Other Olympic Observations

[malkin]

Such a big party, doesn't it deserve more than one thread?

I'll start:

There are cheerleaders at this volleyball match that Brewer is watching right now. I cant tell if they came to support Serbia or the USA or if they are non-partisan and supplied by the host city. They have pink striped sleeves.

What's up with that?

What do you like and what bugs you?
Random observations, bad politics, fun stuff, annoying stuff.
Let's hear it.

[lovelygamer]

I thought the whole Industrial Revolution part of the opening ceremony was dull. It was well done, of course but dull. How much more depressing can you get. And the rural stuff before that was a bit weird. I loved most everything else I saw....except I could not stay awake for the whole thing and that annoyed me. This is the first year I remember it being till Midnight and I couldn't stay awake. I fell asleep during the parade of nations "R". and I really wanted to see S, and U. ugh.

I also heard that the beach volleyball outfits are going to be tamer than usual, and show less skin.

I'm enjoying it all!

[malkin]

In the parade of nations I was nodding off at about Ghana and decided to go to bed at about Indonesia.

[Koronin]

Can we please dump all these back story look at athlete things. They take away time that would be better suited to showing actual competition.

[skhill]

Think I fell asleep somewhere around Lithuania, in the parade of nations. That's my favorite part of opening ceremonies, just wish it was available live so it would have been at a reasonable hour, at least for someone who's usually in bed by 10pm.

One odd observation: has anyone else noticed that all the play-by-play announcers for NBCetc. are men? They have women working as sideline reporters and expert/color analysts and studio anchors, but not doing play-by-play. Maybe there have been some I haven't caught, but it's odd...

[pll]

My favorite part of the opening ceremonies is the lighting of the Olympic flame... I think Barcelona 1992 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIl_3sYPzsQ) cannot be topped in how spectacular it was, but this year's was nice.

In the ceremonies before the parade, I wish they had shown some men in kilts, some highlands games. :-)

The NBC athlete profiles and stories... could be left for online fodder...

[tulip]

How about those glowing bicycle Monthras? Doves, whatever, Mothras to me. They were great, and I want a pair of those wings.

[Blueberry]

I like the back stories. Otherwise, there are very few athletes I would know anything about (sad, but true).

I think it's colder in England, and the beach volleyball has been late at night. I suspect that's why they're wearing long sleeves some.

[Koronin]

It's colder in England in general. I think the daytime temps are in the 60s.

[pll]

How about those glowing bicycle Monthras? Doves, whatever, Mothras to me. They were great, and I want a pair of those wings.

Those were cool. The cameras did not focus on them for long. I wanted to see more detail, how those wings were attached! <and what bikes they were riding>

[2wheelr]

I'm not sure I'm nuts about the random switching around of sports on NBC stations and BRAVO??

The industrial part of the opening ceremonies was too dark for me, and the teenage thing, frankly, I have 2 teens. I can see that garbage here. The "I found your cell phone" business was stupid. My sons asked "So, what, she has 2 cell phones?"

I don't know, sweetheart, I was busy trying to tune the whole thing out.

One more thing- The "Call me maybe" video by the swim team was FABULOUS as far as I'm concerned. :p

[ny biker]

I think background info on the athletes can be good. I just hate how they always try to emphasize some kind of melodrama. Like, we couldn't learn about where Tyler Farrar was from or his family or how he got into cycling -- we had to hear about the death of his close friend instead.

I haven't really watched anything except cycling yet.

From past Olympics, I would like to say that the men who play beach volleyball ought to be forced to wear speedos. What's good for the goose...

[Trek420]

Queen Elizabeth can skydive! And those corgies!

[lovelygamer]

OH!! I LOVED the swim team singing that song. So fun and youthful. :D I want to look up the part of the ceremony I missed and watch it. I didn't see the bike moths.

[2wheelr]

I think background info on the athletes can be good. I just hate how they always try to emphasize some kind of melodrama. Like, we couldn't learn about where Tyler Farrar was from or his family or how he got into cycling -- we had to hear about the death of his close friend instead.

I haven't really watched anything except cycling yet.

From past Olympics, I would like to say that the men who play beach volleyball ought to be forced to wear speedos. What's good for the goose...

...is good for the goose to watch...I agree. Make them run and jump while risking their junk falling out.

[nuliajuk]

I found it irritating that the station I was watching interrupted the parade of nations for a commercial break and missed big groups of countries. I would like to have seen the Belize team, having enjoyed two great vacations there.

[2wheelr]

OH!! I LOVED the swim team singing that song. So fun and youthful. :D I want to look up the part of the ceremony I missed and watch it. I didn't see the bike moths.

I *think* it was right after the nations entered. I might be wrong though-I was VERY tired. :D

It was cool, they were supposed to be doves. For what, I'm not sure, but the humongous wings were flappy and glowed. I taped the whole magilla, I figured I'd be awake to watch it the next day, but I was too busy watching events.

[2wheelr]

I found it irritating that the station I was watching interrupted the parade of nations for a commercial break and missed big groups of countries. I would like to have seen the Belize team, having enjoyed two great vacations there.

ME TOO! My son asked if I was going to stroke out when they cut to commercial before Israel came in, and then again when the US was about to come in.

I didn't stroke out, but honestly, they have a kazillion sponsers, just dedicate a half hour to them before the parade of nations, kind of like an "Intermission" for bathroom breaks, snacks, drinks, or just stretching your legs after watching the festivities.

[Red Rock]

I love all of your collective ideas here. Gosh, with all the input here, the station(s) could , if they so decided, be better for the viewing audience. I totally agree with all of the males broadcasting. Where are the women?? After watching all of this, you might think there were no women in broadcasting. NBC had to something with all of the guys who do football, basketball and other stuff. They probably can't wait for all this to be over since football (American style) is right around the corner.

Fashion: I think it is a general trend. I was looking at high schoolers, College kids..etc on dates. What do people wear? Guys wear blue jeans and a T-shirt, if it has a collar, you know the guy went to extra effort to dress right. Women, they really go all out, a dress, a pants combo, or a a summer shirt with pants, or a skirt. Generally they are showing more skin, where the guy is totally covered from head to toe. This transfers to adults as well.

As a woman, I am tired of continually having to fight the glass celing in order to get decent pay and other "privledges" that guys take for granted. There is a lot of talk but how many people in positions really do something about these issues? They won't let women do the jumping events in the Winter Olympics? Why? It makes no sense. We are all people.

Ok....my rant/opinion is expressed.

Sometime poster but always lurking.

Red Rock

[colby]

From past Olympics, I would like to say that the men who play beach volleyball ought to be forced to wear speedos. What's good for the goose...

Maybe the beach volleyball and water polo players should switch uniforms for a couple games...

