The Olympics this year are not exciting at all to me and I really do not want to watch another event. The whole point is to bring people to a place to support athletics.
I was watching gymnastics, women's beach v-ball, rowing, and other sports this weekend and there were NO people in the stands at any of these events. It is sad, a disgrace to the athletes who are playing in front of less people than they did when they were in middle school, and all of the time, money, and effort put into organizing the Athens games is turning out to be a huge waste.
Maybe it's the drug scandals, maybe it's because they're in Greece, maybe it's because no one cares anymore, maybe it's because Zeus is sacrificing spectators, but I am appalled that the Olympics are such a bust.
I hear the excuse that this is only the first week, but when you look into the stands of gold medal finals of any event and you can count the number of people as opposed to the number of empty seats, it's just plain sad.
Full Version: Olympics A Huge Bust!!!
QUOTE
The Olympics this year are not exciting at all to me and I really do not want to watch another event. The whole point is to bring people to a place to support athletics.
Are you saying that the live audience is more exciting to watch than the actual athletes? Because attendance is down, you personally don't want to watch? I don't understand. What does the crowd size have to do with you not wanting to watch?
I thought the whole point of the Olympics was to find out who is better at athletics.
No no no no no no. Let me rephrase/reexplain.
The whole point is to see the events, but...
I played soccer, basketball, and baseball all my life. My high school soccer team made the state finals most years I was in school. We were supported by hundreds of people throughout the season and attendance was great. I had more spectators for my HS soccer games than these Olympians do for the most important event of their lives.
It's like a "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to record it, did the tree really fall at all?" comparison.
IMO I do not think the Olympians are not getting any respect compared to what they deserve because no one is showing their support for them. As important as the Olympics are to the whole world, I think it's sad that they are a bust. When gymnastics (arguably most popular sport) is taking place and the gymnasts can hear their own teammates cheering for them and barely notice a crowd, there is not a competitive atmosphere.
I think it's like having the Redskins playing in my backyard with only my family present and no one else caring. If no one cares about what happens, why worry or try at all. It's just not the best atmosphere for trying to achieve something that you've worked all your life to accomplish.
The whole point is to see the events, but...
I played soccer, basketball, and baseball all my life. My high school soccer team made the state finals most years I was in school. We were supported by hundreds of people throughout the season and attendance was great. I had more spectators for my HS soccer games than these Olympians do for the most important event of their lives.
It's like a "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to record it, did the tree really fall at all?" comparison.
IMO I do not think the Olympians are not getting any respect compared to what they deserve because no one is showing their support for them. As important as the Olympics are to the whole world, I think it's sad that they are a bust. When gymnastics (arguably most popular sport) is taking place and the gymnasts can hear their own teammates cheering for them and barely notice a crowd, there is not a competitive atmosphere.
I think it's like having the Redskins playing in my backyard with only my family present and no one else caring. If no one cares about what happens, why worry or try at all. It's just not the best atmosphere for trying to achieve something that you've worked all your life to accomplish.
What about the millions of people worldwide watching on television?
Here's my take on why the Olympics aren't a big deal here anymore. We don't have the political enemies/rivals like the days of the Ruskies and the Eastern Bloc countries. You used to watch just to see if the U.S. heroes could beat the Communist super athletes. So, unless Al Qaeda fields an Olympic team, we don't have any "enemies" to compete against.
Here's my take on why the Olympics aren't a big deal here anymore. We don't have the political enemies/rivals like the days of the Ruskies and the Eastern Bloc countries. You used to watch just to see if the U.S. heroes could beat the Communist super athletes. So, unless Al Qaeda fields an Olympic team, we don't have any "enemies" to compete against.
I saw the end of the US mens volleyball games yesterday...
We lost to Italy and at the end of the game you could hear alot of "FU" and "FU we won"...
We lost to Italy and at the end of the game you could hear alot of "FU" and "FU we won"...
QUOTE (SMan @ Aug 16 2004, 11:44 AM)
What about the millions of people worldwide watching on television?
Here's my take on why the Olympics aren't a big deal here anymore. We don't have the political enemies/rivals like the days of the Ruskies and the Eastern Bloc countries. You used to watch just to see if the U.S. heroes could beat the Communist super athletes. So, unless Al Qaeda fields an Olympic team, we don't have any "enemies" to compete against.
Here's my take on why the Olympics aren't a big deal here anymore. We don't have the political enemies/rivals like the days of the Ruskies and the Eastern Bloc countries. You used to watch just to see if the U.S. heroes could beat the Communist super athletes. So, unless Al Qaeda fields an Olympic team, we don't have any "enemies" to compete against.
