London Olympics 2012

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Martina

I only saw a half an hour, mostly the sixties and seventies stuff. I agree that the commentators needed to shut up.

But even without that, it was dull, dull, dull.

I think using TV/Film clips is cheating. There was too much close up stuff. The trick of this as theatre is to make it big and original. The parts I saw were neither.

The complicated projections on the audience part of the stadium were impressive. But that was technology. On the ground, it was like dinner theatre with glow in the dark stickies.

I am too tired to continue. Beckham driving that boat was hot. Hell, the boat alone was hot.

NBC diced and sliced A LOT of the ceremony opting to keep more of the cinematic close ups rather than the large stadium staging. It was a poor choice for many reasons - the production became more disjointed, and it really didn't do justice to the set design and choreography.

But then they think American audiences are dull, easily bored and require constant play-by-play explanations, that they won't sit still and take it in if they don't "get it" immediately.

They think we're an ADD small bite, small screen viewing audience and not capable of grasping and appreciating conceptual art or theatre production values.

[QueenofSmirks]

Originally Posted by Martina

Someone on the internet snarked that under the Queen's dour expression, there should be a caption reading, "Let the Hunger Games begin!"

Someone posted her pic on facebook with the caption, "Look at all of the countries I used to own."

Edited: oops, I see someone posted it on this thread too!

[Soon]

The Croatia team (last ranked) are really playing a good game against the first ranked USA team. It's the fourth quarter, and I'm pretty sure USA will win, but the close score at times kept my interest up.

Croatia got there by knocking out the Canadians!

[Andrea]

I wish there hadn't been the long commercial breaks during the Parade of Nations. I missed seeing some of the countries.

Loved the colorful attire of many of the nations. Not so happy with the US dress. And what is with the US wearing hats anyway?

I love the pomp and I love the competitions but mostly I watch to learn about the competitors and the countries they come from. Give me info!

[*Anya*]

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales...Still

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/op...pagewanted=all

http://debatewise.org/debates/346-un...land-yes-or-no

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/...k&type=article

[Soon]

Why The Women of North Korea Are The Most Interesting Olympians

[UofMfan]

Colombian cyclist gets the silver and makes history!

Story in Spanish here.

[Words]

Originally Posted by HowSoonIsNow

The 2012 Summer Olympics are the first Olympic Games in which every participant nation has had at least one female athlete.

*wiki

Spoilt (for me) by the fact that during the Opening Ceremony the Germans put their male athletes in blue and their female ones in pink.

Really?

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Words

Spoilt (for me) by the fact that during the Opening Ceremony the Germans put their male athletes in blue and their female ones in pink.

Really?

I know....I was sitting here shaking my head.

I totally get (and like to see) native dress from a nation. If there isn't one that makes sense, then what's wrong with nice khaki slacks and a zip up sweatshirt like the Canadians wore?

These are athletes....not executives or models. What the heck is wrong with them looking like athletes???

Our berets looked ridiculous.

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales...Still

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/op...pagewanted=all

http://debatewise.org/debates/346-un...land-yes-or-no

http://m.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/...k&type=article

Not quite.. The Queen is just a figurative 'leader', a constitutional monarch; she has no political power. The Queen doesn't 'own' the countries of our fair isles, she owns some of the acreage therein but so do many other folks too.

[Soon]

Romney in London: Never Mind The Olympics, Here’s the Embarrassment

[lusciouskiwi]

Shock horror. Actually I haven't watched any of it. YOutube, here I come. Meanwhile, this popped up on my fb:

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/l...ise-fury280712

[Ciaran]

A government enquiry is underway due to considerable numbers of empty seats at some of yesterday's events, despite these events being fully sold-out and many people very disappointed that they were unable to secure tickets.

No doubt it's, at least in part, a consequence of the ticketing ballot system that has attracted controversy throughout with many people encouraged to apply for multiple tickets across all events and all days in the hope of getting some tickets but with these being on the "luck of the draw".


Not a great start for the UK team so far - in particular, we had hoped for Gold in the 250km cycling but ended up in 29th position. In addition, Andy Murray and his brother were knocked out in the first round of the Men's Tennis Double's tournament.

