Olympics

I may not have liked the opening ceremonies, but I am diggin' the $#!T out of the games!!!!!

I really liked the opening ceremony and was even a bit emotional at the part about the NHS, but I am sure it would have meant very little to me if I was from another country!

Everyone here is falling over themselves to say how awesome it was, but I knew I would get a more international view from my buddies at NCKA.


 

I agree that the games themselves are great! I've been watching religiously. 

As for the opening ceremonies, I think Phil and others are on target when they say the ceremony appealed to the Brits, but the Olympics are a world event with a world audience. 

Phil, I'm not surprised many Americans didn't like it. It wasn't some slap stick hollywood production complete with "costume malfunctions" or middle finger  gestures.

Personally, I found it awesome. So did the international types i watched it with, even the Boers....yup even the Boers, and they believe they are still at war with you.

I liked watching it.  I appreciated the amount of work that went into it, the direct references to/performances by contemporary UK cultural icons, and the multinational energy that the world should be proud to muster in today's climate of violence, economic hardship and widespread need.

It's not the middle of winter with stormy seas. Have we become a group of elitist American critics?  I wanted to bring something positive to this thread as I watched the opening ceremonies, but didn't want to rock the boat of playful talk. When I saw N. Boy's name on page 3 I figured maybe he chimed in to chide you guys a bit for your negative comments, and I think he did a fine job of masking any potential bitterness in that regard in his responses.

Bring on the Monty Python - I'm here to be proud of any country's athlete who chokes back tears on the podium. 

I can be a real a dick though!  So don't take my Pollyanna response personally.  I just like to find the half full part when I can.   

Im with Eric on this one. And by the way, the opening ceremonies have always been about being a cultural showcase.

Phil, I'm not surprised many Americans didn't like it. It wasn't some slap stick hollywood production complete with "costume malfunctions" or middle finger  gestures.

Personally, I found it awesome. So did the international types i watched it with, even the Boers....yup even the Boers, and they believe they are still at war with you.

Again its not about being american, I think 100% of superbowl halftime shows suck.....and the bean scene was plenty slapsticky.   I save my americanism and elitism for more serious discussions, like real football and the version the rest of the world plays .

The rest of the games have been solid.  Womens cycling race looked brutal in that rain. 

And a bit of me is glad to see the phelps hype train get slightly derailed.  Its not his fault but I think the games get spoiled by all the singular coverage on one star.

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John Cleese > Rowan Atkinson.
I thought the whole production was strange. Not sure why a country would want to go cheap on the opening ceremony. And then boast about their frugality. Sure, it only cost half of what Beijing spent. And I appreciate the notion. But it seems odd. Maybe the closing ceremony will be the greatest event ever.

...it's like MTV gone BAD 

Looking forward to Women's Beach Volleyball 

Mooch they have internet porn now!

There should be no hype over any 1 singular USA athlete prior to the olympics.  ALL these athletes train hard and long to be there and their spotlight is taken by a small few who have, thus far, been less than they were made to be.  Look at the womens skeet shooter.  Not once did I hear or see any hype about her prior to the olympics yet she walks away with a gold.  A gold no different than the one "the hyped" could have one.  Though their training is quite different, the passion for thier respective sport is no different. 

USA Volleyball is "owning" 

IF I was to run the Opening Events of the next Olympics, lot's of fireworks, take the film crew and do a feature on the local bars and house parties. Then, spotlight each and every Athlete representing the host country......oh, and more interesting and funny commercials 

synchronized diving was the shit!!  China was the best.....when does Curling begin? 

From what I've been told Mardi Gras is a kids version of Carnival.  Something tells me Rio isn't gonna have a problem putting on a show or throwing a party.

I'm saving my pennies now, I want in on that one.

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From what I've been told Mardi Gras is a kids version of Carnival.  Something tells me Rio isn't gonna have a problem putting on a show or throwing a party.

I'm saving my pennies now, I want in on that one.

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HELL YEAH!!!  Wife and I were watching the games last night and talking about how cool it would be to see them in person, and then the announcer mentioned the next games are to be held in Rio...her eyes got all big and she said 'That would be fun'!  Think we can get a group buy going?

I'm enjoying the whitewater canoe and kayak competitions
those guys and gals have mad skilz!
Cool course you got over there Northern Boy!
Tad
 

Men's Indoor vball right now...US vs Germany....great game!