# Here is a thread about the 2016 Summer Olympics **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 6, 2016, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911 "2016-08-06T05:00:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/421 "2016-08-18T13:54:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Btw, do Olympic athletes get passes to all the events? I’m assuming they can drop in and cheer on friends in other sports. I’m pretty sure that their ID lets them into any venue. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/422 "2016-08-18T14:55:48Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’m pretty sure that their ID lets them into any venue. I believe they have to request tickets, their ID doesn’t guarantee a seat. I don’t know if there’s any limit on ticket requests. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/423 "2016-08-18T15:27:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A lot of athletes are going home early. Michael Phelps tweeted photos of himself and the baby at home in the pool. > > WTH is wrong with these people? It’s like going to a wedding and racing out the door the second they say “I do”. > > What happened to savoring a once in a lifetime moment? Making friends in other sports and cheering them on? The comradeship is the most important aspect of sports. > > They are cheating themselves of a lifetime’s memories. Foolish and very selfish attitude to say the least. > > I guess it’s better the selfish ones leave early. The real amateurs can focus on having fun after they’ve competed. Too bad they don’t award a gold medal for running other people’s lives. Aside from the widely reported fact that the Olympic dorms are crappy, spending time with his baby doesn’t strike me as “very selfish.” And I think it’s safe to say that Phelps already has all the Olympics moments he needs to savor. But YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/424 "2016-08-18T16:02:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I guess it’s better the selfish ones leave early. The real amateurs can focus on having fun after they’ve competed. I can think of a couple that probably wish that they had been just a little bit more “selfish”. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/425 "2016-08-18T16:03:29Z")
I know I’d want to get the freak out of Brazil ASAP, especially if I was forced to live in the half-finished tenements they’re calling the Olympic Village. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/426 "2016-08-18T17:25:42Z")
> [@Shadez](#): > > At least here in the Netherlands you are required to come home within 48 hours if you have not scored a medal win in any of your events. About 50 sporters without medals [came home yesterday](http://nos.nl/rio2016/artikel/2126383-applaus-voor-olympiers-zonder-medaille-op-schiphol.html) (sorry, article in Dutch). The reason given was for keeping up the ‘training climate’ at the Olympic Village for those who still had to compete. This is a requirement of the [NOC\*NSF](http://www.nocnsf.nl/en). > > So it is not always up to the athletes. The only problem I see with this is, what about the closing ceremony? Do the athletes have the option of flying back to Rio? It seems to me that, even if they did, it would be a waste of time and money just to fly back to Rio for one night. The national committees probably don’t consider the closing ceremony that big of a deal, especially as the athletes enter as a single, massive group. I can understand why the “stars” might want to give the closing ceremony a pass; they would be mobbed by other athletes. Just about the only ones that have to show up are the ones in the medal ceremonies that are part of the closing ceremony. Then again, NBC will probably cut the medal ceremonies out so it has enough time to air the promised “special preview” of _The Voice_ at 10:30 Eastern that night. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/427 "2016-08-18T17:36:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A lot of athletes are going home early. Michael Phelps tweeted photos of himself and the baby at home in the pool. > > WTH is wrong with these people? It’s like going to a wedding and racing out the door the second they say “I do”. > > What happened to savoring a once in a lifetime moment? Making friends in other sports and cheering them on? The comradeship is the most important aspect of sports. > > They are cheating themselves of a lifetime’s memories. Foolish and very selfish attitude to say the least. > > I guess it’s better the selfish ones leave early. The real amateurs can focus on having fun after they’ve competed. Seriously? Wanting to spend time with one’s child is “selfish”? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/428 "2016-08-18T18:43:44Z")
If Michael Phelps of all goddamn people can’t go home early to hang with his family, I would suggest that the expectations being placed on Olympic athletes are perhaps a little silly. It’s a sporting competition, not a tour of duty in Vietnam. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/429 "2016-08-18T19:22:24Z")
