Missy Franklin won her first Olympic gold medal last night in the women's 100 backstroke. Immediately after winning, the NBC cameras went to Missy's parents who were in an emotional state somewhere between crying, cheering, smiling and probably "How the (bleep) did we get here?" At her poolside post-race interview, Missy was a little weepy, saying it was because she just saw her parents.
During the girl's (sorry, but these aren't women) gymnastics qualifying, in the uneven bars, after one of the US girl's routine, NBC showed her parent's reactions during the whole routine. They were leaning left and right, backwards and forwards, almost getting up, and falling back down. In unison with each other. It was the funniest thing I had seen at this year's Olympics until yesterday afternoon (see below). They looked like a weekend hacker golfer trying to move the ball by leaning. Only they were going in at least 5 different directions. The golfers always leans in one direction. At least until the next shot.
Michael Phelps swam the 200 butterfly semifinal last night. After his swim, the cameras went right to Mama Phelps and the sisters, who looked relieved that Phelps looked more like the 23 year old who won eight gold medals in Beijing than the 15 year old who finished fifth in the 200 fly in Sydney. Mama Phelps has been on TV more than anyone other than Michael himself over the last two Olympics.
Parents are everywhere.
I have already written about my angst as a parent. How hard do you push your kids in sports and when do you start pushing? Or do you push? This is a whole new level. Missy Franklin is 17 years old and has a chance to win seven medals in this Olympics. Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania won the women's 100 breastroke. She's 15. Shiwen Ye of China won the women's 400 IM. She's 16. Phelps made his first Olympics as a 15 year old. (If you haven't seen the clips of him in 2000 in Sydney, you need to. I am sure they will show them tonight for the final of the 200 fly.) 15 is 7 years older than my oldest child. How do you know your child is good enough to even think of the Olympics? And when?
My dream as a child was to win an Olympic gold medal. Actually, that's still my dream, but I don't think I am going to be able to pull off an Olympic debut at the age of 44. My dream as a parent is to watch my kids win an Olympic gold medal. Or the Tour de France. Or the Ironman World Championships. Or the Masters. I recently heard a coach say that one of the keys in sports is to set goals. Goals are realistic benchmarks for where you want to be at a particular time. If I start swimming races again, one of my first goals will be to break a minute in a 100 yard freestyle. That is realistic. The coach said that "I want to swim in the Olympics" is not a goal, it's a dream. However, for Missy Franklin, some time in the last four years, "I want to swim in the Olympics" became a goal. Michael Phelps reached that point some time around age 13. How do you know that being one of the best in the world is a goal, and not a dream?
When I was a child I saw John Naber speak. John Naber won four gold medals and one silver at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Naber said that he was so bad in high school, he won the most improved swimmer award all four years. I have no idea if this is true, but can someone today be a mediocre high school swimmer at age 15 and an Olympic contender, much less Olympic champion, by 22? Can you do this in any sport? Or do you have to start at age 4 and specialize by age 7? I know this is a little extreme, but my oldest son is 8, and sometimes I wonder if he is running out of time.
Then there is the sacrifice question. Even if your child has the talent to make the Olympics, or be a professional in a particular sport, do you really want to sacrifice their childhood? After winning seven medals in Athens, Micheal Phelps came home, bought a Lincoln Navigator and got arrested for drunk driving. When he was 19 years old. After winning eight golds in Beijing, Phelps was photographed with a bong at a college party somewhere in North Carolina. Neither one of these is very good, but they are things some kids do. Phelps lost part of his childhood to 3 hour practices in the pool. He probably went a little crazy during the post Olympics downtime. We see this more with stars in TV and movies than athletes, but there is a risk to the development of a person if they are forced-or choose-to do adult things too fast. No matter what that adult thing may be.
I saw a Beverly Hills 90210 episode once where Brandon got involved with a figure skater. He was impressed with her dedication and work ethic, and questioned his father why he didn't start such dedication as a boy in speed skating. (Back story was he was a very good youth speed skater when they lived in Minnesota.) His father told him that he had spoken to a top coach and the coach asked him if he wanted to raise a son or a champion. And he chose a son. But are they mutually exclusive?
We all have proud moments as a parent. Many are as simple as watching our child walk into school without crying for the first time. There is the first step, first soccer game, first time swimming across the pool without stopping, first win, etc., etc., etc. I am sure watching my child win an Olympic medal would be unbelievable. But that coach is right. It's a dream. It's a dream until one of them shows the ability to make it a goal. And that will likely not happen. That is probably a good thing. We can always watch others live their dreams.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Missy Franklin. Missy is a 17 year old star in swimming. She will be the darling of the 2012 Olympics, even more so than the Fab Five Gymnasts. She already has two medals, including individual gold in the 100 backstroke. She is swimming the 200 freestyle tonight and still has two relays, the 200 backstroke and the 100 freestyle. She will finish this Olympics with at least five medals and has a chance at seven. I am predicting four golds a silver and a bronze. If she sticks with swimming for eight more years, she will become the most decorated US female Olympian and will be a household name just below Phelps and Spitz. And she is fun. She is a normal teenager who happens to have extraordinary ability. If you are looking for a superstar athlete for your child to admire and emulate, I would recommend Missy. You never know what will come in the future (see Phelps and the DUI and bong), but I have faith in Missy. She is rapidly becoming my favorite swimmer.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and
medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
1. I love women's volleyball. All women's volleyball. Indoor team beat Brazil. My volleyball insider told me that in US volleyball, they say "It's OK to lose. Just don't lose to Brazil." They followed that one well. The women have looked very good so far. As have the beach players. Misty and Kerri almost lost their first set last night, but managed to turn a 19-19 second set into a 21-19 win in about 32 seconds. Seriously, I don't know what happened. It was tied. Then it was over.
2. Water polo is incomprehensible, but brutal. Women won yesterday v. Hungary. Apparently in their last 15 games against Hungary, the US women were 7-7-1. Nice win.
3. Lochte finishes fourth in the 200 free. Not sure what to make of this. He said he just didn't go that fast. After getting passed in the final leg of the 400 free relay, then finishing fourth in the 200, I am a little worried about his confidence. Tonight's relay (see below) should help with that.
4. MATT GREVERS - NICK THOMAN. 1-2 in the 100 backstroke. I was a backstroker, so our continued dominance in this event is like crack to me. I need it and I need more of it. Way to go boys!! Five straight gold medals in the men's 100 backstroke (1996 - Jeff Rouse; 2000 - Lenny Krayzelburg; 2004 - Aaron Piersol; 2008 - Piersol with Grevers getting silver).
5. Saw some equestrian yesterday. I can't get into equestrian. When it first came on, I saw a horse run into some trees and never come back. The camera stayed on the trees for about 10 seconds, then went to another horse. I have no idea what happened. Then the horses apparently ran through a pond. Still, kind of confused. Then I saw the funniest thing I have ever seen at the Olympics. A 57 year old was riding a horse, they made a jump, then the guy started to slide off the horse. It happened in slow motion. He seemed to lose his balance a little, then started to slide down the left side of the horse. He tried to hang on, which just made the whole incident last longer. Finally, he slid off. It looked kind of like one of those "I've fallen and I can't get up commercials." He rolled around for a few seconds before standing up. Then he started lifting his leg like a cat that stepped in something sticky. The left knee kept shooting high up as he walked around. And he had some sort of protective vest that lifted up around his head so he looked like a five year old wearing an adult sized life jacket. All this time, the horse just ran off. Everyone was OK, so it was acceptable to laugh.
6. It's hard not to call the Men's Gymnastics Team chokers.
Predictions Sum Up -
1. Matt Grevers continues US dominance in the 100 back with the gold
medal - Correct
2. Lochte continues his individual run, and gets a bit of redemption,
with a gold in the 200 free - WRONG
3. US gets 2 medals in women's 100 breast - Wrong - Silver for Rebecca Soni, 6th for Breeja Larson. My Baltic States Insider was pleased with the Lithuanian victory.
4.
Missy Franklin gets her first individual medal, but not gold -WRONG- She will
eventually be the most decorated US woman. Pending But we will have to wait 8 years fot
that. - Correct
5. US Men do not match the women's silver in synchro diving - Correct - An unexpected bronze for the men.
Corrected Predictions Sum Up -
3. No one cares about Team Handball - WRONG - My Team Handball Insider has objected telling me he cares and was seeking team handball games this past weekend. According to my Insider, it is a combo of basketball, soccer, and hockey, but their are more injuries. So, you need to be indecisive and enjoy the pain of others. Yeah, sounds like my Insider.
Predictions -
1. Phelps wins 200 fly. US wins 800 Free Relay. There will be no better parlay bet in one swimming session than these two races. Phelps has looked mildly vulnerable, but he will become the first male swimmer to win the same event in three Olympics and break the record for most total medals won in an Olympic career.
2. There will be more doping rumblings after Shiwen Ye wins the 200 IM.
3. The US still wins nothing in Badmitton.
4. Rogers and Dalhausser win in efficient fashion.
5. Djokovic beats Roddickm in tennis.
6. Thunderstorms prevent me from swimming tonight.
7. US Women win Team Gymnastics Gold. Then Jordyn Weiber has someone take out Gabby Douglas's knee a la Tanya Harding. (I kid, I kid - but I still would sleep with one eye open if I were Douglas or Raisman)
What to Watch For -
1. I have selected my obscure summer sport. Stay tuned.
2. US men go for relay redemption in the 800 free relay.
3. Men's volleyball v. Germany.
4. Men's Water Polo v. Romania
5. Still lots of sailing.
6. Men's basketball v. Tunisia. The point spread is 55. Take the points.
7. And everything in the Predictions Section.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
How Are We Supposed to Keep Up With This Stuff?
On Sunday, I watched basketball, a little badmitton, some volleyball, both indoor and beach, water polo, swimming, rowing, highlights of skeet shooting, gymnastics, synchronized diving and table tennis. I completely missed the US women's second soccer game. I also mowed the lawn, vacuumed the bedrooms in my house, went to the grocery store, swam 2000 meters, ate three meals, and spent a little time playing with my kids. I swear, driving into work today I felt like the last time I was in my office was a month ago. I appreciate NBC trying to show everything, but I can't keep up. This is ridiculous. I remain exhausted.
I was thinking about what I needed to do what I want. If I want to watch everything I have even a mild interest in, I need 4 more weeks and three more TiVOs. I also need the ability to shut myself out from the rest of the world for those 4 weeks. As I have, maybe 10 people relying on me for information and entertainment, that is obviously not possible. So I could use 3 clones of myself instead of 4 weeks. If I also want to keep my job, I need another clone. To keep up with my new motivation to exercise, I need another clone. And to be a father and husband (and not have to take my "Watching the Olympics Advice" #1), I probably need yet another clone. So 5 clones, and let's add another TiVO to make it 4 TiVOs. I could also use a few 75 hour days. But, instead I will have to push through with drooping eyelids, sore arms and frustrated family members.
Speaking of family members, I have learned that as much as Middle wants to talk about basketball, it still ranks behind iCarly on the priority scale. After spending several weeks talking about Olympic basketball, asking several times when the game was on, and complaining that we weren't watching at 8:00 Sunday morning (because the game didn't start until after 9), Middle asked to watch iCarly about 6 minutes into the game. We made him go to the grocery store instead.
I did get a few proud parent moments. Eldest was very into the women's volleyball game v. Korea and is enjoying beach volleyball. This morning he was even disappointed that I had to leave for work before the beach volleyball started. I told him it was recording and we could watch some later. All three boys enjoyed watching Ryan Lochte win the 400 IM. After it was over, Middle was shaking with excitement. I think this year will go well, but 2014 and 2016 will be even more fun with the boys.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Kim Rhode. Rhode became the first American to win an Olympic medal in five straight Olympics, by winning gold in the women's skeet shooting. She now has three golds, one silver and one bronze medal. And she is only 33, so presumably she could go for six. She also won in record fashion, being the first Olympic shooter to earn 99 points, meaning she missed one of 100 shots. She collects classic cars and rebuilt a 1965 Shelby Cobra. I don't know what that means but it looked really cool on TV. According to this article there are now eight American women with at least five individual Olympic medals: speedskater Bonnie Blair and track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee each have six; swimmers Shirley Babashoff, Janet Evans, Amanda Beard and Natalie Coughlin, and gymnast Shannon Miller each have five. Go look at a picture of Rhode and tell me you wouldn't love a photograph of these eight women.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
1. The Men's 400 free relay was disappointing. That pretty much sums it up. We didn't choke. Lochte didn't swim badly, he just got passed by a better sprinter. The other three swimmers all swam well. Everyone at the Olympics is beyond great at what they do. In this case, we got beat by someone who swam better. It hurts that it was France, but, then again, it is a little poetic after 2008. I thought Lochte would hold on. I was wrong. Although, as the Wife pointed out, this makes my predicition correct (see below.)
2. Love that Dana Vollmer won the 100 fly and broke the world record.
3. As much as women's beach volleyball gets the hype for their outfits, the indoor volleyball uniforms are even more borderline pornographic. I can describe, in intimate detail, every contour of Logan Tom's ass. Those "shorts" are more revealing than any underwear outside of a thong, and there is no way any of them are wearing underwear, unless it is a thong. As for the games, nice opening win for the women's volleyball team over Korea. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings continued their run of NEVER LOSING A SET in the Olympics. That's right, 15 matches now, 30-0 in sets. My Volleyball Insider tells me that is incredible. He's also given me some more tips which I will share as beach volleyball moves into the medal rounds.
4. Speaking of beach volleyball, we saw some of the April Ross/Jen Kessy match on Sunday. My wife looked over at the TV and said "We have more than one women's beach volleyball team?"
5. More on beach volleyball - Phil Dalhausser looks like a 15 foot high, 10 foot wide brick wall in front of the net on defense. I am not a volleyball player (although I will happily tell you my glory story of the B-League fraternity championship title in 1994), so I'm not the one to ask. But I can not figure out how anyone gets the ball around this guy. I wouldn't even try.
6. US and China are fighting hard for the medal count. As of this posting we are tied, but China has a big lead in golds.
