London 2012 Olympics

Well we don't really have anywhere to talk about the Olympics yet (good or bad) - though we've had a thread about the infrastructure, nothing really yet about the actual games

So here it is! A place to talk about anything Olympic related

I see Team GB Football has a final warm up match tonight against Brazil (pre-tournament favourites) - who thought that up? If we have ANY thoughts of progressing in the tournament, is it really wise to play the pre-tourney favourites less than a week before the start?

Smacks of promo material only, and not a wise sporting decision - I understand we are 1-0 down already - is it being shown anywhere?

JEEZ! I just found out it's on BBC1!!! WTF is that all about?

Though I love football I can't see us getting THAT excited about the olympic contest and this is only a warm-up - yet it's on BBC1 on Friday night primetime?

I've long been losing faith in the BBC but this just takes be further down the road of believe they have no idea

I still haven't managed to raise any enthusiasm for the Olympics, but I'm sure I'll get into it once it starts.

Davie - I haven't bothered looking at the warm-up game, I think that it would not do much to boost my enthusiasm levels.

As there is still a week to go until the games proper start, let's stick with football for now...

An interesting observation (well I think it's interesting anyway) - Team GB against Brazil tonight; one team has names on the shirt, the other doesn't

What does that say about the greatest footballing nation against the team that thinks they are the greatest?

As Beckham has "ruled himself out" of lighting the flame at the openeing ceremony, surely Sir Steve Redgrave is now a sho-in for it?

Beckham reportedly squeaked that the honour should go to an Olympian and while I can see what he means, I don't think he would have been out of place getting the ultimate accolade

I wonder what odds Paddy Power would give me on Eddie The Eagle lighting the flame

Well, the ladies 'kicked' things off early today and a win is a win even if it was against the kiwi's.

I guess the other news is the triple jumper from Greece was 'kicked' off today in a totally different way.

I was disappointed they didn't exchange shirts at the end of the match

Good win for team USA though coming back from 2-0 down to win 4-2

Looks like the French got their surrender in early

Anyone else see that the North Korean womens football team walked off the pitch at the start of their game against Columbia? Bit touchy aren't they?...After all if was only a little mistake showing pictures of their faces on the big screen next to a South Korean flag!

Honestly, you couldn't make it up

Davie wrote:I was disappointed they didn't exchange shirts at the end of the match

Today's the day when, for me, it feels as though the Olympics really start, with the much heralded opening ceremony this evening, so I thought I'd get a discussion thread up and running.

Have to confess that I've not been tempted by the football which is already underway, partly due to the fact that I've been taking advantage of the warm evenings and staying out in the garden as long as possible. I'm not usually particularly partial to sitting through opening ceremonies, but will tune in tonight, hoping that we can show the rest of the world how it's done.

Let the games commence .......

Tennis and football shouldn't be part of the Olympics and neither should golf at the next one. Just my opinion but the money these sports generate seem to go against the original amatuer status that the Olympics personified. Last nights football was also as expected a lash up.

I really hope the whole thing goes well, and tonights opening ceremony, but I'm in the camp that think we shouldn't have had the games and wonder why we only get them when there's financial meltdown around the world. Both tiumes they've been known as the austerity games.

Olympic topics merged for Mary

Davie wrote:Olympic topics merged for Mary

Yay - you are hereby awarded a gold medal for t'internet wizardry!

Doc, we won the Games bid 7 years ago, we would have first bid for them maybe 10. It was boom time, you cant blame anyonbe for not predicting the financial meltdown.
No austerity as far as I can see for these games anyway, sold out venues, great facilities, millions flocking to London to spend money. Its all good.

Apparently over 200,000 tickets currently unsold, but website is not allowing people to purchase online??

Mary_S wrote:

Davie wrote:Olympic topics merged for Mary

Yay - you are hereby awarded a gold medal for t'internet wizardry!

Whoo-hoo - I'm top of the medals table!

For anybody interested in supporting the Special Olympics (which gives people with Learning Difficulties the opportunity to enjoy sport), the Red Laces, as worn by Paidraig Harrington, can be purchased for just £2.40 (including postage) Link below:

http://www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk/shop-online/

I can't wait for it to be all over Getting to work in central London is going to be nigh-on impossible so after today it's "work from home" which is not really convenient but better than being stuck on packed trains going nowhere (which is what will happen, mark my words). Still, I might be able to sneak out onto the golf course a couple of times

And just to add more fuel to the fire of cock-ups, how about this:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics--torch-relay-nazi-adolf-hitler-london-berlin-ancient-greece-flame-.html

Mary_S wrote:Apparently over 200,000 tickets currently unsold, but website is not allowing people to purchase online??

You won't find tickets for any decent events. I understand the vast majority of unsold tickets are for the football. Some large venues are being used (Wembley, Milennium stadium, etc) for what is effectively junior exhibition matches, so it is no surprise.

Only 7,000 tickets were sold for the GB women's match at Cardiff, even though it was the opening game of the tournament. 35,000 tickets were given away to local schools / clubs to help fill the 70,000 capacity Millennium stadium to make it less embarrassing.

