Official General 2008 Olympics discussion

[Mulli]

If it were an olympic sport, people would j/o to it. It is highly entertaining to watch.

outside of the olympics, who watches beach volleyball? or indoor volleyball? or shooting. or archery. or synchronized diving.

Exactly. they are all boring.

 

[D-Dogg]

Uhm, that's the other Olympians you were talking about wanting to watch.

Or did you mean the cyclists, weightlifters, soccer players, water polo teams?

I'm trying to find the non-boring ones you are looking for that aren't being shown.

(Boxing is always on, btw)

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I'm going to say it now. The hardest sport to play in the world is Water Polo.

Anyone want to come up with a more difficult sport?

 

[Dback Jon]

I'm going to say it now. The hardest sport to play in the world is Water Polo.

Anyone want to come up with a more difficult sport?

None.

 

[Mulli]

Only one close might, only might, be the balance beam. Ugh, that looks horrible.

I wish we could watch water polo instead of stupid beach volleyball.

 

[D-Dogg]

What are your parameters of "the hardest sport to play?"

And what constitutes it being a "sport?" The difference between event/sport is hard to define. Decathletes and the all around gold medal gymnast to me are the most impressive, simply because of the level of excellence they must display in a variety of events.

Are you talking about for the average person? Because I wouldn't say water polo then. It's relatively easy to play, very difficult to excel at. Do you mean play, or play well?

 

[D-Dogg]

Only one close might, only might, be the balance beam. Ugh, that looks horrible.

I wish we could watch water polo instead of stupid beach volleyball.

Water polo is on NBC, actually. While it is fun to play, it is mind-numbing to watch. Handball is far more exciting to view.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

What are your parameters of "the hardest sport to play?"

And what constitutes it being a "sport?" The difference between event/sport is hard to define. Decathletes and the all around gold medal gymnast to me are the most impressive, simply because of the level of excellence they must display in a variety of events.

Are you talking about for the average person? Because I wouldn't say water polo then. It's relatively easy to play, very difficult to excel at. Do you mean play, or play well?

Don't know exactly what I mean by it.

I don't really think that you have to be the best athlete to play water polo. I think the "average person" element has to be on there. It is difficult to tread water period, let alone play a "handball" type sport at the same time.

 

[D-Dogg]

Don't know exactly what I mean by it.

I don't really think that you have to be the best athlete to play water polo. I think the "average person" element has to be on there. It is difficult to tread water period, let alone play a "handball" type sport at the same time.

Well, if it's the not the average person element I have to say gymnastics. Because seriously, that stuff is ridiculous. As mulli mentioned, the balance beam is insane. Flips and crap on a little beam? Yeah, no thanks. Give me treading water and playing handball any day.

So, hardest sport that basically anyone could play?

 

[Linderbee]

I think dcr is more referring to physically demanding...whereas gymnastics is more precision.

I think.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Well, if it's the not the average person element I have to say gymnastics. Because seriously, that stuff is ridiculous. As mulli mentioned, the balance beam is insane. Flips and crap on a little beam? Yeah, no thanks. Give me treading water and playing handball any day.

So, hardest sport that basically anyone could play?

I agree with the gymnasts argument. I was in absolute awe at what the Chinese were doing on just about every event last night.

So maybe I mean team sport. Hardest team sport???

 

[dreamcastrocks]

I think dcr is more referring to physically demanding...whereas gymnastics is more precision.

I think.

I dunno if that's it either. I think what you see on the rings or the floor exercise might be more physically demanding.

Hell. I don't even know what I mean anymore....

 

[D-Dogg]

I think dcr is more referring to physically demanding...whereas gymnastics is more precision.

I think.

I think the rings exercises are possibly the most physically demanding of the olympics...some make it look easy, but others you can see the pain.

Water polo is good for "hardest team sport that an average joe or jane can play."

 

[Linderbee]

I dunno if that's it either. I think what you see on the rings or the floor exercise might be more physically demanding.

Hell. I don't even know what I mean anymore....

Yeah, but it's physically demanding for 2 - 3 minutes.

Water Polo is physically demanding for (insert how long an average game lasts here).

 

[Linderbee]

I think the rings exercises are possibly the most physically demanding of the olympics...some make it look easy, but others you can see the pain.

Water polo is good for "hardest team sport that an average joe or jane can play."

...and I don't view the rings or floor exercises or any of that as "physically demanding". I put it in the "physically impossible; they're aliens" category.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

What are your parameters of "the hardest sport to play?"

