BS: Olympics -favourite moment

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 06:35 PM

Wolfgang, thanks for that bit of history ~ very interesting.

I can't help but ponder the curious fact that both the amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit AND the double-amputee runner who tried but (barely) failed to qualify for the Olympic 400 meter event both hail from the same nation, Republic of South Africa.

Both will be participants, and (I assume) overwhelming favorites in their events at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 05:53 PM

Re: Myra Hindley art.
Before we get too hot under our Muddy collars, look at the true story. The Myra Hindley picture, agreed despicable, unnecessary and tastless, was included as a snippet featuring the Tate Gallery. Now love it or hate it, and you can guess which side I'm on, The Tate is a London Landmark. I can understand that in the making of the clip for the promo, the significance of the subject matter was not noticed. Hindsight being the absolute art that it is, of course the Hindly image should not have been there. But it could be said that it should never have been displayed in public in the first place.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Miner633
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 05:06 PM

The screening of the video last night compiled by British tourism bosses who used the face of Murderer Myra Hinley to promote 2012 Olympics at a VIP party !

A lot of red faces today. Ah well.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 02:32 PM

Natalie du Toit's performance was really impressing, but much less impressing were the press comments on her achievement, for nearly each newspaper added some wrong information like "the first athlete with an amputation ever to qualify...". Do they never look up anything before printing?

Both the English and the German Wikipedia article about her get this bit wrong too.

There was an athlete also with an amputation (one leg below the knee) after a traffic accident before her and he even won gold at two successive Olympic games and a Silver at his first Olympic appearance. And he also did compete in a water sport though not in the open sea but in the pool.

Oliver Halassy

And then there was a deaf Hungarian fencer winning two Golds, three Silvers and two Bronze.

And a Hungarian shooter winning the world championship when he was able bodied. He lost his shooting hand by a grenade and came back 1948 to win Gold at the Olympics shooting with the other hand.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 12:22 PM

I thought the BMX bike racing looked very exciting. I never even knew that sport existed. I think I would go and watch that.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 11:50 AM

I can't believe anyone is criticizing a 14-year-old boy who represented the UK by advancing to the finals in the diving competition. Shame on you!

There would be no Olympics without a full complement of competitors. Those who fall short of winning a medal are part of the show, too, and without their presence, a first-through-third finish in any event would be meaningless. Also, please keep in mind that simply by qualifying for the trip, each athlete has already demonstrated a world-class level of accomplishment in his/her discipline.

A few of the most memorable moments in every Olympiad have been provided by competitiors who showed courage and spirit while falling short of the medal stand. But all the participants deserve our respect, even those who qualify, arrive, and compete with neither success nor especially dramatic failure.

**********************

Geez, the eight minutes (or so) of the closing ceremony allocated to the London organizers for "previewing" their turn at hosting four years from now ~ how lame!

I was especially embarrassed for Jimmy Page, reduced to miming his guitar part on an unplugged Les Paul while some young pop diva lip-synched her attempt to duplicate Robert Plant's vocal on that old overdone Led Zep hit. The sound quality was noticably inferior to everything else that evening, too, which only emphasized that sequence's overall mediocrity.

No Olympic host-country has ever spent the money that China just did, and none is likely to ever do so in the future ~ not "adjusted for inflation," anyway. But as far as the opening and closing ceremonies are concerned, more than simple overspending was involved in creating some truly impresssive moments. The director and his associates certainly put all that money to excellent use, resulting in showcase festivities were every bit as tasteful as they were overwhelmingly spectacular.

Vancouver and London should not feel that their inability to match Beijing's astronomical spending level handicaps them. It certainly shouldn't be taken as an excuse for a lackluster showing, because good taste doesn't cost money, and operating on a modest scale is no excuse for the of corniness we had to endure while that doubledecker bus was on the stadium floor.

True, an artistic director with proven skills should not be expected to work for free, but given the availability of a reasonable paycheck, qualified candidates should be falling all over each other for the opportunity to create a great show for the world stage. If patriotic pride isn't enough incentive, the promise of worldwide exposure and acclaim ought to attract someone who really knows how to put on a show.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 11:26 AM

I am more than willing to not buy Chinese goods. The problem is becomming harder to manage though as you can't find another damn thing on the store shelves. Even brand name items carry a sticker "Made in China". Meanwhile we turn a blind eye to their human rights violations as we pay higher and higher prices for their junk! We shouldn't have to kiss their arse at the olympics as well!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 10:25 AM

