- 24 Aug 08, 09:50 AM
It seems a little unfair when you had 10,708 athletes competing for 958 medals in 28 different sports, but the Beijing Olympics will mainly be remembered for the deeds of just two young men - a 22-year-old sprinter from Trelawny, Jamaica and a 23-year-old swimmer from Baltimore, USA.
In the space of a few weeks here in China, Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps transformed themselves from notable names within their own sports into global sporting superstars.
One was fuelled by chicken nuggets and yams, the other by fried egg and cheese sandwiches with extra mayo, but on track and in water, they each made the impossible seem easy.
Bolt was born for those sorts of nights in the Bird's Nest. The gold medals alone were reason enough for hero status, but the times he ran and they way he did them - gliding gloriously clear in the 100m, working his golden spikes off in the 200m - and the poses, dancing and celebrations before and after were like nothing else athletics has ever seen.
Phelps's relentless brilliance in the Water Cube defied history and science.
As the seven world records and eight golds piled up, each swim trumped the last - the astonishing comeback in the 4x100m freestyle relay, the margin of victory in the 200m individual medley, the almost unbelievable push to snatch the 100m butterfly title off Milo Cavic's fingertips.
So dominant was he that one wag suggested we must have mistaken singular for plural - that there were eight men called Michael Phelp, competing together as Phelps, rather than one indefatigable swimming machine.
Britain had heroes of its own whose deeds weren't far behind, led by the beautiful brutality of Chris Hoy and his relentless, robotic velodrome victories.
Hoy began the Games by admitting in his BBC blog that other athletes in the Olympic village kept staring at his massive thighs. He ended it as Scotland's greatest ever Olympian and the first Briton in 100 years to win three gold medals at the same Games.
If his best nickname was the cause of much debate - for me, His Royal Hoyness just takes it from the Hoy Wonder and the Real McHoy - one quote above all others summed up his displays.
"It's like he has swallowed a motorbike," said his Dutch rival Theo Bos.
While Hoy's triumphs came as no surprise to Dave Brailsford and his team, no-one could have predicted that a 19-year-old from Mansfield would eclipse established icons like Roger Federer and Ronaldinho.
In winning Britain's first female swimming gold since 1960 and then powering to another a few days later, Rebecca Adlington did exactly that.
Everywhere you looked, however, there were British athletes waving from the top of podiums.
Wiggins, Pendleton and the rest kept the National Anthem on an almost perpetual loop in Laoshan. Ben Ainslie made it three golds in three Olympics. Christine Ohuruogu saved athletics blushes and the latest incarnation of the men's foursome led the way at the rowing.
If Team GB's 19 golds and wholly unexpected fourth place in the medal table caused delight at home, China's unprecedented place at the top of the pile sent waves of national pride surging through the host nation.
Even the absence of golden boy Liu Xiang, who silenced the Bird's Nest when he limped away without clearing a single hurdle, failed to dampen the mood for long.
As China dominated six medal-heavy sports - weightlifting, diving, shooting, table-tennis, gymnastics and badminton - other homegrown heroes stepped forward to fill the gap left by Liu.
Yang Wei added gold in the men's all-round final to the victories in both men and women's gymnastics team events. Guo Jingjing became the most successful woman diver in Olympic history by winning gold in the individual three-metre springboard.
For the USA, dethroned after three successive Olympiads, consolation came in the team events rather than from individuals. Jamaica's excellence on the track meant the former kings of the sprints failed to win an individual sprint medal for the first time since the boycott of 1980.
At the other end of the scale, Rohullah Nikpai won Afghanistan's debut Olympic medal when he took bronze in the taekwondo men's 58kg category. India's Abhinav Bindra took his country's first ever individual gold in the 10 metre air rifle event, and even Iraq sent a team, albeit a late, denuded one.
Sometimes, being at these Olympics felt like you'd been invited to the best house party in the world. While it was great wherever in the house you found yourself, there was always the nagging sense that it might be even better in a different room.
You'd be at the most exciting boxing bout possible when news would break about a world record at the Water Cube. Just when you'd settled into your seat at the velodrome, rumours would start flying about an astonishing race up at Shunyi Lake.
Then there was the joy of the random sports you'd never seen before - popping in to the fencing or handball for 15 minutes between trips elsewhere and becoming so engrossed that within moments you'd be shouting tactical advice at athletes who'd been doing it all their lives.
New sports like BMX and open-water swimming made a big splash. Old favourites like diving and ping-pong were revitalised. Everywhere you went were smiling volunteers, outnumbering actual local fans by five to one in many venues.
The stadiums ranged from space-age spellbinding - the Cube, the Nest/Ball of Twine, the velodrome - to the stern stone edifices of the Peking Workers' Gymnasium.
The atmosphere inside swung from cathedral quiet (Olympic Green Tennis Centre) to caterwauling (Peking University Gymnasium whenever a Chinese table-tennis player picked up his bat).
Soon we learnt the definition of a Sino-sell-out - all the tickets gone, only half the seats taken.
Of the much-feared, much-discussed pollution, two separate days of thunderstorms did more than any closing of factories to clear the air. When it was bad, in the first week, the organisers told us it was only mist, anyway.
Six positive drugs tests failed to overshadow events, even as slower times and the failure of a few big names suggested anti-doping measures might be starting to bite.
If it depressed some that several horses were found to have been doped, the slew of jokes that followed - an-neigh-bolic steroids, hay and B samples - secretly tickled others of us pink.
There were tears, plenty of them, most memorably from giant German weightlifter Matthias Steiner, who held a photo of his wife Susann aloft on the podium just a year after she died in a car crash while on the way to see him compete.
Georgia's Nino Salukvadze and her Russian rival Natalia Paderina tried to end one war by embracing on the podium after their shooting final, even as the bullets were still flying back home.
Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos almost started another one when he kicked a referee in the head after disagreeing with the judging during his +80kg taekwando bout.
Some athletes helped each other out, most memorably the Croatian sailors who lent Denmark a boat when their mast split seconds before the 49er-class medal final.
Others did what they had to do to win that precious gold, even at the risk of causing offence. "I went after him because he was the only one who could beat me," said British sailor Paul Goodison, after shepherding Sweden's Rasmus Myrgren out of the race and thus the medals rather than risking him steal an unlikely win.
"I feel sorry for him but there can only be one winner. It is just sport and you have to do what you have to do."
As with any good party, you're left afterwards feeling tired, a touch emotional and rather sad that it's all over. Four years seems a long time to wait until the next one.
There are also the regrets.
At the Bird's Nest on Saturday night, long after all the action was done and dusted and the crowds gone home, stadium officials were amusing themselves by running down the home straight and posing for photos on the finish line.
I can't do that, I thought, as I watched them strike Usain archer poses on the podium. I work for the BBC. Standards of decorum must be maintained.
In retrospect, I was an idiot.
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400m is a sprint. Final sprint score, Jamaica 5 -USA 3
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I'm not one to be critical - I had to sign up for a BBC Blog membership to do this but I just needed to get off my chest that Adrian Chiles has been DRIVING ME AND A HUNDRED OTHER FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TO DRINK with his antics while presenting with Hazel Irvine.
If we need a comedian we can tune in to BBC Comedy - something we all love to do - but for God's sake, let's save this presentation style for Channel 4 or channel 5 Breakfast shows - We don't need a comic to lighten things up pal - there was a sense that we were never more than 30 seconds away from your next 'punch line'.
Hazel Irvine, who's knowledge of Sports, her interviewing technique, yet 'background' presence - never taking the limelight, is a VERY patient lady and she must be thinking PLEASE not again in 2012.
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China Vs USA final medal table
China top the table with 51 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze.
USA second with 36 gold, 38 silver, 36 bronze.
Total medal tally is unrealistic as it implys a bronze or silver is valued the same as gold.
Personally like most people I feel a gold, being champion as in the ancient Olympics, is the only one that matters while silver and bronze are used as tie breakers as used by the IOC.
Steve Ovett propose a new scoring system with gold=3 points, silver=2 points and bronze equal 1 points. If Ovett's system is applied China still top the table with 223 points and USA second with 119 points.
Either way China beats USA.
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Corrections.
Ovett's system applied to medal table
1st place China 223 poiints
2nd place USA 219 points
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Adrain Chiles rocks.
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Let me be the first to say in 4 Years time China will not get anywhere near 51 Gold Medals.
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Yes, the BBC's coverage of these wonderful olympics has at best been uneven. Is it too much to expect our public broadcasting service to eschew the dumbing down we expect from other channels? That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the games. And whilst acknowledging Phelp's achievement, I confess to being a tad suspicious of these robotic athletes. My moment of the games was Rebecca Adlington's magnificent swim to victory in the 800 metres. She is my icon of these games.
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In 4 years time China might get more than 60 medals.
Why? Look at all the world calss facilities they have to practice on which they didnt have before the games, plus many ordinary Chinese will want to win more gold when they realise the rewards that came with winning.
Each gold medallist was awarded on average £250,000 in prize money by the government, some got a million or more. And the country is getting richer and can afford greater prize money and attracting world class coaches.
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I mean 4 years time in London 2012 China gets more than 60 gold medals.
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agree with hizento totally
just look at the trend.
The Chinese has been getting more gold year by year! while the US gets a pretty similar number of gold each year.
I'm so surprised the CNN is reorganizing their medal table such that US stays at the top.
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I agree with hizento in post 8. I suspect that what we have seen in these Games is only the very beginning of what China as a nation will be able to achieve in future.
I suspect they're going to dominate future Olympics in a way that will somewhat lessen everyone else's enthusiasm for them. Which will be a shame.
It has been a fantastic Olympics though, and all credit to China for them. No one else could have put on such a spectacle, and I'm sure the closing ceremony will equally live up to the high standards they have set throughout.
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I disagree totally with the criticism of the BBC coverage and of Adrian Chiles in this blog. The BBC have provided the best coverage ever of the Olympics - I have watched them since 1968 - by showing as many sports as possible with great quality coverage, with the obvious bias towards UK competitors. I particularly enjoyed the use of former competitors as commentators. Thet have more credibility and such great insight into the sports.
For me Adrian Chiles' humour is a breath of fresh air and he catches the mood of the Olympics just right. Rather him than Gary Lineker with his pratish schoolboy humour!
Re the Olympics generally I fail to see how synchronized swimming and beach volleyball can be considered Olympic sports - any why both baseball and softball. Hopefully they will get rid of these from the next games.
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Regards what GB's should hope to acheive in 2012, more of the same. We finished 1st behind what you may consider the "superpowers". Russia might be on downward trend or it might just be there Atlanta, but to beat the "similiar" countries of France, Germany, Italy and Australia in the top 10. We've finished top this year, it would be good to match that in 2012, but I think the important thing is we don't get to a situation we were 15 years ago.
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China has changed enormously over the past 30 years. One thing I did notice is the only people wearing conical hats and shapeless baggy robes are westerners cheering their own country. I guess they bought these outfits from suvenier shops. Maybe when the Chinese come and visit London 2012 they wear novelty bowler hat, brollies and black suite?
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The amazingwaldo thinks that the bbc's coverage has been good. He or she must have had their judgement genes removed.
The BBC coverage has been truly appalling from just about every point of view ; presenters, editing, objectivity, opinions.
The worst thing is the smugness that pervades the BBC sports production. They really believe that they are good.
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The objective of professional athletes is first and foremost to win - just ask the female rowers - so I have no strong objections about the medals table being based on number of golds awarded. 'Top 3' is, in a sense, somewhat arbitrary anyway. Given the fine margins that operate in top level sport (well, apart from men's sprinting it would appear), however, overall medals won is probably a better indicator of overall sporting prowess for each country. And that's before you even get into the debate about the number of medals available in each discipline potentially distorting the table etc etc.
What a fantastic sporting event, though. And I was a confessed Olympics naysayer prior to 8/8/8. Favourite moment was undoubtedly the judges correctly reversing Sarah Stevenson's quarter final decision. Given the circumstances, that was a fantastically brave decision to make: perfectly encapsulating the 'Olympic spirit'.
Pedantic aside: according to http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080811211818AA2f8tT there were 957 medals won at the 2008 Games. Tom's figure of 906 was presumably derived from 302 events x 3 medals in each, though some events had multiple bronzes.
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Great article Tom - thanks. I loved the "beautiful brutality" description of Chris Hoy and thoroughly agree - I could watch him for hours. If I was in the Olympic village I'd be unable to tear my eyes away from his thighs as well! All hail Sir Chris.
Certain aspects of these Games have been disturbing, for me most notably the heavy crackdown on any kind of dissent in Beijing, many of the judging decisions in favour of the home competitors, and also some of the negative sniping and whinging towards some of our successes that has gone on here. However I think our athletes have shown that success breeds success, and that participation in and enjoyment of sport in this country clearly isn't confined to football, despite what the media would have us believe. Many congratulations to all of our medal winners.
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Good coverage, even living here in Switzerland. The live text was a saviour!
However if you thought Adrian Chiles humour was overbearing, you should read some of Ben Dirs' live text; he tries far too hard and was offensive at best.
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I do not understand criticism of Adrian Chiles. He and Claire Balding have been terrific. However, I cannot get over how anyone can think that Hazel Irvine is a good presenter. She has no personality, she is so utterly boring, has nothing interesting to say and she looks as though she dressed in the dark. Sorry TerryMcgin but we are at opposite ends of the presenter spectrum on that one
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"Certain aspects of these Games have been disturbing, for me most notably the heavy crackdown on any kind of dissent in Beijing, many of the judging decisions in favour of the home competitors, and also some of the negative sniping and whinging towards some of our successes that has gone on here."
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How about negative sniping and whinging at the Chinese success?! That is possibly the most hypocritical thing I have ever read!!
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
While the games have been wonderful and the coverage excellent, with good expert commentary, I have to agree with those who have been unhappy with the quality of SOME of the presenters.
Huw Edwards had not bothered to mug up before the opening ceremony and his commentary was inane and in places inaccurate.
Adrian Chiles looked bored and is a tad too flippant.
Gaby Yorath is out of her depth.
