OLYMPIC GAMES 2016 - RIO DE JANEIRO

[Gabe]

Rio's regional government has declared a state of economic emergency. I can't wait for the games...

 

[Sabiondo]

4 weeks left for the biggest olympic fiesta left in South America!

 

[QwaarJet]

I get the feeling this event is going to be a total disaster.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Really looking forward to the Games now, can't believe it's 4 years since London. Time flies these days.

Aquatics is mainly what I'm interested in, and I like the Archery, Canoeing, Cycling, Rowing and Rugby. Probs will watch a bit of the Fencing and Shooting too. Athletics definitely not my thing lol, yawn! Disappointed there's no Great Britain in Football this year, it was great fun in 2012. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to have a quarter of the team from each home nation? Ahh well, maybe it's too easy for their brains!

Not normally into the Sailing but this year it will look spectacular set in the Bay!

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I don't get why people keep trying to talk Rio down though. Yeah there are concerns but there are concerns at most Olympics about one thing or another and the Brazilians never talked us down.

It is not Brazil's fault this virus is going and if the athletes take proper precautions then they will be safe. The main concern is the environment around some of the events (eg the Sailing), but I think it will turn out alright in the end.

Beijing had a lot of criticism beforehand but I think it turned out to be a great Games.

 

[QwaarJet]

Really looking forward to the Games now, can't believe it's 4 years since London. Time flies these days.

Aquatics is mainly what I'm interested in, and I like the Archery, Canoeing, Cycling, Rowing and Rugby. Probs will watch a bit of the Fencing and Shooting too. Athletics definitely not my thing lol, yawn! Disappointed there's no Great Britain in Football this year, it was great fun in 2012. Surely it wouldn't be too difficult to have a quarter of the team from each home nation? Ahh well, maybe it's too easy for their brains!

Not normally into the Sailing but this year it will look spectacular set in the Bay!

There is, from what I can tell, absolutely no appetite for a Team GB football team outside of England. And I'm not exactly sure if putting quotas on team selection would actually be legal. Besides, look how many players in the lead up to London ruled themselves out. Loads. Almost all of the Scottish and Northern Irish players. Some of the Welsh players including Bale did as well.

The bottom line is that it has been made very clear that all 4 home nations have to approve it, and England were the only ones to do so. I very much doubt it will ever be back.

As for Rio, I'm not blaming Brazil for everything (although the crime and corruption are problems of their own making). But regardless of whether there is a fault, it's a potentially dangerous situation that has already affected the Olympics. Golf was supposed to be one of the flagship sports this time around, and pretty much all the big names have withdrawn due to Zika. I'm sure more will follow across all sports in the coming weeks.

In regards to the sports, I agree with you. Swimming is the one for me. Will be watching as much of that as possible. I've also liked Gymnastics since I was a child. And I totally agree about Athletics. It's the most watched part, but I honestly can't see the appeal. Boring as shit.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Wonder what's going to happen to Russia.

Personally, I think they should be banned. I am against boycotts/banning for political reasons, but when there's been systematic cheating in sports (incl. the Olympics) for what seems like years I think banning Russia is the only option.

I feel sorry for the decent Russian athletes if the ban goes ahead, but hopefully as many of them can compete under the Olympic flag as possible.

 

[Verjamem]

I can't wait for volleyball's competitions, but I'll also give some of my attention to handball and a bit of basketball (even thought USA are mighty favourite to win it)

 

[Schlagerman1]

Wonder what's going to happen to Russia.

Personally, I think they should be banned. I am against boycotts/banning for political reasons, but when there's been systematic cheating in sports (incl. the Olympics) for what seems like years I think banning Russia is the only option.

I feel sorry for the decent Russian athletes if the ban goes ahead, but hopefully as many of them can compete under the Olympic flag as possible.

Couldn't agree less about this. What WADA doesn't tell you is that Russia have been working pretty hard against the doping, especially for the Athletics Championship 2013 which was hosted in Moscow, they kicked out many potential cheaters. It is though very hard since it is something that has excisted a long time, but not only in Russia, also Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, China and USA to name a few has had quite many athletes in various sports that has used doping, but they have never gotten banned.
Let Russia compete and help them with this instead of banning and make the Russophobia in America and Europe even stronger.

 

[QwaarJet]

Couldn't agree less about this. What WADA doesn't tell you is that Russia have been working pretty hard against the doping, especially for the Athletics Championship 2013 which was hosted in Moscow, they kicked out many potential cheaters. It is though very hard since it is something that has excisted a long time, but not only in Russia, also Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, China and USA to name a few has had quite many athletes in various sports that has used doping, but they have never gotten banned.
Let Russia compete and help them with this instead of banning and make the Russophobia in America and Europe even stronger.

I'm pretty sure "Russophobia" isn't even a thing.

