04/18/24
February 07, 2010
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
Italian cycling legend Franco Ballerini has died at the age of 45 after a car crash in a rally he was taking part in. Ballerini won Paris-Roubaix in 1993 and 1998 and was the current Italian national coach.
posted by afx237vi at 09:47 AM on February 07, 2010
beaver: Idiocy isn't it. Of all the places in Canada, they award it to the most temperate city in the country.
Have a friend out there so I watch the weather. It barely dropped below freezing in the worst bit of winter.
Plus it's screwing over a lot of people. For example people who work for the city aren't allowed any time off during the olympics, regardless of their job.
They're kicking all the homeless out because we can't have them ruining the event with a dose of reality.
And of course if you're attending the games, for the love of god don't get caught drinking that OTHER cola or you'll be killed.
Oh, and I also believe there is some sort of football game on this afternoon. The Wonder Bowl or something.
I understand it's quite popular.
posted by Drood at 04:11 PM on February 07, 2010
Interesting article on running barefoot.
posted by rumple at 04:17 PM on February 07, 2010
On an Olympic host "city":
I think this will be what goes by the wayside first. This is just the latest example of how incredible taxing and inefficient (or just plain ridiculous) trying to host ALL of the events in one central region.
My question is this:
CANADA hosts the Olympics. What would be wrong with hosting the downhill events at Lake Louis? Or a proven site like Kananaskis? From what I hear, there's no shortage of snow in the Rockies. Speedskating at the existing Olympic oval in Calgary. Cross-country in Canmore. Hockey in Toronto. Figure skating in Montreal. etc. etc. etc.
Or take it even further, hosting the events around the globe simultaneously. Alpine events from Switzerland. Hockey in Norway. Figure skating in Japan. ... now THAT is what I would call a truly international sporting spectacle.
The majority of spectatorship at these Games if via the television anyway.
posted by Spitztengle at 05:08 PM on February 07, 2010
Interesting article on running barefoot.
rumple, if this interests you, I highly recommend Born to Run by Christopher McDougall (2009).
posted by Spitztengle at 05:14 PM on February 07, 2010
It's awfully quiet today...there something going on?
posted by MeatSaber at 07:21 PM on February 07, 2010
I'm doing the crossword.
posted by owlhouse at 08:14 PM on February 07, 2010
That's a fascinating concept Spitz. Please run for the IOC presidency at the next available opportunity.
posted by Drood at 12:51 AM on February 08, 2010
Historically, it doesn't always stay consistently cold enough there to host the outdoor events.
When I was in BC some years ago, I heard the story that Canada's homeless population decamps to the Lower Mainland and Victoria -- or is even "encouraged" to go there -- because the winters are the mildest in the country. If they're being kicked out of Van to save face, then that's going to just mean they go somewhere else.
I like Spitz's idea of distributing events around the globe, though it sort of kills the whole post-event partying and hookups "gathering together under the torch" thing.
posted by etagloh at 02:33 AM on February 08, 2010
Thanks, Spitz'
I think they should have put all events in Whistler except maybe Hockey and skating. There is no need to be putting anything at Cypress or Grouse mountains. That was just asking for rain and they're getting it. Sure, if they truck in snow they can ski but what if it is a frickin' downpour? Whistler is a much much safer winter place.
Meanwhile over here on the Island, Mt Washington has a four metre base or something ridiculous.
Anyway, of course I'll watch some of this circus but dammit we are going to be paying for it for a generation and yet I can't afford to take even the slightest part in the whole thing or attend any part of it.
posted by rumple at 10:56 AM on February 08, 2010
When the Games were awarded to Vancouver, you had to wonder whose bright idea that was. Historically, it doesn't always stay consistently cold enough there to host the outdoor events.
This week's weather forecast heading into the Friday opening is for temps in the high 40's to 50 or so. Hope they have enough snow making gear and hefty refrigerant pipes built into the bobsled and luge runs.
At least the Nordic events are well inland. Hopefully, Whistler is not also suffering from the same mild temps.