Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 Shave-down? As if, waxing all the way. Shave? Wax? I'll volunteer to do the job, whatever!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 Speculating on the flag bearer, I was never aware of the Aussie flag bearer "curse": Curse of the Australian Olympic Games flag-bearer IT'S been called the curse of the Australian flag-bearer. If that is going too far we can certainly say this - carrying the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of an Olympics has certainly been no lucky charm. The Australian athlete given the role is normally overjoyed to be handed one of the great privileges in Australian sport and that has often been their most famous moment of the Games for only two of the last 10 flag-carriers have won medals. Maybe it is a consequence of the fact that they are reaching the end of their careers, combined with that invisible spoonful of extra pressure that comes with wanting to sign-off with a flourish. And, of course, there's the fact that you can have a stormer at the Games and still finish sixth. The indomitable Andrew Hoy, with his gold in the three-day eventing in Atlanta in 1996, proved the trend bucker and that the flag is not attached to an invisible ball and chain. Many other custodians since the war have not been as fortunate. Australia's most successful rower James Tomkins started his sixth Olympics as the flagbearer at Beijing, but ended it on a subdued note after Australia's men's eight finished eighth of eight in the final. Sailor Colin Beashel was a deserved choice as flagbearer in Athens - his sixth Games - in 2004 but finished 15th in a field of 17 in the Star class. For two decades Jenny Donnet was the anchorwoman of Australian diving, but carrying the flag at her fifth Olympics in Barcelona in 1992 brought no joy - she was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 3m springboard. As one of the most exceptional hockey players Australia has ever produced, Ric Charlesworth deserved the gold medal which never came his way in four Olympics as a player. In 1988 he was a popular choice as flagbearer, but the Kookaburras' cursed run at the Games took further excruciating twists. Brilliant English midfielder Sean Kerly became a hero for life in his home hockey circles with a rampaging goal that broke a deadlock in the semi-final. Shattered Australia were also beaten for the bronze by the Netherlands. The popular Andrew Gaze bucked the trend at Sydney 2000, powering Australia to a fine fourth place finish. Raelene Boyle was Australia's flagbearer in 1976 at Montreal and was disqualified after two false starts in the 200m. She believes there is no invisible hurdle to clear when your are carrying the flag. Boyle feels the reason why a lot of the athletes who carry the flag have not had stellar Games is that they attain the honor at the end of their careers rather than when they are at their peaks. "Usually the flagbearer has a long history and is being rewarded by given that great honor," she said. "It is a great honor. I was the first female to do it and was proud of that." Sailor Jock Sturrock (1960), kayaker Dennis Green (1972) and Ivan Lund (fencing, 1964) did not win medals and the equestrian team came home without a medal when Wayne Roycroft carried the flag in 1984. The question of who will be Australia's flagbearer remains a much debated one in London, with Games veterans Stuart O'Grady and Cadel Evans (cycling), Natalie Cook (beach volleyall) and Drew Ginn (rowing) among the frontline contenders. "I think Drew or Anna Meares would be great choices," Boyle said. "It is a hard one. I would imagine it would come down to the individual's merit off the sporting arena as well as on it. "I am sure Nick Green and John Coates will make a wise decision but it is a tough one this Games. There are a lot of options. "I don't think Cadel Evans is in the mix at all. He has won the Tour de France, but as an Olympian he has not had great success at the Olympics. This is about the Olympic Games. If you are going to throw Cadel Evans you might as well throw Lleyton Hewitt in and I don't agree with that." CARRYING THE FLAG 2008 - James Tomkins unplaced in 8s final 2004 - Colin Beashal finished 15th in Star class 2000 - Andrew Gaze Boomers finished fourth 1996 - Andrew Hoy won gold 1992 - Jenny Donnet eliminated in preliminaries 1988 - Ric Charlesworth lost two finals and missed medal 1984 - Wayne Roycroft missed medal Herald Sun Link to post Share on other sites
Mainad 203 Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 (edited) Speculating on the flag bearer, I was never aware of the Aussie flag bearer "curse": LOL...does this mean the Aussie flag-bearer in London will be decided by straw poll with the unlucky sod who picks the shortest one being selected to do the dirty deed?? Edited July 18, 2012 by Mainad Link to post Share on other sites
