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Archive through August 12, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: July 2008 - Sept 2008: The Cheap Seats: Sports : 2008 Beijing Olympics : 2008 Beijing Olympics: General Discussion About the 2008 Olympics: Archive through August 12, 2008 users admin

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Rosie
Member

11-12-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 12:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rosie a private message Print Post    
Marysafan, the guys had to to remove the lenses because they were fogging up but a sponsorship must be why they are still wearing them. Looks peculiar doesn't it?

I am not enjoying volleyball or water polo. Just keeping the TV on to catch swimming or something else.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 12:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
US swim legend Mark Spitz won't be on hand in Beijing if Michael Phelps breaks his record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics—because, he says, no one bothered to invite him.

Spitz said the International Olympic Committee, a US television network or FINA—the international body that governs world swimming—should have brought him to the Games this year, with Phelps making a go at his record.

"I never got invited. You don't go to the Olympics just to say, I am going to go. Especially because of who I am," Spitz told AFP in Hong Kong.

"I am going to sit there and watch Michael Phelps break my record anonymously? That's almost demeaning to me. It is not almost—it is."

Spitz became one of the most famous athletes in the world at the 1972 Munich Olympics, winning seven gold medals—with seven world records—in what many consider to be one of the greatest achievements in all of sport.

Phelps is aiming to better that mark in Beijing, hoping to bring home eight golds. And Spitz, now 58 and grey and without his trademark moustache, cannot understand why he wasn't asked along to see the show.

"They voted me one of the top five Olympians in all time. Some of them are dead. But they invited the other ones to go to the Olympics, but not me," he said. "Yes, I am a bit upset about it."

Now a stockbroker and motivational speaker, Spitz also thinks he could have won eight golds himself in Munich if only he had had the chance.

"I won seven events. If they had the 50m freestyle back then, which they do now, I probably would have won that too," he said.

Spitz, whose brief stint in show business in the 1970s never quite matched his success in the pool, said he attended the Athens Olympics four years ago—when Phelps also tried to break the record.

"They did not once put my face on television," he recalled. "But as soon as the swimming was over, and Michael Phelps didn't break my record, every time I went to beach volley, they put my face on the volleyballs."

Spitz said it would have been a great idea if he could be the one presenting the gold medals to Phelps, who has for years been candid about his ambition to eclipse the mark of seven golds.

And Spitz thinks Phelps will succeed—for one very good reason.

"He's almost identical to me. He's a world-record holder in all these events, so he is dominating the events just like I did," Spitz said. "He reminds me of myself."


I can't believe that they haven't invited him to be there.

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 12:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Marysafan a private message Print Post    
Well, let it never be said that Mark Spitz didn't have an Olympic size ego as well.

Rosie
Member

11-12-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rosie a private message Print Post    
My thoughts exactly, Marysafan.

Sam
Member

05-02-2004

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sam a private message Print Post    
Nice attempt to snag some free tickets.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
Yeah, when I first read that I was like "Aren't we quite full of ourselves"

My next thought was, where ya been for the past 36 years? Why didn't he coach, or something? Make himself a figure in the swimming world? My guess is that there a lot of past olympic gold winners that might not have been "invited" to attend. There are a lot of record breakers who aren't there. Knock, knock, Mr. Spitz, it's the attitude police inviting you over for an adjustment.

Naja
Member

06-28-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Naja a private message Print Post    
The NBC Olympics video site is darned goofy. I went to watch something about swimming, got my zip and cable info entered and clicked to watch. Nothing happened. So I clicked again. Then again. Nothing happened.

So on the next click I got a notice that I am banned from watching Olympic videos for 24 hours because I exceeded the video limit for large videos. I never got to see anything...LOL

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
Actually, Mark Spitz has been very obliging in the swimming world. I met him at an Invitational a few years back, and he was very nice in wishing age group swimmers the best, and sticking around for all of their parents to talk to.

That article was very rude in it's treatment. If you listen to how many times he is mentioned by NBC, HE SHOULD BE THERE! You cannot be a part of the Olympic Dignitary, unless invited, and to leave him out is a slap in the face. He is correct in that it is demeaning.


Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I'm with you, landi.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
LOL - That's kind of silly about the NBC videos. Aside from the fact that you never got to see anything at all, even if you had got to see it, don't they want people to watch?

NBC: Sorry ... you are watching too much. Come back tomorrow!

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 1:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I don't know anything about Mark Spitz personally (other than his Olympic achievements) so I can't comment one way or another about what he is like as a person. However, I would think it would have been good publicity to invite him.

