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^^ is that real?
I googled. It is.
Seems to be....
Pictures on Chinese news sites.
What alpin posted certainly reflects the TV images. It's certainly a brave location!
They prefer you to share images like this I guess
Seems to be genuine (sadly). Unless LOTS of photographers are photoshopping everything coming out of that venue.
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I feel like China is trolling the world with this venue.
No doubt they will have built an authentic replica Swiss mountain village somewhere anyway, so who says there is no alpine atmosphere?
Edit: Austrian
Reminds me of the London Freeze at Battersea Power Station around 2008-2010. I think the first year it was only on for one day as all the artifical snow melted.
Where as in the summer games we have loads of ways for giving out medals for running round a man made circle different numbers of times. Or how many different strokes and number of lengths you can swim very quickly.
All sport is contrived
This is obviously true, but a lot of them, maybe even most, have an obvious evolution from a starting point. (eg let's do a running race. That's too far but that's too short. Let's do 2 running races, 100m or marathon. And the distances in between fit in an obvious fashion.)
In comparison, I caught the downhill bump-skiing thing yesterday. The idea seemed to be to get down the bumpy slope as quickly as possible, but getting points for styling it up on the two half-pipe bits. I don't understand where this came from. To me, it made as much sense as doing judo, while getting points for eating as many jam sandwiches as possible.
I did a ski race in Austria once that involved slalom racing where you stopped halfway down to have a shot of schnapps then continued down. Great fun. Are you listening IOC?
I did a similar race that involved stealing the lovely beer glasses and skiing down with them in my Campri jacket papoose pocket. Had a great collection still, 25 years later!
I kept seeing pictures with a concrete background but failed to 'zoom out'. I can't believe anyone in the sports washing game thought it would be a good idea to promote green credentials with that as a backdrop...
Or is it a bizarre statement about modern China (an edgy and groovy skiing nation!) and the redundancy of the old power stations?
Maybe they saw the Danish power station slope and, as they often do, got the remake a bit wrong?
redundancy of the old power stations?
It just looks like a coal-fired power station to me (I'm aware the Chinese are pretty keen on these) - no real thought / indication that it's redundant unless they plan on re-animating Fred Dibnah to come and have a go at knocking it down in between runs.
At least the poor buggers that live there have got a permanent sports facility though.
In comparison, I caught the downhill bump-skiing thing yesterday. The idea seemed to be to get down the bumpy slope as quickly as possible, but getting points for styling it up on the two half-pipe bits. I don’t understand where this came from. To me, it made as much sense as doing judo, while getting points for eating as many jam sandwiches as possible.
OK all they've done there is come up with a way of scoring the moguls - which has always been a form of skiing for the fittest and most talented to show off on. Its no more bonkers than horse-dancing or 50km walk. In fact its probably akin to how many people ride their bikes here every weekend - trying to show off, have as much fun, and go as fast as they can but not being just about speed or finesse.
FWIW, I've been to a big air competition at Battersea Power station. The competition was no worse for the venue.
Also, just been watching the mens Slopestyle, Max Parrot is a lucky SOB that the judges missed his knee grab...
Yeah it’s ridiculous. It’ll all change when I’m in charge…. one medal for running, one for jumping, one for hoofing something, etc. No swimming. It’ll all be over in an afternoon, like sports day. 😃
Bit harsh on the no swimming. Those who suffer catastrophic equimpent failure in my no rules, no disqualification no holds barred mass start mad maxesque sailing event may need to swim.
No, you're not allowed to swim. It's a team event, and some of your team are on jetskis. They are responsible for blocking and defence, but they can also pick up stranded team members.
Don't count the old girl out..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/60316302
Got two locals competing in speed skating and ice dance, wouldn't even know it unless I'd taken a look at the team roster. Our sole figure skater is from Dundee as well.
The Jacobellis story is the best thing to come out of the games so far. I used to follow the boardercross fairly religiously (thanks to Palmer and his Winter X exploits), and TBH she did well recovering from the Torino fall to even compete again on a world cup level. To finally take gold on what will be her last game is a great redemption story. Reminded me slightly of when Peaty finally won the world champs after dropping it so many times before. Hopefully this gives a huge middle finger to the press who were constantly calling her out on it, and maybe opens BX up for an X games return.
