Official 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games thread!

[Caropooh]

I am a total novice with hockey, but after watching the US-Russia game, wow, was that ever exciting!

The "shootout" seems comparable to the "sudden death" overtime that we have in American football. Yes, probably not reflective of the entire team effort, but sometimes, you gotta do something to end the game.

I don't see that anyone has mentioned Bode Miller. I was really glad his time held up for a bronze for the men's super-G, becoming the oldest man to get a medal in an Alpine event. But I was so mad at that NBC interviewer - she kept on bring up his brother, over and over. It was clear she was badgering him to make him cry. It was uncomfortable to watch. She should have had the decency to just thank him and let him go when he started to choke up. Glad they have started the bobsleds. Too bad the Jamaicans had such problems - the announcers kept saying that they are actually pretty good athletes. I know they have great sprinters, but they seem to have real problems driving that sled.

And finally, the ice dancing was wonderful. Really hope Meryl Davis and Charlie White get the first ice dancing gold for the US! They were magnificent last night!!!

I totally agree with you. It was pretty obvious that he didn't really want to talk about it, but she just kept going on and on. Even after she finally left him alone, the camera was still on him. He may not be my favorite athlete, but I really felt bad for him. You could see officials or volunteers trying to get people to move away from him.

 

[mickeyboat]

DD13's hockey team lost in quadruple OT (6 min each OT after three 12 minute regular periods) in the semi finals of their state tournament yesterday. The girls were totally spent - both physically and emotionally.

The team we played in the semis was undefeated all season, but lost in the final game of the tournament to a team they had beaten decisively twice during the regular season. They were exhausted after the OT game, and could not recover in time to play well in the final game.

I can totally understand why they use shoot outs instead of multiple OTs in some situations. I can't imagine DD playing another high stakes game today, or even tomorrow, after what she experienced yesterday.

 

[cabanafrau]

Watching the parade of nations in the opening ceremonies DH & I had a conversation about how the banking and worldwide financial crisis even had a showing there. There's an article up on Yahoo news that shows just how on target we were. Skiers representing Dominca, including a hedge fund manager from the US, were unable to compete in their events after all because of mishaps. Can't say I can drum up much sympathy for them.

 

[SkaGoat]

DD13's hockey team lost in quadruple OT (6 min each OT after three 12 minute regular periods) in the semi finals of their state tournament yesterday. The girls were totally spent - both physically and emotionally.

The team we played in the semis was undefeated all season, but lost in the final game of the tournament to a team they had beaten decisively twice during the regular season. They were exhausted after the OT game, and could not recover in time to play well in the final game.

I can totally understand why they use shoot outs instead of multiple OTs in some situations. I can't imagine DD playing another high stakes game today, or even tomorrow, after what she experienced yesterday.

You're right, I don't mind the shoot out for for round robin games when there are a bunch of games in a compact schedule, but elimination games should be decided in over time. I know I've watched more than one NHL playoff game that was six 20 minute periods.

 

[declansdad]

Now, THAT'S a great idea!

Gold medals for EVERYBODY!!!

There is no gold medal awarded in the round-robin games.

 

[Jennasis]

Ah...another fun day in Sochi! GREAT ice dancing all-around. The medalists all earned the heck out of those...there was no "gimme". Probably one of the best competition lineups in recent history.

So happy for Steve Holcomb in the two man bobsled, and for the Australian who medaled for the first time for his country in men's Aerials.

A good day!

 

[autumnpalm]

Ah...another fun day in Sochi! GREAT ice dancing all-around. The medalists all earned the heck out of those...there was no "gimme". Probably one of the best competition lineups in recent history.

So happy for Steve Holcomb in the two man bobsled, and for the Australian who medaled for the first time for his country in men's Aerials.

A good day!

As a Canadian, I was hoping for gold for Tessa and Scott, but Meryl Davis and Charlie White were absolutely beautiful. I loved watching the competition and they so deserved the gold medal.

I am really looking forward to seeing the ladies skate on Wednesday!

 

[LisaR]

Ah...another fun day in Sochi! GREAT ice dancing all-around. The medalists all earned the heck out of those...there was no "gimme". Probably one of the best competition lineups in recent history.

So happy for Steve Holcomb in the two man bobsled, and for the Australian who medaled for the first time for his country in men's Aerials.

A good day!

I really enjoyed the ice dancing tonight. Compared to all of the skating we have seen during these Olympic games, this was by far the best.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ah...another fun day in Sochi! GREAT ice dancing all-around. The medalists all earned the heck out of those...there was no "gimme". Probably one of the best competition lineups in recent history.

So happy for Steve Holcomb in the two man bobsled, and for the Australian who medaled for the first time for his country in men's Aerials.

A good day!

Congratulations David Morris. You're a little ripper, mate. So glad you can do more than Morris dance.



(Thanks for noticing!!)

 

[Jennasis]

Ooh I totally forgot to mention, my cousins did the music for Caron and Jones' free skate (the French pair)!

 

[NaLisa]

Well, this is a disappointing development. Seems some in the Canadian media are alleging judging fraud/favoritism in the ice dancing competition:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...in_silver_in_ice_dance_at_sochi_olympics.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...nd_after_olympic_ice_dance_short_program.html

Virtue and Moir are complaining that their coach was partial to the Americans:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/...ir-upset-split-allegiance-coach-marina-zoueva

And there is also talk of collusion between American and Russian judges:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...udges-accused-of-collusion-in-pairs-ice-dance


It's hard to be objective, but I thought the top three teams were all wonderful in the free skate. I actually thought the Russians stole the show with Swan Lake. If there was fraud/favoritism, it was not evident to me.