Landileigh
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 2:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landileigh a private message Print Post    
this is what is quoted in the Editorial Reviews of the book: Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion

"What is it that makes a champion? Why is it that after almost 40 years, Mark Spitz is still the most famous swimmer in the world? Like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, Mark Spitz excelled when the pressure was the greatest and the spotlight the brightest. In this remarkable biography, Rich Foster explores and explains the complexities of the personality and makeup of the man who accomplished the greatest athletic achievement in the history of the Olympic Games."-Bruce Wigo, CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame


"Fans of Mark Spitz and swimming in general will love this thorough look at the personal and professional lives of this great Olympian." —Mark Schubert, head Olympic coach, USA Swimming


"Mark Spitz is one of the most significant figures in the history of the Olympic Games and is a remarkable human being. His story is long overdue." —Peter Ueberroth, chairman, United States Olympic Committee


"Rich Foster not only captures the magnificent story of Mark Spitz's career, he also masterfully describes the politics and intrigue of the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games." —Bob Seagren, Olympic gold medalist, pole vault (1968), and Olympic silver medalist, pole vault (1972)


"A marvelous look at a legendary athlete and a complex man." —Chuck Wielgus, executive director, USA Swimming


"I have known Mark for 35 years. He is a true Olympic icon. We have traveled the world together. What a life he has led!" —Bruce Jenner, Olympic gold medalist, decathalon (1976)


"Rich Foster does a magnificent job telling the true story of the greatest swimmer of all time." —Brent Rutemiller, publisher, Swimming World Magazine


"This is a riveting, inspiring look at one of the most important American athletes in the history of sports." —Ross Wales, former honorary secretary, FINA, and Olympic bronze medalist, 100-meter butterfly (1968)


}

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 2:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
I am not about to get in the way of the landi-love for Mark Spitz.

The article and interview came across to me as someone who wants to kinda overshadow the possible new front runner. I am sure he wants to continue to hold the record for the swimming, but it's not his turn to shine right now.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 2:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
I couldn't get the video to work either. Turns out I am using a slightly older version of the Mac operating system (one update before the one they DO support), so they wouldn't even let it attempt to load. Pfffffttt.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 2:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
Interesting hearing Morgan Freeman's voice doing the Visa Olympics commercial. Every time I hear it I wonder how he is doing. Its a good commercial, too. Go World.

Sherbabe
Member

07-28-2002

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 3:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sherbabe a private message Print Post    
that relay race last night was spectacular. one of the greatest relay races i've seen in a very long time. whoo hoo!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 5:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
I am absolutely with you on Mark Spitz, landileigh. He is the most famous Olympic competitor ever, and with someone going for his record this year, he absolutely should be there to be a part of that history.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 6:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I still have all the newspaper articles from his big wins. I had a major crush on him back in the day.

Nickovtyme
Member

07-29-2004

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 7:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Nickovtyme a private message Print Post    
Michael Phelps is da man!

Ladytex
Member

09-27-2001

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ladytex a private message Print Post    
Yay to the US Men's Gymnastics Team for their Bronze Medal!

Roxip
Member

01-29-2004

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Roxip a private message Print Post    
I love the medal ceremony with the 2 girl swimmers...they both had tears in their eyes and the gold medal winner mouthed the words of the Star Spangled Banner. I'm a sucker for that kind of emotion!

Chaplin
Member

01-08-2006

Monday, August 11, 2008 - 10:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Chaplin a private message Print Post    
I loved Mark Spitz and remember him winning his 7 Gold Medals so that is why I am loving Michael Phelps especially since the guy seems very down to earth and not egotistical and I think he could very well break the record set by Mark Spitz.
Apparently Ian Thorpe the Australian Champion and Olympic Champion has been very outspoken and rude about Michael Phelps and saying he will never do it and has had many choice words to say which have not been very flattering. I hope he does do it just to show him.

Spelll
Member

09-16-2005

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 12:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Spelll a private message Print Post    
Juju... not to take anything away from Mark Spitz achievement, I believe that Nadia Comaneci would be the greatest with her 7 perfect 10's in the 1976 Summer Olympics in gymnastics at the age of 14. It was unheard of and even the scoreboard couldn't accommodate a ten and showed a 1.00 instead.

Whoami
Member

08-03-2001

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 2:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Whoami a private message Print Post    
Re: the men's swimming relay. I found it....interesting....that the announcers were basically blaming Phelp's team mates in advance for the probable failure to get gold. Then it turns out that if it were't for that team mate, he probably wouldn't have gotten that gold!

Men's gymnastics. Most happy for Raj and Sasha. Raj cause he got gypped out of a spot on the Athens team, and then again for Beijing. Redeemed when he was named as Paul Hamm's replacement. Sasha. Wow what can I say? He was basically left off the team for his extreme unreliability to pull it off when it counted. Knowing that, I was SOOOO nervous for him. The way he paced around that pommel horse waiting for the go ahead to do his routine. And then the nearly frenetic way he attacked that thing. But wow what a moment when he nailed it! Hats off to the both of them! And the rest of the USA Men too.

Now, sending out my vibes to the USA Women!

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 7:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
When I think of Mark Spitz, all I can see are Speedos and a mustache, lol.