Do the Olympics still have meaning? - Page 2

kcchief19 · 02-01-2014, 10:48 AM

I think this is largely an America question. Globally I think the Olympics are as meaningful than ever, maybe more so. For smaller countries, the Olympics are still about national pride more than ever. Over the last 20 years China has gone from an after thought to dominant power. Whereas the Olympics of the '70s and '80s were about the Cold War, China has used the Olympics to earn legitimacy.

I enjoy the Olympics we much as I used to but in a different way. There is still a pro-USA element to my viewing, but the coverage is so much better and so much mor balanced that it brings forth compelling characters and stories from everywhere. I also enjoy some of the newer sports such as short track speed skating -- although I can do without the X Games influences.

Barkeep49 · 02-01-2014, 10:53 AM

I have never been more swept up in the Winter Olympics than I am this year and probably not more excited about an Oympics since the 96 Summer ones when I was 14. This, however, is due purely to having a kid from my hometown competing as in individual in one of the major events.

britrock88 · 02-01-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

I have never been more swept up in the Winter Olympics than I am this year and probably not more excited about an Oympics since the 96 Summer ones when I was 14. This, however, is due purely to having a kid from my hometown competing as in individual in one of the major events.

Understood. I had an old roommate whose sister was in London for rowing. That was a ton of fun to follow.

Senator · 02-01-2014, 09:55 PM

Join the Isoh

cuervo72 · 02-02-2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I just tried, and I can't even do it now.

The most I saw of the 2012 games was part of the opening ceremony which was playing at the bar part of a Mexican restaurant when we were out to eat.

I am in a house where nobody else cares about sports, and my personal interest in just about anything besides the NFL (ok - I will watch NCAAF too) has flagged. The Olympics are no different, though I think in this case it is partly because there is no bad guy at the level of the USSR/eastern bloc.

cthomer5000 · 02-02-2014, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cartman

What other time can you say with a straight face you are a fan of biathletes?

In Russia, there are no biathletes.

View Poll Results: Do the Olympics still have meaning?
YES - Go 'Murica (or where you may be posting from!)	12	17.65%
YES - it's still good TV	12	17.65%
YES - still good sports	21	30.88%
NO - event has little meaning anymore	13	19.12%
NO - the internet makes watching the events pointless	0	0%
NO - the amateurism has been stripped away	7	10.29%
TROUT - competitive fishing/ice fishing only	3	4.41%
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll

02-01-2014, 09:55 PM	#54
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	Join the Isoh __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

02-01-2014, 10:53 AM	#52
Barkeep49 Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not too far away	I have never been more swept up in the Winter Olympics than I am this year and probably not more excited about an Oympics since the 96 Summer ones when I was 14. This, however, is due purely to having a kid from my hometown competing as in individual in one of the major events.

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