But Sue Barker and Hazel Irving were excellent.
And Michael Johnson hid well his squirming embarassment at some of the jingoistic comments about Team GB (what happened to the UK - has Northern Ireland been deleted?).
Overall:
Pictures 10/10
Event commentary 8.5/10
Expert opinion 8/10
Presenters 5/10
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Mostly thought the presenters and commentators were very good, but why the annoying Eddie Butler 'mood' bits far too often? They're annoying enough before the rugby matches.
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All this and not one "well done China in hosting such a superb Olympics".
I can't wait for the London Olympics and what a poor and disorganised event that will be in comparision to China's hosting.
It'll end up being another mess like heathrow terminal five or the new wembley stadium.
Then who'll have the last laugh!!!
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I thought the standard of BBC coverage was superb - helped of course by being able to choose the sport you want to see. As far as presenters are concerned it continues to baffle me that Sue Barker is the Head Anchor when I don't feel she is a natural broadcaster at all. She has no intuitive feel for interviewing - at Wimbledon for example she always asks one question too many on the centre court - I found the Nadal interview embarrassing.
At the Olympics it surprised me that John Inverdale (who seems to have a deep knowledge about a variety of sports) and Claire Balding are not the 'top team'.
I was amazed how often Michael Johnson called it right and his views on our team for the women's 4x4 were spot on.
Brendon Foster's post-race analysis of the 5000m final was a superb piece of broadcasting as was his criticism of Britain's failure to make an impact in the middle and long distances.
Johnson and Foster prove that having former sports people as experts can work - but you pick them for their insight and excellence first and because they are a 'name' second. Colin Jackson didn't do it for me at all.
Gary Herbert and Jim Neilly were both very good too - in very different ways. I forget the name of the lady who provided the expert analysis in the gymnastics but she provided a technical insight into what was going on that I had rarely heard before - she was very good too.
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As I live and work in Saudi arabia, I haven't had the pleasure of the bbc commentators or pundits, only when viewing the videos of the events after they have happened.
What I will say is that is that my coverage of the olympics was through the South African sports channels and their feed seem to come from Australia as all the commentators on it were. The majority of them were appauling, their knowledge was pretty poor. The only decent one was a gentleman who is also the main commentator for the australian tennis open. The best 2 commentators were a gentleman called Mitch and a lady called Christine who did the Gymanstics, people who actually knew what they were talking about and only spoke when they needed to. Utterly superb to listen to.
So, for those criticisng the BBc, there are far worse out their, believe me.
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wasn't too interested in the games this time round - and thought I wouldn't watch much - I was wrong - they were great !
- As for the bbc presenters - the sooner they get rid of Mr and Mrs Potato head ( Chiles and Balding ) the better. Chiles was a breath of fresh air a couple of years ago - but now seems to think he's more important than everything going on around him. He's turned into a "celebrity" pratt of the highest order. As for Ms Balding - she has a face for radio and a sporting knowledge of very little apart from horses !.
The likes of Sharon Davies could be used more - as could the woman who fronted the cycling coverage !
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'we won the majority of our medals in elitist sports'
I didn't realise you needed to be Eton educated and shop at Harrods to ride a bicycle..........
Why does this elitist nonsense keep cropping up in these comments?
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The BBC's coverage was excellent and free, unlike Eurosport's offer to subscribe to their online channel, so well done (although the BBC offers much more on the interactive channels, ES offered whole chunks of events perhaps the BBC tended to ignore, so I ended up watching both). I noticed just about all the commentaries on both channels were laced by the usual pro-Chinese sycophancy, even when they were competing against Britons, but once the medals started to roll in, we were freer of that kind of nonsense. How China have managed to get 51 medals, particularly jumping wildly on the last day with only a few events left, is bizarre, but hopefully that will in due course be revealed. If I was Rogge I would be launching a private investigation into Chinese practices as the visible tears from coaches and athletes suggested coercion behind the scenes - I don't buy it that China are that good at everything at the moment and issues like the taekwondo judging came too late and counted for too little.
As for elitist sports, we need to broaden the number of teams we send to the Games by sponsoring leftfield sports (for us at least) like basketball, volleyball, handball, and so on. If we have consolidated our cycling, rowing, sailing and other favourite sports (and they are not now as elitist as all that, because of technology making boatmaking cheaper and sports clubs being more accessible), then we might even be third next time round. We need to emulate Russia in being more well-rounded, particularly in exhibition sports like gymnastics and diving, and given our determination and the fact they only have four more golds than we do, we could just be a superpower one day, if not 2012 than 2016, when a greater breadth of sports start coming online for us.
I hope in 2012 we will also not repeat the behaviour of some Chinese people here who don't understand criticism of their comments is not anti-Chinese in itself. I would love to visit China myself, and love Chinese food (beats British any day), but remember, this is a forum open to discussion and any criticism of China doesn't constitute racism or warrant such defensive replies. (What are you afraid of? Constructive criticism never hurt anyone.) I am acutely critical of the 2012 bid, from being against it in the first place to being mildly hostile to that repulsive logo and hopeful that we will also see some proper "British" culture represented at the opening ceremony (not just Riverdance and a calypso band like some people I know fear, or even worse, trite symbols like at the handover ceremony today...ugh!). If only the Chinese allowed to post here were more critical, then we might actually see China genuinely opening up properly.
One World, One Dream, Many Opinions. Think about it.
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Why on Earth is David 'Boring' Beckham involved in the handover ceremony?? What on God's dear Earth brought that decision about???
He's never, ever competed at an Olympics, and plays in a sport that GB don't even have a team for. As to his own sporting performance record, just what qualifies him to represent Britain's sporting prowess??? Oh yeah, I forgot... a couple of quarter-final appearances in World Cup and European Cup competitions, although he couldn't even captain the national side to get past the latest basic qualification stage for that. A few club cups and medals, but so what... well overshadowed by unsportsmanlike behaviour on the pitch on more than one occasion.
It just shows that there are some in sport who get ongoing publicity by being persistently poor performers when it counts... it's all glamour and looks and not what really counts.
The GB team have shown that national pride comes before disgustingly large weekly salaries and product endorsements. Some of those Gold medallists (the equivalent of being World Champion...take note Mr Beckham)... would give their right arm for just one-tenth of Beckham's weekly wages to pay for a year's training.
Beckham should do the honourable thing and hand the honour to someone like Redgrave...
...but he'll, no doubt, want his mug on the papers in the morning as Beckham and Beckham Inc. Ltd. plc, secure another gross endorsement for 2012.
Disgusting decision, and Coe should hang his head in shame.
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Hi, Crowperson, greetings from Beijing.
The reason you find China taking many medals in the last couple of day , "bizarre" , is probably because you didn't follow them as closely as I did.
Part of fun of watching Olympics , to me , is to keep track of the medal count. To see if your team can get to a higher spot and to hope the guys behind won't overtake you (especially when one of them is Russia).
This year however , there is no way the Americans can catch up in gold and there is no way we can catch them in total , so my own little bet with my friends is whether we can get 100.
With two days to go , we had 91 medals , 9 short of 100. We had , at the time , 6 more medals already in our pockets, 3 from men's table tennis(1 gold , 1 silver and 1 bronze) , 3 from our guys in boxing finals , which later materialized into 2 golds and 1 silver on the last day.
Yesterday, we won a hard-fought canoeing gold , but only managed 1 silver in the last diving event. We would have been 1 short of a cool hundred , if not for the unexpected silver in artistic gymnastics ( not sure about the name of the sport) .
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The Olympics is the BBC at it's best.
Adrian Chiles has been excellent on Olympic Breakfast, as has Hazel Irvine and Claire Balding throughout the coverage. It's a shame though that apart from the rowing, John Inverdale largely remains hidden away on the radio.
Let's not forget our world class sports though in the next four years and switch back to the usual schedule of football, snooker, football, darts and more football.
Grandstand may be gone, but the demand for multi-sport programming isn't, and whether it's on BBC1, BBC2 or BBCi, let's give our true sporting heroes the coverage they deserve.
Can someone within the BBC post details of what coverage is planned of the Olympic sports within the next year or so?
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Firstly, let's be clear about this, the olympic medal table favours big nations. Adjusted for population the Dutch Antilles won these games, with Jamaica second. The Australians, whom the BBC have been crowing over for the past week, were sixth. Britain was in the twenties, Russia in the thirties, the United States of America in the forties and China sixty-sixth overall.
Of course China is going to do better in future. China is one third of the world's population. If China's performance were only average they would take over 300 medals.
Second, 'We' didn't win those medals. We sat on our sofas. Individual athletes won those medals. Anyone (apart from Chris Hoy) who wants to take credit for the gold medals he won might also like to take the blame for the death of Jason McIntyre, who was killed in training for these games because our cyclists have nowhere safe to train.
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After the success and sportsmanship of the Olympics giving Britain a boost, why did they have to have that prat Beckham on to represent GB? I was starting to lose faith in Britain, with all the idiots into celebs, those dumb orange wags in all the magazines that young girls seem to care about, and the overpaid and spoilt football players who never win anything but care more about being chav celebs. I thought this would be a new start for us, but there's no getting away from those stupid Beckhams that represent everything I hate about this country. I hope those two don't take over the olympics with their attention seeking.
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My family and I have been in Beijing for the past four years, working with the Chinese to prepare for the Olympics.
We are watching the closing ceremony and are astounded that David Beckham was invited to participate in any way.
My young children watched open-mouthed as London was portrayed (quite ironically) as a city where people chuck their rubbish on the road and scrum for buses. This is something that Beijing was known for, and has worked hard to rectify.
We Brits have a lot to learn from the effort and heart that China has put into the games.
Lets hope our our aspirations are higher than the has-been footballer and X-factor winner that I can only assume were the only people available for the gig (perhaps everybody else was watching the closing ceremony on the telly?)
Fair play to Sarah Brown (Gordon's wife) who (with her children) stayed to the end of the men's marathon and cheered with the rest of us when the last runner made it to the finish line.
Wake up Britain! This is our chance to shine in 2012!
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I think there is a relationship between depends on how well you know the sport and the level of commentary. I watch most sport and find it very good, but when I switch to the sports which I really like and do like badminton and basketball I sometimes just want to turn the sound off. They knowledge is somewhat shallow, especially about modern tactics and the way the sport is approached. They provide no insight and sometimes rubbish suggestion or none as to what the losing team shall do. It is ok to just talk less and let us enjoy the sport, rather than feeling the need to talk and try to spice things up. It might be good for people who don't watch/play the sport but certain annoying to those who come to expect that we will get expert casters in their represented sport.
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"I suspect they're (China) going to dominate future Olympics in a way that will somewhat lessen everyone else's enthusiasm for them. Which will be a shame."
What enthusiasm for China?
Oh look it's the Chinese all-comers mime display.
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Jake Humphrey rules.
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omg, I hope our eight minutes during the closing ceremony is not a foretaste of the tackiness to come in four years time. I mean, an ageing rock star, a mediocre pop singer and a footballer who earns more in a few days than most athletes receive for their annual lottery grant: we can do better than that surely...
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Well done, Beijing! I am eagerly looking forward to see a wonderful Olympics games hosted in London in 2012.
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Btw, as an ordinary Chinese, i think the London 8 minutes is very creative and truely reflected the London qualities: diversity, multiculturalism, down-to-earthness and a bit of eccentrcity.
I remember the Beijing 8 minutes in Athens received received a lot of criticism from the Chinese netizens for being tacky as well...
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I wish for the successs of London Olympics 2012, hope you don't have to go through what China has come through in the past few months, the threats, the disruptions, the boycott, the attacks in Xinjiang, the abuse, the criticisms and all that stuff. The Olympics are for and about the athletes, not about a government, whether you like it or not. Let the athletes have their time. And I'm sure London will deliver the games "in its own sweet way". There is no need for any competition in its scale. I quite like the 8 minutes' slot from London in the closing ceremony, it's very London in style. And I hope that London people will be hospitable and civilized, and that no ego-centric medal winners would splash water on volunteers.
For those who appreciate the efforts China and its people have put in, may I say thank you.
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Jimmy Page and David Beckham have been massive icons of British popular culture. I'm not especially a fan of either, but they perfectly suited to the ceremony.
Not bothered either way about Leona whatshername, but the chief embarrassment, reducing us instantly to laughing stock of the world and diminishing at a stroke the achievements of our athletes, was the presence of Boris Bloody Johnson!!! This man symbolizes everything wrong with Britain - a deeply untalented buffoon, with a thoroughly sinister interior. Get him off the stage once and for all.
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I've just watched the Olympic closing ceremony, and as I feared, Britain's contribution was embarassing and totally pathetic - I just hope they manage to do better in 2012. It will obviously be impossible to rival the spectacular pageant that Beijing provided, but I thought the dancing (if you can call that dancing) and the Leona Lewis/Jimmy Page effort was just pitiful. Hopefully, we can ditch all this government inspired 'Cool Britannia' garbage and present something a bit more slick and professional.
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I agree that Adrian Childs was poor: he seemed to think that he was on the One Show.
The London Bus routine was pretty much rubbish ... the music was poor and everything smacked of pop culture. Period.
The Games themselves were superbly run. The BBC was teetering on the brink of overblown nationalism, however.
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"At 2:57pm on 24 Aug 2008, dudepod45 wrote:
omg, I hope our eight minutes during the closing ceremony is not a foretaste of the tackiness to come in four years time. "
It felt a lot longer than eight minutes..... Every cringe and every gasp of horror made it feel like a lifetime!
If that is all we have to offer, lets hope the rest of the world has popped out down the pub when we take centre stage.
Our athletes deserve much better than this, they did us proud in Beijing (lets not forget the Paralympics too) and will continue to do so.
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I have been glued to the Olympics constantly and very proud of Team GB but my god what on earth was that 8 minute section in the closing ceremony.
The chinese put on a fantastic show and we have basically a red bus and a sparkler.
Who ever put this together should be sacked before we are embarressed anymore.
By the way BBC should be given a gold medal for the coverage, first class.
