Olympics 2008

[scaeagles]

BTW, here's a link to the race video for anyone who didn't see it or wants to watch it again -

2008 Olympics Men's 4x100 Freestyle Relay

[innerSpaceman]

Thanks for the link. I rely on them to see any of these Olympics.


Yes, very exciting race. Um, paging Ghoulish Delight, though ... exactly the kind of essentially meaningless difference between 1st and 2nd place.




And what's with that Huge Bruise on George Bush's arm??

[scaeagles]

This is exactly what is so exciting, though, ISM. To beat the French, the American anchor (Lazek?) come from a half second behind in one length of the pool to edge him out by 8 1/100ths of a second. That .08 seconds is exceptionally exciting and there is no issue of judgement of the wall touch, which is electronic.

[Snowflake]

Wow, it was an awesome race! I hate the tape delay for the west coast, but it was great to see it. There was an Olympics party going on across the street last night, when the race was won, an earth shaking cheer was heard all up and down the block. It was very cool.

I felt sad to see the Latvian beach volleyboll team lose to Argentina.

I have to give major chops to the lady cyclists, could those conditions have been any worse to race in?

I enjoyed the coverage I was able to catch over the weekend. It was fin, exciting and I enjoyed seeing the Korean swimmer get the first gold in swimming for his country, his Mom was priceless.

I'm looking forward to diving and men's gymnastics and more swimming. I wish I could catch some of the archery and shooting and equestrian. Don't know how the scheduling will go.

[innerSpaceman]

No, you miss my point, scaeagles. It DID make the race super ultra heart-pounding exciting. I LOVED watching it. I'm happy that, um, my countrymen whom I know no better than the French boys won. Er, strike that. I hate the happy feeling I get when the U.S. wins. What does that mean to me? It's shameful nationalism. To the extent the French were trash-talking, if that's at all unusual for this sport, I'm glad they got the cumuppance of, what, a silver medal?


But the result, sir, is what I find meaningless. 1 second faster between what's taken to be shining glory and what is seemingly perceived as horrible defeat.


Just as silly as me finding more joy in Americans winning than equally unknown-to-me humans of any nationality.


Fun? Yes. Dumb? Certainly.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by swanie

4x100 relay swimming result spoilered for those of you on Pacific time..

Spoiler:

If you are stupid enough to talk smack and provide fodder to your opponents...you best not let your a$$ get kicked in the final 35 meters.

The look on the French 4x100's anchor's face was priceless.

Best post-race quote...Lezak, "Well, I was tired of loosing." Poor guy has to race Phelps every race, so this was his chance to shine...and he smashes the all time split and the world record in the process.

Good job boys! What a hell of a race.

edited to add: One of the French swimmers gave this good sport quote after the race, "Experience was better than talent." Excuse me?

Spoiler:

After the heartbreak of the women's race just before, this was awesome to see. It would have been awesome to see regardless. Phelps' reaction is going to be a cover on some magazine/newspaper.


TAKE THAT you egotistical Frenchies.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

It's shameful nationalism.

Why is it shameful? Don't you suppose that most every person on the face of this planet wants the athlete from their country to win? Or is it that everyone is shameful?

Everyone wants to be a part of the winning team. Granted, none of us here were swimming, but we are Americans and I think that feeling is wonderful. It is wonderful for whomever win and their countrymen (er...and countrywomen....ok, countrypersons).

[LashStoat]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And what's with that Huge Bruise on George Bush's arm??

Dear IsM,

Please show the First Lady a bit of respect.

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.

[Morrigoon]

<---- <3's LashStoat

[swanie]

I don't know if all of you west coasters stayed with NBC's coverage until the end (luckily, ours ends an hour earlier being on MST right now), but the swimming commentators were able to isolate a very cool moment at the end of the 4x100 race...

As Lezak and Bernard were closing in on the wall, there was a moment when Bernard turned and looked at Lezak and Lezak returned the glance...as he pushed past him to the wall. It was AWESOME!

It reminded me of "the look" Lance Armstrong gave to Jan Ullrich in the Tour a few years ago just before he blew past him up the climb.