8-11-08 Olympics Discussion Thread

**mj4cy** · 08-11-2008, 07:53 AM

I caught the end of the swimming relay last night where the Americans upset the French at the end. I missed the first 3 legs...was Phelps in that relay? If he was, why didn't he anchor?

**ISUFan22** · 08-11-2008, 07:53 AM

Phelps was the lead off swimmer.

**mj4cy** · 08-11-2008, 07:58 AM

Was that not his best race? It was nice to shut the French up.

**drlove** · 08-11-2008, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by mjones34

I caught the end of the swimming relay last night where the Americans upset the French at the end. I missed the first 3 legs...was Phelps in that relay? If he was, why didn't he anchor?

Phelps led off. There could be different reasons why he didn't anchor. With relay swimming, it can have to do with matchups. You don't want the opposing team to get too big of a lead if you are saving Phelps that maybe he can't make up. It could be that Phelps might have the best flat start of the guys on the team to start the race, or maybe the other guys have great relay starts. Point is that you don't always want to save your fastest guy until last. Either way, the US seems to have found the right mix.

**JJ4ISU** · 08-11-2008, 08:15 AM

Phelps was actually behind after the first leg of the relay. That was a very improbable comeback by the U.S. I thought they were going to finish 3rd when they they flipped for the final lap. Did you know the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record?

**ISUFan22** · 08-11-2008, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by JJ4ISU

Did you know the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record?

And that's the real crazy part (aside from the comeback). That world record was obliterated. I think the first 2 or 3 finishers had it beat by well over a full body length.

**isucyfan** · 08-11-2008, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

And that's the real crazy part (aside from the comeback). That world record was obliterated. I think the first 2 or 3 finishers had it beat by well over a full body length.

I think I heard Costas say that the 4th and 5th place teams also broke the previous world record.

**ISUFan22** · 08-11-2008, 08:20 AM

Hence jj4isu stating "the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record".

Thrilling race - I hope to see more like them.

Does anyone have a link to a full primetime schedule for this week?

**isucyfan** · 08-11-2008, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Hence jj4isu stating "the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record".

Sorry! Didn't read the thread (obviously).

**Phaedrus** · 08-11-2008, 08:23 AM

I don't think there are many things in the athletic world, than sitting on the timer's chairs, during a really close relay, or when an anchor swimmer is making up a large gap. Especially when the men are swimming.

I swear, the sound of them coming in is very similar to being mortared, there is so much power on display.

**mj4cy** · 08-11-2008, 08:24 AM

I thought Shawn got screwed on her Balance Beam score.

**tube1** · 08-11-2008, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

Hence jj4isu stating "the top five teams in that relay all broke the old world record".

Thrilling race - I hope to see more like them.

Does anyone have a link to a full primetime schedule for this week?

I believe www.nbcolympics.com has a pretty comprehensive listing of what sports are on and on what network. Take a peek there.

**ornryactor** · 08-11-2008, 08:44 AM

In regards to the 4x100: on the first length of the last leg, the world record was in seventh place at one point! Even more amazing than so many teams shattering the record is the fact that the record was set by the Americans, what, six hours earlier? They broke a record and set a new one, then broke THAT one and set a new one!

In regards to Shawn Johnson's beam score: yes, she got badly robbed by the judges. That was inexcusable! She had perhaps the most flawlessly executed beam routine I've ever seen, but got a pretty average score. The older guy interviewed on set after the competition (Belgian, maybe?) was blatantly accusing two judges, notably the Brazilian, of anti-US bias.

Anyone watching women's volleyball? I'm cheering my butt off for Poland; I hope they can pull this out, but China is GOOD.

**CyBride** · 08-11-2008, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by mjones34

I thought Shawn got screwed on her Balance Beam score.

I agree! she nailed it, and didn't waver, or balance check at all. It should have been higher.

**mj4cy** · 08-11-2008, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by ornryactor

In regards to the 4x100: on the first length of the last leg, the world record was in seventh place at one point! Even more amazing than so many teams shattering the record is the fact that the record was set by the Americans, what, six hours earlier? They broke a record and set a new one, then broke THAT one and set a new one!

In regards to Shawn Johnson's beam score: yes, she got badly robbed by the judges. That was inexcusable! She had perhaps the most flawlessly executed beam routine I've ever seen, but got a pretty average score. The older guy interviewed on set after the competition (Belgian, maybe?) was blatantly accusing two judges, notably the Brazilian, of anti-US bias.

Anyone watching women's volleyball? I'm cheering my butt off for Poland; I hope they can pull this out, but China is GOOD.

He was the US coach back in 96 with the amazing Kerri Strug comeback.