217 replies to this topic

[showstopper24]

bmtphs05, on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, 7:35 PM, said:

What a finish.That's all I'm gonna say.Suck it, France.

AmScray, on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, 7:35 PM, said:

That. Relay. was. Awesome.

rocketpoker828, on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, 7:41 PM, said:

wow, I don't particularly like swimming or the Olympics, but that relay got me out of my seat and cheering.

mkaplan108, on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, 7:53 PM, said:

dammmm was that awesome

ajs510, on Sunday, August 10th, 2008, 7:56 PM, said:

That was ****ing SICK. Jumped right out of my chair when that US flag popped up on the screen.

I agree with all of this. I don't really care about any of the specific events (except for baseketball) but I do want to see Phelps win 8 golds...and of course I always want USA. I happened to turn on the relay right before it started and I watched. I was excited for Phelps but I realized that they weren't going to win it when the third guy was falling far behind. Then I was a bit disapointed that the final relayer wasn't going to win...but then he got closer and closer and when I saw that American flag graphic in the water I pumped my fist and I was truly excited...and that's never happened when I've watched an Olympic event I had no intention on watching. I hope Phelps can do it.

[HollywoodAFD]

How many channels do you guys have covering the Olympics. I just got U-Verse recently and the coverage rocks. Right now I have 5 channels with different sports going on.... the picture in picture surf option lets you see whar sport they are covering before you switch over to it.2 of them are in Chinese though.... even the score boards so I have no idea which one of these Judo guys is winning.

[James D]

In British Olympic news, lol @ the row between our male synchronized divers.If you haven't heard about it, basically there's a 26 year old who phoned his mum in between dives. His 14 year old partner, Tom Daley, told him off for it... then, after they had an argument and finished last, the older guy went schizo to the media about how it was his partner's fault for being so nervous. Remember... he's 14 ffs!

[Bizzle]

iamthestig, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008, 11:23 AM, said:

I swim pretty seriously here in Australia-states/nationals that sort of thing. A teammate from my club was swimming for Australia in the 4x100 free relay final, Andrew Lauterstein. I spoke to him a few hours afterward with the rest of my team and he along with us were actually so happy about the USA touching out France, Alain Bernard is a grade A ass. Wouldn't one think it is clearly apparent that publicly slanging a rival is not a smart move in this sport-where a hell of a lot can change over a short period of time. Think back to Sydney, when Gary Hall Jr. (USA) stated that the U.S were going to "smash Australia like guitars" funnily enough one of my current coach's Michael Klim was swimming in that relay and when the Aussie's got up they started strumming their invisible guitars after beating everybody. Similar situation IMO. For the 1500- I know you guys are talking up Hackett a bit, dont believe the hype, he is inconsistent at best. Just look at FINA WC's in Melbourne 2007, the expectations of a country on him and failure. I wouldn't bet on it unless you are getting some seriously good odds. His 400 swim was very average also.As for the 100- Sullivan should have it given that he broke the world record in the 4x100 and he's rated as the worlds best freestyle sprinter by many, but there's no certainties given the length, Bernard is obviously the close runner to him with Jason Lezack being my "roughie" for this event, after the swim he produced the other night anything could be possible for the guy.200 IM-Steph Rice is looking good for this event, she has been having shoulder problems and she qualified poorly but her qualifying for these games showed blistering speed which can't be overlooked.Loving the games at the moment, the Watercube is a fantastic venue and whether it be the LZR suit or the pool, the records have been tumbling.Good luck to Phelps, such an athlete should be admired for what he is, I myself would love to see him grab 8 because he is clearly THE most versatile swimmer of all time and it's a pleasure to watch. All I can say is: If only Ian Thorpe was still swimming.

If you were swimming in 2003, odds are I swam against you at Metrops in Sydney. Lauterstein was there, as were a ton of other good swimmers.1500 will be quite interesting-no one other than Park has been dead on for this whole meet, and he's not really a 1500 guy, more of a middle distance guy who swims up.I'm rooting for Sullivan in the sprints, him or Nystrand. I think Nystrand is really dangerous-he swam through so much chop due to his crappy leadoff and still went 47.2, that's pretty scary.200 IM is going to be the best woman's race of the meet-I still like Coughlin's chances if she has put together any sort of breaststroke-she can counter everyone else in every other stroke. People have been telling me they are scared of her dying but the thing is that a 200 IM doesn't wear you down like other events-switching strokes switches up the muscle groups so the fear of dying doesn't really occur as much.If Ian Thorpe was still swimming...he would have won the 400 and gotten thoroughly romped in the 200 :-p

[Bizzle]

Lots of events to review!

