16 replies to this topic

[Topaz]

How many of you are watching the Olympics? I started to but lost interest because of the unfairness in the games. It wouldn't bother me any, if we didn't have them any more. There were over 300 kicked out for doping, there been some unfairness in which person should have won, the US is using professional athlete's, which I don't think should be allowed. Britain has spent 16 Billion for these games and the country was already into double digit recession, so this will probably break them. Certain groups of certain countries have to be watched for violence. Thoughts?

[Wild Bill]

How many of you are watching the Olympics? I started to but lost interest because of the unfairness in the games. It wouldn't bother me any, if we didn't have them any more. There were over 300 kicked out for doping, there been some unfairness in which person should have won, the US is using professional athlete's, which I don't think should be allowed. Britain has spent 16 Billion for these games and the country was already into double digit recession, so this will probably break them. Certain groups of certain countries have to be watched for violence. Thoughts?

When I am channel surfing I try to avoid them. Much rather watch the latest lander onto Martian soil!

Feed my brain! Don't bore my ass!

[wyly]

How many of you are watching the Olympics? I started to but lost interest because of the unfairness in the games. It wouldn't bother me any, if we didn't have them any more. There were over 300 kicked out for doping, there been some unfairness in which person should have won, the US is using professional athlete's, which I don't think should be allowed. Britain has spent 16 Billion for these games and the country was already into double digit recession, so this will probably break them. Certain groups of certain countries have to be watched for violence. Thoughts?

I pick and choose what want watch, some events like equestrian and shooting are just silly, too many meaningless swiming events, sailing just doesn't make great tv viewing...I put my pvr to record each day and fast forward through events until I find something I like and some days that means nothing at all...

[TimG]

The US is using professional athlete's, which I don't think should be allowed.

Yet you have no problem with China kidnapping children at the age of six and telling them for the next 10 or 15 years that their life is worthless unless they win golds for the motherland? Are these kids any less of a "professional"?

The entire "no professionals" meme is a hypocrasy and should be eliminated from the games. Athletes that make a living at the sport should be welcomed.

Edited by TimG, 06 August 2012 - 12:24 PM.

[The_Squid]

The entire "no professionals" meme is a hypocrasy and should be eliminated from the games. Athletes that make a living at the sport should be welcomed.

I thought that was long gone in the Olympics. Its still part of it?? NHL isn't a pro league now?

Edited by The_Squid, 06 August 2012 - 12:35 PM.

[Shady]

Is another thread on the Olympics really necessary?

[WWWTT]

Is another thread on the Olympics really necessary?

At least this thread is properly located.

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

For myself sports are a waste of time and money.

True they can be a source of entertainment and discussion.But too overrated!

Regardless of who runs the fastest or jumps the highest,none of it will improve/change my life.

A good thing would be if it contributed to people exercising and personal health.

WWWTT

[eyeball]

Yet you have no problem with China kidnapping children at the age of six and telling them for the next 10 or 15 years that their life is worthless unless they win golds for the motherland? Are these kids any less of a "professional"?

The entire "no professionals" meme is a hypocrasy and should be eliminated from the games. Athletes that make a living at the sport should be welcomed.

Would you please explain again why you are so desperately supportive of fuelling the economic growth of this dictatorial motherland by providing it as much access to our oil as possible?

And its hypocrisy not hypocrasy.

[Boges]

I have a feeling one of the reasons Baseball was removed from the Olympics was that there was no way professionals were going to stop MLB to play a sport dominated by 3 or 4 nations. Even the Baseball World Cup the WBC is a bit of a farce.

Men's Soccer is a bit of a joke in the Olympics because none of the best players are there. But then with Women's Soccer you know these are the best players in the world and the result is a bit more compelling.

The only sport that bans pros from participating is boxing and who really pays attention to pro boxing outside a handful of fights through the year.

NHL players in the Winter Olympics has been a great success. The NBA players in the Olympics has garnered plenty of attention.

The Olympics should be about the best players in their sport participating otherwise the result is rather tainted.

