Does anybody care about this other than women?*

*basketball excluded

This is about the only interesting, albeit frightening, angle:


China 'guarantees' safe Games amid terror threat

by Karl Malakunas
31 minutes ago

BEIJING (AFP) - China declared Tuesday it could guarantee a safe Olympics, even as it announced that Islamic militants were trying to wage a holy war aimed at destroying the Beijing Games that begin in three days.

I love the Summer Olympics. I'm pumped.

Glennzie Diamonds comes through with an Olympics thread...but then rips them. :(

The X games were great this year. Will the Olympics live up to them? I say yes.

Fine, I'll make the obigatory post.

No participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics! No watch the games! No buy the mementos! If you come to Beijing to see the games,wear a T-shirt bearing the logo above at least?

I wonder what happened to three-squares. He probably could have given us some solid input on this.

Welcome to the 5 ring circus
http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo/_new/080805-olympics-protest-vmed-10p.widec.jpg

We'll take gold if there's a fast food eating competition.

omigod the opening ceremony is tomorrow!!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/48/143363738_86c98f3d0f.jpg?v=0

I love the Summer Olympics. I'm pumped.
Same here...

Jeremy Wariner ftw!

Let the tape delayed games begin!

I can't find them anywhere - anyone know the TV schedule?

Nevermind - found it:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/schedule?discId=39

Nevermind - found it:

http://proxy.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/schedule?discId=39

Am I missing something? Does that show channels? (How do you spell channell?) (Am I going retarded? I seriously can't remember how.)

Stabbing victim father of '04 U.S. Olympian, father-in-law of coach

BEIJING -- The victims of a deadly stabbing attack at a tourist site in Beijing on the first day of the Olympic Games were the in-laws of the U.S. men's volleyball coach, the U.S Olympic Committee said Saturday.

The committee said Todd Bachman of Lakeville, Minn., the father of former U.S. Olympian Elisabeth Bachman, was killed. His wife, Barbara, suffered "serious and life-threatening" injuries and was transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment.

Personnel from the USOC and the United States Embassy were assisting the Bachman family at the hospital, the committee said.

Their daughter, Elisabeth Bachman, a member of the 2004 U.S. women's volleyball team, is married to U.S. men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon. She was present during the attack but was not injured, according to the USOC.

The man committed suicide by throwing himself from the second story of the site, the 13th century Drum Tower, just five miles from the main Olympics site.

The brutal attack shortly after midday was all the more shocking because of the rarity of violent crime against foreigners in tightly controlled China, which has ramped up security measures even more for the Olympics.

The stabbing came only hours after what by many accounts was the most spectacular opening ceremony in Olympic history and it has already dampened some of the enthusiasm.

"They are deeply saddened and shocked," Darryl Seibel, a spokesman for the U.S. Olympic Committee, said of the volleyball team.

"It is impossible to describe the depth of our sadness and shock in this tragic hour," said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth. "Our delegation comes to the Games as a family, and when one member of our family suffers a loss, we all grieve with them. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with the Bachman and McCutcheon families."

The official Xinhua News Agency identified the attacker as Tang Yongming, 47, from the eastern city of Hangzhou. It said Tang attacked the two Americans and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured, at 12:20 p.m. on the second level of the ancient tower, then leapt to his death immediately afterward. The second level of the tower is about 130 feet high.

Seibel said the two Americans who were attacked were not wearing anything that would have identified them as Americans or part of the U.S. team.

"They were not wearing apparel or anything that would have specifically identified them as being members of our delegation" or as Americans, he told The Associated Press.

He said it is "too early to say" whether the U.S. delegation or athletes will require additional security.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Buangan said it was aware of an incident involving two Americans and was working with Chinese authorities to find out more. He said U.S. officials were in contact with relatives of the two Americans who are in Beijing.

"Out of respect for the families involved, we can't say more than that," Don Q. Washington, another embassy spokesman, told reporters.

The White House said President Bush, who is in Beijing for the opening days of the Games, was informed of the incident.

