Beijing 2008 Olympics!

I missed a few parts but what I saw was spectacular!!   Here's to a safe and exciting Olympics! 

guess netflix will be on hold for a few weeks!

Didn't watch it all cause past my bedtime but what I did watch was very good.  Looking forward to the rest.

Well, I'm doing it again.

Every time the Olympics roll around, I vow that I will NOT watch the coverage that's offered to us here in the U.S.  Usually, it is way too USA-oriented, and it focuses way too much on what the major networks assume are the "popular" sports.

As a result, we rarely see badminton, or skeet (a shooting sport), or team (field) handball, or individual and team sabre (fencing).  OTOH, we will be treated to HOURS of scantily clad women throwing their bodies onto the ground in beach volleyball.  (Has anyone noticed that, when competing in Olympic beach volleyball, the women wear skin-tight bikinis or less, while the men wear long, loose shorts and baggy tank tops?  Why is that?)

OK, so that's what I vowed.  Already I've broken my vow.  I watched last night's opening ceremonies with half-interest, until I realized what a spectacular show I was missing.  The parade of nations was so-so, and the coverage was hurried, as usual.  What I wish I'd watched more carefully was the unbelievable production that came before the parade.  I would love to get a copy of the whole ceremony, so I could watch it without the commercial interruptions and editing by NBC.

Today, the TV has been on all day, as I've switched back and forth among NBC, MSNBC, and USA.  I've chased the coverage of some of the unusual sports I mentioned above, and I've watched events in which the U.S. does not dominate ... or loses unexpectedly.

So, once again, I'm hooked.

otter 

Oh, Rocktobermom, I don't necessarily love those oddball sports.  I just think we should have a chance to watch them on network TV sometimes.  The men and women competing in those sports deserve as much attention and fame as the ones who are swimming breast stroke or playing volleyball.  Plus, I like a little variety.  Every time they do televise an event that is less popular, I learn something new.

For instance, until today, I didn't know there was a sport called "team" (or "field") handball.  And, I had forgotten that women were competing in weight-lifting.  You are right--I did watch some of the handball and badminton competition today, while switching from one channel to another.

I do enjoy the competition more than the long, drawn-out human interest pieces.  With that in mind, here's a website offering the "official" schedule of events:  http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/index.shtml

otter (watching swimming tonight) 

I watched the opening ceremony and parade of nations.  Thought the ceremony was awesome!  Enjoyed the parade of nations, but was amazed at seeing "nations" I've never heard of!!

Showing my ignorance here, but what determines a "sport" that qualifies as olympic material?   Seems, the only "sport" missing is bowling?????

For anyone who missed any of the opening ceremonies, there are many clips (like the torch lighting) on www.NBCOlympics.com  Otter - you might be able to find a DVD of the whole thing, too. 

And for those that want the less-advertised sports, I noticed they are broadcasting them more on MSNBC and the USA Network (i.e., badminton, fencing, equestrian, etc.). 

We are waiting anxiously for the women's gymnastics (always a favorite) but even more so this year as my 9 y.o. dd is in competitive gymnastics herself and will begin competing at Level 5 in 6 weeks!  There's a lot of talk about straight knees and pointed toes in our living room!  So sorry to see the Hamm bros. pull out, but that will give some of our other guys a chance, too.

I know that this is late but Friday night I stayed up until about 11:00 pm and saw most of the athletes enter then went to bed. I had to get up at 6:00 am to pick my hubby up, I turned on the tv Sat morning at 6:00 am and NBC was rebrodcasting the opening ceremonies and I picked up where I left off and saw the lighting of the flame about 7:00 am eastern. It was great.

fumi, thanks for the lesson in Chinese Janji, I heard Friday night that the parade of Nations was based on their Chinese characters but didn't realize that the US was Beautiful Country.

Sheila

Timtam - Thanks for explaining that.  That's really quite nice.

O.K., how about the 4 x 400m swim relay last night?!  Wow...what a finish!!  I bolted upright in bed at the end!

Felicia - Competivtive Tae Kwan Do is very exciting.  My dh has a black belt (working on a first degree) in that and also in Hapkido (sp?).  I filmed him when he got the black belt - that was before kids!

So proud of Torres, 41 year old swimmer and the gymnastic girl representing Germany who is 31 years old... she used to be Russian and than went to a smaller country once Russia divided itself; she got married/pregnant, and her son was diagnosed w/ leukemia at age 3/4!  She had to reach out to her friend/coach in Germany in order to her son to see an oncologist and be saved.

She became a German Citizen 2 years ago so she could represent them now, in 2008 Olympics, and also as a pay back for Germany taking care of her son when she needed the most.  What a story!

Tommie Smith won gold and John Carlos won bronze in the individual men's 200-meter dash in 1968.  Peter Norman of Australia won silver.  Tommie Smith and John Carlos talked it over with Peter Norman BEFORE going on the medal stand -- he asked to borrow a Human Rights Campaign button from them, which he wore in solidarity.  It was painful that our country had such serious human rights issues at the time, and it's exciting to see our diversity more celebrated since then.