Only 3 days to go.......... anyone getting excited?
Didn't think so.
Just heard the official Irish olympic song - "Green to Gold" sung by our own Maire Brennan (Clannad).
It's actually quite a good song.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wCK6S-5Vulw
Hope the link works.
Come on Ireland win some medals this time. ;)
Not really fussed on much of the olympics - will probably tune in for some of the football - some decent enough teams there - if im about.
Personally find athletics pretty boring to watch - obviously you have to respect the dedication etc of sprinters etc, but I just dont get it.
I will however be looking out for the paralympics - I know a girl doing the javelin so will be supporting her.
Quote from: nifan on August 05, 2008, 11:16:27 AM
Not really fussed on much of the olympics - will probably tune in for some of the football - some decent enough teams there - if im about.
Personally find athletics pretty boring to watch - obviously you have to respect the dedication etc of sprinters etc, but I just dont get it.
I will however be looking out for the paralympics - I know a girl doing the javelin so will be supporting her.
In fairness nifan, I do actually like the track and field (and most of the rest I suppose ;)) what sort of times are the events likely to be on here?
I actually love it - almost every event is worth watching and have been hooked since seeing Carl Lewis do his thing in 1984. Anyone who has seen my athletic physique will understand :o The time difference is a pain as I'll only get the roundup when I get home from work.
Its very tempting to just bury your head in the sand and just watch it for what it is and worry about the drugs and human rights later.
I love getting into the odd events you never bother with besides like the canoeing , track cycling( big cheer)or Mayo's David O'loughlin) the T&F gymnastics swimming ect I could get really excited about it BUT
Is there soccer on today over there?
Off for a couple of weeks during it so will definately watch bits of it each day. Would be mostly interested int he football, boxing and athletics. Hope Messi gets the go ahead from the Court of Arbitration for Sport to play.
Used to watch it for the boxing, when our own noel monteith was competing, have not followed the olympics in years.
I personally cant wait for it start, i get a lot of stick for saying this but for me I get more enjoyment from the Olympics than i do from the world cup.
Really looking forward to Powell, Bolt and Gay in 100m. should be a classic.
Quote from: the milkman on August 05, 2008, 10:20:22 PM
I personally cant wait for it start, i get a lot of stick for saying this but for me I get more enjoyment from the Olympics than i do from the world cup.
Really looking forward to Powell, Bolt and Gay in 100m. should be a classic.
Gay is right ::)
Watched it in 96 and remember being thrilled by Michelle Smith - what a farce that was! So feel a bit cheeted and indifferent since.... Hope one of the boxers can get a good run and win a medal ... ps - is it a late night thing or early morning if you want to watch live?
I cant wait to see this fella bolt. Theres talk of him winning gold in the 100m and 200m. Hes only 21 aswell, so he isnt meant to peak until London 2012. And it would be great to see phelps breaking the record in the swimming.
Also cant wait to see Yelana Isinbayeva the russian pole vaulter, she is sexy as f**k
Quote from: Hurler on the Bitch on August 05, 2008, 10:44:44 PM
Watched it in 96 and remember being thrilled by Michelle Smith - what a farce that was! So feel a bit cheeted and indifferent since.... Hope one of the boxers can get a good run and win a medal ... ps - is it a late night thing or early morning if you want to watch live?
Michelle Smith never tested positive for drugs in Atlanta '96 and she still has her medals...
As for the boxers,I predict a riot ;) in Mullingar bigger than the one the other day if John Joe Nevin wins Gold
Alot of the sports have lost serious credibility and unfortuantely i dont have as much interest as i would have had in previous years.
Il still probably tune in for the ladies gymnastics though. Think Beijings about 7 hours ahead.
Any Beach Volleyball?
I love the velodrome cycling,Haven't much time for the track and field events though
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on August 05, 2008, 10:47:35 PM
Quote from: Hurler on the Bitch on August 05, 2008, 10:44:44 PM
Watched it in 96 and remember being thrilled by Michelle Smith - what a farce that was! So feel a bit cheeted and indifferent since.... Hope one of the boxers can get a good run and win a medal ... ps - is it a late night thing or early morning if you want to watch live?
Michelle Smith never tested positive for drugs in Atlanta '96 and she still has her medals...
As for the boxers,I predict a riot ;) in Mullingar bigger than the one the other day if John Joe Nevin wins Gold
Are you saying that Ms Smith won her medals through sheer class and effort? Surely, you are taking the piss (as she said to the guy who called at her door unannounced to do a routine check after the games)....
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on August 05, 2008, 10:47:35 PM
Quote from: Hurler on the Bitch on August 05, 2008, 10:44:44 PM
Watched it in 96 and remember being thrilled by Michelle Smith - what a farce that was! So feel a bit cheeted and indifferent since.... Hope one of the boxers can get a good run and win a medal ... ps - is it a late night thing or early morning if you want to watch live?
Michelle Smith never tested positive for drugs in Atlanta '96 and she still has her medals...
As for the boxers,I predict a riot ;) in Mullingar bigger than the one the other day if John Joe Nevin wins Gold
PS - In 1996, I got a dose of the Clap but never went with a prostitute!
Quote from: Hurler on the Bitch on August 05, 2008, 11:19:29 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on August 05, 2008, 10:47:35 PM
Quote from: Hurler on the Bitch on August 05, 2008, 10:44:44 PM
Watched it in 96 and remember being thrilled by Michelle Smith - what a farce that was! So feel a bit cheeted and indifferent since.... Hope one of the boxers can get a good run and win a medal ... ps - is it a late night thing or early morning if you want to watch live?
Michelle Smith never tested positive for drugs in Atlanta '96 and she still has her medals...
As for the boxers,I predict a riot ;) in Mullingar bigger than the one the other day if John Joe Nevin wins Gold
Are you saying that Ms Smith won her medals through sheer class and effort? Surely, you are taking the piss (as she said to the guy who called at her door unannounced to do a routine check after the games)....
As far as I know though I'm sure i'll be corrected if I'm wrong but she won them medals without breaking a world,Olympic or even a European time record,If she was on drugs at them Olympics do you not think she would have broken at least one of those records in one of her 4 medal winning events?
I dunno maybe she was, but as far as I'm concerned she didn't test positive for drugs in Atlanta and is still in the Olympic history books as winning 3 gold and a bronze.
Starts today with the womens football
LL - she is a national disgrace. Ireland may not win a lot but its ALLEGEDLY pretty much a cert that shes a cheat and an affront to those Irish athletes breaking their balls to compete, even if they individually have little chance of winning mostly.
Quote from: nifan on August 06, 2008, 09:24:33 AM
LL - she is a national disgrace. Ireland may not win a lot but its pretty much a cert that shes a cheat and an affront to those Irish athletes breaking their balls to compete, even if they individually have little chance of winning mostly.
Quite a serious accusation there nifan - any proof?
Quote from: nifan on August 06, 2008, 09:24:33 AM
LL - she is a national disgrace. Ireland may not win a lot but its pretty much a cert that shes a cheat and an affront to those Irish athletes breaking their balls to compete, even if they individually have little chance of winning mostly.
it would be fair to say that she also broke her balls trying to win. :D
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 06, 2008, 10:37:32 AM
Quite a serious accusation there nifan - any proof?
No, but do you think ireland should be proud of her?
Ive edited my initial post to include allegedly anyway :P
Quote from: nifan on August 06, 2008, 10:57:58 AM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 06, 2008, 10:37:32 AM
Quite a serious accusation there nifan - any proof?
No, but do you think ireland should be proud of her?
I was proud of her when she won the medals for her country.
Whatever happened after that happened AFTER that in her career. She wasn't a cheat when she won .
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 06, 2008, 11:02:13 AM
Whatever happened after that happened AFTER that in her career. She wasn't a cheat when she won .
Maybe, all that can be said is that she wasnt proven to be a cheat by that stage - whether she was or not is a different matter.
Its this soft attitude towards drugs that has spoiled so many sports .
Its the most serious offence in the world when a foreigner like Ben Johnson get caught but only a trival after thought when a michelle smith cian oconnor or Jessia Kuertan gets caught . Look at the reception Frank Sheehan got when he was caught red handed , a musters hero . Just makes you wonder about the rest of them.
which one of you guys are Jimmy Magee any way?
Quote from: nifan on August 06, 2008, 09:24:33 AM
LL - she is a national disgrace. Ireland may not win a lot but its ALLEGEDLY pretty much a cert that shes a cheat and an affront to those Irish athletes breaking their balls to compete, even if they individually have little chance of winning mostly.
Can you not see though that at the Olympics she was tested and tested and tested again and passed every single drugs test,Maybe just maybe she won those medals fair and square and was better than the other swimmers.
It was as Gaoth said later in her career she was found to have tampered with a urine sample and even that is clouded as to what actually happened..
I don't think its fair to hang her for something that happened later in her career when she had already won those medals,Fair enough she was a fecking fool to tamper with a sample and she should have known her Olympic medals would be forever tarnished if caught.
People in Ireland are always so quick to put down others,without looking at all the facts,they just jump on the media bandwagon and run with it..
Fact is she won those and still holds those medals and passed every test that came her way and no one can deny or argue with that unless some new evidence or technology comes along to prove otherwise
Quotehe was found to have tampered with a urine sample and even that is clouded
Boom boom :D
Michelle is our hero, the swimming queen of our hearts!!
I heard on the radio this morning that there are more officals travelling to the games than there are athletes!!!! Also why are athletes who only make the B grade allow to go? would we not be better to allow a smaller no. of athletes go and support them better both with fianance and coaches? Also it would be interesting to see how many RTE heads have gone, i have heard Des Cahill on the radio discussing a haircut he got yesterday in China ( its a pity they didn't lob his head off)... good to see taxpayers money been spent wisely as usual by RTE (Failte Towers anyone) ?.
Ah yeah, but didn't they save a pile of money by not broadcasting the Christy Ring final from Tullamore.
Luders.
I love the olympics and to say it's tainted with Drugs and scandals is crazy. If you consider the amount of sports on offer with the different skillsets and equipment needed for these you would realise that Drugs has a very small part to play overall. Yes Track & Field, Showjumping, Swimming, Cycling, and Gymnastics have been affected in recent times but there are 302 events comprising 28 sports so there is something for everyone.
Personally I can't wait for this Olympics, I've even got the week off to have my knee operation so I'll miss very little over the next few weeks. Looking forward to the Basketball, Baseball, Track & Field, Diving, Football, Swimming, Tennis and the gymnastics.
To be honest I can't wait for 2012 as I will certainly be going to London to enjoy the games first hand. It'll be class!
Messi isn't going to the Olympics. Barca have won their appeal.
That could turn sour..
They have told Messi he is "The Man" for the next 10years with Deco Ronaldinho etc gone.
Now the 1st time he looks for their backing they go to court to prevent him playing for his country..
I see a former olympic athlete has had his visa revoked for travelling to see the games.
Suggestions that it is due to his involvement with team darfur.
Quote
I was proud of her when she won the medals for her country.
Whatever happened after that happened AFTER that in her career. She wasn't a cheat when she won .
I really can't believe that sort of attitude. In 1992, at 23 and in what should have been the prime of her career she competes in Barcelona and doesn't come close to medal. 4 years later at 27, following 3 years of coaching by a convicted drug cheat, she has improved her performances so vastly that she wins 3 gold medals. 2 years later she is caught tampering with a drug test.
And people are still proud of her? She is a national disgrace.
Disappointed in the ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Obviously the rules need tightened. Will other clubs try to their players to return? With Nani, Ronaldo and Rooney out, you see United wanting Anderson to be available.
Looking forward to some of it, swimming, 100, 200 400 meters running and some of the field events. Did NBC pay the IOC 1 billion dollars for the swimming and then changed the times to suit the american viewers?
I love the olympics - though not sure if they will be just as good this year with the hype surrounding it and the demonstrations and bad weather spoiling the proceedings.
I am looking forward to the gymnastics, all races 100m and below, weight lifting and some of the track and field. Looking forward to the Judo too
Quote from: hardstation on August 06, 2008, 06:47:46 PM
What time does it be on at?
according to the BBC they're scheduling during the middle of the night and during the day - China's 7 hours ahead.
You must admit something about Michelle Smith - you can say what you want about the drug thing, but she had BALLS!
Michelle Smith subsequently qualified as a barrister or a solicitor, no?
Apropos of nothing.....
Be careful out there, lads :-X
Barcelona obviously relented and let Messi go to Beijing.
He scored today for Argentina as they beat Ivory Coast 2-1.
BBC report:
Messi scores in Argentina victory
Striker Lionel Messi starred for Argentina in their opening Olympic victory after his club Barcelona cleared him to play.
The 21-year-old put the champions ahead and created another goal in the 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast on Thursday.
A day earlier, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) ruled that Barcelona, Schalke and Werder Bremen could recall their players from the Games.
But as the tournament began, all three were included in their national sides.
Barcelona had not officially announced any decision on Messi's participation before Argentina's match kicked off.
Officials later confirmed they would not be recalling the player
QuoteBarcelona obviously relented and let Messi go to Beijing.
He scored today for Argentina as they beat Ivory Coast 2-1.
Chances are they cut a deal with regards to friendly call ups. Apparently Dunga needs the gold mdal for Brazil or his job's under serious threat.
Frig anybody watching with epilepsy woulda been in fierce trouble there.
I see Frankie Gavin pulled out because of a weight problem
Surely the fcuk he could have shifted 3lbs???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/boxing/7549244.stm
Some show going on now with the opening ceremony.
Sometimes the Chinese can translate things a bit too literally. These contraception packs are being distributed in hotels in Beijing. Take a minute to read the instructions, but dont bother if you are easily offended.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/mattatherton/Bathroom.jpg)
Quote from: full back on August 08, 2008, 01:29:04 PM
I see Frankie Gavin pulled out because of a weight problem
Surely the fcuk he could have shifted 3lbs???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/boxing/7549244.stm
3lb is nothing at the heavier weights, but at that weight its tough - theres not a pick on them - and in the olympics he would be weighed every day so even if he did manage to shift some water weight hed be fecked continually.
Quote from: full back on August 08, 2008, 01:29:04 PM
I see Frankie Gavin pulled out because of a weight problem
Surely the fcuk he could have shifted 3lbs???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/boxing/7549244.stm
what is the craic here?? with all his dieticians and trainers and still coulnt make the weight. very strange indeed!!
Quote from: nifan on August 08, 2008, 02:08:24 PM
Quote from: full back on August 08, 2008, 01:29:04 PM
I see Frankie Gavin pulled out because of a weight problem
Surely the fcuk he could have shifted 3lbs???
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/boxing/7549244.stm
3lb is nothing at the heavier weights, but at that weight its tough - theres not a pick on them - and in the olympics he would be weighed every day so even if he did manage to shift some water weight hed be fecked continually.
Aye, I see what you mean
But surely the fcuk this should have been addressed long before now
would it be a case of him just getting naturally bigger and taller that it would be impossible to make the weight?? as you say should have been addressed before now!
I think he has actually been fighting at higher weights recently, maybe did fill out a bit and put ion some more muscle and just couldnt shift it. It is a poor show still to take out a fighter that cant make weight - looks bad on the set up.
when does the boxing start?? looking forward to it.
wasnt the start of the opening cermony unreal!! how much effort they put into it!lol
Was there a bit of booing there for Britian?
Jaysus didn't realise that the .tv domain names - u.tv for example, are a major source of income of Tuvalu as that's their countries domain.
Frig ya learn something every day.
No excuse at a tournament of this size for not making the weight. The failure to make the weight is getting a lot of scrutiny from the British Olympic bodies as I'm sure they've spent a small fortune on him.
I'm not fond of opening ceremonies but that was fairly awesome. England must be shitting themselves for 2012. Feckin Cliff Richard and Bruce Forsyth.
When is the Dream Team -v- China in the basketball?? Should be good to see Kobe & LeBron playing in the same team
Did you hear the story of the little guy walking with Yao Ming. Nine year old who was trapped in his school room with 30 other classmates of which 20 died. He managed to free himself from the rubble and went backed and saved three fellow classmates.
When asked why did he go back to help the others he stated "I am one of the class leaders(montor) and it is my job to help my classmates."
Heartwrenching and joyous at the same time.
Is this being broadcast live on the BBC at the minute?
Women's weightlifting - they all seem scary particularly the chinese one that looks like she's going to win.
When is there something decent on?
Was watching the rowing just now,Ireland have qualified for the semi-finals and by all accounts thats a great achievment as they were in a group with Australia,France and Germany
Joanne Cantwell is presenting Olympic AM...Feck me she is everywhere at the moment,She has her hair cut short now and it looks very well too i might ad
Is she Ireland answer to Kirsty Gallagher now as regards sports presenting?
Though on second thoughts she'll never be as hot as Kirsty but im sure some of ye horny feckers would prefer Joanne
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/laoislad/KG.jpg)
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m266/laoislad/4519611323a5192380808l.jpg)
Although Joanne does have her own fan club
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=4519611323
Egan won his bout.
