THE OLYMPICS: Official Thread of All-Things Games! (Sportsmanship Required)- Page 35

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:07pm

Jane, who is to say those girls even know how old they are? If the government does take them away at 2 and gives them little contact. It would certainly be easier to "prove" they were the old enough if they honestly thought they were.
I think it would take a particularly exceptional individual to stand up to their parents and the government and say anything anyway. If the girls are 9 or 10 their mental development remains in "black or white" and that is based on what others tell them. Particularly in a "my country is right, right or wrong" type of environment.
(although the speculation is that the switch was recent and therefore stupid, and should be grounds to strip the medals)
I don't think the girls are blameless, just open for interpretation.

On the other topic, absolutely the limit (once it exists) needs to be adhered to. It is basically two different sports between a developed woman and a little kid.

Updated On: 8/20/08 at 06:07 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:12pm

Smart Penguin, there isn't a way that I can believe that the girls don't know how old they are. But that's just my opinion.

I also never said that they should have withdrawn from the games. In fact, I said the opposite in my post.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:15pm

Yeah, my mom was telling me that while we find the practices of the government over in China disgusting to children, to turn them into athletes, it makes their families proud and gives them honor. I remember last week it was said that one of those girls wanted to quit and come home at some point in her training, but her parents wouldn't let her.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:15pm

Given the way that China treats their children - especially the girls it wouldn't shock me one bit if they don't know their true age.

Hell, here in America we have SpellingBeeFan4Ever running around saying he's 15 when we all know damn well he's only 9.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:17pm

AUGUST 20/21 PRIMETIME AND LATENIGHT BROADCAST SCHEDULE

8:00p - 9:00p
The stars of Olympic gymnastics competition perform exhibition routines at the Champions Gala. Also, the men's 200m dash. The U.S. swept the event in Athens, led by Shawn Crawford, who's back with another strong American group. The favorite is Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt, who already won the Beijing 100m in world record time. Also, women's 400m hurdles.

9:00p - 11:00p
BMX racing is a new event at the Olympics - an all-out, full-contact race through a twisting course dotted with jumps. Though the event is unpredictable in nature, the American men have unmatched depth, featuring 2007 world champion Kyle Bennett. On the women's side, Jill Kintner was the top American finisher at the 2007 World Championships (LIVE ET/CT).

11:00p - 12:00a (8/21)
Defending Olympic beach volleyball champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh try to confirm their status as "Queens of the Sand" in the women's gold medal final (LIVE ET/CT). They face competition from a Chinese tandem that holds home-court advantage.

12:30a - 2:00a
Women's volleyball semifinal: USA vs. Cuba (LIVE ET/CT). Also, women's platform diving, and the women's hammer throw final.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:19pm

LOL patonus.

My bottom line-I am no longer a fan of the olympics. This season's games has turned me off. I won't be able to watch them in the same way again. I guess I was naive and wanted to believe everything was legit.

I like winter olympics, but I'll watch them for pure entertainment value, as someone else mentioned. I won't take the competition aspect seriously ever again,.

Shame. I feel like a kid who learned there's no Santa Claus. Cynic that I am, I should have known.

[IAMWHATIAM]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:52pm

Wait, whatta ya mean there's no Santa Claus?!

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 6:59pm

"12:30a - 2:00a
Women's volleyball semifinal: USA vs. Cuba (LIVE ET/CT). Also, women's platform diving, and the women's hammer throw final."

So excited for this match! Cuba crushed the US in the preliminary rounds but the women has been playing much differently since.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 8:28pm

Some miscellaneous thoughts tonight on the games...

Has anyone been watching the coverage on Oxygen? I was enjoying the Ring the Bela segments (despite the fact that I don't care for him, LOL), and it finally occured to me tonight that it is the summer version of Push Dick's Button.

Comment on the synchronized swimming duet competition tonight - the Russians won, deservedly. I was really shocked at the poor choices of music used by most of the other teams. Speaking of which, I think I had the same reaction watching the equestrian dressage the other night (the event set to music). I kept thinking they are using tunes that I wouldn't want to dance to, let alone a horse.

I have to say that I enjoy Cynthia Potter's expert commentary in the diving.

And the commercial that makes me chuckle is seeing those sumo wrestlers who float up into the sky.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 8:31pm

I don't know why people are so outraged by the Olympics. They've never been "fair." Remember when all the athletes had to be "amateurs," yet some countries basically "paid" their athletes to be "athletes for the state"? What was fair about that?

Judging scandals, doping scandals, cheating scandals...these are what make the games interesting! It's really like an athletic soap opera starring an international cast!

It's just fun, that's all. I'm not a sports fan, but I LOVE the Olympics. It gives me something to root for since I really couldn't care less if the Philadelphia Flyers beat the the New Jersey Devils. And it's like 100 sports rolled into one huge competition, so it's ever-changing and diverse.

It's THEATRE, guys!

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 8:53pm

"Congratulations on your silver!"
"Die."

I can't wait for Treanor and Walsh to dominate tonight!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:11pm

With BMX postponed due to rain, I'm wondering how NBC plans to fill in that gap of coverage scheduled for tonight.

And hope the rain stays away (as it currently is) so Volleyball can commence.

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:23pm

I basically agree with you Miss. Pennywise. I normally wouldn't bother watching athletic competitions, but The Olympics is as great as anyone could ever make them! It's just fun if you don't take it seriously and I love hearing so many of the incredible stories these athletes have to tell.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:43pm

The "Show Off" Gymnastics Show is sooooo adorably cheezy!!!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:45pm

I take that back.... Nastia just brought some class to the party!

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:49pm

That was some short party!!!

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:49pm

Shannon Miller's 1992 All-Around vaults...
Amazing is the only word.

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 9:53pm

Lady R, I love the stories too.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:03pm

USAIN BOLT IS A FREAKING LIGHTNING FLASH!

He just *smashed* Michael Johnson's World Record.... running into a head-wind!!!

Gold in 200m at 19.30secs (following his Gold in 100m) and he's got 400m right around the corner

The planet's fastest man!!!


THE GOLDEN SHOES HAVE A NEW OWNER!!!

Oh sh*t, Wallace Spierman (USA) was just disqualified for running on the inside-lane, and lost his Bronze.

Ooo and it looks like the Martina (AHO) with Silver ran on a line too (grounds for disqualification).

Which means Shawn Crawford (USA), whom finished 4th, gets Silver and Walter Dix (USA), who finished 5th, has now been awarded the Bronze!

Soooo.... USA gets 2 medals in Mens 200m by default (instead of speed) HaHa Updated On: 8/20/08 at 10:03 PM

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:13pm

Melaine Walker (JAM) is sporting a sexy spikey hair-do like Tamyra Grey as Mimi

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:18pm

I wonder if Nastia's song choice was a subtle nod to her heritage.

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:49pm

^ haha I had the same thought

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:52pm

MISTY AND KERRI...
IN THE RAIN!

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 10:58pm

I never mentioned anyone withdrawing from the games, not attributed that statement to anyone else.

I am actually enjoying the Olympics more this year than I ever have. It is great spectacle.

[CyCoSpAz2]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 11:12pm

"MISTY AND KERRI...
IN THE RAIN!"

And white bathing suits.