LONDON DAY 3: WINNERS & LOSERS
Last night my husband and I cheered on the Korean women’s archery team to win over the Chinese.
“Why are we going for the Koreans?” he asked.
“Nicer hats,” I replied.
Emily Seebohm in tears after winning silver in the 100m backstroke. Photograph via The Australian.
And, yes, we agreed, with a complete and utter absence of any knowledge of the sport, that seemed enough to be going on with.
It was a thrilling contest and the Koreans won. My other half (big softie that he is) sniffed back tears as he watched their unbridled joy.
“Just look at how happy they are. Look at that tall girl, she just can’t stop smiling,” he snuffled.
And right there’s the joy of the Olympics for me too.
Finding a sport you know nothing about, with people you’ve never heard of and settling in for the epic battle.
Then we turned over to the weightlifting and became engrossed in that too, willing the Samoan girl on in the 85 kilo clean and jerk.
We’re lucky to have Foxtel so that we can tune in for the duration of an entire competition, rather than the old Channel Nine switcheroo to bits of this and that.
What did you watch last night?
And what about these stories that are making news today? Your thoughts?
Emily Seebohm
She scored silver for Australia in the 100m backstroke.
Variously described as being “frustrated” or “disappointed” and tearily contemplating what went wrong she said:
“I have no idea. I know that I was super nervous today, and so nervous I couldn’t even eat, so I’m sure that had something to do with it. That’s no excuse. I went in there and raced it and didn’t come out on top.”
I can’t help thinking that being second in the world at ANYTHING is an extraordinary achievement. No excuses required in my camp.
Controversial swimmer Nick D’Arcy. This and home page photograph via Fox Sports.
Nick D’Arcy
Off home after his five-year campaign to be in the Olympic swimming squad after just 12 hours. He came sixth in his semi final in the 200m butterfly.
D’Arcy is a divisive figure after his assault on fellow team mate Simon Cowley which earned him a suspended 14-month jail term after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm in 2009.
Should he have been allowed to compete?
Opinions around here range from “everyone deserves a shot at redemption” to “No, way. He’s a thug. His inclusion in the team condones violence”.
The nasty vitriol directed against D’Arcy is unedifying and achieves nothing in my book.
I am in the redemption camp.
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15 Responses to this article
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ally July 31, 2012
really enjoying the whitewater slalom canoe and kayaking – which I know nothing about. It is not hard to pick up what’s going on and good fun to watch them dodge the polls. Fast and action packed and not much time wasted between competitors. Also love watching the diving.
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sam July 31, 2012
Have become totally obsessed by the women’s weightlifting, myself.
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kirrilee July 31, 2012
So annoyed with Channel 9′s coverage that I have just switched off. You’ve articulated it totally – how can we get into the spirit of the competitions when all we see is the heavily edited highlights, and sometimes only Australia’s competitors? And why is there an English host rooting for Australia in his comments? It sounds fake.
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Helen July 31, 2012
I love the three day eventing. It’s the only sport where men and women compete in the same event, it’s awesome to watch, and it’s a sport where Australians have traditionally kicked serious butt (we’re having a bit of an off year this year.) SO much more exciting to watch than the swimming – splashy-splashy-splashy up and down and up and down – why does this oh so boring sport command so much attention and why are the equestrian people neglected when it comes to sponsorships and publicity?
Have to disagree about D’Arcy. An apology is not enough – he should pay the compensation which he went into bankruptcy to avoid paying. Remember his victim had both life changing injuries and job loss, besides losing HIS swimming career. If that wasn’t enough, the bankruptcy stunt was so ungenerous, so unrepentant, so incredibly selfish, there is no way D’Arcy can be said to represent an ethos of sportsmanship and fair competition. I’m glad they’re rid of him now. -
ally July 31, 2012
Sam – I also agree about the weightlifting – I also like the men’s. Gymnastics events are great too – infact I will watch just about anything – I am abit addicted – thank god for Foxtel. I also enjoy the commentators (not sure of their names) who do the studio wrap ups. She is so refreshingly real and not a plastic barbie doll with no personality.
