The Olympics

[Ultra Peanut]

I spent a few bucks on a VPN to be able to use BBC's iPlayer instead of NBC's dumb awful website. I'm unbelievably happy with my decision.

hurrr private enterprise is more efficient than gubmint services, durrrrrrr

*watches a billion ads after reloading video that crashed for the hundredth time*

[the Talking Can]

russia's volleyball team has a 7'2" player

[the Talking Can]

usa has a 16 yr old female table tennis player destroying someone who looks like her grandma...

[the Talking Can]

usa female skeet shooter ties world record

99 out of 100

[the Talking Can]

LeBrUSA v France on

lebron with a full court bounce pass to durant for a dunk...sweet

[the Talking Can]

phelps dropped out of 200m freestyle

[dirk digler]

Lebron, Durant etc looked great...easy game vs France

[Planetman]

Abby Wambach receives sucker punch to the eye in U.S.' 3-0 win over Colombia

GLASGOW, Scotland -- U.S. forward Abby Wambach walked into the mixed zone for interviews after Saturday's 3-0 win against Colombia, and one couldn't help but look at her right eye, which was swelling and turning an unmistakable blue-black color. Wambach will have a black eye for the next few days of the Olympics -- a grim reminder of what she called the first sucker-punch she had ever received in her life.

It came from the right fist of the creatively (and somewhat inaccurately) named Colombian midfielder Lady Andrade. During the first half of a game in which Wambach would score her sixth career Olympic goal to break the U.S. record held by Mia Hamm and Tiffeny Milbrett, Andrade ran into Wambach's path during a U.S. foray upfield. Flashing a punishing right cross, Andrade made a direct hit on Wambach's face, crumpling her to the turf in clear pain. Neither Greek referee Thalia Mitsi nor her crew appeared to see the play, and they made no call.

http://cmsimg.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D0&Date=20120728&Category=SPORTS07&ArtNo=120728020&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Black-eye-Olympic-goal-record-Abby-Wambach-US-win

http://ama-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/11410791.jpg

http://www.sportsgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Abby-Wambach-Down.jpg

"It's interesting, because you think about yourself and what you'd do on the street if somebody were to sucker-punch you. You have a list of things you'd do to retaliate," said Wambach, who was hoping tournament officials would look at the recording of what happened and issue a response. "But this is the Olympics. I can't risk getting a red card or yellow card. We like to call it 'ice.' Stay ice-cold. What they're trying to do is get me to retaliate. I'm proud of myself for not doing that."

When I asked Andrade in Spanish what happened, she had a version of events that was different from Wambach's -- and, frankly, from the replays. "We were both running, and she ran across me and we collided. I had my hands in the air. It was an accident," she said.

Andrade added that the U.S. players should face discipline too, "but because they're the United States, the whistle always goes in their favor. They were hitting us and hitting us, but there was never a whistle ... If they start to hit, then obviously we're not going to do nothing."

Wambach said the incident only made her second-half strike more satisfying, but her 140th career international goal also sealed a victory that clinched a berth for the U.S. in the Olympic quarterfinals. So often Wambach scores with her head, leaving her speedier (and younger) sidekick Alex Morgan to finish with her feet in transition. But there was the 32-year-old Wambach on Saturday at Hampden Park, turning on the jets in the box to meet Tobin Heath's terrific through-ball and slam a hard-angled blast past Colombian goalkeeper Sandra Sepúlveda. "Blazing speed!" cracked Wambach afterward.

These days Wambach is chasing history. Mia Hamm holds the all-time record of 158 international goals, and Wambach (140) is in a neck-and-neck battle with Canada's Christine Sinclair, whose two goals on Saturday in a 3-0 win over South Africa brought her career total to 139.

Wambach says she isn't paying attention to the race ("All I'm focused on is winning the gold medal"), but midfielder Megan Rapinoe is well aware that she's pursuing a historic milestone. "We just looked at it the other day in our media guide," said Rapinoe. "That's an incredible feat to do that, to catch an all-time great and to do it in around 180 caps [184] when Mia had 275. In the modern game, too, the games are so much harder and the competition is so much more difficult."

Rapinoe, too, had a standout game against Colombia; she scored the opener with a well-placed curler from outside the box -- she'd noted the goalkeeper's difficulty with shots from distance in last year's World Cup -- and assisted on Carli Lloyd's late insurance goal with a piercing pass from the central midfield. Rapinoe is known for her signature goal celebrations, and she didn't disappoint today, pulling out a piece of tape from her sock that wished happy birthday to Ali Krieger, the U.S.'s injured starting right back.

Wambach's black eye may be the image that lingers most, however, as a tangible symbol of the physical pounding that she takes every game. "I'm impressed by a lot that Abby does, on and off the field," said goalkeeper Hope Solo. "I feel like in the last couple of years she's grown a lot into a true leader. She used to be the loudmouth trying to pump everyone up, but she felt like she had to. Now it's a realness that she brings to the team. It's inspiring. I look up to Abby more now because of the leadership role she's taken on in a natural way.

"But of course her ability on the field -- on that goal today, I don't know how she got her foot on it, sliding in with a defender on her far post past the goalkeeper. She gets the job done."

Wambach has been doing it since 2003 for the United States. And she's not close to being done yet.

• Keep an eye on what could be an ongoing story. After the U.S.-Colombia game, goalkeeper Solo issued a series of tweets on Twitter criticizing NBC's Brandi Chastain (who scored the decisive penalty in World Cup '99) for what Solo apparently feels is her negative commentary toward the team. It remains to be seen whether the public friction will be a talking point moving forward for a U.S. team that has earned a perfect six points from its first two games.

[Shag]

Abby Wambach receives sucker punch to the eye in U.S.' 3-0 win over Colombia


You can see the slo-mo replay at 1:30 here: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/soccer/highlights-u-s-women-defeat-colombia-3-0.html.

I hope the IOC brings down the hammer, but I doubt it...

[Aries Walker]

Andrade's pretty much got it down. "I didn't hit her on purpose, but they hit us and never get called, so we hit them on purpose."

[TLO]

Andrade's pretty much got it down. "I didn't hit her on purpose, but they hit us and never get called, so we hit them on purpose."

Andrade can go choke on a big Colombian chilli dog.

[BoneKrusher]

made an Olympics sig this morning if anyone wants it feel free.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee26/Duffster_03/LONDON2012.png

[the Talking Can]

UAE has tied England 1-1 in soccer...



never mind, 2-1 England




never mind, 3-1

[mlyonsd]

Boxing on CNBC right now. I love this color commentator whoever he is.

[Ultra Peanut]

Spain just can't handle CONCACAF*. Honduras 1 - 0 Spain in men's The Footy.

*in tournaments no one cares about

[-King-]

USA Women's Soccer - Sponsored by Where's Waldo

[Ultra Peanut]

USA Women's Soccer - Sponsored by Where's WaldoYeah, I totally expected to hate the new national team kits (the hoops are for both the WNT and MNT) but they look great in motion.

[Ultra Peanut]

DOWN GOES HURSKAINEN

DOWN GOES HURSKAINEN

Badminton owns.

[Hammock Parties]

:hail:

http://i.imgur.com/HcSxL.jpg

[Canofbier]

Anyone else watching symchronized diving? The American girls really seem to get underscored by the judges.

[KCUnited]

Anyone else watching symchronized diving? The American girls really seem to get underscored by the judges.

They're a homely bunch but they're taking home a medal.

[ghak99]

Anyone else watching symchronized diving? The American girls really seem to get underscored by the judges.

I know jack shit about diving, but I kept thinking the same thing after seeing some of the other countries crap dives be scored well.:shrug:

Still a silver though! :thumb:

[gblowfish]

American female gymnasts and their amazing booties....

[BigMeatballDave]

American female gymnasts and their amazing booties....

Yes!

No tits, though...

[gblowfish]

They can buy those later, after their gymnast days are over. The ass on that one little brunette.....DAY-UM!!!

[007]

final lap

[007]

DAMN

[BigMeatballDave]

Lochte choked

[InChiefsHeaven]

Beat by the Frogs...that fuckin' sucks...

[007]

Lochte choked

and made an excuse for it not being his strong event.

[gblowfish]

Their coach told them the Germans were chasing them, it made the French swim away faster....

[BigMeatballDave]

Their coach told them the Germans were chasing them, it made the French swim away faster....

:D

[BigMeatballDave]

Beat by the Frogs...that fuckin' sucks...

Well, they are Frogs...

:)

[gblowfish]

Time for more female gymnast ass. I like it when they get all sweaty!

[007]

now they are all choking.

[gblowfish]

I'll be happy to console them. But first, a shower!

[LoneWolf]

Time for more female gymnast ass. I like it when they get all sweaty!

Not to sound all preachy, but aren't the majority of those girls way under eighteen?

[007]

I didn't think that last one was all that great to be honest. She didn't take a lot of risks like the others.

