[FINAL daily update] -- Bruins at the Olympics

by gilbert on Aug 25, 2008 10:45 AM PDT

Bumped. Folks if you haven't done it yet, please join us in giving Gilbert a huge thanks for his incredible effort last two weeks. Of course it goes without saying congrats to all our Bruin men and women for their amazing efforts in Beijing. GO BRUINS. -N

(Cross-posted from my blog.)

UCLA medal winners: Dawn Harper, gold (track, 100m Hurdles); Monique Henderson, gold (track, 4x400m relay); Lauren Cheney, gold (USA soccer); Mark Hunter, gold (rowing, lightweight double sculls); Sheena Tosta, silver (track, 400m Hurdles); Andrea Duran, silver (USA softball); Tairia Flowers, silver (USA softball); Stacey Nuveman, silver (USA softball); Natasha Watley, silver (USA softball); Adam Wright, silver (USA men's water polo); Brandon Brooks, silver (USA men's water polo); Natalie Golda, silver (USA women's water polo); Jaime Hipp, silver (USA women's water polo); Kim Vandenberg, bronze (swimming, 4x200 relay); Tanya Harding, bronze (Australia softball).

WEEKEND UPDATE:

Sorry I didn't get to this sooner. I was gone and/or busy all weekend. This is my final scheduled update of this post. If I have time this week, I'll put up a special post recapping the medal winners.

Track and Field: Saturday, UCLA's Monique Henderson ran the third leg for the USA 4x400 relay team that won the gold medal. It was Henderson's second gold medal, she was also on the team that won in Athens. The team ran in 3:18.54. Congrats to Monique.

Men's Water Polo Gold Medal game: Hungary 14, USA 10 -- Hungary was the heavy favorite, as they've now won three straight gold medals. The U.S. team battled and kept it close until the fourth quarter. One bright spot for the U.S. was UCLA's Brandon Brooks, who was the backup goalie but came into the game when the starter was struggling and made several big saves to keep the game close. Bruin Adam Wright had an assist. It's USA's first medal since 1988.

FULL LISTINGS BY SPORT (aftter the jump)

TRACK AND FIELD (10 Bruins)

Amy Acuff (High Jump), Jeanette Bolden (Head Coach, team USA), Jessica Cosby (Hammer), Dawn Harper (100m Hurdles), Monique Henderson (4x400 relay), Yoo Kim (Pole Vault, Korea), Suzy Powell-Roos (Discus), Sheena (Johnson) Tosta (400m Hurdles), Rhonda Watkins (Long Jump, Trinidad and Tobago), Jonathan Williams (400m Hurdles, Belize)

Aug. 15 -- Discus qualifying rounds (Suzy Powell-Roos -- 15th)
Aug. 15 -- Men's 400m Hurdles round 1 (Jonathan Williams -- 4th in heat)
Aug. 17 -- 100m Hurdles round 1 (Dawn Harper -- 2nd in heat, qualifies for semis)
Aug. 17 -- Women's 400m Hurdles round 1 (Sheena Tosta -- 5th in heat)
Aug. 17 -- Hammer throw qualifying rounds (Jessica Cosby -- NM)
Aug. 18, 4:40 a.m. -- 100m Hurdles Semis (Harper wins semifinal)
Aug. 18 -- Women's 400m Hurdles Semis (Tosta wins semifinal)
Aug. 18 -- Long Jump qualifying rounds (Rhonda Watkins 19th in qualifying)
Aug. 19 -- 100m Hurdles finals (Harper wins gold medal, link to video)
Aug. 20, 5:40 a.m. -- Pole Vault qualifying rounds (Yoo Kim, NM)
Aug. 20 -- Women's 400m Hurdles finals (Tosta wins silver medal)
Aug. 20 -- High Jump qualifying rounds (Amy Acuff, 9th)
Aug. 22 -- 4x400 Relay round 1 (Henderson's USA team wins heat)
Aug. 23 -- 4x400 Relay finals (Henderson's USA team takes gold!)