It's like a Las Vegas Nicki Hilton wedding. It happens, but there's no one there in person, but everyone hears about it the next day. It's like a band performing on a late night talk show (except Jimmy Kimmel) into only a camera with a nonenthusiastic audience.
The millions on TV want to be there, but they can't be. They want to have the same energy as those in the crowd (not this year).
I agree completely with the no enemy statement.
I could explain my point better face-to-face.
Yeah, now we're the big, bad enemy to the rest of the world.
QUOTE
If no one cares about what happens, why worry or try at all.
Because obviously the athletes care. Is the thought ridiculous that they worked this hard for so long for themselves and not simply to entertain an audience? QUOTE
It's like a "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to record it, did the tree really fall at all?" comparison.
Do you mean to say that if the Olympic trials took place and there weren't any spectators, did it actually take place? Well, of course it did.
I think it actually goes this way, "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?" To which the correct answer is, no it does not.
All of the above IMHO...
I've been totally misunderstood 
Give me a few hours or so to figure how to best explain what I'm trying to say.
Give me a few hours or so to figure how to best explain what I'm trying to say.
Are you just trying to say that it sucks that there aren't more people there watching?
I heard of two reasons why attendance might be down:
This time of year coincides with an annual tradition of travel
for residents of Greece who visit the outer islands during
the month of August.
Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption, a holy day of
obligation observed by much of the population that follow
the Greek Orthodox faith.
Not to make excuses, but that's the report I heard yesterday...
This time of year coincides with an annual tradition of travel
for residents of Greece who visit the outer islands during
the month of August.
Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption, a holy day of
obligation observed by much of the population that follow
the Greek Orthodox faith.
Not to make excuses, but that's the report I heard yesterday...
QUOTE (Heather @ Aug 16 2004, 12:36 PM)
I think it actually goes this way, "if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?" To which the correct answer is, no it does not.
Huh?
It makes no sound???? A buddy of mine said that question was his college philosophy final and it was soooo hard to take a stand and defend it. Oh brother! 
But, on the Olympics.... I was admittedly uninterested. Why? Part of it I guess is the lack of the commie rivalry, part of it is the pros in the mix now which I think is bad, part of it is that it is in Greece in another time zone, so I hear results before I get to see the event which is like getting the plot to a movie before watching it. But I tuned in to it yeaterday and saw rowing up first and thought -- oh great, rowing is about as boring as golf. But I ended up watching 2 rowing events that were really close (US won both heats) and it was kinda fun, then watched 2 excellent US athletes (and great lookers
) in beach volleyball and that was cool, too. So, maybe I'll watch some more... Go US and go Iraq!
OK, let's try this explanation:
I find it disappointing that the best athletes in the world come to a center stage to exhibit their talent in what should be the most competitive and honorable sports competition, and fans are few and far between. As my wording was unclear or bad earlier, the athletes have worked their butts off to make it to the Olympics and it is their life, but seeing no one in the stands to support or even just to watch them compete and achieve their life goal is disappointing.
Yes, they are achieving something for themselves, but where would they get the motivation to achieve this without previous Olympics and the fanfare, hooplah, etc. that went with it. If winning a gold medal is the most important thing in the world of sports, why are more people not interested in seeing these popular events?
Again, I wish I could present my case in person.
I find it disappointing that the best athletes in the world come to a center stage to exhibit their talent in what should be the most competitive and honorable sports competition, and fans are few and far between. As my wording was unclear or bad earlier, the athletes have worked their butts off to make it to the Olympics and it is their life, but seeing no one in the stands to support or even just to watch them compete and achieve their life goal is disappointing.
Yes, they are achieving something for themselves, but where would they get the motivation to achieve this without previous Olympics and the fanfare, hooplah, etc. that went with it. If winning a gold medal is the most important thing in the world of sports, why are more people not interested in seeing these popular events?
Again, I wish I could present my case in person.
Here's something to consider on the low attendance. Greece basically pulled a rabbit out of a hat to get the preparations done in time. By most accounts, they were weeks behind on things, including the main stadium. More important, their security arrangements were very suspect. Somehow, they managed to pull it off in time, but maybe it was too late to assuage the fears of some that this would be a debacle to some degree, or dangerous at worst.
I think I even saw the Athens mayor or some gov official over the weekend bragging about how nobody thought they could get it done. If they had 7 or 8 years to get it done and it took them until the last second, I wouldn't be bragging about it.
I think I even saw the Athens mayor or some gov official over the weekend bragging about how nobody thought they could get it done. If they had 7 or 8 years to get it done and it took them until the last second, I wouldn't be bragging about it.
