Let's go Australia, Olympics thread

[BunjiMac]

I agree with many that Phelps is a freak of a swimmer and the greatest of all time.

But to say he is the greatest athlete of all time is just fanciful.

It's swimming for god sake, up and down a pool over and over again. Yes there are different strokes involved, but that is akin to someone running, skipping and hopping 100m.

As a sport, it isn't even in the ball park for testing an athletes all round capability.

There are so many sports that require greater athletic ability.

For the record I actually see AFL as one of the true test of an athletes skills.

It requires so many different skill sets and capabilities:

1. Strength
2. Co-ordination
3. Endurance
4. Ball control
5. Hand-eye co-ordination
6. Foot skills
7. Speed
8. Vision
9. Agility
10. etc

Not many sports out there require such all round capabilities, the AFL is like the MMA of Team Sports

 

[Hird Is Scum]

You'd be about my age and my recollection is total opposite. That team was full of icons. Not quite Dream Team 1 standard but next best. I think the names then a far bigger than the names in this US team, partly because their 2 best players aren't there.

But that period of time, post Jordan, NBA Jam, White Men Can't Jump - NBA/US basketball was everywhere.

Yeah that's how I remember it too, the NBA was never bigger in Australia than it was in the mid 90s.

 

[Elder van Berlo]

Beat South Africa in the Rugby Sevens to get out of jail and (probably) get through to the quarter-finals.

Interesting little twist of the draw means we probably play them again in the Quarters.

 

[GreyCrow]

My guess would be Aussies score around the 80 to 90 mark, US around 100-110. Final margin around 20.. No one else wil get that close. I wont miss it. Sorry Sam.

108-76

 

[GreyCrow]

I'm gohan for Rohan

Setting a good time in the Mens Time Trial

 

[GreyCrow]

I agree with many that Phelps is a freak of a swimmer and the greatest of all time.

But to say he is the greatest athlete of all time is just fanciful.

I would class him as the best Olympian. Hands down. But not the worlds best athlete.

As someone posted earlier its not like Phelps turned up and was given these medals, he bloody earned them. So what if there are multiple distances , he is still good enough to swim them faster than anyone else. I can guarantee this argument would not be happening if he was an Aussie. He would be feted for evermore. To give you some perspective. The next time there is an Olympics in the US - most likely 2024-28. Phelps will be the person lighting the flame. Bookmark it

 

[cmndstab]

I still get told about my sport - that to a five year old it's called 'playing'. It's very much looked down upon. There is a good reason why when they did a test on the 'ultimate' athlete looking at the perfect balance of strength, flexibility, hand-eye coordination etc a Rhythmic Gymnast was said to be the perfect athlete. People have no idea how strong those girls actually are.

One of my best friend's sister was a gymnast as a junior and for a few years as an adult, then once the injuries caught up she went into powerlifting and almost immediately broke several Australian records. Crazy strength right through the core.

 

[NikkiNoo]

Was that the won where the marathon "winner" took a taxi?

Yup and the guy in the dress shoes decided to take a nap for a while and still came third. Another one was chased off the course by a pack of wild dogs and then there was the other winner, yes, there was more than two, was given brandy and strychnine to help him get across the line because they weren't allowed to give any of the runners water. It's insane.

 

[NikkiNoo]

I agree with many that Phelps is a freak of a swimmer and the greatest of all time.

But to say he is the greatest athlete of all time is just fanciful.

It's swimming for god sake, up and down a pool over and over again. Yes there are different strokes involved, but that is akin to someone running, skipping and hopping 100m.

As a sport, it isn't even in the ball park for testing an athletes all round capability.

There are so many sports that require greater athletic ability.

For the record I actually see AFL as one of the true test of an athletes skills.

