is it just me, or this embarrassing for the united kingdom?

Eulogy · 02-28-2008, 02:50 PM

Height makes right: British Olympic officials seek tall people

LONDON -- Answering a nationwide appeal for tall people with athletic potential, more than 50 prospective Olympic athletes have been placed in British training programs for the 2012 London Games.

More than 3,800 people applied to be part of the "Sporting Giants" project. They were tested for their skills in four Olympic sports -- rowing, handball, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball.

Making the cut were 34 rowers, 11 handball players and seven volleyball players. They have been integrated into various British Olympic training squads.

"There are so many people out there who don't know how good they could be at sports they've probably not even thought about," UK Sport talent identification manager Chelsea Warr said Thursday. "This was a mild shake of the tree. We looked under a few rocks and look what we found."

Chris Gregory, a 17-year-old student who is 6-9, now is training with Britain's volleyball squad, having never played the sport before.

Stuart Campbell, 25, gave up his job as a personal trainer to join the British Handball Academy in Denmark.

"I had never even seen a handball court before Sporting Giants," Campbell said. "But we're not just here to make up the numbers -- we're here to win medals."

Frances Nicholls, 23, who had been working as a teacher in York, has now relocated to Henley, home of Britain's most famous rowing regatta, after being fast-tracked onto Britain's national rowing program.

"It's been an absolute whirlwind," Nicholls said.

Male candidates had to be taller than 6-3, while female candidates needed to be taller than 5-11.

However, six candidates who exaggerated their height on the initial application form were still tested and have since been placed in Britain's canoeing squad.

Five-time Olympic rowing champion Steve Redgrave said looking for potential medal-winners based on their physical attributes was a policy that had served Britain well before.

"I never thought I would row until my first coach came along and asked me to have a go," Redgrave said. "Years later I asked him 'Why did you pick me?'

"He said, 'Well, you had big hands and big feet."

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3269193

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 02:52 PM

Fucking Olympics, waste of money.

Cool As Ice Cream · 02-28-2008, 02:53 PM

i think it's just you.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 02:54 PM

i never hear about uk sports unless its soccer.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

i never hear about uk sports unless its soccer.

That's all we play. Bit like USA and NASCAR.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 02:55 PM

youre kidding right?

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

youre kidding right?

No.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 02:57 PM

well what i meant by that is that they probably suck at every other sport so might as well

Eulogy · 02-28-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool As Ice Cream

i think it's just you.

can you imagine the USOC putting out ads trying to get tall people to try out for olympic teams??

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eulogy

can you imagine the USOC putting out ads trying to get tall people to try out for olympic teams??

It's not something you'd bother imagining really.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccririck

No.

soccer in uk ≠ nascar in america

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 02:59 PM

people actually play a variety of sports in america, eulogy

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

well what i meant by that is that they probably suck at every other sport so might as well

Dunno. I mean we play rugby, cricket, Formula 1 is big in UK, USA doesnt like any of those.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

soccer in uk ≠ nascar in america

I know, but still. NASCAR sucks.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 03:01 PM

are there leagues for rugby and cricket? that actually attract attention?

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

are there leagues for rugby and cricket? that actually attract attention?

Yeah. You know a lot about the UK dont you.

Cool As Ice Cream · 02-28-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eulogy

can you imagine the USOC putting out ads trying to get tall people to try out for olympic teams??

no. but that's mainly because i have never heard of the usoc before.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccririck

Yeah. You know a lot about the UK dont you.

well sorry im not bothered to look up sports league in uk, because you know, its not like its bombarded on tv

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

well sorry im not bothered to look up sports league in uk, because you know, its not like its bombarded on tv

Neither is your shit over here.

Eulogy · 02-28-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

people actually play a variety of sports in america, eulogy

um, what? i know that...

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 03:11 PM

i cant imagine there are volleyball camps for 10 y.o. in very many countries outside of u.s.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnibos

i cant imagine there are volleyball camps for 10 y.o. in very many countries outside of u.s.

Probably not, but that's because the USA has a population the same size as Europe.

I'maskingforit! · 02-28-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccririck

Neither is your shit over here.

which is why you know so much about american sports right?

