Olympics

[cubbie_kern]

So is anyone excited about the Olympics?

[ryno4ever]

I haven't even had time to really pay attention to the hype. There's this team on the North Side of Chicago that really has grasped my full attention.... oh, and a team from up north of Chicago that I have to pay attention to....oh, and a team just a couple hundred miles south on I-55 that I have to watch too.... damn pennant race! It's taking up all of my time! LOL

(jk.... I'm sure I'll be keeping up on some of the Olympic happenings)

[TRIPLE PLAY]

Kinda keeping a watch out for swimming,track-n-field & gymnastics.Basketball....well it's over before it starts!

[Cubbies10]

love the olympics, watch everything, sailing and rowing are two of my fave to watch

[VanMan]

Right now watching beach volleyball (Misty May-Treanor [who's married to the Marlins' catcher] and Karri Walsh of the USA taking on a Japanese pair). Saw the U.S. women earlier this morning defeat Japan in indoor volleyball, and our women's sabre rattlers swept the individual sabre medals, putting the U.S. in the medal lead so far with three.

[Cubbies10]

China are starting to dominate these games a little, fair few Golds for them right now. USA having a nice OLympics so far.

Britain got its first gold this morning in the womens road cycling, we havent had the sport we are good at yet, Sailing,Rowing,Indoor Cyling and Badmington all haven't had there finals yet, those where we will pick up most of our medals.

[VanMan]

Well, I think once all the events are done, the U.S. will have the largest haul, followed by China and Russia.

[VanMan]

Anyone watch the men's 4x100 freestyle relay last night? Talk about intense and a great finish by the American team! Just think how many rounds of drinks Michael Phelps will be buying the guy on the anchor leg to keep his 8 gold medal dream alive.

[SKIPPER 11]

Well, I think once all the events are done, the U.S. will have the largest haul, followed by China and Russia.

I think we will have more total medals but I think China will have more gold- hopefully Im wrong

[SKIPPER 11]

Anyone watch the men's 4x100 freestyle relay last night? Talk about intense and a great finish by the American team! Just think how many rounds of drinks Michael Phelps will be buying the guy on the anchor leg to keep his 8 gold medal dream alive.

That was amazing to watch. As far as Phelps 8 gold medals go, I just dont see how he can do it. 17 races/heats in so few of days. He is bound to wear down. It would be amazing though.

[VanMan]

That was amazing to watch. As far as Phelps 8 gold medals go, I just dont see how he can do it. 17 races/heats in so few of days. He is bound to wear down. It would be amazing though.
Actually, Phelps (or his relay team) is favored in each of the remaining six events. He'll be in the 200 free tonight (our time, this morning [Tuesday] Beijing time) and the semifinals of the 200 fly later.

Oh, and did you hear what Alain Bernard said before the Olympics about the competition in the 4x100 free? "The Americans? We're going to smash them. That's what we've come here for." Mr. Bernard, Gary Hall Jr. on line one for you. (Hall said in 2000 that the U.S. 4x100 team was going to "smash the Australians like a guitar," and the Aussies did a little air guitar when they won.)

[Cubbies10]

I don't think comments like that have a place in Swimming, the US were arrogant in Sydney and they got there butts Whipped, the French were arrogant this year and they got there butt whipped, moral of the story is.........don't be arrogrant.

I can't see how he (Phelps) wont do it, he is head and shoulders above everyone else in most of the events.......it's actually so predictable its boring. Glad the Frenchies got a stuffing there though.

Britain doing ok (remember wer'e only a small island lol) 2 Gold (Road cycling, Swimming) and 1 Bronze (Swimming) so far

[SKIPPER 11]

I know he is a big favorite in the rest. The relay was his toughest obstacle. It is just hard for me to imagine him being on his A game 8 times. The good thing is in some of these events he only needs a B performance. So much pressure and focus will come into play.

[SKIPPER 11]

Wow- its like he races against himself almost- when a race is over most swimmers look to their sides to see where they finish- Phelps looks at the clock

[SKIPPER 11]

I don't think comments like that have a place in Swimming, the US were arrogant in Sydney and they got there butts Whipped, the French were arrogant this year and they got there butt whipped, moral of the story is.........don't be arrogrant.

