PRINTOlympic bad behavior
Top ten
August 14, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
With the Beijing Olympics’ Aug. 8 start, the competitions have been blasted all over the news. But who cares about the winners, right? Instead, Vox has compiled a list of Beijing’s most misbehaved moments so far. There are surely more to come.
1. CHILDISH POSES
In a pre-games photo, Spanish basketball players posed in uniform and pulled back the skin on their eyelids. Their goal was to create a slanted-eye look. And according to The Guardian, this photo ran in the Spanish daily sports newspaper Marca. Looks like these guys are ready for the school playground rather than international competition.
2. FAKING IT FOR THE WORLD
The opening ceremonies were great — until we all realized the little girl singing wasn’t actually singing and some of the fireworks were digitized. Still, the huge LCD screen and synchronized drummers were really amazing.
3. MR. PRESIDENT, RUSSIA IS INVADING GEORGIA
During practice rounds in Beijing, President Bush was caught getting frisky with U.S. beach volleyballer Misty May-Treaner. The photo shows May-Treaner hunched over and Bush staring at her behind while slapping her back. In his defense, Treaner says the backslap is a common form of praise in beach volleyball. We’re not sure President Bush knew that.
4. YOU KNOW YOU’VE USED THIS LINE AT A BAR ...
A writer for Australia’s Daily Telegraph discovered a Beijing restaurant that specializes in serving animal penises and testicles. The locals believe that the food enhances virility and can lead to clearer skin. Take that, Accutane.
5. ... POSSIBLY ON AN AUSTRALIAN ATHLETE
Nineteen-year-old Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice, the world record-holder in the 200 and 400 IM, recently got in trouble when a naughty photo album was discovered on Facebook. The pictures showed Rice dressed in a police uniform, partying and drinking with friends. Oh, Facebook.
6. IT LOOKED RIGHT TO HIM
In more Bush news, day two Olympic photos show the president holding the American flag backwards at the National Aquatics Center. The woman to his left looks very confused. Luckily, Laura Bush instructed him to turn it around.
7. AT LEAST IT’S NOT A TATTOO
Buzz cut designs are making a comeback. German basketball player Dirk Nowitzki let a teammate shave the Olympic rings into the side of his head. Considering Dirk was his country’s flag-bearer, we think he should have put a better haircut forward.
8. SWIMSUIT MALFUNCTION
Photographer William West captured a priceless picture during the Australia vs. Greece water polo game this week. A female polo player pulled a Janet Jackson and flashed the audience while swimming. We know what you’re all thinking: I wish this sport was aired live.
9. BREAKING NEWS: CYCLISTS CHEAT
Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno, 27, was the first participant to fail a drug test at this year’s games. She tested positive for erythropoietin and left the Olympic village before the outcome of the test was even revealed. But why did she travel all that way if she knew she was guilty?
10. THEY’RE USING HALF-PEOPLE. BUT WHICH HALF?
Former U.S. coach Bela Karolyi seems to think that Chinese gymnasts are underage. During qualifying rounds, he seethed. “They are using half-people,” he said. “What arrogance. These people think we are stupid.”
