Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 1:58 pm

pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:The thing is, the security is so tight wherever you go to see an event that they strip you of any food or liquids that you may carry with you before you enter the turnstiles. So people have no choice but to buy the food inside an arena. A hot dog and beer combo makes you $14 poorer.

And if Canada makes it to the Gold round in Hockey, I am sure that there will be nutsos paying as much as $1000 each to watch the finals.
That seems like a very low price. I just sold my parents' two center-court seats to the Syracuse-Villanova game Feb. 27 at the Carrier Dome for $600 each. That's just a regular-season college hoop game; you're talking the gold medal final of the Olympics in a country for which hockey is a religion.

Apparently a woman paid $8,000 for her seat at the NBA All-Star Game yesterday, then got kicked out for giving Kobe a hard time about not playing.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:08 pm

toonarmy wrote:
pk500 wrote:
10spro wrote:The thing is, the security is so tight wherever you go to see an event that they strip you of any food or liquids that you may carry with you before you enter the turnstiles. So people have no choice but to buy the food inside an arena. A hot dog and beer combo makes you $14 poorer.

And if Canada makes it to the Gold round in Hockey, I am sure that there will be nutsos paying as much as $1000 each to watch the finals.
That seems like a very low price. I just sold my parents' two center-court seats to the Syracuse-Villanova game Feb. 27 at the Carrier Dome for $600 each. That's just a regular-season college hoop game; you're talking the gold medal final of the Olympics in a country for which hockey is a religion.
$600 for a regular season college game? Man, I must be living in a cave. Never realized people pay that much for college basketball games.

Neither did I! But since my parents pay $1,400 for their season tickets, that one game pretty much paid for the entire season.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:16 pm

pk500 wrote:
toonarmy wrote:
pk500 wrote: That seems like a very low price. I just sold my parents' two center-court seats to the Syracuse-Villanova game Feb. 27 at the Carrier Dome for $600 each. That's just a regular-season college hoop game; you're talking the gold medal final of the Olympics in a country for which hockey is a religion.
$600 for a regular season college game? Man, I must be living in a cave. Never realized people pay that much for college basketball games.
Neither did I! But since my parents pay $1,400 for their season tickets, that one game pretty much paid for the entire season.

WOW!

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:42 pm

JackB1 wrote:Anyone see that 10K cross country skiing race yesterday? I thought the announcer was going to have a coronary

Those cross country skiers must have thighs like Serena Williams. Very underrated and tough sport IMO.

If they had thighs like Serena they'd probably suck really bad at their sport. Cross-country skiing is all aerobic. You don't see 10k runners with thighs like Serena, and you won't see cross-country skiers with thighs like her. Hypertrophy would kill their performance. It's all about mitochondrial density.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:50 pm

10spro wrote:I am really enjoying this whole Olympic experience, much more than what I anticipated. Sure the streets are a logjam, there are lineups just about everywhere but everything is done in such an orderly fashion considering the amount of people from all over the world. I went to see the speed skating today. A lot of excitement in the Richmond arena, the whole town is pretty much painted red and white and with the NHL taking a recession after today's games, you can feel the anticipation in everyone's eyes when Hockey starts on Tuesday.

Enjoy it. I was fortunate enough to go to Turin many times before and after the last Olympics. The city took a lot of pride in hosting the games and it was a real shot in the arm for the citizens. I gave them a sense that their typically industrial city is a real jewel (and it is a nice place - I recommend it). Even 4 years after hosting the city is cleaner than it was before.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:51 pm

What about skiers and skaters?

Was it Eric Heiden who won gold in skating but also did a lot of cycling to train? His quads were built up.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:53 pm

If you missed any of NBC's coverage of the Olympics here's the run down.

-Georgian Luge Athlete Hits Wall
-Lindsey Vonn's Knee
-Athletes did some stuff and people passed around some medals.

They are really holding back stuff until primetime. Maybe it was just because it was the first few days but there was little on the other NBC networks. Some women's hockey games a few events.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:02 pm

wco81 wrote:What about skiers and skaters?

Was it Eric Heiden who won gold in skating but also did a lot of cycling to train? His quads were built up.

