I've been watching the Opening Ceremonies all evening and I remembered that we've got people scattered all over the world here at Triad. Are the Olympics a pretty big thing in your country? They are here in the USA. Are you going to be watching any events? Got any favorites?
Alas, we really don't get any stations. I wish I could buy opening and closing ceremonies on DVD. I know this years wouldn't be on one yet, but previous years could be. Alas, I've only been able to find 2004, and it's got more than just the ceremonies, which are the only things I really want. :(
The opening ceremony was mid afternoon here. Saw bits of it, and most of the events will be very early morning or while I'm at work because of the time difference.
Although the really amusing thing? The ministers for sport in the UK and Australia have had a bet over who will finish higher in the medals table. The loser has to go to a sporting event in their own country wearing the shirt of the other... So if you see an Aussie wandering around in Red, White and Blue rather than Green and Gold...
I watched the highlights of the opening. I'll watch anything, that's the result of being retired.
I guess my favourite thing is the guys on the rings. Though having had shoulder surgery for a dislocating shoulder I do cringe a lot during the performance.
The Olympics are on 3 different cable channels plus the regular NBC network channel here. That way you can pick the events you want to watch. NBC shows the most popular events in the evenings for those that can't watch during the day when it's on so that's what I usually watch, although right now I've got a soccer game on right now.
I really like the swimming and the mens gymnastics the most I think. I'm not really a track and field person, but I do like to watch the basketball and soccer medal games, especially if the USA is in them.
Amanda, do you have high speed internet? http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share. ... c_rc_ce005 (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_hd_oc_rc_ce005) is the opening ceremonies recap. nbcolympics.com will also have alot of streaming of events if you can't get it on TV. :)
I forgot to mention - at least the next olympics (2012) will be in the right timezone for me ;)
Quote from: "Cali"Amanda, do you have high speed internet? http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share. ... c_rc_ce005 (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_hd_oc_rc_ce005) is the opening ceremonies recap. nbcolympics.com will also have alot of streaming of events if you can't get it on TV. :)
Actually, you need to enter your zipcode and your cable/internet company to view. If your company is not in partnership with NBC, no viewing allowed.
The Olympics are pretty big here. They're pretty proud of their teams. Unfortunately one of the Japanese favorites already lost - Ryoko Tani- two time gold medalist in Judo. That was sad. And last night my Japanese friends and I watched as the US team beat Japan in both women's volleyball and soccer. It was rather hard to know who to root for. Yeah, I'm American and I want my team to win, but a medal is a big source of pride and excitement here, and is kind of just another tick in the medal column back home.
GAH! Yeah, I know. Disappointing. I'm glad she got at least a bronze.
I watched a recording of the fight with Dumitru. I remember getting smacked in the ankle on more than one occasion by failed foot sweeps when I did judo. Also surprised that Dumitru tried to do what looked an ogoshi on Tani.
Anyway, it really stinks that she lost that fight by Shido. :-/
Yeah, I think the passivity was equally shared in that match. I don't know why she wasn't more aggressive, but I think they should have made them go another round rather than have an Olympic match decided on a judge's opinion of who was more passive.
I'm watching it some, I don't have much time to sit in front of tv. Hubby is watching more: he's not the one supervising kids when they are playing outdoors.
I'm rooting for Finns, of course. Not many hopes for medals thought :(
I have a question for you Europeans... There seems to be a lot of black people from the Netherlands in many of the events (and by many events I mean judo). Out of curiosity, is there a high proportion of black people in the Netherlands? I'm just curious. Is it from immigration? Or was there a big slave trade to that region?
(Yeah, I'm ignornat of a lot of Eurpopean history, especially modern history... I freely admit that)
I have to admit I don't know a lot of Dutch history, but I do know that they did have a lot of territories in the Caribbean and out towards Java and interests in South Africa. Maybe this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Empire) will help?
Ah, this is true! I hadn't even thought about that! Now that you meantion it, I have studied their territories a bit more than the Netherlands itself.
Duh to Eimi.
Dutch East Indies is now Indonesia. Not certain that that relates, but it's the extent of my knowledge.
Quote from: "emma"I forgot to mention - at least the next olympics (2012) will be in the right timezone for me ;)
I watched that Dr Who episode just the other day ;) It would be awesomely cool if they had David Tennant light the torch :geek:
Quote from: "Vix"Quote from: "Cali"Amanda, do you have high speed internet? http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share. ... c_rc_ce005 (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_hd_oc_rc_ce005) is the opening ceremonies recap. nbcolympics.com will also have alot of streaming of events if you can't get it on TV. :)
Actually, you need to enter your zipcode and your cable/internet company to view. If your company is not in partnership with NBC, no viewing allowed.
:( I think that's just for advanced coverage, I don't have to input my zip or anything, I just click on the links for specific events.
And Holy Cow! Did you all see the Men's Swimming Relay! That was fantastic.
My heart was in my throat though for those USA girls in the gymnastics team semifinals, they couldn't seem to get a clean routine on the uneven bars for nothing. But they advanced, that's the important part.
I have to take back my words in earlier comment: two medals already :bounce: both in Shooting. Men air rifle: bronze, women's shotgun ? trap? Gold!
