THE OLYMPICS: Official Thread of All-Things Games! (Sportsmanship Required)- Page 6

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 3:45pm

Spitz, once the star, upset over Beijing snub

HONG KONG (AFP) - US swim legend Mark Spitz won't be on hand in Beijing if Michael Phelps breaks his record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics—because, he says, no one bothered to invite him.
Full article

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:12pm

He said nobody goes to the Olympics just to go. Then why do they go?! I can kind of see him being upset if other olympians have been invited in the past and he hasn't. But maybe, for some reason, they don't want him there.

[LaurenB]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:45pm

Spitz has always been a cocky son of a gun. So I can't believe I am saying this, LOL... I actually do feel sorry for him.

He is part of the story. His name is being mentioned every time Phelps' name is mentioned, and no one invited him to the party? He's alive and kicking. How wonderful it would have been to see him hang that 8th medal on Michael's neck, and to see them interviewed side by side. Two huge Olympic greats. That would have been a great story!

Sure, he's not nearly as humble or gracious as Michael. But dang, I kept thinking, "Where the heck is Spitz?" Surely, someone, including NBC sports, could have sent him a plane ticket and paid for a few days at a hotel.

(I can't believe I'm defending a cocky, conceited, self-centered son of a gun, LOL.)

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:52pm

I don't know much about him, and then I read his comments regarding this situation, and I don't care to know much more about him.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 4:56pm

I have no desire to see a pathetic sore loser like Spitz dampen Phelps' accomplishments. If I want to see pathetic sore losers, the political threads here are sufficient.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 5:00pm

He's trying to make it all about him, not Phelps. He seems to desperately want to hang on to the spotlight because he knows in about ten days he's not ever going to be mentioned again.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:47pm

I am watching the evening news on ABC (National). I think it is very exciting that Phelps may win 8 medals. But the report on the relay last night was pretty much about him. That his team worked to get him to those 8 medals. And I am sitting here thinking, oh, forget that the rest of the team wanted to win this and there was no mention of what the French team said prior to the race. I am sure they had Phelps in mind but my thought is that they were more intent on winning that relay because of what the French team said about smashing the US team. Phelps is great, no doubt, but he didn't do it alone last night and I feel the rest of the team should have gotten a little more credit in the piece I just saw. Just my thoughts.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 7:58pm

That's the media, though. If you listen to Phelps, he's incredibly humble and spoke very highly of Lezak (the main reason the team won the gold).

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:01pm

Yes. I was just commenting on the media. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

[DayDreamer]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:15pm

During last night's coverage, they made it very clear that it was a team effort, and the Phelps has never made it about his win.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:19pm

Something I have admired about Phelps.

Another great evening of competition awaits. I remain GLUED to the Games!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:30pm

As I don't have any particular favorites in most of the sports here, I find myself getting very excited no matter who wins.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:37pm

And, I love the medal ceremonies. The national pride!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:55pm

Michael Phelps you can have some of my calories!!

Madbrian, I take it you didn't see the piece on how many calories a day Michael consumes.

Updated On: 8/11/08 at 08:55 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 8:59pm

Dr. Freud...paging Dr. Freud.

[uncageg]

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

DayDreamer, I saw it last night and, yes, it was all about the team effort. I was just commenting on the way the national news presented it. I think we can all tell that those guys are a team and think as a team.

They are just coming on here, going to pop some popcorn and settle in. Will check in throughout the evening.

BTW, Thanks for starting this thread Eug. I have enjoyed reading the posts and posting here.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 10:41pm

Another excellent night of swimming!!!


****SPOILER****




Can you count to 1, 2, 3?
So can the US swimming team!!!!

Phelps takes his 3rd gold in Mens 200m freestyle, with US also on the bronze spot.
Coughlin takes her gold in Womens 100m freestyle, with US also on the bronze
Piersol takes his 2nd gold in 100m backstroke, with Grevers (US) on the silver
Soni takes her silver in Womens 100m breastroke

7 medals in 4 finals!

Things to take note....
The Water Cube has heard "Oh Say Can You See" soooo many times
At 10:42pm EST, look at the AMAZING extreme-close-up camera shots of Michael Phelps' gorgeous brown eyes as he's standing on the podium.
And watch how adorable it is when he hands his bouquet to his sister. Can you tell I love him?
Look how gargantuan Grevers is (6'8") when standing out of the water

****END SPOILER****



Enjoy tuning-in tonight, you guys! And I'm looking forward to some chats tonight...

Updated On: 8/11/08 at 10:41 PM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 10:44pm

Three finals, three golds, one silver, two bronze. Not bad. One more final tonight.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 10:52pm

Amazing performances by the US swimmers!

[shira467]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 10:55pm

Phelps eats 10,000 calories a day. Um, if I did that, I'd gain almost 3 lbs a DAY.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 10:59pm

Great night thus far! 2016 will be sweet in Chicago!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:03pm

shira467: I LOVED that short featurette about Phelps "Eat Sleep Swim"... those meals!!! Those calories!!! And that puppy face!!!

brdlwyr: Chicago hasn't been confirmed, has it? No... don't count our chickens!! (though that would effin rock)
Updated On: 8/11/08 at 11:03 PM

[EugLoven]

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

LLOOOOOVVVVEEEE LISTENING TO THE COMMENTATORS!!!

Especially in CHN Men's Gymnastics (approx 11:02pm EST) when #122 Cheng Yibing (scores 16.575 on Rings) performs.... un-f*ckin-believable the things these human bodies can do!!!

Slow-motion video of his Rings routine... those shoulders! The muscles! The absolute endurance and strength!!!

I MEAN SERIOUSLY WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?!?!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:09pm

Mayor Daley will get it done in China! We have a great chance. Rio is competition.

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/11/08 at 11:10pm

I'm a little surprised that Phelps (or anyone) is doing two races in one night, right after each other. Aren't they exhausted and spent after the first race?