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2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

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sakuraangel
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 12:34 am Reply with quote
SMILY SMILY
Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 462 Location: Canada
Official Website
BBC Olympic Page
Xin Hua Olympic Page
Google News feed
CBC Olympic Page (media in Canada)

I haven't seen a topic for this and I haven't been around long enough to be here when there has been an Olympic so I hope this is okay. I always start an Olympic tread at the forums I go to because I love the Olympics (and this year is no exception) and I feel it's a topic that everyone can post/reply to since it is an international competition; therefore members on the board no matter what location they are at, are usually watching the games one way or another.

08.08.08 ... only a few hours till the opening ceremonies!


I can't wait!! Due to the time zone difference I'll have to get up early to watch it and I won't be able to watch all of it live because I have to go to work ;_; But is anybody else going to be watching the Opening ceremonies? Once it does happen, please feel free to talk about it.

-What sporting event are you guys looking forward to?
-Is there anyone or any team you are rooting for in your own country or another country?
-Anyone excited about the BMX motor cross racing (it'll be a new event this time around)?
-What are your thoughts on the crazy architecture of the various venues in this Olympics?
-Anything else that relates to the Olympics (NO politics though please) ...
 
sljinu
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 9:03 am Reply with quote
フレンジャー フレンジャー
Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 952 Location: Australia
Just watched it (we're two hours ahead of China). It wasn't all that interesting to me I guess. I've never been much of a fan of Olympics (although the ideas behind it are nice). The crazy architecture?? It's cool Laughing
 
lovai
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 9:16 am Reply with quote
甘えんぼ 甘えんぼ
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 64 Location: China
I am a Chinese boy . I am proud and happy to see this tread . I are just watching it ,it is so wonderful.
i think Liouxiang will be the hero of our country .
the Water Cube and Bird's Nest iare my favourite venues.
I are watching it now ,and i just see Dashan in the your country's team ,i am very happy .
,i am watching it now ,see ya
 
Jester
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 1:54 pm Reply with quote
フレンジャー フレンジャー
Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 816 Location: Canada
Firstly, thanks for banning politics in this thread sakuraangel. I'm sick and tired of hearing everyone bashing each other. It's really not fair to the people that worked hard to make this year's Olympics a success and, of course, the athletes who deserve our attention. This is about the world coming together and competing in good nature.

My friend and I were currently debating which Olympics are better: summer or winter. He firmly believes that winter is the only one even worth watching. I think they're pretty much on even ground.

I'll be rooting for Canada since it's where I live but I'll also be pulling for my homeland, Philippines, I really want to see a Filipino take home a gold medal this year. That would be amazing.

Here are the sports that I'll be looking out for:
  • Athletics (particularly: 100m, relays, javelin, pole vault, triple jump)
  • Swimming (particularly: 100m butterfly, relays, medley)
  • Diving (the higher the better, synchronized)
  • Judo
  • Taekwondo
  • Fencing
  • Boxing
  • Archery
  • Shooting
 
octocoffee
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 4:33 pm Reply with quote
ユメクイ ユメクイ
Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 1088 Location: USA
YUSH! The Olympics! I just love watching people complete these feats, and that insane look of intense exhilaration when they get there. It's awe-inspiring. I plan to watch as much as I can, but I'm especially inclined towards the women's beach volleyball.

MISTY MAY-TREANOR AND KERRI WALSH ALL THE WAY. Boogie

After watching them win the Croc finals, I'm a huge fan. Otherwise, I'm not rooting for anyone, really. Although it's nice to see underdog countries place well or win. Sorry, but my own country has gotten the spotlight long enough. It's time to share. Except for volleyball Tongue Not really, I'm joking.

Swimming is also a lot of fun to watch. The opening ceremonies sound fantastic. The Olympics have always, always symbolized a time when nations can get together in peace and enjoy some sport. So politics should definitely stay out of this. Thanks for mentioning that, sakuraangel Smile

Oh yeah, and the architecture: GENIUS.
 
octocoffee
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 1:11 pm Reply with quote
ユメクイ ユメクイ
Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 1088 Location: USA
Sorry for double-posting, but I'm just interested in what everyone is thinking of the Olympics right now? What have been the highlights so far?

The opening ceremony was really great, and really enjoyable. Zhang Yimou did a great job orchestrating it.

My favorite athletic even so far is swimming, particularly the 400m men's relay. I think it's probably one of the finest races I've ever seen, and it's going to take a lot to top that. I mean, even fifth place broke the world record! Surprised And Lezak was absolutely stellar.

Misty May and Kerri Walshi are doing awesome, of course. Love Hope they can keep their streak of victories.
 
Jester
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 1:56 pm Reply with quote
フレンジャー フレンジャー
Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 816 Location: Canada
Yeah, I was actually going to bring up that American comeback in the 4x100 mens relay. That was just ridiculous. Even, the announcers were counting Lezak out but everyone exploded when he just reached out the competition.

Watching the Chinese men in the Artistic Gymnastics was pretty sweet. They dominated toward the end but it was still exciting seeing Japan and America go for Silver. When Zou Kai stuck the final landing on the high bar, it was truly amazing. Seeing those tears of victory. Wow.
 
