Beijing 2008 winner : USA vs China

[demoore]

USA won Athens 2004 Olympics but with few more title than China.
Beijing 2008 Olympics (http://www.chinese-tools.com/beijing2008) are coming. Will China benefit of its "host" position and win the games?

[proazn]

China is serious about these Olympics. They want to show the world they're the next superpower. They training their atheletes in nearly every event. I think they will win more medals in the 2008 olympics.

Also, can someone tell me why there are so many swimming events? u got a guy like Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals. and all he does is SWIM!

I say there should only be 1 medal for each swimming stroke.

[MD2020]

Also, can someone tell me why there are so many swimming events?

Because white people want gold medals

[Golden Monkey]

Also, can someone tell me why there are so many swimming events?

That's a stupid question. Why not ask why are there so many running events? Because someone good at 100meters is not necessarily good at the mile/1500meters.

u got a guy like Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals.and all he does is SWIM!

Why do you need to diminish his accomplishments?


I say there should only be 1 medal for each swimming stroke.

Brilliant. How about only one running distance. Are you a total spaz? LOL. Do you know anything about sports?

Better to object to the Chinese winning gold in useless shit like badminton, table tennis, air rifle shooting (I'm not kidding) and women's archery. :rolleyes:

[Napoleon Chynamite]

I think most sports are pretty much useless with the obvious purpose of maintaining physical fitness and health. Basketball and baseball are no more useful than table tennis, badminton, or playing parcheesi for that matter. If it's not entertainment, people just need things to make themselves feel better with competition.

[cloudzero]

the only thing that comes to mind when talking about the Olympics is that the US is trying to discredit china's medal counts. probably because they are right behind the US. they always try to point out that the gymnastic athletes are abused. like the kids being kidnapped to train at a young age and show pictures of little girls frown in pain when being bended by their trainers to be more flexible. even though last summer Olympics china lost almost all the gymnastic events and dominated the diving events

so many people are jealous rather than impressed unless its their own country or race.

[bluemonq]

This is not what the Olympics is supposed to be about.

[BigLew]

Well seeing as how I am an American, I hope the U.S. wins.

[Golden Monkey]

I think most sports are pretty much useless with the obvious purpose of maintaining physical fitness and health.

I don't mean useless that way. I mean don't compare real athletic endeavors like swimming, track, etc with air fuckin rifle shooting. :rolleyes:

Come on now. Badminton and archery? :biggrin:

What's next 400meter gardening? 200meter internet solitaire? :wink:

[yoMAMA]

i could care less who wins more medals in beijing next year.

may the best (non doped) athlete win!

[yoMAMA]

China is serious about these Olympics. They want to show the world they're the next superpower.

China is already an athletic superpower.

They don't need to prove nothing to nobody.

[SunWuKong]

I don't mean useless that way. I mean don't compare real athletic endeavors like swimming, track, etc with air fuckin rifle shooting. :rolleyes:

there's only one way for a sport to be useless - which is... um... useless... basically all sports are useless when done as a competition. seeing who can swim the fastest from one end of the pool to the other end is basic ass-hattery.

[MD2020]

Come on now. Badminton and archery? :biggrin:


Archery's been in the Olympics since 1900, was removed in 1920 because standards kept shifting, then was reintroduced in 1972. Shooting's been in since the modern games' inception in 1896. It's not like the freaking x-games or something.

[yoMAMA]

air rifle shooting was a big deal: in 1984 a chinese won a gold medal in that event, china's first ever (or PRC's) gold medal in olympics.

It was called breaking the zero barrier. HUGE deal in china.:biggrin:

[proazn]

there's only one way for a sport to be useless - which is... um... useless... basically all sports are useless when done as a competition. seeing who can swim the fastest from one end of the pool to the other end is basic ass-hattery.

What do you mean sports is useless? This just tells me you're not very athletic at all. Lots of people earn a living off of sports, some earn in the MILLIONS of dollars by playing the game at the highest level. Others are coaches, others develop the facilities, others cover the games, others bet on sports. It's a multi-billion dollar business and an indication of how well a countries economy is doing.

Sports is also the only way asians can get into the mainstream public without any help of racial preferences. In sports, if you're the best at what you do, you will be signed to a contract and you will be seen in the american public. In entertainment industry (and some other professions), you may be the best, but if you don't fit a racial profile, you will not be signed to a contract.

