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Topic: The Olympics  (Read 2207 times)

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The Olympics
« on: August 24, 2016, 03:29:28 PM »
Small rant here. So since the UK has come second in the Olympics, i find it has almost brought out the worst in people! I'm mainly talking about social media and how every article posted on my Facebook, even if it isn't about the US or UK, a whole loads of Brits are posting how they are the best and how America didn't really win because of it's large population. Seriously, I follow a lot of news outlets and its nearly every story I see this.

First, they act like they won. Did they do well? Sure. But it's still not first place. And they dont have an athlete like Michael Phelps (who is now the greatest Olympian of all time) Team GB BARELY got more medals than China.

And to make a big deal out of America "not being the real winner" because of our population, what about the fact that the UK funds it's teams with National Lottery money? I'm sure lots of countries would win if each medal had 5.5 million behind it.

And last, all these Brexiters who so badly wanted to curb immigration would not be able to celebrate had it not been for the immigrants or children of immigrants winning a good number of the medals. Now they are all over social media proclaiming they are the best while failing to see why exactly at this moment they can say that.

For instance i was reading an article about how well the women did in team america (who alone won more medals than team GB) and rather than celebrate this achievement, the comments were slamming America. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just them saying well done to their country but lots of the comments are being just downright nasty and petty towards the US. I know, I shouldnt read them but it's like watching a train wreck.

 
 
« Last Edit: August 24, 2016, 03:34:56 PM by Lalala75 »


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2016, 03:37:26 PM »
I know what you mean.

To be fair, it is the most patriotic I've seen people be about the UK which has been really refreshing.

But my husband was telling me this weekend that if you exclude swimming, then Team GB came out on top.   ::)  Oh well, whatever makes him happy.   ;D

I'm glad to see the lotto funding the Olympics.  I think it's a great use of income.  I feel young kids are too focused on academics in the UK and it's nice to see athletics being highlighted and getting more people moving.

And fair play about the immigration comment!


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2016, 03:44:24 PM »
I'm in the US at the moment, and people aren't really acknowledging how well the US women did here either - all the news is about Ryan Lochte!

Having not been in the UK for the Olympics I don't know what the atmosphere has been like there, but I do think it's worth congratulating the UK on how well they have done because it was our most successful Olympics ever and I believe we are the only host nation in history to actually increase our medal count after hosting the games.

The US always does well at the Olympics, while the UK does not usually. It's a big deal to us Brits that we did so well and came second, while it was not a surprise to us that the US did well.

The US has come first at the last 5 Olympic Games while the UK has steadily improved from 5th to 2nd place in that time.


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2016, 03:45:10 PM »
@ KFdancer For some reason, lots of people around me are super patriotic so this is it on steroids!

I'm not sure how i feel about the lotto funding the olympics. Its a good point that people need to be active but there's so many social services suffering as well. that is a big difference i notice in the UK vs US, in the US lots more people are into sports.


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2016, 03:54:25 PM »
@ksand24 sure, its fair to be proud of the achievement, all I'm saying is there's a lack of sportsmanship. It's interesting to see what kind of winners GB are, instead of being proud of the achievement and leaving it at that, it seems like a great deal of people feel the need to tear down the US just because they are second and not first. The us won and these same articles, i dont see americans calling other countries idiots, dumb, fat and lazy (even though we just won the olympics :/) its only brits doing this
« Last Edit: August 24, 2016, 04:01:43 PM by Lalala75 »


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2016, 04:00:19 PM »
I'm also getting very tired of hearing about the Olympics, and seeing all the same video clips played over and over.  Now Theresa May is going to exploit it for all it's worth. 

I'm really angry that Rio ran out of money halfway through and started spending money that was earmarked for the Paralympics.  I'd like to see the IOC make up the shortfall.


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2016, 04:17:27 PM »
It's sports......almost by definition it is a waste of money(and this is coming from an ex PE teacher/coach). Does it help the poor?.....heck (not hell... like I wanted to say) does it help the city/country it happens in? I started losing interest back in 1980-84 with the boycotts. The time for the Olympics have come and gone.....they were great....when they were great (1900-1980). Now....much easier to move around the world....not such a special event. I seem to be in the minority. This grab a flag and show how much you are American/UK/Spanish/Chinese by running around with it draped over your shoulders.....I don't think it's a good thing. Oh for gosh sake......the American gymnastics girl didn't have her hand over her heart!!!....Give me a break.....she was standing and showing respect. There are always things to complain about.....sports are NOT that important (go Mariners!!!!!!).......(that was a joke).....(kind of). Those people who live or died on how people did in the Olympics.....get your butt off the couch and go DO something instead of watching other people have fun.
Fred


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2016, 04:32:05 PM »
You know, Chris Hoy spoke about the success in one of his segments. Apparently in Atlanta GB won like four medals or something and that was sort of the turning point.

I think there are many great lessons to be learned on how a huge system can be changed in a relatively short period through focus and funding. They targeted areas where they believed success was most likely, sought the talent and, with no real murmurings of corruption or skimming, devised a way to pay for all the many, many parts of fielding and supporting a huge team. And it is working.

