Beijing Olympics 2008

[Liam]

As an aside to what I already posted, even if Phelps wasn't hacking up, I still feel that are too many swimming events. You can't turn on the TV seemingly without seeing the heats for something, and it gets hugely disproportianate (sp?) media coverage.

As was stated, it needs to be more streamlined, kinda like athletics is for the most part.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

As an aside to what I already posted, even if Phelps wasn't hacking up, I still feel that are too many swimming events. You can't turn on the TV seemingly without seeing the heats for something, and it gets hugely disproportianate (sp?) media coverage.

As was stated, it needs to be more streamlined, kinda like athletics is for the most part.

I agree. Even the paralympics was streamlined when they realised that there were too many versions of each event. They shoved everyone with 'similarish' disabilities into a race together and based their finishing position on their time difference to their disability's World Record.

Swimming needs fewer events and needs a cap on the number of events an athlete can enter. I've noticed from watching loads this year (well it's swimming on one channel and Judo on the other....) that the general standard of entry is lower this year as competitors spread themselves thinly over loads of events. Those who are good at a stroke seem to be good it at pretty much whatever the distance except for 50 and 1500 metres (which are more specialised). The fact that there's four disciplines doesn't help as the medal outlay is horribly weighted towards the pool.

So my new look swimming would be:

50m (sprint) PER STROKE

100 or 200m (mid distance) PER STROKE

1500m (long distance) PER STROKE

One individual medley 100m each

One medley relay 100m each

Take Phelps for example, he'd enter the mid distance freestyle, the medley relay and the individual relay - 3 events.

That would make a total of 14 events in the pool for men and 14 for women.

Much better and more competitive and intense.

[DMN in the House]

If you're looking for the US to be atop the medal count, I wouldn't worry. Once track and field starts, the US will start racking up more golds, plus basketball. Those are the big US sports.

[Liam]

Oh, definitely. I still think China might edge them out this year overall, but I'll be glad to see USA come back into it in the track and field.

[DMN in the House]

Yes, as we fight the dirty commies!

I miss the USSR. They made the Olympics, from a US perspective, so much more interesting.

[Liam]

For those interested, Emms and Robertson are playing from 12.15, I believe.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Have the US actually sent a cohesive team this year? They always seem to either send a team of no-marks or a team of all stars who can't play together to save their lives? Since the day of the original Dream Team, the USA have never really lived up to their Olympic basketball billing so it'll be interesting to see them in full flow.

China will get far more medals too - there's still events such as the table tennis (which has numerous medals available) to take place and their athletics team is pretty hot right now.

Still, I'm continuing my lifelong tactic of cheering on anyone who is AGAINST the top couple of teams in the medal table - i.e. China and USA. True it's meant backing North Korea, South Korea, Russia and the like, but while I feel slightly dirty it IS the Olympics.

In other news: Due to the rain in Beijing Japanese Olympic coverage has just shown a lovely musical slow-mo montage of Michael Phelps winning all his gold medals at this Olympics so far. Japan need to shape up.

It'll be China 1 and USA 2 in the medals and probably Russia 3 so it'll be cool to see who rounds out the rest of the top 10.

[Liam]

USA sent the 'Redeem Team'. or something, due to thier poor showing in Athens.

[Slogger]

I can't bring myself to watch the Olympics for some reason, I don't have the attention span for em, The Lithuania/Russia basketball game is on now and I glance over every so often but I can't bring myself to sit down in front of my TV and watch it, Am I going nuts or have you guys got a similar issue?

[Liam]

The majority of what I've watched ends up in the background, for sure. I only really fully watch the stuff that I enjoy.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

I just love being able to have 15 hours of sport on the TV everyday - generally 10am to 1am.

It's usually events that are stupid or events that just focus on Japan (so no Emms and Robertson thrills much to much massive disappointment) but I just love the vibe of it being on.

The BBC feed stays on all day too and I check in with that but I can't watch video footage cos I'm outside of the UK and there are legal issues or something...

[DMN in the House]

The US sent a team of stars that has its issues, but should win gold. Its not 'The Dream Team', and I HATE the 'Redeem Team' moniker, but its more than solid. If they play together, that is.

[Liam]

I hope the US basketball team loses >_>

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

I hope the US basketball team loses >_>

.....to the Chinese?

I like the Lithuanians. Dunno why. I hope they win it.

[DMN in the House]

We already beat the Chinese by 30.

And if Kobe Bryant wasn't on the team, I'd probably be right there with you.

[Liam]

Fuck the water cube, and fuck Sharon Davies.

In the face, potentially

[YI]

Judo is shite.

This morning I watched some black British dude in a bathrobe hug the leg of a Georgian in a butchers outfit...it was gay as fuck.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

The sport of dreams a.k.a Emms and RObertson in the badminton is on and I'm stuck with lousy swimming or judo.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooes

[Liam]

Currently 12-10 Korea

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Although Adlington is winning her 800m swimming heat (they have 800 metres now?!) in under world record time at the half way stage and she's got more than a length on the others....Go her.