Athens 2004 Olympic Games

[taramagic]

well our german woman soccer team is great!!



and yesterday we got gold with a judo girl!! yeah we rock!

[xita]

I am happy that Iraq is winning but I am not happy because of the US commentators' spin on it. They're in the stands with the fans talking about how their chant now says win for Iraq and it used to say win for Saddam. I am pretty sure that the Iraqi soccer players are not inspired by a swell of gratefulness towards the American "liberators." American viewers have also been subjected to Bush for president commercials. Thanks to these comercials, I have learned that we have 2 new democracies playing in the olympics, Iraq and Afghanistan.



I don't want to turn this into a political thread, so I'll move on! I am upset at how NBC and their partners pumped Phelps as if he was the next coming of Spitz. The funny thing is, it really wasn't backed up by any reasonable expectation. And Phelps fed it too, it would have been better if he'd said nothing and then done it. This way, of course it looks like a failure. And then Bob Costas says, well times were different when Spitz swimmed, there wasn't as much competition. Great, Costas, now try to deminish Spitz' accomplishments.



Also, boo to the USA's men's basketball team. I hope they lose again, these guys can't be bothered to stay in the olympic village. Other millionaire professional athletes like most of the tennis players are staying in the village, there is no excuse.



And finally yay to my fellow CAL alumni, Natalie Coughlin, for winning gold. Also, still in love with the US softball team. Sigh, I think they've def taken over my love of US women's soccer team. Though I still love Mia Hamm. And I also love the women's basketball team, I admit that reluctantly I am a Taurasi fan, but I also love Lisa Leslie. US women's volleyball is exciting too, that Logan Tom is yummy!

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[Kieli]

I don't think Phelps was bragging...on the contrary, I think he was so damn scared, he had to psych himself up to push himself towards his goal. I doubt he'd have the strength if he didn't believe in himself at least a little bit. He had a goal and he pushed himself toward it, win or lose. That's the bravest thing anyone can do.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[Insanity]

Well, I really like the games.

Since we're in the same timezone ( - 1 hour) from Greece, there is stuff to be seen from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.... usually I wouldn't see that much of the Olympics, but since I'm a little ill I'm able to see a lot of it.



I really like nearly all of it. Especially all competitions with women *g* Can't explain why *whistle*



Looking forward to another great day tomorrow!



Insanity

German Fanfiction

It's always sudden! Tara; the body

[oneyedchicklet]

Quote:

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I don't think Phelps was bragging...on the contrary, I think he was so damn scared

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I agree. It's been mentioned too many times to count that Michael Phelps was going to break (not even attempt to break) Mark Spitz record of Gold medal wins. It seems to me that once the pressure came off that the record was no longer in reach, he began to swim like he was expected to. I am still finding myself cheering for him and I hope he continues to do well.



By the way, did anyone see the womens fencing? The first US Gold in that sport in 100 years.



The US is in the lead with the Total Overall Medals Awarded.



Love to All,

Barb

Now serving Bitter, party of one. Your table is ready.

[Triscuit7]

The fencing was great! I want to see more, more, more! Saber is just so out and out aggressive with the slashing attacks, it's almost as if to score a point you have to open yourself up to an attack. I didn't see very many successful parries in the two matches shown on US tv (Jacobson's bronze and Zagunis' gold). Foil and epee would be much more controlled since only hits with the pointy end count.



Ciao, Melissa

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Do something totally irrational and let the enemy think himself to death. (Pyanfar Chanur)

[LunaMuses]

*cheers for Misty May and Kerry Walsh*



wow, watching these two play volleyball...they are just amazing! They always know the perfect place to hit the ball!



Watched the women's gymnastics finals last night, and I sympathized for Carly Patterson, her nerves seemed to get the better of her. Terin Humphrey did wonderfully, however. She was a real rock for her team last night!

"I was disappointed. I had thought I would have some revelation of specific evil. I wondered if all women did with other women was lie and hug."
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

[Puff]

*Cheers the British Eventing team* woo hoo managed to snag a bronze medal thanks to some great riding in the show jumping. I'm also hoping the young French man gets gold later today, his horse is wonderful

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It's a moo point. It's like a cow's opinion. It's moo.
Words of wisdom from 'Friends'

[Urn of Osiris]

I'm loving the games! The swimming last night was such a nail biter. That is giving 100%. Such close competiton that it couldn't be called til their hands touched the wall.