"Laura and I were also saddened by the attack on an American family and their Chinese tour guide today in Beijing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And the United States government has offered to provide any assistance the family needs."

A USA basketball spokesman told ESPN.com that the U.S. men's basketball team was briefed on the attack by its director of security, Bernie Tolbert, and by the assistant executive director of men's basketball programs, Sean Ford. The team had no further comment.

Police blocked off streets leading to the Drum Tower immediately after the attack and cordoned off the area with yellow police tape. Security officers were examining the scene on the tower and below.

Attacks on foreigners in China are extremely rare. A Canadian model was murdered last month in Shanghai, but police said that was because she stumbled onto a burglary.

In March, a screaming, bomb-strapped hostage-taker who commandeered a bus with 10 Australians aboard in the popular tourist city of Xi'an was shot to death by a police sniper.

Shanghai and Beijing are still safer than most foreign cities of their size. Punishments for crimes against foreigners are heavier than for crimes against Chinese, and police-linked neighborhood watch groups are highly vigilant. Chinese are not allowed to own guns.

Even so, the U.S. government now warns Americans against muggings, beatings and even carjackings, especially in the nightlife and shopping districts of large cities.

Built in the 13th century, the Drum Tower is one of the few ancient structures still in Beijing, and was used to tell time in imperial China for the city, using drummers who pounded their instruments to mark the hours. It is located on an important central axis of the city, to the north of the Forbidden City, the former home of the emperor.

International Olympic Committee spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said in a statement that the committee had received reports of the attack and was in contact with Beijing Games organizers "to find out full details, and are ready to provide whatever assistance we can."

ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Well that's one American death, likely more to come.

Well that's one American death, likely more to come.

Sadly, that's what I'm expecting.

phelps is a beast

It seems to the wife and me that Saturday afternoons are filled with Beach Volleyball. We generally leave the house or turn the channel. So the first time we tune into the Olys, we see 4 peeps representing the world playing Beach Volleyball. We not likey Beach Volley.

Wow. USA soccer just fucked up. They had the chance to advance, and with under a minute left, blew it.

Well, I actually like a few events, but for the most part they suck. I watch the basketball of course. I also like the swimming races. I'll probably watch parts of a few more events (nothing comes to mind right now though). However a lot of it is a snooze fest. I flipped it on last night just to take a look and badmitton and fencing were on. ZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Now gymnastics is on...uhg.

Synchronized fucking diving??? R U fucking kidding me? Olympic sport?

NBC sucks

WOW! That 4X100 finish was amazing!

Yeah, I was watching that too. That was sick. It made me think the announcing was fake (not live) though, the way they kept saying "There's no way the US can beat them!" and "I've diagrammed it all out, I've run the numbers, the French are just too good!" Made for great dramatic TV either way.

Just watched the clip. Insane.

Yeah, I was watching that too. That was sick. It made me think the announcing was fake (not live) though, the way they kept saying "There's no way the US can beat them!" and "I've diagrammed it all out, I've run the numbers, the French are just too good!" Made for great dramatic TV either way.

I didn't think there was any way he was going to catch him. They lost a lot of ground on that 3rd leg but that was amazing he caught him.

Those announcers during in the synchronized diving (or any of those point based sports) are so annoying too. They are almost worse than the sport itself.

When did they show that around midnight?

They had all damn day to put that on and I bet they waited till the last segments to show it. Fuckers

Is it true that some of the "announcing" for these events is being done in studios in NY?

I wouldn't be surprised if they were embellishing it for replay (sort of like they do for the World Series of Poker).

Anyone else get this Universal HD channel? It's Olympics 24/7 - crazy sports as well. I'm watching handball now - this shit is awesome.

And there's this chick from Hungary that's smokin.

When did they show that around midnight?

They had all damn day to put that on and I bet they waited till the last segments to show it. Fuckers

It was at 10:45 here in Denver. I'm not sure when coverage ended in Eastern Time zone but coverage ended here at 11:00. So yes, they waited till the very end.

