2016 Rio Olympics Thread

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 1:36pm

Looking forward to tonight's opening ceremonies.  The team has chosen Michael Phelps to carry our flag; he is a fine choice, but I'm hoping he defers to the runner-up in the voting, Ibtihaj Muhammad.  What a statement it would be to see a woman in a hijab carry our flag!

Regardless, hoping everyone has a safe, healthy Olympics...and go USA!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 1:53pm

^ Aw no, that would be great of course, but after 18 gold medals and four Olympics, I'll be happy to see Phelps carry the flag - especially considering he's never even attended an opening ceremony before. This is his deserved lap of honor!

[Steve C.]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 2:17pm

I guess I'm ready for the attacks so I can take it...yes, the Olympics are wonderful! Especially Summer Olympics and the I am by no means dismissing the talent, drive and spirit of the athletes and the games...

but the adoration and hero worship feted on "some" athletes should really be noted and discussed and that means a call to educate people, especially young people when necessary.

Not all athletes are treated equally when they are convicted of breaking the law.

1) If you speak of and admire Michael Phelps, you must also talk about his not 1 but 2 DUI convictions. Not only were they years apart, but both times he pleaded out down to a plea deal. One of the DUI's, (the second one), Phelps was going 90mph with a triple blood level count. Not a Hero! No jail at all. Other athletes have received jail time and home confinement and worse for 1st offenses and lesser charges.

I'm only going to give this one example because I know some people will disagree and I really don't like to bum people out...just know that not every Olympian is or should be a Hero.  

 

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 2:27pm

I'm so darn sick of phelps and I truly hope these really are his last Olympics.

that said, as much as I wish it was someone else as our flag bearer, he never had the opportunity to do it before these games because he always competed the next day so just let him do it.

[John Adams]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 2:28pm

I'm not the type of person that would normally suggest boycotts, or bans, or anything of that nature. Still, moving forward with the Rio Olympics seems like an extremely bad choice, and one I can't support. The excitement of the competition is far too overshadowed by the weight of the danger(s) and detriments created merely by showing up.

Reasons to Cancel the Olympics, Ranked

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 2:55pm

I know the IOC has repeated they don't feel like they made a mistake, but really they chose rio over Chicago. After the first protest they should have had the thought.

as someone from Chicago I'm still pretty mad we didn't get it. It would have been nice to see the southside look good.

at least we go spongebob...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 3:49pm

Anyone who hosts the Olympics generally takes a fiscal bath. For this reason, many places do not want them.

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 3:57pm

This thread is filled with so much positivity!

 

I'm excited for everything, but I'm most looking forward to the US gymnastics women dominating their sport. I'm predicting they walk away with 10 medals in total (5 of which from Simone Biles).

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 4:22pm

I'm happy to see Gabby Douglas will likely get to compete in All Around in gymnastics again. I didn't expect it, but she's put in a lot of work to stay at the top of her game.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 4:23pm

I can admire Michael Phelps' sporting achievements without deifying him as a person. Though if he's managed to turn around his personal life and overcome his demons, maybe there's something to be admired there too.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 5:26pm

ChildofEarth said: "I'm happy to see Gabby Douglas will likely get to compete in All Around in gymnastics again. I didn't expect it, but she's put in a lot of work to stay at the top of her game."

I'm so excited for gymnastics but her being on the team means that either Laurie or Aly won't get to compete in aa which s*cks big time. Gabby better friggin have the second biggest meet of her life. She looked pretty bad at p&g's and trials.

 

Updated On: 8/5/16 at 05:26 PM

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 5:45pm

^Based on the lineups yesterday, it looks like Laurie will be the one losing out. It's a shame, but I blame the rules more than I blame Gabby Douglas or Marta. Douglas was brought to compete bars for the US and with Kocian being the bars specialist and Simone Biles being...well, Simone Biles, only one other athlete gets to compete on bars. Even though Aly's bars are not as good as Laurie's, they expect her to bring in the greater AA score. 

This exact scenario played out at the 2015 World Championships, yet it was Maggie Nichols who lost out there (and who really lost out here - she wasn't even made a team alternate!). Gabby benefited there as well, beating out Aly in qualifications and then going on to win the silver medal behind Biles.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/5/16 at 8:53pm

I like it so far

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:09pm

Thanks to baby oil, now everyone knows where Tonga is on the map.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 12:40pm

HenryTDobson said: "^Based on the lineups yesterday, it looks like Laurie will be the one losing out. It's a shame, but I blame the rules more than I blame Gabby Douglas or Marta. Douglas was brought to compete bars for the US and with Kocian being the bars specialist and Simone Biles being...well, Simone Biles, only one other athlete gets to compete on bars. Even though Aly's bars are not as good as Laurie's, they expect her to bring in the greater AA score. 

This exact scenario played out at the 2015 World Championships, yet it was Maggie Nichols who lost out there (and who really lost out here - she wasn't even made a team alternate!). Gabby benefited there as well, beating out Aly in qualifications and then going on to win the silver medal behind Biles."

I feel for Laurie but I think we'll be seeing her again in Tokyo especially now that she went pro.

I love Maggie but honestly I wouldn't have put her on the team either. She didn't have enough time to show that she was completely healthy.

 

Updated On: 8/6/16 at 12:40 PM

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 4:18pm

^I agree with you on both accounts. Laurie seems to be in for the long run for the USA which is great. I hope she can go on and do great things in the upcoming quad. And yeah, Maggie just wasn't up to her 2015 caliber which was super disappointing for her. She'll kill it in NCAA, though.

 

A great first day so far! 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 6:49pm

This could only happen in Rio. MSN website reports a kayer's boat was overturned by a sofa that was in the water. Bit of a bummer for the athlete.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/6/16 at 8:24pm

bwaylyric said: "Thanks to baby oil, now everyone knows where Tonga is on the map.

 

This is all I really needed to know and I am all the more better for it! 

[kadu335]

Posted: 8/7/16 at 12:06am

Mr Roxy said: "This could only happen in Rio. MSN website reports a kayer's boat was overturned by a sofa that was in the water. Bit of a bummer for the athlete."


Only, it never actually happened. Just another of the many fabricated stories that unfortunately have been plaguing the Rio Olympics for months.

[Petralicious]

Posted: 8/8/16 at 10:10am

Its beautiful to see the players from different countries hugging and congratulating each other before and after the game. Especally the women.

As for Men, let us get behind these guys!

 



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3729288/The-Butt-joke-German-hockey-players-names-form-unfortunate-message-viewers-victory-Canada.html#i-885b2962f45cfd69

 

[Petralicious]

Posted: 8/9/16 at 2:38pm

Anyone else enjoying some of the little sports that are not as popular?  

I have enjoyed The Archery, Fencing, Equestrian and Rugby, which are all very fascinating!

And Tonight, Mr Olympia Michael Phelps himself!

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 8/9/16 at 7:43pm

The mens synchronized diving is always a treat. And with a  name like Steele Johnson, how can you not go gaga over the American team?

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 8/9/16 at 7:50pm

It's such a shame that people are making his name into something dirty 

 

Anyway, the woman who does the commentary said during trials in Indy that their list was medal worthy and I'm so happy that she turned out to be right.

Updated On: 8/9/16 at 07:50 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/9/16 at 7:56pm

https://www.facebook.com/WGNMorningNews/videos/1274886849190512/

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/10/16 at 12:07am

Exciting night tonight. I just love the women's gymnastic team. Laurie Hernandez is just adorable.