[Closed] Who still hates the Olympics?

No of course not prizes for all, I'm not saying that. I just think they should show some respect for all the people that supported them in their efforts, and the other athletes, but not crying like a big baby when you don't get the bestest shiniest prize.

Of course you have to aim for gold, but somewhere in the intensive training I think they missed out the section on losing gracefully and with dignity and showing due respect for the winners.

Of course, if NZ had lost the World Cup final we were going to nuke France from orbit, just to be sure. But that's different.

it doesn't help with the media response to silver, the way the silver medal canoeist were treated when their team mates won gold was dreadful. The interviewer, after they had their arms round each others shoulder, split them apart and turned his back on the silver medalist and never asked them a single question in the end they were ushered out of shot.

Righty, I'm a bit tired so might not be as venomous as previous posts...

As I said prior to the Games starting, I wouldn't be watching the road race or TT as it would be hypocritical of me. So I didn't. What I did do was sit in traffic trying to get out of Kingston over that weekend along with about twenty thousand others - didn't see much Olympic cheer then.

I'm pleased for the sports folk who've done well and I'd imagine that stood in front of that massive crowd last night in the Olympic stadium must have been an amazing experience. Their hard work and graft has given them the results they wanted and I have nothing but admiration for them. But it doesn't affect me, doesn't change my opinion that these games are something we can ill afford and that the money should have been spent elsewhere.

I see a lot of arguments against the Olympics where numbers and facts are stated. The majority of responses to these arguments from Olympic supporters are along the lines of 'it lifts public spirit' and its for the greater good. I can't see how public spirit is going to create more jobs, or fix the NHS or lift us out of the massive debt we're currently sitting in. It really does still feel like everyone is enjoying these two weeks without considering the after effects. This, coupled with the fact that I'm told constantly that I should be 'proud' and enjoying the Games means I'm still sat in the 'waste of money and time' camp...

Sorry if I'm taking you out of context here, but surely for some athletes just getting to the games is a massive achievement, and whilst they may have goals (getting in the top ten, making the final, whatever), getting a medal will not be a realistic aim.

Slightly out of context yes. I've heard a few athletes before their event say they are 'just pleased to be there'. That reminds me of the sort of thing I used to say to my dad when I used to race motocross. If I was convinced I wasn't going to do well or didn't like the track etc I'd normally say to him " i'll be pleased if I can just get to the end of this one".

It might be unrealistic to assume you can/will win but resigning yourself to the fact you definitely can't isn't a good approach. Of course it's an achievement to get to the Olympics but now you're there have self belief. Who knows what could happen?

The talent of an athlete is the will to succeed , the will to win and the drive and work ethic that comes with that. Few people have that sort of mind-set. It's a talent as far as I'm concerned.

ohnohesback - Member
So why not just report the facts as part of the sports news rather than the gooey saturation worship on the BBC?
POSTED 14 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

Because they are excited to be reporting such amazing news about our athletes?

not crying like a big baby when you don't get the bestest shiniest prize.

Wtf is the point of any of it if not to get the best shiniest prize?!

Doesn't seem like you really understand top level competitve sport, tbh. If you don't care about prizes just go for a bike ride/run/knock about in the park. As many people do, very successfully of course.

Why is that lazy?

Loving the olympics. Hard to belive not so long ago a fair few were saying it would be an embarrassment to the Country.

Isn't Yorkshire doing quite well in the medal table - 8 golds or something?

Personally, I've never spent so much time shouting at the TV.

I wonder how David Starkey's doing at the moment...

I'm not hating it but as everyone at work is always watching it I'm getting a bit sick of having it on day in day out. Have to say I am surprised it's going well so far though, thought it would all go tits up somehow. I've been enjoying bits of it, looking forward to the bmx racing this week 🙂

It is an embarrassment to see the mass of doe-eyed droolers and disturbing to see how so many can be so easily pleased by so little.

Wtf is the point of any of it if not to get the best shiniest prize?!

[i] "The most important thing is not to win, but to take part"[/i]

- Pierre de Coubertin founder of the International Olympic Committee describing "the Olympic Spirit".

As I said prior to the Games starting, I wouldn't be watching the road race or TT as it would be hypocritical of me.

you could just watch it, enjoy it, but not tell anyone...
which is what I bet you're really doing.

disturbing to see how so many can be so easily pleased by so little.

if only everyone in life was so easily pleased.

Touched a nerve by the looks of it there Bwaarp.

I'm assuming you are shit at an awful lot of things to be satisfied with failure.

There there, never mind.

Let me guess. You're short, fat with stumpy legs, oversized head, small feet, small hands, small.....

Rather unnecessary

Self edit. Double post.

Isn't Yorkshire doing quite well in the medal table - 8 golds or something?
POSTED 9 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST

ohnohesback - Member

It is an embarrassment to see the mass of doe-eyed droolers and disturbing to see how so many can be so easily pleased by so little.