Is it true that some of the "announcing" for these events is being done in studios in NY?

I wouldn't be surprised if they were embellishing it for replay (sort of like they do for the World Series of Poker).

That's kind of what I was getting at. It wouldn't shock me. It all just seemed to come together too well. Maybe I'm just jaded though.

Anyone else get this Universal HD channel? It's Olympics 24/7 - crazy sports as well. I'm watching handball now - this shit is awesome.

And there's this chick from Hungary that's smokin.

Yeah, that's on MSNBC in lo d too. It's shockingly entertaining.

Men's syncronized diving is pretty bad. I also noticed that the Republic of South Africa would give the Americans at least 2 points lower than every other judge when they were scoring, and at least 1 point higher than every other judge for the other diving teams.

South Africa is now my second least favorite country, right behind France.

I read France was talking stuff about the swimming match last night AND PROCEEDED TO GET SPANKED!

Alsoi'mfrench

I also read how horrible the air is over there. I'm sure there would be plenty of protests if it wasn't for protestors have a very short life span in China.

Mikey Phelps won his 3rd gold today tonight whatever it is cuz we don't get anything live

^ white text alert

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-Chinese-pulled-a-Milli-Vanilli-during-the-Op?urn=oly,100162

I wonder how this will affect both kids going forward.

I wonder how this will affect both kids going forward.

:emo kid:

Just kidding, me too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/dev/diary/media/dawson-crying.edt.JPG , lol

They are both cute kids. I don't see why they pulled that stunt.

I'm surprised the Chinese didn't try to say that their age is actually "16."

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Spanish-basketball-team-poses-for-offensive-pict?urn=oly,100152

lawl

That's really good for the US - it's major homecourt advantage over Spain on Saturday.

Seriously, how can seemingly every single world and olympic record get broken. Have training methods really gotten that much better in 4 years? (I'm talking swimming...)

It'd be one thing if it were just one special athlete like Phelps but in some of these races, pretty much the whole field is beating/approaching the old records.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Spanish-basketball-team-poses-for-offensive-pict?urn=oly,100152

lawl

what a fucked up photo. fuck you gasol

Seriously, how can seemingly every single world and olympic record get broken. Have training methods really gotten that much better in 4 years? (I'm talking swimming...)

It'd be one thing if it were just one special athlete like Phelps but in some of these races, pretty much the whole field is beating/approaching the old records.

It's those new swim suits. I don't understand it, but they say that those suits make them much faster. The Germans were mad because they were sponsored by Adidas (oh the irony) and Speedo is the suit that's making everyone faster.

(At least I think that's what I remember)

Phelps won the 200 butterfly in the morning despite being blinded when his goggles filled with water.
“I just got a new pair,” he said.

Courageous

I'm surprised the Chinese didn't try to say that their age is actually "16."
I'm no expert on what a 16 year old Chinese looks like, but this can't be all 16 year olds:

http://i3.sinaimg.cn/2008/en/news/2008-08-13/U3029P461T74D6904F1661DT20080813142353.jpg

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0808/oly.china.gymnastics1/images/00.opgl-28325-mid.jpghttp://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0808/oly.china.gymnastics1/images/00.opgl-28325-mid.jpg

Later today we'll find out that those girls don't actually know how to do gymnastics.

I would think lying about your age should be almost as bad as using steroids - it's a rule for a reason. Yet there's no way the Chinese can get caught because their whole country is fine with forging the documents for the girls.

It's those new swim suits. I don't understand it, but they say that those suits make them much faster. The Germans were mad because they were sponsored by Adidas (oh the irony) and Speedo is the suit that's making everyone faster.

(At least I think that's what I remember)

And another reason is the Chinese came up with a new kind of water that is faster too.

LOL

I think I heard that too.

Seriously, how can seemingly every single world and olympic record get broken. Have training methods really gotten that much better in 4 years? (I'm talking swimming...)

It'd be one thing if it were just one special athlete like Phelps but in some of these races, pretty much the whole field is beating/approaching the old records.

