Olympic Thread

[CathyCA]

colchar's response is exactly why I love CTN. Many thanks, colchar. I still hope you lose at the Brickyard, tomorrow. ;)

While responding earlier, I caught a link to an interview with US Olympian Michael Johnson, who now does business work in the UK. They asked him how the ceremony would play in the US. I believe he pretty much said no. And I saw links where people wondered why Branagh was playing Abraham Lincoln.

Well, hello? He looked like he was playing Abraham Lincoln. Of course people thought he was playing Abraham Lincoln.

That giant overgrown scary baby was the weirdest part of the show. I don't know what they were trying to do, but if they intended to creep people out, they succeeded.

My favorite part of the show was when the queen parachuted in to the stadium. My favorite scene from the opening ceremony was seeing Grant Hill with Michelle Obama.

[colchar]

colchar's response is exactly why I love CTN. Many thanks, colchar.

Glad to help. Also glad to clarify any questions anyone else might have so fire away folks.

I still hope you lose at the Brickyard, tomorrow. ;)

Did you see how my drivers qualified? I have no doubt that I am going to lose!

While responding earlier, I caught a link to an interview with US Olympian Michael Johnson, who now does business work in the UK. They asked him how the ceremony would play in the US. I believe he pretty much said no. And I saw links where people wondered why Branagh was playing Abraham Lincoln.

I read a comment from an American on a British paper's website last night claiming that the truth was that America had led the Industrial Revolution but that, since it was Britain's party, they could go ahead and fudge the facts a bit. The fuckwit obviously didn't grasp that the Industrial Revolution started 26 years before America became a country!

[colchar]

Well, hello? He looked like he was playing Abraham Lincoln. Of course people thought he was playing Abraham Lincoln.

Brunel was born before and died before Lincoln (although they did live at the same time).

My favorite part of the show was when the queen parachuted in to the stadium.

Sadly, some people believe it was actually her.

My favorite scene from the opening ceremony was seeing Grant Hill with Michelle Obama.

I didn't see Grant and Mrs. Obama was only on for a split second (our coverage focused on the ceremony with very little commentary and it only cut away for commercials). Why would Grant have been with her?

[CathyCA]

My favorite scene from the opening ceremony was seeing Grant Hill with Michelle Obama.

I didn't see Grant and Mrs. Obama was only on for a split second (our coverage focused on the ceremony with very little commentary and it only cut away for commercials). Why would Grant have been with her?

Because Michelle Obama asked him to go to the Olympics with her. He is Grant Hill, after all.

http://sports.chronicleblogs.com/2012/07/26/21080/

[colchar]

My favorite scene from the opening ceremony was seeing Grant Hill with Michelle Obama.

I didn't see Grant and Mrs. Obama was only on for a split second (our coverage focused on the ceremony with very little commentary and it only cut away for commercials). Why would Grant have been with her?

Because Michelle Obama asked him to go to the Olympics with her. He is Grant Hill, after all.

http://sports.chronicleblogs.com/2012/07/26/21080/

I figured it must have something to do with his mother.

[CathyCA]

I just saw DinK's niece, Michelle Beadle, on the Olympics!

[TillyGalore]

I just saw DinK's niece, Michelle Beadle, on the Olympics!

Is she on the main NBC channel or the NBC sports channel? I figured she'd be at the Olympics. Lucky dog!

[colchar]

colchar's response is exactly why I love CTN. Many thanks, colchar. I still hope you lose at the Brickyard, tomorrow. ;)

Now that I am feeling better and am thinking more clearly, I should point out that the cellular phone/modern love story thing was also a tribute to Tim Berners Lee who invented the World Wide Web (ie. his invention made that couple's love story possible). When they raised the house at the end of it, that was him sitting in there at a computer.

Despite feeling better I still sucked at the Brickyard though!

[CathyCA]

I just saw DinK's niece, Michelle Beadle, on the Olympics!

Is she on the main NBC channel or the NBC sports channel? I figured she'd be at the Olympics. Lucky dog!

Michelle was on the main NBC channel. She was doing a social media feature. She is so gregarious--perfect for that position!

[IowaDevil]

Am pretty sure I must've seen her too since I've done nothing all weekend but sit in front of the TV watching everything Olympic NBC offers including sports I never watch any other time except Olympics! I even fist pump and holler - almost as rowdy as DUKE BB! Mr. ID out of town and the dog thinks I'm nuts! Will listen more carefully for the names of the NBC folks to be sure I catch her next time!

[Very Duke Blue]

Here's a link to a picture of Lauren at the opening ceremonies: http://instagram.com/p/Nms7PErN2T/?ref=nf

This is way cool!

[ArkieDukie]

I believe that Jordyn Wieber was robbed. In what other sport is the person with the 4th highest score not allowed to compete for the all-around title, simply because two of her teammates scored higher? That just seems wrong and terribly unfair.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

I believe that Jordyn Wieber was robbed. In what other sport is the person with the 4th highest score not allowed to compete for the all-around title, simply because two of her teammates scored higher? That just seems wrong and terribly unfair.

I agree!!!!! I know there is a rule, about the Top 2 scores from each country advance for the All Around Title. But is seems unfair. The Top Scorers should advance.

Jordyn just had a few bobbles here and there, on first day games. I think she might have stepped out of bounds doing the Floor exercise, which deducts .5 .

I hope Jordyn can just put this behind her, and perform her best for the Individual (Beam, UnEven, Vault, Floor Exercise) and the Team!!! Go Team USA!!

