Are you proud of the Olympic contenders of "your" country?

[OneMoreFarang]

I have to admit I don't care about the Olympics at all. But it's unavoidable reading and hearing about it in the media.

 

Now I see headlines like: "Enormously proud" New Zealand celebrates greatest ever Olympic medal tally in Tokyo

 

And then I think: Why are people proud about the athletes of their country? As far as I see if athlete x got a medal then he or she worked hard to get that medal and he/she can be proud of that. But the country? And all those people in the country? What did all those people in front of their TVs do that they can be proud of?

 

[champers]

GB - yes I am proud of them. The GB Chef de Mission (big boss) said that increased Govt funding was the main factor in bringing about improvements. That funding comes from my taxes and from Lottery ticket sales, so anyone who has paid or bought either is entitled to bask in the reflected glory. It is a national effort.

[Sparktrader]

Better th a n covid news

 

Running good to watch

Proud now

Dont give a s hit really just watch n forget

[StreetCowboy]

I posted elsewhere that I was delighted that Malaysia got a silver medal in the track cycling, and a chap on a motorbike said the same thing to me while we were stopped at traffic lights.   

National success builds up the image of sport in the country, and encourages people to take part and get healthy.  Fresh air, sunshine, elevated heart rate and heavy breathing; what could do more to protect you against COVID, bar possibly vaccination? 

[Saraburi121]

Growing up Bruce Jenner was a hero, now he/she could be a face in Nana Plaza. Olympics has lost its luster. 

[StreetCowboy]

4 minutes ago, Saraburi121 said:

Growing up Bruce Jenner was a hero, now he/she could be a face in Nana Plaza. Olympics has lost its luster. 

Lustre.
Lusters are in Nana Plaza.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, StreetCowboy said:

elevated heart rate and heavy breathing

Now maybe it's just my mind when sports doesn't come to my mind with those words. ???? 

[StreetCowboy]

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Now maybe it's just my mind when sports doesn't come to my mind with those words. ???? 

Athletics is close enough to sport

 

[AlexRich]

Good luck to them as they worked hard for it, and for an athlete it’s the pinnacle of their career. But all that blood, 
sweat and tears is not done for “the country”, it’s done for themselves. so I’m happy for them, but not basking in their reflective glory.

[thaibeachlovers]

Haven't been interested in the olympics since they allowed professionals to compete. Zero interest in seeing overpaid "athletes" dominate. What amateur could hope to compete?

Haven't watched any events in last few olympics and have no idea of who is competing this time.

Correction, I saw a bit of the cycle event where they were wearing those stupid helmets and shiny suits. If it's all about technology and not about the person I consider that to be an obscenity.

I did see on the news where the female soccer people were woke and did the virtue signalling thing. Like many, I was delighted that they lost.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

9 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Haven't been interested in the olympics since they allowed professionals to compete.

When did that happen?

Just a couple of days I explained to my gf that no professionals are allowed at the Olympics, only amateurs. Did I tell her something wrong? 

[Boarn]

Not proud at all, as a 'Nationless Patriot' I can't be proud of the UK in its current format. Love when the UK/England loses, Olympics is nothing but a waste of money.

[StreetCowboy]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Haven't been interested in the olympics since they allowed professionals to compete. Zero interest in seeing overpaid "athletes" dominate. What amateur could hope to compete?

Haven't watched any events in last few olympics and have no idea of who is competing this time.

Correction, I saw a bit of the cycle event where they were wearing those stupid helmets and shiny suits. If it's all about technology and not about the person I consider that to be an obscenity.

I did see on the news where the female soccer people were woke and did the virtue signalling thing. Like many, I was delighted that they lost.

 

You missed out on the Ladies'  Road Cycling which was won by an amateur over her professional rivals.  Amateur as in holding down a day job at the same time.  But for the time being, not employed as a professional cyclist within a team.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, StreetCowboy said:

You missed out on the Ladies'  Road Cycling which was won by an amateur over her professional rivals.  Amateur as in holding down a day job at the same time.  But for the time being, not employed as a professional cyclist within a team.

