Other Olympic Observations

[malkin]

I feel for the female US gymnasts. Every single one of them - they finish their routines, and the first thing they have to do is pull their uniforms out of their cracks. Every. Single. One. I think the designers didn't take muscular butts into account when designing. I wouldn't want my crack on international TV.

The male divers do a fair amount of 'adjusting' as well.

[jessmarimba]

I think they have relaxed the women's beach volleyball uniform regulations to allow women from more conservative countries to wear shorts/t-shirts.

I'm watching men's synchronized diving right now (how do you even get into something like that?) and I've seen more than enough plumbers crack for a lifetime. Half of their suits don't cover everything even before they hit the water. Eek!!

[malkin]

Okay, Costas and McEnroe...WARDROBE!!!!

Costas: gray suit with brown shoes and socks, and his tie reaches to the seat of his chair.

McEnroe: Looks like he's got a pair of kayaks on his feet!

[jessmarimba]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! )

[malkin]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

Maybe because the top has their name on it?
Maybe 'cuz it's pink?
A new fashion trend?
When I moved to Utah, I learned that a bra isn't always the layer of clothing worn closest to skin.

(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! )

Nah.
Let's compete for the gold medal in women's snark!

[Koronin]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! )

The US women don't. They are wearing what looks like wet suit tops over their bikini tops. I agree with you that ones that are look really stupid.

[Anyabeth]

I believe the ones who are wearing the suit tops outside their shirts are from countries that didn't issue long sleeve uniforms.

It is interesting that the commentary does not stop about the beach volleyball uniforms even though it has been an Olympic sport for over ten years with the same uniforms.

I like that they have expanded the options because of the location of the venue (and the weather) because it has allowed increased participation from women in more conservative countries.

It is interesting though because indoor volleyball was played in briefs forever (at all levels including my junior high team) and no one ever said boo.

[malkin]

I am way more bugged by the thought of sand everywhere than by the fabric to skin ratio.

Weren't the original Athletes in ancient Greece all nekkid anyway?
Maybe we could get Justice Scalia to leave the US Supreme Court and join the IOC to make an "originalist" ruling.

[jessmarimba]

I need to download a podcast of Morgan Freeman narrating something like the women's marathon to listen to while I run (and pretend it's about me). How motivating would that be! (Edit - except if it was the olympics, the narration would end about, oh, 2 hours early...)

(I had too much beer to write the report I was going to start tonight. Oh darn.)

Male gymnasts are adjusting a lot too. I'd almost rather see the women pick wedgies...at least I can relate a little better.

[malkin]

Has anyone else noticed that Bob Costas is starting to look like a vampire?
And not one of the romantic teenaged ones?

[Selkie]

Slow day at work yesterday, so I caught the ladies weighlifting. Some of the competitors would scream before they'd pick up the barbell. Gave me some good chuckles.

It was good to see Missy Franklin get her first Gold! And of course, Dana Vollmer taking the Gold in the 100m fly! Vollmer's story is very inspirational.

Not sure why beach volleyball was ever included in the Olympics, but I admit that even regular volleyball doesn't appeal to me. I'm glad that they are giving the women the option of not having to wear those skimpy swimsuits, too.

[lovelygamer]

So I haven noticed so much that the commentators are only men. I did notice the women that was doing the after the swim pool side interviews and she asks the stupidest questions. I felt sorry for Michael Phelps after the 400M medley (???) and he did not win a medal. Why ask him how he feels? and she made another comment that was insensitive. How come we love to dig in the fact that he is no longer the TOP or winning all the medals. He knows and feels this.
(ok, sorry about the rant--but it seemed mean to me and I feel really bad for him, it must be so hard!)

K

I noticed this. I think Phelps is pretty much a jerk (he lives near here and got a DUI in my area) however, I thought it was insensitive to push him like that on a live feed. We ALL know how bad he felt about that loss and the 400 is so hard that he didn't even have his breath yet let alone his thoughts.

Oddly enough when the reigning world champ in gymnastics didn't make the all around and started crying, they went to commercial to give her time to recover before getting on camera. Isn't that sweet?

Why can't all athletes get the same respect?

I am SO over Bob Costas. He too, makes insensitive and just inane remarks all of the time.

I missed the beach volleyball coverage so I can't discuss (I really don't care for volleyball of any kind). I also missed the weightlifting, darn it. I love the clean and jerk esp. for women. Swimming was excellent to watch last night and so was mens gymnastics.

[2wheelr]

I noticed this. I think Phelps is pretty much a jerk (he lives near here and got a DUI in my area) however, I thought it was insensitive to push him like that on a live feed. We ALL know how bad he felt about that loss and the 400 is so hard that he didn't even have his breath yet let alone his thoughts.

Oddly enough when the reigning world champ in gymnastics didn't make the all around and started crying, they went to commercial to give her time to recover before getting on camera. Isn't that sweet?

Why can't all athletes get the same respect?

I am SO over Bob Costas. He too, makes insensitive and just inane remarks all of the time.

I missed the beach volleyball coverage so I can't discuss (I really don't care for volleyball of any kind). I also missed the weightlifting, darn it. I love the clean and jerk esp. for women. Swimming was excellent to watch last night and so was mens gymnastics.

I love the women's weightlifting, and this year Nick Mangold's sister, Holley, is in it. (I'm a Jets fan...I know, I know...) Mens Gymnastics were depressing, all the mistakes, it makes me feel bad for them. I do love the swimming. Synchronized diving is really fantastic. When they get it perfect, it's incredible.
I am disappointed in the commentators too. They don't seem to know all that much. During the mens gymnastics, in particular the uneven bars, they kept saying well, next he'll be..and he didn't and oh how surprising. I kept wanting to say "Clam up and entertain me, dingbat!"

[Pax]

Okay, so we have synchronized diving, but no longer have softball in the Olympics???? There's like 50 people on the planet who do that kind of diving, and a probably a million+ who play softball. What. the. hell???

[limewave]

I am disappointed in the commentators too. They don't seem to know all that much. During the mens gymnastics, in particular the uneven bars, they kept saying well, next he'll be..and he didn't and oh how surprising. I kept wanting to say "Clam up and entertain me, dingbat!"

If only Bob Roll could commentate the Olympics . . .