2012 Summer Olympics

[Poppylicious]

The British female heptathlete (forgot her first name, but last name is Ennis, I believe) was magnificent.  I can certainly see why the British are all doolally over the Games.  But I am extremely disappointed that their football team was eliminated.  I know very well the deep regional divides that separate the four footballing nations, and I was intrigued by the concept of a united GB Olympic team.

Jessica Ennis was amazing ... I nearly missed the end of the 800m.  And then Mo Farah winning us gold in the 10,000m too and the long-jump chap ... yesterday was amazing.  Andy Murray has finally won at Wimbledon (*chuckles*) so that's pretty good too.  As for the football, I honestly don't know anybody who even cares!  You'd think that as a nation we'd be really peeved that we're out of the footie bit, but because it's not England, or Scotland, or Wales or N. Ireland, nobody gives a proverbial. 

 

Our local communities are big supporters of Olympic athletes. When they come home, they tend to get a warm welcome (not so sure if they're not medal winners, but if they are, yes, they get the big welcome.) My local area has had our fair share of Olympic athletes, and I'm proud of every one of them who make it there! 

Over here they've painted a red postbox gold for every gold medal winner (in the place they live/come from), plus they get to be on commemorative (but legal and useable) stamps the very next day.  We've had a 'problem' with those only getting silver or bronze who say sorry for letting everybody down.  It makes me feel really sad for them because to get into the Olympics they have to be one of the best at their chosen sport anyway, so why they feel the need to apologise is beyond me. 

[MooseMom]

Yes, Jessica Ennis.  I had a brain fart there and couldn't remember her first name.  I missed the whole heptathlon EXCEPT for the 800 metres (there's just TOO MUCH to watch!) and only saw that in US primetime; by then, I knew who had won but really wanted to see it, anyway.

I had intended to wake up early to catch Murray v Federer, but I overslept.  When I woke up, I immediately turned on the TV, and my still sleepy brain saw that the score was one set to love, then 4-1 in the second set, and I thought, "Oh well, Federer's gonna do it again", and then I looked more closely and saw that it was Murray in the lead.  I lept out of bed and was glued to the set for the rest of the match, and few things have made me happier lately than seeing Andy Murray win the Olympic Gold, beating Federer comprehensively in process.  It was brilliant!

I'm disappointed to hear that no one over there cares that much about the GB football team.  I mean, the whole Olympic spirit is supposed to be about breaking barriers and uniting people through sports and the Olympic ideal, so if the host team can't get with the program, it's a real shame.  You'd think that at least for the Olympics, the Welsh, the Scots, the N. Irish and the English could swallow their respective national egos and get behind a united team.  During the 20 years I lived there, I came to understand the mindset over there regarding regional rivalries (and this was when hooliganism was such an enormous problem), but still, it's the OLYMPICS, for goodness sakes!!

You may be too young to know the history of Stuart Pearce and penalties...  I remember all too well, and the irony is unmistakeable.  OK, so I'm old!

[monrein]

Lawd, wat a way di Jamaikan dem kyaan run.  Mistah Bolt-a-Lightnin strike agen yu noh.  Wat way im an all de odder runnah dem from Jaamayka mek we lickle islan proud. 

 

[Bajanne]

@Monrein
Yuh gyal, ah so it go!  Nuhbaddy tall cyan touch we bwoy.  You know ah nah jest Jamaica dat proud - ahl uh we Caribbeen peepul ah share inna de pride uh de moment!
(not quite Jamaican patois, more Antiguan!)

[Poppylicious]

I'm disappointed to hear that no one over there cares that much about the GB football team.  I mean, the whole Olympic spirit is supposed to be about breaking barriers and uniting people through sports and the Olympic ideal, so if the host team can't get with the program, it's a real shame.  You'd think that at least for the Olympics, the Welsh, the Scots, the N. Irish and the English could swallow their respective national egos and get behind a united team.  During the 20 years I lived there, I came to understand the mindset over there regarding regional rivalries (and this was when hooliganism was such an enormous problem), but still, it's the OLYMPICS, for goodness sakes!!

