Winter Olympics

[Hamilton Saint]

It's a good laugh and an interesting watch but nowhere near the scale of the proper Olympics.

 

"A good laugh" ...? Why? It doesn't have to be at the same "scale" as the "proper Olympics". It's different. But it is of immense interest to those who participate passionately in those sports: ice hockey, curling, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, free-style skating, ice dancing, etc.

 

As usual [and the point I made before], one's interest is often prompted by one's familiarity or participation in the sport - and a difference in culture and climate!

[Hamilton Saint]

Why do you think that is? For me, the actual olympics are the genuine ones, have many more countries taking part, do not exclude countries simply because they don't have snow in them, have disciplines like the 100m which are purely a test of athletic ability and don't have as many dull as dishwater sports such as skating and going down a course on a tray. Obviously there is the chance of many more British athletes doing well in the summer so it's more exciting from that point of view too.

 

Jamaica? Dominica? Bermuda? Virgin Islands? India? Philippines? Thailand? Greece? Cyprus? Togo? Zimbabwe? Etc?

[hypochondriac]

Jamaica? Dominica? Bermuda? Virgin Islands? India? Philippines? Thailand? Greece? Cyprus? Togo? Zimbabwe? Etc?

 

There are some countries like that of course (although they have something like one athlete in one event in most cases) but most cannot afford to put time and effort into something where they will come last and where it is impossible to replicate the conditions for at home. It's one of the reason the boring bit of the opening ceremony in London took hours and the Russian equivalent significantly less. It is a good laugh, I enjoy watching it and cheer on the British athletes but for me it has nothing like the scale of emotions, drama and sense of occasion on the world stage that the summer olympics does. Put it this way, I've never got the same feeling watching the winter games as I have watching the Olympic 100m final, not even close.

 

It is also my opinion that whilst there are clearly very talented people on show, only a very small percentage of the world's population have tried many of these sports so it doesn't compare to many Olympic disciplines where Usain Bolt, Mo Farah or Michael Phelps can quite rightly claim to be the fastest in the world. For me, being the best from a very limited population on a bobsleigh or on a snowboard (despite this being an impressive achievement and many of these athletes still being phenomenally talented) just doesn't compare. Some of the sports as a spectacle are very good though I must admit.

 

I know you are sensitive about this because you live in a country where it is very important. Canada is a powerhouse in the winter Olympics so of course they are going to be more invested and it probably feels huge over there. Over here though it's just not viewed as that big a deal IMO despite being interesting and a welcome distraction from work etc.

 

Edit: Just checked, it was 94 countries compared to 196 in London.

Edited 17 February, 2014 by hypochondriac

[MongoNeil]

Why do you think that is? For me, the actual olympics are the genuine ones, have many more countries taking part, do not exclude countries simply because they don't have snow in them, have disciplines like the 100m which are purely a test of athletic ability and don't have as many dull as dishwater sports such as skating and going down a course on a tray. Obviously there is the chance of many more British athletes doing well in the summer so it's more exciting from that point of view too.

 

Two people in difference of opinion shocker! I agree about figure skating being dull but then the summer games has many more that are just as dull, I give you dressage, archery, the long-jump for example but then I find any kind of athletics quite dull. Much rather watch the snowboard slope-style than the 100m, something going on and takes more than just pure athletic ability. Winter sports to me are just that bit more interesting (with the exception of figure skating).

[LVSaint]

Two people in difference of opinion shocker! I agree about figure skating being dull but then the summer games has many more that are just as dull, I give you dressage, archery, the long-jump for example but then I find any kind of athletics quite dull. Much rather watch the snowboard slope-style than the 100m, something going on and takes more than just pure athletic ability. Winter sports to me are just that bit more interesting (with the exception of figure skating).

 

I thought the archery was great to watch, but then again, I've just stayed up to finish the epic men's curling tiebreaker game, seeing them into the semis....

[norwaysaint]

Although, the summer olympics is obviously the main event, this is also a relevant event. Countries have different geographic situations, if a country is cold and mountainous, then why should there sporting endeavours be considered irrelevant, especially when there are enough of such countries to hold a genuine competition? It's a bit like saying there should be no sailing because some countries are land-locked, or swimming, because it's not a realistic sport for huge amounts of people living in Africa.

 

It's just a load of sports that are part of the Olympics, but are impractical to hold side by side, so they have to be taken at a separate time. An Olympic medal is an Olympic medal. It's no different to if they had all of the pool events at a different time of year. It just helps to have an interest in the events.

