The Cold War, Nationalism, Professional Athletes & Rio

[timzcardz]

I attended a few events in Lake Placid in 1980, and it was a great experience!

I have no desire to do so today.

[mechanicalman]

I still find the Olympics captivating. I don't watch the world championships in swimming, gymnastics, track and field, etc., and I don't know anyone who does. Some of the surprise golds that have been won have been far more interesting, in my opinion, than Cubs game 113. And I love baseball.

[frankbmd]

Yeah, game 113 wasn't a keeper and I did attend a couple of Olympic events in 1984, the soccer finals where I remember the first "wave" in the Rose Bowl and the woman's marathon in which a bedraggled, dehydrated runner, stumbled and fell several times in the last lap. I think she was the poster girl for "The Agony of Defeat (or da feet)" on ABCs Wide World of Sports for the next decade.

That said, I just can't get fired up about this one. Does anything in Rio come close to reminding you of the "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid? I have run out of fingers and toes to count Phelps' medals. Ho hum......

[mechanicalman]

To be fair, I was fairly young when the Miracle on Ice happened, but nothing in sports has given me chills like Al Michaels' call in the last few seconds.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

To be fair, I was fairly young when the Miracle on Ice happened, but nothing in sports has given me chills like Al Michaels' call in the last few seconds.

I am curious about this. Did you not know the USA had won before the telecast began? I see this mentioned all the time. I remember listening to the game live on the radio. The telecast was anticlimactic. I prefer the live coverage today vs. everything being taped delayed back then.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by rats60

I am curious about this. Did you not know the USA had won before the telecast began? I see this mentioned all the time. I remember listening to the game live on the radio. The telecast was anticlimactic. I prefer the live coverage today vs. everything being taped delayed back then.

See back in the day when there was no such thing as the "internet" it was very easy to honestly not know the result of something broadcast on a delay. As evidence I submit the fact that I didn't even know it wasn't a live broadcast 36 years later!

Signed,

Old Fogey

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by rats60

I am curious about this. Did you not know the USA had won before the telecast began? I see this mentioned all the time. I remember listening to the game live on the radio. The telecast was anticlimactic. I prefer the live coverage today vs. everything being taped delayed back then.

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

See back in the day when there was no such thing as the "internet" it was very easy to honestly not know the result of something broadcast on a delay. As evidence I submit the fact that I didn't even know it wasn't a live broadcast 36 years later!

Signed,

Old Fogey

Trust me, with Olympic broadcasts from Shanghai, Sapporo, Sochi and even Rio, much of what you see is not live. Prime time rules for the advertisers. As in golf broadcasts as well, many shots (events) are taking place on different holes (venues) simultaneously and all are shown at some point. Some of the delays may be in minutes, but I would venture a guess that a very low percentage of what the viewer sees is actually "live".

I agree that watching a CD of the 2008 World Series from start to finish gets strong competition from watching paint dry or grass grow.

At least being there at Wrigley guarantees that you will be seeing a "live" event.
Admittedly the same is true of Rio, if that's what turns you on.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by rats60

I am curious about this. Did you not know the USA had won before the telecast began? I see this mentioned all the time. I remember listening to the game live on the radio. The telecast was anticlimactic. I prefer the live coverage today vs. everything being taped delayed back then.

I was 2 when it was broadcast, so I really didn't know they won until 1984 or so.

[Econteachert205]

Too many professionals and very loose interpretations of what being "from" a country entails.

[RTK]

I've never been to an Olympic event versus probaly 300 some games at Wrigley, so I'd probaly pick Olympics but I'd much prefer the winter games. The winter events are way cooler, the games tend to be more intiment and the venues probably better and safer, & tourist friendly. Yet, I must add, despite so many games attended at Wrigley, the place still touches me, it's place in baseball history, the players that played their and the memories I have...I went to yesterday's game and I'll be at Thursday's

[rats60]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

Yeah, game 113 wasn't a keeper and I did attend a couple of Olympic events in 1984, the soccer finals where I remember the first "wave" in the Rose Bowl and the woman's marathon in which a bedraggled, dehydrated runner, stumbled and fell several times in the last lap. I think she was the poster girl for "The Agony of Defeat (or da feet)" on ABCs Wide World of Sports for the next decade.

That said, I just can't get fired up about this one. Does anything in Rio come close to reminding you of the "Miracle on Ice" in Lake Placid? I have run out of fingers and toes to count Phelps' medals. Ho hum......

Does anything come close to the Miracle on Ice? You won't find it at Wrigley unless it is in November. A 9th inning comeback in game 7.

How can you not get excited about Lily King beating a Russian swimmer who was caught doping? Simone Manuel upsetting the Ausie sisters to become the first African American gold medal winner in swimming? Or Anthony Ervin coming back after 16 years to become the oldest swimming gold medalist? Those are just the top 3 American highlights so far. The Olympics is full of great moments, you just have to watch.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by mechanicalman

I still find the Olympics captivating. I don't watch the world championships in swimming, gymnastics, track and field, etc., and I don't know anyone who does. Some of the surprise golds that have been won have been far more interesting, in my opinion, than Cubs game 113. And I love baseball.

+1...although seeing yankee prospects homer back to back yesterday was pretty damn special!!!!

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

+1...although seeing yankee prospects homer back to back yesterday was pretty damn special!!!!

Absolutely!! It made me break my jones about synchronized swimming!

[Leon]

There are too many professionals competing in the Olympics today. However, as someone who doesn't care for MLB today, I would say it is a tie for me.