This is a very important aspect of the Olympics. Okay, so all the competitors are great athletes in their own right and, no doubt, better than 99.99% of people in their sporting field. However, many compete for the love of their sport, make significant personal and financial sacrifices and, of course, many hold down "normal" jobs and lead "normal" lives.

Therefore, to compete in the Olympics, with the best in the world and at the world's second highest profile sporting competition, must be amazing for these folk. Looking at the athletes parade at the Opening Ceremony and seeing many of them capturing the moment with cameras and phones reiterates this ... okay, so you probably won't see the World's best do that but it does bring home just how personal it is for all those involved and how much it means.





This photo, in my view, sums up the best of the Olympics (and there's still a lot of bad):

http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/a...benLimardo.jpg

It shows Ruben Limardo, a fencer, who had just won Venezuela's first Olympic gold medal since Mexico 1968. He's pictured travelling back from the successful tournament to the Olympic Village, travelling on the London underground i.e. public transport, alongside spectators and commuters. He's just won his country's first gold medal in a generation, the delight is infectious and there's no need for a chauffeur or a limousine ... he's using public transport.

The cat's version ...
 

of the Olympics

I just came across the USA's fencing team's mask. Thoughts?

https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/im...ALXB2rNSLsr26i

Congrats to Serena!
 

Sos grande Catherine!
 

Congratulation to my fellow Colombians!

3 silver and 1 bronze!

http://www.eltiempo.com/olimpicos-20...12034081-2.png

http://www.eltiempo.com/olimpicos-2012/

Canada's first gold of these games--trampolinist, Rosannagh Maclennan

https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/im...L5LxQh9ZF-sLbA

http://www.nbcolympics.com/wood/phot...olleyball.html


Here is a link to a slideshow of the women of beach volleyball. Looking through all the pics is it me or are there are a lot of unnecessary butt and crotch shots, without the entire woman's body in the frame. In film theory this would look like objectification of woman through the parts of her body. There is one in particular which is a pelvic shot with the caption reading something like "a close-up of the Olympic volleyball" yeah as if there wasn't some other way of showing the ball. What do you think?

Gabby's first endorsement
 

U.S. Soccer Defeats Canada In Women's Olympic Soccer Semi With Alex Morgan Goal In Extra Time

I did not watch the game but I am hearing reports that the ref may have helped the US with the win. Again, I did not watch it so take that with a grain of salt.

I am cool with either team winning, although I do root for the US :)

Kudos to Kirani James for winning the first medal ever for Grenada....and making it gold. Bravo!!!

LIU XIANG CRASHES OUT OF HURDLES


YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THE STORIES AND EMOTIONS OF THESE OLYMPIANS. MY HEART AND RESPECT GO OUT TO ALL OF THEM. THE OLYMPICS, WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO AN ATHLETE!

CONGRATS TO ALL!

OUCH! :|

Kitty olympics
 

I think I'll record water polo and women's beach volleyball

My kitten is fascinated by water polo. She watches that ball toss, her head going side to side.

Then she lunges at the screen.

Me, I dig the Women's Beach Volleyball. USA vs USA

DITTO. Amazing what they are all about, and we have the ability to see and hear about all the champions of the world, gold or not. I heard a story about a village waiting to see the newspaper story and pictures on their Olympian. :candle:

Our fifth medal, a bronze, brought to us by Oscar in Taekwondo!

http://www.eltiempo.com/olimpicos-20...12108741-2.jpg

Now we have eight, including today's GOLD!

I am so proud of our Colombian athletes who have to overcome so much to reach the podium.


http://www.eltiempo.com/deportes/otr...12115529-2.jpg

The games are coming to an end today. I've enjoyed it more and more over the two weeks and think it's really showcased London and the UK in a very positive light. I'm almost sad that it's now coming to an end - a very different reaction from that I expected before the games.


The only sport I love is soccer so most of the actual Olympic sports don't interest me. However, the stories and the competing nations do. Most pleasing for me has not only been the success of the UK team, now guaranteed to be in third medal position, but equally the reception afforded to the Irish competitors from the British crowds.


This was best demonstrated by the reaction to Katie Taylor's success in winning gold for Ireland in one of the women's boxing competitions. She was cheered passionately by 62,000 British and Irish singing and standing together in the Excel arena - something largely unthinkable a generation ago and, once again, helping to strengthen the strong bonds between our two islands.


I was also fortunate to attend yesterday's men's soccer final between Brazil and Mexico at Wembley Stadium. It was my first time at Wembley in almost 27 years, when as a child I'd traveled over from Belfast to London with my dad to watch Northern Ireland play England. Being there yesterday helped to bring back so many memories.


Yesterday's game was fantastic with many thousands having traveled over from both Mexico and Brazil for the game and many thousands more ex-pats in attendance. Truly beautiful atmosphere and certainly the highlight, for me, of the various Olympic events I've been able to attend. Mexico, the underdogs, won what was their first major international tournament - very pleasing as I've had a strong interest in Mexican soccer ever since Mexico hosted the 1986 World Cup Finals.


I partied a bit with a few Mexicans after the game and am meeting a lovely Mexican lady this afternoon - she had traveled over with her family from LA and is leaving London on Tuesday so I've agreed to play tour guide today ..... which is always very dangerous as I have no real knowledge of London and an absolutely terrible sense of direction !!!



Farewell London 2012.