https://youtube.com/shorts/6S9Pz-zDQUo?si=pCORlzvgCoQ-vUlz
Both of these are more impressive than the real horses... And there's less shit to deal with.
“He’s also a dressage rider” So what’s that got to do with CDJ??
Uhhh, they’re both dressage riders? Which involves forcing a horse to parade/perform in a manner that’s completely unnatural to the way a horse normally moves. Just a thought.
use the best farriers
Now there’s an area where the welfare of those learning the trade needs to be addressed, because often they’re bullied in a way that would be totally unacceptable with a horse. My sister-in-law’s son committed suicide because of the bullying he suffered, and he’s not the first, it’s common knowledge it goes on. What CDJ did was wrong, but forcing mules, which just aren’t used to that behaviour is all kinds of wrong.
doesn’t appear to be repeatedly hitting the animals though does he? Nice bit of whataboutism.
I hate to have to point this out to you, but it’s a still photo, not a video - how can you tell what they’re doing?
Moving away from this unfortunate situation, back to the actual Games and the opening ceremony, it appears that among all the usual pop stars taking part, Gojira are performing as well, which should be interesting! For anyone wondering who they are, they’re a French metal band…
I hope this vandalism isn't a sign of what may happen at these Olympics and everyone stays safe.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2gd9pqwlxo
^ yes, that occurred to me too - and with the opening ceremony being where it is (ie, along the Seine), it will be so much harder to have effective security compared to inside a stadium.
I hope this vandalism isn’t a sign of what may happen at these Olympics and everyone stays safe.
I do sometimes wonder why any country sets itself up to host the Olympics. It inevitably costs vast amounts of money and causes no end of disruption, highlights all sorts of dubious practices and ends with a bunch of mothballed facilities.
That said, I am looking forward to the MTB and track cycling. Might watch some of the opening ceremony tonight too.
I hope this vandalism isn’t a sign of what may happen at these Olympics and everyone stays safe.
> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2gd9pqwlxo
It seems to be developing into something more targeted and coordinated than just vandalism -
SNCF says it’s been a victim overnight of a "massive attack aimed at paralysing the network”.
Fires were started at three points on TGV lines running west, north and east of Paris.
A fourth arson attack on the line running south to Lyon and the Mediterranean was foiled.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cxe24vg59lzt
MuffinMan,
Agree with you about the timing, seemed a bit off.
For a bit of a conspiracy theory, I was wondering why CDJ apologised so quickly, didn't contest the suspension (surely there's a process to go through) is her olympic horse injured?
It seems to be developing into something more targeted and coordinated than just vandalism –
Hmmm. Let me take a look at a list of countries which have a recent history of conducting nefarious acts during the Olympic games and those that didn't get an invitation.
I think I've narrowed it down, lads.
The French really are getting the thick end of things recently.
Although the rugby 7 team looks good but then so did the NZ men's team
Opening ceremony on.... nothing of interest to report yet. Hoping for cyclist with beret, stripey jumper and onions.
It’s going to be VERY French!
Absolute crap so far.... no atmosphere, looks like amateur night. Is this how they're spending the millions it's costing them. Can only hope it improves as it goes on.
Hardstyle Can Can.
Dumb-kirk
ROCKKKKk!
Unfortunately it looks like three hours of the filler bits between songs at Eurovision.
Pretty underwhelmed and wondering mainly what the **** is going on lol!
It's tipping it down.
Martinhutch nailed it
Miming and can't dance. Hmm.
Unfortunately it looks like three hours of the filler bits between songs at Eurovision.
Just needs Graham Norton doing the commentary!
I don’t know if it’s been commented on already, but as a graphic designer I absolutely bloody LOVE the logo. It’s simple understated genius! I’d expect nothing less from the French. They’re pretty damn good at this kind of thing
Yeah, love that logo. My wife can't see it!
Neat diptych Flame/girl.
Surely, at some point in the planning, someone asked "Mais et s'il pleut"?
Boring washout ☹ as a spectacle it's not working, I'm of down the pub ?
Where's the guillotine? The person responsible for this fiasco needs to "visit" it.
Logo is excellent.
Sorry, the rest is dull, hoping something might happen after the parade of countries, but for now, I'm out. The weather certainly isn't helping, but it must be difficult to create any real atmosphere when not in a stadium.
Danny Boyle's London ceremony still rules. One of the most unexpectedly brilliant bits of TV watching I've ever seen, I only tuned in with low expectations as it was "on a budget" compared with Beijing, yet I stayed until they rolled out McCartney at the end.
Binners - am I being dense, who is she meant to be?
For design, nothing is going to beat Heatherwick's cauldron of all the nations in 2012.
I assume they are doing the athlete parade first?
And then afterwards it will be fireworks, drones , people swimming in the river ?
Maybe there's a bit of bias when I say this, but it certainly ain't London 2012........
I went from a sceptic to a convert and evangelist within the first 10 minutes of that and sat through the whole thing.
This is fingers down the chalkboard stuff. Very disjointed and awkward. Too many venues, too many single people standing on massive buildings feeling totally lost and small scale things against an enormous backdrop. The rain isn't helping, but that aside it feels very clumsy with long periods of nothing. Where's the spectacle?
And where are all of the athletes? Seems like a very small contingent from most countries. Is it just the spread out boat thing giving a sparse impression or are there less athletes involved than a traditional ceremony?
It's a brave decision to hold it outside the stadium. Well its good enough for me and people seem genuinely happy to be there.
I disagree with those who are unimpressed I think. It's very French, of course it is. Its never going to be like the way 'we' did it and it shouldn't be. I bet there's a heck of a buzz across the city despite the rain.
It's interesting how despite being our closest neighbours, we have a huge difference in our culture, our film, TV, music, arts etc this probably all seems a bit 'french' to us in the same way that our big celebrations must seem a bit foreign and odd to the French.
Amusingly, it's pretty much the only part of France that is getting rained on. God clearly hates the French Olympic Committee.
this probably all seems a bit ‘
frenchdreadful’ to us
The French really know how to put on a show. Just not the French that designed this.
Oh so the parade is it 🙁
Still might come back later for the inevitable drone and firework show at the end
God this is ****
Needs Jean Paul Gautier and a bunch of fishermen in bondage gear. Propa French culture.
It’s almost a bit D-Day ish ie they have scoured the land for as many boats that they can find, and then given the crappiest shitty ones to the poorest nations