Bizzle, on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008, 2:00 PM, said:

Except for the fact that Lochte didn't even make the team in the 100 back, this is dead on. The 100, there are a lot of people in the world (Meeuw being the main one, but also Tamcock, Rogan, and Vyatchanin) that have a shot at winning that event.The 100 would be a lot more interesting if the US could send 6 people instead of just 2-Lochte, Thoman, Bal and Phelps are all probably able to make finals in the 100 back.Pretty accurate. Crocker is one of two simmers I really hate.In world record time. He went 1:44.10 at Trials making about 5 mistakes and still is a full second faster than anyone else in the world this year.US should win the other two relays handily

Nice 1-2 in the 100 back from the US-would have been a significantly better event if the US could have sent more than 2 though.Phelps obviously crushed the 200 fly and 200 free, although I am guessing (and this is a total guess) he lost his goggles in the 200 fly. We'll see what he says in his press conference later.Having 4 of the top 6 in the world in the 200 free heading into the games, plus the guy who is 2 full seconds faster than anyone else, really helps.

Bizzle, on Saturday, August 2nd, 2008, 2:35 PM, said:

In the 200, Manaudou, Pelligrini, Hoff, Isakovic and Schmitt have all been under 1:56-it'd be surprising if the gold wasn't someone from this group. I've liked how Pelligrini has looked in a few Euro meets-I like her chances in this.In the backstrokes, Coughlin is the class of the world in the 100. Hoelzer, Coventry, Zueva, Manaudou, and Seebholm all will be fighting for the silver medal.In the breaststrokes, Liesl Jones should win both handily, but we thought the same at the last Olympics and she won neither. I think she will win the 100 easilyThe 200 IM will be the best race of the women's side. Between Hoff, Coughlin, Coventry, and Rice, you are probably looking at 4 of the top 8 swimmers at the meet swimming the same event. It will probably take a world record, and it might take a world record to medal. I like how Coughlin's schedule lines up for this-her and Rice will be the most rested for this event. This is going to be awesome to watch.

I miscalled the 200 free during the race-thought Isakovic would get there. She was quite impressive though, she will be a force at Cal.Coughlin got the win because Coventry didn't pull it together in finals-I didn't expect her to show that sort of speed. The 200 back is going to be quite a race.Solid swim for Liesl.Indeed, it was the best race on the women's side-it is tough to imagine how the WR was 2:09.7 not too long ago. Feel real bad for Coventry, but Rice deserved it. Hoff is looking a little gunshy at this point-will be interesting to see how she reacts if she is in a pressure situation in the 800 free relay. Coughlin outsplitting her in the breast is shameful.

[king_tanner]

omg I won $50 tonight from calling chokes on that tan hot chick on the gymnastics team... she fell on her ass twice in a row I knew it was coming. Alicia something or other.(edit) Is winning a gold medal worth living in a Chinese gymnastics concentration camp your whole life?

[ajs510]

king_tanner, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 3:59 AM, said:

(edit) Is winning a gold medal worth living in a Chinese gymnastics concentration camp your whole life?

Well, when your whole life only spans 12-14 years...I wonder what happens ten years from now when it comes out that half of those girls were too young to compete legally? Probably nothing. Don't get me wrong, they earned the victory and the US team totally botched their chance at gold down the stretch, but falsifying documents to get athletes into the competition that otherwise would be ineligible is pitiful. I can't imagine just *needing* to win that badly as a country.

[LJB723]

James D, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008, 10:00 PM, said:

In British Olympic news, lol @ the row between our male synchronized divers.If you haven't heard about it, basically there's a 26 year old who phoned his mum in between dives. His 14 year old partner, Tom Daley, told him off for it... then, after they had an argument and finished last, the older guy went schizo to the media about how it was his partner's fault for being so nervous. Remember... he's 14 ffs!

Lol @ male synchronised diving in general. But yeh, a 26 year old saying "I dived well, it wasn't me that blew it. I outdived Tom" is clearly a loser. Well done mate, you outperformed a 14 year old, kudos. I like the fact that the coaches let Tom call the dives, that must have really got up his mate's nose.On the BBC website there is a poll up if Phelps is now the greatest Olympian of all-time. I voted Yes. I think the fact he surpasses total golds by Nurmi, Spitz and Lewis is enough. 42% say no though. What say we at FCP?

[SlapStick]

oops

[SlapStick]

Bizzle, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 5:10 AM, said:

Phelps obviously crushed the 200 fly and 200 free, although I am guessing (and this is a total guess) he lost his goggles in the 200 fly. We'll see what he says in his press conference later.

