London 2012 Olympic Games Official Thread

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London 2012 Olympic Games Official Thread, 27 July > 12 August

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jm-hamilton	Jul 28 2012, 08:02 AM Post #16
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2219 Joined: 4-January 05 From: By the sea Member No.: 2857	Forgot about the drummers - they were fantastic - wondered how they managed to keep them all in sync with each other. Hope they didn't end up with RSI after the three hours of drumming! As a matter of interest how would you have ended the ceremony if you thought Paul McCartney wasn't the right person to do it?

maggiemay	Jul 28 2012, 08:34 AM Post #17
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 18099 Joined: 12-January 04 From: S E England Member No.: 413	Have to say I agree with most of what you've said, jm-hamilton. I didn't watch the whole thing - just bits. I have no interest in the olympics either, but it was good to see that we didn't make a complete ######## of the whoie thing ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I did think the commentary was mixed. The younger guy ( whose name I forget ) did not impress me at all - in particular his remark about the nhs staff possibly not having a natural sense of rhythm. I can't remember his exact words, but I thought that was a particularly clueless and inane comment. I missed the Macca moment, so don't know what I'm commenting on, but I have never particularly rated him. Would someone like Bryn Terfel have been a better choice? Otherwise, in typical British understatement - not a bad show.

Floss	Jul 28 2012, 08:55 AM Post #18
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 496 Joined: 16-July 11 From: Leeds Member No.: 286366	Loved it, loved it, loved it! And some of you will know just how sceptical I've been about the olympics... I found the torch's entry into the stadium really moving, and the cauldron was breath-taking! I loved the part about children's literature and the NHS. Mike Oldfield was fantastic too! Sir Paul's performance wasn't great but there is no denying that he is part of our 'musical heritage'. I could list lots more. I have a few minor gripes but know I'll be pounced on if I mention them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Crotchetymum	Jul 28 2012, 08:57 AM Post #19
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2851 Joined: 3-July 08 Member No.: 34190	I liked Sir Paul's first bit - the 'And in the end...' but I suppose They felt that they couldn't ask him along for just 30 seconds' worth (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

corenfa	Jul 28 2012, 09:04 AM Post #20
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 4222 Joined: 28-March 10 From: Here Member No.: 95861	QUOTE(Crotchetymum @ Jul 28 2012, 08:57 AM) ... I liked the way Beckham handled that boat - perhaps he's in the running to be the next James Bond (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Speaking of which, it was the Queen in the Palace part of the film, wasn't it? Yes - apparently it really was the queen - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19018666 - here's an article about what they did. The thing I loved most about the opening ceremony was the sense of humour. Any country whose head of state (is that the correct term for HM?) agrees to such a thing above has a certain confidence that speaks for itself. (According to http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19022429, in 1948 they released 2500 pigeons (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) - what exactly was the point of that??)

Floss	Jul 28 2012, 09:11 AM Post #21
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 496 Joined: 16-July 11 From: Leeds Member No.: 286366	QUOTE(Crotchetymum @ Jul 28 2012, 09:57 AM) I liked Sir Paul's first bit - the 'And in the end...' but I suppose They felt that they couldn't ask him along for just 30 seconds' worth (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

barry-clari	Jul 28 2012, 09:44 AM Post #22
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 40577 Joined: 10-January 06 From: South East London Member No.: 5804	QUOTE(Impressionist @ Jul 27 2012, 07:27 PM) Mo Farrer in the 5,000 and 10,000m (going to see the 10,000m at the Olympic Stadium so I hope he runs it!) I'm seeing the 5000m : so I hope he runs that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) QUOTE(Floss @ Jul 28 2012, 09:55 AM) Loved it, loved it, loved it! And some of you will know just how sceptical I've been about the olympics... I found the torch's entry into the stadium really moving, and the cauldron was breath-taking! I loved the part about children's literature and the NHS. Mike Oldfield was fantastic too! Sir Paul's performance wasn't great but there is no denying that he is part of our 'musical heritage'. I could list lots more. I have a few minor gripes but know I'll be pounced on if I mention them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Sir Paul, yes, is part of our musical heritage, but I'm afraid there were better candidates than him to finish the performance. I'm afraid I don't think the Arctic Monkeys are that special either. Otherwise, it was a fabulous ceremony (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) QUOTE(corenfa @ Jul 28 2012, 10:04 AM) (According to http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19022429, in 1948 they released 2500 pigeons (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) - what exactly was the point of that??) So they could give Trafalgar Square another tourist 'attraction'? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Crotchetymum	Jul 28 2012, 09:56 AM Post #23
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2851 Joined: 3-July 08 Member No.: 34190	(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) So many empty seats in the first swimming session (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) There are young swimmers across the country who could be sitting there watching some terrific races if the people who have bought the tickets don't want to sit in the seats