7. Archery is kind of fun to watch. And very quick. But those people do not look like athletes.
8. Badmitton is really fun to watch for 5 minutes. Then you get over the novelty and remember that it's a backyard activity.
9. Kudos to Kelci Bryant and Abigail Johnston on their synchro diving silver medal. I find diving kind of boring, but the synchro is pretty cool. Of course you have to turn the sound down because the lady doing the color commentary is unbearable. Bad voice, but really good at pointing out the obvious. When the two Italians are out of step on the walk up and half a turn out of synch in the air, I don't need you to say "They were a little off" after the dive. I know that. Tell me something I didn't know. Like how you got this job several Olympics ago and have managed to keep it.
10. Despite the fact that the basic purpose of water polo is simple (put the ball in the net), it is confusing. There are whistle all the time, but play never stops, I have no idea what is a foul and what is not, there are times when people get mauled, and times when they don't (so, ummm, why not just maul the guy all the time), and there are penalties, but play still doesn't stop and the guy just swims off to a tiny little lane line box and hangs out. I did enjoy our win over Macedonia. Why are central European countries good at water polo?
11. Defending world all-around gymnastics champion Jordyn Weiber failed to qualify for the individual all around competition. If you do a Google search for "Jordyn" the third suggested completion is "Jodyn Weiber controversy". This is not a controversy. The rules say only two people from each country may qualify, so it is pretty clear cut. But why? The US had the second, third and fourth highest scores in qualifying, but only two can make it. Again, why? If one country has three of the four best in the world, shouldn't they be allowed to go for an Olympic sweep? (The same question can be asked about swimming, in which the rule was changed specifically to prevent the US from sweeping so many events.) And doesn't this create a lovely team dynamic just a few days before the team competition? Seriously, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas just destroyed Jordyn's lifelong dream. I might sleep with one eye open if I was them. One more - why JordYn instead of JordAn? Can you not spell?
Predictions Sum Up -
1. US Women take Silver in Team Archery - Wrong - We lost to China in the quarters (China went on to win the Silver, not helping that medal count race).
2. US wins NOTHING in badmitton - Pending - but looks good so far.
3. No one cares about Team Handball - Correct - Well, no one objected at least.
4. I can turn most of you (well at least the males) into fans of Frederica Pelligrini (Top seed in women's 400 freestyle) - Pending - Still waiting.
5. Dana Vollmer wins 100 fly - Correct
6. US Men's 400 Free Relay can not repeat 2008 success. Wins silver (which will be tough itself) - Correct - Sadly.
7. If I swim 2000 meters today, I will die - Wrong - 2000 meters completed yesterday and I am here to tell my survival story. Which I will spare you.
Predictions -
1. Matt Grevers continues US dominance in the 100 back with the gold medal.
2. Lochte continues his individual run, and gets a bit of redemption, with a gold in the 200 free.
3. US gets 2 medals in women's 100 breast.
4. Missy Franklin gets her first individual medal, but not gold. She will eventually be the most decorated US woman Olympian, but we will have to wait 8 years fot that.
5. US Men do not match the women's silver in synchro diving.
What to Watch for:
1. Do I survive the next two weeks?
2. Swimming - Men's 100 back, women's 100 back, men's 200 free, women's 100 breast. See above predictions for more detail.
3. Gibb/Rosenthal and May/Walsh in beach volleyball.
4. Men's team final in gymnastics.
5. Lots of sailing, if you are in to that kind of thing.
6. Women's volleyball v. Brazil
7. Women's water polo v. Hungary
I was thinking about what I needed to do what I want. If I want to watch everything I have even a mild interest in, I need 4 more weeks and three more TiVOs. I also need the ability to shut myself out from the rest of the world for those 4 weeks. As I have, maybe 10 people relying on me for information and entertainment, that is obviously not possible. So I could use 3 clones of myself instead of 4 weeks. If I also want to keep my job, I need another clone. To keep up with my new motivation to exercise, I need another clone. And to be a father and husband (and not have to take my "Watching the Olympics Advice" #1), I probably need yet another clone. So 5 clones, and let's add another TiVO to make it 4 TiVOs. I could also use a few 75 hour days. But, instead I will have to push through with drooping eyelids, sore arms and frustrated family members.
Speaking of family members, I have learned that as much as Middle wants to talk about basketball, it still ranks behind iCarly on the priority scale. After spending several weeks talking about Olympic basketball, asking several times when the game was on, and complaining that we weren't watching at 8:00 Sunday morning (because the game didn't start until after 9), Middle asked to watch iCarly about 6 minutes into the game. We made him go to the grocery store instead.
I did get a few proud parent moments. Eldest was very into the women's volleyball game v. Korea and is enjoying beach volleyball. This morning he was even disappointed that I had to leave for work before the beach volleyball started. I told him it was recording and we could watch some later. All three boys enjoyed watching Ryan Lochte win the 400 IM. After it was over, Middle was shaking with excitement. I think this year will go well, but 2014 and 2016 will be even more fun with the boys.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Kim Rhode. Rhode became the first American to win an Olympic medal in five straight Olympics, by winning gold in the women's skeet shooting. She now has three golds, one silver and one bronze medal. And she is only 33, so presumably she could go for six. She also won in record fashion, being the first Olympic shooter to earn 99 points, meaning she missed one of 100 shots. She collects classic cars and rebuilt a 1965 Shelby Cobra. I don't know what that means but it looked really cool on TV. According to this article there are now eight American women with at least five individual Olympic medals: speedskater Bonnie Blair and track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee each have six; swimmers Shirley Babashoff, Janet Evans, Amanda Beard and Natalie Coughlin, and gymnast Shannon Miller each have five. Go look at a picture of Rhode and tell me you wouldn't love a photograph of these eight women.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
1. The Men's 400 free relay was disappointing. That pretty much sums it up. We didn't choke. Lochte didn't swim badly, he just got passed by a better sprinter. The other three swimmers all swam well. Everyone at the Olympics is beyond great at what they do. In this case, we got beat by someone who swam better. It hurts that it was France, but, then again, it is a little poetic after 2008. I thought Lochte would hold on. I was wrong. Although, as the Wife pointed out, this makes my predicition correct (see below.)
2. Love that Dana Vollmer won the 100 fly and broke the world record.
3. As much as women's beach volleyball gets the hype for their outfits, the indoor volleyball uniforms are even more borderline pornographic. I can describe, in intimate detail, every contour of Logan Tom's ass. Those "shorts" are more revealing than any underwear outside of a thong, and there is no way any of them are wearing underwear, unless it is a thong. As for the games, nice opening win for the women's volleyball team over Korea. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings continued their run of NEVER LOSING A SET in the Olympics. That's right, 15 matches now, 30-0 in sets. My Volleyball Insider tells me that is incredible. He's also given me some more tips which I will share as beach volleyball moves into the medal rounds.
4. Speaking of beach volleyball, we saw some of the April Ross/Jen Kessy match on Sunday. My wife looked over at the TV and said "We have more than one women's beach volleyball team?"
5. More on beach volleyball - Phil Dalhausser looks like a 15 foot high, 10 foot wide brick wall in front of the net on defense. I am not a volleyball player (although I will happily tell you my glory story of the B-League fraternity championship title in 1994), so I'm not the one to ask. But I can not figure out how anyone gets the ball around this guy. I wouldn't even try.
6. US and China are fighting hard for the medal count. As of this posting we are tied, but China has a big lead in golds.
7. Archery is kind of fun to watch. And very quick. But those people do not look like athletes.
8. Badmitton is really fun to watch for 5 minutes. Then you get over the novelty and remember that it's a backyard activity.
9. Kudos to Kelci Bryant and Abigail Johnston on their synchro diving silver medal. I find diving kind of boring, but the synchro is pretty cool. Of course you have to turn the sound down because the lady doing the color commentary is unbearable. Bad voice, but really good at pointing out the obvious. When the two Italians are out of step on the walk up and half a turn out of synch in the air, I don't need you to say "They were a little off" after the dive. I know that. Tell me something I didn't know. Like how you got this job several Olympics ago and have managed to keep it.
10. Despite the fact that the basic purpose of water polo is simple (put the ball in the net), it is confusing. There are whistle all the time, but play never stops, I have no idea what is a foul and what is not, there are times when people get mauled, and times when they don't (so, ummm, why not just maul the guy all the time), and there are penalties, but play still doesn't stop and the guy just swims off to a tiny little lane line box and hangs out. I did enjoy our win over Macedonia. Why are central European countries good at water polo?
11. Defending world all-around gymnastics champion Jordyn Weiber failed to qualify for the individual all around competition. If you do a Google search for "Jordyn" the third suggested completion is "Jodyn Weiber controversy". This is not a controversy. The rules say only two people from each country may qualify, so it is pretty clear cut. But why? The US had the second, third and fourth highest scores in qualifying, but only two can make it. Again, why? If one country has three of the four best in the world, shouldn't they be allowed to go for an Olympic sweep? (The same question can be asked about swimming, in which the rule was changed specifically to prevent the US from sweeping so many events.) And doesn't this create a lovely team dynamic just a few days before the team competition? Seriously, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas just destroyed Jordyn's lifelong dream. I might sleep with one eye open if I was them. One more - why JordYn instead of JordAn? Can you not spell?
Predictions Sum Up -
1. US Women take Silver in Team Archery - Wrong - We lost to China in the quarters (China went on to win the Silver, not helping that medal count race).
2. US wins NOTHING in badmitton - Pending - but looks good so far.
3. No one cares about Team Handball - Correct - Well, no one objected at least.
4. I can turn most of you (well at least the males) into fans of Frederica Pelligrini (Top seed in women's 400 freestyle) - Pending - Still waiting.
5. Dana Vollmer wins 100 fly - Correct
6. US Men's 400 Free Relay can not repeat 2008 success. Wins silver (which will be tough itself) - Correct - Sadly.
7. If I swim 2000 meters today, I will die - Wrong - 2000 meters completed yesterday and I am here to tell my survival story. Which I will spare you.
Predictions -
1. Matt Grevers continues US dominance in the 100 back with the gold medal.
2. Lochte continues his individual run, and gets a bit of redemption, with a gold in the 200 free.
3. US gets 2 medals in women's 100 breast.
4. Missy Franklin gets her first individual medal, but not gold. She will eventually be the most decorated US woman Olympian, but we will have to wait 8 years fot that.
5. US Men do not match the women's silver in synchro diving.
What to Watch for:
1. Do I survive the next two weeks?
2. Swimming - Men's 100 back, women's 100 back, men's 200 free, women's 100 breast. See above predictions for more detail.
3. Gibb/Rosenthal and May/Walsh in beach volleyball.
4. Men's team final in gymnastics.
5. Lots of sailing, if you are in to that kind of thing.
6. Women's volleyball v. Brazil
7. Women's water polo v. Hungary
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Day 1 Complete
Since my last post, I have swum 2000 meters twice, watched the Opening Ceremonies, spent 4+ hours at a divisional swim meet (while working a little less than half of it as a stroke and turn judge), watched cycling, crew, beach volleyball, women's indoor volleyball, swimming, archery highlights, and a story about Michael Phelps' sisters. I have also slept. That advice about sleep being for September ignores the motivated to exercise thing. I am exhausted. Sorry I missed yesterday.
Local Sports Update - We will review the predictions section later, but I was wrong. Eldest did not break through with one best time. He did not have his worst meet of the year (fly wasn't that bad), but his season did end with a whimper. He peaked about 5 weeks ago, which is fine, I guess. I think his biggest problem is swim meets are CRAZY time, not swimming time. In general, I understand and support this. It would, however, be nice if he could focus for 10 minutes, instead of 10 seconds. The number of times I saw him start to put his goggles on when the starter said "Take your mark" is a little frustrating. However, the whole family had a very fun season, and at age 8, fun is more important than accomplishment. If he enjoys it, he will want to keep doing it. If he keeps doing it, he will get better.
At the Team Banquet last night, he watched a lot of people get big ribbons, and awards, while he got the standard participation award - which was a medal this year. For a while, he looked pretty frustrated and pouted that he wasn't getting anything. We told him that he had to do better to get more. I am not sure if this soaked in, because by the end he was having fun with his friends and didn't seem to care. But at least for a moment, he realized there is a connection between accomplishment and reward.
I am not one of those who believes participation trophies have no place in youth sports. At an early age, fun and reward for getting out there and playing is important. But it is also important to start to connect accomplishment and reward at some point. Around 8-9 years old seems like a good time for that. I am glad he is getting there.
Middle did not swim in Divisionals, which is pretty normal for a 5 year old. He did not want to go to the meet, he did not want to go to the team banquet and when we were at the pool, he did not want to get out of the water for dinner and awards presentations. Swim meets to him are an excuse to buy and eat junk food. Come to think of it, he doesn't need an excuse for this, he simply loves to buy and eat junk food. I could have a bag full of candy and a cooler full of Gatorade, but this child would rather go to 7-11 and spend a couple dollars. He will be the death of me.
At the Banquet, Middle won Most Improved 6&Under Boy. This was deserved, as you will understand when I give my season summary (which at this point probably won't happen until after the Olympics). He also ran around like a crazy child with his friends. When he won the award he was not with us, and didn't seem to understand that he was getting a trophy. Afterwards, of course, he wouldn't put that trophy down.
One other little note. The swim team gives a "cutest couple" award (just for fun) for each swimming age group. Eldest won for 8&Unders. For the second year in a row. With a different girl. So at least he is getting something out of the swim team. A reputation.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Women's Indoor Volleyball. The US Women's Indoor Volleyball coach is Hugh McCutcheon. If you watched any men's volleyball in 2008, you probably recognize the name, and will definitely recognize the story. Hugh McCutcheon coached the US Men's Volleyball Team in 2008. The day after the Opening Ceremonies, his father in law was murdered at a tourist site in China. Despite this personal tragedy, McCutcheon coached the men's team to an upset gold. McCutcheon is now coaching the Women's team, and they are gold medal favorites. McCutcheon said the Beijing tragedy is not part of the story, and for him, he's right. But it is. Unfortunately, it always will be.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
1. First US Medal won was a silver in Men's Team Archery. The competition came down to the last arrow, and the victorious Italians got a 10 point (maximum) shot with that last arrow to win by 1. We can discuss whether archery is a sport at another time, it is a waste of time now, because it is in the Olympic program. I will say, when there is pressure and you are doing something that requires physical exertion, like running or swimming or hitting someone in a football game, you can use the pressure and adrenaline to channel your strength. When you have to calmly pull back a bow string, aim and fire an arrow, that takes pure concentration. I wish the US won, but props to the Italian who made a great shot at the highest pressure point. Team competition, gold medal at stake, perfect shot needed.
