Even though I am a world-famous commentator for NBC and probably shouldn't be saying this, but my non-humble opinion is that beach volleyball sucks. I believe my colleagues at NBC have manufactured almost all the hype for this sport; no one ever cared about beach volleyball until NBC wanted to market the hell out of May and Walsh. And I still don't think people care as much as NBC seems like they do. Please don't tell NBC about this post.
Coming up today - more swim finals, women's gymnastics qualifications, I guess more shooting and archery if you care, and right now the women's cycling road race is going on. Enjoy the day.
Chusovitina has a very inspiring story. She got a silver medal in vault in 2008 when she was 33, and she's competing again! Jovchev seems ageless and already qualified again for the still rings at age 39. It's crazy to think how you're considered ancient when you're in your 20s in gymnastics and these two have just kept on going and are still very competitive.
The USA women's volleyball team is really fun to watch... I need to watch some men's volleyball.
I <3 volleyball. I played when I was younger, but I got burnt out from club ball and quit in early high school. I wish I hadn't. I kind of hope Scarlett is interested in it eventually... MH played volleyball in high school, and loves it too. Hopefully we can contain ourselves and not be pushy parents, lol.
It's crazy to think how you're considered ancient when you're in your 20s in gymnastics and these two have just kept on going and are still very competitive.
This would be why I find every Olympics more depressing than the last, LOL.
Also, I still have never figured out for whom I should cheer when a final involves two countries that have no meaning for me. I end up latching onto some bizarre little factoid. "BFE Athlete nearly succumbed to a hangnail when she was 7 but miraculously lived to walk again and become the world's best toetapper! She also spends her spare time comforting dragonflies in their moments of distress!"
I still can't believe shooting s a sport. Flame away, but I'm not here today to respond
I'm with you.
Ha, I was going to ask how people felt about this. I thought the Olympics might give it some cred. Guess not.
I get grumpy every time beach volleyball is mentioned. Goddamn if they can get through a highlight without mentioning bikinis, last names, or breeding status.
Wow, Dos Santos from Brazil is still competing in gymnastics too? She is now 29. In other words, about 3 times the age of the average Chinese Olympic female gymnast.
re: beach volleyball - I told my husband last night that it's too bad Misty May's name is so memorable b/c I always refer to her and her partner as "Misty May and...what'sherface?"
I watched some men's beach volleyball yesterday. It's pretty boring compared to regular volleyball, IMO.
I get grumpy every time beach volleyball is mentioned. Goddamn if they can get through a highlight without mentioning bikinis, last names, or breeding status.
They were absolutely brutal with that last night. Holy hell. How can you on one hand herald May and Walsh for being the most famous women's beach volleyball team to ever play the sport, and say they've NEVER lost a match or set in Olympic competition, and then blather on about how many kids they've popped out, Misty's Dancing with the Stars career, blah blah blah.
I get grumpy every time beach volleyball is mentioned. Goddamn if they can get through a highlight without mentioning bikinis, last names, or breeding status.
They were absolutely brutal with that last night. Holy hell. How can you on one hand herald May and Walsh for being the most famous women's beach volleyball team to ever play the sport, and say they've NEVER lost a match or set in Olympic competition, and then blather on about how many kids they've popped out, Misty's Dancing with the Stars career, blah blah blah.
Jesus.
Omg yes. So maddening! I couldn't believe my ears last night
Even though I am a world-famous commentator for NBC and probably shouldn't be saying this, but my non-humble opinion is that beach volleyball sucks.
I just don't see the rationale for beach volleyball as an Olympic sport. I mean, the Olympics have dropped baseball and softball, among other sports, but retains beach volleyball alongside regular volleyball?
That doesn't make much sense to me. Not to mention that if one wants to become an Olympic volleyball player, there's more of an established amateur route - every high school and college has volleyball teams. Beach volleyball is less of an amateur sport than semi-pro entertainment put on by beer companies during spring break, kwim?
Also, I still have never figured out for whom I should cheer when a final involves two countries that have no meaning for me. I end up latching onto some bizarre little factoid. "BFE Athlete nearly succumbed to a hangnail when she was 7 but miraculously lived to walk again and become the world's best toetapper! She also spends her spare time comforting dragonflies in their moments of distress!"
Isn't that how everyone chooses who to root for? Although it can backfire when the networks push the drama so relentlessly that I don't care if your last chemo treatment was an hour before the match, kwichyer dam whining and get off my screen!
I actually groaned out loud when the IOC passed the rule that said women could now wear shorts and a t-shirt for beach volleyball (to allow more conservative countries to play), and some teams were all "No! We're still going to wear bikinis!" There have been way more articles then there should be about the fucking bikinis. And then last night...the fuck were they wearing? I'm honestly surprised they didn't make a bigger deal out of the outfits.
I guess they were too enthralled by the baby making facts.