C+H Thread of Olympic-y Goodness

wnolan1992

So now that the Opening Ceremony is over, what events are everyone looking forward to? Ireland's best medal hopes?


Will be watching the boxing as much as possible, Billy Walsh and the other coaches are some legends for getting our team to the standard they're at at the moment. Reckon Katie Taylor is our best shot at a Gold, although her draw is fairly difficult, with the likelihood being that if she's going to win, she'll have beaten all of the best boxers in the world.

Other than that I'm mainly going for random stuff like Archery and Shooting and the like. Probably watch a bit of the Swimming and Marathon as well.



Links:
Full Schedule: http://www.london2012.com/schedule-and-results/day=28-july/all-day.html
24 BBC Olympic Channels on Sky/FreeSat (HD and SD options): http://www.tvtrade.ie/blog/

QueenOfLeon

Ooh, excellent thread idea!

I think Katie Taylor is our best hope for a medal. I would really love if she did well, her achievements have made her one of the best sportspeople Ireland has ever had, but I don't think she gets the recognition she should. She won't have an easy time of it but I'm really looking forward to her matches, I like watching boxing, even more so if there's an Irish boxer in there!

Eoin Rheinisch is in the canoeing slalom again this year. I watched him when he came 4th in 2008, the canoeing and rowing are some of my favourite ones to watch, the slalom especially is really good!

Ireland have an entrant in the Mens Gymnastics this year too, Kieran Behan. I tend to watch most of the gymnastics anyway, having an Irish entrant will make it all a bit more exciting.

Not sure about medal hopes, we have quite a few in cycling and the equestrian events that could come up with something. Wouldn't hold out much hope for athletics/swimming, but I'll probably watch anything with an Irish competitor in it anyway!

I'd love to watch as much of the Olympics as possible, but when I'm over in London if we don't go to anything I'll just end up watching whatever they show on the big screens and catch up on the other stuff later on. The ones I usually watch are swimming, diving, artistic gymnastics, boxing, canoeing, rowing and all types of cycling, and then watch whatever highlights of the rest are shown. I rarely watch the Athletics, never really had an interest in it.

Have I mentioned...I love the Olympics?

QueenOfLeon

Men's 400m Medley (Swimming) heats just finished up. Seriously close race...in the final heat, 5 swimmers finished within 1 second of eachother, putting them all through to the final, leaving Michael Phelps as the last qualifier :eek: Hoping Phelps can pull it out of the bag later on, I don't think he was pushing himself too hard there.

Irish competitors today: Daniel Martin, David McCann and Nicholas Roche in the road race (currently on), Kieran Behan in Gymnastics at 11, Lisa Kearney in Judo at 11, Barry Murphy in swimming at 12, Sunita Puspure in Rowing at 1.30, John Joe Nevin (2.15) and Darren O'Neill (5.15) in Boxing, and the Irish Dressage Team on at 10.32, 12.54 and 4.04.

JamJamJamJam

Great thread idea

I'm really looking forward to all the events now! When the Olympics are on I always wish I was an athlete there. They're all just so impressive! Wish I'd trained for one of these events since I was a kid. I'm 19 now and I do make the starting team in Junior B Hurling. Is it definitely too late? :P But anyway, I guess that's what they mean when they call the Olympics inspiring... It's true! They make you want to do some kick-ass stuff!

I'm not sure about our medal hopes because to be honest I don't know many of the athletes! Katie Taylor stands out, of course. The long distance walker (whose wife is a short distance runner - don't know their names) apparently came 6th and 8th in the last two Olympics, which isn't bad! It'll be interesting to see how they all get on! There are 65 of them after all!

(I think..!)

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

I'm not going to watch any of the events, I'll just wait on updates from QoL, they seem consistent and reliable.

jumpguy

That nice pool is seriously giving me an urge to go swimming... Must pop into the UL olympic-sized pool sometime soon. :pac:

QueenOfLeon

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I'm not going to watch any of the events, I'll just wait on updates from QoL, they seem consistent and reliable.

I moved off in search of other Olympic threads since C&H seemed to be asleep :pac:

But here's a quick summary of the morning:

Barry Murphy - 100m Breaststroke, finished with a 1:01:57, putting him last in his heat, and not a good enough time to qualify.

Kieran Behan - Gymnastics, had a good floor routine up to the final 2 jumps where he stumbled and then fell. Currently on the vault...no results as yet, any gymnastics coverage just focuses on 1 event of the 5 at any time so I doubt we'll see him live. Apparently he qualified for all 5 events but due to injury he is only competing in floor and vault.