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/BX.shtml
Phelps about to go for his first gold. Trying for 8 :-\
would be some acheivement.
Think swimming is my favourite sport at the olympics! And me that cant swim :D
Gold no 1 for Phelps and new World Record :o
9th career gold!
Phelps gets the first one in the bag, and how, smashing the world record! Some machine. Still think 8 golds is a big ask, especially when he is depending on relay transitions for three of them.
As an aside both Georges, senior and junior in attendence. Dubalya's daughter hands him a small American flag, which he shows to the crowd... someone should really tell him though that the stars go under your right hand, not the left in such circumstances...
Watching the men gymnasts on the rings, WOW, have to be the strongest athletes pound for pound EVER.
Them guys have to be at peak fitness :o
Johny Joyce moves on to the second round of boxing
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/10/olympics2008.olympicsbasketball (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/10/olympics2008.olympicsbasketball)
:o
I heard the rte radio sports news on the Olympics this morning, report from Con Murphy, stuck in the end was a report of the Brits first gold, the line could not be delivered without him giving an embarrassed giggle and a reference to - 'I suppose we won't be hearing the end of this'.
Can these dimwits not deliver a news report with some objectivity, respect and drop the small minded shite.
I watched the 3J fight on the BBC, I didn't notice any embarrassment there or any begrudging comments.
Quote from: Main Street on August 10, 2008, 08:24:29 PM
I heard the rte radio sports news on the Olympics this morning, report from Con Murphy, stuck in the end was a report of the Brits first gold, the line could not be delivered without him giving an embarrassed giggle and a reference to - 'I suppose we won't be hearing the end of this'.
Can these dimwits not deliver a news report with some objectivity, respect and drop the small minded shite.
I watched the 3J fight on the BBC, I didn't notice any embarrassment there or any begrudging comments.
God knows there could have been, I thought triple J was quite lucky to win by that margin, but maybe some of our more knowlageble contributors would know better.
The BBC were quite complementary about 3J 's boxing skills and did remark during the 4th round about some of the clear connections from the Hungarian were not scoring.
Overall just normal coverage of an athletic performance.
Why can't the RTE guy just cover the medal winning performance of a Brit without tittering stupidly like a schoolboy.
Phelps' record attempt still on track - somehow. USA win the 4 x 100 freestlye despite the first Australian out, Sullivan, setting a world record in his first 100. Trailing to the French in the final leg, the American swimmer Lezak swam the last 50 a full second faster than any man in history to win the gold!?!?
Quote from: Mentalman on August 11, 2008, 04:41:05 AM
Phelps' record attempt still on track - somehow. USA win the 4 x 100 freestlye despite the first Australian out, Sullivan, setting a world record in his first 100. Trailing to the French in the final leg, the American swimmer Lezak swam the last 50 a full second faster than any man in history to win the gold!?!?
Fantastic finish, vive USA.
So much gor the French "smashing" the US according to their relay team.
Quote from: Mentalman on August 11, 2008, 04:41:05 AM
Phelps' record attempt still on track - somehow. USA win the 4 x 100 freestlye despite the first Australian out, Sullivan, setting a world record in his first 100. Trailing to the French in the final leg, the American swimmer Lezak swam the last 50 a full second faster than any man in history to win the gold!?!?
Have you doubts Mentalman?
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on August 11, 2008, 08:28:52 AM
Quote from: Mentalman on August 11, 2008, 04:41:05 AM
Phelps' record attempt still on track - somehow. USA win the 4 x 100 freestlye despite the first Australian out, Sullivan, setting a world record in his first 100. Trailing to the French in the final leg, the American swimmer Lezak swam the last 50 a full second faster than any man in history to win the gold!?!?
Have you doubts Mentalman?
Ah it's too easy to be cynical, I'll trust the testers. I have to say it was some final 50, even with the Frenchman tiring it took literally a superhuman effort on Lezak's behalf to win it, but then again the motivation was there and you could see that from Phelps' reaction. But to see three record breaking efforts in one relay - unreal.
Another victory for Spanish diplomacy
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2008/08/10/spanishbasketballteam.jpg)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/10/olympics2008.olympicsbasketball (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/10/olympics2008.olympicsbasketball)
Gary O'Toole is some pundit. If he was a racing man,Ted Walsh wold be looking over his shoulder. There seems to be absolutely nothing he doesn't know about his sport. On top of that, he has a position and an opinion on every issue and articulates it precisely, concisely and in a way that absorbs your interest. Outstanding. He could display a bit of a sense of humour, though.
I find it strange that RTÉ have excellent pundits in nearly every sport they cover except Gaelic Football. Why is that? In every other sport, they seek out the most knowledgeable, experienced and articulate representatives of the sport and the results are invariably excellent and informative viewing - Walsh, O'Toole, Giles, even Dunphy, Kiernan in athletics, Dowling in boxing, Pope and Hook in rugby, Duignan, Farrell, etc. in hurling. And in Football we get know-nothing, inarticulate spoofers like Spillane, Lyons, Davis, McStay, Carney etc. It's almost as if they're deliberately making fun of us.
Or perhaps, Hardy, football is the subject you know best, and are therefore better positioned to spot know-nothing spoofers. I think a lot of the time Dunphy sits alongside some of the worst hyperbolic football commentators. Everything is an extreme. Similar to the likes of Brolly and O'Rourke especially.
I wonder if a swimming expert was to dissect O'Toole would they have the same opinion.
I do think the Hurling analysts seem to be better though.
Quote from: Hardy on August 11, 2008, 12:05:42 PM
. And in Football we get know-nothing, inarticulate spoofers like Spillane, Lyons, Davis, McStay, Carney etc. It's almost as if they're deliberately making fun of us.
Those guys are grand, it is that spoofer (O'Rourke) who you did not name who brings punditry down to the silage pits. ;D
Coughlin and Kiernan are a class act at the Olympic punditry
Quote from: Main Street on August 11, 2008, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Hardy on August 11, 2008, 12:05:42 PM
. And in Football we get know-nothing, inarticulate spoofers like Spillane, Lyons, Davis, McStay, Carney etc. It's almost as if they're deliberately making fun of us.
Those guys are grand, it is that spoofer (O'Rourke) who you did not name who brings punditry down to the silage pits. ;D
Coughlin and Kiernan are a class act at the Olympic punditry
Couglin is some operator though, decides to reveal his stories of how he was tempted by perfromance ennhancing drugs now - coincidentally the day before he releases his book :) I suppose that is the thing to do really. I've been to a few function where he was the guest speaker and I have to say - im my opinion he is right up himself, but you can take it becuase he's walked the walk, and only for rampent cheating in that era could well have been our greatest sportman ever.
You might have a point AZ, but I think even non-GAA people recognise the likes of Spillane for what he is.
Main Street - I know you're pulling my chain, but (nothing to do with the fact he's a Meathman) O'Rourke is by far the best football pundit on RTÉ. Tohill is good too and I have a sneaking regard for Brolly. I can't think of anyone else I wouldn't switch off as soon as I hear them. OK Ó Cinnéide is harmless and not annoying, but that's as much as you can say about him.
That plank Andy Murray loses in 1st round of tennis, to some bloke from Chinese Taipei...wherever that is!
Quote from: DrinkingHarp on August 11, 2008, 04:58:27 AM
Quote from: Mentalman on August 11, 2008, 04:41:05 AM
Phelps' record attempt still on track - somehow. USA win the 4 x 100 freestlye despite the first Australian out, Sullivan, setting a world record in his first 100. Trailing to the French in the final leg, the American swimmer Lezak swam the last 50 a full second faster than any man in history to win the gold!?!?
Fantastic finish, vive USA.
So much gor the French "smashing" the US according to their relay team.
You'd think after what happened in Sydney, nobody would ever talk about "smashing" other teams again!
Chinese Taipei is Taiwan!
Michael Phelps smashes the Olympic record in his 200m butterfly heat - 1:53.70
If you like edge of the seat brilliant sport excitement, try watching (team) Handball at the Olympics.
There are some mismatches like when low standard China and Brazil are playing.
But most of the rest are top class.
Especially those goalkeepers.
Our Kayaking Lad, finished fourth placed in the final, his luck finally ran out.
Eoin Rheinisch has finished fourth overall in the Kayaking K1, narrowly missing out on a bronze medal.
Rheinisch posted 176.91 in the final. Alexander Grimm won the gold medal. It came down to the final participant to complete the medal line-up and Togo's Benjamin Boukpeti beat Rheinisch's time by three and a half seconds to take the bronze ahead of the Dubliner.
He had qualified for the final with a time of 88.85 thanks to another incredible slice of luck.
Peter Kauzer, the competitor who posted the best time yesterday, started off impressively and looked to be on course to posting one of the best times.
But Kauzer amazingly hit two gates near the end of his run to incur a four second penalty that put him in 12th place to hand Rheinisch another lifeline.
This gave Rheinisch the chance to compete in the final, where he secured his magnificent run.
Any other Irish competors results yet?
Was JJ Nevin fighting today?
Nevin fights this afternoon AZ. I think I heard about 2:45 (Irish time) on the radio this morning.
Andrew Bree into tomorrows semi-final
Andrew Bree has won his heat of the Men's 200m Breaststroke in a time of 2:10:91, smashing the Irish record in the process.
Bree had been expected to wear a hat with a shamrock, but appeared with a plain black hat.
This time is expected to see Bree through to the semi-final, but this will depend on times recorded in subsequent heats.
He is currently third fastest after five heats.
Just watched highlights of Phelps winning his 3rd gold. The man is a machine - it wasn't even close and he hardly reacted at the finish. On to #4...
Correction - Nevin fights ate 2:30, our time, according to the official schedule:
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/index.shtml
Nevin* wins his bout easily 9-4.
*Or "Joyce", as Jimmy insisted on calling him half the time.
Watched it on the PC, with sound off, it seemed like it was an easy enough win in the end. Why was the other lad penalised?
Good start for the Irish boxing team. I'd love to see a couple of them pick up a medal.
That's him in the last 16, right?
Quote from: gerrykeegan on August 12, 2008, 03:09:02 PM
Watched it on the PC, with sound off, it seemed like it was an easy enough win in the end. Why was the other lad penalised?
Couldn't say. They were both penalised - Nevin for holding and then a few seconds later the Algerian got a penalty - I couldn't see what for and I don't think Jimmy said.
Yes - last 16 now.
Great win for Nevin. It looked a fairly assured performance for an 18 year old. Apparently his style of boxing really suits the computerised scoring system. It would be great to see a few of them collect a medal.
That was a rare ref - very fussy at times when there was little untoward happening. Thought he was going to penalise Nevin for running at times. Didn't see much to suggest Nevin will win a medal as he just seems to counter-punch though the other boyo was African champion I suppose.
Exactly - he looked so superior to the African champion, it has to be some indication of his standing.
The thing about the amateur boxing is that counter punching is very effective. If you can move and avoid being hit, and then get your punches off, even jabs or crosses, you'll score. I find it disappointing that these judges seem very reluctant to score good body punches. It really looks like they are only looking for face and jaw/chin shots.
It definitely seem that way AZ. I was watching highlights of a fight last night and the final score was something like 14 - 9 and the 2 guys literally hammered each other for the four rounds. A lot of punches that seemed good to me didnt even register.
Was that the little Russian lad, and the fella from Algeria or something? I thought that fight could have finished about 20-18.
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 12, 2008, 03:36:34 PM
Was that the little Russian lad, and the fella from Algeria or something? I thought that fight could have finished about 20-18.
Yeah, I think that was it alright. It was a fair auld dust up for sure, not near as tactical as a lot of the other fights seem to be.
Fair play to the boxers superb start.
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on August 06, 2008, 06:28:05 PM
Quote
I was proud of her when she won the medals for her country.
Whatever happened after that happened AFTER that in her career. She wasn't a cheat when she won .
I really can't believe that sort of attitude. In 1992, at 23 and in what should have been the prime of her career she competes in Barcelona and doesn't come close to medal. 4 years later at 27, following 3 years of coaching by a convicted drug cheat, she has improved her performances so vastly that she wins 3 gold medals. 2 years later she is caught tampering with a drug test.
And people are still proud of her? She is a national disgrace.
Whether you are right or wrong, the one point you are missing from your analysis is that the times she swam in 1996 would not have been good enough to win gold in 1992. Also if you compare the facilities she had and the training methods she used in '89-'92 versus '93-'96, it would have been amazing had her times not improved significantly. But there is no doubt her medals are tainted, as are most from the '92 swimming.
I'd rate Nevin's medal chances below Egan and Joyce, but so far its been three super performances. Sutherland is supposed to be a character, looking forward to seeing him. All 5 boxers are now into the last 16, i.e. two wins away from bronze.
Bree swam a good race in the swimming - 12th fastest to make the semi and smashed his personal best by over 3 seconds. I doubt he'll make the final tho the commentators give him a chance. First Irish male swimmer to make a semi in 100 years.
Anyone know what the story is regarding the Irish swimmers not being able to wear the Irish swim hats? We are the only country I've noticed wearing plain hats. I can only think of two possible reasons - we got cheap hats and they are not up to standard or we tried to make a quick buck and put a sponsors mark on them, but we were caught. Or perhaps there's a different reason that doesnt put us in such an idiotic light ?
The sharocks on the swimming hats were too large and contravened the official guidelines on logos and had to be removed.
Think their was a little confusion and the authorities thought it was some sort of advertising, all lost in translation so they wore the plain hats.
You not too far off the mark Hound! Apparently you are only allowed a brand name on 1 side of the swimming hat and the official irish one has Speedo on both sides. It also seems that the powers that be were warned about this numerous times but still fuked up. I felt really sorry for that poor girl that had to adjust her goggles mid swim yesterday because of this issue. As a wise man once said 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail' :-\
That Nocher girl on the swimming team must have the most ridiculous story of the Olympics so far. From what I gathered on the radio this morning, she didn't try on her swimsuit until just before the race, and it ripped when she put it on! Then she had to scramble to put on another suit, and she didn't have time to properly adjst her goggles.
Then, during the race the goggles came loose, filling with water, and she had to pause to readjust them!
You wouldn't get it in Leisureland..
Quote from: Hound on August 12, 2008, 04:23:33 PM
I'd rate Nevin's medal chances below Egan and Joyce, but so far its been three super performances. Sutherland is supposed to be a character, looking forward to seeing him. All 5 boxers are now into the last 16, i.e. two wins away from bronze.
Bree swam a good race in the swimming - 12th fastest to make the semi and smashed his personal best by over 3 seconds. I doubt he'll make the final tho the commentators give him a chance. First Irish male swimmer to make a semi in 100 years.
Anyone know what the story is regarding the Irish swimmers not being able to wear the Irish swim hats? We are the only country I've noticed wearing plain hats. I can only think of two possible reasons - we got cheap hats and they are not up to standard or we tried to make a quick buck and put a sponsors mark on them, but we were caught. Or perhaps there's a different reason that doesnt put us in such an idiotic light ?
More on hatgate.
QuoteIreland's Andrew Bree goes in the heats of his favourite event, the men's 200 metres Breaststroke, at the Water Cube in Beijing today and will once again wear the shamrock of Ireland on his hat, writes RTÉ Sport's John Kenny in China.
Bree was denied the opportunity to wear the Irish cap with its shamrock logo in the heats of the 100 metres breaststroke, in which he broke the Irish record, because it contravened IOC rules.
However in the last 24 hours, though the help of Seb Locteau a Frenchman living in Galway and Dee McGrath of the Galway Triathlon club, a selection of Irish caps were manufactured in Guangdong province in China overnight and flown the 1000 miles to Beijing arriving at 3.30 this morning.
Sounds like he didn't get those new caps on time.
GallimhIarthair, that's what I thought was the reason, the new hat interfered with her goggles, but that's not the story I heard this morning..
Lots of spinning going on no doubt from the various 'guilty' parties. Seems like a total shambles to be honest. FFS what is it about about Irish sporting bodies organising the correct gear getting to the Far East :-\
2 more gold medal for Phelps, 2 more world records , the man is unreal. Crazy amount of records been smashed in the pool, is it these new suits or isit the pool iteslf?
Surely we can claim this lad!!!
Sullivan and Bernard trade record
Sullivan did not wait long to reclaim his world record
Eamon Sullivan of Australia took back his 100m freestyle world record moments after Frenchman Alain Bernard had broken it in Beijing.
Bernard set a new best of 47.20 seconds in the first semi-final on Wednesday, before Sullivan hit back with 47.05 in the second semi.
The pair will battle it out for the gold medal in the final on Thursday.
Apparently it has something to do with the extra width and depth of the pool. Phelps is a machine though, he looked absolutely knackered after the 200m butterfly this morning but back he comes a few hours later to swin the 1st leg of the relay and to be honest the race was over after 50m! Grerat swim by Bree in his semi, broke the national record for the second day running and was very unlucky not to make the final.
not very knowledgeable about swimming but just wondering did Torpe( Spl) compete at the last Olympics in Greece and if so did he race against Phelps ? .