I watched ping pong. I'm not sure why. Damn those guys are friggen serious about the game. I needed slow mo to keep my eye on that one.



I'm curious about professional athletes in these games. I always thought you had to have amateur status to compete? Has this changed or was I always wrong.

Urn of Osiris"All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the Web of Life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

[urnofosiris]

They used to have to be amateurs, I don´t know when it changed, but it has been a while I think.



Two gold medals for the Dutch today. It has been a good day. Pieter van den Hoogenband became the third guy after Weismuller and Popov to succefully defend his gold medal in the most famous swimming distance, the men's 100m Freestyle Final. Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel won the Women's Road Cycling Individual Time Trial event, a great come back considering she had a bad fall two days ago.

[sam7777]

My gawd. How about Paul Hamm. That was an unbelieveable comeback for him. Fromt 12th to Gold. Wow!!!!

[Rocktoddy]

Aaaargh!!! Nooo!!! Grrrr...



Okay, so I'm a leeettle bit bummed out. Mia Audina didn't quite manage to bring home the gold, she lost from the Chinese Zhang Ning in a thrilling 3 set game: 11-8, 6-11, 7-11. And to think I even specially put on my "Super-Indo!" T-shirt for this occasion!



Sigh.



This is her second silver medal, after Atlanta. Well, you know what they say in Dutch; "drie keer scheepsrecht" (three times the charm). I guess she'll just have to kick some Far East Ass next Games in Beijing. Heh. Talk about your Lion's Den.



Still love ya Mia!

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"This one time at band camp, I was supposed to go to this party, but it wasn't really a party, and- and I was the only one there..."

"This one time at band camp, there was this horse, who had the biggest... [pause]... saddle."

[xita]

That Paul Hamm thing was pretty amazing, but he really couldn't have done it if everyone else hadn't messed up. I liked his reaction though, really genuine.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[sam7777]

Yeah but imagine coming back mentally to do two great routines after that gaff. Part of gymnatics is who bends to the pressure and makes mistakes. Paul Hamm made a big comeback. He could easily have flubbed the last two events. I certainly didn't expect that to happen. I'm so glad I didn't know the results ahead of time like I did for the team events. The real tragedy IMHO was that the Chines guy did not make the top 3. He's really one of the best in the world until that disastrous fall from the bar.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[LunaMuses]

just watched Carly Patterson win the Women's All-Around Gold. Watching her do the final rotation (Floor), you could just tell by the way she was shining she was out there to take the gold. It was so heartwarming.



The runner-up even started grinning when it was official she won silver, whoo!

"I was disappointed. I had thought I would have some revelation of specific evil. I wondered if all women did with other women was lie and hug."
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

[xita]

That's my girl Svetlana Khorkina, she deserved it, and more. She should have had it last olympics. I am so happy for her. I love her name sventlana, my previous favorite gymnast was also names sventlana but her last name was boginskaya.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[mollyig]

Yeah, I was pleased for Khorkina too - couldn't believe she was still competing - I mean she's like an old age pensioner compared to some of the gymnasts!

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Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[oneyedchicklet]

I watched Carly Patterson last night and she was truely amazing. I almost felt like I was time warped back to 1984 with MaryLou Retton. She was practically flawless. I'm really enjoying the games this time around.

I'm with you Garfield. I thought the Olympics was all about amatuer athletics. There are too many professional athletes now. I just don't think that's right. But if you've been watching, most of the professionals are being outshined by the younger, not so seasoned athletes which is making the games that much more exciting.



Love to All,

Barb

Now serving Bitter, party of one. Your table is ready.

[Triscuit7]

I Svetlana. I wish she'd taken gold. I love the fact that she's a diva and not only admits it, but revels in it. That interview with her on NBC was wonderful. There were a few shots of her in street clothes where she looked quite a bit like Drew Barrymore. 25 years old, a silver medalist. Wow.