[proazn]

But can someone tell me why there's such a disparity among the medals given for each sport? In swimming, the same swimming stroke will give out 3-5 medals and then there's 5 different swimming strokes. Not to mention relay teams for each swimming stroke. That's around 25 medals given out for just swimming. Don't forget diving too. So you've got a guy like Michael Phelps who inflates the medal count for Team USA... and all he does is swim.

Yet, in the more popular team sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, even baseball... only ONE medal is given away to the top team. and only counts as ONE medal in a country's medal count.

[MD2020]

Sports is also the only way asians can get into the mainstream public without any help of racial preferences. In sports, if you're the best at what you do, you will be signed to a contract and you will be seen in the american public.

Whoa, tell that to Timmy Chang and Norm Chow.:frown:

[yoMAMA]

Sports is also the only way asians can get into the mainstream public without any help of racial preferences.

ever heard of a thing called higher education?

[yoMAMA]

In entertainment industry (and some other professions), you may be the best, but if you don't fit a racial profile, you will not be signed to a contract.

totally agree with the entertainment part.

in america, if you are not white or black, you are not gonna make it in the entertainment business.

[proazn]

ever heard of a thing called higher education?

higher education gets u a job as an engineer or a doctor. but can you name any famous asian doctors or engineers??? probably not.

[Edwin]

Yeah I agree that out of all the entertainment vehicles, sports is the one that is the most color blind. How many Asian actors or musicians can you name that gets as much press as Yao or Dice-k? And now with all the money & interest that can be generated from the fan base in Asia, Asian born athletes are actually in greater demand from all major sports organizations in the US than ever before. (Poor Timmy is an American) Everyone wants their own version of the Yao Ming cash cow.

Of course it only works well for your image if they perform well, otherwise it opens up more windows for the haters who says we can't compete.

[yoMAMA]

higher education gets u a job as an engineer or a doctor. but can you name any famous asian doctors or engineers??? probably not.

Yes.

Jerry Yang, Stanford PHD in computer/hard science, billionaire, co-founder and now CEO of yahoo!

The entertainment industry may be hostile to Asian Americans, but there are still plenty of other opportunities to advance and succeed.

[bluemonq]

higher education gets u a job as an engineer or a doctor. but can you name any famous asian doctors or engineers??? probably not.
Srsly? Dr. David Ho, inventor of the AIDS drug "cocktail" regimen.

[deez nuts]

What do you mean sports is useless? This just tells me you're not very athletic at all. Lots of people earn a living off of sports, some earn in the MILLIONS of dollars by playing the game at the highest level. Others are coaches, others develop the facilities, others cover the games, others bet on sports. It's a multi-billion dollar business and an indication of how well a countries economy is doing.

Sports is also the only way asians can get into the mainstream public without any help of racial preferences. In sports, if you're the best at what you do, you will be signed to a contract and you will be seen in the american public. In entertainment industry (and some other professions), you may be the best, but if you don't fit a racial profile, you will not be signed to a contract.

were you one of those kids in high school that sucked in sports in high school? never made the cut on a junior varsity let alone a varsity team yet kept trying out year after year only to be laughed at during try outs and is trying to make up for it now at the ripe age of 31?

[BeTheReds]

But can someone tell me why there's such a disparity among the medals given for each sport? In swimming, the same swimming stroke will give out 3-5 medals and then there's 5 different swimming strokes. Not to mention relay teams for each swimming stroke. That's around 25 medals given out for just swimming. Don't forget diving too. So you've got a guy like Michael Phelps who inflates the medal count for Team USA... and all he does is swim.

Yet, in the more popular team sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, even baseball... only ONE medal is given away to the top team. and only counts as ONE medal in a country's medal count.

In nearly all racing sports, there are different events based on distance in the same sports. Running, Swimming, Biking, Skating.. you name it. Do you think they should have 100meter dashers just compete in one running event with marathon runners?

I don't see you complaining about Ahn Hyun Soo and his 3 gold medals and 1 bronze medal in Short Track Speed Skating in Turin in 2006. One could say that his 3 golds artificially double Korea's total, because he won half of Korea's golds.

Quit complaining. If a Chinese swimmer took 8 golds away you'd be all over that shit and you know it.

[Thanol]

But can someone tell me why there's such a disparity among the medals given for each sport? In swimming, the same swimming stroke will give out 3-5 medals and then there's 5 different swimming strokes. Not to mention relay teams for each swimming stroke. That's around 25 medals given out for just swimming. Don't forget diving too. So you've got a guy like Michael Phelps who inflates the medal count for Team USA... and all he does is swim.

