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Source: (consider it) Thread: Olympics and Paralympics 2012
Og, King of Bashan

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After 4 years and innumerable Hell threads, the Olympics are upon us. Consider this a thread for discussing the sporting and television spectacle aspects of the Olympics. If you want to gripe about traffic, ticket prices, or the Olympics being all about the money or nationalism, take it to another board.

Competition actually starts today, with the first games in the Women's Association Football tournament. This isn't a two-team show any more. The U.S. Women actually started the tournament by letting France jump to a 2-0 lead in the first half of their game. It is currently 2-2 at the half, and hopefully that was the only wake-up call they will need.

I'm looking forward to the swimming events, even though I am not a lap swimmer, as a local woman is expected to dominate in the pool this year. And despite NBC's belief that no amount of gymnastics is too much, I am kind of dreading the constant gymnastics coverage.

What are you looking forward to?

[Edited thread title. iF]

[ 14. August 2012, 13:58: Message edited by: Imaginary Friend ]

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Tom Day
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I'm looking forward to it all I think (apart from maybe the boxing) But I'm really going to enjoy

  • The Cycling - especially the road race (come on Cav) and the track events.
  • The Sailing - Looking forward to seeing Ben Ainslie win again
  • The swimming, especially the women's 400m individual medley (as I taught the British swimmer!)

And probably the rest of it. I'm looking forward to watching all the events and the fact that the BBC has around 15 extra channels!

Tom

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Sioni Sais
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Right at the moment Team GB has a 100% record! The women's football team beat New Zealand 1-0 at Cardiff (a well-known London suburb).

eta: In a weird way I'm looking forward to the archery which is to be held at Lords, or #1 cricket ground. Jonathan Agnew, the BBC's cricket correspondent is the man with the Mike but I'm blowed if I know how you do commentary on archery: 'Yes, he's hit the Frenchman on the horse'. Otherwise, it's got to be the cycling. That is so tense, especially as we're against the Aussies most of the time.

We won't mention the 'Wrong Korean flag' debacle at Hampden Park, because this is the sport thread, isn't it?

[ 25. July 2012, 21:45: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]

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Ariston
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quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:

eta: In a weird way I'm looking forward to the archery which is to be held at Lords, or #1 cricket ground. Jonathan Agnew, the BBC's cricket correspondent is the man with the Mike but I'm blowed if I know how you do commentary on archery: 'Yes, he's hit the Frenchman on the horse'.

Much as I'd like to hear that (or, well, have the possibility of that commentary), I'd imagine archery commentary would be a lot like golf—lots of whispering about form, general discussion about weather and the course, and post-mortem stuff about how groups are falling out and what person X needs to do to have a good end. Really, golf and archery (especially field archery) aren't that different, once you strip away the parts that obviously are.

I swear that last sentence makes sense.

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Og, King of Bashan

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I get what you are saying- just formalized versions of the old "I bet I can hit that object on the other side of the field with this projectile" game. I had a summer job for several years where that game was the main source of entertainment.

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the giant cheeseburger
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The first World Record of this Olympic Games has just been beaten!
quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
We won't mention the 'Wrong Korean flag' debacle at Hampden Park, because this is the sport thread, isn't it?

[Killing me] That could lead us into the territory of baiting the British, which is a favourite sport of many nations including Australia. Did anybody count the number of stars on the right hand side of the flag at NZ's soccer game last night to check it was four and not five?

I shall be watching the first event where Kazakhstan wins a gold medal with great interest to see what anthem the British officials use.

[ 26. July 2012, 02:06: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]

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North East Quine

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Originally posted by Tom Day

quote:
The swimming, especially the women's 400m individual medley (as I taught the British swimmer!)
This is the event I'll be watching, to cheer on our local hero Hannah Miley! It's given me a real buzz to go to my local 25m pool and see the sign "Lane reserved for Olympic Athlete Training" up.
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Sioni Sais
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quote:
Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
I shall be watching the first event where Kazakhstan wins a gold medal with great interest to see what anthem the British officials use.

