Arrrrrg, bite me (gold medal)

[maraboutslim]

But this chick Radclff. She's an A-1 class quitter. Talk about no fighting spirit.

Well, she's the fastest women's marathoner ever by a margin of like what, 5 minutes? Something tells me that if she was such a quiter, she wouldn't have been able to put in the training and effort it took to win the marathons she's entered and set the world record three times in a row or whatever it was.

She had a bad two weeks, no doubt about it, but elite athletes must take a different view towards competition than middle of the packers. Middle of the packers can fight and drag themselves to the finish because it was never about winning for them anyway. For someone like Radcliff, second is the same as last so you might as well get last and save your body for later.

Would you prefer she drag herself across the line like Gabriele Andersen-Scheiss did in 2:48 in 1984 robbing the winner (Joan Benoit) of proper media coverage so viewers can get all gooey inside about a triumph of human will over adversity? I wouldn't.

[AssKissinger]

I think she should have had the courage to fight it out like the Dream Team. They were booed and jeered and laughed at but they didn't give up even when the gold was lost. That's called sportsmanship.

USA USA USA

[maraboutslim]

Yeah, I guess so. But it might just be a difference in approach between team and individual sports and between having a chance at bronze or having a chance at absolutely nothing.

[AssKissinger]

Gabriele Andersen-Scheiss




Before the LA Games of 1984, much debate had surrounded the possible introduction of a full distance marathon for women.

A significant number felt that the distance was too great for women to handle, and worried that scenes of exhausted ladies collapsing along roadsides would not be good for the image of athletics. This thinking was deep-rooted among the authorities since the 1920s, when exaggerated stories of female runners collapsing after running the 800m were bandied about.

Against this backdrop, the IOC reluctantly introduced a women's marathon for the LA Games, and all appeared to go well with USA's Joan Benoit comfortably taking victory in a near record time. However, the stadium fell silent when Swiss runner Gabriele Anderson-Scheiss staggered into the arena. The crowd gasped in horror at the sight; her torso twisted, her right arm straight and her left arm limp, her right knee strangely stiff. Utterly spent, Anderson was unable to run any more and was reduced to an ungainly stumble. However, determined to finish the race, she refused all assistance from the medics, knowing she would be disqualified if she did. Eventually, after stopping on a number of occasions and holding her head in despair, she completed the obligatory circuit of the track and collapsed over the line in 37th position. Remarkably, she made a full recovery within two hours and her finishing time, 2:48:45, would have been quick enough to win the first five Olympic marathons ever run

That's fucking courage! She had the heart of a lion.

[Taro Toporific]

Arrrrrrg.

Japan finishes with record 37-medal haul as Games close
Japan Today, Aug 30
ATHENS--- Japan achieved its best-ever Olympic haul, exceeding all expectations, by claiming a record 37 medals at the 2004 Athens Games. ...

[kamome]

Arrrrrrg.

Japan finishes with record 37-medal haul as Games close
Japan Today, Aug 30
ATHENS--- Japan achieved its best-ever Olympic haul, exceeding all expectations, by claiming a record 37 medals at the 2004 Athens Games. ...

Whatever. The US still crushed the competition with the largest total medal haul. I just wish our b-ball team had actually shown up. That failure is the equivalent of Canada not even qualifying for a medal in ice hockey.

[Caustic Saint]

I just wish our b-ball team had actually shown up.

Are you serious? Seeing the "dream team" lose has been my Olympic Dream for over a decade. Bunch of overpaid pros who thought they could get together two weeks before the games and take home the gold?

Fuck 'em. Serves their arrogant asses right.

[Mulboyne]

That's fucking courage! She had the heart of a lion.

In the same vein, Derek Redmond is a better memory for British fans: Redmond in 1992

Down the backstretch, only 175 meters away from finishing, Redmond is a shoo-in to make the finals. Suddenly, he hears a pop. In his right hamstring. He pulls up lame, as if he had been shot...As the medical crew arrives with a stretcher, Redmond tells them, "No, there's no way I'm getting on that stretcher. I'm going to finish my race."
Then, in a moment that will live forever in the minds of millions, Redmond lifts himself to his feet, ever so slowly, and starts hobbling down the track. The other runners have finished the race, with Steve Lewis of the U.S. winning the contest in 44.50. Suddenly, everyone realizes that Redmond isn't dropping out of the race by hobbling off to the side of the track. No, he is actually continuing on one leg. He's going to attempt to hobble his way to the finish line. All by himself. All in the name of pride and heart.