I think one thing we have to remember. Greece, although not a third world country, does not have a high per capita income as some other places that the Olympics have been held in.
Perhaps the common folk just can't afford to attend the events. I don't know what it costs to go into the Olympic "arena" but I'm sure it's not cheap.
Plus the threat of terrorism may be keeping some folks away.
Personally, I don't watch the Olympic events. I just don't "do" sports of anykind. I'm interested, definitely, if the U.S.A. wins an event, and interested in how many gold medals we take, but beyond that, I could not care less.
Biggins I think I understand what you're saying. The Emmys, Oscars, MTV awards, and Tonys all draw a bigger crowd than the competing Olympic champions. I appreciate the athletes competing for our country, but beyond that, I just really don't care. Of course I don't care about the Emmys, Oscars, NASCAR, Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc., either. These folks' life goal is of no interest to me.
<said like an old crotchety curmudgeon>
Perhaps the common folk just can't afford to attend the events. I don't know what it costs to go into the Olympic "arena" but I'm sure it's not cheap.
Plus the threat of terrorism may be keeping some folks away.
Personally, I don't watch the Olympic events. I just don't "do" sports of anykind. I'm interested, definitely, if the U.S.A. wins an event, and interested in how many gold medals we take, but beyond that, I could not care less.
Biggins I think I understand what you're saying. The Emmys, Oscars, MTV awards, and Tonys all draw a bigger crowd than the competing Olympic champions. I appreciate the athletes competing for our country, but beyond that, I just really don't care. Of course I don't care about the Emmys, Oscars, NASCAR, Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc., either. These folks' life goal is of no interest to me.
<said like an old crotchety curmudgeon>
I don't understand why so many Europeans aren't going to the games, since the majority of them take the month of August off to travel.
Good point WVU-M. I had heard on a news cast that very thing. That a lot of the Grecians were out and about travelling. I guess the other Europeans had "better" places to go. 
One reason may be that Greece only has about 10 Million people. That's less than the state of PA and twice that of MD. The security issues are probably a big concern also.
The cost of the tickets also could be a factor. I've heard that mentioned along with the consideration of giving away the tickets for free just to increase the crowds at the venues.
The cost of the tickets also could be a factor. I've heard that mentioned along with the consideration of giving away the tickets for free just to increase the crowds at the venues.
Latest news says that the Olympic chairman is furious that the venues are empty. Same thing happened in Seoul, South Korea too and after a few days the South Korean Olympic committee bused in troops, school children, etc.... just to fill the stadiums.
Now Greek Olympic officials are now giving away tickets to most of the sporting events just to get attendence levels up.
But I do have to agree with the lot of you all. This Olympics is mediocre compared to the last 5 I have seen. We still have France,Germany, and China to root against to take the place of the USSR rivalry.
NBC's coverage of the games stink too. I mean just how much swimming and gymnastics can one watch? I for one would have liked to see more Judo, Boxing, fencing , etc... that has been going on this week as well. I will be VERYYYYYY angry if wrestling gets the shaft this Olympics like it has in the past. I can't stand when they show 30 minutes of wrestling during the whole thing and they air it vry late at night.
Oh and USA DREAMTEAM= JOKE!!! Those guys sucked and deserved the whipping they recieved from Puerto rico.
Now Greek Olympic officials are now giving away tickets to most of the sporting events just to get attendence levels up.
But I do have to agree with the lot of you all. This Olympics is mediocre compared to the last 5 I have seen. We still have France,Germany, and China to root against to take the place of the USSR rivalry.
NBC's coverage of the games stink too. I mean just how much swimming and gymnastics can one watch? I for one would have liked to see more Judo, Boxing, fencing , etc... that has been going on this week as well. I will be VERYYYYYY angry if wrestling gets the shaft this Olympics like it has in the past. I can't stand when they show 30 minutes of wrestling during the whole thing and they air it vry late at night.
Oh and USA DREAMTEAM= JOKE!!! Those guys sucked and deserved the whipping they recieved from Puerto rico.
There is additional LIVE coverage on MSNBC, CNBC, USA, and Bravo.
Check your local listings.
Check your local listings.
QUOTE (the5car @ Aug 17 2004, 10:37 AM)
There is additional LIVE coverage on MSNBC, CNBC, USA, and Bravo.
Check your local listings.
Check your local listings.
Not on Antietam Cable
!!!
Speaking of the Olympics and busts... Did anyone see the dancers that perform on the sidelines of the beach volleyball? 
Nicely done!
Nicely done!