[gblowfish]

If they are under 18 we'll just have to wait until they get older...

[LoneWolf]

If they are under 18 we'll just have to wait until they get older...

Wasn't that the final sentence in Jerry Sandusky's autobiography?

[BigMeatballDave]

I need subtitles for that dude.

[gblowfish]

Wasn't that the final sentence in Jerry Sandusky's autobiography?
Lighten up, Francis....

[LoneWolf]

Lighten up, Francis....

I'm light, just a poor attempt at humor. Hope I didn't put a damper on your watching experience.

[ghak99]

google image searching.... wrong in so many ways...
http://www.j-14.com/Olympic-gymnast-McKayla-Maroney.jpg

[Saulbadguy]

Anyone watching Mens tennis this morning?

[redfan]

Boxing on CNBC right now. I love this color commentator whoever he is.

Teddy Atlas rep!! Been around forever.

[Sofa King]

Anyone watching Mens tennis this morning?

http://gadgets.3yen.com/wp-content/images/494x_23game1.jpg

[jspchief]

Watched Leek the female archer from IA this am. Don't know the skill level of the other archers I saw, but she was kicking ass.

Also watched female badminton singles, where China wiped the floor with the US. The woman from China named Wang barely looked like she was trying, while the American, also named Wang, was breathless and drenched in sweat. It was a clinic.

[loochy]

Wasn't that the final sentence in Jerry Sandusky's autobiography?

No. He obviously didn't wait for anything .

[Sofa King]

Is there anywhere to watch these online?

[DaKCMan AP]

Is there anywhere to watch these online?

nbcolympics.com

[loochy]

nbcolympics.com

Grr and it's blocked at work

[Buehler445]

They can buy those later, after their gymnast days are over. The ass on that one little brunette.....DAY-UM!!!

Yeah. Underaged. By a lot. Personally, I like the swimmers better.

Lochte choked

and made an excuse for it not being his strong event.

Like a bitch. It's hilarious because he was the one running his mouth. And he got annihilated. Brutally.

[Aries Walker]

Yeah. Underaged. By a lot. Personally, I like the swimmers better.
One of my friends was just complaining the other day about her female swimmer's physique. I was one of several who immediately told her she is apparently insane.

[DaKCMan AP]

Like a bitch. It's hilarious because he was the one running his mouth. And he got annihilated. Brutally.

What did he say?

[ghak99]

Some pretty good volleyball on right now!

[Buehler445]

What did he say?

I know not. I haven't been following it. But my buddy said he was talking a bunch of shit on Twitter.

[DaKCMan AP]

I know not. I haven't been following it. But my buddy said he was talking a bunch of shit on Twitter.

Just went and looked quick up to a day before the opening ceremony and I didn't see anything to get worked up about. Maybe the tweets were removed? :shrug:

[Setsuna]

nbcolympics.com

The worst link ever. You can't watch anything on there without a cable tv sub. You are never helpful for anything.

[DaKCMan AP]

The worst link ever. You can't watch anything on there without a cable tv sub. You are never helpful for anything.

Maybe you shouldn't be a cheap SOB and get cable.

[Setsuna]

Maybe you shouldn't be a cheap SOB and get cable.

LMAO alas you are right. Or move out of my parents house and become a responsible adult. Either way right?

GO USA!!! :usa:

[DJ's left nut]

Not to sound all preachy, but aren't the majority of those girls way under eighteen?

The good news is that the hottest one is completely legal.

Aly Raisman is 18...and has that whole Alicia Sacramone body type thing working for her.

I exhaled audibly when I found out she was 18. I spent entirely too much time openly gawking at her ass when she was on the balance beam to be comfortable with the possibility of her being underaged.

Phew.

[vailpass]

Anyone else watching symchronized diving? The American girls really seem to get underscored by the judges.

Judges/Officials fucking over America is in itself and Olympic sport.

[gblowfish]

34 pages of hot Olympic chicks.
You can thank me later....
http://olympicgirls.net/

[loochy]

I dunno man, I miss nastia liukin

[DaKCMan AP]

I dunno man, I miss nastia liukin

She was my favorite from 2008.

[Frazod]

Judges/Officials fucking over America is in itself and Olympic sport.

I noticed that last night. Our girls looked just as good as the Chinese.

I don't really get all that worked up over the Olympics, but I certainly prefer the events where our competitors are able to win or lose visibly, not at the whim of a bunch of cocksucking foreigners with agendas.

[Buehler445]

Jordan Larson (VB) is a fucking beast. She embarrassed Brazil.

[Buehler445]

And she's hotter than the gymnasts IMO.

[loochy]

And she's hotter than the gymnasts IMO.

Yeah.

I like the volleyball body more than the gymnast body

[lcarus]

I miss being 15 when I could fantasize about the US gymnasts with a clear conscience.

[Setsuna]

I miss being 15 when I could fantasize about the US gymnasts with a clear conscience.

You still can, just put different faces on them or make your mind into an aging software.

[Baby Lee]

Just went and looked quick up to a day before the opening ceremony and I didn't see anything to get worked up about. Maybe the tweets were removed? :shrug:

I only heard a snippet on the radio, but after winning the gold when Phelps failed to place on the podium he said something to the effect of [with a hint of sarcasm/cockiness] 'I don't about everyone calling me the greatest Olympic athlete of all time . . . but. . . '

[KevB]

Jordan Larson (VB) is a ****ing beast. She embarrassed Brazil.

She and Destinee Hooker are dynamic hitters

[Rain Man]

She and Destinee Hooker are dynamic hitters

If your last name is hooker and you name your daughter Destiny (or some misspelling thereof), you're spitting in the eye of fate.

[Rain Man]

I only heard a snippet on the radio, but after winning the gold when Phelps failed to place on the podium he said something to the effect of [with a hint of sarcasm/cockiness] 'I don't about everyone calling me the greatest Olympic athlete of all time . . . but. . . '

What'd he say? I think there's a word missing or something, and I'm curious.

[Buehler445]

She and Destinee Hooker are dynamic hitters

Announcers keep talking about Hooker, but Larson appears to be doing all of the heavy lifting. Hooker seems to need the perfect set to hit hard.

[Baby Lee]

If your last name is hooker and you name your daughter Destiny (or some misspelling thereof), you're spitting in the eye of fate.

Yeah, I was going to post the following.


Spike that ball Hooker
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110704195330/trueblood/images/2/2d/True-Blood-lafayette-reynolds-15663678-500-290.jpg

[Sofa King]

Announcers keep talking about Hooker, but Larson appears to be doing all of the heavy lifting. Hooker seems to need the perfect set to hit hard.

I watched the match and i thought hooker was the one kicking ass, not Larson.

[DaKCMan AP]

Don't read if you don't want to discuss the men's 200m freestyle.

Really surprised Lochte didn't place in the 200m. Crazy.

[Buehler445]

I watched the match and i thought hooker was the one kicking ass, not Larson.

I only arched the first set and half of the second.

I assume the US won the match?

[gblowfish]

OK, since most of the USA female gymnasts are now off limits as minors, can we concentrate on the Dutch Field Hockey team. Anybody got a problem with that???
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1278240-dutch-olympic-field-hockey-netherlands-women-steal-the-show-with-good-looks

[Bearcat]

Don't read if you don't want to discuss the men's 200m freestyle.

Really surprised Lochte didn't place in the 200m. Crazy.

Yeah.

[Trevo_410]

Yeah.

Interesting...
He's a huge douchebag anyways...
Also heard missy won gold so NBD

[vailpass]

So they suspended the Colombian twat that sucker punched our girls soccer player for two games? Good deal.

[mlyonsd]

NBC's primetime coverage is horrible. Just show the fucking events and quit with the stupid fluff pieces.

[Buehler445]

NBC's primetime coverage is horrible. Just show the fucking events and quit with the stupid fluff pieces.

No shit. There are endless events with world class athletes and I get this drivel? Bullshit. It probably sells though. Fuck society.

[Dartgod]

Men's gymnastic team taking a giant shit all over themselves.

[Deberg_1990]

NBC's primetime coverage is horrible. Just show the ****ing events and quit with the stupid fluff pieces.

They are getting hammered for tape delaying everything in primetime and only showing the "Money" events like Swimming and Gymnastics.


This is no surprise, they do this every 4 years unless the Olympics are in America or close to our primetime time zones.

They are a business and will want to broadcast what brings in the ratings.


Besides, there are a ton of other more obscure stuff on CNBC, MSNBC and online streams if you want to get a different fix.

[Aries Walker]

My DVR is getting a workout this Olympics. I'm recording from four different channels and watching them when and how I want. I just have to make sure not to see too many results before I get to watch the event.

[BigMeatballDave]

Men's gymnastic team taking a giant shit all over themselves.

They sure did.

[TLO]

OK, since most of the USA female gymnasts are now off limits as minors, can we concentrate on the Dutch Field Hockey team. Anybody got a problem with that???


