London 2012 Megathread [Part 1]

bwatson

titan18 wrote: »

Trying to think of how many countries have dominated a big sport so emphatically, and haven't been caught doing something illegal.

The US in the pool I suppose?

It really is quite spectacular the way things are going at the moment.

Colmustard

Bit of trivia the most watched sporting event ever, I would have said the World Cup final, or the European cup final but I would be wrong. Apparently it is a Badminton final with the Chinese star who is meant to be unbeatable, a verified audience of 1,3 billion.

westendgirlie

titan18 wrote: »

Trying to think of how many countries have dominated a big sport so emphatically, and haven't been caught doing something illegal.

Kenyans - long distance running

titan18

Diego Maradona wrote: »

Jamaica in the sprints?

They don't dominate it that much though, it's Bolt and Blake in the mens (Blake was caught and banned before fwiw, Jamaicans gave him a 3 month ban, drug wasn't banned by WADA at the time), but the US compete well in the womens

Colmustard

Originally Posted by titan18
Trying to think of how many countries have dominated a big sport so emphatically, and haven't been caught doing something illegal

The Chinese and table tennis, the Americans and Basketball, Koreans and archery, I can't think of anymore.

titan18

westendgirlie wrote: »

Kenyans - long distance running

Ethiopians are just as good and there's the likes of Farah who can beat anyone around. But the East African dominance is about the closest I can think of to the the British cyclists atm, and I wouldn't say they're that close considering Britain are winning everything on track in world records, have the fastest sprinter in the world on the road, and the Tour de France winner

westendgirlie

titan18 wrote: »

Ethiopians are just as good and there's the likes of Farah who can beat anyone around. But the East African dominance is about the closest I can think of to the the British cyclists atm, and I wouldn't say they're that close considering Britain are winning everything on track in world records, have the fastest sprinter in the world on the road, and the Tour de France winner

True.

Sales at Halfords are gonna go through the roof!

Colmustard

The British dominated the mile 1500 metres for a long time Bannister Coe Ovett Cram and many more. But not now.

Jimoslimos

YAY! Go Pendleton!!!! What a win.

keith16

Gold medal match in the mens team fencing (sabre) on now. It really is enthralling.

Italy just won bronze. It's like football in a way, with the Italians particularly guilty of giving out to the ref etc...but in fairness the refs do make the odd mistake and do a quick video replay and reverse the decision if they are wrong.

Colmustard

Pendelton Gold but jasus it was close. Another gold for team GB.

shruikan2553

Colmustard wrote: »

The Chinese and table tennis, the Americans and Basketball, Koreans and archery, I can't think of anymore.

S.Korea for taekwondo, they have over twice the medals in gold and total.
Japan in judo, 3 times golds and twice the total.

Thirdfox

titan18 wrote: »

Trying to think of how many countries have dominated a big sport so emphatically, and haven't been caught doing something illegal.

Chinese in badminton (despite the hiccup this time in women's doubles).

Moreso - Chinese in table tennis.

Jimoslimos

Thought Mears had it with 2 laps to go, the Pendleton blitzed the field, then I thought she went too early...just timed it perfect.

Diego Maradona

Jessica Ennis is a serious ride!

Colmustard

Diego Maradona wrote: »

Jessica Ennis is a serious ride!

I had to look her up and yeah

http://sportschmucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Jessica-Ennis-e1343889503169.jpg

Jimoslimos

Diego Maradona wrote: »

Jessica Ennis is a serious ride!

Damn seriously sexy! I wish I had abs like hers

Diego Maradona

Another gold medal for Michael Phelps in the 100m butterfly

Colmustard

Becky Addington is now swimming in the 800 final, good luck to her.

Colmustard

She is not having it her own way come-on Addington.

Hercule Poirot

titan18 wrote: »

Trying to think of how many countries have dominated a big sport so emphatically, and haven't been caught doing something illegal.

I could be corrected here but iirc the British decided a good while ago to pick one sport and pump money into it's development so they can dominate it later on the global stage - hence all the cycling medals - the amount of money they have spent simply designing the bikes and the such like is extraordinary, fair play to them i say!

HazDanz

Andy Murray is doing a job in the tennis at the minute. 1 set up and is holding his own in the second. The Serb is threatening though.

opinion guy

Hercule Poirot wrote: »

I could be corrected here but iirc the British decided a good while ago to pick one sport and pump money into it's development so they can dominate it later on the global stage - hence all the cycling medals - the amount of money they have spent simply designing the bikes and the such like is extraordinary, fair play to them i say!

