Olympics - News

CC21 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 08:32 AM

Anyone watching the Olympics? We missed the opening ceremonies. I was kinda bummed about that. But, we've been watching every minutes of it since then.

Did you watch the men's 4x100 swimming relay last night? It was awesome!! Incase you didn't we beat France (who had been trash talking about how they were going to "smash" us) by .08 of a second!

heather6773 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 08:59 AM

I've been watching. The guy who carried the flag in for our country lives in the town about 1/2 hour from us. He is being very supported. He is one of the " Lost Boys". We have been following very close. I have especially been following the swimming...IN YOUR FACE FRANCE!!!! hahahaha

(BEIJING, August 11)-- In one of the all-time great relay swims, the United States overhauled the French team in the shadows of the finish line to complete a stunning Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay win on Monday, smashing the world record by nearly four seconds in the process.

The US team of Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak proved unstoppable, with Lezak producing a superb anchor leg to reel in Alain Bernard of France and give the US a victory by 0.08 seconds in 3min 08.24sec. Australia took Bronze in 3:09.91.

The world record set by the US on Saturday was smashed by the Americans again - by a stunning 3.99 seconds - and the first five finishers in the final (United States, France, Australia, Italy and Sweden) all went under the old world record.

The US and Australia went head-to-head for the first 200m, with France further back. France's Frederick Bousquet slipped past the Australians in the third leg to challenge for the lead. Lezak went into the final leg well behind Bernard, with the Frenchman holding a comfortable lead, but then Lezak began to haul in a fading Bernard over the final 30m. With both men lunging for the line, Lezak just touched out Bernard to give the US gold.

Sexy Strawberry · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 10:18 AM

I've been watching, right now Spain (with Rafa Nadal) is playing tennis, since he's the best tennis player right now I guess we will win the gold medal. Spain has won one gold medal, in cycling, and a bronze medal so far. In basketball we're supposed to win the gold medal too.

I am not really into sports, but I love those sports that have to do with water, so I try to watch swimming, and especially synchronized swimming (don't know when it will take place though). Oh and gymnastics, I love that too

PS: The opening was awesome! I didn't watch the whole opening though!

heather6773 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sexy Strawberry

I've been watching, right now Spain (with Rafa Nadal) is playing tennis, since he's the best tennis player right now I guess we will win the gold medal. Spain has won one gold medal, in cycling, and a bronze medal so far. In basketball we're supposed to win the gold medal too.

I am not really into sports, but I love those sports that have to do with water, so I try to watch swimming, and especially synchronized swimming (don't know when it will take place though). Oh and gymnastics, I love that too

PS: The opening was awesome! I didn't watch the whole opening though!

I like the water sports too Maria. I love the diving the best I think. Its so much fun. Good Luck to Spain!!!

Csara · #5 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 02:43 PM

The opening ceremonies were amazing!!!! I was so impressed.

Haven't really watched any of the sports yet, but I, too, love the diving and gymnastics!

IUgrad02 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 09:50 PM

I'm totally watching. We're obsessed. We watch ALL swimming -- hubby is an insane fan, and I like it too. Right now, we're watching gymnastics. Jon Horton is pretty amazing. Justin Spring too!

meliz · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 04:41 AM

We're watching too. I still do not think that they should ever have been held in China-- it's human rights improvements are such a farce. I heard a news story today about how people can "apply" to demonstrate- suprise, surprise, the submission of an application has gotten the would-be demonstrators roughed up and arrested. Oh, and surprise surprise, no right to demonstrate has been permitted. Not one. China's government sucks and should not have been rewarded. Here endeth the rant.

That said, the Olympics are still the Olympics and we are watching quite alot. It is very cool to see China and realize how amazing and diverse the country is (maybe my above statement is wrong-- maybe it will be good for human rights to see the nation? Not totally sure on this yet). Anyway, a guy from my hub's hometown (friend of his bro's) is a swimmer...and a girl I knew from way back when is a rower, so its really cool to actually know people. Sadly, I think the story for Canada will be "what went wrong" and "why can't Canada compete internationally"-- so far no medals for a Canuck, though "they" say our strong sports have yet to happen yet. When Canada is not up for something. I have been rooting for the underdog. Love a good upset and to see low ranked/discounted athletes pull off their dreams...

Sexy Strawberry · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 04:44 AM

Thanks Heather, although I think this time Spain doesn't have many chances... I dunno...

meliz · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 12:58 PM

Did you hear about the little girl in the red dress who sang at the opening ceremonies? She was lipsyncing because the real singer, another little girl, was deemed not cute enough for TV. Boo hiss.

Csara · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 01:33 PM

Bizarre!! Can you imagine how the "not so cute" girl felt?? Also, the one who didn't have a good enough voice, but she "looks cute" so let's put her on tv. Yeah, great message that sends to both of them......and all the other kids watching.

Sexy Strawberry · #11 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 02:01 PM

Oh I didn't know that was lip sync, because I heard the "not so cute girl" couldn't perform because she had no front teeth, but I thought that would affect her pronounciation...

But the one who sang was cute, I found her funny because she was smiling sooo happy (who wouldn't be happy in her situation

)

heather6773 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meliz

Did you hear about the little girl in the red dress who sang at the opening ceremonies? She was lipsyncing because the real singer, another little girl, was deemed not cute enough for TV. Boo hiss.

oh thats just pathetic!!! I hope Maria is right and its because of her missing teeth.

rdy2rac with · #13 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 05:48 PM

I've been watching. We've always watched in my family since I was a kid (especially the gymnastics & skating in winter).

I was going to go to bed early last night (wasn't feeling well) but ended up staying up until after 1 AM watching the men's gymnastic team competition. It was so great, everyone thought they didn't have a chance to get anyplace but they went into the last round in second & ended up in 3rd (bronze). The excitement on their faces was awesome.

Of course I have also been watching swimming, diving, beach volleyball and just caught some equestrian.

meliz · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 05:12 AM

Oh, and the really cool footprint fireworks? Faked!

On the upside,the kid from hub's hometown won his heat in the semis and is a medal contender. Brown's suddenly a medal hopeful

CC21 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 09:05 AM

I heard yesterday that the reason the little girl didn't get to be on TV was because she is buck-toothed. Dumb whatever the reason.

We watched more last night. The women's gymnastics team fell apart. I don't know what their final placement was. Can't wait to see Phelps swim some more.