The swimming has been fantastic to be sure. But I loved the Belgium-Italy soccer match today. A man down against a strongly favored side, belgium played their hearts out to win. Wonderful stuff.
This isn’t really a fair question because we are the ultimate Olympic groupies. Since swimming is a BIG DEAL in this household- definitely Michael Phelps’ win last night (100 fly) and the 4×100 men’s free relay with the anchor leg of all time. When Phelps out touched for the win, our 10 yo son burst into tears, dropped to his knees and thanked the Lord over and over again. Looking forward to the medley relay tonight. Have also enjoyed following Fabian Cancellara & Levi Leipheimer & Kristin Armstrong in the Cycling Time Trial. The medal ceremonies there with the Great Wall in the background are stunning. Kendall, I presume you have been watching equestrian?
the freestyle relay where Jason Lezak chased down the world recordholder Frenchman (started a full body length behind) who had predicted they would crush the Americans.
Dara Torres making sure the Swedish swimmer in the lane adjacent was able to fix a problem with her torn LZR swimsuit and avoid disqualification (before Torres won that semifinal race).
Falun Gong??
I enjoyed your story, Trimom.
Yesterday’s Wall St. Journal (8/15) has a good front-page piece on the Int’l Fair Play Committee, a poorly funded IOC offshoot charged with recognizing good sportsmanship. Worth reading for the instances they’ve recorded over the years. Sorry I can’t provide a link. Ditto for an article in the 8/11 New Yorker about US marathoner Ryan Hall, competitive, humble, and Christian. Does anyone know anything more about him?
The American women’s all round gymnastics — Nastia (can’t spell her last name) winning gold and Shawn Johnson the silver — good friends and roomates, both extremely happy about the whole thing.
# 2 – Alice – I do understand your protest. That said, millions of Chinese people, who have been oppressed, are meeting free world people. Not just the participants, but all those who are involved to some extent. Think of the hotel clerk who is meeting people from all around the world. Some of it is bound to rub off. Napoleon said we should let China sleep. Well we, the people of many nations, haven’t, and therefore, we must work to help the people in their struggles, whether it be with government or religion. I know I sound like Alice in Wonderland, but I am optitmistic for China. I have always regretted Jimmy Carter’s decision to not let our team attend, I believe, the 1980 games in Russia. And of course they paid us back in 1984 (I think) when they were held in U.S.A. I hope this never happens again…..someone correct me on the years if necessary.
#2 Alice, While I agree with (and very much appreciate) your concern for the Treatment of the Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (and I know a bit about this since I have testified at a congressional hearing and spoken at several FG rallies), friends of mine who are very involved with FG are watching the Olympics. So, you can watch without feeling that you are letting these wonderful folks down. In fact, several of us really enjoyed laughing at the Opening Ceremonies. When hundreds of “actors” did Tai Qi movements which would, if done by Falun Gong followers, be a cause for being jailed. So, as much as I opposed the President’s attendance at the olympics, I am enjoying the SPORTS. (And also I am enjoying seeing the Chinese make fools of themselves: 1)Fake Singer, 2)Fake Fireworks, 3) Fake “minority” children and 4) The Chinese Gymnastics coach saying that the reason that his gymnasts did not do better in the all-around was “They are so much younger than the Americans.” Well, hasn’t everybody been accusing them of exactly that. )
The best moment will be when they are over and done. I have watched – because I’m weak I suppose. But in fact, the olympics have become a massive corporate behemoth, stocked by rich professional athletes. Even cute little Shawn, the tumbler, must receive millions from her endorsements. The basketball team is a travesty (and paradigmatic) of what the olympics were meant to be. The only test is bigger, faster, higher and yet again even more so, and to reach these heights, children are taken out of kindergarten and put in special schools to do little but train. It is worth noting that the gymnasts have remarked that they have hardly any friends because they have no time. Ever more and more specialized. And why shouldn’t doping become ever more and more skillful, ever more necessary, as the body is asked to do what it would not otherwise do? And when the time comes, why should we not use gene manipulation to produce the superior athlete? And we will, won’t we? Because it all comes down to money and power. Does anyone remember the spirit that was to be the driving force in the olympics? There is more true sport to be seen in watching your local high school team.
Incidentally, those nitwit announcers! The city is pronounced Bay-Jing, not bayzzhing. The swimmer is Gwoh-jingjing, not Gwoe zzhingzzhing. Larry
Confessisons of an Olympic junkie: I have watched the late night (10PM – whenever) almost every night. I love the fact that it is live and therefore the commentators have to limit their comments to the time between events, not them blathering as much as they want to and then giving us the final where the American wins. Thought Michael Phelps (any race) was my favorite until I saw Usain Bolt from Jamaica blow away the field in the 100m sprint. Unbelievable!
So far, Michael Phelps winning gold medal #7 by a fingernail. Even better, watching the clips of his mother in the stands.
I’ve watched not one second of the Olympics. It is my silent protest against China’s treatment of the Falun Gong.
http://college-ethics.blogspot.com/2008/08/china-olympics-highlights-bloody.html
The swimming has been fantastic to be sure. But I loved the Belgium-Italy soccer match today. A man down against a strongly favored side, belgium played their hearts out to win. Wonderful stuff.
