[Merged] Summer olympics are almost here! How will we do?

[cheapmeister]

So as you all know, the summer olympics are coming up soon. Are we expected to win any medals? Or are we going to get our butts kicked?

[stealth]

So as you all know, the summer olympics are coming up soon. Are we expected to win any medals? Or are we going to get our butts kicked?
Not well.
We don't have a chance against all the poor, motivated, hot climate countries.
Might have a chance at events like rowing, canoeing, kayak etc. that's about it though.
Blame Asian/southeast Asian Canadians...so many in this country, and the only major athlete they can come up with is Patrick Chan ;)

[45ED]

Two gold, one silver, three bronze.

And that is a 70% non-serious answer.

[cheapmeister]

Not well.
We don't have a chance against all the poor, motivated, hot climate countries.
Might have a chance at events like rowing, canoeing, kayak etc. that's about it though.
Blame Asian/southeast Asian Canadians...so many in this country, and the only major athlete they can come up with is Patrick Chan ;)

Yea you would at least think we would come up with some really good gymnastic athletes.

[Coz4k]

don't care

/thread.

[007craft]

I know were not superstars at the summer olympics but lets not sell ourselves short. Dont forget we won the winter olympics... even beating the Americans. While I doubt we will win these ones, we are a top teir country on the sporting stage.

[sandikosh]

Ping pong => zero medals
Diving => zero medals
Gymnastics => zero medals
Track & Field => zero medals
Err...what other events? Anyone?

[stealth]

Ping pong => zero medals
Diving => zero medals
Gymnastics => zero medals
Track & Field => zero medals
Err...what other events? Anyone?
Swimming, rowing, cycling
Lots of stuff most ppl never watch the other 3 years when there isn't a summer Olympics ;)
That's the problem with the Olympics...take out the flag waving and it's just a track meet where no one knows any of the competitors if they aren't somehow involved in the sport.

[jp06]

I'm guessing Canada has a chance at the usual: Archery, Horsejumping, Rowing, and Kayaking.

[wilsonlam97]

I'm guessing Canada has a chance at the usual: Archery, Horsejumping, Rowing, and Kayaking.

And I'll drink maple syrup while watching it eh.

[xlc_88]

I know were not superstars at the summer olympics but lets not sell ourselves short. Dont forget we won the winter olympics... even beating the Americans. While I doubt we will win these ones, we are a top teir country on the sporting stage.

The Americans won more medals but we won more gold medals.

Watching Canada perform in the summer olympics is painful.

[wilsonlam97]

The Americans won more medals but we won more gold medals.

Watching Canada perform in the summer olympics is painful.

Sad but true :(

[d0fuz]

We actually have one of the best female trampoline athletes. Medal in the last 3 olympics.


Ping pong => zero medals
Diving => zero medals
Gymnastics => zero medals
Track & Field => zero medals
Err...what other events? Anyone?

[Phoenix3434]

The games are just around the corner, and what do you guys think about the different games/sports that are part of it? Obviously, the iconic games like the 100m sprint are hugely important and popular. But what about arguably idiotic games like synchronized swimming or the "sport" where a bunch of girls throw up ribbons in the air and catch them? It just strikes me as odd when such ***** "sports" are part of the games and get equal weight for medals as the "real" sports. Even stranger is the fact that some of these "sports" are part of the games, when much more popular sports (e.g. cricket) are completely left out of the games.

What do you guys think?

[cheapmeister]

We actually have one of the best female trampoline athletes. Medal in the last 3 olympics.

I don't remember trampoline being an olympic sport, is it new?
Is bmx biking an official sport this year? How about skate boarding?
How about swimming? Do we have any athletes who can swim?
Any Ben Johnson hopefuls?

[Phoenix3434]

Isn't hockey part of the Olympics?

[jcon]

We actually have one of the best female trampoline athletes. Medal in the last 3 olympics.


I don't remember trampoline being an olympic sport, is it new?

Well this is at least the 4th time...

[cheapmeister]

Mainly, peeps that play cricket are in India and Sri Lanka. It would be dominated by those countries, thrown in with the UK and Australia. I don't even think India watches the olympics. I think they don't care about it because I remember when India hosted the commonwealth games. I watched it on sportsnet and NOBODY was in the stands watching the games! NOBODY! Stadiums and events were completely empty.

[BongoBong]

Personally equestrian is the worst for me. I am sure what they do is hard, but too much of it is based on the horse.

[cheapmeister]

Well this is at least the 4th time...

Its been a while since the last summer olympics!

[xlc_88]

I want to see if Yohan Blake can beat Usain Bolt.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/london2012/athletics/article/1219807--london-2012-yohan-blake-upsets-usain-bolt-runs-9-75-at-jamaican-olympic-trials

[flexwong]

The games are just around the corner, and what do you guys think about the different games/sports that are part of it? Obviously, the iconic games like the 100m sprint are hugely important and popular. But what about arguably idiotic games like synchronized swimming or the "sport" where a bunch of girls throw up ribbons in the air and catch them? It just strikes me as odd when such ***** "sports" are part of the games and get equal weight for medals as the "real" sports. Even stranger is the fact that some of these "sports" are part of the games, when much more popular sports (e.g. cricket) are completely left out of the games.

What do you guys think?

Are you talking about gymnastics? And the floor routines? Ever try to "throw ribbons in the air and catch them"? lol.

I actually find the Olympics really interesting, gives me a chance to watch sports that I never would (like gymnastics, canoeing, kayaking, rowing).

[flexwong]

Ping pong => zero medals
Diving => zero medals
Gymnastics => zero medals
Track & Field => zero medals
Err...what other events? Anyone?

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

Google Alexander Despatie. We also have decent shots at some of the track events, and I believe 1-2 gymnasts who aren't bad (trampoline). We have at least one decent swimmer who won a bronze in Beijing, we had another come a close fourth in swimming as well. We have a female gold medalist wrestler, a fantastic rowing team, Adam Van Koverden, a kayaker with 3 olympic medals, and Simon Whitfield, a former Triathalon gold medalist in the olympics.

I actually think we'll do a brilliant job. The "Own the Podium" program has worked well, just look at the results from Vancouver. Yes, we're naturally better at the Winter games than the Summer ones, but we have some great athletes competing and I think we'll do better than we did in Beijing, which was already a pretty good result. Don't sell our athletes short.

[appleb]

It's all about TV ratings. If people will watch it, they will host it.

Ballroom dancing.

[stealth]

Isn't hockey part of the Olympics?
Yes, of course. I have some tickets for the Gold medal hockey game in London I will sell you really cheap, I will even get them autographed by Sidney Cosby.
Pm me.

[manmanny]

So as you all know, the summer olympics are coming up soon. Are we expected to win any medals? Or are we going to get our butts kicked?

I hope they do better but don't think they will do.

[Muney]

You'd think with all the Asians living in Vancouver we'd be able to send some good Ping Pong players over.

[BongoBong]

Yes, of course. I have some tickets for the Gold medal hockey game in London I will sell you really cheap, I will even get them autographed by Sidney Cosby.
Pm me.

lol funny thing is, there will be a hockey gold medal at the 2012 summer olympics. What we call field hockey is just called hockey for the summer olympics, and our hockey is called ice hockey.

http://www.olympic.org/hockey

I remember during the opening ceremony one year some flag bearer was listed as being a hockey player, which confused the hell out of me. Turns out it was a field hockey player. That was also the day I learned that men played field hockey.

[flashy_mcflash]

Mainly, peeps that play cricket are in India and Sri Lanka. It would be dominated by those countries, thrown in with the UK and Australia. I don't even think India watches the olympics. I think they don't care about it because I remember when India hosted the commonwealth games. I watched it on sportsnet and NOBODY was in the stands watching the games! NOBODY! Stadiums and events were completely empty.

Wrong. England, South Africa, and many West Indian countries are huge for cricket. Basically anywhere with a high population of English people.

[BongoBong]

Doesn't cricket at a high level have super long games? As in they can take multiple days? If that's the case that could be a huge reason cricket wouldn't make the olympics.

[rsasp]

Not well.
We don't have a chance against all the poor, motivated, hot climate countries.
Might have a chance at events like rowing, canoeing, kayak etc. that's about it though.
Blame Asian/southeast Asian Canadians...so many in this country, and the only major athlete they can come up with is Patrick Chan ;)

+1

Unfortunately, Canadians are not too good at summer sports.

[xlc_88]

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

Google Alexander Despatie. We also have decent shots at some of the track events, and I believe 1-2 gymnasts who aren't bad (trampoline). We have at least one decent swimmer who won a bronze in Beijing, we had another come a close fourth in swimming as well. We have a female gold medalist wrestler, a fantastic rowing team, Adam Van Koverden, a kayaker with 3 olympic medals, and Simon Whitfield, a former Triathalon gold medalist in the olympics.

I actually think we'll do a brilliant job. The "Own the Podium" program has worked well, just look at the results from Vancouver. Yes, we're naturally better at the Winter games than the Summer ones, but we have some great athletes competing and I think we'll do better than we did in Beijing, which was already a pretty good result. Don't sell our athletes short.

If you haven't heard, Despatie recently had a head injury so I'm not sure how that will affect him.

Own the Podium is a great program. Funding for our athletes is severly lacking when compared to other developed countries. Sometimes I believe Canadians are hypocrites...they expect our athletes to do well but complain when the government increases funding for them. I really do appreciate our athletes... many of them juggle their education/jobs with their training. I commend them because a lot of people probably can't even do what they do on a daily basis.

[Madchester]

I want to see if Yohan Blake can beat Usain Bolt.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/london2012/athletics/article/1219807--london-2012-yohan-blake-upsets-usain-bolt-runs-9-75-at-jamaican-olympic-trials

I can't figure out if Bolt was rope-a-doping Blake at the recent Jamaican Olympic trials. Bolt was in much better form the last Olympics - he set a world record (9.72) at a New York track meet that summer before setting his 9.69 in Beijing.

