# 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 10, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985 "2014-02-10T17:31:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/21 "2014-02-11T18:33:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Women’s Hockey: US vs. CANADA > > My money’s on CANADA. 🆒 I wouldn’t be so sure about that. The US has won the last two matches against Canada. It should be a very good game though. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/22 "2014-02-11T20:43:11Z")
I’m seeing more people crash into the boards watching cross-country skiing than I did watching short-track speed skating. That’s just wrong… ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/23 "2014-02-11T21:08:46Z")
That poor girl that smashed her helmet open during slopestyle…I hope they put her on concussion watch. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/24 "2014-02-12T05:03:46Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Oh. My. God. The US women just gave up a seven-ender. > > Somebody, make it stop. I didn’t see the coverage, just heard the score later. Damn. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a seven. > [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Right, you call them as you walk alongside (or sweep) the rock, updating the skip as to how deep you think the rock is going. (It’s hard for the skip to judge this, because the rock is coming right at her.). As you get closer to the house your judgment should get more accurate. The sweepers, because they’re walking with the stone, are in the best position to judge its speed. The skip (or vice-skip when the skip is throwing) are in position to judge the line. The sweepers call out a number so the skip will know whether to have them sweep, when, and how much. Some sweepers will also use a stopwatch. They time how long it takes for the stone to go from the end line to the hog line and that gives them an early indication of how fast it’s going. (It’s far from an exact science; where the thrower releases the stone makes a difference.) They make stopwatches that strap on to the broom so you can start sweeping instantly if you have to. ---
**Author:** ![sentrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@sentrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sentrix)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/25 "2014-02-12T07:51:26Z")
_shudder_ we just want to see putin barechested on the slope. what a rort. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/26 "2014-02-12T15:06:36Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Women’s Hockey: US vs. CANADA > > My money’s on CANADA. 🆒 > [@Leaffan](#): > > I wouldn’t be so sure about that. The US has won the last two matches against Canada. It should be a very good game though. Well, well. A 3 goal third period for Canada to come back and win the game 3-2. Well done ladies. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/27 "2014-02-13T06:38:11Z")
I’m loving this Olympics! Hockey my favorite, of course. Love the little bow the Japanese Women’s team does after they score (cute!). For the men, who the hell knows who’s winning this one. Really hard to pick the best contender. Skiing, we got a TIE for a gold today! Damn! Figure skating, I’ll admit it, it makes me so damn tense. It is just too amazing to me that all these amazing leaps, spins and landings are only from some metal, frozen water, and your body, and that’s it. It is just too hard for me to imagine. If I’m ever on TV spinning through the air on an ice rink, I must’ve been smacked by a Zamboni. Great performance from Volosozhar and Trankov. Can’t wait for ladies singles. I’m rooting for Gold and Wagner, but eeeeeee! Tiny Yulia Lipnitskaya is unbelievable! It’s like she skates like it’s nothing, spins faster than cartoon characters! I swear, I won’t be surprised if she spins down through the ice then up from underneath in a different area in the rink. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/28 "2014-02-13T13:48:49Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Well, well. A 3 goal third period for Canada to come back and win the game 3-2. > > Well done ladies. I had zero doubt the entire game. …Yoikes! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/29 "2014-02-14T01:31:47Z")
Just wanted to post that one of the Dutch speedskaters is named Freek van der Wart. I gather there are a couple of Russians named Semen, too, but I prefer Freek. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/30 "2014-02-14T03:36:46Z")
Poor Plushenko! Man. I always thought he was a jerk, but I really felt for him tonight. And Abbott! That’s gonna leave a mark! ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/31 "2014-02-14T05:07:11Z")
First of all, Martin Fourcade is not human, period. He finished the 20k like he had just walked around the park. Second, halfpipe and slopestyle are not for the Olympics, sorry. They are very hard and I’d kill myself 5 seconds into them, but they aren’t for the OG. Third, a winter Olympics that’s 15°C is in the wrong city. Fourth, the Germans have magic luges. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/32 "2014-02-14T15:20:45Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > I gather there are a couple of Russians named Semen, too, but I prefer Freek. Hate to spoil the fun, but there’s a couple of Russian’s called ‘Semyon’, with the stress on the ‘yo’. Freek, in turn, is pronounced ‘frake’. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/33 "2014-02-14T15:41:14Z")
