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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2014 19:25:52 GMT
I have nothing to say about this event yet, or perhaps I prefer to refrain from giving my first thoughts at the moment because I really have not made an appropriate study of all of the elements concerning this affair, but it seems like a thread should be opened to talk about it. The fact that twice as much has been spent already than on the Beijing Olympics, which were a bigger event and already not exactly cheap, and something like 35 times the cost of the previous Winter Olympics in Vancouver could already be considered somewhat shocking. But if we assume that Russia is a rich country and wants to develop undeveloped areas, we can applaud the use of the money.  Well, all of that is water under the bridge and now we just have to hope that the weather turns cold. Apparently it is much too warm at the moment and even though I am certain that the budget for snow cannons is sufficient to cover all of the necessary slopes, it will be both sad and ridiculous if that is the only snow on view in the region. I imagine that we will be scandalized about quite a few little details regarding what is going to happen, but I still hope that most of what we say will be about outstanding performances or a tragic lack of luck from time to time. |
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Post by tod2 on Feb 4, 2014 18:22:46 GMT
I am looking forward to these games immensely. I just know that with all that security no one should even think of messing with Putan's cronies.
I hope all the athletes are feeling on top of the world and perform beyond all expectations.
Good luck to all!
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Post by tetsyd on Feb 4, 2014 18:34:33 GMT
An Austrian athlete received a kidnap threat today.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 16:49:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2014 7:29:21 GMT
With the first events starting today, now we will really see how things pan out. Frankly, I think it is a bit unfair to bash Russia on this subject alone, since there are so many other aspect of the country to criticise. And we certainly let China off easily, not to mention other big countries that apply the death penalty with free abandon.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 0:52:01 GMT
Oh I didn't realize there was already a thread about the games. I'll delete the other one then. So here are the latest scores: (totals so far last row): 1 NOR 4 3 4 112 CAN 4 3 2 93 GER 4 1 0 54 NED 3 2 3 85 USA 2 1 4 7*very proud of Canada* Link: www.sochi2014.com/enAround me I am meeting Canadians with big smiles on their faces. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 19:00:48 GMT
While the organizers have put tremendous effort and mountains of money into these games, more and more specialists are wondering if a lot of the competition should even be validated. It is 17°C in Sochi and no amount of artificial snow can create authentic conditions. They are doing what they can, but it is really sad to see such artificial games.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 19:14:22 GMT
I think the winter games are going the way of the dodo. In a few years' time, with climate change, only a handful of places on the planet will be able to host. Not a tremendous loss, I must admit. Although the Olympics were mildly interesting when I was a kid, now all I can see are the political, economic and social ramifications, and it gets me depressed. So no, I'm not a supporter.
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Post by mich64 on Feb 13, 2014 0:46:58 GMT
I am a sport addict. Besides baseball and basketball, I will watch almost any sporting event. So yes, I am watching the Olympics with great enjoyment.
However, I do agree with Lizzy that there are political, economic and social ramifications that have overtaken the spirit of the Games that as an adult make me feel guilty for consuming the product. It is evident that all decisions made are about money. Beginning with who wins the bid to host the Games and then in many cases, how the host Country abuses the populations income tax contributions to pay for it.
A few favorite moments so far, the Russian Ladies Figure skater, AMAZING! The women's downhill ski race today ending in a tie for gold for Slovenia and Switzerland. Canadian 1000m speed skater that gave up his spot to race to his team mate and then watching his excitement in watching him win a silver medal. The coach who went out and helped a Russian skier when his ski broke in half, he brought him a replacement, helped him into it and then the Russian crowd applauding his determination to finish the race. So many examples of excellent athletic abilities and amazing sportsmanship.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2014 20:39:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2014 18:31:24 GMT
There was a minor tragedy for France today because Martin Fourcade, who already won 2 gold medals for that weird biathlon stuff (why is shooting a gun part of the Olympics?) only got a silver medal for his 3rd event. He was sick as a dog, so only losing to Norway by 3cm was already a great exploit, but it is always sad to see a national hero so depressed. He was hoping to equal Jean-Claude Killy's 3 gold medals at the Grenoble Olympics, but it just didn't happen.
I am happy to see that it is actually snowing in certain areas of the Sochi games, because I was really tired of all of that fake snow.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 15:23:52 GMT
Shame about them culling the stray dog population so they wouldn't make the street look untidy. It seems to happen every time the Olympics are held.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 19:37:46 GMT
Here are the medals as of today.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 19:10:47 GMT
The Ukrainian athletes, for obvious reasons, have decided to leave Sochi tonight.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 22:43:26 GMT
Would someone please explain to me the appeal of sitting and watching Curling? In my former days of dabbling/"experimenting" with alternative mind altering substances, I could perhaps enjoy it, however, I have never seen a more inane, boring "sport".
