Olympics - London 2012

[Mudcat]

Meanwhile a fair bit has been made about how this is the first Olympics where every participating country has at least one female competitor.

Really mixed feelings about that. I mean, yes, it is a good thing. It is a sign of things moving in the right direction. Nevermind that the females from some muslim countries had to walk in behind the men and there is some thing about the Algerians wanting their judo chick to wear a hijab while competing. Muslim countries are simply unevolved in this area and they suck. This is not news. But sometimes these token efforts are the first baby steps towards not totally sucking.

But in further news, the Japanese women's soccer team (the current World Cup champions) had to fly coach to London, while the men (a bunch of nobodies) flew first class. Also, same deal for the Australian basketball teams. The women who are a world power had to fly coach while the men, a bunch of stiffs, flew business class.

Japan and Australia.



So while the trend is undeniably good and worth talking about, I think sometimes I just like to live in my own little fantasy bubble where there is not so much blatant sucking still going on in the year 2012.

 

[plommer]

It's a mans world pal, but you already knew that.

 

[roguejuror]

I like random stuff - lord knows I like random stuff -

You did start the random thread!!

 

[vagabond]

Japanese men's soccer in a huge money spinner and hence, they deserve to fly business class.

 

[roguejuror]

now was mr bean really there is muddy pulling my chain?

 

[Mudcat]

You did start the random thread!!

Oh I know it. If anyone is going to set up an Olympics and suddenly trot out some debilitated old dude from some other country who only has a moderate amount to do with the Olympics, it is me.

I would be all like HA! Here he is again! Betcha weren't expecting that!

So yeah, I should be praising Danny Boyle, not condemning him. Good job.



I think I just had my heart set on something involving some nice pliers.

 

[Mudcat]

now was mr bean really there is muddy pulling my chain?

Who me? No. There was some honest-to-god Mr. Bean shtick right in the middle of it.

 

[Mudcat]

So it looks like the first big swimming final is set up and - big news (maybe) - Michael Phelps qualifies 8th.

That's cutting it awfully close.

Then the other dude - Lochte - let up so badly at the end of his heat he didn't even win it. One guy passed him and a bunch of others were closing in.

I guess they were both playing possum?? If so, their arrogance almost cost them dearly.

But anyway they are through to the final which I believe is in about an hour.

 

[Mudcat]

Okay to get into serious news reporting, it looks like there a bunch of swimming medal races starting at 7:30 London time (which I am 99% sure is 2:30 EST) with the men's 4 x 100 IM which is the Phelps/Lochte deal.

And then there are another 5 races in rapid succession, 3 of which are finals for the medals.




Someone please correct me if I am wrong here.

 

[Tron]

USA beaver piling on Colombian beaver

 

[Matty]

Who me? No. There was some honest-to-god Mr. Bean shtick right in the middle of it.

Loved it.

 

[roguejuror]

ahh man i missed it

i love mr bean

bean.. sabine

 

[Mudcat]

Yap, the big swimming race is now. I am officially in tune with the proceedings.

I still think swimming is idiotic with all the ridiculous strokes - there should just be 1 stroke - freestyle - just swim as fast as you can and that's it - but what the hell.

Let's see if this Phelps geezer is vulnerable.

 

[Archie]

4 x100 IM? That would be a relay... Must be 200 or 400 IM I'm pissed I am missing it sitting in traffic. Will they show it on delay again tonight? Should I avoid spoilers

 

[reno cool]

they brought out Ali? did he light the torch? I missed it, turned it off after Russia walked by.
The countries walked by too quickly, it was getting pretty boring by then.
Costas is such a pointless tool.

Why does anybody give a shit about the queen?

 

[Mudcat]

4 x 100 IM = Individual Medley, not a relay.


*** SPOILER ALERT ***





Gold Lochte.

Phelps out of the medals.

 

[Mudcat]

they brought out Ali? did he light the torch?

Yap, they brought out Ali. He did not light the torch; he just sat there at one point. Like literally - they had a chair for him.

It was right after the dignitaries brought in the Olympic flag. They ran the thing up the flagpole and then they all went and stood around the seated Ali.

For whatever reason.

 

[roguejuror]

Muddy is that Bo Xilai?