Olympics

[Captain Phil]

When athletes and actors started becoming politicians, I quit watching sports and movies.  However, I still watch football.  I would rather watch a rerun of a super bowl than some person protesting about something that they have never experienced and that only happens in their mind.  

[flyfisher]

On 8/1/2021 at 7:31 AM, Captain Phil said:

When athletes and actors started becoming politicians, I quit watching sports and movies.  However, I still watch football.  I would rather watch a rerun of a super bowl than some person protesting about something that they have never experienced and that only happens in their mind.  

Are athletes and actors not allowed to speak their minds or is it you don't like their message?

[gim]

I’ve been watching some almost every day. I try not to check the news or web for results before they show them on TV but that’s just how it is when it’s being done 13 hours ahead of my time zone.

 

I also didn’t realize how hot and humid it is in Japan this time of year either.

[Captain Phil]

14 hours ago, flyfisher said:

Are athletes and actors not allowed to speak their minds or is it you don't like their message?

 

We watch sports to be entertained, not to be lectured.  If athletes wish to speak their minds, they should do it on their own time. 

[desmobob]

 

Although participating in Olympic competition is not the same as employment, how many folks here are allowed to display/promote their political views or demonstrate against something while they're at work?  I thought our athletes were there to represent the USA in international competition.  I would hope they would be proud and positive.

 

The athlete's representation is valuable enough to earn them big bucks in endorsements on their own time.  Why aren't they required to do their demonstrating on their own time?

 

Look how well that turned out for the NFL... if they had simply reminded the players that they were on the clock and told them they had to express their views on their own time, a lot of drama and the loss of a lot of fans probably would have been avoided.

 

I believe there's a reason the 1st Amendment was put in its position.  I also believe our country certainly has its faults and that there are appropriate and inappropriate times and places to express your opinions on them. 

[TnRiver46]

2 hours ago, desmobob said:

 

Although participating in Olympic competition is not the same as employment, how many folks here are allowed to display/promote their political views or demonstrate against something while they're at work?  I thought our athletes were there to represent the USA in international competition.  I would hope they would be proud and positive.

 

 

 

 

Well that depends on which job I’m at . Two of them I would say it is accepted, one would be a little questionable, and one it’s definitely a big no-no

[flyfisher]

On 8/3/2021 at 7:14 AM, Captain Phil said:

 

We watch sports to be entertained, not to be lectured.  If athletes wish to speak their minds, they should do it on their own time. 

It is their time.  I haven't seen a protest during actual game play.  Given your responses it is obvious you don't agree with their stances as well.

On 8/3/2021 at 8:19 AM, desmobob said:

 

Look how well that turned out for the NFL... if they had simply reminded the players that they were on the clock and told them they had to express their views on their own time, a lot of drama and the loss of a lot of fans probably would have been avoided.

 

NFL is doing just fine.  I didn't see a single protest while the game was being played which would be their time on the clock.

[NHBull]

Viewership of the Olympics is at an all time low.  Major sponsors have pulled out and ratings are in the tank.  Media consultants are saying it is largely because of politics, wokeness and an anti-american sentiments from American athletes.  While the last part of that is in the minority, they are getting the majority of the publicity.

 The fact that a large group of Americans are happy that ladies soccer was eliminated  tells the tale.

 

The same sentiments are being shared for the NBA.

 

I will try to find and will post the links......

 

 

 

 

[flyfisher]

Availability of viewing is difficult as well with Peacock and Sling handling the lion share of the streaming viewers.  It is kind of a pain to get it set up to watch anything really. 

[Black Hawk Basser]

I'd be watching more Olympics, too, if it was more clear what was actually on.  Sometimes it says fencing or but they're showing swimming or something else.  I'd watch the basketball but I think that's on Peacock.

[flyfisher]

2 minutes ago, Black Hawk Basser said:

I'd be watching more Olympics, too, if it was more clear what was actually on.  Sometimes it says fencing or but they're showing swimming or something else.  I'd watch the basketball but I think that's on Peacock.

Yeah it is a pain to be honest and that is impacting ratings but at the same time I can't help but think ratings are also being impacted by the sheer number of places you can watch too and getting them all compiled together

 

[Crankin4Bass]

We have it on 6 channels plus Peacock. It's a little much.

[Captain Phil]

12 hours ago, flyfisher said:

It is their time.  I haven't seen a protest during actual game play.  Given your responses it is obvious you don't agree with their stances as well.

 

Protesting is not a bad thing.  My generation did our share of protesting.  Protesting has impact.  When it's overdone, it begins to draw more attention to the protester rather than the issue.  Our country allows peaceful protest and that's a good thing.  I believe there is a time and place for it.  I don't believe the Olympics is that place. Perhaps we should have the Protesting Olympics?  Do you think any other countries would compete?  How about Cuba, Russia, China or North Korea?  I am grateful to have been born and lived in this great country, even with it's flaws. 

