The quirky side of the Olympics

[John]

sportal.com.au/Beijing-2008-blog-display/what-are-they-saying-53933


What are they saying?
Murray Brust in Beijing

With thousands of athletes from over 30 sports and more than 200 nations, the Summer Olympic Games is mostly about the sport. Actions speak so much louder than words when there are medals at stake.

Some athletes, coaches and officials will always play a straight bat when questioned about the Games, their preparation, their goals and ambitions and life in general.

But we, the media, are relentless in pursuit of a few morsels of enlightenment – on behalf of you, the adoring fans, of course.

So, for your edification and (hopefully) amusement, here are some of the gems I've picked up over the past day or two – and, believe me, I'm not making this stuff up!

Canadian archer Jay Lyon, on how his training is going:
"I finally pulled my head out of my rear."

German diver Heike Fischer on the diamond in her tooth:
"It's only bling, for fashion. I've had it for two months."

Uruguayan sailor Alejandro Foglia on his love of the sport:
"My family does a lot of sailing on their summer vacations. I knew I was a good sailor when I was in my mum's belly."

Great Britain's canoe slalom champion (and 2004 silver medallist) Campbell Walsh on being voted 20th most eligible bachelor in Scotland after his efforts in Athens:
"I knew nothing about it; it was just publicity in a newspaper. Hopefully this year I can move up the list, but actually I'm not eligible any more because I have a girlfriend. Maybe I can lie and get away with it?"

Iceland's handball coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson (yes, I just wanted to write his name) on his team's prospects:
"Iceland can beat any team in the whole world. But we can also lose against any team."

Austrian sailor Roman Hagara on the selection of Hans Peter Steinacher as flag bearer:
"I'm already so famous in Austria, so now it's his turn."

New Zealand equestrian Mark Todd, a gold medallist in 1984 and 1988 and the International Equestrian Federation's Rider of the 20th Century, on why he decided to end an eight-year retirement and is back at his sixth Olympics at 52 years of age:
"It started as a joke between friends over drinks one night and it just grew from there. I probably had too much red wine."

Chilean swim coach Daniel Garimaldi comparing pools in Chile with the one at the National Aquatics Center:
"Very different. Very, very different – the depths, the surrounds, it (the Olympic pool) is too deep."

Austrian swimmer Markus Rogan on wearing the Speedo LZR suit:
"I tested it. I threw it in the pool and it didn't move at all. So I'll still have to swim."

Turkish sailor Ates Cinar on his coach dreaming of a medal:
"I'll give this dream a one per cent chance."

Croatian basketballer Nikola Prkacin on his team's goals:
"Don't be last."

Sorry, Nik, you just were.

[jonesy3006]

some of them were funny

[John]

And another one from sportal again:

Sometimes it’s just lost in translation. Here’s some more gold from the mouths of the world’s greatest athletes, their coaches and even a Chef de Mission:

“I’m just a mystery at the moment. I’m a mystery to myself!”
Aussie sprint swimmer Cate Campbell is full of surprises, apparently.

“There are two farmers who both plant fields. They knew the rain was coming. One farmer prepared his field for the rain, then the rain came. I think I was the farmer who prepared his farm. This medal doesn’t have a colour for me. It is as good as gold.”
Brazilian judo bronze medallist Tiago Camilo explains…nothing, really.

“We have 30 world-class athletes this time, 29 runners and one boxer. All of them are gold medallists. We don’t expect much from the boxer.”
But we expect maybe he will punch his Ethiopian Chef de Mission, Gebeyaw Takele.

“I liken it to a NASCAR race. We turn left for a living.”
That’s how American track cyclist Michael Blatchford explains his sport to non-cycling fans.

“It was not a save. It was more like getting hit. I had no part in that.”
Canadian hockey goalkeeper Michael Mahood after saving a shot with his face mask

“Nikita (Morgunov) is sick. He didn’t practise today. This is no time for the weak of heart or the weary. This is the time for Olympians. Dead or alive, he will be there.”
American-born Russian basketball coach David Blatt

“Unfortunately I have only been to Togo once, when I was very young, but now I have a very good reason to go back.”
Canoe slalom bronze medallist Benjamin Boukpeti, who has lived his whole life in France, but competed for his father’s country of birth and became Togo’s first ever Olympic medallist.

“I had a chat with (American swimmer) Natalie Coughlin. It’s nice to know the people you race against aren’t as scary as they look.”
This may or may not be Aussie swimmer Alicia Coutts’ way of paying a rival a compliment.

“I have one thing to say about strategy: I didn’t have any. It was all instinct. I have trained, but this is not something you can prepare for.”
French boxer Nordine Oubaali speaks for so many of his fellow athletes – about their performances in the media conferences.

“I usually read books on law because they make me sleep well. Last night I read three paragraphs and then went to sleep. The books are so boring.”
We aren’t sure whether Russian swimming bronze medallist Arkady Vyatchanin actually wants to be a lawyer someday.

“I didn’t do my best today because I couldn’t fall asleep last night. I just feel I can’t control my body.”
Hong Kong fencer Lau Kwok Kin needs to read some law books.

“It was so silly. I was so close to victory, just three seconds until I would advance. The opponent made me sleepy then made a move I’m not used to.”
Maybe Lithuanian wrestler Mindaugas Mizgaitis was read a law book by his Russian opponent?