of the Olympic coverage thus far:

Too much damn swimming, not enough Judo.

 

[calder]

calder stop being a baby... if athletes are not going to play by the rules then their actions need to be pointed out. It's their... job, you know?

I think I'll continue to post pretty much exactly as I always have. Isn't there a basketball result somewhere you need to defend or explain away? I don't want to keep you from that.