Open Thread

16 Comments

1. 

   MikeInOhio on August 6, 2008 at 3:31 pm

   What about the women’s beach volleyball, Boo?

   

   You no likey???

2. 

   Brendan Skwire on August 6, 2008 at 3:34 pm

   personally, I’d just as soon vacation in Omaha.

3. 

   Man Eegee on August 6, 2008 at 3:44 pm

   hey, don’t diss the water polo.  i got to meet the women’s captain earlier this year and am rooting for her to finally get that gold.  she’s a kick-ass role model.

4. 

   ask on August 6, 2008 at 3:47 pm

   What’s not to like?

   Norway beats US in opening game

   But I agree that Winter Olympics are more fun to watch…those damned Norwegians!

5. 

   boran2 on August 6, 2008 at 4:16 pm

   The winter olympics are more ineresting.  Except for curling.  

   • 

     Omir the Storyteller on August 6, 2008 at 5:05 pm

     I happen to enjoy it.

6. 

   Real History Lisa on August 6, 2008 at 4:22 pm

   I used to fence. I’d watch that, if they ever aired it! I think they show some stuff only in Europe!

7. 

   Omir the Storyteller on August 6, 2008 at 5:08 pm

   I haven’t been able to get up any enthusiasm whatever for the Summer Olympics. Now winter, that’s another matter. There are several winter sports I enjoy watching. But summer? Not quite so much.

8. 

   Alice on August 6, 2008 at 5:11 pm

   luge

   Sleds, luge in French, are believed to have their origins in Scandinavia circa 800AD as a form of transportation.   Today, a luge is used to transport an individual or two person team down an icy track comprised of multiple curves at speeds of 85 mph, no brakes included.   The luge itself is composed of an aerodynamic racing shell suspended from two bridges that connect to the runners, or kufens.  The only parts of the sled that touch the ice are the two runners called steels, which are attached to the kufens.  There are built in grips for each hand.  The athletes, called ‘sliders,’ wear aerodynamic racing suits and helmets with clear or tinted visors that extend under the chin to further reduce resistance.   They are required to wear special zippered shoes that straighten the foot when the zipper is closed.  Luge gloves have spiked fingertips to assist with starts and with paddling acceleration onto the track.   The sport of luge made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Innsbruck Games.  In Olympic singles competition, both men and women athletes take four runs down the track over a two-day period; the aggregate fastest time determines the winner.   Women start at a point further down the track than do men.  Doubles competition is a one day event in which two-person teams – the heavier slider on top for aerodynamics – take two runs, again with the combined score determining the outcome.   Terms to listen for:  Kreisel – German for circle; a curve in which the track crosses over itself.   Labyrinth – A combination of small curves, typically three to four, on a luge track with little or no straight stretches between them.

   At least the winter outfits are interesting.

9. 

   Hurria on August 6, 2008 at 5:56 pm

   Gymnastics is nice to watch.

   I like the equestrian events.

   Synchronized swimming can be kind of pleasant.

10. 

    robertdsc on August 6, 2008 at 6:35 pm

    I’m interested a little bit in the competition shooting and men’s basketball.

    However, since these Games are in China, I’m not gong to watch a single telecast.

    The Winter Games have but one sport I am interested in: men’s ice hockey.

11. 

    The Farmer on August 6, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    When I was young and Jim McKay was hosting Wide World of Sports, I used to enjoy the Olympics.  

    My brother and I actually caught the Munich Massacre in real time.

    That was before everything had a corporate logo or three on it.

    Now, I could get more worked up over Roller Derby.

12. 

    liberaljournal on August 6, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    I was totally uninterested in the Olympics until the last week or two of the campaign. Now I will gladly watch a sport practiced by exactly eight athletes in the entire world.

13. 

    keepinon on August 6, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    I used to get fired up over the Summer Olympics, especially track and field. Now doping scandals and politics have taken the bloom off the rose. I’m going to have a very hard time getting psyched up for these games. I could be wrong, but I think whoever is televising them here in the States could take a real bath.

14. 

    RandyH on August 6, 2008 at 9:36 pm

    Scantly clad athletes… What’s not to like?

15. 

    Heart of the Rockies on August 7, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Boring.  You used to be able to see an entire event.  Not it’s adverts and the game equivalent of sound bites.  Won’t even turn it on.