2. Men's 400 IM - Wow! Michale Phelps finishes an Olympic race without a medal for the first time since 2000 when he was 15 years old. I am shocked. And he was right with Kosuke Hagino, the bronze medalist, with 100 meters to go, but couldn't get him. I never thought I would see that happen. I'm not sure if this shows he wasn't in the best shape for the 400 IM, or he isn't in the best shape for the Olympics. I will say this probably will impact my predictions moving forward.
3. Men's cycling road race - Alexander Vinokourov won the road race in impressive fashion. Vino managed to get into a late break-away with one other competitor and win the gold by sneaking past him with about 400 meters to go. Vino is 38 years old. He has finished top 3 in the Tour de France, won the final stage of the Tour de France on Champs Elysees, been suspended for doping, and retired last year. He has now come back to win a stage of the Tour de France and the Olympic gold medal. Not bad for someone only one and a half years younger than me. I'm impressed that I can swim 80 lenghts of a swimming pool.
Predictions Sum Up -
1. Eldest will break through with at least one best time in the Divisional Meet tomorrow. WRONG
2. Lochte wins the first swimming gold medal by defeating Phelps in the 400 IM. CORRECT
3. Elizabeth Biesel does Saunderstown, RI proud by winning gold in the Women's 400 IM. WRONG (She won Silver.)
4. The US Women win silver in the 400 Free Relay. WRONG (We won Bronze)
5. Mark Cavendish becomes the pride of Great Britain by winning the Men's Road Cycling Race. WRONG
6. The US wins the medal count. But China passes us in 2016. Pending
7. None of you will take my #1 advice for watching the Olympics. (See 7/27/12 Post.) Pending
(Somehow I doubt I will know if this was correct. The Wife would kill me if I told you if we took this advice.)
Predictions -
1. US Women take Silver 1n Team Archery.
2. US wins NOTHING in badmitton.
3. No one cares about Team Handball.
4. I can turn most of you (well at least the males) into fans of Frederica Pelligrini (top seed in women's 400 freestyle).
5. Dana Vollmer wins 100 fly.
6. US Men's 400 Free Relay can not repeat 2008 success. Wins silver (which will be tough itself.)
7. If I swim 2000 meters today, I will die.
Things to Watch For -
1. US Men's Basketball Team begins competition Sunday.
2. Men's 400 Free Relay - Never thought I would say this, but Phelps goes for his first medal of the 2012 Games. And the US attempts to repeat the Miracle of 2008.
3. Women's gymnastics qualifying.
4. Men's Indoor volleyball v. Serbia.
5. Men's Water Polo v. Montenegro.
6. Beach Volleyball - Including defending Men's Champions Dalhausser and Rogers.
7. BADMITTON!!!
8. More Predictions, some of which may actually be right.
Local Sports Update - We will review the predictions section later, but I was wrong. Eldest did not break through with one best time. He did not have his worst meet of the year (fly wasn't that bad), but his season did end with a whimper. He peaked about 5 weeks ago, which is fine, I guess. I think his biggest problem is swim meets are CRAZY time, not swimming time. In general, I understand and support this. It would, however, be nice if he could focus for 10 minutes, instead of 10 seconds. The number of times I saw him start to put his goggles on when the starter said "Take your mark" is a little frustrating. However, the whole family had a very fun season, and at age 8, fun is more important than accomplishment. If he enjoys it, he will want to keep doing it. If he keeps doing it, he will get better.
At the Team Banquet last night, he watched a lot of people get big ribbons, and awards, while he got the standard participation award - which was a medal this year. For a while, he looked pretty frustrated and pouted that he wasn't getting anything. We told him that he had to do better to get more. I am not sure if this soaked in, because by the end he was having fun with his friends and didn't seem to care. But at least for a moment, he realized there is a connection between accomplishment and reward.
I am not one of those who believes participation trophies have no place in youth sports. At an early age, fun and reward for getting out there and playing is important. But it is also important to start to connect accomplishment and reward at some point. Around 8-9 years old seems like a good time for that. I am glad he is getting there.
Middle did not swim in Divisionals, which is pretty normal for a 5 year old. He did not want to go to the meet, he did not want to go to the team banquet and when we were at the pool, he did not want to get out of the water for dinner and awards presentations. Swim meets to him are an excuse to buy and eat junk food. Come to think of it, he doesn't need an excuse for this, he simply loves to buy and eat junk food. I could have a bag full of candy and a cooler full of Gatorade, but this child would rather go to 7-11 and spend a couple dollars. He will be the death of me.
At the Banquet, Middle won Most Improved 6&Under Boy. This was deserved, as you will understand when I give my season summary (which at this point probably won't happen until after the Olympics). He also ran around like a crazy child with his friends. When he won the award he was not with us, and didn't seem to understand that he was getting a trophy. Afterwards, of course, he wouldn't put that trophy down.
One other little note. The swim team gives a "cutest couple" award (just for fun) for each swimming age group. Eldest won for 8&Unders. For the second year in a row. With a different girl. So at least he is getting something out of the swim team. A reputation.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Women's Indoor Volleyball. The US Women's Indoor Volleyball coach is Hugh McCutcheon. If you watched any men's volleyball in 2008, you probably recognize the name, and will definitely recognize the story. Hugh McCutcheon coached the US Men's Volleyball Team in 2008. The day after the Opening Ceremonies, his father in law was murdered at a tourist site in China. Despite this personal tragedy, McCutcheon coached the men's team to an upset gold. McCutcheon is now coaching the Women's team, and they are gold medal favorites. McCutcheon said the Beijing tragedy is not part of the story, and for him, he's right. But it is. Unfortunately, it always will be.
Reflections on What Has Happened (Focus for this will be on US sports and medals, but we will touch on other stuff as time permits) -
1. First US Medal won was a silver in Men's Team Archery. The competition came down to the last arrow, and the victorious Italians got a 10 point (maximum) shot with that last arrow to win by 1. We can discuss whether archery is a sport at another time, it is a waste of time now, because it is in the Olympic program. I will say, when there is pressure and you are doing something that requires physical exertion, like running or swimming or hitting someone in a football game, you can use the pressure and adrenaline to channel your strength. When you have to calmly pull back a bow string, aim and fire an arrow, that takes pure concentration. I wish the US won, but props to the Italian who made a great shot at the highest pressure point. Team competition, gold medal at stake, perfect shot needed.
2. Men's 400 IM - Wow! Michale Phelps finishes an Olympic race without a medal for the first time since 2000 when he was 15 years old. I am shocked. And he was right with Kosuke Hagino, the bronze medalist, with 100 meters to go, but couldn't get him. I never thought I would see that happen. I'm not sure if this shows he wasn't in the best shape for the 400 IM, or he isn't in the best shape for the Olympics. I will say this probably will impact my predictions moving forward.
3. Men's cycling road race - Alexander Vinokourov won the road race in impressive fashion. Vino managed to get into a late break-away with one other competitor and win the gold by sneaking past him with about 400 meters to go. Vino is 38 years old. He has finished top 3 in the Tour de France, won the final stage of the Tour de France on Champs Elysees, been suspended for doping, and retired last year. He has now come back to win a stage of the Tour de France and the Olympic gold medal. Not bad for someone only one and a half years younger than me. I'm impressed that I can swim 80 lenghts of a swimming pool.
Predictions Sum Up -
1. Eldest will break through with at least one best time in the Divisional Meet tomorrow. WRONG
2. Lochte wins the first swimming gold medal by defeating Phelps in the 400 IM. CORRECT
3. Elizabeth Biesel does Saunderstown, RI proud by winning gold in the Women's 400 IM. WRONG (She won Silver.)
4. The US Women win silver in the 400 Free Relay. WRONG (We won Bronze)
5. Mark Cavendish becomes the pride of Great Britain by winning the Men's Road Cycling Race. WRONG
6. The US wins the medal count. But China passes us in 2016. Pending
7. None of you will take my #1 advice for watching the Olympics. (See 7/27/12 Post.) Pending
(Somehow I doubt I will know if this was correct. The Wife would kill me if I told you if we took this advice.)
Predictions -
1. US Women take Silver 1n Team Archery.
2. US wins NOTHING in badmitton.
3. No one cares about Team Handball.
4. I can turn most of you (well at least the males) into fans of Frederica Pelligrini (top seed in women's 400 freestyle).
5. Dana Vollmer wins 100 fly.
6. US Men's 400 Free Relay can not repeat 2008 success. Wins silver (which will be tough itself.)
7. If I swim 2000 meters today, I will die.
Things to Watch For -
1. US Men's Basketball Team begins competition Sunday.
2. Men's 400 Free Relay - Never thought I would say this, but Phelps goes for his first medal of the 2012 Games. And the US attempts to repeat the Miracle of 2008.
3. Women's gymnastics qualifying.
4. Men's Indoor volleyball v. Serbia.
5. Men's Water Polo v. Montenegro.
6. Beach Volleyball - Including defending Men's Champions Dalhausser and Rogers.
7. BADMITTON!!!
8. More Predictions, some of which may actually be right.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Opening Ceremonies
At long last, the 2012 Opening Ceremonies are here. Well, make that a few hours away. At least for US East Coast TV viewers. I am excited for the beginning of the Olympics for many reasons. First, I was not good at traditionally watched US Sports. I never played football, was terrible at basketball and was a coward at baseball. Seriously, and this is painful to admit even 30 years later. As soon as I learned that the guy throwing the ball could throw it at me, whether intentional or not, the ball always looked like it was coming right at me. My last season of baseball was a highlight reel of me ducking away from the ball only to hear the ump yell, "STRIKE!" I have complete respect for sports officials but the number of umps who missed strike calls by a mile that season was criminal. I mean, come on, the ball almost hit me. How can that be a strike?
Eventually, I moved on to other sports - swimming and track. Swimming and track only matter once every 4 years, during the Olympics. I love the Olympics because I can remember the days when making the Olympics was my dream. Well, its still my dream, but it is even more unrealistic now than it was 30 years ago. Plus, the Olympics is full of obscure sports that you can learn about. Winter is better for this, but you will have to wait 18 long months for my discussion of the wonderful array of obscure Winter Olympic Sports.
Second, the Olympics (OK, the Olympic ideal) is the epitome of sports at its best. Sure there is corruption and billions of dollars and scandals about selecting the host city and the Olympics bankrupted Greece and occassionally steroids and...wait, wasn't this positive? Oh, yeah, that all comes BEFORE the Opening Ceremonies. (Even Katrina Thanou and Kostas Kenteris missed their drug test and staged their motorcycle accident on the eve of the Olympics in 2004, not after the Opening Ceremonies.) The Opening Ceremonies are like wiping the slate clean. We now get 2 weeks of pure entertaining sports competition. No labor disputes, no demands for trades, only great stories and great performances. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. People doing things never thought possible and people failing to live up to expectations. Surprises out of nowhere and expectations met. I even enjoy the silly made for TV stories. You know, four years ago the Olympics even made me like Chris Collinsworth, and I really don't like Chris Collinsworth. Well, I used to not like him.
Third, the Olympics always inspires me to start exercising again. This year, it happened during the Olympic Swimming Trials. I got back in the water. I have been occassionally sidetracked by "Raft Night" at the pool, thunderstorms, swim meets and a strained wrist. But I have been in the water 3 or so times per week for a month. And today I plan to get in 2,000 meters before the Opening Ceremonies. I think watching the best in the world do something that I used to be at least better than average at reminds me that I would like to be better than I currently am and gets me motivated to start working at it again. (Read that sentence again, I swear it makes sense.) I know I will never be as good as I was at 20 and 21, but maybe I can at least be respectable. The irony is that I am conflicted between wanting to spend 24 hours a day watching on TV and being motivated to go out and do it myself. But, I find the time to do both. When the Olympics ends, the motivation goes away. I am considering swimming a Masters Meet at some point to keep motivation up, but that is also for another post.
Fourth, the Olympics are what got me started with this little project. I began by sending a few friends email updates about the Olympic Swimming Trials. A couple people suggested I start a Blog, so I did. Now I have almost double the number of readers. We will see where this goes after the Olympics, but London 2012 is where it started.
So here is my advice for the Olympics:
1. Tell your spouse/partner/FWB you will not be having sex for the next couple of weeks. There is simply no time with a billion hours of TV coverage. (On that note, after or during the Parade of Nations make sure you get some. It's your last chance until closing ceremonies.) This is all fine, there will be enough sex in the Olympic Village for the whole world during this time.
2. Learn to love the DVR and hate commercials. Develop a quick, strong thumb.
3. Set your phone's clock to display London time, so you know what time it is there.
4. Check the TV listings. But before you do this, take a deep breath, get a drink, and set aside about 9 hours. Determine what sports you are most interested in and focus on those sports. Unless you are CURRENTLY taking a Spanish class, try to ignore Telemundo. This may be the time to start getting yourself in shape for a return to glory in beach volleyball, but it is not the time to reinforce your high school Spanish Class. Focus first on the sports you (and your middle child) want to watch. Find out when they will be televised and set aside those times. Then move on to the secondary sports and repeat. Remember, the time for sleep is September. Now is the time for focus. And TV. And motivated exercise for a return to athletic glory. If all you are interested in is swimming, gymnastics, marquee track and field events, diving and US beach volleyball teams, you can get by watching NBC from 7:30-midnight every night. Otherwise, you need a plan. This is the way to make that plan.