Oh my. :thumb:

[redfan]

Vincent Hancock with some mighty fine shooting; US gold in Men's Skeet!!

[Sofa King]

Vincent Hancock with some mighty fine shooting; US gold in Men's Skeet!!

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x354/Boyd508/Celebration.gif

[loochy]

Vincent Hancock with some mighty fine shooting; US gold in Men's Skeet!!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bKTqHsMqkb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[InChiefsHeaven]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bKTqHsMqkb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Learn something new everyday...:hmmm:

[cosmo20002]

This is a very informative story from Yahoo about those hand signals the beach volleyballers use. Educational, and the photos are very useful for illustrating the signals. Definetely check it out. Seriously, check it out.



http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/olympics-decoding-beach-volleyball-s-hand-signals-slideshow/#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Folympics-decoding-beach-volleyball-s-hand-signals-slideshow%252Fspain-s-liliana-fernandez-steiner-signals-the-play-to-her-teammate-spain-s-elsa-baquerizo-mcmillan-photo-1343745068.html

[loochy]

This is a very informative story from Yahoo about those hand signals the beach volleyballers use. Educational, and the photos are very useful for illustrating the signals. Definetely check it out. Seriously, check it out.



http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/olympics-decoding-beach-volleyball-s-hand-signals-slideshow/#crsl=%252Fphotos%252Folympics-decoding-beach-volleyball-s-hand-signals-slideshow%252Fspain-s-liliana-fernandez-steiner-signals-the-play-to-her-teammate-spain-s-elsa-baquerizo-mcmillan-photo-1343745068.html

ROFL:drool::thumb: Oh I checked it out alright

...but they snuck a guy in there. wtf?

[InChiefsHeaven]

ROFL:drool::thumb: Oh I checked it out alright

...but they snuck a guy in there. wtf?

A couple of guys...I didn't learn anything about their handsignals.

But the rest were very very informative and interesting.

[The Franchise]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1TGTm9HBKH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[vailpass]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1TGTm9HBKH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yes the whole thing.

[Valiant]

They are getting hammered for tape delaying everything in primetime and only showing the "Money" events like Swimming and Gymnastics.


This is no surprise, they do this every 4 years unless the Olympics are in America or close to our primetime time zones.

They are a business and will want to broadcast what brings in the ratings.


Besides, there are a ton of other more obscure stuff on CNBC, MSNBC and online streams if you want to get a different fix.

Imo, they could do both. Live and then replay them.

[vailpass]

Imo, they could do both. Live and then replay them.

You going to pay for that?

[Amnorix]

The good news is that the hottest one is completely legal.

Aly Raisman is 18...and has that whole Alicia Sacramone body type thing working for her.

I exhaled audibly when I found out she was 18. I spent entirely too much time openly gawking at her ass when she was on the balance beam to be comfortable with the possibility of her being underaged.

Phew.


Aly does Massachusetts proud.

Meanwhile, is it just me or do the female gymnasts, other than Gabby of course, look INCREDIBLY similar. I'm having trouble telling a few of them apart...

[chasedude]

A couple of guys...I didn't learn anything about their handsignals.

But the rest were very very informative and interesting.

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/75xW.4qVgnpjz3uzDF1lBQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD00MTA7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/388/2012/07/31/120722028-jpg_170312.jpg

Oh those are signals! I thought she was just pointing to something wonderful :D PBJ

[vailpass]

Our girls sound like little bad asses. I like it.


USA Women Take Gymnastics Gold

LONDON

The Americans grabbed hands and backed up, eager to get a better view of the scoreboard.

There really was no need. That Olympic gold medal was in the bag the minute they took the floor.

The Americans lived up to their considerable hype and then some Tuesday, routing silver medalist Russia and everybody else on their way to their first Olympic title in women's gymnastics since 1996.

Their score of 183.596 was a whopping five points ahead of Russia and made their final event, floor exercise, more like a coronation. Romania won the bronze.

With the Russians on the sidelines crying, the Americans stood at the center of the floor, clapping, cheering and basking in a winner's glow. When the score for captain Aly Raisman flashed, the Americans screamed and a chant of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" rang out around the arena.

The women held up their index fingers for the cameras — just in case anyone had a doubt.

The Americans had come into the last two Olympics as world champions, only to leave without a gold. But this team is the strongest, top to bottom, the USA has ever had, and the rest of the world never stood a chance. After the U.S. opened with a barrage of booming vaults, everyone else was playing for silver.

Now all they have to do is find themselves a catchy nickname, like "The Magnificent Seven" from 1996. Some have suggested "The Fab Five," but that belongs to Michigan basketball's Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Co. Others have tossed out "The Fierce Five."

How about "Best Gymnastics Team in the World. By A Lot."

Some teenagers might find that pressure tough to bear, but the Americans reveled in it. When they saw the Russians and Romanians peeking in the doorway during training sessions, they would add some extra oomph to their routines, the better to intimidate the competition.

And when the gold was on the line, the Americans were simply spectacular.

They essentially won the gold medal with their first event, vault, putting on a fireworks show right in front of the Russians.

All of the Americans do Amanars, one of the toughest vaults in the world — a roundoff onto the takeoff board, back handspring onto the table and 2.5 twisting somersaults before landing. It's got a start value — the measure of difficulty — of 6.5, a whopping 0.7 above the vault most other gymnasts do, and they ripped off one massive one after another.

World champion Jordyn Wieber went first and did perhaps the best one she's ever done, getting great height in the air with her legs locked together. When her feet slammed into the mat on landing, she threw up her arms and smiled broadly. Anyone who wondered how she would recover from the shock of failing to qualify for the all-around competition got their answer.

Gabby Douglas went next, and her vault was even better. And then came McKayla Maroney, who let everyone know why she's a heavy favorite to add the Olympic gold to her world title in vault. She got so much height on her Amanar it's a wonder she didn't bump her head on the overhead camera. She hit the mat with tremendous force yet didn't so much as wiggle, triumphantly thrusting her arms in the air as she saluted the judges.

The Americans strutted out of the event with a 1.7-point lead, and never looked back.

Russia erased all but four-tenths of the deficit on uneven bars, where Viktoria Komova and Aliya Mustafina defy the laws of gravity, but the team began falling apart on balance beam. Mustafina swayed and wobbled so badly on the landing of a leap it's a wonder she didn't fall off; Komova almost stepped on the judges on her dismount.

The Americans, meanwhile, made the 4-inch slab that stands 4 feet in the air look like child's play. Kyla Ross, the only American who wasn't on that world team last year (she was too young), looks like a ballerina with her long legs and gorgeous lines. She landed one somersault with her left foot curled over the edge of the beam, yet never flinched.

Douglas has struggled on balance beam all summer, with a fall the second day of the U.S. championships costing her the title. But she has been clutch in London, delivering the highest score in qualifying and again Tuesday night.


She whipped off a series of backflips as if she was still on the ground, a look of intense concentration on her face. She had a small balance check on a leap, swaying slightly and waving her arms to steady herself, but it was a minor error. Her score of 15.233 would all but seal the gold for the Americans, and they strutted over to floor exercise eager to close out the night with a big show.

While the Russians struggled — Anastasia Grishina stumbled forward on one pass and botched another when she all but came to a dead stop in the middle of the floor, and world champion Ksenia Afanaseva landed her dismount on her knees — the Americans kicked off their victory party.

Wieber's bright smile grew as she danced and tumbled, the crowd clapping in time to her techno pop music. Fans the world over are going to have the "Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo" from the start of Douglas' music in their heads, and little girls are sure to be bouncing in their backyards trying to get as high as she does on her leaps.

Raisman closed it out with a rollicking routine to "Hava Nagila." While her teammates cheered, Raisman soared high on her tumbling passes yet she landed so securely she may as well have been stepping into a bucket of cement.

Coach Mihai Brestyan was jumping up and down as Raisman finished, the tears already starting to fall. But as she fell into her teammates arms, the tears turned to shrieks of joy.

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/gymnastics/story/US-womens-gymnastics-wins-gold-Jordyn-Wieber-Aly-Raisman-Gabrielle-Douglas-073112

[chefsos]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1TGTm9HBKH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Before you all start thinking that I didn't get the point of this video, be advised that I did. Oh yeah.

*Draws in breath through teeth* Yeah.

But jeez, is space so limited there that these girls had to run up a hill and crash into a wall to slow down after the sprint?

[Baby Lee]

Our girls sound like little bad asses. I like it.

I am really rooting for them, if for nothing else so Jordyn's story will be 'the only gymnasts in her class were her own teammates' instead of 'world champion fails to qualify.'

[vailpass]

I am really rooting for them, if for nothing else so Jordyn's story will be 'the only gymnasts in her class were her own teammates' instead of 'world champion fails to qualify.'

Oh agreed, that was really tough when she didn't qualify but it's all good now. Our girls kicked ass this time.