[Barry the Badger]

I wonder if the Winter Olympics would benefit from being held in the same year as the summer Olympics, with a consolidated medals table? might help its profile to be seen as all being one event?

[hypochondriac]

Although, the summer olympics is obviously the main event, this is also a relevant event. Countries have different geographic situations, if a country is cold and mountainous, then why should there sporting endeavours be considered irrelevant, especially when there are enough of such countries to hold a genuine competition? It's a bit like saying there should be no sailing because some countries are land-locked, or swimming, because it's not a realistic sport for huge amounts of people living in Africa.

 

It's just a load of sports that are part of the Olympics, but are impractical to hold side by side, so they have to be taken at a separate time. An Olympic medal is an Olympic medal. It's no different to if they had all of the pool events at a different time of year. It just helps to have an interest in the events.

 

If you were referring to me I never called it irrelevant. It's a good spectacle and of course it is relevant but as you said, the summer Olympics is the main event.

[Dr. Kucho]

It's all a bit of a fake Olympics really isn't it. Does anyone really care much for it outside of Scandinavia?

 

Here in The Netherlands people are going crazy about the Olympics and especially the ice skating. Its like a world cup with some taking the afternoon of to watch their hopefulls win. The banter at work is hillarious with my colleagues asking me how GB are doing and telling me all about the medals Holland have won.

 

I enjoy watching the skiing and snowboarding, but havent paid that much attention the games, prefer the summer Olympics.

[norwaysaint]

The biathlon today was utterly superb, although, as usual, you probably needed an interest in it. This one went down to a photo finish, as the Norwegian got cocky and threw his hands up to celebrate and glide over the line, allowing the French bloke behind to come storming through and come a hair's breadth from taking it.

 

I like biathlon a lot, it adds a real extra element to it that they can be leading, but then be too exhausted to shoot straight and end up dropping ten places before they continue. It's a bit like making the people running a marathon stop every couple of miles and not letting them carry on until they've managed to thread a needle.

 

People here have been pretty fed up about the Norwegian relay teams doing badly despite them having the best teams of skiers, due to their skis being badly waxed. It's not that they mind not winning, they just hate being soundly beaten on skis by the Swedes, who stormed both events.

[Shroppie]

The winning shot in the curling this morning was awesome. Bounced around the other stones removing two of the opponents' and stopping to give a win.

 

Bit like SRL scoring off both posts and the bar.

[Hamilton Saint]

There are some countries like that of course (although they have something like one athlete in one event in most cases) but most cannot afford to put time and effort into something where they will come last and where it is impossible to replicate the conditions for at home. It's one of the reason the boring bit of the opening ceremony in London took hours and the Russian equivalent significantly less. It is a good laugh, I enjoy watching it and cheer on the British athletes but for me it has nothing like the scale of emotions, drama and sense of occasion on the world stage that the summer olympics does. Put it this way, I've never got the same feeling watching the winter games as I have watching the Olympic 100m final, not even close.

 

It is also my opinion that whilst there are clearly very talented people on show, only a very small percentage of the world's population have tried many of these sports so it doesn't compare to many Olympic disciplines where Usain Bolt, Mo Farah or Michael Phelps can quite rightly claim to be the fastest in the world. For me, being the best from a very limited population on a bobsleigh or on a snowboard (despite this being an impressive achievement and many of these athletes still being phenomenally talented) just doesn't compare. Some of the sports as a spectacle are very good though I must admit.

 

I know you are sensitive about this because you live in a country where it is very important. Canada is a powerhouse in the winter Olympics so of course they are going to be more invested and it probably feels huge over there. Over here though it's just not viewed as that big a deal IMO despite being interesting and a welcome distraction from work etc.

 

Edit: Just checked, it was 94 countries compared to 196 in London.

 

What you say is reasonable. My annoyance is for people who know nothing about the Winter Olympics (thinking, for example, that only Scandinavian countries care about them) and who then call it a "fake Olympics".

 

It's like Brits putting down baseball as "glorified rounders"; or Yanks putting down cricket because of all the strange terminology and arcane rituals. If you participate in the sport, or if you understand how it's played, you'll find it of interest. Pretty basic concept.

[Micky]

For you, it's a "total non event". Do you realize how parochial you sound? "Does anyone really care much for it outside of Scandinavia"? Err ... Canadians, Americans, French, Italians, Czechs, Austrians, Swiss, Germans, etc., etc.