5. Check this Blog every day. I will be giving fantastic analysis and amazing anecdotes. Maybe. I will at least give my observations in between watching the games, trying to become the first Olympic swimmer to debut at the age of 44 (take THAT Dara Torres! - never mind that it won't happen), raising three children, having a job and fending off the Wife, who will be challenging #1 after seeing Ryan Lochte for several days. Come to think of it, #1 may be tough for me after seeing Ryan Lochte for several days. I can't promise daily updates, but that is the plan.
6. Watch with your kids. Even organizations that typically say turn off the TV are saying turn it on and watch with your kids.
7. Finally, in all seriousness, enjoy. Enjoy the spectacle, the stories, the triumphs, the failures, and most of all, the effort. The competition is what sports should be about. The best in the world giving their best effort. Appreciate the effort, win or lose.
Local Sports Update - Divisionals tomorrow. Results and season summary to follow. Follow up on yesterday's sad news: Curl-Burke Swim Club has terminated the name "Curl-Burke Swim Club", effective immediately. The brand is tainted.
What to Look Forward To/Today's Olympic Story Line:
Today I am combining these two sections and giving a number of things to watch for in this year's Olympics. Throughout the Olympics, I will divide these each day, and give one story line, and many things to watch for:
1. Lochte/Phelps Showdown - With apologies to anyone else in the Olympics, this is the biggest story. Phelps will be seeking 7 medals, Lochte 6. They will share two of these (800 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay) and compete head to head for 2 (200 IM and 400 IM). Phelps is already the greatest Olympian ever. He has more gold medals than anyone in history, he will break the record for most medals of any color by the fourth day of competition, and he has a chance to accomplish for the THIRD time (at least 7 medals in one Olympics), something only 7 other people have accomplished once. Lochte will look to vault up the list of most gold medals won, potentially putting himself in the top 10 of all time. (More likely top 20.) We are watching two of the greatest swimmers ever.
2. US Gymnastics - The women (girls) have a chance at 1-2 in the all around and team gold. Men also have a chance at team gold. This could be the greatest performance by a US gymnastics team in the Olympics ever, and will almost definitely be the best performance in a non-boycotted Olympics.
3. Allison Felix - Can she win the 200? Will the 100 controversy affect her in any way? How will Jenebah Tarmoh perform in the 4x100 relay? And will Tarmoh be in the finals of the relay, or just the prelims?
4. Beach Volleyball - Will Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor get a third straight gold? Can Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers defend their gold from 2008? Will the women cover up? Will the men take more off?
5. Women's socccer - The US looks for a 3rd straight gold and redemption from last year's World Cup. Alex Morgan just looks good. Although I would like the white jerseys so I can see her pink sports bra through the uniform.
6. USA Track and Field - Can the US recover from a dismal 2008 performance? Will Ashton Eaton break the Decathlon World Record again? Will Jamaica sweep the men's 100 meters?
7. Women's Crew - Mary Whipple is the coxswain for the Women's Eight Crew team. She is a feisty little sparkplug, who coxed the women to a gold medal in 2008. If you get a chance to watch anything about rowing, Mary is worth your time.
8. My pick for obscure summer sport of 2012.
9. Promises of My Predictions.
10. Missy Franklin could have the greatest single Olympics for a female swimmer in history. She is only 17, so this may be the beginning of the greatest Olympic swimming career for a female swimmer ever. Her performance at Olympic Trials was extraordinary. I expect nothing less in London.
11. Who will light the torch? Find out tonight. Even money is on Roger Bannister, but he never won an Olympic medal. Will the British choose an Olympic Champion? Or a greater historic figure?
Predictions:
1. Eldest will break through with at least one best time in the Divisional Meet tomorrow.
2. Lochte wins the first swimming gold medal by defeating Phelps in the 400 IM.
3. Elizabeth Biesel does Saunderstown, RI proud by winning gold in the Women's 400 IM.
4. The US Women win silver in the 400 Free Relay.
5. Mark Cavendish becomes the pride of Great Britain by winning the Men's Road Cycling Race.
6. The US wins the medal count. But China passes us in 2016.
7. None of you will take my #1 advice for watching the Olympics. (Go check it again, above.)
Enjoy the Games. More to come tomorrow. (I hope, very busy day.)
Eventually, I moved on to other sports - swimming and track. Swimming and track only matter once every 4 years, during the Olympics. I love the Olympics because I can remember the days when making the Olympics was my dream. Well, its still my dream, but it is even more unrealistic now than it was 30 years ago. Plus, the Olympics is full of obscure sports that you can learn about. Winter is better for this, but you will have to wait 18 long months for my discussion of the wonderful array of obscure Winter Olympic Sports.
Second, the Olympics (OK, the Olympic ideal) is the epitome of sports at its best. Sure there is corruption and billions of dollars and scandals about selecting the host city and the Olympics bankrupted Greece and occassionally steroids and...wait, wasn't this positive? Oh, yeah, that all comes BEFORE the Opening Ceremonies. (Even Katrina Thanou and Kostas Kenteris missed their drug test and staged their motorcycle accident on the eve of the Olympics in 2004, not after the Opening Ceremonies.) The Opening Ceremonies are like wiping the slate clean. We now get 2 weeks of pure entertaining sports competition. No labor disputes, no demands for trades, only great stories and great performances. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. People doing things never thought possible and people failing to live up to expectations. Surprises out of nowhere and expectations met. I even enjoy the silly made for TV stories. You know, four years ago the Olympics even made me like Chris Collinsworth, and I really don't like Chris Collinsworth. Well, I used to not like him.
Third, the Olympics always inspires me to start exercising again. This year, it happened during the Olympic Swimming Trials. I got back in the water. I have been occassionally sidetracked by "Raft Night" at the pool, thunderstorms, swim meets and a strained wrist. But I have been in the water 3 or so times per week for a month. And today I plan to get in 2,000 meters before the Opening Ceremonies. I think watching the best in the world do something that I used to be at least better than average at reminds me that I would like to be better than I currently am and gets me motivated to start working at it again. (Read that sentence again, I swear it makes sense.) I know I will never be as good as I was at 20 and 21, but maybe I can at least be respectable. The irony is that I am conflicted between wanting to spend 24 hours a day watching on TV and being motivated to go out and do it myself. But, I find the time to do both. When the Olympics ends, the motivation goes away. I am considering swimming a Masters Meet at some point to keep motivation up, but that is also for another post.
Fourth, the Olympics are what got me started with this little project. I began by sending a few friends email updates about the Olympic Swimming Trials. A couple people suggested I start a Blog, so I did. Now I have almost double the number of readers. We will see where this goes after the Olympics, but London 2012 is where it started.
So here is my advice for the Olympics:
1. Tell your spouse/partner/FWB you will not be having sex for the next couple of weeks. There is simply no time with a billion hours of TV coverage. (On that note, after or during the Parade of Nations make sure you get some. It's your last chance until closing ceremonies.) This is all fine, there will be enough sex in the Olympic Village for the whole world during this time.
2. Learn to love the DVR and hate commercials. Develop a quick, strong thumb.
3. Set your phone's clock to display London time, so you know what time it is there.
4. Check the TV listings. But before you do this, take a deep breath, get a drink, and set aside about 9 hours. Determine what sports you are most interested in and focus on those sports. Unless you are CURRENTLY taking a Spanish class, try to ignore Telemundo. This may be the time to start getting yourself in shape for a return to glory in beach volleyball, but it is not the time to reinforce your high school Spanish Class. Focus first on the sports you (and your middle child) want to watch. Find out when they will be televised and set aside those times. Then move on to the secondary sports and repeat. Remember, the time for sleep is September. Now is the time for focus. And TV. And motivated exercise for a return to athletic glory. If all you are interested in is swimming, gymnastics, marquee track and field events, diving and US beach volleyball teams, you can get by watching NBC from 7:30-midnight every night. Otherwise, you need a plan. This is the way to make that plan.
5. Check this Blog every day. I will be giving fantastic analysis and amazing anecdotes. Maybe. I will at least give my observations in between watching the games, trying to become the first Olympic swimmer to debut at the age of 44 (take THAT Dara Torres! - never mind that it won't happen), raising three children, having a job and fending off the Wife, who will be challenging #1 after seeing Ryan Lochte for several days. Come to think of it, #1 may be tough for me after seeing Ryan Lochte for several days. I can't promise daily updates, but that is the plan.
6. Watch with your kids. Even organizations that typically say turn off the TV are saying turn it on and watch with your kids.
7. Finally, in all seriousness, enjoy. Enjoy the spectacle, the stories, the triumphs, the failures, and most of all, the effort. The competition is what sports should be about. The best in the world giving their best effort. Appreciate the effort, win or lose.
Local Sports Update - Divisionals tomorrow. Results and season summary to follow. Follow up on yesterday's sad news: Curl-Burke Swim Club has terminated the name "Curl-Burke Swim Club", effective immediately. The brand is tainted.
What to Look Forward To/Today's Olympic Story Line:
Today I am combining these two sections and giving a number of things to watch for in this year's Olympics. Throughout the Olympics, I will divide these each day, and give one story line, and many things to watch for:
1. Lochte/Phelps Showdown - With apologies to anyone else in the Olympics, this is the biggest story. Phelps will be seeking 7 medals, Lochte 6. They will share two of these (800 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay) and compete head to head for 2 (200 IM and 400 IM). Phelps is already the greatest Olympian ever. He has more gold medals than anyone in history, he will break the record for most medals of any color by the fourth day of competition, and he has a chance to accomplish for the THIRD time (at least 7 medals in one Olympics), something only 7 other people have accomplished once. Lochte will look to vault up the list of most gold medals won, potentially putting himself in the top 10 of all time. (More likely top 20.) We are watching two of the greatest swimmers ever.
2. US Gymnastics - The women (girls) have a chance at 1-2 in the all around and team gold. Men also have a chance at team gold. This could be the greatest performance by a US gymnastics team in the Olympics ever, and will almost definitely be the best performance in a non-boycotted Olympics.
3. Allison Felix - Can she win the 200? Will the 100 controversy affect her in any way? How will Jenebah Tarmoh perform in the 4x100 relay? And will Tarmoh be in the finals of the relay, or just the prelims?
4. Beach Volleyball - Will Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor get a third straight gold? Can Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers defend their gold from 2008? Will the women cover up? Will the men take more off?
5. Women's socccer - The US looks for a 3rd straight gold and redemption from last year's World Cup. Alex Morgan just looks good. Although I would like the white jerseys so I can see her pink sports bra through the uniform.
6. USA Track and Field - Can the US recover from a dismal 2008 performance? Will Ashton Eaton break the Decathlon World Record again? Will Jamaica sweep the men's 100 meters?
7. Women's Crew - Mary Whipple is the coxswain for the Women's Eight Crew team. She is a feisty little sparkplug, who coxed the women to a gold medal in 2008. If you get a chance to watch anything about rowing, Mary is worth your time.
8. My pick for obscure summer sport of 2012.
9. Promises of My Predictions.
10. Missy Franklin could have the greatest single Olympics for a female swimmer in history. She is only 17, so this may be the beginning of the greatest Olympic swimming career for a female swimmer ever. Her performance at Olympic Trials was extraordinary. I expect nothing less in London.
11. Who will light the torch? Find out tonight. Even money is on Roger Bannister, but he never won an Olympic medal. Will the British choose an Olympic Champion? Or a greater historic figure?
Predictions:
1. Eldest will break through with at least one best time in the Divisional Meet tomorrow.
2. Lochte wins the first swimming gold medal by defeating Phelps in the 400 IM.
3. Elizabeth Biesel does Saunderstown, RI proud by winning gold in the Women's 400 IM.
4. The US Women win silver in the 400 Free Relay.
5. Mark Cavendish becomes the pride of Great Britain by winning the Men's Road Cycling Race.
6. The US wins the medal count. But China passes us in 2016.
7. None of you will take my #1 advice for watching the Olympics. (Go check it again, above.)
Enjoy the Games. More to come tomorrow. (I hope, very busy day.)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
One More Day
Just one more day until the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. This morning, Middle told me that all he wants to do on Saturday is watch the Olympics on TV all day long. It's enough to bring a tear to my eye. Plus, he has asked me many times whether or not there will be a parade tomorrow night. I have answered yes every time but just now realized he may be thinking of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, so the Parade of Nations may be a bit of a disappointment. We'll see how that goes.
I know the basic point of this Blog is light entertainment, but I am a Dad (as stated in the title), so on occassion, I will touch on parenting subjects, even heavy ones. When I am posting every day in the run-up to London 2012, I am looking for additional subjects. Today's is sports related, and is our Local Sports Update, but it is depressing. It hits home for many reasons.
Local Sports Update - Rick Curl, a local swim coach, arguably a local swimming icon, has been accused of having an affair with one of his swimmers. Rick is the founder of the Curl-Burke Swim Club. The Curl-Burke Swim Club is one of the largest and most successful age group swim clubs in the country. For the 2011-2012 short course season (fall/winter/spring), Curl-Burke was ranked as the top team in the US Swimming Virtual Club Championship. I swam for the Curl-Burke Swim Club many years ago, for many years. Rick was not my coach, however I knew Rick, my mother worked for Rick for a short time, and I attended Rick's wedding (a VERY long Catholic ceremony).
The link above gives the story, but here are the basic details. In the early to mid-1980's Rick allegedly began a sexual relationship with one of his female swimmers. The swimmer was 13 when the physical relationship began and somewhere between 14 and 16 when the sexual relationship began. At some point, the swimmer's parents found out and planned a $2 million law suit against him. The local prosecutor was notified, but he recommended not pressing charges. The planned lawsuit was settled for $150,000.00 and included a confidentiality clause. Approximately 23 years later, the story was somehow broken and US Swimming is doing an investigation. The Washington Post story includes a copy of the settlement agreement and draft Complaint from 23 years ago.
I hope the story is not true. The evidence uncovered by the Post, including the Settlement Agreement, makes it hard to believe it is not true. I am glad my coach, who still coaches at the Curl-Burke Swim Club, has not been mentioned in any of the articles and comments I have read. As of Thursday afternoon, there were more than 1200 "Comments" attached to the article. They cover the spectrum from absolute disgust to absolute denial. I want to be in denial. I want to somehow justify the actions, or claim they aren't that bad. I want to see the best in this situation. Unfortunately, if the allegations are true, he engaged in a sexual relationship with a young teen girl. No matter how close a coach may get to one of his athletes, this is simply a line you do not cross. There is no justification, there is no "not that bad", there is no "best" in a grown man engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage girl. As much as I have tried to see this in another way, she was 13. This was not a teenage woman (which some 17-19 year olds may be). This was a teenage girl.