This isn’t really a fair question because we are the ultimate Olympic groupies. Since swimming is a BIG DEAL in this household- definitely Michael Phelps’ win last night (100 fly) and the 4×100 men’s free relay with the anchor leg of all time. When Phelps out touched for the win, our 10 yo son burst into tears, dropped to his knees and thanked the Lord over and over again. Looking forward to the medley relay tonight. Have also enjoyed following Fabian Cancellara & Levi Leipheimer & Kristin Armstrong in the Cycling Time Trial. The medal ceremonies there with the Great Wall in the background are stunning. Kendall, I presume you have been watching equestrian?
the freestyle relay where Jason Lezak chased down the world recordholder Frenchman (started a full body length behind) who had predicted they would crush the Americans.
Dara Torres making sure the Swedish swimmer in the lane adjacent was able to fix a problem with her torn LZR swimsuit and avoid disqualification (before Torres won that semifinal race).
Roger Federer and Stanislav Wawrinka winning Gold in tennis. (I’m Swiss and no sports addict – saw it by chance but I really liked it).
It just happened! How about that Michael Phelps! AND the team with him.
#8, YES!!!!!!! I just checked the result on my computer and can’t wait to see it in about 2 hours (the broadcast is time delayed here in Arizona).
Falun Gong??
I enjoyed your story, Trimom.
Yesterday’s Wall St. Journal (8/15) has a good front-page piece on the Int’l Fair Play Committee, a poorly funded IOC offshoot charged with recognizing good sportsmanship. Worth reading for the instances they’ve recorded over the years. Sorry I can’t provide a link. Ditto for an article in the 8/11 New Yorker about US marathoner Ryan Hall, competitive, humble, and Christian. Does anyone know anything more about him?
The American women’s all round gymnastics — Nastia (can’t spell her last name) winning gold and Shawn Johnson the silver — good friends and roomates, both extremely happy about the whole thing.
# 2 – Alice – I do understand your protest. That said, millions of Chinese people, who have been oppressed, are meeting free world people. Not just the participants, but all those who are involved to some extent. Think of the hotel clerk who is meeting people from all around the world. Some of it is bound to rub off. Napoleon said we should let China sleep. Well we, the people of many nations, haven’t, and therefore, we must work to help the people in their struggles, whether it be with government or religion. I know I sound like Alice in Wonderland, but I am optitmistic for China. I have always regretted Jimmy Carter’s decision to not let our team attend, I believe, the 1980 games in Russia. And of course they paid us back in 1984 (I think) when they were held in U.S.A. I hope this never happens again…..someone correct me on the years if necessary.
#2 Alice, While I agree with (and very much appreciate) your concern for the Treatment of the Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (and I know a bit about this since I have testified at a congressional hearing and spoken at several FG rallies), friends of mine who are very involved with FG are watching the Olympics. So, you can watch without feeling that you are letting these wonderful folks down. In fact, several of us really enjoyed laughing at the Opening Ceremonies. When hundreds of “actors” did Tai Qi movements which would, if done by Falun Gong followers, be a cause for being jailed. So, as much as I opposed the President’s attendance at the olympics, I am enjoying the SPORTS. (And also I am enjoying seeing the Chinese make fools of themselves: 1)Fake Singer, 2)Fake Fireworks, 3) Fake “minority” children and 4) The Chinese Gymnastics coach saying that the reason that his gymnasts did not do better in the all-around was “They are so much younger than the Americans.” Well, hasn’t everybody been accusing them of exactly that. )
The best moment will be when they are over and done. I have watched – because I’m weak I suppose. But in fact, the olympics have become a massive corporate behemoth, stocked by rich professional athletes. Even cute little Shawn, the tumbler, must receive millions from her endorsements. The basketball team is a travesty (and paradigmatic) of what the olympics were meant to be. The only test is bigger, faster, higher and yet again even more so, and to reach these heights, children are taken out of kindergarten and put in special schools to do little but train. It is worth noting that the gymnasts have remarked that they have hardly any friends because they have no time. Ever more and more specialized. And why shouldn’t doping become ever more and more skillful, ever more necessary, as the body is asked to do what it would not otherwise do? And when the time comes, why should we not use gene manipulation to produce the superior athlete? And we will, won’t we? Because it all comes down to money and power. Does anyone remember the spirit that was to be the driving force in the olympics? There is more true sport to be seen in watching your local high school team.
Incidentally, those nitwit announcers! The city is pronounced Bay-Jing, not bayzzhing. The swimmer is Gwoh-jingjing, not Gwoe zzhingzzhing. Larry
Confessisons of an Olympic junkie: I have watched the late night (10PM – whenever) almost every night. I love the fact that it is live and therefore the commentators have to limit their comments to the time between events, not them blathering as much as they want to and then giving us the final where the American wins. Thought Michael Phelps (any race) was my favorite until I saw Usain Bolt from Jamaica blow away the field in the 100m sprint. Unbelievable!