The Olympics

[R181]

I have become a bit jaded in my view of the Olympics and hope Canada never again hosts them. They are too damn expensive for the public to pay the costs associated with them. Seems at least one other person thinks so too.

JD Tuccille: Olympic Games aren't worth the cost

Bob

 

[Holyzeus]

Been trying to watch where I can but the TV coverage seems pretty awful to me?

 

[Mark12]

I have become a bit jaded in my view of the Olympics and hope Canada never again hosts them. They are too damn expensive for the public to pay the costs associated with them. Seems at least one other person thinks so too.

JD Tuccille: Olympic Games aren't worth the cost

Bob

That’s an interesting article. Many years ago, I remember reading a book called ‘How they stole the game’ about corruption in football (soccer) and what FIFA - the world governing football body - got up to in terms of how much financial ‘stroking’ they got before handing out the World Cup. I don’t follow football anymore but I (personally!) still think they’re a fairly toxic organisation and the way these tournaments are awarded should be much more transparent.

 

[Mark12]

That’s an interesting article. Many years ago, I remember reading a book called ‘How they stole the game’ about corruption in football (soccer) and what FIFA - the world governing football body - got up to in terms of how much financial ‘stroking’ they got before handing out the World Cup. I don’t follow football anymore but I (personally!) still think they’re a fairly toxic organisation and the way these tournaments are awarded should be much more transparent.

As a fan @Tonyschin I would recommend that book. It’s by a guy called David Yallop. Might not be in current print but worth a read.

 

[DesertIguana]

Not a big rah rah fan of the Olympics, it is getting weirder as they add event to the Summer Games, Winter Game are more old school.

 

[Twelvefret]

Watched my 8th grade grandson play his first high school soccer game last evening. He’s being allowed to play up.

At 5’5” 130# he went against some 6 footers. He was dribbling towards the goal and three large competitors converged which resulted him falling, just like happens to Messi! He came out with a busted lip and a free kick. For me, this is what it’s about.

I do appreciate the Olympics and especially track and field.

Didn’t watch the Super Bowl or World Series. Just no in

 

[Gairdner]

Watched my 8th grade grandson play his first high school soccer game last evening. He’s being allowed to play up.

At 5’5” 130# he went against some 6 footers. He was dribbling towards the goal and three large competitors converged which resulted him falling, just like happens to Messi! He came out with a busted lip and a free kick. For me, this is what it’s about.

I do appreciate the Olympics and especially track and field.

Didn’t watch the Super Bowl or World Series. Just no in

It’s nae soccer, it’s fitba’!

 

[Paper Plane]

The Summer Olympics leave me cold, no interest at all.

However, I have watched/am watching quite a bit of the Winter. Particularly taken with curling and seeing the ski jumping nutters. The bobsleigh events are also exciting. Ice hockey is, er, fast and most definitely a contact sport!

steve

 

[Driftwood]

I like the Winter Olympics, especially the biathlon and hockey

 

[Twelvefret]

It’s nae soccer, it’s fitba’!

I am still trying to learn the vernacular. So far, I say match rather than game.

 

[Gairdner]

I usually say match but it’s a game o’ fitba’ a’ the same. Pronunciation guide: o’ = oh; fitba’ = fitbaw; a’ = aw.

 

[Paper Plane]

I’m enjoying the excitement of the ice hockey although the rules are a mystery to me.

There are these massive squads of players but only 6 on the ice. Why so many subs?

steve

 

[Smiffy]

Everyone seems to be enjoying the curling.

Looking forward to a mash up of curling and downhill slalom, that will sort the wheat from the chaff.

 

[purerockfury]

we are a fan of curling

I’m enjoying the excitement of the ice hockey although the rules are a mystery to me.

There are these massive squads of players but only 6 on the ice. Why so many subs?

steve

ever been ice skating... it wears out your legs... your standing and skating on 1/4"(6mm) thick blades that are "honed" through the center so the skate can grip and slide on the ice...

a shift is what 5 of the players do the other player is the goalie... in general players typically play for 30sec to 60sec and a shift happens... they get "worn out" in that time so they take a break till they go in for their next shift... the three by the center line for face-offs are offensive players (left-wing center right-wing) and do more "skating" so their shifts are shorter than the 2 defensive players...

we played hockey in different leagues... on foot, roller-blades and ice skates...

 

[Driftwood]

Ice hockey is one of, if not the fastest of all team sports, it's heavy going and non stop for the full 3x20 minuets of the game. Therefore essential that players are rested and lines are changed continuously. There are four lines and the starting line up are the A team