The courses on the other hand just seem incredibly tame compared to previous Olympics. Graham Bell was fairly cutting on the Ski Podcast about how they are racing on crap fake snow on a crap fake hill (not a mountain...) and the boardercross course was like something resorts put in for the kids to go down.
2022 isnt a vintage Olympics by any means, its appeared very bland and staged even compared to PyeongChang. Hopefully Cortina in 2026 will show a bit more character.
Good to see ROC being the same as the old Russian teams.
They kinda spoil sport for me, the whole state doping has just been given a pass.
Palmer and Jacobellis. My snowboard hero's for sure.
Would love to have a go on one of those boards - just on a blue run to see if I could turn the thing.
Back to the snow thing - I no nothing about the area, is it normal for there to be no snow but -20 degrees? I cant get why there are so many trees if its a dry arid area.
Also is it an existing 'ski resort' or just blasted out of the hill side and a load of concrete brought in just for 2 weeks then to be never used again?
My dream was to ski race at the Olympics when younger, but as I have got older I am kind of glad I didnt make it, as it appears to be more about money and politics than sport these days.
As to races preferring artificial snow, no its bloody awful stuff, very hard and smooth, grip but no grip, really odd stuff (as was said above) I used to hate racing on it, you can tell instantly when you are transitioning from artificial to real snow even if the real snow has been prepped and watered.
A good look for Russia
Shaun White, the flying tomato - luv or loathe him he's been a massive influence to thousands of skateboarders and snowboarders for many many years . I hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement. 🤟
Jacobellis and Nick Baumgartner getting gold early today was thrilling.
Commentating on the 'French team techie' : Tim Warwood - 'it looks they've waxed their boards with blancmange'. :O)
From a guestimate of 3-7 medals, team GB have at least secured one (men's curling). Let's hope the ladies can get through to the finals too.
After the doping fiasco in the skating - and the appalling behaviour by juniors coach , the whole thing as become a farce.
You can be allowed to doping if you are young enough and "it was my support team".
I bet Lance is kicking himself - and identifying as 15!
It is indeed time for IOC to really get things in order around doping, youth competitors and any shred of 'spirit' left in the games.
First time I sat down to watch anything was the mens GB v US curling semi-final yesterday. Absorbing stuff. Really enjoyed the clash of styles. GB captain was ice cool. Shuster didn’t show himself up so well when things started to go awry for them around leg 7/8. Publicly berating your team mates like that wasn’t very nice.
First time I sat down to watch anything was the mens GB v US curling semi-final yesterday. Absorbing stuff
I find curling fascinating to watch. MrsMC had a go in Switzerland a couple of years ago, it's even harder than it looks.
That US team yesterday did look like they'd escaped from the Redneck Games though.
Women's curling semi final has gone to extra time....
Jesus it's close..... thought they had it at at the end of normal time!
Liquid curling
They should've won it the tenth after that fantastic ninth. Sweden took their slim chance. Great extra end. Calm and measured.
If we get two gold medals in the curling is it automatic Independence for Scotland?!?
It looks so simple and yet as well as the issue with actually getting the stones to do what you want, the tactics are baffling. Why not just stick them near the middle, instead they're competing to see who can be just close enough yet as far away as possible...... Ah! that's why. I was absolutely glued to the women's semi just earlier. Ice cold thinking and skills from both teams, I reckon it's fair to say that whoever had the hammer would have won the extra end.
I've done a wee bit of curling. Jeez it's hard. Even judging when and how much to sweep is difficult as it can make a massive difference.
You can be allowed to doping if you are young enough and “it was my support team”.
To be fair she looked absolutely miserable and if the article I read today is to believed that coach has a long line of medal winners who swiftly exited the sport. I agree a positive test means she should never have been on the ice but that not withstanding she didn't look like she should have been there anyway. I feel sorry for her at this stage. The people behind her, on the other hand, deserve no sympathy.
I agree a positive test means she should never have been on the ice but that not withstanding she didn’t look like she should have been there anyway.
Russia have had years and years of positive tests in Winter and Summer Olympics plus a host of other sports, courtesy of a state-sponsored doping programme that makes Lance Armstrong look positively* amateur - the result being that they're serving some sort of imaginary ban where they can't compete as "Russia" (no flag allowed on their team kit) and are instead referred to as Russian Olympic Committee and rather than their national anthem, they get a Tchaikovsky piano concerto. Other than that, it's business as usual.
When they hosted the Winter Olympics in Sochi, they got caught fiddling the doping tests.