Yet, in the more popular team sports like Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, even baseball... only ONE medal is given away to the top team. and only counts as ONE medal in a country's medal count.

So get better at swimming. :rolleyes:

[proazn]

were you one of those kids in high school that sucked in sports in high school? never made the cut on a junior varsity let alone a varsity team yet kept trying out year after year only to be laughed at during try outs and is trying to make up for it now at the ripe age of 31?

No, I was not one of those type of kids. I was the typical asian kid who's parents didn't want their sons to tryout for any sports but instead spend extra time to study to become a doctor or engineer where I can work in a cubicle or hospital and stay out of the spotlight. But, I'm still in such good shape, that if i try out with other 31 year-olds, I would make any team in any sport.


but get real, i know who Jerry Yang is, but would the average american joe or young teenage girls know who he is?

for the record, if the chinese win 8 golds in diving, I would be against it. so many gay guys in that sport it's ridiculous. But if the Chinese basketball team wins gold, then they deserve 12 gold medals.

[grimfan]

You will normally not see a runner win more than one event (not counting relays). For example, Maurice Green will not be competitive in the 200m, despite the fact that it's only an extra 100m of distance from his best event. At most, a runner like Michael Johnson will compete in 2 events, but this is rare. Carl Lewis was able to do both track AND field, but he was an absolute freak of a human being.

However, in swimming, one swimmer is capable of winning multiple distances with multiple strokes. What's the point of all these different races if the same person is going to win them anyway? It's like adding a 95m sprint and a 105m sprint in track and field. Yes, winning 8 medals like Michael Phelps takes a lot of athleticism, but it also stinks of American influence in the IOC to maximize their medal count.

[inthesky]

Well, back to the topic regarding olympics in china...

From my trip to China, I can definitely tell you that it's somewhat of a vehicle for nationalistic pride. I guess because it's being held in China, there's alot of buildup. Turned on TV, I can't tell you how many commercials and short shows focused on the olympics, and how often the little Beijing symbol showed up. There was recently the 1-year pre-anniversary countdown thing held in Tiannamen sqaure and televised - it was pretty large-scale. Go to the "Beijing Olympics 2008" official stores and it is just packed with people buying memorabilia (sp?)...crazy.

Hmm. on the flip-side, China defintiely is aware that the world's gonna be watching. There's this temple that was newly built outside Beijing - sort of focusing on Tibet (lots of Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, procedures, etc), tour guide explaining about Tibet things etc. I mean it's all nice and dandy until they start talking about the dalai lama - which is their own self-appointed dalai lama and don't even mention the real one. Anyways, small observation for a fairly insignificant temple.

Back to topic, everywhere I went in China, there would be posters of Chinese atheletes, and strangely Jackie Chan. I wouldn't be suprised at all if China "won" the Olympics, it's something to be expected eventually IMO. But then Olympics shouldn't really be about that...

[epmd]

Beijing 08 is not going to be fight between China and USA, it's going to be a fight between China and JAPAN. These two countries have a rivalry for power in East Asia that goes back milleniums and China wants to take back what it considers it's natural lead in Asia. You KNOW the Chinese are going NUTS training their Atheletes for a Showing in Beijing 08... but the Japanese are doing the SAME THING. See that last Olympics and how many medals the Japanese won, the Japanese are never big winners in the Olympics but they improved greatly last Olympics. Tokyo re-gained economic supremacy after their Olympics and Korea rose from its ashes with Seoul 88. Beijing wants to do the exact same thing in 08 and the Japan will not let that happen without a fight. I was in Japan during the huge anti-Japanese riots a few years ago and Japanese are SCARED SHITLESS of China in many many ways. I am Korean but I have to say that from what I've seen, Korea will stand back and follow along whoever wins this neo-war between China and Japan.

[proazn]

Here is the list of sports in the olympics followed by the number of medals given out (in parenthesis). The most popular sports like badminton and basketball only gives out a handful of medals. While swimming gives out a whopping 34 medals!!

and oh yeah, in swimming there's the 50M, 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M races for each type of stroke. why don't they just add the 300M and 500M while they're at it.

p.s. Weightlighting should NOT be a sport. same with Synchronized Swimming.