 

 

Sorry, but I'm at a bit of a loss with your reply. Why is it small minded, it holds no interest for me. I did apologise for any disservice, or did you miss that part ?

 

Fwiw, since the first post I still have watched non of it, nor has any of my family, and none of my work colleagues have commented on any of it. Are they all small minded people too?

 

Sorry if that disappoints you but that is the real level of interest in my world.

 

Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk

[Whitey Grandad]

Sorry, but I'm at a bit of a loss with your reply. Why is it small minded, it holds no interest for me. I did apologise for any disservice, or did you miss that part ?

 

Fwiw, since the first post I still have watched non of it, nor has any of my family, and none of my work colleagues have commented on any of it. Are they all small minded people too?

 

Sorry if that disappoints you but that is the real level of interest in my world.

 

Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk

 

Me neither. Those who like it, please fill your boots.

[Hamilton Saint]

Sorry, but I'm at a bit of a loss with your reply. Why is it small minded, it holds no interest for me. I did apologise for any disservice, or did you miss that part ?

 

Fwiw, since the first post I still have watched non of it, nor has any of my family, and none of my work colleagues have commented on any of it. Are they all small minded people too?

 

Sorry if that disappoints you but that is the real level of interest in my world.

 

Sent from my HTC One S using Tapatalk

 

I didn't say "small-minded" - you're putting words in my mouth. I said parochial.

 

You're not interested in them; well, that's fine - each to his own. But that doesn't make them "fake Olympics", or of no interest to people outside of Scandinavia - which was the opinion you said you strongly agreed with.

[Micky]

I didn't say "small-minded" - you're putting words in my mouth. I said parochial.

You're not interested in them; well, that's fine - each to his own. But that doesn't make them "fake Olympics", or of no interest to people outside of Scandinavia - which was the opinion you said you strongly agreed with.

 

1. parochial

pəˈrəʊkɪəl/

adjective

adjective: parochial

1. 1.

relating to a Church parish.

"the parochial church council"

2. 2.

having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

"parochial attitudes"

synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, provincial, insular, narrow, small-town, inward-looking, limited, restricted, localist, conservative, conventional, short-sighted, petty, close-minded, blinkered, myopic, introverted, illiberal, hidebound, intolerant; More

[Hamilton Saint]

1. parochial

pəˈrəʊkɪəl/

adjective

adjective: parochial

1. 1.

relating to a Church parish.

"the parochial church council"

2. 2.

having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

"parochial attitudes"

synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, provincial, insular, narrow, small-town, inward-looking, limited, restricted, localist, conservative, conventional, short-sighted, petty, close-minded, blinkered, myopic, introverted, illiberal, hidebound, intolerant; More

 

Now we're getting into semantics!!

 

I used parochial to mean "having a limited or narrow view" - which is not the same in my opinion, as being narrow-minded. The latter phrase has a more negative connotation.

 

Put it this way: if ice hockey, for example, is considered your country's national sport, then the Winter Olympics would be of great interest to you; if you go curling regularly at a local arena, you would be interested in the fate of your national team at the Winter Olympics. If you've never seen a live hockey game, or never participated in a curling match, then - of course - you're less likely to find either sport of interest. That's what I mean by parochial - lack of exposure or experience.

[norwaysaint]

It's a bit of a mistake to say it's the Scandinavian countries that care about it anyway. There are only three countries in Scandinavia and I'd imagine the Danish have even less interest than the British. Sweden has a bit of interest, but are only 13 th in the medal table, not that far above Britain. Let's face it, nobody on Earth takes this more seriously than the Norwegians.

 

Every Norwegian above the age of 3 owns at least one pair of cross country skis, probably downhill skis a year or two later and Ski school is part of normal education in many schools. If you have any talent for competitive skiing in this country, it will not go unnoticed, unlike in most other countries where there may be the best potential skiers in the world who never even try the sport.

[bridge too far]

Wow! Well done Curling blokes!

[Grey Crab]

I see norwaysaint is still bobbing off about how great Norway is. Smug tw*t. He supports England in the football, I notice.

[Hatch]

Bronze for the ice bowling

[Dr. Kucho]

Congrats to the woman curling team winning bronze. But now to more serious stuff, who's your favourite member of the womans curling team? Wouldn't mind Eve Muirhead coming round one evening for a bit of fun

[Window Cleaner]

Congrats to the woman curling team winning bronze. But now to more serious stuff, who's your favourite member of the womans curling team? Wouldn't mind Eve Muirhead coming round one evening for a bit of fun

 

 

She'd probably start chucking your saucepans around the kitchen floor followed by a bit of energetic sweeping up.

