The Olympics

[Na7e]

You know, I was refering to USA and China. They both have tons in population.

True, but I was remarking that for having more than 700 million more people than the US they aren't completely dominant. Though, frankly I'm surprised North Korea is as high in the medal count, but I guess not dying is significant motivation.

[Justacrazyguy]

I'm surprised North Korea is as high in the medal count, but I guess not dying is significant motivation.

Oh, come on, they´re not that bad, right? RIGHT?

[CorporalChaos]

Well, it helps that they have hundreds of millions in population.(More people, more chance of having better athletes and such)

Not to mention more money and infrastructure for training programs. I mean, it's not everything, but it helps to have training facilities, which many countries have little funding for. I mean, if it was simply a matter of population, then India should be up near the top of the medal standings as well.

[Justacrazyguy]

Not to mention more money and infrastructure for training programs.

True, thank you for reminding me of that fact.

[CorporalChaos]

Anyway, I was fortunate enough to catch the men's foil semifinals and finals this morning. The bronze medal match was down to the wire. Choi (South Korea) jumped out to a pretty big lead early on, but Baldini (Italy) closed it up to 14-14 at the end of the second round. The winning point was a pretty close call as it was.

The gold medal match between Lei (China) and Abouelkassem (Egypt) also started out as a blowout in favor of Lei, but Abouelkassem was able to pull back to 13-13 before Lei got a couple of clear hits in.

Congrats to Abouelkassem, who is the first fencing medalist from Egypt.

Caught the tail end of the swimming finals on live streams earlier today, but I'll probably end up watching that in primetime in a few hours.

Tomorrow's going to be the last day I can catch any of the games, since I'll be out working in a wilderness area until the 12th. I'm enjoying the Games so far, and I'll hate to miss the rest of them.

[CX1329]

True, but I was remarking that for having more than 700 million more people than the US they aren't completely dominant. Though, frankly I'm surprised North Korea is as high in the medal count, but I guess not dying is significant motivation.

I always feel a bit nervous when I see a North Korean athlete competing. I mean, what happens if he or she has a bad day?

On an unrelated note, I'm glad the Brazilian men's basketball team has been playing some decent basketball. Two wins in two games, not bad. If they focus on reducing the number of turnovers, they might actually go impressively far.

[EvangelionFan]

So tumblrs are saying that the swimming lessons from Light paid off after all

[CorporalChaos]

So tumblrs are saying that the swimming lessons from Light paid off after all

I think he snagged the bronze back in Beijing, too. I recall similar jokes being made during the last Olympic cycle.

EDIT: I derped, sorry.

[MugwumpHasNoLiver]

One of the many, many reasons to stay away from Tumblr.

[EvangelionFan]

One of the many, many reasons to stay away from Tumblr.

yes i do not intend to go back to those places ever

[soul.assassin]

^

[Hunter21]

Losing on purpose doesn't work out too well when everyone knows you are doing it.

I find it funny though how handball and water polo are considered global sports, yet are primarily played by only Europeans yet baseball and softball were thrown out because it is only played by Asian, Oceanic, Australian, North American and South American countries.

[Tribblepoo]

Losing on purpose doesn't work out too well when everyone knows you are doing it.

I find it funny though how handball and water polo are considered global sports, yet are primarily played by only Europeans yet baseball and softball were thrown out because it is only played by Asian, Oceanic, Australian, North American and South American countries.

I honestly think it had more to do with space requirements than anything, though the IOC is primarily European if I recall correctly so that probably had an influencing factor.

[Na7e]

Watching the mens all around gymnastics, I feel emasculated. Those guys could probably kick my ass. But, much respect to them, I learned an appreciation of gymnastics.

[CX1329]

Watching the mens all around gymnastics, I feel emasculated. Those guys could probably kick my ass. But, much respect to them, I learned an appreciation of gymnastics.

Watching the Olympics makes me feel like I'm wasting my entire life. While the athletes are in London winning medals, I'm posting on an Internet forum at 4 AM.

I'm not sure if I'd want to live like an Olympic athlete, though. They don't do much else apart from practicing, and that makes me respect them even more. There's a ridiculous amount of sacrifice involved, and that's definitely not for mere mortals.

[Justacrazyguy]

I wonder who will win ping-pong(or table tenis or wathever you call it).

Will it be China or China? Hum...

[Mr. Tines]

How the Olympics are being anti-cycling.

Bonus item: http://hurryupharry.org/2012/08/02/topless-activism-against-the-olympics-and-sharia-law/

[Trajan]

Watching the Olympics makes me feel like I'm wasting my entire life.

It also makes me feel like I'm wasting my life, but not in the sense that you mean.

SPOILER: Show

It's boring.

[Alaska Slim]

Bonus item: http://hurryupharry.org/2012/08/02/topless-activism-against-the-olympics-and-sharia-law/

I'm still wondering why they haven't kicked out North Korea for making failed athletes and coaches "disappear". Granted, oppression of women is not completely unconnected to the games, but I think death because you lost an event is something the IOC should really be discouraging at this point. At least until they bring back dueling.

It's no wonder they thank their leaders for their victory.

[MugwumpHasNoLiver]

The first item on this list made me all kinds of giggly. I'm sure the other four points are all fine debate topics, too, involving ethical violations and debt, if you think that's more worth talking about than nonstop hard bodied sex.