I was just thinking about this the other day. It seems a WR is broken every race. Breaking a WR is usually exciting but it's lost it's meaning now.

Some Swedish dude won a bronze medal and then threw it to the ground because "he really wanted the gold".

There's a tree down in Mobile, Alabama that he needs to check out.

http://www.clunkyrobot.com/images/leprechaun_sketch.jpg

Jon Stewart had a funny joke about the singing. He said imagine your government telling you you're not cute.

It's those new swim suits. I don't understand it, but they say that those suits make them much faster. The Germans were mad because they were sponsored by Adidas (oh the irony) and Speedo is the suit that's making everyone faster.

(At least I think that's what I remember)
I saw a list of a few other factors (http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/humannature/archive/2008/08/13/olympic-inflation.aspx) after the suits which were listed at number one.



2. Pool depth. This is the deepest pool ever used in the Olympics. Depth disperses turbulence, reducing resistance.


3. Pool width and gutters. Two extra lanes at the margins disperse waves to gutters, reducing ricochet and resistance.


4. Lane dividers. The plastic ones in Beijing deflect turbulence down instead of sideways, reducing resistance.


5. Starting blocks. Nonskid versions have replaced the old wooden ones, boosting dive propulsion.


6. Video. Recordings and analysis identify target variables such as stroke distance and turns.


7. Medical tests. Swimmers are blood-tested after each race to measure lactic-acid buildup.


8. Sports scientists. They run the monitoring and analysis. The U.S. swim team has four.


A thousandth of a second here, a hundredth of a second there... pretty soon you're talking about world records.

Maybe I should put this in the "I'm not ashamed to admit" thread, but I actually enjoyed watching the women's gymnastics this whole Olympics. The men's competition wasn't bad either.

Most of you guys have probably seen or heard about this but just in case:
http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/15/different-spanish-team-same-racism/

Maybe I should put this in the "I'm not ashamed to admit" thread, but I actually enjoyed watching the women's gymnastics this whole Olympics. The men's competition wasn't bad either.

I'm with you on women's gymnastics, didn't watch the men though. It was mildly entertaining. I loved it when the commentators got so worked up over the Chinese getting too high of scores. Fun watching U.S. go 1-2.

I'm good for the next 4 years :p

How did Phelps win that?!?!?

No way I thought he won it live. Replay showed that other guy didn't finish hard at all and Phelps made a very quick reach to the wall. Still, it was so frickin' close. Wow.

Yeah when I saw it live, I didn't think he had a shot. I still can't believe it.

I didn't think the 4x100 relay could be topped, but I think that just did it.

The Serbs filed a protest but it was denied. I was skeptical watching those replays but it now looks like they got there at virtually the same time...which is basically what 0.01 of a second is.

Phelps pwns.

fixed

also, I haven't watched any of this and I'm just talking shit

There's a US javelin dude whose first name is "Breaux".

As in, "Don't tase me, Breaux".

The last time I checked the medal count, I didn't see 'Tahoe' on the board, but I am tied with Canada in the medal count.

The last time I checked the medal count, I didn't see 'Tahoe' on the board, but I am tied with Canada in the medal count.

BUT DO YOU HAVE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED HEALTH CARE?

HUH, DO YA?

ALSO, AT LEAST CANADA HAS NEVER LOST TO APPALACHIAN STATE

DEAL WITH IT

Phelps wins 8. Unreal.


Did anyone watch Bolt from Jamaca run? I have never seen a freak of nature like that. He shattered the world record, and he was celebrating for the last 15 meters. I bet he could run around a 9.5 if he took it seriously. There is no one more freakish than him - he's built like LeBron and could run circles around him.

Phelps is ridiculous.

Bolt just pulled away about half way through, crazy. Looking around, chest bumping before he crossed the finish, haha.

^ I watched both of those too. The 100 was amazing.

It's like he didn't even try.

It seems like every friggin time I turn the Olys on lately its womens beach volleyball. I hate that sport, if you call it that.