[LVSaint]

Congrats to the woman curling team winning bronze. But now to more serious stuff, who's your favourite member of the womans curling team? Wouldn't mind Eve Muirhead coming round one evening for a bit of fun

 

She'd be shouting "hard......haaaaard....HAAAAAARRRDDDD!!!"

[OttawaSaint]

Canada rally from 2 goals down with 3 minutes left to tie it up and then win the women's hockey gold in overtime!!!

[Hamilton Saint]

Canada rally from 2 goals down with 3 minutes left to tie it up and then win the women's hockey gold in overtime!!!

 

Awesome, wasn't it?! In the first couple of minutes of OT it really looked like the US was going to score!

[OttawaSaint]

Awesome, wasn't it?! In the first couple of minutes of OT it really looked like the US was going to score!

 

Just watched it again, still buzzing! For those in the UK this isn't like England ladies winning the football world cup, it's every bit as good as the men's team winning (I.e. as big as England men's team winning the world cup).

[OttawaSaint]

It's a bit of a mistake to say it's the Scandinavian countries that care about it anyway. There are only three countries in Scandinavia and I'd imagine the Danish have even less interest than the British. Sweden has a bit of interest, but are only 13 th in the medal table, not that far above Britain. Let's face it, nobody on Earth takes this more seriously than the Norwegians.

 

Every Norwegian above the age of 3 owns at least one pair of cross country skis, probably downhill skis a year or two later and Ski school is part of normal education in many schools. If you have any talent for competitive skiing in this country, it will not go unnoticed, unlike in most other countries where there may be the best potential skiers in the world who never even try the sport.

 

Gold in the men's curling for CANADA!

 

Hey Norway....WE'RE COMING FOR YOU....WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!!!

[hypochondriac]

Gold in the men's curling for CANADA!

 

Hey Norway....WE'RE COMING FOR YOU....WE'RE COMING FOR YOU!!!

 

One of the lamest posts I have ever seen on here. Two tramps fighting over a can of beans.

[hypochondriac]

Just watched it again, still buzzing! For those in the UK this isn't like England ladies winning the football world cup, it's every bit as good as the men's team winning (I.e. as big as England men's team winning the world cup).

 

Only in a no mark country like Canada would they put women's sports on a par with the men's.

[Hamilton Saint]

Only in a no mark country like Canada would they put women's sports on a par with the men's.

 

So quick with the put-down that you can't even read what he actually wrote. He didn't say that the "women's sport was on a par with the men's"; he said that the women's win was as good as the men's team winning. Different point, eh?

 

And it was a really memorable win. The women's team is not packed with millionaire NHL players - it's more like an old-fashioned amateur team. And they've won four gold medals in a row. Not bad, eh?

Edited 21 February, 2014 by Hamilton Saint

[Hamilton Saint]

One of the lamest posts I have ever seen on here. Two tramps fighting over a can of beans.

 

You're just sore that the Canadians' curling team trounced the Brits in the final, eh?

[Trader]

Not really, apart from ice hockey, it's all you've got.

[hypochondriac]

So quick with the put-down that you can't even read what he actually wrote. He didn't say that the "women's sport was on a par with the men's"; he said that the women's win was as good as the men's team winning. Different point, eh?

 

And it was a really memorable win. The women's team is not packed with millionaire NHL players - it's more like an old-fashioned amateur team. And they've won four gold medals in a row. Not bad, eh?

 

Only in a no mark country like Canada would they put women winning at sport on a par with men.

[Hamilton Saint]

Not really, apart from ice hockey, it's all you've got.

 

 

You've been following these Olympics closely, I see!

[Wurzel]

The winning shot in the curling this morning was awesome. Bounced around the other stones removing two of the opponents' and stopping to give a win.

 

Bit like SRL scoring off both posts and the bar.

 

Or to be more accurate, a bit like SRL scoring off both posts and the bar intentionally.

[OttawaSaint]

Only in a no mark country like Canada would they put women winning at sport on a par with men.

 

A weak trolling attempt even for you.

[hypochondriac]

A weak trolling attempt even for you.

 

Truth hurts.

[norwaysaint]

Only in a no mark country like Canada would they put women winning at sport on a par with men.

I think that tells everybody all they need to know about you.

 

 

good Olympics really. Nice for Russia to dominate as hosts, good results for Britain and a good second place for my adopted home, although they're only disappointed with the male skiers under-performing.

