Official 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games thread!

[NaLisa]

Sad the figure skating is over.

But the audience at the Iceberg was incredible. Gracious and appreciative of every performance. I don't know that I've ever seen an audience at an athletics event be so courteous and encouraging to every athlete that appeared before them. Kudos to the Russians!

 

[mommasita]

That was my math class doing the screaming...at first I cringed at the noise they were making out of habit, but then I just shut the door and enjoyed their enthusiasm. Luckily none of my neighbours complained

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I've mentioned this during prior Olympics and it annoys me. Why don't the American athletes sing/lip sync the words to the National Anthem!? I understand that's your moments, but to me it's a sign of respect that you acknowledge your country and sing along.

 

[NaLisa]

I've mentioned this during prior Olympics and it annoys me. Why don't the American athletes sing/lip sync the words to the National Anthem!? I understand that's your moments, but to me it's a sign of respect that you acknowledge your country and sing along.

From http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/important-manners-for-every-day/425-flag-etiquette


The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem
In 2007, the U.S. Congress addressed etiquette for the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem in 36 USC 301. When saying the pledge of allegiance, citizens of all ages should stand at attention, face the flag, and salute by placing the right hand over the heart. Men should remove their hats, and women any sports caps. When in uniform, military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement officers give a military salute. Veterans and service personnel out of uniform may give the military salute or place the right hand over the heart.

Everyone, even very young children, should rise, remain standing, and salute by placing the right hand over the heart during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner—first note to last. The anthem isn't easy to sing, and you need not do so if you don't have the necessary range. But you must stand quietly until "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave" has rung out and the music ends.

If you are on the way to your seat at a sports event, or in any public place, and the first strains of the anthem are heard, stop where you are and stand at attention until the end. Don't talk, chew gum, eat, or smoke during the singing of the anthem.

For more information on flags, visit: http://www.americanflags.org

 

[Jennasis]

I've mentioned this during prior Olympics and it annoys me. Why don't the American athletes sing/lip sync the words to the National Anthem!? I understand that's your moments, but to me it's a sign of respect that you acknowledge your country and sing along.

Not to me. If they want to sign they can, but I don't feel it's necessary at all. And some people SHOULDN'T sing it (or anything LOL)...like me. Tone deaf.




Anyhoo...great night of skating for the women! They held it together (unlike the men in their free skate). But I gotta say it: I think the "Team Skate" competition blew some chances. Some skaters either peaked in the team event or didn't have the steam to do their whole Olympic routines twice. i think they should eliminate the team event as it stands now and simply tabulate the points accumulated during the individual ice dancing/pairs/men's/women's events and figure out the team scores from those.

 

[NaLisa]

I really don't like Ashley Wagner. Just classless and selfish complaining. And I don't think the figure skating world gives a hoot what she thinks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ashley...ing--gypped--by-olympic-judges-205146099.html

 

[mandy200587]

I know this hasn't been mentioned but the GM of Team USA is finally out and about doing interviews since the puck incident that prevented him from going to the Olympics. http://www.wkrn.com/story/24778262/predators-gm-david-poile

 

[NaLisa]

Not to me. If they want to sign they can, but I don't feel it's necessary at all. And some people SHOULDN'T sing it (or anything LOL)...like me. Tone deaf.

I agree. During one of the American's gold medal ceremonies (can't remember which), they had mics near Americans singing it and it sounded AWFUL. I would've much rather heard the music only than to hear those tone-deaf women butchering it.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I really don't like Ashley Wagner. Just classless and selfish complaining. And I don't think the figure skating world gives a hoot what she thinks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ashley...ing--gypped--by-olympic-judges-205146099.html

From the article:

"It is not fair to the skaters who work so hard to become noticed if they are not going to have a sport that backs up what they are doing."

Yeah, tell is to Mirai Nagasu.