From a legal position, her age at the time of the first sexual encounter may be relevant. The current Maryland law states that sexual activity with a girl under the age of 14, if the accused is more than 4 years older, is a second degree sexual offense. Vaginal intercourse with a girl under the age of 14, if the accused is more than 4 years older is second degree rape. Sexual activity with a girl between 14-15, including vaginal intercourse, if the accused is at least 21, is a third degree sexual offense. As best as I can tell, there is no statute of limitations on sex crimes in Maryland. Assuming the laws are the same today as they were in the 1980s, Rick may be facing criminal charges.
The Jerry Sandusky-Penn State scandal is the nightmare of every parent of a boy. This story is the nightmare of every parent of a girl. I know of very few parents, especially of girls, who want to even think about their child as a sexual being. The thought of their daughter being sexual with a man 20 years older than her, when she is still a young teen is enough to make anyone queasy. Children are vulnerable in any activity in which adults have unsupervised authority over them. As children get older, it is harder and harder to maintain constant supervision over them, and it is hard to know who is safe and who is not. In almost every one of these cases, someone says "I know him, he would never do that." I think swimming has great potential for situations such as this one (and US Swimming is finding an increasing number of these cases.) Swimmers are young, fit and scantily clad. They swim at odd times and for long hours. Swim meets can be very long. It is not uncommon for a coach to have an extended amount of time with swimmers with their parents nowhere to be found. I can remember many such times in my youth.
As a parent, as a Suburban Sports Dad, I can just say be careful. Know what your kids are doing. Talk to them. Talk to them now and talk to them often. Make sure they know that they can tell you anything, especially if someone else tells them not to tell you. Use these situations to start the conversation. I did that with Sandusky and Eldest.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Parade of Nations. The Opening Ceremonies are always enjoyable. The spectacle in Beijing 4 years ago was phenomenal. I always enjoy the ceremonies, except the speeches, and I always enjoy the Parade of Nations. However, with 200+ Nations parading in, at some point, NBC needs to go to a commercial break. Apparently, that always happens right before the Latvians march in. Apparently, the Latvians got annoyed and lobbied to change this. Sure enough, in 2008, NBC was not on a commercial break when the Latvians marched into the Stadium. They have even created a Facebook Page in support of NBC showing all of the Baltic States in the Parade of Nations. As my Baltic Insider for this information said, "Beware of an angry Latvian." So watch for who gets the quick, "While we were away, ... marched into the stadium." Somehow I don't think it will be Latvia.
Tomorrow's the Big Day. Here is what you can look forward to:
1. My predictions.
2. Or more promises of my predictions.
3. Finally, the Delaware Update.
4. Nearly naked athletes.
5. Predictions for Saturday's Divisional Swim Meet.
6. Days of constant Olympic Updates.
7. Eventually, the Summer 2012 Review, including a summary of the first season of 2028's Ryan Lochte.
I know the basic point of this Blog is light entertainment, but I am a Dad (as stated in the title), so on occassion, I will touch on parenting subjects, even heavy ones. When I am posting every day in the run-up to London 2012, I am looking for additional subjects. Today's is sports related, and is our Local Sports Update, but it is depressing. It hits home for many reasons.
Local Sports Update - Rick Curl, a local swim coach, arguably a local swimming icon, has been accused of having an affair with one of his swimmers. Rick is the founder of the Curl-Burke Swim Club. The Curl-Burke Swim Club is one of the largest and most successful age group swim clubs in the country. For the 2011-2012 short course season (fall/winter/spring), Curl-Burke was ranked as the top team in the US Swimming Virtual Club Championship. I swam for the Curl-Burke Swim Club many years ago, for many years. Rick was not my coach, however I knew Rick, my mother worked for Rick for a short time, and I attended Rick's wedding (a VERY long Catholic ceremony).
The link above gives the story, but here are the basic details. In the early to mid-1980's Rick allegedly began a sexual relationship with one of his female swimmers. The swimmer was 13 when the physical relationship began and somewhere between 14 and 16 when the sexual relationship began. At some point, the swimmer's parents found out and planned a $2 million law suit against him. The local prosecutor was notified, but he recommended not pressing charges. The planned lawsuit was settled for $150,000.00 and included a confidentiality clause. Approximately 23 years later, the story was somehow broken and US Swimming is doing an investigation. The Washington Post story includes a copy of the settlement agreement and draft Complaint from 23 years ago.
I hope the story is not true. The evidence uncovered by the Post, including the Settlement Agreement, makes it hard to believe it is not true. I am glad my coach, who still coaches at the Curl-Burke Swim Club, has not been mentioned in any of the articles and comments I have read. As of Thursday afternoon, there were more than 1200 "Comments" attached to the article. They cover the spectrum from absolute disgust to absolute denial. I want to be in denial. I want to somehow justify the actions, or claim they aren't that bad. I want to see the best in this situation. Unfortunately, if the allegations are true, he engaged in a sexual relationship with a young teen girl. No matter how close a coach may get to one of his athletes, this is simply a line you do not cross. There is no justification, there is no "not that bad", there is no "best" in a grown man engaging in a sexual relationship with a teenage girl. As much as I have tried to see this in another way, she was 13. This was not a teenage woman (which some 17-19 year olds may be). This was a teenage girl.
From a legal position, her age at the time of the first sexual encounter may be relevant. The current Maryland law states that sexual activity with a girl under the age of 14, if the accused is more than 4 years older, is a second degree sexual offense. Vaginal intercourse with a girl under the age of 14, if the accused is more than 4 years older is second degree rape. Sexual activity with a girl between 14-15, including vaginal intercourse, if the accused is at least 21, is a third degree sexual offense. As best as I can tell, there is no statute of limitations on sex crimes in Maryland. Assuming the laws are the same today as they were in the 1980s, Rick may be facing criminal charges.
The Jerry Sandusky-Penn State scandal is the nightmare of every parent of a boy. This story is the nightmare of every parent of a girl. I know of very few parents, especially of girls, who want to even think about their child as a sexual being. The thought of their daughter being sexual with a man 20 years older than her, when she is still a young teen is enough to make anyone queasy. Children are vulnerable in any activity in which adults have unsupervised authority over them. As children get older, it is harder and harder to maintain constant supervision over them, and it is hard to know who is safe and who is not. In almost every one of these cases, someone says "I know him, he would never do that." I think swimming has great potential for situations such as this one (and US Swimming is finding an increasing number of these cases.) Swimmers are young, fit and scantily clad. They swim at odd times and for long hours. Swim meets can be very long. It is not uncommon for a coach to have an extended amount of time with swimmers with their parents nowhere to be found. I can remember many such times in my youth.
As a parent, as a Suburban Sports Dad, I can just say be careful. Know what your kids are doing. Talk to them. Talk to them now and talk to them often. Make sure they know that they can tell you anything, especially if someone else tells them not to tell you. Use these situations to start the conversation. I did that with Sandusky and Eldest.
Today's Olympic Story Line - Parade of Nations. The Opening Ceremonies are always enjoyable. The spectacle in Beijing 4 years ago was phenomenal. I always enjoy the ceremonies, except the speeches, and I always enjoy the Parade of Nations. However, with 200+ Nations parading in, at some point, NBC needs to go to a commercial break. Apparently, that always happens right before the Latvians march in. Apparently, the Latvians got annoyed and lobbied to change this. Sure enough, in 2008, NBC was not on a commercial break when the Latvians marched into the Stadium. They have even created a Facebook Page in support of NBC showing all of the Baltic States in the Parade of Nations. As my Baltic Insider for this information said, "Beware of an angry Latvian." So watch for who gets the quick, "While we were away, ... marched into the stadium." Somehow I don't think it will be Latvia.
Tomorrow's the Big Day. Here is what you can look forward to:
1. My predictions.
2. Or more promises of my predictions.
3. Finally, the Delaware Update.
4. Nearly naked athletes.
5. Predictions for Saturday's Divisional Swim Meet.
6. Days of constant Olympic Updates.
7. Eventually, the Summer 2012 Review, including a summary of the first season of 2028's Ryan Lochte.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
And they have. Although the opening ceremonies are still 2 days away, Olympic competition has begun! Jump up and do a little dance. Today begins the women's futbol competition. Tomorrow the men's. Friday archery. Archery was at one time a candidate for my Summer Olympic Obscure Sport, but I think it has fallen out of the running. For the record, does track cycling count as an obscure sport? I'm leaning no. Well, I have two more days to make my selection.
But the games have begun. In today's action, the US women gave up two goals to the French in the first 15 minutes. Things looked bleak. The action that resulted in the second French goal resembled my 8 year old boys team this past spring. A bunch of people, standing in the same spot, wildly swinging their legs at a ball and accomplishing almost nothing. Then some French chick came in and slammed the ball into the back of the net. Hope Solo made a great dive, but had no chance. I feared every corneer kick after that display.
And then came Abby Wambach. And let's be honest, are there truer words than "And then came Abby Wambach"? Those words make me think of the Gladiator quote: "At my signal, unleash hell!" If you are talking about women's soccer and you say "And then came Abby Wambach" aren't you really conveying the message that hell was unleashed? After scoring, Wambach was yelling at her teammates. She didn't really celebrate, she knew there was more work to be done. Abby is not a particularly attractive woman. But I must admit, watching her score and fire up her teammates, basically, watching her unleash hell, she is damn sexy. Wambach put in a typical Abby goal, a tough header from a set piece. Then the floodgates opened. Alex Morgan, she of the painted on bathing suit, scored twice. Alex is always damn sexy. And the US women ran away with a 4-2 victory, or shall we say "Victoire!"
Tomorrow the US men's team begi...what's that? We didn't make it in men's soccer? Oh. Hmm. Honduras made it? Instead of us? A teeny Central American country of 8 million people? With a history of political upheaval and civil war? Well, that makes sense. I guess we have archery to look forward to on Friday. At least we have an archery team in the Olympics. That ought to boost TV ratings.
Local Sports Update - Eldest has a winter swim tryout/evaluation tonight. That's right, I'm pushing him. (Ironically, I am more excited for the day my boys beat my best times in swimming than I am for the day they beat me. I will hold out that I am faster than them head to head as long as possible, but then try to accelerate from when they beat the 40+ me to when they are faster than the 20-22 year old me. Is that weird?) Delaware update will be coming, but I don't have time today. Also, season summary of Virginia, including the next Ryan Lochte.
Todays Olympic Story Line - Beach Volleyball. Specifically Women's Beach Volleyball. Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor will be seeking their third straight Olympic gold medals in Women's Beach Volleyball. I have watched many of their olympic matches (and not one of their non-olympic matches) over the last 8 years. I enjoy them because they are really good, and they seem to enjoy what they are doing. Their celebration after winning the gold in 2004 was nothing short of a male fantasy. Two attractive, fit women rolling around in the sand, awkwardly displaying affection for each other in skimpy bikinis. The climax was when Misty smacked Kerri on the ass. Their celebration in 2008 was a tad less borderline pornographic, but arguably more enjoyable to watch. The shock and joy they expressed after accomplishing something everyone expected them to accomplish is why we try to get our kids to play sports. It is fun. And it is great to see people who compete in sports as a job recognize that it is fun.
There is, however, more to the Women's Beach Volleyball than May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings. There are the aforementioned skimpy bikinis. Beach volleyball became an instant favorite Olympic sport of many people, including broadcasters, because of the fun and excitement, and the skimpy bikinis. They even added cheerleaders just to bring in a bit more spice. This is all fine and dandy in the oven that is Atlanta, Georgia in August, but London can be cold and rainy. There is talk that the women may cover up. What effect will this have on viewership and the viewing experience? Hard to say, but do not fret. I promise I will watch Women's Beach Volleyball and give you a full report. Yes, I am a giver.
That's it for Wednesday. More to come on Thursday. Here's what you have to look forward to in the future:
1. Delaware update - I promise to get to it soon.
2. VA local summer summary.
3. More promises of my predictions.
4. My predictions.
5. Naked pictures of Alex Morgan - no, wait, those are only in my mind.
6. Opening ceremonies - Friday night.
7. Showdown #1 - Saturday (Men's 400 IM - Lochte-Phelps.)
But the games have begun. In today's action, the US women gave up two goals to the French in the first 15 minutes. Things looked bleak. The action that resulted in the second French goal resembled my 8 year old boys team this past spring. A bunch of people, standing in the same spot, wildly swinging their legs at a ball and accomplishing almost nothing. Then some French chick came in and slammed the ball into the back of the net. Hope Solo made a great dive, but had no chance. I feared every corneer kick after that display.
And then came Abby Wambach. And let's be honest, are there truer words than "And then came Abby Wambach"? Those words make me think of the Gladiator quote: "At my signal, unleash hell!" If you are talking about women's soccer and you say "And then came Abby Wambach" aren't you really conveying the message that hell was unleashed? After scoring, Wambach was yelling at her teammates. She didn't really celebrate, she knew there was more work to be done. Abby is not a particularly attractive woman. But I must admit, watching her score and fire up her teammates, basically, watching her unleash hell, she is damn sexy. Wambach put in a typical Abby goal, a tough header from a set piece. Then the floodgates opened. Alex Morgan, she of the painted on bathing suit, scored twice. Alex is always damn sexy. And the US women ran away with a 4-2 victory, or shall we say "Victoire!"
Tomorrow the US men's team begi...what's that? We didn't make it in men's soccer? Oh. Hmm. Honduras made it? Instead of us? A teeny Central American country of 8 million people? With a history of political upheaval and civil war? Well, that makes sense. I guess we have archery to look forward to on Friday. At least we have an archery team in the Olympics. That ought to boost TV ratings.