Ciao, Melissa

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Do something totally irrational and let the enemy think himself to death. (Pyanfar Chanur)

[mollyig]

Actually Khorkina always reminded me of Uma Thurman. For some reason I always thought her tall, but a commentator the other night said she was only 5'5" [1.64 m]

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Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[sacinema]

But that is in fact very tall for an athlet of her sports - don't know the english word for that. Most of the others are a lot smaller. I think it's a pity that she didn't win gold. She did earn it. She is really gracious and it's delicious seeing her doing what she does. Yeah, she is a Uma Thurman type.

[xita]

I did love that interview Mel. She's wonderful and I hope we get to see her in some other fashion in the future. Yeah and she's very tall for a gymnast. That's what makes her so amazing. She's much taller and much older than the other gymnasts, I love the grace she brings to the sport.

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."

[GridMonkey]

US 2 Jpn 1. Next game against Germany on Monday. Huzzah.

Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,
Time held me green and dying
Though I sang in my chains like the sea.

Edited by: GridMonkey at: 8/20/04 12:35 pm

[Insanity]

Yeah, Monday will definitely be a big day....

Since I'm German I hope that our girls will win, but honestly, they're not as strong as at the Worldchampionchips.

They will need to do a lot more than today against Nigeria.



I miss Maren *sigh*. Prinz and Meinert used to be a great team.



Insanity

German Fanfiction

It's always sudden! Tara; the body

[Triscuit7]

I just watched the quarterfinals. Very cool. I like the American 20 yr old Lauryn Williams; she's a cutie. Then there is Nesterenko who was the only one to go under 11 seconds. And how about Merlene Ottey?! 44 yrs old! That is soooo super fantastic. I just have one question: how exactly is she running for Slovenia? I mean the commentators have mentioned that she used to run for Jamaica (I remember those days...), but unlike other anomalies of athletes from one country competing for another they didn't say how she's able to run for Slovenia. Does anyone know? I'm just idly curious...



Ciao, Melissa

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Do something totally irrational and let the enemy think himself to death. (Pyanfar Chanur)

Edited by: Triscuit7 at: 8/20/04 6:52 pm

[FlyingPoppy]

I don't know why she chose to, and I don't know how anyone can want to compete for a country that isn't truly theirs. Money or the fear of not making the team vs the pride and esteem of competing for your country. We have an American (Malachi Davis) running for us in the 400m because his mother was born in London. He got his British passport about a month ago and his first visit here was for the Olympic trials. This has obviously been done because he didn't think he'd make the U.S. team.



Merlene Ottey is able to run for Slovakia thanks to residency/citizenship rules. She has lived there for 6 years and was granted citizenship in 2002. Usually the athelete has to wait 3 years after last competing for their old country, but as both countries agreed to the change, she was allowed to run immediately after gaining citizenship (although she last ran for Jamaica at the Sydney Olympics so over a year had passed already.)

For yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision; but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
It's never too late to be who you might have been.

[Triscuit7]

Thanks!



I was annoyed that the US/NBC announcers weren't giving any reason for her ability to compete for a country that wasn't Jamaica. They were plenty forthcoming about lots of other athletes (grandparents were Greek citizens, husband/wife is X, parents immigrated to the US after athlete was born), just nothing for Ottey. They did hint it was because Jamaica didn't think she was able to compete at an Olympic level for them and they wanted to give some younger runners a shot at it. Apparently that was the case in Sydney as well, but Ottey 'bullied' her way onto the Jamaican team, or so they said.



Ciao, Melissa

******************



Do something totally irrational and let the enemy think himself to death. (Pyanfar Chanur)

[maudmac]

I'm in love with the entire US women's softball team.

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i wasn't sniffing your spicy brains

[Warduke]

Did anyone think these Olympics would be scandal free?



From Yahoo...

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Gymnastics federation: Hamm's gold the result of scoring error



By EDDIE PELLS, AP Sports Writer





ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Paul Hamm's gold medal just lost its luster.



A scoring mistake at the all-around gymnastics final cost Yang Tae-young the gold that ended up going to Hamm, the International Gymnastics Federation ruled Saturday. The South Korean got the bronze instead.



Three judges were suspended, but the results will not be changed, the federation said. The South Korean Olympic team will ask the Court of Arbitration for Sports to determine if Yang deserves a gold medal.



"We want obvious mistakes to be corrected,'' said Jae Soon-yoo, an official with the South Korean delegation.



The error Wednesday cost Yang a tenth of a point on his parallel bars score that made the difference between third and first.