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Adrian Chiles. Adrain Childs (above)
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I thought the 8 minutes was pretty good but not sure why David Beckham was involved at all. GB (or, more correctly, UK) can't even put together a football team for the Olympics due to various vested interests. Perhaps his presence might force a change for 2012.
The Chinese seem to have put together a good show, but then, having spent £20bn plus, they had no excuse not to. Shame they couldn't have spent some of that on their own people, half of whom don't even have clean drinking water.
At the end of the day we don't remember opening and closing ceremonies, stadia or Olympic villages. What stays in the mind are the achievements of the athletes who took part. Seeing all the cycling gold medals for GB was fantastic but what sticks in my mind the most is the breath of fresh air that is Usain Bolt. He was a joy to watch.
They ought to hold the next Olympics in Jamaica - now that would be a different games.
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A great closing ceremony ruined by that joke 8 minutes with a London bus and "singing in the rain" antic. There was that overpaid chav kicking a ball into the crowd of volunteers and the X Factor winner singing with a pensioner with a guitar. If that is what to expect from London 2012 then I feel very sorry for the IOC and the world when they gather there in 4 years time.
Surely there is more to an Olympic ceremonies than a simple West End production and a crass pop concert rolled into one.
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I have just watched the closing ceremony.
The London segment was 8 minutes of pop culture / reality game show / celebrity / cliched trash.
However, what I found bizzare was that the white UK performers were in a minority, even the little girl coming off the bus was of Asian ethnicity. I saw white 'Hoddie' and a punk.
Has the UK gone too far, and too over the top in playing the multicultural card? Are they alienating the majority? Are they also alienating the non-'Cool' tyes, those who can;t 'Street dance' and have to get up every morning to earn money. pay taxes and oh, pay for the 2112 games. No one in that 8 minutes reflected me or anyone I know, just one person would have been a little bit inclusive. I feel like the victim of racism and social exclusion.
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oh how I agree with all the hostile comments about London's pathetic 8 minutes. Surely we could represent 'youth' with something better than a poor imitation of American style singing and some hopeless hopping about by nondescript dancers. We have superb young artists, none of whom were invited to appear. OK, we couldn't hope to reach the heights of the Chinese in such a short time, but heavens above .....
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Actually No 41, the 8 minutes of Beijing in Athens was superb and dynamic. The very few who criticise it was the part showing the girls with violin being too sexy. That I am sure was not a problem with most people except for feminists.
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The London 8 minutes isn't that bad. I thought it was creative. But have to agree I would love to see something more than glorified celebrity/pop culture. UK has much much more to offer than that. But again, maybe that's the chosen theme?
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englishinhongkong
Has the UK gone too far, and too over the top in playing the multicultural card? Are they alienating the majority? Are they also alienating the non-'Cool' tyes, those who can;t 'Street dance' and have to get up every morning to earn money. pay taxes and oh, pay for the 2112 games.
I agree but ... Good Lord, is Gordon Brown already getting his hands on our money for the 2112 games? Lucky I shan't be around that long!!
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Have you noticed in the 8 minute by London 2012 the whites were in the minority? While they had people of different race, blacks, Indians/Pakistani, middle eastern, they didnt have a single Chinese person.
As I have known all along Chinese people are the most repressed and underepresented people in the UK. It just shows the UK or GB to the people in China that we dont treat Chinese as equal. Yet we lecture them about diversity and human rights. Smacks of hypocrisy I say.
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Dear people of Britain,
I'm certain come the Olympics in 2012, you will not have Chinese people dangling off light poles outside your national stadium, nor drop banners down Tower Bridge or Big Ben - to protest against Britain's continuing adventures in Iraq and Afganistan.
Nor will you have Chinese journalists broadcasting 24/7 the social problems that face Britain today, such as knife crime and family breakdowns.
You tried hard to embarrass China at the beginning of this year's Olympics, but we will not return the favour.
Best of luck for 2012.
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Re quote 57, we wont need Chinese to do it, we will have enough of our own people to do that for us. Shame so many of them hate their own country...perhaps they should leave and live in China and see if they prefer it?
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beijing_2008
China deserves the highest praise for it's presentation of the Games. However some people feel that human rights are violated there. We in Britain believe that people have the right to express these sentiments openly and freely as long as they are not violent in any way. This does not however mean that the whole population necessarily agrees with those views.
If you and your compatriots feel that civil standards in Britain are a social problem, as I do, then I hope you will express your feelings NOW and NOT wait until 2012. I'm sure that you will all be totally free to do so if carried out in a peaceful and civil manner.
I think that is the difference between our two Countries at the moment.
However, I feel that friendship between peoples and the Olympic spirit, perhaps not always present in any Country, must prevail. best wishes.
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I agree with all other comments that the closing ceremony of the Games was excellent apart from the 8 minutes relating to London 2012. I would also like to add that in the rounding up of the Games there was no mention of our first Gold Medal to Nicole Cooke and the Silver Medal won by Emma Pooley both in the road cycling. It was all based on the veladrome success (which I admit was fantastic) of later days. This ommission should be addressed immediately .
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I am an ex-pat in Japan and watched the closing ceremony because I missed the opening one which everyone was raving about both positively and negatively...
To try and sell London in 8 minutes after all that Chinese pyrotechnics was always going to be hard, but we did miss a great opportunity... why did we not keep to the 'simple is best' approach and let the red bus do it's thing - transport what everyday people see in London (well leave the knives out?)
Seriously I mean show the ethnic diversity, tradition, etc that has millions flocking to the place. I was back in March with my daughter and staggered by the numbers of tourists there... (btw I am from Manchester)
But no, we get a bus that opens with a nobody singer and not long for this world guitarist!! If you are going to do a 007 job then get Q on it ahaha
This called for a Beatles effort (not sure how many of them are left hehe), I am sure more people around the world know them?!! No brainer...
But the killer blow was open jacket, hands in pockets Boris!! What a disgrace...talk about looking out of place in all that slickness... like a drunken party gatecrasher... whinced several times!
But being Brits we will get it together in our own way and pull it off in 2012!!
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£2.5 million for that?!?!.... what a waste.
(http://www.london2012.com/frequently-asked-questions.php...
"How much did we spend on the eight-minute Handover segment in Beijing?")
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"How much did we spend on the eight-minute Handover segment in Beijing?"
I think £2.5 mln.
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I hardly watched the BBC this Olympics and am truely dissappointed in the coverage laid on. Sadly gone are the days of old, when you had specialist commentators who knew what they were talking about?
The pool seems to be disappated and the same old tired faces turn up each time commentating on sports they have NO IDEA what they are tlking about.
I found the coverage to be Xenophobic limited in content and unwatchable as a ardent sports lover. I watched EUROSOPORT instead, who had a well informed balanced and interesting coverage of the events at this spectacular venue.
Shame on the BBC, who claim as tax my license fee, which they do NOT deserve any longer, definately NOT for this event?
No choice on that one either?
This is my call to get rid of this unfair unreasonable and disgraceful tax on persons who are given no choice but to watch the unwatchable and having to pay for it too?
BBC with sport is now a absolute JOKE, so try something else.
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torontored - you're a bit cynical, but I take your point about the somewhat joyless nature of the Chinese gold machine. They were determined to beat the USA at all costs. It was a bit disappointing that some athletes in scoring sports (boxing, tae kwon do) found themselves unfairly treated when coming up against Chinese athletes. The fiasco with the British and Chinese girls at tae kwon do was representative. The Chinese girl was kicked in the face but would not admit to this and just took the decision. That's not in the Olympic spirit. At least the authorities saw sense and reversed their decision. I noticed that the Chinese audience perhaps understandable hated this, but once the police entered the stands they suddenly went quiet. Hmmm.
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Beijing 2008 was a great show, the best Olympics yet and the coverage on BBC was on the whole very good. I agree Adrian Childs was annoying at times though, i have yet to see his appeal.
I fail to see a problem with the BBCs objectivity. It is the BRITISH broadcasting corporation after all.It should put the emphasis on our successes! Objectivity can turn into sterility after a point.
My only real criticism of the coverage is an indirect one, BBC HD. The picture quality never reached that of Eurosport HD, but then its always one of the lowest quality HD channels.
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christophe81 - please mind your language. Fortunately my country allows me to express any opinion I like in a moderate and reasoned way.
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If every contry in the world took sport like the Chinese the Olympics would be a two horse race between China and India as they have virtually half the worlds population. Does this really suggest that one country is better than another when it's virtually impossible to compare a country with more than a billion inhabitants to another with a couple of million. Surely the odds are against the smaller country.
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Whilst China will return to smog and repression, congratulating itself on conning the rest of the world that things would change, there is one memory we can all take away from Beijing, which if we have any sense of the real spirit of the Olympics, should make us smile at the recalling of it. That one memory which will certainly live long in my conscious is the miracle of Usain Bolt.
Everything about this kid is right. he has talent, commitment, a sense of fun and mischief, but above all else, something the Olympic Games was dying for the lack of: CHARISMA.
He is the greatest breath of fresh air to blow into sport since Cassius Clay. Yes, I know he became Mohammed Ali, but I remember a skinny eighteen year old who had just mesmerised the amateur boxing world, dancing round the fountains of Rome days after he'd won his gold medal, but still wearing it. This is not heresay, I was there, a thirteen year old with my parents.
Clay's dreams were shattered by the reality of prejudice when he returned to a very backward southern USA. His reaction? He threw his precious medal into the river. That was a demonstration of principle far beyond his years.
The world has changed, so thankfully that can't happen to Bolt. With better guidance than young Clay had, his dreams should last a lifetime. I for one will enjoy watching him fulfill them for the remainder of mine.
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Sad to say. I missed virtually the whole of the Olympics as I was looking forward to it. I watched part of one event and heard 'English' three times in the space of a minute and exercised my right to 'leave the room'.
Yes, it is OK to be English, and compete as English, but our broadcasters - surely - must bear in mind the sensitivities of all our great nation. We are not all English... and do find it a little offensive to be treated as such
No to Team GB. Technically inaccurate, but no doubt for some marketing reason...
Certainly, 'No' to one football team.
Can anyone say yet which events in 2012 will be based in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales?
Once again, English bias. Is this the start of '66 'and all that'?
Not for me. Thanks, but 'no thanks'...
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Christophe81 - Again: please mind your language (you will surely be cautioned soon by the BBC moderator). Also, FYI: I think you'll find that I'm not a drug trafficker; had no hand in Iraq; and was not around 300 years ago to trade in slaves. Grow up!
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I am always the first to criticize the BBC, if need be, but on this occasion I think they actually got it spot on!
To provide coverage for a massive event like the Olympics you have to cater for all the sports fans who want to see everything, as well as all the non-sports fans, who don't want every minute of TV dedicated to this one event, so I think that the BBC managed to balance this quite well, and as a sports fan I was left very well nourished with their coverage.
It did help having Interactive, which has revolutionised coverage of events like the Olympics for me.
The only nag would be that I wish the BBC had a later showing of the Games Today, i.e. around 11pm, which would provide courage for all the people who were staying up for the live nightly coverage.
Finally, all the people who say China's domination will ruin future Olympics are quite frankly being racist. It's ok for the USA to dominate, as has been the case in the last few Olympics, but if the Russians or Chinese dominate, the Olympics suddenly become boring? Guess it depends on what side your on. Absoloutely pathetic!
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bluecanaries, sorry, I forgot to mention David Davies, a great British player.
He threw water from his bottle to the body of a lady volunteer, who was trying to tell him the victory ceremony started and ask him to go to the podium for his silver, after several other volunteers failed to persuade him.
David was talking to the media when the ceremony had started. He felt interrupted so he shouted to the officials to shut up then threw bottle water to the lady who urged him for being late for the ceremony.
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bluecanaries, my point is that when you say something that should be at least based on some facts.
Stop talking about any stupid pure anti-Chinese messages.
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Old favourites such as Ping Pong?
**rolls eyes**
There are not many countries who could win the gold count in such an suspicious, manner.
Its hard to stomach them as 'winners' of the olympics when they succeded in only the 'small ball' portion of the games.
No truly athletic individual/team sports.
Last time i checked, GB didn't go through and see which obscure meaningless sports we could pour money and athletes into just for a medal count.
But i digress....happy I'm not stuck in China, with their pollution and human rights atrocities.
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Ref commrnt 65, I think if you had watched more of the excellent coverage then you would know that it was well worth a year's license fee on its own. Excellent presenters, especially Hazel, Claire, John and Jill.
Brilliant commentators, particularly Hugh (cycling) Gary (rowing) and Andy/Adrian (swimming).
Fantastic on the spot reporters - Rob Walker at the Yaughting was peerless.
Expert comments from Michael Johnson, Steve Redgrave and many others.
Thanks to the BBC for making the last two weeks so enjoyable. I feel truly sad for all the synics who seem not to have enjoyed these olympics as much as me and my wife.
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A few things,
I thought this was a great Olympics but that was predominantly down to the competitors. Many longstanding records went and this can only be applauded. British success was fantastic and any chants of elitism should be thought through. We are good at rowing and sailing because we are an island. Not everyone lives in the city and concentrates on the back page sports. Has anyone else notice that Britain only bothers with "transport" sports? Aside from the boxers we seem to have no depth in technical sports such as shooting and fencing. Its in these areas that the Chinese excelled at. Remember they barely won a thing in the swimming and athletics.
David Beckham has long been part of our bid for the Olympics and as one of our few global superstars deserves to be there. I'm not a fan of his sporting achievements but you have to remember he is from the East End of London. So if he's going to cause contraversy I'm not going to bother reading what will be written about the other local girl; Christine Ohnugru. As much as Bumbling Boris is a mess you have to remember that London voted for him to represent us. We had our choice and we made it. I thought our 8 minutes was fine. We are not China and we do not have their resources so why try to copy it and fail. We'll find our own British way.
Btw was that Chris Hoy on a fold up bike. If it was, it was bloody hilarious
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Yes - great coverage from the BBC. A real treat. Just one grey spot for me - the Blue Peter presenter who covered the gymnastics, and - as it turned out - the London event afterwards. He's just SO Blue Peter. Everything is "wonderful" "extraordinary" "superb" "unforgettable". I suspect he drinks hot milk before bedtime and wears a vest under his shirt.
makes me appreciate Richard Bacon on Five Live all the more!
