Summer Olympics 2008 Beijing

[Yog]

In 3 hours is the opening ceremony of the Olympics, which no doubt will be spectacular and grandiose. I am no fan of the Chinese blatant suppression of democratic, civil and human rights, but nevertheless I expect an entertaining sports event. Anyone else going to watch these, and what are your favorite athletes to watch?

I have some hopes for Andreas Thorkildsen, javelin thrower. It was also encouraging to see the Norwegian soccer girls beat USA 2-0... :p

[Cat X]

I wish for the Olypmics to STFU and leave me alone.

[Droo]

I'm more interested in the incredible architecture but I will be glued to the screen to see it.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I'll watch a couple of events, but I'm not that bothered really.

I'll be more interested when it comes to the UK.

[Droo]

This opening ceremony is breath-taking!

[Yog]

This opening ceremony is breath-taking!
Aye, that was mesmerizing. I can't wait to see the lighting of the flame and the grand finale.

[CMJ]

I tend to overdose on Olympics coverage. I'll probably watch at least 10 hours a day on my days off, and 5-6 on workdays. Four years ago when I was unemployed I was averaging over 12 hours a day of coverage. :lol

[Lilaena De'Ville]

No fair you guys got to see the opening ceremonies already!!! :shakefist

[Aurelias Kazaar]

I'll probably watch the soccer and some of the basketball events. Swimming too if I get the chance.

[Droo]

Well, you owe it to yourselves to catch the opening ceremony in full, it was one of the most absolutely stunning things I've seen in a long time and I am so glad I recorded it too. It's worth a second viewing. The whole ceremony was directed by Zhang Yimou - director of Hero and House of Flying Daggers - so that will give you an inkling of what to expect. Having said that, expect the unexpected, my personal favourite moment was near the beginning, when we were treated to an aerial shot of fireworks rocketing skywards in the shape of giant golden footprints approaching the Bird's Nest in mid-air, such imagination and commitment from the performers. I have no idea how the UK can match it in 2012, the gauntlet has certainly been thrown down.

[Figrin D'an]

Normally, I find the opening ceremonies of Olympic games to be very forced and somewhat silly in it's attempts to convey a theme. I would generally watch for the Parade of Nations portion, and to see the actual torch lighting (which is generally the best part of the show).

This was completely different though. I literally watched the entire ceremony in awe. This was a near perfect convergence of history, showmanship, technical prowess, art and emotion. It's clear just how much these games mean to China, and they impressed the entire world with this opening.

Seriously, if you missed it, find a replay of it online. It's completely worth the time to watch it.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I watched it and enjoyed it though the best part for me was the Parade of Nations and the torch ceremony which was amazing.

[CMJ]

Really impressive Opening Ceremony. Still doesn't beat Barcelona as far as lighting the torch cauldron goes(to me) but as an overall event - that was the best I've seen.

[Karl Valten]

Sounds sweet, I gotta find the ceremonies online somewhere to see it, was stuck at work without a TV so :shakefist

Rant: The hell?! Why is there no TV coverage of the Judo matches in the US? Have to watch streaming online at 12 am or 5 am..........and I have to work at 6am.

[Ryan Pode]

I'm excited for some basketball. Only downside is the semi's and gold medal games are at 2:30 AM and 4 AM, eastern time, with the gold medal game the morning of my first day of class. lame.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

OKay so I voted "only some select events" but I've been pretty much glued to the Olympics since the beginning of the OPening Ceremonies last night. Which was, of course, 14 hours later than when it actually was!

Anyway, its been great so far. A trifecta in women's individual saber fencing for the US!

<table cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">Gold </td><td class="std" align="center">Silver </td><td class="std" align="center">Bronze </td><td class="std" align="center">Total </td></tr><tr><td class="std">1. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">United States </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">5 </td></tr><tr><td class="std">2. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">China </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td></tr><tr><td class="std">3. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">South Korea </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td></tr></tbody></table>

[Jedi Master Carr]

OKay so I voted "only some select events" but I've been pretty much glued to the Olympics since the beginning of the OPening Ceremonies last night. Which was, of course, 14 hours later than when it actually was!

Anyway, its been great so far. A trifecta in women's individual saber fencing for the US!

<table cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">Gold </td><td class="std" align="center">Silver </td><td class="std" align="center">Bronze </td><td class="std" align="center">Total </td></tr><tr><td class="std">1. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">United States </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">5 </td></tr><tr><td class="std">2. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">China </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td></tr><tr><td class="std">3. </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std">South Korea </td><td class="std">
</td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">1 </td><td class="std" align="center">0 </td><td class="std" align="center">2 </td></tr></tbody></table>

I do wonder if China will beat the U.S in total medals. The Host country usually gets a huge boost in medals. I do think it will be close between the two.