Is the womens beach volleyball uniform somehow designed to be more functional? In some sports, I get that their clothing serves a functional purpose, and there is some custom that is carried forward (really, it seems like a lot of sports could share or overlap more uniform elements than they do). In indoor volleyball they wear hipsters, more or less, closer to runners than beach volleyball. Seems like those would be equally or more functional and perhaps less wedgie-inducing. As for the tops, the US womens sports bra tops look a little more... secure... than other teams, more like running, though not a full singlet. They were mostly wearing tops over their tops (heh) today because it was chilly - announcers said the sand was 45 degrees, cold feet. The Argentinean women were constantly picking out wedgies and pulling up their tops, so I guess it could be worse.

I wonder how much sand the guy that has to chase the ball down has in his shoes.

[malkin]

I wonder at what point the US media will stop displaying the "MEDAL COUNT" graphic as a measure of success.

[ny biker]

I wonder at what point the US media will stop displaying the "MEDAL COUNT" graphic as a measure of success.

Never. They do it in every Olympics.

Oddly enough, they forgot to include Kazakhstan in their medal count yesterday...

[Koronin]

There is a female announcer for the rowing/canoeing events.
The beach volleyball uniform is a bathing suite. For women a bikini, but with 60 degree temps that too cold so at least the US women are wearing what appears to be wet suit tops over the bikinis. The men are wearing what they typically wear, swim trucks and tank tops. That's pretty standard for the pro beach tour, and actually if they aren't filming on the beach tour they'll just wear swim trucks and no tops at all. Now what some of the women are wearing I have no idea.

[Blueberry]

I feel for the female US gymnasts. Every single one of them - they finish their routines, and the first thing they have to do is pull their uniforms out of their cracks. Every. Single. One. I think the designers didn't take muscular butts into account when designing. I wouldn't want my crack on international TV.

[lovelygamer]

I feel for the female US gymnasts. Every single one of them - they finish their routines, and the first thing they have to do is pull their uniforms out of their cracks. Every. Single. One. I think the designers didn't take muscular butts into account when designing. I wouldn't my crack on international TV.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! I have noticed this too!:D

[Trek420]

I thought the whole Industrial Revolution part of the opening ceremony was dull.

Pretty cool when seen from the inside :cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsEG0Bh7VjQ

[Blueberry]

Bleh. I feel sorry for the gymnast who was just eliminated. Seems odd that only 2 from each country can enter the all around final. We don't limit in swimming or other disciplines. Bleh.

[Koronin]

I was happy to see actual release moves when the gymnasts were going from the low bar to the high bar. That had seemed to have gotten lost the last couple of Olympics. Growing up taking some gymnastics classes the only event I was ever any good at was the uneven bars. Then I got to college, took the gymnastics class for an easy A (which it was) and I got to learn how to do the Parallel bars and the Pommel Horse and absolutely love those two events.

[lovelygamer]

Bleh. I feel sorry for the gymnast who was just eliminated. Seems odd that only 2 from each country can enter the all around final. We don't limit in swimming or other disciplines. Bleh.

Me too. How does the reigning world champion not get into all around? Something is wrong with that process.

[lovelygamer]

Pretty cool when seen from the inside :cool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsEG0Bh7VjQ

This is amazzzzzzzzzzzzzing. How deafening was that from the actor's perspective? I would be scared to death to be out there in that. By the way, do you know if there are any videos of the whole ceremony or chunks of it? i would love to catch what I missed. I wonder if it is on demand on my cable? I'm going to check.

[pll]

Going back to the opening, one of the moments that I *really* liked was when the flame went into the stadium and the construction workers that worked on that stadium were standing in guard. That was a great touch..

[pll]

Here is a parody of Olympic coverage: the Felympics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-plLa7_GQ&feature=g-all-u

(the videos of that cat owner are great!)

[bmccasland]

Here is a parody of Olympic coverage: the Felympics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d-plLa7_GQ&feature=g-all-u

(the videos of that cat owner are great!)

Oh this is great!! :D

[Aggie_Ama]

Me too. How does the reigning world champion not get into all around? Something is wrong with that process.

The judges seemed incredibly tough scoring on all athletes, it was weird. Bela Karolyi (sp?) was pretty wound up about how it should be the top 24 athletes, he has a point in swimming it is the top qualifiers from the heats. But everyone is held to the same rules, broke my heart from Jordyn but she was outscored.

I have a question, I noticed what appear to be military from each nation presenting the flags. My curiousity is if you are a nation highly unlikely to medal do you still have those people on standby to present your flag?

[Koronin]

I also think it should be the top 24 scores, but everyone knows the rules going in. It's not like they changed the rules during the event.
Personally I prefer sports where there is no judging and it's you against the clock or you against the other competitors to get to the finish line, or like archery and shooting where you are aiming at a specific target, where you shot is the score. Or even horse jumping where it's you against the clock and oh yeah don't knock down any of the bars for the jumps.

[SadieKate]

The NBC athlete profiles and stories... could be left for online fodder...I agree. If it can't be said during the event, don't say it. I want to watch competition not family movies.

[lovelygamer]

I agreed with the Russian Judge. She should have gotten in.

P.S. that cat video is precious.

[Penny4]

I saw those cheerleaders in the indoor volleyball game too , and was trying to figure out what that was about??

During the rowing, have you seen the people biking along on the side? At first I thought they were spectators, but then it looked like all of the bikes were the same, so I'm not sure if they are media? Judges?

The beach volleyball uniforms...good lord, those are some tiny suits. I thought I heard one of the announcers say that if the temp is below 60F, they don't have to wear the bikinis. Sooooo, a bikini is a mandatroy uniform?? Yikes.

I was really happy for the US lady that won the shooting gold medal.

Ryan Lochte. He's pretty easy on the eyes :p

[SadieKate]

During the rowing, have you seen the people biking along on the side? At first I thought they were spectators, but then it looked like all of the bikes were the same, so I'm not sure if they are media? Judges? They're coaches.

[Penny4]

Aha! TY.

[malkin]

During the rowing, have you seen the people biking along on the side? At first I thought they were spectators, but then it looked like all of the bikes were the same, so I'm not sure if they are media? Judges?


My niece is on a paddling team in Honolulu and her coach rides on a bike and yells at them.

It would be a grand way to be a spectator, although probably not if there was a crowd.

[katluvr]

So I haven noticed so much that the commentators are only men. I did notice the women that was doing the after the swim pool side interviews and she asks the stupidest questions. I felt sorry for Michael Phelps after the 400M medley (???) and he did not win a medal. Why ask him how he feels? and she made another comment that was insensitive. How come we love to dig in the fact that he is no longer the TOP or winning all the medals. He knows and feels this.
(ok, sorry about the rant--but it seemed mean to me and I feel really bad for him, it must be so hard!)

K

[Anyabeth]

I usually adore the Olympics and have been really depressed by the commentary on NBC this time. A lot of it is terribly sexist and often mean. Way too many comments on female athletes' appearances. It is amazing we get to see so many more events but it is like they want to spoil it with ugliness.

[Koronin]

Yes bikinis are the women's beach volleyball uniform. Has been since I remember first watching it back in the 90s. Swim trunks are the men's beach volleyball uniform. In the pro contests in matches that are not televised many of the men typically do not wear shirts.

