2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games

[chicah 20]

Norway, as usual. Just a guess. (On who'll bring home the medals.) Especially in cross-country skiing and biathlon for men.

[PhilsCafe 8]

There's not only cross country at the Olympics and I guess the most prestigous discipline will go to Canada: men's hockey.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

There's not only cross country at the Olympics and I guess the most prestigious discipline will go to Canada: men's hockey.quote>

Enumerate not thy feathered progeny until the period of incubation shall have elapsed.

[Nick9099 2]

Originally posted by: N_O_Body

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

There's not only cross country at the Olympics and I guess the most prestigious discipline will go to Canada: men's hockey.quote>

Enumerate not thy feathered progeny until the period of incubation shall have elapsed.quote>

He's still right though.

[thepokemaniac 18]

Hm, do they have a Jamaican team this year?

Its great that the Olympics are in Vancouver, it should strengthen the local economy and all of Canada as a whole.

[PhilsCafe 8]

Lol. I loved Cool Runnings... actually one of the former Jamaican bobsledders is in the Canadian team now (Lascelles Brown). And he even won a medal in Turin 2006. Fun fact... the movie plays at the 1988 winter Olympics, which also took place Canada

As for the Canadian men's hockey team... considering the names on the team, they should easily win the gold medal. But of course the pressure must be HUGE.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

But of course the pressure must be HUGE.quote>

One the problems with highly publicized international sport is the so-called "pressure to win some national this or that". This is the kind of thing that makes a living for sports psychologists. These people have enough problems competing in such games without the added expectations mostly caused by media hype. Let's hope for a games in which all this national posturing is cooler.

[beebs 129]

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

As for the Canadian men's hockey team... considering the names on the team, they should easily win the gold medal. But of course the pressure must be HUGE.quote>

It'll be hard to do worse than 2006, where we were booted out in the quarter finals. This team seems to be a vast improvement. Rather than choosing the same-old veterans who used to play really well, they actually chose players who are playing well. Quite a concept apparantly.

[Nick9099 2]

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

Lol. I loved Cool Runnings... actually one of the former Jamaican bobsledders is in the Canadian team now (Lascelles Brown). And he even won a medal in Turin 2006. Fun fact... the movie plays at the 1988 winter Olympics, which also took place Canada

As for the Canadian men's hockey team... considering the names on the team, they should easily win the gold medal. But of course the pressure must be HUGE.quote>

Speaking of the '88 olympics, does anybody know if Eddie the Eagle is competing again?

(well, calling it competing could be a bit generous... it was funny though!)

[krbe 193]

Originally posted by: Nick9099

Speaking of the '88 olympics, does anybody know if Eddie the Eagle is competing again?

(well, calling it competing could be a bit generous... it was funny though!)quote>

There is a former Paralympics athlete competing in cross-country I think, but I can't for my life remember his name. But he has apparently only a 15% vision, so that'll certainly be interesting.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: Nick9099

Originally posted by: PhilsCafe

Lol. I loved Cool Runnings... actually one of the former Jamaican bobsledders is in the Canadian team now (Lascelles Brown). And he even won a medal in Turin 2006. Fun fact... the movie plays at the 1988 winter Olympics, which also took place Canada

As for the Canadian men's hockey team... considering the names on the team, they should easily win the gold medal. But of course the pressure must be HUGE.quote>

Speaking of the '88 olympics, does anybody know if iEddie the Eagle s competing again?

(well, calling it competing could be a bit generous... it was funny though!)quote>

according to Wiki he has failed to qualify for the last 3 Olympics but was chosen as a torchbearer in the relay for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. He ran with the torch on January 7, 2010, in Winnipeg

When you said Eddie the Eagle  i thought you meant former Stars golie Eddie " The Eagle" Belfour , I dont think he made Team canada this time around. Heck Mike Madano didnt make Team USA and hes still playing.

 

[wes.janson 6]

Last winter Olympics the Canadian Mens hockey team had one major flaw. The GM! I must be the only Canadian who thinks Wayne Gretzky is a creep. The man sold out his own wife to save face.

Stevie Y will win us gold. That man is PURE class. 

[Nick9099 2]

Oh well. it would have been nice to see Eddie "compete" again.

No matter if Gretzky is a creep or not, you can't deny he knows his stuff.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: wes.janson

Last winter Olympics the Canadian Mens hockey team had one major flaw. The GM! I

[beebs 129]

Originally posted by: Nick9099

No matter if Gretzky is a creep or not, you can't deny he knows his stuff.quote>

Ones ability as a player doesn't always translate to scouting ability or coaching ability.. His time with the Coyotes should speak for itself.

[SounderBruce 173]

Can't wait! Simlympics today, Olympics soon!

