Posts Tagged ‘olympics’

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics mascots

The Hare, Polar Bear and Leopard have been chosen as the official Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games mascots following the results of a public vote, while the Ray of Light and the Snowflake will be the Paralympic Winter Games mascots.

Full press release available on Sochi 2014 official website.

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics mascots

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shamikayc – China’s Winter Game Ambitions Heat Up

BEIJING—as the Vancouver Winter Olympics draw to a close, China’s sports machine is quietly putting on a clinic in how to climb the medals standings.

China has poured increasing resources in the Winter Games after snagging the most gold medals in the Beijing Summer Olympics two years ago. as of Wednesday, with four days left of Olympics play, it had won eight medals, tied for ninth with Switzerland and Sweden. four years ago, at the Winter Olympics in Turin, it won 11.

China’s Beixing Wang competes in speed skating.

But four of China’s medals so far are gold, double the haul from Turin and its highest total in the Winter Games, and it looks set to continue its effort. by contrast, Canada is considering cutting a similar program after the nation hasn’t come close to leading in the overall medal count.

So far, the gold has come mostly in areas where China had been expected to do well: speed skating and freestyle skiing. But it also won gold in figure skating even though the duo of Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo was unranked.

Thursday, the Chinese women’s curling team, which was seen as a favorite for gold, lost in the semifinals, though coach Daniel Rafael said the performance was amazing considering that the players were in their 20s, when most teams fielded curlers in their 40s.

“I think they did good for a bunch of 20-year-olds at the Olympics,” Mr. Rafael said. “Experience counts.”

China’s Winter Olympics gains come even as officials say it has just 30 standard-sized skating rinks nationwide and virtually no public participation in other winter sports.

“The Olympics are about changing China’s image,” says Donnie Pei, a historian of Chinese sports at the Capital Institute of Sports, a college. “We used to be called the ‘sick man of Asia,’ and now we want to show that we’re not as weak as you think.”

The government is committed to expanding mass participation. last year it spent $60 million, raised through a lottery, on public sports, up from $40 million in 2007. an additional $15 million went to pilot projects in rural China, where facilities are especially scarce.

Officials say the spending has more to do with grandeur than ordinary people’s physical fitness. Liu Peng, head of the General Administration of Sports in China, said in a recent state-media interview that China has to move from being “a big sporting country” to a “powerful sporting country.”

These goals are on display at the Chinese Winter Sports Administrative Center in Beijing. The offices are spartan, but the ambitions huge: to make a country with almost no winter-sporting tradition the rival of the Germanys, Norways and Austrias of the world.

China made its Winter Olympics debut in 1980 at the Lake Placid Games in the U.S., with its best result an 18th-place finish in the women’s slalom. The country began to aim at sports where China’s strengths could come into play, said the director of the winter-sports center, Zhao Yinggang. that meant spending money on sports like freestyle skiing, snowboarding and speed skating.

“These sports are easier for Chinese athletes to get results in a short time,” Mr. Zhao said. “Some of them are similar to summer sports where Chinese athletes are more competitive.”

China Real Time: Skaters Break Mold

China’s Medal Winners

Continuing Coverage From Vancouver

For example, one of China’s top medal prospects is Han Xiaopeng, who won gold at the Turin Games in freestyle-skiing aerials and is due to compete in Vancouver this week. Mr. Han hails from temperate Jiangsu province, which has only one skating rink for its 75 million people. But Mr. Han was an expert tumbler and attended a famous acrobatic-gymnastics sports school in Peixian. at age 13, Mr. Han was recruited into the freestyle-ski team. “He already had skills that could be used,” Mr. Zhao said. Chinese athletes are recruited young and given systematic training, he said.

This result-oriented focus helped China win its first winter medals, two silvers in speed skating, at the 1992 games. The real breakthrough took place a decade later, when speed skater Yang Yang won the women’s 500- and 1,000-meter events. in Turin, China won two gold, four silver and five bronze medals to finish in ninth place.

As in the Summer Games, China is weaker in team sports, which require a higher number of elite athletes for just one gold medal and are considered relatively inefficient investments. But earlier this week, China won its first women’s ice-hockey match in 12 years and finished the tournament in seventh place. This year, China’s best shot for team gold might come Friday in an unlikely sport, curling, where the women’s team has won the world championship and spent part of the year training in Canada.

Some question whether geography will hold China back. most of the country is relatively warm, with little snowfall. Like most of the people in China’s winter-sports program, Mr. Zhao, the center’s director, hails from the northeast, or Manchuria, the only heavily populated part of the country with winter-like conditions. although it includes just three of China’s 30 provinces and territories, the northeast is still home to 108 million people, more than the combined populations of winter-sporting powers Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway.