I've just noticed that there are no baseball and softball events this year. A bit of research tells me they were voted out so 2008 was the last time they featured. Well at least the IOC got something right, I thinks its a disgrace that sports like baseball feature in the Olympics. Not only is it only played by a handful of countries, I'm sure it meant nothing to the players either.

Similarly, I think tennis, football, golf, rugby (both new for 2016), basketball should all be removed. It's just not the pinnacle of the sport for the athletes.

I'd agree with you about baseball/softball/football/rugby/basketball

However from what I've heard, the tennis players hold it in VERY high regard and it seems to have settled into the olympic scene quite nicely. Whether golf will follow tennis in that respect remains to be seen

Davie wrote:I'd agree with you about baseball/softball/football/rugby/basketball

However from what I've heard, the tennis players hold it in VERY high regard and it seems to have settled into the olympic scene quite nicely. Whether golf will follow tennis in that respect remains to be seen

hmmm, not so sure.

You think that if Andy Murray wins the Olympic event, at Wimbledon of course, it will mean just as much as if he had beaten Federer 3 weeks ago? Somehow I doubt it.

Murray has said winning the Olympics would be the biggest thing in his career so far, and thats a big statement for a multiple Masters winner and 4 times slam finalist. I dont doubt that he'd prefer a major as would most players but they clearly now regard the Olympics as the next best title to have. With it being every 4 years not that many peopel get to add it to their CV, Im sure Federer will keen to set that right this year.

Of course winning the Olympics would be the biggest thing in his career... because he's not won a slam.

In an Olympic year it is the "fifth major".

Indeed. Which makes it a very big deal.

So we are agreeing that every 4 years, the Olympics is the 5th most important tennis tournament. Clearly that carries prestige, however it is not the pinnacle of the sport.... and that for me signifies that it should be removed from the Olympics.

The Olympics is already bloated, I think the IOC needs to focus on its core sports instead of trying to create some all encompassing jamboree. It does not succeed in being all things to all people.

Maybe to someone who already has won a major it really IS the most important thing to them?

The Olympics isnt the pinnacle of cycling but nobody wants that removed from the Games.
Its the fact its every 4 years that is the big deal as Federer indeed said today -
"Having the chance to play in the Olympics at Wimbledon is incredible," said the Swiss. "The pressure is obviously big because it is a different type of event. It only happens every four years, so that is not something we are used to."
Its not diminished by the fact its every 4 years, it massively increased. I know Serena Williams also rates it as one of her biggest achievements and says an Olympic gold completes here career.
I really dont seet he problem with it, the players love it, the fans who see it love it, why take it away from a games when that is the case ?

Tennis is a popular sport... that why the IOC brought it in. When I went to the Olympics in 92, I really enjoyed the tennis. I think I saw Rosset v Ivanesevic, and Capriati v Arantxa Sanchez, it was great to watch, and I applied for tickets in the ballot for this year too. I just think that, to a certain degree, sports like tennis devalue gold medals for athletes in some of the other sports.

But then I acknowledge that some medals carry more prestige than others... athletics 100m vs. team archery for example.

I take your point but I think its great for other athletes to rub shoulders with sporting superstars. Not all of them stay in the village but some do, I know Murray did in Beijing though maybe he wont in London as he lives here.
I think the tennis players know its different, the Olympics in someways define what sport is all about and anyone who gets the cahance top be part of it must surely love it.
I think its the greatest show on earth and the more sports that add to it as a spectacle the better.

Thought that the Opening Ceremony was totally bonkers and brilliant!

A manic run through of British history, with a mix of comedy and some poignant moments too. I couldn't believe at first that it was actually THE Queen taking part in the Bond sketch, and Beckham looked damned hot on that speedboat.

Apparently the whole thing cost less than Andy Carroll too.

Mary_S wrote:Thought that the Opening Ceremony was totally bonkers and brilliant!

Fireworks show with Pink Floyd's 'Eclipse' I believe providing a perfect compliment was great.

Not too sure about Sir Paul's contribution though...

Macca was like an embarrasing Grandad singing at a wedding. Yes, he's a total legend, but past his sell-by date for live performances of this scale I think.

What a cock up by the cyclists. Allowed the leaders to get too far ahead then couldn't respond. Still an exciting race though and south west London looked great.

Great effort from the bbc . Very impressive coverage via the red button and all in hd as well

Forgot to add some thanks to the bbc for showing some Czech lovelies in bikinis playing beach volleyball

Best you don't let your new wife catch you ogling Czech lovelies Ray!

I do not normally watch the opening or closing ceremonies of the Olympics, but felt that this time I ought to.

I'm very glad I did - I found it interesting, exciting, whimsical and uplifting - like many, I was convinced that it was a looky likey Queen, but apparently not, well done your Maj and very well done Mr Boyle!

On the subject of Macca - he must be the unluckiest live performer when the eyes of the world are upon him - first the Band Aid sound cock up, then he gets switched off when trying to duet with the Boss and last night his mic threw a wobbly at the beginning of Hey Jude! The council official with his finger on the off switch must have gone home last night though, 'cos it was 1am before Macca did the last Na Na Na Na..........you know the rest.

