Comments on: Does soccer belong at the Olympics? http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/ Giant on the move Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:46:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Bloginoffskiov http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-3308 Bloginoffskiov Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:12:22 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-3308 The Olympic Games is not the pinnacle for football - much like tennis for that matter. As Red Devil says, they should either uncap the age limit, or make it purely an U23 tournament. I, for one however, would like to see an alternative measure, with non-professional footballers taking part (much like how Olympic boxing is only for amateur boxers). The Olympic Games is not the pinnacle for football - much like tennis for that matter.
As Red Devil says, they should either uncap the age limit, or make it purely an U23 tournament.

I, for one however, would like to see an alternative measure, with non-professional footballers taking part (much like how Olympic boxing is only for amateur boxers).

]]> By: Harry http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-3053 Harry Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:22:01 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-3053 I managed to catch some of the soccer from the Olympics. As usual there was plenty of diving and play-acting (as the photo of Messi confirms). Not an Olympic sport as far as I`m concerned. I managed to catch some of the soccer from the Olympics.
As usual there was plenty of diving and play-acting (as the photo of Messi confirms).
Not an Olympic sport as far as I`m concerned.

]]> By: Red Devil http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2971 Red Devil Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2971 I honestly don't understand some people on this thread moaning about what has been a truly great and vastly entertaining tournament. Why uncap the age-limit and create an alternative World Cup (although I doubt too many top players would sign up for it anyway) or close the door to three players over 23 who might never get another chance to play for their countries? As for Belfast Red, I can't go along with your suggestion that players who want to take part in the Olympics shouldn't be allowed to just because they are already established in the world market. And don't forget Chelses had to let Drogba, Essien and Kalou take part in the African Nations Cup during the busiest time of the Premier League season. I honestly don’t understand some people on this thread moaning about what has been a truly great and vastly entertaining tournament. Why uncap the age-limit and create an alternative World Cup (although I doubt too many top players would sign up for it anyway) or close the door to three players over 23 who might never get another chance to play for their countries? As for Belfast Red, I can’t go along with your suggestion that players who want to take part in the Olympics shouldn’t be allowed to just because they are already established in the world market. And don’t forget Chelses had to let Drogba, Essien and Kalou take part in the African Nations Cup during the busiest time of the Premier League season.

]]> By: FF http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2947 FF Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:30:04 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2947 Either remove it completely, or restrict it to under 23 with no exceptions. There's clearly no place for another major tournament, especially in the year of the Euro. Football is beautiful but enough is enough. But it would be OK if the standard U-23 tournament was played at the Olympics. Either remove it completely, or restrict it to under 23 with no exceptions. There’s clearly no place for another major tournament, especially in the year of the Euro. Football is beautiful but enough is enough. But it would be OK if the standard U-23 tournament was played at the Olympics.

]]> By: papa bear http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2941 papa bear Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:20:50 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2941 Either un-cap the age or dump the tournament. I'm sorry but every other team sport at the Olympics has the potential for full preofessional players. (Brugges said himself that Major League Baseball's refusal to let players play in the Olympics is 90% of the reason it won't be at London and I agree with that) I mean you watch the basketball tournament and it is PACKED with the top talent from the NBA and pro leagues in Europe and the quality difference is very obvious because of it. I think the 'competing with the world cup' excuse that FIFA floated as their opposition to the tournament to begin with is lame at best. If they are worried about lessening the World Cup they should force UEFA to not hold the European Championship since many these days see that as the tougher tournament to win. Un-cap the age limit, make it an international date or get rid of it. Either un-cap the age or dump the tournament. I’m sorry but every other team sport at the Olympics has the potential for full preofessional players. (Brugges said himself that Major League Baseball’s refusal to let players play in the Olympics is 90% of the reason it won’t be at London and I agree with that)
I mean you watch the basketball tournament and it is PACKED with the top talent from the NBA and pro leagues in Europe and the quality difference is very obvious because of it.
I think the ‘competing with the world cup’ excuse that FIFA floated as their opposition to the tournament to begin with is lame at best. If they are worried about lessening the World Cup they should force UEFA to not hold the European Championship since many these days see that as the tougher tournament to win.
Un-cap the age limit, make it an international date or get rid of it.