“We need more of a foundation, but that will come,” Mr. Zhao said. “Each year we will keep improving bit by bit.”

—Adam Thompson contributed to this article.

Write to Ian Johnson at ian.johnson@wsj.com

vancouver winter olympics, curling team, mass participation, winter olympics, gold medals, freestyle skiing, changing china, chinese sports, public sports, summer olympics, shen xue and zhao hongbo, public participation, s sports, medal count, speed skating, skating rinks, chinese women, winter games, sick man, winter sports

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shamikayc – China’s Winter Game Ambitions Heat Up

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Nike Hyperdunk – 2008 China Beijing Olympics Edition

The Winter Olympics in Beijing offered up some tremendous color ways and fashions. quite a few of them were only released during the Olympic season while many others were often designed to showcase and commemorate the Bird’s Nest Stadium. There were still others that were meant to honor some incredible players and teams that were shown during the Olympic games which were all very popular and offered up some incredible colors and fashions for anyone to truly celebrate and cherish. For the most part, most of these color ways and fashions are no longer sold and are actually quite missed, offering up more of a tremendous appeal to incredible fashion and color way PE’s that are now actually missed amount the more avid and durable crows that have made of an impressive showing of mass appeal. the Nike Hyperdunk – 2008 China Beijing Olympics Edition is actually one of the more impressive and capable color ways that have made for a very impressive and more durable appeal to providing a long lasting and popular color way that is still very popular. the mid sole is offered in a deep red leather that is actually creative and more diverse yellow leather that makes for a very stunning amount of appeal that has made for quiet a diverse and more capable amount of fashion and diversity. the upper is offered in a very unique and more capable offering of mass appeal.

Nike Hyperdunk – 2008 China Beijing Olympics Edition

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In the winter olympics, dont ya think that most of the sports involve a bit of luck?

for example, Usain Bolt in the 100m summer olympics, he was fast and there was nothing apart from himself that could stop him

in the winter olympics, a lot of the events involve circumstance, including, snow issues, other contestants, natural forces….

how do you know who really is good?

btw.. i am really enyoying this olympics, especially enjoyed the mens snowboarding, speed skating and figure skating

whats your fave event?

Yes I do. Because for example the first to go on the snow have the chance to go on freshly put snow. what if it started raining halfway through? Weather factors are involved in your quality of performance. I bet that if the athletes that got gold went to go again they would end up 2-something.

And your only going against these particular athletes some I might add have had surgerys for their knees- whatever. So don't you think they improved much than an average human knee? I think any person that has had surgery should not be aloud to play.

Undoubtedly there's an element of luck in many of the events. But that's the case in most sports. Once you get to running distances past the 400m you get into luck territory. You can put in a great performance but if someone clips your heels you're gone, remember the Mary Decker / Zola Budd incident at the LA games in 84? In the hurdles or steeplechase if the person next to hits a hurdle badly there's a decent chance they'll they'll take you down with them..

Yes, for example, the 1500 m speedskating! oh man..ohno and J.R. celski was SO lucky the 2 koreans fell right before the goal line.

but really..what doesn't involve luck?

In the winter olympics, dont ya think that most of the sports involve a bit of luck?

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Ghana’s first-ever Orphanage Olympic Games to be launched by Integriti

Ghana’s first-ever Orphanage Olympic Games to be launched by Integriti January 25, 2011

Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – the first-ever Ghana Orphanage Olympic Games festival will be organised in Accra in May this year.

The Games which have been christened the ‘Accra Orphanage Olympics’ is expected to bring together many Orphanages in the country to participate in sporting events as well as music, cultural displays and talent exhibitions.

Integriti Media, which is an avant-garde media organisation registered in Ghana, will in collaboration with stakeholders such as government ministries and agencies, corporate Ghana, international aid agencies and participating orphanages ensure the success of the games.

The participating orphanages would engage in match-past, football, handball, volleyball, tract events, basketball as well as indoor games such as ampe, ludo, chess, scrabble and snake and ladders.

Mr Kojo Olabode-Williams, Lead Project Manager in charge of Accra Orphanage Olympics in a statement released by Integriti to GNA Sports in Accra said there would be exhibitions of artefacts and products developed by some of the orphanages.

“This time around, we want to change the status quo and encourage corporate bodies to go a little further by helping discover young talents from participating orphanages in various sporting disciplines.

Mr Olabode-Williams it will also present them with the opportunity to participate in healthy sporting events with their colleagues from other orphanages.

