Olympics

General Lee 01 · January 4, 2002

Well, Who's planning on watching the Olympics?

I am.

crap! Oh well, pick from the three. LOL

DigUout · January 4, 2002

I'll be watching but not as much as if it were the Summer Games. I'm glued to the TV for the Summer Olympics -

chevy4x4trucks · January 4, 2002

I'll probalby just watch some of it. I'm not too big on watching sports.

Jpshostr · January 4, 2002

Depends on the coverage as to how much I'lll watch. Some of the events like downhill are a must see, but a few like figure skating will not be seen by me.

January 21, 2002

I don't believe in the whole "Olympics" concept. I think it's foolish to spend all that money for a glorified, "My kid can beat your kid" world event.

It wouldn't bother me if our own government didn't finance it. We have thousands of worthwhile problems in our country that could use a lot of help. Battered wives, child abuse, hunger, illiteracy, etc, etc.

DigUout · January 21, 2002

I don't believe in the whole "Olympics" concept. I think it's foolish to spend all that money for a glorified, "My kid can beat your kid" world event.
It wouldn't bother me if our own government didn't finance it. We have thousands of worthwhile problems in our country that could use a lot of help. Battered wives, child abuse, hunger, illiteracy, etc, etc.

Gosh Friz, I hate that you feel that way. I'm not sure "My kid beat your kid," is the spirit and reason for the Olympics. Youth hockey, yes, but not the Olympics. I've always been a big fan of the Games and I agree there are a lot of causes that could use the financial help instead. Unfortunately, the money this country makes is in the treatment, not the cure -

January 22, 2002

Gosh Friz, I hate that you feel that way. I'm not sure "My kid beat your kid," is the spirit and reason for the Olympics. Youth hockey, yes, but not the Olympics. I've always been a big fan of the Games and I agree there are a lot of causes that could use the financial help instead. Unfortunately, the money this country makes is in the treatment, not the cure -

Why else then have them? So we can brag to the world that our basketball team beat the world.

We also spend a fortune training a figure skater, gymnast, etc, so they can have 15 minutes of fame, get their picture on a Wheaties box, then wonder why they don't have any offers for a dang job.

Like I need a friggin' gymnast to work for my company.

Sorry for the cynicism, but the Olympics just irk the crap out of me.

djames · January 22, 2002

DigUout is right. The only thing about the Olympics that is turning me away is that they will be tape delaying the events so that it won't "interfere with the primetime shows" during the day. So I doubt I'll waste my time. Just see who won on line watch the highlites on ESPN and just watch Speedvision all day

DigUout · January 22, 2002

Friz, I hear you. And to continue a very civil discussion, I think like most things these days, the Olympics have gotten away from their initial intent. A form of entertainment and friendly competition to quell tense political times, if only for awhile. It has gotten awfully commercial in the last 20 years, but so has Christmas.

As far as spending a fortune to train a skater or gymnast or other athlete, I don't know who "we" is that you're referring to. I don't pay for it, John Q. Public doesn't pay for it. They're amateurs whose training is paid for by their families, their sports dues collections and corporate sponsorships. It does cost a lot, but its not like it comes out of our taxes.

Lastly, I don't think as spectators its up to us to question why we have the Games and why the athletes go to the trouble of training and competing for 15 minutes of fame. The Games will boost SLC's economy, local revenue and image that will pay dividends for years. For the athletes, its their choice and what those athletes endure on a daily basis for years and years, to meet a personal goal and fufill a life's dream, (even if it only takes a few minutes of competition) most of us couldn't comprehend. The drive, dedication, perseverance, blood, sweat, tears and never quit attitude is something I'm sure you as a military man and father, can respect. Even if the Games are way over commercialized.

You don't have to apologize for the cynicism. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just think that beneath all of the hoopla, there are some amazingly gifted and dedicated people who deserve our respect and admiration for their participation and achievements in one of the oldest sporting events in human history.

Signed,

Tiny Tim

NewbieZ71 · January 22, 2002

.............then wonder why they don't have any offers for a dang job..............

They could always teach "Luge Repair" at the Vo-Tech......

scooter70 · February 12, 2002

Something interesting that I figured out/heard yesterday while watching the biathalon. All (Most) of the athletes from other countries have real jobs. The skiier from Norway (or wherever) was a teacher and some speed skater was a chemist. What do our athletes do for real jobs? Shoot commercials and train. Then why is it that we aren't kicking everyone's butts? Heck, they have real jobs and find time to be better at most of this stuff than the unemployed people who we send to the Olympics. Of course, some of these snowboarder kids are still in high school.

Just my $0.02.

(Yes, I do wish that I could ski all day and not have to have a real job, so I guess I am jealous)

Elwood · February 12, 2002

I'm watching, actually a bit more than usual, but that's just because I actually have the time to watch this year.

I do wish there was someway to determine the winners in every event without judges, this way the fiasco with the figure skating wouldn't happen, and one of our snowboarders, should've really been in the top three that finished 6 or 7, not that that one hurt the countries' quest, since we still swept the event. But that guy didn't get the credit he deserved, because of one low score from one judge. But I don't any other way to decide many of these vents, so I guess we'll just have to make do with what we have. It could be worse, it could be like the BCS Poll/Series.

As for the olympics being pointless, I have to disagree. I think they are great for the economy, and in helping to promote patriotism.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But think of it like this. It's really no different than college athletics, and to a point proffesional athletics. They take up the TV time, and we promote them tremendously. What good do they do a person if they try to get a job doing something else. These people make sacrifices to get as good as they are too. And the college athletes aren't getting paid for it, they can't even get endorsments until they go pro (unlike Olympic Athletes). If we rid ourselves of the Olympics, then we should rid ourselves of NCAA football, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA basketball, MLB, NASCAR, CART, IRL, NHRA, PGA, and all the other sports that we promote and sow all the time, that people love to participate in and work so hard to do.

Just My Opinion.

LarryE · February 12, 2002

the canadians got robbed in the pairs figure skating. judges need to get their heads out of the russians asses for once

Elwood · February 12, 2002

the canadians got robbed in the pairs figure skating. judges need to get their heads out of the russians asses for once

I couldn't agree more.

And if anyone watched, the USA guy in snowboarding that finished in 6 or 7 got robbed too, but they didn't mention it (I guess because we swept the event anyway).

His tricks were better than at least 2 and 3 place. Even the announcers thought his run was great, but they never mentioned the descepencies in the scores. All his scores were high (8's & 9's) except the Japan Judge who gave him a 6.6. How could he see something that different.

That's why I like the sled events, downhill skining, hockey, and speed skating. No judges, just time or points.

Kansas Kid · February 12, 2002

I watched the luge competition for about 5 minutes yesterday, and thats been about it. I don't know if I will watch any more events or not, depends on how bored I am. lol