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The Olympic Games 2012

post #1 of 34
7/28/12 at 12:47am
Thread Starter 
Anyone started a thread about this yet?

Well, anyone interested in the games may want a little chat here.

If anyone watched the opening ceremony last night, what did you guys thing?
Being the emotional wreck that I am, the first section about the industrial revolution and the war etc pretty much had my crying start to finish - I thought it was an incredible opening. It lost it's way a bit with the further two sections on the NHS and the "age of technology"...

What event is everyone most excited to see?!
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post #2 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:16am
I laughed very hard at Sir Simon Rattle and Mr. Bean. So much fun! :-)
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post #3 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:22am
I thought it was wonderful. It was compared negatively to Beijing which was very flashy but had all the heart of a retina display. Human pixels can take you only so far. I like a bit of human warmth, flesh and blood, with my celebrations. London went there, and I was moved. The cauldron-lighting finale was awesome. The parade of nations is always stirring - young athletes in their prime are beautiful around the world.

I'm watching the men's road race this morning - the English countryside is lovely. Looking forward to track, of course, and swimming. I'm interested in badminton too - a very tough Olympic sport, amazingly fast, and not at all like your backyard passtime.
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post #4 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:27am
l thought the opening ceremony was amazing! Highlights for me were Mr Bean, the Queen "dropping in" with James Bond, & the beautiful cauldron being lit. l also thought it showed just how much Britain has given the world in terms of music, film & storytelling. And the NHS certainly is something to be proud of, even now.
Oddest moment; The Beatles appearing in the middle of the industrial revolution. (Huh?)

l'm looking forward to the athletics, the diving & Andy Murray in the tennis.
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post #5 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:33am
James Bond meeting the Queen was a master stroke and the opening ceremony was vibrant upbeat and tremendous in its scope.
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post #6 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:54am
loved the music throughout the ceremony especially that accompanied the parade of delegations.
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post #7 of 34
7/28/12 at 6:59am
I felt it was very well done and enjoyed it.
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post #8 of 34
7/28/12 at 7:00am
A stirring spectacular !!!
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post #9 of 34
7/28/12 at 7:20am
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post #10 of 34
7/28/12 at 7:47am
I loved the opening ceremonies! I thought they were MUCH better than Beijing's ... but that's just me. Loved the Queen, rocking as a Bond Girl ... loved the music ... loved David Beckham, driving the speedboat ... loved Sir Paul getting choked up and emotional ... Well done, London!

I will watch as many of the events as possible. I'm looking forward to basketball, gymnastics, swimming ... oh heck, who am I kidding? I love them all!
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post #11 of 34
7/28/12 at 8:12am
Great show. Only one negative from me. Why, on God's green earth, were the introductions done in French first, then English?
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post #12 of 34
7/28/12 at 8:28am
Yes, I thought it was wonderful. A bit of British humor - I laughed like crazy when the Queen ignored James Bond! Yes, very emotional. I thought the mix of historical and contemporary themes was just about right, and within those, a nice mix of ideas was chosen.

In comparing this opening to others we've seen, I would go beyond what shades said about Beijing, and extend it to everybody. I felt that the open-armed emphasis on the historical and the cultural was an excellent example for all of us, and while being very true to the spirit of the Olympics, was still uniquely British.

Even the snafoos have turned out for the better in some ways. I don't know if the North Korean team realizes it, but I think the entire world was in sympathy with them when they were shown with the South Korean flag. Outrageous! I suspect that Dr. Who is behind it - trying to mess with history in manners unknown!

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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrich View Post

Great show. Only one negative from me. Why, on God's green earth, were the introductions done in French first, then English?

So obvious, it had to be intentional. But I can see it.

In terms of grammatically annoying accidental world languages, age before beauty.
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post #13 of 34
7/28/12 at 8:37am
Only good part was Craig and the Queen. Mr Bean was ok too, I guess. Rest was mainly torture, in my opinion.
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post #14 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:02am
A great start to a memorable Summer Olympics. Well done!
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post #15 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:12am
I really enjoyed the opening ceremony ! Wonderful !
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post #16 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:14am
Quote:
French and English are the two official Olympic languages. Remember, the modern Games were founded by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin.

First language of the Olympics is French, says the International Olympic Committee.

That is not all that annoys some

Quote:
Another is that the union flag is to be flown fourth everywhere in London behind the Olympic flag, the London 2012 banner, and the UN flag.
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post #17 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:19am
Well done England. We will wait you, Rio 2016 (youre all invited to 2014 at the World Cup too).

Brazil first Gold at female Judo (first at the olympic games at Judo and medal on this edition).
Congratulations Sarah Menezes.

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post #18 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:23am
I loved the movie it opened with, and thought the stage show was well done, although it lost momentum a few times--yes, with the NHS and the WWW). And by the time they got finished introducing all the countries' athletes, I was having trouble keeping my eyes open for the actual flame thing - which was really impressive too.

