Ryanb741 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 3219 posts, RR: 17 Posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 956 times:
What a turnaround. After all the negativity about unfinished facilities and chaotic organisation, the Athens Olympics up till now have been terrific. Difficult to compare with Sydney yet because the athletics have only just started but one factor in Athens' favour is the lack of the disgraceful ultra-nationalistic patriotism that the Aussies subjected everyone to 4 years ago. Sure the Greeks have gone wild when they have won a medal, but they haven't been ramming it in everyone's faces.
So, what does everyone else think? I reckon these games could turn out to be the best olympics ever (shame about the half empty stadiums though) as these Olympics have been far less commercialised and more historical than previous games. The use of the historic sites for events like the archery and the marathon is just terrific.
Well done the Greeks!
I used to think the brain is the most fascinating part of my body. But, hey, who is telling me that?
MauriceB From Netherlands, joined Aug 2004, 2477 posts, RR: 28 Reply 1, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 944 times:
indeed it looks great, in sydney it was a fun and real big party, here its more about the history wich is exposed in a great display, things about acropolis and all other things that deal with sience, history, and not forget the olympic's. its also a great city for non-valid people (say a documentary yesterday). the last 4 year they rushed against the clock but it all became a great sensational event.......
Delta767300ER From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2559 posts, RR: 14 Reply 3, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 933 times:
So far so good but it is going to take a lot to beat the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. I am really hoping the Iraqi Soccer team excels this year!
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8320 posts, RR: 9 Reply 4, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 919 times:
AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!
OI! OI! OI!
Whats wrong with getting behind our athletes and supporting them? Sydney was the first time many people in Australia had the opportunity to goto the olympic and it will probably be another 40 years before they come back. We simply love our sport in general.
I find it offensive that you think were an ultra-nationalistic country who were merely supporting our own country.
I didn't have the opportunity to goto the olympics in Sydney but I did however have the opportunity to goto the Rugby Union World Cup last year. I went to the game between Tonga and Wales and the crowd was very supportive of both teams. It was one of the best rugby games I've ever been to, probably only second to the Super 12 grand final this year.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29352 posts, RR: 62 Reply 5, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 918 times:
OH sure, and when us Yanks do it, everybody grips about it.
Glad to see somebody else is getting some flack
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
Lewis From Greece, joined Jul 1999, 3448 posts, RR: 5 Reply 7, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 10 hours ago) and read 867 times:
I am very happy about the Olympic games so far. I started working at the Athens 2004 superstore in the Olympic stadium yesterday and I am very excited to be taking part (unfortunately I was not chosen for a volunteer). The venue is magnificent and all the visitors that I have talked to seem very happy and excited to be here in Athens.
Racko From Germany, joined Nov 2001, 4838 posts, RR: 21 Reply 8, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 857 times:
Except of the audiences, it has been a great time so far. I have no problem with supporting your own athletes, what I don't like is disrespect or disinterest in the athletes of other nations, and to be honest this seems to be more present in Athens than it was in Sydney.
I should go to bed now, what an amazing tennis double final.
FLYtoEGCC From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 947 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 856 times:
It's nearly 1am here and the BBC1 is STILL showing Olympics coverage, most of it repeats, despite the fact that it's been on since about 7am non-stop. I hope Great Britain do well, and it's obviously a massive event. I'm delighted that Athens has been able to host the Games in the way it has with such a magnificent stadium and facilities, and I congratulate the Greek people on their hospitality and the way they have provided such a stage for the Games to take place.
I know it only happens once every four years, but I just wish the BBC would realise that we don't need almost 24hr coverage on one of only five major TV channels in the UK. I am lucky enough to have Sky Digital, but I know quite a few people without that luxury, who are complaining that the BBC's coverage has gone over the top, and they don't want it nearly 24hrs on TV as well as in all the newspapers. I see their point. Even when Euro 2004 was on, they showed two 90-minute matches, the build up and post-match analysis, and a highlights programme - nowhere near the extensive coverage the Olympics, which is in all probability much less popular here than football, is being given.
L-188 From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 29352 posts, RR: 62 Reply 18, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 1 hour ago) and read 803 times:
Well I can't speak to that or not.
Frankly though getting back to subject, I have found that over the years that the winter games are better then the summer ones. Smaller, less commercial.
Hope they stay that way.
OBAMA-WORST PRESIDENT EVER....Even SKOORB would be better.
Qantasclub From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 753 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (8 years 9 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 770 times:
Yes, I have long suspected that Australia's ultra-patriotism at times has annoyed other nations, just like the arrogance and in-your-face-ness of the American Dream team annoys us and everyone else as well.
We in Australia are extremely passionate about sport, and it is clearly one of the things we punch above our weight in. For a country the size of greater Los angeles/San Diego or even less than the population of Shanghai (20 million), we are currently 4th on the medals table (28 medals, 11 gold) which is pretty impressive. Our Gold medalists are instant heroes, get huge parades in every city upon thier return, endless repeats and playbacks of their special moment on TV's, they are truly embraced by the public for years and years to come. Sports is not just recreation here, it's a mode of social cohesion and an integral part of our national identity.
So it is a big thing here, and i apologise if this seems offensive to other nations, but I hope that instead, it inspires them to get behind their athletes to compete and be the best that they can be, in the spirit of Olympic competition.
Caribb From Canada, joined Nov 1999, 1627 posts, RR: 9 Reply 21, posted (8 years 9 months 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 741 times:
Well Canada won it's first gold so all's not lost. Anyways Athens has done an excellent job. The stadium is impressive. The Opening Ceremonies were great and the show itself has been as good as always. I just saw the men's 100 meter and it was a nail biter. I've been glued to the TV all day.. thank God it's in Europe because it's so much easier to watch than in Sydney.. at least I get to see some live events. So congrats Athens, you're doing great!
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