The Men's 100 field is stacked this yr: Bolt, Gay, Powell, Gatlin, and Blake have all run 9.80 or under

[Swarez99]

Mainly, peeps that play cricket are in India and Sri Lanka. It would be dominated by those countries, thrown in with the UK and Australia. I don't even think India watches the olympics. I think they don't care about it because I remember when India hosted the commonwealth games. I watched it on sportsnet and NOBODY was in the stands watching the games! NOBODY! Stadiums and events were completely empty.

What you think it's gonna be much better when it's in Toronto in a few years :p

[appleb]

What you think it's gonna be much better when it's in Toronto in a few years :p

It depends how many tickets end up in the RFD freebies forum.

[xlc_88]

What you think it's gonna be much better when it's in Toronto in a few years :p

We're getting the Pan American games, not the Commonwealth games. India won more gold medals (and total!) than Canada in the 2010 Commonwealth games.

[sandikosh]

Doesn't cricket at a high level have super long games? As in they can take multiple days? If that's the case that could be a huge reason cricket wouldn't make the olympics.

For almost a decade 20/20 cricket has become highly popular. These games take about 4 hours to complete. The problem with cricket in the olympics, are the huge grounds, which are much larger than baseball fields, to play the games. No non playing country would want to invest in stadiums to play a sport that is not played in that country.

[Hairball]

Do any of us really remember amazing moments like these ones from the 1996 Summer Olympics?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z64K8kznYs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyzEkg7vdk

[BongoBong]

Do any of us really remember amazing moments like these ones from the 1996 Summer Olympics?


Yup

[kingkao]

OK. The medal totals for Canada for Beijing 2008.
3 Gold, 9 Silver, 6 Bronze.
Not as bad as people think, but that puts Canada as 19th overall in medal totals.
It is pretty disappointing, thinking that Canada is a top country, but not at all that shocking.
It is also kind of sad when you think that China had 100 medals total, compared to Canada 18.

But the Summer Olympics always brings some great Canadian moments.
Hopefully Canada just improves on that number.
There is a lot of hype on Ryder since his win on biking. Should be an interesting story.

[megalison]

So much ignorance in this thread. It's becoming a bit sad...

I know some of you don't have the Canadian spirit but at least do a quick google search before making stuff up.

[megalison]

OK. The medal totals for Canada for Beijing 2008.
3 Gold, 9 Silver, 6 Bronze.
Not as bad as people think, but that puts Canada as 19th overall in medal totals.
It is pretty disappointing, thinking that Canada is a top country, but not at all that shocking.
It is also kind of sad when you think that China had 100 medals total, compared to Canada 18.

But the Summer Olympics always brings some great Canadian moments.
Hopefully Canada just improves on that number.
There is a lot of hype on Ryder since his win on biking. Should be an interesting story.

True, but China also has way more than 5 times our amount of people.

I can't say for sure, but I'm willing to guess that their athletes also train full time whereas most Canadians have to juggle a job with their sport.

I think a better comparison would be Australia, which has a smaller population than Canada but produced 46 medals in Beijing.

[kiasu]

Ping pong => zero medals
Diving => zero medals
Gymnastics => zero medals
Track & Field => zero medals
Err...what other events? Anyone?

Badminton => definately zero medals
Tennis => zero medals
football => definately zero medals

[kiasu]

We're getting the Pan American games, not the Commonwealth games. India won more gold medals (and total!) than Canada in the 2010 Commonwealth games.

Pan American games? LOL...Who cares about that games as no body knows about that except that few countries? I was LOL at Rob Ford when he came out and gave a speech the other day...."hello...that's not Olympic and no body cares about Pan AM games no matter how good your speech is..."

[stealth]

If you haven't heard, Despatie recently had a head injury so I'm not sure how that will affect him.

Own the Podium is a great program. Funding for our athletes is severly lacking when compared to other developed countries. Sometimes I believe Canadians are hypocrites...they expect our athletes to do well but complain when the government increases funding for them. I really do appreciate our athletes... many of them juggle their education/jobs with their training. I commend them because a lot of people probably can't even do what they do on a daily basis.

I don't know that its hypocrisy...it's more of a chicken or the egg conundrum....athletes say they need more money in order to be competitive...Canadians are saying you need to give me something to believe in (some sort of promise) that my money will actually yield results. Neither is right or wrong. Athletes are too far off from being competitive to make a case for money, and Canadians don't show much interest in Olympic type amateur sports.

[rsasp]

So much ignorance in this thread. It's becoming a bit sad...

I know some of you don't have the Canadian spirit but at least do a quick google search before making stuff up.

Well, it may be true, perhaps you should enlighten us a bit?

[Junigenmukyoku]

I didn't even know about the Olympics until my brother told me about it last week. lol I used to be into all the Olympics, but now not so much. I think I will watch the opening and closing ceremonies and maybe follow some of the events I like.

As for Canada, I don't think we have enough talented athletes to do well in the summer Olympics.

[kingkao]

True, but China also has way more than 5 times our amount of people.

I can't say for sure, but I'm willing to guess that their athletes also train full time whereas most Canadians have to juggle a job with their sport.

I think a better comparison would be Australia, which has a smaller population than Canada but produced 46 medals in Beijing.

Yes, China's athletes train full time and from when they are very young. Watch a documentary on how they train for gymnastics from a very young age. It is scary.

[xlc_88]

I don't know that its hypocrisy...it's more of a chicken or the egg conundrum....athletes say they need more money in order to be competitive...Canadians are saying you need to give me something to believe in (some sort of promise) that my money will actually yield results. Neither is right or wrong. Athletes are too far off from being competitive to make a case for money, and Canadians don't show much interest in Olympic type amateur sports.

Maybe so, but the results from Own the Podium were evident in Vancouver. And I disagree, I've felt so much Canadian pride when I watched the 2010 Olympics. I think after Vancouver, Canadians probably do expect our amateur athletes to do better in London. The only complaint I had after Vancouver was I felt the athletes could have done more to harness the pride Canadians felt.

[flexwong]

So much ignorance in this thread. It's becoming a bit sad...

I know some of you don't have the Canadian spirit but at least do a quick google search before making stuff up.

+1


Badminton => definately zero medals
Tennis => zero medals
football => definately zero medals

Have you heard of Daniel Nestor? The gold medalist in men's double from 2000?

[flexwong]

Well, it may be true, perhaps you should enlighten us a bit?

It's when people make comments like "Canada won't win a medal in these sports" that drives me insane. The fact is, we've won medals in so many of these sports and people are just too ignorant to bother looking up Canada's record.

[Hairball]

Maybe so, but the results from Own the Podium were evident in Vancouver. And I disagree, I've felt so much Canadian pride when I watched the 2010 Olympics. I think after Vancouver, Canadians probably do expect our amateur athletes to do better in London. The only complaint I had after Vancouver was I felt the athletes could have done more to harness the pride Canadians felt.

I agree, considering how well we did in Vancouver, the increased investment and direction in athletics is paying off. But winter sports are relatively easier to compete in because of our climate and tradition, but summer sports are far more competitive, it will be a lot harder to garner good results. But we'll see how it turns out soon! The Vancouver Olympics were pretty amazing, it was great to see everyone in the country so into it.

[flexwong]

If you haven't heard, Despatie recently had a head injury so I'm not sure how that will affect him.

Own the Podium is a great program. Funding for our athletes is severly lacking when compared to other developed countries. Sometimes I believe Canadians are hypocrites...they expect our athletes to do well but complain when the government increases funding for them. I really do appreciate our athletes... many of them juggle their education/jobs with their training. I commend them because a lot of people probably can't even do what they do on a daily basis.

Yes, I'm aware of Despatie's head injury. Sure, it might affect him, but he will still be one of the favourites to win a medal for Canada in London. My point remains: just because people haven't heard of these athletes before, doesn't mean we don't have a chance to win a medal. It's stupid to say that we'll win zero medals in a sport where we have one of the best in the world (like diving).

[Phoenix3434]

Are you talking about gymnastics? And the floor routines? Ever try to "throw ribbons in the air and catch them"? lol.


I am not sure if I saw that as part of gymnastics or as a stand alone routine. All I remember was I saw a bunch of girls dancing together throwing ribbons into the air and catching them while prancing around in bathing suit type outfits. Isn't gymnastics a solo thing? Either way, it was a ridiculous sight.

Also, I hear they give medals out to a bunch of people dancing in water. Synchronized swimming is it?

It's an insult, truly an insult, that such "sports" have the same importance as the 100m. Awful. It's like "hey lets make up this ***** game and see which "country" is best at it!". I wonder if most countries even practise these nonsense sports.

Also, while they have all these idiotic games, the world's SECOND most popular game (cricket - soccer/football is #1) is not in the olympics. I think someone asked about the length of the game. They have a version of the game that only takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to finish - 20/20 it's called.

[D-Roc]

I am not sure if I saw that as part of gymnastics or as a stand alone routine. All I remember was I saw a bunch of girls dancing together throwing ribbons into the air and catching them while prancing around in bathing suit type outfits. Isn't gymnastics a solo thing? Either way, it was a ridiculous sight.

Also, I hear they give medals out to a bunch of people dancing in water. Synchronized swimming is it?

It's an insult, truly an insult, that such "sports" have the same importance as the 100m. Awful. It's like "hey lets make up this ***** game and see which "country" is best at it!". I wonder if most countries even practise these nonsense sports.

Also, while they have all these idiotic games, the world's SECOND most popular game (cricket - soccer/football is #1) is not in the olympics. I think someone asked about the length of the game. They have a version of the game that only takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to finish - 20/20 it's called.


This is just such an ignorant post. If you think those other sports that you described as "nonsense sports" then I would challenge you to try them yourself and you would see how much strength and training it takes for each of them. It is fine to not like a particular event/sport, but you have to show respect to those who are a part of them.

Many people do not like Crickket and think it is a stupid "sport" and may not even consider it a sport at all (just like yourself). I personally think cricket would not be a good fit for the Olympics.

[kingkao]

I am not sure if I saw that as part of gymnastics or as a stand alone routine. All I remember was I saw a bunch of girls dancing together throwing ribbons into the air and catching them while prancing around in bathing suit type outfits. Isn't gymnastics a solo thing? Either way, it was a ridiculous sight.

Also, I hear they give medals out to a bunch of people dancing in water. Synchronized swimming is it?

