If you've been watching NBC's Olympic coverage, you probably didn't realize that in addition to all of the great Team USA athletes you've been seeing in stunning tape delay, there are actually 203 other countries competing in this year's Olympic games. You also probably didn't realize that there are 300 Olympic events in 26 different sports -- and some of them are sports and events that Americans aren't even very good at.
So in that spirit, here are 15 of the best photos of Olympic action that NBC doesn't want you to see. You won't see a single American athlete in the bunch, but maybe -- just maybe -- you'll still be somewhat interested.
| Related: London Olympics Meets Photoshop |
1. Dead Or Celebrating?
Believe it or not, this is China's Dan Lin celebrating after a quarterfinal victory.
Source: Chris McGrathy / Getty
2. Team Pursuit
Team pusuit cycling is one of those really cool sports that NBC doesn't generally think is worth your time.
Source: Mike Hewitt / Getty
3. Belarussian Shot Putter
If you asked me to close my eyes and imagine what a Belarussian shot putter would look like, this is exactly what I would have pictured.
Source: Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters
4. Podium Smooch
Ukraine's Olga Kharlan steals a smooch with South Korea's gold medal winner Jiyeon Kim on the Olympic podium, while Russia's Sofya Velikaya wears her most villainous expression. The three were competitors in sabre individual fencing.
Source: Hannah Johnston / Getty
5. Trampoline
This photo, of Holland's trampolinist (is that what they're called? Trampoliner?) came out a little blurry. Don't know what this photographer was thinkin'.
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty
6. Just Warming Up
This photo, of Canada's Karen Cockburn warming up on the trampoline, came out a little more clearly.
Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty
7. Triple Jump Fail
Russia's Victoria Vulyukevich didn't quite stick the landing on this triple jump.
Source: David J. Phillip / AP
8. Where's Your Boat?
These British kayakers are celebrating, despite the fact that they seem to have lost their boat. I guess it's nice they can still be happy?
Source: London2012.com
9. Where's Your Goggles?
I've been saying it for years: they're not going to make Olympic Ping Pong players wear protective eyewear until after someone loses an eye. Here's Germany's Dimitri Ovtcharov.
Source: Grigory Dukor /Reuters
10. I Will Beat You, Then I Will Sit On You
At 480 lbs., Guam's Ricardo Blas, Jr. is the biggest Olympic athlete. He competes in judo. He is in the heavyweight division. You do not want to fight him. He will beat you at judo, and then he will probably sit on your face. You don't want Ricardo Blas to sit on your face.
10a. Dazed Olympic Dog
OK, so this photo doesn't actually have anything to do with the Olympics. This is what my dog Slider looked like while she was lounging around the backyard table last night and my neighbor surprised her with a camera flash. Just checking to see if you're still paying attention out there. I won't count this toward your 15 Olympic photos.
Source: Misty Ramsey / Stockton Photography Collective
11. Everyone Wants To Be A Gymnast
This is how Kazakstan's Marid Mutalimov celebrates.
Source: Harry How / Getty
12. Femen Protesters
British Police has essentially treated protesters like terrorists during the games. This woman was a part of Femen, a Ukrainian feminist group protesting the Olympics' support for extremist Islamic regimes and Sharia Law. Four women protested topless, with messages like "No Sharia" writtern on their bodies. They issued a statement that said : "Femen demands the International Olympic Committee to condemn violence towards women from Islamist states."
Source: Paul Jackett / Reuters
13. Handball Leap
South Korean handball goalie Ju Hui does her damndest but still can't make the save. I've actually watched a fair amount of handball in these Olympics, and I've yet to see a single goalie actually make a save.
Source: Matthias Schrader / AP
14. Synchronized Diving Teammates
China's Luo Yutong and Qin Kai celebtrate aftet winning the 3M synchronized diving final.
Source: Tim Wimborne / Reuters
15. Splash
Someone should tell this photographer that it's not good for your camera to put it under water. At least that camera died a hero, though, because this shot of Libyan diver El-Gadi Sofyan is pretty cool.
Source: David J. Phillip
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