London Olympics 2012

Martina · 07-30-2012, 04:15 PM

Just saw about half of a U.S. women's water polo game and liked it more than I thought I would.

Martina · 08-04-2012, 03:28 PM

The New York Times article about Michael Phelps' legacy. What I liked about it was there was no archness, no hesitation to be uncool and just be amazed at this guy's achievement. I appreciated that.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sp...pagewanted=all

Ciaran · 08-05-2012, 04:00 AM

I'm glad to say that, to date, my misgivings about London 2012 are being proved wrong.

Public transport has been holding up exceptionally well, with the chaos many predicted not transpiring. In terms of the actual sport, and the stories of individual competitors and their personal journeys, London 2012 has already made its mark.

So far, I've only been to one of the sports events, women's volleyball between the UK and Italy last Wednesday. When I purchased these tickets, I wrongly assumed that this was beach volleyball which, for London 2012, is in a fantastic setting with a beach created in Horse Guards Parade in central London, underlooking Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament etc.

Alas, it turned out to be for "proper" volleyball which I've negligible interest in and, added to that, the UK got comprehensively beaten .... but still an enjoyable evening.

Last week, I was able to secure tickets for track & field next Tuesday from the official Olympic site (additional tickets have been sporadically going on sale over the past week or so). Would very much like to go to the Olympic Stadium for this but 50-50 at the moment due to very pressing work commitments. In any event, I'll be attending the men's soccer final next Saturday which should be good - esp. as it looks like it could be a Mexico versus Brazil final with both teams being in good form.

After a slow start, it's turned into a fantastic tournament for the UK team. We now have 14 gold medals, are third in the medals table and, whilst it's very unlikely that we'll catch either the US or China, the momentum we have and, with some strong events still to come, it's more than likely than we're stay comfortably in third. That's some achievement vis-a-vis the one gold medal we won in Atlanta 1996.

Martina · 08-05-2012, 10:38 AM

Yeah, Saturday was a tremendous day for the British. And wow re the gold in men's tennis. Congrats.

I am still glowing re the career of Michael Phelps. I am impressed at how he came back from a poor start at this meet. I am impressed with how open he is emotionally. He is not just talented. He worked hard for many years. And he is an ordinary decent guy. I saw him around Ann Arbor a couple of times back in the day. And word was that when kids or others came up to him to shake his hand or say something nice, he was always gracious. He used to eat at this deli I occasionally went to, and his ability to eat large quantities of food was legendary.

Anyway, I wish him the best in his second career, whatever it may be. I certainly have enjoyed watching him swim.

Soon · 08-05-2012, 10:54 AM

I'm looking forward to the individual events in gymnastics tonight!

So happy for Gabby Douglas!

very unimpressed and disgusted over internet snarking over her hair! wtf.

Martina · 08-05-2012, 11:11 AM

JustJo · 08-05-2012, 11:29 AM

I'm really enjoying watching these Olympics...and keep coming back to the same place (which I'm sure Snack is tired of hearing

)....and that's how impressed I am with the dedication and heart of each and every one of these athletes.

During the opening ceremonies, during the entrance of the athletes, the commentators remarked that most of the countries sending representatives have never won a single medal. I think we forget that in the U.S. We're so used to the "medal count" and talking about how many gold and silver and bronze our athletes won.

I am almost more impressed with those athletes who train for countless hours, travel to the Olympics and give it everything they've got.....even as they know that they have virtually no chance of medaling. What must it feel like to be swimming against the likes of Phelps and some of these others.....putting your whole heart into it and knowing you will lose before you leave the blocks? But here's the amazing part....they don't let it stop them....and watching them go as hard as they can, I am impressed as hell with their character, dedication and courage.

For me, they are all champions.