[malkin]

Watching women's gymnsastics, but this applies to many of the competitors. The Romanian gymnasts make mistakes.

I feel sad thinking that these kids may see this event as some kind of failure. I see them as enormously dedicated and amazingly accomplished!

[malkin]

I feel for the female US gymnasts. Every single one of them - they finish their routines, and the first thing they have to do is pull their uniforms out of their cracks. Every. Single. One. I think the designers didn't take muscular butts into account when designing. I wouldn't want my crack on international TV.

The male divers do a fair amount of 'adjusting' as well.

[jessmarimba]

I think they have relaxed the women's beach volleyball uniform regulations to allow women from more conservative countries to wear shorts/t-shirts.

I'm watching men's synchronized diving right now (how do you even get into something like that?) and I've seen more than enough plumbers crack for a lifetime. Half of their suits don't cover everything even before they hit the water. Eek!!

[malkin]

Okay, Costas and McEnroe...WARDROBE!!!!

Costas: gray suit with brown shoes and socks, and his tie reaches to the seat of his chair.

McEnroe: Looks like he's got a pair of kayaks on his feet!

[jessmarimba]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! :p )

[malkin]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

Maybe because the top has their name on it?
Maybe 'cuz it's pink?
A new fashion trend?
When I moved to Utah, I learned that a bra isn't always the layer of clothing worn closest to skin.


(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! :p )

Nah.
Let's compete for the gold medal in women's snark!

[Koronin]

Ok back to the beach volleyball...why do they wear their bikini tops OUTSIDE their shirts? Do they have another support system under the shirts too? Am I the only one who thinks this looks silly?

(I should stop drinking as I watch this, or this could get really snarky! :p )

The US women don't. They are wearing what looks like wet suit tops over their bikini tops. I agree with you that ones that are look really stupid.

[Anyabeth]

I believe the ones who are wearing the suit tops outside their shirts are from countries that didn't issue long sleeve uniforms.

It is interesting that the commentary does not stop about the beach volleyball uniforms even though it has been an Olympic sport for over ten years with the same uniforms.

I like that they have expanded the options because of the location of the venue (and the weather) because it has allowed increased participation from women in more conservative countries.

It is interesting though because indoor volleyball was played in briefs forever (at all levels including my junior high team) and no one ever said boo.

[malkin]

I am way more bugged by the thought of sand everywhere than by the fabric to skin ratio.

Weren't the original Athletes in ancient Greece all nekkid anyway?
Maybe we could get Justice Scalia to leave the US Supreme Court and join the IOC to make an "originalist" ruling.

[jessmarimba]

I need to download a podcast of Morgan Freeman narrating something like the women's marathon to listen to while I run (and pretend it's about me). How motivating would that be! (Edit - except if it was the olympics, the narration would end about, oh, 2 hours early...)

(I had too much beer to write the report I was going to start tonight. Oh darn.)

Male gymnasts are adjusting a lot too. I'd almost rather see the women pick wedgies...at least I can relate a little better.

[malkin]

Has anyone else noticed that Bob Costas is starting to look like a vampire?
And not one of the romantic teenaged ones?

[Selkie]

Slow day at work yesterday, so I caught the ladies weighlifting. Some of the competitors would scream before they'd pick up the barbell. Gave me some good chuckles.

It was good to see Missy Franklin get her first Gold! And of course, Dana Vollmer taking the Gold in the 100m fly! Vollmer's story is very inspirational.

Not sure why beach volleyball was ever included in the Olympics, but I admit that even regular volleyball doesn't appeal to me. I'm glad that they are giving the women the option of not having to wear those skimpy swimsuits, too.

[lovelygamer]

So I haven noticed so much that the commentators are only men. I did notice the women that was doing the after the swim pool side interviews and she asks the stupidest questions. I felt sorry for Michael Phelps after the 400M medley (???) and he did not win a medal. Why ask him how he feels? and she made another comment that was insensitive. How come we love to dig in the fact that he is no longer the TOP or winning all the medals. He knows and feels this.
(ok, sorry about the rant--but it seemed mean to me and I feel really bad for him, it must be so hard!)

K

I noticed this. I think Phelps is pretty much a jerk (he lives near here and got a DUI in my area) however, I thought it was insensitive to push him like that on a live feed. We ALL know how bad he felt about that loss and the 400 is so hard that he didn't even have his breath yet let alone his thoughts.

Oddly enough when the reigning world champ in gymnastics didn't make the all around and started crying, they went to commercial to give her time to recover before getting on camera. Isn't that sweet?

Why can't all athletes get the same respect?

I am SO over Bob Costas. He too, makes insensitive and just inane remarks all of the time.

I missed the beach volleyball coverage so I can't discuss (I really don't care for volleyball of any kind). I also missed the weightlifting, darn it. I love the clean and jerk esp. for women. Swimming was excellent to watch last night and so was mens gymnastics.

[2wheelr]

I noticed this. I think Phelps is pretty much a jerk (he lives near here and got a DUI in my area) however, I thought it was insensitive to push him like that on a live feed. We ALL know how bad he felt about that loss and the 400 is so hard that he didn't even have his breath yet let alone his thoughts.

Oddly enough when the reigning world champ in gymnastics didn't make the all around and started crying, they went to commercial to give her time to recover before getting on camera. Isn't that sweet?

Why can't all athletes get the same respect?

I am SO over Bob Costas. He too, makes insensitive and just inane remarks all of the time.

I missed the beach volleyball coverage so I can't discuss (I really don't care for volleyball of any kind). I also missed the weightlifting, darn it. I love the clean and jerk esp. for women. Swimming was excellent to watch last night and so was mens gymnastics.

I love the women's weightlifting, and this year Nick Mangold's sister, Holley, is in it. (I'm a Jets fan...I know, I know...) Mens Gymnastics were depressing, all the mistakes, it makes me feel bad for them. I do love the swimming. Synchronized diving is really fantastic. When they get it perfect, it's incredible.
I am disappointed in the commentators too. They don't seem to know all that much. During the mens gymnastics, in particular the uneven bars, they kept saying well, next he'll be..and he didn't and oh how surprising. I kept wanting to say "Clam up and entertain me, dingbat!"

[Pax]

Okay, so we have synchronized diving, but no longer have softball in the Olympics???? There's like 50 people on the planet who do that kind of diving, and a probably a million+ who play softball. What. the. hell??? :mad:

[limewave]

I am disappointed in the commentators too. They don't seem to know all that much. During the mens gymnastics, in particular the uneven bars, they kept saying well, next he'll be..and he didn't and oh how surprising. I kept wanting to say "Clam up and entertain me, dingbat!"

If only Bob Roll could commentate the Olympics . . .

[sgf726]

Did anyone else notice that last night before the Women's 100M Butterfly Final they actually showed a promo for the Today Show with Missy and her gold medal. Therefore I then knew who won before I even watched the match.