Apart from those Commonwealth nations that still use GSTQ I expect the only one we will definitely get right will be for Liechtenstein, which uses the same tune. Then again, we could mis-spell the name or use the Luxembourg anthem instead. [Snigger]

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Barnabas62
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I always look forward to the athletics. The UK team don't have many chances this time; Ennis is probably even-money for the heptathlon gold, Farah will win some colour of medal in the middle distance races, but track and field seems unlikely to be all that great for the UK this time. But bring on the Bolt! He's got much closer competition this time.

I'm looking forward to the triathlons (which don't really count as track and field), thinking that UK's Alistair Brownlee has a great chance in the men's event.

Team GB will win their usual hatful in cycling, sailing and rowing. We're good at sports where you sit down on (or in) something.

But I always spend a lot of time looking at the minority sports (archery, taekwondo, volleyball etc). Not too many opportunities to see those outside the Olympics.

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Jane R
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quote:
I'm blowed if I know how you do commentary on archery: 'Yes, he's hit the Frenchman on the horse'.
[Eek!] Is this likely to happen?!! I thought Horseguards Parade was quite a long way away from Lord's...

I'm looking forward to the equestrian events and the gymnastics, but I might watch the diving as well...

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Jane R
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[no idea where Greenwich Park is in relation to Lord's though...]
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Og, King of Bashan

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quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
Originally posted by Tom Day

quote:
The swimming, especially the women's 400m individual medley (as I taught the British swimmer!)
This is the event I'll be watching, to cheer on our local hero Hannah Miley! It's given me a real buzz to go to my local 25m pool and see the sign "Lane reserved for Olympic Athlete Training" up.
I am sure that lots of people will be hoping that someone can dethrone the current champion, amateur bikini model and tweeting while drunk after school special Stephanie Rice.

I do get a kick out of the USA-Australia swimming rivalry. Unlike the East Germans when I was a kid, there is nothing political about it. Just the two big loud kids on the block tangling with one another.

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balaam

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quote:
Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
'Yes, he's hit the Frenchman on the horse'.

Due to budget restrictions, we're running two events of the Modern Pentathlon together.

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balaam

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Due to the English weather there will probably be a rerun of that great spectator sport, Women's Beach Volleyball In The Rain.

Four years ago the semi-final between the USA and ... erm ... there must have been another team, but the American girls were so hot I didn't notice them. They may have been in red.

Anyway, girls in skimpy white uniforms soaking wet is the nearest thing to soft porn that they can show on TV at that time of day.

I now need a cold shower just for thinking about it.

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Tom Day
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We were looking at what tickets were left last night, you can still get ones for the Womens Beach Volleyball semi's. But Anne wouldn't let me spend Ł300 on a ticket!

Tom

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balaam

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The problem is you cannot guarantee rain.

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The Rogue
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Could the local Fire Brigade be called on to help out in the event of dry weather?

Opening Ceremony tonight and youngest Rogueling is excited because she will get to stay up for it. I reckon she'll probably fall asleep at some point, though.

We've got some athletics tickets and so will be popping down at some point and once we're in the grounds we ain't leaving.

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Piglet
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What did we all think of the opening ceremony? For what it's worth, I thought it was almost entirely brilliant.

The montage of Proper British Rock Music™ was just as it should have been, the cauldron for the flame was a work of art and Sir Steve Redgrave was absolutely the right person to bring in the torch.

The James Bond bit and Chariots of Fire IMHO were strokes of pure genius. [Killing me]

Boris was right - we'll do it in our own, very particularly British way. [Smile]

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Tom Day
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I loved it. It had a sense of humour, showed off britishness and was very well put together. The torch lighting was lovely - I loved the Olympic stars giving 'their' right to light the flame to others - a great touch. However, Paul McCartney does need to be left of the invitation list to these things... Please...

Looking forward to Cav today - come on the Manx Misslie

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balaam

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No problem with McCartney here. What could be more British than to end with a singalong, and the final section of Hey Jude is the ultimte sing along.

I was impressed with the Industrialisation of the rural landscape. Although I'd guessed that the copper petals were going to make up the Cauldron, I was still astounded at the way it was pulled off. Beautiful.

