I don't know why their laughing. This guy only had a training pool of a hotel of 13 meters long, but could only use it from 5 am. So he decided to swim in the sea for training. This to me is sportsmanship, to just keep going eventhough you know you're not going to win. I think they should've given him a honorary medal for showing character in sport.
fuck yeah! you fucking tell him! fuck having different fucking opinions! fuck talking fucking like a fucking adult! fuck not fucking saying fuck every fucking word! FUCK! FUCK IM FUCKING BAD FUCKING ASS FUCKING RIGHT FUCKING NOW!
The best thing when you are in the middle of the game there are many people on the crowd cheering and watching of you to finish the game you’ve started and it’s really a big help to a player.
Those hosts are not sports commentators, they are comedians, who always made fun of Aussie sports each week for years on their comedy show. Australians love laughing at themselves!! Athletics used go on their show and laugh with them. So we all knew they would do the same when the olympics came to town. They LOVED Eric and had him on the show afterwards. That is the studio audience watching and laughing. All Australia laughed cheered loved and supported Eric. He became a national symbol of guts and determination at Sydney olympics. So no need to rage about the laughter. It WAS funny to watch someone struggle to swim the 100m - it was after all, the olympics. They laughed because it was so strange to see at that level. Everyone wanted him to make it. Them cheering him on at the end and saying it will be a games highlight was genuine. Roy and hg became so famous as commentators at Sydney that athletes were fighting to get on the show each night. Round the world athletes talked about it, saying they all wanted to be on this strange comedy about the olympics. Other countries had never seen anything like it, and loved getting roasted or ribbed, as we say. They took the mickey out of everything... especially themselves and us Aussies. Our crappy mascots and uniforms. Water ballet. Discus. Pole vaulting. Umpires. You name it. No one was safe. Our successes and failings. Nothing was sacred. Eric was a highlight. Maybe you had to be there (which i was).
Some of the peope on this thread obviously think they are really commentators which shows their skill. They made fun of everyone, it wasn't just Eric. Roy and HG were one of the best things about the Sydney Olympics. Their calls of the synchronised swimming and gymnastics are priceless. Solid gold.
in case you didnt know, this was the from the show, roy and hg, the comedy show from australia, they were just what we call "taking the piss". In reality the entire country loved him, even single person in the country was cheering him on. This was just some light hearted commentary that they did for all the sports.
The other 2 swimmers who had a false start were probably better swimmers. But the fact that he did it alone made it somewhat more memorable. I have a lot of respect for the guy.
Just for people to understand , these are not competing at the Olympics . The invite some young swimmers from countries around the world to come and get the experience of being in the Olympics and take a 100m swim with the others invited . They're not supposed to be good , they're usually pretty slow . Yes , he was terrible but he's country has no swimming program at all , so its not as unusual as you think , yesterday there were 3 girls that did the same thing , and if you compare their numbers with the real competition that happened after them there was a 40 sec difference between them .
Eric the "Eel" was certainly able to swim two laps though he was the slowest swimmer ever in the Olympic games. He ranks with the famous ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards who jumped the shortest in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The people were laughing because they found Eric's apparent ineptitude very entertaining. However, one must give Eric credit for effort even though he wasn't very fast.
I broke the 30s barrier when i was 13...i am 20 now. Now Of course i shouldn't undermine what he achieved cuz considering his circumstances he did well but still a slow swim is a slow swim
This reminds me of the time I signed up for breast stroke, I failed to dive into the pool and I was super slow. But my house group and other groups started to shout "Go -my house group-!". Awesome memories.
Roy and HG are sport comedians. They had a late night show during the Sydney Olympics in which they take the piss out of everything. It was a good humoured commentary and it was taken as such. Many of the best athletes, including Eric, appeared on their show to have the piss taken out of them and most seem to enjoy it. Eric is still regarded with affection and respect in Australia. Look at some of the other clips on UA-cam with Roy and HG and you will see what I mean about their style.
The two gentlemen are Roy and HG who are comedians and this was a late night comedy show re-caping the days events, most of the athletes at the Olympics wanted them to get on their show - you should look up their take on the gymnastics bloody priceless
I know it's a serious effort, and it's the Olympic spirit, and I hear Eric's down to about 52 seconds, but I burst out laughing when he did the tumble turn. It's like Phelps ordering a diet coke with his 8,000 calorie lunch.