On the sports I am interested in I try to avoid seeing the results. It seems like someone at NBC messed up and put the promo one commercial break too early.

[skhill]

Caught some of a men's field hocky match yesterday. I'd never seen anyone play that sport wearing shorts instead of a skirt! Still don't have a grasp of the rules, but it's kinda fun to watch a sport I don't understand.

The women's weightlifting was fanatastic. So glad I got to see some of it.

My own favorite moment so far was seeing Lee Keifer, our local kid, fencing. She didn't make it to the medal round, but hey, that's ok. So far this summer she's graduated from high school, fenced in the olympics, and right after she gets home from London she'll be heading off to college. Pretty cool!

[Aggie_Ama]

I saw the NBC goof and tell us Missy had won a gold. I already knew because they keep running huge headlines of what is going on in the day on MSNBC.com. They're pretty clueless though.

[Penny4]

If only Bob Roll could commentate the Olympics . . .

+1

Does anyone know why Hope Solo and Brandi Chastain were getting into it on Twitter? I missed the full story, and i'm not really a soccer fan, so wasn't sure what it was all about.

[colby]

+1

Does anyone know why Hope Solo and Brandi Chastain were getting into it on Twitter? I missed the full story, and i'm not really a soccer fan, so wasn't sure what it was all about.

Brandi Chastain made a comment critizing the USWNT's technique/tactics while announcing the game.

Hope Solo made a Twitter comment that she should be quiet, and that soccer has changed in the last 10 years (since Chastain was on the team).

Kind of silly all around.

[Penny4]

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to avoid spoilers on the local news, Facebook, email, etc. At least Brian Williams on the national news has the courtesy to tell me to look away for a few seconds, although by then I have usually heard the news somewhere else. Oh well, I guess it means I don't HAVE to stay up until midnight everynight :rolleyes:

[Koronin]

Unfortunately the time difference is going to end up with spoilers and spoilers that can't be completely avoided. Esp because they want to show specific stuff in primetime. Of course my preference for what I want to see doesn't always equal what they show then and of course due to having to work some of what I want to see I haven't seen much if any of. Go figure.
On the other hand I have gotten to watch some of the water polo which I find to be fascinating even if I have no clue what the rules are. LOL

[bmccasland]

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to avoid spoilers on the local news, Facebook, email, etc. At least Brian Williams on the national news has the courtesy to tell me to look away for a few seconds, although by then I have usually heard the news somewhere else. Oh well, I guess it means I don't HAVE to stay up until midnight everynight :rolleyes:

Our local news (NBC) tells you there'll be a spoiler with music - so if you don't want to know, close your eyes until the music stops. Seems to be a good compromise.

[colby]

On the other hand I have gotten to watch some of the water polo which I find to be fascinating even if I have no clue what the rules are. LOL

Water polo! Just when I think I have it figured out... so many whistles!

I think the ball has to stay on the surface of the water (can't be held under) or they turn it over, they can't hold other players down or they get put in the penalty box, and otherwise there appear to be no rules? Something must be important about the two lines, like soccer where you can't do stuff inside the box or it means a more significant penalty.

Earlier today I got sucked into archery and soccer. I watched the Canadians tie their match, go Canada! And a tiny bit of the US team but I was working at the same time so I didn't really catch much.

[katluvr]

We have been dvr'ing everything. But not enough time to watch and then I watch primetime (before I saw the qualifying) or the Today Show (I'm a addict). But I still go back and watch some of the earlier stuff before the medal round.

I don't really like any of the real "team" sports. Well except rowing I guess. I have watched a lot of swimming (like most of us), but I think my interest is that I am in such awe! I tried to swim to do a tri....I sucked beyond sucking...it so hard.

To me the canoeing looked like kayaking until they explained they were on their knees and obviously the paddle was a single.

I have also been more into the diving than usual.

I am very happy for Missy...so hard to believe she is the same age as my niece!

K

[amb]

I hate, hate, HATE the "London 2012" font! I think bc when I think of London, I think "old world" and formal, not crappy, slanty 1982 font!! And it's everywhere, in almost every screen shot. I can't believe enough people liked that font that it was selected.

Rant over.....I am loving the olympics. The swimming, diving, gymnastic, cycling. These athletes are amazing!

[Koronin]

colby, thanks for the tips on the rules. I think that will help with watching future matches.

I love archery, but I think that's party because I own a bow (compound bow and arrows) and target shoot for fun. And now that we bought this house there's a park behind it and I can take the target and bow and arrows there and shoot them. Nice to have a large place to do that. Don't worry, I never take them out there if there are people actually using the park.

[malkin]

When did France become such a powerhouse in the pool?
Have they always been, and I just never noticed before?

[lovelygamer]

Pardon me, I have to scream for a second.

USA ROCKS THE HOUSE AGAIN!!! GOLD FOR PHELPS, GOLD FOR US GYMNAST GIRLS. :D:D:D

I watched every single second of the show last night. Cheered, screamed, threw fists and cried with the athletes. Oh, what a night. I was SO proud of them.

I could hardly sleep afterwards. I'm pretty sure I was in an Olympic Frenzy.

[katluvr]

So I actually watched prime time last night...but could not stay up til the end. Had to get up before 5 to take honey to airport.
So I watched the rest this AM...I had to see it happen in "real time" (not rehashed on the Today Show) to see GOLD for the Fab 5. I used to watch gymnastics all the time, I remember 1996, but don't watch much any more until now... WOW they really were awesome.

I cheered and screamed for Phelps all the way. I know not everyone loves him, but I think what he has accomplished is AWESOME!

Trying to watch the Women's Time Trial....it's not that thrilling. Must be the course or announcing.

[Sky King]

Yeah Kristen!! Glad to hear she did it, despite breaking her collar bone in May.

[Aggie_Ama]

I felt so sorry for the Russian ladies, you can tell how much pressure they put on themselves. I didn't want them to keep showing them bawling their eyes out. On another note, they really loved the glitter!

I already saw what happened in the cycling today, which is good now I can clean my house and bathe my dogs while keeping minimal interest in the tv. The best summer for us was 2004, my husband was interning 3 hours away and I went to visit for a three day weekend. It was a sleepy town with not much besides a Dairy Queen and I had been sick so the antibiotics made me burn too easily to spend much time outside. We watched hours of whatever was on, I remember being just enthralled in a water polo match and something else I had never watched. :p

[Blueberry]

I cheered and screamed for Phelps all the way. I know not everyone loves him, but I think what he has accomplished is AWESOME!

I've been getting SO frustrated with the talking heads when they're interviewing him. He now has more medals than anyone - so they're focusing on "his career is past peak," "his fitness isn't as good as Beijing," "he hasn't trained as hard," and just about anything else negative they can come up with. Let him enjoy the frigging moment, people. He's an amazing athlete - whatever else he has or hasn't done.

[jessmarimba]

I felt so sorry for the Russian ladies, you can tell how much pressure they put on themselves. I didn't want them to keep showing them bawling their eyes out. On another note, they really loved the glitter!

