The Olympics Thread, London 2012, Games of the XXX Olympiad, 27th July - 12th August

[Duncan Disordely]

Australian synchronized swimming team..

Dutch Hockey Players..

Ellen Hoog

Fatima Moreira de Melo

 

[RFUS]

Great fight then. The Ukrainians looks formidable.

That lad there (world no.1 middleweight) put together combinations far greater than anything I've seen so far. He was using his opponent as a punching bag.

 

[Del]

Really? You're gonna go with this? I'm pretty sure there's more realistic reasons behind those stats than this cheap and easy, 'oh, lets blame the rich and privilidged for everything, it's all their fault'.

On a more pleasant note, GB killing it in the Team Dressage so far.

Any one from up north on the team?

 

[Nails]

Australian synchronized swimming team..

O.
M.
G.

 

[Allezfan]

Really? You're gonna go with this? I'm pretty sure there's more realistic reasons behind those stats than this cheap and easy, 'oh, lets blame the rich and privilidged for everything, it's all their fault'.

If you're rich you have access to better facilities and training then if you're poor, so you do better at sports. Who do you know who owned a horse in school, ffs?

Also if there's no pressure on you to work to put money on the table as a teenager you can dedicate more time to stuff like shooting.

 

[Walken]

Fred Evans due in the ring at 3.15

 

[Del]

GIFSoup

 

[sheeds]

If you're rich you have access to better facilities and training then if you're poor, so you do better at sports. Who do you know who owned a horse in school, ffs?

Also if there's no pressure on you to work to put money on the table as a teenager you can dedicate more time to stuff like shooting.

But then the working class completely dominate boxing and football , it is really swings and roundabouts. A lot of the sports in the Olympics are certainly more associated with the middle class, that doesn't really distract from the dedication that anyone who competes at this level has to have that shotgun gold yesterday was working as a barman to support himself when the lottery funding was axed.

 

[toffeejack]

If you're rich you have access to better facilities and training then if you're poor, so you do better at sports. Who do you know who owned a horse in school, ffs?

Also if there's no pressure on you to work to put money on the table as a teenager you can dedicate more time to stuff like shooting.

gypseys own horses

 

[Philw]

Any one from up north on the team?

No idea, just turned on and saw the standings, none of our team have been on since. But i'm guessing no...

If you're rich you have access to better facilities and training then if you're poor, so you do better at sports. Who do you know who owned a horse in school, ffs?

Also if there's no pressure on you to work to put money on the table as a teenager you can dedicate more time to stuff like shooting.

I'm not sure whose side your on here, but basically stuff like this yeah. Fwiw I went to a private school. The Searle brothers went to my school, and Martin Cross (gold medal in 84' and Five Live rowing commentary) and Bryan Gunn (coxed Redgrave pair I think in 88' or 92') both taught there when I was there. We also had a ex-Aberdeen player coaching our 1st XI football team.

 

[Philw]

But then the working class completely dominate boxing and football , it is really swings and roundabouts. A lot of the sports in the Olympics are certainly more associated with the middle class, that doesn't really distract from the dedication that anyone who competes at this level has to have that shotgun gold yesterday was working as a barman to support himself when the lottery funding was axed.

As that article touched on, certain sports reflect the number privately educated ppl in society better. Anyone can afford to play games like football. Boxing is often a big 'lower class' sport, and also big in the Military. But obviously certain sports are very difficult for a lot of people to get into, but it is possible, if people care and are dedicated enough - see Hamilton, Lewis.

 

[sheeds]

As it happens the man considered our greatest ever Olympian Steve Redgrave went to a comp and I'm pretty sure Bradley wiggins did to

 

[Philw]

As it happens the man considered our greatest ever Olympian Steve Redgrave went to a comp and I'm pretty sure Bradley wiggins did to

Don't wanna say 'exactly', cos they are the minority, but it just proves what can be done if the talent/dedication is there.

Federer and Del Potro having a great match in the Tennis.

Edit: In the dressage, the German's horse currently riding is called 'Damon Hill'!!

 

[Walken]

Evans walking in now, come on boyo

 

[Allezfan]

I'm not sure whose side your on here, but basically stuff like this yeah.

Side of truth and justice, mate.

Nah, don't much care that the elite sportsmen are mostly made up with those with an elite education, same as the elite in other areas. Way of the world innit?