Are you ever, you know - happy?

At all? About anything? 😕

Happy? What on earth is that? Do you mean perhaps, less miserable?

ohnohesback - Member
It is an embarrassment to see the mass of doe-eyed droolers and disturbing to see how so many can be so easily pleased by so little.

Oh the sanctimony. Dont be embarrased, just tell us what you think we should be allowed to enjoy.

I'm having a lovely time, can't wait to go to the athletics on Friday night.

Go Team GB!!

You can enjoy whatever you wish to. And I can still cringe at the whole olympic farce.

How long until it's all over?

Whinge whinge whinge

What

a

baby

For all the moaning I can't say I've noticed any of the branding/marketing. Maybe as a TV viewer it has just passed me by.

Why is that lazy?

Sweet Baby Jesus and the orphans! There are some right miserable bastards on here. I thought I was bad, but frankly I'm a rank amateur

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Binners....you don't understand the sacrifice and dedication...

Their job is to report what is happening...if they want to say its exciting/dissapointing thats fine, but they should have some proffesional(sic) detachment when it comes to thier emotions

Absolutely! Can we have more robots devoid of emotion commentating and presenting sports please? 🙄

Keep the upper lip stiff, chaps.

It did come across a bit like that.. 🙂

I am enjoying the actual sports immensely. I am concerned that once the euphoria dies down, which won't take long, that the reality of our current economic situation will kick in and we may slump into a state of collective depression. Whilst people may be enjoying the warm weather and joyous occasion, I fear they will not be feeling quite as happy come next winter when the cold, recession and unemployment are biting hard.

I don't think not being sucked into all the mass hysteria is being at all 'miserable', I just think it's being realistic. These games have come at enormous cost to this nation, one which we don't appear to be very well prepared to pay for. It's a bit like blowing all your money on booze and treats, then not having enough afterwards to buy basic essentials. And awful lot of money seems to be being spent on these Panem et Circenses.

It is really nice to see Britain a bit more cheerful for once though I must say. London is a really great place to be in right now.

I just think it's being realistic

Or pessimistic.

When you're out for a couple of drinks in the evening do you enjoy the moment or spend the whole evening thinking about the hangover you're going to have the next day?

It is an embarrassment to see the mass of doe-eyed droolers and disturbing to see how so many can be so easily pleased by so little.

It's an embarrassment to see the miserable whingey gits who can't let people get happy together without having to piss all over it.

Seriously.

Why is that lazy?
Their job is to report what is happening...if they want to say its exciting/dissapointing thats fine, but they should have some proffesional detachment when it comes to thier emotions

Why is anyone watching the news at the moment... just flick over to BBC3 or the red button for uninterrupted coverage.

Rather unnecessary

Absolutely, and purposefully so.

Why can't people just respectfully disagree and then put forward their opinion and thoughts. I can't fathom why someone can become so angered by someones opinion on something so menial that rather than say they just disagree, they have to display their anger that you would dare to have an opinion slightly differing to theirs.

So, my response was purposefully belligerent because I could find no logical reason why he would get so angered and upset that my opinion clearly didn't run in line with his.

Or pessimistic.

When you're out for a couple of drinks in the evening do you enjoy the moment or spend the whole evening thinking about the hangover you're going to have the next day?

Hardly 'pessimistic'. Why not just have enough, be happy and stay healthy?

Or is it the British Way to overindulge and then have to deal with the inevitable negative consequences?

Have to say i was another one of those cynical doubters who thought it would just be a big egg and spoon race, and we would be left with the egg all over our faces.
Nice to be proved wrong.
I have been shouting loudly at the telly most days, even watched the tennis yesterday, cheering on Murray, normally tennis is a non event in our house.
Also haven't seen any Mc S**T adverts.
Have been asked by all my work colleagues about tactics in cycling (i am in their eyes an expert)so profile is defintely being raised.

Or is it the British Way to overindulge and then have to deal with the inevitable negative consequences?

On a positive note... the answer is 'Yes'.

See the current and previous Governments for reference.

[url= http://pitchfork.com/news/47391-morrissey-disses-the-olympics/ ]Seems Morrisey isn't a fan either[/url]

It must be great to see the negatives in almost everything.

It must be great to have your head stuck permanently in the sand so you don't have to see the harsh reality of things.

Or is it the British Way to overindulge and then have to deal with the inevitable negative consequences?

Would you rather highs and lows, or just constant middle ground?

This is actually a fairly personal thing, and quite fundamental to your lifestyle. Nothing to do with being British. Or is it? 🙂

And the eejit commentators learning as they go;-)

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Off to the boxing on Wednesday to hopefully watch Katie Taylor.

I can't say the 'big' news has been overly emotive in the reporting really.

And we are meant to worry what Morrisey thinks?

Remind me when/if he was ever relevant?