I got the feeling, between the commentators and watching the girls themselves, that they've been pushed into skills that they aren't ready for for the sake of the medal count. I felt so bad for them, but they're lucky none of them got hurt!

[malkin]

Our DVR doesn't work properly on NBC.

Any time I try to fast fwd, it skips immediately, completely to the end.

[maillotpois]

What is up with the Lochte grill....???

[crazycanuck]

Would love to be able to watch the Olympics live & uninterrupted but we don't have Foxtel.....:rolleyes::mad:

That & the time difference btwn Perth & London means I have to get up at 2 am to watch many of the events.

Can't wait for the women's marathon plus Meares vs Pendelton at the velodrome!

[2wheelr]

I am reeling from the Badminton cheating thing. 8 Athletes, who have probably trained their entire lives, threw it all away. How absolutely frivolous. This is the OLYMPICS. You pray to make it, you work so hard to get there, then blow it like that?

Wow. Just wow.

[2wheelr]

What is up with the Lochte grill....???

I know! I liked him so much, and now I'm kinda very turned off by that. I guess at least it's an American Flag.

[malkin]

I love that Judo girl!!

[malkin]

What is up with the Lochte grill....???


I just looked this up.
I'm so clueless that I thought it would be like the George Foreman grill!

[colby]

I'm surprised at how many of the female swimmers have long hair! It's such a pain in the arse with all that swimming, I'd expect to see a few more with shorter hair.

The Arena suits sure are bright. I kind of miss the stars & stripes suits the American team wore in 2008, but I guess this way they can wear suits from whoever their sponsor is. It is really cool to see the effect of the texture underwater, though, with all the bubbles around different parts of the suit.

Gabby Douglas is pretty awesome.

I didn't even think about it, but the American/NBC coverage didn't show the mens rings event hardly at all - I guess it's not interesting? I always felt it was the most awesome show of strength, I found it more interesting than pommel horse.

Edit: So, tonight on NBC they have been focusing a lot on Lochte's dad (after his mom's comments about the one night stand thing? ;)). He sure never seems happy. Though, maybe HE just isn't happy about the one night stand thing ;)

[salsabike]

Gabby Douglas' coach Liang Chow is adorable, right up there with Gabby herself. Happy faces are so contagious!

[jobob]

I'm just ever so grateful that we in the US didn't have the verbal stylings of Al Trautwig inflicted upon us during the cycling events. :rolleyes:

[Aggie_Ama]

I'm just ever so grateful that we in the US didn't have the verbal stylings of Al Trautwig inflicted upon us during the cycling events. :rolleyes:

My husband said the same thing!! His voice alone is just not pleasant. :p

How can you not love Gabby Douglass? She is just so damn cute, I was happy to see her win. I felt so bad for Aly having the disaster beam and then tying only to be knocked off the podium. She was so poised the rest of the time but at least she came back and delivered a solid floor routine after the disappointment of her beam performance.

Is it just me or does Mustafina look like she may cry or scream every time they show her? She did crack a smile or two last night, she just seems so unhappy.

[skhill]

Track and field finally starts today! Just hoping no one runs the womens 10k faster than I ran my easy ~5k this morning...

Just wish nbc would do a better job of showing competitors who have no chance of medaling, especially non-Americans. And also events that don't have US atheletes likely to do very well...

[2wheelr]

Track and field finally starts today! Just hoping no one runs the womens 10k faster than I ran my easy ~5k this morning...

Just wish nbc would do a better job of showing competitors who have no chance of medaling, especially non-Americans. And also events that don't have US atheletes likely to do very well...

I LOVE track and field!! It was my sport in high school. I'm watching Womens beach volleyball right now, it's too hot to do anything else. I let my chickens out to free range, and they all just huddled under a bush to sleep. :rolleyes: If it looks like rain the little wilting violets get right back in the coop. Heaven forbid they get wet.

[malkin]

Just wish nbc would do a better job of showing competitors who have no chance of medaling, especially non-Americans. And also events that don't have US atheletes likely to do very well...

Yah, there's no sign of any of the "also ran" people.
The comeptitors pictures are all on the london2012 website. Looks like the organizers got a photographer from a local jail or drivers license division.

[Veronica]

Yah, there's no sign of any of the "also ran" people.



You must have missed women's Track & Field this morning. Female athletes from Qatar, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and lots of other countries running the 100 m.

Veronica

[2wheelr]

You must have missed women's Track & Field this morning. Female athletes from Qatar, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and lots of other countries running the 100 m.

Veronica

My heart bled for that woman from Qatar. I hope she's not too badly hurt!!

[skhill]

You must have missed women's Track & Field this morning. Female athletes from Qatar, Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and lots of other countries running the 100 m.

Veronica

Wasn't that wonderful? Have to think that if I'd pulled a hamstring at the start of the race like the Qatari runner, I'd hop (or crawl) on down the track. But then, I've never pulled a hamstring...

[jobob]

Just wish nbc would do a better job of showing competitors who have no chance of medaling, especially non-Americans. And also events that don't have US atheletes likely to do very well...


Yah, there's no sign of any of the "also ran" people.


Oy. You should have heard my elderly father-in-law pontificate yesterday about how substandard competitors with no chance of medaling shouldn't be allowed to compete, they only waste everyone else's time :rolleyes: (we were watching sculling and the competitor from Niger prompted that little gem).

He's semi-senile and often belligerent so all he got from DH and I was silence, we've learned it's not worth trying to debate things like that with him. You know the saying "Don't try to teach a pig to sing ..." ? Heh, welcome to our world.

Though I suppose there are plenty of "able-minded" people who share that opinion. :p

ETA: sorry for going off topic.

[malkin]

I hope when I lose (most of) my mind I am sweet, like my granny who used to see sports (or anything) on TV and say, "Isn't it wonderful what young people can do!"

Once during an NBA broadcast, she said to a couch full of my cousins: "If you ever want to do any of that, I can help you, because I did it, and your dad and I helped him too."

My cousins and I thought it was hysterical at the time, because the whole family is pretty far from NBA material, but I think she meant that when we were in college she'd do everything within her power to help us out. She typed papers for my dad when he was an undergrad.

[Tri Girl]

My heart broke for the silver medalist Russian gymnast last night. She looked so devastated, and you just know that silver is NOT acceptable in Russia. :(
Really, after the team event in gymnastics, my heart broke for the Russian team, while it was swelling twice it's size for the Americans. Such heartbreak is hard to see on such young faces. For most of them, this is their only chance at the Olympics, since you peak at 17 in this sport.

On the other hand, it blows my mind to see those young'ins up on the podiums taking Olympic medals. I can't imagine being 17, or even 20, and standing on the podium at the Olympics accepting a medal. Your life is totally changed from that moment on. So amazing to watch! :)

[pll]

Track and field finally starts today! Just hoping no one runs the womens 10k faster than I ran my easy ~5k this morning...

I know this will happen ... the women will run a faster 10k than my hardest 5k! I am excited about track and field.