Quote from: ONeill on August 12, 2008, 03:20:14 PM
That was a rare ref - very fussy at times when there was little untoward happening. Thought he was going to penalise Nevin for running at times. Didn't see much to suggest Nevin will win a medal as he just seems to counter-punch though the other boyo was African champion I suppose.
Hasn't done Floyd Mayweather much harm.
Chinese Medal Chances Row Away
By Juliet Macur
BEIJING – After investing a fortune to grow its rowing program because that sport is rich with gold-medal opportunities, the Chinese watched two medal chances vanish here last weekend.
But not on the water - on paper.
The Chinese rower Zhang Liang was disqualified in the men's double sculls event after he failed to show up for his men's single sculls race Saturday. The double sculls event, in which Zhang was supposed to row with his teammate Su Hui, was held later in the day. The race went off without them.
The Chinese, who hope to win their first Olympic medal in rowing here, had qualified 11 boats, more than all but 4 of the 60 countries entered. Those 11 entries would give them 11 chances to win golds and boost their medal count.
Wei Di, the director of China's water sports programs, said that Zhang had thought he was in the third heat of the single, but was actually entered in the second.
"This shows we still have some problems in team organization," Wei told Xinhua, the state-run news agency.
Officials from the international rowing federation, however, said that Zhang had not launched his boat for the single's race. The two heats were 10 minutes apart and Zhang was not on the water at all.
"We just know that he didn't show up, but we don't know why," the federation spokeswoman Debora Feutren said. "That's something that the Chinese have to sit down and figure out."
Excelling in rowing, which has 14 Olympic events, was part of China's longstanding plan to win the most gold medals at the Beijing Games.
As of midnight on Monday, the Chinese were leading the medal tally, with 9 golds and 14 medals in total. The United States was in second in the overall medal count, with 12 medals, including three golds.
South Korea had the second-highest number of golds, with three.
I'd say his rowing patner was fit to throttle him :o
Anyone hear the rumour that the Olympic swimming pool is fractionally shorter than standard, therefore none of the records may stand? I heard it was mentioned on BBC coverage last night (as a rumour) but I find it very hard to believe - couldnt find any mention of it on BBC's website.
Yes they said it was too short by 4 cms which would make all WRs null and void. Would be embarassing after the faked fireworks (which were obviously CGI - I odn't know who thought they were real!) and mimed singing.
Phelps is on drugs
Quote from: Tony Baloney on August 13, 2008, 10:59:54 AM
Yes they said it was too short by 4 cms which would make all WRs null and void. Would be embarassing after the faked fireworks (which were obviously CGI - I odn't know who thought they were real!) and mimed singing.
that was a bit of a balls up, can't have been an Irish Contractor because they wouldn't leave the job untill is was spot on ;) :D
Thorpe beat Phelps in Greece.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm)
Ouch!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8)
I'm as knowledgeable as the deel rover but is thorpe still about, whats he up to? It says there he was 21 the last time so would only be 25 now?
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 13, 2008, 11:08:29 AM
Ouch!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8)
Jesus that hurt he must have been in some pain
Quote from: nrico2006 on August 13, 2008, 11:07:57 AM
Thorpe beat Phelps in Greece.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm)
Thanks Nicro , I think Thorpe has retired from swimming as far as i'm aware he is rehearsing for his role in the movie Bigfoot
Its ok lads i'll get my coat :D
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 13, 2008, 11:08:29 AM
Ouch!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8)
:o :o That looks f**king sore!
Quote from: the Deel Rover on August 13, 2008, 11:18:00 AM
Quote from: nrico2006 on August 13, 2008, 11:07:57 AM
Thorpe beat Phelps in Greece.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/swimming/3571978.stm)
Thanks Nicro , I think Thorpe has retired from swimming as far as i'm aware he is rehearsing for his role in the movie Bigfoot
Its ok lads i'll get my coat :D
Shite! ::)
Wikipedia is my friend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Thorpe
Hes retired now, no motivation. Or scared of the drug lord?!
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 13, 2008, 11:08:29 AM
Ouch!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-SbdmcZim8)
Damn! Ouch indeed.
Ouch for the Weightlifter alright, but I laughed at the way the Chinese lads all ran out with little boards to hide him from everyone. Reminds me of the screens that goes up around a horse that's about to get a visit from the 'humane killer' after breaking a leg in a race.
Dislocated his elbow! Sore, sore, sore!
I wonder will Phelps be around in London 2012 to top up his medal haul?!
What would be the average retirement age for a swimmer?? I wouldn't have a clue myself. But most of them only seem to be around for two games.
At 27 I'd say he might still be around provided he hasn't burned out by that stage. The fact that Phelps is so dominant maybe made it an easy decision for Thorpe to retire prematurely!
Watched the Womens Gymnastics, No way were those Chinese Girls over 16, :o :o :o
They looked about 10
American took the silver medal after their captain Alicia Sacramone made mistakes on two events.
id love to comfort her over her loss thats for sure ;)
(http://www.faniq.com/images/blog/Picture%2039(5).png)
(and yes shes 20 :D )
Young Miss Sacramone - tut tut - I'll console you
Quote from: Gabriel_Hurl on August 13, 2008, 04:56:56 PM
Young Miss Sacramone - tut tut - I'll console you
If she was anything to Johnny "The Sack" Sacramone, you'd be getting fitted for some cement slippers :)
whats that now for the chinese - 17 golds. :o :o
thats some haul this early in the games
Kenny Egan Wins 10-2 against a guy from Turkey
He dominated.
Yeah, it was a fairly comprehensive win for Egan. He looked very comfortable through out the fight. His next opponent, from Brazil, was boxing in the preceding fight and he didnt look anything special and was actually quite lucky to win IMO so Egan has a super chance of at least a Bronze medal. The boxers seem to be in great form and as usual are our best chance of any medals.
I see a paper in New York has claimed they have evidence that some of the Chinese gymnasts that beat the Americans yesterday are only 14 & not the minimum age of 16
This will run & run, theres very little worse than a sore American loser & if correct they will & are entitled to get the Chinese thrown out
I would be delighted for th eboxers to win a couple of medals, they have been suberb so far.
Have we any track and field athletes at the games and if so who and what disciplines?
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 14, 2008, 09:47:10 AM
Have we any track and field athletes at the games and if so who and what disciplines?
Alistir cragg is running in the 1500 today, Derval o' rouurke is also at the games think she runs the 200
There is a guy Robert Heffernan in the 20k walk who apparently is our best hope of a medal intrack and field then there is Paul Hession in the 200m and David Gillick in the 400m i think.
Was always disappointed that we didn't produce more top class "field" athletes.
Kilkenny's Eileen O'Keeffe in the hammer was regarded as an outside chance of a medal - though her preparations have been disrupted by injury.
Hession, Gillick, O'Rourke and Cragg will all do well to make a final - have little chance of medalling. Hession and Gillick seem like really good lads who are giving it their all and should at least run to the best of their ability - it would be great if one or both made an Olympic Final.
The peak age of swimmers is hard to define. Someone on this thread said Michelle Smith being better at 27 (when she won her golds) than she was at 23 was proof she was on drugs. But the best US 100m freestyler is 32, swimming the fastest he ever has, won a bronze medal in the individual event and in the relay swam over a second faster than anyone ever has in the final leg of the relay - to pip the French for gold. I think like most other sports its down to the individual - if you keep motivated and don't burn out there's generally no reason you can't be as good at 30 as you were in your early 20s - also training methods including diets evolve to help people improve
First Defeat in the ring. JJJ was beaten on a countback I think. 11-11.
How does countback work ?
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/BX/C73/BXM064405.shtml#BXM064405 (http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/BX/C73/BXM064405.shtml#BXM064405)
Unfortunately no coverage of anyone who's not Aussie over here ....
I'm not sure of they changed the rules on countbacks (I think they might have) but in Olympic amateur boxing a point was only scored when 3 of 5 judges pressed their button within 1 second of each other for what the adjudged a scoring punch. On a countback they count up the number of times a button was pressed for each boxer. The winner will have their button pressed most.
Pity about JJJ, I thought he had it in the last round.
That Dominican was a bull like scrapper.
I miss most of the boxing because my eyes are glued on the scoring.
Is there any way to keep one eye on the boxing and the other on the score.
Quote from: Main Street on August 14, 2008, 02:06:39 PM
Is there any way to keep one eye on the boxing and the other on the score.
(http://img.hexus.net/v2/gaming/screenshots/crosseyed.jpg)
;D
I just quite can't get that look going.
I am trying to keep my eyes roaming around the screen, getting motion sickness.
Saunders the brave Brit and top hope has been surprisingly well beaten at light welter.
Quote from: full back on August 14, 2008, 02:09:44 PM
Quote from: Main Street on August 14, 2008, 02:06:39 PM
Is there any way to keep one eye on the boxing and the other on the score.
(http://img.hexus.net/v2/gaming/screenshots/crosseyed.jpg)
So thats what O'Neill looks like!
http://slanchreport.com/2008/08/12/i-know-there-was-something-i-was-supposed-to-do-today/
I Know There Was Something I Was Supposed To Do Today...
12Aug08
(http://images.google.com/url?q=http://www.worldrowing.com/medias/images/media_354979.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFlV2IEy-sJan8pv2I-nGbg__hVjg)
You spend your whole life getting ready for the Olympics, thousands of hours practicing, giving up everything in your life so that when the time comes, in your own home country, you can shine. The day of your event comes, the moment you've waited a lifetime for and you arrive at the venue only to be informed that you were in the second heat, not the third and are now disqualified. This is what happened to Chinese rower Zhang Liang who qualifies as the most embarrassed athlete at the games so far. Even worse, because he didn't qualify for the singles rowing competition he also is disqualified from the doubles event as well, thus screwing not just himself but also his partner who must be a big fan of Liang right now. In typically understated Chinese manner, the director of Chinese water sports Wei Di stated simply, "This shows we still have some problems in team organization." Good call!
This, for the record is EXACTLY what would happen to me if I was an Olympic athlete, either that or I'd show up a complete day late, right as they were awarding the medals or something. Someone should warn the Marines on duty at the Beijing embassy to get ready for Liang's defection as I bet the Chinese sports federations are going to LOVE him.
==============================================================================
And Phelps takes his 6th gold.....
Ireland up against the Brits in the rowing semi at 9.20am our time. Both teams featuring six county men. Best of luck to both!
I watched the women's archery final last night between the S.Korean and the Chinese women. Brilliant stuff. Never thought I'd be roaring at the TV with Archery is on. Mind you I wanted the Korean woman to win.
I'm starting to get extremely annoyed with Aus TV showing repeat after repeat after repeat of the swimming. Feckit we know you won a bagful but there are other sports too you know.
Did anyone in this neck of the woods hear the Aussie SBS co-commentator at the Bulgaria v. USA men's volleyball last night? What an embarrassment.
Ireland in fourth but look out of it (first three go through). Danes, French and Brit in the final.
Bolt looking phenomenal in the 100m. If he doesn't crumble under pressure, the gold looks to be in the bag!
John Joe Nevin fight is on in about 10 mins - if anyone is watching it / listening to it? Let us know how he gets on.
4-1 down after two rounds
7-2 down after three, looks like he's going out
lost 9-2 in the end
So is that another Olympics with zero medals?
There are still 2 Irish fighters left - Darren Sutherland (Middleweight) fights tomorrow as does Paddy Barnes in the Light Flyweight.
Do either have a sniff of a medal?
JJ Nevin was well beaten in the end. The Mongolian guy was technically a much better fighter and also stronger than JJ. I think he is favourite for the gold in that weight division.
Is kenny egan still not in?
This guy is one more for the next Olympics than this one.
Being honest I was far from impressed with his last round victory. Spent more time running round than boxing.
The 100 metre hurdler Dervla, can't mind her surname, could have a chance and potentially Cragg could be an outsider.
Quote from: gerrykeegan on August 15, 2008, 02:17:58 PM
Is kenny egan still not in?
He is indeed Gerry and has a great chance of at least a Bronze medal IMHO.
Quote from: imtommygunn on August 15, 2008, 02:18:32 PM
This guy is one more for the next Olympics than this one.
Being honest I was far from impressed with his last round victory. Spent more time running round than boxing.
That's amateur boxing though. You pick your punches, get ahead and then get on your bike and try to pick your opponent off when he rushes in. Nevin by nature is a counter-puncher anyway not a brawler.
The two John Joe's are really targeting London for medals. They were kinda ahead of schedule in boxing at these Olympics. Joyce was a bit unlucky yesterday though as he's probably a better boxer than the guy that beat him. The Mongolian lad that beat Nevin is excellent though and should medal.
Ken Egan is a red hot favourite to get a medal and is rated as good enough to fight for gold.
JJN was not even expected to qualify for the Olympics, I think he is only 18yo.
Yeah forgot about Egan - hes not fighting again for a few more days tuesday i think in the quarter finals.
Did anyone see Bolt in the 100m heat earlier, he was jogging at half pace from about 50m and still ran something like 9.97. Michael Johnson said he has never seen anything like it before.
Was travelling at the time and had the misfortune of listening to this on RTE Radio One. The only thing clear was that Nevin was outclassed and soundly beaten. Jimmy Magee was dreadful on commentary, giving out dates and times of the qualifying tournament and how Nevin was great to get this far. Not one word on the fight itself, the least descriptive commentary ever.
Egan looked the part yesterday, liked his quotes in the paper too about being the team captain. Should be good for a medal.
Minder it was unbelievable. He was looking round at everyone else as well. Think he ran 9.92...he jogged the last 40metres like a middle distance runner finishing up.
Bolt's stride is so long he looked like he was out for a jog. He should blow the field away in the final if he stays out of trouble, with powell a close second. Gay seemed to have problems with his hamstring after his heat.
Is there any question over these 100m sprinters' times?
Don't follow the athletics but it's a bit sus that the three fastest runners in history are all running at the minute, when it seems drugs are rife in the sport.
Quote from: ExiledGael on August 15, 2008, 09:37:42 PM
Is there any question over these 100m sprinters' times?
Don't follow the athletics but it's a bit sus that the three fastest runners in history are all running at the minute, when it seems drugs are rife in the sport.
In fairness its not often an athlete like Bolt comes along, i am no expert on how steroids work but would they be of huge benefit to a sprinter like Bolt who seems freak like in that he can jog as fast as the other ones going flat out. As with any sport the athletes are getting bigger, stronger and faster as each year goes by, especially when it is an event that requires explosive power.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/athletics/7562259.stm
Click on the video at the bottom, the Jamacians are getting excited.
Phelps collects his 7th Gold Medal of the Olympics. Second man in history to collect 7 gold medals in one Olympics.
The man is a swimming machine, he won his last race by 1/100th of a second.
Watch the replay of Phelps's race. Phenomenal end to it, your man Cavic must be going mad!
Number 8 and immortality are surely a formality in the medley relay.
how did cavic not win that race?? the serbs put in an appeal saying that they thought their guy won. looking at the replay of the finish, it really looked as if they had a case.
Quote from: bridgegael on August 16, 2008, 07:10:51 AM
how did cavic not win that race?? the serbs put in an appeal saying that they thought their guy won. looking at the replay of the finish, it really looked as if they had a case.
There is an electric touch pad that registers when a swimmer hits it, Phelps was quicker. Cavic glided in from too far away, if he took another stroke it would have been different.
Watching the boxing here in the States for the past couple of nights and Teddy Atlas (trainer) is the commentator for NBC.
He goes nuts every match with the ridiculous scoring that the judges are giving to phantom hits, other fighter scoring when he gets hit, how the ref lets guys wrap themselves around their opponent and such. It is a disgrace on how some of these matches are scored and not deserving a victory.
Sutherland just had a TKO against an Algerian. He (DJ) has some power but leaves himself open to too many shots which don't hurt him physically but costs him points.
He just told the TV commentator he is going pro after the olympics.
Each Sutherland hit is worth about 3 points ;D
I thought the tv would fall off the stand.
Should be a cracker with him and Blanco
Monster performance from Sutherland. Interesting strategy, to hurt the opponent to the body early, even if you give up points doing it. Blanco looks like some animal too, if more refined. You get the feeling Sutherland gives up too many of those easy points to medal, but you never know. As an aside that ref was another example of the bad officiating at the boxing - the Algerian could really have been hurt there, he couldn't even raise his gloves.
Some finish to the rowing ladies doubles.
Most dramatic I have ever seen.
The stunning sisters from NZ won by 1/100sec.
Paddy Barnes through to the quarter finals of the light-flyweight division - good performance.
is that 4 of the boxers through to the quarters would be great if we could pick up a medal or 2
Quote from: the Deel Rover on August 16, 2008, 12:17:13 PM
is that 4 of the boxers through to the quarters would be great if we could pick up a medal or 2
Sutherland, Egan & Barnes are - who's the other one?
sorry glens 3 forgot the two jj are out
I'd read in the Irish News a while back that Barnes had lost his first 15 fights, pretty remarkable that he's now in the Olympic q-finals.
