Have the olympics been a disappointment?

[ScottyBowman]

I don't know what it is but I'm just not into them as much as I thought I would be. I remember during the 2002 olympics, their were many more storylines, more "superstars", more passion etc.. A lot of these guys look like they were forced to play.

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[sabresrat]

I think it's been pretty disappointing so far, but I bet it gets more exciting during the medal round.

 

[Big Mama*]

The upsets have been good. The games have been excellent.

 

[Jazz]

You are making this comment only 2 days into a 9 day 12 day tournament...?

 

[Borlag]

The only way it could be considered as a dissappointment is if you judge it according how Team USA does in it

 

[ScottyBowman]

The only way it could be considered as a dissappointment is if you judge it according how Team USA does in it

I'm cheering for Sweden. This has nothing to do with the US.

 

[shawn_kemp*]

This tournament is awesome!!!

2006 > 2002

and there are much more games to come, especially big matchups such as Czech-Canada, USA-Russia, Sweden-USA, Finland-Canada, and so on!!!

 

[freekjo]

Not a disappointment at all. There have been several great games so far. The Slovakia - Russia game was super, and the upsets were fun to watch as well. Russia's dominance over Sweden was impressive.

The only thing which disappoints me so far is the fysical aspect of the game. The new rules discourage use of power, which I believe has to be a part of the game.
I've only seen a few good, hard (and fair) bodychecks...

 

[Borlag]

Fine, but still...the big games are still ahead and I for one can't see how the games so far could be considered as dissappointments. There's been great hockey from good countries as well as great hockey from countries that are considered not so good. There's been surprise victories and there's also been surprising slumps for some teams.

Just about all teams have their best players on ice, apart from the few who are injured and the few who have refused for other reasons, which is something that's beyond everyones control.

The only dissappointing thing in the Olympics so far has been the inconsistency of refereeing. But for that too it's way too early to say that it's hopeless, just 2 rounds behind with 6 more to go.

 

[shawn_kemp*]

I think some people might be disappointed because of the 9 big games of the round robin, only 2 have been played yet (Svk-Rus & Rus-Swe).

 

[twelve]

Not at all.

It's nice to see some smaller hockey countries making an effort and succeeding.
And although the Finns beat the Swiss, it was great watching their passing and combinations.
And anyway, all teams and players will pick up the pace in the next few games.

 

[LuigiStone*]

For Team USA and Sweden maybe.

It's the time difference for some people.

 

[Telecaster]

I have enjoyed all the games so far, even our game vs Russia.

 

[Zine]

It's still early. The medal round will be intense.

I think the 'best on best' tournaments are not what they used to be though. All players know each other these days, and a world cup/olympic takes place every 2 years.
Thinking back to even the '98 olympics - there just seemed to be much more pressure.

 

[cfrancis]

The time difference sucks for me. All the games are early in the morning when I'm at work. This weekend will be good as I can watch them live.

 

[Phil333]

I haven't been disapointed at all. I've seen some good hockey and passionate players who love their country. Did you see the way Ovechkin jumped up in the air yesterday when he scored that goal? That gave me goosebumps and I'm an American. I loved seeing Latvia give Slovakia a run for their money. But I have it easy. I'm a college student so I have a lot more free time during the day than people who work 9-5. This weekend should feature some great matchups. So don't get down 2 days in. This is a great tournament and it will reveal itself as such as the days go along.

 

[Hashmark]

It's all about the time difference.. Not being able to go to the bar and cheer on your country over a few pints really sucks. Instead of getting hyped for the game all day at work, and enjoying it at night, we know about the results by mid-afternoon and just watch highlights at night.

Not much you can do about that..

 

[Cawz]

You are making this comment only 2 days into a 9 day 12 day tournament...?

The thread is a perfect example of the instant gratification society we live in. People expect every game to be their new favorite game of all time, and if a couple games dont live up to the lofty expectations, they are disappointed.

I think I would be more suprised if someone wasnt complaining about something on here.

 

[gobolt7]

A lot of these guys spent the first two days getting over jet lag. I think by this weekend, you will see a rise in the intensity level for most of the games.

 

[Lateralous]

A lot of these guys spent the first two days getting over jet lag. I think by this weekend, you will see a rise in the intensity level for most of the games.

Exactly. The schedule was also set up so that most of the power contries got to play their easy games first, almost like a preseason. The good games really start this weekend.

That being said, the early games were actually better than I expected with a few good upsets.

 

[weaponomega]

I haven't been completely into them...yet.

I think a lot of it has to do with the time the games are aired. In Salt Lake, the games were on in primetime, in Nagano, I can't remember when the games were on. I remember watching Canada-US at 10 or 11 at night.

 

[jekoh]

It's all about the time difference.. Not being able to go to the bar and cheer on your country over a few pints really sucks. Instead of getting hyped for the game all day at work, and enjoying it at night, we know about the results by mid-afternoon and just watch highlights at night.

Not much you can do about that..

No, but having the Olympics in Europe minimizes the problem.

They should always be in Europe to accomodate more people.

 

[HockeyCritter]

I think the Olympics have been “disappointing†for several years now …… it’s gotten too big, too commercial, too corporate, too far removed from what the essence of the Olympics should be. It’s all about medal counts and the bottom line. Seriously, to SUSPEND a ski jumper because he covered up a corporate logo What happened to playing for the love of the game and the thrill of competition? And just what happened to the real sports, half the events aren’t even sports.

 

[thebodyczech]

Annoyed that the Czechs didn't show up. Thrilled that the Slovaks took over. I sense a role reversal.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

If I read the original poster's comments correctly I assume he's referring to the Olympics as a whole, and not just the hockey tournament. To that end, the games have been disappointing, especially for me as an American. Too many busts amongst supposedly "sure things." Most of our medals are in freaking snow boarding! Michelle Kwan, Bode Miller, the U.S. women's hockey team, etc have made for a disappointing experience so far. The overall presentation also is lacking, and frankly there just aren't that many interesting stories. Blehhhhhhhhhh.