It's an insult, truly an insult, that such "sports" have the same importance as the 100m. Awful. It's like "hey lets make up this ***** game and see which "country" is best at it!". I wonder if most countries even practise these nonsense sports.

Also, while they have all these idiotic games, the world's SECOND most popular game (cricket - soccer/football is #1) is not in the olympics. I think someone asked about the length of the game. They have a version of the game that only takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to finish - 20/20 it's called.

Yikes. So many things wrong with this post. I am almost certain that floor gymnast train a lot harder than the people running 100m. Floor exercise is not only the ribbon, but also includes a variety of ... somewhat random items ... but involve different skill. Aren't a lot of games pretty "random" though. Why is basketball throwing a round ball into a hoop and involves this random act of dribbling???

[stealth]

+1



Have you heard of Daniel Nestor? The gold medalist in men's double from 2000?
Perhaps the poster you're quoting, thought we were talking about this years Olympics, not one from 12 years ago ;)
What are Donovan Baileys chances this year?;)

[Madchester]

Also, I hear they give medals out to a bunch of people dancing in water. Synchronized swimming is it?

It's an insult, truly an insult, that such "sports" have the same importance as the 100m. Awful. It's like "hey lets make up this ***** game and see which "country" is best at it!". I wonder if most countries even practise these nonsense sports.


I think there was an episode of Rick Mercer Report where Rick was struggling to keep up with our synchro swimmers.

EDIT: Here it is:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBO3TBRmdOM

[BongoBong]

Perhaps the poster you're quoting, thought we were talking about this years Olympics, not one from 12 years ago ;)
What are Donovan Baileys chances this year?;)

considering nestor still plays and is ranked number 1 in the world right now for doubles, I would say a decent chance at medalling. That said I don't think he did that well in wimbledon this year which isn't a good sign.

[Madchester]

Flag-bearer (it's Simon Whitfield) unveiling livestream:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/video/live/#id=2223396155

[appleb]

Personally I believe only events that measure an individual's performance (time to run X, lifting X amount of weight, jumping X distance, etc) should be an olympic event.

Something like baseball... I could be a legit olympic grade baseball player, but theoretically strike out every time at bat and never touch the ball while I'm in the outfield... and I could still earn a gold medal just because I am part of the winning team. Or even a benchwarmer on the NBA dream team.

[flexwong]

Perhaps the poster you're quoting, thought we were talking about this years Olympics, not one from 12 years ago ;)
What are Donovan Baileys chances this year?;)

Won the French Open this year, won Wimbledon last year, ranked #1 in the world in doubles right now... Don't know about you, but that still sounds pretty damn good ;)

[wszeto28]

15 medals for Canada - 3 gold 6 silvers 6 bronze. You read it here first!!!

[xlc_88]

I think there was an episode of Rick Mercer Report where Rick was struggling to keep up with our synchro swimmers.

EDIT: Here it is:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBO3TBRmdOM

This one is my favourite. Makes me LOL everytime. Watch till the end! :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h1owRE5wLU

[cheapmeister]

Also, while they have all these idiotic games, the world's SECOND most popular game (cricket - soccer/football is #1) is not in the olympics. I think someone asked about the length of the game. They have a version of the game that only takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to finish - 20/20 it's called.


What is so great about cricket? It ain't so highly skilled as you might think. The bat is huge and looks like a boat paddle. The bowlers also bounce the ball off the pitch. Baseball is much more highly skilled, when it comes to batting. The bat is narrow and it takes skill to hit the ball. Pitching is also done at a higher skill level since the ball has to pass thru the strike zone in the air, not bouncing it off the turf which is much easier.

[Madchester]

Also, while they have all these idiotic games, the world's SECOND most popular game (cricket - soccer/football is #1) is not in the olympics. I think someone asked about the length of the game. They have a version of the game that only takes about 2 1/2 - 3 hrs to finish - 20/20 it's called.

For the Summer Olympics, it's based on how many countries widely play the sport - not by sheer number of participants. The standard is wide participation in 75 countries across 4 continents to be considered on the Summer Olympic program. That's why baseball and softball got scrapped for London 2012... and its highly unlikely for them to return in the near future.

[JustBob]

Cricket? What's next? Mahjong because 800,000 Chinese play it? :)

[stealth]

Won the French Open this year, won Wimbledon last year, ranked #1 in the world in doubles right now... Don't know about you, but that still sounds pretty damn good ;)

Ohhhh..men's doubles...right below women's singles in terms how much ppl care...very impressive:)
Face it , if he was any good, he'd be competing in Mens Singles....you know, the big league.

[Phoenix3434]

Many people do not like Crickket and think it is a stupid "sport" and may not even consider it a sport at all (just like yourself). I personally think cricket would not be a good fit for the Olympics.

It's the second most popular game in the world.


For the Summer Olympics, it's based on how many countries widely play the sport - not by sheer number of participants. The standard is wide participation in 75 countries across 4 continents to be considered on the Summer Olympic program. That's why baseball and softball got scrapped for London 2012... and its highly unlikely for them to return in the near future.

So there are 75 countries that play ice hockey at a high level? For every mediocre country that you bring up, I could probably name a country that has a cricket team in the same capacity. Immigrants that play cricket - British, Indian, Caribbean, etc. are all over the world. Probably 95% of countries out there probably have cricket clubs in some capacity or the other. Certainly to match the capacity you will mention for ice hockey.


What is so great about cricket? It ain't so highly skilled as you might think. The bat is huge and looks like a boat paddle. The bowlers also bounce the ball off the pitch. Baseball is much more highly skilled, when it comes to batting. The bat is narrow and it takes skill to hit the ball. Pitching is also done at a higher skill level since the ball has to pass thru the strike zone in the air, not bouncing it off the turf which is much easier.

Baseball is pretty one dimensional in that you just have to predict the movement of the ball in the air. In cricket you have to predict it both in the air and what happens to the ball when it bounces off the ground. Here's random video off the internet:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtfFFPKya3Y

Watchthe whole video and see if you can predict the exact path of the ball. For slow mo, see 0:38, 1:04 (see ball swinging one way, hitting the deck and moving the other way), 1:17 (MASSIVE spin), 2:17, 2:59, 3:19 (again, swinging one way in the air and going the other way after hitting deck)

Normal speed: 1:41 - you think it's going straight.. 1:50 - see where ball lands, and which stump gets hit

Baseball is a one dimensional game for... well I won't say it.

[cheapmeister]

It's the second most popular game in the world.

Baseball is pretty one dimensional in that you just have to predict the movement of the ball in the air. In cricket you have to predict it both in the air and what happens to the ball when it bounces off the ground. Here's random video off the internet:

Watchthe whole video and see if you can predict the exact path of the ball. For slow mo, see 0:38, 1:04 (see ball swinging one way, hitting the deck and moving the other way), 1:17 (MASSIVE spin), 2:17, 2:59, 3:19 (again, swinging one way in the air and going the other way after hitting deck)

Normal speed: 1:41 - you think it's going straight.. 1:50 - see where ball lands, and which stump gets hit

Baseball is a one dimensional game for... well I won't say it.

Baseball is a one dimensional game for? What is it you won't say? Bro you think in baseball all pitches travel straight? The ball travels through the air with spin/no spin and has movement without hitting the ground to provide movement!

[stealth]

It's the second most popular game in the world.



So there are 75 countries that play ice hockey at a high level? For every mediocre country that you bring up, I could probably name a country that has a cricket team in the same capacity. Immigrants that play cricket - British, Indian, Caribbean, etc. are all over the world. Probably 95% of countries out there probably have cricket clubs in some capacity or the other. Certainly to match the capacity you will mention for ice hockey.



Baseball is pretty one dimensional in that you just have to predict the movement of the ball in the air. In cricket you have to predict it both in the air and what happens to the ball when it bounces off the ground. Here's random video off the internet:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtfFFPKya3Y

Watchthe whole video and see if you can predict the exact path of the ball. For slow mo, see 0:38, 1:04 (see ball swinging one way, hitting the deck and moving the other way), 1:17 (MASSIVE spin), 2:17, 2:59, 3:19 (again, swinging one way in the air and going the other way after hitting deck)

Normal speed: 1:41 - you think it's going straight.. 1:50 - see where ball lands, and which stump gets hit

Baseball is a one dimensional game for... well I won't say it.
I'll say it then...athletes ;)
No offense, but bouncing balls or not, the speed and power of a pitcher in baseball is light years beyond a cricket bowler. So to your point about any of us being able to track a cricket pitch, I'd guarantee you there also isn't a single RFDer who could hit a major league curve, breaking, or fastball.


Doesn't really matter how popular a sport is globally...don't need a country like china or India with 100s of millions of peasants to tell me what is good or bad.

[Phoenix3434]

Baseball is a one dimensional game for? What is it you won't say? Bro you think in baseball all pitches travel straight? The ball travels through the air with spin/no spin and has movement without hitting the ground to provide movement!

I know that (ball moving in air in baseball). All I am saying is that cricket has that AND moves after hitting the ground. :). If you see the video, you will see the ball moving in air in one direction and moving the other way once hitting the deck. The bowler can do whatever he wants. He can ball those deliveries, balls that land at your toes (yorkers), or full tosses that "just" swing in the air (i.e. baseball deliveries). That said, in cricket, the bowlers hardly ever do this last delivery type (baseball type) b/c it's easy to hit them.

[Phoenix3434]

I'll say it then...athletes ;)
No offense, but bouncing balls or not, the speed and power of a pitcher in baseball is light years beyond a cricket bowler. So to your point about any of us being able to track a cricket pitch, I'd guarantee you there also isn't a single RFDer who could hit a major league curve, breaking, or fastball.


And if any RFDer goes to a pro cricket ground, he will come back with a broken hand or a crushed toe. And since we are in the spirit of guaranteeing, uh, I guarantee you the opposite.. :cheesygri



Doesn't really matter how popular a sport is globally...don't need a country like china or India with 100s of millions of peasants to tell me what is good or bad.