Does anyone know what time the Road Race is due to finish? I've got things to do and don't want to miss Cav. (Seriously thinking of getting the t-shirt.)

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the giant cheeseburger
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quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
I've got things to do and don't want to miss Cav.

Best way to avoid missing Cav would be to watch the bunch go past and wait for the riders who got dropped on Box Hill. The only question is on which lap he'll get dropped?

With small five man teams and no radios, he won't have the luxury of a full-sized team controlling the race for him like he had at the World Championships last year.

[ 28. July 2012, 09:35: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]

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If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?

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Imaginary Friend

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60-odd kilometers to go, Team GB looking easy on the front of the peloton, gap to the leaders under a minute, one climb to go. Not looking so good for your boys, is it tgc?

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the giant cheeseburger
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Just about everybody else who has a top sprinter also has somebody in the break. When we have Stuart O'Grady out in that group (he's a good sprinter) then of course our other guys (including Cav's regular team captain!) wouldn't be wanting to chase it down!

Why didn't anybody from Team (G)B go into the break to give them two options for the win instead of one? Surely that would have been good for somebody like Millar or the UK national champion Stannard?

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If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?

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the giant cheeseburger
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Will Cav win the sprint for 33rd place?

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Jay-Emm
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I hadn't realised how odd long cycling is. It's almost more like a massive multiperson prisoners-dilemna/chicken than a straight sport.
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Imaginary Friend

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Yeah, Jay-Emm, that's about right. It's what it makes it so fascinating.

And can someone bring me some fries to go with my humble pie? [Hot and Hormonal]

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Imaginary Friend

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Although I have to say, I am pretty happy for Vino.

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the giant cheeseburger
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Kazakhstan greatest country in the world
All other countries are run by little girls...


Well done to Vinokourov, to six-time Olympian and tactics king Stuart O'Grady in 5th position for orchestrating the winning move on the way out of London in the morning, and to Andre Greipel for denying Team B even the chance to lead the second peleton over the line!

[ 28. July 2012, 14:52: Message edited by: the giant cheeseburger ]

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If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?

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Imaginary Friend

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I tell you what though, I'm surprised more people don't cycle in London - the traffic looked wonderful today.

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the giant cheeseburger
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They didn't even need to use the lane reserved for the Olympics, the other two lanes were empty!


I don't think the Women's Road Race on the same course (but with only two laps of the Surrey circuit, not nine) will be any more successful for Britain or Oz, except that Judith Arndt winning would be success by association for GreenEDGE if she carries on her good one-day form.

I hope Cancellara is okay for the ITT in a couple of days, that title would lose a little lustre if the defending champion couldn't compete well.

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If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?

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Sioni Sais
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quote:
Originally posted by the giant cheeseburger:
Just about everybody else who has a top sprinter also has somebody in the break. When we have Stuart O'Grady out in that group (he's a good sprinter) then of course our other guys (including Cav's regular team captain!) wouldn't be wanting to chase it down!

Why didn't anybody from Team (G)B go into the break to give them two options for the win instead of one? Surely that would have been good for somebody like Millar or the UK national champion Stannard?

It looked like Team GB had no Plan B, and as you suggested less information than they have on the professional tours.

Plan A failed because when the final move had to be made few other teams were willing to haul the leading group back in, and the leaders kept the pace going, despite the crash and some dithering when a break was hauled in.

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Jay-Emm
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I like medal tables at the start of the games, before statistics overweighs the luck of the ordering.

At the moment the Korea's if they hadn't been messed about by the great powers almost match China, America or ex USSR. Classical-Europe is a bit lagging but has a large number of countries up there.

And tomorrow will change.

[removed pointless, and not even relevent repetition of previous post]

[ 28. July 2012, 17:19: Message edited by: Jay-Emm ]

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balaam

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quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Although I have to say, I am pretty happy for Vino.

Vino the unrepentant blood doper? I'm not happy.

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the giant cheeseburger
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Come on, it's not like any of them are ever genuinely sorry for anything other than being caught. It's not like David Millar would have fessed up to cheating his way to multiple World Time Trial Championship wins if he wasn't caught, and yet he was still selected by the British team. Going on your standards of not being happy for Vino, I think it's reasonable to be bloody ecstatic none of the tainted GB guys even managed to make the first peleton.