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 22:47:41 GMT
OK, you live in Scotland. It's the dead of winter, and you're surrounded by nothing but rock. And don't forget the whiskey.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 22:48:57 GMT
My principal perplexity has always been the biathlon. Skiing and shooting?
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Post by questa on Feb 20, 2014 23:22:34 GMT
K2...all sports were designed to increase prowess among the warriors. How well the javelin (spear) was thrown or can this high wall be jumped over. Shooting features in the summer Olympics. In Snowy countries it was important the warriors could cover ground quickly and shoot accurately...hence the bi-athlon.
Shotput derived from the sailors in the old days who would put ashore to get water etc. The would carry a few cannon balls (shots) and have competitions to see how far they could 'put' it, as opposed to 'throw' it.
The various dances called 'sailors hornpipes' were actually exercise routines set to the piping of the horns used aboard.
On a ship of the day there would have been a lot of sitting around, so the Admiralty ordered the men to do these workouts to maintain fitness.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 23:29:44 GMT
OK, you live in Scotland. It's the dead of winter, and you're surrounded by nothing but rock. And don't forget the whiskey. Hahahahhaha!!! I read this to my husband, and we got a great chuckle out of it. We had both watched one of the events a couple of days ago and without any whiskey or other "enhancements" , just could not stop giggling, muttering WTF? You nailed it. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 23:56:21 GMT
My father's wife loved to curling, and my father would dutifully sit in the freezing rink and watch. I suspect that it's far more a participants' game than a spectator sport. Now that she's gone, my Dad still watches curling at the Olympics, out of nostalgia, I suspect.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 13:11:38 GMT
I never had even heard of curling until just a few years ago and it wasn't until watching the Winter Olympics did I actually see it "in action".
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Post by mich64 on Feb 21, 2014 15:24:27 GMT
We were up at 7:00 a.m. to watch the Gold medal game! We were raised watching this sport. I can understand how it would be boring to watch and even after all these years watching we are still learning when it is a good throw. We hope to travel someday to watch when the World Championships are in the UK.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 15:36:43 GMT
Trust me Mich, I don't mean to be disrespectful of the sport. It's just something I was never familiar with even though I grew up in the NE.
I'm sure if I had been more exposed to it as you have been I could better appreciate it.
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Post by fumobici on Feb 21, 2014 18:49:59 GMT
I used to watch curling on Canadian TV when there were only 3 or 4 channels to air. I rather enjoy watching, even if it is short on "action". The basic premise of bowling or sliding an object down a course towards a target to score points is one that has withstood the test of time well. Of course being in my twenties at the time I was a huge fan of the Norwegian women's rinks.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 19:06:29 GMT
Nobody in France who has ever played pétanque will laugh at this sport.
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Post by mich64 on Feb 21, 2014 19:50:08 GMT
Did not read a hint of disrespect Casi. There are many sports that I am not familiar with and wonder about too.
We will have to get up early again on Sunday morning as our men's hockey team will be playing in the gold medal game!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 15:18:21 GMT
Congratulations Team Canada on your GOLD medal in men's hockey over Sweden!! Well done!!!
I am curious though as to what hockey fans feelings are about putting your country's best players in a competition in the middle of the regular NHL season?
(where all the big money is).
A player from the NY Islanders was injured during an Olympic game and is now out for the rest of the season.
I understand the prestige of the Olympics but it seems so risky to jeopardize the players for the remainder of the season.
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Post by mich64 on Feb 23, 2014 17:18:28 GMT
It was a great early morning for Canadians! From coast to coast many Canadians woke early (4:00 a.m. in British Columbia!) to watch the gold medal hockey game. I am sure there was a lot of Bailey's in some coffee cups!
This may be the last Olympics for NHL hockey players as the team owner's seem to be coming to a majority decision to not agree to release players from their contracts and to take a 3 week break from their league schedule. This is understandable, it is a business. Countries will have to go back to developing national programs and I think it will interesting to watch. We have a lot of excellent hockey players that do no make it into the NHL because they are competing against players from all over the world who want to play here too so I think we could make up a pretty good team.
See you all in 4 years in South Korea!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 17:41:52 GMT
I can hear the cheering from here! Yay.  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2014 18:04:01 GMT
For Casimira and Mich (but not for lagatta):
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