And are they going to show just 1, JUST ONE, USA softball game. Now theres a sport. The IOC decided to kick softball out of the Olys...cuz we are so dominant at it.

^ sorry bout all the negativity for those of you that are enjoying it.

It seems like every friggin time I turn the Olys on lately its womens beach volleyball. I hate that sport, if you call it that.

And are they going to show just 1, JUST ONE, USA softball game. Now theres a sport. The IOC decided to kick softball out of the Olys...cuz we are so dominant at it.

^ sorry bout all the negativity for those of you that are enjoying it.

All the softball games have been on (I've seen at least 3 of them shown). They are usually on USA in the evenings from what I've seen.

Nothing was worse than the syncronized diving.

Me likes Cat Osterman :)

Olympic sports that just shouldn't be televised, except when they're celebrating the finish:

Rowing
Syncronized diving
Cycling
Most of the marathon
NASCAR (not an OLY event, just get rid of it please)

Add badminton to that list. That is horrible to watch. I also found fencing to be very boring despite the USA medal sweep. I couldn't watch 5 minutes of the final.

Good call - I think Ping Pong is tough as well. I can watch it, but it's not enjoyable.

I like rowing for some reason. Not really sure why. Cycling is terrible. I can't watch weightlifting at all either.

Olympic sports that just shouldn't be televised, except when they're celebrating the finish:

Rowing
Syncronized diving
Cycling
Most of the marathon
NASCAR (not an OLY event, just get rid of it please)

Yea to all of that, but that Cat Osterman is hot.

Add badminton to that list. That is horrible to watch. I also found fencing to be very boring despite the USA medal sweep. I couldn't watch 5 minutes of the final.

Agree, but that Cat Osterman.

I like rowing for some reason. Not really sure why. Cycling is terrible. I can't watch weightlifting at all either.

You have to admit that it's slightly intriguing that every time a weight lifter goes out there, there's a good chance there could be a grisly injury.

Paraguayan heartthrob breaks our collective hearts
By Chris Chase

http://f3.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_oly_experts__3/ept_sports_oly_experts-805987240-1219152289.jpg?ymi2F4_Cw7ztV__m

Leryn Franco (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/par/leryn+franco/8002907/) is just your run-of-the-mill javelin thrower/pageant queen/model with her own calendar. But during the Beijing Olympics the 26-year old Paraguayan became so much more to the American people; she became our javelin thrower/pageant queen/model with her own calendar.

So, my fellow Americans, it is with a heavy heart that I regret to inform you that our favorite Paraguayan athlete (sorry Jose Luis Chilavert) was eliminated from the Olympics on Tuesday after failing to qualify for the javelin finals. Take all the time you need.

Ms. Franco became the object of our attention after she was noticed by NBC cameras during the Parade of Nations at the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Fourth-Place Medal's fledgling Investigative Unit discovered her identity eight magical days ago (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/The-mystery-of-the-hot-Paraguayan-solved-?urn=oly,99910) and since then our schoolboy crush blossomed into unrequited love.

Leryn -- can we call you Leryn? -- didn't return our collective calls, but we didn't mind. We knew she was busy preparing for her event: the javelin throw. She competed this morning, finishing second-to-last in the qualifying round with a throw that was 12 meters short of her personal best. It was a disappointment, to be sure, but not altogether surprising. After all, Leryn's goal was never to medal; it was to win the hearts of men and women worldwide. And in that event, Leryn Franco won gold.


^posted using the WYSIWYG editor mode

That's a very touching story

[smilie=master_emot:

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLF_enUS213&q=Leryn+Franco

Hit it
http://eastwoodmailman.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/leryn-franco-09-42441.jpg

WAIT, WHO IS THIS FUCKER "JULIO"?

I'LL KILL THAT SUMBITCH

That's not even close to borderline. That laughes in the face of borderline.

Stormtrooper chick has been humbled...

http://img.printfection.com/10/101089/FZIgg.jpg

She can grab my javelin any time she wants

ZING

Anyone see Cat Osterman pitch last night?