Lisa Kearney - Judo, got beaten in the first round by a Chinese lady.

Equestrian - We have 5 in the team event, only Michael Ryan has gone so far in the Dressage with a score of 60.20 (lowest is currently 46.10) but since only 3 of the 5 scores count towards the team, there's hope yet! Next 2 today are at 12.54 and 16.04.

Cycling - We have 3 in the road race which has been on since 10 this morning. Currently in 60th, 64th and 115th place, at around the 90km mark.

jumpguy

Is it just me or does this judo look really like a fight between children, with one afraid to actually punch the other so they resort to just grabbing?

Pigwidgeon

Katie Taylor boxes in the same club as my boyfriend's brother. I've seen her boxing at tiny little charity nights that he was fighting at. For the town she's from I hope she wins, there's so much fuss being made, it'd be nice for someone from Bray to be in the headlines for something good!

/random thoughts.

I'm not going to be home until the 8th of august so unfortunately I'm going to miss most of the games.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

jumpguy wrote: »

Is it just me or does this judo look really like a fight between children, with one afraid to actually punch the other so they resort to just grabbing?

I used to do Judo, but yes, I agree wholeheartedly. It all looks rather silly.

AvAv

Great thread!

Excited for the Equestrian events, cant find anywhere showing them though :mad:

When are they showing the diving?

decisions

Anyone else watching the cycling?

QueenOfLeon

AvAv wrote: »

Great thread!

Excited for the Equestrian events, cant find anywhere showing them though :mad:

When are they showing the diving?

If you have BBC on Sky, press the red button and you get access to all the events that are on now. Diving doesn't start til tomorrow, and then its on until the 11th of August.

Aoife Clarke (Dressage) had an excellent score of 48.90, putting her in 7th place individually at the minute. As a team, Ireland aren't really anywhere at the moment due to the earlier score but we still have 3 to go.

decisions wrote: »

Anyone else watching the cycling?

Yup! A few people are lucky they aren't getting their toes run over, you'd think they'd have the cop on to get out of the way!! Early days yet, just over half way through.

decisions

AvAv wrote: »

Great thread!

Excited for the Equestrian events, cant find anywhere showing them though

Bbc red button? Or a sat dish of any kind?

If you have a sat dish you can pick up the olympic channels.

Anyone else think the opening ceremony was crap?

AvAv

decisions wrote: »

Bbc red button? Or a sat dish of any kind?

If you have a sat dish you can pick up the olympic channels.

Anyone else think the opening ceremony was crap?

QueenOfLeon wrote: »

If you have BBC on Sky, press the red button and you get access to all the events that are on now. Diving doesn't start til tomorrow, and then its on until the 11th of August.

Aoife Clarke (Dressage) had an excellent score of 48.90, putting her in 7th place individually at the minute. As a team, Ireland aren't really anywhere at the moment due to the earlier score but we still have 3 to go.

Yup! A few people are lucky they aren't getting their toes run over, you'd think they'd have the cop on to get out of the way!! Early days yet, just over half way through.

Thanks guys! UPC unfortunately, so ill be relying on ye!

decisions

Yup! A few people are lucky they aren't getting their toes run over, you'd think they'd have the cop on to get out of the way!! Early days yet, just over half way through.[/Quote]

I'm worried about Nico, it's not like him to ride at the back.

Joey.

AvAv wrote: »

Great thread!

Excited for the Equestrian events, cant find anywhere showing them though :mad:

This any help? I can't find much either
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/olympics2012/7630/313442.html

AvAv

Joey. wrote: »

This any help? I can't find much either
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/olympics2012/7630/313442.html

At least they definitely show the show jumping and such.

Thanks again!

wnolan1992

jumpguy wrote: »

Is it just me or does this judo look really like a fight between children, with one afraid to actually punch the other so they resort to just grabbing?

Haha, I had just logged on to comment about the Judo. Found it oddly entertaining, but yeah, it reminded me of my fighting "style" from National School when we used to have organised fights... :P

AvAv wrote: »

Great thread!

Excited for the Equestrian events, cant find anywhere showing them though :mad:

I'm pretty sure BBC are streaming everything on their site as well. You may have to use nefarious means to bypass the fact they only let UK viewers watch, but it's easily done if you're that way inclined.

