2008 Beijing Olympic Games

[JohnBM01]

My final action for this early morning will be the USA vs. Japan. It's heading into the 44th minute as the U.S. leads 1-0 over Japan. I think the Chinese want the U.S. to win even with the China/Japan rivalry.

 

[JohnBM01]

Alright... it's 5:00 AM CDT here, and I'm getting pretty tired. I'm going to call it a night and hope for the best for my American Olympic athletes.

 

[Omnis]

Is it just me or are all the announcers on NBC ethnocentric jerks?

 

[Studentdriver]

Wow. Just watched a great comeback by the US women's volleyball team against Japan in the 4th game to win the match.

 

[YSSMAN]

The volleyball was amazing, a really good match altogether.

===

They started the cycling a little while ago, but they've switched to rowing. I used to do road-racing like that, so I love watching that kind of coverage. I was shocked that those two guys took off so early, and furthermore, that the Chinese guy decided to lead out the main pack for that long so early in the race. At least for me, I'd be hanging out in the center of the pack.

 

[TB]

Why did the announcers sound surprised that women's beach volleyball is one of the most popular sports?

 

[Sharky.]

Mali ran the Tall Ferns (women's bball team) WAY too close for comfort... hell, we put up something like 17 3s, and only made three! That's throwing away points, right there.

Our rowers are on fire, five wins and a second from the six heats Drysdale smoked the competition in the men's single sculls and the twins really surprising everyone with a easy win in the women's double sculls and proving all the people doubting that they are medal contenders wrong

 

[Only_in_f1]

Phelps has started his quest on the haul for 8 (EIGHT!) Golds.

Edit: He's got 1 in a World Record time. Beat it by 1.4 seconds


That's 2 of 17 swims (I couldnt think of a better word) that he will swim in these 8 days and he will swim 37 miles in rounds, warm ups and warm downs in them 8 days.

8 Medals in 8 Days Can he do it?

Edit v1.1 : Park wins in the pool. Getting some great shots of George Bush with his American flag... he looks like a kid on Christmas day.

 

[Sharky.]

Phelps with gold and a new world record in the 400 IM.

edit: ah, you edited that into the middle of your post, so I missed it...

 

[JohnBM01]

How about a standing ovation for Mr. Michael Phelps on getting ANOTHER gold medal to compliment his world record. He's a gold medal-winning machine in those waters. Incredible... which I CAN'T say, however, for the USA Women's Basketball team for losing by 40 to the Czech Republic in a 97-57 beatdown. I didn't know there are better women's basketball teams besides the United States (not to overrate the US women). Then again, not many people know/care about women's basketball except those who follow women's hoops.

 

[Omnis]

How about a standing ovation for Mr. Michael Phelps on getting ANOTHER gold medal to compliment his world record. He's a gold medal-winning machine in those waters. Incredible... which I CAN'T say, however, for the USA Women's Basketball team for losing by 40 to the Czech Republic in a 97-57 beatdown. I didn't know there are better women's basketball teams besides the United States (not to overrate the US women). Then again, not many people know/care about women's basketball except those who follow women's hoops.

Dude, basketball is huge in Europe. I'm not surprised that our women got a beatdown.

 

[Vasco]

BMX is on at these times:

Wednesday 20th - Cycling - Women's BMX, Men's Quarter Finals: Channel 7 11:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday 21st - Cycling - Men's/Women's BMX Final: Channel 7 11:00am - 6:00pm

Oh, how embarrassing yet good at the same time.

 

[Omnis]

The Star Spangled Banner, chopped and screwed remix courtesy of China:

 

[Aremburgkerve]

Congratulations must be in order to Nicole Cooke, the first British gold medallist! Won the woman's road race in the last 500 metres in a thriliing finish, a fantastic achievment in the pouring rain. I still can't fathom HOW they muster the energy for a sprint finish after 3 and a half hours of biking, they must have immense strength. Hope this is the first of many for Team GB! 👍

Joe

 

[ExigeEvan]

Trust a Welsh gal to win a bike race in the rain 👍

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Argh! I was totally looking forward to the diving yesterday, but Channel Seven - one of the few broadcasters to have the rights to the games - instead decided to show a AFL match. I'd understand it if the game was a big one, like the finals, but it was just a tier match!

What the hell are they playing at?

 

[Matt R]

Is there anyplace on the net where I can watch a full video of the opening ceremony? I missed it on television because I was at the Airport when it began. I can't find a thing.

 

[YSSMAN]

Is there anyplace on the net where I can watch a full video of the opening ceremony? I missed it on television because I was at the Airport when it began. I can't find a thing.

The NBC Olympics website has full coverage of everything. Go to "VIDEO" on the top bar, select "NBC Encore," and then view "Opening Ceremony Sights and Sounds." That's 52 minutes of the show, as seen on TV. I just re-watched it, my God, it was amazing.