Hopefully he can get a medal and Sutherland and Egan as well.
9.85 from Bolt and he was dandering for the last 20 ::)
Bolt absolutely coasted it. 100m in 41strides according to Eammo. :o :o
Tyson Gay out.
Gay out.
Bolt will smash his own world record in the final as he will be going flat out for the full 100 metres
I reckon it will be Bolt, Powell and Dix.
Dix is 150/1 and has to be a good each way bet for third.
Bolt 9.69 and he eased up. :o :o
He could go faster than that too,last 20 metres he wasnt sprinting
You can forget about your cycling, swimming and gymnastics, for me the Olympics is all about that one race. The fastest men on the planet, in the fastest race ever. 9.69 and he looks like he could go even faster.
that was mad. plenty of room to spare there :o
it's frightening. unbelievable.
and the scarey thing is that he's probably a better 200m runner. could break michael johnson's record!!!!
and he's only 21.
What a run - too easy.
would be very surprised if he does not break Johnsons 200m world record
not alot you can say after that except holy feck!!!!
wonder how much he can charge for advertising now?? seems a bit of a nutter
Quote from: Minder on August 16, 2008, 03:41:28 PM
would be very surprised if he does not break Johnsons 200m world record
probably right. only question is whether he runs the last 100m faster than johnson's 9.2secs.
that was cat. man is a freak. he could easily smash that again. he should dominate again 2012, but wat is the shelf life of a sprinter?
would him and phelps (age 23 i think) make 2016 as well as 2012?
I cant believe what I just seen, that man is a freak. I feel privileged to have witnessed that race live. Its scary to think what he could have done if he hadn't started celebrating with 15metres to go.
I was sitting in awe watching phelps win all his golds but the 100m has been the moment of the Olympics for me.
Quote from: the colonel on August 16, 2008, 04:10:58 PM
that was cat. man is a freak. he could easily smash that again. he should dominate again 2012, but wat is the shelf life of a sprinter?
would him and phelps (age 23 i think) make 2016 as well as 2012?
Colonel swimmers peak younger than sprinters, with the very notable exception of one Irish swimmer. Phelps probably wont make 2012 and definately wont be around in 2016.
Bolt should be running into his thirties, look at Linford Christie.
Trivia question: Who is the only man who started the 1988 100m final never to have failed a dope test?
The only thing that will stop Bolt is injuries,in fairness because of the explosive nature of sprinting injuries are never too far away
Quote from: muppet on August 16, 2008, 04:46:55 PM
Trivia question: Who is the only man who started the 1988 100m final never to have failed a dope test?
Carl Lewis failed a dope test but was subsequently cleared.
Quote from: Down Gael on August 16, 2008, 04:52:44 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 16, 2008, 04:46:55 PM
Trivia question: Who is the only man who started the 1988 100m final never to have failed a dope test?
Carl Lewis failed a dope test but was subsequently cleared.
But he still failed a dope test. (I wont even go into these claims http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/17/1050172707806.html (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/17/1050172707806.html) )
Quote from: muppet on August 16, 2008, 04:46:55 PM
Quote from: the colonel on August 16, 2008, 04:10:58 PM
that was cat. man is a freak. he could easily smash that again. he should dominate again 2012, but wat is the shelf life of a sprinter?
would him and phelps (age 23 i think) make 2016 as well as 2012?
Colonel swimmers peak younger than sprinters, with the very notable exception of one Irish swimmer. Phelps probably wont make 2012 and definately wont be around in 2016.
Bolt should be running into his thirties, look at Linford Christie.
Trivia question: Who is the only man who started the 1988 100m final never to have failed a dope test?
Calvin Smith????
Correct. Former world record holder and the only man in the race who didn't look like a weightlifter.
How long has bolt got?
Johnson had 12 hours.
the biggets problem with is athletics is how far behind the chemists the testers are....
It seems unfair that Bolt can only realistically go for 3 golds while Phelps can go for 8.
They should introduce new disciplines such as the backwards 100m and the 100m holding your hands up in the air. Each of these events would also have relays to give even more medal chances.
Whadda y'all think?
In fairness Uladh he was World Junior champion at 15. Unless your claiming he was taking drugs as a kid, he's always been a bit special.
QuoteIt seems unfair that Bolt can only realistically go for 3 golds while Phelps can go for 8.
Pundits were saying today that he'd probably be well up there in the 400m as well. If the races were well enough spaced out, he could go for 5 in theory.
not a chance in hell.
The reasons for the us sprint team's hatred of bolt and his teammates is well known
Paddy Barnes through to the quarter finals.
Darren Sutherland through to last 16.
Quote from: Uladh on August 16, 2008, 06:10:47 PM
not a chance in hell.
The reasons for the us sprint team's hatred of bolt and his teammates is well known
i know because the American sprinters wouldnt touch performance enhancing drugs, but you obviously know more about it than the testers
Quote from: Down Gael on August 16, 2008, 06:31:29 PM
Paddy Barnes through to the quarter finals.
Darren Sutherland through to last 16.
Sutherland is in the q finals
http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/2008/0816/sutherlandd.html
That was the most stunning Olympic moment for me since Bob Beamon's long jump in 1968. Same sort of gasp-inducing performance.
Unreal performance in the 100 metres.
Felt he could have beat the world record by a lot more if he hadnt been cruising & showboating in the last 20
Awesome as the yanks might say......
Quote from: Minder on August 16, 2008, 06:37:57 PM
Quote from: Uladh on August 16, 2008, 06:10:47 PM
not a chance in hell.
The reasons for the us sprint team's hatred of bolt and his teammates is well known
i know because the American sprinters wouldnt touch performance enhancing drugs, but you obviously know more about it than the testers
Obviously not but i'm not a romantic fool either
Lads any Irish performing tonight or tomorrow morning, and if so, what time at?
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 16, 2008, 08:41:34 PM
Lads any Irish performing tonight or tomorrow morning, and if so, what time at?
If you were such a big fan surely you would know.........
Had Bolt not decided to sit down, have a cup of tea and scratch his arse before crossing the line he could have finished the 100m before he started.
Can we believe it was a clean win?
If is isn't then it's time to cancel the Olympics and divert the funds to promote hurling in Leitrim and Sligo.
Quote from: Minder on August 16, 2008, 10:30:06 PM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 16, 2008, 08:41:34 PM
Lads any Irish performing tonight or tomorrow morning, and if so, what time at?
If you were such a big fan surely you would know.........
Never actually said I was a "big fan"!
I made a simple request on a public forum, and if you couldn't help then why did you feel the need to reply with a sarcastic comment?
I actually have a life an cannot keep track of the Olympic schedule and times hence the reason I post on this thread and ask how the Irish are doing, atheletes etc... are not my forte (more a GAA and soccer man) I enjoy the Olympics but the times do not suit me this year, hope that helps! ::)
I have not found the definitive schedule listed anywhere.
But you can go to the RTE Olympic site
http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/index.html (http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/index.html)
and click on the picture and you will get all the Irish track and field athletes listed
Boxing though is not there.
I think that starts Tuesday.
Quote from: Main Street on August 16, 2008, 11:19:06 PM
I have not found the definitive schedule listed anywhere.
But you can go to the RTE Olympic site
http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/index.html (http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/index.html)
and click on the picture and you will get all the Irish track and field athletes listed
Boxing though is not there.
I think that starts Tuesday.
Thank you Main Street, appreciate that.
To be more accurate
http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/irishtrackandfieldschedule.html (http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/irishtrackandfieldschedule.html)
Róisín McGettigan will be running in the 3k steeplechase final on Sunday afternoon. She should give a good account of herself
(http://dynimg.rte.ie/000195aa190.jpg)
Pauline Curley just started in the Marathon about 20 mins ago, result in about 3 hours... ;)
Phelps 8 for 8..hes some boyo
Quote from: HowdyDoody on August 17, 2008, 04:15:46 AM
Phelps 8 for 8..hes some boyo
Has to be the single greatest ever athletic achievement by an individual of all time.
The full schedule for everything is here:
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/AT.shtml
You can search by sport, by event, by athlete, etc.
Quote from: muppet on August 16, 2008, 04:46:55 PM
Quote from: the colonel on August 16, 2008, 04:10:58 PM
that was cat. man is a freak. he could easily smash that again. he should dominate again 2012, but wat is the shelf life of a sprinter?
would him and phelps (age 23 i think) make 2016 as well as 2012?
Colonel swimmers peak younger than sprinters, with the very notable exception of one Irish swimmer. Phelps probably wont make 2012 and definately wont be around in 2016.
As if you have a clue!
The current fastest 100m male freestyler in the US is Jason Lezak - age 32
The fastest american female freestyler is Dara Torres - age 41
Phelps could go for another 3 Olympics. But will he have the motivation and enthusiasm to put in all the training every day when he'll be a multi millionaire?
Phelps now was 14 golds and 2 bronzes. Apparently some gymnast has 18 medals, so perhaps that might motivate him to go for one more.
Still can't figure how he beat the Serb for his 7th gold. There was an overhead freeze frame shot where you'd swear the Serb was touching the wall and Phelps hands were still 6 inches away... Must have been a misleading picture...
I believe as you go up to the further distances in the swimming the shorter your life span is.
One commentator was talking about addlington dominating for the next 12 years as she is only 19, but a coach said that at her distances and the way they train they tend to get shoulder problems, which is less common for shorter distances.
I dont know torres, but I assume she is a shorter distance swimmer.
Torres is a sprinter. 50m and 100m.
Some Derry bird with a strange surname and who was a dentist in the RAF, won silver in the velodrome in the 3000m, behind another GB representative Rebecca Romero. Romero because the first GB athlete to win medals in two separate sports, having won a silver in rowing in Athens.
Derval O'Rourke only 6th in her first round heat with a poor time of 13.22. Top 2 qualify for semis along with 6 fastest losers from the 5 heats. 12.98 was required to qualify, so I'm sure she'll be disapoointed as she has run 12.90 this year. Heat winners were running just below 12.70.
Michelle Carey finishes (way) last in her 400m hurdles heat. If she'd matched the time she ran 3 weeks ago in the National Championships she would have qualified for the next round, but she was miles off that (2 secs).
More positive news from the showjumping. Denis Lynch gets his second clear round (1 time penalty again). After 40 of the 76 jumpers have gone, he's joint leader from the combined 1st and 2nd qualifiers. Top 35 qualify for the final two rounds (but unfortunately I think all 35 start from scratch).
Quote from: Hardy on August 17, 2008, 11:12:45 AM
The full schedule for everything is here:
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/AT.shtml
You can search by sport, by event, by athlete, etc.
The rte track and field list is suitable for a quick check on the time of Irish athletes competing.
But that official site is brilliant.
The Boxing site is full of info.
Watch out - all times are local.
The Brits are getting far too carried away over Adlington. Conratulations to her, it's a phenomenal achievement for a British swimmer, but domiating for 12 years??? Grant Hackett is the greatest distance swimmer ever and he's done after 10 years, never mind 12.
Quote from: hardstation on August 17, 2008, 02:57:20 PM
Quote from: gallsman on August 17, 2008, 02:56:10 PM
The Brits are getting far too carried away over Adlington. Conratulations to her, it's a phenomenal achievement for a British swimmer, but domiating for 12 years??? Grant Hackett is the greatest distance swimmer ever and he's done after 10 years, never mind 12.
Some say he couldn't Hackett.
FFS, walked into that!
Uladh whats this about the us team hating bolt?? I don't follow the athletics apart from the olympics so I don't really know
As for Bolt, f**k he was class, I wanna see him go full pelt though for the whole 100metres just to see how fast he can be!
When is the 200m final?
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 17, 2008, 03:12:31 PM
Uladh whats this about the us team hating bolt?? I don't follow the athletics apart from the olympics so I don't really know
As for Bolt, f**k he was class, I wanna see him go full pelt though for the whole 100metres just to see how fast he can be!
Quite simply, when somebody beats the yanks it would not be unusual for the yanks to bad mouth them. In fact it would be unusual if they didn't - especially when you're talking about the average egotistical American athlete (and sprinters would have a bigger ego than most).
I'd be pretty sure Bolt is on exactly the same stuff (whether legal or illegal) as the yanks are on.
I dunno about that Hound. He looks to me to be on far superior stuff.
Bolt ran 20.16 in the 200m as a 15 year old and broke 20 sec shortly after that,he may have been on something as a 15 year old but i would say its highly unlikely.
Has anyone though that maybe he is clean, maybe he is just that good?
Why is the coverage delayed in the US?
Quote from: Down Gael on August 18, 2008, 01:18:33 AM
Has anyone though that maybe he is clean, maybe he is just that good?
That would ruin all the conspiracy theories ;)
Quote from: ziggysego on August 18, 2008, 01:22:07 AM
Why is the coverage delayed in the US?
Time zones Ziggy its a big world.
Also why show it live when everyones sleeping, the sponsors would not pay for their adverts for 8% of the viewing public.
Money talks Bullshit walks.
Quote from: Hound on August 17, 2008, 07:02:13 PM
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 17, 2008, 03:12:31 PM
Uladh whats this about the us team hating bolt?? I don't follow the athletics apart from the olympics so I don't really know
As for Bolt, f**k he was class, I wanna see him go full pelt though for the whole 100metres just to see how fast he can be!
Quite simply, when somebody beats the yanks it would not be unusual for the yanks to bad mouth them. In fact it would be unusual if they didn't - especially when you're talking about the average egotistical American athlete (and sprinters would have a bigger ego than most).
I'd be pretty sure Bolt is on exactly the same stuff (whether legal or illegal) as the yanks are on.
Which Yanks? There were only 2 in the final and the guy who medaled was a surprise. 6 of them from the Caribbean. Maybe there's vast amount of money over in those islands to pay for a hi-tech untraceable drug program, but I kind of doubt it.
Quote from: Down Gael on August 18, 2008, 01:18:33 AM
Has anyone though that maybe he is clean, maybe he is just that good?
Just for clarity I, for one, am not suggesting he is "unclean" and won't unless evidence is presented. My earlier post was replying to the suggestion that IF he is on anything, the Americans are on exactly the same, by saying if they are all on something, his is clearly far superior!
Anyone see the deabte on RTE last night, Gary O'Toole reckoned all the 100m athletes are on something, even had a pop at Irish schools rugby, great viewing altogether...
Drug testing programs are the responsibility of the individual nations - Irish sports council for example - within their own country. that is why we frequently see internal drug suspensions massively incresaed by the international body if they see imbalance. It is well known and publicised that Jamaica pay lip service to their responsibilities in this regard and have been chronically accused (but never proven) of stalling and hindering out of competition testing. This goes along with accusations (none proven) of informing athletes of out of competition testing as the national body must be informed 48 hours prior to an athlete being doorstepped, even though that body may not alert the athlete.
For an athlete to be caught at a major championships would be close to impossible in this day and age if they're at all intelligent. the masking is a well advanced technology and the only chance (slim as that is) of catching cheats is out of competition testing. As a matter of routine now, drug testers are storing samples now in the hope that in 15/20 years time when testing reaches today's doping capacities they can starting wiping off records and medals.
The Americans, Brits, french and many other sprinters feel hard done by and handicapped by Jamaica's attitude to internal drug testing.
Jamaica has the population of a small american town (not city). they will walk the mens 100m relay and have just collected a 1 - 2 - 3 in the women's 100m final. you do the maths.
What town in america has the guts of 2.8 million people?
By my reckoning thats around the same population as Chicago and only topped by NY and LA.
sorry ni - google skills let me down on their population size but still a tiny population in world terms. if ireland get their coaching structures right they should be able to exceed Jamaica's performance...
Bolt has been tested 8 times since his arrival in Beijing according to reports.
When are the boxing quarter-finals on? anyone know? Couldnt find the info in RTE's website even about the Irish boxers schedule
Paddy Barnes fights tomorrow 12:00 (midday - Irish time).
Kenny Egan tomorrow 14:16
Darren Sutherland Wednesday 13:01
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/BX.shtml
So only sprinters from large nations should prosper. As i said previously Uladh Bolt ran a sub 20 second 200M before he was 16, would you say that is normal performance for someone that age? Bolt may be on something but i feel we should give him the benefit of the doubt until he is nabbed.
In the debate last night eamonn coughlan said he believed Bolt was clean. The reason he is convinced, is that he is familiar with Bolts' coaches & training camp and they are known to be clean. Gary O'Toole said it was difficult to believe Bolt could coast to a 9.69 without using some sort of performance enhancing substances. But Caughlan argued that it's the same for Michael Phelps - 8 gold medals and a super human performance in the olympics. Yet Gary O'Toole doesnt doubt Phelps for an instant, because he knows his background and how he has developed. In the same way, Eamonn Caughlan is alot more familiar to Bolt's training camp than any of us. So maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, I'd like to believe that both Bolt & Phelps are genuine and that we are truely privilidged to have witnessed 2 of the greatest athletes ever to have performed at the olympics.
What has happened to someone being innocent until proven guilty??