SOFTBALL (6 Bruins)

Players on Team USA: Andrea Duran, Lisa Fernandez, Tairia (Mims) Flowers, Stacey Nuveman, Natasha Watley
On Australia: Tanya Harding (I couldn't find their schedule)

Note: A lot of these games are at 9 p.m., watchable for us West Coasters.

Aug. 11 -- USA 11, Venezuela 0 (Watley home run -- link to video highlights)
Aug. 12 -- USA 3, Australia 0 (Watley RBI single)
Aug. 14 -- USA 8, Canada 1 (Duran 2 RBI, link to video)
Aug. 14 -- USA 7, Japan 0 (Watley home run, link to video)
Aug. 15 -- USA 7, Chinese Taipei 0
Aug. 17 -- USA 8, Netherlands 0 (Flowers home run, link to video)
Aug. 17 -- USA 9, China 0 (Flowers 2 RBI, link to video)

Australia: Finished 5-2, third place in group play.

Aug. 19 -- Semifinal #1 vs. #2 -- USA 4, Japan 1, 9 inn. (Link to video)
Aug. 19 -- Semifinal #3 vs. #4 -- Australia 5, Canada 3
Aug. 20 -- Bronze Medal game: Japan 4, Australia 3, 12 inn. (Australia gets bronze)
Aug. 21 -- Gold Medal game: Japan 3, USA 1 (USA gets silver)

MEN'S SOCCER (3 Bruins)

Players on Team USA: Benny Feilhaber, Patrick Ianni, Marvell Wynne

Aug. 7 -- USA 1, Japan 0 (Wynne assist, link to video)
Aug. 10 -- USA 2, Netherlands 2
Aug. 13 -- Nigeria 2, USA 1 (USA eliminated)

WOMEN'S SOCCER (3 Bruins)

On USA: Lauren Cheney, Jillian Ellis (assistant coach)
On Canada: Kara Lang

Aug. 6 -- Norway 2, USA 0
Aug. 6 -- Canada 2, Australia 1 (Kara Lang scored game-winning goal)
Aug. 9 -- USA 1, Japan 0
Aug. 9 -- Canada 1, China 1
Aug. 12 -- USA 4, New Zealand 0
Aug. 12 -- Sweden 2, Canada 1
Aug. 15 -- Quarterfinals: USA 2, Canada 1
Aug. 18 -- Semifinals: USA 4, Japan 2
Aug. 21 -- Gold Medal Game: USA 1, Brazil 0 (USA wins gold)

WOMEN'S WATER POLO (3 Bruins)

On Team USA: Natalie Golda, Jaime Hipp, Guy Baker (head coach)

Aug. 11, -- USA 12, China 11 (Golda scored four goals -- video highlights)
Aug. 13 -- USA 9, Italy 9
Aug. 14 -- USA 12, Russia 7 (Golda scored three goals)
Aug. 18 -- Semifinals: USA 9, Australia 8 (Golda goal)
Aug. 21 -- Gold Medal Game: Netherlands 9, USA 8 (Golda goal, USA gets silver)

MEN'S WATER POLO (2 Bruins)

On Team USA: Brandon Brooks, Adam Wright

Aug. 10 -- USA 8, China 4 (Wright assist, link to video)
Aug. 11 -- USA 12, Italy 11 (Wright goal)
Aug. 13 -- Serbia 4, USA 2
Aug. 15 -- USA 7, Croatia 5 (Wright goal)
Aug. 17 -- USA 8, Germany 7 (Wright two goals, USA gets bye to semfinals, link to video)
Aug. 22 -- Semifinals: USA 10, Serbia 5 (Wright three assists, two steals)
Aug. 24 -- Gold Medal Game: Hungary 14, USA 10 (Brooks four saves, Wright assist)

The U.S. wins the silver medal, its first medal since 1988.