*see what I did there...?
I'm well aware of the history thanks, I was commenting more on the welfare of a 15 year old girl who has been used as a political punch bag.
I feel sorry for her at this stage. The people behind her, on the other hand, deserve no sympathy.
Absolutely this.
I can't help but feel that she's been taken advantage of and has paid a high price.
Her coach sounds like a nightmare.
I’ve done a wee bit of curling. Jeez it’s hard. Even judging when and how much to sweep is difficult as it can make a massive difference.
LittleMissMC and I were trying to figure out exactly how the sweeping works - does the friction make the surface melt and the stone speed up? If you sweep too much, can you overdo it and slow the stone?
Sweeping melts the ice to keep the stone running further up but also keeps it straighter, so can be a bit of a balancing act.
In my mind it looks like Russia is back to its usual doping tricks. I am prepared to believe given her age and upbringing she is likely to have taken what ever she was told to by the coach and those around her. That said she should be banned and some sanction to her coach and those around her
If we get two gold medals in the curling is it automatic Independence for Scotland?!?
Scottish when they lose and British when they win is, I believe, the correct protocol, no?
Not sure I understand the physics, but it kind of makes sense.
If you check the world rankings, our teams are down as "Scotland/Great Britain" with England about 20 places lower down
Scottish when they lose and British when they win is, I believe, the correct protocol, no?
That'll be I the same way that She Who Has to Be Obeyed Sturgeon will say anything that is good is done by Scotland and anything bad is England's fault.
This is said by someone who is proud to be Scottish by birth but is amazed by the blindness of many to the SNPs boo boy tactics.
When I was in Skye three years ago our Scottish Highland Tourist Board guide insisted that every good in Skye was "Scottish" everything bad was "British".
Just watched the curling final - great effort by Scotland Team GB to take it to the wire but it was funny watching some of the reaction from Stranraer.
The dad of one of the team had to be heavily coaxed to admit he was proud as well as disappointed, and when asked what he would say to his son when he got back: "probably nothing".
Not a great time to be interviewed of course but jeez!
fair play to the Swedish team, the Skip's takeout late in the 10th when a 2 was firmly on for GB was worth the medal.
Feel guilty, was watching on catchup and fast forward through the first 5 or so stones to get to the important ones.
Missed this mornings men's final as I had to collect J r from uni and despite 5Lives best efforts, didn't go well on the radio.
Taking daughter to a gymnastics event at silly o'clock tomorrow morning, so will miss the women's final as well. Bugger.
Worth catching up on the speed skating mass start finals if you get the chance - sprinting off the final bend at 60kph within touching distance of each other
Well done the ladies.... brilliant!
Great performance. Japan weren't on it especially but GB were on fire.
A tale of two finals. The men had some tiny chances but never really looked like winning, the ladies got ahead and always looked they were going to win.
replay on BBC2 now
All the ice gives me the heebeegeebees. For some reason I thinks it's the hardness of the surface and what would happen to your teeth if you faceplanted.
Watched a kid on a school trip overbalance and smack forehead into ice needing a lot of stitches.
apparently it's not very slippy (OK, it's ice, it's slippy), it's a rough surface created by spraying droplets of water onto the frozen surface
Brilliant. So pleased for the ladies who had struggled through the first few games, during the round (baby) robin. :O)
There's clearly a lot of love for the curling here, but thank God for the red button is what I say 😁
Team parallel skiing.
They must be desperate for events.
I'm finding it more interesting than a repeat of the curling, but each to their own.
Perhaps there should be a medal for the most watched sports.
Glad it is over with the CCP propaganda.
Didn't watch it ... I would watch Dad's Army any day over this CCP propaganda. I can feel vomit in my mouth.
Glad it is over with the CCP propaganda.
Didn’t watch it … I would watch Dad’s Army any day over this CCP propaganda. I can feel vomit in my mouth.
if you didn't watch it how do you know it was CCP Propaganda? I watched bits of it and the bits I saw were mostly just like any other winter games, but the bits like the industrial landscape were far from positive propaganda.
I’m finding it more interesting than a repeat of the curling, but each to their own.
the good news is the Scottish curling championships starts this week (today?) on iPlayer so you won't have to keep watching repeats - there's fresh new stone slipping to watch.
the good news is the Scottish curling championships starts this week (today?) on iPlayer so you won’t have to keep watching repeats – there’s fresh new stone slipping to watch.
😅