[vailpass]

Phelps most decorated Olympian ever

LONDON

Michael Phelps swam into history with his 19th Olympic medal, and this one was a more appropriate color.

With a lot of help from his friends, Phelps took down the last major record that wasn't his alone, swimming the anchor leg for the United States in a gold medal-winning performance of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay Tuesday night.

About an hour earlier, Phelps took one of the most frustrating defeats of his brilliant career, making a shocking blunder at the finish and settling for silver in his signature event, the 200 butterfly.

That tied the record for career medals held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, but it was hardly a triumphant moment. Phelps slung away his cap in disgust and struggled to force a smile at the medal ceremony.

But any disappointment from that race was gone by the time he dived in the water on the relay, having been staked to a huge lead by teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens.

Before the race, they all huddled together, fully aware of their role in history.

''I thanked those guys for helping me get to this moment,'' Phelps said. ''I told those guys I wanted a big lead. I was like, 'You better give me a big lead going into the last lap,' and they gave it to me. I just wanted to hold on. I thanked them for being able to allow me to have this moment.''

Berens handed off a lead of nearly 4 seconds to Phelps, who lingered a bit on the blocks, knowing the only way he could blow this one was to get disqualified. Then he set off on what amounted to four victory laps of the pool — down and back, then down and back again, the roar in the Olympic Aquatics Centre getting louder as he approached the finish.

Lochte stood on the deck, waving his arms. Dwyer and Berens pumped their fists. And Phelps touched the wall for his first gold of the London Games with a cumulative time of 6 minutes, 59.70 seconds.

No one else was close. France's Yannick Agnel swam a faster final leg than Phelps, but it wasn't nearly good enough, his country taking silver in 7:02.77. China was far back in third at 7:06.30.

Phelps might have backed into the record a bit by failing to win any of his first three events at these games, but there's no denying his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians ever — if not the greatest.

Phelps has 15 golds in his career, six more than anyone else, to go along with two silvers and two bronzes. After failing to medal in his only race at the 2000 Sydney Games, he won six golds and two bronzes in Athens, followed by his epic eight gold medals in Beijing. And now the swan song, not nearly as epic but enough.

Latynina won nine golds, five silvers and four bronzes from 1956-64.

''You are now a complete legend!'' the public-address announced bellowed, accompanied by the Foo Fighters' song ''Best of You.''

Phelps still has three more events in London before he retires, three more chances to establish a mark that will be hard for anyone to touch.

''It has been a pretty amazing career,'' the 27-year-old said, ''but we still have a couple races to go.''

Several fans held up a bedsheet with ''PHELPS GREATEST OLYMPIAN EVER'' handwritten on it.

Hard to argue with that, though this hasn't exactly been the farewell Phelps was hoping for — a sluggish fourth-place finish in the 400 individual medley, a runner-up showing in the 4x100 free relay, then another silver in the 200 fly.

That was a race he had not lost at either the Olympics or world championships since Sydney, when he finished fifth as an unknown 15-year-old just soaking up the moment, a kid with big dreams but no idea they would turn out like this.

Phelps, after leading the entire race, tried to glide into the wall instead of taking one more stroke. Chad le Clos of South Africa took that extra stroke and beat Phelps by five-thousandths of a second.

MARKETING MICHAEL
Sure, he's an Olympic smash hit. But how do you develop a long-term plan to extend Phelps' legacy and brand? WATCH FOX BUSINESS EXCLUSIVE.

''Obviously I would have liked to have a better outcome in the 200 fly,'' Phelps said. ''I was on the receiving end of getting touched out. Chad swam a good race. I've gotten to know him a little over the last year. He's a hard worker, he's a tough competitor and he's a racer.''

Le Clos pounded the water when he saw the ''1'' beside his name.

Phelps hung on the lane rope and buried his face in his hands, disgusted with himself for having squandered what looked like a sure gold. Le Clos won South Africa's second swimming gold of the games in a time of 1:52.96. Phelps finished in 1:53.01, while Japan's Takeshi Matsuda took the bronze in 1:53.21.

''It's obviously my last one,'' Phelps said. ''I would have liked to win, but 1:53 flat isn't a terrible time. When you look at the picture of it, it's a decent time.''

But the finish was a shocker, given that Phelps had won a memorable race at Beijing when a rival made the very same error. Milorad Cavic of Serbia thought he had the 100 fly in the bag after his final stroke, but Phelps made the split-second decision to get in one more stroke and slammed into the wall — one-thousandth of a second ahead of Cavic.

This time, it was Phelps on the losing end. He was again denied a chance to become the first male swimmer to win the same individual event at three straight Olympics, though he can still do it in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly.

Lochte was also feeling better about himself, having struggled in two straight events after opening the Olympics with a dominating win in the 400 individual medley. He swam the anchor of the 4x100 free relay, but was chased down by Agnel after being handed a comfortable lead. Then he was fourth — far behind Agnel — in the 200 free.

''After that relay, my confidence went down,'' Lochte said. ''Everyone just kept on telling me, 'You know what, you're better than that. Just forget about it and move on.' I didn't swim at all this morning, which I thought helped. I woke up this morning and I was back to myself. I was that happy-go-lucky guy, so I think that's what really helped me throughout the whole day.''

In the first final of the night, American Allison Schmitt won the 200 freestyle with a dominating performance that left everyone else, including teammate Missy Franklin, battling for the other medals.

Schmitt won in an Olympic-record 1:53.61. France's Camille Muffat took silver in 1:55.58, almost a body length behind, while Bronte Barrett of Australia took the bronze over Franklin by a thousandth of a second. Barrett touched in 1:55.81. Franklin, who led after the first 50, was fourth in 1:55.82.

''I was just racing,'' said Schmitt, who is quietly becoming one of the stars of the pool. ''I knew I had to kick it. I just look at that scoreboard and see 53 and first place. I couldn't be happier.''

She captured her first career gold medal, to go along with a silver in the 400 free and a bronze in the 4x100 free relay.

The 17-year-old Franklin was denied her third medal of the games, one night after her gutsy victory in the 100 backstroke earned her a tweet-out from pop star Justin Bieber.

''I was trying to do the best that I can,'' said Franklin, who still has four more events in London. ''I was in an incredible heat. I really wanted to go best time.''

China's Ye Shiwen set an Olympic record to win her second gold of the London Games, adding the 200 individual medley title to a world-record performance in the 400 IM that sparked suspicions about doping. Everyone from her fellow swimmers to the International Olympic Committee have come to her defense, and she put aside any distractions to win again.

The 16-year-old Ye took the lead in the final lap and clocked 2:07.57, shaving 0.18 off her own mark set in Monday's semifinal. Alicia Coutts of Australia touched in 2:08.15 to take the silver medal and Caitlin Leverenz of the United States finished in 2:08.95 to take bronze.

Defending champion Stephanie Rice of Australia was fourth.

But this night was all about Phelps, who endured both gut-wrenching disappointment and thrilling triumph.

After losing the 200 fly, he retrieved his cap, went over to congratulate le Clos, and hustled out of the pool to get ready for the relay. Before that, Phelps had to return to the deck for a medal ceremony that he clearly would have preferred to skip. He bit his lip, leaned over to have the silver medal draped around his neck, and forced a weak smile.

It sure didn't feel like a celebration.

But the mood was much different when he came out with his teammates to accept gold. He bantered playfully with the crowd. He posed with an American flag. He propped up a chair trying to reach his mom and two sisters, sitting in the front row.

As Phelps lingered on the deck, doing television interviews, a crowd of U.S. supporters broke into a chant.

''Four more years! Four more years!''

But, really, what's left for someone who's already the greatest?

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/swimming/story/michael-phelps-london-games-most-career-athlete-medals-united-states-freestyle-relay-073112

[Baby Lee]

I miss being 15 when I could fantasize about the US gymnasts with a clear conscience.

I don't know about 'fantasizing' but I finally figured out who McKayla Maroney reminded me of, Her brow/eye/nose area reminds me of Victoria Beckham.

[ghak99]

I don't know about 'fantasizing' but I finally figured out who McKayla Maroney reminded me of, Her brow/eye/nose area reminds me of Victoria Beckham.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m81pnz2FMl1qzmiy9.jpg

[007]

HOLY CRAP what a start.

[Baby Lee]

HOLY CRAP what a start.

Feelin' like game 7 of the '85 WS.

[007]

Feelin' like game 7 of the '85 WS.

Maroney's vault was just insane. How the judges even found anything wrong with it is beyond me.

[InChiefsHeaven]

Maroney's vault was just insane. How the judges even found anything wrong with it is beyond me.

Fucking the USA as much as possible is sorta what they do. Still can't stop that juggernaut!

[BigMeatballDave]

Does Ryan Seacrest have to be on TV all the fucking time?

[BigMeatballDave]

That wasn't even close.

