The Olympic Thread

[gwEm]

What are people making of the Olympics so far? The opening ceremony, the events, the lack of UK medals, the price of tickets, the corporate sell out?

I wanted to hate the opening ceremony, but ended up thinking it was pretty good.

The missus wanted to go to an Olympic event rather than holiday this year, so we've been looking at what tickets are left etc. So expensive!!

[Dmoney]

I feel the same about the opening ceremony. I feel sad about the whole ticket situation. It feel like the athletics has been lost beneath this weird veneer or corporate sponsorship and some commercial front. A lot of the sponsors have had big tax breaks as part of the sponsorship deals. I'm amazed by the athletes and that it should be all about, but it doesn't feel like a games for the people of great britain

[gwEm]

I feel the same about the opening ceremony. I feel sad about the whole ticket situation. It feel like the athletics has been lost beneath this weird veneer or corporate sponsorship and some commercial front. A lot of the sponsors have had big tax breaks as part of the sponsorship deals. I'm amazed by the athletes and that it should be all about, but it doesn't feel like a games for the people of great britain

This sums up my feelings too, the special Olympic lanes upset me a little at first too (not for real Londoners) - but in reality they are actually helping me as a cyclist. I'd like to see cheaper events so everyone can get involved. If the Olympics is meant to be about inclusivity I haven't seen too much of that so far indeed.

On the plus side, I don't see too much of the much talked about transport chaos so far. There a definitely extra tourists around, but its not affected me too badly so far. Generally I find my feelings towards the whole thing mellowing though I'm still morally opposed.

[WezV]

i liked the opening ceremony  - much better than expected.

i generally dont like sports but can let myself get excited about it every four years.

beach volleyball has been genuinely exciting - and not just for the reasons i expected.

handball also seems like a lot of fun - maybe if football had a passive play warning system i might be able to get into it

[Dmoney]

There hasn't been a huge increase in tourism or the amount of people about town as far as I can tell. The economic benefit of the games was always a lie anyway. These events never bring any meaningful economic growth.

I was upset by seeing a reporter claim the Olympic park was built on "wasteland". I have mixed opinions on this  kind of thing.

[Philly Q]

I was dreading the whole thing, mainly because of worries about travel - which has turned out to be a complete false alarm (thus far.... touch wood)

Enjoyed the opening ceremony, which I don't usually, but I was pretty confident Danny Boyle would come up with something interesting.  That said, after the initial bit of British socio-economic history (which kept reminding me of Pink Floyd's The Wall!) it did get a bit disjointed, I thought.

Sports-wise..... I really don't feel like it's got going yet.  I don't think it's the relative lack of GB medals, maybe it's just because the majority of interesting stuff is going on while I'm at work.  I think I prefer it when the Olympics is on the other side of the world so you can stay up all night watching it.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

only thing I've enjoyed so far is womens beach volleyball, italy vs england, it was really good!

I also HATED paul mcartney  :wallbash: but everything else at the opening ceremony was great

[Philly Q]

I have to say, I've no interest at all in the "ball game" events - basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, handball, hockey... and although I like football, I don't think it belongs in the Olympics.

Thank goodness we also have swimming, gymnastics, cycling, rowing.... and bring on the athletics next week!  :D

[Twinfan]

The swimming has been good - a few upsets and good old Phelps getting his 19 medals.

I also liked the opening ceremony, although I expected to hate it.

[MrBump]

Good so far - +1 on the opening ceremony, I suspect that I was just expecting it to be cr@p, and it was actually really interesting.

I also think that beach volleyball was better than expected.  Genuinely good sport to watch.  I heard a woman on Radio 4 talking about it, and comparing it to soft core pornography.  And I couldn't help but think: you should really watch some better porn...

[Elliot]

I watched some soft core porn once (many years ago - an Electric Blue film, I think) - and beach volleyball is far more exciting. 

Personally, I thought the opening ceremony was too self satisfied and referential to me - although the fact that it upset so many on the right wing was its redemption.   

[Afghan Dave]

I watched some soft core porn once (many years ago - an Electric Blue film, I think) - and beach volleyball is far more exciting....

I enjoy Watersports...  :P

[TheyCallMeVolume]

The opening ceremony was good, but I thought China topped them.

And volleyball is being played in Earl's Court, right?

[WezV]

The opening ceremony was good, but I thought China topped them.

beijing was very impressive - we were never going to manage that kind of synchronised control of hundreds of people.  its a relief that Boyle went a different way instead.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

And what is the deal with the badminton players?