Olympics

[Keef]

Similar situation with that female sprinter we have (can't remember her name). She was banned for not being at 3 seperate drug tests (no accusation that she ever took drugs), and even though she is world champ, the brit olympic board were talking about banning her. She just said fine, if you ban me I'll go and run for Nigeria (I think), and beat you on the track.

She is running for us now. Good to see the board will stick to their guns!

[mockney piers]

ELL extension 1 (crystal palace) is all guns blazing and should be finished by 2010(?)

ELL 2 (denmark hill) was given the go ahead, then funding was pulled, so it's in limbo at the moment. Which is kind of weird as most of it is done on existing track.

[citizenED]

Like Christmas, the whole thing is a farce and a sham, ie "fairy story in order to have a celebration" and "best athletes compete for our entertainment". Like everything else its not what you do, it's how you do it that counts. Enjoy!

The Bejing Olympic stadium looks bl**dy amazing though.

[willow]

Don't think we're ones to talk in Britain about fast tracking passports for medals. Remember Zola Budd in Los Angeles? And she ran bare foot.

[Cassius]

willow Wrote:

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> Don't think we're ones to talk in Britain about

> fast tracking passports for medals. Remember Zola

> Budd in Los Angeles? And she ran bare foot.

I do remember Zola Budd but wasn't aware that two wrongs made a right.

[*Bob*]

Oh God. It's started.

Tedious music blares. Glowsticks distributed to the crowd. Bits of uninteresting history are pointlessly illustrated by a load of people waving stuff and the same time.

It's what a school play would look like if they drama teacher was given several million pounds. And an ecstacy tablet.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Eee bah. In my day 't were a cigarette lighter.

[Ladygooner]

I think it looks fabulous! I am sure London will struggle to match this in 4 years time

[SeanMacGabhann]

I hear this a lot and have no idea why people are so negative about this place - if you care about this things, trust me London will do an easily comparable job in 2012. But it won't be made easy by people saying how rubbish it will be AT THE SAME TIME as begrudging every penny.

Sorry LadyG that's not directly at you - just a general thing from people I've spoken to lately. People seem very able to highlight what has gone wrong but never what is good. Sydney Opera house was 10 years late as well y'know...

[SteveT]

Yeah, we haven't got a birds nest for a start LadyG

I suppose the more cynical will say it wont be nearly as well organised either.

[Jah Lush]

You're right Sean. Typical British pessimism and negativity at work. Us Brits love a good moan.

[Brendan]

Now you're moaning about your moaning.

[candj]

SteveT Wrote:

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> Yeah, we haven't got a birds nest for a start

> LadyG

> I suppose the more cynical will say it wont be

> nearly as well organised either.

No, but perhaps Norman Foster or Malcolm Rogers will design something equally as fabulous! Can't wait for the London Olympics even though I don't really care much about the Olympics, it's just great for London. :))

On another note, the Chinese have been absolutely militant about security in Beijing (airport now is currently closed for the next 3 hours) that I can't imagine what London will have to go through.

[Brendan]

I object to the Olympics quite strongly in fact. This is because they have taken the cricket off the telly in the caf? at work to show it.

What?s with all this runny jumpy business anyway? Where?s the ball and how am I supposed to tell which side is fielding? Why are all those people dressed like an acid flash back?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Don't worry Bren, bad light's just stopped play.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Do you think we have to put up with that dreadful Google logo for the entire games?

[*Bob*]

Opening ceremonies have all been something of a let-down since this back in '84.

The magic starts about a minute in.

[Keef]

Sydney Opera house was 10 years late as well y'know...

They should have made it 15 and sorted out the inside of the place! It's like the bloody Barbican in there!

[pk]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Opening ceremonies have all been something of a

> let-down since this back in '84.

>

> The magic starts about a minute in.

i remember wanting one of those really badly, 24 years later surely i should be flying one to work by now?

[SeanMacGabhann]

not their best is it?

[Brendan]

Here you go.

Fist comercialy viable jetpack

[candj]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> >

> not their best is it?

Oh, but the Fuwas are so cute!

[Ladygooner]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> >

> I hear this a lot and have no idea why people are

> so negative about this place - if you care about

> this things, trust me London will do an easily

> comparable job in 2012. But it won't be made easy

> by people saying how rubbish it will be AT THE

> SAME TIME as begrudging every penny.

>

> Sorry LadyG that's not directly at you - just a

> general thing from people I've spoken to lately.

> People seem very able to highlight what has gone

> wrong but never what is good. Sydney Opera house

> was 10 years late as well y'know...

I wasn't knocking London as a venue and I love the olympics and are glad we have got the games, I was just saying that the Beijing opening ceremony is fantastic - I doubt any other country could match it either!

[SimonM]

Yes the Chinese, like the Germans in 1936, do know how to put on a good show.

[macroban]

Tessa of North London quoted in the New York Times. I don't understand why Dulwich residents would like it. Is this sarcasm?