# Your idle Olympics ponderings/musings... **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 17, 2010, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400 "2010-02-17T22:25:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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 18, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/21 "2010-02-18T14:53:01Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > How can they tell where they’re going? do they memorize the course? If I was gonna go 90 miles-per-hour down an ice chute, I sure would. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/22 "2010-02-18T15:04:22Z")
I’ve decided that any events that are “score” based by judges are silly trick competitions that don’t belong in the olympics. I’ll give two passes though based on grandfathering them in, gymnastics and figure skating. The rest need to go. None of this snowboard half-pipe, freestyle hotdog skiing, synchronized swimming, or even diving. I want to see longest, fastest, furthest, highest competitions or head-to-head sports. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/23 "2010-02-18T15:11:29Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I was thinking today- why are there so many incredibly attractive athletes? And so very few unattractive ones? > Theories: > > 1. Excellent diet and far more endurance training than bulk or strength training > 2. Younger athletes > 3. I just like cold weather country types Probably because the traits that make for a good athlete make for improved genetic success (obviously, there would be outliers). You’ve been bred over generations to lust after star athletes. The air-head blonde stereotype aside, I find that generally the more intelligent a person is, the more attractive there are also. Joe ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/24 "2010-02-18T15:26:58Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > How can they tell where they’re going? do they memorize the course? [HowStuffWorks:The Luge](http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/luge3.htm) > [@](#): > > From this prone position, with his head lifted only enough to have some idea where he’s going, the slider navigates the twists, turns and straightaways with his body simultaneously tight and relaxed. I imagine they do memorize parts as they do have practice runs. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/25 "2010-02-18T15:37:21Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Should Shani Davis’ nickname be [Frozone](http://media2.newsobserver.com/smedia/2010/02/17/21/93-SPORTSOLY-SPD-LONGTRACK1MCT.embedded.prod_affiliate.156.jpg)? The Pixar animators based Frozone’s skating style on Davis’s unique one with his swinging arms, so yes. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/26 "2010-02-18T16:23:29Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > [HowStuffWorks:The Luge](http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/snow-sports/luge3.htm) Excellent link – thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Shark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/27 "2010-02-18T16:41:17Z")
If you saw the video of the poor french girl who fell over 20 feet from the start of the women’s downhill, you might be asking yourself, “Am I going to hell for laughing at that?” ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/28 "2010-02-18T16:59:36Z")
I said this in the curling thread, but I was amused that there was a bald-headed guy who was “curling”. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/29 "2010-02-18T17:04:21Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I said this in the curling thread, but I was amused that there was a bald-headed guy who was “curling”. I was repeatedly amused, while watching the US-Germany men’s match, by the announcers constantly using the full name of German skipper, Andy Kapp. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/30 "2010-02-18T17:25:27Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > How can they tell where they’re going? do they memorize the course? They absolutely do memorize the course. That’s why they take training runs. ---
**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 18, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/31 "2010-02-18T20:26:49Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Would the US mens curling skipper choke on a teaspoon of oatmeal? Jeez, three easy shots to win in 24 hours and he blows every single one. Do yourself a favor; do not watch the Denmark match. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/32 "2010-02-18T21:52:19Z")
> [@Disheavel](#): > > I was thinking today- why are there so many incredibly attractive athletes? And so very few unattractive ones? > Theories: > > 1. Excellent diet and far more endurance training than bulk or strength training > 2. Younger athletes > 3. I just like cold weather country types By several accounts, this does not go unnoticed by the athletes themselves, and I’ve heard that towards the end of the games, the Olympic Village turns into one giant international Sexapalooza. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/33 "2010-02-19T03:06:41Z")
The announcer just said something about the Chinese “strict snowboard training regimen”. I know snowboarding is an athletic sport that requires a lot of training but somehow the terms “strict regimen” and “snowboarding” just don’t sound right together. 😛 . ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/34 "2010-02-19T03:28:51Z")
Curling women turn me on. It hardly even matters whether they’re attractive or not. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/35 "2010-02-19T03:32:23Z")
My wife calls Curling “The Ice-Tirades” 'cause of all the yelling and shouting. Damn near wet my pants laughing at that. ---
**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 19, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/36 "2010-02-19T04:44:58Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > Curling women turn me on. It hardly even matters whether they’re attractive or not. The vice-skip on the U.S. team is just staggeringly cute. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > My wife calls Curling “The Ice-Tirades” 'cause of all the yelling and shouting. You have to yell, though. The ice has a pebbled surface, so the sliding rock makes kind of a rumbling, rolling sort of noise. The mics don’t pick that up. With the crowd, the other games going on, and the sliding rock, you have to yell to be heard. ---
**Author:** ![Daedelus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@Daedelus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daedelus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/37 "2010-02-19T07:58:53Z")
> [@Shark](#): > > If you saw the video of the poor french girl who fell over 20 feet from the start of the women’s downhill, you might be asking yourself, “Am I going to hell for laughing at that?” QFT. Sorry I don’t have anything more meaningful to add to this sentiment, but it’s pretty much spot-on. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/38 "2010-02-19T09:10:24Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > By several accounts, this does not go unnoticed by the athletes themselves, and I’ve heard that towards the end of the games, the Olympic Village turns into one giant international Sexapalooza. This year’s quota stayed steady from Bejing 2008 at [100,000 condoms](http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/02/olympic-condom-count-holds-steady/1). Same raw amount, but more condoms per athlete due to lower participation in the winter games. Guess they have to keep warm somehow. > [@Shark](#): > > If you saw the video of the poor french girl who fell over 20 feet from the start of the women’s downhill, you might be asking yourself, “Am I going to hell for laughing at that?” That was bizzare. She just kind of fell over. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/39 "2010-02-19T15:12:32Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Would the US mens curling skipper choke on a teaspoon of oatmeal? It’s not his fault. He’s just distracted by the Norwegian team’s pants 😛 ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400/40 "2010-02-19T17:44:10Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The vice-skip on the U.S. team is just staggeringly cute. > > You have to yell, though. The ice has a pebbled surface, so the sliding rock makes kind of a rumbling, rolling sort of noise. The mics don’t pick that up. With the crowd, the other games going on, and the sliding rock, you have to yell to be heard. The Russian Curling Women are gorgeous. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-idle-olympics-ponderings-musings/529400.md?page=3)