Until i get solid proof either is taking anything performance enhancing I am just in awe and think we have two of the greatest sportsmen ever at the minute, and am privileged
You're probably right. And I think Bolt and Phelps have not been under any sort of cloud as far as I'm aware. The unsettling thing for me, which may be baseless, is that the last time I was so blown away by a 100 metre sprint at the olympics was back in 1988 in Seoul when Ben Johnson looked just as comfortable as Bolt did, although not as fast (I think). Remember the finish to that race? Same sort of thing, if I recall correctly, Johnson looking over at Lewis and Christie (I think) and almost easing up crossing the line.
Edit: This is the finish I mean. It just looks too similar for me *not* to have bad memories/doubts.....
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/Ben_Johnson_1988_Olympics_-_LAC_a175370k.jpg)
Uladh, I dont think physically our indigenous population is built for the sprinting, or where you talking of medal count in general?
Also read an article lately about jamaican sprinting and how it is seen as a way out of poverty - hence the motivation that many of the jamaicans have.
AZ, that was Gary O'Toole's exact arguement. He spoke of how "in awe" he felt in 1988 when he witnessed Johnson. And he's vowed never to let himself be fooled like that again - hence his scepticism about bolt. Coughlan says that he knew johnson was on drugs for 4 yrs prior to 1988 and he remembers watching the 100m final and thinking "f**k, I cant believe he got away with it".
So caughlan's absolute certainty about Bolt is enough for me to believe that he is just an extraordinary human being. And ditto for Phelps....
I didn't see O'Toole's comments, nor Coughlan's rebuttal of them, but I'm probably in the same boat as O'Toole. It's a pity, as I'd love to be able to acclaim someone who's just done that, but even with Phelps I have doubts.
And to be fair to them, there isn't a shred of evidence about them, so I'm probably being unfair, but the last 20 years have just destroyed my faith in top level Olympic Athletes. Some of the stories I've heard from friends of mine in Athletic circles about the squeaky clean British athletes would make you gasp as well, but I'm not naming names because it could be all rubbish.
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 18, 2008, 12:52:43 PM
You're probably right. And I think Bolt and Phelps have not been under any sort of cloud as far as I'm aware. The unsettling thing for me, which may be baseless, is that the last time I was so blown away by a 100 metre sprint at the olympics was back in 1988 in Seoul when Ben Johnson looked just as comfortable as Bolt did, although not as fast (I think). Remember the finish to that race? Same sort of thing, if I recall correctly, Johnson looking over at Lewis and Christie (I think) and almost easing up crossing the line.
Edit: This is the finish I mean. It just looks too similar for me *not* to have bad memories/doubts.....
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/Ben_Johnson_1988_Olympics_-_LAC_a175370k.jpg)
In fairness AZ there was very little between the top 3 or 4 before the 1988 final whereas the other night the other athletes knew unless Bolt pulled a hamstring they were running for silver. For me his semi run was equally as impressive, he ran 9.85 and "shut it down" as Michael Johnson would say, 30 metres out and was cantering towards the line.If someone had come from say running 9.99 or 10 seconds continually in their career or did as Michelle Smith did (some of the myopia towards her on this board due to her nationality is ridiculous) then broke world records and won several golds you have to wonder, not sure that is the case for Bolt. Make them all take the same steroid then we will know who is the best........
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 18, 2008, 09:48:48 AM
Anyone see the deabte on RTE last night, Gary O'Toole reckoned all the 100m athletes are on something, even had a pop at Irish schools rugby, great viewing altogether...
He said that the supplements some schools rugby players are taking would be illegal in the olympics, fair enough point.
Like a few here I'm naturally sceptical unfortunately but willing to give the benefit of any doubt I may have, so until proven otherwise good on both Phelps and Bolt, sensational stuff.
As for O'Toole vs Coughlin, I take everything Eamonn says with a pinch of salt, given his penchant for self aggrandisement. He's been scoring points off O'Toole all week, because Gary wasn't a "great" athlete like Eamonn, so what would he know about it, is more or less his attitude. How many times did he mention his book last night? Heard him on the radio Sunday, saying that while our kayaker would be disappointed not to get bronze, he paddled above himself, whereas for him, Coughlin, 4th was nowhere, as was 3rd or 2nd as he was a top athlete and should have had more medals - blow hard.
Eamon Coughlan is insufferable in my opinion. I can't stand listening to him. He reminds me of George Best whenever Bestie was asked about any of the modern players. 'Couldn't hold a candle to me', basically was the gist of it. He may have been right, but no need to say it.
As for Coughlan, he was a very good athlete, especially indoor in the States, but was he a 'great' Athlete. I don't think so.
Athenry's Paul Hession just won his quarter final heat in the 200m with a time of 20.32. Great result and really hope he can get a first four finish in the semi and make the final. Making the semi is a big achievement; making the final would be absolutely massive...............
QuoteAs for Coughlan, he was a very good athlete, especially indoor in the States, but was he a 'great' Athlete. I don't think so.
He missed out on medals in two Olympic finals, either through bottling it or professional incompetence - does he outline those features in his book? Great athlete my arse.
I take it that Gary OToole was questioning Phelps's achievements.
By Gary's criteria it's an Inspector Clouseau state of alert, no one is ruled out, everybody is ruled in as suspect.
If anyone has an issue and that extreme level of doubt then imo don't watch the games, don't even read about them.
The black irony is in the adverts during the Olympic coverage. There is an advert for a popular painkiller involving a rower in a coxless 4.
The comment from the rower is something like "I don't want to let myself down or my teammates down"
WTF is that all about?
This drug is Analgesic as in prescribed for numbing muscle and related pains.
I suppose there's some doubt, Billy, about the lads who beat him. I'd say Coughlan is sure they are on drugs. On balance though, I'd agree with you. I don't think outdoor suited him. If the Olympics were held in a gym in Boston, he'd probably have a few gold medals. (Alternatively, no one else gave a shite, and if they did he'd not even have what he has).
Quote from: Main Street on August 18, 2008, 01:48:14 PM
I take it that Gary OToole was questioning Phelps's achievements.
By Gary's criteria it's an Inspector Clouseau state of alert, no one is ruled out, everybody is ruled in as suspect.
If anyone has an issue and that extreme level of doubt then imo don't watch the games, don't even read about them.
The black irony is in the adverts during the Olympic coverage. There is an advert for a popular painkiller involving a rower in a coxless 4.
The comment from the rower is something like "I don't want to let myself down or my teammates down"
WTF is that all about?
This drug is Analgesic as in prescribed for numbing muscle and related pains.
Are you being sarcastic? If not, then the answer is no. From reading the lads above, he is fairly sure Phelps is clean because he 'knows his background'.
QuoteI suppose there's some doubt, Billy, about the lads who beat him.
I dunno AZ, John Walker (in 76) isn't under suspicion, is he - Coghlan let him get away on the back straight, and got himself boxed in; pure incompetence. And in 1980 I don't think Yifter was under suspicion either. The only suspicion I have is that Eamonn's gob was/is more talented than his legs. And yes, he was good indoors, during the winters, when the serious athletes weren't competing at their peak.
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 18, 2008, 01:50:11 PM
Are you being sarcastic? If not, then the answer is no. From reading the lads above, he is fairly sure Phelps is clean because he 'knows his background'.
I am being sarcastic.
We are to take Gary's word that Phelps is clean but we are not to take Cloughlin and Kiernans word that Bolt is clean. ???
Quote from: GaillimhIarthair on August 18, 2008, 01:45:46 PM
Athenry's Paul Hession just won his quarter final heat in the 200m with a time of 20.32. Great result and really hope he can get a first four finish in the semi and make the final. Making the semi is a big achievement; making the final would be absolutely massive...............
Yeah, it was a funny race, the american wasnt going full pelt nor was the other lad who qualified. Well done to Paul all the same, hope he can make it to the final. Bolt is in his semi-final heat so it will be a tough one.
Quote from: Main Street on August 18, 2008, 02:14:29 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 18, 2008, 01:50:11 PM
Are you being sarcastic? If not, then the answer is no. From reading the lads above, he is fairly sure Phelps is clean because he 'knows his background'.
I am being sarcastic.
We are to take Gary's word that Phelps is clean but we are not to take Cloughlin and Kiernans word that Bolt is clean. ???
Yea, that pretty much sums it up Main Street. Some double-standards being used by Gary!!! One of his arguements was that drug taking is absolutely rampant in athletics but not so in swimming. So Phelps must be clean and Bolt riddled with drugs ::) ::)
To be fair, I can understand the scepticism about Bolt, it was an unbelievable run. But as you say, if people are that doubtful & cynical about the athletes, then why bother watch the olympics....
Could someone please keep me upto date with the boxing?
Paddy Barnes 7-5 ahead after 2 rounds.
Paddy 9-5 in front after 3 rounds, motoring well.
Congratulations Paddy, Irelands first medal! ;D 11-5
Good lad Paddy, first one in the bag!!! 11-5!
Always in control, great result.
Lads anyone else having problems with the RTE site, i have volume but the screen keeps freezing.
Super performance, well done Paddy Barnes. Looked a winner all the way from Rd2 on...................
Quote from: ludermor on August 19, 2008, 12:18:16 PM
Lads anyone else having problems with the RTE site, i have volume but the screen keeps freezing.
Same here, I imagine a lot of laptops all over the world were on the old wireless trying to stream that!
Great performance. Great result. Delighted for the boxers. Hopefully Ken Egan can do the job as well against the Brazilian.
Likewise AZ, Ive been very impressed with the boxers (build-up, performance and attitude) and i relly hope the other lads can get at least one more.
bbc now
Feck it, I missed it.
Great news.
Ken Egan next, in the ring at 14.10
Fantastic performance by Wee Paddy!
And for trivia lovers, Jim Neilly pointed out that 6 of Ireland's 9 Olympic Boxing medals before Beijing have been won by Belfast boxers, so Barnes will now make it 7 out of 10.
Gold - Michel Carruth - Welter 1992
Silver - John McNally - Bantam 1952
Silver - Frederick Tiedt - Welter 1956
Silver - Wayne McCullough - Bantam 1992
Bronze - Johnny Caldwell - Flyweight 1956
Bronze - Freddie Gilroy - Bantam 1956
Bronze - Anthony Byrne - Lightweight 1956
Bronze - Jim McCourt - Lightweight 1964
Bronze - Hughie Russell - Flyweight 1980
Well done Paddy. Great result.
Ah Jaysus, don't tell me we're going to have Ulster bias on the Olympics thread now? And started by a fecking Unionist as well :D
Quotedon't tell me we're going to have Ulster bias on the Olympics thread now
I reckon it's the effects of listening to the BBC all their lives - to be pitied really. :P
Well done Paddy Barnes. Great to have a medal in the bag. Hopefully Kenny can follow suit.
Apparently there's lots of conspiracy theories doing the rounds re Phelps 8th medal, e.g.
http://www.001ofasecond.com/
The replay that showed the overhead freeze-frame did seem to show that Phelps was 2nd. But if there was anything dubious I'm sure the Serbs would kick up more of a racket...
Anyone know what time the Brazil-Arg match is on at?
3-0 after 1st well on top
Anyone else having trouble with the media player on RTE? I get about 6 seconds of it then it cuts off
3-0. No score second round. Well on top
7-0 end of third round! Looks like another medal!
Good lad Kenny, another one in the bag! Brilliant stuff, the Brazilian actually looked like he was scard until the last round, literally didn't lay a glove on him!
The Brazilian was just trying to counter, Egan just picked him off, great stuff altogether.
That points system is ludicrous! Egan connected with some sweet sweet punches and didnt get pointed!
Great performance by Egan. He won't fear the English lad Jeffries in the semis either.
Brilliant from Barnes and Egan. Great chances to go on as well, particularly Egan as Barnes has to face the Chinese World Champion. Didn't think there was any need for Barnes to have a cut at Mick Dowling in his interview though.
Hopefully Sutherland can complete the set tomorrow.
Good stuff out of Ken Egan. I couldn't see it because I was stuck in a meeting, but the roars out on the floor from lads 'working' and watching it on RTE.ie gave me a good clue :D
Bring on the English lad.
(http://dynimg.rte.ie/0001a5cb190.jpg)
Excellant stuff from Egan, didnt get to see feck all of it and even Jimmy was cutting in and out most of the time. It was a fair demolition job for a quater final!
What did Barnes say about Dowling? I think dowling calls things as they are, he doesnt get carried away with one good performance and would be justified in saying Barnes was underdog for his fight seeing that he got a good hammering off him the last time they fought.
Unfortunately Paul Hession finished 5th in the semi-final of the 200m so just misses out on a place in the final. 4th would have got him in.
Great performance by Egan. Completely outclassed his opponent.
Brillant stuff from Egan. Only half saw it, working on a mobile broadband yoke that keeps dropping the line.
Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTjk770KoR0&feature=related
I saw most of the fight between the Chinese and Algerian in another QF in Egan's division. China won 12-7, but I thought the Algerian was absolutely robbed. At one stage the Chinese lad scored a point with a slap to the side of the head (which should never score) and the ref even warned him about slapping! (and that was only one example, to me the Algerian won every round).
Pity about Hession. Just not quite up to final standard just yet.
Christine Ohuruogu wins gold.
hmmm
Paddy Barnes's next opponent looks a formidable one, current World Champion Shiming Zou.
He beat Paddy in November last year at the World Championships, scoreline 22-8
Also a 2005 World Champion and a 2004 Olympic bronze medallist.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7074452.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7074452.stm)
When is the 200m final??
200 tomorrow.
Just read this thread now and they're showing Egan's fight shortly on BBC... ye spoiling feckers!
Anyone watch the women's hurdles? The yank favourite was winning by a mile and pullig away until she hit the 2nd last hurdle and lost all her momentum. For me this is what the Olympics is about... the favourite doesn't always win!
She was stunning as well screen :)
By the way, anyone who saw the highlights on the BBC, did the ye hear the bit after they showed Kenny Egans fight and interview, the presenter read out a storey about the last time Egan and Jefferies fought, Jefferies was stopped with a cut early on. After the fight Jefferies told Egan that 'he was better than he expected', which Egan thought was cheeky and said he wont forget it. Bit of a history there, will make the fight interesting alright.
heard him say that alright, it makes for a great fight.....
Egan was class think it was 8-0 or something he's a very skilful and clever boxer. The Irish in the crowd were making some noise, plenty of "ole" the whole fight then a chorus of Athenry belted out in the last round!
Not a bad soccer semi final going on between Argentina and Brasil.
It's a bit of a strange competition, it has an unplugged feeling about it.
And then RTE goes to an add break....... Bullsh*t.... BBC1 dont do adds at all, could RTE not leave it out for 2 weeks.....
What time is Sutherland boxing at today folks?
Sutherland is boxing at 1pm Irish time. Best of luck to him.
What time is the 200m final?
15:20 Irish time.
A few of the participants showing respect to the Olympic hosts...........
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/19/olympics2008.olympicsfootball
Irish fella came in 5th in the 800m heats.
Quote from: full back on August 20, 2008, 12:20:02 PM
A few of the participants showing respect to the Olympic hosts...........
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/19/olympics2008.olympicsfootball
Is that a big insult in China?? I don't see how it can be taken as offence, its pretty much nailed on.
I see it the same as those silly hats with the red hair that they sell in Dublin in the tourist shops. Its what we are seen as, so be it. Doesn't bother me. Its like acting dudmb and pretending to be american or having greasy hair and been italian or not smiling and been Russian.
Maybe I'm missing something.
folks, will the 200m final be streaming live on any sites?
cheers
Quote from: full back on August 20, 2008, 12:20:02 PM
A few of the participants showing respect to the Olympic hosts...........
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/19/olympics2008.olympicsfootball
see my prev post on Spanish Basket Ball team, they did the same thing
Any know where to watch the boxing online .. In Aus here and can't get the rte stream , any know of any other streams available that are not geoblocked ??
I always get "this does not seem to be working, try later" when i try and watch the video player on BBC site...........
Sutherland is up 3-0 after 1 round. The Irish boxers are well coached and they seem to know their opponents. Im watching on the BBC website without a problem
bit lucky to be be 4-0 up.. opponent throwning load of punches. thought 1 or 2 landed
Minder do you know anyone in your IT dept could look at it without moaning about you looking at this in work?!
9-1 after 3 rounds
Fight over ! !!! Well done Sutherland
Pure class ! Another medal.
11-1, though I think Blanco might have had 2 more points but its irrelivent. c'mon the Irish. We cant run, throw or jump but we can box with the best of them.
Great stuff..
When a man can fight he dont need to be able to run!!!!
Superb performance. Hammered the world Number two 11-1. The boxers really have shown the rest of Irish sport how to go about things.
Fair play to him. Great display. Watch out China (medals table)!!
Blanco was out of it on his stool after the 3rd round.
Brilliant display by Sutherland, he made Blanco look very ordinary.
Some amount of landed punches don't get a score..
Great to see another medal though
Quote from: Hardy on August 20, 2008, 01:27:06 PM
Superb performance. Hammered the world Number two 11-1. The boxers really have shown the rest of Irish sport how to go about things.