Miner633: You clearly don't anything about what it takes to compete at the top level in sport. For Tom to have success in the future he needed the experience of competing at the Olympics. This experienced can't be gained by praticing his dives in his local baths. Or, put another way, Tom's chances of winning gold in 2012 have been greatly enhanced by his Beijing experiences.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Miner633
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 10:12 AM

Home empty-handed, no medals, empty-handed.
A wealth of experience my ass.
Dunkirk was called a "Glorious Retreat" good word play, still the little rat is home empty-handed. I still a poll has him the most disliked 2008 Olympic personalty.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 09:18 AM

Of course, anyone who knows anything about sport, knows that young Tom has not returned empty-handed; indeed, he has returned with a wealth of experience which he will draw on in future competitions.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Miner633
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 08:41 AM

Well Parsip, he is still a plank and comes home today with fuck all. The end result of a wasted trip. A pleasing outcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 08:20 AM

The best way to protest is not to buy Chinese made goods! If you're not willing to do that, then don't ask athletes to protest. Also, where would such protests end. In 2012, will be acceptable for Arab sportsman be able to protest about the British being in Iraq and Afganistan.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 08:16 AM

bobad said:
"My favourite Olympic moment was where the two Chinese ladies in their 70's were sentenced to a year's worth of re-education through labour for applying for a permit to demonstrate in one of the three designated official Olympic protest venues, against what they felt was inadequate compensation for the demolition of their homes. For some strange reason not one application to demonstrate was granted by the authorities leaving the official protest venues silent. The Olympics as brought to you by the politburo."

I guess that one disapointment of mine was that these athletes did not have the social caring or the balls to protest from the podium. Such an oppertunity does not come often! The same can be said of most of the press. Too many commentators batting their gums saying nothing when they could have said so much. In the end they accepted the censorship of China and that is indeed a pity!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 07:14 AM

Funny, I thought Tom Daley was a diver, not a swimmer, and I think he showed the right spirit.
You don't have to come home with a medal to have done well.
He accepted before the Games that he was unlikely to win a medal as he is still growing, and his body cannot be expected to do dives with the same 'degree of difficulty' as some of his opponents, and so if every dive he did was perfect his available total score would be lower than that for divers attempting more difficult dives.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Lifebouy
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 05:41 AM

I don't think I ever saw such an annoying little rat as that Tom Daley the swimmer. A little cut down man with an attitude.

Thankfully he came home with nothing more than embarrassment.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 03:38 AM

Depends what you get sin Villan...

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Rasener
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 12:20 AM

Depends what you mean by sin M.Ted.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Greg B
Date: 25 Aug 08 - 12:20 AM

How about when Spain nearly put 'brise up yon Americans in basketball?

I can't stand the game, but really enjoyed watching it live in the
wee small hours of this morning; they brought it to within two points
in the last quarter. Considering the American were a bunch of
millionaires and billionaires and the Spaniards were a lot of
working stiffs who knew how to play together, it was great good
fun to watch Bryant and James struggle to hold them off.

I did very much enjoy the kayak racing; being a paddler myself, I
learned a great deal from observing the strokes of the best. I applied
it this very weekend, and it did indeed work!

I wish I could have seen the equestrian or sailing events, but they'd
rather show on NBC the worst handball and beach volleyball players
than the best yachtsmen and women and equestrians in the world.

"Lightning" Bolt was well worth the watching, and he can posture,
pound his chest, and celebrate all he chooses because he bloody well
IS the best runner that ever trod the earth, even though he knows it.
He may bring jerk chicken into the realm of "health food."

Both the men's and women's beach volleyball (I enjoyed the latter
doubly well) were a hoot, and very entertaining.

I found the opening ceremonies to be frightening, and disturbing.
I'm a fan of great drumming, but there was something large and
martial about that stuff. It recalled those great rallies in
Europe in the 1930's and 1940's and made me distinctly uncomfortable.
Also...they had Han Chinese playing the parts of various genuine
ethnic groups. Way too much attempts at "managing" the worlds'
perception. Then again...they didn't really fool anyone, now
did they?

To their credit, on a personal level, the Chinese clearly showed
the athletes tremendous hospitality. Good for them on that note.

Did anyone else notice that there was ZERO coverage of the actual
Olympic Village?

I can't help but wonder--- as I type this and after the closing
ceremonies, what sort of indiscretions and 'hook ups' are occurring
amongst those athletic celebrants whom we saw on the floor of the
"bird's nest." Here's hoping that they succeed in entwining "the
myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine" as they, above all, deserve it!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 11:39 PM

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 04:32 PM

I just can't understand how we all bowed down to the Chinese, instead of telling them to go **** themselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 04:13 PM

Shall I start?

