London 2012 Olympics Thread

[Platypus]

Good day for Australia. The dickhead won silver, some good results in qualifiers and team events, and capping off with a relay silver behind a brilliant swim by the US. I always love an Aussie gold, but I'm sooooo glad Magnussen wasn't one of them... I just wish he hadn't lost to a Yank. Can't wait for the rowing tomorrow.

[You kip if you want to...]

Just watching USA vs China at the Volleyball. Made me realise what this Olympics has been lacking all along, economic metaphors.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Just watching USA vs China at the Volleyball. Made me realise what this Olympics has been lacking all along, economic metaphors.

Did you watch the opening ceremony?

[Linus Van Pelt]

How is badminton not a sport?

Technically it is......but badminton, table tennis, shooting, and equestrian and some others don't quite strike as being in the spirit of the so-called Olympic tradition.....I guess it's a matter of taste too.

Badminton, actually, is very physically intense, since the birdie comes back faster than the ball in tennis or squash, but you still have to run around a court unlike in table tennis.

[patrick1]

Anyone else agree that Olympic boxing is terrible now?  There are still talented fighters and an odd good fight but the scoring system blows. I remember as a kid being horrified by the Roy Jones Jnr decision but at least it was still compelling and could indicate some future success as a pro.  By trying to improve it they just made it worse.

-Just watching replay of GB vs. Cuba. The Cuban got screwed by the point system.

[argentarius]

Anyone else agree that Olympic boxing is terrible now?  There are still talented fighters and an odd good fight but the scoring system blows. I remember as a kid being horrified by the Roy Jones Jnr decision but at least it was still compelling and could indicate some future success as a pro.  By trying to improve it they just made it worse.

-Just watching replay of GB vs. Cuba. The Cuban got screwed by the point system.

The worst thing is the total lack of knockouts. They need smaller gloves.

[patrick1]

Anyone else agree that Olympic boxing is terrible now?  There are still talented fighters and an odd good fight but the scoring system blows. I remember as a kid being horrified by the Roy Jones Jnr decision but at least it was still compelling and could indicate some future success as a pro.  By trying to improve it they just made it worse.

-Just watching replay of GB vs. Cuba. The Cuban got screwed by the point system.

The worst thing is the total lack of knockouts. They need smaller gloves.

Just found this gem out since I havent really been watching the boxing

A Japanese fighter knocked down an Azeri 5 f%^&ing times! According to another source the referee forgot to count at one stage, the Azeri had to be helped from ring after the fight and he won on a decision 10-10.  Unreal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19088420

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

If there's one thing I really want the US to win gold in, it's women's beach volleyball... I remember watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh back in 2004 - it'd be great to see them win 3 in a row.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

If there's one thing I really want the US to win gold in, it's women's beach volleyball... I remember watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh back in 2004 - it'd be great to see them win 3 in a row.

Did you see them lose their first set?

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Just watching USA vs China at the Volleyball. Made me realise what this Olympics has been lacking all along, economic metaphors.

That match was fantastic. Megan Hodge in particular is incredible.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

If there's one thing I really want the US to win gold in, it's women's beach volleyball... I remember watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh back in 2004 - it'd be great to see them win 3 in a row.

Did you see them lose their first set?

No; I came in halfway through the second set on the rerun (I was at work when it happened live).

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Athletics actually has 12 more events, and have hurdles and steeplechase as slow running styles, and anyway I think it adds to the tournament.

If you're going to count the field events, for this comparison, then you ought to add the other FINA sanctioned sports of synchronized swimming, diving, and water polo.

But also, you don't regularly get people competing in large quantities of medal events in athletics.  The two Olympic sports that overdo the medals are swimming and to a lesser extent, gymnastics. There are three swimmers, five gymnasts, and two shooters who have won seven or more medals in a single games.  The shooters wouldn't get that chance today since the shooting program has been trimmed considerably since 1920, tho I wouldn't mind seeing the return of such events as the 100 m running deer. (Shooting at a moving target 100 m from the shooter.  The 50 m event that later replaced it was called the running boar.  No actual deer or boar were used.)

[Tender Branson]

The Summer Olympics are one of these occasions where I'd rather consider myself an Australian than an Austrian ...