I'm afraid it just reinforces the stereotype. Maybe they should make drinking and shagging olympic sports as well!
Ah passedit!.
Another great performance. He really really hurt him, Blanco just wanted that final round over without being counted out, he hads nothing left.
Quote from: passedit on August 20, 2008, 01:34:29 PM
Quote from: Hardy on August 20, 2008, 01:27:06 PM
Superb performance. Hammered the world Number two 11-1. The boxers really have shown the rest of Irish sport how to go about things.
I'm afraid it just reinforces the stereotype. Maybe they should make drinking and shagging olympic sports as well!
Sure why not, they already have windsurfing and BMXing FFS. ::)
Fantastic display by Darren Sutherland - well done.
Quote from: Hardy on August 20, 2008, 01:35:46 PM
Ah passedit!.
;D
Paddy is a moron. Spud thick Mick.
Breeds like a rabbit. Thinks with his p***k.
Anything floors him if he can't fight or drink it.
Round them up in Ulster. Tow it out and sink it.
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=k18kHNUw0b8 (http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=k18kHNUw0b8)
Ireland can mix it with the best at boxing and almost always win olympic medals
why can this formula for success not be used for other olympic sports
surely if money was invested and training methods changed we would be able to change in track and field events?
Boxing is on the up because of successes like these, if we challenged for medals in other areas it would no doubt increase the profile of these sports aswell????
Quote from: its me again on August 20, 2008, 01:50:43 PM
Ireland can mix it with the best at boxing and almost always win olympic medals
why can this formula for success not be used for other olympic sports
surely if money was invested and training methods changed we would be able to change in track and field events?
Boxing is on the up because of successes like these, if we challenged for medals in other areas it would no doubt increase the profile of these sports aswell????
I think we have to be realistic about track and field, over the shorter distance we are at a disadvantage, not least genetically.
However we could be smarter in which sports we invest, similar our nearest neigbours or the Chinese, who are winning a lot of medals in women's events, or events where all out explosive speed are not necessary. We also need to get multiple competitiors into events, we've had too many injury knocks to athletes who carried our hopes, or people having off days. There wouldn't be as many off days if competitors had direct competition, or at least someone to share the burden. Of course, as usual, this should have been done 4 years ago, with the target being London in 2012, after all it's on our doorstep so travel/upkeep costs should not be high etc.
A lot of the brits success has been achieved with the aid of national lottery funding, and an annual "salary" to train/prepare. Do Irish athletes have the same advantages?
QuotePaddy is a moron. Spud thick Mick.
C'mon passedit, you know as well as I do that 'White Noise' was SLF taking the piss out of British stereotypes of us.
Boxing has had an elite programme in place since 2003, working with about 40 top prospects. Eight of them, including our three medallists, are full time, living and working at a training camp in Dublin five days a week. It seems to work. The British are doing something similar in cycling.
Whether it's sport or business, when you do it full time and get paid for it, is another debate, but it's what you have to do to succeed in international competition.
Bolt wins the 200m by a country mile in a new world record time of 19.30
Betting on the boxing gold medals (Betfair):
Light Fly:
Zou Shiming (China) 1.35
Yampier Hernandez (Cuba) 3.8
Purevdori Serdamba (Mongolia) 10
Patrick Barnes (Ireland) 10.5
Middle:
Emilio Correa (Cuba) 2
Darren Sutherland (Ireland) 2.92
James DeGale (GB) 4
Vijender Kumar (India) 5
Light Heavy:
Kenneth Egan (Ireland) 2.38
Yerkebuian Shynaliyev (Kazakh) 2.86
Zhang Xiaoping (China) 6
Tony Jeffries (GB) 6.6
Quote from: Billys Boots on August 20, 2008, 02:22:08 PM
QuotePaddy is a moron. Spud thick Mick.
C'mon passedit, you know as well as I do that 'White Noise' was SLF taking the piss out of British stereotypes of us.
;D
As was I William, however it would be interesting to know the percentage of boxing medals compared to the total over the last hundred years.
Looking forward to the Sutherland Degale fight.
Quote from: passedit on August 20, 2008, 10:23:44 PM
......however it would be interesting to know the percentage of boxing medals compared to the total over the last hundred years.
The 3 lads bring it to 12 out of 23. Hopefully Denis Lynch will make it an even 50% by the end of the day.
(23 includes Michelle Smith's 4 but does not include Cian O'Connor's 1 (as he was stripped))
Did I hear Lynch (and his horse) are out of the showjumping today?
QuoteAs was I William
Sorry passedit, I thought you were warming up for your annual tirade against the Kingdom. ;)
Quote from: Rossie11 on August 21, 2008, 09:13:22 AM
Did I hear Lynch (and his horse) are out of the showjumping today?
http://www.rte.ie/sport/olympics2008/2008/0821/lynchd.html
seems so Rossie, seems very strange.
I think they are putting their horses health and safety above any prospect of a medal, admiirable if that is the case...
Unofficial reports have stated that Ireland's Denis Lynch has withdrawn from competition in the Equestrian Individual Jumping Competition on Thursday along with three other competitors.
At this point it is unknown why Lynch has withdrawn with no official statement having been made by the IOC or Ireland's Equestrian team.
In the build up to the event, there had been worries about driving rain and organisers insist that the finals of the event will take place despite the impending arrival of Typhoon Nuri.
The Hong Kong Observatory has raised their threat warning to level three which predicts gusts of up to 110 kilometres an hour.
Lynch was considered to be a real contender for a medal; he and his mount Latinus having qualified with just six faults from their qualifying rounds.
More to follow...
________________________________________________________________________
Seems very very strange!! Athens repeated perhaps!! Ah we will no all soon enough. No point jumping to conclusions!
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 21, 2008, 09:32:08 AM
I think they are putting their horses health and safety above any prospect of a medal, admiirable if that is the case...
That makes a lot of other countries/riders not very admirable!
Thrown out not pulled out. Drugs. Werent that worried bout the horses.
from rte.ie
Four horses have been banned from competing in Thursday's Olympic jumping competition for doping, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced on Thursday. Denis Lynch's mount Latinus is one of those banned.
The horses - representing Brazil, Germany, Ireland and Norway - had been suspended after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the FEI, which controls the sport, said in a statement.
Lynch was considered to be a real contender for a medal; he and his mount Latinus having qualified with just six faults from their qualifying rounds.
FFS!
This horse was ranked the best in the world!
Talk about slow learners. Has he ever heard of Cian O'Connor? What a despicable clown he is if this is true.
Does anyone have the dates and times handy of the three boxing semi-finals?
thanks
PQ
Women's beach volleyball final is on now... IN THE RAIN! Sweet!
Quote from: peterquaife on August 21, 2008, 11:32:04 AM
Does anyone have the dates and times handy of the three boxing semi-finals?
thanks
PQ
Boxing semis all on Friday:
0800 Sutherland
1200 Barnes
1400 Egan
I can't believe that about Lynch and the horse.
Will be interesting to hear the story. I would presume it was someone being negligent and not checking some medicine rather than outright cheating. But at the end of the day the result is the same. 4 of the qualifiers banned would suggest a pretty high fail rate. I wonder how many of the qualifiers were tested in total?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7573079.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7573079.stm)
200 metres Usiian Bolt
Quote from: Dinny Breen on August 21, 2008, 09:32:08 AM
I think they are putting their horses health and safety above any prospect of a medal, admiirable if that is the case...
:-[
w**k*r, ban all funding for Show Jumping, absolute disgrace.
US men and women plus GB men make balls up in 4*100 metres - prats. :D
You never hear of any boxers using performance-enhancing drugs, would it not benefit them much or what? You would think there's bound to be a few who would try it and get caught.
The GB relay was an awful f**k-up from the last runner Pickering. He set off far too early and overran before getting the baton, I'd say the other boys are right and pissed off with him although they were being dead on about it in front of the cameras.
Quote from: Rav67 on August 21, 2008, 03:39:44 PM
You never hear of any boxers using performance-enhancing drugs, would it not benefit them much or what? You would think there's bound to be a few who would try it and get caught.
The GB relay was an awful f**k-up from the last runner Pickering. He set off far too early and overran before getting the baton, I'd say the other boys are right and pissed off with him although they were being dead on about it in front of the cameras.
Unfortunately there are Rav!
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Olympics/idUSL1891383120080718 (http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Olympics/idUSL1891383120080718)
Jasus them relays were some craic!
Horse Sport Ireland have made a statement on the banning of rider Denis Lynch and his horse Lantinus from the Olympic Individual Jumping competition.
The statement read as follows.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) was informed by the world equestrian
governing body the FEI, at 2.15pm Hong Kong time on Thursday,
that Irish Olympic rider Denis Lynch's horse 'Lantinus' had tested
positive for a banned substance and that as a result he would be
suspended from taking part in tonight's show jumping final.
Denis Lynch and HSI officials attended a preliminary hearing with the FEI a short time ago and were informed that the
substance found in the horse was called capsaicin.
At the tribunal the FEI indicated that this substance was an
ingredient in some products in regular use.
Subsequently it was identified by Denis Lynch as an ingredient in a product called 'Equi-block' used by him on his horse.
'Equi-block' is a product used in similar circumstances to 'Deep Heat' used on humans and Denis Lynch explained to the tribunal that he commonly applies 'Equi-block' to the horse's lower back prior to exercise.
Following this preliminary hearing today the FEI informed Denis Lynch that he remained suspended for tonight's competition.
The FEI have subsequently confirmed that three other riders due to jump in tonight's final at Hong Kong have also been suspended as a result of the same substance being found in their horses.
Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that they submitted a urine sample from the horse to a voluntary screening testing process made available by the FEI on the horse's arrival in Hong Kong and the results of this test were negative.
The horse has also been tested on numerous occasions, including
following many of its recent victories, and has tested negative on all these occasions.
So are they saying they didn't know this product contained illegal substances or else they did but used it anyway, it seems like incompetence in any case
Did anyone seeing Marty Morrisey last night stalking the ladies beach volleyball? He must have been on the Liquor!!
f**king stupid horses, what were they thinking of??
f**k the yank relay team must be sick tonight, after that fiasco earlier, and i couldnt help but give a giggle when the Brits ballsed up as well.
Looks like the Jamaicans could have another male female double act in the relay finals
This Equi-block that Lynch was using clearly contains capasicin. However there is a notice on the product - "this will not show up on any drugs test". Which in my opinion means, "this contains a masking agent to hide the fact you're cheating".
Lo and behold it appears the testing process has developed to get around the masking agent and so Lynch and the other 3 have been caught.
I'm sure, as Lynch said, plenty of people use it, and obviously he'd no idea the testing process had developed, but its clearly cheating, and a long ban should follow.
Massive day for the boxers today, first up Darren Sutherland at 0800 vs James Degale of England.
I'm a bit worried for both Sutherland and Egan who are up against English boxers that they are expected to beat. For whatever reason, the vast majority of Irish sportspeople seem to perform better when they are underdogs. Fingers crossed that the favourites tag doesn't work against them and there is zero complaceny seeping in subconsciously.
Sutherland looking a bit clumsy after 2.
Any score updates O'Neill?
Quote from: aontroim on August 22, 2008, 08:18:25 AM
Any score updates O'Neill?
10-3 to Degale all over. Sutherland never got into it
Sutherland never performed, very disappointing for him. The Brit looked very composed, well worth the comfortable win.
Damn - bad start to the day then with that result - hopefully Barnes can rescue the day but i think he was less favoured than Sutherland.
Sutherland well beat in the end. 12-2 I think it finished up. Didnt show even a glimpse of his previous performances! Still done well though, fair play to him
Degale outclassed him in fairness.
Easy to say in hindsight, but the tactics were clearly wrong. You couldn't get two more different fighters than Blanco and Degale. So the new tactics that worked v Blanco actually played right into the hands of Degale. His old tactics (using which he got well beaten by Blanco but beat Degale 4 times) would have been better. Though to be honest, Degale looked well superior.
Still, bronze medal for Darren. Great achievement!
Paddy Barnes is massive underdog vs Zou from China. Bronze medalist from the last Olympics and World Champion in each of the last 2 years. But Barnes appears unfazed...
Very disappointed in Sutherland... completely and utterly outboxed by what looked like a sharper better prepared opponent. Good to get a medal though I guess.
It's hard to see Barnes having any chance. The Chinese hasn't been beaten in four years or something. And he's Chinese. And the fight is in ... China.
Sutherland's whole attitude seemed strange for a man fighting for a place in an Olympic final. He didn't seem to give a damn that he'd lost ("I'm happy") and seemed only to be thinking about his upcoming pro career and taking the chance to tout it on TV. I hope that cocky English tosser gets his in the final, though.
I hope Kenny Egan takes the right attitude into the ring and doesn't succumb to the hype.
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Quote from: ONeill on August 22, 2008, 09:38:18 AM
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Yeah he was acting the maggot a bit in the 4th round but that soon stopped when his corner man slapped him in the face and told him to stop messing and stay focussed.
You have to hand it to team GB though they are churning out medals all the time and compared to their previous performances they have been unreal this time. Whatever about most being cycling/rowing medals and not the high profile ones like the swimming (although they did get a couple of golds there) or track and field they are still Olympic medals and Ireland should get a look at the blueprint the English put in place for this success and we should be jumping all over it so that we can improve for the 2012 Olympics. It's bad enough we can only manage 2 Boxing medals this Olympics but it would be a travesty for us to have the Olympics that close to us and only win 2 medals!
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
Quote from: ONeill on August 22, 2008, 09:38:18 AM
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Yeah he was acting the maggot a bit in the 4th round but that soon stopped when his corner man slapped him in the face and told him to stop messing and stay focussed.
You have to hand it to team GB though they are churning out medals all the time and compared to their previous performances they have been unreal this time. Whatever about most being cycling/rowing medals and not the high profile ones like the swimming (although they did get a couple of golds there) or track and field they are still Olympic medals and Ireland should get a look at the blueprint the English put in place for this success and we should be jumping all over it so that we can improve for the 2012 Olympics. It's bad enough we can only manage 2 Boxing medals this Olympics but it would be a travesty for us to have the Olympics that close to us and only win 2 medals!
3 Boxing medals!!
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 22, 2008, 10:38:02 AM
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
Quote from: ONeill on August 22, 2008, 09:38:18 AM
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Yeah he was acting the maggot a bit in the 4th round but that soon stopped when his corner man slapped him in the face and told him to stop messing and stay focussed.
You have to hand it to team GB though they are churning out medals all the time and compared to their previous performances they have been unreal this time. Whatever about most being cycling/rowing medals and not the high profile ones like the swimming (although they did get a couple of golds there) or track and field they are still Olympic medals and Ireland should get a look at the blueprint the English put in place for this success and we should be jumping all over it so that we can improve for the 2012 Olympics. It's bad enough we can only manage 2 Boxing medals this Olympics but it would be a travesty for us to have the Olympics that close to us and only win 2 medals!
3 Boxing medals!!
Apologies az. It's still a poor medal haul for a country supposedly as sport mad as ours!
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 10:43:17 AM
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 22, 2008, 10:38:02 AM
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
Quote from: ONeill on August 22, 2008, 09:38:18 AM
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Yeah he was acting the maggot a bit in the 4th round but that soon stopped when his corner man slapped him in the face and told him to stop messing and stay focussed.
You have to hand it to team GB though they are churning out medals all the time and compared to their previous performances they have been unreal this time. Whatever about most being cycling/rowing medals and not the high profile ones like the swimming (although they did get a couple of golds there) or track and field they are still Olympic medals and Ireland should get a look at the blueprint the English put in place for this success and we should be jumping all over it so that we can improve for the 2012 Olympics. It's bad enough we can only manage 2 Boxing medals this Olympics but it would be a travesty for us to have the Olympics that close to us and only win 2 medals!
3 Boxing medals!!
Apologies az. It's still a poor medal haul for a country supposedly as sport mad as ours!
Small population - 3 medals is ok I think.
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 10:43:17 AM
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 22, 2008, 10:38:02 AM
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
Quote from: ONeill on August 22, 2008, 09:38:18 AM
Thon Brit was a real c**k. No class. Dont think his own corner were that fond of him.
Yeah he was acting the maggot a bit in the 4th round but that soon stopped when his corner man slapped him in the face and told him to stop messing and stay focussed.
You have to hand it to team GB though they are churning out medals all the time and compared to their previous performances they have been unreal this time. Whatever about most being cycling/rowing medals and not the high profile ones like the swimming (although they did get a couple of golds there) or track and field they are still Olympic medals and Ireland should get a look at the blueprint the English put in place for this success and we should be jumping all over it so that we can improve for the 2012 Olympics. It's bad enough we can only manage 2 Boxing medals this Olympics but it would be a travesty for us to have the Olympics that close to us and only win 2 medals!
3 Boxing medals!!
Apologies az. It's still a poor medal haul for a country supposedly as sport mad as ours!