I almost wanted to laugh despite it all when Plushenko said, “I am normal people like you. I’m not robot. I try my best and I try to go 'til the end.” because the robot thing is a joke all the fans made about him. I’m pretty angry at Yagudin now for criticizing Plushenko. The guy did his one Olympic win and retired right away, and then has the gall to criticize someone who kept skating. Only one of them went on to push themselves so far for love of sport and country and it wasn’t him. If Yagudin feels that Plushenko should’ve skated through the pain for Russia, maybe it’s Yagudin who should be out on the ice doing so. After all, he represents Russia too. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/34 "2014-02-14T15:47:38Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > Hate to spoil the fun, but there’s a couple of Russian’s called ‘Semyon’, with the stress on the ‘yo’. Freek, in turn, is pronounced ‘frake’. Don’t worry, you’re not spoiling the fun! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/35 "2014-02-14T16:02:38Z")
To clarify a bit: I have heard the name “Semen” pronounced on TV, and it is as you say not pronounced as it is in English. I still find it amusing to see it as spelled. It is my inner adolescent coming to the fore. As for “Freek,” I have not heard this pronounced but would have expected the “ee” to be said much as in German (I do know German, though have no knowledge of Dutch)–thus as you say, “frake.” Again, I still find it amusing to see it as spelled. (I also like Wartburg and Worms, towns in Germany.) ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/36 "2014-02-14T18:03:45Z")
Interesting. I noticed “Semen” on the TV last night, giggled a little, and didn’t think about it–even though I know enough Russian, and am familiar enough with the name, to’ve known better. (Semyon is one of my favorite characters from Sergei Lukyanenko’s “Watches” series, no less.). I’m a bit surprised NBC elected to transliterate it that way–sure its closer to how it looks in Russian, especially since they don’t usually include the umlaut, but it’s not at all close to how it sounds in English orthography. Also, they way they transliterated it, it looks like an English word that makes adolescent boys (and those of us who are still adolescent boys at heart) giggle. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/37 "2014-02-14T18:20:17Z")
> [@Macca26](#): > > I almost wanted to laugh despite it all when Plushenko said, “I am normal people like you. I’m not robot. I try my best and I try to go 'til the end.” because the robot thing is a joke all the fans made about him. > > I’m pretty angry at Yagudin now for criticizing Plushenko. The guy did his one Olympic win and retired right away, and then has the gall to criticize someone who kept skating. Only one of them went on to push themselves so far for love of sport and country and it wasn’t him. If Yagudin feels that Plushenko should’ve skated through the pain for Russia, maybe it’s Yagudin who should be out on the ice doing so. After all, he represents Russia too. What’s the point of selecting an alternate if you can’t bring out the alternate when your guy gets hurt? Why aren’t they bringing in Plushenko’s understudy? And shame on Yagudin for saying anything to even imply that a guy with a thrown disk or whatever he did to his back should even consider skating. Plushenko helped bring home team gold, arguably a bigger victory than the individual event. “I went to the Olympics and brought home a gold medal” is not a failure. Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/38 "2014-02-14T18:47:08Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > What’s the point of selecting an alternate if you can’t bring out the alternate when your guy gets hurt? > > Why aren’t they bringing in Plushenko’s understudy? Yes, I am a bit mystified why Russia couldn’t or wouldn’t bring in an alternate or second competitor for the men’s competition. I’m not sure on the rules about this part of the Olympics. They certainly had another athlete who qualified at an Olympic level (Maxim Kovtun). I know other countries have multiple athletes in a single event, and figure skating in particular. So I’m not clear on why they only brought one competitor for men’s figure skating. I would like my ignorance to be fought on this matter. My google-fu is not up to snuff on this one. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/39 "2014-02-14T19:12:43Z")
The American skiers that swept the men’s slopestyle has been the high point for me so far. Gold, silver, and bronze all in one event is quite an accomplishment. I’m in awe at the tricks slopestyle skiers pull off. It’s been a tough Olympics in the other events. American athletes have been struggling. Hoping we can still rebound in the later events. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985/40 "2014-02-14T19:27:13Z")
Right now the U.S. is tied for first in medals. That’s a struggle? At this rate this will be the second best Winter Games the USA has ever had - Vancouver was the first time the U.S. has ever led in total medals (and the USA has never won the most golds) and until about 20 years ago the USA usually hadn’t been in serious contention for the top of the medal table for generations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2014-sochi-olympic-winter-games/680985.md?page=3)