2008 Olympics

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Kizmet, Aug 9, 2008.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    That was, without question, the most impressive opening ceremony for the Olympics that I've even seen. Spectacular.
     
  2. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Did you see the Beijing skyline? It was the thickest smog I've ever seen; I don't think any endurance events will be setting records this year. :eek:
     
  3. raristud2

    raristud2 New Member

    That was indeed spectacular and epic. I would have loved to attend the opening ceremony.
     
  4. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    While I only watched 30 mins of it, those were indeed impressive 30 minutes :). ..what did you think of the Dove?
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  6. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  7. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I have to agree. It was amazing.

    The Chinese have set the bar about as high as it can possibly go for big-production, cast-of-thousands opening numbers.

    I wonder what London's going to do in four years. Trying to top Beijing in terms of scale would probably be excessive.
     
  8. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Beijing has a skyline? Looks to me like everything just fades out into grayness in a few blocks.

    Everyone's insisting that it's mist and not smog, but I've never seen mist like that. Maybe it's both, pollution clinging onto tiny mist droplets, creating a nasty ground fog. (I've heard that used to happen in smoky 19'th century London.)
     
  9. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I follow cycling and I have read several reports how bad the air quality is.
    Quote from www.Cyclingnews.com:

    Austrian shocked by "awful" air

    Thomas Rohregger's first breath of Olympic air was not what he expected. "I hadn't thought that it would be so bad," the Austrian said after his first training ride. "Really awful, my lungs and even my eyes are burning."

    Rohregger rode only the flat stretch of the road race course and didn't get into the climbs. "That's why I tried to ride a bit faster. But the pressure on my lungs was nearly unbearable. Three hours of training felt like six hours," said Rohregger to Austrian television sender ORF.

    To make matters worse, the riders are transported to and from their training rides in the 33°C heat and high humidity to their air-conditioned lodgings in air-conditioned buses. "They mean it well. But we athletes are very sensitive to such things. I already have a bit of a sore throat and wear a heavy sweater indoors," Rohregger noted.
     
  10. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    I am a runner and I worry about the runners. I mean the 10,000, 5,000 and marathon maybe really affected. I sure hope not.

    http://www.letsrun.com/
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 11, 2008
  11. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    I hear ya - running in 30C weather here with low humidity is bad enough, but over 30C, high humidity AND smog? yikes! :eek:
     
  12. raristud2

    raristud2 New Member

    Critics believe that female chinese gymnasts who participated in the olympics are younger than 16 years of age? I live and breath asian culture. Looking at the following photo, 5 out of the 6 gymnasts appear to be under the age of 16. The gymnast to the far right is definitely under 16. China may have altered the passports of some of the gymnasts. The athleticism is near superhuman. These athletes are very talented.

    http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/08/12/sports/olympics/13araton01.ready.html
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 15, 2008
  13. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    I live in China, and teach many children english while I am here. These girls physically "Appear" to match up with 10 to 12 year olds I have had in my classes here.
     
  14. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

  15. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for nothing NBC. The online stuff is great...if you like table tennis ( not that I hate it), but what about track and field. Arrghhhg.
     
  16. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Michael Phelps may win the medal count but I'm all about Dara Torres. 41 years old and outswimming women half her age. Inspiring.
     
  17. Tireman 44444

    Tireman 44444 Well-Known Member

    Poor Dena Kastor. Had to drop at the 5KM because she turned an ankle. Rats. The Women's Marathon was great though.
     
  18. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

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