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bluecanaries
I agree with you. I criticise much of what is happening in the UK but there is also much to praise and foremost, as you point out, is our freedom of speech without being censored or imprisoned, as long as it's in a civilised non-violent manner.
Christoph81
Whilst some comments against China and the Chinese have been over the top and possibly unjustified, your response has been uncouth. You have the right to reply and criticise, but must learn to do it in a civilised manner. Your approach only helps to foster bad feelings between peoples.
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I think we should stop arguing which is the best and making negative comments about China or other countries. Some countries are good at certain sports and this is the beauty of being different. Britain is good at water sports and Jamica is good at running events, just as I am good at painting but my husband is good at computer.
Can't we not appreciate the efforts people put in to train themselves for the game?
Appreciating each other's differences is a first sign of a civilised society which respects human rights.
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TO ALL OUR OLYMPIANS PAST AND PRESENT, I FOR ONE AM TRULY SORRY that you have been pushed aside. That Lord Coe, an honourable and worthy olympian himself should ever have agreed to that footballing celebrity Beckham getting such a high profile involvement in 2012 is a disgrace and does not bode well for the tone of our hosting the Games. He hasn't won anything, certainly not an Olympic medal and he doesn't even live in the United Kingdom let alone London.
His involvement and privilege at the Commonwealth Games was appalling and to say the least a snub and height of rudeness to all our competitors should have been a warning but NO . Shame on you 2012 organisors
Unless Beckham is going to cough up with some of the money GET HIM OUT and put in someone worthy and appropriate NOW PLEASE - RIGHT NOW PLEASE It could get worse and the Spice Girls (!) perform at the Opening. You have been warned.
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Well said ryychung. Perhaps yours should be the final comment on this blog (apart from this inevitable one).
Not sure who won the medals in the painting and computer events though. (Sorry, just joking). Bye
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Comment 83.
Agreed !
If I purchase a new TV in the next 4 years I shall insist it has a "Mute Hazel Irvine" button.
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What's wrong with "elitism"? I say bring it on!!! It won't be mediocrity, dumbing down, inclusiveness and amateurism that will make 2012 successful. It's the elite who will make us achieve in 2012 in the sports, the organisation and the ceremonial.
Congratulations to China who delivered on all three....
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10,708 Athletes....probably 5,000 less than there were Media-bots. Yet, they could not manage to ruin what has been an extremely enjoyable Games.
Granted, there were some tragically awful moments regards Officiating. As per normal, these occurred in them there 'Judged' events, like Boxing, Taekwondo, Diving - you know the sort.
It's a shame the IOC don't allow Presentation Sports nowadays, as I think a team of crack Canadian Seal-Cullers could enhance the BBC Sport coverage of 2012 - and indeed many of the big events prior - by being let loose to practice at Regent Street and Wood Lane. Too much drivel in these 'blogs.......but who am I to comment.
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First, to those who feel the BBC has done a poor job, you should be thankful. Those of us stuck with NBC are being told that the entire games are about Michael Phelps, women's gymnastics, beach volleyball, the US failures on the track, and, oh yes, the sudden importance of men's waterpolo. The only countries competing are China (bad) the US (heroic) and Jamaica (all those medals so suddenly without doping ?).
A big part of the enjoyment of watching the Olympics is seeing events that are otherwise not shown on television, and seeing competitors from many different nations. One of the best moments ever was seeing a Norwegian coach rapidly give an extra ski pole to a competing nation's skier who had broken hers, or, at the Commonwealth Games in NZ seeing a Northern Irish competitor receive his medal as the auditorium sang "Danny Boy" because the record player wasn't working. How would anyone watching NBC ever have realised that the UK and Australia have just had one of the greatest two nation duels of all time. What a rivalry.
If ever there were a prize for the best argument to require that the Olympics be broadcast without commercials by a public sector broadcaster with a public duty to serve, NBC must surely win the gold medal. If it were not for BBC and CBC online coverage, we would not be getting any real news about the games. You don't know how lucky you are.
Second, to the many posters who have noted an over-defensiveness in the postings of Chinese readers, you have a point, but perhaps only half a point. Like any great culture, Chinese culture is full of inconsistencies and contradictions. On one hand, a young man stands in front of a tank - and his friend pulls him away to safety. Thousands of volunteers provide earthquake relief. Thousands have volunteered to welcome foreigners and to make these games an outstanding success. They quite commendably show a justifiable national pride in doing so. Bravo to every one of them. On the other hand, there are signs of an insecure, xenophobic and authoritarian state with a sense of historic grievance, from the silly and somewhat quaint list of rules that remind men not to go shirtless in public, to the rather more troubling restrictions on public protests - are two grandmothers and an odd religion really a threat ? - to the outright pathetic, so desperate to win gold medals as to lie about the age of a 14 year old girl gymnast, or to the lip-synch issue, because the first girl wasn't pretty enough. (Is anyone else reminded of Leni Riefenstahl and the blond haired blue eyed aryans ?) Great nations have the self-confidence not to do that kind of thing. Great nations tolerate dissent because it brings out truth. (And before we get all self-righteous about this, Americans, and others, can be pretty prickly about criticism, too. Try running for office in the US as an atheist, or as being in favour of abortion, gun control, sustainable energy, anything to curb the power of the teachers unions, or anything to limit campaign funding or introduce non-partisan re-districting. We all have our sacred cows.) In some ways, China resembles Prussia 150 years ago. The wiser leaders saw that Germany would become the predominant power in Europe merely on the basis of economic strength. The younger, more foolish and jingoistic ones dropped the pilot in 1889. China is emerging from a period of comparative weakness. It is at turning point where it can choose to be a force for good in the world, or a force for evil. While outsiders may have some influence, ultimately the outcome is going to be determined by the Chinese themselves, and the answer may be ambiguous for a long time.
Third, to those consumed by medal counting, the Olympics are, and always have been, a glorified track meet with a swim meet and a regatta tacked on to the side, and all of it overlain by a layer of politics. Start with the Chinese fixation wiith Gold medals. Is anyone going seriously to suggest that a gold medal in synchronised diving, of all things, is in the same universe as a gold medal in the Marathon ? That a gold medal in air pistol (i.e., Red Rider BB gun) can be compared on any scale to the men's 100 m, or 4 x 100 m in track ? How ridiculous. More than a third of China's medals came in events that probably shouldn't be in the Olympics at all (Ping Pong ? Badminton ? Trampoline ? Rythmic Gymnastics ? Synchronised Swimming ? Shooting - where is the "faster, higher stronger", in that ?), and heavily in judging events. The judging events should probably be banned from the Olympics - boxing and figure skating are always farces, as all too frequently are diving, wrestling, judo, taekwondo, and so on. However, that would be unfair to many quite outstanding athletes: You can't fake the astonishing physical ability required to compete in pommel horse, or men's rings.
Here's hoping that they bring back standing broad jump, tug-of-war, unnderwater swimming and croquet; that the caber-toss, throwing the weight for height and horse archery are introduced; and that the pseudo-sports like beach volleyball, diving, trampoline and such like are someday turfed.
At the end of the day, in the events that count, China was almost invisible. Won the games ? Hardly.
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As always the question is .." how do you top that ?" Well we wont and whoever has the 2016 games will say..." how do we top that ?" Every games has its own personality so we shouldnt be looking to top it...just do our own thing.
We seem to think everyone's culture has more validity than our own...we're not all hoodies and knife crime. We have a lot of history and tons to offer. why dont we embrace that and show that we're proud to be British ( thats England,Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland...so the Aussies know !).
I for one cannot wait.
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For those who are complaining about BBC's coverage of the olympics truly do not understand what kind of coverage other superpowers provide around the world.
USA coverage is limited to maybe 5 sports, AUS coverage didn't realise that GB had got 5 gold medals prior to them saying GB won their first gold.
I have freinds all around the world and we all take great interest in the olympics.
None of them watch their national channels to watch the olympics but try and stream the BBC's coverage.
BBC is the worlds best provider when it comes to coverage of the olympics. Ofcs you can complain about the small things such as presenters and editing etc, but atleast we get a big variety in what we can watch. We get coverage not only of the GB events but also of otehr events which are important.
Seriously, people who critisize the BBC simply haven't experienced or dont know about how bad other countries' coverage compared to ours.
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cos they are really fancy bicycle's ;-)
top Olympics enjoyed every minute of it. I also like the London 12 - 8 minutes starter.. rock n rock, not to sure why DB was there tho
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92. Most of what you say is correct. China have won alot in the lesser sports but being BBC (British Born Chinese) in China all I can gauge from the locals is that they don't care. So long as China topped the medal table the sport didn't matter. If you've seen Womens volleyball you'd understand as the standard was terrible with far more mistakes then winners but everyone around me was cheering every mistake just as much. It's turned more into a straight fight between China USA then you will believe. I've lost count of the number of times I saw the American marksman leading in the last round only to hit a 4 and lose. That moment has been repeated many times over and been the source of humour for days at least in the media
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Comment 92: ... "At the end of the day, in the events that count, China was almost invisible. Won the games ? Hardly."
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China will never be successful in the more 'glamorous' events in your view - like 100/200 meter sprints and basketball - because China, if you haven't noticed, do not have any black athletes (whose bodies I think are biologically more suited to short explosive sprints).
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A superb games and all credit to the Great Britain Team! 4th place (and remember 4th was an over-ambitious target for 2012) is a great achievement and we almost overhauled the Russians.
I thought the BBC coverage was superb. I felt really grateful when I heard from my brother what the situation was in the US..he had to ring to find out the result of the 100m!? They hardly showed anything live and when they did it was the usual inward-looking US view..would the US have gone to town on Phelps had he been British? Would they have had a cardboard cut-out of him in their studio? Of course not. I think there's a reason why Michael Johnson does so much work for the BBC and it won't be just the money. I'd say he genuinely enjoys working for the BBC because he knows the coverage will be fair and that it won't just focus solely on the British athletes.
I simply can't imagine any other country showed as much coverage as the BBC did..it was pretty much constant..loads of different sports..of course not every sport was featured but was that possible? Apparently all three BBC channels are to be devoted to London 2012.
I think the standard of presenting commentating/analysing was excellent. Claire Balding is supreme. I love the fact how they are all desperate for GB to do well..that's what I want to hear from them..that they are like me..it was great to hear Sue Barker repeatedly shout "Come on Christine" during the 400m - it was exactly what I and millions of others were doing. Garry Herbert's commentary of the rowing coxless 4s was great..was it technically perfect? Probably not..but asking everyone to scream at the TV to roar home the boys and then coming out with the line "The British are coming!" ..twice..was brilliant!
Adrian Chiles was good and so was Hazel Irvine , though she did seem to make quite a few mistakes and telling everyone during the Opening Ceremony that Michael Phelps was in shot and talking about him for a good 20 seconds when it WASN'T him was quite cringeworthy.
I loved every minute of 2008. I hardly slept. I had made my schedule and I knew when every single British Athlete was competing. It's sad but I know there were loads of others like me..cheering on the Brits..screaming at the TV! I simply can't wait for 2012..to have the Olympics in my own backyard..wow..It will be a once in a lifetime experience to be able to go and see the Olympics in my own country. Roll on 2012!! :-)
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94-
Absolutely spot on. Like I said in my post (98), my brother was so peeved with the Olympics coverage in the US (remember they came 2nd in the medals!!??) that he has sworn never to watch an Olympics there again. For Olympics lovers or just general sport fans, you can't beat the BBC.
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Beijing turned out to be brilliant, after all that c**p. Not sure about London as a venue, one word - WEATHER!!! Still, it is better than oop north's and I wait to be pleasantly surprised. Not yet whatsoever.
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100 -
Did you see the weather in Beijing? Thunderstorms, torrential rain, events postponed, humidity..it wasn't perfect by any means.
In fact, the Sailing was quite poor actually and could have been very embarrassing had the wind not eventually come.
Of course, the weather may turn out to be a problem but let's hope we have a little bit of luck with regard to that. Anyway, it's not something we can control so one would have to be pretty churlish to use the weather as a determining factor of the standard of the Games.
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Firstly I think David Beckham was present at the handover ceremony because he is still an icon in the far east...i mean Jimmy Page is hardly known for his athletic prowess..its just a famous face thats all...helps sell the games.
Secondly , one of the more disappointing aspects has been the Australian attitude to GB winning a fair share of the medals. In the past when they had won more than us being Great Britain was never an issue suddenly we are a flag of convenience... please Australian people learn to win/lose with a modicum of decency.
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For all of you complaining about the BBC's coverage - just try following the Olympics in another country. Trust me you will all eat your words.
Whilst accepting that everyone has different tastes in presenters, I have to say that I thought the BBC did a great job and online/BBCi coverage in particular was brilliant, and so I was always able to catch up with stuff I missed, and was even able to watch the live feed at work (when no-one was looking!)
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I have spent the last sixteen days watching all the Olympics I can - sad as that may sound to some! I can honestly say that all BBC coverage has been superb and exciting and I really don't have a problem with the way the presenters may not be fully knowledgeable about the sports on which they are commentating, it has given me a chance to work it out for myself. Two things people out there may help me with.
1) Why is there one person in a volleyball team dressed in a different strip to the others? (captain maybe??)
2)What is that rag / towel the divers chuck off the platform / boards only to pick it up when they leave the water and towel themselves down? (Is it a chamois leather??)
Both opening and closing ceremonies suberb theatre albeit expensive theatre. How did they move all those props so quickly!! Must have given Health and Safety bods some headaches especially that tower at the end!!!
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The worst bit of presenting has to be Jake Humphrey giving the game away BEFORE we got to see Yelena Isinbayeva set a world record. One of the moments of the games, but Jake spoiled it by telling us beforehand what was going to happen.
What he actually said was that something special had happened in the woman's pole vault. There are only 2 special things that could happen in woman's pole vault. 1) Isinbayeva loses, which wasn't going to happen. 2) Isinbayeva sets a world record. All he had to say was that we were going back to see Isinbayeva attempt a world record, and then we could have watched it without knowing what was going to happen.