I can't see how he (Phelps) wont do it, he is head and shoulders above everyone else in most of the events.......it's actually so predictable its boring. Glad the Frenchies got a stuffing there though.

Britain doing ok (remember wer'e only a small island lol) 2 Gold (Road cycling, Swimming) and 1 Bronze (Swimming) so far

when does the rowing and sailing take place?

[VanMan]

Rowing is currently going on. (You can see them overnights on MSNBC or USA and daytime on NBC.) Sailing I think goes on next week.

[SKIPPER 11]

Kind of quiet on the Olympic front tonight. Phelps back in action tomorrow though.

[SKIPPER 11]

Phelps 6 for 6 with 6 world records. amazing

[VanMan]

We're running out of superlatives to describe Aquaman. He still has the 100m fly (semis in about 30 minutes, finals tomorrow night our time) and the medley relay (probably going to do the fly leg) Saturday night (our time). Spitz who?

[SKIPPER 11]

I thought tonight he may be in trouble before the race. I was worried his friend would beat him. Forget it. Hopefully our girls can do well in the Overall Gym. tonight. Those little China dolls are amazing.

[VanMan]

And they're getting a little help. Nastia and Jiang had the same possible deductions on beam, and Nastia had a lower score than the Chinese girl. Nastia also had a near-perfect vault, yet she only got a 9.3-something on the execution score. Shawn isn't getting any breaks at all. She only made three mistakes on the beam, getting her chest too low on a full-twisting back, which caused her to balance check, and a small step on the dismount, yet she got an 8.925 on the execution. These judges are definately favoring the Chinese. I'll bet that the FIG officials are in the pockets of the BOCOG or the Chinese Olympic Committee.

[SKIPPER 11]

Well we definately have the gold- now for Shaun- who has been getting screwed all night

[SKIPPER 11]

Shawn wins the silver - She will be back in 4 yrs and take the gold

[VanMan]

Nastia gold, Shawn silver (-0.6), Yang Yilin bronze (-0.675)

Twenty years after her father won gold in Seoul for the USSR, Nastia Liukin wins gold for the USA, and knock the Chinese off the top of the medal stand. She overcame some screwy scoring by the judges on the vault and bars to take it on the floor.

Shawn Johnson, the pixie from Iowa, takes silver. She still has two more shots at gold, the beam and floor event finals.

[VanMan]

Going into the floor, Shawn was behind Nastia by 0.6 points, while Yang was behind by 0.15. Yang made a few mistakes, and she still got her best score of 15.000, but she needed to do a lot better. Nastia just flipped her heart out, stayed in bounds, and did not give the judges a reason to mark her down lower than they needed to. Shawn had to have a miracle routine to overtake Nastia (get a 16.150 when her routine only had a max of about 16.000), but just needed her best to get silver, which she did.

NBC just rolled a tape of Bela Karolyi cheering on Nastia and then kissing Bob Costas when she finished. Boy, that man is animated. It's a good thing he was in the IBC and not there with wife Marta.

[VanMan]

OK, guys, tomorrow, Michael Phelps goes for the 100 fly out of lane five. Saturday, the Redeem Team (USA men's basketball) takes on Pau Gasol and Spain in a showdown for the top of Group B, followed by the medley relay, for Phelps' eighth gold. Next week is the track and field. Got a lot of Olympic action to come.

[SKIPPER 11]

We had a great day today

[VanMan]

Of course, Nastia goes from being born in Moscow, USSR, in 1989, moving with her parents to Texas, so they can open a gym, following dad Valeri to the gym to help save on babysitting, bouncing around and tumbling at age 3, landing a cameo role on "Stick It!" opposite Missy Peregrim two years ago, world champion two years ago, recovering from injury last year, which allowed Shawn Johnson to emerge on the scene, and now Olympic champion. Talk about the American dream.

[VanMan]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!

Michael Phelps has won his seventh gold medal, beating Cavic of Serbia by 0.01 second in the 100m fly, :50.58!

[SKIPPER 11]

That was unbelievable. He half stroked to win.

