2016 Summer Olympics

[erfalf]

I am a sucker apparently. But there have really been several times where I have actually said "WOW" out load during this Olympics. Of note:

* Katie Ledecky's 800 meter performance, double Wow
* Michael Phelps 200 IM, particularly after the turn leading into the freestyle section
* Simone Biles all around performances, where she clearly sepearted herself from the pack
* Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa in the 400M. Beating a record that I honestly couldn't believe stood for so long of Michael Johnson
* Usain Bolt laughing across the finish line...again

The human achievement is pretty remarkable. Each of these people above is truly ahead of their time when it comes to their competition. Few times in most other sports do I really in the moment realize that I am seeing something truly remarkable.

The funniest thing I've see during it all has to be this snarky post from NBC on INstagram:

[Hoss]

I am a sucker apparently. But there have really been several times where I have actually said "WOW" out load during this Olympics. Of note:

* Katie Ledecky's 800 meter performance, double Wow
* Michael Phelps 200 IM, particularly after the turn leading into the freestyle section
* Simone Biles all around performances, where she clearly sepearted herself from the pack
* Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa in the 400M. Beating a record that I honestly couldn't believe stood for so long of Michael Johnson
* Usain Bolt laughing across the finish line...again

The human achievement is pretty remarkable. Each of these people above is truly ahead of their time when it comes to their competition. Few times in most other sports do I really in the moment realize that I am seeing something truly remarkable.

The funniest thing I've see during it all has to be this snarky post from NBC on INstagram:

Ledecky quite simply is superhuman.  11 seconds ahead of everybody in the 800.  11 SECONDS!  That's insane.  If she continues to attend olympics she could very well beat Phelps for medal records as long as she stays healthy.

[davideinstein]

I've really enjoyed watching them.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Not at all a sucker!  It IS Wow!  On many venues.

[erfalf]

Well, something else I didn't think I would see this Olympics. Walsh faced her first match point of her Olympic career (4th games) and came out on the short end. Barbara and Agatha from Brazil had an answer for everything that was thrown their way. It was impressive. Incredible career by Walsh, nothing to hang her head over. Still have a shot at the Bronze.

[cannon_fodder]

Credit where due:

- The 1500 meter athlete from the University of Tulsa qualified for the semi's, and after finishing waited at the line cheering for the other athletes to finish before giving interviews.

- Usain Bolt was giving an interview when the USA National Anthem began playing for a medal ceremony at the other end of the stadium, he halted the interview and faced the ceremony until the anthem was done playing, then allowed them to continue their questions.

[erfalf]

Did anyone else see Lochte get interviewed by Matt Lauer? The whole thing is getting bizzare now.

My first thought listening to his account, and what I thought Lauer should have followed up on (but he had an agenda of making him look bad for whatever reason), was why in the heck was a security guard asking for money at gun point (even if it was to repay the establishment owner)? Is this how it works in Brazil?

[cannon_fodder]

Short answer: yes.

Brazil is really corrupt. Bribes. Embezzlement. And, of course, over crime are very common. Most of Rio's population lives outside of the control of police.  They figure about 5% of the countries GSP is lost to corruption and graft.  60% of their current Congress is either under indictment for fraud, bribery, illegal deforestation, election tampering, kidnapping, or murder. The president just got tossed out of office, and it looks like the new guy isn't much better.

[erfalf]

Short answer: yes.

Brazil is really corrupt. Bribes. Embezzlement. And, of course, over crime are very common. Most of Rio's population lives outside of the control of police.  They figure about 5% of the countries GSP is lost to corruption and graft.  60% of their current Congress is either under indictment for fraud, bribery, illegal deforestation, election tampering, kidnapping, or murder. The president just got tossed out of office, and it looks like the new guy isn't much better.

Good point. I figured that to be the case. I have little doubt the athletes, regardless of how jerkish they were acting, were legitimately scared and confused as that is not how we roll in the states.

I guess I should have said, is that how it is "supposed to work". Even then, the answer might be yes

Apparently people are less concerned with that than how much Lochte embellished. Not that I should be surprised, seems to be a trend with the media lately.   

[davideinstein]

Short answer: yes.

Brazil is really corrupt. Bribes. Embezzlement. And, of course, over crime are very common. Most of Rio's population lives outside of the control of police.  They figure about 5% of the countries GSP is lost to corruption and graft.  60% of their current Congress is either under indictment for fraud, bribery, illegal deforestation, election tampering, kidnapping, or murder. The president just got tossed out of office, and it looks like the new guy isn't much better.

That statistic on the politicians is insane.

[erfalf]

A little digging would have turned this up for anyone else who had the inclination (and happened to be in Rio last week). I am convinced that the entirety of network news is just a bunch of commentators, no better than MSNBC or Fox News. Do they even hire investigators any more?

That said, kudos to USA Today. for not just believing the "facts".

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/rio-2016/2016/08/21/investigation-ryan-lochte-rio-olympics-authorities/89082232/

[Conan71]

Basically Lochte is slightly less of a d-bag than we thought.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Basically Lochte is slightly less of a d-bag than we thought.

Naw....he still is.  There were just more around him than originally revealed.

[erfalf]

I guess this can go here.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/30/okay-heres-how-ryan-lochte-can-win-dancing-with-the-stars/

Really surprised Laurie Hernandez is in the lineup. Thought she might take another stab at the Olympics especially considering the success of her teammate.

[rebound]

I guess this can go here.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/08/30/okay-heres-how-ryan-lochte-can-win-dancing-with-the-stars/

Really surprised Laurie Hernandez is in the lineup. Thought she might take another stab at the Olympics especially considering the success of her teammate.

Rick Perry!  I will watch just to see him make an A$$ of himself.

But on Hernandez,  what does DWTS have to do with going back to the Olympics?   There are no amateur rules anymore.