The 2014 Winter Olympics - Sochi

#152
#152
Maybe it's just because I admittedly don't know winter sports very well, but is it just me or has America not really been that impressive so far? I know the Olympics are a marathon and not a heat, but still.
 
#153
#153
If Canada or Norway had the population we do, they'd probably win almost every medal at every single Winter Olympics. Of course, winter sports mean a lot more to them than to us though.
 
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#154
#154
volprof said:
Maybe it's just because I admittedly don't know winter sports very well, but is it just me or has America not really been that impressive so far?
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Not really. But I don't think America invests in it like other countries.

For example, in the US vs. China curling contest, it sounded as if for the Chinese curlers that is basically their full-time job. Whereas the Americans juggle it with outside employment.
 
#155
#155
Velo Vol said:
Not really. But I don't think America invests in it like other countries.

For example, in the US vs. China curling contest, it sounded as if for the Chinese curlers that is basically their full-time job. Whereas the Americans juggle it with outside employment.
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The ol' Communist/Fascist model to amateur sports, huh? Show national strength through sports feats. Yeah, I've heard some similar things as well, also pertaining to the Summer games. Was that what the announcers said during the coverage?
 
#157
#157
On a related note, turning amateur athletes into veritable professionals for the simple sake of earning your country more medals at an international event is equivalent to doping, imo. At least from a philosophical standpoint. What the hell does it matter if you're beating people who don't get the opportunity to practice like you? It's like UT bragging about kicking the hell out of a community flag football team or something. I just don't understand the satisfaction of winning like that, just like I don't understand the satisfaction of winning as a doper. I guess as long as you figure the rest of the world doesn't really know, you still get your ego fix. Only thing I can figure.
 
#161
#161
its too expensive to learn how to ski here. Basically, our winter athletes come from 1/3rd of the country? Mountain areas out west, North and NE USA for hockey
 
#162
#162
Spartacavolus said:
its too expensive to learn how to ski here. Basically, our winter athletes come from 1/3rd of the country? Mountain areas out west, North and NE USA for hockey
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By "here," do you mean the South? Regardless, my impression is that you have to be relatively privileged period to be an Olympic athlete, particularly a Winter athlete. That mess is expensive.
 
#163
#163
volprof said:
By "here," do you mean the South? Regardless, my impression is that you have to be relatively privileged period to be an Olympic athlete, particularly a Winter athlete. That mess is expensive.
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I mean if you don't live out west in the mountains, its likely you are not going to be an Olympic snowboarder or skier.
Though I think we are primed to have a southern bobsled or curling team. All these SEC athletes could fire a bobsled off the line. And there's way too much shuffleboard and bochi ball played for there not to be some curling naturals.
 
#164
#164
volprof said:
The ol' Communist/Fascist model to amateur sports, huh? Show national strength through sports feats. Yeah, I've heard some similar things as well, also pertaining to the Summer games. Was that what the announcers said during the coverage?
Click to expand...

They said the Chinese go to Canada to train several months a year. No way the US team could afford to do that.

I'm not sure why you need to go to Canada to train for curling, but apparently it's a bonus.
 
#165
#165
Spartacavolus said:
I mean if you don't live out west in the mountains, its likely you are not going to be an Olympic snowboarder or skier.
Though I think we are primed to have a southern bobsled or curling team. All these SEC athletes could fire a bobsled off the line. And there's way too much shuffleboard and bochi ball played for there not to be some curling naturals.
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If Jamaica can do it. Seriously though, there was an Aussie snowboarder this year. Maybe Australia or New Zealand have some slopes that I don't know about, but chances are, he just comes from a family that could afford for him to live in Europe or North America for an extended period of time to practice his snowboarding. The same could apply for a wealthy Southern family. We just don't tend to care that much about winter sports here in the South obviously.
 
#166
#166
Velo Vol said:
They said the Chinese go to Canada to train several months a year. No way the US team could afford to do that.

I'm not sure why you need to go to Canada to train for curling, but apparently it's a bonus.
Click to expand...

Canada is the center of the known universe apparently.
 
#167
#167
I have watched a good bit of events so for but only if USA is involved.

Women's Hockey
Biathlon
Snow Boarding or what ever its called?
Curling
Cross-Country
Long Jumps
Luge
Skating -Figure, Speed, & Short Track


It comes around every four years so basically I've tried to catch a little of everything.
 
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