[VanMan]

Hold on a minute, folks. Andrea Mitchell of NBC has reported the Serbian coaches have protested the race. How can you protest an electronic touch pad?

[VanMan]

The FINA officials are currently reviewing tape of the finish of the 100 fly while the medal ceremony is going on. Just think what'll happen if FINA reverses the decision and says Cavic is the gold medalist, or if they rule a tie.

[VanMan]

Protest result:

FINA not going to hear the protest based on the Omega timing cameras. FINA feels there is sufficient evidence that Phelps outtouched Cavic at the wall.

[Cubbies10]

Super Saturday for team GB today, picked up 9 medals in total, we were waiting for our events and they have come with the Rowing, the Cycling and Sailing. We have guranteed medals tomorrow in the cycling with both competitors from the womens pursuit being British. Our 4 man rowing team took gold today in one of the best races seen at the Olympics this year, that's the third gold in a row for the Mens 4, they won it in 2000 and 2004 and now in 2008 and in London 2012 i wouldn't bet against them. We are again dominating in the cycling taking 5 medals today. We have potential for a lot more tomorrow, Ainsley in the sailing looks odds on to take the Gold the womens 3 crew also have a chance. Like i said earlier we are already guranteed a gold and silver from the cycling and we have 4 more rowing teams in finals tomorrow.

By the end of tomorrow, team GB could find themselves in 3rd position on the medal table, and when you consider we are a small island and the population of the leading 2 (China and the USA) you have to be impressed with the guys and girls of team GB.

Not sure if people outside the UK can watch the video on the BBC site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7565071.stm

Rowing final, well worth watching:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/rowing/7564988.stm

[VanMan]

Aquaman (or Superman as Dan Hicks calls him) has done it again. Michael Phelps and his 4x100 medley relay team have won the final event of the swimming program, in world record time. Eight gold medals! In the old TV series, "Mission: Impossible," Jim Phelps led the Impossible Missions Force. Well, if you take that as a theme for Michael Phelps' quest for eight golds, it's Mission: Accomplished!

[Cubbies10]

Team GB came out flying this morning 4 medals already today, 3 Gold and 1 silver. 2 Gold in the Sailing, Ainsley won as expected and the womens Yingling team won Gold as well. The Mens rowing pair won Gold and the Womens Quadruple Skulls also took Silver. Not find ourselves 3rd in the medal table. Still have medal hopes for the rest of the day, still got a Gold and Silver guranteed in the cycling, and there is more to be had from that area.

[SKIPPER 11]

Can we catch China in GOLDS???? I just looked at the medal tracker and they have 35 to our 19. 65 -61 in our favor on the total, but China has definately had the better of us when it comes to Gold.

[VanMan]

Well, there's still the track and field events, along with all the team tournaments to go.

[thisistheday]

Ha... is anyone else sick of Michael Phelps? Him and beach volley-ball. I've had all I can take (I'm glad swimming is over.) I haven't actually seen that much of the games (entire extended family from all over have been visiting.) But did anyone else see the synchronized diving? That was my favorite so far. I watched it with my cousin and we were in awe of the Chinese pair. They were just flawless.

[VanMan]

The questionable Olympic gymnastics judging reared its ugly head again today in the uneven bars event final. Nastia Liukin (USA) and He Kexin (CHN) had the exact same score, 16.725. However, FIG decided not to award tied medals, so it implemented a tiebreaker system.

Now follow me on this: In the new code of points, implemented after judging discrepencies (imagine that) at Athens, each gymnasts get two scores, an "A" score, rating the routine's difficulty, and a "B" score, how the gymnast executed the routine. The "A" score goes up based on the elements the gymnast does, while the "B" starts at 10 and goes down as the judges see fit for errors and impression.

Both Liukin and He had the same "A" score, 7.700. However, the judges ended up giving both the same "B" score, 9.025. There are six judges doing the "B" score, the high and the low are thrown out, and the remaining four are averaged.

Since they each had the same exact score, FIG's computers then institutes a tie breaker. Of the four remaining scores, the next lowest score is then thrown out. In the remaining scores, He had two scores of 9.1 and one of 9.0. Liukin had two 9.0s and one 9.1, so He got the gold medal by 1/30th of a point, when averaged out. One of the scores thrown out as second-lowest was the Australian judge, who had a 8.9 for Liukin but a 9.0 or 9.1 for He. You have to wonder what that judge was watching, especially when He had more errors in her routine.