It's all relative I suppose. The sports that are in the olympics are not necessarily the sports we are mad about - GAA, Rugby, etc. And some of the ones we are mad about, we're not very good at - Soccer etc.
I think our middle distance runners are a disappointment. Granted the Ethiopians, Moroccans etc are very good, but we should be able to produce a top European.
Our sprinters have never been top class, but again, we should be able to match the white Europeans. Hession did a good job there. African/Caribbean genetics are just more suited to sprinting, apparently.
Maybe we should concentrate on Field events, etc, but in Ireland, a big lump of a young lad will be playing either Rugby or GAA, not throwing hammers or Javelins around the place.
Quote from: orangeman on August 22, 2008, 10:47:48 AM
Small population - 3 medals is ok I think.
Was just looking South Africa have only won one silver. That's feckin shocking :o
Quote from: Yes I Would on August 21, 2008, 10:43:40 PM
Looks like the Jamaicans could have another male female double act in the relay finals
Phenomenal improvement in the jaaican womens' perfomances in the last 18 months
Degale got it tactically right, or perhaps his corner did. He won deservedly. Darren didn't respond to this and stuck with trying to get in close and playing into DeGales hands. Anyway a Bronze medal for Navan.
After the hearing interview, you know I'd hardly recognise the Navan accent anymore, ;)
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 22, 2008, 10:56:13 AM
Our sprinters have never been top class, but again, we should be able to match the white Europeans. Hession did a good job there. African/Caribbean genetics are just more suited to sprinting, apparently.
For some strange reason the value of genetic influence gets a lot more milage than it should.
Genetics has very little to do with excellence in a particular discipline.
Quote from: AZOffaly on August 22, 2008, 10:56:13 AM
Maybe we should concentrate on Field events, etc, but in Ireland, a big lump of a young lad will be playing either Rugby or GAA, not throwing hammers or Javelins around the place.
Exactly, if we had the proper emphasis at school level we should be producing more lads that could compete at the shot, hammer. The amount of big thick farmers in my class at school was unreal, they had no interest in Gaelic but if there was a bit of encouragement they may have been some sport they could have taken to
Is bbc site showing Barnes?
I wouldnt be too bother bout Degale doing a bit of showboating, Sunderland is not shy about doing it himself and he rubbed his nose in it a couple of times.
While disappointing he didnt go further Sutherland did fantastic to get bronze, i hear he has confirmed he is going professional, the ole ole gang will have someone else to follow when Bernard hangs up his gloves
8-0 down after two rounds, not going well
Branes well down 8 -0 after two rounds. Seemed to land two perfectly decent rights that were not pointed.
10-0
Ouch!
Big, big difference between the fighters.
Finished 15-0.
The chinese fella was light years ahead, his movement and the way he was switching styles. Barnes had nothing to counter him with. Come on Egan!!
Feck Barnes not happy, he said they could stick their medal :o
Hehe did you hear it, hilarious.
Quote from: gawa316 on August 22, 2008, 12:18:10 PM
Feck Barnes not happy, he said they could stick their medal :o
In work here, watched the fight on bbc online with no sound, what all did he say? Why is he raging?
Yeah Shiming Zou is a class boxer, you could see he's on a different level. Paddy has nothing to be upset about he's done brilliantly. and was put out by arguably the best in the world at that weight.
didnt stick around to see the interview, maybe he felt he should have got a few scores but he never landed a convincing punch to be honest.
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on August 22, 2008, 12:20:18 PM
Quote from: gawa316 on August 22, 2008, 12:18:10 PM
Feck Barnes not happy, he said they could stick their medal :o
In work here, watched the fight on bbc online with no sound, what all did he say? Why is he raging?
He was giving out that he landed punches that weren't scored. Then said what do you expect sure its China, its one of the worst countries (or something along those lines). He was then congratulated on his medal and he tole them he couldn't care less and that they could keep it.
I dont think he deserved to score 1 point! Zou could have scored a lot more, he was picking him off at will. Different class as Jimmy would say.
He was well beat but should have got at least 5 points
debatable, you could find at least 5 more for chinese. He was all over the shop in the first round and was swinging but not hitting
Anyway no harm, he got his medal and im sure in a weeks time he will be delighted with it.
No way Barnes should have got 5, maybe 2. Himself and Sutherland were both game but outclassed by opponents far quicker on their feet. His interview made him look like a bit of a tool, he even said China shouldn't be hosting the Olympics too. Don't see what he's so pissed off about because he could hardly argue it was anywhere near close anyway so it wouldn't have made a difference.
Yeah, I thought Sutherland was unlucky a couple of times (not enough to make a difference mind you), but I don't recall Paddy landing anything worth a score. I'm sure he's disappointed with the scoreline, but the Chinaman was superb
to be honest he's let himself down there. Pity to hear that. but as ludemor says, I'm sure he'll be happy with his medal after a while, theres feck all lads walking around with Olympic bronze medals and plenty leaving Bei Jing with nothing.
Hes showed himself up with those comments definitely, bad form. Where abouts in belfast is he from?
Anyone who wants to hear them can here...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/wide_site/olympics_2008/av/boxing/7576767.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/puffbox/hyperpuff/wide_site/olympics_2008/av/boxing/7576767.stm)
He should have had one for def and possibly another, that is it. Didn't get near for the rest of the bout - poor form afterwards.
Quote from: Rav67 on August 22, 2008, 12:34:28 PM
No way Barnes should have got 5, maybe 2. Himself and Sutherland were both game but outclassed by opponents far quicker on their feet. His interview made him look like a bit of a tool, he even said China shouldn't be hosting the Olympics too. Don't see what he's so pissed off about because he could hardly argue it was anywhere near close anyway so it wouldn't have made a difference.
He just lost the semi final of the Olympics, his life's work so far has brought him to that bout and you expect him to have an immediate mature perspective of the situation.
If he was smiling at his achievement after that bout some other gobshite would be saying losing didn't hurt enough.
I get your point Main Street but that is bullshit. There is a difference between showing dissapointment and getting sly digs in.
Quote from: corn02 on August 22, 2008, 12:47:13 PM
I get your point Main Street but that is bullshit. There is a difference between showing dissapointment and getting sly digs in.
Get some perspective as you don't appear to have any.
A few lines, compared to his years of brilliant dedication and positive attitude to reach that summit of excellence
and those lines spoken after his most shattering defeat, involuntary to a microphone shoved in his face in car crash type interview.
Do you know him or something, only an idiot would claim that those remarks were not disrespectful. Saying he doesn't care about his medal is a disgraceful remark. If you can not see the importance of an olympic medla it is yourself that has no perspective.
i wouldnt read a whole into what he said but whatever issues he had about the fight he shouldnt have brought politics into it
Quote from: ludermor on August 22, 2008, 01:06:24 PM
i wouldnt read a whole into what he said but whatever issues he had about the fight he shouldnt have brought politics into it
Sort of closer to what I am trying to get at.
You can take the boy out of "the Ardoyne"........
I didn't see anything wrong with his attitude - I found it commendable that he was upset to be beaten and in the moment a bronze medal didn't mean that much to him.
I also scored five excellent hits to Barnes and a good five of the Chinese scores that I didn't know where they came from. The scoring is a farce. It seemed to me the judges were watching only one fighter and anxious to give him every possible score. He seemed only to have to wave his hand to get a point. (Disclaimer - he was by far the superior boxer and deserved his win).
Irish light-flyweight Paddy Barnes will have to be content with a bronze medal in Beijing after losing against China's Zou Shiming in Friday's semi-finals.
The Chinese gold medal favourite claimed a comprehensive 15-0 win over the Belfast fighter.
Barnes chased Zou all over the ring in the first round but still found himself 2-0 down despite landing a great shot.
Zou picked Barnes off during the rest of the bout although the Irishman later dubbed the final margin a "disgrace".
In the immediate aftermath of his defeat, a furious Barnes claimed that he didn't "care about the bronze medal".
"They can keep it for all I care," added Barnes, who blasted the judging in the bout.
We're in China so what do you expect
Paddy Barnes
"They (the judges) should hang their heads in shame.
"There's no doubt I lost the fight by miles but not scoring a point?
"I'm getting drug tested here. The judges should be getting drug tested. "But we're in China so what do you expect."
The 21-year-old Irishman came out fighting in the first round and he certainly looked as though he had landed one good shot on the Chinese fighter.
Zou picked up six more points in the second round although the brawling Barnes, once again, appeared to be unfortunate not to have got on the scoresheet.
It was more of the same in the third round at Zou racked up five more points and kept the increasingly ragged Barnes scoreless to increase the lead to 11-0.
The pattern continued in the closing round as the defending world champion progressed to the decider.
;D ;D ;D ;D
Poor show so far today and I don't think the two runners did much better this morning.
Come on Kenny Egan get us a silver or gold.
Ah who the fcuk am I trying to kid - come on Kenny just beat the Brit! ;) ;D
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on August 22, 2008, 01:57:44 PM
Poor show so far today and I don't think the two runners did much better this morning.
Come on Kenny Egan get us a silver or gold.
Ah who the fcuk am I trying to kid - come on Kenny just beat the Brit! ;) ;D
Aye - beat the shite out of him !
THe Brits and the Jamaicans just got DQ'd from the Women's relay! Has somebody been tampering with the batons?
1-1 after round one, thought kenny got more hits in then that !
4-1 2nd round, still think egans not getting all the points he deserves, fighting a much better game then the brit
5-1 to Kenny, C'mon Kenny. to be fair Jefferies isnt up to much
8-1 f**king outstanding ;D
Silver at least - class!! ;D
10-3 and he fought to the end fantastic.
Who is he meeting in the final?
Fair play he pulled your man around the ring and gave him a good beating! That'll teach Jeffries to mouth anymore!
Fantastic performance from Egan, outstanding.
Fair play egan!!! Super performance!
Did to Jefferies what Degale did to Sutherland
Fought very well....great victory.
Quote from: gawa316 on August 22, 2008, 02:28:00 PM
Who is he meeting in the final?
Looks like a china man or Kazak
Great performance.
Does anyone work in Neilstowen? Awful lot of people clogging up poor auld Mrs Egans house.
Great win for Egan. Don't think Barnes was ever going to win his fight but Sutherland will be disappointed with himself as he's beaten Degale plenty of times before. Just never seemed to get himself going on the day.
Best of luck to Ken Egan is his gold medal bout.
Well done Ken Egan. Great performance and a massive achievement to reach an Olympic Final.
Fantastic result. Hopefully he can win gold on Sunday morning. Hopefully we can all get up to see it, the final is at 08.51 :o
Delighted for the Neilstown/Nth Cllondalkin area, a place seriously jerked around by our corrupt politicians/planning officials in the past.In particular I an ecstatic that the long ridiculed species the young urban working class male has provided the nation with 3 gems of athletes.
As for our "hooray Henry" equestrian set, don't get me started........
Neilstown BC still operates out of a school, the Horsing industry gets Govt grants/tax exemptions......Doesn't seem right to me.
Anyone else cringe at Jimmy Magee's commentary. He was talking awful shite.
He is woeful, i ahd to endure him this morning on the radio , for the last 2 rounds he didnt mention any of the fight itself only talked about his background etc.
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on August 22, 2008, 02:48:52 PM
Anyone else cringe at Jimmy Magee's commentary. He was talking awful shite.
He does talk a lot of crap, but he is much better than that cardboard cut out back in the studio. The one with the tan.
Aye, Kenny was class. Too good for Jefferies. Hopefully he can deliver the gold. looks like good craic in the Irish crowd, a few other nationalities joining in on it too!! You cant beat the Irish for a bit of craic
Great performance - well done.
To be fair the BBC have got their coverage spot on for me most of the games. Boxing particularly good as both Jim Neilly and Richie Woodall more than know their stuff in this game. The only part of the coverage I didn't like was the gymnastics which was a joke. That Beth Tweddle one did her bars routine and your man was like "Unbelievable, you have never witnessed a more difficult bar routine in your life!" Yeah she came 4th.
Otherwise though the coverage, analysis, range of sports covered has been top drawer as far as I can see.
The highlight for me of all the games was the fella Timmy McCarthy's basketball commentary on RTÉ... "Ah dat's grayat, he's takin him all da way ta da hole" and "Give it to da money man". He reminds me of Jay off of Gift Grub but certainly adds a bit of colour to the games!
Jamaica obliterated the 4x100 Record there... amazing!
Great stuff from Egan. I think he'll be in trouble on Sunday against the home town judging, though. It seems you have to hit a Chinese boxer at least three times to get a point, judging by how often the Kazak nailed Zhang in the other semi final and got nothing for it, while Zhang only had to point at him to get a score. I'd be worried for Ken unless he knocks the hoor out.
New World Record by jamaica 4x100 metres final....
Quote from: screenexile on August 22, 2008, 03:09:59 PM
To be fair the BBC have got their coverage spot on for me most of the games. Boxing particularly good as both Jim Neilly and Richie Woodall more than know their stuff in this game. The only part of the coverage I didn't like was the gymnastics which was a joke. That Beth Tweddle one did her bars routine and your man was like "Unbelievable, you have never witnessed a more difficult bar routine in your life!" Yeah she came 4th.
Otherwise though the coverage, analysis, range of sports covered has been top drawer as far as I can see.
Her routine is the most difficult in the world, she came 4th because she didn't do it perfectly
Quote from: Hardy on August 22, 2008, 03:12:35 PM
Great stuff from Egan. I think he'll be in trouble on Sunday against the home town judging, though. It seems you have to hit a Chinese boxer at least three times to get a point, judging by how often the Kazak nailed Zhang in the other semi final and got nothing for it, while Zhang only had to point at him to get a score. I'd be worried for Ken unless he knocks the hoor out.
the wee lad that gave Barnes the runaround got a shocker early in the tournament against a french lad. He'll need a horseshoe in the glove alright.
anyone got a link to todays fight? can't find on the bbc site and those fckers rte won't let me view it.
BBC seem to have everything except Egan's fight.
It's all kicking off at the Taekwondo arena.
Chinese girl was up by a point with seconds left british girl kicked her in the face but the 2 points weren't given, consequently she lost.
GB put in an official complaint and for the 1st time ever, the judges have overturned the decision. They've just announced it in Madarin, the crowd are feckin ripping.
There seem to have been quite a few dodgy deisions in the Taekwondo and boxing through out the Olympics
just watching now. the chinese are gonna go mad!
The Brit should have won,she beat the china woman fair and square
Did the Brit girl not win after the overturn?
The refusal of the Boxing judges to give Paddy Barnes at least 2 or 3 points was a gross insult to anyones intelligence.
I think you need an Alex Fergusen type in there spitting gum and venting about Chinese bias before Ken Egan goes into the ring.
No use moaning about it afterwards.
Free Tibet
Some Cuban had enough of it in the Taekwon-Do and gave the referee a kick in the head.
Rumour has it he'll get 6 months but he'll probably be taking his case to the DRA.
Anyone see the interview with Sutherland after his semi final defeat?
Seemed like the attitude of a man who used the olympics as a shop window and had done enough to get into professional boxing so wasn't too bothered.
Barnes definitely scored a few points in his fight so not surprised by his reaction. Ominous that Egan is fighting a chinese opponent but hopefully he'll be too good and be no choice but to give him the fight.
What time is Egans fight on?
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on August 23, 2008, 08:55:37 PM
What time is Egans fight on?
8.50am tomorrow morning, he's our last hope
No point in shouting at the judges Paddy, if you are p1ssed off, show it like this :D
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/taekwondo/story/2008/08/23/olympics-angel-matos.html
One of the maddest things I've ever seen!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/taekwondo/7578828.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/taekwondo/7578828.stm)
Jesus, the Chinese boy got some soft scores there.
It should have been at least level and there was some dodgy scoring for the Chinese lad but Egan couldn't get inside his reach.
Egan needed to win clearly to get the gold medal and he was never going to win a close contest.
That Chinese guy looked like the least skilful of all the gold medallists and apparently had 3 dodgy wins on the way to the final
My suspicions are aroused indeed. Some very questionable scores given and not given. Perhaps Paddy Barnes wasnt chewing sour grapes so much after.
Ken needed to step in and really take the fight to him but thats not really his style, and when one round goes wrong its very hard to pull it back in just a 4 round fight.
BUt well done to Ken, Silver medal is a great achievement .
And Maldini, take your racist shite somewhere else!
disgusted with the scoring , at one stage it looked like the chinese fella got points for Egan's punches!
He can be proud with his efforts and he handled himself great afterwards even joking with the chinese fella on the podium. Billy Walshe gave a great interview afterwards and hopefully he gets more recourses for the London Olympics
the chinese got points for hitting egans gloves, in the third he had at least 4 scorsble punches that were not pointed, as the GB commentators said there was 3 chinese fighting this morning, two of them really had no chance of winning, egan was there best chance, and he wa never going to win it. joke!!
A silver is a great achievment, but it should have been gold. The Chinese fighter was getting points for shadow boxing and hitting Kens gloves. Maybe we arent exactly neutral, but I watched the second half of the fight in the BBC, I couldnt stomach any more of Magees ramblings. The beeb thought he was hard done by so you cant say much more than that.