Watched a bit of the Equestrian this morning. Hadn't a clue what was going on! It just seemed to be a horse walking around in circles in a pen, and then the judges put up a score... :P


Also watched a good bit of the Fencing. Have to say, the BBC commentators are fairly decent. When there was a lull in the action they broke down all the rules while simultaneously commentating on the fight.


My picks for the rest of the day:
Boxing - Now on BBCO7, and at 8:25 on BBCO9.
Shooting - 3:25 on BBCO10
Archery - 2:55 on BBC011

QueenOfLeon

Sanita Puspore (Women's Single Sculls) started off well, was in the first/second place position for the first half, but fell back to third by the end of the race. As far as I can tell, since there were 28 boats in this section, the top 4 from each heat go through to the quarter finals which are on Tuesday.

AvAv

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Watched a bit of the Equestrian this morning. Hadn't a clue what was going on! It just seemed to be a horse walking around in circles in a pen, and then the judges put up a score... :P

My picks for the rest of the day:
Archery - 2:55 on BBC011

Not gonna lie...thats pretty much it.

Do we have anybody in the Archery?

wnolan1992

AvAv wrote: »

Not gonna lie...thats pretty much it.

Do we have anybody in the Archery?

I don't think so. Just a sport which fascinates me.

wnolan1992

John Joe Nevin just stepping into the ring now. BBCO7 or RTE.

wnolan1992

Nevin eases into the Round of Last 16 of the Men's Bantamweights. Outclassed his Danish opponent throughout.

Final Score: 21 - 6

QueenOfLeon

Woo John Joe Nevin! Trying to catch bits at work, internet connection was so slow I was getting glimpses of the game every so often, then it sorted itself out just in time to watch the agonising couple of minutes waiting for the results. There's also no sound on this computer, which makes watching things kinda weird. Good scoreline though

Hopefully I'll get to see some of the action in the 3.15 match, not just the result! I'd like to see the finish of the road race too.

decisions

Handball is a wired sport!

wnolan1992

decisions wrote: »

Handball is a wired sport!

The handball in the Olympics is way different to real handball AFAIK. If it were proper handball we'd probably have a decent shot at medals in it.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

wnolan1992 wrote: »

The handball in the Olympics is way different to real handball AFAIK. If it were proper handball we'd probably have a decent shot at medals in it.

Its basically soccer using just your hands, as opposed to the Irish game of handball which is squash without a racket.

QueenOfLeon

Just a few km left in the Men's Cycling Road race. They're grouped quite closely together but I can't see any of the Irish coming forward at this stage unfortunately.

Also, RTE coverage has just switched to Darren O'Neill (boxing) coming out.

wnolan1992

Darren O'Neill in the ring now for his bout against his Nigerian opponent.

Pigwidgeon

Anyone know when Katie Taylors first fight is actually? I only have mobile access and the website is pretty much impossible on it!

wnolan1992

Tough fight. Second round was decisive, with O'Neill going 6 points up. The Nigerian a tricky opponent, but Darren a worthy winner here. Progresses to the Last 16 of the Middleweights.

Final Score: 15 - 6

wnolan1992

Pigwidgeon wrote: »

Anyone know when Katie Taylors first fight is actually? I only have mobile access and the website is pretty much impossible on it!

She got a bye into the Quarter Finals. Her first fight is the 6th of August at 2:30pm.

We won't know who she's facing until the day before, when USA's Underwood takes on GB's Jonas.

QueenOfLeon

No joy for Ireland in the Road Race. Joseph Murphy scored a 55.60 in the Dressage, which isn't bad. Hopefully one or both of the competitors tomorrow do well to add to Aoife Clark's good score.

Nothing left for the Irish today but I'll be watching the Men's 400M Medley Final in swimming later on, cmon Phelps!

wnolan1992

The Archery is actually deadly. If you can, watch it on BBC Red Button or BBCO11. USA just knocked out Korea in a dramatic and tense match. On to the second semi final now between Italy and Mexico.

Palytoxin

Pity about the cycling, thought GB or Germany would have put up a bigger fight to pull back the break to the péloton than they did for Cav and Greipel, and that someone would have pushed on from the breakaway to catch Vinokourov and Urán in the last 5k. Realistically the Irish men never had a hope without getting in a break. Pity about Cancellaro falling as well, he was one of the strongest in the leading group and would have had a crack at it.

flyswatter

Watched a bit of handball there, a lot better than the Irish version, sorry lads.

decisions

Gutted for Cancellara, I thought out of the group in the break he had the best chance to take it. The Irish lads were very disappointing just sat at the back all race.

