Views
28
Comments
23
  • September 05, 2008 12:59 PM ET

Pick 4 athletes to start a Winter Olympic HOF-- NMI Tourney (number), round (round)

thehemogoblin is Bacchus (81-25-7) vs Porkins: You're all my dupes (155-14-1)
0
Votes
8
Votes
0
Votes
8
Votes


Vladislav Tretiak- The Soviet goaltender is regarded by many to be the best of all time, and his results in the Winter Olympics are a testament to this: four Olympics, three golds, and one heartbreaking loss to the American team in a little game known as the "Miracle on Ice".

Bjorn Daehlie- The winningest, in both golds and overall medals, winter athlete of all time, Daehlie gains entrance to the hall on the weight of his 8 gold medals and 4 silver medals acquired in cross-country skiing.

Lidia Skoblikova- The Soviet speed skater was the first person ever to win four gold medals in one winter Olympiad. She also won two golds before that momentous achievement, and that's more than plenty for admission to the Hall of Fame.

Ole Einar Bjorndalen- The preeminent biathlete of his and all other generations, Bjorndalen is the owner of 9 medals, including five gold, in the Winter Olympics, more than any other biathlete.


I agree with Daehlie and Bjorndalen- for sheer medal count they are inarguable. But a couple big names are missing.

EUGENIO MONTI, ITALY. Monti was Italy's best downhill skier before torn knee ligaments forced him into a different career- bobsled. He came to dominate that as well and is regarded as 1 of the best ever. He has 6 medals in 3 different Olympics including double gold in '68.

Beyond victory, Monti belongs here because of a tremendous act of sportsmanship. In 1964, he removed a bolt from his own sled and gave it to the British, allowing them to repair theirs and continue competing.

Monti's actions earned him the IOC's De Coubertin medal- 1 of only 10 EVER AWARDED and 1 of only 3 to be given to Winter Olympians. His actions epitomize the Olympic spirit and everything that the Games stand for.


KJETIL ANDRE AAMODT, NORWAY. Aamodt is considered the best alpine skier in history. He has 8 Olympic medals- the most of any alpine skier, and is both the YOUNGEST and OLDEST skier to win gold.

He was the first alpine skier to earn 4 career golds.

Most amazingly, he did it across FOUR Olympics. His longevity and consistent domination are just incredible.


Forfeited Turn


I suspect the weekend got in the way of this TD.

Maybe you were overcome by the Beavers getting whomped by Penn State today.

I guess I'll wait to argue in round three.

Olympics are cool.


Forfeited Turn


Uh...ok.

Here's what I would have argued for anyone who cares.

1. What's wrong with Skoblikova

A. Speed skating is a relatively young sport and I'm not inclined to represent it in the FOUNDING CLASS of any Winter Olympic HOF.

B. If I WAS going to include it, I'd pick the best skater, which is probably Eric Heiden. Heiden earned FIVE gold medals in one games (better than Skoby's 4)- a ridiculous feat made all the more amazing by an unprecendeted domination of both the sprint AND distance races.

2. What's wrong with Tretiak

A. How can you pick 1 guy off of a hockey team? He didn't do it by himself. He was a great goalkeeper, but somebody on that team had to do the scoring. Does Tretiak on his own really deserve on of the 4 inaugural spots?

B. He gave up a game-losing goal leading in 1 of the biggest upsets in sports history. Or, from his point of view, one of the biggest sports FLOPS ever. I give all the credit to the way the US played, but I can't see including one of the guys who blew it.

That is all.

Comments (23) Add A Comment

September 5, 2008  01:03 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Biathlon = Derranged Psycho Killer Training.

Think about it. Who goes cross country country skiing with a sniper rifle?

September 5, 2008  01:25 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Biathlon = Derranged Psycho Killer Training.

Think about it. Who goes cross country country skiing with a sniper rifle?

The Ram | 09/05/08, 01:03 PM

Would you f*** with them? That's the point.

September 5, 2008  03:43 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Think about it. Who goes cross country country skiing with a sniper rifle?

The Ram | 09/05/08, 01:03 PM


Seriously. Why wouldn't you be packing a 12-gauge? In my experience, winter aninmals travel in packs.

September 5, 2008  05:28 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

didn't vote either way both these guys can't make an argument to save their lives

September 5, 2008  05:35 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Ross Rebagliati, Canadian Snowboarder.