Nice call."He looked slightly underwhelmed following the victory, despite the magnitude of his achievement, and revealed that a pair of leaky goggles almost scuppered his chances of glory. But he battled on despite the fault to shave 0.06secs of his own 200m butterfly world record. "My goggles kept filling up with water during the race," he said. "I wanted a world record, I wanted 1:51 or better, but in the circumstances it's not too bad I guess." "http://news.bbc.co.u...ing/7557675.stm

[LJB723]

Just watched the girls 4x200 freestyle relay heats. Every time I see Federica Pellegrini I love her more and more. Swimmers; is she as hot in the flesh? She looks good in a skullcap!No comment on the British performance in that race. It was bleeding awful!

[iamthestig]

king_tanner, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 5:59 PM, said:

omg I won $50 tonight from calling chokes on that tan hot chick on the gymnastics team... she fell on her ass twice in a row I knew it was coming. Alicia something or other.(edit) Is winning a gold medal worth living in a Chinese gymnastics concentration camp your whole life?

Alicia Sacramone. Holy shit she is hot. I usually don't really care for many other olympic sports but wow.

[Giggidy]

Bizzle, on Tuesday, August 12th, 2008, 11:08 PM, said:

If Ian Thorpe was still swimming...he would have won the 400 and gotten thoroughly romped in the 200 :-p

I was wondering that yesterday, what happened to him?Beach Volleyball and Gynamstics on today, perfect eye candy

[AmScray]

ajs510, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 2:01 AM, said:

Well, when your whole life only spans 12-14 years...I wonder what happens ten years from now when it comes out that half of those girls were too young to compete legally? Probably nothing. Don't get me wrong, they earned the victory and the US team totally botched their chance at gold down the stretch, but falsifying documents to get athletes into the competition that otherwise would be ineligible is pitiful. I can't imagine just *needing* to win that badly as a country.

Yes, those girls were clearly underage. I said it out loud a dozen times, then Bella Karolyi said it too- it was kinda obvious.Yes, they come from a machine and they aren't raised to be humans, but rather task oriented animals that can perform freakish acts of athleticism. The thing is, we used to crush at these events when Bella Karolyi was in charge, but now that Marta has taken over, things are "different". When Bella was running things, the girls used to live and die on his every word- their entire self-worth revolved around whatever affirmation he provided them and it really showed. When they ****ed up, they ran over to him, crying, to accept their scolding. When they did well, they ran over to him to accept their praise... but they always- ALWAYS- performed.Marta? They hardly took her seriously. She would console them when they screwed up and their general reaction was "Yeah, whatever lady... Who the **** are you? Get out of my way..." and as such, falling off the beam was no big deal.That shit wouldn't have flown with Bella.So, what's the difference? What was Bella doing that made our athletes so top notch that Marta isn't doing?I'll go ahead and say it.Sexual abuse. That's right. Bella knew what it took to get these girls running right; total control was the only way and putting it to them was the most effective means to achieve that goal... so we have to ask ourselves; should we care? Is our national honor so ephemeral that we're willing to blow it all up the ****ing spout so a few little girls can fail, but with their 'dignity' intact?Screw that. You can be sure that the Chinese WINNERS are being abused properly.I call for an immediate firing of the US Womens Gymnastics coaching staff, to be replaced with sexual abusers who will exert the control required in order to compete against the Chinese. There isn't a hymen on this earth that is worth more than Olympic gold.<sw>

[SBriand]

I am not a big Olympics fan and I am not a big supporter of the country I live in to be quite honest right off the bat. I was really into watching the Mens gymnasts because of their outfits the US gymnasts were not expected to win anything. I like a good underdog story regardless of what country the athletes are from. It was interesting to watch the other night because these guys looked like a team, they were having fun, living in the moment. they experienced many delays waiting for the go ahead to perform. Then at the end of the night they won Bronze and celebrated like they won the gold. Good for them, I was happy to see them do well.Then we go to women's gymnastics. I have posted it before on FCP and will again, it annoyed me to watch a clip on how the Chinese gymnastics program is run with the crappy conditions and the lines for water and such. But then they did a big expose on the poor little American girls who while driving in a $50K+ Audi SUV had to drive to the mall on the weekends hoping to find bargains. Bargains on what? Prada? Give me a break. These girls don't have any hardships at all. They all come from well to do familys but I guess it is hard to show the Chinese in one clip and then try and not look bad by showing our girls driving Audi's at age 16. Then we get to last night. Sacaroodeedoo or whatever her name was needs to act like she has been there before. Yes it sucks, you screwed up, but the rest of your team was able to put smiles on their faces and show some sportsmanship but even today you are still pouting. Add on the fact that Marta is now saying it wasn't fair because she had to wait to get on with her balance beam and that caused her to lose her nerve and (nice the coach is still putting blame on one girl regardless of whos fault she thinks it is) that is what lost them the gold. Please. This waiting issue has been a problem since day one of qualifiers for both men and women and will continue to be an issue. Other people stayed focused through the same diversity. Stop whining and be proud that you just won a fucking silver medal. Act like you have been there before, don't whine like children. It makes you and the US look bad as far as I am concerned. That girl needs a lesson in moving on. Your are an athlete. An alleged superstar in your sport. Get over the mistake and get back into it. A Japanese man made a huge mistake that took them out of Gold contention and he was clearly pissed but quickly shook it off and laughed a bit. Then came to his next apparatus and did good. Odd how the annoying guy commentator made a big deal about him laughing and shrugging it off. He said it was terrible to see someone make such a dire mistake and shrug it off. Idiot. He had to shrug it off or it would still be there when he came up again, just like that girl last night. She pouted and let it carry over to the floor. gah! /rant