This guy trained in a lake and had never seem an Olympic swimming pool before the event. He only started swimming 8 months before the event. His personal best is now under 57 seconds.
He's an Olympian, just like every other Olympian there. Therefore, he deserves the same respect and treatment as everyone else. Who cares what his time was? He was out there representing his country the best that he could. He wasn't there to win gold. He was there to show that his country deserved to be a part of the Olympics, despite the challenges it faces in getting training that we get so easily. Show some respect or shut up.
The clip is being shown on a show called The Dream which was a late night comedy show which ran during the Sydney Olympics. Roy and HG are comedians who give humourous commentaries of sport ing events. Eric went on their show after the swim. In fact most of the best athletes also went on the show and had the piss taken out of them. Taking the piss is a very British form of humour that they have exported to many of us colonials.
Google Eric Moussambani to read the back story on this guy. He made the Sydney Olympics on the IOC's wild card program, which was set up to encourage participation from developing countries. He knew he was out of his league, but he tried his best and was a good sport about the whole thing. Definitely a memorable moment.
He did get respect. Roy and HG sent up all the athletes. A lot of the best athletes went on their show. By including Eric and inviting him on the show they showed respect because they were treating exactly as they treated the best. To have treated him differently would have been disrespectful.
They are laughing at the commentary not at Eric. Eric was one of the most popular athletes. He got a standing ovation at the end of his swim becuaase of his heart. The reason the commentary is funny because a lot what they are saying is true - Eric he did crerate a new national record. and he was an inspiration - in fact after his swim they built a 50m pool.
For those wondering why they're laughing this was from a comedy news show during the Olympic called The Dream that parodied the all too serious sports announcers at the time .They actually got Eric to come on the show.He became somewhat of a celebrity.
I'm not intending to make fun of him, but just to make the facts clear, Eric didn't pass the qualification, he won a wildcard draw for countries which don't have good conditions for training. Anyway, he's an Olympian and he can be proud for it.
It's quite sad that some people on here are clearly posting comments on here to say how slow he is and how fast you all are at whatever age you are... You really should be ashamed of yourselves. He worked hard to get there and even though towards the end it seemed to be a struggle for him he won the race. Just be pleased for him and the determination and confidence he had in order to go it alone like that. I couldn't do it.
you are both wrong FINA rules say that you can swim any style you like in freestyle as long as it is not a recognised stroke. This excludes breast, fly, and back. in all recognised strokes the action must be continuous however in free you can break stroke. you can even stop and touch the floor with out a DQ as long as you don't walk forwards or gain any forward advantage from touching the floor. Keep up the good work Eric! I love your style. Maybe not the fastest but so entertaining.
@whitethronebooks this was a parody show called "The Dream" that ran during the Sydney Olympics and it was hosted by those two - this wasn't the broadcast commentary.
@OrangeScythe Dude stop hating. Not like he just pranced in there and competed. He was going at his own pace, since he was the definate winner. Only one person there,
it's different swimming in a 50m pool. at practice we sometimes extend our pool to 33m and there's a huge difference in the standard 25m Cut him some slack, 100m in an extended pool PLUS he was the only one there. i mean yeah my time is faster than that. a 1:04 but still ya gotta learn to accept how other people swim, and what the could be under at the time of their swim.
I don't really see why everyone's pissed at the laughing. It was more than twice the time of the wr. If you're not allowed to laugh at that, then this is a sad fucking world we live in. Loosen up a bit..
And yet he was there and he can talk about the experience of what it is to walk for your country, what it is to be in the Olympic village, what it is to be credited to spend some time with the greatest atheletes in the planet, while me and you are talking about him. Could you beat him, I believe you could, where you there? I believe you weren't. Can you talk about the experience of being an Olympian was, like he can, most certainly not.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney
More than 15 years later this video still inspires, still makes me smile. Thank you Mr. Eric.
I don't know why their laughing. This guy only had a training pool of a hotel of 13 meters long, but could only use it from 5 am. So he decided to swim in the sea for training. This to me is sportsmanship, to just keep going eventhough you know you're not going to win. I think they should've given him a honorary medal for showing character in sport.
+duckgoesmooo Ironic that you're the one accusing him of being "butthurt". Have some respect.
