The 2008 Pre-Olympics thread

**ifk101** · 02/04/2008, 1:14 PM

Irish swimmer fails dope test.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2008/0402/breea.html

**Block G Raptor** · 02/04/2008, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Irish swimmer fails dope test.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2008/0402/breea.html

makes this story seem a bit sus now. probably missed the euro's hoping to avoid being tested

**ifk101** · 02/04/2008, 2:10 PM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

makes this story seem a bit sus now. probably missed the euro's hoping to avoid being tested

Yeah it looks that way unfortunately.

**Dodge** · 02/04/2008, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

makes this story seem a bit sus now. probably missed the euro's hoping to avoid being tested

He's more likely to get tested in the US collegiate system. Its not like he would've medalled in the euros

**paudie** · 02/04/2008, 5:36 PM

I think the old "I didn't know what was in the medicine" excuse doesn't hold much water these days. Don't all athletes get a list of banned susbtance (if not they should make it their business to get it).

Not sure what the swimming authorities attitude is to these supposedly accidental positive tests.

**pete** · 02/04/2008, 7:10 PM

Originally Posted by paudie

I think the old "I didn't know what was in the medicine" excuse doesn't hold much water these days. Don't all athletes get a list of banned susbtance (if not they should make it their business to get it).

I have to agree. I thought world sport had moved away from allowing individual countries accept excuses. A professional athlete should never purchase any medicine over the counter unless on an approved list. Probably deserves a ban for being so stupid. Just because a skier got away with 3 month ban does not make it right. I thought the IOC was very strict about this will minimum 2 year bans for all?

Recently read Game of Shadows & excellent insight into world of drug cheats.

Interesting to hear the calls from some people for Olympic boycott because of Tibet. Did not notice similar calls when China won the Olympics bid. The IOC claiming Tibet is getting greater publicity because of the Olympics in China.

**Dodge** · 02/04/2008, 7:53 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I thought the IOC was very strict about this will minimum 2 year bans for all?

IOC don't give any bans. its the individual sports federations that issue bans. In this case, it'd be FINA

Agree with the gist of your post though

**pete** · 02/04/2008, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

IOC don't give any bans. its the individual sports federations that issue bans. In this case, it'd be FINA

The IOC have some influence? I remember not long ago FIFA stalling on updating their procedures. If a skier can get only 3 month ban then clearly still some discretion.

**Dodge** · 03/04/2008, 6:50 AM

IOC made everyopne agree to a certain drugs testing programme, but the bans are up to the Sporting Federations

**paudie** · 03/04/2008, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Interesting to hear the calls from some people for Olympic boycott because of Tibet. Did not notice similar calls when China won the Olympics bid. The IOC claiming Tibet is getting greater publicity because of the Olympics in China.

Calls for a boycott (half hearted in general I admit) are a joke.

If ,for example, the US were to call for an Olympic boycott without imposing trade sanctions on China it be the most blatant political stunt ever.

**paudie** · 03/04/2008, 1:13 PM

http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/pre...7-234dec3668eb

Ciara Peelo has qualified for the Olympics in the Laser class.

**Torn-Ado** · 12/04/2008, 5:38 PM

Three more boxers qualify for the olympics. Good stuff. The biggest boxing team since 96.

**paudie** · 28/04/2008, 9:34 AM

Siobhan Byrne (a fencer!) qualifies for the Olympics.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2008/0426/fencing.html

Ladies Hockey team currently team currently playing in the last qualifying tournament in Canada. 6 teams in it. All play each other once and top 2 then play off for the one qualifying spot.

Have won their first 2 games against Malaysia and Canada.
Ireland are 2nd ranked team in the tournament after Korea.

**Dodge** · 28/04/2008, 2:04 PM

David O'Loughlin didn't qualify for the Individual Pusruit in Team Cycling (despite finishing 6th in the World). He's on standby apparently

**pete** · 28/04/2008, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by paudie

Siobhan Byrne (a fencer!) qualifies for the Olympics.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/other/2008/0426/fencing.html

Might had this discussion here before but if you were to try to qualify for the Olympics what sport would you choose?

I believe mine was Archery was quiet a small pool of participants in Ireland & relatively inexpensive to compete

**Dodge** · 28/04/2008, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I believe mine was Archery was quiet a small pool of participants in Ireland & relatively inexpensive to compete

Its fairly expensive actually. A friend of mine was involved with a girl who arched (I believe thats the technical term

) and it cost a fair whack for the equipment

**pete** · 28/04/2008, 3:22 PM

List of Olympic sports.

Aside from maybe shooting & Fencing finding it difficult to find a rival to Archery. I wonder what the qualifying standard for Archery & Shooting are...

While Athletics & Swimming are probably the biggest (football might get big crowds but doesn't get the publicity) Olympic sports it is good to see Irish qualifiers in minority sports as easier to have an interest in them.

**Block G Raptor** · 28/04/2008, 3:27 PM

I Played Olympic Handball in Primary School and was a Dab-Hand at it so to speak
I often think back to it now when watching football, I sometimes wonder has modern football become over complicated in the sense that the object of the 2 games are very similar and yet Olympic Handball is so much more Direct and un complicated. a couple of quick passes and a shot at goal... Sometimes they go in sometimes they don't
I wonder if football was played in the same direct manner would we see more goals

**Dodge** · 28/04/2008, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Aside from maybe shooting & Fencing finding it difficult to find a rival to Archery. I wonder what the qualifying standard for Archery & Shooting are...

Usually top 16/32 in the world. We have a genuine medal chance in the shooting...