* Archery (4)
* Athletics (47)
* Badminton (5)
* Baseball (1)
* Basketball (2)
* Boxing (11)
* Canoeing (16)
* Cycling (18)
* Diving (8)
* Equestrian (6)
* Fencing (10)
* Field Hockey (2)
* Football/Soccer (2)
* Gymnastics (18)
* Handball (2)
* Judo (14)
* Modern pentathlon (2)
* Rowing (14)
* Sailing (11)
* Shooting (15)
* Softball (1)
* Swimming (34)
* Synchronized swimming (2)
* Table tennis (4)
* Taekwondo (8)
* Tennis (4)
* Triathlon (2)
* Volleyball (4)
* Water polo (2)
* Weightlifting (15)
* Wrestling (18)

[BeTheReds]

Here is the list of sports in the olympics followed by the number of medals given out (in parenthesis). The most popular sports like badminton and basketball only gives out a handful of medals. While swimming gives out a whopping 34 medals!!

and oh yeah, in swimming there's the 50M, 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M races for each type of stroke. why don't they just add the 300M and 500M while they're at it.

p.s. Weightlighting should NOT be a sport. same with Synchronized Swimming.


* Archery (4)
* Athletics (47)
* Badminton (5)
* Baseball (1)
* Basketball (2)
* Boxing (11)
* Canoeing (16)
* Cycling (18)
* Diving (8)
* Equestrian (6)
* Fencing (10)
* Field Hockey (2)
* Football/Soccer (2)
* Gymnastics (18)
* Handball (2)
* Judo (14)
* Modern pentathlon (2)
* Rowing (14)
* Sailing (11)
* Shooting (15)
* Softball (1)
* Swimming (34)
* Synchronized swimming (2)
* Table tennis (4)
* Taekwondo (8)
* Tennis (4)
* Triathlon (2)
* Volleyball (4)
* Water polo (2)
* Weightlifting (15)
* Wrestling (18)


Not all sports are equal. Swimming's total is exaggerated for distance and stroke, plus they have to offer just as many medals for both genders. If you want the popular sports to get more medals, you'd need to diversify into Gym Basketball, Court Basketball, etc. Or Soccer, Beach Soccer, Futsal...

How come you're not complaining about Athletics? The US cleans up there too! You should demand that they throw pole vaulters, hammer throwers, and sprinters into the marathon!

And what about Shooting, Equestrian, Gymnastics, and Judo? Lots of medals freely handed out there!

[BeTheReds]

Beijing 08 is not going to be fight between China and USA, it's going to be a fight between China and JAPAN. These two countries have a rivalry for power in East Asia that goes back milleniums and China wants to take back what it considers it's natural lead in Asia. You KNOW the Chinese are going NUTS training their Atheletes for a Showing in Beijing 08... but the Japanese are doing the SAME THING. See that last Olympics and how many medals the Japanese won, the Japanese are never big winners in the Olympics but they improved greatly last Olympics. Tokyo re-gained economic supremacy after their Olympics and Korea rose from its ashes with Seoul 88. Beijing wants to do the exact same thing in 08 and the Japan will not let that happen without a fight. I was in Japan during the huge anti-Japanese riots a few years ago and Japanese are SCARED SHITLESS of China in many many ways. I am Korean but I have to say that from what I've seen, Korea will stand back and follow along whoever wins this neo-war between China and Japan.

In the Asian Games, China always dominates, and the rivalry is always between Korea and Japan for 2nd place. In most olympics China has outperformed Japan, even in Japan's good years. In 2004, Japan had 1/2 as many golds as China. The only times Japan did better than China was before 1976, when China was never present. The real Japan-China rivalry is in the Winter Olympics, and Korea usually outperforms both!

[epmd]

^^ I have a feeling the Japanese are going to perform exceptionally well in Beijing 08 because of the Japanese fear of Chinese domination. The olympics have been as much about politics and political power as well as sports. the 21st century is shaping up to be China's century and Japan sees itself losing its grip and is totally paranoid. You see see the fear in Japan about anything China related these days. And you're in KOrea now, you'll probably see the China fever that's been happening there for a while. Massive sections in bookstores dedicated to books about chinese business, history, culture and korea-china relations. plus the explosion of chinese language schools and koreans going to china to study. China is winning this war and it hopes a very successful Beijing 08 will seal the deal.

[Thanol]

I think China will win the olympics, by the gold medal count.

And Proazn. You need to stop bitching about swimming. First of all you don't even know what the events are. Only Freestyle has all four events, and there are only 4 strokes plus IM, only an idiot would claim there are 5.