Apart from that ... an amazing Olympic games!
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@ 92, interestedforeigner..
"...events that probably shouldn't be in the Olympics at all (Ping Pong...
I think until you play high-level ping-pong, you can't really comment on the worthiness of the sport.
I recall one time I was visiting China, and in a local school, when I played against a young child of 8 years (who'd been playing since 3). The skill he showed in spinning the ball, and controlling play was a complete shock to me, and I've now got a huge amount of respect for the sport.
One could easily apply your argument to 100m sprint, which could also be classed as a skill-less, basic sport. "Just set off quick, and run as fast as you can". Obviously, it is not, but it shows that you can apply bias for/against a particular sport very easily.
You shouldn't be so quick to judge what is worthy based on such a biased opinion.
Bit of an off-topic ramble, but thought it was worth saying.
Well done China, anyways (both in medal count and in hosting the games), and good luck to Britain in 4 years time.
Sad to see the end of it!
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I have already criticised a number of presenters on a 606 forum but am not going to pass up an opportunity to do so again. Are there people out there that really, honestly, truly, think that Hazel Irvine has been anything but abysmal during these Olympic Games? She has been ruining sports coverage for years now (notably snooker) and she has added a big fat zero to the coverage of these games. Her jokes are uncomfortably UNfunny, I agree that she has no personality and don't find that she has any particular extensive knowledge about any one sport, therefore everything she says is surface-like and repetitive. She actually said to Michael Johnson the other day something along the lines of she knew he was as patriotic about the British athletes and she and the rest of the team were. I'm told there was an uncomfortable before MJ reminded her that he was an American. How thick.
Sue Barker? Terrible. She is bad enough at Wimbledon, doing a sport she has experience of, and why she has been covering athletics for these games (and the last) puzzles me. Again, repeats herself, asks Michael Johnson a question and just rephrases the question to Colin if Michael does give her the British-biased answer she wants. Whoever said she is not an intuitive interviewer was spot on. I also find that she can often ask questions and her follow up is completely unrelated to the response that was given.
John Inverdale? Let's just say I have had to stop watching Today at Wimbledon. I am told that this man actually, ACTUALLY, asked a British competitor (I forget which sport ) this question: "So when do you go to bed at night what do you think about?"
Adrian Chiles, Gabby Logan, Rashi Persaud (is that his name?) all just as bad. Some of these people cannot even string more than one sentence together coherently. Adrian Chiles has been given far too much airtime (what is that terrible show that he does with that Irish chick?).
Commentary I have no qualms about. Although when it comes to Paula Radcliffe, Steve Cram and Brendan Foster appear to lose their head. Maybe it's just me, but I don't associate bravery with finishing 23rd in marathon.
The coverage of the Olympics has been better on previous occasions. Because of the options available on BBCi, I feel that the coverage on terrestial television during this Olympics has been padded with a lot of inane chat between studio presenters and poolside or track side presenters, or more than enough repeats of Kelly Holmes' double gold wins, or following Rebecca Adlington around and asking her questions to which her initial response is always "definitely, definitely." I also don't see the point of showing 10 or 20 mins of handball or synchronised swimming (that sport has a creepy, eerie feeling about it). Surely this is just to tick a box to say "Yep, we've covered that sport."
And finally, the observation made about Boris Johnson having a "sinister interior" is utter genius.
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I am not known for my proof reading
*an uncomfortable silence*
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@ 104 radiantJoesoap
"2)What is that rag / towel the divers chuck off the platform"
I believe it's to dry themself down before they dive, so they can grab on to themselves to perform tight tucks/pikes without their hands slipping.
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I agree there are major problems in atheltics in the UK, I think partly because there are are too few kids interested in or participating in athletics.
Why doesn't the BBC in conjunction with UK sport advertise sports for kids to try during the olympics. Along the lines of 'if you wanna have a go at the Javelin call this number 0800.......' then have a series of sports days.
How else does athletics expect to cast the net wide enough? There are very few schools offering athletics and a myriad of other sports competing for attention of taelnted kids the remaining 4 years.
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107 -
"Commentary I have no qualms about. Although when it comes to Paula Radcliffe, Steve Cram and Brendan Foster appear to lose their head. Maybe it's just me, but I don't associate bravery with finishing 23rd in marathon."
Erm yeah it's just you..if you'd remembered to add the words "ON ONE LEG" to the end of your sentence then you would have got it. If you'd not forgotten to mention that she effectively broke her leg a few months before the race and then proceded to put herself through a gruelling regime just to get herself to the start line then you would have got it. I don't want to this to turn in another pro Rad contra Rad debate but I can't let baseless comments slide. She is the world's best marathon runner..she holds the world record by a country mile..she has won 7 of the 9 marathons she has taken part in and surely if you don't like the woman anyone with a heart must recognise how heartbreaking it must be for her that the two races she has lost happened to be the two she wants so so much. That is why she put herself through all that gruelling tarining after a STRESS FRACTURE just to give herself a chance of putting right what happened in Athens. Can you imagine what it must be like to know that you are the best and yet twice now, due to illness, injury, fate, she hasn't been able to prove that on the Olympic stage.
Blame the BBC if you think they fawn over her, blame the media if you tire of hearing about her but do not blame Radcliffe. I think she is an inspiration and if there is any justice then she will get her moment of glory in 2012..it's a long shot but then Sport can be like that.
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I don't want to rain on anybody's parade so to speak, but I saw a tv report that bothered me. I guess as part of the crackdown on smog, China closed down Beijing's building sites. All the workers have had an enforced unpaid lay-off. It made me wonder, how many people have had to suffer for this glitzy display of universal brotherhood through sport?
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First of all, its been an amazing couple of weeks - congratulations to China for staging such a memorable event, and congratulations to the fantastic GB team on their successes!
Being "between jobs" at present meant that I was lucky enough to see a lot of the BBC coverage, and I think the BBC did a fantastic job. The interactive digital service that gave up to 6 different sports simultaneously was terrific, and I ended up watching far more of sports like archery, rowing, diving and equestrian than I'd normally have been able to. I enjoyed most of the presenters too, particularly Clare Balding, John Inverdale and Hazel Irving, and I thought the experts co-commentating at many events were excellent. For example, the ones at the equestrian knew their stuff and explained much of what was happening. One was even an international dressage judge and her commentary was listening to the mind of a judge actually marking a round, that was really enlightening for a total horse beginner.
I've also enjoyed most of the blogs on the BBC website too. Lots of great reading, most of which I sent to my g/f in the USA to give her some wider and/or alternative viewpoints.
Maybe I'm just easy to please, I just think the BBC have done a terrific job providing lots of different coverage and interesting/thought provoking articles. You only have to read some of the comments on here to realise how good our coverage has been in comparison to that in many/most countries. Really, 6 different viewing options at any one time, particularly during week 1 was fantastic!
Finally, I must briefly comment on the Closing Ceremony. It was always going to be another huge, impeccably timed and visually stunning affair, and so it proved. The 8 minutes London had was always going to be overshadowed by what had preceded it. However, I'm not sure I really enjoyed the pop/celeb culture theme, but we'll see when we get to the real thing in 2012. But I DID totally cringe at Boris Johnson, he looked as out of place as a sumo wrestler on a BMX bike. He walked on the red carpet with his jacket untidily unbuttoned, and looked totally out of place on the podium with the other smartly attired suits. And he kept putting his hands in his jacket pockets, has no one ever told him NEVER to do that when wearing a suit? I'm sorry, I thought he made a sloppy impression compared to everyone else up there. Sure, the London "feel" will be different to Beijings, but that part was a professional, international handover ceremony and Boris looked like the average office-worker that they pulled in to take the place of the boss at an important meeting at the very last moment.
Anyway, thanks BBC, thanks China, and thanks Team GB. Others here can argue about whatever they hated about the Games and its coverage, I've really enjoyed the last 16 days glued to the TV!
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112
I would venture to say quite a few. Nothing was going to get in the way of Beijing making a statement. Its obsessiveness and defensiveness knew no bounds. London doesn't have that inferiority complex..we don't feel we need to make a statement..we have nothing to prove..so I hope our Games provides the soul and spontaneity that these superb Games was lacking.
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China should be well pleased with hosting the best Olympics ever. It will prove a hard cast for London to follow. As a Jamaican, I must also personnally extend my whole hearted gratitude to the people of China on the special warmth afforded our athletes particularly Usain Bolt who was offered some real home music to celebrate his 100m and 200m victories.
I wish London the best of luck in their preparation for the games. It concerns me just a little, who London will choose to be the face of the games. Will it be an elitist sportsperson or track and field athlete. The omens aren't looking too good already. David Beckham, led Zeppelin, Leona Lewis??? WOE do they have to do with the Olympics. It's already looking like a celeb showcase. That's not a good invitation to most smaller countries who care much less for celebs.
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Great Games. I think If I had to give Beijing marks out of 10 it will be a resounding 10/10.
London no matter how much they spend or organise cannot match this feat.
I must say the London mini show put on at the end WAS COMINCAL AND BORING to say the least.
It amazes me when ever another country is about to host a big event how the British love to make snide comments and going on about human rights violations etc. Britain is not exactly past or present perfect in their human rights violations.
Anyway in 2012 we shall see how London gets on. Apart from the huge financial possibilities I think the games will be ok nothing as spectacular or artistic as the Chinese. Well done Beijing.
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I cannot comment on BBC TV coverage of the Games since I a) missed the beginning; b) saw part from Scandinavia (and couldn't understand a word of the commentary); c) saw the latter part in France.
If you think BBC commentators are chauvistic, then you've seen and heard nothing till you've heard the French ! They even successfully managed to show French bronze medal winners without even bothering to tell us who had won the Gold/Silver.
That said, one of the pay channels had some English clown firing broadsides at the French in passable French (if you forget the accent) and ribbing them about their relatively poor performance. He got way with it by camping up his "Brit" role...
BTW the French are still bitter about not getting the 2012 Games, whereas they should be pleased, since it means that it is the British taxpayer that gets to foot the bill.
However, the whole world saw the same closing ceremony, the only difference being the commentators and I have to agree with those who thought the UK 8 minutes PITIFUL. I was conscious that as a race we had become pretty shallow but those 8 minutes hit an all-time low.
And what in hell was Boris J. doing with an ill-fitting suit (showing off his knock-knees - OK he can't help them but he could try to hide them), not bothering to button his jacket making him the only slob in a sea of smart dressers and putting his hands in his pockets (clearly he didn't know what else to do with them). He needs really some expert help to sort out his act before 2012.
I agree with those who cannot understand why DB was there either. One of the French commentators remarked that DB wanted it to be known that he had not been paid to turn up, had come at his own expense. To which his colleague replied "yes, but to the great delight of his sponsors, surely?" Which just about sums the whole thing up. DB has no personality and no charisma. Surely we can do better than that.
As to the "singer" and guitarist, they looked more like a karoake session than anything else to me. Who are those people?
I was also shocked by Seb Coe's comment in the press last week when he inimated that the UK Games would be known more for magical moments that any big UK exploits. 4 years in advance, he has already thrown in the towel ? Or is he already covering his proverbial?
May I politely suggest that, rather than trying to emulate the Chinese, we call on our history and traditions to produce a "classy" ceremony at start and end ? Wheel the Queen out, for example? Have a bit of pageantry. Doesn't have to cost a lot.
How about a horseguards parade ? The stuff the tourists come for?
At all costs, we have to avoid the tacky and facile as amply demonstrated by those gut-wrenching 8 minutes....
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116
With enthusiasm and positivity like yours, how could London possibly fail? I trust you will depart the country for two weeks and let everyone else enjoy the Olympics.
Everyone is fully aware that the Opening Ceremony in London will not be like that in Beijing. We won't have as much money to spend. The Chinese were hellbent on making a statement and money was no object. The designer of the ceremony said the West would never be able to produce such a ceremony because the people are of a different make-up, in that they are less likely to allow themselves to be treated as robots. Health and Safety? I'm sure the Chinese would look at you in a puzzled fashion if you asked them about it..it doesn't exist there..that's why those girls were allowed to stand around dancing for two hours even though they looked dead on the feet. In the West, people aren't allowed to stand on their feet for more than an hour and furthermore choreographers are not allowed to criticise..me thinks it was somehow slightly different in Beijing.
The Olympics in Beijing were superb but London can be just as good but in a different way. We're in a different position to China as we don't need to make a statement. The Games won't be about us but about the Athletes. I'm sure they will be well-organised too..they have to be..but if they are not as tightly organised as Beijing then that is no bad thing..like I said I hope London provides the soul, spontaneity and fun that these Olympics seemed to lack sometimes.
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This was a fantastic spectacle from beginning to end and I'm gonna miss it. Well done China, and roll on London. Well done BBC for great coverage...so much choice these days, and yes AC was a breath of fresh air. In fact they all did a great job. Magnificent stuff team GB you did us proud. Tom Daley for gold!
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One blogger claims to have heard the word "english" three times in a minute. I wonder which minute this was exactly. I can't remember the term being used at all after watching hours of coverage. The team itself was always referred to as British.
Another blogger tries to rubbish the BBC's coverage as a justification for a rant about the licence fee. If you want to criticise the BBC's sport coverage in this way you obviously haven't watched it. Take your rant elsewhere.
I thought all of the BBC's presenters did a very good job, with the exception of the commentary on the opening and closing ceremonies which I thought was banal and intrusive. I really like Adrian Chiles, but obviously not everyone agrees.
Whatever you think of the 8 minutes BTW Leona Lewis is internationally known and one of the best singers this country has produced in years. I know the bilious brigade want to criticise her along with everything else but grow up.
The BBC is a world leader in sports broadcasting setting a standard followed by many others, including Sky. I've been watching since 1964, and the BBC are to be congratulated for raising the bar once again.
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Oh save me from one more person telling me that Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian ever - if Chris Hoy had been allowed to ride the Kilometre and a 500m sprint and then they made a new event which was 4 laps Sprint, and then they said there was a 10 lap sprint - and lo and behold he had a greater number of events to compete in... guess what... I bet he would have got 8 Golds also.