[The Mayor]

I love hearing the national anthem during the medal ceremony. Great night for the USA.

[BigMeatballDave]

Women's Volleyball.

Yeah...

[Baby Lee]

That might have been the most impressive point in volleyball I can recall.

EDIT: and it it took them to 6 [SIX!!] match points. Wow! Good Stuff.

[BigMeatballDave]

Major choking in American Men's Archery today.

[the Talking Can]

women power lifters are fug....holy facial hair and acne, batman

[Setsuna]

Overall the women of the US are embarrassing the men, it isn't even close.

[BigMeatballDave]

Overall the women of the US are embarrassing the men, it isn't even close.

Unless you're Michael Phelps.

[vailpass]

NEW YORK—Responding to widespread criticism of its decision to air coverage of Olympic events on a six-hour time delay, NBC issued an apology Tuesday to American viewers, saying it was really, really sorry for failing to alter the governing laws of space and time to accommodate everyone’s precious schedules.

"We at NBC would like to sincerely apologize for not doing something so simple as to modify the physical properties of the known universe so that you could go home and watch the women’s 100-meter backstroke live," chief digital officer Vivian Schiller said in response to widespread criticism on social media, adding that the network would "get one of our theoretical physicists right on that for you." "On second thought, we really should have considered manipulating the invariant properties of the space-time continuum while we were still in the planning stages of our coverage, and, boy, it sure was silly of us not to."

Schiller noted that if viewers continue to be dissatisfied with the network’s coverage, they can feel free to switch over to an alternate plane of reality wherein temporal events and the subjective experience of said events may be shifted at will.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/nbc-sorry-we-didnt-alter-the-laws-of-space-and-tim,29011/

[Setsuna]

Unless you're Michael Phelps.

Keyword Overall. It seems like you Chiefs fans have a collective lack of context clue finding skills.

[TLO]

Does Ryan Seacrest have to be on TV all the ****ing time?

No joke.

[TLO]

So I'm off work at 4am today. Anything interesting on around 4am?

[Mr. Laz]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/feujTUjoDko?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[TLO]

My thoughts echo the commentary of that video spot on.

[BigMeatballDave]

So I'm off work at 4am today. Anything interesting on around 4am?

Olympic coverage on NBC Sports Network.

[chasedude]

I must google more Alenka Bikar, fanfuckingtastic!

[Rain Man]

As a random thought, the Olympics is all full of people in great physical condition (other than the skeet shooters).

I think we should start an Olympics purely for people who weigh more than 300 pounds. We can call it the Oblimpics.

[BigMeatballDave]

Keyword Overall. It seems like you Chiefs fans have a collective lack of context clue finding skills.

No, Phelps does not feel embarrassed by the other American female athletes and neither do his teammates.

They are not competing against one another.

[chasedude]

http://www3.pic-upload.de/12.07.09/bz5ed8y63ft.gif

I love gifs :D

[luv]

When did synchronized diving become a sport?

[BigMeatballDave]

When did synchronized diving become a sport?

When people began competing in it.

:D

[chasedude]

When did synchronized diving become a sport?

I think I saw somewhere it started in the 50's and it's restricted to women only.

[BigMeatballDave]

I think I saw somewhere it started in the 50's and it's restricted to women only.

Did you mean was restricted?

[chasedude]

Did you mean was restricted?

Still restricted. I read an article recently the British had a men's team ready to go and were dissed because the sport is women competition only.

Unless they've changed it in the last 24 hours I read that article.

[luv]

Still restricted. I read an article recently the British had a men's team ready to go and were dissed because the sport is women competition only.

Unless they've changed it in the last 24 hours I read that article.

I just got done watching men's synchronized diving.

[chasedude]

I just got done watching men's synchronized diving.

To dispel anymore confusion on what I'm talking about...

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/olympics/synch-male-synchronized-swimming-team-barred-london-olympics/story?id=16887027#.UBnP5LSe7IcAt
the Queen Mother Sports Centre in the heart of London, a group of medal-winning athletes is training for one of the most demanding Olympic competitions-- synchronized swimming.

Their sport requires precision, teamwork and stamina.

But no matter how hard they train, no matter how good they are, this team isn't welcome at the 2012 Summer Games, for one simple reason: They're men.

Synchronized swimming was first demonstrated at the Olympics in 1952, and didn't become an official sport until 1984, but then it was only opened to female teams.

The Out To Swim Angels are Britain's only male synchronized swimming team. Last month they wrote a letter to the International Olympic Committee and FINA, swimming's governing body, arguing that men deserve to compete in synchronized swimming as well.

"There's still this same of sort old mindset. Oh well it's pretty, it's for girls," said team member Ronan Daly. "But no, we want to challenge that and say boys can do this as well."


These guys are not the first. Californian Kenyon Smith was one of best synchronized swimmers in the world, when he was blocked out from entering the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Four years earlier, Bill May, who won several awards swimming with women, was barred from the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Now these Brits say enough is enough. In their letter to the IOC, they're asking that the rules be changed in time for the Summer Games in Rio in 2016.

"I think it's incredibly ironic that the Olympics are all about equality, yet we don't have a chance to compete, and other mens' teams don't have a chance to participate," said team captain Stephen Adshead.

Synchronized swimming was glamorized by actress and professional swimmer Esther Williams in the 1940s and early 1950s. In the 1980s, comedians Martin Short and Harry Shearer poked fun at the idea of men competing in the sport on Saturday Night Live.

The Out To Swim Angels said to get the public to take them seriously, all they need to do is demonstrate their routine. The swimmers never touch the bottom of the pool, and their moves require incredible core strength.

The team was created three years ago and is coached by Sanela Nikolic, a former Yugoslav champion. Last year they brought home a gold medal from the Eurogames in Rotterdam.

Along with the battle for acceptance, Adshead says the team is also fighting to stay afloat financially, since renting time at the local swimming pool can be costly.

Still, the team promises to keep kicking, to get the Olympic Committee to recognize that men can compete just as well as women in this challenging sport.

"We need the younger people to do this, to encourage kids to get involved in synchro," said team member George Gardiner. "We need to build up the talent, train hard and hopefully we'll see guys doing Olympic level synchro in a few years time."

[BigMeatballDave]

Still restricted. I read an article recently the British had a men's team ready to go and were dissed because the sport is women competition only.

Unless they've changed it in the last 24 hours I read that article.

All I know is its on my TV at this very moment.

[BigMeatballDave]

That article is about swimming, not diving.

[chasedude]

All I know is its on my TV at this very moment.

My confusion, I thought I saw luv post synchronized swimming not diving.

Too much heat today, my brain must be out of sync.

[chasedude]

That article is about swimming, not diving.

Yeah I finally realized my mistake, see above post.

[Setsuna]

Misty May....would you do me if I pay?

[BigMeatballDave]

My confusion, I thought I saw luv post synchronized swimming not diving.

Too much heat today, my brain must be out of sync.

:D

Americans just won bronze.

They interviewed the winners.

Did not sound like men...

NTTAWWT

[mlyonsd]

Beach volleyball absolutely sucks.

[BigMeatballDave]

Beach volleyball absolutely sucks.

The outfits don't.

:)

[luv]

:D

Americans just won bronze.

They interviewed the winners.

Did not sound like men...

NTTAWWT
They sounded like men, just not straight men.

[Deberg_1990]

Which Volleyball profession do you prefer? Indoor or beach?

[Setsuna]

Beach....well no indoor. As long as it's not 2 on 2. Can't have enough booty. And our men gymnasts are failing horribly.

[BigMeatballDave]

American Men's gymnastics is horrible.

[Baby Lee]

They sounded like men, just not straight men.

Yeah, ol' Troy has his feet pinned behind his ears as we speak.

[cosmo20002]

I just got done watching men's synchronized diving.

Doing something at the same time as someone else should not be a competitive sport.

[BigMeatballDave]

LMAO Anyone seen this yet? <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?width=620&height=345&embedCode=JuM2FqNTo1PfVQghwvoaMPwA0eH6IcBv&deepLinkEmbedCode=JuM2FqNTo1PfVQghwvoaMPwA0eH6IcBv&video_pcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu"></script>

Both teams here were disqualified from Olympics for losing intentionally for future favorable match-ups.

[007]

LMAO Anyone seen this yet? <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?width=620&height=345&embedCode=JuM2FqNTo1PfVQghwvoaMPwA0eH6IcBv&deepLinkEmbedCode=JuM2FqNTo1PfVQghwvoaMPwA0eH6IcBv&video_pcode=BhdmY6l9g002rBhQ6aEBZiheacDu"></script>

Both teams here were disqualified from Olympics for losing intentionally for future favorable match-ups.

WTF? They should ban the coaches from the sport for life for that BS.

[BigMeatballDave]

WTF? They should ban the coaches from the sport for life for that BS.

Yeah.

Its funny to me because they were not trying to hide it at all. Like no one would notice.