1337rice
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 2:10 pm Reply with quote
クムリウタ クムリウタ
Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 469 Location: Toronto, Canada
for those who watched the ceremony on TV...i think you should read this article...
It was quite well done...although I did wonder why they fired the fireworks right from the ground while some were in the bird's nest...maybe thats why it was fake...

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony Faked: Firework Footprints Added For TV
 
octocoffee
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 2:38 pm Reply with quote
ユメクイ ユメクイ
Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 1088 Location: USA
Well, that's certainly a surprise. But the article did mention the footprint fireworks were for real, but it seemed dangerous to film. And I mean, technically speaking, it's not that hard to create a shape like that, I don't think. Hmm, I dunno. This doesn't really detract from any other elements from the ceremony.

Although that blogger/architect seems to be pretty harsh on the ceremony...
 
sljinu
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 3:58 pm Reply with quote
フレンジャー フレンジャー
Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 952 Location: Australia
Oh, I read about that too! When I watched that part, I actually thought it looked a little fake...it was something about the buildings that just didn't look right. When I told my dad, he was like "How can it be? They are filming live?" so I just assumed I was imagining things. But looks like I was correct Shocked

Oh, and did anyone else see the Blue Screen of Death??
 
sakuraangel
Posted: Aug 12, 2008 11:46 pm Reply with quote
SMILY SMILY
Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 462 Location: Canada
Sorry I haven't been around much, meant to post more in this thread but have been busy watching the games, addicted to an old TV show that I've never seen and work XD

CHINA WON Men's and Women's team artist gymnastics!!!!!!!!!!!! Wohooo!!!

I'm beyond happy right now. This makes me as happy as the time Men and Women's Canadian hockey team winning the Olympic Gold in Utah in 2002.This means as much to me as the winter achievement. I feel that both countries that had won those sport ... those particular sports are near and dear to their hearts so I can be more proud.

US won an honorable Silver in the Women's Artistic Gymnastic and Bronze in the Men's. I felt that with all the injiuries they had on both teams with key star athletes, they did a tremendous job and I think even though it's not a gold, they have their own victory.

I'm glad to see Japan win Silver for the Men's because they were breath-taking to watch on the high-bar, especially Kohei Uchimura ... his lines were just flawless and I had to hold my breath every time he did a release element, fearing that he might fall. I can't wait to see him in future competitions. He still so young with so much potential.

And ... wow Phelps. I hope he makes the goal he set out for this Olympics. He's well on his way and watching him swim is just out of this world.

As for the controversy on the Opening Ceremonies ... there's also the one about the little girl singing at the begging. According to CCTV she was lip-syncing and another 7 year old girl was actually doing the singing.

At this time I'm not sure of what to make of all these truths from CCTV but I still felt that Zhang Yimou did a fabulous job. He did say in an article there were things he felt he would have changed. I believe it was this one: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/09/content_9108164.htm

Furthermore all the tens of thousands of performers involved, I personally could not ask more. The amount of training they put in and some of the performances and it's synchronicity was just ... it left me speechless because they were near perfect O.o
 
avantgarde
Posted: Aug 13, 2008 1:08 am Reply with quote
さくらんぼ さくらんぼ
Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane
China has 14 gold medals right now!
Woo!
It doesn't look like they're gonna be stopping anytime soon either!
Double Woo!
 
Lainay
Posted: Aug 13, 2008 11:32 am Reply with quote
ハイパーガル ハイパーガル
Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 641 Location: USA
I'm basically ADDICTED to these Olympic games!! I'm quite sleep deprived, but I suppose that's okay since it's the summer! Smile

My highlights / key moments / key people:
- Michael Phelps PWNING everybody else. He's a fish trapped inside a man's body. A FISH I TELL YOU. :V I mean, from all his individual races to the amazing first relay that everyone's been talking about, the results have just been unbelievable. TAKE THAT, FRENCH RELAY TEAM! Haha. He's truly the best Olympian ever. he's really good looking too, but that's besides the point... GO PHISHY PHELPS!!!!!
- Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. They are absolute killers out there on the beach v-ball court. I almost feel bad for the teams they go against - they're just too good! I believe 100% that they can get the gold, no doubt.
- The US Men's gymnastics team coming out of the ill-fated loss of their star Hamms to get the bronze was inspiring. The way the alternate fill-ins went and gave 110% in their Olympic debuts were truly beautiful to watch. I'm so so happy those men got the opportunity to show the world what they're made of! Nod

I'm also looking forward to the men's tennis singles - LET'S GO, JAMES BLAKE! (though his fate is unknown since he's facing Federer in the quarters - gah!)
 
LinLin-Sama
Posted: Aug 17, 2008 7:31 am Reply with quote
フレンジャー フレンジャー
Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 820 Location: Somwhere in Germany
^ Whoah! Hypergirl is back!!!!!

But the only thing I'm really hapy for is the US Basketball team which I love so much and I am very happy that they won against Lithuania.

It's a real pity that Germany lost to china. I so love Dirk Nowitzki. Crying No offense China ok?!
 
tadabelle-paaan
Posted: Aug 20, 2008 3:10 pm Reply with quote
SMILY SMILY
Joined: 20 May 2007 Posts: 486
Im rooting for Canada! Smile
I love watching gymnastics and weight lifting Boogie
 
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