2008 Olympics!

[tomalak301]

As much as I can't wait for the actual games, I have a lot of issues with how these games might go. For political reasons and the whole climate, and pullution, I don't think the US should be sending anyone there. I've seen pictures of Bejing and it makes LA on a bad day look like paradise. Also, given what happened with the Torch Run (And it happened here in San Francisco which I still think was a stain on the city) I have a ton of concerns. I hope these games go off without a hitch, but I have a scary feeling something will happen.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

So do I, unfortunately. Munich was quite enough for me.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I also find myself feeling glad that the next two Olympics will be hosted in Canada (2010 Winter) and the UK (2012 Summer).

 

[Roger Wilco]

And it's not so weird that a male taxi driver would watch men's figure skating, if there were any serious medal contenders. There was that year (Kurt Browning), but sadly Browning always choked at Olympics finals. I haven't paid much attention in recent years, but men's figure skating is a lot more masculine than it used to be -- much more athletic since the Canadians pioneered the quadruple jumps in competition.

It always was very athletic, despite the costumes and all that.

 

[Bad Bishop]

I'm most interested in the basketball. I think the USA will take the Gold this time. They have too much talent and motivation this year.

Does anyone think that the Chinese basketball team has a chance to win a bronze? Or are they still too far behind the Americans and European nations in terms of basketball prowess?

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Now there's a question as to whether a third female Chinese gymnast is too young to compete.

Age eligibility question with third Chinese gymnast

That's half of China's team.

 

[Garrovick]

I'm going to delete NBC from my TV for the duration.

I'll get the updates from the net ...

 

[archeryguy1701]

I'm watching archery for my hometown hero (I was this close to meeting her too!) and maybe volleyball to practice stating games.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

I found this interesting, but I think yet again with the Olympics due to start in around 33 hours:-

Battle between Australian and British Sports Ministers over Games medal tally

AUSTRALIAN Sports Minister Kate Ellis has thrown down the gauntlet to her British counterpart, telling him to put his money where his mouth is.

Ms Ellis is challenging British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe to a bet after his government declared that Britain would beat Australia in the Olympic medal tally in Beijing.

Source

Bring it on ... as like previous years, we will beat you.

 

[Azlynn]

You need our CBC coverage. Any event where the Canadians have a medal contender or even just a participant are covered live. And it's not only Canadian participants -- any event with well-known or interesting athletes tends to get covered live.

You mean our utterly useless CBC coverage? The bastards who put entire events entirely on digital cable, beyond the reach of most Canadians? Don't talk to me about those bastards.

I'm going to have to find an internet stream to be able to watch pretty much ANY show jumping coverage - it's all on a digital channel. If anyone knows of streams that Canadians can actually watch, I'd love to hear about them.

I'm all about the show jumping. I saw the Canadian and Mexican teams competing around a month ago (at Spruce Meadows), and I think it's going to be quite the competition. My money is on a battle between the US and Germany for Gold, with the Dutch for bronze.

In individual, I'm all about Eric Lamaze and Hickstead for gold, yes, that Eric Lamaze, previously banned from Olympics. And I'm proud he's representing Canada. For silver and bronze, I'd love to see Nick Skeleton, but realistically I'm thinking someone Dutch or German, probably a Beerbaum! Beezie Madden is my dark horse pick to pull out a medal.

 

[Nerroth]

The soccer tourney has started - Canada is doing well so far in the ladies' tourney, while the USA won their first group match in the men's.

And the men's final looks like it'll be in the Bird's Nest!

 

[Nerroth]

Pretty impressive opening ceremony - one favourite bit was the nod to the Baochuan of Admiral Zheng He!

 

[Timewalker]

You need our CBC coverage. Any event where the Canadians have a medal contender or even just a participant are covered live. And it's not only Canadian participants -- any event with well-known or interesting athletes tends to get covered live.

You mean our utterly useless CBC coverage? The bastards who put entire events entirely on digital cable, beyond the reach of most Canadians? Don't talk to me about those bastards.

I'm going to have to find an internet stream to be able to watch pretty much ANY show jumping coverage - it's all on a digital channel. If anyone knows of streams that Canadians can actually watch, I'd love to hear about them.

I'm all about the show jumping. I saw the Canadian and Mexican teams competing around a month ago (at Spruce Meadows), and I think it's going to be quite the competition. My money is on a battle between the US and Germany for Gold, with the Dutch for bronze.

In individual, I'm all about Eric Lamaze and Hickstead for gold, yes, that Eric Lamaze, previously banned from Olympics. And I'm proud he's representing Canada. For silver and bronze, I'd love to see Nick Skeleton, but realistically I'm thinking someone Dutch or German, probably a Beerbaum! Beezie Madden is my dark horse pick to pull out a medal.

Sorry, I didn't realize you couldn't watch the equestrian events. I don't care for that stuff myself, so I never even thought of it. I'm mostly interested in the gymnastics, diving, rowing, and the races that let the viewer see something of the countryside -- like the triathlon. Most of all, I want to see how Kyle Shewfelt does in men's gymnastics after recovering from two broken legs.

As to the opening ceremonies, it was adequate... nothing I'd write home about, though.

 

[Azlynn]

^They've done it with a few things, not just the horses. It's really lame, to take entire events and put them beyond the reach of most. And especially with something like show jumping, where we actually have medal chances. Eric Lamaze is ranked 3rd in the world right now, and is sitting on a horse that rivals Big Ben.

I'm wishing to be in the US right now so that I could watch the NBC streams - if they work as planned, it really puts everyone else to shame.

 

[Kirby]

I'm not much of a summer olympics fan, I prefer the winter games, although I suspect I'll tune in to women's beach volleyball.

 

[Cicero]

As much as I can't wait for the actual games, I have a lot of issues with how these games might go. For political reasons and the whole climate, and pullution, I don't think the US should be sending anyone there.

Nor do I. But the world of the moment is sad and mediocre, and our nation is unexcepted.

 

[Chris3123]

Woah, who here saw the lighting of the torch? That was just plain awesome!

 

[tomalak301]

Woah, who here saw the lighting of the torch? That was just plain awesome!

I'm planning to see it in about an hour and 15 minutes. Don't spoil anything ok.

 

[tomalak301]

Why were they playing Mexican music for China?

By the way, I'm watching Fencing on USA and that sport is "interesting" to say the least. Ah the olympics. The only time you get Diving, fencing, Archery, Rowing, and Equestrian as "sports."

 

[archeryguy1701]

^Hey now, archery and fencing are sports! They both take practice, a decent amount of effort, and you're trying to beat some one- I think that counts.