You may be too young to know the history of Stuart Pearce and penalties...  I remember all too well, and the irony is unmistakeable.  OK, so I'm old!

I'm not entirely sure that the problem is completely down to regional rivalries ... I think it's more to do with the fact that it's difficult to get into the mindset to support a GB team when you're used to supporting a different national team and it's such a miniscule part of such a huge event that it's been relegated to the wayside.  If they'd done a tad better I'm sure we ALL would have been rooting for them!  As a (whole) country we're usually pretty good (England is, anyway) at getting behind each other in international competitions, so I really don't think that's the main issue. There was a lot of politics behind it, but they were less to do with the ordinary supporter than the Big FA Boys.

Not too young, no.   

[billybags]

      Aye America we are nearly catching you up. What a wonderful Olympics we are having. You have some fantastic swimmers.


                                                                 Go Team GB


 

[YLGuy]

    Aye America we are nearly catching you up. What a wonderful Olympics we are having. You have some fantastic swimmers.


                                                                 Go Team GB


 

   It is pretty cool when GB wins an event.  The crowd goes absolutely wild! (as they should)

[cassandra]

I'm very impressed with Women's Boxing. Well done Nicola Adams

[Poppylicious]

  It is pretty cool when GB wins an event.  The crowd goes absolutely wild! (as they should)

There were a lot of folk over here who were sure that the Olympics was going to be a failure and were really pessimistic about the whole thing.  To be honest, I was a little unsure but I think we've done a pretty good job and it does make a world of difference when the home country win a medal (any medal!).  Makes me proud and squidgy.  But I think everybody has done brilliantly ... I have a lot of admiration not only for those competing but for their families and coaches who put in all the effort too, whichever country they're from.  My nephew is a pretty good swimmer (very high up for his age group in his country, although whether he'll ever be Olympic standard is dependent on his dedication as he becomes a young adult; he's still only 13) and he and my brother get up at ridiculous hours before work/school so that he can train, and most weekends are spent taking him to swim meets so I've seen how it affects everyone involved. 

[monrein]

Crawl, walk, run, sprint, BOLT.

Jamaica thinking of changing country code to 1-2-3.  All di yardies dem a bus wid pride.

AND, Canada came 3rd in marathon swim.  Oh Canada!

[kitkatz]

I just want to know what is going on with all of the crazy athletes?

[okarol]

I want to know why NBC cannot give a TV broadcast schedule that makes sense.
Anyone know what time the US Men's basketball final is tomorrow? And channel?

[deniferfer]

Anyone looking forward to seeing the closing ceremonies?? 

[Poppylicious]

Anyone looking forward to seeing the closing ceremonies??

Absolutely, as long as Paul McCartney isn't 'singing' again!

 

(will America get it three hours* behind as you did with the Opening Ceremony, with bits edited out in case you don't understand their reference, again as happened with the OC?) 

[*not really sure how far behind you were, that was my bestimation.]

[deniferfer]

Anyone looking forward to seeing the closing ceremonies??

Absolutely, as long as Paul McCartney isn't 'singing' again!

 

(will America get it three hours* behind as you did with the Opening Ceremony, with bits edited out in case you don't understand their reference, again as happened with the OC?) 

[*not really sure how far behind you were, that was my bestimation.]

I didn't think Paul was that bad. 

See the closing ceremonies don't come on here till 8:30 tonight (I sure there is some kind of math we can do to figure how far behind we are)

I had heard NBC had cut out bits of the opening Ceremony and I thought that was so messed up! I hope they don't cut anything good in the closing. My sister can't wait to watch her favorite band is the whole world is playing tonight.  One Direction, I don't know if you know who they are?? But they are from your guys X-factor. I just happy to watch the different bands play. I enjoyed the opening ceremony so I know you guys will put on a good show tonight.

[gothiclovemonkey]

i really feel like im the only person in the universe who hasnt ever watched any of the olympics....
Of course, ive never been much for tv anyway.

But, this year, because my boyfriend and his family were big into it, i did catch glimpses here and there...
*so out of the looooop*