<p>Don’t men and women compete against each other in the shooting events in the Summer Olympics? You would think they should; I doubt that men and women differ in eyesight and the ability to aim.</p>
<p>They could certainly produce some attractive, talented children!</p>
<p>I guess I’m wrong; I looked it up and men and women do have separate competitions in shooting events. And in archery, too. Is there a good reason for that?</p>
<p>Donna, I read your post twice and I still read, “don’t the men and women compete shooting each other in the summer Olympics?” </p>
<p>Then I thought missypie’s comment about producing attractive, smart children was in response to your post and things got very confusing.</p>
<p>Taking a quick look, I believe that the only mixed-gender Olympic events are the equestrian events and some sailing and badminton competition.</p>
<p>Bravo to Canada’s men’s curling team! They sure are playing well.</p>
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<p>I guess it’s the rules and what’s enforced, allowed, or expected, because those players you saw playing that dazzling game of hockey in the USA vs. Canada game yesterday are the selfsame players that turn into goons when they put on their NHL uniforms. It’s the same guys. They know how to play clean when they need to.</p>
<p>I’d say it’s the fans who are the problem - not all of them of course. However, the teams can win with or without the fighting so they must be fighting in order to fill a few more seats.</p>
<p>If the fans didn’t want it, the fighting would be outlawed. Arguably, the only player in that game last night who could even barely be considered a ‘goon’ is Chris Pronger, and he’s not a typical goon because he actually has some talent.</p>
<p>US women are on to the gold medal game against the winner of the Canada-Finland game. I assume we’ll be meeting Canada on Thursday! Should be fun, these two teams have a pretty intense rivalry going.</p>
<p>I’m a huge hockey fan, but I find the fights boring. However, among hockey fans I’m in the minority. Most hockey fans like fighting. When there’s a fight, people stand up to watch better, and they cheer loudly.</p>
<p>Fighting “isn’t allowed” at lower levels of hockey, but the boys still fight.</p>
<p>I like how all the proponents for women-are-equal for firefighters, cops, and soldiers head for the hills when the topic of women competing with men in sports comes up. Don’t male and female horses ridden by male and female jockeys compete together at the Kentucky Derby? </p>
<p>I think hockey could take a page from the biathalon playbook…biathletes (easy, Donna, I’m not referring to their lifestyle) ski a while, then shoot, then ski, then shoot, etc. Hockey players could skate and shoot the puck for 8 minutes, then fight for 1 minute, then skate and shoot for 8 minutes, then fight for a minute, etc.</p>
<p>Cardinal, I’m with you. I don’t like the fighting but what I dislike even more is the dirty play. It’s rare for an injury to happen during a fight but every season there are dozens of injuries caused by downright dirty play. I grew up watching games in the old EHL. Now that was brutal hockey. The NHL is tame by comparison, thankfully, and as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, the amount of fighting has decreased drastically in recent years.</p>
<p>Walked all around Vancouver yesterday, it was a glorious day- well, too hot, apparently, but we never took our jackets off though enjoyed the sun! The streets were packed and the hockey fans in face and body paint were a scream.</p>
<p>The streets were very festival like, street performers, artsy displays, yummy unhealthy food (spiral potato on a stick, deep fried, rolled in spices, looked good) and it was a great atmosphere. They made one big mistake in our groups opinion, there was no loot for sale anywhere- no hoodies, cowbells, etc. We finally found the venue and you had to stand in line for 90 minutes (est) to get into a special part of the Bay (like Macys) to buy Olympic gear. We went to another store owned by the same HBC group (Zellers) and picked up the red mittens, but they were stripped pretty clean.</p>
<p>The item we all liked the best was the blue volunteer coat & were looking for a hoodie in that bright blue, but no luck. So a group of 6 of us came prepared to spend money and buy Olympic clothes, but did not wait in line. Why not have lots of tents or shops around the various venues with the same HBC gear for sale? I know you can buy it online but you lose that buyer excitement</p>
<p>Schmaltz - it is not typical for the colts and fillies to run together in the big races. The colts are naturally stronger and bigger so it is difficult to have equal numbers of fillies capable of competing against them. A filly built heavier or stronger than most can compete. The history of fillies competing with colts is a tragic one (for the mares) in the US. There are plenty of filly only races so many filly owners just don’t risk it.</p>
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<p>Was it you who was mentioning Chris Pronger, alwaysamom?</p>
<p>somemom, glad you’re enjoying Vancouver. Did you try the zipline? 
As for the Olympic gear, it is sold out all over the country and almost gone in Vancouver, too. The only way to buy most of it online is on eBay where some entrepreneurs are selling items for ridiculous prices. I don’t know who it was who made the buying decisions about merchandise but whoever was responsible for the clothing really miscalculated. Enjoy your time there, we’re headed back on Wed.</p>
<p>I started watching NBC this evening because I missed the CTV coverage of the free style skiing and that was an act of frustration. I actually timed one segment and they came back from 3 minutes of commercials did 4 minutes of skiing and then went back to another 3 minutes of commercial. It is the first time I really watch their coverage but now I see why so many people are complaining.</p>
<p>Did you see the figure skater who just pulled her top down? :eek: That was just awkward in my opinion.</p>
<p>Did the audience throw beads? </p>
<p>Oh my - these are unfortunate costumes.</p>