Local Sports Update - Eldest has a winter swim tryout/evaluation tonight. That's right, I'm pushing him. (Ironically, I am more excited for the day my boys beat my best times in swimming than I am for the day they beat me. I will hold out that I am faster than them head to head as long as possible, but then try to accelerate from when they beat the 40+ me to when they are faster than the 20-22 year old me. Is that weird?) Delaware update will be coming, but I don't have time today. Also, season summary of Virginia, including the next Ryan Lochte.
Todays Olympic Story Line - Beach Volleyball. Specifically Women's Beach Volleyball. Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor will be seeking their third straight Olympic gold medals in Women's Beach Volleyball. I have watched many of their olympic matches (and not one of their non-olympic matches) over the last 8 years. I enjoy them because they are really good, and they seem to enjoy what they are doing. Their celebration after winning the gold in 2004 was nothing short of a male fantasy. Two attractive, fit women rolling around in the sand, awkwardly displaying affection for each other in skimpy bikinis. The climax was when Misty smacked Kerri on the ass. Their celebration in 2008 was a tad less borderline pornographic, but arguably more enjoyable to watch. The shock and joy they expressed after accomplishing something everyone expected them to accomplish is why we try to get our kids to play sports. It is fun. And it is great to see people who compete in sports as a job recognize that it is fun.
There is, however, more to the Women's Beach Volleyball than May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings. There are the aforementioned skimpy bikinis. Beach volleyball became an instant favorite Olympic sport of many people, including broadcasters, because of the fun and excitement, and the skimpy bikinis. They even added cheerleaders just to bring in a bit more spice. This is all fine and dandy in the oven that is Atlanta, Georgia in August, but London can be cold and rainy. There is talk that the women may cover up. What effect will this have on viewership and the viewing experience? Hard to say, but do not fret. I promise I will watch Women's Beach Volleyball and give you a full report. Yes, I am a giver.
That's it for Wednesday. More to come on Thursday. Here's what you have to look forward to in the future:
1. Delaware update - I promise to get to it soon.
2. VA local summer summary.
3. More promises of my predictions.
4. My predictions.
5. Naked pictures of Alex Morgan - no, wait, those are only in my mind.
6. Opening ceremonies - Friday night.
7. Showdown #1 - Saturday (Men's 400 IM - Lochte-Phelps.)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Watch Out Ryan Lochte!!
July 23, 2012. Mark that date in history. On July 23, 2012, a small, blonde, tanned, 5 year old boy swam his first ever 25 meter butterfly. OK, so it was not exactly "legal", but I guarantee that most of you would not have been able to tell me why he was disqualified. (For the record, he was not disqualified by his father. His father was watching the other 3 lanes and disqualifying his best friend on the swim team.) All I can say is that it looked like butterfly. This is the first step to Olympic glory for that small, blonde, tanned, 5 year old boy. After the 2028 Olympics, each of you will be able to say that you knew, all the way back on July 23, 2012, that this day would come. Or that day. Or however I am supposed to do a future-past grammatical thing.
July 23, 2012. Mark that date in history. On July 23, 2012, a not so small, not so blonde, not quite as tanned 8 year old boy continued to watch a once promising summer swim season ease into mediocrity. His freestyle was mediocre. His butterfly was mediocre. His IM was...actually not that bad, but he was disqualified. By his father. All I can say was it looked about the same as his last couple of meets. And this is the final step to my conclusion that he needs a push. And that push will come from me. And his mother. After next summer, each of you will be able to say that you knew, all the way back on July 23, 2012, that I made the right choice. And I know that grammar is correct. Although you aren't supposed to start a sentence with "and."
In all seriousness, the Armfield Farm Swim Team completed their dual meet schedule with a B-Meet (non-scored developmental meet) against the cross town Franklin Farm Froggers. Despite many families already going on vacation, and the AFST already being on the smaller side, the meet lasted for 9 days because Franklin Farm brought a team roughly the size of a small Chinese city. Middle swam 3 events for the first time, achieving a best time in the freestyle and backstroke, and surviving his first attempt at the butterfly. Eldest continued to struggle to match his mid-season highs, but is poised for a break-out performance in the Divisional meet on Saturday. (That's my story and I am sticking to it.) Regardless of the outcome of Saturday's meet, though, the 2012 Swim Season has been quite enjoyable, and a good time will be had by all at the end of season celebration Saturday night. A full accounting of the Divisional Meet will be posted Saturday or Sunday.
Now for our (current) regular sections:
Today's Olympic Story Line - Alex Meyer. Alex Meyer is the lone male swimmer in the 10,000 meter open water swim. No, that is not a typo. I once swam 10,000 yards in one practice. I couldn't lift my arms to wash my hair afterwards. I hope you found that funny, but I'm not kidding. The 10,000 meter open water swim is swimming's answer to the marathon. I swam for the better part of 16 years. I never felt the need to answer the marathon. Maybe that is why I never made the Olympics. Well, that and genetics and arguably an unwillingness to give up my life in pursuit of a goal that only 2 people make every 4 years. I probably made the right decision. What? I am supposed to be talking about Alex Meyer? You mean this isn't about me? Oops.
Alex Meyer went to Harvard and was an All-American distance swimmer. Late in his college career he tried open water swimming and found that he enjoyed it and that he was pretty good. He also found a best friend named Fran Crippen. Fran Crippen was a little older and a little better, and became Alex's roommate, mentor and best friend. The two were poised to both make the Olympics in 2012. However, tragically, Crippen drowned at a poorly managed open water competition in Dubai in October, 2010. The conditions were extremely hot and Alex and his coach still harbor anger at the lack of safety precautions and supervision under such circumstances. In 2011, Alex refused to compete in the 25,000 meter open water World Championships, in which he was the defending champion, because of similar temperature conditions. Several other top swimmers also boycotted the race. The race went on anyway. Luckily, no tragedies unfolded, but the state of open water swimming clearly needs some safety guidelines.
Alex takes a picture of Crippen with him to every race and will be swimming for Crippen in London. I love swimming, and I love endurance races, but even I can't imagine that a 10,000 meter open water swim is all that interesting to watch. However, I will be watching this year, rooting for Alex, and thinking of Fran Crippen. The race is on Friday, August 10 at 7 am. It will be televised on NBC starting at 12 or 12:15 on August 10, with coverage interspersed with synchronized swimming. That should keep you glued to the television.
It occurs to me that I am offering fantastic Olympic story lines, but no details on coverage. So, for you, my 5 readers:
Lolo Jones - Preliminary heats of the Women's 100 meter hurdles are August 6, beginning at 5:05 am EDT; semifinals are August 7 at 2:15 pm; finals are August 7 at 4 pm. Prelims will be shown on NBC sometime between 10 am and the afternoon. Finals will be shown on NBC's Prime Time coverage sometime between 8 pm and midnight on August 7.
Guor Marial - The Men's Marathon is August 12, 2012 at 6 am, in its traditional last event of the games slot. Live TV coverage beginning at 6 am on NBC. I might actually wake up for that. But then, I am a sucker for the marathon. Either that or I am really dumb.
I actually have work to do today, so I will have to cut things short. Here are your things to look forward to:
1. The competition begins!!!! Tomorrow is the opening of competition, if not the opening of the games. Team USA is in action. The women's soccer team begins defense of their 2008 and 2004 gold medals with an opening round game against France. This is a chance for the future subject of an awkward conversation with my wife, Alex Morgan, to shine in her first Olympics. Hope Solo, recently traded to Chris Makos, will be counted on in goal, while Abby Wambach will continue an incredible career. This morning Eldest recalled "that really good girl" talking about Wambach. I had to explain that she's not exactly a girl. She's a monster!! Live coverage on NBC Sports Network beginning at noon on Wednesday. (I'm sure you all know where to find NBC Sports Network from your devoted watching of the Tour de France and various Ironman Triathlons during the last few years.)
2. More promises of my predictions.
3. My predictions.
4. A local sports update summary from Delaware. (I'm glad I didn't have to threaten to fire my local correspondent before I got the detailed update. That would have been awkward.)
5. My thoughts on the Olympics in general.
6. More links to almost naked hot athletes.
7. My Obscure Summer Olympic Sport.
8. Tomorrow's Olympic Story Line.
July 23, 2012. Mark that date in history. On July 23, 2012, a not so small, not so blonde, not quite as tanned 8 year old boy continued to watch a once promising summer swim season ease into mediocrity. His freestyle was mediocre. His butterfly was mediocre. His IM was...actually not that bad, but he was disqualified. By his father. All I can say was it looked about the same as his last couple of meets. And this is the final step to my conclusion that he needs a push. And that push will come from me. And his mother. After next summer, each of you will be able to say that you knew, all the way back on July 23, 2012, that I made the right choice. And I know that grammar is correct. Although you aren't supposed to start a sentence with "and."
In all seriousness, the Armfield Farm Swim Team completed their dual meet schedule with a B-Meet (non-scored developmental meet) against the cross town Franklin Farm Froggers. Despite many families already going on vacation, and the AFST already being on the smaller side, the meet lasted for 9 days because Franklin Farm brought a team roughly the size of a small Chinese city. Middle swam 3 events for the first time, achieving a best time in the freestyle and backstroke, and surviving his first attempt at the butterfly. Eldest continued to struggle to match his mid-season highs, but is poised for a break-out performance in the Divisional meet on Saturday. (That's my story and I am sticking to it.) Regardless of the outcome of Saturday's meet, though, the 2012 Swim Season has been quite enjoyable, and a good time will be had by all at the end of season celebration Saturday night. A full accounting of the Divisional Meet will be posted Saturday or Sunday.
Now for our (current) regular sections:
Today's Olympic Story Line - Alex Meyer. Alex Meyer is the lone male swimmer in the 10,000 meter open water swim. No, that is not a typo. I once swam 10,000 yards in one practice. I couldn't lift my arms to wash my hair afterwards. I hope you found that funny, but I'm not kidding. The 10,000 meter open water swim is swimming's answer to the marathon. I swam for the better part of 16 years. I never felt the need to answer the marathon. Maybe that is why I never made the Olympics. Well, that and genetics and arguably an unwillingness to give up my life in pursuit of a goal that only 2 people make every 4 years. I probably made the right decision. What? I am supposed to be talking about Alex Meyer? You mean this isn't about me? Oops.
Alex Meyer went to Harvard and was an All-American distance swimmer. Late in his college career he tried open water swimming and found that he enjoyed it and that he was pretty good. He also found a best friend named Fran Crippen. Fran Crippen was a little older and a little better, and became Alex's roommate, mentor and best friend. The two were poised to both make the Olympics in 2012. However, tragically, Crippen drowned at a poorly managed open water competition in Dubai in October, 2010. The conditions were extremely hot and Alex and his coach still harbor anger at the lack of safety precautions and supervision under such circumstances. In 2011, Alex refused to compete in the 25,000 meter open water World Championships, in which he was the defending champion, because of similar temperature conditions. Several other top swimmers also boycotted the race. The race went on anyway. Luckily, no tragedies unfolded, but the state of open water swimming clearly needs some safety guidelines.
Alex takes a picture of Crippen with him to every race and will be swimming for Crippen in London. I love swimming, and I love endurance races, but even I can't imagine that a 10,000 meter open water swim is all that interesting to watch. However, I will be watching this year, rooting for Alex, and thinking of Fran Crippen. The race is on Friday, August 10 at 7 am. It will be televised on NBC starting at 12 or 12:15 on August 10, with coverage interspersed with synchronized swimming. That should keep you glued to the television.
It occurs to me that I am offering fantastic Olympic story lines, but no details on coverage. So, for you, my 5 readers:
Lolo Jones - Preliminary heats of the Women's 100 meter hurdles are August 6, beginning at 5:05 am EDT; semifinals are August 7 at 2:15 pm; finals are August 7 at 4 pm. Prelims will be shown on NBC sometime between 10 am and the afternoon. Finals will be shown on NBC's Prime Time coverage sometime between 8 pm and midnight on August 7.
Guor Marial - The Men's Marathon is August 12, 2012 at 6 am, in its traditional last event of the games slot. Live TV coverage beginning at 6 am on NBC. I might actually wake up for that. But then, I am a sucker for the marathon. Either that or I am really dumb.
I actually have work to do today, so I will have to cut things short. Here are your things to look forward to:
1. The competition begins!!!! Tomorrow is the opening of competition, if not the opening of the games. Team USA is in action. The women's soccer team begins defense of their 2008 and 2004 gold medals with an opening round game against France. This is a chance for the future subject of an awkward conversation with my wife, Alex Morgan, to shine in her first Olympics. Hope Solo, recently traded to Chris Makos, will be counted on in goal, while Abby Wambach will continue an incredible career. This morning Eldest recalled "that really good girl" talking about Wambach. I had to explain that she's not exactly a girl. She's a monster!! Live coverage on NBC Sports Network beginning at noon on Wednesday. (I'm sure you all know where to find NBC Sports Network from your devoted watching of the Tour de France and various Ironman Triathlons during the last few years.)
2. More promises of my predictions.
3. My predictions.
4. A local sports update summary from Delaware. (I'm glad I didn't have to threaten to fire my local correspondent before I got the detailed update. That would have been awkward.)
5. My thoughts on the Olympics in general.
6. More links to almost naked hot athletes.
7. My Obscure Summer Olympic Sport.
8. Tomorrow's Olympic Story Line.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Am I Trying to Turn My Son Into Me?
I titled this blog Observations of a Suburban Sports Dad. There will be sports and there will be Dad. There may even be some suburbia. The general point is to entertain a little, inform a little and record my life in sports, raising three boys. This past weekend, my oldest son had his worst swim meet of the summer. Perhaps the worst swim meet of his life. That isn't saying much, since he has only had about 17 or 18 swim meets, but I found it frustrating. I was a pretty good 8 year old swimmer, and I enjoyed being a pretty good 8 year old swimmer. I would like my son to be a good swimmer because it is more fun being a good swimmer than it is being a bad swimmer, or even an average swimmer. At least I think so. But does he? I find myself conflicted.
Eldest wants to be a good swimmer. At least he says he does. I know from personal experience that he enjoys leading his lane in swim practice and, except for the typical actions of an 8 year old boy, he is pretty focused on the job at hand while practicing. Outside of swim practice, he doesn't seem to care. He loves Legos, and computer games, and movies and TV shows, and games and friends and soccer and probably 100 other things I am forgetting. And that is great. He is generally a happy kid, but I wonder whether I am pushing him too hard in certain things. Or am I not pushing him enough?
