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Hootowl
| | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 09:04 am: | 
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Spot on Phillip. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 09:19 am: |
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Oh yes, the Olympics feel sooooo much more "common man" with the likes of Kobe and Lebron in attendance.......
Which is why for years we (the UK) have't considered football (soccer), Tennis, Golf (from 2016), basketball (I know!) and other 'ball sports' as 'proper' Olympic events simply because they have been professional for the longest and have the highest paid athletes.
The track & field events were probably the last 'proper 'Olympic' events that became fully professional, although there are still a lot of amateur competitors out there in some of the minor events on on the rowing/canoing lake.
As a side note, there has been quite a bit of criticism here (UK) over the opening ceremony, with some people bleating that it was too political etc. I was wondering what the view was of people outisde the UK? Did anyone even understand the bits about the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital? |
Aeholton
| | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 09:37 am: |
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As a side note, there has been quite a bit of criticism here (UK) over the opening ceremony, with some people bleating that it was too political etc. I was wondering what the view was of people outisde the UK? Did anyone even understand the bits about the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital?
I thought it was far too political. But then again I'm capitalist (read: anti-socialist) pig. Found the whole opening ceremony dark and dreary in an Oliver Twist sort of way. Only part I enjoyed was the Queenie/Bond skit.
Hats off to the organizers for the fast march-in of the athletes. |
Kyrocket
| | Posted on Friday, August 03, 2012 - 10:16 am: |
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My family and I watched the opening ceremonies, as we always do and marveled not so much at the story line and politics as to the great undertaking it must have been. Those volunteers, must have been thousands of them, were very well synchronized and did a great job. The smoke stacks and wheels coming up out of the ground was awesome and the whole smelting of the ring and the others coming in to meet it was cool. I've read that there were some people upset with it but watching it on TV, it was nothing short of amazing.
Then my favorite part was the history of the music and of course the Mr. Bean skit and his superimposed face on the Chariots of Fire was hilarious. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2012 - 06:54 am: |
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I was very cynical about the games being held in London (again) and not being spread more around the UK. However since moment the games started I have been glued to my TV set!
The opening ceremony was absolutely spectactular (if maybe a little confusing for non-English people) and the performances by team GB have been nothing short of amazing so far. The biggest factor for me so far has been the level of support and the sheer volume of noise and atmosphere from the crowds at almost every event (something that was sadly missing in Beijing). The cycling events in the velodrome and Team GB 'Super Saturday' have been my highlight so far, but add Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and all the other superstars and I think it has beent eh best Olympic games I have seen for many many years.
I shall be very sad when these games come to an end next week, and I didn't think I would be saying that 2 weeks ago  |
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