IOC video clip on the right on this page Finishing At Any Cost

[cstaylor]

I just wish our b-ball team had actually shown up.

Are you serious? Seeing the "dream team" lose has been my Olympic Dream for over a decade. Bunch of overpaid pros who thought they could get together two weeks before the games and take home the gold?

Fuck 'em. Serves their arrogant asses right.

They weren't the Dream Team.... several good players didn't even go to Athens. Many of the foreign squads were lead by NBA players as well, so it settled the playing field a bit.

The arrogant ones were those that stayed behind. Iverson said it right when he blasted them for a no-show.

[AssKissinger]

The arrogant ones were those that stayed behind. Iverson said it right when he blasted them for a no-show.

They were too cowardly. Afraid bin Laden would get 'em. Chicken shits.






And how about this CHRISTIAN MORON ruining the marathon. I think that Lima should have been given a gold. He was on his way to victory when he was attacked by that JESUS FREAK FUCKTARD.

[Taro Toporific]

...this ... MORON ruining the marathon. I think that Lima should have been given a gold.

I got to see the full video of this when I got home and I'm proud to say this Greek lady and gentlemen jumped the police line to lay some whoop-ass on the freaking FUCKTARD. However, the bicycle cop is the one that stopped the attack.

[American Oyaji]

And how about thisCHRISTIAN MORON ruining the marathon. I think that Lima should have been given a gold. He was on his way to victory when he was attacked by that JESUS FREAK FUCKTARD

AK,
I agree Moron and Freak,

But why do you say this person is Christian?

And do you consider all Christians as morons and Jesus "freaks"?

And BTW, this was BARELY in the U.S. media olympic coverage.

I never saw anything about this on TV and I watched every night just about.

*EDIT*
I read up on the guy.
Yeah he's a moron and a freak. HOWEVER AK, I didn't appreciate the way you blew up the CHRISTIAN MORON and JESUS FREAK of your post.

He's not a Moron or Freak because he considers himself a Christian.
Other people do crazy stuff over what they believe, but their actions are taken at face value and don't put a label on those that may share their beliefs, but choose to exercise them in a less radical fashion.

I really did take exception to that.

[Mulboyne]

don't put a label on those that may share their beliefs, but choose to exercise them in a less radical fashion

Well...wading out into deep waters...that is the same issue raised by Muslims in response to labels like "Islamic terrorism" which have gained wide currency. "Animal Rights troublemakers" get the same treatment. I'm not suggesting for a moment that you condone either usage but if a protester or terrorist puts their beliefs at the centre of their actions then that is the light in which they will get interpreted. I'm not sure we can tell the truth about the idiot who interrupted the marathon if we don't acknowledge his motivation.

[Steve Bildermann]

Man Who Grabbed Runner Won't Be Jailed

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040830/D84PIB001.html

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A defrocked Irish priest with a history of disrupting sports events was given a one-year suspended sentence and fined $3,600 Monday for grabbing a runner who was leading the Olympic marathon with three miles to go.

Cornelius Horan was convicted by a misdemeanor court of violating Greece's laws on extracurricular sports for knocking Vanderlei de Lima into the crowd on Sunday. De Lima continued running, but he soon lost his lead and finished third.

[maraboutslim]

Last year I was watching the Formula One race at Silverstone when some nut ran on to the track carrying a sign or a scroll or something while cars were racing at up to 200mph. Guess what? It was the same guy! That makes twice that this nut has shown up on my tv screen disrupting a race!

I feel sorry for the Brazillian. But it seems he was fading and probably would have finished third anyway so now at least he can act like he would have won the gold medal had it not been for this christian protestor.

[American Oyaji]

He should be sent home and sent to a mental institution in england.

[dimwit]

Last year I was watching the Formula One race at Silverstone when some nut ran on to the track carrying a sign or a scroll or something while cars were racing at up to 200mph. Guess what? It was the same guy! That makes twice that this nut has shown up on my tv screen disrupting a race!

I feel sorry for the Brazillian. But it seems he was fading and probably would have finished third anyway so now at least he can act like he would have won the gold medal had it not been for this christian protestor.