I have questioned whether I am trying to turn him into me and I am confident the answer is "no". I am certain I am not trying to make up for my failures as an athlete through him. I just want him to be the best that he can be, because I believe that is an admirable goal, and a lot more fun. But, by pushing him, even just a little at this age, am I already taking the fun out of sports. At the same time, if I let his 8-year old flakey mind control things and don't push him, am I setting him up for a childhood of mediocrity in sports that will make him lose interest by the age of 13? I don't know. I worry about both sides of this question.
It is also difficult because I was the third boy in my family, and I am looking at my oldest son. By the time I started swimming and playing soccer and baseball, these sports were already ingrained in my family's consciousness, so I started at a young age and had an example to follow. Eldest started summer swimming one year in age after me, and is already one year behind me as far as winter swimming. And he may not be interested in winter swimming. In theory, that is fine, but I want him to be good. What I can't figure out is whether I want him to be good for me or for him. And, is comparing the oldest of three boys to the youngest of three boys fair? And am I comparing him to me 32 years ago? Again, I don't know, but these are things I worry about.
I have the same questions in sports fandom. I can not wait for the days that my boys want nothing more than to watch a Cowboys game with their father. Or Father's Day spending 8 hours in front of the TV watching the 4th round of the US Open. I hope these days will come. But maybe they won't care about watching sports in the same way I do. Right now, they are much more interested in Ninjago or Star Wars or even iCarly than a football game or a hockey game or the Tour de France. I understand, but I hope one day they want to sit with me and watch the game. I think that is one of many reasons I am really looking forward to the 2012 Olympics. My boys seem genuinely excited and interested, not only in what happens, but in watching it as it happens. It helps that the 200 free lasts for about 2 minutes, and the 100 meter run lasts for less than 10 seconds, so the attention span doesn't come into play. Watching sports with my children is a lot more fun than fighting them for the TV. But again, am I trying to turn my interests into their interests? Am I trying to turn them into me? And am I trying to get them to watch because they will enjoy it? Or because I will? I hope this little exploration into the world of a "Suburban Sports Dad" will give me some answers.
Today's Olympic Story Line. I just learned about this one yesterday and it is a doozy. Guor Marial will get to run in the Men's Marathon under the Olympic flag. Marial is a Sudanese refugee living in Arizona. He escaped from a child labor camp in Sudan and eventually made his way to New Hampshire. He joined the cross country team at the urging of a Gym Teacher and earned a scholarship to Iowa State. Marial was an All-American cross country runner at Iowa State, and ran faster than the Olympic qualifying time the first time he ran a marathon. However, Marial has no country. He is not a US citizen. He will not run for Sudan, because he lost many family members to the Sudanese and was born in what is now South Sudan. For reasons I do not know, he can not run for South Sudan. So, in a rare moment of clarity for the IOC, he was given the opportunity to compete in the marathon under the Olympic flag. I will look forward to seeing how he does. He is unlikely to compete for a medal. But clearly, his story shows what the Olympics can be.
Tour de France update - Bradley Wiggins won in methodical fashion. Wiggins did in cycling's biggest race what Adam Scott could not do in golf's oldest championship - hold ground on the tough stages, make his move at his strength. Wiggins made no moves in the mountains. He just sat on the wheel of his teammate and second place finisher Chris Froome, and forced others to try to win in the mountains. No one could. Then in the individual time trial, Wiggins crushed everyone. It was methodical and boring. But damn impressive. Britian got its first TdF winner ever, just a week before the London Olympics. Then Mark Cavendish won the final stage on the Champs Elysees, giving Britian kind of a 1-2 in prestige, to go along with their actual 1-2 in the race. (Froome also rides for Britian). Now they go into the Olympics with the favorite to win the cycling road race (Cavendish) and the favorite to win the time trial (Wiggins.) I think we need something to smack the Brits down a little. The Olympics isn't about people achieving great things for their country. It's about American dominance. Well, at least Federer smacked down Andy Murray at Wimbledon. (Would Murray winning the Olympic gold at Wimbledon be salt in the wound of England's failure to produce a Wimbledon champion in 100 years? I like to think so. Go Andy! We can root for British tennis players because the Americans all suck.)
Golf: Adam Scott v. Jean Van de Velde. Fair comparison? Probably not, but close enough. Scott bogeyed the final 4 holes to blow a 4 shot lead and lose by 1. I'll be honest, this one hurt. I enjoyed watching VdV collapse, because he did it in such spectacular fashion and he's French. Scott was a slow, steady drop from 4 up, to 2 up, to 1 up, to even, to missed a putt by a hair to lose the tournament. Congratulations to Ernie Els for his 4th major championship trophy, but this tournament was lost, not won.
In local competition, Middle will swim his last meet of the summer tonight (barring a thunderstorm cancellation). Middle managed to stay on his back for 61 seconds Saturday morning, earning a 2nd place in the 6&Under backstroke. He'll take on the looking at the sky stroke again tonight, as well as make a run at the vaunted butterfly. 25 meters of butterfly for a 5 year old is the equivalent of a 39 year old playing goalie at a Villa supporters game. You can do it, and you may even be impressive. You also might die. Eldest will again summit the Everest of 8 year old summer swimming, the 100 IM. Here's hoping he makes it to the top legally. Championship meet for Eldest is this Saturday. I just need to remember he is competing against himself, not the ghost of me.
Things to look forward to:
1. Four days until opening ceremonies.
2. Tomorrow's Olympic Story Line.
3. More promises of my predictions, without any predictions.
4. Eventually, my predictions.
5. A sum up of the first swim season of the next Ryan Lochte.
6. My discussion of what should and should not be in the Olympics.
7. Naked women - just kidding, trying to see if you are paying attention.
8. Naked Ryan Lochte - a little something for my female readers (yes, both of you).
Eldest wants to be a good swimmer. At least he says he does. I know from personal experience that he enjoys leading his lane in swim practice and, except for the typical actions of an 8 year old boy, he is pretty focused on the job at hand while practicing. Outside of swim practice, he doesn't seem to care. He loves Legos, and computer games, and movies and TV shows, and games and friends and soccer and probably 100 other things I am forgetting. And that is great. He is generally a happy kid, but I wonder whether I am pushing him too hard in certain things. Or am I not pushing him enough?
I have questioned whether I am trying to turn him into me and I am confident the answer is "no". I am certain I am not trying to make up for my failures as an athlete through him. I just want him to be the best that he can be, because I believe that is an admirable goal, and a lot more fun. But, by pushing him, even just a little at this age, am I already taking the fun out of sports. At the same time, if I let his 8-year old flakey mind control things and don't push him, am I setting him up for a childhood of mediocrity in sports that will make him lose interest by the age of 13? I don't know. I worry about both sides of this question.
It is also difficult because I was the third boy in my family, and I am looking at my oldest son. By the time I started swimming and playing soccer and baseball, these sports were already ingrained in my family's consciousness, so I started at a young age and had an example to follow. Eldest started summer swimming one year in age after me, and is already one year behind me as far as winter swimming. And he may not be interested in winter swimming. In theory, that is fine, but I want him to be good. What I can't figure out is whether I want him to be good for me or for him. And, is comparing the oldest of three boys to the youngest of three boys fair? And am I comparing him to me 32 years ago? Again, I don't know, but these are things I worry about.
I have the same questions in sports fandom. I can not wait for the days that my boys want nothing more than to watch a Cowboys game with their father. Or Father's Day spending 8 hours in front of the TV watching the 4th round of the US Open. I hope these days will come. But maybe they won't care about watching sports in the same way I do. Right now, they are much more interested in Ninjago or Star Wars or even iCarly than a football game or a hockey game or the Tour de France. I understand, but I hope one day they want to sit with me and watch the game. I think that is one of many reasons I am really looking forward to the 2012 Olympics. My boys seem genuinely excited and interested, not only in what happens, but in watching it as it happens. It helps that the 200 free lasts for about 2 minutes, and the 100 meter run lasts for less than 10 seconds, so the attention span doesn't come into play. Watching sports with my children is a lot more fun than fighting them for the TV. But again, am I trying to turn my interests into their interests? Am I trying to turn them into me? And am I trying to get them to watch because they will enjoy it? Or because I will? I hope this little exploration into the world of a "Suburban Sports Dad" will give me some answers.
Today's Olympic Story Line. I just learned about this one yesterday and it is a doozy. Guor Marial will get to run in the Men's Marathon under the Olympic flag. Marial is a Sudanese refugee living in Arizona. He escaped from a child labor camp in Sudan and eventually made his way to New Hampshire. He joined the cross country team at the urging of a Gym Teacher and earned a scholarship to Iowa State. Marial was an All-American cross country runner at Iowa State, and ran faster than the Olympic qualifying time the first time he ran a marathon. However, Marial has no country. He is not a US citizen. He will not run for Sudan, because he lost many family members to the Sudanese and was born in what is now South Sudan. For reasons I do not know, he can not run for South Sudan. So, in a rare moment of clarity for the IOC, he was given the opportunity to compete in the marathon under the Olympic flag. I will look forward to seeing how he does. He is unlikely to compete for a medal. But clearly, his story shows what the Olympics can be.
Tour de France update - Bradley Wiggins won in methodical fashion. Wiggins did in cycling's biggest race what Adam Scott could not do in golf's oldest championship - hold ground on the tough stages, make his move at his strength. Wiggins made no moves in the mountains. He just sat on the wheel of his teammate and second place finisher Chris Froome, and forced others to try to win in the mountains. No one could. Then in the individual time trial, Wiggins crushed everyone. It was methodical and boring. But damn impressive. Britian got its first TdF winner ever, just a week before the London Olympics. Then Mark Cavendish won the final stage on the Champs Elysees, giving Britian kind of a 1-2 in prestige, to go along with their actual 1-2 in the race. (Froome also rides for Britian). Now they go into the Olympics with the favorite to win the cycling road race (Cavendish) and the favorite to win the time trial (Wiggins.) I think we need something to smack the Brits down a little. The Olympics isn't about people achieving great things for their country. It's about American dominance. Well, at least Federer smacked down Andy Murray at Wimbledon. (Would Murray winning the Olympic gold at Wimbledon be salt in the wound of England's failure to produce a Wimbledon champion in 100 years? I like to think so. Go Andy! We can root for British tennis players because the Americans all suck.)
Golf: Adam Scott v. Jean Van de Velde. Fair comparison? Probably not, but close enough. Scott bogeyed the final 4 holes to blow a 4 shot lead and lose by 1. I'll be honest, this one hurt. I enjoyed watching VdV collapse, because he did it in such spectacular fashion and he's French. Scott was a slow, steady drop from 4 up, to 2 up, to 1 up, to even, to missed a putt by a hair to lose the tournament. Congratulations to Ernie Els for his 4th major championship trophy, but this tournament was lost, not won.
In local competition, Middle will swim his last meet of the summer tonight (barring a thunderstorm cancellation). Middle managed to stay on his back for 61 seconds Saturday morning, earning a 2nd place in the 6&Under backstroke. He'll take on the looking at the sky stroke again tonight, as well as make a run at the vaunted butterfly. 25 meters of butterfly for a 5 year old is the equivalent of a 39 year old playing goalie at a Villa supporters game. You can do it, and you may even be impressive. You also might die. Eldest will again summit the Everest of 8 year old summer swimming, the 100 IM. Here's hoping he makes it to the top legally. Championship meet for Eldest is this Saturday. I just need to remember he is competing against himself, not the ghost of me.
Things to look forward to:
1. Four days until opening ceremonies.
2. Tomorrow's Olympic Story Line.
3. More promises of my predictions, without any predictions.
4. Eventually, my predictions.
5. A sum up of the first swim season of the next Ryan Lochte.
6. My discussion of what should and should not be in the Olympics.
7. Naked women - just kidding, trying to see if you are paying attention.
8. Naked Ryan Lochte - a little something for my female readers (yes, both of you).
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Less Than a Week to Go
With less than a week to go until the Opening Ceremonies, it is time to start looking forward to the 2012 Olympic story lines. I will try to give you one per day for the next week. However, I have a real life, and a job, and a family, so my time may limited. Please keep in mind, I have a swimming and track bias, and I have not yet selected my summer olympics obscure sport, so, that bias may come out. We also need to look at a little general update, and check in with our local sports.
Today's story line is Lolo Jones. Lolo was the favorite in the women's 100 meter hurdles in 2008, and with one hurdle to go, she had a clear lead. Lolo hit the final hurdle, lost all momentum and ended up 7th. Or 8th. Not sure which. Either way, out of the medals, and, let's be honest, we're Americans, if your not first second or third, you're last. Unless you are a male swimmer. For our male swimmers, if you're not first, you're last. But, back to Lolo. After a very disappointing finish in Beijing, Lolo has continued to run, but says that the hardest thing for her to do is remain a virgin and save herself for marriage. Lolo finished third in Olympic Trials, so she will be attending her second Olympic Games. From what we have heard about the Olympic Village, well, yeah, staying a virgin during the next three weeks would seem fairly impossible. Lolo also had a difficult childhood, living in relative poverty and moving around a lot. Needless to say, the back story, virginity, results in Beijing and chance at redemption will make Lolo a media darling for NBC and their 77 affiliate networks showing the Olympics this year. We wish Lolo the best, but fear she will fail to make the Finals. Regardless, look for Lolo in London. And cheer her on, in the hurdles, and the whole virginity thing. Honestly, I think the toughest thing for her to do will be resisting Ryan Lochte in a beret...and nothing else. I'm not even sure I could resist that.
In other sports, it has occurred to me that Europe is the place to be. Euro 2012 just finished, the Tour de France is in full swing (actually winding down), the British Open is in full swing (get it..swing), and London starts in one week. Here in America, all we have is about 70 more baseball games for every team. These truly are the dog days of summer. Unless you are in Europe.
