Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Aug 3, 2012 - 6:37am
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte both have stood tall in London.
Phelps obviously struggled internally with whether to continue after capturing 8 Golds in Beijing. He knew there was no way but down from that pinnacle of pinnacles. He probably knew he could not physically do what was necessary to be able to do that, and, even if he could, there were fates in play (2 Golds won by a touch, one individual and one relay) that were unlikely to be replicated.
And, by all accounts, including his own, he has grown. He appears to be thoroughly enjoying this Olympics, and he is still performing at a champion's level. He no longer dominates; he is no longer superman. And he concedes that his training was not quite what it should have been, having taken off large chunks of 3 years before committing himself in the final year or so leading up to the Games. His talent is immense, which is why he still is able to pick up 2 Golds, 2 Silvers, with possibly more to come. And he accepts the disappointments (4th in the 400IM and an especially disappointing Silver in the 200 butterfly) with exceeding grace and equanimity. There is life on the other side of the mountain (Mt. Everest in his case), and it is good. It has been a rare treat to watch him perform in this Olympics.
Lochte, too, has shown remarkable composure and humility. He dared to declare himself as in position to scale the Phelps-style mountain, and he has slipped and descended a bit in the attempt. If he did not know before, he knows now how unbelievable Phelps was in 2008. One thing about Lochte is that you could always see the respect he held for Phelps and their rivalry.
It has been a sporting joy to watch both compete, struggle, and achieve.
Tremendous competitors. Tremendous sportsmanship.
They have captured the Olympic ideal.
mzpro5
A cat can have kittens in the oven but that doesn't make them biscuits
Location: Budda'spet, Hungry Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 3, 2012 - 6:21am
sirdroseph wrote:
I was about the same age, I remember having a huge crush on Olga and then Nadia.
I was 21 so it would have been very inappropriate for me to have such thoughts, but they were great athletes .
Proclivities
There are always a few such people who demand the utmost of life and yet cannot come to terms with its stupidity and crudeness.
Location: Paris of the Piedmont Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 3, 2012 - 6:17am
sirdroseph wrote:
I was about the same age, I remember having a huge crush on Olga and then Nadia.
Beautiful. I remember her very well - even though I was only 10 at the time. It's funny how matter-of-fact she seemed during in that routine - like it was effortless. Then four years after that, there was Nadia.
I was about the same age, I remember having a huge crush on Olga and then Nadia.
Proclivities
There are always a few such people who demand the utmost of life and yet cannot come to terms with its stupidity and crudeness.
Location: Paris of the Piedmont Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 3, 2012 - 3:34am
JrzyTmata wrote:
Olga Korbut in 1972 doing her now banned Korbut Flip.
Beautiful. I remember her very well - even though I was only 10 at the time. It's funny how matter-of-fact she seemed during in that routine - like it was effortless. Then four years after that, there was Nadia.
mzpro5
A cat can have kittens in the oven but that doesn't make them biscuits
Location: Budda'spet, Hungry Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 2, 2012 - 7:56am
steeler wrote:
Why would that be a warranted change?
Is the notion here that Olympic athletes are bringing glory to the country so they should not have to pay taxes on prize monies awarded to them?
I think that about sums it up. Not saying I totally agree despite the use of the word "hopefully", a bit undecided on this. The money is awarded by the US Olympic Committee, not the Internat'l Committee if that makes any difference. Not sure why it would.
And I pretty much agree with Jrzy, more political theater .
Proclivities
There are always a few such people who demand the utmost of life and yet cannot come to terms with its stupidity and crudeness.
Location: Paris of the Piedmont Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 2, 2012 - 7:49am
steeler wrote:
Why would that be a warranted change?
Is the notion here that Olympic athletes are bringing glory to the country so they should not have to pay taxes on prize monies awarded to them?
American Nobel Prize winners usually have to pay income tax on the prize money, unless they donate it. It is substantially more money than Olympians are awarded, though.
Location: Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth
Posted:
Aug 2, 2012 - 7:45am
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Maybe we can change the name of this thread to Bitching about Stuff the Olympics Made us Think About. And just have the other one for talking about the Olympics.
I'll move my cable-no-worko rant over here.
It is a very competitive field. Anyone expecting to get on the medal stand will have to bring his or her A—game!
Maybe we can change the name of this thread to Bitching about Stuff the Olympics Made us Think About. And just have the other one for talking about the Olympics.
I'll move my cable-no-worko rant over here.
mzpro5
A cat can have kittens in the oven but that doesn't make them biscuits
Location: Budda'spet, Hungry Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 2, 2012 - 7:34am
JrzyTmata wrote:
. poor athletes. being taxed by the government! that's outrageous!
There is a set tax rate of x% on income. Have you ever gotten a bonus? They take a big chunk right off the top for taxes, whatever your rate is. Then, when you file your income taxes, that amount gets adjusted, depending on your tax rate, other deductions, etc.
Another example: When I collected unemployment, a flat tax amount of 10% was taken out of my gross amount. But when I filed my income taxes, that amount got adjusted because of various deductions, etc. That's how taxes work.
Any time you get a big chunk of change like winning the lottery, the gov takes theirs and you have to beg for it back.
Again, I don't need you to "school me" on taxes. my point was most don't end up paying that rate. I don't care how much was withheld. if your post said X amount is withheld from the award money, I wouldn't have a beef with the post. but it's misleading. poor athletes. being taxed by the government! that's outrageous!
hippiechick
Did you ever grow anything in the garden of your mind?
Location: topsy turvy land Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
Aug 2, 2012 - 7:27am
2cats wrote:
No, Catherine. (Katie)
That's cute. I picked out Jessica because I thought it was so cute and unusual, and then it ended up being the most popular name of the year! I think there were at least 2 Jessicas in every one of her classes.
You were not alone.
