Rio-2016

Couldn't watch all of it but the parts I saw were spectacular. They seemed to have pulled it together in the end. 

It was death-by-commercials in the States. Unwatchable.

I used to love the Olympics. Now they have become another corruption laden, corporate pillaged & over-hyped (see JRHardee's comment above), political & propaganda football. It's a shame really, because the athletes are so wonderful at what they do. I only watch the ice hockey (because I'd watch 2 kids in the street play hockey, and join them if they let me), but I missed all of the last Summer Olympics, and I don't intend to watch any of this one either.

Funny how in the run-up to the last 2 Olympics, when they were held by USA "non-favored" countries (although we have just recently managed to pull off a legislative coup d'etat in Brazil) the focus is on how terrible the conditions are, etc. I know in Sochi it was almost non-stop on the lead in, and the MSM palaver was for the most part refuted by those who were there and the participants themselves.

Not saying there aren't issues - these are developing (second and third world) countries so who would be surprised that the standards are not all the way up to first world countries. But the use of this as propaganda over here is relentless...and in the case of Sochi, clearly overstated and over-hyped.

As a friend of mine, who works for ABC Nightly News and Nightline said to his 6 month old daughter as he held her after a diaper change, "I'm never gonna let you watch TV, because I know it is all a lie!"

Same in Canada, our national public radio and television broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada were cutting to commercials way too often. Not as bad as the US, where it was tape-delayed but annoying nevertheless. Seems the BBC were commercial free coverage.

The BBC don't do commercials (except for BBC programming). I can't watch the 140 or so alternatives, so I only watch The Beeb.

Pedro

PS Thought the show started well, but lost its way towards the end.

Commercials are a pain but are SOP here in the U.S. Beyond the competition itself and understanding that day to day reality is far from perfect, the backdrops of Rio have been nothing short of stunning. A beautiful picture everywhere the cameras turn.

Role on the Winter Olympics.Much less keep up with the Jones and show boating.

Each to their own but I do prefer the winter sports.

I'll catch the opening ceremonies on youtube some time soon.

Not much interest by Brazilians it seems. Every stadium so far seems at most half full, sometimes near empty. Brazil playing beach volleyball, in Rio, at the weekend, maybe 2/3 empty.

Bit different 4 years ago when you couldn't get tickets gor anything!!

Oh and thanks US networks for fking around some timings already, for the benefit of US audiences, making some events later in the day/evening in Rio, but now too late to watch in Europe.

JamieWednesday posted:

Not much interest by Brazilians it seems. Every stadium so far seems at most half full, sometimes near empty. Brazil playing beach volleyball, in Rio, at the weekend, maybe 2/3 empty.

Bit different 4 years ago when you couldn't get tickets gor anything!!

Oh and thanks US networks for fking around some timings already, for the benefit of US audiences, making some events later in the day/evening in Rio, but now too late to watch in Europe.

Brasilieros love football . Both boys and girls go to football matches from when they are tiny - young kids typically get into football matches free which is cheaper than paying someone to look after them if they are left at home! This is especially so in Rio where Flamengo support is mainly from the poorer. Many won't even know what the Olympics are let alone pay money to see them. Go to north Brasil where my wife is from and very few will have heard or care much about the olympics.

Additionally like the oil revenues from previous good times, any benefits of the olympics will not be seen outside Rio, and possibly São Paulo states. Thought the locals entered into the spirit of the cycling road race very well - they were pretty close to Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio and there were no cases I heard of the riders being confronted by 'that's my bike now' and having to walk back, which is likely to happen if you ride that route on expensive bikes, and wearing expensive clothes. 

Point well made re. The timing of some events. Even the BBC commentary team got a few digs in yesterday!

Agree with others regarding commercials in North America - far too many.

But if I didn't have the commentary, I wouldn't have thought the opening ceremony was all that spectacular. The story was the key for me.

Overall I felt Brazil did a good job considering the budget went from over $110 million USD to around $60 million.

Arun

Elsewhere, the unwatchable has become watchable: They edited the bejesus out of the synchronized diving, so you get a dive every 30-45 seconds, rather than the deadly boring drag of real time in 2012. Now it's actually enjoyable.

JamieWednesday posted:

Not much interest by Brazilians it seems. Every stadium so far seems at most half full, sometimes near empty. Brazil playing beach volleyball, in Rio, at the weekend, maybe 2/3 empty.

Bit different 4 years ago when you couldn't get tickets gor anything!!

Oh and thanks US networks for fking around some timings already, for the benefit of US audiences, making some events later in the day/evening in Rio, but now too late to watch in Europe.

I guess it had to do something with the security lines and as well that Brasilians are more focused on sme core sports and can't be bothered by some of the non Brasilians sports...

Very disappointing to see that Yuri van Gelder is again involved n an incident and has been expelled from the olympics after training for this for 13 years, a shame. And he is nit anymore lord of the rings but lord of the incidents....

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sp...1f9d379c3c4da16de15e

Hitting other players with sticks? Publicly complaining about the ruling? Coaches publicly complaining about refereeing? I guess it's the 'strayan way. Disgraceful.

(And who was the Einstein that came up with "Hockeyroos"? Really, that's the best they could do? Just add "roo" after the sport's name? See also Socceroos.)

Mens gymnastics nailbiting...Max Whitlock waiting to see which colour of medal...the first for 108 years!

G

And, what about Jack Laugher & Chris Mears, first ever UK gold in diving.................not among the favourites before the event................well done lads. 

Indeed - They were superb..

G

In the ironic Olympic news category - an American named Armstrong won gold in cycling.

Go U - K - err A!

Yay

joerand posted:

In the ironic Olympic news category - an American named Armstrong won gold in cycling.

Believe me the irony is not lost on us locals but she is not related to Lance and is an amazing rider on her own. This is her third Olympic gold earned in the time trial and she earned this one a couple of days short of her 43rd birthday. After winning, she got a big hug from her six year old son. When she returns home, she will resume her position as Director of Community Health at St. Lukes Hospital in Boise, Idaho. These people amaze me.

Brilliant world record from the ladies team pursuit at the velodrome.

G

Claire Balding suggesting Bradley Wiggins (headphones on) was "probably listening to heavy metal"...does she not recognise a diehard mod when she sees one!

G

Callum Skinner...that's how it's done!

G