Hopeful of some medals for the UK today ....

[Martina]

The British Gymnastics team seems to be doing well. That Louis Smith is something special.

[Gráinne]

Regarding the opening ceremony, obviously, Americans aren't going to get all the humor and references, unless they watch the BBC or are very familiar with British culture. When the orchestra started "Chariots of Fire", I was all ready for one of my favorite songs, and my favorite part of an otherwise long movie, but thought the comedian ruined it . I understand it was deliberate, and the conductor was in on it, but I didn't like him. Maybe an acquired taste?

The baby thing was a little strange as well. And the winged people on bicycles, so help me, reminded me of the monkey soldiers on Oz.

But the parade of nations, and everything forward from that except the bicyclists, was amazing. I loved the cauldron. And hey, it's the Olympics; it's allowed to be over the top and all kinds of effects.

[JustJo]

I actually really enjoyed the opening ceremonies (although the giant baby was a little creepy instead of cute to me). It was very British....which is only right. I love to see the host company use that as a chance to celebrate themselves a bit and share who they are and where they come from with the rest of the world.

Of course, I've always loved British humor, and was delighted with all the references to children's literature.

[Medusa]

Originally Posted by Ciaran

A government enquiry is underway due to considerable numbers of empty seats at some of yesterday's events, despite these events being fully sold-out and many people very disappointed that they were unable to secure tickets.

No doubt it's, at least in part, a consequence of the ticketing ballot system that has attracted controversy throughout with many people encouraged to apply for multiple tickets across all events and all days in the hope of getting some tickets but with these being on the "luck of the draw".


Not a great start for the UK team so far - in particular, we had hoped for Gold in the 250km cycling but ended up in 29th position. In addition, Andy Murray and his brother were knocked out in the first round of the Men's Tennis Double's tournament.

Hopeful of some medals for the UK today ....

Ooh, thank you for posting this! I noticed this morning when watching some of the stuff I recorded last night that there seemed to be a ton of empty seats at several of the events. It made me wonder what had happened because I thought that people would be clamoring to get a seat.

[Medusa]

I LOVED the copper-tubed "Eye of Sauron" thing they did with the torches!

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Ooh, thank you for posting this! I noticed this morning when watching some of the stuff I recorded last night that there seemed to be a ton of empty seats at several of the events. It made me wonder what had happened because I thought that people would be clamoring to get a seat.

Actual demand for tickets has been very significant with all initial tickets fully allocated in a ballot and almost all further tickets selling out within seconds / minutes of being released on public sale.


It turns out that the vast swathes of empty seats are those in sections that were not available for sale but, rather, are allocated to Olympic dignataries, officials, other athletes and corporate sponsors. Each event has to allocate a minimum of 25% of available tickets for this purpose with the "blue ribbon" events having to allocate 50% of tickets for this (i.e. such events as the Opening Ceremony, Closing Ceremony and men's 100m final).


Apparently, the morning after the Opening Ceremony (which goes on into the wee small hours in after-parties attended by the various delegations and officials), those who get these free tickets are often not in attendance as they are still in bed. Rather sad given the really strong demand for tickets from the public - especially for events such as swimming and gymnastics where the stadia has limited capacity.

[Martina]

Not only was Louis Smith a joy to watch on the pommel horse, I loved the gratitude on his face when he did well. I was already struck by that, and then he cried. Loved it. I love it when there is gratitude in their reactions. Gymnastics is hard. So many ways to fuck up, so I am sure there is more of that than in other sports where if you have worked your ass off and are an amazing athlete, the odds are with you. Gymnastics, skating, golf, any number of sports, it's all about the day as well as your gifts and preparation.

Anyway, I loved his reaction.



Later, when I saw Sun Yang shout and posture after he won the 400 meter freestyle, I appreciated Smith's reaction even more. Nothing against Sun Yang. It's a common reaction to explode with adrenaline after a win. But it's just so warrier-like (as sports is). It was just lovely to see Louis Smith's GRATITUDE for a good performance.