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oren
08-08-08, 09:02 AM
We've waited four years and now it's the 29th Olympic Games with 204 countries who have sent athletes to compete for the next 17 days!

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This Years Theme:
Chinese:
同一个世界同一个梦想
Translation:
One World One Dream

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The Olympics have been a symbol of competition and sportsmanship between countries, as much as we want it to stay that way there is always going to be politics involved whether they are held in China or in some other country.


PLEASE DO NOT pull in anything that will ruin the fun of the topic; racist towards the Chinese (There probably are a few Chinese here active or not and I am also half); I don't want to see team bashing or writer flaming.

Remember it's for fun and to talk and keep up with people around the world and thier news feed about the games, obviously every country is going to focus on thier own athletes.

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Little Facts from watching the Open:

The Chinese government spared no expense with the Opening Ceremonies spending one hundred million dollars just on that alone. With beautiful acrobatics, dancing, and costumes 870+ performers practiced for over ten months to display the two hour start of the Opening.

National Stadium/ The Birds Nest was builtwith the combined funding of Chinese within the country, and overseas Chinese.

The Aquatic Building was funded completely by overseas Chinese. The entire building is the most spectacular light show at night.

China is entering with 600+ Athletes.

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I want to know what teams you support. I know there are those of you out there that probably don't just cheer for your own country, but for other's out there. Who your favourite athetes are. Talk about the sporting events.

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I love the Olympics no matter how controversial they get. I'll be cheering for athletes from Canada and China naturally, some of the swimmers from Australia, gymnasts from Russia, and a few fencers from France. :D

Nautilus
08-09-08, 01:46 PM
I watched the opening ceremony last night. The beginning was awesome. Then it started getting just a little weird. I still admire all the work they put into it, choreographing thousands of people and whatnot. The glowstick drummers were awesome. But...the American news reporters/commentary-bestowers/whatever seemed to be stepping a little out of line a few times with their comments, especially during the march.

Anywho, I will definitely be rooting for swimmer Dara Torres, who is showing our youth-obsessed society that age is not everything (and yes I'm aware that age often is a big factor in certain competitve sports, but she is demonstrating that it's definitely not the rule, which I find cool). Besides that, I'm not watching anyone in particular, although I caught women's 48kg weightlifting this morning and it was pretty awesome. I'll also be looking for the sailing, equestrian, judo, and fencing events when I can figure out when they're on the tube. I'm really looking forward to the Winter Olympics though. ^__^

Iain
08-09-08, 04:20 PM
US sweeps women's saber fencing.

An American is stabbed and killed. His wife is in the hospital in critical condition.

Off to a great start, eh?

Mithra Reborn
08-09-08, 04:56 PM
okay, the opening ceremony entertainment part was amazing. how the box part happened, I have no idea, but I couldn't believe how amazing it was. Though I agree with Nauti, the commentators needed to learn to shut up once in a while.

oren
08-09-08, 05:21 PM
The typewriter with chinese characters? That had to have a lot of practice since there were people in all of them. O_O

I was watching the Canadian one. All you could hear from them about which players were the best, attempts to contact one of the athletes.

Poor Kyle Shewfelt, he didn't get anything from his exercises. Oh well that's still impressive I know I probably wouldn't be doing much after two broken legs.

Arsène
08-09-08, 06:46 PM
US sweeps women's saber fencing.

An American is stabbed and killed. His wife is in the hospital in critical condition.

Off to a great start, eh?

The only event I watched was women's fencing. It was entertaining in a 2 o'clock in the morning sort've way.

It looks like I edited your post, but I didn't. My powers grant me the ability to edit, and the button is right next to quote, and with the dark background I miss press a lot.

Iain
08-09-08, 06:47 PM
If you hadn't pointed it out I would have noticed and taken offense.

Arsène
08-09-08, 06:56 PM
I am a kind tyrant. Unlike many other despots, I tell my people the truth.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to send you to a death camp now.


I've read a lot of newspaper reports that said China has emerged as a global power because of the opening ceremony. I honestly don't see that. All I see is the pageantry and theatrics of a well controlled totalitarian government showing its full force.

oren
08-09-08, 07:41 PM
I agree, I wouldn't say that China is trying to come out as a golbal power. They were chosen as the HOST country for the Olympics, and they obviously did a good job (Geh... thats so mild but I can't think of anything else) with the opening.

Ha ha, well controlled is right. Unless you want to go to prison or die, you don't say "No"

Anyways, oh my. US isn't sticking many landings in gymnastics (High bar). But everything is made up for in beach volleyball.

Saxon
08-09-08, 10:29 PM
I've read a lot of newspaper reports that said China has emerged as a global power because of the opening ceremony. I honestly don't see that. All I see is the pageantry and theatrics of a well controlled totalitarian government showing its full force.

If all goes according to plan, they'll be the only country to emerge as a superpower and surpass the U.S.

Hey, at least it's to a country that has been around forever and has had to put down uprisings like the Boxer Rebellion and other cool stuff like that. I can stand to live with being bettered by a country that was what many considered back in the day to be the far east. =P

Caden Law
08-09-08, 10:42 PM
Mreh. Olympics are boring. They need to bring in MMA and/or Kendo. During hours where most people aren't asleep.

AdventWings
08-10-08, 09:24 PM
Thailand with the Gold~! Thailand with the Gold~!

*Dances like a Cat with Minamata's*

Anyways, that goes to show how strong Thai women are. 126 kg "Cling & Jerk" Weight-lifting for an Olympic record of 221 kg total weight.

Hell, yes!

Well, that was about the only gold medal we hoped for. :p

Fidelis
08-12-08, 04:50 PM
Yay China won gold for gymnastics!

Ha ha, I saw the weight-lifting from Thailand they deserve the gold. Kind of shocking to a lot of people, but still sounds like China is running a fair games considering countries we don't even hear of are winning medals.

Abomination
08-13-08, 03:40 AM
Phelps is now the most decorated gold medalist Olympian in history.