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Question of the day

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* Reboot has compiled a list of Illinois Olympic athletes. Click here to see the list, which is updated daily with results.

* The Question: Are you watching the Olympics? Take the poll and then tell us what you’re watching (or why you’re not) in comments, please.

polls

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:37 pm

Comments

Not watching. Cut the cable years ago, which has been a blessing because we avoid the barrage of political ads.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:44 pm
I voted no as all I’ve watched is about 20 minutes of gymnastics. I’m watching baseball instead.

Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:46 pm
Yes, because it only comes around every 4 years, and we want to see Michael Phelps one more time. It’s also the greatest coed sports event in the world.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:46 pm
Watching some. My daughter was thrilled when Ryan Held won the gold, texting me “I know a olympic gold medalist”. She life-guarded at the YMCA where he trained and apparently spoke frequently with him.

It’s nice for a Springfield athlete to perform so well on the world stage!

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:48 pm
Not a sports buff so not watching, but following the newspaper and TV reports, especially the swimming…

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:52 pm
Yes. I’ve glimpsed at pretty much everything. From archery to water polo and everything in between, with the exception of tennis that is.

Comment by TheGoodLieutenant Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Voted yes. I’ve always enjoyed the Olympics.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:01 pm
No TV is not set up.

Comment by MATT VERNAU Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:03 pm
just have no interest in any sport really, just no time and so many try and cheat so often, it just doesn’t seem worth it anymore, I prefer to make things in my spare time.

Comment by Allen D Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:04 pm
I don’t watch the Olympics, but I do start my day like a champion.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:04 pm
Yes. Mainly in the background. The swimming has been fun to watch. Some diving. The cycling races were interesting if for nothing else how difficult and dangerous the course was.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:06 pm
I’m “All-In” with the Olympics whenever I can squeeze in the time.

Big on Swimming/Diving and Vollyball so far, it’s enjoyable to see world class athletics, especially in sports I don’t get to see very often.

Love it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:07 pm
“It is an infomercial for the LGBTQ community, which no longer needs the help that constant viewing of useless activities provide.”

That’s not what ‘biathlon’ means.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:09 pm
I want to watch the Olympics, but I’m one of those millennial cord cutters. I have an over the air antenna and simply cannot pick up the NBC affiliate closest to where I live.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:10 pm
I’m Watching–but very very selectively, and only when certain events are being televised prime time. For instance, I already knew the American female gymnasts had won gold earlier yesterday, but I wanted to see them perform their routines.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:10 pm
Gymnastics and swimming have been stellar!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:14 pm
@Biography - “The Olympics should no longer exist. It is an infomercial for the LGBTQ community, which no longer needs the help that constant viewing of useless activities provide.”

I’m electing Biography for the Golden Horseshoe “Most Idiotic Comment of 2016″ Aside from that, who can argue with such an eloquent and heartfelt commentary on the athletes?

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:17 pm
Not watching. I have not gotten over the failed Chicago bid. Had planned to make a fortune renting out our apartment.

Comment by uptown progressive Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Yes! All of the sports are amazing, but I especially love getting to watch the ones I don’t see on a regular basis. Women’s Rugby Sevens & Handball ftw!

Comment by Chicago_Downstater Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:22 pm
Yes, but not religiously. I will see what’s on if in front of the TV and have time, but not seeking anything out.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:25 pm
Vote no. Not watching.

I normally do watch. But my sour grapes feelings over Chicago getting passed over for Rio combined with disgust over how horrible the conditions are for the people of Rio as well as the visiting athletes - can’t bring myself to watch this thing. The IOC is a corrupt and sleezy organization.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:28 pm
I am really into the Olympics. I can’t wait for the curling event. When is that on?

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Sporadically.
Usually I watch more but do not seem to be as interested this year. Netflix and Amazon is winning my attention.

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:31 pm
Not watching. I’m a cord-cutter. I stay up on the news though.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:33 pm
I am watching, but Monday nite that made me miss the Cardinals’ stunning comeback from a 5-0 deficit in the 9th inning with 2 outs and only a runner on 1st.

So last nite, I spend more time watching the baseball game, but the Cardinals lost in late innings. Not sure about what to watch tonight.

Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:34 pm
At the risk being called a plagiarist, I’ll just say “What Chicago_Downstater” said

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:41 pm
I’m definitely watching the Olympics. But, I can’t wait for the track & field to start. If you’re from the Metro-East (home of Jackie Joyner - Keree) and the multi-track state championship teams from East St.Louis, you love track & field by osmosis.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:44 pm
Watching Springfield product Ryan Held bring home gold in the swimming events the last few days. Enjoyed the gymnastics but ready to move on to other competitions.

Comment by Tough Guy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:49 pm
Yes. I have the olympics on the big tv and the Cub game on the kitchen tv. I’m multitasking.

