2012 Olympics

[999_Springs]

2008 thread.

There really ought to be a thread about this, despite these forums being barely active lately, As a Londoner, this first post is my territory.

I'm going to get the obligatory patriotism bit out of the way by saying what an incredible day this was for Britain, 6 gold medals and a clean sweep in the athletics. Ennis won the heptathlon by an impressive margin, Rutherford and Farah won impressive golds, I didn't watch the other three, and we lost the football on yet another penalty shoot-out AGAIN. SURPRISE, SURPRISE. NOT. And we missed a first-half penalty too.

No doubt it's picked up its own fair share of controversy, like the eight badminton players disqualified for trying to lose in order to pick up an easier draw in the next round. Personally I can't see what they did wrong. It's everyone's nature, and the whole fundamental assumption of Olympic participation, to try to win a medal, be it gold or whatever. Losing the game was totally compatible with this nature in a way that deliberately losing a match for money is not. Their prospects of reaching the final and picking up gold or silver, rather than playing for the third-place game, would be determined by the result of the match, for which it would be an advantage to lose. Although frustrating for the spectators, this comes second priority to the players whose main intent is to win the best medal they can. The fault lies within the tournament structure itself, in that it gives an opportunity to increase your chances of achieving a higher place by losing on purpose, not with the players themselves. It is the organisers who should be disqualified for coming up with such a dumb system, not the players.

And what's up with Australia? 1 gold, 12 silvers... that speaks for itself.

[Pheidippides]

Watched the 10k this afternoon (afternoon in the States, at least). Really cool to see Farrah and Rupp go 1-2. :)

[Seneschal]

Ennis \o/

GB had a really great day, it must be said. The cycling team that won gold broke the world record in every race they competed in, 6 times in total :O

Also, I'm backing Blake over Bolt for tonight.

[29403]

Woo go Murray! :D

[Seneschal]

MURREH

[乳头的早餐谷物]

And what's up with Australia? 1 gold, 12 silvers... that speaks for itself.

WHAT'S UP WITH BRITAIN IT'S ALL RAINY AND SHIT

[999_Springs]

And what's up with Australia? 1 gold, 12 silvers... that speaks for itself.

WHAT'S UP WITH BRITAIN IT'S ALL RAINY AND SHIT

Seriously, it's Britain. What did you expect? Sun? Like, seriously? Really? Hahahahahaha. ... Can't comment on the shit, though. (Edit: I think the shit is mainly caused by pigeons or sheep, depending on which part of Britain you're talking about, but not both.)

MURREH

You're spelling his name wrong again. We went through this on IRC.

[otters~1]

Chiming in to say how impressed I've been with London, the British team, BBC, and the 2012 Olympics in general. Great experience to watch.

[乳头的早餐谷物]

MURREH

Oh, yeah, I liked that Federer let him win his home Olympics. I thought that was a really nice gesture.

[Seneschal]

MURREH

Oh, yeah, I liked that Federer let him win his home Olympics. I thought that was a really nice gesture.

Oh yeah? Well, something something something mighty fine australian medal haul we've had so far, eh?

[moonlight]

I find myself really getting into Women's Beach Volleyball. Misty May<3

[aids]

I find myself really getting into Women's Beach Volleyball. Misty May<3

She and Welsh Jennings are /killing/ it. Can't wait to see them take on the other US team.

[Pheidippides]

The 800m final. Just... the 800m final. o,O;;