I just watched mens gymnastics while waiting my turn to laboratory. Now then... muscular, cute young men, in tights...
:love4:
I did see the team from Finland go in, and remember thinking some of them were rather cute...
Michael Phelps is a God, everything he touches turns into a gold medal! I watched a report on him last night that said he had to eat 8000-10000 calories a day because he burns so much in the pool. :cheers:
Quote from: "Paula"I have to take back my words in earlier comment: two medals already :bounce: both in Shooting. Men air rifle: bronze, women's shotgun ? trap? Gold!
I just watched mens gymnastics while waiting my turn to laboratory. Now then... muscular, cute young men, in tights...
:love4:
I watched the goldmedal winner and thought of you Paula :) Apparently a Japanese lady got fourth...
And yeah, I wanted to watch gymnasitics but its not on TV here. But wrestling was. Talk about muscular young men in tights... Can't hide much in those outifts! :angel4:
Quote from: "emma"I forgot to mention - at least the next olympics (2012) will be in the right timezone for me ;)
I forgot to mention the next Winter Olympics will be in my timezone (well, once I'm back in the states).
I'm thinking of driving up to watch the Canada vs. America hockey game if there is one. Maybe start a brawl with Yvonne in the stands XD
Quote from: "Cali"Amanda, do you have high speed internet? http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share. ... c_rc_ce005 (http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0808_hd_oc_rc_ce005) is the opening ceremonies recap. nbcolympics.com will also have alot of streaming of events if you can't get it on TV. :)
Do I have high speed internet, she asks. Why do you think we don't get satellite? It's either that or hs internet. Guess what we chose? ;-)
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out!
Yes the Olympics are a big deal in Australia, and no, I don't watch them.
All I can say is I'm grateful the first week is over and done with. Rock on next week!
They bore me to tears, and last week I got called unpatriotic because I don't like the Olympics, which did nothing to make me want to watch them ever, ever again.
Sorry but it really is each to their own. :o
Sports can be very boring if you're not there. Like baseball.
I got to see the Baseball Olympic event between Japan and Cuba back in 1996. I have ties to both countries. I rooted for the offense. :-D I had a hat for Japan and flags for both countries and would wave the flag for whomever was up at bat!
Quote from: "Amanda N"I had a hat for Japan and flags for both countries and would wave the flag for whomever was up at bat!
Schizophrenic, much? LOL
Nah. I studied Japanese for five and a half years and still have a heart for the country. My church back in Georgia had a sister church in Cuba and I went there for two weeks on a mission trip back in highschool, so I have a heart for that country as well.
Quote from: "Kaysea"Yes the Olympics are a big deal in Australia, and no, I don't watch them.
All I can say is I'm grateful the first week is over and done with. Rock on next week!
They bore me to tears, and last week I got called unpatriotic because I don't like the Olympics, which did nothing to make me want to watch them ever, ever again.
Sorry but it really is each to their own. :o
Ahh, but remember the one thing better than the olympics starts tomorrow. Who needs the fuss in China when the footy season starts again??? Roll on the Premiership!
Quote from: "emma"Quote from: "Kaysea"Yes the Olympics are a big deal in Australia, and no, I don't watch them.
All I can say is I'm grateful the first week is over and done with. Rock on next week!
They bore me to tears, and last week I got called unpatriotic because I don't like the Olympics, which did nothing to make me want to watch them ever, ever again.
Sorry but it really is each to their own. :o
Ahh, but remember the one thing better than the olympics starts tomorrow. Who needs the fuss in China when the footy season starts again??? Roll on the Premiership!
Now
that's something to look forward to. I can fall asleep to the sound of football (when Mark's watching Arsenal play) but the Olympics - no way. Especially when he had the TV going into the wee hours.
I can fall asleep to the sound of football too. Pretty boring.
*runs and hides quickly*
Quote from: "Amanda N"I can fall asleep to the sound of football too. Pretty boring.
*runs and hides quickly*
No no no....when Liverpool is playing I will watch, but when Arsenal is playing I'll fall asleep, unless they're up against Man United or Chelsea, then I'll sit up and watch and actually barrack for Arsenal. It's the only time Mark and I will barrack for the same teams. LOL
He'll barrack for Liverpool against Man U or Chelsea, we have common enemies.
Actually, I find American Football boring.
Real football...I've never really been able to watch it to know. :)
Quote from: "Kaysea"Quote from: "Amanda N"I can fall asleep to the sound of football too. Pretty boring.
*runs and hides quickly*
No no no....when Liverpool is playing I will watch, but when Arsenal is playing I'll fall asleep, unless they're up against Man United or Chelsea, then I'll sit up and watch and actually barrack for Arsenal. It's the only time Mark and I will barrack for the same teams. LOL
He'll barrack for Liverpool against Man U or Chelsea, we have common enemies.