Stones in glass houses.

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If I give a homeopathy advocate a really huge punch in the face, can the injury be cured by giving them another really small punch in the face?

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rolyn
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quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
The problem is you cannot guarantee rain.

Oh I think you can .

But it matters not . The athletes who aren't already obliged to immerse themselves in water no doubt appreciate some good old British rain to keep them cool.

The diving is my favorite event . I wonder if there'll be WBVB in Heaven ?

[ 29. July 2012, 11:13: Message edited by: rolyn ]

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luvanddaisies

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quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
Due to the English weather there will probably be a rerun of that great spectator sport, Women's Beach Volleyball In The Rain.

Four years ago the semi-final between the USA and ... erm ... there must have been another team, but the American girls were so hot I didn't notice them. They may have been in red.

Anyway, girls in skimpy white uniforms soaking wet is the nearest thing to soft porn that they can show on TV at that time of day.

I now need a cold shower just for thinking about it.

In that case, the male gymnasts should have to compete bare-chested. That'd give a bit of something-for-everyone-ness.
[Big Grin]

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quetzalcoatl
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Went to see both cycle road cycle races in SW London. Surprising how moving it is to see it in the flesh, something about humanity coming together for a common purpose. Tears in the eyes, and I wasn't the only one.

Apparently, the men's race yesterday drew a crowd of a million.

Then went home, and tried to follow the intricacies of road racing tactics. Hard luck, Cav.

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Jay-Emm
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quote:
Originally posted by Imaginary Friend:
Yeah, Jay-Emm, that's about right. It's what it makes it so fascinating.

And can someone bring me some fries to go with my humble pie? [Hot and Hormonal]

Understood it this time (it helps that the commentary didn't describe everything with the hindsight of a British win).
They really are amazing, so close, and it must be heart-wrenching for the punctured.

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balaam

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Watching the slalom canoeing. The New Zealand boat looks really good with the leaf emblem on the bottom. Though I'm not sure we are supposed to be seeing it from that angle.

The Brits are cutting it fine, leaving it to the last run to qualify for the semi-finals in both the C1 and K1. Nail biting, but that's the most exciting way.

And on the bikes, congratulations to Lizzie Armitstead on a Silver for Yorkshire.

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Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
Barnabas62
Shipmate
# 9110

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The women's road race was great and in the end the best rider won it. The silver for GB was well earned, but Vos was definitely the boss (as expected).

So far as the men's race is concerned, no point in moaning. I don't think you can win the Olympic road race using large team tactics - nor can you expect peloton co-operation either. All rounders will always have a better chance than the specialist sprinters.

Looks like Cancellara will make the time trial and I hope he's in good shape. Wiggins and Froome too. They were pretty knackered after the road race. By contrast Tony Martin took it easy - which may make him favourite now, after all that happened. Still like to see Wiggins do it, but I think the odds have lengthened now.

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Posts: 21397 | From: Norfolk UK | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
Doublethink.
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# 1984

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I went to the women's medal fencing session of the foil competition. It was fantastic to watch, one match was literally won on the last second. In the end of was an italian bronze, silver and gold. Visibility was better than I expected, didn't need to use the binoculars I'd brought with me even though I was on the back row. And they had screens showing slow-mo replays of disputed points etc.

Really enjoyable experience and the travel to and across London was absolutely fantastic - plus I only had to queue three minutes at security at the Excel. If you have the option to pick up one of the remaining tickets on the Olympic website I'd strongly recommend it. I think there are still some sensibly priced tickets going for Taekwondo.

At the moment I am back home watching the British women win beach volley ball - not entirely sure about the benny hill music they keep playing when they sort out the pitch ...

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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell

Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged
balaam

Making an ass of myself
# 4543

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Leave them out there

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Posts: 9049 | From: Hen Ogledd | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
the giant cheeseburger
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# 10942

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I'm surprised that there hasn't been any comment on here about Team (G)B's first match in the Women's Basketball tournament. Are there no basketball fans on the Ship? [Big Grin]
quote:
Originally posted by Balaam:
Leave them out there

Hmmm, more evidence they thought they were still in a major stage race with big trade teams and other sprinters who would be looking for points.