[BeTheReds]

^^ I have a feeling the Japanese are going to perform exceptionally well in Beijing 08 because of the Japanese fear of Chinese domination. The olympics have been as much about politics and political power as well as sports. the 21st century is shaping up to be China's century and Japan sees itself losing its grip and is totally paranoid. You see see the fear in Japan about anything China related these days. And you're in KOrea now, you'll probably see the China fever that's been happening there for a while. Massive sections in bookstores dedicated to books about chinese business, history, culture and korea-china relations. plus the explosion of chinese language schools and koreans going to china to study. China is winning this war and it hopes a very successful Beijing 08 will seal the deal.

Dude, China's still looked down upon. There are more students wanting to study Japanese, and most students are going to the US and Japan. China's a distant third. It may be a different story in 20 years or so.

[BeTheReds]

I think China will win the olympics, by the gold medal count.


Only through treachery. The U.S. will clean up again, though it might be closer than normal. I can concievably see China getting more golds, but definately not more total medals. In 2004 when China got 32 golds to the US's 36 golds, the US got 102 total medals to China's 63. China's doing better and better and should give the US a run for the money.

[grimfan]

How come you're not complaining about Athletics? The US cleans up there too! You should demand that they throw pole vaulters, hammer throwers, and sprinters into the marathon!

Even the best track and field athletes don't usually win more than 2-3 medals unless they are Carl Lewis. Swimmers, however, tend to rack up tons of medals despite competing in "diverse" events.

[BeTheReds]

Even the best track and field athletes don't usually win more than 2-3 medals unless they are Carl Lewis. Swimmers, however, tend to rack up tons of medals despite competing in "diverse" events.

So why is that a problem? Each stroke is different.

[epmd]

Dude, China's still looked down upon. There are more students wanting to study Japanese, and most students are going to the US and Japan. China's a distant third. It may be a different story in 20 years or so.


that's precisely the point, koreans are looking 20 years into the future and its seeming to them and others that china will be the top dog. I found Koreans' opinions on Japanese and Chinese are not easily defined. most koreans defintely prefer an individual from japan than from China, but nationally, they seem to relish in the old relatoinship korea has had from china.. they love the hold hanja koreans still use and you see how old architecture and art is influence very much by china. with the japanese, a lot of Koreans would talk about how much they dislike Japanese or japan but the minute they come across some Japanese products the Koreans love it, i remember some younger people saying they dislike japan one minute and then when I told them I visted Japan the same Koreans were going "coool, i want to go to tokyo too, so many people there." in my opinion, in the west, if you're a racist and have prejudicial beliefs, it bascially consumes your whole existence. but with the asians, it's on a case per case basis.. it's not taboo to be racist over there.. so they just say racist things as they please but they're not dumb enough to think that every single individual from a place is the same. it's a better way

[Napoleon Chynamite]

You guys should just save us all some time and bow down and start paying your tributes now. We take Visa or Mastercard.

[popculturepooka]

in my opinion, in the west, if you're a racist and have prejudicial beliefs, it bascially consumes your whole existence. but with the asians, it's on a case per case basis.. it's not taboo to be racist over there.. so they just say racist things as they please but they're not dumb enough to think that every single individual from a place is the same. it's a better way

there's a better way to be racist? um...okay?
and you're totally wrong on that asians in asia "case per case" racism thing. just letting you know.


and go U-S-A!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yoMAMA]

maybe i'm naive...

but i just find rooting for a certain athlete for team just because you are from the same country or race....stupid.

I'll root for whoever is the best, athletic and personal wise.

[AngryABCGirl]

in my opinion, in the west, if you're a racist and have prejudicial beliefs, it bascially consumes your whole existence. but with the asians, it's on a case per case basis.. it's not taboo to be racist over there.. so they just say racist things as they please but they're not dumb enough to think that every single individual from a place is the same. it's a better way

I wouldn't say it is socially acceptable at all in Asia to be racist and it's a sign to many that you haven't had an education, although of course many educated people are still also racist. The manifestations are just different.

[BeTheReds]

that's precisely the point, koreans are looking 20 years into the future and its seeming to them and others that china will be the top dog.

Yes, and until China is the top dog, they will still be seen by the majority in Korea as inferior. If a Korean student goes to the U.S. or Japan or England, it's normal. If he goes to China, it's like.. Why?


I found Koreans' opinions on Japanese and Chinese are not easily defined. most koreans defintely prefer an individual from japan than from China, but nationally, they seem to relish in the old relatoinship korea has had from china..