In the Tour, Bradley Wiggins goes into today's time trial with a 2+ minute lead. Wiggins could pull a Michael Rasmussen, circa 2005, and crash twice (once into a ditch), change bikes twice and change tires multiple times, and still win this race. Here's hoping he doesn't try the Rasmussen route, but that is the only way for any drama. American Tejay VanGarderen has taken over defending champion Cadel Evans as top rider from BMC and is looking for a top 5 finish and the white jersey as best young rider. Other than Tejay, Americans should have just stayed at home.
In the Open Championship, Tiger Woods finished round 2 in third place, four strokes back. There are those who want to see him start winning majors again to put golf back on the map. (Apparently Luke Donald and Lee Westwood can't carry the sport. Phil Mickelson is done, and all the solid young Americans - except Bubba - are interchangeable. Seriously, what is the difference between Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, etc.) I'm not rooting for Tiger, he turns golf media into morons, and it will just get worse if he wins another major and we have to start hearing the whole "Tiger or the field" question. I wish someone gave me even odds on that for the last 15 years. I'd be able to buy lunch at Five Guys. For you ladies out there, Adam Scott is in second after Round 2. Adam Scott winning this followed by the 7 days of Ryan Lochte reality television that will be the 2012 Olympics is enough to turn suburban, married bedrooms into the Olympic Village.
In local swimming, the quest for a blue ribbon continues. The Armfield Farm boys 8&Under relay finished first for the first time in two years. So that blue ribbon was in their hands, except for the whole early take-off thing. I guess the excitement got to Eldest. So, we have at least another 10 months before we can get our first blue ribbon. Eldest's worst meet of the season did result in a second place in the butterfly, as well the first team victory of the summer. Middle swam and survived backstroke. How those little kids can just stay on their backs is amazing to me. Middle now wants to try butterfly in the rescheduled B-Meet Monday night. Stay tuned for more on the evolution of the next Ryan Lochte. (There will never be another Michael Phelps.) Still waiting on a Delaware update from my local reporters. I guess this blog doesn't produce enough revenue for timely reports.
That's it from cold, dreary Chantilly. Things to look forward to:
1. More Olympic story lines.
2. More local updates of the Monday B Meet.
3. Predictions.
4. Opening Ceremonies.
Today's story line is Lolo Jones. Lolo was the favorite in the women's 100 meter hurdles in 2008, and with one hurdle to go, she had a clear lead. Lolo hit the final hurdle, lost all momentum and ended up 7th. Or 8th. Not sure which. Either way, out of the medals, and, let's be honest, we're Americans, if your not first second or third, you're last. Unless you are a male swimmer. For our male swimmers, if you're not first, you're last. But, back to Lolo. After a very disappointing finish in Beijing, Lolo has continued to run, but says that the hardest thing for her to do is remain a virgin and save herself for marriage. Lolo finished third in Olympic Trials, so she will be attending her second Olympic Games. From what we have heard about the Olympic Village, well, yeah, staying a virgin during the next three weeks would seem fairly impossible. Lolo also had a difficult childhood, living in relative poverty and moving around a lot. Needless to say, the back story, virginity, results in Beijing and chance at redemption will make Lolo a media darling for NBC and their 77 affiliate networks showing the Olympics this year. We wish Lolo the best, but fear she will fail to make the Finals. Regardless, look for Lolo in London. And cheer her on, in the hurdles, and the whole virginity thing. Honestly, I think the toughest thing for her to do will be resisting Ryan Lochte in a beret...and nothing else. I'm not even sure I could resist that.
In other sports, it has occurred to me that Europe is the place to be. Euro 2012 just finished, the Tour de France is in full swing (actually winding down), the British Open is in full swing (get it..swing), and London starts in one week. Here in America, all we have is about 70 more baseball games for every team. These truly are the dog days of summer. Unless you are in Europe.
In the Tour, Bradley Wiggins goes into today's time trial with a 2+ minute lead. Wiggins could pull a Michael Rasmussen, circa 2005, and crash twice (once into a ditch), change bikes twice and change tires multiple times, and still win this race. Here's hoping he doesn't try the Rasmussen route, but that is the only way for any drama. American Tejay VanGarderen has taken over defending champion Cadel Evans as top rider from BMC and is looking for a top 5 finish and the white jersey as best young rider. Other than Tejay, Americans should have just stayed at home.
In the Open Championship, Tiger Woods finished round 2 in third place, four strokes back. There are those who want to see him start winning majors again to put golf back on the map. (Apparently Luke Donald and Lee Westwood can't carry the sport. Phil Mickelson is done, and all the solid young Americans - except Bubba - are interchangeable. Seriously, what is the difference between Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, etc.) I'm not rooting for Tiger, he turns golf media into morons, and it will just get worse if he wins another major and we have to start hearing the whole "Tiger or the field" question. I wish someone gave me even odds on that for the last 15 years. I'd be able to buy lunch at Five Guys. For you ladies out there, Adam Scott is in second after Round 2. Adam Scott winning this followed by the 7 days of Ryan Lochte reality television that will be the 2012 Olympics is enough to turn suburban, married bedrooms into the Olympic Village.
In local swimming, the quest for a blue ribbon continues. The Armfield Farm boys 8&Under relay finished first for the first time in two years. So that blue ribbon was in their hands, except for the whole early take-off thing. I guess the excitement got to Eldest. So, we have at least another 10 months before we can get our first blue ribbon. Eldest's worst meet of the season did result in a second place in the butterfly, as well the first team victory of the summer. Middle swam and survived backstroke. How those little kids can just stay on their backs is amazing to me. Middle now wants to try butterfly in the rescheduled B-Meet Monday night. Stay tuned for more on the evolution of the next Ryan Lochte. (There will never be another Michael Phelps.) Still waiting on a Delaware update from my local reporters. I guess this blog doesn't produce enough revenue for timely reports.
That's it from cold, dreary Chantilly. Things to look forward to:
1. More Olympic story lines.
2. More local updates of the Monday B Meet.
3. Predictions.
4. Opening Ceremonies.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Almost There
Less than one week until Olympic competition begins and just over one week until the Opening Ceremonies. I guess it is time for another update. (For those of you wondering, before I created this fantastic blog, my updates were sent by email to a select few people. If you are not one of those select few people, you missed out. Now, however, I am sharing myself with anyone and everyone.) Much has happened since our last update, so let's get right to it.
US Team uniforms have created multiple controversies. Apparently, Congress doesn't realize we are in a war in Afghanistan, there is a global economic crisis, there is a national economic crisis and there are probably 12,000 things for them to do. Certain members of Congress (and I don't care enough to look up who they are) are up in arms over the fact that the US Olympic uniforms were made in China. Apparently, they believe the uniforms should be made right here in the Good Ole USA. Because 600 Olympic uniforms are going to bring back US manufacturing in the textile industry. I don't necessarily disagree with them on this one, I just think that Olympic uniforms, steroids in baseball, bounties in football and the basic nutrition of a 7 time Tour de France winner should not be on the docket of our legislative body at this time. Or ever. At least they agree with me on the Tour de France guy and bounties in football. Well, they do on the Tour de France guy. As far as bounties in football, I think even Congress is afraid of the NFL.
Speaking of the Tour de France, time for our Tour de France update. The race has finished all mountain stages. We've only had two doping incidents, although one involved Frank Schleck, the elder Schleck brother. Things were going pretty well for the Schlecks earlier this year. Andy was handed the 2010 Tour title due to Alberto Contador's doping issues and they were the kings of a strong team that had merged with RadioShack, run by Johan Bruyneel, who had only overseen 10 Tour victories. Then Andy broke his pelvis, Johan found himself accused of running a doping scheme and backed out, Frank didn't want to be "the guy," Frank crashed and now Frank has tested positive for something no one has ever heard of that might, just might, be used as a masking agent. So, it's been pretty much downhill for the Schlecks recently. I long for the days when the Schlecks rode together on a team I didn't like and we could talk about "the Schleck Brothers" as if they were an evil duo in some black and white movie. Good times.
The only ones having good times in the Tour this year are Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky. Although one wonders if teammate Christopher Froome is having fun as he does all the work for Wiggins and is never allowed to just go out and try to win himself. Something many, including the great Bernard Hinault, think he could do. Others not having fun are the 40 or so riders who got flat tires during a sabotage of the race, when someone threw carpet tacks on the road. Maybe those were the same people who sabotaged Frank's urine sample. Defending champion Cadel Evans has found himself at the tail end of things, being dropped on consecutive days. Safe to say he's not having fun. And Mark Cavendish, who wins everything, has only won one stage this year. Funny how a career accomplishment for almost any other rider is a disappointment for the Manx Missile. Oh well, there is always the Olympics. (How crazy is it that a bunch of these guys will go straight from a 3 week torture race to the Olympics in just a couple days?)
And...we come back to the Olympics. See how that works? Full circle. Oh, the other uniform controversy involves the hats. Team USA will be bearing berets again this year. Some people are upset, because a beret is a French hat. I don't think this has anything to do with patriotism, just hatred of the French. Of course, the berets sold like ice cream to a 5 year old when we wore them in 2002. So maybe this has something to do with marketing and selling stuff. Nah, the Olympics are about competition, not money. Ryan Lochte just looks damn fine in a beret.
I think that beret just may come in handy for my wife's favorite swimmer. The Olympic village is a regular cornucopia of sex. Vegas rules apply - what happens in the Village stays in the Village. Including the estimated 100,000 condoms distributed to Olympic athletes. See here for more. What effect do you think adding pole dancing to the Olympics would have? Sadly, I am not kidding.
In local sports, Middle's debut in the backstroke was delayed by a thunderstorm. He gets another chance on Saturday. So we will see if he actually gets in and does it. Meanwhile, Eldest will be going after his first blue ribbon this weekend. Update to follow. Youngest just wants to eat dinner at the meet. Something the weather gods very rudely prevented last night. I promise to get a Delaware update soon.
Things to look forward to:
1. My predictions, coming soon.
2. More Tour updates. These even bore me as Bradley Wiggins has methodically taken and held the lead. But I will at least tell you who won.
3. More local sports updates.
4. The opening of Olympic competition on Wednesday July 25 - including the Olympic debut of Alex Morgan.
5. My pick for my favorite obscure Olympic sport.
6. Daily Olympic updates, or thereabouts.
US Team uniforms have created multiple controversies. Apparently, Congress doesn't realize we are in a war in Afghanistan, there is a global economic crisis, there is a national economic crisis and there are probably 12,000 things for them to do. Certain members of Congress (and I don't care enough to look up who they are) are up in arms over the fact that the US Olympic uniforms were made in China. Apparently, they believe the uniforms should be made right here in the Good Ole USA. Because 600 Olympic uniforms are going to bring back US manufacturing in the textile industry. I don't necessarily disagree with them on this one, I just think that Olympic uniforms, steroids in baseball, bounties in football and the basic nutrition of a 7 time Tour de France winner should not be on the docket of our legislative body at this time. Or ever. At least they agree with me on the Tour de France guy and bounties in football. Well, they do on the Tour de France guy. As far as bounties in football, I think even Congress is afraid of the NFL.
Speaking of the Tour de France, time for our Tour de France update. The race has finished all mountain stages. We've only had two doping incidents, although one involved Frank Schleck, the elder Schleck brother. Things were going pretty well for the Schlecks earlier this year. Andy was handed the 2010 Tour title due to Alberto Contador's doping issues and they were the kings of a strong team that had merged with RadioShack, run by Johan Bruyneel, who had only overseen 10 Tour victories. Then Andy broke his pelvis, Johan found himself accused of running a doping scheme and backed out, Frank didn't want to be "the guy," Frank crashed and now Frank has tested positive for something no one has ever heard of that might, just might, be used as a masking agent. So, it's been pretty much downhill for the Schlecks recently. I long for the days when the Schlecks rode together on a team I didn't like and we could talk about "the Schleck Brothers" as if they were an evil duo in some black and white movie. Good times.
The only ones having good times in the Tour this year are Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky. Although one wonders if teammate Christopher Froome is having fun as he does all the work for Wiggins and is never allowed to just go out and try to win himself. Something many, including the great Bernard Hinault, think he could do. Others not having fun are the 40 or so riders who got flat tires during a sabotage of the race, when someone threw carpet tacks on the road. Maybe those were the same people who sabotaged Frank's urine sample. Defending champion Cadel Evans has found himself at the tail end of things, being dropped on consecutive days. Safe to say he's not having fun. And Mark Cavendish, who wins everything, has only won one stage this year. Funny how a career accomplishment for almost any other rider is a disappointment for the Manx Missile. Oh well, there is always the Olympics. (How crazy is it that a bunch of these guys will go straight from a 3 week torture race to the Olympics in just a couple days?)
And...we come back to the Olympics. See how that works? Full circle. Oh, the other uniform controversy involves the hats. Team USA will be bearing berets again this year. Some people are upset, because a beret is a French hat. I don't think this has anything to do with patriotism, just hatred of the French. Of course, the berets sold like ice cream to a 5 year old when we wore them in 2002. So maybe this has something to do with marketing and selling stuff. Nah, the Olympics are about competition, not money. Ryan Lochte just looks damn fine in a beret.
I think that beret just may come in handy for my wife's favorite swimmer. The Olympic village is a regular cornucopia of sex. Vegas rules apply - what happens in the Village stays in the Village. Including the estimated 100,000 condoms distributed to Olympic athletes. See here for more. What effect do you think adding pole dancing to the Olympics would have? Sadly, I am not kidding.
In local sports, Middle's debut in the backstroke was delayed by a thunderstorm. He gets another chance on Saturday. So we will see if he actually gets in and does it. Meanwhile, Eldest will be going after his first blue ribbon this weekend. Update to follow. Youngest just wants to eat dinner at the meet. Something the weather gods very rudely prevented last night. I promise to get a Delaware update soon.
Things to look forward to:
1. My predictions, coming soon.
2. More Tour updates. These even bore me as Bradley Wiggins has methodically taken and held the lead. But I will at least tell you who won.
3. More local sports updates.
4. The opening of Olympic competition on Wednesday July 25 - including the Olympic debut of Alex Morgan.
5. My pick for my favorite obscure Olympic sport.
6. Daily Olympic updates, or thereabouts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)