 

[declansdad]

Well, this is a disappointing development. Seems some in the Canadian media are alleging judging fraud/favoritism in the ice dancing competition:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...in_silver_in_ice_dance_at_sochi_olympics.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...nd_after_olympic_ice_dance_short_program.html

Virtue and Moir are complaining that their coach was partial to the Americans:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/...ir-upset-split-allegiance-coach-marina-zoueva

And there is also talk of collusion between American and Russian judges:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...udges-accused-of-collusion-in-pairs-ice-dance


It's hard to be objective, but I thought the top three teams were all wonderful in the free skate. I actually thought the Russians stole the show with Swan Lake. If there was fraud/favoritism, it was not evident to me.

The judges collusion story started before the Olympics, that's why it came up again.

 

[Jennasis]

Sour grapes?

 

[Deb in IA]

Sour grapes?

Sore losers?

 

[Jennasis]

Sore losers?

That's what it sounds like.

 

[Deb in IA]

Several commentators in ice dancing said that Davis and White's 2.5 point margin from the short program was going to be extremely difficult to make up for any team, even one as talented as Virtue and Moir.

Both teams skated well. But they are very different - Virtue/Moir are the more "artistic", while Davis/White are more "technical".

And the new scoring system appears to favor the technical side, with points being earned for specific elements.

I felt that Davis and White were cleaner, faster, and sharper than anyone else in their execution.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Your son?

If it is poor sportsmanship in commenting on how an individual athlete can't back up his smack talk (his choice to make himself look like a fool) and then rather than accept defeat with grace, he continues and smack talks the judges and blames them, then so be it.

There are bad examples of character on all the teams and the officials. The rumors of vote swapping between the US and Russian skating judges to keep the Canadians off the team skating podium, if true, is sickening. But for now it is just rumor. Parrott just has been the loudest in making a mockery of himself. And he doesn't leave it to rumor as he puts it in writing with his tweets.

Virtue and Moir are showing true character and sportsmanship by not badmouthing the judges or even commenting on the scandal and rumors that they are being kept off the podium on purpose. They are true examples of Olympic athletes.

Boy how times have changed. Guess they're really not a true example of Olympic athletes. Because it sure does sound like sour grapes to me. And I guess it wasn't just the team skate.

Well, this is a disappointing development. Seems some in the Canadian media are alleging judging fraud/favoritism in the ice dancing competition:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...in_silver_in_ice_dance_at_sochi_olympics.html

http://www.thestar.com/sports/sochi...nd_after_olympic_ice_dance_short_program.html

Virtue and Moir are complaining that their coach was partial to the Americans:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/winter/...ir-upset-split-allegiance-coach-marina-zoueva

And there is also talk of collusion between American and Russian judges:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...udges-accused-of-collusion-in-pairs-ice-dance


It's hard to be objective, but I thought the top three teams were all wonderful in the free skate. I actually thought the Russians stole the show with Swan Lake. If there was fraud/favoritism, it was not evident to me.

I agree completely. I felt the Russians skated the most heartfelt, emotional performance of all the teams. And while I do feel the Americans were not as relaxed as usual and a little more tense, I don't think it detracted from their performance. Being ahead from the short program I think was part of the reason they won. And I might believe the nonsense if our 8th or 9th place team won, but come on. It is so hard to give credit where credit is due? So much for the theory of collusion to keep the Canadians off the podium in anything. I guess two silver finishes weren't enough. And we're the obnoxious ones?

 

[declansdad]

Boy how times have changed. Guess they're really not a true example of Olympic athletes. Because it sure does sound like sour grapes to me. And I guess it wasn't just the team skate.




I agree completely. I felt the Russians skated the most heartfelt, emotional performance of all the teams. And while I do feel the Americans were not as relaxed as usual and a little more tense, I don't think it detracted from their performance. Being ahead from the short program I think was part of the reason they won. And I might believe the nonsense if our 8th or 9th place team won, but come on. It is so hard to give credit where credit is due? So much for the theory of collusion to keep the Canadians off the podium in anything. I guess two silver finishes weren't enough. And we're the obnoxious ones?

If you read through the four articles linked there is not one statement from the Canadian pair complaining about fixed or bad judging. As for their coach, they said they felt she wasn't always there for them but understood why she spent more time with the US pair. Where is the sour grapes? How are they sore losers?

Neither of the two pairs have commented on these allegations that I know of and have been gracious in their interviews.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'm curious how everyone else feels about athletes switching countries in order to compete. I don't know, something just doesn't sit right with me.

Take the South Korean speedskater. He is now a Russian citizen and skates for the Russian team (and brought them a gold medal). There have been a number of mentions of athletes who previously competed for one country and now compete for another.

 

[skylizard]

I don't see that anyone has mentioned Bode Miller. I was really glad his time held up for a bronze for the men's super-G, becoming the oldest man to get a medal in an Alpine event. But I was so mad at that NBC interviewer - she kept on bring up his brother, over and over. It was clear she was badgering him to make him cry. It was uncomfortable to watch. She should have had the decency to just thank him and let him go when he started to choke up.

I was so mad at the interviewer too! I kept yelling at her to shut up! Poor Brody. At least his wife was able to get to him soon after and offer some comfort.