 

[GermanBango]

Couldn't agree less about this. What WADA doesn't tell you is that Russia have been working pretty hard against the doping, especially for the Athletics Championship 2013 which was hosted in Moscow, they kicked out many potential cheaters. It is though very hard since it is something that has excisted a long time, but not only in Russia, also Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, China and USA to name a few has had quite many athletes in various sports that has used doping, but they have never gotten banned.
Let Russia compete and help them with this instead of banning and make the Russophobia in America and Europe even stronger.

Sorry but no, just no. Russia really fucked up and a ban unfortunately is the only right thing to do in this case. Tbh Russia also needs to stop playing the victim-card - They aren't the victims here, the "clean" athletes are ... I feel unbelievably sorry for the them as they are working so damn hard to get one of those medals. Imagine you are giving your best but "only" ending up 4th because one of the medalists cheated ... it's just disgusting.
By the way the Romanian and Belorussian rowers, are banned as well aren't they? So this isn't just an anti-Russia-thing

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Russiophobia may or may not be a thing, but if it is I certainly don't think I could be accused of it. I just don't want corruption to be infecting the Olympics. I never used to be a big fan of the Games but after 2012 and the excitement of it all I love the Olympics and they should be kept clean. If any country has been cheating then they should be banned, not just Russia.

I'm like the least athletic person ever so can't say I know what goes through the minds of an athlete lol, but personally I don't know why you would dope because surely you only get that feeling of pride and satisfaction when you are genuinely the best? Cheating a win would be an anticlimax to me.

 

[GermanBango]

Anyway I actually came here to say that I'm pretty excited for the Olympic Games although I still think that Rio shouldn't be the host (for obvious reasons).
I also wanted to share a precious memory of mine:
The first half of 2012 was pretty tough for me as I had to go trough quite a lot of personal hardship - The 2012 Olympics actually helped me to get back on my feet. I've always been a fan of the Games (Mainly because I love the idea of celebrating our friendship and peace trough sports and friendly competition). As a child I told myself: "one day I'm going to attend the Olympics". What shall I say, in 2012 this dream came true.
I was sick of being kinda depressed because of all the shit that happened that year, so I decided that it was time to get back to the positive side of live. I spontaneously bought a ticket for the London 2012 Closing Ceremony on Ebay (only 3 days before the actual ceremony). On Sunday the 12th August I took a train to London and I had the best day of my young life. I even had to stay at St Pancras over night (all hotels were obviously fully booked) ... alone.... as a 18 year old boy ...but it was totally worth it

 

[ShoeFlo]

Looking forward especially to Football (finally we take part in the men's tournament and even with a very decent squad!), Handball, little bit to Hockey (cause we're successful in it) and of course the king of Olympic sports: Athletics

Usually the Canoeing, Rowing, shooting, Judo and badminton events also catch my attention.. it's nice to see these sports being in spotlight

 

[GianlucaTomoe]

Looking forward especially to Football (finally we take part in the men's tournament and even with a very decent squad!), Handball, little bit to Hockey (cause we're successful in it)

No, Iceland isn't taking part in football. The European teams are Denmark, Germany, Portugal and Sweden.

Iceland isn't taking part in handball and hockey either.

 

[ShoeFlo]

I see, I shouldn't take for granted that everybody in Forum does actually know me
[MENTION=15040]GianlucaTomoe[/MENTION] I am from Germany and I was relating to the German athletes

 

[GianlucaTomoe]

I see, I shouldn't take for granted that everybody in Forum does actually know me
[MENTION=15040]GianlucaTomoe[/MENTION] I am from Germany and I was relating to the German athletes

Ok then

Change the country flag above your avatar btw, to avoid further confusion

 

[DanielLuis]

Ok then

Change the country flag above your avatar btw, to avoid further confusion

The flag on our avatar doesn't necessarily have to be the flag of the country we live in.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Anyway I actually came here to say that I'm pretty excited for the Olympic Games although I still think that Rio shouldn't be the host (for obvious reasons).
I also wanted to share a precious memory of mine:
The first half of 2012 was pretty tough for me as I had to go trough quite a lot of personal hardship - The 2012 Olympics actually helped me to get back on my feet. I've always been a fan of the Games (Mainly because I love the idea of celebrating our friendship and peace trough sports and friendly competition). As a child I told myself: "one day I'm going to attend the Olympics". What shall I say, in 2012 this dream came true.
I was sick of being kinda depressed because of all the shit that happened that year, so I decided that it was time to get back to the positive side of live. I spontaneously bought a ticket for the London 2012 Closing Ceremony on Ebay (only 3 days before the actual ceremony). On Sunday the 12th August I took a train to London and I had the best day of my young life. I even had to stay at St Pancras over night (all hotels were obviously fully booked) ... alone.... as a 18 year old boy ...but it was totally worth it

So cool!!! And you got to see the Spice Girls All I saw with my own eyes was the torch Still there was a great spirit up and down the country, it felt like everybody was really behind the Olympics. 2012 was a really good year

 

[GRE]

Usually, in Olympics I support: