Originally Posted By Malin Starting an official thread to discuss the 2008 Beijing Olympics which start today. Feel free to discuss the games and results and even more interesting your thoughts on host nation China and its human rights record and poor air polution.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, I was going to start a thread on the opening ceremonies (anyone wake up early to watch?), but anyway they are live as I type and VERY spectacular and impressive. A bit militaristic though (go figure). Now the athletes are marching in. I'm looking forward to the crowd reaction for Iraq (they DID get approval after all, right?). I hope those young athletes get a HUGE cheer. Interestingly, Taiwan got a GIGANTIC ovation. I wonder what that's all about.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 Me three!! And even though I think that China should not have been allowed to host the Olympics this year, I am looking forward to seeing the coverage of "modern" China. Or at least as much as the Chinese government allows us to see!!
Originally Posted By gadzuux I'm also interested in the reaction to the iraqi athletes. People tend to forget that we're not at war with the iraqi people. It's all too easy to fall into 'knee-jerk' mode and think of them as our enemy when they're not. Also interesting to hear that taiwan was so well received. I've noticed over the past months as the controversies about chinese politics and repression have been circulating, that the issue of taiwan has barely rated a mention. The focus has been on tibet, sudan, darfur, monks, dissidents, earthquakes, impoverished rural areas, hunger, air pollution - everything but taiwan. I'm not sure why. I've got four people and a dog coming over to my place tonight to watch the ceremonies. We'll be having our own little ceremony while we watch.
Originally Posted By Malin I left work early today to watch the opening ceremony and so glad I did, what a show Beijing put on from the visual efects to the costumes and performers who did a great job with timing everything perfectly. In 2012 its going to be London's turn and I don't have much confidence in them topping that opening ceremony. Bush for me however stole the show as the camera's kept showing him sat in his chair looking bored until the American's came out and he was stood up with a huge smile on his face, classic moment. The lightening of the torch was really a must see moment and the Chinese proved to me tonight that there can put on a show with the best of them. And how proud did the Chinese people look tonight. Looking forward to the start of the games from tomorrow, good luck Britain.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 This was a very interesting opinion piece on the Opening Ceremonies, and he makes some very interesting points: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080802325.html" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/...325.html</a> <<In four years, London shouldn't even try to compete with the spectacle that Beijing bestowed upon our wondering eyes in the Opening Ceremonies. No democracy can or should invest the money and manpower that went into this city-wide fireworks-spewing deification of national pride, athletic aspiration and Communist Party self-congratulation. Public money could never be justified for such an insanely exhilarating night. Only a People's Republic could squander so lavishly.>>
Originally Posted By -em I agree on the lavish- Its amazing all right but kinda creepy in their perfect lines etc... -em
Originally Posted By Mr X I actually didn't think the lines were all that perfect. Lots of mistakes, actually (guess I'm a perfectionist...check out the Olympics ceremonies from 96 to see some REAL perfection). But, certainly a spectacular show, no doubt!
Originally Posted By Mr X Found it! (t'was the closing ceremonies though...pretty funny too) <a href="http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=ABh1v1W6iXk" target="_blank">http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=...1v1W6iXk</a>
Originally Posted By DAR Iraq wasn't allowed to participate: <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/...lympics/" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/...lympics/</a>
Originally Posted By DAR So what events interest you? I'm going to have an interest in basketball to see if we can finally win the gold again. This is our best team in years and it's a little embarassing that we can't even win the game we invented anymore. I'm really looking forward to the swimming events, hopefully Michael Phelps can pull it off and win the most gold medals in Olympic history. I usually won't watch even though it is the big ratings draw but the gymnastics squad has a girl named Chelcie Memel from West Allis a suburb of Milwaukee. And the men's team did have the participation of Paul and Morgan Hamm from Waukesha another suburb around here. But both had to pull out due to injury. But the big thing I'm looking forward to is track and field. Especially the 100 and 200 meter races. It should be very interesting to see how we fair against the Jamaicans who of course were all trained in the U.S.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Bush for me however stole the show as the camera's kept showing him sat in his chair looking bored until the American's came out and he was stood up with a huge smile on his face, classic moment< they also showed him at one point watching thru binoculars - as well as another time talking to Vladimir Putin -- but yeah it plays better to highlight the bored part.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 All the volleyball matches interest me of course with one college player in the house and hopefully another in a few years. Also the swimming and a local girl ( Candace Parker ) on the womans BB team.
Originally Posted By Khiori The marathon! I just found out tonight a "local boy" is competing!! (From Big Bear, CA) Go Ryan!!!
Originally Posted By retlawfan $300,000,000.00 for the opening ceremonies, and there are people starving in China. What's wrong with this picture?
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< they also showed him at one point watching thru binoculars - as well as another time talking to Vladimir Putin -- but yeah it plays better to highlight the bored part. >>> You forgot the part of him looking impatiently at his watch.