08-05-2012, 11:29 AM	#7
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,404 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I'm really enjoying watching these Olympics...and keep coming back to the same place (which I'm sure Snack is tired of hearing )....and that's how impressed I am with the dedication and heart of each and every one of these athletes. During the opening ceremonies, during the entrance of the athletes, the commentators remarked that most of the countries sending representatives have never won a single medal. I think we forget that in the U.S. We're so used to the "medal count" and talking about how many gold and silver and bronze our athletes won. I am almost more impressed with those athletes who train for countless hours, travel to the Olympics and give it everything they've got.....even as they know that they have virtually no chance of medaling. What must it feel like to be swimming against the likes of Phelps and some of these others.....putting your whole heart into it and knowing you will lose before you leave the blocks? But here's the amazing part....they don't let it stop them....and watching them go as hard as they can, I am impressed as hell with their character, dedication and courage. For me, they are all champions. __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters

07-30-2012, 04:15 PM	#1
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,280 Times in 4,165 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Just saw about half of a U.S. women's water polo game and liked it more than I thought I would.

08-04-2012, 03:28 PM	#2
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,280 Times in 4,165 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	The New York Times article about Michael Phelps' legacy. What I liked about it was there was no archness, no hesitation to be uncool and just be amazed at this guy's achievement. I appreciated that. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sp...pagewanted=all

08-05-2012, 04:00 AM	#3
Ciaran Member How Do You Identify?: Altocalciphilic Preferred Pronoun?: Papa Smurf Relationship Status: Curmudgeonous spinster Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: London (but from Belfast) Posts: 678 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 471 Thanked 3,654 Times in 602 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	I'm glad to say that, to date, my misgivings about London 2012 are being proved wrong. Public transport has been holding up exceptionally well, with the chaos many predicted not transpiring. In terms of the actual sport, and the stories of individual competitors and their personal journeys, London 2012 has already made its mark. So far, I've only been to one of the sports events, women's volleyball between the UK and Italy last Wednesday. When I purchased these tickets, I wrongly assumed that this was beach volleyball which, for London 2012, is in a fantastic setting with a beach created in Horse Guards Parade in central London, underlooking Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament etc. Alas, it turned out to be for "proper" volleyball which I've negligible interest in and, added to that, the UK got comprehensively beaten .... but still an enjoyable evening. Last week, I was able to secure tickets for track & field next Tuesday from the official Olympic site (additional tickets have been sporadically going on sale over the past week or so). Would very much like to go to the Olympic Stadium for this but 50-50 at the moment due to very pressing work commitments. In any event, I'll be attending the men's soccer final next Saturday which should be good - esp. as it looks like it could be a Mexico versus Brazil final with both teams being in good form. After a slow start, it's turned into a fantastic tournament for the UK team. We now have 14 gold medals, are third in the medals table and, whilst it's very unlikely that we'll catch either the US or China, the momentum we have and, with some strong events still to come, it's more than likely than we're stay comfortably in third. That's some achievement vis-a-vis the one gold medal we won in Atlanta 1996.

08-05-2012, 10:38 AM	#4
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,280 Times in 4,165 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Yeah, Saturday was a tremendous day for the British. And wow re the gold in men's tennis. Congrats. I am still glowing re the career of Michael Phelps. I am impressed at how he came back from a poor start at this meet. I am impressed with how open he is emotionally. He is not just talented. He worked hard for many years. And he is an ordinary decent guy. I saw him around Ann Arbor a couple of times back in the day. And word was that when kids or others came up to him to shake his hand or say something nice, he was always gracious. He used to eat at this deli I occasionally went to, and his ability to eat large quantities of food was legendary. Anyway, I wish him the best in his second career, whatever it may be. I certainly have enjoyed watching him swim.

08-05-2012, 10:54 AM	#5
Soon Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Relationship Status: attached Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: . Posts: 6,896 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,046 Thanked 13,093 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I'm looking forward to the individual events in gymnastics tonight! So happy for Gabby Douglas! very unimpressed and disgusted over internet snarking over her hair! wtf.

08-05-2012, 11:11 AM	#6
Martina Senior Member How Do You Identify?: * Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: * Posts: 4,999 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,409 Thanked 18,280 Times in 4,165 Posts Rep Power: 21474854