As opposed to the non-peasants that are in North America? :cheesygri

[cheapmeister]

I know that (ball moving in air in baseball). All I am saying is that cricket has that AND moves after hitting the ground. :). If you see the video, you will see the ball moving in air in one direction and moving the other way once hitting the deck. The bowler can do whatever he wants. He can ball those deliveries, balls that land at your toes (yorkers), or full tosses that "just" swing in the air (i.e. baseball deliveries). That said, in cricket, the bowlers hardly ever do this last delivery type (baseball type) b/c it's easy to hit them.

I've played both sports. Baseball is much much harder to play than cricket. My cricket friends also agree with me. The cricket bat is very wide and its easy to make contact with the ball. A baseball bat is very narrow. Also in cricket all directions are in play, but in baseball you have to hit the ball between the lines. The balls hit off to the sides or behind you don't count!

[stealth]

And if any RFDer goes to a pro cricket ground, he will come back with a broken hand or a crushed toe. And since we are in the spirit of guaranteeing, uh, I guarantee you the opposite.. :cheesygri

Not with all that padding the cricket batsmen wear ;) you could put them in a lacrosse net;)
...that is, if they weren't so adverse to working up a sweat in a sport.
Geez, it isn't even much of a swing in cricket...it's a flick of a wrist, and more of a blocking motion than a true swing(because the bat is so damn wide, it isn't even necessary).


As opposed to the non-peasants that are in North America? :cheesygri
Exactly?

[cheapmeister]

In baseball the batter is out if they miss the ball 3 times. In cricket they can miss all day until the stump is hit. The stumps are also a much bigger target to hit than the strike zone in baseball.

[Phoenix3434]

I've played both sports. Baseball is much much harder to play than cricket. My cricket friends also agree with me. The cricket bat is very wide and its easy to make contact with the ball. A baseball bat is very narrow. Also in cricket all directions are in play, but in baseball you have to hit the ball between the lines. The balls hit off to the sides or behind you don't count!

I think it is easy for us to agree that the level of play of baseball in Canada is higher than that of cricket. The opposite would be true if you were to go to India. It is also probably pretty safe to say that whoever your friends are that bowled to you when you were batting are not very good at cricket. I remember one time we were playing cricket in a ground, and this kid game to play who used to play for a low level club in India (probably like tier 3). He anally raped everyone that was playing in the game.

Anyway, we can keep going back and forth as to which game is superior. It's really not going to go anywhere. The only thing that I hope you appreciate is that it is very insulting to the fans of hte world's 2nd most popular game that cricket is not in the Olympics while some of these other ***** "sports" are included.

[D-Roc]

I think it is easy for us to agree that the level of play of baseball in Canada is higher than that of cricket. The opposite would be true if you were to go to India. It is also probably pretty safe to say that whoever your friends are that bowled to you when you were batting are not very good at cricket. I remember one time we were playing cricket in a ground, and this kid game to play who used to play for a low level club in India (probably like tier 3). He anally raped everyone that was playing in the game.

Anyway, we can keep going back and forth as to which game is superior. It's really not going to go anywhere. The only thing that I hope you appreciate is that it is very insulting to the fans of hte world's 2nd most popular game that cricket is not in the Olympics while some of these other ***** "sports" are included.

It makes perfect sense that cricket is not in the Olympics. It is such a dumb activity and not a real sport.

If it is so popular, then were are all the National North American Teams?

All of those other Olympic sports require more training and physical ability than cricket players.

[Phoenix3434]

It makes perfect sense that cricket is not in the Olympics. It is such a dumb activity and not a real sport.

If it is so popular, then were are all the National North American Teams?

All of those other Olympic sports require more training and physical ability than cricket players.

Wow it took you 5 minutes to post and re-edit this gem eh? Nice!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_national_cricket_team
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_cricket_team

:facepalm::facepalm:

As for the "physical ability" part.. Here's a random video off the internet about some good cricket catches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05klsa3M08A

Much better than any baseball catches you will see.. Even accounting for the cute little mittens they wear to protect their gentle hands.

[Madchester]

So there are 75 countries that play ice hockey at a high level? For every mediocre country that you bring up, I could probably name a country that has a cricket team in the same capacity. Immigrants that play cricket - British, Indian, Caribbean, etc. are all over the world. Probably 95% of countries out there probably have cricket clubs in some capacity or the other. Certainly to match the capacity you will mention for ice hockey.



The Winter Olympics standard is wide practice in 25 countries across 3 continents. There's only 50 full time members of the IIHF, and only 16 of those teams qualify for the Men's world championships each year.

Again, the summer Olympic standard is wide practice in 75 countries across 4 continents. I took a peek at the ICC's full time members - and it's only made up of 10 countries. Even if you throw in the top Associate/Affiliate members that already qualify for the top international events (like Canada) - that's still only 16 countries.

[Phoenix3434]

The Winter Olympics standard is wide practice in 25 countries across 3 continents. There's only 50 full time members of the IIHF, and only 16 of those teams qualify for the Men's world championships each year.

Again, the summer Olympic standard is wide practice in 75 countries across 4 continents. I took a peek at the ICC's full time members - and it's only made up of 10 countries. Even if you throw in the top Associate/Affiliate members that already qualify for the top international events (like Canada) - that's still only 16 countries.

Having the higher memberships in the ICC has certain commitments and privileges. Other countries that want certain membership status may not allowed to do so for not promising or not conforming to these standards. It does NOT preclude them from having national teams for the purposes of the Olympics.

In any case, not sure which list you consulted. In this one, the list is pretty long:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_International_Cricket_Council_members

Just in the afiliate member section, it says: "These are countries where the ICC recognises that cricket is played according to the Laws of Cricket.[2] There are 60 Affiliate Members.". Count the Associate members (~35) and Full members (10), and you are easily over the threshold.

EDIT:

I just noticed that you included the word "top Associate/Affiliate" members. I am presuming that is how you decided to prune the list of countries. Why did you do that? By that logic, how many top hockey or basketball or soccer teams are out there? That's just irrational and one dimensional reasoning.

[D-Roc]

Wow it took you 5 minutes to post and re-edit this gem eh? Nice!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_national_cricket_team
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_cricket_team

:facepalm::facepalm:

As for the "physical ability" part.. Here's a random video off the internet about some good cricket catches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05klsa3M08A

Much better than any baseball catches you will see.. Even accounting for the cute little mittens they wear to protect their gentle hands.

I see you do not like it when somone makes a sweeping generalization about a sport and call it stupid. Still not at th same level as the Olympic sports though. No where near it I might add.

So what if I edited it 5 mins later. Is there some kind of rule that there is a time limit?

[Madchester]

EDIT:

I just noticed that you included the word "top Associate/Affiliate" members. I am presuming that is how you decided to prune the list of countries. Why did you do that? By that logic, how many top hockey or basketball or soccer teams are out there? That's just irrational and one dimensional reasoning.

We're looking at the same list. The ICC recognizes certain non-members countries as "top Associate/Affiliate" members. :facepalm:

The Olympic tournaments are generally smaller than the respective world championships run by the respective sporting organizations.

i.e., Tennis - 128 person singles Grand Slam draw vs. 64 person singles Olympic draw
Men's Basketball - 24 team FIBA WC vs 12 team Olympic tournament
Men's hockey - 16 team IIHF wc vs 12 team Olympic tournament

etc....etc....

Men's hockey, for example, has different Divisions... i.e., The Top 16 teams are in the Championship division, the next few are in IA, etc.... based on their recent play, teams can move up and down each division. For the Olympics, only the top 9 Championship teams got a bye into the Olympic tournament - the remainder had to take part in a qualifying tournament.

:facepalm:

Like the IIHF, the ICC has Division 1, Division 2, etc... for countries outside of its 10 full members. So your "just irrational and one dimensional reasoning" comment of ranking teams.... is a bit ironic.

[Phoenix3434]

I see you do not like it when somone makes a sweeping generalization about a sport and call it stupid. Still not at th same level as the Olympic sports though. No where near it I might add.

So what if I edited it 5 mins later. Is there some kind of rule that there is a time limit?

If a simple game like baseball is in the Olympics, so should cricket - which is much harder to play. That goes for basketball as well. Now that's a pretty one sided game in the world stage.


We're looking at the same list. The ICC recognizes certain non-members countries as "top Associate/Affiliate" members. :facepalm:

The Olympic tournaments are generally smaller than the respective world championships run by the respective sporting organizations.

i.e., Tennis - 128 person singles Grand Slam draw vs. 64 person singles Olympic draw
Men's Basketball - 24 team FIBA WC vs 12 team Olympic tournament
Men's hockey - 16 team IIHF wc vs 12 team Olympic tournament

etc....etc....

Men's hockey, for example, has different Divisions... i.e., The Top 16 teams are in the Championship division, the next few are in IA, etc.... based on their recent play, teams can move up and down each division. For the Olympics, only the top 9 Championship teams got a bye into the Olympic tournament - the remainder had to take part in a qualifying tournament.

:facepalm:

Like the IIHF, the ICC has Division 1, Division 2, etc... for countries outside of its 10 full members. So your "just irrational and one dimensional reasoning" comment of ranking teams.... is a bit ironic.

My comment was targeted at the fact that you selected that particular statistic to quote in your post. You were attempting to misdirect those reading your post to make it seem like there are only 16 countries that play the game world wide. That was a purposeful attempt on your part. I was merely pointing at that such lame attempts at misdirection is quite poor. There are over 100 countries that play the game, where the top 16 sides consist of um.. 16 countries. :facepalm:

There are many reasons why the ICC operate this way. One of them being that one of the versions of the game (Test cricket) is quite long and the ICC wants to ensure the quality of the game by only letting good sides play against each other in that format of the game. If the allow weaker sides to attain that status, it's a waste of time for both sides and the quality of the game stats get affected negatively.

[cheapmeister]

If a simple game like baseball is in the Olympics, so should cricket - which is much harder to play. That goes for basketball as well. Now that's a pretty one sided game in the world stage.


Baseball takes more skill to play than cricket. Now what is this about basketball being one sided?

[Phoenix3434]

Baseball takes more skill to play than cricket. Now what is this about basketball being one sided?

It doesn't. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.

Basketball is one sided in the sense that you know who is going to get the Gold medal. Even for the Silver and Bronze, there aren't too many countries that are true candidates.