gedall40	Jul 28 2012, 10:50 AM Post #24
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2026 Joined: 15-July 08 From: Kenilworth Member No.: 35143	I have to say that overall I loved the Opening Ceremony and a splendid job was done putting across our capital city and our country (including those bits whose leaders seem to not want to be part of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ). It was also certainly clear that we are very much a mixed race country. Nitpicking, although I enjoyed Mr Bean's performance, I was sorry it spoilt for me the LSO music. I would much rather he had done that while the Arctic Monkeys (who? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) ) were on. I was sorry this group chose to sing an old Beatles song with some very dodgy lyrics (I only hope foreigners did not realise what it is about), and equally sorry that whatever excuses and denials the Beatles have made about "Hey Jude", a song that is "possibly" linked to drug-taking is not at all appropriate for the Olympic Games. What would I have ended with? My first choice, having seen the way the Diamond Jubilee party started with Robbie Williams and the guards trumpeters, would have been a simple repeat of that. My second choice would have been "We Are the Champions" with Brian May leading a Queen tribute band. My third choice comes from the way Status Quo kicked off Live Aid all those years ago - "Rocking All Over the World".

Clarimoo	Jul 28 2012, 11:11 AM Post #25
Prodigy Group: Members Posts: 1457 Joined: 31-July 09 From: The Shire, Middle Earth Member No.: 71829	Good choices gedall40, next time will you take charge please.

barry-clari	Jul 28 2012, 11:15 AM Post #26
Maestro Group: Members Posts: 40577 Joined: 10-January 06 From: South East London Member No.: 5804	QUOTE(Clarimoo @ Jul 28 2012, 12:11 PM) Good choices gedall40, next time will you take charge please. Someone will have to pay for his ticket to Rio in 2016 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

jm-hamilton	Jul 28 2012, 12:02 PM Post #27
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 2219 Joined: 4-January 05 From: By the sea Member No.: 2857	QUOTE(gedall40 @ Jul 28 2012, 11:50 AM) Nitpicking, although I enjoyed Mr Bean's performance, I was sorry it spoilt for me the LSO music. What would I have ended with? My first choice, having seen the way the Diamond Jubilee party started with Robbie Williams and the guards trumpeters, would have been a simple repeat of that. My second choice would have been "We Are the Champions" with Brian May leading a Queen tribute band. My third choice comes from the way Status Quo kicked off Live Aid all those years ago - "Rocking All Over the World". The whole focus of that item was on Mr Bean, and much as I like Rowan Atkinson I agree that it detracted from the actual music and the LSO. I like the idea of Queen as the final act.

corenfa	Jul 28 2012, 12:17 PM Post #28
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 4222 Joined: 28-March 10 From: Here Member No.: 95861	QUOTE(jm-hamilton @ Jul 28 2012, 01:02 PM) .... I like the idea of Queen as the final act. I just misread that as "the Queen", which changes the meaning a bit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

onion	Jul 28 2012, 12:37 PM Post #29
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 367 Joined: 8-February 05 From: London Member No.: 3103	I really enjoyed the opening ceremony. All excited about visiting the Olympic Park this afternoon ready to cheer on the GB women in the handball! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yay.gif)

anacrusis	Jul 28 2012, 03:04 PM Post #30
Virtuoso Group: Members Posts: 5231 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Edinburgh, Scotland Member No.: 4852	Bits which moved me most? The way the flame thing came together, and the fact that they didn't have one person to light it, instead handing that one over to several kids of another sporting generation: also the presence of women in every team (IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif) - even if I am a bit intimidated by the idea that there seem to be so many female sharpshooters out there..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif). The tribute to the NHS, that much maligned institution we struggle to keep going despite chronic underfunding, was moving to me on a personal level but I did think they stretched it out too long, and stuck too much Peter Pan into it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) : having humour and nonsense to puncture the intensity of some of it was a fantastic idea though. I don't do being Proud To Be British - I find the idea a bit daft since we have no choice over where we're born: I did however manage to feel a sense of the familiar throughout the display, a recognition of its being the sort of thing brits do, or appreciate. Oh, and where can I get a set of wings for my bike? They were cool.

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