2006 Winter Olympics - Turino
Well, the Olympics start in an hour I believe, but (via Drudge) I found out my favorite X-C skier <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/10/D8FM9THG2.html">already failed a blood test.</a>
Kikkan Randall cleaned up at the Jackson, NH Junior Olympics in 2001, and she undeniably has the best name in skiing. Now it is just elevated levels of hemoglobin not a drug test, and she can ski in 5 days, but I hope things get better from here.
Now there are <b><strong>TWO</b></strong> awesome
George Michaels.
A true gem of a show. I'm sad it is going off the air.
The last thing the Olympics need is another judged event.
I'm trying to get a handle on what sports in the Olympics are cool and what are not. I think the rule is generally that a good Olympic sport is one that (a) doesn't have a popular world forum (b) is not judged (c) is well represented internationally.
Good:
<ol>
<li> Ski racing
<li> Speed Skating
<li> Sledding
<li> Hockey
<li> Ski jumping (after you eliminate judges)
</ol>
Bad:
<ol>
<li> Snowboard freestyle
<li> Freestyle skiing
<li> Figure skating
<li> Curling (sorry Tommy)
</ol>
Similar rules should apply to the Summer games.
Judged events don't seem to fit my idea of "sport". Snowboarding (like skateboarding) seem more entertaining outside the realm of official sportdom (US Open always OK, at least the after-hours part). Although, I found the short track speed skating quite entertaining. I guess the only judging going on is whether rules concerning contact have been broken.
In defense of ski jumping:
For every meter past the K (90meter jump has a K of 90), you get X2 points. Then the middle three of five technique scores are added on. So, a jumper with imperfect style could overcome a jumper with perfect style (say an average score of 19 versus 20) with an additional 1.5meters of distance. Seems reasonable.
Also, the judges are only scoring one possible "trick", or at least two: form in flight and form on the landing. There are no variations on defined ski-jumping form. Er, at least there wasn't until the "V" style came about.
What's wrong with curling that is not wrong with archery?
I caught Frenchie's run last night, but missed the others ("Oh Brother Were Art Thou" is not the best Coen production, but not bad, either).
Vince McMahon Interview by Seth Mates WWF.com
PEORIA, Ill. - Prior to Tuesday's SmackDown! taping here at the Peoria Civic Center, World Wrestling Federation Chairman Vince McMahon talked to WWF.com about a number of topics, including his recent trip to Australia, Hollywood Hogan regaining the Federation Championship and his impending return to Bob Costas' show on HBO.
WWF.com: Vince, the rumors are flying about you returning for another interview with Bob Costas. Will that be happening?
Vince McMahon (smiling): I am absolutely going back, on May 16, and I'm looking forward to it. This time if Bob Costas gets in my way, I'm going to forget that he is <strong>4-feet-10</strong> and 120 pounds. I'm just going to consider that he's Hulk Hogan, and when he gets in my face this time, in all likelihood, I will beat the living hell out of him.
The main problem with curling is its lack of international appeal. There are 1.5 million curlers worldwide, 1.2 million of them are Canadian. Archery does not have this problem.
Archery and curling both fall into the "other" kind of physical activity, that of precision. A lot of people fail to see the sportiness of something that won't make you break a sweat. I'm not sure where I fall on that line, but I think I'm going to give it up to the precision sports, if not only for the sake of open mindedness.
Oh Brother is fabulous.
I wish Shaun White had not won. Kass is thoroughly much more entertaining, and now has 2 silver medals. It's just uninspiring when the favorite wins.
Also good:
6. Biathlon
BTW, I know you are all wondering what my personal best is: 72 ft. on a 30m (98ft) ramp.
<insert-obligatory-Cheney-and-gun-safety-joke-here>
1. Figure skating
2. Half-pipe (DB had it right-- Kelly Clarkson is the bomb)
3. Mogul
4. Pairs skating
5. The rest
Actually, I'm obsessed with them all-- I've been glued to the set since Saturday. But this is my ranking.