Beijing Olympics

Isn't it even sadder that very few folks in the US care much about Olympic soccer?
I read today that Freddy Adu had a very good Olympics.

Adu did well, and he probably could have at least tried to make more of a difference yesterday against Nigeria. But he was out for an accumulation if yellows (2 total) in the first 2 matches.

It is sad that more people in the United States don't have more of an interest in Olympic Soccer, or soccer in general (being the world's most popular sports and all), BUT I believe the interest should come naturally and not be forced.

"The Beautiful Game" just won't be beautiful by any contrived means or to anyone involuntarily made to enjoy it.

We'll get there.........the right way. Learning the history is a great start.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

USA! USA! USA!

Adu did well, and he probably could have at least tried to make more of a difference yesterday against Nigeria. But he was out for an accumulation if yellows (2 total) in the first 2 matches.

It is sad that more people in the United States don't have more of an interest in Olympic Soccer, or soccer in general (being the world's most popular sports and all), BUT I believe the interest should come naturally and not be forced.

"The Beautiful Game" just won't be beautiful by any contrived means or to anyone involuntarily made to enjoy it.

We'll get there.........the right way. Learning the history is a great start.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

USA! USA! USA!

Ane the US Women are still in the hunt and a St. Louis girl, Lori Chalupny, is back playing after being knocked senseless by her goalie in the first game.

There are a wide variety of sports and interests.

Yes, I don't like soccer, but since it's the world's most popular sport I don't think they miss me!

It is sad that more people in the United States don't have more of an interest in Olympic Soccer, or soccer in general (being the world's most popular sports and all), BUT I believe the interest should come naturally and not be forced.

Kid participation in soccer in the US is actually higher than football; however, the numbers start dropping the higher the age level gets because there is nothing really out there for kids much beyound high school...Very few scholarships, fewer men's amature leagues, very weak pro level teams in the US.
The kids from the US are at a competitive disadvantage from the get go and have almost no shot of playing pro in Europe or South America...

Dressage is on Oxygen right now. It is so beautiful to watch!

beach volley ball - make it STOP! Please!

Kid participation in soccer in the US is actually higher than football; however, the numbers start dropping the higher the age level gets because there is nothing really out there for kids much beyound high school...Very few scholarships, fewer men's amature leagues, very weak pro level teams in the US.
The kids from the US are at a competitive disadvantage from the get go and have almost no shot of playing pro in Europe or South America...

Well, not so fast with that scholarships statement. Those are out there, and if any child in the U.S. sticks with it, they'll have a better chance at getting a scholarship to college playing soccer, than playing football, basketball, or baseball.

Domestically, I am not saying we have the greatest league (but we do have Beckham!). Professionally, we have the MLS, USL (and Atlanta Silverbacks), and many off-shoots of those two, most notably a Professional Development League Club just down US98, playing on Panama City Beach. A few may have heard of them, the Panama City Pirates.

And as far as having no shot at playing Europe, I would estimate the United States having no less than 60-70 Players playing somewhere in Europe, and quite few of them plying their trade in the world's most competitive leagues, such as The Premiership in England, La Liga in Spain, The Bundesliga in Germany, Ligue 1 in France, the Italian League, and many other European Leagues of note. (http://www.yanks-abroad.com/get.php?mode=players)

Giving up has never been part of the American Spirit, and let's hope it never is. The Soccer Evolution has started, in South Walton and many other places in the United States. Our best is yet to come!


I'm with you, STL Don. Go USA Women's Team. Represent!

Dressage is on Oxygen right now. It is so beautiful to watch!

Thank you so much for this reminder, I forget about the alternate channel showings and I love the Equestrian events.

I was so glad Lochtie from Daytona beach won a swimming Gold Medal, his Dad coached him when he was young and he was so proud.

Well, not so fast with that scholarships statement. Those are out there, and if any child in the U.S. sticks with it, they'll have a better chance at getting a scholarship to college playing soccer, than playing football, basketball, or baseball.

I guess I never got to where I was headed with my statement...
The money isn't there unless you are one of the very few who do make the bigs in a league anywhere other than the States. Beckham is an anomoly. True, that there are probably some in the MSL who make good money, but they would be the marquis players, and then, it drops off significantly.

My son was offered a soccer scholarship for this year to Mercer but turned it down ( he also received a large academic scholarship) because he wants to concentrate on studies his first year. The scholarships are definitely out there for the players who want them and are committed to 10 months of training for division 1 and 2 schools. For many kids it's a great way to pay for their education. I have seen how the soccer programs have really grown in Atlanta over the last 30 years and the number of talented players is amazing. The clubs here don't have enough field space for the number of kids signing up to play. Soccer has truly exploded onto the scene in the US!
GO USA WOMEN!!!

Well, not so fast with that scholarships statement. Those are out there, and if any child in the U.S. sticks with it, they'll have a better chance at getting a scholarship to college playing soccer, than playing football, basketball, or baseball.

