The Olympics

[preach4bass]

There are a number of events I enjoy watching, especially track and field, as boring as it is I love the marathon. A bunch of events I could easily live without seeing, but I'm sure there is an audience for them.

The opening ceremonies were just ok in my opinion, looking back I was much more impressed with Bejing, but for me nothing topped Barcelona. The blind archer igniting the Olympic fame was epic.

I do think professional athletes have no place in the Olympics, regardless of what other counties do, the spirit of the Olympics is amateur competition. The 92 "Dream Team" was great to watch, in all honesty who could have beaten them?

In 2016 Golf is an Olympic sport, not that I think it should be, but the USA should field amateurs and not pros, same goes for tennis.

The problem with that is that in other countries, their professional atheletes are Olympians. If the US decided not to send our professionals, we would be the only nation abiding by that rule. And, to me, the Olympics have nothing to do with amature competition. It's about seeing who the best in the world is at a particular event.

[shootermcbob]

I have to make a confession. I woke up in the middle of the night, which is my norm, so I turned on the tv. The women's beach volley ball match between Russia and China was on, so I watched for a minute or two, or five or ten, maybe a half hour. Just to study their techniques and strategy of course.

I have to agree...their "technique" is fascinating to watch.

[shootermcbob]

Yes. We were in San Diego visiting relatives at the time. Actually it was the border town of San Ysidro, just south of San Diego. Everyone but me went to Tijuana. I stayed put and watched the hockey game.

I too was watching, hearing the call still today gives me goosebumps. That was back when we sent our amateurs to play against everyone else's "amateurs"....read professionals.

[K_Mac]

The problem with that is that in other countries, their professional atheletes are Olympians. If the US decided not to send our professionals, we would be the only nation abiding by that rule. And, to me, the Olympics have nothing to do with amature competition. It's about seeing who the best in the world is at a particular event.

At its core the Olympics is, or maybe was, entirely about amateur competition. We have bought into the idea that it is about money and nationalism. I would rather we did not compete in any events than send professionals. I understand this is a naive notion, but what we have now is a corruption of the Olympic ideal that does not really honor sports or competition in my opinion.

From Olympic-Legacy.com:

An Amateur Ideal

The role of amateurism in the development and survival of the athletic ideal is inestimable. Despite the passion for athletic competitions in antiquity, very few records of achievements were kept—the moral reward was what made all the effort and pain worthwhile. A key element of this philosophy was the amateur nature of the various competitions—particularly the Olympic games, which were the embodiment of the athletic ideal. If athletes competed for money, the values and virtues of the athletic ideal are destroyed.

[Root beer]

I plan to watch the men swimming and the women soccer. I wouldn't mind taking Alex Morgan out on a date.

[shootermcbob]

At its core the Olympics is, or maybe was, entirely about amateur competition. We have bought into the idea that it is about money and nationalism. I would rather we did not compete in any events than send professionals. I understand this is a naive notion, but what we have now is a corruption of the Olympic ideal that does not really honor sports or competition in my opinion.

From Olympic-Legacy.com:

An Amateur Ideal

The role of amateurism in the development and survival of the athletic ideal is inestimable. Despite the passion for athletic competitions in antiquity, very few records of achievements were kept—the moral reward was what made all the effort and pain worthwhile. A key element of this philosophy was the amateur nature of the various competitions—particularly the Olympic games, which were the embodiment of the athletic ideal. If athletes competed for money, the values and virtues of the athletic ideal are destroyed.

I agree wholeheartedly....however, not all countries follow the same "amateur" status, so what the Olympics ended up being was our teenagers competing against the rest of the worlds fully mature, practiced and experienced 27-28 year old athletes. Not exactly a fair competition.

Cuba's renowned Teofilo Stevenson (heavyweight boxer) had a record of 302-22...as an amateur?

If we were actually having an "amateur" vs "amateur" competition, I would be much more excited to watch as I believe most people would. However, like most other things, the Olympics have become Only about TWO things...MONEY, and the money one can get by WINNING.

[Captain Obvious]

OK am I the only one that thought the opening ceremony was "saved" by the athletes coming in?

I wasn't expecting anything spectacular but what happen last night was just a mess.

Capt.O

[SirSnookalot]

I agree with K_Mac, and yes it's about money. The countries that have the ability to fund their athletes, whether it's state or privately funded have the best chances of winning metals. I get a charge when an athlete competes from a poor country, train pretty much on their own without the aide of world class coaches, win gold, I love it That's what the Olympic spirit is really about.

I have the utmost respect for the athletes, their dedication is awesome. That said the countries that win the most have the most to spend, best training facilities and best coaches, the deck is stacked in their favor, hard for them to lose. National pride when a favorites wins, not really for me, it's expected. When USA beat Russia for gold in hockey, kids against pros, same goes for BB when Russia was always the team to beat, that's when national pride bloomed for me. Now it's just something to watch on tv, I'd rather watch an old Bogie movie.

Cuba's renowned Teofilo Stevenson (heavyweight boxer) had a record of 302-22...as an amateur?

He was great, but he fought only amateurs, Rocky Marciano, 49 and 0, fighting other pros, only undefeated heavyweight, and at a mere 184 pounds, fighting 15 rounds, not that they went that long, not 3 or modern championship fights at 12 rounds. Olympic scoring in boxing is a joke, a knockdown earns no more points than a left jab.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I could do without them interrupting the events to show a d**n commercial. I mean really? How is that even right!

[K_Mac]

OK am I the only one that thought the opening ceremony was "saved" by the athletes coming in?

I wasn't expecting anything spectacular but what happen last night was just a mess.

Capt.O

Yes, I thought the whole thing was dumb. I understand the Brits wanted to showcase their history as an empire. Maybe I am just not sensitive enough to appreciate the artistry or smart enough to understand the symbolism...or maybe it was just dumb?!

