orangeman

Positive vibes today.

Hey, a Canadian on top! Haven't seen that too much these Olympics...

Entertaining end to the USA/GER game.

I am not sold on this hockey team.

Yeah, I thought all this, but I had a mini panic attack when I looked at the stats because everything has gone wrong with Canada these Games.

I'd say monobob because Canada sitting in 2nd and there's more of a chance of Humphries crashing than 15 skiers crashing that would need to happen to make Canada win gold in Aerials.

Thank god for small miracles. Thanks for the information.

People on reddit were using FIS rules to explain it away. But we know who those people are and why they were there, and on every thread there.

Good for Jackson! It's nice to see a 500m favourite actually perform. *cough*

Already 18 SOG for China against Canada. They had 16 total against Germany yesterday. I was at that game. Germany looked better against China than Canada has. Given, 80% of China's roster is Canadian so they have an extra incentive.

How are the top four teams placed? Does the best 2nd place team automatically get 4th position no matter what? I ask because ROC and Sweden are actually tied on points but Sweden beats them on GD. Does Sweden or ROC sit in 4th?

Now looking at it, I'm not sure how 1-4 is ranked, but Sweden is actually tied with ROC for points but has a better GD, so if that is how it works then Canada will face ROC in the quarters. Greeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaatttttt.

Like I said, I have lots to say when I feel better about it. But it feels more like a commercial than an Olympics. Many of us are feeling like we're at a certain Olympics in the early 20th century rather than a modern Games. If you know what I mean. I do want to say the volunteers and participants have been absolutely amazing. I would not have been able to get anywhere without the hard work of certain locals, and the volunteers are ridiculously helpful and friendly and cheerful. I'm talking bigger picture. I've said it several times, some venues are close to my house. Just went for lunch the other day right outside one of the hockey venues. We can't go to the events but we can take full subways to the area and then sit in a crowded full capacity restaurant or bar without our masks and enjoy the evening. It makes no sense to me. And in those areas there is nothing Olympics. You wouldn't even know anything was going on unless you went right up to the fence and then there's some banners. Most places even right THERE aren't showing any events, and if you ask them to they probably won't even know what you're talking about. All Olympic shops have been sold out for months, so there's not even retail therapy (imagine if the world had come! There's nothing to buy and no one to trade with!) Like, everyone wants that panda mascot doll, and no one can get it. No one. Big companies I guess bought them all months ago. There is just nothing to get excited about around the city. Anyway, I've gone on. Back to hockey.

Yeah, well, those medals count. Just like hockey goals, no one asks how you got them, you just got them. I'm not saying any of the medals in snowboarding itself are surprising, but I wouldn't have expected to have 5 total at this point just given the chances at falls and let's say creative judging in slopestyle the last two Games. Anyway, lots of time for Canada to turn it around. I think watching our curlers struggle really puts a bigger damper on the experience because it's several times every day. I'm here and I'm trying to stay positive in person. But the city isn't really engaged like I thought it would be (even with covid) and even going to the events, while amazing and exciting and crazy, is so clinical and devoid of spontaneity and atmosphere it's almost sad. I have stories that I'm a little hesitant to tell until I'm done all my events and can assure confidentiality. Nothing horrible, but all fun has been sucked out of the Olympics here and I feel like it's intentional, especially for the very few foreign fans who make it in. I'm trying to ignore all of that and just watch the sports, but Canada just keeps disappointing on that front, too.

Absolute debacle for Canada in speed skating, especially on the men's side. No medals for men's out of potential for 4 (and a supposed gold-medal lock). Bloemen will always be a champion, but this was not his meet.

Other Olympics I know we all over react and complain and are pessimistic. It is our right and duty as Canadian sport fans. But these OG have to be the worst in terms of performances vis a vis expectations. Absolute scandal in several sports, several individuals. On the other hand, there have been some surprises, like in ski jumping and alpine and even snowboard. In the end, the total medals won't be bad, but the golds will be embarrassing. So many favourites absolutely shitting the bed. Like I also say, Canada needs to invest in sports psychologists.

Even the Netherlands, the favourites, finish 4th. Race of their lives from Russia, who would never take anything to enhance their performance, I'm sure. Either way, pathetic showing from speed skaters in Beijing besides Weidemann.

Mens team pursuit out of medal contention. Speed skating absolute debacle here. Complete collapse.

Get ready for it...

Maybe the ROC skater "accidentally" took an innocent heart medication?

Yes, but shush.

I think double gold medals in hockey would gloss over a lot of other problems. If curling can recover and at least get medals that would help too. But all of those are long shots except the women's hockey team. Canada's first podium sweep, like in snowboard big air, would also be nice. As for short track, I remember in Vancouver there was huge disappointment on the team and then on the last night they got gold and bronze in the mens 500 and gold in the mens relay. Magic like that on Wednesday would go a long way.

You are correct. There was no moves to get ahead. I felt like they sat back the whole race and just hoped someone would fall. Surprisingly drama free races since the debacles at the beginning.

Yay, a bronze.

Hey, a bronze.