Olympics
 

In the spirit of getting ready for the big games happening up there in China - time to get a thread going.

Talk of politics and economics and environment - leave over in world.

Here it's about performances - of which there's bound to be quite a few top ones. Assisted and/or unassisted remains to be seen.

Here's a superb athlete for starters.

Those of you with questions about your hetrosexuality might want to look away. ;)

Alexei Nemov Montage

Add your own top sport clips.

Re: Olympics
 

I'll add clips after the gold medal game in basketball ;)

I'm really looking forward to this...haven't read up on how the TV coverage will be out here and I'll get in trouble at work if I have it streaming all day but I'm excited for just about every event.

Re: Olympics
 

the BBC here are showing over 2700hrs of events, so we should be ok in the UK

i love the fact they scheduled the games to start at 8:08 on 08/08/08

8 is the luckiest number in China - its a good year to have the games...

Re: Olympics
 

Ahh - the old Le Bron and Dwayne Wade "We guarantee gold" routine. Fuck yeah!! ;)

Of course - ignoring the Team USA's recent performances in international FIBA rules basketball is always useful.

It's been a long time since the Dream Team.

In NZ's corner - once again we'll be relying our rowers and people sitting down (horses mainly, but a few yachts) to win us some medals. Sitting down and/or going backwards is how we usually win some.

Valerie Vili is in a good position to take the gold in female shotput. I think we've got a few other good hopes in the triathalon.

2700 hours? That's bonkers.

I'm not real excited about it all yet - this one - more than more recent ones - really reeks of trying extra hard to be what it's not. We all know China's got major issues - and all the efforts to put together the perfect games - seem to serve only to enhance those issues. Which is ironic considering all the effort.

But this thread is not for that - it's for the sports. Apologies for the off topic

Re: Olympics
 

Yeah, Chuck, take that garbage over to World/2, will ya? ;)

The basketball gold is a three-horse race; the Spanish, the Greeks, and the Americans. Now that the team has been together for three years, for the most part, I think they'll have built the synergy needed to get past the tougher teams. Playing together for a long time is a benefit the other countries around the world have had against us until now. The only issue for team USA appears to be the lack of big men...we only have Howard.

I think, other than basketball, I'm most looking forward to everything track and field, especially the long distance running.

Re: Olympics
 

The only medals team GB will win are the ones made chocolate.

Re: Olympics
 

not so; we've high hopes in sailing, arching, punching and track cycling!

Re: Olympics
 

sorry. won't happen again. not in this thread anyways.

Not so - I think the FIBA rules reward quick hands, solid passing and quality team defense. It's not always necessary to have a big inside guy - ala Shaq.

Admittedly China have a really big guy in the form of Yao Ming - but the other teams you've mentioned don't have any monsters who dominate the paint.

I think Argentina will also be a strong team to watch for in the mens competition.

In the womens basketball tournament - I'm looking forward to seeing how the NZ team go - but I can't see anyone getting past the US or Australian sides for the final. The NZ team, the Tall Ferns, have two former Stanford players in their squad - so we'll be hoping for some "Fuck Yeah!" in our side as well. :D

Re: Olympics
 

Speaking of favourite Olympians - up there with Eddie the Eagle, and then Eric the Eel, how about this guy

Reese Hoffa.

Turkey leg chowing, mask wearing, shot-putting fool.

But a contender - so you got to have some respect.

I also like the way TVNZ - our national broadcaster allows their reporters to write "shit" in their newsposts.

Quality.

Re: Olympics
 

i agree - we ae the only team entered in ALL track cycling events, and at the world champs we won 8 out of 10 gold medals - so cycling will bring us golds for sure... i predict at least 6