[Madchester]

My comment was targeted at the fact that you selected that particular statistic to quote in your post. You were attempting to misdirect those reading your post to make it seem like there are only 16 countries that play the game world wide. That was a purposeful attempt on your part. I was merely pointing at that such lame attempts at misdirection is quite poor. There are over 100 countries that play the game, where the top 16 sides consist of um.. 16 countries. :facepalm:

There are many reasons why the ICC operate this way. One of them being that one of the versions of the game (Test cricket) is quite long and the ICC wants to ensure the quality of the game by only letting good sides play against each other in that format of the game. If the allow weaker sides to attain that status, it's a waste of time for both sides and the quality of the game stats get affected negatively.

There's 52 full time IIHF members... that exceeds the Olympic winter sport standard of 25 member countries. i.e., ice hockey qualifies as an Olympic sport.

There's only 10 full time ICC members... even including the 6 "top associate" members... that's less than the 75 member countries needed to qualify for as an Olympic summer sport.

It's that simple. :facepalm:

And FYI - the IIHF has another 20 associate and affiliate members... but they don't weigh into the IOC's decision of determining whether a sport qualifies for the Olympic programme. Likewise, the IOC won't include the ICC's non full time membership in determining Olympic eligibility.

[flexwong]

If we're talking about popular sports that aren't in the Olympics, golf is definitely missing. Golf is the most popular solo sport to play in the world, definitely played by more than 5-6 countries. It's coming back in 2016 after a 100+ year hiatus. Also one of the oldest sports around.

[cheapmeister]

It doesn't. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.

Basketball is one sided in the sense that you know who is going to get the Gold medal. Even for the Silver and Bronze, there aren't too many countries that are true candidates.

No your wrong. Cricket is pretty simple when compared to baseball and much easier to play.

[flexwong]

It doesn't. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.



Just as an FYI, sports science has repeatedly proved that the hardest thing to do is hitting a major league fastball. To claim that baseball is easier to play is pretty foolish if you ask me. I'm sure both cricket and baseball have their challenges, but I will say that I think baseball is more challenging.

[Phoenix3434]

There's 52 full time IIHF members... that exceeds the Olympic winter sport standard of 25 member countries. i.e., ice hockey qualifies as an Olympic sport.

There's only 10 full time ICC members... even including the 6 "top associate" members... that's less than the 75 member countries needed to qualify for as an Olympic summer sport.

It's that simple. :facepalm:

And FYI - the IIHF has another 20 associate and affiliate members... but they don't weigh into the IOC's decision of determining whether a sport qualifies for the Olympic programme. Likewise, the IOC won't include the ICC's non full time membership in determining Olympic eligibility.

Your inability to understand simple logic is mind boggling. ICC has different levels of memberships that is not based on the same criteria as IIHF. The powers that be in the ICC has decided that the top countries should only play against each other in Test cricket (the really long version) and other countries should not be allowed to play that particular version of the game. This both saves time AND protects the quality of the statistics. The other forms of the game ODIs and 20/20 (which takes about 2-3 hrs per game) can be played by any side. THIS latter version is the one that should be in the Olympics and can be played by any country.

Comprende? I hate when I have to hand hold people through simple logic.

[D-Roc]

If a simple game like baseball is in the Olympics, so should cricket - which is much harder to play. That goes for basketball as well. Now that's a pretty one sided game in the world stage.



You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Hitting a baseball (round) that is being thrown anywhere from 70mph to over 95mph with a bat that is also round, is extremely hard. A cricket ball is never thrown anywhere near that fast and the bat is wide and flat.



I hate when I have to hand hold people through simple logic.

I agree. See my reply above.

[Phoenix3434]

No your wrong. Cricket is pretty simple when compared to baseball and much easier to play.

No, definitely you are wrong. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.


Just as an FYI, sports science has repeatedly proved that the hardest thing to do is hitting a major league fastball. To claim that baseball is easier to play is pretty foolish if you ask me. I'm sure both cricket and baseball have their challenges, but I will say that I think baseball is more challenging.

As I've said before, a baseball can only do so many things. It just swings in the air in various directions, goes at different speeds, but that's it. In cricket, the range where a "legal ball" can be delivered is much wider AND the ball can hit the deck before reaching the batsman. This makes the batsman's life much much more difficult since it's much more difficult for him to predict where the ball is going to come from. And there is a good reason why they can't just "protect" the core (baseball type) middle area - especially in ODI or 20/20 cricket. The number of deliveries is limited and if you don't respond to the balls that are not in the core (baseball type) area you won't get any runs and you won't score and waste deliveries. Bowlers do this to induce the batsmen to give catches and to throw them off their games.

[Phoenix3434]

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. Hitting a baseball (round) that is being thrown anywhere from 70mph to over 95mph with a bat that is also round, is extremely hard. A cricket ball is never thrown anywhere near that fast and the bat is wide and flat.




I agree. See my reply above.

See my reply above to the other guy. LOL. This thread is hilarious.

[D-Roc]

See my reply above to the other guy. LOL. This thread is hilarious.

Just because you say it is easier doesn't make it so, when there is science to back up the difficult of baseball. What you described is still easier than hitting a baseball at 75 to 95 mph. Cricket is still a lame sport.

[sandikosh]

What is so great about cricket? It ain't so highly skilled as you might think. The bat is huge and looks like a boat paddle. The bowlers also bounce the ball off the pitch. Baseball is much more highly skilled, when it comes to batting. The bat is narrow and it takes skill to hit the ball. Pitching is also done at a higher skill level since the ball has to pass thru the strike zone in the air, not bouncing it off the turf which is much easier.

Cricket involves far more skilsl to play than baseball. There is no contest.

[Madchester]

Your inability to understand simple logic is mind boggling. ICC has different levels of memberships that is not based on the same criteria as IIHF. The powers that be in the ICC has decided that the top countries should only play against each other in Test cricket (the really long version) and other countries should not be allowed to play that particular version of the game. This both saves time AND protects the quality of the statistics. The other forms of the game ODIs and 20/20 (which takes about 2-3 hrs per game) can be played by any side. THIS latter version is the one that should be in the Olympics and can be played by any country.

Comprende? I hate when I have to hand hold people through simple logic.

52 > 25

10 < 75

Understood. :lol:


If we're talking about popular sports that aren't in the Olympics, golf is definitely missing. Golf is the most popular solo sport to play in the world, definitely played by more than 5-6 countries. It's coming back in 2016 after a 100+ year hiatus. Also one of the oldest sports around.

Golf is making a comeback b/c it actually exceeds the 75 member countries standard of wide participation for inclusion as an Olympic sport.

At next yr's IOC session, there's a shortlist of 8 sports to be added to the 2020 Olympics by majority vote. Cricket's not on the list - again it doesn't meet the IOC's requirements of 75 countries with wide participation.

[aplayaz2000]

no one cares about summer olympics
it's all about soccer for a summer sport but we already have FIFA

and the only thing that matters for Canada is the winter olympics
because hockey is where it's at

[stealth]

No, definitely you are wrong. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.



As I've said before, a baseball can only do so many things. It just swings in the air in various directions, goes at different speeds, but that's it. In cricket, the range where a "legal ball" can be delivered is much wider AND the ball can hit the deck before reaching the batsman. This makes the batsman's life much much more difficult since it's much more difficult for him to predict where the ball is going to come from. And there is a good reason why they can't just "protect" the core (baseball type) middle area - especially in ODI or 20/20 cricket. The number of deliveries is limited and if you don't respond to the balls that are not in the core (baseball type) area you won't get any runs and you won't score and waste deliveries. Bowlers do this to induce the batsmen to give catches and to throw them off their games.
Then it's too bad these vastly superior athletes have such vastly inferior intellects that prevents them from moving to the MLB and making many multiples their average salary playing such an easier game ;)

Sarcasm aside, while baseball may have its roots in cricket, looking back at how dull cricket was a generation ago, it's clear that it has stolen a lot of its current athleticism from baseball, which has never been as concerned with getting their spiffy white trousers dirty by diving, sprawling etc (you know, sports stuff) as cricket has been until recently years.

[cheapmeister]

No, definitely you are wrong. Baseball is pretty simple when compared to cricket and much easier to play.



As I've said before, a baseball can only do so many things. It just swings in the air in various directions, goes at different speeds, but that's it. In cricket, the range where a "legal ball" can be delivered is much wider AND the ball can hit the deck before reaching the batsman. This makes the batsman's life much much more difficult since it's much more difficult for him to predict where the ball is going to come from. And there is a good reason why they can't just "protect" the core (baseball type) middle area - especially in ODI or 20/20 cricket. The number of deliveries is limited and if you don't respond to the balls that are not in the core (baseball type) area you won't get any runs and you won't score and waste deliveries. Bowlers do this to induce the batsmen to give catches and to throw them off their games.


Cricket involves far more skilsl to play than baseball. There is no contest.

You two are both wrong! Baseball is a much more complex and highly skilled sport to play than cricket.

[sandikosh]

Then meet me in Brampton this afternoon. I will give you a cricket bat, a box to protect your family jewels, chest pads, arm pads, leg pads, gloves, helmet and I will have someone bowl a ball at you approaching 90 m.p.h. Your only job is keep an eye on the ball as it leaves the bowler's hand, hits the ground and watch the movement of the ball as it approaches you while you attempt to decide what stroke to play.

[nasa25]

Then meet me in Brampton this afternoon. I will give you a cricket bat, a box to protect your family jewels, chest pads, arm pads, leg pads, gloves, helmet and I will have someone bowl a ball at you approaching 90 m.p.h. Your only job is keep an eye on the ball as it leaves the bowler's hand, hits the ground and watch the movement of the ball as it approaches you while you attempt to decide what stroke to play.

I'd hit it out of Brampton and score 6 points.

Then Shahrukh Khan would be all like 'yo dawg - come play for the knight riders so we can beat those pesky super kings again'

[tighty whities]

Then meet me in Brampton this afternoon. I will give you a cricket bat, a box to protect your family jewels, chest pads, arm pads, leg pads, gloves, helmet and I will have someone bowl a ball at you approaching 90 m.p.h. Your only job is keep an eye on the ball as it leaves the bowler's hand, hits the ground and watch the movement of the ball as it approaches you while you attempt to decide what stroke to play.

