The Olympics.

[anglefire]

Not sure it is worth every penny, but does have some value to it, to be sure.

[Reinardina]

Apart from the torch, which I saw twice, I haven't seen anything Olympic. Neither the opening ceremony, nor any sporting events. But, like the torch, it seems to have a very uplifting effect on the nation. Hope, optimism and happiness can't be bad, as long as we manage to channel all this optimism and energy into something worthwhile.

And I haven't heard a negative word about all these elitist (being the best, and coming first, is elitist, isn't it?) medal winners. And (how very old fashioned!) they do it for the glory, and not because they are paid millions.

As long as this message is not lost the minute the games are over, I think we will have won.

[Graham]

  Really impressed with the sportsmanship shown as well. I liked that when the mens quads (not sure if that's what they'er called...you know, four men in a boat.) won gold, they told the interviewers to wait while they went to help the Australian silver medalists out of their boat.
  What does annoy me though is ignoramus  comentators describeing silver and bronze medalists as having "lost" and saying they must be disapointed!

  Anyway what happened to the cream of GB's multi-millionair soccer players? (Don't answer, I'm not really interested.)
              Graham.

[Reinardina]

  Really impressed with the sportsmanship shown as well. I liked that when the mens quads (not sure if that's what they'er called...you know, four men in a boat.) won gold, they told the interviewers to wait while they went to help the Australian silver medalists out of their boat.
  What does annoy me though is ignoramus  comentators describeing silver and bronze medalists as having "lost" and saying they must be disapointed!

  Anyway what happened to the cream of GB's multi-millionair soccer players? (Don't answer, I'm not really interested.)
              Graham.

This negative reporting (being a loser, when you've just won silver, or bronze) is, in my opinion, typical of a 'novice' reporter. Being a name (or a face) seems to be more important these days, than knowing your stuff.

And no, I won't comment on soccer. (Or any other sport.)

[ABERS]

Here's an article that will make you either choke on your cornflakes or say, " Mmmm...".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19144983

Can you imagine 6 million people in a swimming pool! Hope they don't all take a crafty leak!!

[Graham]

Here's an article that will make you either choke on your cornflakes or say, " Mmmm...".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19144983

Can you imagine 6 million people in a swimming pool! Hope they don't all take a crafty leak!!

  Interesting article. Iv'e heard a lot of calls for the government to review their take on sports funding, given the recent successes why would they?
  I concede that it would help if they would stop authorising the sale of school playing fields to developers.
   




ps   I have never had a "crafty leak" in a swimming pool....I always do it from the diving board!

[ABERS]

Don't you just love that Dressage caper. 

The last time I saw anything like that was when  Billy Smarts came to town. .

[SimonW]

Some very interesting shots here from a photography point of view:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/picturegalleries/9461272/London-2012-Olympics-Photographers-tricks.html?frame=2303616

Simon

[Beaux Reflets]

Some very interesting shots here from a photography point of view:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/picturegalleries/9461272/London-2012-Olympics-Photographers-tricks.html?frame=2303616

Simon

It is encouraging and good to see the thoughtful explanations with each one too - Thanks for sharing 

[highlandscenics]

I watched the last hour of the opening ceremony, was impressed by the scale of it. I have even watched more of the events than a ever thought I would, but one thing that baffles me is, why is there horse riding/equestrian events in the Olympics?......I always thought the point of the Olympics was a test of the human strength, agility and stamina?.....Surely the horse is the one being tested and not the human.....it's like making Formula One or Power boat racing an Olympic event....

[Oldboy]

Some very interesting shots here from a photography point of view:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/picturegalleries/9461272/London-2012-Olympics-Photographers-tricks.html?frame=2303616

Simon

Well spotted Simon. 

[Reinardina]

I watched the last hour of the opening ceremony, was impressed by the scale of it. I have even watched more of the events than a ever thought I would, but one thing that baffles me is, why is there horse riding/equestrian events in the Olympics?......I always thought the point of the Olympics was a test of the human strength, agility and stamina?.....Surely the horse is the one being tested and not the human.....it's like making Formula One or Power boat racing an Olympic event....

It takes years, to learn to master a horse and put it through its paces faultlessly; you could call that stamina, I suppose.
But, yes, I too always had the idea the Olympics were mainly for  individual athletes, with relays (and tennis) as the exception.
Skill, in all its diverse guises, seems to have been added over the years.