TENNIS (2 Bruins)

Bruins competing: Mark Knowles (Bahamas), Marcin Matkowski (Poland)

Both are competing in doubles. Knowles’ parter is Devin Mullings, Matkowski’s partner is Maruisz Fyrstenberg. There are 32 doubles teams in the single-elimination tournament.

Aug. 12 — First Round: Matkowski/Fyrstenberg def. Yu/Zeng (CHN) 6-3, 6-4.
Aug. 12 — First Round: Knowles/Mullings lose to Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 6-2, 6-1.
Aug. 13 — Round of 16: Matkowski/Fyrstenberg def. Damm/Vizner (CZE) 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5.
Aug. 14 — Quarterfinals: Matkowski/Fyrstenberg lose to Aspelin/Johansson (SWE) 7-6 (5), 6-4.

SWIMMING (2 Bruins)

Bruins competing: Kim Vandenberg, 4x200m relay (USA), Nicolette Teo, 100/200 breast, relays (Singapore)

Aug. 10 --100m Breaststroke heats (Nicolette Teo 1:10.75 -- 7th in heat)
Aug. 13 -- 200m Breaststroke heats (Teo 2:34.60 -- 6th in heat)
Aug. 13 -- 4x200m Relay heats (Vandenberg's team wins heat, 7:52.43)
Aug. 13 -- 4x200m Relay finals (Vandenberg not in final race where team won bronze, but she gets a bronze medal anyway.)

BEACH VOLLEYBALL (3 Bruins)

Bruin competing: Elaine Youngs
Bruins coaching: Bob Alejo, Liz Masakayan

Elaine Youngs and her partner Nicole Branagh are in Group E. Each group has four teams, the top two teams and some third-place teams go to the Round of 16.

Aug. 9 — Youngs/Branagh def. Kadjik/Mooren (NED) 21-19, 27-25. (link to video)
Aug. 11 — Youngs/Branagh def. Pohl/Rau (GER) 21-17, 21-16
Aug. 13 — Youngs/Branagh def. Ribalta/Crespo (CUB) 21-19, 13-21, 15-12. (link to video)
Aug. 14 — Round of 16: Youngs/Branagh def. Grasset/Peraza (CUB) 21-15, 21-13.
Aug. 17 — Quarterfinals: Youngs/Branagh lose to Xue/Zhang Xi (CHN) 21-17, 21-13.

ROWING (2 Bruins)

Bruins competing: Mark Altman (USA), Lightweight Fours; Mark Hunter (Great Britain), Lightweight Double Sculls

Aug 10 -- Heats: Bruin rowing assistant coach Mark Hunter easily won his heat with partner Zac Purchase, advancing to the semifinals. The other Bruin, Mark Altman's team finished fourth in their heat.
Aug. 12 -- Repechage: Altman's team finsihed third, which looks like enough to advance to the semifinals. (Link to video)
Aug. 15 -- Semifinals: Hunter/Purchase won their semifinal (link to video).
Aug. 17 -- Finals: Hunter/Purchase WIN THE GOLD MEDAL! (link to video)

GYMNASTICS (1 Bruin)

Bruin competing: Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs (Canada)

Aug. 10 -- Women's Qualifiers -- Hopfner-Hibbs finished 19th in the All-Around (out of 98), which as freesia39 pointed out in the comments, is good enough to advance to the finals.

Aug. 14 ---Women's Individual finals: Hopfner-Hibbs finished 16th overall. Very impressive, and she's just going to be an incoming freshman this year.

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL (1 Bruin)

John Speraw is an assistant coach for Team USA. Since there are no Bruins actually competing, I didn't list the games.

EDIT: Team USA won the gold medal.

(My sources were UCLABruins.com, NBC, USA Softball, USA Water Polo and the official Beijing 2008 site.)
(Last updated on Monday, Aug. 25 at 10:45 AM.)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comments

This is AWESOME!!!!!

If there is anyone out there who is very good with graphics and want to create an appropriate graphic celebrating Bruin olympians in Beijing … we would love to put it up on our sidebar and have this post perma linked for next 2 weeks.