[ReynardMuldrake]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tu-YAMiS5wA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is how you do uneven bars.

[Chiefnj2]

WTF? They should ban the coaches from the sport for life for that BS.

It's a tough call. By winning that game they would have drawn the toughest seed to the finals. They were doing their best to put themselves in a position to win in the future. Is it much different than an NFL team that rests its starters the last two weeks of the season?

[DaKCMan AP]

It's a tough call. By winning that game they would have drawn the toughest seed to the finals. They were doing their best to put themselves in a position to win in the future. Is it much different than an NFL team that rests its starters the last two weeks of the season?

Completely different. Do the NFL teams resting starters go out and take a knee on every offensive possession?

[jspchief]

It's a tough call. By winning that game they would have drawn the toughest seed to the finals. They were doing their best to put themselves in a position to win in the future. Is it much different than an NFL team that rests its starters the last two weeks of the season?It pretty much goes 100% against the spirit of the Olympics.

I can't believe someone is actually trying to defend that shit.

[DaKCMan AP]

It pretty much goes 100% against the spirit of the Olympics.

I can't believe someone is actually trying to defend that shit.

Once you see who that someone is, it shouldn't surprise you.

[Chiefnj2]

Completely different. Do the NFL teams resting starters go out and take a knee on every offensive possession?

The badminton teams didn't have the option of subbing in Sorgi or Cassel.

[DaKCMan AP]

The badminton teams didn't have the option of subbing in Sorgi or Cassel.

The intent of the badminton teams was to lose.

The intent of the NFL teams are to prevent injury. They don't intend to lose.

It's completely different.

[Chiefnj2]

The intent of the badminton teams was to lose.

The intent of the NFL teams are to prevent injury. They don't intend to lose.

It's completely different.

Resting your starting QB, WR, HB and DE is pretty much throwing up a white flag and not giving your best effort to win the game.

When you don't have single elimination games this is what happens. The problem is that it was so obvious. It happened in women's soccer as well:

"On Tuesday, in Cardiff, Wales, the Japanese women’s soccer team, the 2011 World Cup champion, played to a scoreless tie against a much weaker South African side.

The tie, as opposed to a win, meant that the Japanese, who had already qualified for the knockout round, avoided having to travel to Glasgow to play France in the quarterfinals. Instead, they will remain in Cardiff and play Brazil.

Afterward, Norio Sasaki, Japan’s coach, said he put in substitutes and told them to keep possession of the ball. The players, he said, “were on the same page as me.” "

[Sofa King]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tu-YAMiS5wA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This is how you do uneven bars.

That was pretty funny. Stuck his landing.

[DaKCMan AP]

Resting your starting QB, WR, HB and DE is pretty much throwing up a white flag and not giving your best effort to win the game.

When you don't have single elimination games this is what happens. The problem is that it was so obvious. It happened in women's soccer as well:

"On Tuesday, in Cardiff, Wales, the Japanese women’s soccer team, the 2011 World Cup champion, played to a scoreless tie against a much weaker South African side.

The tie, as opposed to a win, meant that the Japanese, who had already qualified for the knockout round, avoided having to travel to Glasgow to play France in the quarterfinals. Instead, they will remain in Cardiff and play Brazil.

Afterward, Norio Sasaki, Japan’s coach, said he put in substitutes and told them to keep possession of the ball. The players, he said, “were on the same page as me.” "

So all we've established thus far is Asian countries tank games in the Olympics.

[Baby Lee]

Bikers pace themselves and draft off other bikers
Swimmers exert themselves only to the extent necessary to qualify, particularly if they have additional heats in the near future that they need to reserve strength for.
The goal is to win gold. Tactics to maximize their prospects to achieve that goal, even if it doesn't involve going full bore at every moment of competition, seems like fair play.

[DaKCMan AP]

Bikers pace themselves and draft off other bikers
Swimmers exert themselves only to the extent necessary to qualify, particularly if they have additional heats in the near future that they need to reserve strength for.
The goal is to win gold. Tactics to maximize their prospects to achieve that goal, even if it doesn't involve going full bore at every moment of competition, seems like fair play.

Again, not the same thing. Do the bikers and swimmers go out and intentionally lose? No.

The equivalent to what the two teams were doing would be to punt or take a knee on every offensive possession in a football game.

[boogblaster]

our fine government taxes the medal winners ....

[cosmo20002]

our fine government taxes the medal winners ....

On the cash they win. Why wouldn't it be taxed like any other income?

[Micjones]

What determines the winning country...the most total medals or the most Gold medals?

[Baby Lee]

Again, not the same thing. Do the bikers and swimmers go out and intentionally lose? No.

The equivalent to what the two teams were doing would be to punt or take a knee on every offensive possession in a football game.

If a heat takes the top 4, 6, 10, contenders, they may well intentionally settle for 4th, 6th or 10th when they were capable of taking 1st.

[Baby Lee]

On the cash they win. Why wouldn't it be taxed like any other income?

And the 'value' of the gold medal.

[DaKCMan AP]

If a heat takes the top 4, 6, 10, contenders, they may well intentionally settle for 4th, 6th or 10th when they were capable of taking 1st.

Settling or "shutting it down" is not in the same universe as intentionally throwing a match. That swimmer still has to work to get in the top 4, 6, etc. The badminton players were intentionally hitting shots out of court and serving into the net.

[DaKCMan AP]

And the 'value' of the gold medal.

Why should it be any different from any other prize? If I win the lotto or a poker championship or a car I have to pay taxes on it.

[cosmo20002]

Why should it be any different from any other prize? If I win the lotto or a poker championship or a car I have to pay taxes on it.

Apparently because it is the Olympics, where they are competing solely for honor and love of country. And the $50K the US Olympic committee gives them if they win.

[cosmo20002]

What determines the winning country...the most total medals or the most Gold medals?

There is no official determination of the "winning country." People win events. A country does not "win the Olympics."

[loochy]

There is no official determination of the "winning country." People win events. A country does not "win the Olympics."

says the loser countries

[vailpass]

Apparently because it is the Olympics, where they are competing solely for honor and love of country. And the $50K the US Olympic committee gives them if they win.

Take your non-sports minded bullshit back to the DC hole.

[vailpass]

What determines the winning country...the most total medals or the most Gold medals?

Total medal count. china has us by one right now, 33-32. I'm hoping our young brothers and sisters in Track & Field can give us the medal lead. There can't be many Chinese track and field medalist can there?

[Micjones]

Total medal count. china has us by one right now, 33-32. I'm hoping our young brothers and sisters in Track & Field can give us the medal lead. There can't be many Chinese track and field medalist can there?

I don't know, but if they have to compete against the infamous Chinese hurdler (YouTube it now/thank me later)...we're in trouble.

[Sofa King]

I don't know, but if they have to compete against the infamous Chinese hurdler (YouTube it now/thank me later)...we're in trouble.

LMAO

This guy?


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Su1ozG3WPUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[vailpass]

LMAO

This guy?


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Su1ozG3WPUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

LMAO This the one you mean MicJ? That looks real but can't be.

[Micjones]

LMAO This the one you mean MicJ? That looks real but can't be.

The very one.
ROFL

It was REAL (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1247947-rogue-chinese-hurdler-takes-show-at-chinese-university-games).

[cosmo20002]

Take your non-sports minded bullshit back to the DC hole.

Return to your glory hole, closet case.

[vailpass]

The very one.
ROFL

It was REAL (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1247947-rogue-chinese-hurdler-takes-show-at-chinese-university-games).

Real? NFW. That makes it twice as good. I like how he crossed over into the other guy's lane and jacked up his race as well. What's a guy with legs too stubby to jump doing in a hurdles race?

[Micjones]

Real? NFW. That makes it twice as good.

Yep.

"I'm on my way, London!"

I like how he crossed over into the other guy's lane and jacked up his race as well.

PRICELESS.

[ThaVirus]

When is the men's 100m, 200m and 4X100m relay? Those are the only events I give a shit about.

Also, how do Olympians make their money? Is it solely sponsorships? Do they get paid for taking home medals? Do they make money competing in other events outside of the Olympics?

[Baby Lee]

The very one.
ROFL

It was REAL (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1247947-rogue-chinese-hurdler-takes-show-at-chinese-university-games).

Reee-roy!!! Jeeeeeen-kims!!!!!

[rico]

I can't watch these boat races without thinking of those arrogant pricks from "The Social Network."

[vailpass]

I can't watch these boat races without thinking of those arrogant pricks from "The Social Network."

The guys that thought up facebook and are now probably worth more than their father? Wonder what they settled for?

[Dante84]

Congrats Phelps

[ghak99]

49 points in the first 10 minutes... :usa:

[BigMeatballDave]

WAAAA PROS SHOULDN'T PLAY IN OLYMPICS /CP Pussies

[chiefqueen]

USA Men are DESTROYING every offensive BB record.