Professey Chin

So close in the mens archery :eek:

wnolan1992

The Great Chinholio wrote: »

So close in the mens archery :eek:

Some finale! Feel sorry for the US, they worked so hard to close the gap.

Happy S. Korea at least got the bronze.

decisions

Come on Phelps

flyswatter

Phelps outside the medals in 4th. Lochte wins gold.

decisions

Great swim from Lochte

decisions

The Brit faded in the 100 fly, another Brit in the 2nd semi.

Gandy has made the final from the 2nd semi.

JamJamJamJam

I find gymnastics fascinating! And my God, the male gymnasts are ridiculously built! :O

Namlub

JamJamJamJam wrote: »

I find gymnastics fascinating! And my God, the male gymnasts are ridiculously built! :O

One of the Brazilians is insaaane, guess you need serious upper body strength for stuff like the rings though. I find it unattractive yet strangely mesmerising >_>

wnolan1992

All in all, Day 1's been pretty good for the Irish team. John Joe Nevin looked convincing in his bout, and Darren O'Neill has plenty of potential.
The Equestrian team put in a pretty decent performance, and hopefully can power on from it.
Pity about the swimming and the road race.

Highlight of the day was the Archery for me. Some sport to watch. It's the one thing I've seen that I've thought "Y'know... I'd love to do that... maybe I'll give it a go!"



But moving on to Day 2...

All credit to Dan man over in the Sports Forum for putting together this list of Irish competitors tomorrow.

Dan man wrote: »

SWIMMING:

Heat times subject to change:

c10:02 Women's 100m Backstroke, Heat 2/6 - Melanie Nocher

c10:50 Women's 100m Breastroke, Heat 4/6 - Sycerika McMahon

c11:46 Women's 400m Freestyle, Heat 4/5 - Grainne Murphy

EQUESTRIAN:
11:52 Individual/Team Eventing, Dressage - Camilla Speirs/Portersize Just A Jiff

SAILING:
13:30 Men's Star, Race 1 - Peter O'Leary/David Burrows

15:10 Men's Star, Race 2 -Peter O'Leary/David Burrows

CANOE SLALOM:
14:49 Men's K1 Slalom, Qualification, Run 1 - Eoin Rheinisch

EQUESTRIAN:
15:10 Individual/Team Eventing, Dressage - Mark Kyle/Coolio

CANOE SLALOM:
17:06 Men's K1 Slalom, Qualification, Run 2 - Eoin Rheinisch

BADMINTON:
20:17 Women's Singles, Preliminary Group Stage - Chloe Magee v Hadia Hosny (Egypt)

BOXING:
22:15 Men's Welterweight, Round of 32 - Adam Nolan v Carlos Sanchez Esatcio (Ecuador)

Will be tuning in to the boxing, canoeing and Equestrian for definite to see how they get on. I've high hopes for Rheinisch.

Other than that, there's more Archery tomorrow, and I doubt I'll be the only one that has that earmarked to watch following today's fun and games. It's the Women's Team event tomorrow, starting at 9:00am.

In cycling, the Women's Road Race kicks off at noon, so definitely worth a watch.

QueenOfLeon

Our swimmers tomorrow will have tough runs, the qualifying times of some of their opponents are well below theirs. Eoin Rheinisch could have a good shot at the Slalom. I'm looking forward to seeing Chloe Magee in the badminton later on in the evening as I've met her and seen her play, but the Asian countries dominate the game, I can't see either of our players advancing too far. Her opponent tomorrow is ranked below her in the world rankings, but after the group stages it won't be easy.

Besides all the Irish competitors I'll be watching the Gymnastics, there's some synchronised diving on tomorrow (Women's 3M), Rowing and Water Polo.

Namlub

Even though I used to do it and I know how impressive they all are, I still find rowing really boring to watch. Yay for more gymnastics though!

QueenOfLeon

I'm a bit confused about the swimming today, a few reports, including one on the official Olympics page, have said that Phelps is swimming today in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay. This race isn't included on Phelps schedule, and he's not on the team list on the Olympics site for the heats this morning, so I think they're mixing it up with the 4x100m Medley Relay on Friday. Either way I'll try to tune in, being at work is not really facilitating my Olympics obsession

In better news, this time tomorrow I'll be in the airport on the way to London!!

wnolan1992

Gráinne Murphy's swim was rather disappointing, even taking into consideration the 400m isn't her forte.

Nothing really interesting going on this morning bar the road race. Will be waiting for Eoin Rheinisch before I flick back over.