QUOTE (the5car @ Aug 17 2004, 06:37 AM)
There is additional LIVE coverage on MSNBC, CNBC, USA, and Bravo.
Check your local listings.
Check your local listings.
And NBC has a stellar hi-definition broadcast playing. It's not usually live, but my god, does it look good. And instead of commercials, they play aerial views of the Greece and it's countryside/landmarks. What a beautiful country.
Thanks NBC (and Antietam Cable).
My family and I are really enjoying watching. I don't think anything about it is lackluster EXCEPT for the attendance. If the Greeks and Europeans are on holiday (and it seems like Europeans are on holiday more often than they are at work), what better way to spend your time off than going to the games?
If they can't fill the stadia, they should never have been allowed to host the games. But I personally suspect that exorbitant ticket prices are the main culprit. I wonder who set them and upon what basis?
If they can't fill the stadia, they should never have been allowed to host the games. But I personally suspect that exorbitant ticket prices are the main culprit. I wonder who set them and upon what basis?
QUOTE (BMIC @ Aug 17 2004, 04:52 PM)
If they can't fill the stadia, they should never have been allowed to host the games. But I personally suspect that exorbitant ticket prices are the main culprit. I wonder who set them and upon what basis?
I took a look at the official Athens web site for tickets. Most of the tickets run 10-20 euros. ($23-$46). But some of the bigger venues, swimming and gymnastics, can run as high as 200 euros ($460). A little steep!
Honest to goodness on this one...Can anyone explain what one-handed Dinghy-Finn Sailing is? That's an event. Greedy? Yoss? Wait...never mind!
QUOTE (iron horse @ Aug 17 2004, 07:22 PM)
I took a look at the official Athens web site for tickets. Most of the tickets run 10-20 euros. ($23-$46). But some of the bigger venues, swimming and gymnastics, can run as high as 200 euros ($460). A little steep!
!
!
My bad on this one, my brain wasn't functioning. It's $1=1.23 euros. So 10-20 euros is roughly $8-16. 200 euros= $160.
QUOTE (iron horse @ Aug 17 2004, 03:22 PM)
Honest to goodness on this one...Can anyone explain what one-handed Dinghy-Finn Sailing is? That's an event. Greedy? Yoss? Wait...never mind!
ummm, there's a lot of places I could go with this one.....
but since you said "nevermind"...
oh what the heck....
one-eyed snake wrestling.
iron horse: I think you may have had the right idea the first time about the currency. A student back from her semester in France told me to expect to pay 5 Euros for a drink in a bar and she said the equivalent was +/-$7 American.
5 Euros = ~$7 American?
I know the rates change daily, but that is what I was preparing for as far as money goes.
5 Euros = ~$7 American?
I know the rates change daily, but that is what I was preparing for as far as money goes.
You're right Biggins. It's more like $1.23 per Euro. I think I goofed when I was comparing it on x-rates and just messed up. So 10 euros = $12.30, 20=$24.60 and 200 = $246.00.
Maybe I can blame it on yesterday. I was under sedation for a "procedure" at the Medical Center and I guess my brain is still foggy. They told me not to make any critical decisions. Oh well, sorry.
Maybe I can blame it on yesterday. I was under sedation for a "procedure" at the Medical Center and I guess my brain is still foggy. They told me not to make any critical decisions. Oh well, sorry.
Interesting:
Norwegian team reprimanded for using the patch
Carin Pettersson 18.08.04 10:24
IOC reacts to the birth control patches Susanne Glesnes (right) and Kathrine Maaseide have been using during the Olympics. Now the sand volleyball duo has to manage without.
Foto: Anders Wiklund / SCANPIX
It was revealed Monday that Glesnes and Maaseide are sponsored by the producer of the birth control patch. The women had placed their patches very visible on their shoulders, and it has been noted.
After being informed of the issue, Gerhard Heiberg, board member in the IOC, reacted because according to the rules in the Olympics, it is illegal to advertise for products during the Olympics games.
«This is a problem in both sand volleyball and in volleyball, and we have to stop it,» Heiberg said to ANB. «There is a strict ban on this.»
Glesnes and Maaseide decided to remove the patches after having heard Heiberg’s reaction.
«We have removed them, and we do not wish to comment the case further,» Masseide said.
Jarle Aambø, acting top Norwegian athletic leader, said that he thinks the case has been over dramatized and claims that it should be okay to use the birth control patch.
«We have checked this and established that the birth control patch is considered a personal item and therefore perfectly legal,» Aambø said.
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/article266805.ece
Norwegian team reprimanded for using the patch
Carin Pettersson 18.08.04 10:24
IOC reacts to the birth control patches Susanne Glesnes (right) and Kathrine Maaseide have been using during the Olympics. Now the sand volleyball duo has to manage without.