Would you rather highs and lows, or just constant middle ground?

I'd rather go out, have a good time and come home in a reasonably healthy state, than get wasted, mentally and physically abuse the wife and kids and have to then deal with the consequences.

That wasn't quite what I meant, mikeconnor!

The Olympics are chance to bury bad news. I mean, Louise Mensch is resigning and who is bothered;-)

molly - you don't even drink at all.

mike - you could just be a happy drunk? Maybe do something a bit experimental with the wife, accidentally wake up the kids as you stumble in the bathroom and have a fry-up in the morning?

What are those black boxes infront of the spectators? (i,m guessing the obvious answer is speakers but i thought i would ask anyway :-).

Or are they part of the seats duh!!!

Morissey making himself look a tit by comparing the London Olympics to 1939 Germany?.....nothing new there then, he's become quite boring in his old age....a Scrooge-like caricature, like a grumpy uncle perhaps.

He could have only made that piece more ludicrous by throwing something in there about the UK becoming a Police state, that's usually a sure fire way to appeal to fellow 'stuck-in-the-6th-form' rebels of his ilk.

....and another bizarre leap from mikeconnor insinuating that to go out and get drunk means coming home and abusing your family....yes Mike, thats what happens to all of us, i just cant help myself but to lay into the other half once i've had a few.....you plank.

Why do people get so angry on here?

Hungover?

i just cant help myself but to lay into the other half once i've had a few.....you plank

I think you're missing the subtlety of his analogy. You're on soft drinks from now on.

Why do people get so angry on here?

Hungover?

How do i quote?

Mikey - they are lighting units for the opening ceremony. No idea what ongoing use they will be, but they looked great last Friday.

"No idea what ongoing use they will be"

Exactly.

"No idea what ongoing use they will be"

And after that?

Mike, for someone who has bought so much sunshine and happiness to stw in their short time of posting, that is quite a comment. 😉

ohnohesback - Member

And after that?

Spanking mike.

And then there is the Royal Mail painting the letterboxes gold. How cringeworthy!

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How do i quote?

And after that?

I think the whole Stadium gets pulled down and possibly re-built as a smaller football stadium without the track...

The Hockey stadium is a temporary kit and off to Brazil as soon as the Olympics finishes.

The Velodrome stays, not sure what else is staying.

I understand the velodrom and aquatics centre are permanent, but the future of the stadium is uncertain. it will be sad if it is not preserved for the purpose it was intended. i think it would make an excellent athletics stadium for London.

I have no idea why baseball is even in the Olympics, far less why a purpose built venue had to be provided.

Loving the olympics and so are this lot. Whats not to like.

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Theyve been racing up and down the street taking it in turns being team gb and winning gold 😀

Even being the camera bikes the lot.

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I think the whole Stadium gets [s]pulled down[/s] dismantled and possibly re-built as a smaller football stadium without the track...

Baseball? I thought that had been abandoned as an Olympic sport. Blimey mike, let's hope they haven't built a purpose built venue. Even by the Olympics standards of excess, that might be a little too much to swallow 😉

When does this nonsense finish?

Hell, we may even see some proper anarchy and it will be about bloomin' time too. 🙂

My mistake, there isn't a baseball venue this year. I thought there was. Baseball has been included previously though, bizarrely. Maybe we should have demanded a croquet or Eton Fives court!

It doesn't seem as though most of the venues will remain, but then they were only meant to be temporary and it's unlikely there will be much call for them after the games. There will be some great venues left but i fear most of the Olympic park will end up as commercial development, as I can't see how such a large area can be sustained for public enjoyment.

I can"t beleive the BMX track is temporary. I thought one of the conditions was that it would be a permanent fixture? And what of a road racing circuit to replace the original Eastway circuit? The vleodrome is great, but i don't see how many of the 'promises' are going to be delivered.

Hell, we may even see some proper anarchy and it will be about bloomin' time too.

Who do you propose as leader and strategic planner?

Why, the gang of Big Hitters obviously and led by the inimitable Al. 😉

Edit: wanna join us dondon?

the gang of Big Hitters

i fear most of the Olympic park will end up as commercial development,

Oh no not a COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT!

heaven forbid a commercial development, bringing something as horrific as... commerce.

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Oh no not a COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT!

Well considering that London won the bid to host the games on the condition there would be a lasting sporting legacy, as well as regeneration of an area to benefit the whole community, that it will more than likely end up as a large commercial development area will sadly make the original promises and pledges worthless.

Which irreparably damages the Olympic Games as a force for good, i think. I cannot see the trend of negative olympic impact being reversed here in London.

Newham Council cannot afford to house all those in the borough who need housing, apparently. I cannot see how masses of expensive housing developments will benefit any of those with such needs.

regeneration of an area to benefit the whole community, that it will more than likely end up as a large commercial development

C_G - have you always hated the Olympics? Even when it's been held abroard?