08-08-08 The Olympics: Sport or National PR?

<folding down edge of thread to bookmark>

Every four years I watch some track and field competitions. That pretty
much holds me for the next four.

I wonder about the shape (literally) of female gymnasts.

I take umbrage (and will not put it back when I'm done) at the lack of any
members of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics on the USA basketball
team. And I wonder (I won-won-won-won-wonder) why (why-why-why-
why-why) it's not in the Winter Olympics.

I look forward to the extended campfire skit that will culminate with the
lighting of the Olympic Flame.

With luck there'll be a new synchronized sport. With graceful maidens in
pretty outfits.

Here's a thought: how about putting the archers and the javelin-chuckers
in the same field and let them have at it. Then let the fencers take on the
winners.

I'll get to watch BMX racing, too.

I fairly quiver with anticipation.

Um. Basketball, real, actual basketball, isn't a winter sport. Next time you come to the city I'll take you down to the West 4th Courts where it's three-on-three time and 5'10" baggy-shorts wearing, very serious, players perform drop-back dunks with the same ease as you or I take out the trash.

And that is nothing like the games at Rucker Park


===
I think I have only watched one Opening Ceremony. Helsinki. It was Ice Capades on Some Serious Acid.
++++++

I have a theory that we, the watching public, would appreciate the athletes more if we were shown a couple of weeks of duffers and also rans.
If we saw a couple of people taken from the stands who were then asked to try out the hanging rings.
(GAAAH! How DO they do a handstand on these things?)
Or, take me out and have me run the 100 meter hurdles.
That would be amusing even if it took much longer then than even the producers imagined.
(Three figging Minutes!! My grandmother could.......arrgh!!..Go to commercial!!.)

Is croquet an olympic sport? because it should be. It looks easy until you try playing against one of lonely souls of Central Park's court. Tiger Woods can't shoot any straighter than these guys. Twenty-five feet to just the edge of your ball and through the wicket.

Joe(luckily I had forgotten my wallet)Nation

All things Olympic here.

Has the Olympics changed China?
Yes, the olympics changes any country that sponsors it.

Will you be watching any particular events?
Will watch the opening and closing ceremonies for sure.

Will you be there in person?
No, but I was in Beijing last November, and saw the olympic city during its construction.

Does watching the Olympics inspire you in any way?
Yes; I think the human ability at athleticism is phenomenol.

How? And what have you done with the inspiration?
I, personally, don't do anything with "inspiration," but have contributed to the US Olympic Committee.

What do you hope for your particular country's athletes?
Win as many medals as possible.

What event will bring the most surprises?
I think swimming.

Is the Olympics more about national pride or athletic success?
Both.


Does the Olympics bring the world together?
Yes.

If it does, how long can the moment last?
A few weeks after the end of the closing ceremony.

However, friendships built up during the olympics will be life-long between the athletes.

I'm looking forward to Olympic Local Color as a temporary replacement for National Elections Local Color.

Right now my non-political soul has earned diversion.

Indeed it has.

What event shall we select as a diversion?

I'm not much of a sports fan, but I enjoy the Olympics as an out-of-the-corner-of-my eye spectacle. I'm more likely to read the sidebars than the sports coverage.

Did anyone else notice earlier this year the Chinese A2K members insisting that their government was graciously and kindly presenting the Olympic Games to the Chinese Nation and the larger world?

China co-opts the World Stage--and the Western Nations feel that all the world's a stage.

Interesting, alien points of view.

We've already been spectators for the Olympic Torch Contenders. I'm sure that Tibetan supporters aren't finished demonstrating.

IMO, the whole Olympic Torch relay should be retired after this year. The Tibetans and their supporters demonstrated quite successfully how easy it is to co-opt such an event in order to make a political statement. The travels of The Torch became a slapstick event, covered to a fare-thee-well (quite rightly) by the news media. Running the flaming faggot through the streets of major world cities became a steeple chase, funny as all getout. And let us not forget that the so-called "tradition" of running The Torch is somewhat younger than a number of posters on A2K. It was invented by the Nazis and introduced at the Nuremberg Olympics way, way back there at about the same time I was born.

Merry Andrew--

The Olympic Games were conceived as Grand Spectacle and Grand Spectacle evolves to fit the space available.

You can be for the Torch--or against the Torch--but while the Torch Ritual was being played out this year people all over the world were aware of th the Torch.

Global Villages need local gossip.

The "show" must go on!

I'm getting a disturbing visual of CI dressed up like Ethel Merman belting
out "There's No Business Like Show Business".

George, Just as long as I'm still wearing my HOT cap.

...but of course...

ROTFLMAO

Hey, Merry Andrew, I'm happy to be a part of your laughter and enjoyment, but don't stay on the floor too long.

Thing is, I can just picture you, c.i., and it's uproariously funny!!!

You think we'll see something from the games? Probably only close-ups
with the camera...

i figure the opening should be pretty good

being canadian i tend to be more in tune with the winter olympics

The Beijing government is supposed to stop all construction starting on July 1st, but they've been adding 1,200 cars per day in Beijing alone. They're fighting a losing battle; the pollution is so bad, even locals don't drink or cook from the tap water.