Why don't you?

I love this, you and phoenix sitting behind a computer with no experience on a competitive level at either sport(?) and talking like you know which is sport is more difficult. I played college ball in the states (Division II) with have no experience playing cricket, but I wouldn't be ignorant enough to run my mouth off about how easy one sport is over the other.

-------


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMhT_wgBwE

keep in mind that Reynolds is one of the worst for making contact and has led all MLB players in strikeouts over the last 4 seasons.

[zz000ter]

Am I the only person in the world that does not care about the Olympics?

I can't wait for it all to be over

[stealth]

Am I the only person in the world that does not care about the Olympics?

I can't wait for it all to be over
Nope, I hate almost everything it stands for...doped up athletes playing sports that noone cares about but are temporarily inspired by nationalism in a Nuremberg-esque flag waving fervor , countries putting on fake airs of wealth and harmony, exploitation of workers and even animals (http://www.theprovince.com/news/Massacre+horrifies+shoots+sled+dogs+execution+styl e+after+Olympic+slowdown/4197145/story.html ), cities left in worse financial states than before....the worst part is, it brings out the lefty in me in that it all represents nothing more than to me than pompous greed, excess and arrogance.

[Madchester]

Nope, I hate almost everything it stands for...doped up athletes playing sports that noone cares about but are temporarily inspired by nationalism in a Nuremberg-esque flag waving fervor , countries putting on fake airs of wealth and harmony, exploitation of workers and even animals (http://www.theprovince.com/news/Massacre+horrifies+shoots+sled+dogs+execution+styl e+after+Olympic+slowdown/4197145/story.html ), cities left in worse financial states than before....the worst part is, it brings out the lefty in me in that it all represents nothing more than to me than pompous greed, excess and arrogance.

Cool! I'll remember that while I'm enjoying myself at London 2012! :lol:

[stealth]

Cool! I'll remember that while I'm enjoying myself at London 2012! :lol:

LOL...sorry! have a beer and fish and chips on me ;)
And try and pick up a slapper from Essex named Mandy (Essex girls are all slappers and theyre all named Mandy....You cant go wrong!). :) They'll go wild over your Canadian dental work :)

[r1lee]

Not well.
We don't have a chance against all the poor, motivated, hot climate countries.
Might have a chance at events like rowing, canoeing, kayak etc. that's about it though.
Blame Asian/southeast Asian Canadians...so many in this country, and the only major athlete they can come up with is Patrick Chan ;)


Remember Carol Huynh jump started the team last time.

We have a policy in Canada, just do the best you can. That's all that matters, it's not about winning or losing lol.

[transitguy1]

I say we not send anyone and save all that money!

I mean, we're cutting people's salaries, jobs, benefits, etc so might as well cut the stupid olympic participation. Why pretend to be a great country when we can't even provide jobs to our own people? Can't fix our roads, infrastructure, etc but pretend to be big.

Save the money on the summer games, and call that pan-am bullcrap off. Whoever else wants to host it, should take over.

[MITDICE]

I think we could do better than years past but we are clearly a winter olympics team. Would be nice to have some luck.

[xlc_88]

I think Toronto should have these events (i.e. Pan AM) because it forces our government on improving our city infrastructure. Without putting our government and city in the spotlight, nothing will ever get done.

And yes, I'm aware these events cost a lot of money. Whoever said these events come for free?

[stealth]

I think Toronto should have these events (i.e. Pan AM) because it forces our government on improving our city infrastructure. Without putting our government and city in the spotlight, nothing will ever get done.

And yes, I'm aware these events cost a lot of money. Whoever said these events come for free?
Adding new venues that end up not getting used adequately after the 2 week event ends, while tax payers foot the bill for years, isn't what many would consider to be "improving infrastructure".

[Madchester]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujQsoimky_w

This is an interesting peek at the Athlete's Village.

Coca-Cola dry bar... *facepalm.

[Madchester]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E0KtI-8tGkY/UArQ5xEfJhI/AAAAAAAAPzM/44f2bx-SeZI/s1141/Olympic+Park+HDR.jpg

[JustBob]

Can't wait!

http://i.minus.com/it5IUMh5AqXx.gif

[Madchester]

Opening Ceremony kicks off at 8:12 PM local time... 4:12 PM EDT

Kinda like Beijing 2008 and the 08/08/08 date and 8:08 PM local time start

[vero95]

Can't wait!

http://i.minus.com/it5IUMh5AqXx.gif

I like girls whose nails match underpants

[Nettles]

Wow they're gonna have Arctic Monkeys play in the opening ceremony, an actual indie band, who would've thought.

Anyways, I'm a bit conflicted. I watched the Olympics when I was younger but now have realized that these aren't spectator sports for the most part outside of a few like soccer, 7s rugby, etc and even then it's not the big players so are they really worth watching for a sport you normally don't follow? Hopefully the NHL goes to the winter olympics or those will be even worst.

[vero95]

Adding new venues that end up not getting used adequately after the 2 week event ends, while tax payers foot the bill for years, isn't what many would consider to be "improving infrastructure".

sometimes they improve other stuff. Munich got big part of the subway system

[Madchester]

Wow they're gonna have Arctic Monkeys play in the opening ceremony, an actual indie band, who would've thought.



Hedley was not Canada's proudest moment for the 2010 closing ceremony.... :lol:

[Madchester]

Ahhhh can't watch this at work... Daniel Craig's Bond meets the Queen at Buckingham Palace....in an opening ceremony mini-film

[Madchester]

lotwut... the Queen jumped out of a helicopter with Bond...

[Purgatory]

Great so far, really enjoying it on TV:)

[Jimboski]

lotwut... the Queen jumped out of a helicopter with Bond...

Trololololol.
I'm watching It on CTV.. I think It's super delayed..

[LonesomeDove]

Great so far, really enjoying it on TV:)

Are you kidding? its boring as hell. Nothing like the Beijing opening ceremonies.

And the whole hospital theme is stupid. Only in Britain would they have dancing people on hospital beds.

[Madchester]

Following on Twitter.... wow... every British pop icon of the last 50 yrs is featured in the OC....

[Madchester]

Mr. Bean.?.... the British are trolling everybody...

[LonesomeDove]

Outside of Britain, viewers would have no clue whats going on. Now one has heard most of these entertainers. Especially tv programs.

[Jimboski]

Outside of Britain, viewers would have no clue whats going on. Now one has heard most of these entertainers. Especially tv programs.

Pretty much.. I only understood where they brought In the industrial industry or whatever.. Also Daniel Craig/Mr.Bean..

[Purgatory]

I don't get whats going on now. :confused:

[Madchester]

Outside of Britain, viewers would have no clue whats going on. Now one has heard most of these entertainers. Especially tv programs.

You're kidding right? So many BBC and ITV programmes sold overseas.

I remember working in Hong Kong in 2003. The movie theatre had a banner for Rowan Atkinson's "Johnny English", and a pair of local girls walked past it screaming "Mr. Bean!!!!"

Take a look on Twitter... the British references definitely aren't going over people's heads...

[Simaahoy]

Mr. Bean was the best part..not by much. It honestly super boring and cannot wait for the matches to begin.

[astrotrain]

Are you kidding? its boring as hell. Nothing like the Beijing opening ceremonies.

And the whole hospital theme is stupid. Only in Britain would they have dancing people on hospital beds.

Beijing was more like a summer Blockbuster movie, this is more like the welfare Olympics. lol
Once I saw the hospital theme I thought they would but up a mental asylum next.

The British are only good at pop and rock so they should just make the whole ceremony a protracted concert, wait a minute they are doing this now . . . :lol:

[Jimboski]

Some of the song they're playing I kind of remember, Lol!

[appleb]

For those of us that actually work and aren't able to watch the ceremonies live, what time are they replaying the ceremonies tonight?

[Jimboski]

For those of us that actually work and aren't able to watch the ceremonies live, what time are they replaying the ceremonies tonight?

I think 3 AM? Not sure.
I just checked CTV.ca and their full day schedule ends at 2 AM with a show being on. So I'm assuming 3 AM probably?

[Purgatory]

I feel like so far its been okay, I enjoying watching it, but I feel like its lacking a lot of culture.

[Junigenmukyoku]

It's pretty good so far. CTV is streaming it live for those don't know.

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/videos/channel/ctv/watch/opening-ceremony.html

[Jimboski]

It's pretty good so far. CTV is streaming it live for those don't know.

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/videos/channel/ctv/watch/opening-ceremony.html

I think It's delayed but sure beats not watching It!

[Jimboski]

Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[Swarez99]

Why don't you?

I love this, you and phoenix sitting behind a computer with no experience on a competitive level at either sport(?) and talking like you know which is sport is more difficult. I played college ball in the states (Division II) with have no experience playing cricket, but I wouldn't be ignorant enough to run my mouth off about how easy one sport is over the other.

-------


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMhT_wgBwE

keep in mind that Reynolds is one of the worst for making contact and has led all MLB players in strikeouts over the last 4 seasons.


Y are people even arguing about this, neither baseball or cricket are Olympic sports!

And y r the Czech walking in wearing rain boots, not like there known for rain

[travelgeek]

I think It's delayed but sure beats not watching It!

Far better than the time delay that the Americans have to deal with :D

[cardle]

What is the point in trying to watch it? Tons of adverts, the last lot was 4 minutes apart. Skipping countries...

I miss the BBC.

[Jimboski]

Why don't you?

I love this, you and phoenix sitting behind a computer with no experience on a competitive level at either sport(?) and talking like you know which is sport is more difficult. I played college ball in the states (Division II) with have no experience playing cricket, but I wouldn't be ignorant enough to run my mouth off about how easy one sport is over the other.

-------


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMhT_wgBwE

keep in mind that Reynolds is one of the worst for making contact and has led all MLB players in strikeouts over the last 4 seasons.

Pretty silent now that you linked the video! :):)!

[astrotrain]

Why is the crowd noise so muted? Hardly hear any cheers for any of the nations in the parade. I remember the electricity in Beijing the stadium was buzzing and you could feel how hot it was there which is a surprise since the chinese are usually more reserved.