Man, is Ryan Lochte starting to look like a gigantic douche or what? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/430 "2016-08-18T19:52:26Z")
The four of them are. Despicable, if what the Brazilian authorities are saying is true. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/431 "2016-08-18T20:19:18Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Man, is Ryan Lochte starting to look like a gigantic douche or what? Starting? > **[25 Photos Of Ryan Lochte's Grills](https://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/25-photos-of-ryan-lochtes-grills)** > > The Olympian loves to wear diamond-studded braces on the medal stand. Check out all the grills he's sported, dating back to 2007. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/432 "2016-08-18T20:57:53Z")
Many of these athletes are amateurs who had to pay their own way to the Olympics or fundraise from their communities and have jobs to get back to so they can keep a roof over their heads. Others are college students who probably haven’t been home in months and need to get ready for fall semester soon. Hanging around in Rio once their events are over is for the richer athletes with vacation time. Plus apparently the accommodations and food are subpar and you can’t go enjoy the city without worrying about getting mugged. Leaving when you can’t afford to stay isn’t selfish, it’s prudent. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/433 "2016-08-18T22:27:14Z")
\ it’s a choice each athlete can make for themselves. Unless their organization forces them to leave (mentioned earlier in this thread) My comments about being selfish was in regard to the athletes that compete last. Day 1 everyone’s there. Excited, making friends and maybe watching their friends events. If everybody buggers off home, then by the end those competitors don’t get that same experience. That is why I felt going home is selfish. You’re not thinking about the other athletes who were assigned to compete later. I’m glad the Olympics have gone pretty smoothly. Brazil came through and met the promises (to IOC) they made back in 2008. Wasn’t perfect but Brazil faced considerable economic and political challenges. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/434 "2016-08-18T22:33:11Z")
I’m sorry, but holding Michael Phelps up as an example of a selfish athlete boggles the mind. He was team captain, carried the flag, swam in umpteen events, multiple Olympic Games, and went home to be with his baby is an example of someone who is selfish?? You do realize that many of the late playing athletes don’t come until later. They selfish too? ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/435 "2016-08-18T22:46:06Z")
LOL Phelps is retired. He’s got the rest of his life to hang out at home with the family. He’ll do a few product endorsements occasionally, interviews, but otherwise he’s Living the Life of Riley. I wish him well. He’s trained hard since he was a teenager. Had incredible success. I guess my memories of state wide track meets gives me a different perspective. I made a lot of friends. I still keep in touch with a few of them decades later. I guess I’m a bit sentimental about sports and what the experiences meant to me. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/436 "2016-08-18T22:59:48Z")
Your high school track experience gives you special insight into the motivations and responsibilities of an Olympic athlete? Ok. I’m sure the vast majority of these folks are well experienced in meets and tournaments and understand what it’s all about. ---
**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:** [August 18, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/437 "2016-08-18T23:08:56Z")
I’m just sentimental and crotchety in my old age. 😃 I know the world has changed. Amateur Sports are ruthless and cutthroat now. I love to see real sportsmanship. Like the two women track runners that helped each other after tripping. I linked that story earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/438 "2016-08-18T23:37:28Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Starting? > > [25 Photos Of Ryan Lochte's Grills](https://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/25-photos-of-ryan-lochtes-grills) What’s the penalty from the Olympic Committee for crimes in the host country? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/439 "2016-08-19T00:17:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m just sentimental and crotchety in my old age. 😃 > > I know the world has changed. Amateur Sports are ruthless and cutthroat now. I love to see real sportsmanship. Like the two women track runners that helped each other after tripping. I linked that story earlier. That things are more ruthless may be true, but a competitor heading home when done is not an example of that. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911/440 "2016-08-19T02:05:50Z")
LOL Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian ever but someone still gripes because he went home early to spend time with his family. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-is-a-thread-about-the-2016-summer-olympics/761911.md?page=23)