2008 Olympic Games: Beijing, Let the games begin! Options

[JTMAG1]

I just watched the opening ceremony of the olympics. I thought it was fantastic. 15,000+ performance. There was fantastic choreography. The direction was phenomenally artistic. Needless to say, i was very impressed. The Stadium looked great, and of course there would be plenty of fireworks, this being China and all. It seems only normal to have a poor opinion of China, but watching this display of their culture I have to say hat I was touched by the heritage that was on display.

My social/political opinions aside, I'm more excited for these olympics than I have been for any that I can remember. Being a huge basketball fan and having my 3 favorite players on the USA team, I will be watching all of their events. This is supposed to be the most talened and competitive field in the sport ever.

Its too bad that the Hammond twins both suffered injuries, but I'm hoping that we have a good showing in each sport.

More to come.

[Parmenides]

I love the Olympics - it's been a long four years! The opening ceremony was immense - those light drums at the beginning, wow. It must have all taken so much practice. My jaw actually dropped when those lights formed the Olympic rings, and then started to rise above the ground. The British commentators said at one point that there was an estimated four billion people watching - that's almost unbelievable.

And now to watch some actual athletics.

[JTMAG1]

I love the Olympics - it's been a long four years! The opening ceremony was immense - those light drums at the beginning, wow. It must have all taken so much practice. My jaw actually dropped when those lights formed the Olympic rings, and then started to rise above the ground. The British commentators said at one point that there was an estimated four billion people watching - that's almost unbelievable.

And now to watch some actual athletics.

OH yes, I cant believe I forgot to mention the drums and the rings. 2008 guys drumming in unison. Then they turned the lights off.. It was fantastic.

The olympic rings floating up might have been my favorite part. At one point the commentator said that there is a team of people in London crying because they don't know how they are going to assembling a ceremony on this scale.

[Janos]

Well, because that opening ceremony was so spectacular, obviously that means China is a totally awesome country and is better than everyone else! We just have to ignore all that violent put down of the unrest in Tibet and other human rights violations!

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Look over there!

Anyways, that's what I kept thinking during the opening ceremonies.

[JTMAG1]

Well, because that opening ceremony was so spectacular, obviously that means China is a totally awesome country and is better than everyone else! We just have to ignore all that violent put down of the unrest in Tibet and other human rights violations!

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Look over there!

Anyways, that's what I kept thinking during the opening ceremonies.

What I'm saying, is that because of all that stuff going on, we can forget that there are individual citizens with culture hopes and dreams. Just like us here in America. Just because our president is a jackass, and our government does horrible things, doesn't mean that we are all horrible.

[Parmenides]

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! Look over there!

The British commentators said about six times how they must be wanting to "minimise the mention of any of the human rights violations" and all that. Obviously they were shot shortly after transmission ceased.

God, I'm not looking forward to the 2012 games. If London's logo is anything to go by ( ), it'll be a mess. I can totally see them going way over the top, and failing.

Watched some of the swimming heats yesterday. Once again, I had to stifle laughter at the butterfly stroke. It's funny how everyone wears those speed suits now - what's so good about them, does the water just slide over their surface more easily? I'm almost surprised they are permitted by the rules.

[Janos]

Speaking of the opening ceremony and the fireworks:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-New...dded%2BFor%2BTV

Looks like some of them were just fakes! CGI!

[Parmenides]

Yeah, I saw that on the news tonight - I can't believe people didn't know it was fake. When I saw it I was just like "oh they're using this as a segue into the next part of the ceremony" and that was it. It just didn't look real. Is it really all that newsworthy anyway?

[Janos]

Well, it fits in line with China's ostentatious displays to make everyone think they're cool. I missed the first hour of the Opening Ceremony so I never saw this part.

[JTMAG1]

Yeah, I saw that on the news tonight - I can't believe people didn't know it was fake. When I saw it I was just like "oh they're using this as a segue into the next part of the ceremony" and that was it. It just didn't look real. Is it really all that newsworthy anyway?

I was watching it in high def, I don't know if that makes a difference, but It was clearly computer generated.

[JTMAG1]

It looks like now they had a singing in the rain moment.
Cuter little girl used instead of the actual singer

I think this here is a cold game. At that age I don't agree with replacing the good singer. Its one thing if you don't want to show her. With all of the visual effects they had, there was no reason to replace her with another little girl.

Medal Count

[Janos]

Pictures of George Bush looking stupid at the Olympics:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olymp...73.photogallery

I think some of these might need captions

Too bad they don't have one of him checking his watch during the opening ceremony

[Revan]

Who won?

I wasn't really following. Anything of ntoe happen that I missed? What's that guy's name? The one with all the medals...?

[JTMAG1]

Who won?

I wasn't really following. Anything of ntoe happen that I missed? What's that guy's name? The one with all the medals...?

Well, Team USA men's bball played Spain for the gold in the best olympic bball game of all time.

Also, a cuban Taekwondo fighter got disqualified and he kicked the ref in the face! It was great.

Michael Phelps is a beast.

And China definitly cheated in some places.

[Revan]

And China definitly cheated in some places.

I heard about all the forged passports for the girls too young to be participating.

[JTMAG1]

I heard about all the forged passports for the girls too young to be participating.

Yeah, I was among those insulted. Before the controversy I looked at the girls and said, "there is no way they are all 16. No way in hell!"

[Revan]

Yeah, I was among those insulted. Before the controversy I looked at the girls and said, "there is no way they are all 16. No way in hell!"

As the Olympics join the ranks of bullsh*t we get everyday?

Or had they already?

[JTMAG1]

As the Olympics join the ranks of bullsh*t we get everyday?

Or had they already?

I still have major respect for the atheletes to do what they do (the ones that don'e cheat). They work hard to be part the best in the world. In the case of the Chinese girl, kudos to her for being the best. Unfortunately, the rules say that she was too young to compete. Who is to say that there isn't some 15 year old girl somewhere else in the world way better than her, that wasn't there bcause her country followed the rules.

[hobo_joe20]

what happened to those girls anyways? did they get their medals taken away?

[JTMAG1]

what happened to those girls anyways? did they get their medals taken away?

No, the organization that governs them said they were going to investigate. The last I heard was that the Chinese government produced the paperwork and so the investigation was over.