Eulogy · 02-28-2008, 03:17 PM

ok it is especially offensive to quote mccririck in my threads.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'maskingforit!

which is why you know so much about american sports right?

UK people tend to pay attention to international news far more than americans.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eulogy

ok it is especially offensive to quote mccririck in my threads.

I know, that's why I like posting in your threads sooooo much.

I'maskingforit! · 02-28-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccririck

UK people tend to pay attention to international news far more than americans.

im talking about you. not uk people. if you think the only sport americans pay attention to is nascar then you might consider less "wanking" and getting a new source for your international news.

Caine Walker · 02-28-2008, 03:23 PM

he.can't.see.you.

hnibos · 02-28-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'maskingforit!

im talking about you. not uk people. if you think the only sport americans pay attention to is nascar then you might consider less "wanking" and getting a new source for your international news.

his source is netphoria. id rather be ignorant and ask questions than to assume like that prick.

mccririck · 02-28-2008, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'maskingforit!

im talking about you. not uk people. if you think the only sport americans pay attention to is nascar then you might consider less "wanking" and getting a new source for your international news.

You need to learn when people are taking the piss buddy.

02-28-2008, 02:50 PM	#1
Eulogy huh Posts: 54,783	is it just me, or this embarrassing for the united kingdom? Height makes right: British Olympic officials seek tall people LONDON -- Answering a nationwide appeal for tall people with athletic potential, more than 50 prospective Olympic athletes have been placed in British training programs for the 2012 London Games. More than 3,800 people applied to be part of the "Sporting Giants" project. They were tested for their skills in four Olympic sports -- rowing, handball, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball. Making the cut were 34 rowers, 11 handball players and seven volleyball players. They have been integrated into various British Olympic training squads. "There are so many people out there who don't know how good they could be at sports they've probably not even thought about," UK Sport talent identification manager Chelsea Warr said Thursday. "This was a mild shake of the tree. We looked under a few rocks and look what we found." Chris Gregory, a 17-year-old student who is 6-9, now is training with Britain's volleyball squad, having never played the sport before. Stuart Campbell, 25, gave up his job as a personal trainer to join the British Handball Academy in Denmark. "I had never even seen a handball court before Sporting Giants," Campbell said. "But we're not just here to make up the numbers -- we're here to win medals." Frances Nicholls, 23, who had been working as a teacher in York, has now relocated to Henley, home of Britain's most famous rowing regatta, after being fast-tracked onto Britain's national rowing program. "It's been an absolute whirlwind," Nicholls said. Male candidates had to be taller than 6-3, while female candidates needed to be taller than 5-11. However, six candidates who exaggerated their height on the initial application form were still tested and have since been placed in Britain's canoeing squad. Five-time Olympic rowing champion Steve Redgrave said looking for potential medal-winners based on their physical attributes was a policy that had served Britain well before. "I never thought I would row until my first coach came along and asked me to have a go," Redgrave said. "Years later I asked him 'Why did you pick me?' "He said, 'Well, you had big hands and big feet." http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3269193

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02-28-2008, 02:52 PM	#2
mccririck Apocalyptic Poster Location: Spa Posts: 3,884	Fucking Olympics, waste of money.

02-28-2008, 02:53 PM	#3
Cool As Ice Cream Immortal Location: František! How's the foot of your turtle? Posts: 20,343	i think it's just you.

02-28-2008, 02:54 PM	#4
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	i never hear about uk sports unless its soccer.

02-28-2008, 02:55 PM	#6
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	youre kidding right?

02-28-2008, 02:57 PM	#8
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	well what i meant by that is that they probably suck at every other sport so might as well

02-28-2008, 02:59 PM	#12
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	people actually play a variety of sports in america, eulogy

02-28-2008, 03:01 PM	#15
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	are there leagues for rugby and cricket? that actually attract attention?

02-28-2008, 03:11 PM	#21
hnibos Socialphobic Location: I was just reading, right? Posts: 11,416	i cant imagine there are volleyball camps for 10 y.o. in very many countries outside of u.s.

02-28-2008, 03:17 PM	#24
Eulogy huh Posts: 54,783	ok it is especially offensive to quote mccririck in my threads.

02-28-2008, 03:23 PM	#28
Caine Walker Braindead Posts: 15,512	he.can't.see.you.