I'd like to be an ostrich... At least then I'd have an excuse to hide my head in sand.

[tortietta]

You know, I really do love the Olympics. I don't think there is any one thing I could pinpoint and say this is why I love the Olympics. It's just there.

I've spent the last four mornings waking up at some dreadful hour to catch the swimming and cycling finals. I'm exhaustd, and my body is sorely regretting the continued onslaught. So much so, actually, that it has all but given up on trying to fight this damn flu. So on top of being exhausted I feel completely miserable too.

So, the mens 200m freestyle final was exciting!! My phone posts from last night will attest to my excitement levels, but seriously, I know I was cynical about this race, but I don't think there could've been a more perfect result. Thorpe worked hard to win and he did a damn fine job of it. Thorpe timed it right and went for it, he knew what he was doing and he knew his energy levels. This was really such a high class race and it really could've gone either way but my patriotic little heart was so pleased with the outcome. Oh, and Michael Phelps really is a cute little thing, isn't he? Between him and Ian Thorpe... Mmm... So worth waking up for.

The womens 100m breaststroke final was good to watch as well. I think Jones and Beard had very poor starts and I think that is reflected in the results. Hansen and the Chinese girl both started very strong and came home with a strong back leg. I also think that Jones is too hard on herself. She made a comment after the race that she wasn't worthy of winning gold yet and I honestly don't see that as being the case. Anyone who makes an Olympic final is worthy of winning the gold, it's a matter of being mentally and physically prepared, it's not a matter of being worthy.

I also got to see the womens final trap shooting last night, and I finally got to see the womens cycling road race too. The shooting is really quite interesting. It can't be easy to shoot at a clay target but a lot of the women made it look like a walk in the park. Amazing really! Actually made me wonder what it is that influenced these women to take up trap shooting, seems like something a little out there for just your day to day hobby.

I am also sick to death of hearing Australian's bag out American's. Come on, guys! There is NO NEED to bag out the American's. So what if the media have made a big deal of Michael Phelps, it doesn't make him a no-good American git! He's only 19, and there's NOTHING wrong with being 19 and ambitious!

I want to know what right Australian's have to belittle American's. Yes, there is genuine rivalry between the US and Australia but to make bold statements of 'hating the bloody yanks' makes me so mad. The American's are people too. Why hold the faults of a nation against the people of that nation? Australian's you are NOT perfect. Australia is not a perfect nation; we are as riddled with faults as the US. There is nothing to prove. There is no reason for such belligerent behaviour, and yet the Australian people seem to get some sort of joy in insulting the American's. It's times like these that make me question my loyalty to Australia.

Come on, Australia. Don't hold the faults of a nation against the people of that nation!

Comments

[not-concerned.livejournal.com]

<33333

On a completely unrelated note, did you see Australian Idol last night?

[tortietta.livejournal.com]

>:D<

Yes, I saw Australian Idol. Was rather disappointed by this weeks lot, actually. I knew Angie was going to rock but everyone else was very 'meh'. Can't believe Daniel got through! And I thought Amali did a good performance but still not incredible. :(( Why did they put all the good ones in the first and the last weeks? WHY? *weeps*

*tries to stop head from spinning off*

Can I just curl up and die? Please?

[not-concerned.livejournal.com]

I know!! I tipped Angie and Amali to get in so I was glad when they did, but was all WTF?? when Daniel got in. Not that I don't feel bad for him and think he's actually good, but I was laughing so hard during his performance on Sunday night, I can't believe there were people out there who weren't doing the same.

Feel better!!!! *pats ikkle Tori*

[tortietta.livejournal.com]

Dude, if I had a choice about this weeks Australian Idol ONLY Angie would've gotten through, the rest I would've sent packing! I was literally doubled over in laughter at Daniel's performance on Sunday and then again on Monday. I mean honestly, how ridiculous can you get! :))

I think this next lot will be okay, we've got Billie and Ricki-Lee and that other awesome gal with the cropped short hair (OMG, WHY CAN I NOT REMEMBER HER NAME!!!), so hopefully not as disappointing as this week.

Wah, going back to bed now. *sniffs*

[not-concerned.livejournal.com]

Dude, Ricki-Lee looks freakishly like one of my ex-coworkers. I'm waiting til they profile her on Inside Idol, and maybe said coworker will be revealed to be some sort of family member :D :D :D

[kairos103.livejournal.com]

:O are the Australians really being mean to us?! Swimming isn't as big of a sport in the US and I don't think the media is getting quite as frenzied over anything related to it...but I've felt like the US and the Aussies have both had a fairly equal measure of success in the pool during these Olympics!

I love it when someone from Australia wins because then maybe the media will interview them and we'll get to hear their cute accent! In a final I look for the kid from the US and the Aussie kid because if you've got both countries in a final you can bet it's going to be a good race. The rivalry makes for better swims and better times, which is why I enjoy it. As I'm sure you know, I'm not a big fan of negativity. I feel like the US is being unfairly hard on Phelps internally, but they weren't begrudging Thorpe his victory at all from what I can see. It was SUCH a great race, and he totally nailed it!

Off to listen to your phone posts! I couldn't last night because I didn't want to startle my house guest. ;)

[tortietta.livejournal.com]

I think Australian's in general are very hard on American's. It's not just the swimming or the Olympics it's the general Australian attitude. The media likes to play up on the Australia vs. America rivalry but the attitude of the Australian people is what is really getting to me.

I get text messages from friends saying they can't wait until we "thrash another bloody yank in the pool" or that "it's about time the yanks were bought down to a normal level, arrogant bastards" and when I get these I get so angry. I hear the people I work with dishing it out on the American's. People down the street will stop and talk simply so they can have a go at the American's. And why? What has America ever done to Australia to provoke such a ridiculous outburst of hatred.

I do think the Australian media is partly to blame. There has always been a rivalry with the US when it comes to sports and particularly swimming and the Australian media plays upon this. I like friendly rivalry and competition but lately it's been anything but 'friendly', at least on the end of a lot of Australian's.

I'm annoyed with my nation and their small-minded attitude. Why can't we all just enjoy these games for what they are?

For me, at least, when I see a race between a couple of great athletes, I don't care about which nation they come from, I care about the sportsmanship and humanity which is displayed by those athletes, and I care about the quality of the competition.

I really hope this makes some sense but I'm completely clogged with flu and flu tablets so it's likely not. I think for now I just need to ignore Australian's and enjoy these games and what they have to offer!