2008 Summer Olympics: Official Discussion Thread
#1
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
2008 Summer Olympics: Official Discussion Thread
Not the greatest way to start the thread...but, Iraq is from the Games...?
From TSN...
From TSN...
The International Olympic Committee said Thursday that Iraq will not compete at the Beijing Games because of government interference.
The IOC suspended Iraq's national Olympic committee in June after the Iraqi government dismissed and installed its own group chaired by the sports minister. The IOC told officials in Baghdad that it was upholding the suspension.
The IOC Charter forbids political interference in the Olympic movement.
A stalemate between the two sides meant Iraq missed Wednesday's deadline to submit a team for the Aug. 8-24 Games.
"The deadline for taking up places for Beijing for all sports except athletics has now passed," IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. "The IOC very sadly has now to acknowledge that it is likely there will be no Iraqi presence at the Beijing Olympic Games, despite our best efforts."
Four Iraqi athletes were expected to compete in non track-and-field sports - archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting. Their places will be offered to athletes from other countries.
"Clearly, we'd very much like to have seen Iraq's athletes in Beijing," Davies said. "We are very disappointed that the athletes have been so ill-served by their own government's actions."
The IOC and Olympic Council of Asia jointly sent a letter Wednesday to Iraq's minister for youth and sport Jassem Mohammed Jaafar confirming Iraq's suspension "despite joint efforts . . . over the past few months to find a positive solution with Iraqi authorities."
Iraq's government said after the June 4 suspension that it wanted to meet with the IOC "to make its legitimate case."
It said the decision to dissolve the Olympic committee was based on "solid evidence of blatant corruption, lack of legitimate transparent electoral processes and accountability, and absence of ratified legislation."
"We are fully confident that once the Iraqi delegation attends the meeting of the IOC and presents the facts, the provisions for the suspension will be immediately removed and the suspension will be lifted accordingly," it said in June.
Davies said Thursday that the Iraqi government was asked to come to Switzerland to discuss possible remedies "but (it) did not positively respond to the IOC's invitation."
She said the suspension destroyed progress made in Iraq's sporting community since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.
"Over the last five years, the IOC and the wider Olympic family have provided funding and training opportunities to support the Iraqi NOC and more than 50 Iraqi athletes and coaches," Davies said.
Iraq's athletes are not the first to miss an Olympic Games because of government interference.
In the most recent case, Afghanistan was prevented from sending a team to the 2000 Sydney Games because of the Taliban regime's intervention in sports administration.
The IOC suspended Iraq's national Olympic committee in June after the Iraqi government dismissed and installed its own group chaired by the sports minister. The IOC told officials in Baghdad that it was upholding the suspension.
The IOC Charter forbids political interference in the Olympic movement.
A stalemate between the two sides meant Iraq missed Wednesday's deadline to submit a team for the Aug. 8-24 Games.
"The deadline for taking up places for Beijing for all sports except athletics has now passed," IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. "The IOC very sadly has now to acknowledge that it is likely there will be no Iraqi presence at the Beijing Olympic Games, despite our best efforts."
Four Iraqi athletes were expected to compete in non track-and-field sports - archery, judo, rowing and weightlifting. Their places will be offered to athletes from other countries.
"Clearly, we'd very much like to have seen Iraq's athletes in Beijing," Davies said. "We are very disappointed that the athletes have been so ill-served by their own government's actions."
The IOC and Olympic Council of Asia jointly sent a letter Wednesday to Iraq's minister for youth and sport Jassem Mohammed Jaafar confirming Iraq's suspension "despite joint efforts . . . over the past few months to find a positive solution with Iraqi authorities."
Iraq's government said after the June 4 suspension that it wanted to meet with the IOC "to make its legitimate case."
It said the decision to dissolve the Olympic committee was based on "solid evidence of blatant corruption, lack of legitimate transparent electoral processes and accountability, and absence of ratified legislation."
"We are fully confident that once the Iraqi delegation attends the meeting of the IOC and presents the facts, the provisions for the suspension will be immediately removed and the suspension will be lifted accordingly," it said in June.
Davies said Thursday that the Iraqi government was asked to come to Switzerland to discuss possible remedies "but (it) did not positively respond to the IOC's invitation."
She said the suspension destroyed progress made in Iraq's sporting community since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003.
"Over the last five years, the IOC and the wider Olympic family have provided funding and training opportunities to support the Iraqi NOC and more than 50 Iraqi athletes and coaches," Davies said.
Iraq's athletes are not the first to miss an Olympic Games because of government interference.
In the most recent case, Afghanistan was prevented from sending a team to the 2000 Sydney Games because of the Taliban regime's intervention in sports administration.
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
Do I have to wear a gas mask when watching the games on my TV?
Will that massive air pollution make it's way into my home?
Will that massive air pollution make it's way into my home?
