Beijing Olympics 2008

[sixers33 3]

*Updated Each of the 16 Days*

It's that time of year! Just 4 days until the Opening Ceremony.

Medal Tally Predictions: (top 10)

1 China (Athens 2nd) +1

2 United States of America (Athens 1st) -1

3 Russia (Athens 3rd)

4 Germany (Athens 6th) +2

5 France (Athens 7th) +2

6 Australia (Athens 4th) -2

7 Japan (Athens 5th) -2

8 Italy (Athens 8th)

9 Great Britain (Athens 10th) +1

10 South Korea  (Athens 9th) -1

What to look for...

China to win a record number of Gold, winning majority of their medals in table tennis, diving, weightlifting, gymnastics and shooting.

United States to win the majority of their medals in Athletics, Swimming, Wrestling and Gymnastics.

Australia to win the majority of their medals in swimming, cycling, diving and hockey.

Japan to win the majority of their medals in Judo, Gymnastics and swimming.

Russia  to win the majority of their medals in Synchronized Swimming, Athletics, Wrestling and  Shooting.

Olympic Talent...

Michael Phelps to become the Olympics most successful swimmer collecting 5 gold medals and smashing world record times in three events.

America's Basketball team predicted to return as Olympic champions in men's basketball.

Lisebth Trickett,  Eamon Sullivan and Stephanie Rice and Grant Hackett are predicted to pickup 9 Medals for Australia in the pool. 

Japan to defend their Olympic Baseball Gold Medal.

Germany to win the field hockey men's final.

Day One (9th) 2008 Olympiad...

Cycling Final (Men's Road Race)

Fencing (Women's Sabre)

Judo (Men's&Women's 60 kg)

Shooting (Women's 10m fire rifle, Men's 10m airpistol)

Weightlifting (Women's 48 kg)

In the News...(4th August 2008)

[Easy Bakes 253]

USA should win basketball gold as well.

Kobe, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James Eaisly the best team since the original

Dream Team.

[fukuda 351]

Terrorist attacks so far: 1

[Tia-may 0]

I will be ignoring the games because I feel that China has not done enough to respect the wishes of their people. However, I do not wish to create a heated debate here so I will simply ignore it and simply wish Germany FDR the best of luck.

- Tia-may

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Tia-may

I will be ignoring the games because I feel that China has not done enough to respect the wishes of their people. However, I do not wish to create a heated debate here so I will simply ignore it and simply wish Germany FDR the best of luck.

- Tia-mayquote>

That debate has been going on over here.

Let's keep this thread about the Games themselves.

[patriots_1228 51]

USA basketball should be fun to watch, the first three exhibitions were pretty exciting.

But China and weightlifting? I always thought that the Chinese were better in the finese events, that ones kind of suprising.

Michael Phelps will win 8 medals, not 5. Does anyone know if Tyson Gay will be running? last i heard he was hurt. US actually has a number of key atheletes injured, like Paul hamm if i remember correctly.

Also, does Japan use its best players on the baseball team? The boston red sox have two of japans best pitchers, it would kinda suck to go without them for 16 days...

which brings up this...why doesn't america use its best, or at least good, baseball players? it would be an easy win...

Lastly, what is "athletics" as an event? couldn't every event in the games qualify as "athletics"? Is it track and field?

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: patriots_1228

Lastly, what is "athletics" as an event? couldn't every event in the games qualify as "athletics"? Is it track and field?

quote>

Yes, it means track and field.   I agree it seems like a narrow definition of the word but that's how it goes sometimes.

and, yes, Paul Hamm withdrew because he has a broken hand.  That wouldn't matter in some sports but, in gymnastics, it does.

[belfastuniguy 18]

Lastly, what is "athletics" as an event? couldn't every event in the games qualify as "athletics"? Is it track and field?quote>

Europeans very rarely call it track and field, that's more an American thing. We call it Athletics.

[connorc24 2]

Poor Paul Hamm...... He was such a cutie.