Day job: bicycle courier? ???? 

 

[Rampant Rabbit]

Couldnt  care  less  about them.

[bkk6060]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When did that happen?

Just a couple of days I explained to my gf that no professionals are allowed at the Olympics, only amateurs. Did I tell her something wrong? 

Has been for years.  They get paid the basketball teams for example are pros that is why the USA won all players from the NBA.

I wish they would go back to only amateurs but will never happen.

Edited August 10, 2021 by bkk6060

[KannikaP]

On 8/9/2021 at 3:00 PM, champers said:

GB - yes I am proud of them. The GB Chef de Mission (big boss) said that increased Govt funding was the main factor in bringing about improvements. That funding comes from my taxes and from Lottery ticket sales, so anyone who has paid or bought either is entitled to bask in the reflected glory. It is a national effort.

Only the Lottery LOSERS contribute to the Olympics or any other charity.

[KannikaP]

Should be CONTESTANTS, not contenders. Look it up on Mr Google.

 

And I personally couldn't give a monkeys either way. 

Edited August 10, 2021 by KannikaP

[Sparktrader]

6 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When did that happen?

Just a couple of days I explained to my gf that no professionals are allowed at the Olympics, only amateurs. Did I tell her something wrong? 

Tennis

Golf

Runners are also pros

 

[Sparktrader]

3 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Has been for years.  They get paid the basketball teams for example are pros that is why the USA won all players from the NBA.

I wish they would go back to only amateurs but will never happen.

Was Carl Lewis not a pro?

[arick]

Yes team GB and Team Canada did great 

[Dustdevil]

I'm not a sports-oriented person but I do watch the summer Olympics simply because the athletes generally represent the elite, world-class level. I don't care whether they're pros or not; why should I. I just enjoy seeing the (mostly) very best compete. My nationality is less important.

[bbko]

Probably the same reason people cheer for their home team and jeer others from another town.

[billsmart]

I am proud of the Olympic contenders from all countries.

[rwill]

Yes.  Very proud of their ability to not be detected with drug tests...

[bbko]

1 minute ago, rwill said:

Yes.  Very proud of their ability to not be detected with drug tests...

555, Our roided up guys beat their roided up guys.

[Andrew Dwyer]

Enjoyed the Olympics ,some events more than others, enjoy watching sport in general, great to see athletes giving their all and enjoy following the euphoria of the athletes and coaches.

 

National pride is low on my list of importance, I can enjoy a competition between Sri Lanka and Fiji as much as a US v GB meeting.

 

Thankfully Team GB didn’t adopt the ridiculous “ It’s coming home “ mantra as they did in the footie ????

[Moonlover]

17 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

17 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Haven't been interested in the olympics since they allowed professionals to compete.

 

17 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

When did that happen?

Just a couple of days I explained to my gf that no professionals are allowed at the Olympics, only amateurs. Did I tell her something wrong? 

'Amateurs' as in receiving sufficient sponsorship to enable them to pursue their medal goals full time. Day job not necessary.

[55Jay]

Don't recall ever being particularly moved by the Olympics.  Don't follow sports in general. 

Haven't lived in my country of origin for 20+ years, so at this point, I feel unplugged and "apart from" that whole program.  Despite long service in the military, never was much of a flag waver either.

[Nemises]

Once again, China won both gold and silver in all 157 table tennis events. Chinese-origin people representing other countries also won bronze in all 157 table tennis events. 

Once again, Kenyans from the same village won gold and silver in the men’s and women’s marathon. Kenyans from the same village representing other countries also won bronze in both, oh and Kenyan-originals also filled the first 10 positions as well.

 

Exciting stuff! Can’t wait for the next “worldwide” games. 
 

(no disrespect intended for Chinese and Kenyans, just stating the obvious)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by Nemises