[telmomarques]

i like to watch gynamstics, i love those *****

[Bassn Blvd]

OK am I the only one that thought the opening ceremony was "saved" by the athletes coming in?

I wasn't expecting anything spectacular but what happen last night was just a mess.

Capt.O

I'm with ya 100%. I thought the opening ceremony sucked. Plus, its hard to top what Bejing did 4 years ago.

I also agrre about the pro's. I'd much rather see all non-pro athletes compete.

[shootermcbob]

I agree with K_Mac, and yes it's about money. The countries that have the ability to fund their athletes, whether it's state or privately funded have the best chances of winning metals. I get a charge when an athlete competes from a poor country, train pretty much on their own without the aide of world class coaches, win gold, I love it That's what the Olympic spirit is really about.

I have the utmost respect for the athletes, their dedication is awesome. That said the countries that win the most have the most to spend, best training facilities and best coaches, the deck is stacked in their favor, hard for them to lose. National pride when a favorites wins, not really for me, it's expected. When USA beat Russia for gold in hockey, kids against pros, same goes for BB when Russia was always the team to beat, that's when national pride bloomed for me. Now it's just something to watch on tv, I'd rather watch an old Bogie movie.

He was great, but he fought only amateurs, Rocky Marciano, 49 and 0, fighting other pros, only undefeated heavyweight, and at a mere 184 pounds, fighting 15 rounds, not that they went that long, not 3 or modern championship fights at 12 rounds. Olympic scoring in boxing is a joke, a knockdown earns no more points than a left jab.

Exactly my point...back then, even though he (stevenson) was just an amateur...he was a national hero, financially supported and secure, and he was a MAN with more experience than our entire boxing team. Same point K_Mac made which I agree with...it is not and has not been true amateur competition because many countries...especially the communist countries, wanted to WIN for national pride more than they wanted to compete in a "fair" amateur" competition.

[Captain Obvious]

Just one little note. A lot of the athletes competing in for the U.S.A are not pros. Many of them can't make a living doing what they do. After their Olympic career is over most of them must find a job and be like the rest of us.

I'm not saying that they don't have an advantage because of the training that the government offers them. But other than the those athletes that compete in either Basketball,Hockey, or Soccer there a very few olympic athletes like Phelps who will be able to live off of their talent.

For example apparently the U.S. has a very good woman's beach volleyball team.(And please don't quote this and add something stupid). Yet I only knew about them because the one is married to the use-to-be backup catcher of the Texas Rangers.

In the end most of the athletes are in a sense "armatures" but with all the media love they get it just doesn't feel like it.

Just my $.02

Capt.O

[Bassn Blvd]

Girls beach vollyball had Walsh and I believe Trainer(sp). They were the bomb but don't know if they're still actice. I bet they made a very nice living off endorsements.

Handball is on rt now. Aside from it being extremely boring, I bet they make next to nothing in the off season. Same for Archery, Shooting, canoing. and many other events. I bet unless you're ranked #1 in the world in any single event, then you probally can't make a living in your field.

[preach4bass]

I dont care if they are amatures or professionals, I want to see who the best in the world is at a particular event/sport. It's always a nice story when the best in the world comes from some poor little country that I've never heard of, but if not, I'm still going to watch. GO USA!!!

[tipptruck1]

I was just reading some thing about empty seats at games. I guess they were all sold out. But a lot of places are having 3/4 empty events. From what I read London was giving away tickets to vips. We all know what that means. People that have more important things to do then watch the games. Some one was being brought in to figure out why they have empty seats. Well if you give almost all the tickets to vips. Then charge the general public hundred's of dollars for a ticket. You will have empty seats.

The same thing happened in Baseball here in the 90's. Baseball games use to be a nice cheap way to kill a few hours. You could buy cheap bleacher seats for 10 bucks. Some sodas and beer and snacks for less then 100 bucks for a family of 4. Now the same bleacher seats are 20 bucks or more. Beer is like 6 bucks for a little cup. And there are not longer 1 buck hotdogs.

[shootermcbob]

Amen tipptruck1, at the rates most sporting events are going, I am amazed that they can even fill the stadiums. Besides, at those prices, Who could afford to go and still buy fishing tackle????

[Captain Obvious]

Amen tipptruck1, at the rates most sporting events are going, I am amazed that they can even fill the stadiums. Besides, at those prices, Who could afford to go and still buy fishing tackle????

Some how the Cowboys keep filling up Jerry's world every Sunday. That is when they get enough seats installed in time

[tipptruck1]

Some how the Cowboys keep filling up Jerry's world every Sunday. That is when they get enough seats installed in time

Well other then them. Very few teams sell out. The only teams I can think of bears, steelers, eagles. and the ruler of them all. The packers. Its been decades since they have not sold out a game. Why do they sell out all the time? The huge fan base them teams have. Even if they have a very bad year or decade like the bears. They still sell out,

[SirSnookalot]

The London Olympics of 1948 cost G/Britain something slightly over $100,000, which would equate to $1.2 million today. The city of London was in shambles due to the blitzkrieg, no new buildings were built for any of the events. Many competitors brought their own food and urged to supply their own towels, the French only came ashore to compete and lived on their ship during the games.

Great Britain's cost today is around $14.5 billion.

[JoePhish]

Looking forward to Wrestling, one of the oldest sports in the world.

[quanjig]

The obscure sports like team handball and archery get my attention. I wish there was more coverage of those!

[SirSnookalot]

I was watching badminton the other day, it's not played like we do in the backyard. I really enjoyed the doubles match I was watching.

[Scorcher214]

Anybody get a look at the Dutch field hockey team? Woowee that whole team is full of babes.