Now this is impressive. The BBC have got it SO right I can hardly believe it.

Brian The Dog on 6/8/2012 at 20:46

I'm loving seeing people compete in sports that I never would have watched normally. The drama of Shin A-Lam in the fencing, for instance, or the joy of Ilya Ilin in the weightlifting at breaking the world record so easily. Or watching Maio Maio win her table tennis match on the first day. The BBC are a bit too partisan for my taste, but it is amazing that they have web streams from all events so people like me can watch the more obscure sports.

nickie on 7/8/2012 at 17:43

Unfortunately, I missed out on the opportunity to see some Greco-Roman wrestling. And in trying to find out about it, I came across a site which referred to 'a British color commentator' whatever that may be. But apart from that, I agree that it's been great to see some different sports going on.

I really like the Key Info section on the Sports Page (a great pic of sideburn fans, Wiggins and Paul Weller, together today) and have also followed my way to (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19144983) this which is a BBC analysis of money and medals. Made for interesting reading and I must say I'm more than happy to spend 80p per year for these athletes.

Edit. I tell a lie, Greco-Roman wrestling is still going on.

Edit2. It's still as dull and incomprehensible to me as normal wrestling.

scumble on 7/8/2012 at 19:29

Quote Posted by Brian The Dog

The BBC are a bit too partisan for my taste

I suspect every country's national coverage is a bit partisan. Can you imagine what it's like in China?

Brian The Dog on 7/8/2012 at 21:07

I know, I think I'm just a bit too idealistic, thinking we should celebrate the joy and drama of great sporting contests.

Quote Posted by nickie

It's still as dull and incomprehensible to me as normal wrestling.

I especially found strange the fact that someone his to lie on his back whilst the other person has to flip them over. At least nobody throws chairs into the arena or the like.

Two other sporting events I loved - Ricardo Blas Jr winning in the judo whilst weighing 218kg (480 lb), and the South Korean women's handball team, who my friend described as "looking like a group of teenagers overdosed on Prozac".

Medlar on 7/8/2012 at 23:15

Quote Posted by scumble

I suspect every country's national coverage is a bit partisan. Can you imagine what it's like in China?

As a Brit living in the USA for the past 5 months I have to agree. Dear wife and I try to see as much of the UK participation as we can but of course there are so many good results from the American team there is very little time left to show "foreign" results.

We have heard nothing but positive comments on the opening ceremony here tho" :)

I did have a snigger at Kenneth Branagh striding around owning the stage, what a luvvie!

scumble on 10/8/2012 at 11:46

I can imagine there's a bit of Phelps mania. Even the british commentators were getting on my nerves...

jay pettitt on 12/8/2012 at 22:39

It was all going so well. And then the closing ceremony. Oh dear :(

I can only imagine Dave, Boris and Samantha spent many long evenings personally going through their copies of NOW HITS 37 through 41 and 45 to 48 hand picking songs for the set list. They even managed to suck the brightness out of Eric Idle, I never thought that was possible. At least Brian dressed up like a Badger - edgy Brian, edgy.

So if, for at least a week, a few less people try to kill me with their cars when I'm cycling and if some folk get a bit more exercise for a bit then hray. It'd be nice to set sights a little higher, but the closing ceremony reminded everyone that this is Britain, and people who think it's hip to like Oasis pick the songs.

LarryG on 12/8/2012 at 23:53

I just tried to use the on-line vids of some events and that's a disaster. Whoever is responsible for that should be shot! 1st it is impossible to navigate, then when you do find what you want to see, the only thing that downloads correctly is the commercials. I spent 1/2 hour trying before I gave it up. For me, the coverage this time around was horrible live and impossible recorded. Three thumbs down.

SubJeff on 13/8/2012 at 01:00

I can't believe it's too damn hot to sleep in the UK but anyways I'm still up at 1.30am because of it.

My take on what I saw of the Olympics

I've already stated what I thought about the BBC website. It hasn't failed me yet. Loved it. (What site were you using LarryG? Because there aren't commercials on the BBC).

I went to a few things and despite the general expense (£7.50 for a tub of sweet and sour chicken done badly yeaaaaaah, right) I thought it rather well organised. I got the Beach Volleyball, which was very entertaining. Atmosphere was great, music was fun (you don't see/hear the DJ on the TV). Saw some of the cycle road race which was marred a little by idiotic spectators. Who brings a bike when you know the streets are going to be packed? At least chain it up in a side street.

And I went to the wrestling yesterday which was just mental. Its such a crazy sport (and this from me who dabbles in close combat) but so much fun. The advantage given in a draw is just bonkers, but I saw some great matches. I think the lighter weight categories are more fun. More happens in them and those guys are all OVER each other like little fighting spiders. Huge Georgian, Mongolian and Iranian supporter presence there and there were some real tears from one of the Iranian losers.

We went to the mens marathon today which was pretty much like the London marathon. Good spirits all around, and surprisingly well organised "sheparding" in town. Noticed that the 10 front runners were all black, which was no surprise, but why do people get touchy when one notices thi?. It's genetics and so what? The BBC commentators dealt with this observation during the track athletics with some difficulty and denial. PC gone mad again.

It's a shame it's over tbh and we were thinking about going to the Paralympics too. Depends what's on. I was impressed by Oscar Pistorius' running with the blades and if I can get to some track stuff with blades I'd like to. I think it rather fabulous that people who lose limbs can strive for such sporting prowess because of advances in technology and I really won't be surprised when bionics do get so advanced that they confer a large advantage. I predict the Paralympians overtaking the Olympians in the not too distant future.

As to our medal haul; impressive I'm sure you all agree. Russia did a good job closing the gap these last few days but no bananas. I'm impressed by North Korea getting 4 golds (but not in the football, ho ho) because of the purported state of the country. Jamaica don't impress me, as a nation, because aforementioned genetics, but the sprint team are both great to watch and top chaps in interview.

:thumb:

Roll on Rio.

LarryG on 13/8/2012 at 02:43

Quote Posted by Subjective Effect

What site were you using LarryG? Because there aren't commercials on the BBC

(http://www.nbcolympics.com). It's rubbish. The whole broadcasting in the US was rubbish. Extremely disappointing, I was looking forward to seeing it. But because of how it was handled I only was able to see the occasional lesser sporting event and nothing of interest.