I still can't fathom HOW they muster the energy for a sprint finish after 3 and a half hours of biking, they must have immense strength.

As someone who used to race bikes, I can tell you its easier than you think. That is of course, if you've trained for it. Its more about endurance and "saving yourself" for the end of the race. My strong point was always on the time trials, not the hill-climbs, but I could usually make a decent effort at the end. Considering that you can see sprints there that top 40 MPH (my teammates used to hit 42 MPH), a lot of work goes into it. Just as a side-note, my fastest sprint was just above 35 MPH, and I thought I was going to die after doing it.

 

[Only_in_f1]

As someone who used to race bikes, I can tell you its easier than you think. That is of course, if you've trained for it. Its more about endurance and "saving yourself" for the end of the race. My strong point was always on the time trials, not the hill-climbs, but I could usually make a decent effort at the end. Considering that you can see sprints there that top 40 MPH (my teammates used to hit 42 MPH), a lot of work goes into it. Just as a side-note, my fastest sprint was just above 35 MPH, and I thought I was going to die after doing it.

I guess adrenaline helps. To think your so far away from a medal or a good position after all this time I guess your body just goes for it.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

As someone who used to race bikes, I can tell you its easier than you think. That is of course, if you've trained for it. Its more about endurance and "saving yourself" for the end of the race. My strong point was always on the time trials, not the hill-climbs, but I could usually make a decent effort at the end. Considering that you can see sprints there that top 40 MPH (my teammates used to hit 42 MPH), a lot of work goes into it. Just as a side-note, my fastest sprint was just above 35 MPH, and I thought I was going to die after doing it.

My brother is a bit like that. He's big on cycling, too, and while he's not much of a sprinter, he just wears you down in time trials and longer stages because he can just go for so damn long at such a constant pace. I seriously think he's got it in him to qualify for the Olympics, if not in London for 2012, then for 2016. Assuming, of course, that he keeps it up.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

That was an impressive swim by the US. Smash them my buttocks. Kiss my cheeks France.

 

[Omnis]

Jam!!!!!!!!!!

Eat it, france!

 

[Earth]

which I CAN'T say, however, for the USA Women's Basketball team for losing by 40 to the Czech Republic in a 97-57 beatdown. I didn't know there are better women's basketball teams besides the United States (not to overrate the US women). Then again, not many people know/care about women's basketball except those who follow women's hoops.

The moment I read this I knew you must have gotten the scores mixed up. Theres no way a USA basketball team, male or female, would lose by 40 to anyone

USA won by 40 97-57 over the Czech Republic, I guess you just got the numbers mixed up. You gave me a big scare, even though I did actually watch a few minutes of the game.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/basketball/news/newsid=190200.html#you+against+world

I'm enjoying this olympics so far, but I can't wait for track and field to start. I'm tired of swimming already

 

[OZZYGT]

I just witnessed the greatest relay race of all time... Hands down to Jason Lezak and everyone else on the team.

 

[YSSMAN]

Assuming, of course, that he keeps it up.

That's the key. I rode fairly consistently for three years and was in good shape to be on a semi-pro team (likely as a sacrifice rider, one to block the wind and "pull" the team in certain areas), but as soon as my school team days ended, I essentially stopped riding... My performance has dropped off significantly. I'm still better than most people, but I couldn't hold a candle to those who I used to race with.

====

Has anyone tried watching the coverage LIVE on NBC's internet thing?

I'm watching the Nadal tennis match, I'm freaking out because I don't have announcers and I'm having a harder time following it.

 

[Jordan]

Yes, the live coverage via NBC's website is fantastic. And the men's relay race tonight was amazing!

 

[Omnis]

Has anyone tried watching the coverage LIVE on NBC's internet thing?

I'm watching the Nadal tennis match, I'm freaking out because I don't have announcers and I'm having a harder time following it.

Yeah, it's great and I love not having announcers or commercials.

 

[YSSMAN]

Federererererererererererererer is playing right now. I'm crossing my fingers that we'll see a match between him and Nadal for the Gold. I don't think women's tennis has started yet, but I'm very interested in how well Venus Williams will do. For that matter, if she'll be wearing the equipment we sell in our store...

 

[JohnBM01]

Mr. Phelps added another gold medal to his collection. If he sweeps all swimming competitions in the Beijing Games, he'll be a certifiable Olympics Hall of Famer (as if he isn't already). This dude is damned good.

 

[Touring Mars]

And the men's relay race tonight was amazing!

Indeed, it was a phenomenal performance 👍

And Britain got another gold today - Adlington paced herself perfectly and produced a fantastic final 50m to snatch the gold from the US! GB also finished third in the same race...