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mattperiolat

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Everything posted by mattperiolat

  1. Disqualified? For a personal statement? This is not flashing a sponsor or an advertiser on your warm up gear, it's a personal statement and certainly does not affect the results of the event. The only time in my memory the IOC has ever stripped anyone of medals was due to drugs altering the performance. Not even the Black Power protesters lost their medals.
  2. I have a question: if an athlete were to protest during a medal ceremony, say holding a Tibeten flag or something along those lines, what would happen? Would the IOC let it go or would the Chinese be in a position to pressure the IOC to punish the athlete? I actually am half expecting protests by athletes during the games that will make Mexico City look like a Sunday picnic. The athletes have a very large forum if they and a global audience and quite frankly, since it is, by all accounts, their show, what could be done to punish them?
  3. Well, we all sensed it coming from the day Beijing got the Games. But who honestly is surprised? China is flat out not going to tolerate anything messing up their chance to present themselves as a perfect society, even if it's not true. Last I saw, AP was reporting 100 dead, Chinese media reporting 6 to 10 "burned to death." Wonder how that happened. As for the subject of boycotts, I agree, hit China where it hurts: in the wallet. Economic sanctions and frankly, making the story the headline will hurt more then punishing the people who want to attend. Although, of course, with the air quality problems, it does seem like fewer competitors are interested in going anyway. I think if a boycott takes place, it should be the decision of the competitors and the NOCs, made jointly, not a governmental decision.
  4. Man, I had not realized how close we were getting until I saw this and saw the date. Ten days to the lighting in Olympia and, what, about two weeks to the start of the international leg? Good luck to all the bearers. Wish I could be there to watch!
  5. Not a chance would the final bearer go that short a distance. Probably from the outer track to the in field at least. In any case, I'm still not sold on the fact that Yao will be the one to light the cauldron. A final runner, yes, but not the one who had the honor. I'd look at the 2000 Men's Gymnastics Team (first Team gold for China), Liu Xiang, winner of the gold in the Men's 110m Hurdles in Athens or Xing Huina, winner of the 10,000m gold in Athens. Like I said, China has options before Yao.
  6. And this protects the people climbing Everest with the flame how exactly?
  7. We also know Yao is considered a likely contender to light the torch at the Opening Ceremonies too, so thats another reason to try and make the Games, even if China doesn't do so well in the basketball tourny.
  8. So, back on topic... Anyone else besides me thinking the BOOG seems to be fairly reckless with their plans for the torch? Between what appears to be a proposed lighting plan and the plan to have the torch summit Everest, there seems to be a desire for spectacle over safety. I love a good show, but I want all the performers to come out alive at the end.
  9. I'm not sure if this has been discussed yet, but for the torch lighting, why not have like a hybrid of Seoul and Athens? Lifting the final lighter or lantern or giant flaming object into the air while the main cauldron "appears" through the hole in the roof? It doesn't have to extend far enough to endanger anyone, just enough to get it lit. Then it retracts to where it can be seen by all. Then again, seeing the pictures of previous ceremonies, the Chinese have something up their sleeves to surprise us all and wow us. I will admit, I'm interested to see.
  10. The Water Cube is interesting... I'd almost like to see water actually running over the roof and the sides of the building, give it sort of a unique look. As for the Birds Nest... I'll give them more time to finish, but right now, I find it a very forbidding structure. Like a massive steel cage.
  11. Is it a surprise? No, absolutely not. But it's sad to think we're not passed this yet. I'm still not sure the Chinese swimming program is clean for example, but this level of abuse of atheletes... Then again, someone could turn right around and accuse American coaches of mistreating female gymnasts. Hard charge not to answer.
  12. Because the jet lag would kill the organizers. That's just... too much, really, especially since the Vancouver folks are working to keep costs down. I think Olympia-Athens-Canada with some skips over the border into New York is fine. I'd push for a stop at Internationa Falls so Minnesota gets a taste of the flame too. Have to say that, my girl is from Minneapolis.
  13. Wonder if this might have more impact if I could actually spell "athlete." Oy, that's bad. Anyway, what's really sad about this is this is not surprising. China seems to have filled the void left by East Germany: use your youth for short term gain and they are disposable afterwards. Also worth noting that once their careers are over, every effort is made to silence them. Lord knows China doesn't want bad press. But, to be fair, how they treat their athletes doesn't really figure into their ability to host a Games. Were I to say that, then Salzberg shouldn't be bidding for 2014 because of the drug scandle with their skiers. Regardless, it's a shame that we are painfully aware for this abuse and yet, it goes on.
  14. Just read a very disturbing article on how China is treating it's atheletes leading up to and after the Games. Granted, I'm sure this is a open secret, but it's still sad to hear. I'll provide a link, but you'll need to register with the site to read it. Mind you, it's not pretty. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...?track=ntothtml
  15. Ummm... that would do, except I might put Hong Kong before Taipei. Inclusive of China, but still independent of China. I think this would satisfy a good number of people.