I live halfway between Vancouver and Seattle, so I am hyped!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: ComputerGuy890100

I live halfway between Vancouver and Seattle, so I am hyped!quote>

Where? On a houseboat on the Strait or in Point Roberts?

[Nick9099 2]

Originally posted by: beebs

Originally posted by: Nick9099

No matter if Gretzky is a creep or not, you can't deny he knows his stuff.quote>

Ones ability as a player doesn't always translate to scouting ability or coaching ability.. His time with the Coyotes should speak for itself.

quote>

Ah yes, the coyotes.  Alhough he certainly has an understanding of what it's like to play the game, and play it well, like hardly anyone else does, but you're right, that doesn't nescecarily make him a good coach.  Anyways, we gave him a chance last time, and he blew it.  Time to move on.

[hyped_up_boy 15]

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/luge/news/newsid=39315.html#georgian+luger+life+threatening+crash

A serious accident at the Whistler Sliding Centre just now... from what I saw from the video footage, it doesn't look hopeful...

[Easy Bakes 253]

Originally posted by: hyped_up_boy

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/luge/news/newsid=39315.html#georgian+luger+life+threatening+crash

A serious accident at the Whistler Sliding Centre just now... from what I saw from the video footage, it doesn't look hopeful...quote>

He died of his injuries.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olympics-luge13-2010feb13,0,73618.story

[Larks2242 251]

Why wasn't the pole padded?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: Larks2242

Why wasn't the pole padded?quote>

It wasn't a pole but a steel girder holding up the roof. CTV ran the footage and you could hear the whole structure ring. Poor guy didn't have a chance.

The structure wasn't padded because no competitor had ever been thrown off the track -- live and learn. I suspect they'll put up a safety net at that point since that would be quicker than padding all the girders.

The Georgian Federation has announced that it will march in the opening ceremony.

The Alpine competitors may need water wings. Forecasts are for lots of rain at both skiing venues.

[Meg 368]

I'm not sure a safety net would have helped.   It would just bounce him back onto the course.  The wall of the course isn't high enough after the turn.   With a higher wall, he could have had a chance to roll and go down the course holding the sled like the other guy did.

When he hit, two pieces of something went flying, one to the left, one to the right.  I'm guessing it was the visor from his helmet.  N_O_B was right.  The poor guy didn't have a chance.

Luge is scheduled for Saturday.  So who is going to be the next one to go down that track?

---

I enjoyed the special effects in the opening ceremony.  That floor was amazing. and the drop down 360 degree screen reminded me of U2.   I really enjoyed what they did with that.

Not sure why kd lang was singing "Hallelujah".   It didn't seem to fit.  and I never did like the Olympic hymn.    Isn't it time we updated that thing?

---

Do we have totals comparing the number of athletes this year versus other years?   During the parade of nations, it seemed to me that there weren't as many.   Yes, the winter games are always smaller than the summer games.  But still, it struck me as odd how few athletes some of the countries sent.  

---

The Jamaican bobsled team didn't qualify this year so I'm rooting for the skier from Ghana.   I'd like to see some countries that has never won a winter medals get some.   At one point, I thought they said that 32 of the 38 countries competing have never won a medal in the winter games.  That can't be right.  I must have not heard that correctly.

[chicah 20]

How did I MISS Norway in the opening ceremony? I was watching the whole parade, and suddenly during an ad break they jumped from like Ghana to Slovakia... Not funny!

And it was really sad with the Georgian athlete that died. They all looked so serious... And had the black band on their jackets and flag. That was a nice gesture.

I was a little annoyed with the "oh look we have indigenous people"-thing in the beginning, because A LOT of indegenous people have protested the Olympics and have been thrown out of their homes because of the Olympics. The number of homeless has risen in general. There's a backside to every medal, I suppose. But I am still very excited about the Olympics.

And pfft, hockey. Cross-country skiing is the *****. We have some good athletes in most indiviual winter sports, so I am excited about this Olympics and the prospect of medals. 94% of Norwegians watch the winter Olympics on tv. So let's hope our athletles live up to our expecations... I love sports. It makes grown men cry. There are so many feelings involved. And the Olympic spirit, countries staying together, leaving politics and culutral differences out of it - beautiful.

EDIT: I love the fact they used a Joni Mitchell song! And the boy who was on stage while the song was sung was very cute.

[Nick9099 2]

Wich network were you watching on? CTV, the official brodcaster here in canada, quickly replayed everything that was missed during the commercial breaks, wich I might add, were few and far between.

Meg: Yeah, it would have been better if Leonard Cohen sang it. After all, it is his song. kd did do fairly well though. And yes, it is time for a new olympic anthem.