[chiefqueen]

WAAAA PROS SHOULDN'T PLAY IN OLYMPICS /CP Pussies

David Stern is on record saying he wants Olympic participation limited to those under 23.

[BigMeatballDave]

156-73

LMAO

[BigMeatballDave]

David Stern is on record saying he wants Olympic participation limited to those under 23.

Stern can eat a bag of dicks.

[BigMeatballDave]

29 3-pointers

[chiefqueen]

USA wins by 83!!!!!!!!

[evolve27]

I enjoy Skeet Shooting.

[Saulbadguy]

This team could pick their score against the "dream team"

[saphojunkie]

Dude, the last 50 points of that game, Kobe, Lebron and Durant were on the bench.

[BigMeatballDave]

As good as this team may be, they're still not as good as the 92 team.

[Saulbadguy]

As good as this team may be, they're still not as good as the 92 team.

Per usual, you are a fucking dumbass.

[alnorth]

says the loser countries

Honestly, I don't really consider the US to have won unless they get more golds than the EU, maybe drop France, Italy, and Romania to make it fair. (EU has half a billion, we have a bit over 300 million)

Our massive size and population is just a silly advantage against any one EU nation. China can also stand on their own, probably Russia too, but our peer in Europe is not Germany, or the UK, its the whole fricken EU minus a couple countries.

By that measure we haven't beaten the EU in a while (not surprising, they dont have the NBA and the NFL sucking all the life out of the athletic room, aside from soccer they encourage all kinds of weird sports), but we're narrowly ahead at the moment.

[BigMeatballDave]

Per usual, you are a fucking dumbass.

LOL Okay.

[whoman69]

Honestly, I don't really consider the US to have won unless they get more golds than the EU, maybe drop France, Italy, and Romania to make it fair. (EU has half a billion, we have a bit over 300 million)

Our massive size and population is just a silly advantage against any one EU nation. China can also stand on their own, probably Russia too, but our peer in Europe is not Germany, or the UK, its the whole fricken EU minus a couple countries.

By that measure we haven't beaten the EU in a while (not surprising, they dont have the NBA and the NFL sucking all the life out of the athletic room, aside from soccer they encourage all kinds of weird sports), but we're narrowly ahead at the moment.

China's population is six times the US, close to seven. Your argument is silly.

[Saulbadguy]

India is weird. Maybe they don't care.

[O.city]

People have this view of the dream team because they had Jordan, pippen, ewing, etc.


It was a great great team. However, if this years team had a healthy Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, I think they beat the dream team, fairly easily.

[alnorth]

China's population is six times the US, close to seven. Your argument is silly.

Hardly.

The thought that its perfectly fair to compare countries straight-up is stupid. Handicap China if it makes you feel better. (Actually, to hell with China, I'm not impressed with their insane state-sanctioned hunt for elementary school athletes to pluck away from families, end their education, and force them to train in prison-like conditions.)

The EU has beaten us in at least every olympics since 2000. I didn't check 1996 or prior, though. I'm fine with that, because this is of course an individual competition, but those who want to beat their chest bragging about beating the world look kinda silly to me.

[BigMeatballDave]

India is weird. Maybe they don't care.

They're busy with customer support.

Oh, and worshiping the cow.

[vailpass]

People have this view of the dream team because they had Jordan, pippen, ewing, etc.


It was a great great team. However, if this years team had a healthy Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, I think they beat the dream team, fairly easily.

Dream Team vs. Kobe Bryant and 2012 team? It’s ugly
by Doug Haller on Jul. 31, 2012, under Arizona Republic News

As you may have heard, Kobe Bryant feels pretty good about the USA team that is competing for gold in the London Olympics. So much so, the Lakers star took aim at what many consider the best basketball team ever assembled: The 1992 Dream Team. Yes, the one that won gold in Barcelona.

“Well, just from a basketball standpoint, they obviously have a lot more size than we do,” Bryant said, noting original Dream Teamers David Robinson,Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone. “But they were also — some of those wing players — were also a lot older, at kind of the end of their careers. We have just a bunch of young racehorses, guys eager to compete. It’d be a tough one, but I think we’d pull it out.”

First, it might be wise for someone to point out to Bryant that he is 33, four years older than Michael Jordan was when he dribbled — and soared — in Spain. Second, someone probably should pull aside Bryant and tell him: “Hey, Slick, let’s win in London before taking on the best basketball team of all time.”

Still, it’s an interesting debate.

As you can imagine, the original Dream Teamers think pretty highly of themselves. They don’t rank as high as the 1972 Miami Dolphins on the obnoxious meter, but they’re close. When he first heard of Bryant’s comments, Jordan told reporters he “absolutely laughed.”

Magic Johnson tweeted: “The 1992 Dream Team had 11 HOFs, 23 champ rings and the greatest player of all time in Jordan. No chance this year’s team would take us.”

Said Charles Barkley in a radio interview: “Other than Kobe, LeBron (James) and Kevin Durant, I don’t think anybody else on that team makes our team.”

The unfortunate part is, we’ll never know the truth. Still, through Whatifsports.com, it’s possible to get an idea of how the two teams matchup. Whatifsports.com gives fans a chance to settle these kinds of things. You can pit teams of different eras against each other and see how they fare, complete with box score.

For this purpose, The Heat Index matched up the 2012 team against the original Dream Team in a best-of-seven series. The simulated result:

A Dream Team sweep.

Yes, it was ugly. Check out the results:

Game 1: Magic leads seven Dream Teamers in double figures with 19 points in a 124-97 win. Clyde Drexler (everyone always forgets about him) added 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. LeBron topped the 2012 team with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Game 2: Jordan scored 22 points and Ewing added 14 points and 13 rebounds in a 115-106 win. This one was close. With 6:14 to go in the fourth, James Harden converted a 3-point play to give the 2012 team a 98-94 lead. Alas, Jordan scored nine points in the final two minutes to help the Dream Team pull away. Carmelo Anthony led the 2012 team with 16 points.

Game 3: Barkley scored 15 points off the bench to lead the Dream Team to a balanced 105-88 win. Magic and Chris Mullin each added 14 points. Robinson contributed 12 points and five blocked shots. LeBron led the 2012 squad with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Game 4: Magic had 21 points and seven assists as the Dream Team finished off the 2012 stars with a 115-103 win. Robinson and Ewing each added 17 points. Tyson Chandler topped the 2012 team with 17 points and 15 rebounds.

So as you can see, the original Dream Team won with depth. It had a different leading scorer (Magic, Jordan and Barkley) in three of the four games. Meanwhile, the 2012 team never shot better than 48 percent.

It’s not definitive proof, but it might be enough for Bryant to concentrate on what’s in front of him instead of targeting something out of reach.

http://tucsoncitizen.com/arizona-news/2012/07/31/dream-team-vs-kobe-bryant-and-2012-team-its-ugly/

[BigMeatballDave]

People have this view of the dream team because they had Jordan, pippen, ewing, etc.


It was a great great team. However, if this years team had a healthy Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, I think they beat the dream team, fairly easily.

I wouldn't bet against any team that had Jordan.

[Saulbadguy]

People have this view of the dream team because they had Jordan, pippen, ewing, etc.


It was a great great team. However, if this years team had a healthy Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, I think they beat the dream team, fairly easily.

They beat them without those two. I love Charles Barkley more than any NBA player in history, but come on. Chris Mullin, Christian Laettner? Clyde Drexler? LOL

[O.city]

I wouldn't bet against any team that had Jordan.

Jordan was great, obviously. Best player in history.



That said, when he locks in, I'm not sure Lebron isn't the best overall defender to play. He's so big and strong and quick enough to guard damn near anyposition.

[vailpass]

I wouldn't bet against any team that had Jordan.

Provided they played by '92 rules with '92 refs the 92 big men would knock the current players around like they've never seen before. Play was so much more physical. 2012 players would get handled.

[O.city]

I wouldn't bet against any team that had Jordan.

I just don't think they could guard Ewing or the other bigs.

[Saulbadguy]

I wouldn't bet against any team that had Jordan.
Jordan is the best of all time. The problem is there isn't anyone else on that team that would start on this years team.

[Saulbadguy]

I just don't think they could guard Ewing or the other bigs.

LOL

[Hammock Parties]

http://i.imgur.com/jx1IF.jpg

[Saulbadguy]

Provided they played by '92 rules with '92 refs the 92 big men would knock the current players around like they've never seen before. Play was so much more physical. 2012 players would get handled.

92 competition was an absolute joke. The international play has gotten much, much better.

[allen_kcCard]

Hardly.

The thought that its perfectly fair to compare countries straight-up is stupid. Handicap China if it makes you feel better. (Actually, to hell with China, I'm not impressed with their insane state-sanctioned hunt for elementary school athletes to pluck away from families, end their education, and force them to train in prison-like conditions.)