Bravo Gilbert.

by Nestor on Aug 6, 2008 5:28 PM PDT 0 recs

I'm glad you appreciate it

If you permalink it on the sidebar, I promise to try to make updates as the remaining schedules become available.

Maybe results too, if I have time and people are interested.

by gilbert on Aug 6, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Great work

Definitely going to use this.

by Menelaus on Aug 6, 2008 5:31 PM PDT 0 recs

Yeap

This will make olympic watching very efficient.

by Nestor on Aug 6, 2008 5:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Men's Soccer defeats Japan 1-0

They get a goal from Stuart Holden and former Bruin Marvell Wynne picks up an assist. Wynne played a great game, holding down his flank and making some good runs up the wing. Ianni didn’t get in the match and Feilhaber came in as a late substitute.

FYI gilbert, Frankie Hejduk isn’t on the US roster. He was named as an alternate, but there wasn’t an injury that forced him onto the squad. Great work though. This list is awesome.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 7, 2008 3:55 AM PDT 0 recs

Now I can go to sleep

wooooo!

by ryebreadraz on Aug 7, 2008 3:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks rye

I’ve updated this list to take out Hejduk and add the 1-0 result.

Impressive job staying up—I would’ve if I didn’t have to wake up early.

by gilbert on Aug 7, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

Fantastic

This is an absolutely fantastic list gilbert, thanks a lot.

It’s always more enjoyable watching sport when you have someone to root for and seeing as Ireland have pretty much no medal hopes this year (although we live in hope) it’s a good job I get to cheer for my adopted “Nation” too! Go Bruins!

by irishbruin on Aug 7, 2008 7:19 AM PDT 0 recs

Two Bruins in Rowing!

It’s been a while since that’s happened! Thanks Gilbert!

FYI – “Repechage” literally means “Re-fishing”. Basically the losers of the heats race again for a spot on the semifinals.

by tasser10 on Aug 7, 2008 11:36 AM PDT 0 recs

UCLA Dad Killed in Beijing

Terrible news! Here’s the Link : http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bruin/2008/08/ucla-dad-killed.html

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. I hope her mom is able to come out alive.

DBalter

by westwood12003 on Aug 9, 2008 6:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Oh no

Very sad news. Thanks for pointing that out. Tragic.

by gilbert on Aug 9, 2008 9:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

US settles for a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands

A heartbreaker for the US as they gave up a goal in the 93rd minute. A win would have guaranteed advancement out of their group and into the quarterfinals. Now they need either a win or draw in their final group game against Nigeria to advance.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 10, 2008 6:42 AM PDT 0 recs

Elyse Hopfner-Hobbs finished 19th in the All-Around

She will qualify for the All-Around final, as they take the top 24.

by freesia39 on Aug 11, 2008 8:56 AM PDT 0 recs

Thanks for the info

I had no idea they took 24.

by gilbert on Aug 11, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yeppers

Also, I didn’t check but if she placed in the top 8 of any individual apparatus, she would be in the event finals also.

by freesia39 on Aug 11, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up 0 recs

She wasn't

Oddly enough, Hopfner-Hibbs didn’t finish higher than 19th in any one event. Just very consistent all-around.

by gilbert on Aug 11, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

Beating Italy in Water Polo

is pretty damn impressive.

by Tydides on Aug 12, 2008 1:02 PM PDT 0 recs

I had no idea

My entire water polo knowledge and experience is based only on covering the college game.

Is Italy supposed to be one of the best?

by gilbert on Aug 12, 2008 1:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well not really

They came in 7th in the FINA world league a month ago (we came in second), but it was more impressive than beating China. It’s impressive, but beating Serbia would be HUGE (they were 1st place).

by Tydides on Aug 13, 2008 7:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

Which country most closely resembles SUC?

At this point, I would pick China and it has nothing to due with the similar color schemes.