Tomorrow, Liukin and Shawn Johnson (of West Des Moines, Iowa) have their final shots at gold in the beam event final. Their competition includes Li Shanshan (CHN), Cheng Fei (CHN), Anna Pavlova (RUS), Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS), Gabriella Dragoi (ROU) and Koto Tsurumi (JPN).

Elsewhere, Lolo Jones, originally from Des Moines, Iowa, will compete in the finals of the 100m hurdles 9:30 a.m. our time. Tomorrow (Wednesday in Beijing), Matt Schwab of Osage, Iowa, will compete in freestyle wrestling at 145.5 lbs. His first match is scheduled for tomorrow night around 8:30 (9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Beijing).

[VanMan]

Well, it's 11:45 p.m. CT right now, and I was hoping to be able to watch live men's volleyball between the U.S. and Brazil in the gold medal match. However, NBC, in its infinite wisdom, decided to tape-delay that match until tomrrow's prime time coverage prior to the closing ceremony, while showing the Redeem Team's gold-medal game vs. Spain live at 1:30 a.m. I don't get NBC Universal sometimes. They show some things live and some on tape, some on NBC, some on USA, some on CNBC and some on MSNBC. Why show basketball live early Sunday morning/late Saturday night in the States but delay volleyball to prime time?

[Cubbies10]

Well China have really come out of this as the lone winners,the US has more medals but China has a ton more Gold, i heard that the USA is the only nation to count all medals instead of what the rest of the world do and count Gold. Is this true? if it is, its really really sad, as thats the only way the US is top of the table. China had some questions asked of it, but it put on a real spectacle, everything was well organised, they led the way, showed passion, a great Olympics, better than Athens and Sydney for my money, they now pass the batton to Great Britain and London 2012 :)

GB finished 4th in the medal table, which is fantastic.

[VanMan]

Well China have really come out of this as the lone winners,the US has more medals but China has a ton more Gold, i heard that the USA is the only nation to count all medals instead of what the rest of the world do and count Gold. Is this true? if it is, its really really sad, as thats the only way the US is top of the table. China had some questions asked of it, but it put on a real spectacle, everything was well organised, they led the way, showed passion, a great Olympics, better than Athens and Sydney for my money, they now pass the batton to Great Britain and London 2012 :)

GB finished 4th in the medal table, which is fantastic.
Well, we consider every medal a "win." If you place within the top three of any event that gives an award for finishing that high, you have to combine them. Sure, we'd love to get more gold medals than anyone else, but getting an Olympic medal is an intermediate goal of every athlete.

USA had 36 golds, 38 silvers and 38 bronzes for 110 total medals. China had the most golds, 51, while adding 21 silvers and 28 bronzes for 100 total. Some think you should weigh the medals into a point system to show who is the most dominant nation. In this case, the U.S. would have 226 points and China would have 223. The U.S. would still be in the lead, but by a single gold medal value. It's all about the hardware.

[Cubbies10]

How does your point system work? The standard discussion says that Gold should count for 4 points silver for 2 and Bronze 1. So the USA= 144 (Gold) 76 (Silver) 38 (Bronze) and China = Gold (204) Silver (42) Bronze (28). Giving the USA a total of 258 points and China would have 274 points. It's ridiculous that the USA seems to always be on top even when they are not. It certainly has made for some funny news stories around the world, even american athletes representing other country's broadcasting agencys were saying that the USA came second in the medal table and they should just accept that, the British had Michael Johnson from the US and he was talking about it.

Just accept it, you had one hell of a Olympics but China came first in the medal table

[VanMan]

I gave three points for gold, not four. USA was first in the medal table, because TOTAL MEDALS are counted, not just gold.

[Cubbies10]

Hate to dissapoint you VM but there only counted the way you do it by America this year, if you had come top with more golds you would be arguing the other way. Most Americans agree by the way, just thought would add that in. It's really sad.

Anyway its over, US did well end of story