Part of that however is the extensive science and engineering tradition in the UK. Could we match that ??

vicwatson

What time is conlan and nolan fighting?

Jimoslimos

15 yo destroying the field at the moment.

American though, so doubt there will be questions..

Colmustard

Hercule Poirot wrote: »

I could be corrected here but iirc the British decided a good while ago to pick one sport and pump money into it's development so they can dominate it later on the global stage - hence all the cycling medals - the amount of money they have spent simply designing the bikes and the such like is extraordinary, fair play to them i say!

I think it was Chris Boardman who started to design the bikes specifically for that event, he has a successful company now called "boardman bikes".

Mars Bar

Team GB 0 Canada 2 and only 25 mins gone.

First goals team GB have conceded in these games.

Diego Maradona

Big surprise, Addlington only 3rd.

Colmustard

Addington only got a bronze

westendgirlie

Class swim by Ledecky

markie29

so 15 yr old USA 'woman' wins gold...wonder will the US coach suggest she has taken drugs? hmmmmm

Hercule Poirot

Ledecky was brilliant, fair play to Adlington though - she has accepted it with good grace

el diablo

vicwatson wrote: »

What time is conlan and nolan fighting?

20:45 ish and 21:45 ish, I think.

el diablo

HazDanz wrote: »

Andy Murray is doing a job in the tennis at the minute. 1 set up and is holding his own in the second. The Serb is threatening though.

Djokovic will win that if he really wants to.

G.A.Ay

Diego Maradona wrote: »

Big surprise, Addlington only 3rd.

I think Team Ireland would be thrilled with a bronze at the minute.

Colmustard

markie29 wrote: »

so 15 yr old USA 'woman' wins gold...wonder will the US coach suggest she has taken drugs? hmmmmm

I am a neutral and I am suspicious of China for the pure reason that testers have to give the Chinese notice of their arrival.

For any other nation no notice is required.

But I had this argument with a brother today and he made a good point I think any visit to China requires a visa and notice.

markie29

have to say i have been impressed with Ian Thorpe on BBC.

edit....forgot to say that was an awesome swim by the young US girl!....frightening really she can do that at 15!

el diablo

This guy with the mullet, he's way out of his depth here.

My name is URL

G.A.Ay wrote: »

I think Team Ireland would be thrilled with a bronze at the minute.

Oh fcuk off with this shite. You've literally posted nothing but guff like the above in this thread over the last few days.

markie29

http://www.nesn.com/2012/08/irish-play-by-play-announcer-gives-fantastic-commentary-for-team-usa-basketball-game-video.html

even in the US they appreciate RTEs basketball commentator

HazDanz

el diablo wrote: »

Djokovic will win that if he really wants to.

I don't know... He's hitting a few unforced errors Djokovic and Murray's first serve percentage is pretty decent, good enough to make his service games a bit more manageable than usual.

steve9859

markie29 wrote: »

have to say i have been impressed with Ian Thorpe on BBC.

He makes a good point that the improvements seen in the times of the teenage swimmers (20 seconds this season off Ledecky's best 800m time) are typical of the size of annual improvements for 'age group' swimmers

Jimoslimos

Colmustard wrote: »

I am a neutral and I am suspicious of China for the pure reason that testers have to give the Chinese notice of their arrival.

For any other nation no notice is required.

But I had this argument with a brother today and he made a good point I think any visit to China requires a visa and notice.

In fairness most countries require a visa for entry, and the US requires prior notification I think.

Diego Maradona

Ciarán O' Lionaírd about to go in 1500m

el diablo

el diablo wrote: »

This guy with the mullet, he's way out of his depth here.

Ciaran Leonard, I mean.

Diego Maradona

O' Lionaírd finishes 13th of 14. Disappointing.

Jimoslimos

Murray-Federer final on the grass at Wimbledon yet again.

Think Murray might do it this time.

HazDanz

Andy Murray through to tennis men's final. Won in straight sets. Guaranteed silver or gold now. He played great stuff this evening

marco_polo

Murray in tennis final

Colmustard

Just watching the women's heats for the 100 metres. Everyone always knows the fastest man in the world but I would say not many know the fastest woman.

I don't anyway.