The crowds who came out for the cycling were definitely a huge positive, even if they were artificially inflated by it happening a week after the success of Wiggins and company in France. The previous time British spectators had a top-level international peleton compete there was for two stages of the Tour de France in 2007, which makes me thankful for having the UCI World Tour running a race in my backyard every January. If somebody in Britain is looking to establish a major race on the UCI Pro Continental Tour or even the World Tour they will definitely be able to make a case for there being good public support.

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Mr Clingford
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# 7961

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Yes, it was good to have the opportunity to watch the cyclists in person and try and spot the famous as they shot past even if I was only able to work out who they were when I got home. I went to Box Hill and watched the field go by 5 times.

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Posts: 1660 | From: A Fleeting moment | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
Sioni Sais
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# 5713

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It's always good to see a competitor exemplifying the principle that it is more important to take part than to win.

So let's hear it for sculler Hammadou Djibo Issaka of Niger, one of Africa's driest countries. For a novice I don't think he's got a bad action, though his back needs to straighten more and, yes, he needs a few more strokes/minute.

nb, it's a video so it might not work outside the UK.

[ 30. July 2012, 08:26: Message edited by: Sioni Sais ]

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Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
Schroedinger's cat

Ship's cool cat
# 64

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3 days in, and I think, by and large, that the coverage and the organisation of these games has been fantastic. I am particularly impressed by the archery, because I have done some archery and know something about it. It is also not considered the peak of sporting excitement*. However, i have seen a lot of comments from people who have enjoyed it, and the coverage means that those of us who enjoy watching it can do so without it getting in the way of others.

And it is lovely to see some very definitively British scenery behind the sports, in the outdoor ones. Actually, the Lords pavilion behind the Archery is awesome.

London 2012 so far: Exceptional.


*Most people would consider it the most boring.

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Posts: 18859 | From: At the bottom of a deep dark well. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
luvanddaisies

the'fun'in'fundie'™
# 5761

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fuckin'ell, the men's gymnastics is all rather exciting - and not just because of the array of rather hot blokes on offer.

It looks like the UK guys have a possibility of a medal - they're the first UK team to qualify in modern-type gymnastics for an Olympic final, so to be in a tight run-off with Ukraine for a bronze is great for them - and is proving exciting to watch. I think the commentators might explode with excitement in a second - Matt Baker is beside himself.

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Posts: 3711 | From: all at sea. | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
luvanddaisies

the'fun'in'fundie'™
# 5761

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They got a medal - that's amazing for them.

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"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." (Mark Twain)

Posts: 3711 | From: all at sea. | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged
shamwari
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# 15556

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I say it now so that I am not accused of prophecy after the event.

But I absolutely hate the thought of the BBC commentaries on the athletics.

Sychophantic to the point of nauseous. Such is past experience.

An athlete is expected to "medal". ( Since when have we resorted to changing nouns into verbs?)

Named athelete comes in 5th.

BBC "lovelies" fall over themselves to talk excitedly of a brilliant, brave, unlucky, performance.

I can't bear to either watch or listen. We have already had 3 Golds dashed and its only Day 2.

Posts: 1914 | From: from the abyss of misunderstanding | Registered: Mar 2010  |  IP: Logged
Sioni Sais
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# 5713

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quote:
Originally posted by shamwari:
I say it now so that I am not accused of prophecy after the event.

But I absolutely hate the thought of the BBC commentaries on the athletics.

Sychophantic to the point of nauseous. Such is past experience.

An athlete is expected to "medal". ( Since when have we resorted to changing nouns into verbs?)

Named athelete comes in 5th.

BBC "lovelies" fall over themselves to talk excitedly of a brilliant, brave, unlucky, performance.

I can't bear to either watch or listen. We have already had 3 Golds dashed and its only Day 2.

Are we in Hell? No. What a shame, I'd better not comment.

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Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged



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