The Olympics in Greece

[harpfingers]

So, I am surprised that no one has mentioned or started a thread about the Olympics. Has anyone been watching? Me.... way too much. It is usually 12:30 or 1:00 in the morning before I get to bed, I have been watching just about everything it seems - probably about 6 hours a day, although track and field doesn't interest me as much. The swimming was a lot of fun to watch... you could probably water ski behind Michael Phelps.. And of course gymnastics was a lot of fun to watch as well. Today I have been watching the women's spring board competition and more track and field.
The Greco/Roman wrestling match with Rulon Gardner last night was neat- more for the tears he shed after taking his shoes off as a symbol of retiring. Incidentally, I am friends with and went to high school with one of his sister in laws. (she is married to Rulon's brother Reynold.)

Anyway, it will be sad when it is over, I have REALLY enjoyed watching the athletes compete.

[jazzygal karla]

I've been watching here and there.

Because Team Canada has been performing pretty dismally (yes, we've had a few successes) there hasn't been much incentive to watch. Although seeing that Russian gal beat the pole vault WR was something else.

There once was an Olympic team from Canada
Whose medal total was nada
No matter how hard they tried
Their podium dreams died
Broken down like a Russian-made Lada

[Rémi]

I watched a lot of the Olympic Games (feminine beach-volley is my prefered sport! ) and I wanted to create a topic before the Games start... but I didn't because I'm a bit disappointed by the lack of participation on this forum.

[Bud]

Keep hanging in there Rémi. We're just in a lull.

This has been an enjoyable Olympics. NBC has covered it well - not overdoing human interest stories - they actually have been emphasizing sports...

[harpfingers]

So you liked the beach volleyball eh Remi? Those were quite the "uniforms" I enjoyed watching May/Walsh - the U.S. team play and take the gold.

So, what is everyone's take on the Paul Hamm deal? I feel bad for the fact that people are upset at him for winning due to judges error. And all the flack he has taken.

Karla- the Russian pole vaulter - that was great , I agree. It was so fun to see her get ecstatic about winning the goal, and then setting another world record. I don't know why they just didn't keep raising the bar to see how high she could go, after setting the world record... she easily cleared that one.

Very excited about the girl from Oregon ( Zaguenis - sorry about the spelling, I am sure that is wrong) who won the gold in fencing, first time for a female American I believe, and first time for U.S. in YEARS. Correct me if I am wrong.

So, if any of you could compete in the Olympics, or were really good at one of the Olympic sports, which one would it be and why?

[Rémi]

So, if any of you could compete in the Olympics, or were really good at one of the Olympic sports, which one would it be and why?

French billiard, petanque or belote.

[steelyourfaith]

Here are the top nine comments made by NBC sports commentators so far during the Summer Olympics that they would like to take back:   

* 1. Weightlifting commentator: "This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing."
* 2. Dressage commentator: "This is really a lovely horse and I speak from personal experience since I once mounted her mother."
* 3. Paul Hamm, Gymnast: "I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father."
* 4. Boxing Analyst: "Sure there have been injuries, and even some deaths in boxing, but none of them really that serious."
* 5. Softball announcer: "If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again."
* 6. Basketball analyst: "He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it. In fact you can see it all over their faces."
* 7. At the rowing medal ceremony: "Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the IOC president is hugging the cox of the British crew."
* 8. Soccer commentator: "Julian s is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven s on the field."

and my favorite....

* 9. Tennis commentator: "One of the reasons Andy is playing so well is that, before the final round, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them... Oh my God, what have I just said?"
-

[Coda]

Hi, Steelyourfaith: Welcome to the board!

I laughed out loud at the list of bloopers! Thanks for sharing them! Just curious, with your name, are you from Pittsburgh? Or is there another reason for "steel" in your moniker?

My husband wanted to watch the women's beach volleyball, too. (I cannot imagine why.... )

I watched some of the swimming (especially the men's -- now I have MY reasons!) and the gymnastics, both men's and women's. But I didn't watch as much as I would have liked. School started last week and it was a bit hectic. I did enjoy Bob Costos' wrap ups at the end of the night.

[steelyourfaith]

Hi Coda!

Thank you very much for the welcome.

I am indeed from the Pittsburgh area originally, but actually that is not why a selected that moniker. Do you have 'burgh roots?

As to the reason why your husband enjoys women's beach volleyball, hmmm, swimsuits for volleyball players do seem to be shrinking to nothing, while oddly, swimsuits for actual swimmers seem to be growing down to the knees or even ankles. Go figure!!??!