Foto: Anders Wiklund / SCANPIX
It was revealed Monday that Glesnes and Maaseide are sponsored by the producer of the birth control patch. The women had placed their patches very visible on their shoulders, and it has been noted.
After being informed of the issue, Gerhard Heiberg, board member in the IOC, reacted because according to the rules in the Olympics, it is illegal to advertise for products during the Olympics games.
«This is a problem in both sand volleyball and in volleyball, and we have to stop it,» Heiberg said to ANB. «There is a strict ban on this.»
Glesnes and Maaseide decided to remove the patches after having heard Heiberg’s reaction.
«We have removed them, and we do not wish to comment the case further,» Masseide said.
Jarle Aambø, acting top Norwegian athletic leader, said that he thinks the case has been over dramatized and claims that it should be okay to use the birth control patch.
«We have checked this and established that the birth control patch is considered a personal item and therefore perfectly legal,» Aambø said.
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/english/article266805.ece
Attendance
The reports I've read said that they have sold as many tickets as previous years, but built bigger seating capacity. Hence the empty seats.
Also the price for tickets is more than the average Greek can easily afford.
All of the bad publicity about construction delays and inadequate security had to have some effect on attendance.
My satellite company actually gave me two weeks of free Bravo so I could watch their coverage. One evening, all of a sudden, I had Bravo and didn't understand why until I got the email. I just might keep it - love the Actor's Studio. Sometimes it pays to be nice for a change.
The Bravo coverage is pretty good. Have you guys watched the Womens' Olympic Beach Volleyball? C'mon, I know you ogled those bodies in bikinis. For the first time ever, Bravo is providing extensive coverage of the equestrian events. I'll be getting up a four tomorrow morning to tune in. Just love those gorgeous horsie bodies.
The reports I've read said that they have sold as many tickets as previous years, but built bigger seating capacity. Hence the empty seats.
Also the price for tickets is more than the average Greek can easily afford.
All of the bad publicity about construction delays and inadequate security had to have some effect on attendance.
My satellite company actually gave me two weeks of free Bravo so I could watch their coverage. One evening, all of a sudden, I had Bravo and didn't understand why until I got the email. I just might keep it - love the Actor's Studio. Sometimes it pays to be nice for a change.
The Bravo coverage is pretty good. Have you guys watched the Womens' Olympic Beach Volleyball? C'mon, I know you ogled those bodies in bikinis. For the first time ever, Bravo is providing extensive coverage of the equestrian events. I'll be getting up a four tomorrow morning to tune in. Just love those gorgeous horsie bodies.
Anybody else still having problems with this site being verrry slow from time to time? Sometimes it drops a post entirely.
Anyway, I'll try again...
The girls in the volleyball match are awesome athletes -- they won like 90 striaght matches before the Olympics, which at the top levels of any sport is almost unheard-of in sports. One girl injured her stomach and was iffy but obviously is playing well. They have amazing balance, quickness, coordination, and reflexes. And they are very easy on the eyes -- especially the shorter one. With a combo like this -- I watch!
Anyway, I'll try again...
The girls in the volleyball match are awesome athletes -- they won like 90 striaght matches before the Olympics, which at the top levels of any sport is almost unheard-of in sports. One girl injured her stomach and was iffy but obviously is playing well. They have amazing balance, quickness, coordination, and reflexes. And they are very easy on the eyes
-- especially the shorter one. With a combo like this -- I watch!
I tell ya, I've really enjoyed the guys gymnastics...they are sooo built! And winning the gold doesn't hurt either
damn I thought it had to do with boobies 
Yeah, I haven't seen a big bust yet...
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Aug 26 2004, 02:07 PM)
Yeah, I haven't seen a big bust yet...
Yeah, but there are some real nice butts and legs over there!
women's beach volleyball kicks ass...
more
more
whew....
any one have a cigarette?
any one have a cigarette?
some more
more
some more...
Good job Greedy..... now thats a sport
Told ya!
QUOTE (GreedyXJ @ Aug 26 2004, 07:01 PM)
some more...
w00t
QUOTE (Yossarian @ Aug 26 2004, 01:51 PM)
whew....
any one have a cigarette?
any one have a cigarette?
Forget about a cigarette. I'm ready for a drink!
I have a feeling I'm out-numbered here!
If only the guys wore their suits in perma-wedgie style. Then Naomi and the rest of us would have parity!
moms - you've obviously missed the men's diving competition. I was so disgusted/embarrassed I had to change the channel.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.