Gymnastics I cannot get into. I cannot stand the sequins and other costumes, teens with so much makeup they literally crack a smile. And why is NBC showing gymnastics sob stories from 1996???!

[ny biker]

I finally have time to watch some of the non-cycling events.

The swimmers look like aliens with their caps and mirrored goggles.

[lovelygamer]

I haven't been able to post much this week but I'm still watching. It is an awesome Olympics! I always think they are though- OLYMPIC FRENZY! oh my, did I scare you? Sorry. I do get kind of crazed every couple of years.:D:D:D:D

[salsabike]

Chinese diving = loveliness.

[colby]

Just finished watching the womens triathlon, what a finish!!! A little sad to see the American SO CLOSE but not make it, but she dug deep to finish an awesome 4th. Amazing. I did want to strangle the woman interviewing her after the race, though. She came back with a deficit, busted ***, caught up, and came in 4th.

Also watched the first qualifying run from Pistorius, the double amputee. Looked like he surprised himself a little.

And, last night's race with the 15 year old American swimmer was pretty amazing, too. She definitely surprised herself! Very focused, and so so happy.

+1 on the Chinese diving, wow.

[Veronica]

I was channeling my "inner Sarah Groff" on my run this morning after watching the race.

Veronica

[Catrin]

I haven't had much time to watch, but am enjoying watching the running events especially as I wait for the mountain bike events next weekend :) I do generally like the track and field events.

Watching the men's long track race last night, I was really struck by the winner (for Great Britain, can't think of his name) running along with his training partner (USA team) and in the end his training partner was on the podium with him. That was how they trained, running together, so it must have helped with the tension of being in the Olympics.

Watching the women marathon race right now and they just highlighted two USA women who have been training the same way. Also in Portland, Oregon just like the two men. Hopefully they will win, though I will likely have to leave home before the end of the marathon :(

[pll]

Watching the women's marathon. I do not follow marathons regularly on TV (if they are ever shown), but this is the first time I notice a "feed" station for every country.

[spindizzy]

I am an Olympic junkie. Love it all. Love all of the background stories. Fortunately our Canadian broadcasters often have a female sidekick, though not as polished as some of our veteran broadcasters- it's good to see. Our colour commentary usually comes from someone who had participated in some aspect of the sport- and that's a mix of male and female.

Other things I love:

I loved the spontanous singing of old Beatles songs by the crowd yesterday on"Super Saturday."
I love the background music from "Chariots of Fire" being played during the Olympic medal presentations.
(I LOVE that movie!)
I love the choice of anthems the Brits have chosen for each country. They are not tinny, or sound like they've been culled from a cheap rendition '33 found in someone's garage.
Love the small colourful posies being presented to the medal winners. Tasteful.

[Irulan]

And why is NBC showing gymnastics sob stories from 1996???!

Because their coverage is hideous! I can't even watch it.

[jobob]

A compelling story.

http://1045theteam.com/american-tv-neglected-the-saddest-story-in-the-olympics/

[pll]

400m ... The NBC talking heads were upset about the absence of an American in the final. However, it was neat to see the countries represented in it: Grenada, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago... all Caribbean countries!

[Koronin]

I thought it was cool to see several counties win medals in sports they hadn't won anything before. Brazil won a gold in still rings in gymnastics. I'm a bit confused as to rather it's their first ever medal for gymnastics or the first ever medal for men's gymnastics. My former neighbor, the husband is from Brazil. So they were very excited about that.

[pll]

I thought it was cool to see several counties win medals in sports they hadn't won anything before. Brazil won a gold in still rings in gymnastics. I'm a bit confused as to rather it's their first ever medal for gymnastics or the first ever medal for men's gymnastics. My former neighbor, the husband is from Brazil. So they were very excited about that.

First medal ever in gymnastics for Brazil. That was great to see, as was the guy from the Dominican Republic, Félix Sánchez, who won the 400m hurdles. I teared up, what can I say...

[colby]

First medal ever in gymnastics for Brazil. That was great to see, as was the guy from the Dominican Republic, Félix Sánchez, who won the 400m hurdles. I teared up, what can I say...

The medal ceremony on NBC was a little "let's watch this guy crumble, zoomed in, as close as we can" for my taste, but it was amazing nonetheless. Watching him unpin his bib and take out the picture of his grandmother was tearjerking enough, let alone when he finished first, stood on the podium, and tried so hard to keep it together but was overcome by emotion.

I have a feeling there are little more than two ways to be on the podium: in complete shock and awe, or overcome by emotion. ;)

[Koronin]

pll, thanks for the clarification.
Both of those were so great to see.

[lovelygamer]

I am an Olympic junkie. Love it all. Love all of the background stories. Fortunately our Canadian broadcasters often have a female sidekick, though not as polished as some of our veteran broadcasters- it's good to see. Our colour commentary usually comes from someone who had participated in some aspect of the sport- and that's a mix of male and female.

Other things I love:

I loved the spontanous singing of old Beatles songs by the crowd yesterday on"Super Saturday."
I love the background music from "Chariots of Fire" being played during the Olympic medal presentations.
(I LOVE that movie!)
I love the choice of anthems the Brits have chosen for each country. They are not tinny, or sound like they've been culled from a cheap rendition '33 found in someone's garage.
Love the small colourful posies being presented to the medal winners. Tasteful.

I love the posies too, especially when they give them to guys.:D:D

Did anyone follow the story of the runner with the cheetah blades? he was amazing. Here are two good links of interest:

http://vimeo.com/31901027?action=share

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/olympics-fourth-place-medal/kirani-james-swaps-numbers-oscar-pistorius-400-meters-213736769--oly.html

I saw Murray win tennis gold for his country this past weekend. That was pretty awesome. Also saw Usain win again, nice. I saw some gymnastics, diving and swimming...all good.

Incredible Olympics, although it has had it's fail moments too. They all do.

[badger]

Watching the men's long track race last night, I was really struck by the winner (for Great Britain, can't think of his name) running along with his training partner (USA team) and in the end his training partner was on the podium with him. That was how they trained, running together, so it must have helped with the tension of being in the Olympics.



during one of the "behind-the-scenes" stories, I was surprised to find that the silver medalist for the 2008 triathlon (Simon Whitfield) had a "helper". He had a training partner who would swim, ride, and run in front of him so that he can conserve his energy by drafting and sure enough, in the last few hundred meters Simon zoomed past the rest of the competitors and came in second. The partner's sole purpose was to sacrifice himself in any way to help Simon win. He was asked if he didn't feel somehow cheated that he couldn't go and compete for himself but he graciously said that he was happy to do it for the country.

Turns out the training partner retired after 2008 so I was curious to see if Simon had another partner but none was mentioned. Not that it really mattered, Simon crashed soon after he got on his bike and didn't finish.

It's sad when you only have one shot. No heats, preliminaries, or other events to compete in.