Heiden's skating events were aerobic in nature. I know it may be hard to believe, but in track, for example, once you get to the 400 meters it's predominantly an aerobic event. You could even argue that the 200 meters has a fair aerobic component. The 100 meters is mostly anaerobic.

And in cycling, you have aerobic studs like Lance Armstrong. His qualities would be much coveted in cross country skiing (indeed, many of the elite cross country skiers have aerobic engines of similar ability). But then you have trackies like Theo Bos - you wouldn't want to cross him in a sprint, but in a test against the clock lasting more than 5 or so minutes?

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:04 pm

JRod wrote:If you missed any of NBC's coverage of the Olympics here's the run down.

-Georgian Luge Athlete Hits Wall
-Lindsey Vonn's Knee
-Athletes did some stuff and people passed around some medals.

-And don't forget, Pam's water breaks the Thursday after the Olympics.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:23 pm

A buddy of mine asked me if I was interested in Russia-Slovakia Hockey game on Wednesday for $300 in the lower seats. Just to watch all the superstars Russians is tempting, but even as much as I love the Sport, I find it too costly.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:25 pm

F308GTB wrote: It's all about mitochondrial density.

You lost me

Seriously though...I understand your analogy between runners and x-country skiers. Either way, they are seriously fit individuals and I think their sport is very underappreciated since it lacks the visceral excitement of downhill or freestyle.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:42 pm

wco81 wrote:What about skiers and skaters?

Was it Eric Heiden who won gold in skating but also did a lot of cycling to train? His quads were built up.

There's a HUGE difference between the builds of X-C skiers and speed skaters. Speed skating at shorter distances relies as much on explosive power than endurance.

Heiden was an absolute freak -- he won all five events. He had explosive fast-twitch muscle and a ton of endurance.

But James is right: No X-C skier will be built like a short-distance champion speed skater. X-C skiers are built more like distance runners; they are among the very fittest athletes on Earth from a cardiovascular standpoint.

Cycling was more than just a training tool for Heiden. He became a professional cyclist after winning five golds at Lake Placid, riding for the top American team at the time, Team 7-Eleven. He won the U.S. road racing championship in 1985.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:44 pm

F308GTB wrote:But then you have trackies like Theo Bos - you wouldn't want to cross him in a sprint, but in a test against the clock lasting more than 5 or so minutes?

I was thinking Marty Nothstein!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:18 am

Olympic's short Hockey tourney starts today. Team Canada faces Norway in what should be an easy win. Even with Brodeur and Luongo in net, both have recently struggled lately, especially Marty and there's no clear #1 in the long run for the position as yet. Louie will start on Tuesday and Brodeur on game #2 against the Swiss.

R. Getzlaf considered himself ready but with high ankle sprains I still think he's not 100%. J. Carter was told to go home as he was to replace Ryan. Tough call for Stevie Y, and as important as Getzlaf is to this team I would have gone with a healthier body in Carter.

Anything can happen in a tourney that's so short, there's no place for mistakes and usually the country that just rides with a hot goaltender has a good chance to make it for the medals round. Looking at the fine goalies representing their respective nations, I must say that R. Miller has been the most consistent of the bunch.

Team USA deserves a lot of respect, they are pretty fast up front and solid in net. The Russians just scare the hell out of me and as usual the Swedes will be in the mix of things. Dark horses for this tournament are the Czechs and Slovakia.

The whole city has been waiting for this event, and I got my new S. Crosby jersey out. Can't wait. Go Team Canada.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:14 am

NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics could NOT be more f*cked up.

The men's downhill arguably is the Winter Games' signature event, along with women's figure skating singles. So how many runs do we see last night from the men's downhill? About six or seven. And this is an event with an American medalist!

But meanwhile, NBC gives us nearly an hour of biathlon and X-C skiing Sunday night.

How pathetic can the Peacock be? It's bad enough NBC must subject us to endless Costas "I'm the smartest man in the world" droning all night. But at least mollify that suffering by providing us proper coverage of marquee events, for Christ's sake!

