Summer Olympics: Beijing, China - Page 31

MamaC · 08-16-2008, 02:07 AM

I remember the Mark Spitz love from the 72 games and then was quite surprised to read about all the whining he did re: the Beijing games. But I will admit that I thought he couldn't have been more gracious tonight in that interview with bob and Michael. Like Spitz said, "Tonight was EPIC!"

Hubby and I were watching the race, and I said that I didn't think he was going to do it (come in first). Then he started gaining some speed. Then it was right down to the finish. I still wasn't completely sure that he actually came in first. Hubby said he did. I said, "Well if he did it had to be something like 1/100th of a second!" Sure enough, about a minute later, that is what they said it was! The look hubby gave me was priceless.

I loved when NBC showed his mom and sisters in the crowd and the mom thought he came in second, was completely stunned when she realized he came in first and then had to sit down.

Will be rooting for Michael tomorrow night, as well as Dara Torres!

ETA...Newf...glad you have your priorities straight!

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Mikesgal · 08-16-2008, 02:44 AM

Just cuz I'm nosy....where is Michael Phelps' father?

MamaC · 08-16-2008, 02:46 AM

I asked my hubby that question just last night. He didn't know, so I googled! Turns out that the parents divorced when Michael was about 7 and he and his father do not have that close a relationship. They send emails every so often, but that's about it! Still, I would think that he would want to be on hand to see his son competing.

Bearcata · 08-16-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaC

I asked my hubby that question just last night. He didn't know, so I googled! Turns out that the parents divorced when Michael was about 7 and he and his father do not have that close a relationship. They send emails every so often, but that's about it! Still, I would think that he would want to be on hand to see his son competing.

Divorced parents can still be quite nasty to each other even if they have been divorced for yrs. We had a 30 yr old co-worker die from luekemia and I heard quite a few stories about argurments between the mom and dad while their son was in the hospital. What was really telling was when I came into work one Monday was to be told that my co-worker had passed away that Saturday and the Dad had not been informed, that one of our supervisors had just gotten off the phone with him and had to tell him that his son had passed away 2 days ago. It was so bad that our whole office was at the funeral but his father was not. BTW this occurred over a 2 yr period.

canuckinchile · 08-16-2008, 08:49 AM

Woot! Canada FINALLY got on the board with a gold in women's wrestling and a silver in the men's pairs in rowing.

FireWoman · 08-16-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Lane

Is everything I read in Sports Illustrated wrong? I swear... they said in a recent issue (last couple of weeks) that Phelps' girlfriend is a stunning dark haired beauty... Hey, I'm dark haired...and I've been known to stun some people... oh, they mean that other kind of stunning... Ha ha! Go get him FireWoman!

LOL, this was in Time:

"Away from the Olympics I’ve got a pretty quiet life. It’s kinda boring. I haven’t got a girlfriend and I can’t do the kind of things all my friends are doing as college students. I swim, listen to hip hop and work on my car. But, in my opinion, that’s still a pretty good life. I don’t know whether I’d want to trade it for anything.”

Some reports confused him and Ryan (who does have a GF

)

Broadway · 08-16-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Lane

Thanks girl! You know where I'll be Saturday night!

I taped tonight's race and will be watching to see it. I always wondered why they coasted in instead of swimming all the way to the edge. Whenever I see them kind of coast, I wonder if someone will zoom past them...

I just looked it up and the 4x100 medley relay final is at 10:58pm EDT tonight. Hopefully it isn't the same nailbiter!

That coast is the only thing that saved Phelps. Man... that kid is going to be kicking himself for a while, especially since he was the one that riled Phelps up that morning with his comment that Phelps losing would be good for the sport. Yet another France/US type of comment.

famita · 08-16-2008, 10:29 AM

This has been a phenomenal year for the Olympics! I was cheering (by myself) when M Phelps was swimming. I couldn't believe it! SOOOOOO close! (Newf, you know we FoRTers think you're still number one in the speedos category!)

I truly enjoyed watching all the swimmers. Who's the one that trained in the US and came in 2nd? I thought she did a really good job. I think she has 6 out of the 7 total medals for her country.

I don't enjoy the track and field so much, but am looking forward to the rhythmic gymnastics and the trampoline. I gues I'd better find out when they're on.