They are ozzies man they will laugh at a cripple falling down the stairs.
fuck yeah! you fucking tell him! fuck having different fucking opinions! fuck talking fucking like a fucking adult! fuck not fucking saying fuck every fucking word! FUCK! FUCK IM FUCKING BAD FUCKING ASS FUCKING RIGHT FUCKING NOW!
people laugh because its the olympics, known for extreme perfection...and this guy is barely proffessional.
people laugh because theyre shit
He currently swims this 100m in 55 seconds and will look to compete in 2016. He has my support!
I've replayed this like 10 times today, so inspirational!
The best thing when you are in the middle of the game there are many people on the crowd cheering and watching of you to finish the game you’ve started and it’s really a big help to a player.
the laughing in the background made me want to explode in rage
then you may be a bit high strung
the laughing isn't at the performer, it's at the announcers and the concept that the race is 1 man against his own country's record time.
Those hosts are not sports commentators, they are comedians, who always made fun of Aussie sports each week for years on their comedy show.
Australians love laughing at themselves!!
Athletics used go on their show and laugh with them.
So we all knew they would do the same when the olympics came to town.
They LOVED Eric and had him on the show afterwards.
That is the studio audience watching and laughing.
All Australia laughed cheered loved and supported Eric.
He became a national symbol of guts and determination at Sydney olympics.
So no need to rage about the laughter.
It WAS funny to watch someone struggle to swim the 100m - it was after all, the olympics.
They laughed because it was so strange to see at that level.
Everyone wanted him to make it.
Them cheering him on at the end and saying it will be a games highlight was genuine.
Roy and hg became so famous as commentators at Sydney that athletes were fighting to get on the show each night.
Round the world athletes talked about it, saying they all wanted to be on this strange comedy about the olympics.
Other countries had never seen anything like it, and loved getting roasted or ribbed, as we say.
They took the mickey out of everything... especially themselves and us Aussies.
Our crappy mascots and uniforms.
Water ballet.
Discus.
Pole vaulting.
Umpires.
You name it.
No one was safe.
Our successes and failings.
Nothing was sacred.
Eric was a highlight.
Maybe you had to be there (which i was).
Great effort Eric. Never surrender!
I watched this live! this was gold, it was late/early in the morning (from memory)
3 tremendous competitors.. ahaha. Eric the Eel, I salute you. Legend.
Some of the peope on this thread obviously think they are really commentators which shows their skill. They made fun of everyone, it wasn't just Eric. Roy and HG were one of the best things about the Sydney Olympics. Their calls of the synchronised swimming and gymnastics are priceless. Solid gold.
they were added later. I watched this live and the actual commentary was actually quite complimentary
Why is there a laugh track?
Watch to the end and it makes sense. It's not the live commentary they are in front of an audience.
this is just so cute. good on you mate for giving it a GO...well done
Props for Eric Moussambani real inspiration
in case you didnt know, this was the from the show, roy and hg, the comedy show from australia, they were just what we call "taking the piss". In reality the entire country loved him, even single person in the country was cheering him on. This was just some light hearted commentary that they did for all the sports.
These presenters wind me up, so much...why laugh at him? There's nothing funny, he gave it his best shot and shoud be applauded, not mocked!
Glad I'm not the only one who feels that way. The laughter and jeering was unnecessarily mean spirited.
This guy shows real olympic spirit!
lets all laugh at the poor people
oh stfu.
no one is laughing at "the poor people", they are laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation
How do you know he's poor..?
Why do u assume he's poor.....
Wow. You probably thought Cool Runnings was a racist movie huh?
Clearly roy and hg are being supportive, nobody is making fun of these guys... they are celebrating humanity, ah how I miss them lol.
when they showed the timing line, I CRACKED UP!!
The other 2 swimmers who had a false start were probably better swimmers. But the fact that he did it alone made it somewhat more memorable. I have a lot of respect for the guy.
Just for people to understand , these are not competing at the Olympics . The invite some young swimmers from countries around the world to come and get the experience of being in the Olympics and take a 100m swim with the others invited . They're not supposed to be good , they're usually pretty slow . Yes , he was terrible but he's country has no swimming program at all , so its not as unusual as you think , yesterday there were 3 girls that did the same thing , and if you compare their numbers with the real competition that happened after them there was a 40 sec difference between them .
Eric the "Eel" was certainly able to swim two laps though he was the slowest swimmer ever in the Olympic games. He ranks with the famous ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards who jumped the shortest in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.
