The Olympic Mystique Has Faded

for me anyway

[lawman]

I remember when I used to be glued to the TV set during the Olympics. Couldn't wait to see how many medals Mark Spitz would win. Marveled at the diving perfection of Greg Louganis. Amazed at Franz Klammer blasting down the side of a mountain. Stunned at Olga Korbut's uneven parallel bars routine. Anticipated Sugar Ray Leonard smacking somebody.

Now it's like, meh. If an intersting event is on while I'm surfing the channels, I'll watch it.

Has something happened to me in my old age or has the Olympics star faded?

[graywolf]

The Olympics aren't less exciting, you just have more choices now than when you were a younger. Also now that the Olympics are staggered so you get one every two years you don't feel as compelled to watch them.

[jsinger]

I don't think most people in the U.S. realize how far north most of Europe is. The bulk of the U.S. lines up with southern Italy and the Mediterranean.

Much of Europe is a far north as uninhabited Hudson Bay Canada.

[DrDoc]

Actually, the clap skates were developed in Norway, by Geir Karlstad :)

that doesn't even count our 1 guaranteed in women's hockey

Oh, don't you assume too much now, jatar_k. Didn't you see what happened to the US in their match against Sweden? :)

Do I hear "Miracle 2"? ;)

[DrDoc]

aren't all of these olypians just trained in the US and use US technology (sports equipment, training equipment, facilities). Yes I know, this statement would be truer of the summer olympics with their track and field and swimming events. But my point is, it's money that wins the olympics, it doesn't have anything to do with being from a particular country

heh

Even the US athletes go elsewhere for their training. ;)
I can't think of many of the sports or equipment that originated in the US.

And, it doesn't matter where you're from? So, I assume all the runners from Kenya and Morocco are just "coincidences", right? ;) Same probably goes for Brazil and football. And all the North European countries and their consistency in winter olympics.

The fact that the USA with a population 75 times bigger than that of Norway still can't beat them seems self explanatory :)

[lgn1]

Thats because Norway is still a northern climate. With Global warming, most of the US population won't know what winter is in a few years :)

[jatar_k]

>> Oh, don't you assume too much now, jatar_k.

well since it was a gold or silver outcome at that point, I was counting a medal, not what colour, it's ok it's all sorted now ;)

[adamxcl]

I've always loved the Winter Olympics but haven't cared as much for NBC coverage. I miss Jim Mckay. I like Bob Costas when he is doing something he enjoys. He doesn't seem to be liking his job much or have much Olympic passion. It's like he's just fulfilling a contract task.

I feel like I'm missing more of the runs and stuff from the top competitors. "Here is someone from USA, she finishes 19th and then let's show the results of the top performers and not see them." I don't like how they show stuff out of order.

I love hockey but this pro stuff is horrible for the USA and Canada. They fly over, have one practice and play. That's not a team. I think I'd rather see a team of young players (Maybe why the womens hockey seems better now?) get creamed and perform a miracle every 20 years than a group of allstars going through the motions.

[Visit Thailand]

I have never been interested in the Winter Olympics and I do not even think they are on TV over here in Thailand (might be wrong but have not looked).

The Summer Olympics is different though and I do try to catch a few of the races, such as the 100 metres, 400, 800, some swimming etc.

But as said previously some of the sports being allowed in are questionable and I totally disagree with professionals being allowed in.

[jsinger]

"The fact that the USA with a population 75 times bigger than that of Norway still can't beat them seems self explanatory :)"

Actually a few years ago I attended our state's speed skating championships several times. About 40 people competed, mostly kids. I believe one of the contestants made the US Olympic team. Interest outside of a few northern states is almost non-existent.

Mostly it says that Norway has faster Norwegians than the U.S. does. LOL

[photon]

I've gotten hooked on curling this time around. That's the advantage of a network owning lots of cable channels--you get a chance to see some of the lesser known sports. Still hoping to see some team handball in the summer Olympics.

And some of those curlgirls (USA & Sweden in particular) are quite reasonably attractive.

[lawman]

Yeah, for some strange reason I've taken to curling. Still don't know what the hell is going on, but there's always the eye-candy.

Insofar as the boilerplate hype, even the bad blood feud in the 1500 meter speed skating was a bust.