Olympics

[lozzyloz]

Do Pole Vaulters need their own bar?

[david_carnell]

Now I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent bloke (and a modest one) but I'm currently watching the men's track cycling event known as the 'Madison' and quite frankly, despite having the rules explained to me by the BBC, have no clue what the bloody hell is going on.

It looks like something invented for an office away-day team bonding exercise.

Absolutely bonkers. But we might win it, so... GO TEAM GB!

[Brendan]

Is that the one with the men's helmets?

[david_carnell]

Fraid so Brendan. PeckhamGateCrasher will be getting all excited again!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

On sartorial matters, bring back the old strip of red/white/blue hoops. First, it is so much easier to identify the Brit; secondly, it would put an end to all those bare midriffs.

BTW - well done Ms Ohuruogu but I'd rather not see your navel. At least you beat that silly cow in the arm wrap thingies.

[Jah Lush]

I agree about the hoops but call me a rampant old sexist git if you must because I'm all for the bare midriffs on the ladies.

[Brendan]

It is strange that the swimmers seem to wear more clothes than the runny jumpy people these days.

[SteveT]

Kenny Egan from Ireland boxed the Brazilian's ears off, we shall be seeing more of him in the future.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

... and what's with sunglasses in an indoor stadium?

[david_carnell]

The bird's nest is outdoors? Who had them on inside?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

My mistake - it looks like an enclosed stadium. I missed all the opening hooha so no idea what it looks like from the outside/top.

[david_carnell]

It is dark for most of the track & field though so....

I guess because:

a) the photo flash bulbs going off are quite bright, as are the floodlights

b) you look quite icy cool and nonchalant

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

but b) doesn't quite work - more pratty. Understated is always cooler.

[Ladygooner]

16 gold medals! Unbelievable - lets hope all those doom mongers against the 2012 London games will have a rethink now. Must put in my holiday request for those two weeks!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Shoot me now - I'm obviously too long in the tooth: bmx in the Olympics?

I'm polishing my skateboard for 2012.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Oh the joy:

Sydney Morning Herald

[david_carnell]

Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Shoot me now - I'm obviously too long in the

> tooth: bmx in the Olympics?

>

> I'm polishing my skateboard for 2012.

The never ending debate on just what sports should be in the Olympics.

BMX doesn't bother so much. At least it's human powered. 3-day eventing on the other hand?! Even sailing is pushing it but I'll allow that since we won some medals.

Anything that requires judging to determine the victors rather than a layman (Gymnastics, diving, dressage, judo, synchronised swimming, boxing maybe etc.) - out.

Anything where the Olympics isn't the pinnacle of achievement in that sport (tennis and football spring to mind) - out.

And lets get rid of some of the endless number of swimming events. 50, 100 and 200 metres?! In four different strokes and a medley?! Inidividually AND in a relay?! Really?

[SeanMacGabhann]

Team GB - apart from being an annoying phrase anyway - why are the flying the UK flag.. one includes Norn Irish sportspeople and the other doesn't - FIX IT!!

[Jimbob]

what flag are they flying, the union jack?

[Michael Palaeologus]

According to Wikipedia (The unalloyed truth that is Wikipedia) the cross of St Patrick is included in the Union Flag.

It is the Welsh that miss out as, apparently, they arent a separate country but are legally part of England. Go and tell your Welsh friends, they will be SO happy.

Still, not sure where we could fit the big lizardy thing on the Union Flag.

Then again St David's Cross

[david_carnell]

Team GB and NI doesn't slip off the tongue quite as nicely does it?

Do you think the Northern Irish fellas and ladies feel ostracised by this shameful political flim-flammery?

Are there any NI athletes in the GBNI team?

[Jimbob]

the cyclist Houvenhagel is a Derry girl and there,s probably one or two others, but with the exception of hockey players most tend to go with Team ROI, I somehow get the impression even in the era of creeping professionalism, it would be better craic.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Re swimming, definitely ditch "freestyle" - it's always front crawl.

Re eventing - riding a horse is extremely hard work which requires minute control and foolhardy nerves, and the element for disaster is endless - you don't get that with an inanimate boat.

[Moos]

Boxing!? Boxing was in the Olympics when it was held in Olympia!!

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

And another thing - I'm against the trend for baring all, but, if it's going to happen, why are the men's beach volleyballists dressed like Victorian maidens?