Why was this not covered on the BBC?

I can't believe how quiet the world has been after all the talk of China's record.
I expect someone with a much greater understanding of the wrongs of the world will start an appropriate thread.
Sometimes I just get so angry, and feel so helpless.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 04:12 PM

I love the Olympics, but am sorry to say that China should not have been holding the Olympics. They are a disgrace.

I am looking forward to the next Olympics and hope that it genreates a lot of wealth for the UK. Only too glad I don't live in Londen though.

>>the money would be better spent on bombers, submarines, tanks, and body bags. <<

Well I am not for that M Ted

One of the problems on this Forum, is that people can be taken the wrong way by what they type.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 03:45 PM

The people who don't like the Olympics are right of course--the money would be better spent on bombers, submarines, tanks, and body bags.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 03:22 PM

My theoretical favorite moment would have been [had I watch any of it] when Mr. Announcer Man said, "See you in four years from (where ever it's going to be)." He won't...see me that is.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 02:15 PM

When it finished

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Eye Lander
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 09:34 AM

See what I have to put up with? Grumpy old bugger!

Actually, I agree with him! I walked out of the room when Led Zep guitarist started to play.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 24 Aug 08 - 09:29 AM

Well that says it all.
Just watched the final ceremony what beauty what culture.
Then a red bus with a squeaking singer and a posturing, nearly has been, rock guitarist. Oh yes a millionaire footballer showed he could kick a ball and of course the obligatory child picked by Blue Peter viewers.
Sorry but it made us look daft, I despair.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: bobad
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:29 PM

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

   
OTTAWA — The federal Conservative government says the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver must reflect its agenda as the price of its $20 million commitment to the ceremonies, according to the Globe and Mail.

The paper quotes a secret internal government briefing memo as saying the event must adequately reflect "the priorities of the government" so the ceremonies help "to achieve its domestic and international branding goals."

The paper says the memo's wording appears to mix sports and politics, despite widespread criticism of China for politicizing the Beijing Olympics.

Frank King, chair of the organizing committee for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, says no level of government was given authority over any event at those Olympics, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

King says "no one level of government told us which way to go," adding financial commitments from the federal, provincial and municipal governments were made to fund only facilities for the Calgary games.


In Vancouver, Peter Boychuk of the Alliance for Arts and Culture calls the memo "disturbing," adding he wonders if the Harper government wants to override decisions made by the planners of the opening ceremonies.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Eye Lander
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:22 PM

Yea, then we have only 2 years to wait for the Winter Olympics. Yippee

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 01:16 PM

Olympics favorte moment: when they finally end!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Hawkwind
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 08:36 AM

At the time of writing this, Britain has won 43 medals (including 18 gold)which makes this our most successful Olympics since London in 1908 .

Well it's at a cost, all £190m of it. This works out at well over £10m per Team GB gold, and almost £5m per medal.

Still think this massive ego trip is worth it ?

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 08:11 AM

oooops, wrong forum.

I initially thought this thread was Olympus (the camera) favourite moments ......    :)

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Eye Lander
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 08:05 AM

Earlyriser, didn't you watch the video replay? Seems to me she had a clear kick (sorry don't know the technical terms. But she has a well deserved Bronze now.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: GUEST,Earlyriser
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 03:58 AM

Without doubt the greatest moment of the games was the Taekwondo event this morning when China went through.

Such a bit of unnecessary whimpering by Sarah Stevenson.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 07:36 PM

The Closing Ceremony - that means it's finally all over for 4 years!


:-P

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: bobad
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 06:34 PM

My favourite Olympic moment was where the two Chinese ladies in their 70's were sentenced to a year's worth of re-education through labour for applying for a permit to demonstrate in one of the three designated official Olympic protest venues, against what they felt was inadequate compensation for the demolition of their homes. For some strange reason not one application to demonstrate was granted by the authorities leaving the official protest venues silent. The Olympics as brought to you by the politburo.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 06:22 PM

"Did you hear Jenn's coach ripping on Jenn after the jump. I wanted to deck the guy."

Yeah, me too. I understand that success in these sports involves constant self-criticism and self-improvement, never being satisfied, etc., but really!!! That was hardly the time and place; she should have been allowed to savor the moment for a while, and worry about whatever she needs to improve the next day.