The people were laughing because they found Eric's apparent ineptitude very entertaining. However, one must give Eric credit for effort even though he wasn't very fast.
According to wikipedia, he brought his personal best down to 57 seconds and became coach of the national team. What a boss.
lowered his 50 free time to 57 seconds which is still incredibly slow
Oh ok. Still the fact he kept doing what he loved is cool
Let's see you do better?
I broke the 30s barrier when i was 13...i am 20 now. Now Of course i shouldn't undermine what he achieved cuz considering his circumstances he did well but still a slow swim is a slow swim
30s isnt even fast for a 13 year old
Eric the eel lad!!
Heart of a Champion!
This reminds me of the time I signed up for breast stroke, I failed to dive into the pool and I was super slow. But my house group and other groups started to shout "Go -my house group-!". Awesome memories.
u laugh but this is a guy who did what he always wanted to do. ive got so much respect
Roy and HG are sport comedians. They had a late night show during the Sydney Olympics in which they take the piss out of everything. It was a good humoured commentary and it was taken as such. Many of the best athletes, including Eric, appeared on their show to have the piss taken out of them and most seem to enjoy it. Eric is still regarded with affection and respect in Australia. Look at some of the other clips on UA-cam with Roy and HG and you will see what I mean about their style.
THIS IS THE GREATEST SWIMMING MOMENT EVER!!!!!!!
The two gentlemen are Roy and HG who are comedians and this was a late night comedy show re-caping the days events, most of the athletes at the Olympics wanted them to get on their show - you should look up their take on the gymnastics bloody priceless
He learnt to swim just 1 year before this so respect to him! Also, gwaaaaan bolt!
I know it's a serious effort, and it's the Olympic spirit, and I hear Eric's down to about 52 seconds, but I burst out laughing when he did the tumble turn. It's like Phelps ordering a diet coke with his 8,000 calorie lunch.
Roy & HG are legends
This guy trained in a lake and had never seem an Olympic swimming pool before the event. He only started swimming 8 months before the event. His personal best is now under 57 seconds.
what a race :D
He's an Olympian, just like every other Olympian there. Therefore, he deserves the same respect and treatment as everyone else. Who cares what his time was? He was out there representing his country the best that he could. He wasn't there to win gold. He was there to show that his country deserved to be a part of the Olympics, despite the challenges it faces in getting training that we get so easily. Show some respect or shut up.
I was right there in the stadium and we were all cheering him on to finish i remember lol good on him
The clip is being shown on a show called The Dream which was a late night comedy show which ran during the Sydney Olympics. Roy and HG are comedians who give humourous commentaries of sport ing events. Eric went on their show after the swim. In fact most of the best athletes also went on the show and had the piss taken out of them. Taking the piss is a very British form of humour that they have exported to many of us colonials.
He is hero
Google Eric Moussambani to read the back story on this guy. He made the Sydney Olympics on the IOC's wild card program, which was set up to encourage participation from developing countries. He knew he was out of his league, but he tried his best and was a good sport about the whole thing. Definitely a memorable moment.
He did get respect. Roy and HG sent up all the athletes. A lot of the best athletes went on their show. By including Eric and inviting him on the show they showed respect because they were treating exactly as they treated the best. To have treated him differently would have been disrespectful.
I didn't laugh...he could kick my ass in the 100 meters.
Honestly, an average young person could beat that with a few weeks of good coaching and practice. He had practically never swam before.
Well I'm 63 and I've smoked for 50 so I'd die before I got half way.
Lin B So basically, you're a fucking loser, right moron?
Well this got awkward.
Well,l at least I'm not an internet troll with a fake name living in mommies basement like you MetusBatmanV14.
at least he finished, he's got guts
And he's STILL swimming today!
It's Roy and H.G. They're an Australian comedy duo.
That was fantastic!
They are laughing at the commentary not at Eric. Eric was one of the most popular athletes. He got a standing ovation at the end of his swim becuaase of his heart. The reason the commentary is funny because a lot what they are saying is true - Eric he did crerate a new national record. and he was an inspiration - in fact after his swim they built a 50m pool.
The announcers are comedians, all in good fun.
Keep itm up
For those wondering why they're laughing this was from a comedy news show during the Olympic called The Dream that parodied the all too serious sports announcers at the time .They actually got Eric to come on the show.He became somewhat of a celebrity.