  16. Um, no, I'm not. Maybe I'm not being clear. I said I WAS, I have changed my mind. The Relay is at no greater terrorism risk in Islamabad than it is in San Francisco, London or any other significant city. I'm done with the discussion of terrorism and the Olympics as a whole. It's clear nothing further can come from the debate, so let's just get back to discussing the Relay as a whole.
  17. My original fear was Al-Quida using the proximity of the Torch to Afghanistan as a chance to take a swing at the Relay, but the bigger issue is: extremists won't care how good China's relation is with Islam as long as they have a chance to advance their cause. Sad fact, but in today's modern world, security is going to be responsibility #1 regardless of where the Relay goes and where the Games are held. I think Munich and Atlanta are still fresh enough in the collective memories to warrent it, plus other cases.
  18. It's an interesting thought though: how do you divide up the realy fairly? BC deserves a fair number of city visits as host providence, but all of Canada, or at least as much as possible, should have a chance to be part of the Relay. I'm actually hoping to make a visit up north to watch the relay as my family has friends in Winnipeg. An exciting time for Canada.
  19. I accept the apology and offer my own. I agree, in retrospect, the comment was far too general. As you said, terrorism is a real threat to the Games, but it can strike anywhere, be it Islamabad, Paris, London, San Francisico, even Beijing. If someone is determined, it will happen. We can only do what we must to prevent it. 1964, eh? A long time to wait for the Torch to return. Congradulations then and I'm looking forward to seeing the city giving the Torch a royal welcome.
  20. I agree, an international relay may not be realistic for this, but I do like the idea of the relay going from Oslo to L’Anse aux Meadows, the first European settlement in the New World. I just can't wait to see this relay really. I was too young to appricate Calgary, so I'm excited to see the show Canada puts on. Haifax, Montreal, Qubec City, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary... plus my sentimental choices of Niagra Falls, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, north to Baffin Island... Can't wait. Can't wait.
  21. No, I know the threat of terroism is real for the torch relay in any city. I recall the relay getting firebombed leading up to the Seoul Olympics. Islamabad just stuck out in my mind because of the proximity to Afghanistan and the current war on the Taliban. I'm sure nothing WILL happen, but there is always a concern something MIGHT happen. 2nd time? When was the previous time the Torch was in Islamabad? I don't recall it visiting during the 2004 relay so enlighten me please. And in all honesty, I didn't think I was being that critical. All I said was it was a potential terrorist target, which would be the case in ANY city. As I said, Islamabad stuck out because of the proximity to the war in Afghanistan. That's ALL. I apoligize for any offense.
  22. You know, the sad and simple fact is China just can't win at this. No matter what they try, no matter how many people they try to please, China has just ticked off too healthy a potion of the world for everyone to be content. Focusing for just a moment on the Torch Relay, I have some issues with some of the stops. 1. Islamabad. With all respect to Pakistan, I'm frankly wary that the Relay visiting here is one hell of a tempting target for terrorism. This is one portion of the route I'll be watching with my fingers crossed. 2. PyongYang. Oh goodie, let's go visit an even more oppresive political regime than our own. I understand the concept of trying to create the One Korea concept, but for me, it's just not flying right now. 3. Taiwan. *sighs* Guys, this is an impossible situation. Nothing can be done to make both the governments happy and we knew going in that no one was going to be satisfied. I would like the Torch to visit Taiwan, but honestly... I know the folks in Taipai will be upset, but maybe it should just go from Vietnam to Hong Kong. As it is, I actually am expecting a Taiwan boycott. It's just too politically dicey. 4. Everest. While ambitious, I am very interested to see how China will pull this one off without endangering the climbers. 5. Tibet. This was regretfully unavoidable, just as Taiwan. I wish they could just go around Tibet, but, their country, their relay. Just have to be prepared for some hurt feelings along the way. Look, I know none of what I say is going to make the Organizing Committee change it's mind and bully for them. They just have to know the obvious: China is not well liked in the world because of it's politics and like it or not, the Relay is going to ruffle feathers. The same thing is going to happen next August during the Games, I'm sure. The Chinese government is dreaming if they think there will not be protests during the Games. Oh well... I'll still watch the Games with the same way I watch a car wreck on the freeway: horrible to see, but can't pull your eyes away. Just keep repeating "Two years to Vancouver, two years to Vancouver..." What, there are protests for those Games to? Oy....
  23. Replica? I was unaware that the cauldron from Atlanta had been demolished. I was told that it was either just left standing out in the parking lot of Turner Field or moved there as the stadium was converted for baseball. For my money... at the very least, a relay from Olympia to Athens should be included as part of any torch relay before moving on to the host country. Keep it as simple as you can given what it is.
  24. I'm actually not up on the global relay portion of the Torch Run for 2004, what went wrong? Is it aside from the length and logisitics just not possible to do again?
  25. Well, first impression, best impression: I like it! I think it's a very creative and unique design! Just waiting for the torch and the cauldron now!
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