I dont begrudge the great swimmer Mr Phelps is - Brilliant swimmig, way to go Dolphin Boy, but please, lets make it equal out there. Whilst swimming is great, surely the ability to compete in a wider number of events than any other sports puts you into a better position to achieve more golds than anyone else. Just a thought.
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Can I draw everyone's attention to this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/shooting/7566240.stm
I first heard about Matthew Emmons when I watched his wife win the first Gold of the games. In Athens four years ago he had the Gold in his hands..an unassailable lead you would think in shooting..but inexplicably he shot at the WRONG target and finished way out of the medals. He was so distraught that he understandably went for a few drinks that night..there he met a Czech shooter who later would become his wife. A lovely story.
Four years on, Katherina Emmons won the first Gold of the games. Matthew Emmons again had the Gold in his hands. However, the curse struck again and for some reason he only hit a 4.4 (He'd been hitting 9 and 10s throughout the final). He finished out of the medals.
The video is great in so many ways. Quite moving.
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By and large i think the BBC got it right with their coverage of the olympics. While i did not have access to the red button i was still able to follow the "real McHoy" on his track exploits.
I was really pleased to hear former athletes commenting on the action as this gave us noobs some insight into other sports.
What i did want to see was a wider coverage of sports and not just the "ones" that were favored by the BBC due to GB's presence there. Although if i had the red button i could have made that choice myself and switched over to something interesting.
I cry easily so i had my fair share of tears rolling down my face during the last two weeks and some of those moments will be with me forever.
I really hope that we do not screw up when it comes our turn to host the Olympics. With lots of recent events that highlight systemic and catastrophic breaches of trust and regulations we can only hope that the powers that be really get their act together and tighten the ship otherwise i really fear for the event.
The London 2012 logo is a joke and it looks like it was made by a 15 year old with a can of spraypaint. There were many examples to choose from when the decision was made but i would like to fire whoever did make the final decision.
Our 8 minutes in beijing were, to put it bluntly, a disgrace. If that is what we want the world to think of us then god help us. A wannabe popstar, an underachieving footballer and an ageing rocker are hardly a good cross-section of the british population.
Boris, button up that jacket as you look like a muppet out there.
God help us! No, i am not a pessimist but if we have people the likes of Gordon Brown running the show it is going to be a disaster.
Thank you athletes for these last two weeks and thank you BBC for making it so memorable for me.
Now we have to pressure the private sector for that 100 million of funding that is outstanding so the athletes can eat for the next 4 years.
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Only 2 things from me tonight.
1, very well organised olympics by the Chinese and a credit to them.
2, very poor decisions, especially in the boxing. There were definate leanings towards the chinese esp. in the gold medal fight today with Ken Egan from Ireland, even in Holland they dont know how the chinese fighter scored so much points and Ken so little.
I do hope the Chinese continue to get better but also dont hope that England get that same favoritism in 2012.
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I started watching the Olympics when i was 7 in 1992. My viewing experience has told me the greatest Olympics is always the "next one". There's no need to worry about whether London will "top" any previous games, I am sure it will be very successful its own right.
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At 3:40pm on 24 Aug 2008, velobella wrote:
'The Chinese seem to have put together a good show, but then, having spent ?20bn plus, they had no excuse not to. Shame they couldn't have spent some of that on their own people, half of whom don't even have clean drinking water.'
i saw a lot comments like this on this website and i just want to let you know some truth here.
china can afford this expense easily, coz it's not just the government or the Organization's effort,but more like a teamwork of all the chinese around the world.
this expense will not effect the total amount our government putting into those basic constructions at all. and also we all know it's not just our government's responsibility to make china a better home, but every single chinese should put in effort. that's why,besides our government,there are so many small local organizations(there are even some on facebook by chinese oversea students in uk) set up by ordinary chinese in city to help the poor area's people,especially the children's education.
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Eddie Butler is as always useless! He should stick to waht he professes to be good at that namely "objective rugby commentry!" (sic)
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Why does everyone keep moaning about our success being in 'elitist' sports. It is absolute rubbish! Every reasonably sized town has at a cycling club, and everywhere near a reasonably sized body of water has a rowing and a sailing club! I would be surprised if there are very many people in the UK who live more than a few miles away from a place where they can practice these so called 'elite' sports. It seems that people are just scared or cant be bothered to try something new, so they cop out and call it 'elitist'. Well, those people are welcome to their Premiership football!!
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ArmchairGenius "16"
"Overall medals won is probably a better indicator of overall sporting prowess for each country"
Congratulations you have just devalued the meaning of an olympics gold medal. Tell all of our athletes who have given up so much, and trained so hard, over the years to reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport that their gold medal means the same statistics wise as someone who is beaten twice to gain bronae. An Olympic Gold medal is treasured not just by the athletes but also by the country they represent and your assessment of its` value simply plays into the hands of the American media who will manipulate the figures any way it can to keep the good old U S A on top of the tree.
had the positions been reversed you can rest assured theres no way your calculation would be considered.
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You might feel it will be remembered for only those 2 sports people...but then you DO work for the BBC and therefore prefer to highlight other netions than your own......Afterall we ONLY pay your wages!!!(NOT by choice)!!..... For me as a Scot It will be remembered for the fact that it took a Scot to equal a 100 year old record for the amount of records won at a games by a Brit!! Well done SIR Chris Hoy!!
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Chris Hoy was just outstanding. As an Irishman i can only give full credit to him, he is only second to Phelps in his achievements in my books.
Pure class
Thanks for the memories
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Originally, I like many Americans, thought that our national coverage of the Olympics was bad. But then in 2004 I saw the BBC coverage, and spent time in Spain for their coverage (so bad I switched to Europort). And all I can say is that of the three/four, the NBC coverage was far and away the best.
Remember that the host country has the responsibility of covering every minute of every sport in the 16 days. The broadcast networks make the choice of what to air. So what we watched in the US was not what was broadcast in GB, or Australia for example.
We do have better commentators, most of ours are past US gold medalists, but we also have Canadian, Australian, British and T and T experts who have more knowledge in their sports than anyone in the US. Our commentators do deliver more "unbiased" commentary than both the BBC and Spain, but they do show their colours often. During 2004, while in Madrid, I didn't even know there was another country in the Olympics besides Spain, unless it was a team event!
I question whether the rivaly between two nations is a story in any other than those two nations. But we did hear about national rivalries. And, no, I don't sit around and just wait for the NBC broadcast. I watched the other channels for us - USA network, the Soccer channel the basketball channel. And I did see a lot of other sports besides just swimming, track, volleyball and gymnastics.
Would I like the broadcasters to do better? Heck yeah! I hate the sideline reporters, do they take stupid pills? The track and swimming ones were horrific! I would prefer to watch an hour of each day of all the "minor" sports, and what happened in the day, rather than every point of every volleyball game, beach and indoor, even when USA wasn't in it! I would like more diversity. I would really like to see more of the sports that are really only on display every four years during the Olympics. I also hate all the stupid "personal interest" stories. Everyone has a tragedy in their past that they are trying to overcome. As a former athlete and current coach. I "get it" when it comes to athletic achievement and I don't need/ or want the "fluff". Put it on the Biography channel.
I would also really really really like to watch the Olympics LIVE!!! My biggest complaint. And before you say, but I thought that's why we had to get up at ungodly hours to watch... No we didn't see it live. We watched Usain Bolt about 15 hours after he ran.
All that being said - I LOVE the OLYMPICS!!
I can't wait for 2010, and 2012. I lived in England and really loved the country and was really excited that GB won the bid. I look forward to seeing the countryside again, even if its only from my family room chair.
Well Done and congratulations on the fantastic success of your athletes in 2008!!!
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also i want to point out is sometime i feel some people in this contury get too much arrogance. i think it would be a development for you to be modest and learn from each other and try to understand there are different ways of living,thinking...plz respect other culture values and society systerms. understanding will be the first step for respect.
i respect our government's leaders,even there are still lots of probs needed to be solved out,at least i know they put everything they have for us and our country's future,they can't spend too much time with their families,they can't even have a real holiday, even in chinese new year while every family is together,they are bringing best wishes and encouragement to people's home in the poor areas.i think this is why sometime we feel a little bit nonsense when westners gave harsh criticises to our government.as they try their best to making big progress.china is a country with 1.3bn ppl and 56 folk nations, and i believe there is no other government could do better than them.
we welcome the honest criticises, but not like those free-tibet protesters who haven't even been to tibet:), nor those falungong supporters who have never been to china to see how much hurt they brought to our ordinary people(ie my grandfather).
at last, thanks for those who have been to our party:), and i wish london every success in olympic 2012!
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118
I think you should learn how to respect and appreciated the efforts that Chinese puts on this Olympic game.
My wife is one of girls who were dancing on the opening ceremony for 2 hours. I think one thing your kinds of arrogant British people could not understand is that, they were really happy to be part of the player. They were really happy to dance for two hours for welcoming athletics come from all over the world. We have passion and the Chinese is very friendly. This is part of the Chinese culture.
London should learn from Beijing?s volunteers and the organization. London will not as successful as Beijing Olympic Game unless you kinds of British could lower your arrogant head, and learn how to accept and respect different cultures. I have several very unhappy experiences in London just because it is very hard find an English man to point me out the way.
Good luck to London in 2012.
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Well done BBC
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Excellent coverage. Boris, you are an embarrassment and I have a feeling you will prove this, in style. However you fall well short of what Beckham does for this country. Sets all the examples I steer my kids away from. Coe u are a foll to choose him. beckham doesn't care. He will ake another £mmmmm. Is that what lifes about, don't think so. Sad reflection on our society
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Our 8 minutes were disappointing and lacked imagination and creativity. I hope the acoustics were better in the stadium because I could hardly hear Leona Lewis from our living room sofa (no bad thing some might say).
I cannot understand why so many people are worried about whether London can stage as good a Games as Beijing. Of course we can! It's not rocket science. I am at a loss to understand how China have spent £22 billion on the Olympics. That is an absurd and obscene amount of money to spend on the 16-day event and it surely was not necessary (especially as costs are supposed to be so low in China).
I am really looking forward to London 2012 and can't wait for the tickets to go on sale - will there be such a big demand that there will have to be a ballot like Wimbledon?
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>you will not have Chinese people dangling off light poles outside your national stadium
re 57: yeah but you 'could' if you wanted to.. you've missed the point.. frankly i'm glad this chinese ego trip is over
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I should say something?s about the 22 billion. This money is not only spent on a 16-days events, most of this money is spent on long term investment. Most of this money comes from the sponsor, not from the government.
We built a terminal 4 in Beijing international airport, which is bigger than the total of 5 Terminals in Heathrow. According to the increasing flight traffic in Beijing, this is worthwhile. We built two new subways in Beijing, and this could be very helpful for the city?s traffic.
We spent a lots of money on plants and help to improve the air quality, and indeed the air quality has great improvement compared two 5 years ago.
We built several new stadiums, and most of these stadiums are built in universities, and these will to encourage ordinary people to involve into taking sports as well as these universities.
We even have 30 million $ profit after paying 22 billion (10 billion was covered by soling the TV broadcast, and other parts are covered by tickets, and by selling Olympic related commodities) $ on those fundamental investment.
It is shame on some biasing western medics. They only focusing how much money we spent on the Olympic game, they never mention how we spend the money. Probably London has to find an excuse for its 2012 Olympic game.
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Eddie Butler's Games Review was superb and an excellent piece on TV. And as for the rights and wrongs of Beckham being there - he was part of the bid team for London 2012, and even went to Singapore to meet and greet the IOC prior to London being awarded the 2012 Games. He's been part of the London 2012 package, so what's wrong with him being used as the "global face" of London 2012?
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Firstly Beijing was a brilliant watch for 16 days, a wonderful olympics!
As to London spending less money that's a necessity; and not just for the Britissh taxpayer. Simply put the more expensive the games get the fewer countries that can afford to stage them, so restraining budgets is good for the hopeful future Olympic cities of 2016 and beyond.
on the beckham issue, he was there because he was a British sporting face who is well know in Asia and would ge a esponse from the crowd. Did ayone watch the party in London after the closing ceremony? The 2012 logo looked much better with a union flag backdrop and the Notting Hill carnival dancers in the finale gave a reminder that we can do big colourful events here.
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Well done Beijing for hosting a great event.
Its just a shame that people always see the negatives and focus on them.
First of all i thought the BBC did a good job of showing the games, of course its not perfect but nothing in life is.
For those of you who criticise the games, its a shame you weren't there. Or else you may see things differently.
All i can say from my experience is that the Chinese people contrary to popular belief is not under repression. They have the same rights as any ordinary person would have in London.
2 years ago I had throughly enjoyable trip to Shanghai. The people was hospitable, the food was fantastic and it really opened my eyes to see the amount of progress China has made in the last 20 years.
Obviously in any country there are deficiencies, and of course the same applies to China, however some of the comments been made have been very narrow minded to say the least. I am just glad not every decent British person out agree with this nonsense.
Anyway looking forward to London 2012.
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why do people continually make excuses for Beckham and all that he stands for? Is he really the best we can do? It won't matter to me because I love the Olympics and the Ethos, which thankfully is the opposite of the Beckham thing. Beckham wouldn't even understand it if you explained it to him but hey, he doesn't have to. All he needs is an agent.........
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well
first bbc's olympic cpverage is great
well done China in organising the game as well as for coming first
but for US if there is no phelps it would have come to second place
meantime the Russsia and thier allies (ukraine,belarus,georgia are the silent winners too)
as they togher won more medals next to china
well done in india too and this is a good start after long time hope will do much better in next olympics and more stars will rise
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The German Newspaper "Bild" has done a little piece as to why the games in London can be better..(rough translation)
5 things to look forward to:
1. No Censorship
GB is the land of press freedom. During the whole of the games certain websites were blocked in China, amongst which information on Tibet
2. Human rights will be considered
Demonstrators were arrested almost on a daily basis in China. GB is the home of human rights.