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:06 pm

Yep i saw more of snow board cross qualifying than i did if downhill and that shouldnt even be an event if you ask me, what athletes compete in jeans lol.
The actual race is fun with 4 racers but an olympic event?

And when did downhill need a blue spray painted track, how far out the loop have i been.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:13 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:Yep i saw more of snow board cross qualifying than i did if downhill and that shouldnt even be an event if you ask me, what athletes compete in jeans lol.
The actual race is fun with 4 racers but an olympic event?

And when did downhill need a blue spray painted track, how far out the loop have i been.

Sounds like the discussion I was having with my wife. I say any event in the X-games should not be an Olympic event. X-games are the Olympic equivalent IMO and they happen EVERY year (as opposed to a dedicated "world cup" or "world championship" event for a single sport). And I agree - any sport where jeans can be worn for the uni is just wrong. Don't get me wrong - I consider it sport. Just doesn't belong in the Olympics. I admit it did get my juices flowing to play a little SSX Tricky.

F308GTB · Post by **F308GTB** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:18 pm

pk500 wrote:How pathetic can the Peacock be? It's bad enough NBC must subject us to endless Costas "I'm the smartest man in the world" droning all night. But at least mollify that suffering by providing us proper coverage of marquee events, for Christ's sake!

Come on Paul, you know this is the standard operating procedure for NBC. It's been ages since NBC proper has done a stellar job at covering the actual sports. Now the side networks always do a pretty good job. 3 hours of men's curling coming up at noon eastern

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:21 pm

Jimmydeicide wrote:
And when did downhill need a blue spray painted track, how far out the loop have i been.

Was wondering the same thing last night. I was kinda bummed about seeing that.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:26 pm

Wait so snow board cross should not be an Olympic sport but lying on your back (or stomach) on a sled should be?

I think snow board cross is great, I also think downhill is cool as well. You want to keep the Olympics relevant you need to stay with the times. All the snow boarding events are worthwhile in my opinion.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:28 pm

F308GTB wrote:
pk500 wrote:How pathetic can the Peacock be? It's bad enough NBC must subject us to endless Costas "I'm the smartest man in the world" droning all night. But at least mollify that suffering by providing us proper coverage of marquee events, for Christ's sake!
Come on Paul, you know this is the standard operating procedure for NBC. It's been ages since NBC proper has done a stellar job at covering the actual sports. Now the side networks always do a pretty good job. 3 hours of men's curling coming up at noon eastern

You're right, James. But NBC always seemed to give proper coverage to the men's downhill as one of the Olympics' marquee events. Not this year.

I know NBC's coverage is swirling down the toilet, but I didn't realize it had reached the septic tank so quickly.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:33 pm

Danimal wrote:I think snow board cross is great, I also think downhill is cool as well. You want to keep the Olympics relevant you need to stay with the times. All the snow boarding events are worthwhile in my opinion.

Agree. I love boardercross. "NASCAR on snowboards" is an apt description.

But I can only take so much biathlon and X-C skiing. Even though I enjoy going X-C skiing, that doesn't make it a compelling TV sport. Nowhere near as visually appealing as alpine skiing.

I guess NBC didn't get that memo.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:34 pm

I know why it is, but lord do they have to show so much figure skating? On the second day, just show the top 6 in medal contention.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:36 pm

Last night's coverage was indeed a total turd. After DVR'ing the last few nights I tried to watch tonight live, and it was brutal.

Pairs figure skating and snowboard cross or whatever? Awful. There was one stretch where the coverage went ad-biography-ad-studio time-ad-figure skating routine-ad-figure skating score. WTF? It was nearly 20 minutes of actual time, with <4 minutes of athletics shown.

The downhill is one of the events I look forward to most, and had appallingly little coverage.

No way I'm watching that s*** broadcast live again where I can't fast forward through the mountains of crap. I'm also gonna start trying to record any full live coverage of desirable events, assuming that NBC doesn't withhold coverage until the primetime broadcast. Was it even possible to see full coverage of an event such as the downhill?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:44 pm

USA will have full coverage of the US curling match followed by the US hockey match. Will just DVR that sucker and watch it in primetime instead.