Wait, wait, am I seeing this correctly? is there NOT an olympics thread? the hell? Or am I making a total jackass out of myself totally missing a thread (I did look, but I've got a bit of heat exhaustion, so maybe I missed it).

Last night I was in a restaurant downtown, and could see into the bar where they had the Olympics on the wide screen. The entire restaurant cheered when Micheal Phelps won his eighth gold medal - even the half that couldn't even see the screen. It was just - everyone knew what had just happened. I don't think I could put into words the feeling of that moment. I guess that's why I love the Olympics so much. Its a time to put away our differences and come together. I think its interesting how the Summer olympics land on the same year as the presidential election (in the US at least). Its kind of a calming before the storm I guess. WE're not Republicans or Democrats, we are Americans. We are cheering for the same side. And even if our side looses, we are ok with that (well, unless you're that crybaby from Sweeden who got the bronze).

Ok, thread officailly started!

Well, yours is the first "official" Olympics thread, but we do have a nice Olympics chat happening in the "Play Ball" thread!

I will just say this for now. Fencing as an Olympic sport? You've got to be joking. There is no finesse anymore, just quickly strike your opponent and pump your fist and yell out, "YEAH!" My boys do the same thing - only with plastic lightsabers.

Meanwhile, we're losing baseball and softball as Olympic sports. Who cares if the best of the best in the US don't participate for baseball. It's still an important sport; one that's growing internationally. As for softball, it's a shame for the girls that they lose this competition.

I'd much rather watch softball than synchronized diving. You've GOT to be kidding.

There have been some very incredible high points in these Olympic games--and some low points too--especially when it comes to the scoring situatoin in some of the sports----at least the poor quality of the scoring at times has bitten just about every nation's teams.

All-in-all though, this has been a great summer Olympics games.

[b]Without any shadow of a doubt, I say the Beijing Olympic Summer Games 2008 will be remembered in hIstory as SPORTS BEATS MORONIC POLITICS......the seed has been planted...thank God!!:). Sorry to the BOYCOTTERS of this WONDERFUL and SUCCESSFUL event, but you LOST MISERABLY!!!! /b]

How Cincinnati athletes fared-
Gold Medal - Mary Wineberg (Walnut Hills H.S. / U.C.) 4 x 400 relay
Gold Medal -Heather Mitts (St Ursula) Soccer
Silver Medal -David Payne (Wyoming H.S. / U.C.) 110 meter hurdles
Bronze Medal -Bryan Volpenheim -Rowing
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Jason Parker - shooting - finished 22nd-no medal
Patrick Todd -Rowing -no medal
Rau'shee Warren- Boxing-no medal