Well done to the three lads who got medals. Hopefully we`ll win a few more in London and the horses can stay off the gear ;)
The Beeb studio presenters quoted Paddy Barnes saying the judges, not the fighters, should be drug-tested, implying he had a point. They intimated that Egan had been hard done by as well and went from that into a recorded piece about other dodgy decisions throughout the games.
At least we know we'll get fair play in London 2012. Won't we?
Thread on slugger complaining that 'Team GB' excludes Our Wee Country/NI.
Spokesman for the British Olympics Federation said to change it to Team UK would still exclude the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man - haha, so much for northern Ireland being an integral part of Britain.
What a f**king joke that was. Total disgrace, Egan should have won by 2/3 points. Does anyone know where the judges are from?
http://blog.paddypower.com/index.php/2008/08/24/beijing-olympics-ken-egan-payout/
paddy power pays out on egan legends
I don't know about the punches thrown with clean contact but I thought the Chinese lad boxed well.
Looked about 50/50 to me.
QuoteDoes anyone know where the judges are from?
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/BX/C73/BXM081101.shtml#BXM081101 (http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/BX/C73/BXM081101.shtml#BXM081101)
Judges are from Cuba Italy Thai Hung Kazakts.
Exciting Volleyball finals.
Handball mens - unfortunately a one sided final but a tremendous exciting Olympic sport, so many games were a roller coaster going to the last score in the last second.
Gonna miss the events now that its all over, Great couple of weeks entertainment. Would love to travel across for the 012.
Our boxers done brilliantly well, and hopefully some of them will be back for the next one.
Guess its back to the boring old premiership for the next few months!!
Jaysus thon British effort during the closing ceremony was dire in comparison to the overall Chinese effort.
One word - SPECTACULAR !
When you consider Olympic medal performance per capita, India would want to take a long hard look at itself.
With an estimated 2008 population of 1,132,446,000 you would have expected a return more in line with China's 100 medals than Ireland's 3, which is what they delivered. That's one medal every 377 million people, and places them just behind the Dominican, Estonia and Portugal in the medal standings.
Thank God for the Men's 10m Air Rifle, or it could have been really embarrassing.
I think India has other priorities than funding elite athletes when it comes to making investment decisions with the public finances.
We're talking about a country with 189 times the population of Ireland - even with zero funding or encouragement, I'd still expect to see more than a handful with an uncanny ability to toss a javelin or run 26 miles.
Im not a fan of the Sunday Independent but stumbled across this yesterday. An interesting article about the Irish boxers, Gary Keegan (the high performance director) & their preparation for the olympics. It might explain why we fared well in the boxing but failed to make any impact in Track & Field.
Bigger battles to be fought
Sunday August 24 2008
IT won't change him. Of that he is certain. Kenny Egan stood in the basement of the Workers' Gymnasium on Friday evening and invited those present to shake the hand of the man who had qualified for the Olympic light heavyweight final. He rapped and he rolled. He bounced and jabbed witticisms into the night air. Same old Kenneth Egan. Same as he always will be.
He had just beaten Sunderland's Tony Jeffries to book his place in this morning's final against the "Chinaman" Xiaoping Chang. In four fights he had waltzed through the tournament, conceding a miserly seven points along the way. He was there on the day it began and he is here on the day it ends. He came to Beijing, he said, to lead his team and to do his country proud. He has been as good as his word.
You think it's been easy though? Kenny Egan would like to tell you a little story. A few days ago he met an Australian boxer in the Olympic Village and heard him whinge about how hard it had become just to get to the Olympics. In the old days, he said, you just had to win your national title. Now you had to negotiate a path through the Oceanic championships. For a time Egan indulged him. And then he let rip.
"I gave him stink. I said are you serious? Sure all we've got to do is beat the Russians and the Ukrainians and all sorts. That's the Australians, though. That's how small-minded they are. They win their nationals and they expect to be at the Olympics. That's why they come here and win nothing at the same time."
The beauty of Kenny Egan's story has been in the journey as much as in the sweet fruition of the past two weeks. It lies in those who refused to tell him he was a legend when he was winning eight senior national titles or when he was top eight in the world in 2001 and 2003, but who grabbed him by the lapels and told him he could be better than that if he really wanted to be.
And now he is. This time two years ago he was working as a waiter in the Citywest Hotel, serving dinner to Tiger Woods and his wife during the Ryder Cup. Now he is on the cusp of Olympic glory, of being a champion himself. And when you stripped away the fame and the money and the power, all those things that rob sport of its purity, what was the difference between himself and Woods?
The slavish devotion, the hard toil and the sacrifices: he'd done it all too. And, for Kenny Egan, Friday was payback time. It was about his night, about his dreams and his fulfilment. He thought about the road travelled. A boxer since he was eight. A senior international at 16. A national champion at 18. "I'm the only one left from that time and look at me now. In an Olympic final. It's a story in itself. That's dedication. I owed it to myself. All that hard work. Well done Kenneth."
HE says it was for himself, a reward for all those ascetic, sweat-filled years, but there were others too. His mother who was always there when he came home from another tournament with a bag of dirty washing and a ravenous hunger for a home-cooked meal. The Sports Council who kept funding him even though there were those in his own sport who claimed he'd never deliver. John McKeown who picked him up when he felt low after last year's World Championships and offered him badly-needed support.
And then there was Gary Keegan. Egan spoke of how much it hurt them that Keegan, the team's high performance director, wasn't included as part of the official boxing delegation. "But there's nothing I can do," he said. "I'm here as an athlete." If it sounded selfish, Keegan would have appreciated the sentiment. Five years ago he came to the job knowing that's what he needed to instil. For all they were a team, the boxers needed to develop a selfish streak, Kenny Egan most of all.
If the journey to Beijing had a beginning, it was in a room in the headquarters of the Irish Sports Council at the back end of 2002. Keegan was there that day, presenting a low-key report on coach education in boxing and somehow left with the task of devising a plan that might bring Olympic boxing medals. He had four days to put a strategy in place. D-day was looming.
They didn't know it then but they'd found the right man: a driven thirty-something businessman who knew you got nothing in life unless you pushed hard for it. In his various coaching roles Keegan had bossed people who were older and far more experienced than him, trampling on toes as he went. He never minded. Somewhere down the line, he figured, he might pay for his brashness. It was a risk he had to take.
He started with a vision and a willingness to walk through walls to implement it. The first step was appointing Billy Walsh as head coach early in 2003, the next was finding suitable back-up. Through an acquaintance he heard about Zaur Antia, a Georgian who had been six times welterweight champion in his homeland. During his interview the panel baulked at Antia's poor grasp of English. Gently, Keegan nudged them along.
"I set each of the candidates a practical task in the gym and when you saw him on the floor that's when Zaur came alive," Keegan says. "I knew that was his home. He knew where he was. Boxing is a universal language and the boxers responded quickly. I knew there and then we'd found the right guy."
Because they wanted a Year Zero feel to the plan they purloined a wall of the gym and called it the roll of honour wall. As it was blank they inscribed the names of Michael Carruth and Wayne McCullough. "Just to have something up there." At first the boxers hated it. Then one by one they started winning and the first thing that greeted them in the morning was their own name. The wall became their friend.
One name above all stood out. Kenny Egan. No figure epitomised what was so good about Irish boxing and yet so fragile. Keegan had never seen an athlete with so much burning ambition. Egan would return from EU or European championships laden down with medals and dismiss them as if they were trinkets he'd picked up on some foreign market stall. "I'm not interested," he'd say. "I want the Olympics."
Athens had come and gone without his presence, though, and his mental fortitude came under question. Around the gym they regarded him as the most successful senior Irish international of all time and that bracket included Carruth. Without the Olympics, Egan refused to accept the honour, though, and over the years they watched his internal struggle play itself out.
The resolution came perilously late. Egan had gone to the world championships in Chicago last year, Olympic qualification the least of his targets. Somehow he conspired to lose heavily against the Croat Marijo Sivolija in the last 16 even though they'd been level entering the fourth round. Pescara in February brought the next round of qualifiers. He was beaten again. The pressure rocketed.
Athens in April was the final qualifier, last chance saloon. To try something different they brought in Phil Moore, a sports psychologist with the Institute of Sport. Moore sat in on a session between Egan and his regular psychologist, Gerry Hussey, and identified a couple of basic factors they might look at. They wondered if it could be that simple and, as it turned out, it was.
Finally they had cracked the code. Egan won gold in Athens and booked his ticket for Beijing. A short time later he went to the EU championships in Poland, short of full fitness, but still cruised to a gold medal. The change astonished them. He was living the mantra they had tried to instil all those years back; dealing with now rather than what lay up the road.
On Tuesday Keegan sat in the Workers' Gymnasium and watched Egan come out for his quarter-final bout against Washington Silva of Brazil. The fighter's face was red and flush. His eyes were clear and focussed. Then the bell went, he threw his first shot and Keegan knew. "The speed of the shot, the power behind the punch. He was ready and committed. I knew we'd be fine."
Darren Sutherland was different. Where Egan was street-wise and sparkled with Neilstown wit, Sutherland bubbled with a mix of energy and bookish learning. He was self-sufficient and possessed a voice, a curious mix of his Caribbean and Dublin roots, which always demanded to be heard. They could talk to him about preparation and nutrition but the chances were that Sutherland would already have passed them by. He was brash and cocky but he had the sporting knowledge to go with it.
Keegan was a coach at St Saviour's Boxing club when Sutherland walked through the door 11 years ago, a spiky 15-year-old kid. He asked him his name and what he wanted from the sport. "I'm Darren Sutherland," the kid replied. "And I want to be world champion." Not just any world champion, though. He wanted to be the first black Irish world champion.
The road to Beijing had taken him through some potted terrain. A torrid three-year spell in Brendan Ingle's Wincobank gym in Sheffield almost turned him off the game for life. A serious eye injury in 2005 when he had rediscovered his love for boxing under the wing of the high-performance programme nearly finished him for good.
When he lost to British middleweight James Degale in Friday's semi-final, there were those who said Sutherland appeared too happy afterwards but they forgot where he had come from and where he was going. Soon he'll wrap up his sports science degree in DCU and embrace the pro ranks again, a stronger fighter and a better man than he was when he went to Ingle all those years ago. It is where they know he has always belonged.
Paddy Barnes was different again. Barnes was hard to penetrate and not simply because of his thick north Belfast accent. He'd come to them from Gerry Storey's Holy Family club in the city and risen through the cadet and junior ranks under Jim Moore. Initially Barnes turned no heads. There was nothing about him that suggested he would go to the World Championships last year and become the first boxer to qualify for Beijing.
In time they would come to realise that, maybe, they were the problem. Not Barnes. As a junior they sparred him with cadets who were much younger than him because they didn't think he was ready for his peers. And the cadets caused him problems. They didn't see that he wasn't motivated to spar them. They didn't see that he wasn't challenged by them. They just didn't see.
"He probably didn't feel he had a relationship enough with us to say I'm better than this," says Keegan. "We'd have said okay 'let's see how good you are'. We didn't see his uniqueness. That was a failing on our behalf. I'm not trying to make excuses but it was a rare thing."
He was a late addition for Chicago and, at a training camp in France before they left, they finally saw Barnes come out of his shell. Barnes was sparring with a seasoned French fighter, cutting him to pieces. Keegan was in the ring refereeing, Walsh outside looking in. Both stopped and looked at each other. "I'm looking at Billy. Billy's looking at me. What the f**k's happening here?"
Getting to know Barnes has been their pleasure and their privilege. Keegan tells a story of what it is that makes him unique. Before the Games they brought their five boxers to Vladivostok to spar with the Russians at the toughest training camp in the world. When he saw their living quarters -- four small rooms for 13 people -- Keegan blanched and promised them he would arrange a hotel if they liked.
In one room Egan, Sutherland and John Joe Nevin were squeezed tight against each other while a big, old fridge beat out a cacophonous symphony in the background. Not a bother, Egan told him, a bit more space and he would be happy. Sutherland and Nevin looked up and gave him the thumbs up.
He moved to the next room where Barnes and Johnny Joyce were inspecting their quarters. "Johnny looks up and shrugs, no problem. Then Paddy stands up and says, 'get me a hotel'. But that's Paddy. I won't go with the status quo. I put him in the hotel with the physio and the doctor. Kenny had his space. Problem solved."
The plan in Beijing was that Keegan's apartment, near the Olympic Green, would be their bolt-hole outside the chaos of the Village. From here he was able to maintain a contact of sorts. When Joyce lost his second-round contest to the Dominican Felix Diaz, he visited the apartment and they mulled over things for a couple of hours. He did the same with Nevin the following day.
Every evening Hussey and physio Scott Murphy would return from the Village bringing stories and updates. No day passed when he wouldn't speak to Walsh at least three times. Like that they got by but three medals still couldn't gloss over the hurt Keegan felt and the pain his team felt for him. He wasn't there to lead his team and the wound will always run deep.
WHEN the history of the Irish team at these Games is written it will record that five working-class kids did themselves, their sport and their country proud while, once more, it was besmirched by the grubby hands of politicians and those in sport who relentlessly pursue agendas.
From the start he knew there were little pockets of dissent. His first move had been to close the gym for three months and that had rattled cages. Only those within the tightly-knit high-performance group could gain access. They had to get to know the boxers and the boxers had to get to know them, a harsh but necessary business. "We got terrible stick," Keegan remembers. "People saying 'who do they think they are'?"
He knew certain people would be put out. He'd been a volunteer himself, racking up 100,000 miles on a brand new Citreon Xsara in 18 months, thus destroying its value. He knew how people would feel, knew the questions they would ask. Before Vladivostok he had to make a presentation to the board, justifying costs and the inclusion of certain personnel. Still answering questions, still responding to doubters.
After they returned from Chicago last year with only one boxer qualified for Beijing, one board member had called for his head. In a sea of disapproval he was glad of the unwavering support from IABA president, Dominic O'Rourke, and of the backing of the Sports Council. "Don't worry," Finbarr Kirwin, the Council's high performance co-ordinator told him. "You'll still do it."
And although he persevered there was still one final indignity to face. The story of his non-accreditation brewed for months but didn't percolate the tight confines of the high-performance unit as Keegan was anxious his plight wouldn't disrupt his fighters' preparations for the Games. His opponents had one remaining card and he was shocked to hear of the blameless Jim Walsh being selected as manager of the team in his stead.
"It has been a very difficult time," Keegan says. "As high performance director you expect to lead teams into Games and I didn't. I missed two Olympic Games. When I missed Athens I thought this isn't going to happen again because the powers that be won't allow it. The Athens Review Committee highlighted it. So did Sydney. We arrive in Beijing and it's ignored again. It's very disappointing for me, personally and professionally."
He imagines there are people within his sport who will find it difficult to celebrate their achievements and the notion troubles and mildly depresses him. He's happy, though, that his troubles didn't affect the team's composure or its ability to perform under intense pressure. On Tuesday he heard Egan mention him in his post-fight interview and tears formed in his eye. They met afterwards outside the doping control room and shared a long embrace.
"You see we've kept very close," he says. "Even though they cut me out of it, they haven't managed to separate us. I'm proud of that. We'd worked too long and hard to be blown off course."
On Friday night he shared a quiet moment with Walsh and they reflected on the road they'd travelled. "Gary," Walsh asked, "why have all the pieces just fallen into place? I wasn't stressed today. I was so relaxed." Keegan told him why it was so. "Because your protégé was relaxed. You knew everything was right. Everything fell into place at the right time."
It wasn't an accident, though. Their story was a reflection of that.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/taekwondo/7578828.stm
Paul Galvin eat yer heart out!!
I wonder will he get a open top bus tour through Belfast
Belfast man tops world at rock, paper, scissors
World domination has eventually proved to be child's play for the Irish in Beijing after a handy Belfast man took home a gold medal.
Mark Cleland, 24, sliced through the global competition to win the international rock, paper, scissors games.
Local and national qualifying tournaments drew thousands of competitors from across the world.
The winners were given a trip for two to the Olympic Games and the chance to take part in the global competition.
Mr Cleland said: "Facing off against the finest rock, paper, scissors players in the world was an intense challenge that pushed my skills to the limit.
"I tried to look for patterns in my opponents' throws, and in the end, they played right into my hands."
Mark beat 31 rivals in the Irish final in Dublin last May to win the chance to represent Ireland at the Beijing championships.
There he defeated Canada's Pablo Sebastian Gatica in the final on August 23, while Sean Sears from the US was awarded the bronze medal in the first-ever Budweiser International Rock, Paper, Scissors Federation Championship.
"We set out with Budweiser to find the most talented rock, paper, scissors players in the world and Mark proved to be a cut above the rest," said Matti Leshem, founder and Commissioner of the USA Rock, Paper, Scissors League and International Rock Paper Scissors Federation.
Club Bud, a Budweiser-sponsored nightclub that hosted parties throughout the 2008 Olympic Games, was the venue for the championship.