[flatcreek]

“They love our milk an’ honey

but they preach about another way of livin”

Merle

[lo n slo]

On 7/29/2021 at 8:55 PM, lo n slo said:

i love all of it

i forgot about speed walking ?

[flatcreek]

46 minutes ago, lo n slo said:

i forgot about speed walking ?

I thought it was called force marchn lol

[soflabasser]

It is easy to be a armchair quarterback and criticize Olympic athletes. Any true athlete understands that speed walking is a much more difficult sport than it appears. I have ran Marathons, ran sub 5 minute miles, done century bike rides, free dived depths most would never dare and I respect speed walkers since I know how hard this sport can be. The best speed walkers can speed walk a marathon in sub 7 minute mile pace, this is something that is much more difficult than drinking beer on a bass boat to say the least. 

[soflabasser]

On 7/28/2021 at 7:10 PM, gimruis said:

The American dominance in the pool so far is very satisfying to see.  Really the only country that can even remotely compete with us in the water is Australia.

America has the most medals at this moment in time and hopefully will have the most gold medals in the 2021 Olympics. Regardless what happens the USA has the most gold medals in the history of the Olympics games. It is impressive how strong our athletes are considering all they had to go through this Pandemic.

[gim]

1 minute ago, soflabasser said:

America has the most medals at this moment in time and hopefully will have the most gold medals in the history of the Olympics games. It is impressive how strong our athletes are considering all they had to go through this Pandemic.

That's part of why I prefer the summer olympics over the winter ones too.  We always take the medal count in the summer games.  But countries like Norway, Germany, and Canada often take the medal count in the winter games because USA is not as dominant.

 

I've been watching track events most of this week and its like every event we get a medal or two.  I can recall a women's hurdles event earlier this week when both the gold and silver went to the USA, and both were new world records.  Its ironic that many of team USA's athletes probably train together but when they make the final they compete against each other.  I wonder if other countries hate us for winning all the time.

[soflabasser]

Just now, gimruis said:

That's part of why I prefer the summer olympics over the winter ones too.  We always take the medal count in the summer games.  But countries like Norway, Germany, and Canada often take the medal count in the winter games because USA is not as dominant.

 

I've been watching track events most of this week and its like every event we get a medal or two.  I can recall a women's hurdles event earlier this week when both the gold and silver went to the USA, and both were new world records.  Its ironic that many of team USA's athletes probably train together but when they make the final they compete against each other.  I wonder if other countries hate us for winning all the time.

I prefer the Summer Olympics as well especially Swimming, Gymnastics, and Track and Field. Americans have broken several Olympic records recently which is very satisfying to see. Imagine the mental strength needed to train during a Pandemic that has lasted for over 1.5 years and seems to never end, that alone earns respect! They are representing us the best they can and we have to be grateful for it!

[jbsoonerfan]

I am simply amazed at the number of athletes from other countries that speak English so well. I know it is common for a lot of them to be able to speak English but it blows my mind how many are so good at it. I bet there aren't more than a handful from the US that can speak more than one language.

 

EDIT*** That being said, they could all be from the US for all I know.

[lo n slo]

10 hours ago, soflabasser said:

It is easy to be a armchair quarterback and criticize Olympic athletes. Any true athlete understands that speed walking is a much more difficult sport than it appears. I have ran Marathons, ran sub 5 minute miles, done century bike rides, free dived depths most would never dare and I respect speed walkers since I know how hard this sport can be. The best speed walkers can speed walk a marathon in sub 7 minute mile pace, this is something that is much more difficult than drinking beer on a bass boat to say the least. 

my bad brother, didn’t mean to offend anyone. carry on 

[Dwight Hottle]

8 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

I am simply amazed at the number of athletes from other countries that speak English so well. I know it is common for a lot of them to be able to speak English but it blows my mind how many are so good at it. I bet there aren't more than a handful from the US that can speak more than one language.

 

EDIT*** That being said, they could all be from the US for all I know.

It almost seems they are all educated in the US.

[flatcreek]

19 hours ago, soflabasser said:

It is easy to be a armchair quarterback and criticize Olympic athletes. Any true athlete understands that speed walking is a much more difficult sport than it appears. I have ran Marathons, ran sub 5 minute miles, done century bike rides, free dived depths most would never dare and I respect speed walkers since I know how hard this sport can be. The best speed walkers can speed walk a marathon in sub 7 minute mile pace, this is something that is much more difficult than drinking beer on a bass boat to say the least. 

I was referring to a Marine infantry Forced March that lo and I were doing some 40 years ago in The Corps.No offense either.i’m sure I knocked down a few beers on Liberty though

[Captain Phil]

I was flipping through the channels last night and happened to catch the last few minutes of the women's Olympic marathon.   Two Kenyan women took the gold and silver.  The bronze medal went to 5' 4"  107 pound Molly Seidel.  When I saw her wrap herself in the flag it made me proud to be an American.