The Olympics

[Davidnic]

I think it was really good. Folksy in a way. I found it charming.

 

[S.ilvio]

I enjoyed parts of it, especially the forging of the Olympic rings. There was too much going on though in parts of the ceremonies. Early on, the camera flashed to Kate Middleton and her eyes were going back and forth looking a little lost like everyone else.

The NHS segment produced some cringe-worth commentary from Matt Lauer. He noted that the British are celebrating their healthcare system while the U.S. is in a partisan debate about healthcare. Lauer perhaps did not realize the partisan nature of his remark.

The NHS segment was a tribute to caring, Christian Socailism, UK style. Something to be very proud of..

 

[Azureknight 773]

Okay, I am currently watching the basketball fight between the USA and France. Hoo boy! NBA VS NBA dudes= WIN! GO LEBRON JAMES AND KOBE BRYANT!!!

 

[S.ilvio]

Okay, I am currently watching the basketball fight between the USA and France. Hoo boy! NBA VS NBA dudes= WIN! GO LEBRON JAMES AND KOBE BRYANT!!!

Great to see the stars play in American shirts..

 

[Antigone]

Did anyone catch that fifteen year old Lithuanian swimmer? Literally jaw-dropping. It was very cute.

Also, we finally have a Dutch gymnast who managed to qualify. Yay!

 

[contango]

The opening ceremony was a wonderful mix of chaos and mayhem. Mixed with very emotional and personal insights of where the UK has come from and what made it the country it is today.

There was a clear left wing message in it that may be lost on many people not aware of UK politics. But it is important that the left wing message was aired to remind the Conservatives that such icons as the NHS must be protected and prospered...

I liked the first stage, thought it was awesome. I was bored witless watching the endless parade of athletes who seemed to see every camera as an invitation to show me the inside of their mouths in detail only their dentist needs to see.

Then the finishing stage where the flame was transferred to the petals was awesome.

Shame they had to put such a poor ending on with Paul McCartney dragging his old dirge Hey Jude out of the woodwork. Someone tell him it's time to retire.

One thing I thought was great was the bit where it looked like James Bond and the Queen skydived out of the helicopter.

 

[MKJ]

I know its an unpopular opinion, but IMHO, the current incarnation of the Olympics, and all the hype surrounding it, is exactly the sort of idolatry we are warned against.

Nothing wrong with sport and healthy competition, don't get me wrong, and the ideal of a comming together of nations to foster peace is admirable, but all the hype, the undue reverence the whole thing is given, they way we are told over and over how important all this is... you know, its the Olympic GAMES.

Said my piece.

Yeah. They are about consumerism, not sport. The ancient Greeks would be horrified - they celebrated sport because it was a truly human activity - something done for itself, not survival, money, or winning medals to show how great your nation-state is.

By their definition the Olympics would not really be sport at all. But then we are all in a world that thinks money is how we measure everything, even people, so I guess it makes sense that is what our Olympics is about.

 

[Sumwear]

Yeah. They are about consumerism, not sport. The ancient Greeks would be horrified - they celebrated sport because it was a truly human activity - something done for itself, not survival, money, or winning medals to show how great your nation-state is.

By their definition the Olympics would not really be sport at all. But then we are all in a world that thinks money is how we measure everything, even people, so I guess it makes sense that is what our Olympics is about.

they did it naked and played only amongst themselves, no pun intended.

with all due respect, not everyone does if for money. you want money, go join a professional league. this is the best place to test your mettle against people from all over.

 

[Antigone]

i'm watching Judo. I don't get judo. It's quite possibly the only sport where I really can't tell who's winning or losing.

By their definition the Olympics would not really be sport at all. But then we are all in a world that thinks money is how we measure everything, even people, so I guess it makes sense that is what our Olympics is about.

I beg to differ. The Olympics, unlike the World Cup or the NBA, don't tend to make all that much money. Besides which, I think it's a joy to finally see archers, weight lifters, and equestrians get some recognition for their hard and underpaid work, not just the inflated egos of the Ronaldos and Bryants and Bradys of the world.

It might be a different experience in the US because you guys win so much, but I know over here we're cheering just as loudly for the swimmers as we are for the rowers and archers.

 

[Sumwear]

nothing against britain but I thought this was funny:

 

[JesusIsTheWay33]

Wrong caption:

And for myself, I thought the opening ceremony was a load of mawkish tosh.

