Beijing Olympics

I have always loved the Olympics, too, but I am of mixed feelings about it being held in China. On the one hand, it is a positive thing for the Chinese to have the world at its doorsteps. There's much to be learned by exposure to different cultures--if only for so short a time as the duration of the Olympics--and god knows the Chinese could only benefit by it. But on the other hand, too much of what the Chinese do runs contrary to the spirit of the Olympic tradition and it strikes me as a sell-out that they were awarded the games. Though I shouldn't be disappointed on that account. The Olympics have become less and less pure through the decades, so it is perhaps just business as usual.

I don't understand the rules about who competes now, either, and this is something I'm going to have to look up. We watched the Tour de France this year, as always, and the British cyclist Mark Cavendish withdrew after winning a stage or two because he needed to prepare for the Olympics. I thought the Tour de France competitors were all professionals, so how is it that they can be in the Olympics? TTF, will you explain how it works?

Having said this, we will watch the Olympics! Track and field, kayak racing, cycling, and fencing are favorites in our house.

I have always loved the Olympics, too, but I am of mixed feelings about it being held in China. On the one hand, it is a positive thing for the Chinese to have the world at its doorsteps. There's much to be learned by exposure to different cultures--if only for so short a time as the duration of the Olympics--and god knows the Chinese could only benefit by it. But on the other hand, too much of what the Chinese do runs contrary to the spirit of the Olympic tradition and it strikes me as a sell-out that they were awarded the games. Though I shouldn't be disappointed on that account. The Olympics have become less and less pure through the decades, so it is perhaps just business as usual.

I don't understand the rules about who competes now, either, and this is something I'm going to have to look up. We watched the Tour de France this year, as always, and the British cyclist Mark Cavendish withdrew after winning a stage or two because he needed to prepare for the Olympics. I thought the Tour de France competitors were all professionals, so how is it that they can be in the Olympics? TTF, will you explain how it works?

Thanks Mermy.

Good question about the pros v. amateurs. I seemed to recall that every sport is different, and it is true. I found this at encarta.msn.com:

By 1983 a majority of IOC members acknowledged that most Olympic athletes compete professionally in the sense that sports are their main activity. The IOC then asked each ISF to determine eligibility in its own sport, and over the next decade nearly all the ISFs abolished the distinction between amateurs and professionals, accepting so-called open Games.

The most famous example is the 1992 men's basketball Dream Team. Remember? The U.S. got its butt kicked and then all of a sudden Michael Jordan showed up.

What was really interesting to me though was this explanation at encarta.msn about why the amateur rule was in place in the first place:

Coubertin and the IOC intended from the start for the Olympics to be open only to amateurs. Amateurism was determined by adherence to the amateur rule, which was originally devised in the 19th century to prevent working-class athletes from participating in sports such as rowing and tennis. Because the amateur rule prevented athletes from earning any pay from activities in any way related to sports, working-class athletes could not afford to make a living and train for competition at the same time.

For me, it is the China thing. and the pollution thing. and the drug thing. and the mandates to the Chinese people to fake it. i could go on. i will try to watch and hope i get the spirit back.

The Olympics lost quite a bit of appeal for me when I saw how some Chinese were being forced from their homes to make way for Olympic construction, in addition to some of the reasons you posted above. But that was the clincher for me. The Olympics are about athleticism, representing your country, and hard work. To athletes, it doesn't matter where they are held, just as long as one can compete. That's what it is all about really. The commercialism of it all is has taken away something from the Olympics.

i usually don't watch the summer olympics, but this year will be watching michael phelps swim (if i'm off work) and may watch some of the gymnastics.

we like the winter olympics better here at the audies.

and the winter x games.

i usually don't watch the summer olympics, but this year will be watching michael phelps swim (if i'm off work) and may watch some of the gymnastics.

we like the winter olympics better here at the audies.

and the winter x games.

Figures. :roll:

:nono1: you're being naughty

:nono1: you're being naughty

Men's Soccer Result: USA 1 - 0 Japan

That's 3 points in the Group Stage so far. However, will not be easy getting to the quarterfinals, with matches remaining against The Super Eagles (Nigeria) and The Oranje (Netherlands).

USA! USA! USA!

Well, if I were a dog I'd be happy about the Olympics being held in China since it wouldn't be my rump on a plate or at least for the duration of the games.

My wife and I loved the Olympics. We loved the pageantry, the victory and the onces that just competed.. We enjoyed learning about the host country. We had our favorite sports and athletes. We couldn't get enough of it. When they went to the two year time frame it got better.

Sure there will always be negatives surrounding the Olympics. For us, it didn't take away from the Olympic Spirit. Yes, we screamed our heads off for every US Team Member.

Maybe for us, the Olympics were a distraction from our real world. That's probably the reason I respect your reasons for loss of some interest.

My wife has been gone for five years now. I plan to enjoy every minute of the games I can for I know my wife is watching from the best seat in the house.

I also hope the games will go on without outside distractioins.

With that said, I realize how our views are about the same.

GO TEAM USA

I absolutely love the idea and spirit of the Olympics, but stopped watching them because the coverage became so full of nonsense and fluff.

If you need to fill time, show me the athletes preparing or pan the arenas or show clips of past glories. Scripted nonsense and manufactured "human interest or conflict" is dumb.

I absolutely love the idea and spirit of the Olympics, but stopped watching them because the coverage became so full of nonsense and fluff.

If you need to fill time, show me the athletes preparing or pan the arenas or show clips of past glories. Scripted nonsense and manufactured "human interest or conflict" is dumb.

well, at least you don't think it is idiotic.

Oh, I know better than to wave that red flag at the bull! :roll:

Oh, I know better than to wave that red flag at the bull! :roll:

who are you calling a bull?

Can someone explain how some of the sports start before the opening ceremonies Isn't that what opening means, "the start."

Can someone explain how some of the sports start before the opening ceremonies Isn't that what opening means, "the start."

I was just wondering the same thing!

two words...

MICHAEL PHELPS!!!!

two words...

michael phelps!!!!

ditto!!!!

Yep! This is what it's all about. Nothing like hearing our national anthem.

Getting ready to watch Dara Torres in the relay now.

~ She's pretty amazing but the netherlands had to much of a lead. eh, Silver is good.

two words...

MICHAEL PHELPS!!!!

i was reading an article about him in usa today i think, and his coach said he is built like a dolphin he's 6'4 but has such a long torso he only has a 30 inch inseam, and wears a size 14 shoe so he has flippers :funn:this kid was built for the water, huh ?

I'm watching the games tomorrow and can't wait to sit my butt on the sofa and just enjoy. fluff and all! the commercials can be a little much, but I'll try to get through it (we typically watch all commercial free TV here - but with sports you can't really do this, not even Olympics! damn).

two words...

MICHAEL PHELPS!!!!

Made me all misty.

Can someone explain how some of the sports start before the opening ceremonies Isn't that what opening means, "the start."

Some of the team tournaments simply take too long to fit in within the standard Olympics time frame.

i was reading an article about him in usa today i think, and his coach said he is built like a dolphin he's 6'4 but has such a long torso he only has a 30 inch inseam, and wears a size 14 shoe so he has flippers :funn:this kid was built for the water, huh ?

No kidding -- his technique, his body type and his training all contribute. I wonder if we'll ever see a swimmer this versatile again.

I'm kind of getting into it now. I was so wrapped up in my planning my high school reunion this weekend that maybe the reason I wasn't excited is because I had blocked everything else out. It's great to hear from everyone else ...