I have nothing against soccer, but I am curious about this statement. Aren't there many more college scholarships for football than any of these three other sports? Can you quote stats backing up your statement? I really am curious, because I know that men's soccer has been one of the victims of scholarship cuts in the past decade or so. I would be very surprised if there were indeed more soccer scholarships than either football, baseball, or basketball. Shocked, actually.

I have nothing against soccer, but I am curious about this statement. Aren't there many more college scholarships for football than any of these three other sports? Can you quote stats backing up your statement? I really am curious, because I know that men's soccer has been one of the victims of scholarship cuts in the past decade or so. I would be very surprised if there were indeed more soccer scholarships than either football, baseball, or basketball. Shocked, actually.

Ahhh! But that is not what I said.

To be clear, I don't argue which sports offer more scholarships overall in college. It might be football, or it might not (a lot of schools cut football due to Title IX). My point is rather that after a certain age, the number of kids playing soccer drops off also (as pointed out by someone else earlier), as many of the better athletes defect to more traditional sports like football, basketball, or baseball. This limits not only the pool of players competing for scholarships, but the level of player also.

Also, if you are a very talented soccer player at a young age (even 14 years old in some cases), you don't even go to college and play. This narrows the pool of players looking for scholarships even more.

And finally, unless you are a goalkeeper, you can play nearly any position on the field in soccer. Many times, players who started out in the back move up to a midfield position or forwards move back, etc., etc., unlike many other sports where you learn a position and pretty much are expected to continue your path in that position. This, instead of narrowing the talent pool for soccer, means that as long as you are a good field player anywhere on the pitch, the chances are there is a coach out there that wants you.

So in sum, if a kid sticks with soccer, there may not be as many scholarships in total out there as traditional American sports (football, basketball, baseball), but there will be plenty opportunities to get a chance to help good ol' mom and dad out once it is time to get an advanced education.

Also, you get the fringe benefit of learning to play a sport that you can play outdoors, on grass (usually), with friends (some new, some old, many from all over the world), and continue to play into your 60's.

I think it is a great opportunity for many youth, and I hope they take advantage of it. It is a unique situation in the U.S. right now, but it won't be forever.

Go USA Women's Gymnasts!!!

Thank you for the clarification on what you were saying. It makes sense but the only caveat I would add is that many scholarships for soccer (and baseball, and other non-football, non-basketball sports) are partial, and often don't add up to even half. So I think it is wise for any parent of any young athlete (in any sport) to avoid assuming a certain amount of help will be there. Truly I have nothing against soccer, a few of my favorite athletes play soccer.

And wow, how about those gymnasts?

OK- I have an Olympics confession to make. I think the underage Chinese gymnasts sent me over the edge with the gymnastics. I have always been creeped out by women's gymnastics (ok- be honest- children's gymnatics). It is not just China and Russia- the USA is just as guilty in basically "factory farming" these little girls into gymnastics machines- ruining their bodies and minds at such a young age. Between the eating disorders and injuries that ruin them for life, I can't be a gymnastics fan. It is just a yucky sport.

OK- I have an Olympics confession to make. I think the underage Chinese gymnasts sent me over the edge with the gymnastics. I have always been creeped out by women's gymnastics (ok- be honest- children's gymnatics). It is not just China and Russia- the USA is just as guilty in basically "factory farming" these little girls into gymnastics machines- ruining their bodies and minds at such a young age. Between the eating disorders and injuries that ruin them for life, I can't be a gymnastics fan. It is just a yucky sport.

I agree with much of that. I feel like the Chinese authorities are probably holding those poor girls' parents at gunpoint or something, lest they tell the truth about their ages. I don't like the grip that the Karolyis have on the U.S. team. It appears there are other coaches who are working their way up in the system, which is a good thing.

Shawn Johnson seems to have a relatively normal upbringing, with great parents, and she and Nastia sure looked like impressive young girls/ladies. So that was very refreshing to see.

As for the sport itself ... I am a former competitive gymnast, and trust me when I tell you that some people are meant to just hang upside down, do flips and bounce all over the place. I am one of them ... when I got too tall, I successfully segued into competitive diving, which is much easier on the body and mentality. Katiefunn will be doing tumbling classes as soon as she is able because she is telling me that is what she wants to do. (I did not even think about it until she started climbing, dangling from the monkey bars, and doing splits without prompting.) I tell you it is something you are born with. It is just some sort of internal need to hang upside down. It is very therapeutic and lots of funn, unless your coach is a Karolyi.

Hello, I'm Mango and was an endorphin junkie who ran competitive track and field. Then I realized I would never outgrow my duck feet, place well enough for the Olympics, and quit.

Yes, I was taken back by the obvious disregard for the rules. I believe her name was Lin Lin, and she didn't look a day over 13 at best. But who was going to question the host country who obviously produced their passports? What an enormous amount of pressure for such youngsters. Everyone was there to see them gold and they had to deliver. Even here in the States parents can even place an enormous amount of expectation on their children to win or enter a sport. But, if a child really takes an interest in a sport and enjoys it, it can be extremely rewarding learning teammanship and discipline.

Now I am aging myself, but didn't Bela Carolyi coach Nadia Comanechi?