Alexjc 354 Posted July 23, 2012 Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Interesting to see on the news this morning that Australia's Olympic Committee is concerned about the continuing slide in the medal count since 2000. Id've thought they'd be more predicting a better total than Beijing more on the same as Athens. 2000 was a one off, being a home games. My prediction is Australia finishing fift on the medals table. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2012 Interesting to see on the news this morning that Australia's Olympic Committee is concerned about the continuing slide in the medal count since 2000. Id've thought they'd be more predicting a better total than Beijing more on the same as Athens. 2000 was a one off, being a home games. My prediction is Australia finishing fift on the medals table. I'm always relieved when we break double figure for golds, and happy when we beat the Melbourne 1956 standard of 13 gold. Anything else is a bonus. I think I'm expecting to concede the Battle of the Ashes to team UK this time round, though. They should come fourth, and we'll possibly be battling Germany for fifth. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 (edited) Nice to wake up this morning to news of our first gold - the girls in the 4 X100m! Good onya girls! Gold Swimming Womens 4 X100m Alicia Coutts, Cate Campbell, Brittany Elmslie, Melanie Schlanger And Libby Tricket swum in the heat, so she'll pick up her fourth career gold as well! Edited July 29, 2012 by Sir Rols Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Stupid sleep. Cam't follow what happened Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Stupid sleep. Cam't follow what happened Easily solved - don't sleep! Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted July 28, 2012 Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Easily solved - don't sleep! I'm tempted. Channel 9 replayed it good event and good job to our swimmers Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2012 Just caught the replay myself. Always exciting to watch the relays as the lead changes. And that was one we didm't count on! A bonus gold! Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted July 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2012 Bit of a disappointment thus morning. Only a silver and a bronze to claim. Oh well, hope there's a bit of gold to great me when I get off the plane at Heathrow now. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted August 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) Here's hoping Missile Magnussen gets Australia's pool tilt back on track tonight! Edited August 1, 2012 by Sir Rols Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Pretty proud of Alicia Coutts. Only one of 8 people to have 1 of each medals or 2 golds. FRA AGNEL Yannick Swimming 2 1 0 3 USA LOCHTE Ryan Swimming 2 1 0 3 GER JUNG Michael Equestrian 2 0 0 2 CHN YE Shiwen Swimming 2 0 0 2 USA PHELPS Michael Swimming 1 2 0 3 AUS COUTTS Alicia Swimming 1 1 1 3 USA SCHMITT Allison Swimming 1 1 1 3 CHN SUN Yang Swimming 1 1 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Alexjc 354 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 Hey Rols, - where are all your swimmers? Very little green and gold in the finals? Link to post Share on other sites
Alexjc 354 Posted August 1, 2012 Report Share Posted August 1, 2012 (edited) Hey Rols, - where are all your swimmers? Very little green and gold in the finals - that ISN'T Brazil? Go Magnussen! - Silver by only a touch! Sally Foster and Tessa Wallace up next... ...Damn still not enough!...unless heat two is slower. Guess I'm just so use to the CWGs enevitable results Edited August 1, 2012 by Alexjc Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 So, those back home in Oz - have the knives come out for Magnussen now? Link to post Share on other sites
micheal_warren 206 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 So, those back home in Oz - have the knives come out for Magnussen now? Have ben reading some of the media coverage coming out of Australia and the knifes are certainly sharpening. Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Yeah, that's the thing being at a games in person - you actually see less than you normally would if you were at home and watching all the events on TV. That, and the coverage is BBC, so they don't focus much on what's happening with the Aussies. Though Ian Thorpe is one of the commentators for the BBC swimming coverage. Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Yeah people making corny headlines. The missle misfire etc etc. Many say he was too cocky and looked up too early this morning Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Well, he HAS been cocky in talking up his chances. He's gotta expect if he didn't deliver, he was gonna get bagged for it. Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Argh we haven't gotten anything today Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted August 2, 2012 Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 we have 5 chances by the time i wake up Women's 100m Freestyle Final, Men's 200m Backstroke Final, Women's 200m Breaststroke Final, Women's Individual All-Around Final X2 because we have 2 people So maximum of 4 golds doubt it but hope we get 1. Time for em to sleep good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Rols 1900 Posted August 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2012 Yeah, one more gold overnight would sure lift my spirits. Link to post Share on other sites
Olympic Fan Darcy 321 Posted August 3, 2012 Report Share Posted August 3, 2012 No such luck, lets hope there is today though! Link to post Share on other sites
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