[Lavabe]

Sorry, but Wieber was not robbed. Plain and simple. She knew the rules. She bobbled bad; the American women are very strong, and could take 3 of the top 5, but gymnastics has its rules. Douglas won the Trials, and is consistent. Would love to see two US on the medal stand.
The beam did not help Wieber. Christine Brennan described Wieber as shaky.

Meanwhile, congrats to Raisman, the team captain. Maybe she could beat Douglas?

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Sorry, but Wieber was not robbed. Plain and simple. She knew the rules. She bobbled bad; the American women are very strong, and could take 3 of the top 5, but gymnastics has its rules. Douglas won the Trials, and is consistent. Would love to see two US on the medal stand.
The beam did not help Wieber. Christine Brennan described Wieber as shaky.

Meanwhile, congrats to Raisman, the team captain. Maybe she could beat Douglas?

I agree with Lavabe. She just didn't do as well as her teammates and per the rules, didn't qualify to move on. The best team, or player, doesn't always win, even though she is better than most of the rest of the field.

[windsor]

Sorry, but Wieber was not robbed. Plain and simple. She knew the rules. She bobbled bad; the American women are very strong, and could take 3 of the top 5, but gymnastics has its rules. Douglas won the Trials, and is consistent. Would love to see two US on the medal stand.
The beam did not help Wieber. Christine Brennan described Wieber as shaky.

Meanwhile, congrats to Raisman, the team captain. Maybe she could beat Douglas?

I am 100% in agreement. Those were the rules. You have to deliver the goods on the day. Weiber knew it too...her coach TOLD her how close it was before beam and floor.

[TillyGalore]

I watched the equestrian event on my iPad at work today, or rather I had the equestrian event playing on my iPad while I was working today. I did catch some of it, especially the Queen's granddaughter, Zara Phillips. I'll be watching more from my iPad over the next two weeks.

Hey Bob Costas, Buckingham Palace is the official residence of the Queen, not the royal family.

[ArkieDukie]

Sorry, but Wieber was not robbed. Plain and simple. She knew the rules. She bobbled bad; the American women are very strong, and could take 3 of the top 5, but gymnastics has its rules. Douglas won the Trials, and is consistent. Would love to see two US on the medal stand.
The beam did not help Wieber. Christine Brennan described Wieber as shaky.

Meanwhile, congrats to Raisman, the team captain. Maybe she could beat Douglas?

What I was trying to say is that I think the rule stinks. I've thought the rule was lousy since the late 80s or early 90s when the top Soviet (if I recall correctly) gymnast didn't qualify for the All-Around. The difference was that the USSR coaching team came up with a phantom illness/injury for the person that did qualify - the interloper, so to speak. The replacement was their top gymnast, who didn't qualify based upon the now-infamous rule. She ended up winning a medal. Can't remember for sure which color, but I think it was the gold. In this particular case, the person robbed was the one who had to bow out so that the team's top gymnast could participate in the All-Around finals. She should not have had to do so.

I'm a huge fan of both Raisman and Douglas and would love to see them both with medals, but I will stand by my earlier statement that Wieber should be in the discussion as well - as should the Russian gymnast who came in 9th but can't compete because of the two teammates who placed ahead of her.

[windsor]

Sorry, but Wieber was not robbed. Plain and simple. She knew the rules. She bobbled bad; the American women are very strong, and could take 3 of the top 5, but gymnastics has its rules. Douglas won the Trials, and is consistent. Would love to see two US on the medal stand.
The beam did not help Wieber. Christine Brennan described Wieber as shaky.

Meanwhile, congrats to Raisman, the team captain. Maybe she could beat Douglas?

What I was trying to say is that I think the rule stinks. I've thought the rule was lousy since the late 80s or early 90s when the top Soviet (if I recall correctly) gymnast didn't qualify for the All-Around. The difference was that the USSR coaching team came up with a phantom illness/injury for the person that did qualify - the interloper, so to speak. The replacement was their top gymnast, who didn't qualify based upon the now-infamous rule. She ended up winning a medal. Can't remember for sure which color, but I think it was the gold. In this particular case, the person robbed was the one who had to bow out so that the team's top gymnast could participate in the All-Around finals. She should not have had to do so

I'm a huge fan of both Raisman and Douglas and would love to see them both with medals, but I will stand by my earlier statement that Wieber should be in the discussion as well - as should the Russian gymnast who came in 9th but can't compete because of the two teammates who placed ahead of her.

I understand the sentiment but if you have to finish top two, you finish top two or you sit down. Wieber did not do what she needed to in order to compete in the all around. In a track or swimming heat if the top two advance from each heat - if you happen to run third in your heat but are faster than a top two finisher in another heat that's too bad.

I remember the Russian incident - it was Tatiana Gutsu. Yes, they got the team doctor to say the girl was "injured" and essentially thumbed their nose at the rule. Still, only two competed and I would hope that Marta wouldn't stoop that low.

[ArkieDukie]

Good memory, windsor! It was Tatiana Gutsu. I had to Google to find out that it was the 1992 Olympics. She barely beat Shannon Miller for the All-Around gold medal. I'm with you: I don't think Marta Karolyi is dishonest enough to stoop to the level of the Unified Team coaches in the 1992 incident. I remember feeling really badly for the gymnast who was forced to withdraw due to a "knee injury" so Gutsu could have her spot in the finals.

I didn't think it was only the first two in a particular heat that advanced for swimming and track; I thought there was some consideration made for qualifying times. Are there, maybe, a certain number of slots reserved for those outside the top two in each heat with the fastest times? At-large slots, so to speak?