Summer Reflection #28: Long Open
I like the Olympics.
The opening ceremonies? I am not such a fan of, yet I watch through like many, judging the spectacle, the pomp, the cringe and like in Paris tonight, the what the fuck.
Overall, I am pretty sure the opening ceremony is going to get absolutely roasted, but I liked it. They tried something different, it didn't work that well, it absolutely bucketed down, but they committed.
There were some amazing dancers.
But, the "social inclusion" went a bit far. This is the Olympics, not Eurovision. If it ever did, it doesn't add value anymore - it is overdone. But social law dictates every publicly broadcast event, no matter the subject, has to have large parts dedicated to sexuality and the 8 billion genders. There was even a threesome.
How long is this thing before they light the flame...
I had a big dinner tonight, but I have been watching this ceremony for so long I think I am approaching breakfast. At least the sports start tomorrow proper, which I am looking forward to, as is Smallsteps. She doesn't really remember Tokyo three years ago, but she is interested in all of the things she hasn't really seen before. We don't watch much TV, let alone sports on TV, so a lot of the more obscure sports she has never even heard of before.
Of course, this is our summer holiday, so we aren't going to spend it glued to a screen either, but I will allow myself a bit more screen time here and there, watching for the entertainment and inspiration of it. I find athletes of all disciplines at this level of their sport, incredible.
While there isn't much of a chance for conflict, I support Australia across the board, yet as I live in Finland, I also support the Finnish team, which is far smaller in size than Australia and far less likely to get medals of any color. They normally get something, but it is always a nice surprise kind of thing.
The Olympic hot air balloon is lit!
And Celine Dion has sung a song. That might be her last in public perhaps, but what a way to go out on, when the last song is sung overlooking Paris whilst standing on the Eiffel Tower at the Olympics. That has got to be an amazing setting to perform within.
For the next 16 days though, it is the turn of the top 10,000 athletes in the world across dozens of disciplines to perform too. There will be victories and success of course, but there will also be failures and heartaches, as well as those touching acts of sportsmanship that give hope for humanity to those watching.
I'll be watching.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
I agree mate, the ceremony would have its highs and lows, but the sports are what truly matter.
Will you be watching and if so, what are you most interested in?
Certainly not going to miss this one, to be honest mate pretty difficult to pick a favorite, I'm a sucker for almost all of it... Wish I could take a vacation and be part of it but work just had to happen
I don't know what an opening ceremony it is, but I have read that some teams didn't want to attend it as it might have negative effects on them such as getting tired or cold 🙄
Yeah, I heard the same. It was pissing down for the majority of it. Normally, people competing the next day don't attend anyway.
The sports are definitely the highlight. I like watching the athletes compete at their best. I hope no broken bones this season. This is hopefully going to be awesome brother hehehe
Totally agree... the only part that I felt a little bit more touched in the heart was when the Olympic torch was passed to a 100 years old golden French athletic cyclist... the elder one living... put a small tear in the corner of my eye.
Off course that I loved the part we're Gojira appeared with their awesome music... but that is my personal music touch speaking... I confess.
In the end, we can see that a huge effort was made to take the ceremony outside of the Olympic stadium.
All ready and set for 16 days of pure human superation!
Amazing sportsmanship
We just started watching it here. The rain is a bit of a bummer for the athletes. I think my favorite part was the Marie Antoinette skit and the metal band. I love Kelly Clarkson, but I don't understand how she earned a commentator spot here in the US.
I saw some 'highlights' and I'm not really a fan of the boat ceremony. A big part of the entrance was to be surrounded by the fans. The rain also made it look worse. I saw the team USA getting drenched in the rain, with only a few wearing ponchos. I hope none of the players get sick.
Without our basketball team I will care less about Olympics. Still I would like to see USA team lose. But I don't have any favorites.
This is the kickstart of one of the most emotional events in the world
I’d feel good to see my fellow Nigerians win something
I too liked the opening ceremony even if probably I was criticizing here and that. It was different, my brain had to grasp the spectacle, but I think it was better than a closed ceremony. Now... let the games begin!
My mother told me that when I was 4 years old, I spent hours watching the 1980 Olympics on TV. Now I’m wondering what was so interesting there for a 4-year-old child :)
I’ve been anticipating this moment of the world
I’d make sure I watch every moment of this
I hardly follow Olympics but it was all over the news and social media today! It's hard not to know what happened. I mean, I don't usually judge, but I guess everyone is entitled to have their opinion.
Now we're talking. This is my kind of Olympics (I have not actually watched the ceremony, but have read through a bunch of the controversy now).
I likely won't do much watching to be honest, unless my partner is really engaged with a specific event (I assume lots of gymnastics). I've checked out some of the Rugby 7s highlights and soccer, but I'm trying not to pay it much mind this year. More excited about my Chelsea FC preseason with another new coach and more signings.