Is there any reason this sort of thing can't be replicated in other areas?
I just hope that more people will ignore the fatalism of the argument that we are beyond repair. We are not beyond repair. We are never beyond repair. - AOC


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2016, 04:41:12 PM »
You know, Chris Hoy spoke about the success in one of his segments. Apparently in Atlanta GB won like four medals or something and that was sort of the turning point.

I think there are many great lessons to be learned on how a huge system can be changed in a relatively short period through focus and funding. They targeted areas where they believed success was most likely, sought the talent and, with no real murmurings of corruption or skimming, devised a way to pay for all the many, many parts of fielding and supporting a huge team. And it is working.

Is there any reason this sort of thing can't be replicated in other areas?

Nope....if you put enough money and media attention on any sport/activity.....it will likely improve the quality of the results (football/basketball etc). But....is being good at sport a good thing for society?
Fred


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2016, 04:45:46 PM »
It's sports......almost by definition it is a waste of money(and this is coming from an ex PE teacher/coach). Does it help the poor?.....heck (not hell... like I wanted to say) does it help the city/country it happens in? I started losing interest back in 1980-84 with the boycotts. The time for the Olympics have come and gone.....they were great....when they were great (1900-1980). Now....much easier to move around the world....not such a special event. I seem to be in the minority. This grab a flag and show how much you are American/UK/Spanish/Chinese by running around with it draped over your shoulders.....I don't think it's a good thing. Oh for gosh sake......the American gymnastics girl didn't have her hand over her heart!!!....Give me a break.....she was standing and showing respect. There are always things to complain about.....sports are NOT that important (go Mariners!!!!!!).......(that was a joke).....(kind of). Those people who live or died on how people did in the Olympics.....get your butt off the couch and go DO something instead of watching other people have fun.
Total agreement!  This idea that watching someone else play sports is important has always seemed silly to me.  Especially when the government makes no secret of closing all the sports facilities that non Olympians could use.  For example, that diving facility that was being shut down for lack of money WHILE Tom Daley was competing. 

On the other hand, the money comes from a special tax on those that don't understand probability, so that's OK.


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2016, 05:11:49 PM »
@F4mandolin @jimbocz i agree as well. that's why i think maybe this is so irritating. people just want to be "#1" while especially this year, there's a lot more pressing issues. Stop acting like coming second in the Olympics is putting a man on the moon or something.

And I guess with all the nationalism brexit brought, this is just too much for me.


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2016, 05:29:42 PM »
On the other hand, the money comes from a special tax on those that don't understand probability, so that's OK.

and.....then we get back to the habit of pro sports teams having local/city areas add a tax on the locals to pay for new sports stadiums that they (team owners) could afford since they are making a few bucks. If you are going to increase my taxes....I would rather pay in to a decently organised social security that would help people (me).
Fred


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #12 on: August 24, 2016, 06:07:25 PM »
I'm not sure how i feel about the lotto funding the olympics. Its a good point that people need to be active but there's so many social services suffering as well. that is a big difference i notice in the UK vs US, in the US lots more people are into sports.

But National Lottery funding comes from mainly sports and arts organisations, which are independent of government:
Sport England,
Sport Northern Ireland
Sport Scotland
Sport Wales
UK sport
Heritage Lottery Fund
Creative Scotland
Big Lottery Fund (for communities in need)
British Film Institute
Arts Council England
Arts Council Scotland
Arts Council Northern Ireland




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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #13 on: August 24, 2016, 06:17:49 PM »
But National Lottery funding comes from mainly sports and arts organisations, which are independent of government:
Sport England,
Sport Northern Ireland
Sport Scotland
Sport Wales
UK sport
Heritage Lottery Fund
Creative Scotland
Big Lottery Fund (for communities in need)
British Film Institute
Arts Council England
Arts Council Scotland
Arts Council Northern Ireland
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Huh? Maybe I am reading this wrong.....but I thought Lotto funding was from foolish people spending too much money trying to win a prize that you have a shot in hell of winning.....


A year in numbers
From total ticket sales of £7,595 million in the year ending 31 March 2016:

£1,901 million was raised for National Lottery projects
£4,198 million was paid to players in prizes
£911 million went to the Government in Lottery Duty
£333 million was earned by retailers in commission
Awarding National Lottery funding
Decisions on how and where funding is invested are made by 12 specialist organisations. These are chosen by Parliament for their knowledge and expertise to help ensure the money goes exactly where it’s needed.

In the year ending 31 March 2016, the funds were shared as follows:

Health, education, environment and charitable causes – 40%
Sport – 20%
Arts – 20%
Heritage – 20%
« Last Edit: August 24, 2016, 06:22:01 PM by F4mandolin »
Fred


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Re: The Olympics
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2016, 06:25:51 PM »
Oh, okay, maybe it does just come from the ticket sales and then the funding decisions are made by the above organisations.

I just Googled lottery funding on my phone and I got the website with those organisations listed.


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