[Platypus]

Ernest, it'd be the same as having 4 running styles. 'Freestyle', as now, hurdles, backwards, and with your hands tied behind your back. Being good at one means you'd almost certainly be good at the others, but to be a world beater at more than one style is truly exceptional, and very very few actually do it - Phelps is good enough to have done so, though, and deserves appreciation for it; It's as difficult a task as anything Carl Lewis did.

[Hash]

Canadian coverage is hilarious: GO CANADA, WE WON THIRD PLACE!1111 WE WON!111 WE ROCK!111 Let's cover the medal ceremony now!1111

So, yeah, go France.

[Platypus]

Huge upset win for the kiwis in the rowing, spectacular to watch. Second Italy, and the three favourites, Slovenia, Argentina, and Britain, in 3rd, 4th and 5th. Lithuania last. Kiwis thrilled, in a stunning race. In other events, Aussies have made it through in every boat, so things are going well.

[Platypus]

Another great race sees the Saffies and Brits move up in the last 300m to take gold and silver, as the Danes and Aussies, who battled it out for the first 1700, come 3rd & 4th.

Four years ago Sth Africa only got one silver at the Olympics, so far this year they have three golds, having an excellent year.

Fast race in the women's 8, US leads all the way to claim gold, Canadians edge a fast-finishing Netherlands for silver, then a big gap to Romania, Britain, and Australia

[Supersonic]

Canadian coverage is hilarious: GO CANADA, WE WON THIRD PLACE!1111 WE WON!111 WE ROCK!111 Let's cover the medal ceremony now!1111.

It's like that in the UK too.

[argentarius]

This dressage rain is unreal. But I still don't know, what the hell is dressage? What are they trying to do?

[minionofmidas]

Athletics actually has 12 more events, and have hurdles and steeplechase as slow running styles, and anyway I think it adds to the tournament.

If you're going to count the field events, for this comparison, then you ought to add the other FINA sanctioned sports of synchronized swimming, diving, and water polo.

But also, you don't regularly get people competing in large quantities of medal events in athletics.  The two Olympic sports that overdo the medals are swimming and to a lesser extent, gymnastics. There are three swimmers, five gymnasts, and two shooters who have won seven or more medals in a single games.  The shooters wouldn't get that chance today since the shooting program has been trimmed considerably since 1920, tho I wouldn't mind seeing the return of such events as the 100 m running deer. (Shooting at a moving target 100 m from the shooter.  The 50 m event that later replaced it was called the running boar.  No actual deer or boar were used.)

I always thought that if shooters and biathletes want medals, they should at least shoot at each other. Last survivor gets the gold, last two men to croak get a posthumous silver and bronze.


Carl Lewis was just about the last man on earth to compete in the Wide Jump as well as the sprinters' distances IIRC?

[minionofmidas]

Anyone else agree that Olympic boxing is terrible now?  There are still talented fighters and an odd good fight but the scoring system blows. I remember as a kid being horrified by the Roy Jones Jnr decision but at least it was still compelling and could indicate some future success as a pro.  By trying to improve it they just made it worse.

-Just watching replay of GB vs. Cuba. The Cuban got screwed by the point system.

The worst thing is the total lack of knockouts. They need smaller gloves.

Just found this gem out since I havent really been watching the boxing

A Japanese fighter knocked down an Azeri 5 f%^&ing times! According to another source the referee forgot to count at one stage, the Azeri had to be helped from ring after the fight and he won on a decision 10-10.  Unreal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19088420

Yeah, they reversed that one on appeal. Still looks quite odd - including the points count for round two.

[Platypus]

Jessica Fox wins a silver for Australia in the slalom! She's only 18 in a sport where the medallists are usually in their late 30s or so, so lots to come from her in the future. In the men's double, Britain quinellaed, and women's archery saw a great final for Korea gold, Mexico silver and Bronze.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

What are they trying to do?

Make horses dance.

[Platypus]

High drama at the velodrome, heartbreaking but correct decisions see the Brits and Dutch knocked out of the medal rides, and China knocked from gold to silver, with incorrect changeovers. China look like they   might refuse the silver, which would pop Ukraine in to Bronze, despite having the 6th best heat time.

Men's team pursuit also looking like it will live up to the buildup as Britain set a World record in their heat, and Australia cruise with three in to second fastest.

Edit: China accept their silver.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The tax dodger wins again, I see.