But USA is gonna represent in swimming this year for sure. All our relays are completely stacked with some of the fastest in the world. I can't wait for them!!

[sixers33 3]

EasyBakes: Despite Argentina winning the last Olympics Gold medal in men's basketball and Spain winning the World Championships, America, if they can actually put money and pride for themselves aside - should win the Gold Medal.

Women's basketball, although America winning gold at the last Olympics, came third in the World Championships and Australia is tipped to win the gold medal. In saying that, i believe the women will collect silver.

Patriots: 8 gold medals at the expense of the Australian Swim team? Good luck   I have heard that Phelps has been training well and could take three medals that the now retired Ian Thorpe won at the Athens Olympics.

[coolotter88 2]

it would be pretty embarrassing for americans to lose at their so called national pastime, it's the last Olympics to feature baseball anyway, so it's the last chance for a baseball gold medal.

[patriots_1228 51]

^ send Terry and the AL all-stars to Bejing now and they will be there ontime and will win easily. although that would be unfair to the sox and yankees who dominate the all-star roster

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: coolotter88 it would be pretty embarrassing for americans to lose at their so called national pastime, it's the last Olympics to feature baseball anyway, so it's the last chance for a baseball gold medal.quote>

baseball? more like byeball

[hamsterTK 93]

That list can also double as the list of the most powerful developed countries in the world..

Seriously I've always wanted to see some athletes from a place like Nigeria just come in and kick butt. You know, as the underdogs.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: hamsterTK

That list can also double as the list of the most powerful developed countries in the world..

Seriously I've always wanted to see some athletes from a place like Nigeria just come in and kick butt. You know, as the underdogs.quote>

Usually, there is at least one "underdog" winner a day.  It is not unusual, for instance, for an Ethiopian to win the marathon.

[krbe 193]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Usually, there is at least one "underdog" winner a day.  It is not unusual, for instance, for an Ethiopian to win the marathon.quote>

Ethiopia underdogs in the marathon? I thought long-distance running was their sport.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: krbe

 

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Usually, there is at least one "underdog" winner a day.  It is not unusual, for instance, for an Ethiopian to win the marathon.quote>

Ethiopia underdogs in the marathon? I thought long-distance running was their sport.quote>

It is.  That's why I put "underdog" in quotes. 

I took HamsterTK's point to be that only "most powerful developed countries in the world" are the favorites.  That isn't always the case.

Maybe I misunderstood him.

[belfastuniguy 18]

I think this story is suitable for the thread

Olympic relay in Beijing climax

The torch has travelled six continents since it left Greece in March

The Olympic flame is being carried through the streets of Beijing, on the final leg of its global relay.

Torch bearers left the Forbidden City and will carry the flame to landmarks such as Tiananmen Square ahead of Friday's opening ceremony of the Games.

The torch has travelled 140,000km (87,000 miles) through six continents since it left Greece on 24 March.

The relay has been marked by protests over China's human-rights record and its policies in Tibet.

Cheering, flag-waving crowds acclaimed the Olympic torch as it began its last leg on Wednesday.

Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei and basketball star Yao Ming are scheduled to join more than 800 torch bearers taking part in the three-day relay across the city of 17 million people.

Tiananmen tour

On Tuesday, the flame passed through Sichuan province, which was devastated by an earthquake in May.

A minute's silence was held in Guang'an city, honouring almost 70,000 people who were killed in the quake.

CHINA RELAY CITIES IN FOCUS Use the map to see the full Olympic torch relay route or read about some of the key cities: Full route map, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Jinggangshan, Shanghai, Nanjing, Huangshan, Three Gorges, Kaili, Lhasa, Urumqi, Xian, Yanji, Qufu, Anyang, Beijing.

The torch had been scheduled to visit Sichuan in mid-June, but the area's relay leg was postponed because of the quake, which left around five million people homeless.

China's authorities have said they are confident that all athletes and spectators will be safe, after an attack by suspected separatist Muslim militants killed 16 policemen on Monday in the western region of Xinjiang.

