Originally Posted By LarrySubs In the past Disneyland has held a parade with a program highlighting some of the most recent USA Olympic Team members. I've been in the park when its' happened. Does anyone know if anything has been scheduled for such an event (or where I could ask about one) in the upcoming days?
Originally Posted By Westsider Hmm... No one has said a word about this at work the past few days. Usually the CM's get word about these deals in advance so we can help line the route and provide smiling, cheering faces for the cameras. But I haven't heard of anything about such a thing mentioned at work this week.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer I doubt it will happen. The US Olympic Men's Volleyball Team appeared in DtD near the ESPN Zone just before they left, as they train in Anaheim. But since the Olympics are an NBC/Universal property, if there was going to be a celebration, I presume it would be at one of the Universal Studios parks.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Jus to add, Michael Phelps is scheduled to be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in a couple of weeks, and will be the host of Saturday Night Live to kick off the new season in September. NBC/Universal also just bought the rights to some International/American major Swimming events... Instead, you get "Wipeout" auditions this Saturday at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim from 10 to 2 PM (Open Casting Call)...
Originally Posted By nemopoppins Weren't the Olympics on NBC in 2004? Michael Phelps swam in Disneyland anyway. Michael Phelps, you just won 8 Olympic Gold Medals in a single Olympics, what are you going to do now?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer But the DLR event in 2004 was PRIOR to the Olympics, and was a promotion for the US Olympic Swimming Team, which Disney was a sponsor of. (It started at WDW, went to a few other cities, and ended at Disneyland). But I want to see the parade of Wipeout contestants going down Main Street, with the Big Balls in Ton Square and the Hub... Hey guy, you just destroyed your groin on the Big Balls, what are you going to do next? Answer... Go Find an Ice-bag!!!
Originally Posted By LacyBelle There's a new topic in WDW General reporting the rumor that.... <<Olympic medalist Michael Phelps to receive a hero's welcome parade at Magic Kingdom Friday, 10:30 am on Main Street U.S.A.>>
Originally Posted By leemac <<But since the Olympics are an NBC/Universal property, if there was going to be a celebration, I presume it would be at one of the Universal Studios parks.>> A NBC-U property? That is laughable. The Olympics are run by the International Olympic Committee. Phelps is not contractually tied to NBC-U or IOC - he is a free agent in the same way that Tiger Woods isn't the property of the PGA Tour or the USGA. He isn't even tied to USA Swimming which is the sport's national governing body in the US. He even decided against being the flag carrier for the USA at the closing ceremony so he could be at the 2012 London kick-off party instead. Will be interesting to see if he does appear at WDW tomorrow as another post has alleged.
Originally Posted By Dave I guess this blows Darkbeers theory Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps will be welcomed with a parade on Main Street at the Magic Kingdom at 10:30a on Friday, August 29th. <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=3339" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/L...&I2=3339</a>
Originally Posted By nemopoppins It's just right that Michael Phelps went to WDW. Athletic achievement and Disney have gone together since the Michael Eisner days. It does seem that no one else besides nbc can win a bid for the Olympics coverage any more. I remember the good old days of abc sports. They were very professional and sports oriented.
Originally Posted By leemac <<It does seem that no one else besides nbc can win a bid for the Olympics coverage any more.>> Considering how badly NBC's coverage was perceived outside the US (the re-jigged medal table was a source of irritation in the UK and the fact that Bolt's finals weren't shown live despite the fact that he was the story of these games and not Phelps) I'd be surprised if they get the same pass they usually did in the bidding. Every major event was shown live in the UK on BBC despite the fact that events typically began at 2am. We also have multi-screen technology too so we could choose what event to watch. ABC/ESPN have said that they are interested in '14 and '16 - lets hope they win and show NBC how to host professional sports on TV. It is about time that a network puts pride into showing the Olympics rather than just looking at the bottom line.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I guess this blows Darkbeers theory>> Darkbeer wrong? Heaven forbid. I guess at least we were spared the usual sales pitch for his stuff over at Miceage.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***the re-jigged medal table was a source of irritation in the UK*** Eh? What's that about? ***and the fact that Bolt's finals weren't shown live despite the fact that he was the story of these games and not Phelps*** I would agree they should show that live, but I'd take exception with Bolt being "the story of the games" and not Phelps. Both great stories, but Phelps arguably became the greatest Olympian in history by a number of markers. Bolt has a long way to go before matching that sort of achievement. Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By leemac <<***the re-jigged medal table was a source of irritation in the UK*** Eh? What's that about?>> IOC guidance is that the country medal table is in the order of gold medals won. NBC opted to use the total aggregate of all medals won as a measure which put the US on top. They were the only national broadcaster to do so. Another great NBC-ism was the creation of a new word for Phelps - "most winningist medallist in history".
Originally Posted By leemac <<***and the fact that Bolt's finals weren't shown live despite the fact that he was the story of these games and not Phelps*** I would agree they should show that live, but I'd take exception with Bolt being "the story of the games" and not Phelps. Both great stories, but Phelps arguably became the greatest Olympian in history by a number of markers. Bolt has a long way to go before matching that sort of achievement.>> I would disagree - I think Bolt's achievements were exceptional. He broke one of the longest standing world records in the 200m (and seeing Michael Johnson screaming at him from his BBC commentary position was great to see) and could have annihilated the 100m record if he hadn't pulled up. He is the greatest sprinter to ever don shoes and he is a tremendous showman as well. The fact that Jamaica took a clean sweep of the sprint golds for both men and women is phenomenal. The problem with Phelps' medals - and this is not to take away anything from him - I respect him immensely - is that there are few sports where you have so many opportunities to excel at short distances. You have 5 golds up for grabs over 100m alone (backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley) as opposed to just two in track (individual and relay). I'm just not sure I'd call him the greatest Olympian ever. Personally I'd put Carl Lewis above him (a track athlete also excelling in a field event?) and possibly even someone like Steve Redgrave who won gold at five consecutive Olympics. I just think it is a bit early to be saying that he is the greatest ever - I'm sure he will factor in the gold medals at London 2012 and I'm sure we won't be able to dispute that claim then. My point is that just looking at the number of golds won in one single games isn't the best measure IMO. Still remarkable that he won 22% of the US's total gold medal haul. One of the lasting memories for me from this games was seeing how dejected Katie Hoff was with each failure. It just showed the weight of expectation of a nation - she was expected to get 6 golds and be the female Phelps. It just broke my heart to see her lose final after final - she seemed like such a sweet girl.
Originally Posted By Dave Darkbeer! <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/showpic.asp?filename=http://laughingplace.com/files/live/big/0005451-100053.jpg&caption=Michael+Phelps+at+the+Magic+Kingdom" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/s...+Kingdom</a>
Originally Posted By Ursula To comment on NBC's coverage...I don't think it is just those OUTSIDE of the US who thought it stank. I watched every second I could and I often was yelling at the TV various things about "you've had hours to edit, show the &%#$ replay already and shut up!" and my favorite, "WHO CARES!?! Show me some action!" I like to hear the stories behind the athletes but with so little time to watch the actual events, they spent far too much time repeating the same stories over and over again. Especially during men's springboard diving. I wonder if they'll take Phelps to Blizzard Beach?
Originally Posted By DismayingObservation Dunno, but I agree with you. In this Internet dy and age, merely logging on to check my e-mail meant having to do so via MSN. So what did I see? Yup. Olympic results. I hated like he** knowing the outcome ahead of time. The real fun was staying up late to see men's basketball. As far as Phelps and Bolt were concerned, God love 'em, but I knew what both of them did before I got the opportunity to see them do it! I miss Jim McKay.
