Comments on: Olympics preview

By: Pollytickedoff

Pollytickedoff — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:27:37 +0000

I predict I am going to get well and truly celebratory on friday night. But that has absolutely nothing to do with the games.

I will spend the next two weeks studiously trying to avoid ALL coverage.

From 6th to 17th September will spend whinging at the dirth of reporting on the far more inspirational Paralympians.

By: Paul Norton

Paul Norton — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:34:47 +0000

I predict:

(a) a great many announcements by State Governments of ill-conceived, undemocratically formluated and arguably corruptly influenced policies and decisions;

(b) a great many releases by State Government agencies of reports and statements which confirm the lack of success of past and current policies and programs..

By: Paul Burns

Paul Burns — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:37:22 +0000

Not going to watch any of it. If possible, not even going to watch news about it. Boring, boting, boring.

By: Chris (a different one)

Chris (a different one) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:36:15 +0000

Robert - Athletes and professional sports people do train and play to the point of doing themselves long term permanent damage though. Boxing is a good example of this, but you see other problems - eg worn out joints etc in other sports. Perhaps not all in the same league as heart failure you get with some drugs, but then not all performance enhancing drugs have as bad potential side effects.

By: Robert Merkel

Robert Merkel — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:39:27 +0000

Chris: one argument is that the special suits and whatnot aren’t going to do permanent damage to one’s health.

That, to me, is the strongest argument against allowing elite sportspeople to take performance-enhancing drugs.

By: Robynne B

Robynne B — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:30:12 +0000

I predict that with some help from the kinder I will re-set my beloved radio from ABC local to ABC National, and henceforth avoid the drivel and hysteria that accompanies this obscene waste of money.

By: MarkL

MarkL — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:50:53 +0000

I predict I won’t be watching a minute of it.

MarkL
canberra

By: Chris (a different one)

Chris (a different one) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:52:59 +0000

Anyone else see the catalyst show on the AIS? The Olympics are very far away from an even playing field based on ability and training when such sophisticated techniques are only available to a few. Some athletes take advantage of lots of expensive research, special “suits”, etc and some others take drugs - whats the difference really?

By: joe2

joe2 — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:18:35 +0000

Agreed Fine, “And now the Aussie champion joe2 mounts the dais, and Jacques Rogge presents the Olympics comedy gold medal; silver to Kevan Gosper; and bronze to the AIS for general endeavour.”

“I would just like to thank my mum. Without whose ute, Russ, it would not have been possible”, said Joe2.

By: zoot

zoot — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:54:10 +0000

I plan on getting some really good books from the library.

By: onimod

onimod — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:04:55 +0000

I predict a massive drop in viewership worldwide.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:51:10 +0000

I predict wall-to-wall Mel and Koshie. I predict I will vomit.

By: Ambigulous

Ambigulous — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:37:19 +0000

}parochialism warning{
the above results were from the Australian Olympic Comedy TRIALS, not the full international event in Beijing.

By: Ambigulous

Ambigulous — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:35:09 +0000

Agreed Fine, “And now the Aussie champion joe2 mounts the dais, and Jacques Rogge presents the Olympics comedy gold medal; silver to Kevan Gosper; and bronze to the AIS for general endeavour.”

By: Ambigulous

Ambigulous — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:29:27 +0000

I predict higher levels of parochialism, patriotic fervour, and “protestors-should-STFU”-talk, than usual. But these higher levels may be hard to discern: it is AUSTRALIAN media I’m referring to, so we’ll be going from an already HIGH base.

By: Fine

Fine — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:18:23 +0000

“Zarquon, this is not the Costello thread.”

Pure comedy, Olympic gold.

By: Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:18:11 +0000

I’m in complete agreement with you Guido, I think the coaching and infrasctucture in Australian soccer is still very poor.

Imagine if Dick Advocaat hadn’t done the runner from the hotel room and signed with the Socceroos (did you see the beautiful passing game Zenit St. Petersburg employed on their way to the UEFA Cup), he’d have our teams playing a lot better than the static 4-5-1 of Verbeek. In all levels of football we just don’t have not got anyone with the tactical nous we need, and compare this with the Argentinians who are so well coached and developed and are bound to run rings around us (hoping we avoid a cricket score)

By: Guido

Guido — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:02:43 +0000

Sorry Stephen, I have little faith in Arnold’s ability to coach at at major international level. I hope the Olyroos do well but I am not holding my breath.

Australia will do well in sports that need a rich country to be successful (swimming, rowing, equestrian, maybe sailing - although we may be have problems in cycling) and do badly in those where less money and infrastructure is needed so there is more competition (athletics - especially on the track - and soccer).

By: dylwah

dylwah — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:39:16 +0000

Well the footy was so much more fun without Brucie queering the sublime Dennis Commetti, so i predict i will enjoy seven’s call of the footy for the next few weeks.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:37:22 +0000

Bruce McAvaney will have 17 on-air orgasms. *shudder*