Just so long as Liverpool play better than they did on Wednesday against Liege. They're odds on to beat Sunderland this afternoon. It's on the one sports channel I refuse top pay for, but I live close enough to pick up BBC Radio Merseyside. BBC Radio 5 has Hull vs Fulham as the big game this afternoon, you might be able to get that on the internet. The early TV game here is Arsenal vs West Brom, and tomorrow has Chelsea vs Portsmouth (FA Cup winners) and Man Utd vs Newcastle. So with that and 'Match of the Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_of_the_Day)' later, I'm going to be sported out!!!
[quote="emma
Just so long as Liverpool play better than they did on Wednesday against Liege. They're odds on to beat Sunderland this afternoon. It's on the one sports channel I refuse top pay for, but I live close enough to pick up BBC Radio Merseyside. BBC Radio 5 has Hull vs Fulham as the big game this afternoon, you might be able to get that on the internet. The early TV game here is Arsenal vs West Brom, and tomorrow has Chelsea vs Portsmouth (FA Cup winners) and Man Utd vs Newcastle. So with that and 'Match of the Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_of_the_Day)' later, I'm going to be sported out!!![/quote]
Wonder of wonders, Mark actually turned the channel from the Olympics to watch his beloved Arsenal play. LOL
I didn't have to contend with either because I was out scrapbooking at the time. *yay*
And I haven't heard how Liverpool did against Sunderland??
I saw the Arsenal game, well 85 minutes of it and missed the only goal ;) Then I watched the Hull game on the internet, the only new team to win! Liverpool beat the Mackems 1-0, I saw it on Match of the Day, Torres on 83 minutes.
So I'm happuy because I have Torres in my Fantasy league team and scoring goals means extra points. Got Stevie G. as well and as he got the Man of the Match, that's bonus points as well ;)
Michael Phelps wins EIGHT gold medals!!!
Quote from: "Cali"Michael Phelps wins EIGHT gold medals!!!
Was there any doubts? Even
I had heard all the hype about the super fish. LOL
The aussies have had a bad Olympics as far as individual events - and he's the reason! LOL
Well done to the lad.
:D The US is still over the moon this morning with his achievement, and the best thing is that he is so humble about it all. He's just a sweet kid who loves to swim and he can't stop talking about how his teammates are amazing and how they're the ones who deserve the hype. He even seems more excited for the relay wins than for the individual wins. To show how much fanboy love there is for Phelps in the states, Baltimore had a preseason football game last night and when it was over, all 80,000 fans stayed at the stadium to watch his last relay on the jumbo screens.
I remember Ian Thorpe being the wonder of the Sydney games, I wonder who will be the big name in London? Phelps has said that he's not going to do 8 next time, he's going to enter 4-5 maybe depending on how things go, so that leaves room for somebody else to be the star. Of course, I don't think anyone will come close to 8 for another 20 years, but you never know. :)
Yeah, it's been talked about here a bit too. But Japan has their own swimming hero to focus on - Kitajima.
Is it my imagination or is there a bit of a "cold war" feel between America and China? It seems it's a race to see who can get more medals... Is that just how the media portaits it? Or is it a big deal in the states? Sometimes its hard to tell from over here XD
I've noticed the medal count seems to be a race between the two for sure :D The only anti-China stuff I've seen here in the US is about some of their gymnasts not being old enough to compete. I guess you have to be 16, and some of their female gymnasts look about 12-14. The birth records say they are very young 16, but those have been forged in the past and no one can find any background info on these girls before last year. (I'm of the mind that they should drop the age limit. If a 12 or 14 yr old is good enough to compete in the olympics then they should be allowed. I guess the US national champ is only 14 so she couldn't go this year) Other than that, the portrayal has been more positive than I would have thought actually. I'm personally a bit annoyed they don't mention the human rights violations more... it seems that all is forgiven since they put on a nice fireworks show :geek:
You mean a nice faked firework show ;)
We shall see what happens in 2012
Oh yes, I heard about that, and girls lip synching too. Though honestly, I don't have a problem with either. They did have fireworks at the event, they just didn't want the helicopters filming overhead when they did it so they cgi'd some for TV. And the girls were the two finalists and the prettier girl got the face time while the better singer got the air time. The whole thing is a performance, it's not like it hasn't been done on tv and musical performances before.
Quote from: "Cali"(I'm of the mind that they should drop the age limit. If a 12 or 14 yr old is good enough to compete in the olympics then they should be allowed.
Cali,
I think there are a couple of reasons why they raised the age limit. First is the stress that such intense training prior to the Olympics puts on such a young body. Second, it's the psychological pressure these children are under. That can't be good for them either.
I read from our sunday paper a story about chinese girl (weightlifter) who hadn't seen her parents since she was twelve. She had been taken from them so she could be trained by the goverment. Kind of reminds me of the system DDR and Sovjet Union used to have.
I understand that the stress and pressures are damaging to the kids, but it's not only for the olympics that that do this. They compete in international events every year from the time they're like 10. And the Olympics allow 14 and 15 year old swimmers and divers... so what's the difference with gymnastics? Injuries maybe? but still, they get injuries at World's and Nationals and in just practicing. *shrugs* I don't know, the whole thing just seems a bit silly to have such a huge scandal over.
I'm getting bummed now though, Swimming is over, and gymnastics are soon too. I don't really like the track and field stuff much, so I'm not sure what I'm going to be watching this next week :(