#3
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Do I have to wear a gas mask when watching the games on my TV?
Will that massive air pollution make it's way into my home?
Will that massive air pollution make it's way into my home?
Then again, how different is that with...Cali...?
#5
Drifting
Originally Posted by IcyAccord
Go Korea!
Although I don't have much faith for them winning anything besides Tae Kwon Do.
Although I don't have much faith for them winning anything besides Tae Kwon Do.
better stick to archery...
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
So, who thinks Lebron's guarantee of gold may backfire...? I read that this iteration of the US team is actually focused and driven for once...but, is it just talk?
#9
Drifting
I think having kobe and jkidd at point will be the difference maker for the US team.
I don't know, the other years in 2004 and the 2006 FIBA tournament, they didn't seem to be taking things too seriously. Hopefully they got it into their heads, that they need to be the best. I think it would be hard playing with so many superstars thought, as they all probably don't want to be taking over the game, with so many other superstars on the floor. I think kobe would be willing though if they're ever down
I don't know, the other years in 2004 and the 2006 FIBA tournament, they didn't seem to be taking things too seriously. Hopefully they got it into their heads, that they need to be the best. I think it would be hard playing with so many superstars thought, as they all probably don't want to be taking over the game, with so many other superstars on the floor. I think kobe would be willing though if they're ever down
#10
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
#11
Senior Moderator
I assume most of the events will run in the morning in the US (and Canada). It's going to be a pain to record them. The NBC website doesn't have any schedules posted yet. How I wish I got the CBC.
#13
Kang Ho
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by F-C
I assume most of the events will run in the morning in the US (and Canada). It's going to be a pain to record them. The NBC website doesn't have any schedules posted yet. How I wish I got the CBC.
#14
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (5)
2008 Summer Olympics
opening ceremonies is it just me or does anyone else get very patriotic during this time... win them golds!!!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7548539.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7548539.stm
#16
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
I think it's just the competitive nature of a lot of Americans. It dates back to the 80's and the fight to beat the Russians at the Olympics. I don't get into it as much as I did while I was growing up.
#17
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
Meh,
....the orientals are CRAZY good at the diving. That's my favorite part of the Olympics.
....the orientals are CRAZY good at the diving. That's my favorite part of the Olympics.
#18
Go Giants
Im into the American spirit!!
#19
Originally Posted by RaviNJCLs
My aunt married a Chinese guy. He said that the reason they are good at diving is because they lack any hint of an ass or breast to cause a splash. He also proved to me that some Chinese guys cannot handle alcohol, because I was 10 at the time.
Makes sense.
I know they can be beat...but they still are pretty freakin good.
#20
It's actually because they have small penises, and when they're in the cold waters, it shrivels to the point where it actually retracts into the body, thus they're more aerodynamic.
#21
Pro
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Jersey
Age: 36
Posts: 625
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^ lol
And yes, during the winter/summer olympics most people do get more patriotic.
I know I def do. I believe the opening ceremony will be on NBC tonight (obviously not live)
And yes, during the winter/summer olympics most people do get more patriotic.
I know I def do. I believe the opening ceremony will be on NBC tonight (obviously not live)
#22
Not Registered
I took these a couple months ago when I was in China. I actually met with the Head of Equipment Dept. of China and she told us if we would have met earlier she would have taken us through everything... oh well.
#24
Q('.')=O
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by TS_eXpeed
Meh,
....the orientals are CRAZY good at the diving. That's my favorite part of the Olympics.
....the orientals are CRAZY good at the diving. That's my favorite part of the Olympics.
cus they are all so small...
honestly i dont plan on watching much of it except probably michael phelps dominate the pool, some soccer, and some track & field.
btw how in the hell is speed walking considered a sport?
#25
Senior Moderator
Hopefully its a good one with no troubles!
#29
What Would Don Draper Do?
i'm very interested in my two favorites sports: soccer and basketball.
but during the olympics, it's the swimming and track and field that captivate me. and i even get glued to the gymnastics.
but during the olympics, it's the swimming and track and field that captivate me. and i even get glued to the gymnastics.
#30
The sizzle in the Steak
What? No love for women's beach volleyball?!?!?!
#33
All About Trance
The only thing I'm interested about the Olympics are the opening/closing ceremonies and women's soccer. Hope they're able to get the gold despite losing the opener to Norway. There's still hope!
#36
All About Trance
Originally Posted by dom
How anyone can sit through the opening and closing ceremonies without falling asleep after 3 minutes escapes me.
#37
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by dom
How anyone can sit through the opening and closing ceremonies without falling asleep after 3 minutes escapes me.
Fast Forward many many times.
#38
The sizzle in the Steak
Gotta love the Olympic Spirit!!!
#40
What Would Don Draper Do?
Originally Posted by dom
How anyone can sit through the opening and closing ceremonies without falling asleep after 3 minutes escapes me.