8-11-08 Olympics Discussion Thread
- Thread starter mj4cy
- Start date
Phelps led off. There could be different reasons why he didn't anchor. With relay swimming, it can have to do with matchups. You don't want the opposing team to get too big of a lead if you are saving Phelps that maybe he can't make up. It could be that Phelps might have the best flat start of the guys on the team to start the race, or maybe the other guys have great relay starts. Point is that you don't always want to save your fastest guy until last. Either way, the US seems to have found the right mix.
Phelps was actually behind after the first leg of the relay. That was a very improbable comeback by the U.S. I thought they were going to finish 3rd when they they flipped for the final lap. Did you know the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record?
And that's the real crazy part (aside from the comeback). That world record was obliterated. I think the first 2 or 3 finishers had it beat by well over a full body length.
I think I heard Costas say that the 4th and 5th place teams also broke the previous world record.
Hence jj4isu stating "the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record". :wink:
Thrilling race - I hope to see more like them.
Does anyone have a link to a full primetime schedule for this week?
Thrilling race - I hope to see more like them.
Does anyone have a link to a full primetime schedule for this week?
I don't think there are many things in the athletic world, than sitting on the timer's chairs, during a really close relay, or when an anchor swimmer is making up a large gap. Especially when the men are swimming.
I swear, the sound of them coming in is very similar to being mortared, there is so much power on display.
I swear, the sound of them coming in is very similar to being mortared, there is so much power on display.
I believe www.nbcolympics.com has a pretty comprehensive listing of what sports are on and on what network. Take a peek there.
In regards to the 4x100: on the first length of the last leg, the world record was in seventh place at one point! Even more amazing than so many teams shattering the record is the fact that the record was set by the Americans, what, six hours earlier? They broke a record and set a new one, then broke THAT one and set a new one!
In regards to Shawn Johnson's beam score: yes, she got badly robbed by the judges. That was inexcusable! She had perhaps the most flawlessly executed beam routine I've ever seen, but got a pretty average score. The older guy interviewed on set after the competition (Belgian, maybe?) was blatantly accusing two judges, notably the Brazilian, of anti-US bias.
Anyone watching women's volleyball? I'm cheering my butt off for Poland; I hope they can pull this out, but China is GOOD.
In regards to Shawn Johnson's beam score: yes, she got badly robbed by the judges. That was inexcusable! She had perhaps the most flawlessly executed beam routine I've ever seen, but got a pretty average score. The older guy interviewed on set after the competition (Belgian, maybe?) was blatantly accusing two judges, notably the Brazilian, of anti-US bias.
Anyone watching women's volleyball? I'm cheering my butt off for Poland; I hope they can pull this out, but China is GOOD.
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I agree! she nailed it, and didn't waver, or balance check at all. It should have been higher.
You mean Bella Corolli (sp)? The guy that coached Romania during the time of Nadia Comenichi and was solely responsible for their dominance of the sport 30-some years ago? Defected to the US decades ago and has been the guy in charge of women's gymnastics in this country ever since? Yeah - if Corolli thinks there's something dirty going on in Olympic gymnastic judging, I'd take this guy's word for it...
I don't think it was his best race. The guy that anchored had the best split time ever in the 100. Lezak is considered the best American freestyler and he beat the world record holder (Bernard) buy .6 of a second.
