Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Thread

[Philliab]

Since we had such fun with the 2012 Summer Olympic thread, I thought I'd start one for Sochi. Any and all Olympics conversation is welcome in this thread.

I'll start.....

Confession: I watch it all. Yes all of it...even the sports Nordic Combined and Cross-Country Skiing.

I still need to upgrade my Dish service so I can get all the Curling matching. Hopefully I can catch a lot online at work, but I LOVE CURLING! Can't wait to see the pants that the Norwegian teams wear.

Not too interested in the new team figure skating this year. But I did see the 30 for 30 on Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan a few weeks ago, which probably left a bad taste in my mouth for the sport.

Anyone else psyched for it all or something in particular?

GO USA!

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[Chillbo Baggins]

I watched every televised bit of the 2010 games. Though I admit, I watched the cross country at around 4x speed.

I has an excite.

 

[jmo1012]

i'll admit you had me confused and concerned there for a minute! i was pretty sure it started on the 7th!! i'm just a tad bit cut off from the rest of the world down here haha

i am typically a WO fanatic. i watch as much as i can. me thinks thats not going to happen this year with vet school and all, but we shall see!

 

[Philliab]

I watched every televised bit of the 2010 games. Though I admit, I watched the cross country at around 4x speed.

I has an excite.

Pretty sure that's ok. I tend to do homework or house cleaning during the XC Skiing, but for some reason, curling holds my entire attention.

i'll admit you had me confused and concerned there for a minute! i was pretty sure it started on the 7th!! i'm just a tad bit cut off from the rest of the world down here haha

Sorry jmo! I just got excited.


Here's the schedule for those feeling too lazy to Google. http://www.sochi2014.com/en

 

[Escalla]

HOCKEY!!!!!!!

That's what I care about.

And I'm hoping that it's as exciting as the 2010 match-up.

 

[nyanko]

I only make it a point to watch hockey. I'll watch whatever else if I'm home and bored but all I actually care about enough to rearrange my schedule for is hockey.

Go Canada, US, Finland in the men's, and GO TEAM USA in the women's!!

 

[hedgehogcatcher]

...

 

[shortnsweet]

I usually love the Olympics...but all the badness surrounding the lead up to these ones is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

 

[Philliab]

I usually love the Olympics...but all the badness surrounding the lead up to these ones is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

I definitely agree with you, but I hate to take away from the amazing accomplishments of the athletes.

 

[ChittyBang]

I usually love the Olympics...but all the badness surrounding the lead up to these ones is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

I agree. Between the anti-gay stuff, the stray dogs, the orcas, etc., I'm perturbed, but also don't wanna take away from the athletes that have worked so hard to get there. Besides, I like to watch curling. Is that weird? Haha

 

[shortnsweet]

I definitely agree with you, but I hate to take away from the amazing accomplishments of the athletes.

Oh gosh no. I have to say being able to go to the 2012 Olympics was one of the best experiences of my life because of the athletes and the host city. I just hope these ones go well, considering.

 

[Philliab]

Oh gosh no. I have to say being able to go to the 2012 Olympics was one of the best experiences of my life because of the athletes and the host city. I just hope these ones go well, considering.

Oh that's true! Still jealous.

Me too....


Only a totally petty note: the USA uniforms are horrendous this year (even worse than 2012)!

 

[shortnsweet]

Only a totally petty note: the USA uniforms are horrendous this year (even worse than 2012)!

We wouldn't be team USA without terrible uniforms!

 

[Philliab]

We wouldn't be team USA without terrible uniforms!

Pretty sure Ralph Lauren must hate the Olympics, the USA, and athletes everywhere.

 

[Escalla]

This?

 

[Philliab]

This?

Worse....this:

It's like he's going to an ugly sweater convention.

 

[Escalla]

His expression isn't showing much pride. LOL

 

[Philliab]

His expression isn't showing much pride. LOL

But for some reason he looks like Van Wilder to me.

 

[shortnsweet]

His expression isn't showing much pride. LOL

Would you be proud to be wearing that sweater?