Comment by Former hillrod Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Yes, love the competition. Interestingly, the new rules in Olympic Judo make it similar to Greco-Roman wrestling - plus the submissions. Daniel Dennis will be representing Lake County, Grant HS and University of Iowa Hawkeyes in Freestyle wrestling. Go Hawks

Comment by Y2D Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Yes

These are world class athletes. I find almost all the sports interesting.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Yes because Ryan Murphy ( swimmer) for those who don’t no is a cousin .

Comment by Murphy Fan Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 1:59 pm
I haven’t watched since NBC took over broadcasting, from ABC. And that a Springfield native is in it won’t change my mind.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:16 pm
The list leaves out coaches. Chicago, Illinois’ Luke McGee is the head coach for men’s crew. They should medal. He’s a great guy. Many many beers tipped with the fine gentleman from Loyola Academy.

Comment by Lobo Y Olla Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:20 pm
Not watching. Being at the 1972 Munich Olympics has a lot to do with that, but there’s also the commercialization, politicization, nationalism, and the hypocrisy of the various international and national olympic committees.

Comment by Just Chilling Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Catch it while wandering through channels. Maybe 2 hours total so far.

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Yes. Need a break from politics today.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:33 pm
Watching our USA women soccer team! They are awesome! but Colombia tied them yesterday - which was a good game.

Comment by Decatur Gal Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:47 pm
‘biathlon’

That event was 2 years ago in Sochi with cross country skis and rifles.

Maybe you meant the summer version - cross country running and rifles. But I don’t think that is an Olympic event.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:50 pm
Watching. Michael Phelps beating Le Clos in the 200M Butterfly was television gold.

Comment by Xavier Woods Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:53 pm
I watch it. So far I have watched the men’s cycling road race, swimming, some tennis, rowing and beach volleyball. I like the unusual sports you don’t see every day. Since I do the rowing machine at the gym, I like to check my form against the best!

Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Yep what’s not to like besides the droning on of some of the talking heads… Its cool to see secondary sports played by the best in the world…I will take ping pong, rowing or shooting over the watching the US mend hoops team will by 48 points any time

Comment by the Cardinal Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Closely following Womens’ Soccer. Took my daughter to the World Cup in Winnipeg Canada last summer and hooked ever since.

Comment by Peters Post Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Michael Phelps. Lot of drama. Legendary athlete. Great American entertainment.

Comment by Bluecollargal Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:03 pm
Yep…what’s not to love? except the dumb questions asked by some of the talking heads. Catching some greatest in their sport athletes competing is good theater. Would rather watch a ping pong match than see the US mens hoops team trounce some third world country team.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Voted yes. I thought Oswego Willy only watched Hardees commercials.

Comment by pool boy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:25 pm
morning Cycling! what an amazing course! USA Women Soccer whenever possible. last night swimming and USA gymnastics—the Final Five!!! (omg) and the newest cool thing for my watching….rugby sevens, women and men. why is it called rugby? named after the Rugby School in England, the place where it was invented. had to look that up. LOVE THAT GAME.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:35 pm
===…only watched Hardees commercials.===

I don’t get it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 3:39 pm
I’m not a sports fan, but I am watching the Olympics as much as possible. I like the gymnastics, swimming, cycling, beach volleyball, and track. The women’s cycling road race was great! I’d like to watch the table tennis, but it’s not being televised on broadcast TV. I’m recording what I don’t have time to watch on the DVR and will enjoy that for weeks after the Olympics are finished.

Comment by Jimmy H Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 4:13 pm
For me, my TVs aren’t working so I haven’t had much of a chance to watch many of these events.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 4:21 pm
OW–

I’m not sure I get it either, but when Hardee’s isn’t featuring curvaceous babes in their commercials, they’re advertising heartbeat-stopping megaburgers with enough fat to drop a silverback gorilla.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 4:28 pm
- Streator Curmudgeon -

I guess maybe… we all need to hydrate and worry about heat stroke for others? Crazy.

I’ll keep watching the Olympics…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 4:52 pm
Gymnastics, beach volleyball, swimming, diving, rowing

Comment by ThisAndThat Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 5:01 pm
I love watching all sports in the Olympics. I especially enjoy watching Michael Phelps, Ryan Held. Plus beach volleyball, water polo, fencing etc…

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 5:51 pm
Yes, I like watching the more minor sports like archery, cycling, etc. Also not mentioned in the article is 2 of the 3 female US athletes competing in the hammer throw are SIU graduates and there are a few UIUC alumni competing as well.

Comment by MyTwoCents Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 7:14 pm
I’ve watched quite a bit. My middle daughter went to school with Ryan Held from K-12 and they were on swim team together when they were youngsters. Wonderful family.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 10, 16 @ 11:40 pm