Never heard of her.

^ Oh that is stinging a lil bit.

Paraguay > someone named "Cat Osterman"

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/03Ou4ODcGC6ct/340x.jpg

PARAGUAY WINS

Again, USA plays second fiddle.

Our Super Powers are declining.

Young bull, old bull story comes to mind.

BTW Wiz thanks for picking a good pic of her.

Ahhh, Beach Volleyball in a rainstorm. Too bad we're playing China :(

now it's the women's 20k power walk. roflololl

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/3617/mpwr8.jpg

That's brilliant.

Tahoe's girl is pitching in the Gold Medal Game giving me my first live shot of her.

Not bad, not great. You could do better Tahoe. Don't settle. Remember who you are.

now it's the women's 20k power walk. roflololl

that one might take the cake.

Powerwalk is an Olympic Sport, Baseball is not.

Most of baseball is just watching anyway.

All the softball games have been on (I've seen at least 3 of them shown). They are usually on USA in the evenings from what I've seen.

Nothing was worse than the syncronized diving.

Thanks for that Chris. I didn't think to look for other channels for the Olys. The wife and I now watch the Oly's every night.

As long as you both are cheering for Paraguay.

She gets mad when I call her UnAmerican cuz I can tell she roots for Japan sometimes. She is Japanese but like I tell her, If you don't want to root for America, LEAVE! alsojk

Tahoe's wife hates the USA!

I have company, Glenn.

WTF USA softball lost?? Silver? Aren't they getting rid of it because we're so dominant?

^ thats what I read. We outscored the other teams in 04 51-1 or something. Hadn't lost a game since one of our first games in Sydney in 00.

We lost, so hope this helps bring it back.

btw...we beat Japan the other night. It must have been some sort of a friggin round robin bullshit thing.

We beat them twice in the Olympics. It doesn't make sense to me. They apparently also beat Japan in the semi's which baffles me that you can lose there and still go to the gold medal game. Not sure why they did double elimination.

This makes no sense to me:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/results?eventId=233

So USA beats Japan in one semifinal, Australia beats Canada in the other.

Japan plays Australia in the bronze medal game, Canada is out and the US doesn't play at all.

Then Japan beats Australia in the bronze medal game to face the US for the gold medal.

Australia ends up with the bronze.



WTF is going on with that tournament?

I drew this to clarify things:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6299/softballbracketaj0.png

That Brown Paint Brush is amazing. Everything is so clear now.

Seriously, that seems fucked up to me.

Nice use of the Paraguayan brown brush, Chris.

This makes no sense to me:

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/results?eventId=233

So USA beats Japan in one semifinal, Australia beats Canada in the other.

Japan plays Australia in the bronze medal game, Canada is out and the US doesn't play at all.

Then Japan beats Australia in the bronze medal game to face the US for the gold medal.

Australia ends up with the bronze.



WTF is going on with that tournament?

I drew this to clarify things:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6299/softballbracketaj0.png

So Japan basically got 2 chances. Wow that is fucked.

She can grab my javelin any time she wants
Wouldn't you be afraid of her throwing it?
Or maybe she'll just toss it.


Oh what the fuck am I saying... I'd take my chances...
http://69.63.148.121/img/gallery/img489fbb789b38e.jpg

good god

Here's the Paraguay brown paint brush:

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/7962/paraguaygt8.png

1-2-3 in the 400!

lmfao at Australia's womens basketball unis. Are they a 1 piece?

I always root for the US but I really hope the women's bball team loses and gets the silver. I hate Lisa Leslie. Tina Thompson is the most hideous thing I've ever laid eyes on. And they cry about not getting enough recognition.

so who has footage of the Cuban Kicking his ref in the mouth and getting banned for life?

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0823/oly_g_matos_600.jpg

That rules.

eth9J-65Mok

youtubowned

He contorted that refs face into a cross between a chipmunk and the devil.

youtubowned

Should be good... for now.

That video has been removed it said.