[pll]

The medal ceremony on NBC was a little "let's watch this guy crumble, zoomed in, as close as we can" for my taste, but it was amazing nonetheless. Watching him unpin his bib and take out the picture of his grandmother was tearjerking enough, let alone when he finished first, stood on the podium, and tried so hard to keep it together but was overcome by emotion.

I have a feeling there are little more than two ways to be on the podium: in complete shock and awe, or overcome by emotion. ;)

I have to agree -- they zoomed on him forever and I kept wishing they would pan and show the rest of the podium. Medal ceremonies are moments when pent up emotions and years of stress just surface.

[colby]

during one of the "behind-the-scenes" stories, I was surprised to find that the silver medalist for the 2008 triathlon (Simon Whitfield) had a "helper". He had a training partner who would swim, ride, and run in front of him so that he can conserve his energy by drafting and sure enough, in the last few hundred meters Simon zoomed past the rest of the competitors and came in second. The partner's sole purpose was to sacrifice himself in any way to help Simon win. He was asked if he didn't feel somehow cheated that he couldn't go and compete for himself but he graciously said that he was happy to do it for the country.

The Brits did the same thing in the womens triathlon this year, there was a lead swimmer/cyclist whose job was to get another athlete to the front so she could try to deliver the win (the equivalent of a domestique in cycling). Interestingly it didn't change the overall effect of the race, the women who were on the podium didn't have the benefit of the other person, just the benefit of drafting on the bike/swim.

I am not a huge beach volleyball fan but the womens semifinal games were actually pretty good to watch - lots of back and forth, tit for tat. The final is interesting, one team in their final match ever, the other the "new generation" taking over.

The other day I got sucked in by fencing, probably for the same reason. Close matches with people who are really good at what they are doing. I found the technology of the fencing matches fascinating, too, it would be interesting to see the evolution of that over time.

[BikeDutchess]

I very was happy that NBC showed the men's horizontal bar final in gymnastics, where "Flying Dutchman" Epke Zonderland won the gold with an amazing routine. His release moves were incredible! I think he's the first Dutch athlete to win any medal during an individual gymnastics event.

And here's the Lego version of his accomplishment:

http://youtu.be/jbPJmXCCY7k

[jessmarimba]

Watching the high divers is terrifying...the camera angle makes it look like their feet are going to smack the platform. Or their heads. I almost can't watch.

[colby]

I very was happy that NBC showed the men's horizontal bar final in gymnastics, where "Flying Dutchman" Epke Zonderland won the gold with an amazing routine. His release moves were incredible! I think he's the first Dutch athlete to win any medal during an individual gymnastics event.

And here's the Lego version of his accomplishment:

http://youtu.be/jbPJmXCCY7k

Awesome. I love the announcers, and the choice of mini figs to represent all the people. Clever.

[salsabike]

For anyone who missed the Zonderland magic: http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/gymnastics/highlights-epke-zonderlands-gold-medal-high-bar-routine.html

[jessmarimba]

Oh dear...watching men's 4x100 relay - whoever designed the U.S. uniforms needs to be fired. Those poor guys. They're wearing something underneath them, but the uniforms are totally see-through.

[colby]

Yeah, some of the uniform choices are... interesting. The rowing guys had a pretty notorious response to their uniforms:

http://i.imgur.com/gUxNr.jpg

The guy 2nd from the left showed up on an online forum and said "This is me and I swear it's not erect!" ;)

[Catrin]

Poor uniform choice indeed.

I've really been enjoying the track and field events and especially liked the women's relay races last night. It has been fun to see sports that I've not really watched before, I think I've watched more of this Olympics than I have previous summer games. I hear you about the men's high dives, I cringed a few times, but of course no one did hit the board.

It looks like our local news is going to go too long this morning for me to see the NBC coverage of the women's mountain bike event :( They aren't even mentioning this event. Sigh, and I got up early to watch it, oh well.

[colby]

It looks like our local news is going to go too long this morning for me to see the NBC coverage of the women's mountain bike event :( They aren't even mentioning this event. Sigh, and I got up early to watch it, oh well.

It was (is) on mid-morning, starting around 11:45. They showed a commercial-laden 15-30 minutes then said we were going to get rhythmic gymnastics. :mad:

Meanwhile on the other channel is the womens 20k racewalk. At least it's a womens race?

BRING BACK THE BIKES!!

[Catrin]

It was (is) on mid-morning, starting around 11:45. They showed a commercial-laden 15-30 minutes then said we were going to get rhythmic gymnastics. :mad:

Meanwhile on the other channel is the womens 20k racewalk. At least it's a womens race?

BRING BACK THE BIKES!!

Oh cra*! I had given up on it and left home by then. They were onto the volleyball matches by the time I got home. If I had known I would have stayed up late and watched the BMX events last night :mad:

[pll]

Sigh... For me, things like rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming are some of the dullest events ever conceived.

I see mountain bike is on right now (but I am watching the Tour of Utah (http://tourtracker.tourofutah.com/) on my laptop)!

Anyway, if I was in charge of broadcasting the olympics, I would have unrestricted access to the online video feeds from all the events not covered in the NBC channels Allow people to watch whatever they want and learn their preferences through that!

[malkin]

Gack...
I just mentioned the household no Nazis media policy and now NBC has Tom Brokaw with highlights from the Battle of Britain instead of the olympics.

The House Rules here are pretty simple:

1. Be kind
2. Promote wholeness
3. Remember the rules

and yes
NO NAZIS

[Catrin]

Apparently there were a few times today where they showed parts of the women's mountain biking, but I had given up by then and was either on my bike or elsewhere :( Oh well, I was told they kept cutting away from them, more so than usual.

Malkin, that was a surprise to me as well. I did watch it and it was well done - and I learned things about Coventry that I don't think I really knew, but it was a surprise to see that rather than the Olympics.

[malkin]

I saw some of the women's mt. bike event, (but left for my piano lesson), Brewer saw what was on, and enjoyed it.

As for the endless analysis of the athletes' bodies showing through their kit---yup! they are human after all (and so are we *giggle*).

I think it is cool to see the differences in bodies across sports--long and lean, vs. stocky & bulky or big shoulders and triceps with mini biceps or basically spherical bottoms or whatever...

When the games are over, I hope Costas' jacket is donated to charity.

[pll]

Watching an interview of two of the women from the US basketball team. Asked about whether the next Olympics are in their plans: "Of course. It is *Rio*!." :D Having visited Rio several times, I have to say that is the right way of feeling about it. Traffic might be a mess, but it is a spectacular city.

[lovelygamer]

I had not seen Zonderland. The routine was amazing. He deserved gold. :D

[ny biker]

Poor uniform choice indeed.

I've really been enjoying the track and field events and especially liked the women's relay races last night. It has been fun to see sports that I've not really watched before, I think I've watched more of this Olympics than I have previous summer games. I hear you about the men's high dives, I cringed a few times, but of course no one did hit the board.

It looks like our local news is going to go too long this morning for me to see the NBC coverage of the women's mountain bike event :( They aren't even mentioning this event. Sigh, and I got up early to watch it, oh well.