That guy is unbelievably good
the commentators are legends
Those are some annoying laughs
I'm not intending to make fun of him, but just to make the facts clear, Eric didn't pass the qualification, he won a wildcard draw for countries which don't have good conditions for training. Anyway, he's an Olympian and he can be proud for it.
It's quite sad that some people on here are clearly posting comments on here to say how slow he is and how fast you all are at whatever age you are... You really should be ashamed of yourselves. He worked hard to get there and even though towards the end it seemed to be a struggle for him he won the race. Just be pleased for him and the determination and confidence he had in order to go it alone like that. I couldn't do it.
idc dead set champion as far as I'm concerned
you are both wrong FINA rules say that you can swim any style you like in freestyle as long as it is not a recognised stroke. This excludes breast, fly, and back. in all recognised strokes the action must be continuous however in free you can break stroke. you can even stop and touch the floor with out a DQ as long as you don't walk forwards or gain any forward advantage from touching the floor. Keep up the good work Eric! I love your style. Maybe not the fastest but so entertaining.
Brawa dla niego za odwagę! Nie każdy by się na to zdobył
respect to the guy!
poor guy, I feel sorry for him, it was funny watching it but I think that he has a willpower and guts, not everyone would be able to stand up there
twho the fuck are laughing in the video, this dude deserves some respect
+Eric Liu It's audio from a comedy show, hence the crowd laughter and the commentators apparently being unprofessional - it's a comedy show
Bless him!
HE IS GOOD WHERE HE IS FROM!
Equatorial Guinea, I'd bet
This is a joke. I know the guy is trying and all, but this is the Olympics.
+bigfishpondhome1 U r a fucking joke
+Eric Liu Want a tissue?
+Eric Liu That shouldn't worry you, can't catch something you already have twice. But, I could see how someone of your caliber could be mistaken.
bigfishpondhome1 it's also literally a joke. It's a skit. It's fake
Heart & determination.
Well done eddie
I admire him.
I'm a USA citizen and think he did good
Moussambani had a olympic "wildcard". Remember that, when judging his behaviour.
they are paired in groups, slowest first, the fastest last
Nigeria, Tadjikistan and Equatorial Guinea, I think
@whitethronebooks this was a parody show called "The Dream" that ran during the Sydney Olympics and it was hosted by those two - this wasn't the broadcast commentary.
I'm not laughing at him, I'm laughing at the fact that he's the only one left
@OrangeScythe Dude stop hating. Not like he just pranced in there and competed. He was going at his own pace, since he was the definate winner. Only one person there,
At least he made it to the olympics, unlike the reporters and the laughing woman in the background.
Everything!
I have never seen anything so courageous. I can't understand why the commentators are laughing.Would they like to try and beat his time?
so so soooo funny!!
I laugh i cant help it!!!! am i bad now???? ooh boy!
Forget (Ian) Thorpe, forget (Michael) Klim, focus on Eric !!!.... LOL
Those announcers are disgusting. The guy hadn't even swam in a 50m before that, he's got crazy guts and doesn't deserve to be laughed at.
Respect.
it's different swimming in a 50m pool.
at practice we sometimes extend our pool to 33m and there's a huge difference in the standard 25m
Cut him some slack, 100m in an extended pool PLUS he was the only one there. i mean yeah my time is faster than that. a 1:04 but still ya gotta learn to accept how other people swim, and what the could be under at the time of their swim.
there's a reason why there's laughing in the background. this was a parody show called "the dream" aired during the Sydney Olympics.
well said !!
Were those the real commentaries or added later?
He won fair and square
what was the timing line even for? like what record?
I don't really see why everyone's pissed at the laughing. It was more than twice the time of the wr. If you're not allowed to laugh at that, then this is a sad fucking world we live in. Loosen up a bit..
At least they went to the Olympics for free.
@grinro17 they dont have any pools so he cant practice but still i agree with you
poor guy, he didn't even have a swimming suit
I hear he's got a 57 second PB now...
Why thank you for the compliment.
And yet he was there and he can talk about the experience of what it is to walk for your country, what it is to be in the Olympic village, what it is to be credited to spend some time with the greatest atheletes in the planet, while me and you are talking about him. Could you beat him, I believe you could, where you there? I believe you weren't. Can you talk about the experience of being an Olympian was, like he can, most certainly not.
4:04 timestamp not found
Yes - wikipedia Eric Moussambini
Good for that guy!