Let’s see, China seems to have that win at any cost attitude and it doesn’t matter if you break the rules? A Chinese newspaper has story on how China is using underage girls on their gymnastic team. Supposedly birth certificates were altered to make the girls older. In response to the story, the IOC is doing a good impression of the NCAA. The IOC stated they reviewed the girls’ passports and everything looks in order. I’m guessing these passports were obtained using the alleged altered birth certificates.

In addition, it looks like the Chinese used some SUC film school students to produce their opening ceremonies by addiing special effects and using voice overs for singers.

by Gen2Bruin1987 on Aug 12, 2008 3:55 PM PDT 0 recs

I was thinking exactly the same thing

Add a couple more similarities: They are so obvious about cheating, they are so arrogant about cheating, and they are so not embarrassed about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cheatie Petie and Mike Garrett were secretly in charge in Peking.

And the whole world is an enabler. Whoever thought it was a good idea to give the Olympics to that place ought to be committed. It’s one thing for cities which host political conventions to ship the homeless to the suburbs for a week or so. But China is ridiculous.

Maybe its not so bad, though. If they have a program that picks large toddlers at age 3 and teaches them to be offensive linemen, it could solve our immediate problem.

by Fox 71 on Aug 13, 2008 4:47 AM PDT up 0 recs

The memo was lost in translation

When they said the minimum age for gymnasts was 16, they thought that was a total and not for individuals. But seriously, if the youngest looking of those girls is a day over 12 years old, I would be shocked. If only I could alter my history as easily as China. This piece of paper I just scribbled on says I’m 18. Guess it’s time for another go-around at UCLA.

And, the IOC? Possibly the only organization more incompetent and toothless than the NCAA. How were those promises made by China to get the games looking? What? It’s business as usual? Wonder where I’ve seen this story before…

by Tydides on Aug 13, 2008 7:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

RE: Promises Broken

Chinese Police Rough Up British TV Crew at Olympics

by Tydides on Aug 13, 2008 8:21 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thank You For Saying It, Fox

I have always been an avid supporter of the idea that the Olympics belong to the world—the whole world, but…China is just too much. It is beyond ridiculous, and what I have been afraid of—-hosting a “beautiful” Olympics will somehow legitimize that nation’s outrageous abuses to the rest of the world—seems to be happening. I can’t help it, every time I see the “Bird’s Nest” Stadium, I think about the story I read about the people whose homes were demolished to build it. You guessed it, very few actually received the promised reparation, it was less than half of their destroyed home’s actual value, those who protested formally had their cases “reviewed” and dismissed, and those who protested publically were imprisoned…“detained,” I believe they call it. The cute little 10-year-old gymnasts are just “distraction” cheating.

You are correct; “The whole world is an enabler.” It is heartbreaking.

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Aug 18, 2008 9:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

For swimming relays

there are teams of 6, but only 4 can race. They do this so not everybody has to swim in every race. For swimmers like Michael Phelps or Katie Hoff who are swimming prelims and finals for a lot of events, they aren’t asked to race in the prelims of the relays. The teams are strong enough without them to qualify for the final and in the final, when they go up against the best competition they’ll be used.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 14, 2008 2:19 AM PDT 0 recs

Like when the US "B" team set the WR in the prelims

in the 4×100 free. I thought that was incredible, and how it seemed unfair that only one of those guys off of a world record setting team would be able to make it to the final. Given how the final turned out, my quick reaction was clearly wrong.

by Tydides on Aug 14, 2008 6:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

Thanks guys for the info

I appreciate it.

by gilbert on Aug 14, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up 0 recs

Updated the post with a new stamp ...

I think that will ensure this stays up.

by Nestor on Aug 14, 2008 6:07 PM PDT 0 recs

Thanks

I was wondering about that.

by gilbert on Aug 15, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

Just when I thought it was safe to listen

I’m watching UCLA, er, I mean Team USA playing “Chinese Taipei,” which is not to be confused with “Scandanavian Taipei.” The Taipei left fielder just made a great play. Tim McCarver, or maybe it was Joe Morgan, or whoever the color commentator is explained in great detail how the play was made. The nuances of it all had totally escaped me, but I’m so thankful that it was explained. This person said “She watched the ball, and then … she put her glove up.” The Gordian Knot is cut, the Lost Chord is found. What an insight — watch the ball, and put your glove up. No wonder I was such a lousy baseball player. I always looked the other way, and they tried to get my shoes up.