[king_tanner]

Giggidy, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 9:08 AM, said:

I was wondering that yesterday, what happened to him?

He retired. He's a huge celebrity in Australia, probably just bangs chicks all day.

[outsider13]

http://www.tsn.ca/ol...s=topStory_main

Quote

BEIJING - Players on Spain's Olympic basketball team defended a photo in an ad showing the players using their fingers to apparently make their eyes look more Chinese.The photo, which has been running as a newspaper spread in Spain since Friday, shows all 15 players making the gesture on a basketball court adorned with a Chinese dragon. The photo was part of a publicity campaign for team sponsor Seur and is being used only in Spain.''It was something like supposed to be funny or something but never offensive in any way,'' said Spain centre Pau Gasol, who also plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. ''I'm sorry if anybody thought or took it the wrong way and thought that it was offensive.''Point guard Jose Calderon said the team was responding to a request from the photographer.''We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture,'' Calderon, who plays for the Toronto Raptors, wrote on his ElMundo.es blog. ''Without a doubt, some ... press didn't see it that way.''International media criticized the photo. London's Daily Telegraph said Spain's ''poor reputation for insensitivity toward racial issues has been further harmed'' by the photo.''This was clearly inappropriate, but we understand the Spanish team intended no offence and has apologized,'' Emmanuelle Moreau, a spokeswoman for the International Olympic Committee, said in an email. ''The matter rests there as far as the IOC is concerned.''The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) also found the photo disturbing and called on the teams to apologize.''This photo is deeply offensive and racist - it's surprising that members of an Olympic team preparing for the Games in Beijing of all places would show such poor judgement,'' Victor Wong, CCNC Executive Director said in a statement.''The Spanish Olympic Basketball teams owe a full and unconditional apology to their hosts, to their fellow Spanish citizens and to the people that they have offended and disappointed with this photo.''The Spanish women's basketball team also posed for photo doing the same thing, and four members of Argentina's women's Olympic football team were shown making similar faces in a photograph published last week.Gasol said it was ''absurd'' people were calling the gesture racist.''We never intended anything like that,'' he said.The Spanish basketball federation declined to comment Wednesday.''We're surprised by the remarks of racism,'' said Juan Antonio Villanueva, the communications director for the city's 2016 Olympic bid. ''Spain is not a racist country - quite the opposite.''The players explained what happened,'' Villanueva said. ''We think that's enough.''A Seur official in Madrid said the company had not intended to offend the Chinese people, but has no immediate plans to withdraw the ad, which is scheduled to run on selected days until the end of the games.Seur has not received any formal protest or complaint from Chinese authorities, the official said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.It's not the first time Spanish sports has encountered questions over racist attitudes, and the photo comes at a time when Madrid is vying to host the Olympics.Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to abuse at a Barcelona circuit in February, while former Spain coach Luis Aragones also used a racist remark about France striker Thierry Henry to motivate one of his players. Monkey chants rained down on England's black players during an international friendly against Spain in a match played in Madrid in 2004, soon after Aragones' outburst.The federation had just signed a four-year contract extension with Chinese clothing brand Li-Ning shortly after arriving in the Chinese capital for the games.''We have great respect for the far East and its people, some of my best friends in Toronto are originally Chinese, including one of our sponsors, the brand Li-Ning,'' Calderon wrote. ''Whoever wants to interpret it differently is completely confusing it.''''Li Ning Ltd. will not change any business plans with the Spanish team because of this,'' Zhang added. ''People should focus on great Olympic Games instead of something else.''World champion Spain is 2-0 at the Olympics after rallying to beat China 85-75 Tuesday while consistently getting booed.

All i have to say is...........

[Gaffer]

Anyone see the womens beach volleyball match between Russia and Georgia?Akward

[Giggidy]

Gaffer, on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008, 10:23 PM, said:

Anyone see the womens beach volleyball match between Russia and Georgia?

I didn't make it up above the ass line much

[Gaffer]

pervert i was watching at work