I remember seeing Greg Louganis hit his head during a dive back in the day. Fortunately he just grazed the edge of the platform, and wasn't seriously hurt.

I like watching diving, and I think Cynthia Potter does a great job of explaining what to look for in their form. I can't imagine trying to judge it, though -- I can only really see the good vs the bad in the replay.

[ClockworkOrange]

Am not an avid fan of sport BUT I have so enjoyed watching some of the Olympics.

I found the Opening Ceremony dull but that’s just me. :rolleyes:


The best thing is that for ONCE the UK performance was great, to come third in the medal table is fantastic.


It has been quite an emotional time, regardless of which country was winning, all in all, great events.

So well done to each and every athlete who took part. :)

PS Just watching the Closing Ceremony......................hmmmmmm, not keen, although Stomp absolutely brilliant! Far too many old songs, in my humble opinion and where the hell did they dig up Ray Davies from the Kinks!

[pll]

Any idea why there is MTB and BMX but no cyclocross at the Olympics?

I just watched he gold medal match in basketball. Spain played well! It's great to see that the US was put under pressure. And the celebration of the US players after the game was also great to see.

ETA: One random observation - the Chinese sports brand Li-Ning has made significant inroads in an industry that was dominated by Nike, Adidas and Puma. Spain's basketball team was wearing Li-Ning uniforms (and their warm up suits are tacky, IMO). However, I was most shocked by seeing the US diving team wearing Li-Ning gear.

[Koronin]

I watched the Russia/Brazil gold medal volleyball match. That was an awesome match.

pll, I was wondering the same thing about why not cyclocross. (Besides I'd go out on a limb and say that it belongs in the Olympics more than rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming).

[pll]

I watched the Russia/Brazil gold medal volleyball match. That was an awesome match.

pll, I was wondering the same thing about why not cyclocross. (Besides I'd go out on a limb and say that it belongs in the Olympics more than rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming).

I was torn, wanting to watch the volleyball game, too! But the b-ball game was exciting. If it had been a blow out, I would have switched. We might share the same sporting tastes... :cool:

[malkin]

Brewer is watching the marathon.
If I look, I am afraid it will make me want to go run again...my legs say run run run, and my feet say WTF are you even thinking!

[pll]

[\PS Just watching the Closing Ceremony......................hmmmmmm, not keen, although Stomp absolutely brilliant! Far too many old songs, in my humble opinion and where the hell did they dig up Ray Davies from the Kinks!

We get to watch it only now. I am liking it thus far... precisely because of some old songs. George Michael!? Resuscitated... That is some odd facial hair style.

[Penny4]

I think the USA uniforms are a little silly, especially the women's. If I were one of the athletes, I would have rebelled by wearing my track suit. :D

[colby]

I think the USA uniforms are a little silly, especially the women's. If I were one of the athletes, I would have rebelled by wearing my track suit. :D

When I saw some of the other teams in theirs, I thought, cool! The track suits are cool, comfy, and fun. Then I saw the US athletes... bah. The Canadians (https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/524475_10151032094238264_1639806771_n.jpg) and British look dressed much more appropriately for the party!

[Koronin]

I was torn, wanting to watch the volleyball game, too! But the b-ball game was exciting. If it had been a blow out, I would have switched. We might share the same sporting tastes... :cool:

I love volleyball. I actually played it in Jr High, (private tiny school) then went to public school for high school and they didn't have a volleyball team or I would have at least played through high school. The public school was much better for education though. We may very well have at least similar tastes in sports.

[ClockworkOrange]

We get to watch it only now. I am liking it thus far... precisely because of some old songs. George Michael!? Resuscitated... That is some odd facial hair style.

From George Michael onwards it got considerably better, there were some great stars, so Mrs Grumpy enjoyed it in the end. ;)

[pll]

In the Rio segment of the closing ceremony, the NBC folks were *totally* lost. It was a neat thing to see Marisa Monte on that float, made to look like Iemanjá (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemaja), a mother goddess in the African Yoruba religion, also worshiped in Brazilian candomblé. The problem I found with that segment is that it is typical of Olympic ceremonies: trying to be super symbolic, it loses the audience.

Anyway, I would recommend to everyone on this forum to listen to Marisa Montes singing "Carinhoso" (Affectionate) with Paulinho da Viola. The video and lyrics (translated to English) are in this page -- it is just beautiful:
http://lyricalbrazil.com/tag/carinhoso/
"Carinhoso" is a 1917 song by a composer/saxo player known as Pixinguinha -- think Louis Armstrong to grasp how influential he was.

ETA: the song starts at 1:31 in the video. Prior to it, there is historical footage of Pixinguinha, then some words from Paulinho da Viola (which literally translates to Little Paul of the Guitar) about the significance of the song. Marisa Montes says she had never interpreted it publicly, only at home and in the shower, "like all Brazilians".

[jessmarimba]

Any idea why there is MTB and BMX but no cyclocross at the Olympics?


I was wondering that too. Of all the random sports in the Olympics...

I'd think that'd be one way to suck people in who don't usually pay attention to cycling!

[Kiwi Stoker]

But if they add Cyclocross they will take away another event off the track cycling (BMX has replaced the time trial on the track- such a huge loss!).


Yay another gold for NZ with the shotputter from Belaruss being stripped of her gold for doping! Congratulations Valerie Adams, we all knew you were a golden girl!

[Koronin]

But if they add Cyclocross they will take away another event off the track cycling (BMX has replaced the time trial on the track- such a huge loss!).


Yay another gold for NZ with the shotputter from Belaruss being stripped of her gold for doping! Congratulations Valerie Adams, we all knew you were a golden girl!

No, no, they need to dump synchronized swimming and add cyclocross. (Or they could dump synchronized diving, or rhythmic gymnastics or trampoline). (Well actually, IMO, they need to just dump those things anyway and replace them with real sports like cyclocross or more track cycling, or something else).

[Veronica]

It distresses me to see comments about how some things are not real sports. I'm not big into rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming, but I can definitely see the athleticism that is required of each.

And the synchronized diving was pretty amazing in my opinion.

Veronica

[spokewench]

So Sad, did not see the closing ceremonies; lightning hit somewhere in Kingman and took out cable for whole northern Arizona area - It was a bummer

[Kiwi Stoker]

Just wanted to clarify that I do think BMX is a great Olympic sport. Of course Sarah Walker of NZ won the silver :D I am just not happy that to introduce new sports and old one has to go.

I really don't know about tennis- those guys have lots of oppotunities to compete at a worldwide level.

[salsabike]

It distresses me to see comments about how some things are not real sports. I'm not big into rhythmic gymnastics or synchronized swimming, but I can definitely see the athleticism that is required of each.

And the synchronized diving was pretty amazing in my opinion.

Veronica

Yep, couldn't agree more.

[Koronin]

I'm also not sure tennis belongs on the Olympics and they are introducing gold in the next summer games. Don't get that one either.