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MarkF
5th September 2000, 13:46
Interestin news story.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/news/1999/01/23/geesink_sloc/


Mark

Neil Hawkins
5th September 2000, 23:31
Does Bluming know about this? Them being such good friends and all!

Neil

Joseph Svinth
6th September 2000, 03:47
I've heard that Bluming was recently the subject of a 2-page Sunday supplement spread in one of the big Amsterdam papers. I haven't seen the article, though, but if he was quoted accurately, I'm sure he had something to say on this topic.

Besides, we're being a little hard on Geesink, who was after all taking less cash and prizes than his peers. For example, other fellows who under investigation include the former president of the Ecuadorian Judo Federation (and honorary president of the Ecuadorian Taekwondo Federation), and former ambassador to Britain, Agustin Arroyo.

For details, see http://fox.nstn.ca/~dblaikie/n15ja99a.html

Here's another, where the coach of the Ivory Coast's Olympic judo team was caught accepting cash and prizes (given to his wife and daughter, not him; that makes a difference, you know): http://www.sltrib.com/1999/jun/06051999/utah/110470.htm

Judo is not the only character-building sport. Take taekwondo, for instance. Here we have the head of the International Taekwondo Federation getting into a taekwondo stance when asked about his corruption; a swimmer told him to calm down. http://www.canoe.ca/SlamOlympicScandalArchive/mar16_ioc.html

Said head of the ITF is the former head of the KCIA, too, so there may be some substance to those old stories. The scam here, by the way, was that reportedly the official Olympic US TKD uniform was one associated with this gentleman's son. http://www.canoe.ca/SlamOlympicScandalArchive/may11_tae.html

For a nice article about sexual harassment in Sweden, doping in Moscow, the East Germans buying medals, and other general corruption in Lausanne, try http://www.play-the-game.org/articles/jennings/sport_lies.html

Finally, for articles describing the trademarking of the Five Rings and Olympic(TM) name, and an article about the IOC pursuing Federal injunctions against 1800 domain name owners, see http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t33t36+2597+0 and http://www.olympic.org/ioc/e/news/pressreleases/press_303_e.html . You will note that the mountain range was specifically excluded from the US government registration. Musashi's also Gorin-no-sho may be safe because the text predates September 1950. However, the translations are post-1950 and so it is possible that the IOC will eventually be after publishers to change the title to the more accurate "five spheres".

[Edited by Joseph Svinth on 09-06-2000 at 12:01 AM]

MarkF
6th September 2000, 07:11
Neil,
You are as subtle as a tire iron. :shot:


Mark

Neil Hawkins
7th September 2000, 02:29
Seeing as how we're talking Olympics, last night I got the official program from C7 which is the official broadcaster, 2 channels, 24 hours a day viewing. Guess what no Judo, not a mention.

Neither is there any Wrestling or Archery. There is shooting, on the first day, Air-rifle I think, they must be hard up for stuff then, as in the shooting Aus is almost guaranteed medals in most disciplines except air-rifle!

The boxing is on but only late at night and mixed in so you won't get full fights only highlights.

They say they will show highlights of sports not listed during their news segments and as fillers, but you would have to watch it all to find Judo anywhere.

Neil (won't be watching anything olympic) Hawkins

MarkF
7th September 2000, 09:56
Seems down under gets their Olympic games the same way we get it here. There is never a lot of anything, except Water Polo and Diving (actually, I like diving). If they did give it to you all day, then were would be the watchers for Water Polo? Spruce it up with a little boxing, but just a dash, is an advertiser's dream.

They did sell pay TV satellite packages in 1996, though, and that did include judo. Still, it isn't worth it. After a friend is through with her sprinting events, off it goes.


Mark

MarkF
7th September 2000, 10:17
Actually, what Mr. Geesink was acussed of was nothing compared to some, and he was able to prove exactly what happened. I actually like the guy, from what I've seen of him, and he is kind of a hero to those who played the shiai circuit with abandon, hoping to get a shot at the big time. It really is only recently that Judo has taken a fall, and I wouldn't say anything at all if some would accept judo, warts and all, but most do not, unfortunately.

Even as practice for a more practical encounter, shiai is a good thing, but I would be lying if I said any of the American, and some foreign judoka were the same as they were in 1972, 1976, as the Japanese judoka of the 1980s were outstanding. Most of those guys (Saito, Yamashita, and Masaki) hold high grades at the Kodokan and are treated as they should be.

My problem really, is in saying judo is "martial sport." It IS a sport, and if that were the only thing to say about judo, then that is just fine with me, but judo is a bit more than that, as it, at least, fits in the same category as boxing and wrestling.

People are selfish, though, and that is fact, not an accusation. When some want more from it and don't see it, then it is "just a sport" as if there is something wrong with that. However, that is not the end of the story. Judo, with its warts, is also whatever you want it to be, and that is precisely the appeal. As long as you understand what it is, then there is no end to it, and I am fairly knew at that aspect of judo. If I can learn mae geri in my dojo, then I can do anything, even compete with other martial arts, and come away feeling just fine about what I thought I learned, and what I learned from the experience.


Mark