3. Full stadia and super atmosphere
The sport-mad British will watch everything (Wimbledon is a venue). And no-one sings as well in a stadium. In Beijing there were even empty seats at the closing ceremony
4. Everything live at the best viewing time
Beijing is 6 hours ahead, London 1 hour behind
5. Humour instead of perfection.
The opening and closing ceremonies in Beijing were almost spookily perfect. Whereas the British appeared yesterday with David Beckham, sexy Leona Lewis and Cult-Rocker Jimmy Page. Refreshingly relaxed.
Nice to see some support from other countries. Let's hope everyone in the UK can really get behind the Games and make it a success..it's awful when you get people moaning and whingeing..the doom-sayers..roll on 2012! I can't wait :-)
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I would like to thank the BBC for excellent coverage of a most remarkable event.
The BBC commentators at the swimming, cycling, rowing and boxing events were informed, committed but balanced in their coverage of the events.....fantastic reporting. The commentry on the basketball was a revelation as well.
2012...bring it on!! I volunteered 6-months ago and I can't wait.....amazing stuff from Beijing.
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Tommy, you have one of the best jobs in the World, and to be fair to you, you do it well.
Safe journey home.
Ade
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Wow the Olympics are over!! Atleast now i can get some proper sleep as the schedule of swimming finals in the early morning and athletics final in the afternoon has destroyed my sleeping routine!
Overall was a good games, i dont wanna get involved in this tibet business as it does not have much to do with the games, Phelps and Bolt set the games on fire!!
Athletics overall apart from the Jamicians was very poor. Team GB were pretty awful in track and field apart from Ohruguuuuu and the High Jumper.
GB Mens 100m was bad, 4 x 100 was pretty bad. What i do not want to happen is loads of money being thrown into events that we do not have a chance of winning and the british sprinters are not in the same league as Bolt, Powell and Gay. We should be concentrating on Events such as Weightlifting, Gymnastics, Swimming these are the places where GB can increase the amount of Golds we get. The BBC coverage was ok and the Web Coverage was very good.
Commentators were good, Michael johnson was pretty good and brought a bit of comedy especially watching his reactions to the 100m and 200m.
If GB will have around 500-600 athletes in 2012 we should atleast bring back 100 medals. do not think china will win as many as their squad will not be as big as 2008.
Will be interesting to see how the games are policed and also what security will be like as china is more peaceful than the streets of London!
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Thankyou to the BBC for the most comprehensive coverage of the Olympic Games ever. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Thought the presenters were excellent and their rotation kept things fresh. Being hypocritical, perhaps BMX and Volleyball were a little weak.
The Beijing Olympics made for great entertainment even if parts were all little choreographed. Perhaps a little too neat to be entirely genuine.
I expect London 2012 to be a much more honest interpretation of the Olympic vision. Sacrificing such perfection for a drop of humour and innovation. I can't wait.
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Also i feel the coverage in 2012 will be much better as everyone will be on digital by then and through interactive or the various other channels we can watch whatever contest that will be on.
Does anyone know at the moment which television stations will be showing the 2012 olympics in the UK? if not
Does anyone know when this will be decided?
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Tom you have provided us with yet more great articles over the past few weeks and I just wanted to say thanks and have a nice trip home.
Ben Dirs has aloso done a great job on the live text, must have been hectic at times..
Oh and put an extra top on when you come back to England it's a tad cold here atm..
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I?m very appreciated 142's opinion.some foreigners always criticise China although we have tried our best to better.I think some bad news from others , If you were in China,might you woud see thing differently.
And,in any country there are defect,and of course the same applies to China?I hope China can do better in the furure and your cirticism will help us a lot.I'm serious.
I'm a Project manager and work and live in Beijing .If you want to konw sth about China,please let me know.I'm glad to know you and talk with you.my MSN:jinjixue@263.net., and my email is jinjixue@126.com
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London will have tough act to follow in terms of the spectacle of the opening and closing ceremonies. Obviously London organizers will never be able to spend as much money or enlist the number of participants that Beijing organizers did. London will have to get creative. One certainly hopes that the London segment in the Beijing closing ceremonies is not indicative of things to come. Leona Lewis as a rock singer? And did they really fly Beckham all the way to China just to kick a ball? Amazing.
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Boats Sail On The Rivers
(1)
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky,
Are prettier far than these.
(2)
There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these.
-----by runescape gold
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great coverage of the Games, but why, when he visited the GB camp, did Gordon Brown seem to only point to and acknowledge the long list of Gold medallists and appear to ignore the equally important and victorious silver and bronze medal columns?
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Good blog Tom. I think your contributions have been of a far higher quality than most bloggers at these games.
One thing though. "First swimming gold since 1962"... If you can tell me where the Olympics were in 1962, I'll buy you beers for a week....
Only about 1460 days before the circus starts again.
3rd in the medal table beckons in 4 years time....
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We are very appreciate that many people
to concerned about CHINA AND CHINESE . PLS give the facts remarks and pls kown more about CHINA's culture if you don't understand something !
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I can only conclude that everyone making derogatory remarks about Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page is tone deaf. It is clear to anyone who listens that regardless of how she came to be where she is, Leona Lewis has one of the greatest singing voices of all time, whilst Mr Page is undoubtedly one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. The choice of pairing them together does indeed show off our culture and I think it was a bold move.
However, I too was baffled about the presence of David Beckham. Undoubtedly a great footballer and fashion icon, but perheps he should played a 40 yard curving ball to the feet of a running striker (somewhat harder for him to produce nowadays). Whilst the UK is still la world leading musical superpower, the same connot be said for football
Great Olympics, great coverage by the Beeb (I am a Chiles fan - but wanted more Inverdale).
Role on 2012!
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After seeing what a spectacular games china have provided I must say that the offering from England in the closing ceremony was a bit like an invite to the village fete!!
You never know we might have the egg and spoon race, the sack race and the three legged race all things that we are good at ? so that would be 3 gold?s in the bag for 2012!!
Come on London we can upstage China, it?s the Olympics your organising, not the local village fete!
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An excellent article with which I totally agree. What is all this nonsense about the BBC presenters and especially Adrian Chiles? I thought he and the other presenters were excellent, especially the way they linked with experts in the different sports. Perhaps some would prefer us to go back to the 'Mr Chumberley-Warner' commentators c1950s when of course regional, and particularly Brummie accents, were unacceptable. Well done to the BBC for its Olympics coverage - I will miss you.
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David Beckham was a perfectly logical person to have there. He's a London boy and a Global sporting superstar, especially in the far east.
Perhaps if people actually looked at the facts instead of falling over themselves in their haste to be cynical and sneering at UK efforts they might grasp that.
Won't hold my breath though.
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"David Beckham was a perfectly logical person to have there. He's a London boy and a Global sporting superstar, especially in the far east."
I disagree.
The 2012 Olympics are being held in "Team GB land". They are not the preserve of London.
David Beckham is primarily a celebrity icon. For me he epitomises much of what the Olympics movement should be seeking to avoid.
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Thanks China for a great Olympics and thanks to the GB team for a memorable one.
Thanks to the BBC for providing great coverage, the 'red button' is worn out.
A few things:
1. Sports where judges where involved have to improve. I felt in boxing and gymnastics particulary a lot of results were unjust.
2. Sporting Excellence. Insane Bolt and Phelps were amazing. You can add the GB cyclists to this list 8/18 of all cycling gold medals won is nothing short of staggering.
3. We beat the Aussies at something and we did it sitting down.
4. Cycling, rowing and sailing are not elitist. We put money into these events to succeed because we have strong athletes in these events. Other countries like Jamaica/Ethiopia could do the same but their athletes are traditionally stronger in Athletics and their experience and coaching will be in that area as well. If GB are to succeed in Althletics then we need to look at what the stronger athletic countries are doing.
5. London's '8 minutes of fame'. I did cringe a little. But then I found it quite funny and entertaining and quite realistic.
- London Bus trying to run over some cyclists.
- A huge queue at the bus stop.
- A girl stepping on people to get on a bus.
- Terrible shooting from an England footballer.
I hope we get it right for 2012.
As usual sports was the winner at these Olympics.
What was my 'punch the air' moment at the games, I think you might be surprised as it has nothing to do with anyone winning a medal.
When the offical announced that Sarah Stevenson in the Taekwondo was reinstated after a judging blunder.
Faith in the Olympics restored. Roll on 2012.
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Response to #129 1Wattje
"Congratulations you have just devalued the meaning of an olympics gold medal"
Not the point I was making. I wasn't saying, at an individual level, all medals are the same (how could they be). Rather that total medals won is a closer reflection of the sporting strength of a country as a whole. No way that a country that wins 2 gold medals and no others can claim to be better at sport than one that wins a solitary gold but dozens of silvers and bronzes.
And for the record, I DON'T think the medals table ought to be ranked according to total medals won. Like all professional sport, the Olympics is about individual triumphing against individual (or team against team), where first is everything and second is nothing.
I'm starting to get a little uneasy about the amount of bragging that's going on about the British performance too. Our medallists should quite rightly be celebrated, but remember at the end of the day they are individuals who just happen to belong to our nation. We ourselves did nothing to win any gold medals, so we have no right to boast about 'our' achievements.
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"The 2012 Olympics are being held in "Team GB land". They are not the preserve of London."
The 2012 Olympics are being held in London, which was the location chosen by Team GB Land when bidding for the games.
There is a difference.
David Beckham paid his own way to be involved in the ceremony when asked to be a part. I'm no superstar, but if someone had said to me, you represent London, i'd have gone.
The jealousy surrounding Beckham never ceases to amaze me.
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Everyone seems to think the BBC coverage was just the stuff on the telly. Radio 5 was exceptional as ever (with the noteworthy exception of Mr Smug Nicky Campbell, who never ceases to irritate), as was the online coverage. The addition of the live online content would have brilliant if only my work computer could handle that sort of workload.
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BBC coverage was excellent with the online content the radio the blogging the photos the ability unlike NBC to show the 100m's for example at the time not 23hrs later or showing all the athletes when NBC for example only showed Sanya Richards and didn't mention the two that passed her at all.Or the Australians showing swimming repeats when other races like the 800 Rebecca Adlington was on.Or Korea that apart from archery apparently didn't show a lot else.
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"The 2012 Olympics are being held in London, which was the location chosen by Team GB Land when bidding for the games"
rambon, if you consider Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Dorset, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham all to be in London then you're right.
"David Beckham paid his own way to be involved in the ceremony when asked to be a part."
.........and I bet his employers, sponsors, agents etc were in full agreement.
Do you honestly think that people who cringe at the Beckham name do so because they are jealous ??
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christophe81: I think David Davies learned from his coaches.
Read this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article4577785.ece
"Once he had recovered, he found himself being dragged away from media interviews by overzealous Chinese marshals. A scuffle broke out, in which Davies?s coach Kevin Renshaw, and Michael Scott, Britain?s performance director, shouted at the marshals to ?keep your hands off him ? do not touch him.? The female marshal then shouted at Davies, who broke off from being interviewed to say: ?Just shut up!? She did no such thing but before she knew it, Davies had splashed water in her face from the drinks bottle he was carrying. Scott joked: ?He was just shaking a champagne bottle, nothing more than that.? "
I think he should be disqualified for a medal.
This David Davies has become very famous in some Chinese forums. It bears a very bad image for British sports.
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Reading some of the comments above, I can just picture most of you people sitting in your million pound houses in Chiswick typing away actually believing the god awful tripe you are writing.
Comment #30 by BigChiefsittingdown angered me the most.
How dare you say that David Beckham has underperformed in his career and that he should not be put in the ceremony. HOW DARE YOU! The man has done more for charity than most of us dream to and inspired young people that anything can be acheived with hard work. Also he is from London and plays an 'olympic' sport. (Don't start on the drivell football shouldn't be an olympic sport- it was one of the first).
I can't believe the ignorance shown on this board by some. Rowing is an elitist sport, as is sailing and cycling at race level. You need a lot of money to do these things whereas sports such as football, rugby, swimming and running are not, which are the ones we are neglecting at grass roots levels.
If anyone starts talking about how little funding some olympic sports get- just check, I'm sure you'll see that they are much higher than you expect.
On a different matter I thought the BBC coverage was OK but it could have been a lot better. In terms of the presenters performance I thought Gabby was a little weak but at least she's easy on the eye. Chilo should stick to the footy, Barker was a simple choice but not the right one as the main anchor. Someone said that John Inverdale should have been- good shout I reckon.
Jake Humphreys- go back to CBBC mate, my nan could do better than you.
Clare Balding- good for the equestrian stuff but not for much else (which again is horrifically over funded).
Hazel Irvine- solid, but quite boring.
However the most annoying person on the BBC coverage has to be Leon Taylor- what a douche! I'm sorry but I know he won an olympic silver but he just a really annoying voice and the whole him and 'TD' thing got on my nerves so much. Way too much media coverage on a 14 year old. Please get rid of him for 2012, preferably at the same time as the logo as well.
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Oh also comment #167 randalthor1812 made me laugh so hard.
I suppose mate that your summer holiday in the two weeks consisted of catching some rays in Australia, sightseeing in the USA and taking in some culture in S.Korea and that you watched all the olympics from your hotel room. Yes mate, sure you did and I'm Chris Hoy.
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The BBC coverage could be better if they introduced the Chinese culture and history rather than keeping on talking about politics during the opening ceremony.
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It really is sad to see the games go, but with all the show of sportsmanship, talent effort, skill and courage displayed over the last two weeks, coupled with the fact that these athletes are still young and have a lot more Olympics left in them, I am sure that 2012 is worth the wait. Lets hope London makes it just as exciting a Beijing, as you can have fun even with a limited budget. If London doesn?t it wouldn?t be living within the spirit of the games, which has to do with a spectacular display of skill and talent. In London?s case a spectacular display of true British hospitality.
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Plenty of medals in the WMS - White Man Sports, all highly technical with expensive equipment and facilities. However, I seem to remember in the 1980s we actually had people who ran in the 800, 1500, 5000m competitions which had athletes from all over the world in the field; low tech, low expenditure and maximum participation.
