Rio Olympics

[tigerman]

Basil just called Michelle Ford as Australia's last 800m gold medallist at Melbourne in 1956 and then corrected it to Shane Gould. Clueless.

How did get a gig with channel seven, did he marry Kerry Stokes daughter or something.

 

[Sir Tiger]

There's an American woman in the 100m sprint whos name is English Gardener. No, seriously.. :rofl

 

[lukeanddad]

I expect the swim team's performance will draw some searing reviews from ex champs. A few PBs, but most swam way below their best.

Part of the problem may be that we set ourselves up for failure by seeking to compare ourselves with the US. Aside from anything else they have enormous depth given their sheer weight of numbers

 

[scottyturnerscurse]

There's an American woman in the 100m sprint whos name is English Gardener. No, seriously.. :rofl

It's Gardner but, yes, still amusing.

But still not a patch on US former Olympic swimmer Misty Hyman.

 

[Rosy]

I expect the swim team's performance will draw some searing reviews from ex champs. A few PBs, but most swam way below their best.

Part of the problem may be that we set ourselves up for failure by seeking to compare ourselves with the US. Aside from anything else they have enormous depth given their sheer weight of numbers

Winning times are often behind PBs at the Olympics. I don't know who you mean by "we" setting ourselves up for failure in regard to comparing ourselves with the US. The coaches and swimmers are aware of times and capabilities.

 

[lukeanddad]

Winning times are often behind PBs at the Olympics. I don't know who you mean by "we" setting ourselves up for failure in regard to comparing ourselves with the US. The coaches and swimmers are aware of times and capabilities.

Not sure what your point is. Mcevoy, seebohm, Campbell and Larkin to name four have expressed dismay with their performances. All were gold medal favorites and swam poorly, by their assessment. Gold medals st London cost $23m each. We are on track to do worse.

 

[1eyedtiger]

Gold medals st London cost $23m each.

Which begs the question. Is it worth it?

 

[lukeanddad]

Which begs the question. Is it worth it?

It is a good question. But I reckon the equation is a bit simplistic. One would hope that 5,000 people get off the couch as a result of watching someone sweat.

 

[Giardiasis]

Which begs the question. Is it worth it?

The real question is, "Why are we not given the choice to decide if it is worth it?".

 

[AngryAnt]

The real question is, "Why are we not given the choice to decide if it is worth it?".

I agree. It all goes back to Montreal '76 when we only won one gold as I recall... This was deemed to be unacceptable so we've thrown money at it ever since.

It's a lot of money to pay for a circus that happens every four years just so fat coach potato Aussies can feel good about our athletic prowess.

 

[tigersnake]

I agree. It all goes back to Montreal '76 when we only won one gold as I recall... This was deemed to be unacceptable so we've thrown money at it ever since.

It's a lot of money to pay for a circus that happens every four years just so fat coach potato Aussies can feel good about our athletic prowess.

Yeah. A few years ago there was a systematic review into Olympic funding that found far too much $$ was going to the elite sportspeople and nowhere near enough to grass roots. Coates, not someone I'm a fan of, spat the dummy astronomically. The funding balance was changed a little bit, but the review was mostly ignored and Coates got his way.

 

[IanG]

Usain Bolt wins the 100m for the 3rd time, what an athlete! Greatest of all time.

 

[Baloo]

Usain Bolt wins the 100m for the 3rd time, what an athlete! Greatest of all time.

Yes, but sadly we need to wait another 10 or so years to see if he has been clean

 

[tigersnake]

Yes, but sadly we need to wait another 10 or so years to see if he has been clean

We'd know by now if he wasn't 8 years ago I'd reckon. But maybe not. I take your point either way though.

 

[Ian4]

Basil just called Michelle Ford as Australia's last 800m gold medallist at Melbourne in 1956 and then corrected it to Shane Gould. Clueless.

yeah he needs to do more research but I really hope he gets the Friday night footy gig over those other idiots that do Saturday nights (Richo being the exception).

Winning times are often behind PBs at the Olympics. I don't know who you mean by "we" setting ourselves up for failure in regard to comparing ourselves with the US.

we're setting ourselves up for failure by pumping up our chances before it starts. I heard media "experts" claim we'll win 7-8 gold medals in the pool. how many did we win? 3?

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

20 years ago the Poms were being rubbished for finishing behind the likes of New Zealand, Algeria and North Korea on the medal table. Now we're eating their dust.

Perhaps our anti-competitive education system is playing a role.

 

[WesternTiger]

Which begs the question. Is it worth it?

In a word "NO".

 

[CarnTheTiges]

20 years ago the Poms were being rubbished for finishing behind the likes of New Zealand, Algeria and North Korea on the medal table. Now we're eating their dust.

Perhaps our anti-competitive education system is playing a role.

I believe the lottery money in the UK has a big part to play in the resurgence of GB's Olympic performances.

 

[WesternTiger]

20 years ago the Poms were being rubbished for finishing behind the likes of New Zealand, Algeria and North Korea on the medal table. Now we're eating their dust.

Perhaps our anti-competitive education system is playing a role.

How does you second point relate to your first?

Good opportunity to see if the change in success with GB (and the significant increase in funding) correlates with an increase in grass roots participation, decrease in obesity etc.

 

[Rosy]

That's the media. That's their job. It's not a reflection on reality though. Those involved would have a far better idea and I didn't hear them over inflating our chances.