[Jimboski]

Why is the crowd noise so muted? Hardly hear any cheers for any of the nations in the parade. I remember the electricity in Beijing the stadium was buzzing and you could feel how hot it was there which is a surprise since the chinese are usually more reserved.

Canada got a decent roar!

[sandikosh]

Why don't you?

I love this, you and phoenix sitting behind a computer with no experience on a competitive level at either sport(?) and talking like you know which is sport is more difficult. I played college ball in the states (Division II) with have no experience playing cricket, but I wouldn't be ignorant enough to run my mouth off about how easy one sport is over the other.

-------


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMhT_wgBwE

keep in mind that Reynolds is one of the worst for making contact and has led all MLB players in strikeouts over the last 4 seasons.

This video is pure BS! Here you have a professional baseball player up against a wannabe cricketer! To make it in favor of baseball, they pick an allrounder cricketer, someone who is not as good a hitter neither someone who is not as good a bowler! What speed was he bowling the ball to Reynolds? 40 m.p.h.?

[Purgatory]

I wanted to see some of the countries and their flag bearers yet the announcer was like 3 countries behind at times and sometimes 3 countries ahead. >:(

[Jimboski]

This video is pure BS! Here you have a professional baseball player up against a wannabe cricketer! To make it in favor of baseball, they pick an allrounder cricketer, someone who is not as good a hitter neither someone who is not as good a bowler! What speed was he bowling the ball to Reynolds? 40 m.p.h.?

Video says he's an International team where he excels In bowling/batting!
Video says the batter Is one of the rising stars so that doesn't mean he's the best batter because he's been striking out a lot lately In the past few seasons.

You've got to factor In that the pitcher only threw 80 MPH balls to the cricket guy, Usually It's like 90+ MPH In MLB. Don't forget that the pitcher can do a lot of variation of pitches like curve balls and sinkers etc.

Although I do agree It was a little hyped up for the MLB player I do still agree 100% with the fact that hitting In Baseball Is much harder.

[Madchester]

What is the point in trying to watch it? Tons of adverts, the last lot was 4 minutes apart. Skipping countries...

I miss the BBC.

Downloading the BBC feed tonite from my UK torrent site.

[Katchemash]

Best were Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and hopefully I'll see how good Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is.

Worst were Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain. I don't want to see the US.

[Phat_cow]

This is so lame. Can't even compare it to the Beijing Olympics....just can't!

[Jimboski]

This is so lame. Can't even compare it to the Beijing Olympics....just can't!

Clearly Asians have SWAG, LOL I can't believe I used that joke.

[Katchemash]

This is so lame. Can't even compare it to the Beijing Olympics....just can't!

Indeed that CTV male announcer is a typical racist. His rants against Saudi Arabia were uncalled for.

[PSiBeR]

The people drumming on the sidelines greeting as the countries come in look so dead. Like they don't even want to be there..
Beijing was way more live! USA is supposed to be coming in all proper with their Polo Ralph Laurens :p

[Jimboski]

The people drumming on the sidelines greeting as the countries come in look so dead. Like they don't even want to be there..
Beijing was way more live! USA is supposed to be coming in all proper with their Polo Ralph Laurens :p

Hey I use a RL cologne, Problem!? :).

[jaxx lite]

Best were Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and hopefully I'll see how good Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is.

Worst were Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain. I don't want to see the US.

Let go of your bitterness.

It's not healthy.

=

[PSiBeR]

Hey I use a RL cologne, Problem!? :).

Nah bro! I love Polo. I got a few big pony Polo's myself :)

[Katchemash]

Turkmenistan was awesome. The girls are hot. Thank god i'm going there in August!

[Jimboski]

Turkmenistan was awesome. The girls are hot. Thank god i'm going there in August!

I only saw dudes..

[Katchemash]

Ugh, Americans are ugly and clearly trying to make their neocolonialism very clear. Disgusting athletes.

[Katchemash]

I only saw dudes..

Then you were clearly blind as there were at least 3 girls.

[Jimboski]

Ugh, Americans are ugly and clearly trying to make their neocolonialism very clear. Disgusting athletes.

umad?

[Phat_cow]

I only saw dudes..

Maybe he is into dudes?

[Katchemash]

No one cares about American politics Male CTV announcer.

Stupid CTV are glued to America. Show me Uzbekistan!

[Katchemash]

I can't believe they skipped Uzbekistan and kept focusing on the stupid Americans.

[Jimboski]

No one cares about American politics Male CTV announcer.

Stupid CTV are glued to America. Show me Uzbekistan!

I'm watching It online and there Is no commentators.

[Katchemash]

I'm watching It online and there Is no commentators.

Did they show Uzbekistan?

[Simaahoy]

No one cares about American politics Male CTV announcer.

Stupid CTV are glued to America. Show me Uzbekistan!

A true fob would be watching it on arab sat:D

[Jimboski]

Did they show Uzbekistan?

Not sure, It's delayed for me and I closed It after seeing Vietnam, LOOOL!

[Katchemash]

Not sure, It's delayed for me and I closed It after seeing Vietnam, LOOOL!

U comes before V. English failure.

[Simaahoy]

Did they show Uzbekistan?

no

[Katchemash]

A true fob would be watching it on arab sat:D

Why would i be watching it on an Arab sat? I'm not an Arab.

[Simaahoy]

Why would i be watching it on an Arab sat? I'm not an Arab.

what are you then?

[Katchemash]

what are you then?

Uyghur/Turkmen mix.

[Simaahoy]

Uyghur/Turkmen mix.

What is that?

[djemzine]

Ah yes Deustcheland with 407 athletes. Rooting for India, Jamaica and Canada in order.

[Katchemash]

What is that?

What do you mean what is that? Uyghur from Uyghuristan and Turkmen from Turkmenistan. Look at a globe if your clueless.

[Madchester]

Have they done the Bollywood section yet? Danny Boyle and AR Rahman reuniting from Slumdog Millionaire.....

[appleb]

I still don't know who the final torchbearer(s) are/were. They couldn't decide so they picked a group of younger athletes instead of one?

[Junigenmukyoku]

My fav part was Mr.Bean! lol The rest was okay, but the Olympic spirit was there!

[wilsonlam97]

My fav part was Mr.Bean! lol The rest was okay, but the Olympic spirit was there!

Yeah I that's what I enjoyed as well. Everything else was kinda confusing and odd. (Not so entertaining)

[appleb]

Mr Bean posted on youtube...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aZSYI0HV4Y

[sandikosh]

Mr. Bean wasn't playing any instrument.

[Madchester]

I still don't know who the final torchbearer(s) are/were. They couldn't decide so they picked a group of younger athletes instead of one?

Each of the final seven athlete torchbearers personally chose a young athlete torchbearer to light the cauldron.

It's to go with the "Inspire a Generation" slogan of the Games.

And it's not unprecedented to have "nobodies" light the torch.... we did the same thing in Montreal 76. Likewise with Calgary 88:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R59okOy4lA8

[elty]

https://img.skitch.com/20120728-gr3gx74bh4wpat7ct6taaxq5rg.jpg

Semi related:

https://p.twimg.com/Ay16hGFCUAAlGog.jpg

Author of that tweet got her account suspended shortly after.

[elty]

'Our bags have a Nike logo but the zippers are Adidas': Egyptian swimmer triggers Olympic kit row as she reveals team was given Chinese knockoffs

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2179550/Olympics-2012-Our-bags-Nike-logo-zippers-Adidas-tweets-Egypts-Yomna-Khallaf.html#ixzz21sIw5wtS

lol

[jaysfan4life]

I really enjoyed the opening ceremonies I watched it from beginning to end. I wanted to go to there olympics so badly but my travel buddy decided to go back to school. It was every thing London and I love it.

[the_fm]

can't believe mr. bean was the highlight.. and all i could think of during that danny boy song


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbuRA_D3KU

[djemzine]

Overall great opening ceremony for sure. However I found that the part where they had the music from the 50s up till the present with bands such as The Who, Beatles, Queen, Muse all playing was a nice idea but took time with the skit of the "traditional British family"

Of course CTV focused a lot on Canada during the parade, and two countries were not shown (Cayman Islands and another one), but meh. I like the outfit of the US and those that of the African, Asian countries, especially the smaller ones.

Can't wait to see Jamaica get into action. PS I was born and raised in Jamaica, if that matters. However I am going to be supporting India, Jamaica and Canada.

[wilsonlam97]

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2179550/Olympics-2012-Our-bags-Nike-logo-zippers-Adidas-tweets-Egypts-Yomna-Khallaf.html#ixzz21sIw5wtS

lol

Looooool

[wilsonlam97]

Mr Bean posted on youtube...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aZSYI0HV4Y

Not available in my country. Wth?

[elty]

I wonder why they don't really show things before the Industrial revolution. There are so many things they didn't show: Sherlock Holmes, Shakespear, King Arthur... Plus the internet section was way too long (and I wonder if Al Gore is offended).

Cayman Islands (aka Tax Evasion Island) and Chile is not shown.

[Mayosandwich]

Summer olmypics are boring compared to winter.

Fencing, golf, badminton, tennis, hurdles, cricket, dodgeball, spearing, gynasytics, Cycling. Way too many events. Might as well include Poker, chess, UNO, and darts.

How anyone can watch any of these is beyond me

[Purgatory]

Like elty said, they left out a lot of important things that should be represented. Yet they devote a large portion of the show to a story about all these kids using cellphones and helping a girl find her cellphone. I didn`t get it at all. One minute everyones dancing on hospital beds the next minute theres a house on the stage and everyones playing on cellphones :?::?::?::?::?:

[Simaahoy]

Not available in my country. Wth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVB3EF_K-6U

[Sauerkraut]

I mostly enjoyed it. PVR'd it so I can fast forward through the odd stuff.

Liked the industrial revolution / Kenneth Branagh bit, Mr. Bean, lighting the flame and Sir Paul singing Hey Jude.

[Jimboski]

Anyone got a link to watch It over? This Is for people who just came home from or missed it!

[wilsonlam97]

Anyone got a link to watch It over? This Is for people who just came home from or missed it!

