Vancouver Olympics 2010

[Vincent Vega]

^ The IOC is synonymous with cronyism, corruption and stick-in-the-mud bureaucracy. For them to suggest that their "image" is threatened by a few girls sipping beer on-ice after a championship game is laughable.

Chris, if the Americans did it I'm sure people would up in arms about that too. And they would merit the same scorn.

Eclectic, not sure what you're talking about. Maybe you're confusing F1 drivers with NASCAR wankers who drink milk when they win the Indy 500. Rest assured that F1 racers are still, in fact, men who drink champagne on the victory podium, and then continue celebrating by banging eurotrash groupies in the paddock.

And they're not worried about their image either.

 

[SJN]

the Russian who 'jokingly' step onto the gold podium and says his Silver is really Platinum.

I assume you're referring to Plushenko? First of all, by most accounts he did get robbed of the gold. Secondly, the Platinum thing wasn't him but actually one of his entourage. And thirdly, the guy is hilarious and enternatining (in a sport filled with stuffy and boring people).

 

[H2Whoa]

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

^ The IOC is synonymous with cronyism, corruption and stick-in-the-mud bureaucracy. For them to suggest that their "image" is threatened by a few girls sipping beer on-ice after a championship game is laughable.

For the most part I agree as far as the description of their internal politics, but to the general public that watches this, you're watching the best athletes in the world compete, acting as ambassadors for their countries, and this flies in the face of that image that they're trying to preserve. Sure, this whole debacle reeks of the "Won't anyone think of the children????" hysteria, and like I posted before, this is being blown way out of proportion, but the genie is out of the bottle now, isn't it?

I think though that more scrutiny and shame should be directed to the peeps that took the photos and circulated them around more than anything else. It was a private celebration, and some dick decided that they didn't like the fact that the team won and decided to try and enjoy their moment out of the spotlight.

 

[tripleup]

As for the underage drinking aspect, again, it ties into the IOC's image preservation that they're trying to maintain and improve on. I might not have a problem with it, but I can understand from an image standpoint where the IOC is coming from.

I don't think the majority of the IOC member countries care about our drinking age laws.

It was someone reaching to make a negative & inflammatory point.

Especially considering the girl in question is of age in her home province and a few months shy in BC. Equating it to a tale of preteen misadventures in an attempt to colour it offensive is pathetic.

 

[Eclectic]

Oh the milk is only Nascar?

Thanks for clearing that up. I assumed it was both.

 

[Hi i'm God]

I assume you're referring to Plushenko? First of all, by most accounts he did get robbed of the gold. Secondly, the Platinum thing wasn't him but actually one of his entourage. And thirdly, the guy is hilarious and enternatining (in a sport filled with stuffy and boring people).

Exactly less pomp and circumstance.


His website says platinum.

 

[sk8]

Finland just fell apart there. Wow.

 

[Vincent Vega]

but to the general public that watches this, you're watching the best athletes in the world compete, acting as ambassadors for their countries, and this flies in the face of that image that they're trying to preserve......

And I suppose this is where we disagree pres.

I maintain that if the general public somehow equates this celebration with them being poor representatives for their countries, then it's the public's problem.

To me the image of athletic excellence and national representation is sustained by them winning an Olympic championship. I don't see how this aspect of their celebration flies in the face of that.

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

I don't think the majority of the IOC member countries care about our drinking age laws.

It was someone reaching to make a negative & inflammatory point.

Especially considering the girl in question is of age in her home province and a few months shy in BC. Equating it to a tale of preteen misadventures in an attempt to colour it offensive is pathetic.

But this is more the media blowing this out of proportion isn't it? I get the sense that the IOC is doing an "investigation" just to pay it lip service - though I'm not sure what will come of this other than a "you've been BAD! VERY BAD!" to the team.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that this is pretty redonkulous from every aspect. I can understand where some peeps are coming from this, it's just blown way out of proportion.

 

[el presidente Highsteppa]

And I suppose this is where we disagree pres.

I maintain that if the general public somehow equates this celebration with them being poor representatives for their countries, then it's the public's problem.

To me the image of athletic excellence and national representation is sustained by them winning an Olympic championship. I don't see how this aspect of their celebration flies in the face of that.

