While Hession has done great, is the whole .. "he's fast for a white lad" thing not a bit racist? If the comments were "he's not a bad golfer for a black lad", then I think it wouldn't go down so well.
Credit to him though. Breaking new ground as an Irish sprinter. It must have been even more difficult for him as I'm guessing there would be very few sprinting coaches in Ireland.

RMDrive (Donegal) - Posts: 2202 - 18/08/2008 23:24:01    78638

Lads am i alone in thinking that we have sent a large force of "No Hopers" on a junket to China. Some of them were injured before they left and some had'nt even reached the required qualifying times. I heard on the radio that Sweded only sent 8 representatives, who they believed could possibly win something. We sent a hugh amount of people with very little prospects of winning anything. Apart from one showjumper, a few boxers and one or two runners what chance had we. Only about 6 had chances to win a medal so why so many on this junket. Also heard that R.T.E. have 40 journalists or reporters there... another hike in licence fee about to hit us no doubt. Any thoughts ?

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 19/08/2008 00:53:48    78701

RMD, the words "white" and "black" are just adjectives used to describe the physical appearance of a person, so I don't think anyone can be accused of racism if they use them.

Cavan Slasher, you are correct. About 90% of the olympians we sent out had no hope of getting close to a medal. However, you must accept that just representing yourself and your country at the Olympics is an achievement for some people. Take Paul Hession for example, nobody would dare dream that he would win a medal but even getting to the semi final of his discipline is a fantastic achievement for him. And secondly, this Olympics will be viewed as a stepping stone to London 2012 for many of our athletes. I doubt Sweden sent just 8 athletes out either, but I am open to correction on that.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 19/08/2008 11:08:31    78946

Never bothered before with this thread but just wnat to wiash Paul all the best in the semi. Think i'm not exaggerating when I say if he gets to the final it would be one of the greatest achievements by an Irish athlete. Remember Paul from my own athletic days and what dedication he has. Unfortunately couldn't find a bookies that would give me odds on him reaching the final at the start of the games. If he equals or betters the Irish record I think he will be almost guaranteed a place in the final. Fingers crossed!! As for the other athletes...so what if they haven't been at their best...they've done the country proud....every last one of them.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/08/2008 11:36:57    79019

On the other athletes/events....think Bolt will come close to Johnsons 200 record but while he might beat it....i'd be surprised if he smashes it. If he concentrated on the 400m maybe Wariner would have sever competition but i'd suspect the American would take it....look out for him breaking Johnsons 400m world record....more possible than Bolt breaking the 200 record i reckon. 200m for women should be a good race as well with the Americans, Felix in particualr and the Jamaican with Campbell....could be the race of the games. Also, can't wait for the relays.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/08/2008 11:41:31    79026

If Bolt goes flat out for the 200m he should break johnsons record, if he's well ahead of the rest going into the final 20m and starts slowing down again he'll not break it. Also, jamaica must be outstanding favourites for the relay, they've some athletes this year.

mid-mon man (Monaghan) - Posts: 1680 - 19/08/2008 11:52:21    79048

what happens if...whilst running the 200m...bolt runs the first 100 quicker than he did in the 100m sprint.....does the World Record change again....?
I know it wont happen...but if it did....?? I mean the whole point is that it was the quickets ever recorded 100, so if a lad runs 100m quicker but in a diff race....??
Just wondering!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 19/08/2008 11:59:38    79057

Ya Jamaica could clean up in the relays but as GB showed 4 years ago, if you get the changes right you can more than compensate for not having the fastest sprinters. I'd be looking forward to the womens 4x100 with America and Jamaica, and surely America have to break a world record in the mens 4 x 400?

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/08/2008 12:03:45    79061

Liam....won't happen anyway but if he did it wouldn't change the 100 world record....he'd be running it on a bend so won't happen anyway. Never forget Johnsons world record...ran the last 100 in just over 9 secs....sensational!

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/08/2008 12:05:31    79062

Just watched Paddy Barnes win at least a bronze medal for Ireland with a great display against a good Polish boxer. Well done to Belfast's finest!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 19/08/2008 12:17:16    79080

Fantastic stuff from Paddy Barnes, he did not just beat him, he annihalated him. This is going to be some day with Kenny Egan coming up at 2.15 to gaurantee us another medal and Paul Hession out to make the final of the 200m ten minutes later.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 19/08/2008 12:23:13    79088

Jamaica will win both relays, Frater, Carter, Bolt and Powell for the men and Fraser, Stewart, and the one that came second in the final and I am sure they will have another equally as good for the women's sprint. USA will win both the 400 relays.

Loyal2TheRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 4522 - 19/08/2008 12:26:53    79092

Liam - you have to factor in the start in the 100m so you're not up to full speed immediately. If you take a 100m segment out of a 200m race most top athletes will be running faster than the 100m record.

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 19/08/2008 12:27:03    79093

Yes hopefully this will end up a very good day for ireland at the olympics.

mid-mon man (Monaghan) - Posts: 1680 - 19/08/2008 12:31:55    79099

Ya great stuff from Barnes! Loyal...they'll have Veronica Campbell aswell for the relay...surprised she didnt qualify for the 100m

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/08/2008 12:36:59    79105

Great stuff from the Antrim man, our first honest medal since carruth and mccullough did the business in 92.
Hard to believe it took us so long - 16 years, and now we might have a second 2 hrs later.

Horse (Laois) - Posts: 1146 - 19/08/2008 12:58:06    79138

Well lads, look what happens when ya let an Offaly lad do a Dublin mans job!.....run the country!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 19/08/2008 13:39:23    79194

great news about paddy barnes. did not see the fight. did he win by much?

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 19/08/2008 14:09:47    79235

I hear ya Horse - I hear ya! But what about Sonya in Syndey - nowt wrong with that one!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 19/08/2008 14:14:34    79245

Another great performance from Kenneth Egan! 8-0 - the Brazilian didn't lay a glove on him. All class and control. This now and Paddy Barnes-storming earlier - we're catching up on the Chinese in the medal table!

ps Good show by Paul Hession too!

JayoCluxton (Dublin) - Posts: 2688 - 19/08/2008 14:39:10    79299