 

[Escalla]

Would you be proud to be wearing that sweater?

Well, with how often I hear 'MERICA!!!!!! as a serious response to things, yes, I'm a bit surprised.

 

[nyanko]

I heard a replica of that sweater is like $600 too

 

[BlackDog17]

I usually love the Olympics...but all the badness surrounding the lead up to these ones is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

Definitely agree, but then I think about it for a while and it's like "Well, what do you expect when you let Russia host?"

I seriously think they intentionally make the uniforms horrific. It's a way of bringing the athletes down to a more relate-able level - they can't be perfect specimens of human strength AND be well dressed, that would just be too much to handle!

Although the uniforms have deteriorated significantly over the years: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/n...rms-through-the-years-78350.php#photo-5767213

 

[shortnsweet]

Although the uniforms have deteriorated significantly over the years: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/n...rms-through-the-years-78350.php#photo-5767213

I'm not sure deteriorate is the right word....They've always been bad.

1984 Track Suits...nuff said

 

[Escalla]

Who do you have branding your consumer olympic apparel?

Ours sucks this year. It's more like Adidas clothes that happen to have Canada on them than real olympic wear.

 

[503372]

.

 

[Philliab]

Who do you have branding your consumer olympic apparel?

Ours sucks this year. It's more like Adidas clothes that happen to have Canada on them than real olympic wear.

Nike and Ralph Lauren.

 

[BlackDog17]

Who do you have branding your consumer olympic apparel?

Ours sucks this year. It's more like Adidas clothes that happen to have Canada on them than real olympic wear.

I like yours better than ours though. At least they look athletic. Ours look like Ralph Lauren asked his grandma to knit him some Olympic-themed sweaters.

 

[Escalla]

I like yours better than ours though. At least they look athletic. Ours look like Ralph Lauren asked his grandma to knit him some Olympic-themed sweaters.

Yeah, I like the athele's apparel. Particularly the snowboarding jacket....

But the stuff you can buy as a consumer blows. We had such great gear for 2010 in Vancouver.... This is too much adidas and not enough olympics.

 

[Escalla]

Though I don't have as much of a reason to buy this stuff like I used to considering I'm not in school in MN any longer. I love taunting back and forth.

That day after the men's hockey gold medal game....best day evar. hehehe

 

[TooLove]

I usually love the Olympics...but all the badness surrounding the lead up to these ones is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

I agree. I hope it doesn't escalate.

 

[shortnsweet]

Omg you guys....you can't go fishing in the toilets in Sochi!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/the-rules-in-sochi-are-so-strict-you-cant-even-go-fishing-in

 

[Philliab]

Omg you guys....you can't go fishing in the toilets in Sochi!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/the-rules-in-sochi-are-so-strict-you-cant-even-go-fishing-in

 

[Coquette22]

But the stuff you can buy as a consumer blows. We had such great gear for 2010 in Vancouver.... This is too much adidas and not enough olympics.

I hadn't seen the Adidas stuff. Have you see the official stuff from HBC? I like most of it. I admit to coveting the duffle coats, though obviously not getting one at that price. I like the plain black with the maple leaf too. http://www.thebay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/thebay/search/hbc-/BQ-SOCHI

 

[Philliab]

I hadn't seen the Adidas stuff. Have you see the official stuff from HBC? I like most of it. I admit to coveting the duffle coats, though obviously not getting one at that price. I like the plain black with the maple leaf too. http://www.thebay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/thebay/search/hbc-/BQ-SOCHI

That duffle coat is beautiful.

 

[Philliab]

Getting ready.....

 

[nyanko]

Though I don't have as much of a reason to buy this stuff like I used to considering I'm not in school in MN any longer. I love taunting back and forth.

That day after the men's hockey gold medal game....best day evar. hehehe

I'm not ashamed of owning a red team Canada Crosby jersey. 8)

 

[BlackDog17]

Getting ready.....

I seem to be the only person in all of Canada who thinks this is the weirdest sport in the world . . .

 

[503372]

.

