The Gold, Silver and Bronze pro-Olympics Thread

[Serial_Apologist]

Thank goodness for that - it would never have been over in 10 seconds if that was the case!

David Bedford achieved in in 1 minute... (No, not the David Bedford athletix fans are thinking of!):

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mUInYuhvQU

[Serial_Apologist]

Well, it certainly is a discipline ahinton. That is very well recognised by all involved. I was expecting other questions that I couldn't answer as easily like "why make a distinction between boxing and judo or between men's and women's boxing?".

My answer to those doesn't convince on logical grounds but I will give it anyway. I have a lot of autographs from famous boxers who trained or were trainers at the Manor Place Baths in South London many years ago - Downes, Conteh, many others. They were good enough to do that for me and so I have never opposed it - it also has a positive side but then in an ideal world etc etc.

Basically, it is here and I fully accept that - at times I have even watched it occasionally - but I am not sure that I welcome it being broadened in scope, whether in terms of gender or anything else. And I don't have any connection of that kind with judo.

The difference between judo and boxing is that the former is a defensive discipline which uses the attacker's own bodily strength against itself.

[MrGongGong]

David Bedford achieved in in 1 minute... (No, not the David Bedford athletix fans are thinking of!):

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mUInYuhvQU

A Classic Album indeed

[Lateralthinking1]

The difference between judo and boxing is that the former is a defensive discipline which uses the attacker's own bodily strength against itself.

Thanks for that clarification s_a. Dave prefers women's boxing:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/keep-the-flame-alive/9466379/David-Cameron-I-cut-school-sports-target-because-pupils-were-learning-Indian-dancing.html

[Flosshilde]

I think I'm going to throw up.

[MrGongGong]

I think I'm going to throw up.

To quote the sadly departed Peester

PATHETIC

little Davie dressed up in the special costume to watch TV in

[Serial_Apologist]

To quote the sadly departed Peester

PATHETIC

little Davie dressed up in the special costume to watch TV in

Is that a halo over his head?

And what's that thing he's got in his hand?

[ahinton]

Well, it certainly is a discipline ahinton. That is very well recognised by all involved. I was expecting other questions that I couldn't answer as easily like "why make a distinction between boxing and judo or between men's and women's boxing?".

Well, you might get those from others here. Insofar as boxing of any kind involves the development of certain techniques, I suppose that one could call it a "discipline" as far as it goes, but whether or to what extent it is a worthwhile one from a sporting perspective remains open to question, it seems to me. That said, no form of boxing interests me in the slightest, any more than does judo, all of which I find quite mind-numbingly boring.

[Anna]

Just to return briefly to the subject of women ....... (sorry guys!) it was only for 2012 that the IOC allowed women to compete in all 28 disciplines and insisted that all competing countries also had to have women competitors. Saudi only named Sarah Attar in June of this year so, maybe they did choose someone with no hope of winning (and bringing huge embarrassment to them - can you imagine the dismay if she actually did well?)

IOC also increased number of medals available to women from 127 in Beijing to 140 for 2012. And another silver today for the gurlies in sailing (oh, and one for the men as well!) I hope I don't come across as some raging feminist in dungarees and a bad haircut ........... !!!

Edit: Re posts about Dave above, he's at the BMX today (now that's an odd sport - why cannot they have bikes that actually fit them?)

[ahinton]

Just to return briefly to the subject of women ....... (sorry guys!)

Why? By which, of course, I do not mean why return to the subject of women but why be sorry?!

I hope I don't come across as some raging feminist in dungarees and a bad haircut ........... !!!

Of course not! Perish the thought! Heaven forfend! OK, we can't actually see your attire or hairstyle on here, but the prospect that you would appear in the way you describe seems as unlikely as your coming across as "some raging feminist"!

[mangerton]

Well, you might get those from others here. Insofar as boxing of any kind involves the development of certain techniques, I suppose that one could call it a "discipline" as far as it goes, but whether or to what extent it is a worthwhile one from a sporting perspective remains open to question, it seems to me. That said, no form of boxing interests me in the slightest, any more than does judo, all of which I find quite mind-numbingly boring.

I was forced to box at school, despite having absolutely no wish to do so. I have loathed and detested it ever since. I think people who do it have mental problems - I mean before they start, as we know it turns the brain to mush - and those who watch it are even worse. Sadists every one.

It is neither a sport, a discipline, nor - God help us - a "science".

[Serial_Apologist]

I was forced to box at school, despite having absolutely no wish to do so. I have loathed and detested it ever since. I think people who do it have mental problems - I mean before they start, as we know it turns the brain to mush - and those who watch it are even worse. Sadists every one.

It is neither a sport, a discipline, nor - God help us - a "science".

And, far from "channelling" agression, as was once alleged, its training and practice has been shown to condition the mind into a perpetual state of preparedness for it in situations outside the boxing ring.

[John Wright]

Is that a halo over his head?

And what's that thing he's got in his hand?

The right hand??

Hey mangerton, I am with you on the boxing

[Quarky]

Looking at the Games from a female perspective - yesterday the 3 GB golds were won by women. Their medal tally of 9 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze means so far it's the most successful Olympics ever for British women. To think that even in 1986 women were barred from competing in rowing! I believe women make up 40% of the team, the highest ever, so I suppose one would expect a bigger haul than in the past. However, another thing to cheer is the first female from Saudi competing in a track event, and although she came last she received a standing ovation. So it really is Games for the Girls.

Agreed Anna. Personally I would be happy to contract out these games to the Ladies. All those hot sweaty grunting males - they are better employed making money and reducing the national debt. The ladies put on a much finer show, and make a better spectacle, even with former male preserves such as football and boxing. My personal favourite was the Women's cycling road race. The BBC put the whole 4 hour race on its Website, and I watched it several times -more exciting than the Mens race.

I missed out on the ladies volleyball, whenever I switched on it was those awful males bashing the ball about. And I missed the synchronised swimming - there were some heavenly beauties there.

So I am sure that a ladies only games would produce some rare sights, and hold my full attention.

[Northender]

I was forced to box at school, despite having absolutely no wish to do so. I have loathed and detested it ever since. I think people who do it have mental problems - I mean before they start, as we know it turns the brain to mush - and those who watch it are even worse. Sadists every one.

It is neither a sport, a discipline, nor - God help us - a "science".

I wasn't forced to box at school, but I completely agree with your views on boxers. When I see a Royal Correspondent on TV, my automatic reaction is to yell 'Go and get a real job'; when I see a boxer, it's 'Have you thought of applying for a grant or loan to buy a brain?'