Author Topic: Random Thoughts 5 (Read 11332 times)

Genie · « **Reply #165 on:** July 30, 2012, 10:49:02 AM »

Just on a lark, I googled Jack Kelly (the man my stepfather rowed against at his club), plus Philadelphia and the sword "sculls" I was surprised to find him in Wiki. My stepfather told me he was famous, but I never believed him. Sorry Alan!

John Brendan Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly, (October 4, 1889, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – June 20, 1960) was one of the most accomplished American oarsmen in the history of the sport of rowing. He was a triple Olympic Gold Medal winner, the first to do so in the sport of rowing. He won 126 straight races in the single scull (1x). He was the father of Grace Kelly, actress and Princess of Monaco (thus grandfather of Albert II, Prince of Monaco), and of John B. Kelly, Jr., an accomplished oarsman in his own right.

At the time he won his races, rowing was at the height of its popularity. Kelly's exploits were well covered in newsprint. In many ways, he was a figure comparable to Babe Ruth or Jack Dempsey.

osoguante · « **Reply #166 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:43:48 PM »

Even cooler that he was Grace Kelly's father! Genie, no Olympian's in my family, but my MIL is related to Mark Spitz. My SIL (the 6 footer) is an excellent swimmer, with my MIL's long arms and legs. If she had taken swimming seriously she could have competed at the higher levels.

As for synchronized diving, it's been around for a few Olympics, but not certain...will google it. Since 2000, the Sydney games, according to google!

I've been watching gymnastics and swimming. I can't believe what those tiny gymnasts can do nowadays! Makes me dizzy just watching them flip and twist. It broke my heart to see Jordyn Weiber crying after not moving on to the all-around finals, since she is reigning world champ. Unfortunately gymnastics is so precise, that one misstep or bobble can lower your score. My hubby and I argue all the time about gymnastics. He says it's not a sport but rather a skill. Anything that is judged and contains that human element of deciding the score is not a sport. He also says any sport where body glitter is involved is not really a sport. I vehemently disagree...

Genie · « **Reply #167 on:** July 30, 2012, 04:13:37 PM »

Body glitter?

What I don't like very much are the sexy looking pieces that NBC is doing on our female gymnasts. They're turning gymnastics into chick flicks. My God, they're only missing the bar top pole to dance with.

Ask your husband what he feels about boxing. That's done with scoring. Is that not a sport?

Genie · « **Reply #168 on:** July 30, 2012, 04:28:51 PM »

I can never forget Mark Sptiz's 7 golds and our hockey win against the Russians (sorry Nath) in 1980. What an event that was, known forever as The Miracle on Ice.

Luce · « **Reply #169 on:** July 30, 2012, 11:16:32 PM »

To me, it all resembles a fashion show, in these 2012 games.

For example, when the swimmers come out, they parade and show off their fancy outfits. Funny. Same goes for the bike racers. Jeez!

I don't like watching sports. Maybe, because we Belgians never come up with anything that can win a medal. Well, most of the time. Sofar, we have one bronze medal for Women Judo Class -48 kg.

osoguante · « **Reply #170 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:55:42 AM »

Luce, didn't you have a bike racer that is pretty good? Maybe he'll come up with a medal...that would make 2 medals for Belgium!

Quote from: Genie on July 30, 2012, 04:13:37 PM

Body glitter?

What I don't like very much are the sexy looking pieces that NBC is doing on our female gymnasts. They're turning gymnastics into chick flicks. My God, they're only missing the bar top pole to dance with.

Ask your husband what he feels about boxing. That's done with scoring. Is that not a sport?

Yes, body glitter. These gymnasts put so much glitter make up in their hair and faces, they shine like disco balls. It's silly, but maybe they think it makes them look older than their 16 years...?! I was watching the men's gymnastics last night. Now, that was painful. They kept on stumbling and falling, and Griffin kept on making snide comments about their stature and how gay the looked in those tight shorts. I enjoyed the tight shorts...

I think Griff prefers to watch the female gymnasts in their little leotards. I kept on telling him that those 4'10" gymnasts can kick his scrawny butt.

Genie, any sport that is judged isn't considered a sport by my hubby. Either you score a goal or you don't. You hit a home run or you don't. You score a touchdown or you don't...I'm not a boxing fan, so are they judged or is the person that gets knocked out first the loser? That would be the difference for my hubby, if judges decide then it's a skill not a sport.

Luce · « **Reply #171 on:** July 31, 2012, 01:18:28 PM »

Oso, we have several outstanding bikers, only, they are now being overruled by the Brits! Same old Belgian story. It's either the Brits or the French.

Genie · « **Reply #172 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:19:09 PM »

In boxing there are at least 3 judges (in pro boxing). They will score the round, by counting landed punches, knock downs, I think they look at the participants ability to deflect a punch - points are subtracted for hitting below the belt, or have the bell has rung and more and on.

There's a real science to scoring boxing, as in gymnastics.

osoguante · « **Reply #173 on:** July 31, 2012, 02:25:24 PM »

Quote from: Genie on July 31, 2012, 02:19:09 PM

In boxing there are at least 3 judges (in pro boxing). They will score the round, by counting landed punches, knock downs, I think they look at the participants ability to deflect a punch - points are subtracted for hitting below the belt, or have the bell has rung and more and on.

There's a real science to scoring boxing, as in gymnastics.

In that case (according to my hubby) boxing is not a sport but rather a skill. We argue this point back and forth and he drives me mad!

Hey, just heard that the USA women's gymnastic team won GOLD!!! Woo-hoo!

Luce · « **Reply #174 on:** July 31, 2012, 03:09:03 PM »

Congrats!

Genie · « **Reply #175 on:** August 01, 2012, 05:54:26 AM »

I haven't watched for a day or two.

Gold for what? All around? Individual?

Genie · « **Reply #176 on:** August 01, 2012, 05:57:42 AM »

Luce · « **Reply #177 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:07:13 PM »

I'll be in France for the weekend. Yeah, champagne again. I'll keep in touch.

Genie · « **Reply #178 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:17:33 PM »

Quote from: Luce on August 03, 2012, 01:07:13 PM

I'll be in France for the weekend. Yeah, champagne again. I'll keep in touch.

Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.

Genie · « **Reply #179 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:19:01 PM »

My namesake was born today.

Not really.

My cleaning woman's daughter had her second son last night, and she's named him Loyal. It has nothing to do with me because I don't even know the girl, but found that odd.

Her other son is Levi.