The EU has beaten us in at least every olympics since 2000. I didn't check 1996 or prior, though. I'm fine with that, because this is of course an individual competition, but those who want to beat their chest bragging about beating the world look kinda silly to me.

Fine then, we should be able to send as many as those combined countries as well to compete, so instead of the top X of an event, we send 5X or however many they are sending. You talk about populations of them, but they are also sending a ton more participants. If we had our swim team, plus 4 more of them you don't think that would push a lot of the meddles that the EU are getting spread out across all the people they have with a shot at them?

I get your point of the pool of possible selections being larger for us vs them alone, but there is also a lot to be said about sending as many people as they send compared to us if you put all of them together.

[vailpass]

92 competition was an absolute joke. The international play has gotten much, much better.

I hear you; don't know what I was thinking. Bird, Magic, Ewing, Barkley none of those guys could play for the 2012 team.

[Saulbadguy]

I hear you; don't know what I was thinking. Bird, Magic, Ewing, Barkley none of those guys could play for the 2012 team.

Bench players.

[ghak99]

http://i.imgur.com/jx1IF.jpg

ROFL ROFL ROFL

[tk13]

The thing about these arguments is people act like it's 12 on 12... if you actually had a time machine and got these teams to play against each other, both teams would probably shorten their bench. It's only a 40 minute game. Laettner would never see the floor. The only other thing is people act like the 92 team was a bunch of old guys. They were mostly HOF'ers in their prime. The really old guys were Magic and Bird... and it's not like they weren't usually athletically outmatched anyway. Plus they are the two greatest passers of this generation. But Jordan, Pippen, Robinson, Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Drexler... those guys were at or near their peak.

[kstater]

Several hot US women won the long canoe race.

[CoMoChief]

JFC Carmelo Anthony went nuts LMAO

10-12 from 3pt range?

[TLO]

Several hot US women won the long canoe race.

Hot women. :D And they are from the US. Even better!

[alnorth]

Several hot US women won the long canoe race.

OK, I hate myself a little for saying this, but I'm sure most were thinking it...

I bet at least half of them are lesbians. NTTIAWWT

[Saulbadguy]

The thing about these arguments is people act like it's 12 on 12... if you actually had a time machine and got these teams to play against each other, both teams would probably shorten their bench. It's only a 40 minute game. Laettner would never see the floor. The only other thing is people act like the 92 team was a bunch of old guys. They were mostly HOF'ers in their prime. The really old guys were Magic and Bird... and it's not like they weren't usually athletically outmatched anyway. Plus they are the two greatest passers of this generation. But Jordan, Pippen, Robinson, Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Drexler... those guys were at or near their peak.

the bigs back then were stiffs.

[mlyonsd]

Good Lord, a US woman is the first to win a gold in Judo for the US, men or women, and she doesn't get her match played out in primetime?

And on top of it she was sexually abused at 16 by her Judo coach and almost quit the sport.

NBC really sucks at everything they do.

[alnorth]

Good Lord, a US woman is the first to win a gold in Judo for the US, men or women, and she doesn't get her match played out in primetime?

And on top of it she was sexually abused at 16 by her Judo coach and almost quit the sport.

NBC really sucks at everything they do.

I'm holding out hope that they at least devote 3-4 minutes in some kind of in-between feature or something.

It really is a neat story, and if NBC does nothing more than "hey, we won gold in Judo, woohoo! Now on to swimming", that would suck.

[Baby Lee]

I'm holding out hope that they at least devote 3-4 minutes in some kind of in-between feature or something.

It really is a neat story, and if NBC does nothing more than "hey, we won gold in Judo, woohoo! Now on to swimming", that would suck.

Enjoy this exclusive footage of Ryan Seacrest sitting around the Green Room.

[BigMeatballDave]

NBC Sports Network is pretty good from 4a-9a ET.

Its all live. I suggest DVR that.

[tk13]

the bigs back then were stiffs.

You think David Robinson is a stiff? No way. You are way off on that one. He was one of the most athletic centers to ever play the game. He could run, jump, score, and still be physical and use his size and power.

[mlyonsd]

NBC Sports Network is pretty good from 4a-9a ET.

Its all live. I suggest DVR that.Right, that's how I know she won. I happened to switch to it while I was cooking supper.

But seriously, the primetime coverage is more about interviews and previews instead of actual sporting events. And none of them are live.

I'll say it again, NBC sucks at everything they do.

[tk13]

I watched the judo final as well... what a great story.

[alnorth]

Right, that's how I know she won. I happened to switch to it while I was cooking supper.

But seriously, the primetime coverage is more about interviews and previews instead of actual sporting events. And none of them are live.

I'll say it again, NBC sucks at everything they do.

I have no problem with the tape-delay thing, and I think the complaints on that front are kinda unrealistic. NBC paid a FORTUNE for the olympics, and most people (like me) have to sleep and go to work. I can only watch during prime time, so I'm fine with the tape delay, its up to me to avoid spoilers if I want to.

That said, NBC sure as hell ought to show just one frickin' Judo match if its the gold medal match for the USA. I don't expect them to show the entire tournament, but is one short martial arts bout in prime time too much to ask if its the first-ever gold medal?

[GloryDayz]

http://i.imgur.com/jx1IF.jpg

Rep!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

[O.city]

Mens Volleyball is actually pretty cool to watch.

[GloryDayz]

Good Lord, a US woman is the first to win a gold in Judo for the US, men or women, and she doesn't get her match played out in primetime?

And on top of it she was sexually abused at 16 by her Judo coach and almost quit the sport.

NBC really sucks at everything they do.

That was just an amazing match... And good for her... I hope she goes back and finds the ***k who abused her and knocks him the f*** out! With the medal!

[mlyonsd]

I have no problem with the tape-delay thing, and I think the complaints on that front are kinda unrealistic. NBC paid a FORTUNE for the olympics, and most people (like me) have to sleep and go to work. I can only watch during prime time, so I'm fine with the tape delay, its up to me to avoid spoilers if I want to.

That said, NBC sure as hell ought to show just one frickin' Judo match if its the gold medal match for the USA. I don't expect them to show the entire tournament, but is one short martial arts bout in prime time too much to ask if its the first-ever gold medal?Everything they show in prime time is tape delayed. Has to be that way. What I meant was the things they are showing during prime time aren't live either so it's not like they are showing us something ground breaking since we could go look up the final if we wanted to.

[DaKCMan AP]

Hardly.

The thought that its perfectly fair to compare countries straight-up is stupid. Handicap China if it makes you feel better. (Actually, to hell with China, I'm not impressed with their insane state-sanctioned hunt for elementary school athletes to pluck away from families, end their education, and force them to train in prison-like conditions.)

The EU has beaten us in at least every olympics since 2000. I didn't check 1996 or prior, though. I'm fine with that, because this is of course an individual competition, but those who want to beat their chest bragging about beating the world look kinda silly to me.

Honestly, I don't really consider the US to have won unless they get more golds than the EU, maybe drop France, Italy, and Romania to make it fair. (EU has half a billion, we have a bit over 300 million)

Our massive size and population is just a silly advantage against any one EU nation. China can also stand on their own, probably Russia too, but our peer in Europe is not Germany, or the UK, its the whole fricken EU minus a couple countries.

By that measure we haven't beaten the EU in a while (not surprising, they dont have the NBA and the NFL sucking all the life out of the athletic room, aside from soccer they encourage all kinds of weird sports), but we're narrowly ahead at the moment.

Your argument is silly.

Fine then, we should be able to send as many as those combined countries as well to compete, so instead of the top X of an event, we send 5X or however many they are sending. You talk about populations of them, but they are also sending a ton more participants. If we had our swim team, plus 4 more of them you don't think that would push a lot of the meddles that the EU are getting spread out across all the people they have with a shot at them?

I get your point of the pool of possible selections being larger for us vs them alone, but there is also a lot to be said about sending as many people as they send compared to us if you put all of them together.

Exactly.

[Valiant]

Fine then, we should be able to send as many as those combined countries as well to compete, so instead of the top X of an event, we send 5X or however many they are sending. You talk about populations of them, but they are also sending a ton more participants. If we had our swim team, plus 4 more of them you don't think that would push a lot of the meddles that the EU are getting spread out across all the people they have with a shot at them?

I get your point of the pool of possible selections being larger for us vs them alone, but there is also a lot to be said about sending as many people as they send compared to us if you put all of them together.

Yeah, this kind of ends the argument. The EU dwarfs us with participants by those rules yet we would still average higher per capita of medals..

US has 530 participants.

Shit, nevermind. GB has 541 already, more then the USA..
France 191, Germany 392, Spain 282, then all the other EU countries??

Those four alone total 1406 participants, almost 3x the US number in four countries??

Those 4 countries at almost 3x the participant pool have 50 medals so far, the US best sports are not even medal-ed yet and we are at 37..

China is the one rocking at per capita of medals at 380 people..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Summer_Olympics