Job Discussion Forums

thelmadatter · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:12 pm Post subject: pros

But do you remember WHY the rule was changed to permits "pros"? The logic was that the so-called amateurs from the (now) ex-Soviet states were supported and in-fact paid by the state and therefore were pros. I mean you do have a slight advantage when the only thing you have to do is train for international competitions.

I think there never really were "all-amateur" Olympics ... it was just something nice we said to feel all warm and fuzzy. Besides while money helps immensely, it doesnt guarantee anything ... note the US/PR basketball game.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

OK, so the US men's basketball team lost again, to Lithuania of all places, but are still in the hunt for a medal.

I am actually rooting against my home team, not because I am one to always root for the underdog, but simply because I don't like many of the players on the team.

Go Puerto Rico!

Anyway, for those of you who haven't been tracking the medals count, here is a little update:

USA - 47
China - 41
Russia - 33

And the Ozzies are fourth with 28 medals.

I don't mean to brag, but the two countries I am rooting for are 1 - 2 in the standings so far. Cool

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

The Swindell twins cop the Gold for rowing. Well I've got one right so far...

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Unless you are a hugely nationalistic Japanese person the Olympics coverage in Japan is terrible. There is virtually no coverage of any events that do not contain Japanese people. I seldom know who the overall winners of events are, and I've been watching the same clips of Japanese judo victories for a week now.

blue jay · Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:48 am Post subject:

I watched the Sydney Olympics when I was living in Osaka and I saw mostly Judo & the marathon. I didn't realize that Canada had any athletes there or had won any events until I got home & read the newspaper. (Simon Whitfield had won a Gold in Triathalon & Daniel Nestor and his partner had won a Gold in Doubles Tennis) It was fun in that I got to see much more of the Japanese athletes who I wouldn't normally have seen. Especially Judo which isn't shown at all here in North America.

Now I'm in Vancouver, I watch both CBC & NBC. I watch CBC to see the Canadian athletes compete & it's mostly live coverage. NBC is all taped & shown in the evenings. Actually NBC hasn't been too bad, they have shown other athletes from other countries from time to time.

I get a vicarious thrill from watching the American athletes win because they seem to win everything. It's truly impressive! I don't think Canadians should really compare their athletes to American ones. We're a much smaller populated country, we're more into winter sports, we probably don't spend the same amount of money as they do & there isn't the same emphasis on being "No. 1". It probably helps take off the pressure when you know that they are lots of chances to win Gold in the various sports. Still it was a big thrill to see the Canadian guy win the Gold medal in Gymnastics. It should be more about fun & games and not so commercialized.

ilunga · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 842 Location: China

After a typically abysmal start I'm glad to see Kelly Holmes and Amir Khan have put the great back into Britain.
Ok, Khan still has two fights to win but this kid is special. 17 years-old and he's looking invincible. Talk of him being the next Mohammed Ali might be a bit OTT though.