It's been just an amazing sequence of one real-life drama after another. I knew that I would be hopelessly glued to the tube, but I didn't foresee (or remember) just how very compelling it would be.

Last night's late-night ever-so-close men's indoor volleyball semifinal between the US and Russia was another good one, by the way.

If the three 400-meter medalists, along with one additional US teammate, manage not to drop the baton in the 4 X 400 (or "metric mile") relay, it should be an easy win, and might also serve to remind us of, and to partially make up for, the twin fiascos in the sprint relays. The American women are not similarly favored in their 4 x 400, but they should have a decent shot, and if they can win as underdogs, it could be pretty dramatic and remove some of the bad taste of the USA track team's generally woeful performence.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: 3refs
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 06:17 PM

Every once in a while the way an individual celebrates a victory can quickly make me forget about their accomplishments. I hate "Hotdogs"! I don't mean the kind you eat. Bolt may have been a little over the top, but he's young and someone will tell him that quiet resolve is much more appealing to the masses. One of the more poignant celebrations was that of Lamaze. Showed how elated he was at winning the Gold and pointed to his horse. I'm sure the tears he shed at the medal ceremony was more about reflection than recent events.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 06:03 PM

About the only bit of the Olympics I've seen (apart from the opening ceremony), was a relay race where it just so happened an unfortunate pair of young American ladies fumble the handover of the baton and dropped it.

I gather the same thing happened to the American men's relay team as well. (Here's a YouTube vid about both incidents

Not that I really like seeing stuff like that happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: artbrooks
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:50 PM

Seems to me that I read that four Olympic horses were suspended for doping...that is a true Olympic moment!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: olddude
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:37 PM

I was scream and jumping up and down for Emilie. So close
she was amazing. I wish she had took the gold but Emilie was so so close. Did you hear Jenn's coach ripping on Jenn after the jump. I wanted to deck the guy. She has been jumping all of 4 years and took a silver and he was chewing her out ... insane

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Celtaddict
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:34 PM

One of my favorites was Dara Torres holding up the race while one of her competitors changed to a new suit when hers tore, and another was first watching Michael Phelps' mom after the 'fingernail finish' then watching Michael's face when he saw the times/film.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:19 PM

olddude, I watched your young friend Jenn the other night and was quite impressed. I'm glad to know of anyone with a personal connection to any of these young athletes. (Even if it's not quite so close a relationship as Breezy's!)

I'd like to apologize to all equestrian fans and horse lovers for my remarks above. To each his own, and there's room enough in the Olympics, God knows, for any and every sporting interest.

Speaking of outstanding Canadian performances, platform diver Emilie Heymans was absolutely great, coming closer than anyone else in the world to breaking the Chinese monopoly on diving gold. She actually had first place in the competition just before the final round but had to settle for the silver, still a great achievement.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: olddude
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:07 PM

by the way our home town pole vaulter Jenn won silver ... my wife taught her in HS and we know her family very well. For me that was the best watching her take silver. Breezy's daughter's courage was wonderful. So proud of her and her amazing heart

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:48 PM

Bill D ~ Yes!

The young lady is from South Africa and her first name is Natalie; can't recall her last name. She was a highly competitive "regular" swimmer, world-class or nearly so, before the auto accident that led to her amputation. She switched to the newer, lesser-known sport of open-water or "marathon" swimming because the technizque relies more on upper-body strength and less on kicking than does racing in the pool.

She's staying in China to complete in the Paralympics, which are coming up very soon. Seems to me she'll be pretty much unbeatable on that level of competition.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:48 PM

(I am quite awed & impressed by stuff like Usain Bolt running so amazingly well...but to me, the achievement is clouded by the strutting, bragging & chest-pounding some of the athletes ... like Bolt... indulge in. I really like winners who first congratulate their opposition, then are just simply grateful for the chance. Maybe I'm just out-of-touch with "how it is" anymore.)

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:41 PM

The best bit is yet to come...It must end soon!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:40 PM

Did anyone see that piece on the long-distance swimmer who had lost one leg below the knee? She only finished 14th or so...but THAT was a true Olympic moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:34 PM

Here in Calgary, home of Spruce Meadows, Lamaze and the Canadian team are seen at the international meets, and the equestrian events are closely followed.
I can think of no better competitive sport, where human and horse must perform as one.

A great win!

Subject: RE: BS: Olympics -favourite moment
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 01:40 PM

PS: Horse-riding that you can bet on ~ now that's a different story! Colorful, compelling enough if you have a wager at stake, but hardly Olympian.