Part of the reasons we don't care about many of these sports outside of the Olympics is that the Olympics is the only thing that matters in these sports. Kurt Browning was a multiple world champion figure skater but because he never won a Gold Medal in the Olympics his career is missing something.

[wyly]

I have a feeling one of the reasons Baseball was removed from the Olympics was that there was no way professionals were going to stop MLB to play a sport dominated by 3 or 4 nations. Even the Baseball World Cup the WBC is a bit of a farce.

which is why womens hockey has been mentioned as in danger of being eliminated

Men's Soccer is a bit of a joke in the Olympics because none of the best players are there. But then with Women's Soccer you know these are the best players in the world and the result is a bit more compelling.

not entirely true...teams are allowed 3 over age(O-23) players, Lionel Messi the worlds best player played in bejing 2008 winning gold...the problem is scheduling, the EURO was played only a month ago, the better players would get no recovery time in Olympic years, mental and physical burnout become a serious problem, the professional clubs that pay their salaries take all the risk and no gain...

NHL players in the Winter Olympics has been a great success. The NBA players in the Olympics has garnered plenty of attention.

and not all want to go to Sochi and the NHL isn't keen on letting them go...not every NBA player wants to take part either...

The Olympics should be about the best players in their sport participating otherwise the result is rather tainted.

yes but what are you going to do if they don't want to come, they don't get paid, an injury in unpaid event could end their career...a gold medal vs many millions in cash...

Part of the reasons we don't care about many of these sports outside of the Olympics is that the Olympics is the only thing that matters in these sports. Kurt Browning was a multiple world champion figure skater but because he never won a Gold Medal in the Olympics his career is missing something.

it's the spectacle vs the event, why should the Olympics be higher valued than a world championship?...

Edited by wyly, 07 August 2012 - 11:31 AM.

[Boges]

and not all want to go to Sochi and the NHL isn't keen on letting them go...not every NBA player wants to take part either...

I think the big problem with Hockey in the Olympics is that there are two different types of games being played. I don't think it's any coincidence that both Olympics held in North America the final was Canada v USA and in the other two Canada and the USA didn't do very well.

yes but what are you going to do if they don't want to come, they don't get paid, an injury in unpaid event could end their career...a gold medal vs many millions in cash...

Doesn't stop World Cup Soccer players, do they get paid?

it's the spectacle vs the event, why should the Olympics be higher valued than a world championship?...

Because it only happens once every 4 years.

[guyser]

Doesn't stop World Cup Soccer players, do they get paid?

They all have insurance to pay them the big bucks if injured. Other than the cost, its a non-starter.

Edited by guyser, 07 August 2012 - 12:39 PM.

[wyly]

I think the big problem with Hockey in the Olympics is that there are two different types of games being played. I don't think it's any coincidence that both Olympics held in North America the final was Canada v USA and in the other two Canada and the USA didn't do very well.

there's a marketing benefit for the NHL when the o's are in canada or usa, not so much when they'll be in sochi, expect hte NHL to be luke warm in their support for the sochi games...

Doesn't stop World Cup Soccer players, do they get paid?

it doesn't but that's their world "International" championship, it's bigger than the olympics, any pay they may get for a WC appearance is small change compared to what they make playing for their clubs...winning at the WC or just putting in a great personal performance is good for an individuals career/contract options $$$$$$$$$$....the WC is every soccer players ultimate goal and not the olympics...the olympics even rate behind EURO and European Club Champions League...

and clubs dislike the WC too,they have millions invested in players and lose big time when a star player comes back injured....a club like Real Madrid aren't to pleased when they have a player like Ronaldo come back unable to play, he cost hem 80million to buy, lose the season because of an injured player like Ronaldo could cost them another 50-150 million in appearance fees and tv contracts, endorsements, insurance won't cover those losses...

Because it only happens once every 4 years.

ya I get that but then you're telling a athlete his world championship is worthless and it's not...

[Moonlight Graham]

I love most of the track and field events. Most of the others are just so-so.

Edited by Moonlight Graham, 08 August 2012 - 10:48 PM.