Comments on: The Olympics: Some Rambling

By: Mike Haddad

Mike Haddad — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:05:23 +0000

Eff this “Olympic althetes shouldn’t be on a pedestal” shit. They Olympic Friggin’ Athletes. OF COURSE THEY SHOULD BE. Hello? Best in the world. Anybody?

On a separate note, it’s surprisingly easy to forget to breathe when you’re competing. Trust me.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:33:51 +0000

I didn’t mind all the Michael Phelps talk until I saw this two minutes ago:

http://celebedge.sympatico.msn.ca/Michael+Phelps+to+write+new+book+telling+story+of+historic+eight+gold+medals/ContentPostingCP3column?isfa=1&newsitemid=94890040&feedname=CP-ENTERTAINMENT&show=False&number=0&showbyline=False&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc&date=False

Now THAT’s where it’s gone too far for me. Blegh.

By: Emily

Emily — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:31:36 +0000

I agree with what Nellie’s said above. People forget (especially the fucking media) that a world champion is still a human being, not a robot. Other athletes can reach their level, the athlete could make a slight error they can’t recover from and other athletes might want it that little bit more.

But I definitely agree with you that any drug cheat speculation about the Chinese athletes is ludricrous. They put in the effort to get to Olympic level like all the other athletes, they’re the best at what they do and get the medals. Simple. And China aren’t very dominant in track & field. You’d think if they were using drugs to cheat, they’d let the track guys share the love as well.

Also, I agree with you about Michael Phelps. He only looks attractive when he’s wearing his swimming cap to disguise his ears and hair, and when he’s in the pool so you don’t see how freakishly out of proportion he is. I hate having to stare at that fugface all the freakin’ time.

By: Nellie

Nellie — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:09:27 +0000

How do you know they didn’t do their best?

I get upset with my results only when I try my best and it doesn’t pay off. There’ll be times when I don’t have to try at all and do well, but there are also times when I slip up and things don’t turn out as well. Doesn’t mean I didn’t try.

The same thing applies to Olympic athletes.

Anyway, Australia isn’t doing too bad overall so saying that the Australian team isn’t there to compete is silly. Swimming isn’t the only Olympic sport.

By: Nellie

Nellie — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 08:48:24 +0000

Holy shit, Amanda! You’re worse than those whiny Canadians that pretty much condemned their kayaker for coming last in a final where he was “MEANTS TO WIN GOLD!!!1one”. When our biggest gold medal hope (and world champ) only got bronze, there was a resounding ‘On ya, mate’ heard around the country. None of this ‘You’re a world champion, but you can’t even get a gold medal!’ shit.

The whole Olympic athlete on a pedestal thing is silly. They may have exceptional sporting talents, but they’re just normal people.

I’m disappointed with this post. *goes and cries in the corner*

Reply: I believe in doing the best in everything one does, whether it be competing in a sport on an international level, or something as mundane as attempting to perfect one’s lemon cake recipe or getting good academic scores (the latter which you should relate to as you get bitterly disappointed with your own results if you feel like they’re not up to scratch). As dominant world record holders in their respective events, the girls didn’t do the best that they were physically capable of doing - getting into a final by default is hardly ‘the best’.