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Red 60 July 31, 2012
There is so much more to the Olympics than swimming, come on Channel 9, get with the program…
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Sarah July 31, 2012
I really enjoyed the bonus episodes of Modern Family on Channel 9. No competition. (Pun intended).
(… and Bravo for your comments on Damien Hooper and Leisel Jones. Well said.)
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Sarah July 31, 2012
Sorry I meant Modern Family on Channel 10 (not Channel 9) … all those commercial TV stations look the same to me.
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Emma July 31, 2012
Channel nine’s coverage is driving us nuts! Too many ads, including Karl doing a little ad for upcoming shows when the other ads finish!!! The jumping from sport to sport and a strong focus on Swimming is really annoying. We’re mad keen sailors and the Aussies are hot medal contenders and are winning races – but nothing on TV anywhere!!!!
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Kris July 31, 2012
I think next Olypmics I will have to splurge & get Foxtel. Ch 9′s “coverage” is simply atrocious!!!!
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Rose July 31, 2012
D’Arcy – cant help but think of his situation in light of the 4 corners show about domestic violence last night. Violence is abhorrent but it is certainly ingrained within our culture as much as the ‘oi oi oi’ is . Young men can be complete idiots and many survive their youth by a hairs breadth. D’Arcy is an idiot but you don’t need brains to follow a black line. If he’d won gold he would have more friends than ever. What does that say about us?
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Mary333 July 31, 2012
Channel 9 has two additional digital channels so it’s very annoying that they aren’t showing different events on each channel. What’s the point of showing exactly the same coverage on Chanel 9 and Gem??
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Roger July 31, 2012
I’m confused: Nick D’Arcy is being sent home from the Olympics because he posed with a gun or guns in a photo that came to light on Facebook. Lauryn Mark – a shooter and member of the same Olympic team – graces the cover of Zoo magazine in a yellow and green “Aussie” bikini, toting a shotgun and won’t be sent home early? Stephanie Rice tweeted about “faggots” and that’s long been forgotten as she is once again the darling of the pool. Grant Hackett….I don’t know where to begin on what’s going on for him, but he’s poolside in London for Channel 9 and – for the moment – rehabilitated from whatever it is that he’s alleged to have done. I keep reading that Nick D’Arcy doesn’t uphold the “Olympic Ideal” (whatever that might be). I’m confused by the inconsistencies and saddened by the almost lynch mob mentality that pursues Nick D’Arcy. Indeed, one of Sydney’s leading newspapers is today running the headline “Nick D’Arcy gets knocked out” online. Redemption and salvation should be available to all. We become small and shrivelled when we don’t subscribe to this idea.
Still, I’m so looking forward to a medal win by the African nation of Mozambique, if only so that I can see their flag hoisted above Olympicworld; a flag that depicts their favourite weapon: an AK-47 (Kalashnikov Assault Rifle) with bayonet attached. -
Benison O'Reilly July 31, 2012
They played almost the entire Kookaburra’s game on Nine last night. As a hockey player of years past I loved that. When you’ve played the sport at the lowest level like I have, it’s a thrill to see true virtuosos in action.
Re: Nick D’Arcy. Disagree with you, Wendy, sorry. Think he’s irredeemable. The assault was one thing but when he declared bankruptcy to avoid paying Cowley compensation he revealed his true colours. The Facebook gun incident shows he’s learnt nothing, too – yeah it’s ‘fun’ to play with semi-automatic weapons. He shouldn’t have been allowed to compete in the first place and I’m pleased he’s out.
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Carol August 1, 2012
Watched the Dressage and Show jumping parts of the Three day equestrian event, so elegant. Even cheered for Zara Phillips. Love the rowing as well and hockey. Oh I’m a cycling official so watched the men’s road race. Must admit I feel asleep for the women’s event. Will definately watch the track cycling.