It requires so many different skill sets and capabilities:

1. Strength
2. Co-ordination
3. Endurance
4. Ball control
5. Hand-eye co-ordination
6. Foot skills
7. Speed
8. Vision
9. Agility
10. etc

Not many sports out there require such all round capabilities, the AFL is like the MMA of Team Sports

Of all those qualities you listed, a Rhythmic Gymnast is just as good, if not better than any AFL player. Seriously the apparatus handling they have to do is insane.

 

[dogs105]

Love this quote about 1904:

However, only 42 events (less than half) actually included athletes who were not from the United States.


Also, that the US won every tennis medal, which is not surprising as there was only one non American in the tournaments!

 

[Geoffa32]

Go Boomers
Oh and #freekickteamUSA

Sent from my HTC_0P6B6 using Tapatalk

 

[whitey_1975]

these umpires are ****ing cheats

 

[DD#23]

I agree with many that Phelps is a freak of a swimmer and the greatest of all time.

But to say he is the greatest athlete of all time is just fanciful.

It's swimming for god sake, up and down a pool over and over again. Yes there are different strokes involved, but that is akin to someone running, skipping and hopping 100m.

As a sport, it isn't even in the ball park for testing an athletes all round capability.

There are so many sports that require greater athletic ability.

For the record I actually see AFL as one of the true test of an athletes skills.

It requires so many different skill sets and capabilities:

1. Strength
2. Co-ordination
3. Endurance
4. Ball control
5. Hand-eye co-ordination
6. Foot skills
7. Speed
8. Vision
9. Agility
10. etc

Not many sports out there require such all round capabilities, the AFL is like the MMA of Team Sports

I agree with you on the swimming criticisms but you're overrating footballers by a fair stretch in my opinion.

it's kind of a pointless argument though, how do you define what makes the ultimate athlete? You can't. At the end of the day any attempt to define the perfect blend of strength, speed and endurance is going to be completely arbitrary.

 

[Pdub]

Nick Poulos's rugby 7s team out of the olympics.

 

[Geoffa32]

Hard enough playing USA without the refs helping em.

Sent from my HTC_0P6B6 using Tapatalk

 

[Runnin Blue]

I agree with you on the swimming criticisms but you're overrating footballers by a fair stretch in my opinion.

it's kind of a pointless argument though, how do you define what makes the ultimate athlete? You can't. At the end of the day any attempt to define the perfect blend of strength, speed and endurance is going to be completely arbitrary.

That's easy, Ivan Drago.



Seriously, how good are the Boomers playing?! I hope they can keep it up, but I anticipate some bad foul trouble in the second half.

 

[Elite Crow]

This is just a round game isn't it? Should we win? If we did we wouldn't beat this team twice.

 

[jenny61_99]

I never got why people are so antsy about the odd thread being on a team board. As if it actually has an effect on their BF experience.

I get that we have sub-boards but its a rare event.

I don't like sub boards... generally only ever come in here.

 

[jenny61_99]

8am tomorrow morning

Boomers vs dream team USA and **** me, if my line manager didn't tell me as I walked out tonight, we have now scheduled a meeting for 8:45am.

So no sickie for little old Sammy and a pissed off Sammy will be all bloody day.

Not teaching any more?

 

[AmericanCrow]

(I hope you guys win)

 

[whitey_1975]

great to see bogut dominating. I dont know how many numptys i have argued with over last few years about his worth. This guy completely sacrificed his game for the good of team cause green, curry and klay sure wouldnt, and because his numbers dropped everyone says hes past it. Utilise him as an all round court player and he can get 15 and 10 anytime, plus being the rim man

 

[AmericanCrow]

Love this quote about 1904:

However, only 42 events (less than half) actually included athletes who were not from the United States.


Also, that the US won every tennis medal, which is not surprising as there was only one non American in the tournaments!

It would have taken you guys a whole year to get to St. Louis back then, who you kidding.

 

[AmericanCrow]

 

[I Lost My Keays]

Can't believe we are keeping up atm

 

[I Lost My Keays]

Pity Ben Simmons isn't in the olympics