London Olympics

[johnnya24]

I can understand your view here. But it may not have been for American viewers. I would imagine that viewers and Olympians from around the world are at least somewhat familiar with The Beatles, as opposed to the excellent artists you mentioned.

It did make me think, though, how so many of my favorite musicians are from the UK.

I suppose the gripe people have is that the whole ceremony was Britain presenting a completely new vision of itself ... a clean break from the past. Practically nothing was what anyone was expecting ... everyone expected at least something traditional, there was nothing ... everyone expected the great and the good to be represented, and they were basically ignored ... everyone thought Steven Redgrave was a sure thing to light the torch, but it was a bunch of unknown kids ... Macca and Hey Jude was the only thing everyone was expecting that materialized. It was the only predictable thing the whole evening ... maybe we were spoiled with too many surprises

[johnnya24]

Yes, but they couldn't have realistically thought Stewie was going to win in that group. Short of McEwen, there's not a sprinter I liked more than O'Grady, but he's just not a top sprinter anymore.

Good point about Wiggins; I suspect they couldn't believe after closing the gap to a minute that they couldn't squeeze out the last minute in the last few K.

But if you look at the talent in that front group ... if that was a crucial stage of the Tour, no way Team Sky let them get away like that. They didn't have a clue who was up the road. There was no communication ... heck, even the commentators weren't sure who was in the group. It was really hard to follow.

It would have been a brilliant spark for the Games if Cavendish had won a full-on sprint down The Mall. It's important for the atmosphere of the Games that the home team does well. China, Aussies, USA, Spain all did well in their own games ... which really helped the sense of occasion and momentum for everyone.

[Lucky]

NBC commentator just mentioned that counting all the US networks broadcasting Olympic coverage, there have been 67 hours worth in the first 24 hours of the games. That may be where you can find the events you like, or live coverage of competition.

[chancellor]

But if you look at the talent in that front group ... if that was a crucial stage of the Tour, no way Team Sky let them get away like that. They didn't have a clue who was up the road. There was no communication ... heck, even the commentators weren't sure who was in the group. It was really hard to follow.

I think their problem was the five person per team limitation and the team makeup. In the Tour, you have nine on your team, so in a sprint stage, you can lead with six or seven and still protect your sprinter and key leadout. Had the Germans and Aussies each committed 3 guys, the outcome would have been the sprint everyone expected, IMO.

[johnnya24]

I think their problem was the five person per team limitation and the team makeup. In the Tour, you have nine on your team, so in a sprint stage, you can lead with six or seven and still protect your sprinter and key leadout. Had the Germans and Aussies each committed 3 guys, the outcome would have been the sprint everyone expected, IMO.

The women's race in the rain was great too ...



Been enjoying synchronized diving ... and an old Olympic favorite Canoe Slalom

[Mithrandir]

Some of these events are just bizarre.

[SeaDogStat]

I think they should do the air rifle competitions with an official Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock...

[johnnya24]

Here's a couple of bits that were apparently cut out by NBC in HD:

7/7 tribute



Arctic Monkeys (both songs)

[Judge Jude]

NBC is getting great ratings for these Games in the U.S. - and if that was true on the weekend when people more easily might notice who won events in real time, that should continue on weekdays.

here's a dissenting view on NBC's decision:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-jarvis/nbcfail-economics_b_1718379.html

[johnnya24]

How are you going to avoid the results? NBC are basically demanding of you ... not to use the internet, twitter and any social networking site from mid-afternoon to 10pm. It's going to be near impossible to continue normal activities and still enjoy the events without knowing the results.

[johnnya24]

I thought the only thing that was missing from that ceremony was a gay rights moment. It was apparently there, hidden away among all the images in a split second:

http://www.slate.com/blogs/five_ring_circus/2012/07/28/lesbian_kiss_opening_ceremony_why_danny_boyle_featured_a_scene_from_the_british_soap_brookside_.html

I think they really missed an opportunity to advance the case of global gay rights by 10+ years here ... it would have elevated the ceremony to one of those special moments in global culture. Hiding the lesbian kiss segment in a flashing montage isn't really helping the cause IMO. Having to smuggle the image in is sending out the wrong message. If Danny Boyle had've went off script and smuggled in a big moment, going out live in the Middle East and Africa, it would have been sensational. It was a brave ceremony no doubt ... I guess he felt he was pissing off enough people with all the over-the-top multiculturalism. I suppose it would have overshadowed everything else ... but you have to cause a few ripples to enact major change.

NBC would have cut it for a KFC commercial of course ... but the rest of the world would have seen it.

[virgonomic]

Nice tattoo...

A girl I coach on the high school hockey team carried the torch through Ottawa in 2010 and talked about getting a tattoo. Is holding the Olympic torch for 30s such a monumental event that it warrants a tattoo?

[johnnya24]

The inflatable jackets the horse jumpers are wearing are awesome ... if the rider leaves the saddle, they inflate like a cars airbag.

[griswold]

I think they should do the air rifle competitions with an official Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock...

Bad idea...someone would shoot their eye out.

[Judge Jude]

"It's going to be near impossible to continue normal activities and still enjoy the events without knowing the results."

not if you're over 50, it isn't, for many in that crowd.