Yes, the old relationship. A relationship they will never have again. No longer will China be Korea's only source of high culture, science and technology, music, art, language appropriation.. etc. Sure China could dominate the region, but they won't have the same relationship with Korea.


they love the hold hanja koreans still use and you see how old architecture and art is influence very much by china.

First.. Hanja, while it may be Chinese in origin is so commonplace that it can't be considered as necessarily a love for China just because one uses Hanja. The equivalent would be saying that we in the English speaking world love the greeks and romans so much because we use the alphabet that they helped popularize.

Second. Most modern architecture is influenced by western design (skyscrapers and other multistory brick buildings). Traditional architecture certainly is based on Chinese sources, but since barely anyone uses the traditional buildings for anything other than museums and tourist traps, it will be nearly impossible to suggest that this kind of thing shows a reverence for China in the modern era.


with the japanese, a lot of Koreans would talk about how much they dislike Japanese or japan but the minute they come across some Japanese products the Koreans love it, i remember some younger people saying they dislike japan one minute and then when I told them I visted Japan the same Koreans were going "coool, i want to go to tokyo too, so many people there."

No argument there. It's funny to see kids saying they hate Japan wile playing their Nintendo DS, listening to it on Sony headphones, wearing a doraemon shirt and eating at lotteria.

in my opinion, in the west, if you're a racist and have prejudicial beliefs, it bascially consumes your whole existence. but with the asians, it's on a case per case basis.. it's not taboo to be racist over there.. so they just say racist things as they please but they're not dumb enough to think that every single individual from a place is the same. it's a better way
I have to disagree with you. Why would racism be any more or less consuming in the West? It's the same.

[SunWuKong]

What do you mean sports is useless? This just tells me you're not very athletic at all.

not anymore. but i did play football and track & field in high school. i'd say that sports is great for kids to develop a sense of discipline and confidence. but i don't see how its useful for adults to be in competitive sports. yeah if you're one of the best you can make millions of dollars by playing sports. but then again, you probably have a higher chance of getting struck by lightning than of becoming an athlete that earns 7 figures. hell, it takes much less effort if you go on reality TV and act like a dumbass to try to earn 7 figures. it's all good if you love playing sports and if you love watching it. hell, i loved playing football in high school. but is competitive sport somehow "useful", at least for adults? not in my opinion.

In entertainment industry (and some other professions), you may be the best, but if you don't fit a racial profile, you will not be signed to a contract.

what about classical music? lots of Asians in the classical music industry. and i highly doubt that Asians in sports do not face discrimination and stereotyping that may hold their careers back.

[Craig]

maybe i'm naive...

but i just find rooting for a certain athlete for team just because you are from the same country or race....stupid.

I'll root for whoever is the best, athletic and personal wise.Is that why you were waving the Chinese flag and yelling "Go Yao" at the Houston Rockets game ?

[yoMAMA]

Is that why you were waving the Chinese flag and yelling "Go Yao" at the Houston Rockets game ?

not me.

i don't even follow the nba.

[proazn]

I think China will win the olympics, by the gold medal count.

And Proazn. You need to stop bitching about swimming. First of all you don't even know what the events are. Only Freestyle has all four events, and there are only 4 strokes plus IM, only an idiot would claim there are 5.


If I had it my way, there would only be two medals given out for swimming. There will be one event for the males and one for the females. A team relay of 1600Meters and the swimmers can use whatever stroke they want to go the fastest. This way, the team gets the medal for their country rather than one single individual. It's a better indication of which country is best at swimming.

You don't see extra medals given out for basketball in a three point shooting contest or slam dunk contest. why does swimming have so many medals? Most likey to get people involved in swimming if they have a better chance of winning a medal and more money in TV rights to extend the events.

I don't want to get started in the other sports like Athletics - it would take all day.

[grimfan]

If I had it my way, there would only be two medals given out for swimming. There will be one event for the males and one for the females. A team relay of 1600Meters and the swimmers can use whatever stroke they want to go the fastest. This way, the team gets the medal for their country rather than one single individual. It's a better indication of which country is best at swimming.

I think that's too extreme, but I do wish that swimming would be arranged so that even a phenomenal swimmer would only win about 3 medals. One person picking up 8 is just ridiculous, especially when it seems to occur every other Olympics (again, Carl Lewis of T&F was a once-in-a-century athlete).

[BeTheReds]

Park Tae Hwan is gonna pick up 8 this year so stop complaining.