A spokesman for the organisers said preparations had been made to protect some 10,500 athletes from 205 countries during the Olympics.

"China has focused on strengthening security and protection around Olympic venues and at the Olympics Village, so Beijing is already prepared to respond to any threat," Beijing Games spokesman Sun Weide was quoted as saying.

Officials in the co-host city of Shanghai say all shops and businesses in the metro stations have now been closed until after the Olympic Games because of public security concerns.

The operator of the underground rail system, Shentong Metro Group, said the move would affect more than 1,000 shops, and even vending machines would be closed. It said it would not provide compensation for business owners.

The international leg of the torch's tour earlier this year was marred by protests in several cities - including London, Paris and San Francisco.

Activists demonstrated against China's human-rights record and its handling of violent anti-Beijing protests in March in Tibet.

The International Olympic Committee said it believed the Chinese authorities had done everything possible "to ensure the security and safety of everyone at the Games".

The IOC has also assured athletes that the smog which often plagues the city would not pose major health problems.quote>

[sixers33 3]

Originally posted by: SkiGeek

Originally posted by: krbe

 

Originally posted by: SkiGeek Usually, there is at least one "underdog" winner a day.  It is not unusual, for instance, for an Ethiopian to win the marathon.quote>

Ethiopia underdogs in the marathon? I thought long-distance running was their sport.quote>

It is.  That's why I put "underdog" in quotes. 

I took HamsterTK's point to be that only "most powerful developed countries in the world" are the favorites.  That isn't always the case.

Maybe I misunderstood him.quote>

 

The Africans are generally the best at athletics in the world - particularly long distance marathon.

This is due to several advantages, one being that they are taller, more built for sport and they also live high where there is less oxygen (most athletes sleep in a oxygen tent prior to the Olympics)

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

Oh man, the Polish team's female talent is like 90% babe. On looks alone, they win the gold.

[Odainsaker 2,135]

Grrr...one of the most interesting and anticipated international political spectacles of our generation, and none of the major U.S. channels broadcasted the opening ceremony this morning. Surely, "The Price is Right" and "Goodmorning America" were not more important?! I worry that, like the Atlanta Games, the only parts significantly mentioned will be centered on the U.S. team, as when we cut to our athlete receiving the silver and then cut away to commercial when the other team is presented the gold.  "Next on the Parade of Nations...Belize, so let us cut to commercial until we get further down the alphabet.  We're back, you are just seeing the last bits of France's procession clearing off the field..."  That sort of irreverent nonsense disgusted me with the Atlanta Games coverage...is it any wonder viewership in the U.S. has been falling?

[belfastuniguy 18]

Spectacular opening for Olympics

The Olympic cauldron took the form of a huge torch, in a break with tradition

China has presented a dramatic display of fireworks, music and dancing to mark the opening of its Beijing Olympics.

Some 10,000 performers took part in the ceremony, watched on TV by an estimated one billion people, before athletes paraded around the national stadium.

Security was tight in the capital, and three US activists were arrested after holding a pro-Tibet protest. Larger rallies took place in Nepal and India.

Analysts say it is the most politicised Games since the Cold War era.

The build-up to the event was dogged by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record.

Olympics: Live coverage In pictures: Beijing's big day

Beijing has faced pressure to improve civil liberties - with US President George W Bush among several world leaders to express concern over a crackdown on dissidents.

But after the controversy of the run-up, the opening ceremony certainly changed the focus of attention.

Some 90,000 fans packed the new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - and cheered the performers.

The choreographed show took seven years to plan, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn).

It began at eight minutes past eight on the evening of 8 August, reflecting the belief widespread in Asia that eight is a lucky number.

More than three hours later, China's President Hu Jintao officially declared the Games open.

And in a theatrical finish to the day's activities, champion gymnast Li Ning was winched up to the rim of the stadium carrying the Olympic torch - the end of its journey around the world.

He used the torch to light the Olympic cauldron - in the form of another huge torch - and an explosion of fireworks ensued.