TV commentators are (a) the same no matter what the level, and (b) totally unnecessary at least for baseball. So once again, the sound goes off. What a shame.

by Fox 71 on Aug 15, 2008 10:01 PM PDT 0 recs

The Olympics

are the one time I will watch some things with the sound on. I just wouldn’t have any idea what was going on without them in some sports, but softball isn’t one of those sports.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 15, 2008 10:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Gilbert

Again, props to you for keeping this Olympic post up to date. As you asked, here are a few missing video links that you might like to include in your post:

Men’s water polo: Adam Wright’s assist
Women’s Beach Volleyball: Youngs/Branagh Aug 9, Youngs/Branagh Aug 13
Men’s Soccer: Marvell Wynne Aug 7
Rowing: Mark Hunter Aug 15

by Telemachus on Aug 16, 2008 9:37 AM PDT 0 recs

Thanks

I’ve update the post with all the links.

by gilbert on Aug 16, 2008 2:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

A general comment on the Olympics

I love the Olympic movement. I was a volunteer at the 1984 Games, and was fortunate enough to be able to attend some events in both Seoul and Barcelona (can you say original dream team?).
Watching the current Games, I am getting a little upset about everybody bending over backwards to not offend the hosts.
From the under age women’s gymnasts, to the inexplicable decisions in boxing, and unsupported scores in gymnastics, it’s ridiculous.
A lot of this goes to the events that use a panel of judges to determine the score, which is entirely subjective. The participants in these events are incredibly trained, conditioned and skillful athletes, but I’d much rather have a sport with objective criteria to dtermine the winner. Swimming, track, basketball, etc. all have concrete, easily determined milestones to determine the outcome.
When a gymnast falls to her knees upon landing, does she really deserve to win the bronze medal? She does according to the judges…..

Just a little rant I’ve had building up.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Aug 18, 2008 8:51 AM PDT 0 recs

Agreed

Maybe it’s because I only participated in the “objective” sports, but I have always viewed the judged “subjective” sports as somewhat lesser. In swimming, it’s very simple. First person to the wall wins. No excuses. No mess. Have a complaint? Look at the tape. The video doesn’t lie (I’m looking at you Mr. 100 Fly Protest Lodger). I’m going to trust the integrity of a touchpad hooked up to electronic circuitry a lot more than a bunch of judges surrounded by thousands of screaming Chinese. In Water Polo, Basketball, Soccer, etc. Time’s up? Team with the most points wins. Sure there are gripes about officiating but the players are still the ones who have control over their destiny. Thought you got a bad call? Win the next point. Sure as hell beats arbitrary scoring scales or completely random tiebreak procedures. The sad thing is I thought things in these kinds of sports would get better after that Canadian figure skating team got jobbed in the Winter Olympics, but it has only gotten worse since then.

by Tydides on Aug 19, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up 0 recs

Actually I believe lesser is too harsh

It implies inferiority when I think less “pure” is closer to what I mean.

by Tydides on Aug 19, 2008 2:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well said

It’s really hard for me to watch any judged sport for that reason. I know relatively little about track, volleyball, rowing, swimming and water polo but I can watch those sports, figure out who’s winning and enjoy them. I almost never feel cheated, confused or robbed watching the “pure” sports as you call them.

Gymnastics, diving, trampoline, boxing, etc., are a different story. All the athletes look good to me and some of the scoring decisions seem so arbitrary and random.

by gilbert on Aug 19, 2008 3:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

I don't think any subjectively judged sport should be counted.