[CMJ]

I basically watched nonstop all day today. I have work tommorrow, but I'll be home before the primetime coverage kicks in. Hopefully I won't miss alot of awesome stuff all day. :(

[Yog]

In Norway, we're all excited about Alexander Dale Oen amazing heats in 50m breaststroke. In the qualifying heat, he broke the olympic record, then in the semi final, he breaks the olympic record again, only 3 hundreds of a second behind the world record. Monday is the final, and I will be glued to the screen for that. :D


I basically watched nonstop all day today. I have work tommorrow, but I'll be home before the primetime coverage kicks in. Hopefully I won't miss alot of awesome stuff all day. :(
Yeah, voted "select events", but so far, watched a lot more than I thought I would... :eek

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Yeah. I mean... I even watched some dressage today. *faceslap*

[Dasquian Belargic]

I've been enjoying the gymnastics. The parallel bars stuff is awesome.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Anyone see this (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2534499/Beijing-Olympic-2008-opening-ceremony-giant-firework-footprints-faked.html) story. If it's true, then wow.

[Droo]

Shame, since as I mentioned before, it was my favourite moment. Although I understand their reasoning for doing it. I have to admit, when I was re-watching it earlier this evening with Peter, I did think that those shots were almost too perfect. I can't complain, the effect the first time around was worth the deception.

Anyway, I was pleased to catch Great Britain's first medal, and gold too, in the women's cycling this morning so I'm happy nonetheless.

[Figrin D'an]

The Brits just got a second gold medal in the Women's 400m Freestyle (as well as the Bronze in the same event). American Katie Hoff got the Silver.

And the US upset the French team in the Men's 4x100 Relay, so Michael Phelps chance at a sweep of his events is still alive.

Edit: Also worth mentioning is that Dara Torres, the 41 year old swimmer who was a shock to even qualify for the US team, won a silver medal in the Women's 4x100 relay.

[Ryan Pode]

Anyone catch the 400 4x100 team freestyle relay? Crazy stuff. I got up and was shouting by the end I was so into it. America was down with 50 meters to go, and the last guy caught up to France and beat him by a hand.

[Liam Jinn]

Yeah, I was up on my feet shouting by the end of that relay race. Good stuff.

[Yog]

Alexander Dale Oen won a silver medal for Norway in 50m breast stroke. Yay! :)

[CMJ]

As usual, we rule the pool. :)

Unexpected Bronze today in shooting...I saw something about it as I was leaving for work.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I LOVED the freestyle relay - hubby and I got home just in time to watch it live and it was so amazing! Woohoo! GO USA!

I also really liked the synchonized diving, but then I love watching diving, period. The Chinese were unbeatable, although I don't understand how they got nearly perfect marks for synchonosity (er, or something) when I could see obviously where they were off. Oh well.

And the controversy over the scoring in gymnastics continues.

As far as the firework 'footprints'.... uh thought everyone knew that they weren't real? I mean, obviously at least a little of it was animated (and our announcers basically said that it was one of the more 'cinematic' elements of the show) because the fireworks didn't fade away they stuck up in the air much longer than, say, the two that went off right over the stadium.

That is cool to know that there were actual fireworks going off in those places though, even if they couldn't work out the filming live of the event.

[Karl Valten]

Damn the 4X1 relay was awesome. 8 hundredths of a second to beat out France, truly phenominal. Not to mention all three medalists completely blew the world record out of the water.

HA, I finally got to watch about 3 hours of Judo in the gods-awful hours of the morning online. Best 2 matches IMO were the women's 57 kg, Cuba v. Haiti. The blood was literally flying in that match, the haitian had a nice gash across the head and Cuban was pouring blood out of her nose. Stopped the match for a minute to tape them up and clean the mat.............and sent them back in to fight out the rest of the match. Those women were freaking hardcore.

And DAMN kudos to Azerbaijan for winning their first ever Gold medal (and their first medal ever) in the Judo Men's 73 kg. Just barely beat out the raining Korean champ with a hold-down. Congrats to them for finally shutting out the koreans in the ring.