A different site with the video (http://www.mmatko.com/angel-matos-cuban-taekwondo-kicks-referee-in-face-video-beijing-olympics/)

Wow. That guy is a dumbass (the bigger dumbass is his coach). The ref told him "10 seconds" clearly.

LOL@ the announcer calling it a "Brain Explosion". Also LOL@ the opponent leaving the ring paying no attention to the ass whooping being put on the ref.

Brought back memories of this.

esRMgF6KuM0
Look for the end where he goes after the ref whose actually bigger than him. .

Jim Caple - ESPN
I'm not sure what it hopes to find because the Chinese government assures us its gymnasts were all of qualifying age -- despite many documents to the contrary, plus the fact that one was seen competing with her umbilical cord still attached. And the Chinese government would never lie, would it? Just as our presidents never tell a fib.

The IOC can save a lot of time, effort and money by taking a far simpler, more conclusive and, quite frankly, obvious approach to this issue. If it wants to know whether an athlete is cheating, simply check the passports. If they say "U.S. citizen," then the athletes are above suspicion. If they say anything else, they are guilty. (Well, maybe not the Canadians, who aren't suspicious because they're not winning anything.)

Hasn't the IOC been paying attention to American Olympic coverage over the decades? Our Olympians are always clean. It's the other athletes who cheat like foreign accountants in offshore tax havens.

Those Chinese swimmers who medaled in the women's 200-meter butterfly? They clearly juiced because there is no way a relatively unknown team could medal and shave such time off previous world records. Only an American who has been on the cover of Time magazine, such as 41-year-old hero Dara Torres, could do that without raising suspicions. I mean, c'mon! Our success in the pool wasn't a surprise. Everyone expected our swimmers to win tons of medals, and they did, even though they had to overcome all the people who said they couldn't do it.

And those newfangled speedsuits had nothing to do with their world-record times, either, so you can just forget about that right now.

Which brings me to all those nations who keep stocking their teams with ringers. Becky Hammon competing for Russia even though she doesn't speak the language? Milorad Cavic swimming for Serbia even though he grew up in Anaheim (I didn't realize Disneyland had been part of the former Yugoslavia)? Appalling. America would never fast-track athletes for citizenship, unless perhaps they were from Africa and had awesome qualifying times.

These countries are merely trying to surpass our gold-medal total, which is foolhardy. The Chinese even regularly update their "Olympics-leading" gold tally on chalk and message boards throughout the city. That's just sad, and a terrible twisting of the true Olympic spirit.

The Olympics aren't about which country wins the most gold medals; they're about which country wins the most medals, period. And America holds a solid lead there. Besides, the "official" gold tally neglects all the multiple golds we've won on relay teams and in other team sports. This just isn't fair. How can you not count all gold medals that are handed out to an entire team? By the time you include all our gold medals -- eight for each men's swimming relay team because the athletes in the qualifying heats get them, as well -- I bet we'll have a commanding lead there.

But I do hope the IOC gets to the bottom of this age controversy because it is damaging the credibility of gymnastics, which is otherwise utterly beyond reproach and never subject to the manipulation of biased or petty judges. That, of course, is due to the straightforward and easily understood scoring system that is such a hit with viewers.

Something, after all, must be done to prevent immature, underage girls from being thrown into an intense, pressure-packed international competition they are far too young to handle emotionally. Forcing a young girl to compete like that would be like entering a 6-year-old in a beauty contest, or a fifth grader in a national spelling bee, or expecting an 11-year-old boy to compete in a worldwide baseball tournament on national TV. Americans just don't believe in placing that kind of pressure on children.

By the way, be sure to tune into the Little League World Series this weekend on ESPN. I just hope those foreign kids with the beards and mustaches are really 12.

If you like snarky, you'll love this.

tl;nb;ato;dr

also iiipotPctiwhri

ato?

I'm bummed I was too impatient to watch this years Oly's. I was the odd man out today when 2 others talked about them for an hour straight or so.

but I just hate the commercialization of sports these days.