Wow!

[FrBrGr]

Was watching the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics "all around" this afternoon. All I can say is, "Wow!"" A most amazing combination of art and athletics! The young woman from Russia (can't recall her name, but if you saw the competition, you know who I'm talking about - the one who ran away with the competition) was absolutely unbelievable! Rather nationalistic of me, I guess, but I was really proud of the USA's volleyball team. In spite of the personal tragedy they suffered, they hung in there and even gave Brasil a "run for their money." Inspirational. And how 'bout the divers from China? Both men and women - Virtually flawless. My hat's off to the Japanese softball team, too. They did what everyone thought was the impossible and won the gold. IMHO, it's really a shame that softball (and baseball) will no longer be an Olympic sport. I think the IOC made a very poor decision in dropping those sports. Especially for the reasons it gave - !

 

Haven't had the opportunity to see much of this Olympiad, but what I have seen serves as a reminder that the Olympics are really, really special. And China has made this edition very memorable. " title="Applause" /> After having seen the opening ceremony, I can only imagine what the closing festivities will be like.

[Mr Barguzin]

But BrGr, waddabout the Ozzie bloke what won the gold in the 10Metre board event? now THAT was outstanding AND unexpected, not unlike the Gold in the mens' Pole Vault..... not to furget setting an Olympic record (broke Sergei Bubka's (S?)

 

But gotta hand it to the Poms.... when it comes to buying Gold, they's good

 

can't spell for peanuts today *sigh*

[FrBrGr]

Crikey! You're right, Mr B! I did catch some of that 10M competition, and he was fantastic!

[FrBrGr]

Just saw the finals in the men's 10M diving competition tonight. Let me amend what I said above. Matthew Mitcham isn't just fantastic. He's freaking awesome!!! Oz must be powerfully proud of that lad! " title="Applause" />

[FrBrGr]

One last remark about the Olympics. The "Closing Party" was, IMHO, was bizarrely spectacular, and even beautiful at times (e.g., the duet between Plácido Domingo and Song Zuying, singing "The Flame of Love" as well as the children singing the Olympic Anthem, and Wei Wei - - I think I'm in love! ). Director Zhang Yimou deserves a gold medal himself for making that extravaganza all fit together and work. The choreography, with the hundreds of volunteers alone, was mind-boggling! With the wonderful traditions and the cultural heritage of the British, I did find the British Modern Cultural Performance, involving the double-decker bus, bicycles and commuters, as well as the performance of Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page to be totally bizarre and incongruous with the rest of the ceremony. On the other hand, I guess it went along with giving a little something for everybody. Finally, I thought the Chinese people were extremely gracious hosts.

 

London - and those who follow - you will certainly have your work cut out for you to top this one!

 

(A sidebar - I wonder how much money was spent to make this Olympiad the spectacle it was? It had to have cost tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars!)

 

I think the best part, though - of the entire last two weeks - was that this Olympiad brought the best of this world and these times together in one place. It's one of the reasons I always look forward to both the summer and the winter games. They always show that even with the intense competition and the incredible displays of nationalistic pride, a mutual respect and love pervades the entire venue, from beginning to end. It is really a shame that "the real world" can't duplicate that. What a great world it would be if that were only so!