London Olympics 2012

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.

Ciaran · 08-05-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJo

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.

This is a very important aspect of the Olympics. Okay, so all the competitors are great athletes in their own right and, no doubt, better than 99.99% of people in their sporting field. However, many compete for the love of their sport, make significant personal and financial sacrifices and, of course, many hold down "normal" jobs and lead "normal" lives.

Therefore, to compete in the Olympics, with the best in the world and at the world's second highest profile sporting competition, must be amazing for these folk. Looking at the athletes parade at the Opening Ceremony and seeing many of them capturing the moment with cameras and phones reiterates this ... okay, so you probably won't see the World's best do that but it does bring home just how personal it is for all those involved and how much it means.

This photo, in my view, sums up the best of the Olympics (and there's still a lot of bad):

It shows Ruben Limardo, a fencer, who had just won Venezuela's first Olympic gold medal since Mexico 1968. He's pictured travelling back from the successful tournament to the Olympic Village, travelling on the London underground i.e. public transport, alongside spectators and commuters. He's just won his country's first gold medal in a generation, the delight is infectious and there's no need for a chauffeur or a limousine ... he's using public transport.

lusciouskiwi · 08-05-2012, 01:11 PM

of the Olympics

Soon · 08-05-2012, 01:21 PM

I just came across the USA's fencing team's mask. Thoughts?

Soon · 08-05-2012, 01:26 PM

UofMfan · 08-05-2012, 02:15 PM

Congratulation to my fellow Colombians!

3 silver and 1 bronze!

http://www.eltiempo.com/olimpicos-2012/

Soon · 08-05-2012, 02:20 PM

Canada's first gold of these games--trampolinist, Rosannagh Maclennan

JustJo · 08-06-2012, 09:21 PM

Kudos to Kirani James for winning the first medal ever for Grenada....and making it gold. Bravo!!!

Leigh · 08-06-2012, 09:35 PM

I did watch the soccer game and no I certainly was not impressed with the referring; we had the U.S. beat a number of times but because of some crappy penalties or what not they tied it and then we lost. Whatever the outcome is, I know that my team is gonna bring home the bronze!

ruffryder · 08-07-2012, 11:11 AM

LIU XIANG CRASHES OUT OF HURDLES

YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THE STORIES AND EMOTIONS OF THESE OLYMPIANS. MY HEART AND RESPECT GO OUT TO ALL OF THEM. THE OLYMPICS, WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO AN ATHLETE!

CONGRATS TO ALL!

ruffryder · 08-08-2012, 09:30 AM

OUCH!

Tommi · 08-08-2012, 10:21 AM

I think I'll record water polo and women's beach volleyball

My kitten is fascinated by water polo. She watches that ball toss, her head going side to side.

Then she lunges at the screen.

Me, I dig the Women's Beach Volleyball. USA vs USA

Tommi · 08-08-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruffryder

LIU XIANG CRASHES OUT OF HURDLES

YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THE STORIES AND EMOTIONS OF THESE OLYMPIANS. MY HEART AND RESPECT GO OUT TO ALL OF THEM. THE OLYMPICS, WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO AN ATHLETE!

CONGRATS TO ALL!

DITTO. Amazing what they are all about, and we have the ability to see and hear about all the champions of the world, gold or not. I heard a story about a village waiting to see the newspaper story and pictures on their Olympian.

UofMfan · 08-08-2012, 03:18 PM

Our fifth medal, a bronze, brought to us by Oscar in Taekwondo!

08-05-2012, 11:29 AM	#1
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 25,406 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

08-05-2012, 01:11 PM	#3
lusciouskiwi Senior Member How Do You Identify?: femme lesbian feminist Preferred Pronoun?: Anything except for "aunty" Relationship Status: Happy with my butch. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Aotearoa New Zealand Posts: 2,681 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 25,494 Thanked 9,096 Times in 1,899 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	The cat's version ... of the Olympics __________________ happiness is a form of courage. George Holbrook Jackson Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth. Katherine Mansfield Motivate yourself or be miserable. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice. Wayne Dyer

08-05-2012, 01:26 PM	#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 13,094 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Congrats to Serena!

08-05-2012, 02:15 PM	#6
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Sos grande Catherine! Congratulation to my fellow Colombians! 3 silver and 1 bronze! http://www.eltiempo.com/olimpicos-2012/

08-06-2012, 09:21 PM	#8
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 25,406 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Kudos to Kirani James for winning the first medal ever for Grenada....and making it gold. Bravo!!! __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters

08-05-2012, 01:21 PM	#4
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 13,094 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I just came across the USA's fencing team's mask. Thoughts?

08-05-2012, 02:20 PM	#7
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 13,094 Times in 3,386 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	Canada's first gold of these games--trampolinist, Rosannagh Maclennan

08-06-2012, 09:35 PM	#9
Leigh Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, etc Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 7,767 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,029 Thanked 13,024 Times in 4,784 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	I did watch the soccer game and no I certainly was not impressed with the referring; we had the U.S. beat a number of times but because of some crappy penalties or what not they tied it and then we lost. Whatever the outcome is, I know that my team is gonna bring home the bronze! __________________ "When you fall off the wagon ... clutch the sides of it until you get a better grip!"

08-07-2012, 11:11 AM	#10
ruffryder Senior Member How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: guy ones Relationship Status: ... Join Date: May 2011 Location: chillin' in FL Posts: 3,690 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 21,951 Thanked 9,679 Times in 2,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	LIU XIANG CRASHES OUT OF HURDLES YOU CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THE STORIES AND EMOTIONS OF THESE OLYMPIANS. MY HEART AND RESPECT GO OUT TO ALL OF THEM. THE OLYMPICS, WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO AN ATHLETE! CONGRATS TO ALL!

08-08-2012, 09:30 AM	#11
ruffryder Senior Member How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: guy ones Relationship Status: ... Join Date: May 2011 Location: chillin' in FL Posts: 3,690 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 21,951 Thanked 9,679 Times in 2,875 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	OUCH!

08-08-2012, 10:21 AM	#12
Tommi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Usually "Hello" Relationship Status: Married and Bound to Tommi's kaijira (Ts_kaijira ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Suthun.... California that is. Across the ridge from Laguna Beach. Posts: 8,151 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,621 Thanked 21,338 Times in 5,970 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	Kitty olympics I think I'll record water polo and women's beach volleyball My kitten is fascinated by water polo. She watches that ball toss, her head going side to side. Then she lunges at the screen. Me, I dig the Women's Beach Volleyball. USA vs USA

08-08-2012, 03:18 PM	#14
UofMfan Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: A very happy Mr. Grumpy Cat Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Neither here or there Posts: 7,987 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 27,733 Thanked 18,937 Times in 4,705 Posts Rep Power: 21474859	Our fifth medal, a bronze, brought to us by Oscar in Taekwondo!