Let's say that right now you get put into a professional or Olympic level game. Which one would you suck most at?

I would say baseball. There's no way I could hit a pitcher who is good enough to play in the Olympics or in the pros. I might consider walking away with clean pants to be a success.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Also, was it just me or was there a disproportionate number of judo people (I don't know what they're actually called) carrying the flags in the parade of nations?

 

[Mulli]

Also, was it just me or was there a disproportionate number of judo people (I don't know what they're actually called) carrying the flags in the parade of nations?

Yeah, and some of them weighed 400 pounds!~

 

[cardfaninfl]

Also, was it just me or was there a disproportionate number of judo people (I don't know what they're actually called) carrying the flags in the parade of nations?

Yeah, and some of them weighed 400 pounds!~

Who would argue with someone weighing 400 pounds and is good at Judo?

"Umm, you say you wanna carry the flag? Ok, by me...buddy!"

 

[D-Dogg]

Ah I get it...you hate Laura Linney, don't you Mulli?

Well, Kerri Walsh isn't Linney...they just look alike.

 

[D-Dogg]

I feel really bad for Alicia Sacramone...she had some serious mistakes in the women's gymnastics finals...and I really like her. Poor girl.

Silver looks like that's as high as the women get...gold in their reach.

Shawn Johnson is a freak, though. I sure hope she gets the gold in the all around.

 

[D-Dogg]

Memmel's freaking ankle was broken. How do you stick a landing off the uneven bars with a broken ankle? Jeez.

 

[Russ Smith]

So what are people's opinions on the Chinese gymnast age controversy?

I guess I'm not clear why being under 16 is an edge, it's against the rules so I would hope if the Chines are doing it they get caught, but I'm not clear why it's supposed to help them.

Supposedly 2 US newspapers did independent research that purports to prove 3 members of the Chinese team are no older than 14. I guess my question is if its such an advantage why isn't the US team selected to be closer in age to 16, why pick older gymnasts? And if it's about frame and flexibility why are some of our gymnasts(like Sacramone) so powerfully built? and if that's a disadvantage how do we explain Mary Lou Retton?

I guess if they're breaking a rule they shouldn't get away with it, I'm just wondering the point of the rule?

 

[D-Dogg]

So what are people's opinions on the Chinese gymnast age controversy?

I guess I'm not clear why being under 16 is an edge, it's against the rules so I would hope if the Chines are doing it they get caught, but I'm not clear why it's supposed to help them.

Supposedly 2 US newspapers did independent research that purports to prove 3 members of the Chinese team are no older than 14. I guess my question is if its such an advantage why isn't the US team selected to be closer in age to 16, why pick older gymnasts? And if it's about frame and flexibility why are some of our gymnasts(like Sacramone) so powerfully built? and if that's a disadvantage how do we explain Mary Lou Retton?

I guess if they're breaking a rule they shouldn't get away with it, I'm just wondering the point of the rule?

I'm not sure of the point of the rule, but my wife and I commented that some of them didn't look a day over 12. And we didn't even know that there was an age rule. That was just our impression. They are amazing though, on those bars.

The more powerfully built gymnasts are better at the strength exercises like the floor and the vault. You note the more slender, smaller ones are better on apparatus like the bars. Then there's Johnson, who is amazing on everything.

As to age, maybe there is a flexibility advantage at the younger ages? I really don't know, but would be interested to find out.

All I know is that Sacramone won't be right for a long, long time after last night.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm not sure of the point of the rule, but my wife and I commented that some of them didn't look a day over 12. And we didn't even know that there was an age rule. That was just our impression. They are amazing though, on those bars.

The more powerfully built gymnasts are better at the strength exercises like the floor and the vault. You note the more slender, smaller ones are better on apparatus like the bars. Then there's Johnson, who is amazing on everything.

As to age, maybe there is a flexibility advantage at the younger ages? I really don't know, but would be interested to find out.

All I know is that Sacramone won't be right for a long, long time after last night.

I haven't felt that bad for a competitor in a long time. They made such a big deal earlier about her being almost the mom of the team and how she pulled them all together. So for her to fold under pressure like that is just going to be really tough on her. She's like the team leader that's got to be tough on her to deal with now.

I guess you don't think about it but these people train their whole lives and they usually get one chance, so when you get that chance and it goes poorly that's got to be REALLY tough to overcome.

I would love to see her get a medal in the individual events but I don't think she even qualified for any.