The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony gets off to an impressive start

Bomb threat

Meanwhile, security has remained a pressing concern for the Chinese authorities.

An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed in the capital. Areas including Tiananmen Square - which could provide a rallying point for protesters - were closed off.

In other developments:

Beijing pollution: Facts and figures

• Three US activists were detained while trying to mount a pro-Tibet protest near the national stadium, according to the Associated Press.

• A protester tried to set himself alight outside the Chinese embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara, as Chinese Muslims protested against alleged rights violations in China.

• An Air China flight bound for Beijing from Tokyo was forced to turn back after an Olympic-related bomb threat was received.

• Exiled Tibetans held angry protests in Nepal, with hundreds reported to have been arrested in the capital, Kathmandu.

• Hundreds of Buddhist monks tried to storm the Chinese embassy in Delhi, India, in protest at Beijing's Tibet policies.

Weather worries

Pollution remains a key concern for the Games and on the morning of the opening ceremony, fog obscured the Beijing skyline.

A BBC reading suggested air quality remained below World Health Organization (WHO) standards.

But Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, predicted that heavy rain over the weekend would clear the skies.

And he warned that hazy conditions should not be confused with high levels of pollution.

On Thursday, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said events that lasted more than an hour could be shifted or postponed if the pollution was bad.

But he also praised China's "extraordinary" efforts to cut pollution ahead of the Games, saying there was no danger to athletes' health. quote>

Grrr...one of the most interesting and anticipated international political spectacles of our generation, and none of the major U.S. channels broadcasted the opening ceremony this morningquote>

That's absolutely ridiculous......shame American broadcasters couldn't be bother to show it. I watched it and it was absolutely breathtaking. I'm not Chinese, if I was I would have been very proud of what was shown.

Some Images

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: belfastuniguy

Grrr...one of the most interesting and anticipated international political spectacles of our generation, and none of the major U.S. channels broadcasted the opening ceremony this morningquote>

That's absolutely ridiculous......shame American broadcasters couldn't be bother to show it. I watched it and it was absolutely breathtaking. I'm not Chinese, if I was I would have been very proud of what was shown.quote>

Oh, we will see it, just not until this evening.

Everything must be broadcast in prime time 

[Craig91 12]

It really was an awe inspiring event. I think the Chinese may have made a lasting impression on many people

[Odainsaker 2,135]

Oh, we will see it, just not until this evening.

Everything must be broadcast in prime timequote>

I'm really hoping so too. The local programming guide has the Olympics scheduled this evening for 6:30pm-11:00pm U.S. central on NBC, though this is listed as "live" coverage, which would roughly match with the morning-daytime activites in Beijing. I hope they at least manage to squeeze a rebroadcast of the Opening Ceremony in, as I most wanted to see that spectacle.

[belfastuniguy 18]

For those that can't wait till you broadcasters show it. Here is a taste

Part One

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Part Two

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[Aontan 0]

It was a very impressive ceremony, albeit a bit drawn out. The way they lit the flame at the end was very cool.

On a related note; the IOC have moronic new broadcasting rules this year, causing a lot of controversy for some organisations:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0808/rte.html

http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/audiovideo_faq.html

My favourite bit of the articles is:

Why did they make this requirement?

Pure greed and hubris.

quote>

[hym 358]

When I saw the TV this morning, they were presently focused on the issue between Russia and Georgia. Guess I hold the opinion that that issue is more important than the Olympics. But then, over the years, I've been less and less impressed with the Olympics anyway, so I'm probably biased.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: hym

When I saw the TV this morning, they were presently focused on the issue between Russia and Georgia. Guess I hold the opinion that that issue is more important than the Olympics. But then, over the years, I've been less and less impressed with the Olympics anyway, so I'm probably biased.quote>

I'll admit that I am an Olympics junkie.  It's just about the only that that the world does together peacefully. 

[Hamish 1,370]

I thought that the parts of the opening ceremony that I saw were great. I only saw the rings, the fireworks and the torch lighting, but it was amazing.

Lets hope the games stay like this.