 

a couple of drug issues going on, but then there always has to be a couple.

[OttawaSaint]

Truth hurts.

 

The truth being that you are so narrow-minded and seething with jealously at other people enjoying themselves. We won gold in both the men's and women's hockey and the whole country stopped to watch and celebrate together. Wonderful that sport can do that. Heck, they even changed the licensing laws so that we could drink so early in the morning. It makes Canada such a wonderful place to be to see strangers hi-fiving in the shops, waiting for buses etc, regardless of age, sex, background etc. Looking forward to telling my grandchildren all about it!

[hypochondriac]

The truth being that you are so narrow-minded and seething with jealously at other people enjoying themselves. We won gold in both the men's and women's hockey and the whole country stopped to watch and celebrate together. Wonderful that sport can do that. Heck, they even changed the licensing laws so that we could drink so early in the morning. It makes Canada such a wonderful place to be to see strangers hi-fiving in the shops, waiting for buses etc, regardless of age, sex, background etc. Looking forward to telling my grandchildren all about it!

 

Seething with jealousy? Don't be so ridiculous. Good for Canada they won a hockey match. Don't get so offended because the rest of the world don't give a toss. Thanks for thinking I was seething about it though, that did make me smile.

[Whitey Grandad]

I always though hockey was played on grass? At least it was when I was at school.

[hypochondriac]

I always though hockey was played on grass? At least it was when I was at school.

 

You know what I mean whitey. Does make me laugh though, it's a bit like a country like Lithuania celebrating women's handball success like they had won the world cup

[OttawaSaint]

Seething with jealousy? Don't be so ridiculous. Good for Canada they won a hockey match. Don't get so offended because the rest of the world don't give a toss. Thanks for thinking I was seething about it though, that did make me smile.

 

Thanks! So a country should only enjoy something if the rest of the world gives a toss? Notice you didn't deny the narrow-minded part. We won a hockey "game", don't care what people like you think, just like I don't post on a thread that concerns something that doesn't interest me. Your sole goal seems to be the contraitian who posts "never heard of him"in RIP threads.

[hypochondriac]

Thanks! So a country should only enjoy something if the rest of the world gives a toss? Notice you didn't deny the narrow-minded part. We won a hockey "game", don't care what people like you think, just like I don't post on a thread that concerns something that doesn't interest me. Your sole goal seems to be the contraitian who posts "never heard of him"in RIP threads.

 

Of course you can enjoy it, but expect the rest of the world to laugh if you celebrate such a small achievement like it is the biggest thing in the world, it just makes you look rather small time. Imo your reaction was hugely over the top. My goal was to comment on the winter Olympics and also your rather ridiculous reaction as this is a thread on the winter Olympics.

[Whitey Grandad]

Thanks! So a country should only enjoy something if the rest of the world gives a toss? Notice you didn't deny the narrow-minded part. We won a hockey "game", don't care what people like you think, just like I don't post on a thread that concerns something that doesn't interest me. Your sole goal seems to be the contraitian who posts "never heard of him"in RIP threads.

 

Please don't underestimate our respect for your achievements, I've been to Canada many times in the past (well, Toronto mainly but that's the same thing ) so I understand the excitement you must all be feeling. Over here they've all gone mad about the curling for some reason. Whatever I write is respectfully written in jest although that may not be immediately apparent. Enjoy it for all it's worth. How did the Americans get on, by the way?

[norwaysaint]

Seething with jealousy? Don't be so ridiculous. Good for Canada they won a hockey match. Don't get so offended because the rest of the world don't give a toss. Thanks for thinking I was seething about it though, that did make me smile.

 

Oh come on, you tit! Most British people, including me, celebrate if we win the Ashes. A competition in a sport most people in the world have never even seen played, between a grand total of two countries. Winning the rugby World Cup could mean defeating such giants as tonga, Samoa, Fiji or at it's peak, New Zealand, with a population below 5 million. Canada won the highest accolade in their national sport, good for them, if I were Canadian, I'd celebrate it too and even though I'm not, I can still appreciate a great result for them.

 

By the way, what you call hockey is commonly known as field hockey, their hockey is ice hockey, makes sense that whichever one you play, you'd just call hockey.

[MongoNeil]

You know what I mean whitey. Does make me laugh though, it's a bit like a country like Lithuania celebrating women's handball success like they had won the world cup

 

What an incredibly bigoted post. Trolling at its finest.

 

If you are for real, you need to seriously get over yourself and appreciate that it's a big wide world out there where not everyone shares your view on sport.