That would include gymnastics, boxing, and anything else that can’t be measured. And, sorry Mrs.Fox 71, it would include figure skating. (That’s the first sporting event that I had to turn the sound off for, because of Dick Button, but naturally Mrs. Fox 71 said the music was half the performance. Sorry, folks, but when the accompaniment is half the performance, then it can’t be a sport.)

I thought the Olympic motto was “Higher, Faster, Farther.” The problem, to me, comes when “better” is added. As long as that’s a factor, then we should get a gold by sending the Bruin Dance team over there. Because our ladies are certainly prettier. The Japanese sumo team would win heavier pretty easily. justsc would make us proud by bringing home the title in sleazier and quite a few similar categories.

And one more thing, while I have the floor for a rant. I would have three teams: Men’s, Women’s and Girls’. To go from Girls’ to Women’s, you have to have achieved certain physiological benchmarks which need not be elucidated further.

by Fox 71 on Aug 19, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

The Olympic motto

Altius, Citius, Fortius —> Higher, Faster, Stronger

Note: not “Best at forging passports, or buying off judges”

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Aug 20, 2008 6:19 AM PDT up 0 recs

boxing is an original Olympic sport… as in it was judged 2700 years ago. So was wrestling and the pankration (basically the ancient sport of ultimate fighting (no rules)). Those sports should be counted if we are talking about olympic spirit.

by podas okus Achilleus on Aug 20, 2008 12:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

Wasn't "2700 year old" boxing

essentially by knockout only? I can’t imagine them timing the rounds on their sundials and a panel of judges scoring each round. If boxing was knockout only, and wrestling was by submission only, then those become objective events. For a variety of reasons (safety among them) that clearly will not happen, but it sure would be interesting (and it would, once again, do away with the subjective crap we have now).

by Tydides on Aug 20, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

haha yea it was by knockout only or until a player gave in. I’m sure glad we got rid of the that and now are giving medals to 10 year old girls who fall on their landings…

I think we should drop the gymnastics and add chariot racing haha god that would be amazing.

by podas okus Achilleus on Aug 20, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm in favor of keeping gymnastics

But only if we use some objective measures. Take the balance beam for example. Rather than have one person on the beam at any one time, we bring back a schoolyard classic: Chickenfight. Two people, one beam, anything goes. Last one on the beam wins.

by Tydides on Aug 20, 2008 3:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm down

Battle Beam, instead of Balance Beam.

I had the same thought about synchronized swimming. Whereas water polo players must not only swim, but also contend with defenders trying to drown them, sync swimmers have only to hold their breath and smile underwater.

Solution? Two sync swim teams going at the same time, each trying to unsync the other. I’d watch that.

by Bruinut on Aug 23, 2008 7:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

To be fair to the 100 fly swimmer

The protest came only from his federation, not the athlete or coach.

by jaffa on Aug 19, 2008 5:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

I have little sympathy for him

What with his “if we raced again, I would win” comment.

by Tydides on Aug 19, 2008 6:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

No Offense To Gilbert

But I don’t think Tanya Harding should be considered a Bruin. There are others on here that will know and remember more about her than I do, but she was here for one quarter and didn’t even take Finals. Yes, we won the NC that year, but she was later ruled ineligible and the title was stripped. She didn’t even receive 1 credit from UCLA.

by BruinInDenver on Aug 18, 2008 10:35 AM PDT 0 recs

I thought about that too

I used to cover the softball team, I know the history.

I decided to include her for two reasons:

1) The official site includes her
2) She did help win the team win a national championship (even if it no longer counts).

If others here want me to take Harding off the list, I will.

by gilbert on Aug 18, 2008 11:04 AM PDT up 0 recs

Gilbert-

and everyone else: I’m on vacation (in Hawaii, getting my daughter setup at UH – she didn’t become a Bruin, *sigh*), so I won’t be able to post any videos for a week (after the Olympics end). So keep up the great work; I’ll let you know if/when I post new vids.

by Telemachus on Aug 21, 2008 4:00 AM PDT 0 recs