The event also presents Corporate Ghana, an opportunity to uplift the level of their supports for orphanages from mere donations to providing long-lasting impact by helping discover talents and promoting health and socialization among orphanages.”

The Project Manager said the event will also serve as a major avenue for them to discharge and implement their Corporate Social Responsibility to the benefits of all participating orphanages.’

Ms Mama Owusu, an Education Advisor with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, said ‘The event is a true attempt by all participating stakeholders to impact and trigger huge positive difference in the lives of children in our orphanages and homes. This event hopes to become an annual feature on the Ghanaian calendar’.

The Organising Committee of the event comprises veteran event planners, media practitioners, project managers, sports activists, international volunteers and social workers.

The event will build on its successes and maximise its impact on a yearly basis and with time, would export the impact to other parts of Africa.

Mr Leonard Smith, Coordinator for the participating international volunteers, lauded the initiative and pledged his group’s commitment to the success of the event.

He encouraged corporate institutions to open up their philanthropic hearts and commit to the success of the event as part of the corporate social responsibility to children, who represent the future of Ghana.

Mr Smith also encouraged orphanages to see the event as a unique opportunity to socialize, exhibit talents and promote healthy living through sports amongst member institutions.

<a href="http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_sports/r_24761/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_sports/r_24761/Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:26:07 GMT 00:00″>Ghana’s first-ever Orphanage Olympic Games to be launched by Integriti

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Is there a forum online for Volunteers of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics?

I thought it would be beneficial to have a forum where people who will be volunteering for the upcoming Winter Olympics can discuss various aspects of the volunteer experience – as a first-time volunteer I don't know exactly what to expect. Does anyone know of such a place online?

Cheers!

Is there a forum online for Volunteers of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics?

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The Thrashers 411: Drunken Redneck Winter Olympics

The snowpocolypse hit here in Flowery Branch pretty hard. by the time all the snow and sleet ended we had nearly 9″ of accumulation. As soon as it was light outside, the kids in the neighborhood could be heard outside enjoying their day off.

I live on the side of a mountain literally. the main road in our neighborhood is all down hill for about 2 miles. when I walk out of my front door I have to look up to see the road. around 10:00 am the sounds of 4-wheelers started up. they traveled up and down the road for a while having a blast.

Not long after the 4-wheelers started out come the craziest rednecks skiing down the road without poles. Now the road is extremely curvy and there are lots of utility poles, that is why our neighborhood speed is posted at 20 mph max. Trust me when I say in some places you want to slow down even more.

The skiers and 4-wheelers joined forces and the redneck winter olympics broke out in all its glory. the atv’s waited at the bottom of the road for the down hill skiers to get there and then they would tow them back to the top. they then started competing. the skier that made it the fastest to the bottom would get a beer for their trophy.

Well things got even funnier after they had a few of Milwaukee’s Best. the skiers were now challenged to down a beer and finish it before they made it to the bottom. this is when I knew something funny as hell or dangerous as hell was going to happen. they did not let me down!

One of the skiers dressed in his best camo and cowboy hat came flying down the hill beer in hand. I knew at this moment he was going to bite it hard. the skier thought he had good control until he hit the sharp curve just past my house.

As soon as I saw his speed I ran up to the top deck and watched as he became airborne flying off the road into the neighbors yard rolling down the hill into the woods. He got up laughing and held up his right arm showing everyone he still had control of his beer can. the skier suffered no injuries.

I wish I would have had my camcorder charged, this would have made for some great footage.

The Thrashers 411: Drunken Redneck Winter Olympics

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India Could Be Banned From Olympics

By Rajesh Viswanathan

Not too far from an Olympic ban. Wake up time

This is one bit of news no Indian sports lover would love to hear this festive season. After a year that was dominated by great efforts on the field and terrible controversies off it, the Indian Olympic Association is now on the verge of facing an international ban by the International Olympic Committee. if that happens, India will not be able to take part in the London Olympics. can the authorities wake up at least now?

This was coming. the way sport is run in India is a known fact. That bad ‘run’ is set to cost India dear as the IOC has sent out a stern message. the International Olympic Committee at its Executive Board meeting warned India of a possible ban from the Olympics unless it resolves the spat over the country’s sports chiefs. After a two-day meeting here, the IOC executive board said India will have take care of a number of issues.

"consequently if the situation does not evolve positively, the IOC executive board will consider taking appropriate measures and actions which might seriously affect the representation and participation of India at the Olympic Games and international sports events coming up," the IOC said in a statement.

The international Olympic body insisted that the Indian government had agreed at a meeting here last year to adopt a jointly draft constitution while will respect the autonomy of the Indian Olympic Association and the national federations affiliated under it.

