who here is watching the olympics?

Tuomas · Sat 09/08/2008 10:07:26

Well I was considering watching the ones that have my fellow finns competing, but yeah, China's a bit far away from here. So the broadcasts will be on from 4am till the time I wake up. Not really the best possible time, I'll prolly be sleeping. Also, it's too early for the sports news to reach the morning paper, which has been pressed before the events, so basically the Finn swinning 100m last night will only be mentioned on today's paper, and the result will be available tomorrow, when there's new sports about. Silly, them timezones.

EldKatt · Sat 09/08/2008 10:27:52

Quote from: Stupot on Sat 09/08/2008 04:30:01
Well there are only two types of people who are more likely to get the irony of that... those who have studied Nazi Germany and those who have memorised who hosted the Olympics over the years...

I can only speak for Sweden, but here at least "Nazi Germany" is a given part of the history curriculum of primary education. We've all "studied Nazi Germany". Although I'm sure a lot of young people don't remember much of it, there's still this batch of old-fashioned grumpy old men who somehow think it's one of those things people should know about...

Regarding the particular detail that they hosted the Olympics in 1936, yes, it might not have been as "sickening" years ago if a lot of people admitted to not remembering it... but right now, the Olympics and its political implications is a current issue. The 1936 Olympics is an important part of the background of the issue. If you're keeping up with current events in any way, is it that odd to also expect some knowledge of the background of these events? Stupot wouldn't have known about it "until about 5 months ago"--but by now he does know about it, because he doesn't live in an underground linen closet in a cave on a desert island. Correct?

Tuomas · Sat 09/08/2008 10:38:31

Well the issue here was in the end brought up just because of the olympics and the potential political influence. There's all the good, a hosting country is expecting, but there's also all the bad. Basically the internal politics of said country will be checked through with a microscope just to get something to make it interesting. Though if you compare them to Germany in '36, I wholeheartedly believe such matter would have been brought up regardless of such sports happenings. The picture is funny in an ironical sense, but still, it's funny the same way as this picture is to those who get it.

I may be a grumpy old man, but yeah, I think one should at least find out what's funny about it.

Nacho · Sat 09/08/2008 13:16:54

We' ve won a gold medal! And guess what... cycling! Giro, Tour, Olympics... Let' s see what happens in the Vuelta and the World Championship

Cycling is my favourite sport, and we' re managing quite well, this year! Olympics are basically over for me untill the 18th and 19th, when Gomez is going to win the gold in triathlon and my friends Sven Riederer, Olivier Marceau, Magali DiMarco and Daniela Ryf can get a metal. Hope to get a place to see the race with Darren AKA Quintaros in Mittens.

Lionmonkey · Sat 09/08/2008 13:46:06

Quote from: EldKatt on Sat 09/08/2008 10:27:52

I can only speak for Sweden, but here at least "Nazi Germany" is a given part of the history curriculum of primary education. We've all "studied Nazi Germany".

Same goes to my country. We were studying the whole 20th century this year and Germany was about a third of it. Also, the stuff, RickJ told us about was witten at the end of the book, in the same format, only with pictures.

BTW: Did you know that Hitler had Jewish relatives?

Tuomas · Sun 10/08/2008 19:38:43

Yes we did.

Also, I watched all the games today for some reason. Well, I slept at my mates sofa, and we were all hung over, so we just thought we'd watch some, and ended up watching all. I wouldn't mind doing it again, it's pretty interesting, seeing sports that you don't see so often, like badminton, archery, handball, judo. It was nice, though no medals for Finland yet, probably never

Tuomas · Mon 11/08/2008 11:44:30

That's the 2 first medals for Finland! Both from shooting of some kind, gold and bronze. I actually woke up at 5:30am to watch them, and also to watch Ville LÃ¥ng play badminton. He did well too. Ok, I wasn't going to watch this stuff so much, but atm I'm a bit addicted

voh · Mon 11/08/2008 12:25:57

I had the same. I enjoy watching the Olympics because I get to watch sports I'd normally never watch, and there's always a country to root for even when the Netherlands don't participate in that particular sport. Especially after a night of drinking, coming home at 5, and realizing the Olympics broadcast has JUST started isn't such a bad thing either

Also, 1 of each medal so far, so we're not doing that badly. My tiny little country is ranked 9th so far, and while I'm sure well slip massively, that brings a smile to my face

Andail · Sun 24/08/2008 10:30:47

The Swedes have sucked so far. Considering that we're on the 7th position in the all-time medal chart, our current 56th place is a just a farce.

Our only real victory was that CAS has cleared Swedish wrestler Abrahamian's name, and warned FILA for being unfair.

Not that I watch the olympics alot, but it's satisfying when justice is done.