There is nothing I like about her. Quit your whining, put your tail between your legs and GO HOME AND RETIRE.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I really don't like Ashley Wagner. Just classless and selfish complaining. And I don't think the figure skating world gives a hoot what she thinks. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ashley-wagner-calls-for-change-in-figure-skating-after-feeling--gypped--by-olympic-judges-205146099.html

She says she'll be back in 4 years...I'm sure this has made her immensely popular with the judges going forward *eye roll*

 

[NaLisa]

She says she'll be back in 4 years...I'm sure this has made her immensely popular with the judges going forward *eye roll*

And endorsements. Who the heck wants a whiny 7th place finisher as a spokesperson?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

And endorsements. Who the heck wants a whiny 7th place finisher as a spokesperson?

You mean you don't think she'll get the Wheaties box?

There are some people who should just stay quiet as to not embarrass their sport/team/country - she is one of them and in this case it's all 3 of those!

 

[LisaR]

Her interview with Bob Costas went fine. I sat here cringing, just waiting for her to say something stupid or self serving and it didn't happen.

 

[crazee4mickey]

The women's hockey was incredible to watch...I thought we were done for but what a comeback! Felt so bad for the USA team as up until that last 4 minutes in the third period the USA at least looked like they were playing in the gold medal game whereas the Canadians just weren't giving it their all and were making so many simple errors...I yelled so much at my TV today. A real nail biter for sure...

I do have to admit that I was shocked with the woman's free skate program results today....Yuna Kim skated flawlessly with such grace and beauty, I thought she had gold for sure. Adelina Sotnikova was good but certainly not as polished or clean as Yuna Kim's program plus even had a little fumble on her landing yet the difference in scores were ridiculous

Cheering for Canadian Gold in the Men's Hockey and curling...hoping for a repeat of today's performance!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

From the article:

"It is not fair to the skaters who work so hard to become noticed if they are not going to have a sport that backs up what they are doing."

Yeah, tell is to Mirai Nagasu.

There is nothing I like about her. Quit your whining, put your tail between your legs and GO HOME AND RETIRE.

Actually she's 100% correct. Nobody wants to see a show where people are falling on their rear ends. And we've had the exact same complaints about the judging right here on this very site. The rot and corruption in the sport is no big secret.

 

[Art 1]

I really don't like Ashley Wagner. Just classless and selfish complaining. And I don't think the figure skating world gives a hoot what she thinks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ashley...ing--gypped--by-olympic-judges-205146099.html

I agree, and now she uses a racial slur in an interview. She was lucky to be allowed to be on the Olympic team to start with. Two big competitions now in a row she chocked. Think she'd keep her mouth shut.

 

[LJC1861]

I really don't like Ashley Wagner. Just classless and selfish complaining. And I don't think the figure skating world gives a hoot what she thinks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ashley...ing--gypped--by-olympic-judges-205146099.html

She had better remember that she was a somewhat controversial nomination to the Olympic team and the US Figure Skating Association does NOT take kindly to anyone publicly speaking out against anything or anyone in the sport. They put you on a team and they can remove you from a team. We will not likely see Ashley on the Team for the World Championships, but probably Mirai Ngasu instead.

Linda

 

[JanaDee]

Kim should have won gold, Kostner silver and the Russian bronze.

She did not deserve gold with that flubbed landing.

That is why I prefer timed sports.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree with Ashley Wagner. The current scoring system sucks. Particularly the fact that the judges cards are anonymous. Scott Hamilton seemed to think that that will be addresses and changed at their next "congress". If they're going to keep the scoring system then they should put in a HUGE penalty for falling or botching a landing (two foot, wrong edge, step-out etc).

HOWEVER, there is a place and time to register these complaints...and directly after your 7th place finish isn't it (nor is the right place on Twitter.)

 

[BKMETV]

Congratulations to Marielle Thompson & Kelsey Serwa for an amazing performance overnight in ski cross...and continuing a great run by Team Canada over the last 2 days. Fingers crossed it continues with today's curling and hockey!