IOC’s threat came after the India government last year decided to limit the tenure and age of the country’s top sports officials. if the Indian government refuses to move from its stance, the IOC has the power to impose sanctions including suspending the country from its membership — a move that would prevent it taking part in the 2012 London Olympics.

Join the discussion

Do you think Indian sport continues to suffer from political interference?

A. yes. It will never change in India. IOC’s warning has come at the right time.
B. No. Our political bosses will never learn lessons till the damage is done.

To express your views, sign in below and respond

Old bosses must go immediately

It will be highly important for the Indian authorities to take this message seriously and address the issues at the earliest. After all, the IOC has shown in recent times it means what it says. Back at the start of 2010, the IOC had banned Kuwait from international events for not conforming with the IOC guidelines and for excessive political interference into the way sport is run in that country.

Kuwait had failed to meet the IOC’s December deadline for amending government legislation that permits the Gulf state to interfere in elections of sporting organisations. the shocked Kuwaiti athletes then pleaded with IOC to take part in the Asian Games of Guangzhou. Under some kind of ‘mercy petition’, IOC allowed 195 Kuwaiti athletes to take part in the Asian Games but very strictly under the IOC banner. they were labelled as ‘athletes from Kuwait’ during the Games at Guangzhou.

That wasn’t the only case in recent times. the IOC also cracked the whip on Ghana just yesterday before warning India. the Ghanaian National Committee faced the suspension after the national government failed to take agreed steps to ensure no political interference in the body. It may also be recalled here that back in 2008, the IOC had barred the five Iraqi contestants from Olympics after Iraq failed to resolve the situation of ‘political interference’. Given the two suspensions of fairly high profile sporting countries in the last 12 months, India will need to pull up its socks immediately and respond to the warnings of IOC.

What could happen if IOC bans India?

1. Indian athletes will not be able to compete in Olympics and major international events like Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and others
2. Athletes who would want to compete in those events will need to apply to IOC and obtain clearance to participate under the IOC banner and not as athletes from India
3. India will not be eligible to claim any funds from IOC
4. India will not be eligible to bid for any IOC events
5. Long term repercussions will be far more severe

The message from IOC this time around is more than just a subtle one. the so-called Kalmadis, Bhanots, Gills and all the ageing heads of governing bodies in India should immediately call it quits and allow the new generation to take over and resolve the issues. this has to happen now. otherwise, don’t be surprised to read a worse headline sometime soon.

Join the discussion

Do you think Indian sport continues to suffer from political interference?

A. yes. It will never change in India. IOC’s warning has come at the right time.
B. No. Our political bosses will never learn lessons till the damage is done.

India Could Be Banned From Olympics

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Why does Denmark only have one Winter Olympics medal, all time?

This was according to Newsweek. They listed a handful of countries that have exactly one Winter Olympics medallist in their history. The others were unsurprising: small countries that aren't very wintry. but Denmark sits right between two of the countries with double digit medal counts just this year: Germany and Norway. And Norway's population is a little less than Denmark's. so how in the world could Denmark only have one medal, ever? (It was in curling, btw.)

There are mountains with snow in both Germany and Norway.
In Denmark everything is flat ;] so we are pretty screwed when it comes to skiing and stuff like that.
That is how simple the answer is! xb

1. Denmark is a really small country, not alot of people
2. The winter olympics are relatively new

Why does Denmark only have one Winter Olympics medal, all time?

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Curlgar or Milfimpian: Cheryl Bernard leaves Winter Olympics with …

By Brill Bundy

February 26, 2010 4:44 PM ET

Honestly, while curling has become a fascinating to hundreds of thousands of people every four years when the Winter Olympics roll around, it’s not something most of us think about any other time. at least, The Dish Rag doesn’t.

So we’re pleased to see that ESPN’s Bill Simmons has taken 2010′s Olympic curling events as an opportunity to coin a new word in regards to the skip for the Canadian women’s curling team, Cheryl Bernard.

It remains to be seen if that word is “curlgar” (a combination of “curling” and “cougar”) or “Milfimpian” (“M.I.L.F” meets “Olympian”), but we think the former is a stronger contender and is easier to spell.

Although, a couple of responders to Simmons Twitter query have also suggested “Olympimilf,” which also has a certain ring to it.

[UPDATE: An earlier version of this post misidentified Cheryl Bernard as Crystal Bernard in the headline. we apologize for the error. To The Dish Rag's knowledge, Cheryl Bernard is no relation to the former "Wings" star.]

Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook and Zap2itBrill on Twitter for the latest movies, TV and celebrity news.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Curlgar or Milfimpian: Cheryl Bernard leaves Winter Olympics with …

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