As for the scoring bruhaha on the gymnastics, I think it will always be there. It is subjective. I think when the commentators bring up issues, they stick in our minds. I was impressed with a lot of the competitors, not just the US. I know I couldn't do even 1/5 of what they do, even if I had a million years to practice!

daddyzgirl · 08-16-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuckinchile

Woot! Canada FINALLY got on the board with a gold in women's wrestling and a silver in the men's pairs in rowing.

Let's also add a Bronze in Women's Wrestling! Looks like the 8th day of the Olympics turned out to be a lucky day indeed!

Broadway · 08-16-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famita

This has been a phenomenal year for the Olympics! I was cheering (by myself) when M Phelps was swimming. I couldn't believe it! SOOOOOO close! (Newf, you know we FoRTers think you're still number one in the speedos category!)

Oh my eyes, my eyes!!!

Quote:

I truly enjoyed watching all the swimmers. Who's the one that trained in the US and came in 2nd? I thought she did a really good job. I think she has 6 out of the 7 total medals for her country.

I think you're referring to Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe? Her story is really a fun one. The other night they showed her returning home to Zimbabwe after either the last Olympics or the World Championships and they had a huge celebration for her... all in the midst of local unrest. It was pretty touching. She goes to school/trains in Georgia or Alabama.. somewhere down there.

I have never really followed swimming and it never used to hold my interest. But this year I've been glued to the tv for every event. I love it, too!

08-16-2008, 02:07 AM	#301
MamaC addicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Age: 54 Posts: 2,357	Re: Summer Olympics: Beijing, China I remember the Mark Spitz love from the 72 games and then was quite surprised to read about all the whining he did re: the Beijing games. But I will admit that I thought he couldn't have been more gracious tonight in that interview with bob and Michael. Like Spitz said, "Tonight was EPIC!" Hubby and I were watching the race, and I said that I didn't think he was going to do it (come in first). Then he started gaining some speed. Then it was right down to the finish. I still wasn't completely sure that he actually came in first. Hubby said he did. I said, "Well if he did it had to be something like 1/100th of a second!" Sure enough, about a minute later, that is what they said it was! The look hubby gave me was priceless. I loved when NBC showed his mom and sisters in the crowd and the mom thought he came in second, was completely stunned when she realized he came in first and then had to sit down. Will be rooting for Michael tomorrow night, as well as Dara Torres! ETA...Newf...glad you have your priorities straight!

08-16-2008, 02:44 AM	#302
Mikesgal FORT Fan Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 281	Re: Summer Olympics: Beijing, China Just cuz I'm nosy....where is Michael Phelps' father?

08-16-2008, 02:46 AM	#303
MamaC addicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Age: 54 Posts: 2,357	Re: Summer Olympics: Beijing, China I asked my hubby that question just last night. He didn't know, so I googled! Turns out that the parents divorced when Michael was about 7 and he and his father do not have that close a relationship. They send emails every so often, but that's about it! Still, I would think that he would want to be on hand to see his son competing.

08-16-2008, 08:49 AM	#305
canuckinchile FORT Fogey Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: back in "The Big Smoke" Posts: 5,270	Re: Summer Olympics: Beijing, China Woot! Canada FINALLY got on the board with a gold in women's wrestling and a silver in the men's pairs in rowing.

08-16-2008, 10:29 AM	#308
famita FORT Fogey Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,194	Re: Summer Olympics: Beijing, China This has been a phenomenal year for the Olympics! I was cheering (by myself) when M Phelps was swimming. I couldn't believe it! SOOOOOO close! (Newf, you know we FoRTers think you're still number one in the speedos category!) I truly enjoyed watching all the swimmers. Who's the one that trained in the US and came in 2nd? I thought she did a really good job. I think she has 6 out of the 7 total medals for her country. I don't enjoy the track and field so much, but am looking forward to the rhythmic gymnastics and the trampoline. I gues I'd better find out when they're on. As for the scoring bruhaha on the gymnastics, I think it will always be there. It is subjective. I think when the commentators bring up issues, they stick in our minds. I was impressed with a lot of the competitors, not just the US. I know I couldn't do even 1/5 of what they do, even if I had a million years to practice!