They initially stripped his gold medal when they tested him after the race and found out he was as stoned as Snoop Dogg or Willie Nelson. But then they had to give his medal back when they realized that not only was marijuana not a 'performance enhancer', but it could actually 'impair' performance. I think they ended up giving him an EXTRA gold medal because of it.
I'm pretty sure Rebagliati is the only guy is the only Winter Olympian to win two golds in one single event.
HOF.

September 5, 2008  05:36 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

The Ram you made my day. Also Porkins you knowledge is rediculous on almost every TD's

September 5, 2008  05:38 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

The Ram you made my day. Also Porkins you knowledge is rediculous on almost every TD's

Captain America | 09/05/08, 05:36 PM

I eat encyclopedias.

September 5, 2008  05:47 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I noticed cause its getting rediculous

September 5, 2008  06:30 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

ERIC HIEDEN USA>>>USA>>>USA

September 5, 2008  09:36 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

ERIC HIEDEN USA>>>USA>>>USA

MATTUSA | 09/05/08, 06:30 PM


I'll be mentioning him shortly.

September 5, 2008  10:31 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

haha who cares...

September 6, 2008  03:23 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

How about those Jamaican bob-sled guys from that movie

September 6, 2008  03:24 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Don't forget Tanya Harding. HOFer if there ever was one.

September 6, 2008  12:55 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Haha hemo, good job starting this one but not the Summit Series :)

September 6, 2008  05:47 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Cindy Klassen after 2010.

September 6, 2008  05:57 PM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

forfeited turn? how disappointing.

September 7, 2008  09:58 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

haha who cares...

CRIMSONNOLE41 | 09/05/08, 10:31 PM


Hey, you took the time to come in here an comment, zippy.

September 8, 2008  02:36 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Haha hemo, good job starting this one but not the Summit Series :)

0x NBA/NFL Champion | 09/06/08, 12:55 PM

As you can tell, I had OODLES of time to devote to this.

September 8, 2008  03:43 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

Two forfeited turns say more than any argument could have. I wasn't going to vote on this one because I don't have the slightest clue who any of your choices are, but regardless of circumstances forfeits are forfeits and force me to vote right.

 
September 8, 2008  03:59 AM ET
Report Abuse | QUOTE

I would say that for a Hall of Fame, you need to represent the 4 key sports of the Winter games...

1) Hockey
2) Downhill Skiing
3) Speed skating
4) cross-country skiing

(Snowboarding is a key sport now as well but doesn't have enough history).

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


Leaderboard

  Fan W L T Win %
1 YODA 46 3 2 92.2%
2 Porkins: You're all my dupes 155 14 1 91.5%
3 Detroit... 132 9 8 91.3%
4 The Ram 149 17 4 88.8%
5 Baun-de... 61 7 2 88.6%
6 FoosBal... 82 12 2 86.5%
7 Hyped78 128 19 5 85.9%
8 PhillyE... 75 11 4 85.6%
9 Dookie: Here We Go Steelers 119 19 8 84.2%
10 [The] Coach 103 18 5 83.7%

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    T.O. frustrated with Cowboys offense
    Views
    14061
    Comments
    1593
  2. 2
    Would Red Sox dare to shop Big Papi?
    Views
    11317
    Comments
    1273
  3. 3
    Notre Dame nixes students' recruiting plot
    Views
    8675
    Comments
    86
  4. 4
    Agent: Ocho Cinco's future in owner's hands
    Views
    7461
    Comments
    77
  5. 5
    Michigan, Ohio State sparring for recruits
    Views
    7332
    Comments
    66

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    PimpyLooka
  2. 2
    bcoltrinari
  3. 3
    Epoch1
  4. 4
    Dyhard is Jimmie Johnson
  5. 5
    Three Tracks In Dirt

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    The love for USC had died
    Views
    394
    Replies
    69

  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    The most anticipated game.
    Views
    78
    Replies
    7

  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Gameday Predictions: Texas…
    Views
    56
    Replies
    3

Blogs

SI.com

Swimsuit

Anne VAnne V
Tori PraverTori Praver

SI Photos

Baseball's $100 Million MenBaseball's $100 Million Men
Mavs DancersMavs Dancers