I think we're on the same page - I could care less how an athlete or a team chooses to celebrate their victory. But apartently the media and the public that follows this sort of crap and perceives it as an issue (as dumb as it is) feels that it's something worth scrutiny (maybe tainted with a bit of bad sportsmanship from someone that wanted another team to win).

 

[Zorro]

One trains for years, some their whole life to compete at this level on this stage, forgive me for not scorning them when the event is done, the pressure is off, the time to look over your shoulder is gone and the rejoice and celebration of all that hard work begins.

 

[Chris]

then again didnt Montgomery plow through a pitcher after his event and nothing much said?

 

[tripleup]

Exactly less pomp and circumstance.


His website says platinum.

Oh yeah?

Well mine says..

Prestige....Worldwide....

 

[Wiseman]

then again didnt Montgomery plow through a pitcher after his event and nothing much said?

Better than that.........he gets to be on Oprah!

Canada's skeleton king has a date with Oprah

 

[maphi]

then again didnt Montgomery plow through a pitcher after his event and nothing much said?

Someone also tossed him a mickey of whiskey when he was being interviewed live on CTV the next night. It was hilarious. It came flying at him from nowhere and he caught it with one hand. The reporter asked him about his heavy drinking reputation and he laughed it off and put the mickey in his pocket and said he'd save that one for later.

As far as all of this is concerned, we're known as a country who can appreciate a beer or two. What's the big deal? I think we've embarrassed ourselves a little bit by even caring about this. I think the government of BC shutting down liquor stores in downtown Vancouver last weekend at 7pm was a HUGE embarrassment to this country. I'm sure that you can legally drink in public in most of the other countries we're competing against. Way to show how lame Canada is!

 

[tripleup]

I think we've embarrassed ourselves a little bit by even caring about this. I think the government of BC shutting down liquor stores in downtown Vancouver last weekend at 7pm was a HUGE embarrassment to this country. I'm sure that you can legally drink in public in most of the other countries we're competing against. Way to show how lame Canada is!

Honestly, I tire of alleged public sentiment being derived from news articles, and the media's interaction with themselves.

If you are truly embarrassed by a logistical move by Vancouver to control the downtown, and see this as a beacon of alleged Canadian stuffiness, then you need mental help.

 

[tripleup]

I mean, fucking hell.

Canadians are too shy, but jingoistic, yet a politely overbearing peoples that are too puritan about alcohol consumption while encouraging underage drinking.

Don't forget home to a military with a long history of international peacekeeping and guilty of numerous atrocities according to the Russians.

 

[thom100]

I think the government of BC shutting down liquor stores in downtown Vancouver last weekend at 7pm was a HUGE embarrassment to this country. I'm sure that you can legally drink in public in most of the other countries we're competing against. Way to show how lame Canada is!

If you were part of the crowd either last Friday or Saturday, you wold know exactly why the police made this decision. Vancouver was drunk off its ass and needed to be cut off, trust me.

 

[acheron]

No. Professional athletes are participating throughout these games so not sure how that is relevant.

Where else than Men's Hockey are there professional athletes in the Olympic games? Seriously, I have no idea! I mean there's the NBA players in basketball during the summer games but otherwise...?

 

[maphi]

Honestly, I tire of alleged public sentiment being derived from news articles, and the media's interaction with themselves.

If you are truly embarrassed by a logistical move by Vancouver to control the downtown, and see this as a beacon of alleged Canadian stuffiness, then you need mental help.

I'll seek medical help immediately.

With the $1billion spent on the security force for the games, I'm sure there were enough cops around to control the extreme rowdys. Aside from that, why the need to shut down everyone else?

 

[Zorro]

Anything going downhill technically are pro's. Competing seasonally for money.

 

[tripleup]

Where else than Men's Hockey are there professional athletes in the Olympic games? Seriously, I have no idea! I mean there's the NBA players in basketball during the summer games but otherwise...?

The professional vs amateur tag varies for each sport.

Many Olympic events have their own competitive professional leagues with various seasons, like Curling, Snowboarding, Track & Field, Skiing, etc

 

[maphi]

... how many people were arrested on Friday anyway?

 

[Thunder]

Don't they make cash at figure skating as well?