South Korea failed to lodge a protest during the event, so the scoring was not changed, said the federation, known as FIG. The South Koreans, however, said they did question the scoring as soon as the routine was over and were told by the judges to file a protest letter after the meet, Jae said.



If the mistake hadn't been made, Hamm would have won the silver and South Korea's Kim Dae-eun would have received the bronze instead of silver.



USA Gymnastics president Bob Colarossi compared the mistake to a bad call in football that wasn't discovered until after the game. He insisted the decision by gymnastics' governing body should not put an asterisk on Hamm's gold medal.



Hamm scored 9.837 on parallel bars and high bar to close the meet, rallying from 12th place to first and becoming the first American man to win the event.



``Paul Hamm's performance the other night was absolutely incredible,'' Colarossi said. ``It's unfortunate the judges didn't have the right start value.''



A start value is based on the difficulty of the routine. Yang received a start value of 9.9 on parallel bars, a tenth lower than he got for the same routine in team qualifying and finals.



After reviewing a tape of the all-around, federation officials determined Yang should have been awarded a start value of 10. With the extra 0.10, he would have finished with 57.874 points and defeated Hamm by 0.051.



Matthieu Reeb, general secretary of CAS, talked to the South Korean team about an appeal and expected it to be filed by Sunday. Still, he said it was unclear whether the court would hear the case.



``Our regular practice is that field of play decisions cannot be reviewed by CAS,'' Reeb said. ``We'll see if the Korean delegation has other legal arguments to submit to the court. We haven't had a similar case involving a problem of judging or scoring.''



Hamm, practicing Saturday for event finals, was not available for comment. He was asked Thursday about the judging and his close victory.



``I feel like I just barely edged them out,'' he said. ``If you go back and look at the tapes, people can analyze it, and they'll all come to that conclusion, I think.''



The case brought back memories of the figure skating scandal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. A French judge said she was pressured by her federation's chief to favor the Russians in pairs over the Canadians. Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada were ultimately awarded duplicate golds.



In Athens, however, there were no signs of impropriety. The scoring error was made with one event left, and there was no way the judges could have known the significance of reducing Yang's start value on the parallel bars.



In another case at the 2002 Games, South Koreans fumed when short track speed skater Kim Dong-sung was disqualified in the 1,500-meter race, allowing American Apolo Anton Ohno to win the gold.



Gilbert Felli, the IOC's executive director for the Olympics, said the IOC had not been approached by the South Koreans or gymnastics officials. He said the figure skating case bore little resemblance to this one.



``In Salt Lake City it was a decision from the federation to change the ruling,'' he said. ``The IOC never changed any results on its own. It's up to the federation if they feel the need to change something. It has to come from the federation.''



Felli said the IOC would only consider changing results on its own ``if there is an obvious manipulation, not a human mistake in judging.''



Hamm won the meet over Kim by 0.012 in the closest men's all-around in Olympic history. Yang was 0.049 behind Hamm.



The South Korean delegation asked for a review of the scoring after the meet, and the gymnastics federation's executive committee met Friday to look at the tapes.



Messages left for the South Korean delegation by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.



A news release announcing the federation's decision said the rules ``do not allow for a protest against judges' marks. The judges' marks have to be accepted as a final decision and cannot be changed.''



Still, the suspensions were necessary to protect the integrity of the organization and ``maintain and ensure the highest possible judging standard at the Olympic Games,'' the group said.



The federation did not release the names of the suspended judges, who will not be on the panel for event finals.



But Spain's Benjamin Bango and Columbia's Oscar Buitrago Reyes were responsible for determining the start values. America's George Beckstead was the panel chairman, and therefore had ultimate responsibility for all the judges. But because the other judges agreed on the 9.9 start value, Beckstead would have had no cause to step in.



Countries can complain about the scoring but only before the following rotation is over. After that, scores cannot be changed.



``Judges can make mistakes. That's human,'' federation spokesman Phillipe Silacci said Friday. ``But it's like football. They cannot change the score once the game is over.''

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Firefox: One Browser To Rule Them All.

[xita]

That's kinda sad, they couldn't get their act together on that and judge properly.



And yay for Amelie Mauresmo she got the silver, but man she should have had the gold. I am starting to think she can't win a big one

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"Trust is a risk masquerading as a promise."