]]> By: Belfast RED - Glory Glory http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2910 Belfast RED - Glory Glory Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:06:00 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2910 Whilst some of the football played at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was great, I believe most fans would rather see more under 23's, or even under 21's,Seems strange for the likes of Messi on circa 150000 euros a week taking part in the Olympics, as mentioned above, we dont want another 'World Cup' pre season. As for Red Devil, Greedy clubs? whos paying the players wages? whos making millions out of these pro's playing at the Olympics, not the clubs, who have to play for points without first team players. Keep Olympic Football, but allow the unknown under 23 / 21 players to form the teams and let the Pros who have already made it earn their wage packet for their club side! Glory Glory. Whilst some of the football played at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was great, I believe most fans would rather see more under 23’s, or even under 21’s,Seems strange for the likes of Messi on circa 150000 euros a week taking part in the Olympics, as mentioned above, we dont want another ‘World Cup’ pre season. As for Red Devil, Greedy clubs? whos paying the players wages? whos making millions out of these pro’s playing at the Olympics, not the clubs, who have to play for points without first team players. Keep Olympic Football, but allow the unknown under 23 / 21 players to form the teams and let the Pros who have already made it earn their wage packet for their club side!
Glory Glory.

]]> By: Monday morning headlines « The View From The Shelf http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2902 Monday morning headlines « The View From The Shelf Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:51:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2902 [...] the job… ala Berti Vogts. The focus now turns to London in 2012 but questions remain over the sports inclusion in the games at all. Maybe the landmark “Messi ruling” before the tournament will neuter all future [...] [...] the job… ala Berti Vogts. The focus now turns to London in 2012 but questions remain over the sports inclusion in the games at all. Maybe the landmark “Messi ruling” before the tournament will neuter all future [...]

]]> By: Five Times http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2885 Five Times Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:44:18 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2885 For once, I am in total agreement with a Man-U fan... nuff said. For once, I am in total agreement with a Man-U fan… nuff said.

]]> By: Red Devil http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2723 Red Devil Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:11:00 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2723 To even think of removing soccer from the Olympics is ridiculous. It has produced some memorable matches over the years and the Beijing tournament was no exception -- I can't think of a World Cup 2006 match more entertaining that Nigeria's 4-1 win over Belgium in the Beijing semis, or Belgium's 3-2 quarter-final win over Italy. What about Ivory Coast's 4-2 win over Serbia and the Argentina v Brazil semi-final? The format is also good - it gives previously undiscovered under-23 players to shine while acclaimed talents such as Messi also seem to enjoy every minute of it. The only displeased lot are the wealthy clubs whose greed and self-interest is beyond comment. I am sure they wouldn't mind having international football scrapped all-together. To even think of removing soccer from the Olympics is ridiculous. It has produced some memorable matches over the years and the Beijing tournament was no exception — I can’t think of a World Cup 2006 match more entertaining that Nigeria’s 4-1 win over Belgium in the Beijing semis, or Belgium’s 3-2 quarter-final win over Italy. What about Ivory Coast’s 4-2 win over Serbia and the Argentina v Brazil semi-final?
The format is also good - it gives previously undiscovered under-23 players to shine while acclaimed talents such as Messi also seem to enjoy every minute of it. The only displeased lot are the wealthy clubs whose greed and self-interest is beyond comment. I am sure they wouldn’t mind having international football scrapped all-together.

]]> By: Does soccer belong at the Olympics? : Soccer News http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2719 Does soccer belong at the Olympics? : Soccer News Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:08:23 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/china/2008/08/23/does-soccer-belong-at-the-olympics/#comment-2719 [...] BlogsReuters Share and [...] [...] BlogsReuters Share and [...]

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