[Yog]

Norwegian Sara Nordenstam wins bronze medal on 200m breast stroke. Totally unexpected. She was not even expected to qualify for the finals, and then she breaks the European record. Apparently, the secret of mentally preparing for the final was reading Harry Potter... :lol


Edit - some other random thoughts and observations:
* I am in absolute awe by Michael Phelps medal run. The greatest Olympier of all time. Congrats!
* The Chinese seem to win the medal race.
* I could not help feel sorry for the Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian, being robbed by the referees. This caused quite a scandal.
* On the note of scandals, the fake singing girl and the fake minorities in the opening ceremony lessens my opinion of an otherwise amazing display.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

what fake minorities?

[Yog]

what fake minorities?
You remember the part of the opening cermemony where they had 50 or so different people from Tibet and other minorities in traditional costumes representing the various cultures. The idea was showing the cultural diversity of China and giving a unifying message. It turns out those were not really minorities but actors - Han Chinese dressed up and posing as such. It gives me a bad aftertaste, especially when you put in context how the Chinese are treating the real version of what they were portraying..

[CMJ]

I wouldn't even know where to start on my rundown of the Games, so i won't attempt. I will say I'm on a huge sleep deficit between work and Olympics viewing. I'm gonna need about a week to recover fully after these are over. :lol

[Droo]

You hit the nail on the head, Yog, and I completely agree. As for me, I've been catching as much as I can with multiscreens all over my TV. The gymnastics have been jaw-dropping; the American girls truly deserved the Gold and Silver. The diving is always fun and I'll be closely following the rowing, canoeing, swimming and athletics over the next few days. And yes, Michael Phelps is a force of nature.

[Yog]

How about Roger Federer getting knocked out, not by Nadal but by James Blake. That shocked me. Amazing effort by the American, and another disappointing tournament for Federer. I anticipate Nadal will win the Gold medal now, and overtake Federer on the ranking.

[Karl Valten]

WHOAH, Phelps and Cavic in the 100m butterfly. I don't know about that one, it kinda looks like Cavic hit first to me, there is going to be huge debate about it no doubt.

On Yog's note there, yeah I was disappointed to see my fellow Swiss getting knocked out of the tennis tourny, thought he was really going to get to medals. And DAMN anyone watch USA v. Switzerland Men's Beach Volleyball, hoo-boy was that a close game, great fight to win by both teams.

[Liam Jinn]

On the Phelps - Cavic thing, at first I didn't see how Phelps hit first, but in one of the replays you can just barely make it out. Plus, it's a digital touch pad they hit, so it really takes the guessing out of the race.

[Karl Valten]

I know, hehehe, but man that was intense.

[A'na]

Argh you guys got to see it already I'm jealous!

[Droo]

Great day for British gold. Second gold for Becky Adlington in the 800m freestyle. Gold for the men's coxless four. Bradley Wiggins got a gold medal in the 4000m individual pursuit, and his teammate, Steven Burke took the bronze. And Chris Hoy got his second gold in two days. Four medals guaranteed tomorrow, too. :)

[Karl Valten]

Argh you guys got to see it already I'm jealous!

Hey, I watched it while I was at an Irish Pub.:p

[Figrin D'an]

Well, Phelps did it. Eight events, eight gold medals, seven in world record time. Considering that Phelps has already said he won't be doing as many events in London 4 years from now, this could very well have been a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that we've been able to witness.

I thought I'd never see Spitz's record broken though, so anything is possible...

[Yog]

More random thoughts based on what I saw yesterday:

- awesome rowing by Olaf Tufte in Single Sculler 2000m winning Norway's first gold medal. I don't know where he got the energy for that finish. The silver medal in skeet was a nice surprise. We're now ahead of Sweden in medals. I think we have very good chances for gold in handball women and javelin for men.

- Michael Phelps continues to be awesome. USA should be proud to have the best athlete on the planet. Apparently, he consumes about 12,000 calories a day and trains 6 hours per day, 6 times per week. The man is a monster.

- Federer strikes back with win in double tennis, winning gold. A nice consolation for the disappointment in single.

- the 100 meter final for men was insane. World record was insane, especially when you consider he started celebrating 10 strides from the finish line. The world has never seen such a burst of speed at 30-70 meters in any sprinting event ever.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Just watched the closing ceremony... wow! Some fantastic displays of co-ordination. I loved the fact that they had Jackie Chan singing :lol

I also have to admit I got incredibly excited by the London 2012 portion of the ceremony, it filled me with a surprising amount of pride over the fact that the Games are coming to my country next :) I actually just registered myself to volunteer for working at the Games!

[Lilaena De'Ville]

stupid nbc... we have to wait until tonight to watch the ceremony. :\

[CMJ]

stupid nbc... we have to wait until tonight to watch the ceremony. :\

It's a catch-22. Would you rather wake up at like 5AM to see it?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Well. No. :p But that's what Tivo is for.