I think I can seed it. It will take me a while to compile everything though. I lost like 10-15 minutes of the beginning though.

[Phat_cow]

I find this opening ceremony is equally bad as the Vancouver's

[wilsonlam97]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVB3EF_K-6U

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kbUriOQ_1cY/UBNR2vff0MI/AAAAAAAADoc/Msm3Jgza2uE/s700/Screenshot_2012-07-27-22-42-52.png

Racism.

[Simaahoy]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kbUriOQ_1cY/UBNR2vff0MI/AAAAAAAADoc/Msm3Jgza2uE/s700/Screenshot_2012-07-27-22-42-52.png

Racism.

Actually this is the message I am getting now: This video contains content from International Olympic Committee, who has blocked it on copyright grounds.

So the video was removed from youtube

[xlc_88]

Anyone got a link to watch It over? This Is for people who just came home from or missed it!

Just go to CTV Olympics. They have the entire show online.

I think this ceremony was better than Vancouver. Better music and humorous! I loved Bond and Bean. I also love the focus on children literature and inspiring a generation.

[MoneyPenney]

Anyone got a link to watch It over? This Is for people who just came home from or missed it!

It's being replayed on ctv right now. Turn on the tv.

[Kenny Blankenship]

They would do better if this thread was in the proper forum

[MoneyPenney]

Just go to CTV Olympics. They have the entire show online.

I think this ceremony was better than Vancouver. Better music and humorous! I loved Bond and Bean. I also love the focus on children literature and inspiring a generation.

It s apple and orange comparison. Winter Olympics are much smaller and have a smaller budget. You have to compare with other summer Olympics to see which is better. Compared to the Beijing opening ceremony, this is not as good. To people outside Britain
This is a nonsensical ceremony because they will have no clue to the artists and tv programs referenced. The pop references mean nothing to someone from China or African. Ont other hand, there was no problem understanding the Beijing ceremony because it was artistic.

[dutchca]

I was really impressed with the Olympic flames/cauldron. Nice design. All moving parts worked - unlike vancouver.

[xlc_88]

It s apple and orange comparison. Winter Olympics are much smaller and have a smaller budget. You have to compare with other summer Olympics to see which is better. Compared to the Beijing opening ceremony, this is not as good. To people outside Britain
This is a nonsensical ceremony because they will have no clue to the artists and tv programs referenced. The pop references mean nothing to someone from China or African. Ont other hand, there was no problem understanding the Beijing ceremony because it was artistic.

Oh definitely. I think no one would deny that the Beijing ceremony was amazing. More manpower and China definitely knows how to put on a show.

[Junigenmukyoku]

You can still watch it again on the CTV website. http://www.ctvolympics.ca/videos/channel/tsn/watch/opening-ceremony.html

[wilsonlam97]

Oh definitely. I think no one would deny that the Beijing ceremony was amazing. More manpower and China definitely knows how to put on a show.

Yeah that's true. Just the opening ceremony in London was confusing and unentertaining. While the Beijing Olympics wow-ed me every single second.

[elty]

It s apple and orange comparison. Winter Olympics are much smaller and have a smaller budget. You have to compare with other summer Olympics to see which is better. Compared to the Beijing opening ceremony, this is not as good. To people outside Britain
This is a nonsensical ceremony because they will have no clue to the artists and tv programs referenced. The pop references mean nothing to someone from China or African. Ont other hand, there was no problem understanding the Beijing ceremony because it was artistic.

Opening Ceremony Costs:
London ($42.3M)
Vancouver ($38M)
Beijing ($100M+++)

I think London is pretty good for the money spent, considered the higher cost of living there. You cannot compare to a Authoritarian government who can silent their citizen, close down polluting factory and relocate resident at will.

[djemzine]

Yeah that's true. Just the opening ceremony in London was confusing and unentertaining. While the Beijing Olympics wow-ed me every single second.

+1


Like elty said, they left out a lot of important things that should be represented. Yet they devote a large portion of the show to a story about all these kids using cellphones and helping a girl find her cellphone. I didn`t get it at all. One minute everyones dancing on hospital beds the next minute theres a house on the stage and everyones playing on cellphones :?::?::?::?::?:

And +1. Totally agree. Was a waste of time. Maybe that's how UK kids grow up LOL.

[toronto2007]

watched the Opening and was bored to death...even fell asleep near the end.:o I was really disappointed and expected more..

[LonesomeDove]

To be fair, the lighting of the cauldron and the fireworks was very impressive. But the rest of rest of the ceremonies suck. Like Moneypenney said, peopl e outside of Britian will have trouble understanding the pop references outside of Mr Bean, James Bond, Beatles and the Rolling Stones. I don't think many people watch these tv shows in Asia. Plus the bit with the dancing people next to hospital beds seem weird. I am sure some viewers in China would say, huh?

[ronin1701]

The opening ceremonies made no sense to me. It felt like it was assembled by a committee - bland and with something to appease each member.

The best parts were overwhelmingly Bean and the sequence with "Bond" and the Queen, especially when the helicopter's taking off and the corgis are left behind watching them go. Apparently Her Majesty has a sense of humour :)

[the_fm]

the dancing only made sense when they lifted the house and you saw who it was. it's related to the guy who invented the internet which is used by kids today (twitter, facebook) to gather up somewhere for a party. yeah, it only made sense at the end (with the story being about falling in love at a party) :|

[mod_it]

watched the Opening and was bored to death...even fell asleep near the end.:o I was really disappointed and expected more..

No kidding! I actually fell asleep right before the cauldron was lit. Later watched it on my PVR which then I subsequently yawned.

The Vancouver 2010 opening was more exciting then this and it cost less money.

That performance actually made me appreciate the fiddle!

http://colinmaier.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/devilMoon1.png


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4QJ57QXKo&feature=youtube_gdata_player=

Also, who can forget the awesome 2008 opening ceremony drum sequence?

http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_08_08/oly7.jpg
http://cache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/oly_08_08/oly2.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iySCiDaaldw

Even the top comments are "disappoint" with London lol


Athens and China much better than London - 80tolis +23

I have to confess that I had to cheer myself up by watching Beijing's opening ceremony after being depressed and confused by London's. What an epic failure for a global city like London. - bush angels +8

[Jimboski]

^ Can't believe that was 4 years ago..
London was nothing compared to that wow..

[jjboy]

Not sure if serious or trolling.

Summer olmypics are boring compared to winter.

Fencing, golf, badminton, tennis, hurdles, cricket, dodgeball, spearing, gynasytics, Cycling. Way too many events. Might as well include Poker, chess, UNO, and darts.

How anyone can watch any of these is beyond me

[appleb]

Beijing 2008 also had those awesome female water drummers for the aquatic events. It's too bad I can't find any videos on youtube, but these pics should give you a pretty good idea of what it involved.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/asdf114/waterdrum1a.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/asdf114/waterdrum1b.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a136/asdf114/waterdrum1c.jpg

[freeloader1969]

Why would anyone watch the Olympics now? You might as well put yourself in front of a 24/7 television set with nothing but advertising on it. It's just another thing that corporate interests have destroyed.

I used to love the Olympics when it was about the sports and amateur athletes.

[hi-tech]

You can't really compare Chinese slave performers to random volunteers in the United Kingdom.

[Jimboski]

You can't really compare Chinese slave performers to random volunteers in the United Kingdom.

That's true but still.
Regardless If they were "slave performers" or not they seemed to have fun since they are representing their country.

[sandikosh]

You can't really compare Chinese slave performers to random volunteers in the United Kingdom.

Pathetic excuse when the chinese dominate the games. If you can't win and if you can't join, make excuses for your performances.

[stealth]

Opening Ceremony Costs:
London ($42.3M)
Vancouver ($38M)
Beijing ($100M+++)

I think London is pretty good for the money spent, considered the higher cost of living there. You cannot compare to a Authoritarian government who can silent their citizen, close down polluting factory and relocate resident at will.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but considering how cheap labor etc is in china, wouldn't $100m be way more than that to do the same thing in, say London or Vancouver just because of the lesser buying power of the dollar in the western world?

[stealth]

Why would anyone watch the Olympics now? You might as well put yourself in front of a 24/7 television set with nothing but advertising on it. It's just another thing that corporate interests have destroyed.

I used to love the Olympics when it was about the sports and amateur athletes.

Things really changed when they let the pros in, in order to get more viewers/hype. In some cases, the competitiveness and passion really went down...you can't compare the heart of Kerri Strug, to these guys:
http://www.rantsports.com/clubhouse/2012/07/27/grant-hill-says-dream-team-iii-players-avoided-drug-tests/

Singles pro sports like tennis make e least sense to me...how is it any different than any other tennis tournament? Eg Serena Williams vs some other chick...big deal, you can see at any other weekend on tv...nothing "Olympic" about it. At least when they put together the teams with pro athletes like hockey, they're combining players together who are mostly opponents usually and who likely have never played together.

[Madchester]

http://youtu.be/UcmoRy444MY
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[djk]

Yeah that's true. Just the opening ceremony in London was confusing and unentertaining. While the Beijing Olympics wow-ed me every single second.

I thought the Bejing was boring.. something you expect London to do many decades ago.

London with its rich history, culture, etc can do something China or other eastern countries can't do.

[Sauerkraut]

Closing ceremonies coming up. I have my PVR ready so I can fast forward through the Spice girls!

[sandikosh]

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

Google Alexander Despatie.

What did he got?

[cheapmeister]

Did they have race/speed walking in these olympics? I remember they had it before, but I didn't see it on tv this time?

[Canada_7]

Did they have race/speed walking in these olympics? I remember they had it before, but I didn't see it on tv this time?

They did. It was on when I was watching around 7:30am back on Saturday.

[cheapmeister]

They did. It was on when I was watching around 7:30am back on Saturday.

I wonder who won the 100m/200m/400m/1000m race walks?

Well I feel sad the olympic games are over :( Back to watching blue jays for now.

BTW someone has to give back their gold medal, something about steriods lol!

http://www.thestar.com/sports/london2012/athletics/article/1241207--london-2012-nadzeya-ostapchuk-belarusian-shot-putter-stripped-of-olympic-gold-medal-for-doping