It's too bad about the gorgian athlete. For him to train all his life for the olympics, and then never compete, has got to be just heartbraking for his family. I was glad to see the moment of silence during the sceremonies.

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: chicah

How did I MISS Norway in the opening ceremony? I was watching the whole parade, and suddenly during an ad break they jumped from like Ghana to Slovakia... Not funny!quote>

 

The broadcast I saw showed Norway (and its 99 athletes) in between New Zealand (and its 16 athletes) and Pakistan (and its 1 athlete).

 

I still have the recording on my TiVo.  If I had the right software and cables, I could splice out that section and send it to you.

 

Does anyone know how to do this?  or would it be breaking some copyright law?

 

Back using Window 3.0, my computer had a card that would accept output from a VCR and I had a video editing program.  Fun stuff.  But it didn't work in XP and I never got back to it.

 

And it was really sad with the Georgian athlete that died. They all looked so serious... And had the black band on their jackets and flag. That was a nice gesture.quote>

 

If they were going to be there, that was the way to do it.   Some people are criticizing their decision to stay and the decision to continue with the opening ceremony.  imho, not doing so would have felt like they were concealing what happened.  Better to do what they did and acknowledge it.

  

I was a little annoyed with the "oh look we have indigenous people"-thing in the beginning, because A LOT of indegenous people have protested the Olympics and have been thrown out of their homes because of the Olympics. quote>

 

Is that what that was about?   I admit I'm not familiar with the history here.   There is a lot about Canada that I do not know.  It is one of the many chunks of the world we did not study in school.  (Yes, my education was sorely lacking in world affairs.)

 

I didn't even know that Donald Sutherland is Canadian.  There are so many Canadians integrated into US popular culture that most of time we don't know they are Canadian.  For instance, it wasn't until a decade or two after watching all of the original Star Trek episodes that I heard that William Shatner is Canadian.

 

I didn't expect the fiddle playing.  or the tap dancing.  That dancer was good!  

 

And pfft, hockey. Cross-country skiing is the *****. We have some good athletes in most indiviual winter sports, so I am excited about this Olympics and the prospect of medals. 94% of Norwegians watch the winter Olympics on tv. So let's hope our athletles live up to our expecations  quote>

 

While Norway was coming into the stadium (or whatever that was), the announcer said that Norway is the all time winter games medal leader and their goal was placing among the top three countries.

  

... I love sports. It makes grown men cry. There are so many feelings involved. And the Olympic spirit, countries staying together, leaving politics and culutral differences out of it - beautiful.  quote>

 

It's one of the few things that so many countries do together peacefully.  I love it.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Since CTV controls the network feeds, I can't imagine anyone missing their homeland in the parade of nations. After each commercial break there was an instant replay of what was missed. I certainly saw the Norwegian team. I guess the next time you should get your snack quicker.

The Georgian team is doing the right thing. They are staying and dedicating their games to their fallen comrade. If any of you saw the initial press conference on the accident you will have noted that Jacques Rogge was in tears as was the VANOC CEO. Everything was going so well, then blam, right in the guts. The shock and grief were obvious.

Having the ceremony indoors certainly opened the door for some spectacular special effects. There must have been a lot of arm twisting to get all those native peoples to cooperate. I didn't expect more than the four hosting nations.

• Whoever that was than sang O Canada should be taken out and shot. I feel the same about interpretations of The Star Spangled Banner. National anthems should not (must not?) be "styled".
• I am antipathetic towards k.d.lang
• The Olympic Hymn is beyond saving as not even Measha could save it. It is far too long, the tune isn't, and the words obscure.
• I liked the flying performers. Had a kind of Cirque du Soleil feeling.
• Whoever designed all that stage business is brilliant. For the most part, the acts were very good, even great. I especially liked the new Canadian rant, humour and all. ("zed, not zee", now where have we heard that before?)

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

I saw a guy from the US marching on his phone!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Originally posted by: ROFLyoshi

I saw a guy from the US marching on his phone!quote>

Ah! The electronic leash. More and more people are becoming pets to the networks.

News item this morning:

Canadian Official Languages Commissioner has complaiined that there was not enough French in the opening ceremony. Bien, je suis Anglophone et il y etait beaucoup trop de Fran

[chicah 20]

How did Bjørndalen miss 4 times in the sprint? 4 TIMES!!!! And three in one shooting! God, this ruined for him tomorrow aswell... Pardon the language, but *****. I was really hoping for a gold in the biathlon sprint.

A lot of the "best" biathlon racers did pretty bad though. The Olympics can be somewhat unpredictable. And speaking of unpredictable, --- let's not get hostile about things people have no control over.--

At least Emil Hegle Svendsen did pretty good.