After all that, what we needed from Macca was Live and Let Die, not Hey Jude. Zzzzz.
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post #19 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:24am
Watch our Gold, beautiful

http://esportes.terra.com.br/jogos-o...ileiro--427342
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post #20 of 34
7/28/12 at 9:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by d4N13L View Post

Well done England.

Thanks Daniel, but remember, London 2012 is representing Great Britain, which includes Scotland, Wales & Northern lreland, not just England!
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post #21 of 34
7/28/12 at 11:09am
I thought the opening ceremony was superb..... and so original. Well done to Danny Boyle and the thousands of actors, dancers, musicians and volunteers that took part.

The whole ceremony included and acknowledged so much and so many... even the guard of honour for Steve Redgrave as he entered the stadium with the torch - provided by construction workers who built the Olympic park - was a magical moment.

And the finale - the lighting of the "cauldron" - was something else.....
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post #22 of 34
7/28/12 at 11:15am
I loved the opening ceremony. And any chance to watch football/soccer is good for me.
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post #23 of 34
7/29/12 at 5:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kagey View Post

I loved the movie it opened with, and thought the stage show was well done, although it lost momentum a few times--yes, with the NHS and the WWW). And by the time they got finished introducing all the countries' athletes, I was having trouble keeping my eyes open for the actual flame thing - which was really impressive too.

After all that, what we needed from Macca was Live and Let Die, not Hey Jude. Zzzzz.

For me the first 2 hours or so were very pedestrian. I started doing other things halfway through the introduction of the teams.
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post #24 of 34
7/29/12 at 9:08am
There are some sports which shouldn't be in the games, IMO. Football is one and tennis is another. Basketball too.

I also had doubts about the beach volleyball, but after watching the ladies today, I realise I was wrong.....
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post #25 of 34
7/29/12 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrich View Post

There are some sports which shouldn't be in the games, IMO. Football is one and tennis is another. Basketball too.

I also had doubts about the beach volleyball, but after watching the ladies today, I realise I was wrong.....

I agree - football and tennis - they have their own competitions.

I couldn't believe beach volleyball was an olympic sport! Hahaha, it's great fun to watch.
I've been thoroughly enjoying the fencing with the futuristic - tron like outfits and light up scoring - BRILLIANT!
And of course the outstanding gymnastics, and we have a fantastic male team for it! Medals ahoy.

Oh and I tried to watch the Formal Equisterian Dressage and take it seriously, but I couldn't get past how god damn boring it was, and unless the horse is gonna get the gold medal, I don't believe the pompous prick riding the horse deserves recognition for teaching the horse how to flick it's feet.. :')

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Congrats to the brit gymnastic lads who won bronze last night!
Just annoying that they initially won silver and Japan had a hissy fit to bump them down! Sad!
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post #26 of 34
7/31/12 at 8:13pm
Loved the opening ceremony! Especially the QE and Bond segment. Congratulations to the US Women's Volleyball team on their wins! GO JORDAN LARSON (former Nebraska Cornhusker)!
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post #27 of 34
8/1/12 at 7:38am
Come on Wiggo & Froome!!
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post #28 of 34
8/1/12 at 8:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kron View Post

Come on Wiggo & Froome!!

Wiggins was awesome, and congrats to Froome too.

As football is (wrongly) in the Olympics can anyone tell me why is it that the big jessies who play football need at least two days rest between matches? After all, cyclists like Wiggo can do 3500 kilometres over three weeks with just two days off.
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post #29 of 34
8/1/12 at 12:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcrich View Post

Wiggins was awesome, and congrats to Froome too.

As football is (wrongly) in the Olympics can anyone tell me why is it that the big jessies who play football need at least two days rest between matches? After all, cyclists like Wiggo can do 3500 kilometres over three weeks with just two days off.

Cycling is a low impact sport (you sit on your bottom most of the time, basically) whereas football is high impact and can lead to wear and tear much easier. At least this is shall be my theory lol
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post #30 of 34
8/1/12 at 2:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rüssel View Post

Cycling is a low impact sport (you sit on your bottom most of the time, basically) whereas football is high impact and can lead to wear and tear much easier. At least this is shall be my theory lol

Thanks Russel.

I shall take that answer with the tongue-in-cheek sentiment that I suspect you were offering! lol
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post #31 of 34
8/6/12 at 2:50pm
Really digging the track and field.
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post #32 of 34
8/6/12 at 8:02pm
How about that women's football match between Canada and USA today? Wow! Had me going nuts screaming!
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post #33 of 34
8/7/12 at 4:15am
Enjoyed the women's judo. The winner's hair made her look like a madwoman!
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post #34 of 34
8/7/12 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

How about that women's football match between Canada and USA today? Wow! Had me going nuts screaming!

That was an excellent game.
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