2022 Winter Olympics

[CheezWizHed]

I also work with someone that tried out for the Olympics in swimming. He swam for U-MN and was one of 16 competing. This was early Phelps era swimming, but he didn't compete in the same events as Phelps. He didn't qualify, but was good enough to be in a pool with those that won medals that year. Now he sits at a desk and manages engineers. Sometimes you never know...

[stoutdude04]

I remember playing at the Petit growing up in the 90s. I am sure I crossed paths with someone, however, I have no idea and had no idea who it was. I vividly recall walking up steps and through like concession areas to get to the rinks. At least I am pretty sure there were 2 rinks there as I recall hearing whistles all the time.

[yourout]

Probably not going to happen for the USA women's hockey team. Canada's just too much better.

 

Were they though? Granted - the US didn't get a lot of great looks, but they had a bouncing puck hit off the bar in the first and all 3 goals from Canada were kinda soft.

 

I went to bed when it was 3 to 0 so they must have at least put up a fight the rest of the way.

 

Just seemed like Canada had a few more horses in the stable so to speak especially after the injury in the opening round for the US.

[TURBO]

I am completely shocked (and I mean this unsarcastically) that the Russian girl was allowed to skate at all.

 

If those rules are in place to stop doping, and they let her skate anyway, what is the freaking point of the rules?

 

This is baffling.

[young guns]

I don't really understand it either, but best I could tell is that it was because she's a minor. I think it's hilarious that the excuse is that she had some of her grandpa's water which had the medication in it.

[yourout]

I don't really understand it either, but best I could tell is that it was because she's a minor. I think it's hilarious that the excuse is that she had some of her grandpa's water which had the medication in it.

 

Hey. Don't knock it till you try it. I remember having some of Grandpa's water in high school and it was only for medicinal purposes.

[Jimbo]

I watched the first two periods of the women's game. I was more interested in this than the Super Bowl. Canada with way too many open looks. I thought they were the better team.

 

I was spoiled this morning with the figure skating results. Still watched the prime time replay anyways. The intense emotions when the competition concluded. Do I dare say epic? Will be looked back for years to come. My thoughts on the Russian contingent will have to go to the Political Forum.

[Fear The Chorizo]

My thoughts on the Russian contingent ....

 

But Russia is banned from the Olympics due to their state-sponsored doping scheme...so it's not Russia, it's the "Russian Olympic Committee" competing the past few Olympics - seems like that change has done a world of good in curbing their use of PEDs.

 

Blame the IOC for all of it - the hypocrisy, the corruption, the dependence on countries run by despots and blatant human rights abusers to continue being influential on the world stage, the list goes on and on....As much as I enjoy watching some of the Olympics (both summer and winter), I'd be a proponent of just doing away with them altogether and allowing various events/sports to proceed/die on their own merit on a worldwide stage.

[nodakfan17]

It’s crazy to think that Norway, a country with a population of ~5 million, can dominate the medal table. That’d be roughly the equivalent of Wisconsin coming out and beating the US, Russia, Canada, etc. Hats off to them.

[yourout]

Fun story for the week.

My daughter in law teaches Bob Suters grand son and he brought in his grandpa's 1980 gold metal for the kids to see and take pictures with.

[Fear The Chorizo]

It’s crazy to think that Norway, a country with a population of ~5 million, can dominate the medal table. That’d be roughly the equivalent of Wisconsin coming out and beating the US, Russia, Canada, etc. Hats off to them.

 

Its mostly because there are like 500 different cross country ski and biathlon events that their country routinely cleans up with.

[Jimbo]

The competition is complete. The flame extinguished.

 

The Closing Ceremonies. Went quicker than I thought. TV listings said until 10:30, off the air by 9:30, so

I only caught the tail end of it. Somewhat surprised it wasn't broadcast live in the morning.

At least NBC didn't bastardize it by promoting some lame new show. I suppose due to COVID, no end of night dance/block party.

 

Jessie Diggins medaled in the sprint, then the marathon.

Quite an impressive and versatile athlete.

Edited February 21, 2022 by Jimbo

[Jimbo]

Replies from upthread:

I'm at the Pettit Center often. My interactions have been minimal. I recognize the long time Japanese-American coach you see on TV. Small talked a couple of times with the one coach who died a couple of years ago.

One time while running laps, three guys goofing around, crashing into the pads. Hit me once and could have broken my leg. They get up, snicker at me and skate away.

Elle Ochowicz's father comes over and gives me grief while I stretch because I was miffed that she and her friends were blocking the running track. I told him to booger off.

 

Elitism. Yes, DNA > hard work. I'm going to agree with Ely, I think. In America, everyone aspires to be the QB or hit the buzzer-beater. That's why the best natural athletes gravitate to football/basketball/baseball. Fewer people want to be a pole vaulter or a biathlete or a ski jumper.

There is a woman in the Milwaukee area who took up distance running on a lark in her 30's and within a few years became nationally ranked in her age group. I know another runner who is a HS classmate of hers and he said she was a wall flower who was a total non-jock in school. The point is, there are people in America walking around who could be as successful as Erin Jackson, but no one knows it because of barrier to entry, lack of awareness of the sport, lack of cultural acceptance.

[nodakfan17]

200 weeks until the next Winter Olympics. I will miss them. While I also enjoy the Summer games, I think I have a greater fondness for the Winter games because we’re in the dead of Winter and there isn’t much else to do. The world just feels a little smaller for 2 weeks.