 

[Antigone]

And for myself, I thought the opening ceremony was a load of mawkish tosh.

 

[Azureknight 773]

Oh man! I watched TV a while ago and saw ladies doing powerlifting... Those ladies who did that just made me say "Oh my goodness! These ladies are strong!"

 

[Gwendolyn]

watching men's gymnastics (vault, pommel, bars) and swimming (men's/womens 100m/200m freestyle). I just cannot get over how graceful and STRONG everyone is! It's so inspiring to my fat butt sitting in a comfy chair. I want to be strong, too!

 

[MKJ]

they did it naked and played only amongst themselves, no pun intended.

with all due respect, not everyone does if for money. you want money, go join a professional league. this is the best place to test your mettle against people from all over.

I beg to differ. The Olympics, unlike the World Cup or the NBA, don't tend to make all that much money. Besides which, I think it's a joy to finally see archers, weight lifters, and equestrians get some recognition for their hard and underpaid work, not just the inflated egos of the Ronaldos and Bryants and Bradys of the world.

It might be a different experience in the US because you guys win so much, but I know over here we're cheering just as loudly for the swimmers as we are for the rowers and archers.

Being about money is not equivalent to the host or an organization or the atheletes themselves making a lot, or any money. But much of the talk, for example, we have in public around the Olympics is about funding the athletes, and whether it is worth it to give them public money if they don't win.

The corporate sponsorship involved is enormous. And the details of that are not all that nice.

The whole attitude is one of one-up-manship, and "national pride" and how many medals. It is all quantified and monetized.
Sports that are not popular with viewers get dropped while they have beach volleyball because it is popular on tv and so with advertisers.

The drug scandals are all part of that same thing - if people really believed it was about the competition and the sport it would not be a problem on the same level. And nations sponsoring their athletes aren't innocent.

The small countries that attend with no hopes of winning are the only bright spot IMO.

 

[christseeker45]

My favorite sports are the Equestrian events, Archery, Basketball. I like the Olympics!

 

[Sumwear]

Being about money is not equivalent to the host or an organization or the atheletes themselves making a lot, or any money. But much of the talk, for example, we have in public around the Olympics is about funding the athletes, and whether it is worth it to give them public money if they don't win.

The corporate sponsorship involved is enormous. And the details of that are not all that nice.

The whole attitude is one of one-up-manship, and "national pride" and how many medals. It is all quantified and monetized.
Sports that are not popular with viewers get dropped while they have beach volleyball because it is popular on tv and so with advertisers.

don't like it, don't watch. not everyone is in it for money, some truly want to see what they are made of.

The drug scandals are all part of that same thing - if people really believed it was about the competition and the sport it would not be a problem on the same level. And nations sponsoring their athletes aren't innocent.

I don't understand? professional leagues have dropped the ball with banned substances but the olympics are very harsh in handing out punishments. for athlete's, I don't think there's anything worse than having your gold medal stripped.

 

[Antigone]

watching men's gymnastics (vault, pommel, bars) and swimming (men's/womens 100m/200m freestyle). I just cannot get over how graceful and STRONG everyone is! It's so inspiring to my fat butt sitting in a comfy chair. I want to be strong, too!

Whenever I see swimming I always regret giving it up. I was into competetive swimming when I was a kid and I was quite good at it. Don't think I would have made it to the Olympics, though.

I love watching gymnastics! It's fun. Lots of tumbling. Lots of sixpacks, too.

Lots of sixpacks in swimming as well.

 

[Antigone]

My favorite sports are the Equestrian events, Archery, Basketball. I like the Olympics!

Dressage is fun. I never liked riding dressage - I was into jumping - but it's much better when I don't have to do the work.

 

[Gwendolyn]

Whenever I see swimming I always regret giving it up. I was into competetive swimming when I was a kid and I was quite good at it. Don't think I would have made it to the Olympics, though.

I love watching gymnastics! It's fun. Lots of tumbling. Lots of sixpacks, too.

Lots of sixpacks in swimming as well.

I got most of my swimming badges through lessons when I was a kid, but I could never get the breathing right for the front crawl/breast stroke. Because of that, I could never swim long distances without feeling as though I was going to choke on water. That made me stop swimming as a kid.

Now I wish I hadn't given up. Thinking of using the pool at the university to practise again but I hate going swimming alone.