I think considering the hurtles the mens gymnastics had to overcome ( injuries being the big one) to even place a medal, it was only normal to get pumped up and excited. I think that there is juuust a little to much of a negative spirit on this thread. You should be proud of our guys (AND GIRLS). What about when guys in the NFL bang their helmets and talk all that smack? I don't hear many people complaining...nope, they call up their friends and have a party! Hey, I love it... that is the true heart of a competitive spirit, wanting to win. Some celebrate quietly, and others are more vocal. Try to think about it like this. If you were up there shooting for a medal as the UNDERDOG....would you just sit on your hands and whisper to your fellow team member, hey shhhhhh, get pumped up? I love it!! USA!!!!

I think considering the hurtles the mens gymnastics had to overcome ( injuries being the big one) to even place a medal, it was only normal to get pumped up and excited. I think that there is juuust a little to much of a negative spirit on this thread. You should be proud of our guys (AND GIRLS). What about when guys in the NFL bang their helmets and talk all that smack? I don't hear many people complaining...nope, they call up their friends and have a party! Hey, I love it... that is the true heart of a competitive spirit, wanting to win. Some celebrate quietly, and others are more vocal. Try to think about it like this. If you were up there shooting for a medal as the UNDERDOG....would you just sit on your hands and whisper to your fellow team member, hey shhhhhh, get pumped up? I love it!! USA!!!!

Nice post. And I now agree with goofer that these are the most exciting Olympics I've ever seen*. That 100 fly finish tonight? Unbelieveable!

*Disregard post No. 1 on this thread.

not to belittle their accomplishment by any means, a bronze is wonderful - but.....why was the gymnastics team so arrogant? they were danged lucky to get that bronze from what i've read in the paper about the team being put together at the last minute, etc.

"That's how you do it, baby!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah...We heard you the first five times you said it. A little humility would have been nice. Some of them seem to go from being very appreciative of the effort that the team was putting out to arrogance at light speed. Enjoy your bronze because I don't think any of them placed higher than 4th in any element...

i think there's a fine line between being spirited winners and being arrogant. i think a part of all sports programs should be teaching people to be gracious winners as well as gracious losers

Forgot to quote

I have always loved gymnastics - maybe my favorite olympic event. well, ice skating is also a fave in winter olymp's.

the US teams have worked hard and have so much to be proud of! the scoring was a little scary, and the obvious commitment made by each competitor and coach and country is very intense when you really look at it - and I get jdargs points completely. kind of how football grosses me out but in different ways (its all for winning and making $$$).

I do not like to think about parents pushing children to extreme limits though. unfortunately this is true in many kinds of sports or other endeavors, all over the world including USA.

the announcer made a comment the other night that the chinese girls see their families once a year. it is a commitment that I cannot fathom. one of the girls wanted to go home but her family refused to let her - its a matter of family pride to have a child selected for olympic training, etc.

TFT - I didn't know you were a gymnast and a diver!!!!! did you ever do synchronized diving? what an interesting sport... glad katie has decided what she wants to do with her early life... who knows - maybe she'll be short and get to keep tumbling away.

Nice post. And I now agree with goofer that these are the most exciting Olympics I've ever seen*. That 100 fly finish tonight? Unbelieveable!

*Disregard post No. 1 on this thread.

you are funny. and you and goofer are so right! so exciting! I've been blown away since the opening ceremony.

TFT - I didn't know you were a gymnast and a diver!!!!! did you ever do synchronized diving? what an interesting sport...

Ha, yes! It is interesting isn't it. I am still not sure about it as a medal event. But I guess if it had been done since 1900 instead of 2000, it wouldn't seem so odd. There definitely are skill sets involved, and when it is done well it is very impressive. If it disappeared most people would not care or notice. I did it in the late 80s when it was just getting started and won my age group a couple of times at the Sunshine State Games ... however that was no big thing since there weren't that many of us.

Ha, yes! It is interesting isn't it. I am still not sure about it as a medal event. But I guess if it had been done since 1900 instead of 2000, it wouldn't seem so odd. There definitely are skill sets involved, and when it is done well it is very impressive. If it disappeared most people would not care or notice. I did it in the late 80s when it was just getting started and won my age group a couple of times at the Sunshine State Games ... however that was no big thing since there weren't that many of us.

pic pleeeze... love hearing this about you!

now, speaking of pics, where is RO? is he still in sowal? I saw TFT's face. Will see paula's face in a few days. I need to see Otter's face.

TFT - your kids are too darling. katie is lucky she didn't get her cheek pinched by the short italian. I had my eye on her cheeks and even admitted to punzy about how poor katie's cheeks were at serious risk.

...loved TFT's confession! I would have been way over the moon if you had been a synchronized swimmer girl! I just love all that makeup, slicked back hair and the NOSEPLUGS...really fires me up!

...loved TFT's confession! I would have been way over the moon if you had been a synchronized swimmer girl! I just love all that makeup, slicked back hair and the NOSEPLUGS...really fires me up!

I am thinking this could be a SoWal.com sponsored team. Could we practice in secret at the back Watercolor pool?