Olympics 2008

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by Gidget

I didn't quite know where to post this - so here I am. This Olympics is the first I feel I have really been into. I have admired other athletes and watched their respective competitions before, but this year I am a huge supporter of the U.S. all around. The level of these athletes is incredible and I find myself every night glued to the screen during primetime and even during the day watching every event I possibly can. Literally, everyone in our house is losing sleep just to stay up and watch swimming, it's awesome. I really want to see Phelps win 8 golds, who's with me?

The games have been spectacular so far. The pageantry, the remarkable athleticism, the amazing competitions...

I have to say that I am shocked there hasn't been more of a political flair so far. I truly believed something would have happened by now. Not a single Tibetan flag from an athlete? No mass demonstrations in Tiannanmen Square? Either China is doing a fantastic job of controlling the media outlets, or people are really failing to take advantage of the spotlight on China to make a point.

[cougjunkie]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

This is a good point. Phelps could be the next Lezak....swimming one leg of a couple of relays in future Olympics, picking up a few more Golds.

That guy is set for life if he plays his cards right....

1. Motivational/Corporate speaking circuit
2. Book deals
3. Endorsements for swim gear
4. His own swim academy/school
5. Trainer/coach/consultant for future Olympic teams (hopefully just for the USA)
6. TV analyst for swimming

i read yesterday that his swim regimen includes 50 miles a week. holy crap. That guy deserves every bit of success/fame he is tasting right now.

I read yesterday that with his endorsement deals he currently makes roughly 5 million a year. If he breaks the record that will triple.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

I read yesterday that with his endorsement deals he currently makes roughly 5 million a year. If he breaks the record that will triple.

Can you imagine the disappointment there will be if he falters in one these last three races?

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Can you imagine the disappointment there will be if he falters in one these last three races?

As long as he ties Spitz, that is fantastic. He easily lays claim to the title of Greatest Swimmer of All Time.

However, you are right...there will be a collective malaise if he "only" wins 6 or 7 Golds in Beijing.

[RC Vikings]

I love the fringe sports that you see in the middle of the morning like rowing and badminton.

[Runner Coug]

I have been enjoying them as well. I was heart broken for Alicia Sacramone last night. I was impressed with her composure, though. I'm sure she just wanted to get the hell out of that arena so she could go have a good cry in private. The pressure on these kids is unbelievable.

As my wife and I have been talking about some of the events, I've caught myself saying "we" when I talk about the Americans. It's cheesy and silly, but for some reason the Olympics really bring out the pride in my country.

I can't wait for the marathons. If Ryan Hall can get to the medal podium, it would be an incredible moment for American distance running.

[Gidget]

Originally Posted by RC Vikings

I love the fringe sports that you see in the middle of the morning like rowing and badminton.

Badminton is bad-ass - I cannot believe how incredible the Chinese are at this sport. We have DVR'ed all the events so far, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised watching badminton. I used to play in my back-yard in high school all the time, but the level of competition in Beijing is out of this world.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

7. The Olympic rings/logo everywhere. yes, I realize that it is a branding exercise and that the Olympics are largely about corporate sponsorship and money. However, for those that have lived in a host city....SLC, for example.....did you think it was cool to see Olympic stuff all over the place? The gigantic murals or pictures of atheletes draped over downtown buildings, the Olympic Flame burning at the local stadium, flags of nations everywhere.....you just feel like you are at the epicenter of something incredibly important and fun. Maybe others felt it to be an intrusion (traffic, crowds, etc...), but i loved being a part of it. I hope the Olympics return to Los Angeles again in my lifetime.

I really liked seeing those huge murals of athletes all over the city and I enjoy seeing the Olympic cauldron each time I go see the Utes play a home game.

I do have to admit that it was a real pain in the hiney when I needed to go downtown and at times I wished that the residents who needed to go into the city would be allowed to park wherever they wanted in order to go about business. But overall, it was a tremendous feeling of civic pride to know that the entire world was focused on SLC for the 2 or 3 weeks that the Olympics were here. It was even better than when the Jazz were in the Finals in '97 and '98.

[Coach McGuirk]

speaking of phelps, what the hell is in the water in Beijing? I have never seen so many records broken. They are breaking the record in every event, multiple times in prelims.

They should test the water.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Coach McGuirk

speaking of phelps, what the hell is in the water in Beijing? I have never seen so many records broken. They are breaking the record in every event, multiple times in prelims.

They should test the water.

Swimmers are doping.

OR

all the swimmers this year as super amazing athletes that dedicate themselves and train hard, thus breaking world records every single day of these Olympics.