So the question is; here is a guy with a history of disrupting sporting events and he boards a plane to Athens on the last weekend of the games. What happened to the watch lists that were so hullabalooed about in the run up to the games?

[same]

What happened to the watch lists that were so hullabalooed about in the run up to the games?

I guess he just wasn't Muslim enough.

[Taro Toporific]

I just looooove this "spin".....

EU trumpets 'sweeping the floor' at Olympics
AFP
BRUSSELS Aug 31 - The European Commission hailed Monday European sporting success at the Athens Olympics, joking that the 25-member European Union had ``swept the floor'' at the Games.
And the EU executive looked forward to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, when the expanding bloc hopes to ``threaten the dominance'' of Asian countries in some sports.
``The European Union swept the floor at the Olympic Games,'' said chief Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinnen, a smile on his face on the first day back after the summer holidays.
The Commission noted European countries together won 82 gold medals and 286 medals overall, compared to only 35 golds and 103 overall for the United States, which topped the final table ahead of Russia, Australia and Japan.

[Steve Bildermann]

I just looooove this "spin

Then you will just go ape shit over the 'WE ALL LUV JAPAN AREN'T WE THE FUCKING GREATEST THING EVER TO BE AT THE OLYMPICS' festival the Japan weeklies are having with Japan's 'medalrush' (thankfully toned down from the first week's amusing 'goldrush')

[AssKissinger]

That guys fine equals about 40,000 Yen. No jail! What a bunch of shit. I think he deserves at least five years. In an AK world he would have been swinging behind the medal's podium.

[Mulboyne]

A different story at the World Championship:
BBC Report

Britain's Paula Radcliffe claims an elusive gold medal at the World Championships as she wins the marathon...Mara Yamauchi is the second Briton home in a new personal best of 2:31.26 to finish in 18th

[samuraiwig]

Anyone else see the men's 4x100m relay?

The TV build-up was about 30 mins, and the commentators (who I assume know their sport...) spent all of it yelling at the top of their voices that the Japanese team had a gold medal chance. They were so gratingly OTT that despite the late hour I stayed up to watch the race just to see them flop. And flop they did - trailing in last of the 8 teams.

Then the commentary changed tack - it was all 'sugoi, yoku ganbatta ne'. Of course there was no mention of the merits of the other teams before the race, the fact that all the teams probably "ganbattared" to an equal degree and no replay or details of the result after the race.

Bunch of arse.

[AssKissinger]

Bump!!!

[color="Red"][SIZE="5"]The Olympics are back and I get to watch it in America![/SIZE][/color]

[dimwit]

Sports Illustrated are predicting 2 medals for Japan a bronze for Kato in speed skating and a bronze for Arakawa in Figure Skating

See there complete list of picks here.

If so it would be the worse showing for ages. Mind you they also have the Czechs beating the Canadians in Hockey which ain't gonna happen.

[canman]

Dimwit and Rob I relly hope that Canada can pull this one out, but with this gambling controversy hanging around them, and a lot of good players pulling out just before the start of the games, I think the Czechs might give them a run for their money.
On another sad note, "Wayne please say it ain't so please Wayne". Dimwit do you relaly think that he had nothing to do with the betting scandal when his assistant coach and wife were involved in it? Damn I hate Janet Jones, the Yoko Ono of hockey. I know most of you don't know what the hell I'm talking about but a few will.

[canman]

I had no idea you were a closet hockey fan. Welcome to the club. It is so hard to follow things here in Japan but we do our best. Are you a big Dominic Hasek fan. I love what he is doing for Ottawa, I just hope he chokes a little in the big games in Torino.

[dimwit]

I have to call it Canada, because they have so much more depth at every position. I think with Quinn behind the bench the Gretzky issue will be forgoten. The plus in the situation is that focus will be off of Todd Bertuzzi.
I don't think the 2005 world is a fair comparasion as they take place in the middle of the NHL playoffs so most of the best players are not there.

[maninjapan]

Maybe the great one's missus will have a gamble on this?

[canman]

Sorry Japanese skiers but a Canadian has won the Mogul Gold medal. I was really surprised that going into the olympics you would have thought the Japanese skiers were ranked first in the world and were a sure lock to win. When watching the competition you find out that Jennifer Heil has been ranked number one for three years, and was the favorite along with Kari Traa of Norway. Typical Japanese media hype I guess.