After such a series of 'cheap' medals the other rich nations will take note and apply the lessons. There will therefore be far more competition in these sports in London but we are unlikely to see Seira Leone, Bagladesh, Costa Rica etc taking part.
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169 -
David Davies had just swum 10km!! 2 hours of swimming in difficult conditions..literally putting his body on the line for himself and to get his country a medal. After the swim he collapsed and needed quick medical attention. He had become delirious and his body wasn't reacting very well to what had happened. After about 10 minutes he groggily stepped out of the medical tent, still feeling slightly unwell, and he was giving interviews. During all of this an over-officious Chinese volunteer was telling him to stop, kept pulling at his arm..as the Medals had to be handed out..i mean god forbid it happened a couple of minutes later. Davies was understandably annoyed and told this very rude woman to stop..she didn't..so Davies threw something at her.
By the way, Davies had to stand about doing nothing for 5 minutes before the ceremony started.
I hope our volunteers in 2012 don't treat athletes like robots, especially those who have just put their bodies on line for 2 hours!!!
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to 175
why was he giving an interview if he wasn't feeling great?
the woman was just trying to do her job.
all the athletes that collect a medal has to stand around for 5 minutes. what makes Davies so special?
i've met some rude people in London, i just hope the volunteers for 2012 are polite.
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Mrmichaelh,
Just a few comments to David Davies here.
I don?t think it is justify for David to throw a bottle of water to a lady volunteer, just because she is try to persuade him to the podium for his Silver. This behavior is really rude and acts against the Olympic spirit. Every athlete should respect the efforts that volunteers have spent.
In fact, the victim volunteer was trying to tell him the victory ceremony started and ask him to go to the podium for his silver, after several other volunteers failed to persuade him because other medal winners were waiting for this poor guy. David shouted at the lady volunteer as ?SHUT UP? and then threw a bottle of water to that lady. I think anyone can make his own judgment about who is rude.
To be honest, I don?t think the volunteer in London 2018 could be as good as Beijing?s, regarding the frosty attitude of some of Londoners for answering the foreigner?s question in London streets. London 2018 should learn something from the volunteer in Beijing Olympic and how they organize the game.
Good luck to London 2018.
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176, 177
First of all the games are in 2012 not 2018. Secondly, it is still possible to give interviews if you're not feeling great so your point makes no sense whatsoever. Thirdly, you are absolutely wrong to suggest that other people were waiting for him. David Davies had to wait around for 5 minutes doing nothing..as did the other medallists..why was this woman so desperate to get him to stand around doing nothing for 5 minutes. Her behaviour was completely out of order and showed a real disregard for athletes who have just pushed their bodies to such an extent that they went delirious and collapsed after they had finished.
I trust London's volunteers will have more sporting know-how to deal with these situations and will realise that if a medal ceremony doesn't happen exactly when planned that it isn't the end of the world and no one will think any worse of you.
These Games were excellent, of that there is no doubt, but at times they lacked humanity. They were perversely perfect..I posted an article above from a German newspaper about why they are looking forward to London..humour instead of perfection..These Olympics were about Beijing and China sending a message..London is in the fortunate position of not having to do that..the London Olympics need to be about the athletes and the people..China invited the world to the Olympics but they also forgot to invite their own people.
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@175 Mrmichaelh,
Wow! That's the most ridiculous excuse.
Yes, he was exteremly tired. Yes, he was delirious. And keep being reminded you need to be somewhere on time didn't help. But I would never throw water at volunteer just because I am exhausted and annoyed at her (who, AGAIN, is doing her job to ensure he wouldn't be late!)
Soon you might start launching rubbish excuses on why Valodia Matos wasn't wrong for kicking the referee in the head. He was tired, he was injured, the penalty was too harsh, the referee stood too close to him etc!
or why one teenager stabbed another. He had a hard life, the victim might have made unpleasant gestures, he had a bad day etc!
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178.
I don't know how could you draw a conclusion that Davies had to wait 5 minus without nothing.
The truth is that other medal winner were waiting for Mr. Davies while several volunteers were failed to try to persuade him to receive his Silver medal. The lady volunteer was just perform her duty to ask Mr. Davies to receive his Silver medal.
Actually, Mr. Davies just told BBC he feel very well at that time. He was strong enough to feel nothing exhausted.
My point is that throw a bottle of water to a lady volunteer, it totally unacceptable, and is against the Olympic spirit!
My view is that he volunteer and the organizer is too polite and kind to handle this rude behavior. For me, I would like to say Mr. David should not qualified to get a Silver unless he could apologize for his rude behavior.
It amazes that you kinds of people regards his behavior as reasonable. Probably this is a kind of gentleman culture that you are so proud of.
Reciting the sentence said by Michael Scott about Davies behavior -- "He was just shaking a champagne bottle, nothing more than that."
Probably this is a kind of London humor as well.
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Dear Sirs,
Of course it is not a surprise that 8 British cyclists contribute to an amazing tally of 19 gold medals. Probably, a cycling Scotsman - Mr. Millar - paved the way to a golden British future at the Olympic games. Cycling is the most doping infested sport, and, therefore, you cannot be proud to win a single medal in such an event. If you have a closer look at the tally you wold see that on average the UK does not win more than 5 gold medals during the summer Olympics, sometimes just a single one (since 1972). Why this number has been increased by a factor of 4 can only have a single cause: massive state funded doping. There is no such thing as a clean cyclists or swimmers that win new Olympic records, 6 World records in swimming, or 7 Tour de France titles after suffering from cancer (which was most likely caused by steroid doping).
Regards,
Peter Goettig
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Completely agree with BigChiefSittingDown and the other bloggers who are somewhat embarassed/horrified/disappointed by the inclusion of David Beckham in the handover ceremony at the olympics. Personally I think it is insulting to true world class sportspeople to have him representing London/Britain. He hasn't won anything on the world stage, he has just been very good at celebrity and self promotion. He seems to pop up at any opportunity at these sort of high profile events. The only thing I can say in his defence for his inclusion is that he is really famous around the world, but I still find it cringeworthy. To me one of the most embarrassing things about being British is our mindless celeb obsessed culture and David Beckham is a representation of that. I really enjoyed the Olympics and found it completely absorbing. The medal winners and participants from Team GB represented another side of Britain that I am proud of, so it is a shame that to me the ending was marred by Beckham's inclusion.
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Congrats to the BBC and especially the red button because the presentation would have been great if it wasn't for the pairing of Chiles and Irvine - that said overall I was pleased with the way that the games were broadcast.
As for London 2012 GOOD LUCK - you're gonna need it especially with Boris in control of London Town
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I couldn't believe when David Beckham appeared. Wow! It really made me think how big the Olympics is. He's such a big star. It's so nice that he agreed to do it, and it was such an honour for all the comeptitors to see him there.
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Post 142 you must be living in a parallel universe if you are not aware what the Tibetan people have suffered from the 1950s until this time with no sign of any compassion or respect for their situation.
Confucious said "When you treat people with respect you will be respected..."
So, until the time the Tibetans are respected the world will only see the Olympics as window dressing - a pretty face behind which repressive policies are the reality.
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already said the British government will be investing heavily in the country's sporting talent in the build-up to 2012.
-----------------------------------------------
So I guess we can expect to see even less investment in research in the next few years. We've got our priorities all wrong.
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I can't believe it's all over. Just got back to Blighty, albeit without any clothes or underwear after Air China lost my bags. If anyone's got a spare pair of boardshorts, I'd be eternally grateful.
Rambon - I can only blame the tears I was blinking away. Disappointing scenes all the same.
Any suggestions on how we can fill the Olympic-sized hole in the forthcoming days? I might take up fencing, handball and the horizontal bar...
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Please can we stop using the term 'Team GB'. We are not American(although it appears like we want to be).Maybe Lord Coe and Moynaghan decided to 'touch base offline' during an 'ideas shower' and came up with 'Team GB'.Its like being back at the office
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Tom, thank you for your excellent coverage of the Beijing Olympics. The BBC's coverage is by far the best among all the British press. Farewell, bird's nest, adieu, water cube. The meaning of the Beijing Olympics to the Chinese will last long after the memories of the Games have faded. We'll all meet again in London 2012.
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I would like to say something about this comment:
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velobella wrote:
The Chinese seem to have put together a good show, but then, having spent ?20bn plus, they had no excuse not to. Shame they couldn't have spent some of that on their own people, half of whom don't even have clean drinking water.
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A total of 20bn have been spent in Beijing for this Olympic Games. Out of this amount, about 20% has been used for sports facilities, and 80% has been spent on underground transportation facilities, ground transportations (including double-deck buses), new airport terminals, environment, etc.
And the Water Cube is financed totally by oversea Chinese at a sum of about 100 m pounds.
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englishinhongkong wrote:
perhaps they should leave and live in China and see if they prefer it?
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As per Statistics 2003, there were 230,000 foreigners living in China, a small number compared to the number of foreigners visiting China that year (22,000,000).
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Few quick comments :
The volleyball player with the different shirt is the libero, a defensive player who plays to slightly different rules - it's a bit like the goalkeeper in football. Look it up on Wikipedia.
We've always been Great Britain at the Olympics - I guess that was our "common name" in pre-WWI times, and it makes for a more multilingual abbreviation than UK/RU/VK. And there's a bit more to it than that - Olympians from Northern Ireland can compete for Ireland if they wish.
Think it's a bit much to claim that Chinese people in the UK are repressed just because there wasn't one in the bus queue! There just aren't that many Chinese in the UK, they're only 0.42% of the UK population so if there had been 238 people in the presentation, 1 British Chinese would have been appropriate. In any case, I suspect it's more a question of whoever happens to be in an East End dance troupe, there won't have been much explicit selection of ethnicities.
I've commented on our presentation over on Matt's "roundup" blog at :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/08/beijing_over_and_out_follow_th.html
Suffice to say I thought it was OK - good film, OK bus, music was a car crash. You're pretty imited in what you can "say" in that kind of thing. The one thing you couldn't have had would have been participation by the British Army - just too politically sensitive given that they are currently in occupation in two IOC countries.
Yes it might have been nice to have the flag received by Daniel Craig dressed in a Savile Row suit - but then we don't put people in an Olympic ceremony just because they look good....
Anyway - the BBC coverage. Generally it was good - the multistreams make a great difference, and having them on the web was a bonus for those of us outside red button coverage. It was also noted that someone had obviously bought in a lot of extra bandwidth - the streams were more stable at that time of high demand than they are normally, so good work techies. And I suspect that few other broadcasters allowed you to watch a Honduran taekwondoist (?) on their main terrestrial channel!
Commentators/presenters :
Dan Topolski is the best by a very long way. Please note BBC - coaches can be a lot more effective than athletes, they're more used to noticing technical details, and in communicating them. Incidentally on the rowing - Gary Herbert made his call of "The British are coming!" about 250m out, but that was moved in the highlights over the final strokes.
I'm not a great fan of Barker and Irvine as "main" anchors, they're OK but a bit anodyne. And why do the BBC give us all these female anchors with just Jake Humphries as token eye candy from the other side? (who thinks that Czechoslovakia still exists, and that the men's eight isn't the blue riband of rowing) If the ratios were reversed people would be up in arms about the sexism of the BBC.
And yet none of the phalanx of women were deployed in one of the places that most needed a woman's touch, the mix zone at the rowing. John Inverdale is a great broadcaster, but he's a bloke and he's English and he just couldn't cope with one of the most emotional areas in the whole Games - look at his interview with the women's quad for instance. He should have been anchoring the thing back in the studio, perhaps as a main anchor in the 11-5pm slot replacing the Humphries + Barker role.
Chiles - is OK, would be better if he played it "straight" IMO; on his own he has less opportunity to play the clown. The boxing clip with Richie was good though - but more for the hard information than the jollity.
Steve Parry could be the discovery of the Games as long as he's trained up as a proper journalist-commentator - again, his humour is better used to soften a straight role rather than as a pure clown. But you could see him following a Sue Barker type progression. Anyone who's beaten Phelps at an Olympics gets my respect....
I thought the Aussie triathlete was very good, he really helped my understanding of the sport despite having seen some coverage of domestic events. Knew his stuff and could communicate it to the layman - more of him and people like him please.
I thought the ?Canadian commentary of the synchro swimming was quite good too - their passion for the sport was obvious, and that always makes for good broadcasting. Shame that the synchro swimming couldn't take advantage of some of the new cameras like the openwater swimming - those little boom cameras really drew you right in to the action, they were great. On the other hand, I can't help feeling that Sharron Davies has maybe lost some of that passion, she felt a bit jaded - or was it just a hangover?
Michael Johnson is good, but does slightly lose his train of thought sometimes. Colin Jackson is a curate's egg, he is great when he's talking technical, but he can be a bit bland and "nice" as a studio pundit. Perhaps he might be better on the commentary team? He could replace Brendan Foster, who is just descending into farce, he has to go. He's just too sycophantic, especially if there's a Geordie involved - it just symbolises the "softness" of British athletics.
Still, I can't wait until next time - let's hope the Beeb does even better with home team advantage.
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Usain Bolt was magnificent and we should not criticise Craig Pickering for not being at the same level as the world record holder. A previous blogger said he is half a second slower than Bolt. Half a second slower would have qualified him for the final. Pickering either was too eager or went on someone else's call. My guess is that is not his fault the GB 4*100 team failed to qualify, but the fault of the selectors/manager/coaches who faied to practice with the running order they went with in the heats. Let's not forget that the USA and 5 other teams got it badly wrong in the relay too. Success comes from successful practice, skill needs to be practiced to attain success.
Look to the strucures - more support at club level - more opportunities for coaches to work together and more opportunities to develop coaches. In the current structure Wilf Paish would not have been allowed to coach Tessa Sanderson and Mick Hill once they had been placed on teh talent ID programme. Others would have been appointed to oversee their training and may well have failed to achieve what Paish acheived.
Don't brush aside the coaches who have brought athletes to the level where they get noticed, encourage and develop those coaches alongside the athletes.
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China is so great. Olympic 2008 is a great success. I believe China will win more than 60 medals in 2012.
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