Whimsical - great choice of word OS

Didn't want the games in the UK as i've said before and have a problem with some of the events as i feel they shouldn't be part of the Olympics. Problems with tickets, transport and expect other issues, but I have to say that the opening ceremony was fantastic and made me feel proud.

The cycling on Saturday was a big let down as the 'dream team' blew themselves up because lack of help from the other countries. Really felt for Cavendish. Brailsford usually covers all bases but not this time and felt he should have had a plan b for just in case. The breakaway were left to go and that was a massive mistake.

The girls yesterday played it well, and Lizzie did a great job bringing in silver, well done girl.

Adlington was also superb as she wasn't expected to medal, but what a big hearted performance from her. 8th fastest time brings home a bronze, well done Becky. That was inspiring and the rest of team GB should follow her lead.

Well so much for commuting problems on the first Olympic working day. Empty train on a line that runs into both London Bridge and Victoria and an empty tube as well, in fact Ive never seen Victoria tube so empty on a Monday morning.

Think the cycling thing was almost fated after all the hype. Always a bit of a lottery the road race and sadly won by a doper, though we did have an ex doper in our own team in Millar but at least he admits it and has apologised.
Far more likely we will get a medal in the time trial with Wiggins, Martin might not be quite fit and the champion from 2008 is out. Just depends how much Wiggins has left in those skinny legs of his !

The girls are leading the way in the medal haul so far.

Digs - maybe everybody else is working at home? Steve's g/f starts her one year placement today, offices are in vicinity of the women's beach volley ball site, so I'm sure there will be lots of folk heading that way. It seems to have been the only event with no empty seats!

Unfortunately for me Mary Im the guy who makes the IT work so everyone can stay at home to do their jobs......so I have to come in ...sob.
I work in the west end and I think it may be emptier than usual as lets face it most people wouldnt bother going to east London normally.

What do we think about the 15YO Chinese swimmer who took 5 seconds off her own personal best and smashed the WR by over a second?

I'm sure we would all have some doubts over her performance, but it seems the attention it is attracting and particularly the comments from the USA coach are rather over the top.

I have no doubt that IF she is a cheat, and IF it isn't some new undetectable drug use, then she WILL be caught - and I'd rather wait until that happens. The USA coach has done himself and his nation no favours at all by these sour grapes. By all means make an official complaint but let it be dealt with properly before airing it to the world press

Agree with that Davie, but sometimes the yanks can be seen as bad losers, although it does look dodgy.

The BBC personality of the year now has candidates for team and sports person, with Wiggins doing us proud on the TdF and now the gym boys doing the unthinkable too. Well done boys I watched that performance last night and it was pure theatre. The comentators thought it was also unlikley that they lost their usual decorum, it was brilliant.

Lets hope that we can get more serious hero's of sport this next couple of weeks to challenge the above

And what about the other story today? Tom Daley and the malicious tweets?

It seems to me that the public and police are paying far too much attention to twitter at the moment.

From what I can gather, police have arrested a 17yo Weymouth "man" (I'd call him a boy) for malicious tweets sent to diver, Tom Daley

Daley who himself is 17 lost his father last year or earlier this year and this little pr1ck from Weymouth apparently tweeted to Daley "you've let your father down and you know it"

There were possibly some other things too but I haven't yet heard them

Now that's a pretty nasty and mean thing to say - but if the two of them were "normal" kids and still at school or 6th form, it's playground chatter. But because it's posted on twitter, suddenly the police get involved? Crazy...

I'm not defending the Weymouth kid, but talk about blown out of proportion! I'd be surprised if Daley himself complained - after all he has the tools to block the troll or just ignore him. I expect it's another case of hundreds of "fans" taking offense on his behalf

Of course if there were death threats or anything like that, then the situation changes, but is what I've read so far really worth getting police involved?

I have never signed up to facebook/twitter or any other social media site, simply because anyone who does leaves themselves wide open. I suppose plenty on here are users of said sites and thats fair enough, and suppose that most will have experienced something they didn't like about it. You may post something you later wish you hadn't as it made you look a cock, or someone posted something about you or someone you know which you know is wrong etc. Anyone who signs up to a social media site do so understanding the risks surely. Rio Ferdinand makes himself look a cock everytime he posts, as does Joey Barton and lets not forget that those unfortunate families in Colarado will have had some malicious stuff posted about the victims and the shooter getting hero worship etc. The Tom Daley stuff is just the way it is I'm afraid and don't think its as hurtful as the stuff posted the other day about Rebecca Addlington by that tool so-called comedian in Scotland, but she understood that it was her choice to sign up.

We noticed last night that the Brit commentators were suitably underwhelmed by the Chinese girl, rarther than the amazing comments it was far more focussed on the unreal and faster than the men...that cant happen surely. Obviously the Chinese have previous with doping long distance women, but as far as I know they dont have a world class swimming program so most of their guys train around the world, mainly in Australia.
Seems odd that nobody is questioning the validity of the 15 year old lithuanian who also slashed her PB to pieces but becasue she lives in Plymouth and has a Brit coach she must be clean ?
That said teenagers in swimming do amazing times and then plateau out so hopefully what we are seeing is legit.