Random Thoughts On The Olympics

StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

I wonder what it's like to be the guy in one of these track footraces, and be hopelessly at the back of the pack, coming in last.

Is his heart broken, to learn that he was just badly outclassed? Or did he understand that would happen before he raced, and he's only in that race for the experience, to be an Olympian?

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Dawn
Dawn: I just read about an Afghanistan woman who came last, but she was the only woman to represent her country and she just said she was happy to be there, regardless if she would've won or lost. In this case she did lose, but it didn't bother her.
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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

I'm sure that must be the case with many ... maybe even most of the athletes there, especially from small countries. It's got to be a thrill to be able to go and be a part of that whole thing.

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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Last night I found myself watching the gold medal match in table tennis, two Chinese guys, of course. When I tuned it in, I kind of snickered to myself mockingly .... "Hee hee hee ... PING PONG !!!"

Very quickly I became totally engrossed in this match, which was close, and remained close for nearly an hour or so. For all that time, the lead kept going back and forth, and stayed within a single point. So during all that time, either of these guys could have won. Both of them had their own really strange little routine for serving, these really weird rituals of bouncing the ball on the table, bending over in to contorted postures, a strange, long pause ... one of them would hold the ball right over the table for several seconds, then toss it eight or ten feet into the air, and whack it when it came down and bounced. The other would toss the ball down from right over the table while stomping one foot loudly on the floor during his serve. It was totally bizarre! And somehow, it became REALLY EXCITING! This gigantic arena was filled with thousands of people cheering, screaming, applauding.

I couldn't believe that fucking PING PONG was this good!

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Dawn
Dawn: Haha it can be quite exciting I'm not much of a sports fan, but lately I kind of enjoy it... Some sports that is. Ping pong isn't one of them I only like to play it.
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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Olympics ... an excuse for people (like me) that ordinarily don't pay attention to sports to pay attention to sports.

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Dawn
Dawn: Very true
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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Random thought:

How does a gymnast learn to do flips on the balance beam, and not die in the process?

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Dawn
Dawn: Yeah that's a good one... I have no idea
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xox G xox
xox G xox: I hate our attitude here towards our athletes. The mens swim team have coped such a bagging over their poor performance. James Magnussen's got silver in his 100m freestyle race and you should hear the shit they are giving him.

When Stephenie Rice came 4th in her event, it was like ohhh less twitter/social networking less posing for cameras and more effort on race ........seriously id like to see the ordinary aussie in that pool and do better.

I do enjoy the weight lifting and gymnastics

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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

All an athlete should be expected to do is their best.

It's one thing to get criticism by the press if you're being a douchebag or something like that, but for not winning?

That sucks.

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xox G xox
xox G xox: They talked the mens team up to be definite Gold Medal winner, much pressure on them to preform.

IMO Silver is a fantastic result but even when he was interviewed he apologised for not getting gold and that he let himself and country done.
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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Women's discus ... they scream when they throw it!

Jeez, they're kind of scary!

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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Just saw a couple of women hurdlers fall down while running ...

I'll bet that leaves a good case of road-rash. Ouch!

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Comrade_
Comrade_: ..I'd fake a hamstring injury and tearfully exit, distraught that I didn't get to race at my full potential while mentioning I love my country.

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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Random thought:

Badminton, surprisingly, is really exciting!

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Disparate_Entity
Disparate_Entity: Best part of any olympics are the feck ups.

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StuckInTheSixties
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Disparate_Entity
Disparate_Entity: Thought the judges were a little harsh giving 0's all round,would have thought he got points for comedic value.
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CerealKing
CerealKing: I used to want to be an Olympic runner, and actually am considering training for the 2016 Rio Olympics, I am not sure yet though. But as any runner, we all know the records and the Olympic standards. We know what the average runner in our event would get.

For example in the 5000m Kenenisa Bekele has a 12:37.35, the closest to that record is 2 seconds away. But the average for a 5000m is around 13 minutes, so if you go into the race knowing your PB ( Personal Best ) is 13:30.00 Then you can expect to finish in last pace or at least in the pack that fell behind from the leading pack.

So yeah, it's not really shameful to be in last place, many Olympians go knowing they're going to get last or near last. And to answer the question, it's not shameful and his heart isn't broken. He went in knowing he couldn't beat Kenenisa Bekele or Bernard Lagat.

I would say if they had a PB of 12:52 in this event and came in last, then their heart would break. But then again, if they had a 12:52 they'd be in the top 25 5000m runners of all time. Even Bernard Lagat who is expected to place top 3 in the 5000m this year doesn't have a record in the top 25, his personal best is 12:53.60. It'll be an interesting race in the finals. :]

Personally if I did make it to the Olympics, I would be happy getting last, just to know I made it there.
(Edited by CerealKing)
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Comrade_
Comrade_: man I hope you really make it to Rio.
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StuckInTheSixties
StuckInTheSixties:

Why do divers always go jump into that little pool after they dive?

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lavendar_star
lavendar_star: I just wonder with sports like trampoline Gymnastic like when did that become a actual sport and what make you decide to commit to that. I am enjoying both sexes Gymnastics, football esp the ladies some of their matches are more thrilling then the men. Track and field, swimming etc.

I agree with you Dilly bear posts, I am sure if we Brits weren't doing that good we would be criticising our sports persons but instead we are in a orgy of self congratulation n patriotism lol you cant blame us being a home Olympics.
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dizzyb4u
dizzyb4u: Go team GB. okay carry on with thread......
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jink88
jink88: Canada should have won in the womans soccer against the USA!! The ref from Norway...errrr! Absolutely unbelievable
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lavendar_star
lavendar_star: ^^^That was a thrilling match and plenty of goals.
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