 

[shortnsweet]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-their-hilarious-and-gross-hotel-experiences/

Don't wash your face, kids. There's something dangerous in the water, if you can get water.

Ugh.

 

[Philliab]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...-their-hilarious-and-gross-hotel-experiences/

Don't wash your face, kids. There's something dangerous in the water, if you can get water.

Ugh.

Seriously? Who do they give these places the the Olympics?!

 

[BlackDog17]

If the media hotels are that bad, I can't even imagine what the athlete's village must look like!

 

[Coquette22]

I seem to be the only person in all of Canada who thinks this is the weirdest sport in the world . . .

While I wouldn't call it the weirdest sport in the world, I can't say I'm a major curling fan or anything. It just exists. *shrug*

 

[Philliab]

Looks like Shaun White is out of Slope-Style.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-olympics/news/20140205/shaun-white-out-slopestyle-sochi-olympics/

Sounds like the course isn't safe.

 

[kaydubs]

Thanks for the procrastination. Spent a lot of time figuring out when I'm watching what events.

 

[that redhead]

Looks like Shaun White is out of Slope-Style.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-olympics/news/20140205/shaun-white-out-slopestyle-sochi-olympics/

Sounds like the course isn't safe.

I love me some Shaun White but I admit that the snipes by other teams about him withdrawing because he doesn't think he can win may hold a bit of merit...Seems like half the athletes say it's really challenging and borderline unsafe while the other half seem to think it's tough but fair. Shaun White never really seemed like the kind of guy to say, "Not doin' it, too scary!" but then again his injuries are adding up and concerns for his own safety (and ability to defend his half-pipe titles) are legit.

 

[Philliab]

I love me some Shaun White but I admit that the snipes by other teams about him withdrawing because he doesn't think he can win may hold a bit of merit...Seems like half the athletes say it's really challenging and borderline unsafe while the other half seem to think it's tough but fair. Shaun White never really seemed like the kind of guy to say, "Not doin' it, too scary!" but then again his injuries are adding up and concerns for his own safety (and ability to defend his half-pipe titles) are legit.

I agree with you, and I do wish the US would put an alternate in there. But I'd rather him have a chance to win half-pipe then watch them scraped him off the other course.

And I really wish he still had all his hair. No clue why, but it worked for him.

 

[cadisestrama]

I am actually super conflicted.

As much as I love the Olympics... After watching this video of gay people in Russia being beat up, abused, all under the pretense of this anti-gay law in Russia...
http://www.upworthy.com/here-is-the...y-men-being-beaten-on-camera-in-russia?c=ufb1

and the fact that the Olympics is supposed to mean more than just sports, "encourage and support the promotion of ethics in sport... to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement...to oppose any political... abuse of sport and athletes..." etc... I'm just not sure...

 

[Philliab]

I am actually super conflicted.

As much as I love the Olympics... After watching this video of gay people in Russia being beat up, abused, all under the pretense of this anti-gay law in Russia...
http://www.upworthy.com/here-is-the...y-men-being-beaten-on-camera-in-russia?c=ufb1

and the fact that the Olympics is supposed to mean more than just sports, "encourage and support the promotion of ethics in sport... to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement...to oppose any political... abuse of sport and athletes..." etc... I'm just not sure...

Ehhh...I don't agree with anything that has gone on in Russia, BUT by watching the Olympics, I'm not supporting the country or city in which they are held. I'm supporting all the athletes and appreciating their talents and hard work. They certainly didn't choose the location, and I can't begin to imagine how hard it must be for them.

But I completely understand and respect your stance on this.

 

[TooLove]

I sincerely hope this isn't real...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/bennyjohnson/proof-that-sochi-is-a-godforsaken-hellscape-right-now?bffb

The painting the grass green picture really gets me but seriously..there is no way they can pull this off if that's what it looks like right now.

 

[Philliab]

Pretty sure it's true.

On a different note....I'm apparently not in the right frame of mind to watch the Olympics yet. It's like I need the opening ceremonies to get me revved up or something. Or I need to break out my awesome jacket from the '96 Olympics!