Community Chat

[VaBelle35]

I watched it on DVR, so I was able to (mercifully) skip all of Matt Lauer and all of the commercials.

I focused more on the visual and less of the talking parts.  I thought it was beautifully done.

For my money, the Plow & Hearth-style windspinner behind the Olympic flame was spectacular.

[Sooner]

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@sunshine45

I watched the opening ceremonies and will be watching certain events -- gymnastics, swimming, diving, the equestrian events and maybe a few of the others....of course will be watching some of my NBA Spurs play for their respective countries---Patty Mills-Australiia, Manu Ginobili-Argentina, Tony Parker-France, and newest Spur, Pau Gasol-Spain.....

One thing I thought was a bit ironic was being lectured on global warming by Brazil when they have a huge pollution problem ---  raw sewage and dead animals in their waterways---ARRRGGHHH!!!!

I'll also be watching some NFL preseason football

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I thought the environmental part was totally out of place.  It is about athletics.  I also didn't think it was boring because of money issues, just because there was so little entertainment.  Too many people were out there just running around.  I would have liked more songs, a little more simple entertainment would have suited me.

Those of us who are older might remember all the people playing pianos--wasn't that in LA?  One of my favorite moments!  And it was simply FAR TOO LONG!  Three hours would have been more than enough.  

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@Sooner @Spurt, I attended the team and individual show-jumping events at Santa Anita in LA in 1984 and saw the US win Gold in both events. It was magic (and sweltering)!

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How lucky are you!!!!!  I'll bet that was beautiful and so exciting!  I love horses!!!

[pitdakota]

I watched it and enjoyed the program.  I liked the interpretation of their history that they presented and learned a few things along the way.  It was nice they included climate change. 

I also get a little moved seeing the parade of nations.  Of course, I am biased toward our athletes, but I still love seeing all of the other athletes.  Love seeing the excitement on their faces.  What a thrill of a lifetime for them and they all have worked so hard to get there.

Also loved the part of the speech that recognized the "refugee" state.  Very nice comments and I am glad they have included this group of athletes in competition. 

[bri20]

We watched part of it.

I get very moved when I see all the athletes walking in.  I hope they all do well!

[sunshine45]

i also loved seeing the newest award, the LAUREL AWARD, given to keino of kenya. after retiring from sports in 1973, he opened a home for orphans. he has also opened a school and a training facility. it was a beautiful story.

The Laurel award will be given every four years during the during the Olympic games to those with achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport.

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Kipchoge-Keino-first-athlete-to-receive-new-Olympic-award/1056-3333466-...

[pitdakota]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

i also loved seeing the newest award, the LAUREL AWARD, given to keino of kenya. after retiring from sports in 1973, he opened a home for orphans. he has also opened a school and a training facility. it was a beautiful story.

The Laurel award will be given every four years during the during the Olympic games to those with achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport.

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/Kipchoge-Keino-first-athlete-to-receive-new-Olympic-award/1056-3333466-...

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@sunshine45, thanks for mentioning that.  Yes, that was certainly a wonderful part of the ceremony last night. It is a very moving and great story.  Think of all the young lives he has touched over the years! 

[Moonchilde]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Moonchilde wrote:

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@sunshine45

I watched the opening ceremonies and will be watching certain events -- gymnastics, swimming, diving, the equestrian events and maybe a few of the others....of course will be watching some of my NBA Spurs play for their respective countries---Patty Mills-Australiia, Manu Ginobili-Argentina, Tony Parker-France, and newest Spur, Pau Gasol-Spain.....

One thing I thought was a bit ironic was being lectured on global warming by Brazil when they have a huge pollution problem ---  raw sewage and dead animals in their waterways---ARRRGGHHH!!!!

I'll also be watching some NFL preseason football

---

I thought the environmental part was totally out of place.  It is about athletics.  I also didn't think it was boring because of money issues, just because there was so little entertainment.  Too many people were out there just running around.  I would have liked more songs, a little more simple entertainment would have suited me.

Those of us who are older might remember all the people playing pianos--wasn't that in LA?  One of my favorite moments!  And it was simply FAR TOO LONG!  Three hours would have been more than enough.  

---

@Sooner @Spurt, I attended the team and individual show-jumping events at Santa Anita in LA in 1984 and saw the US win Gold in both events. It was magic (and sweltering)!

---

How lucky are you!!!!!  I'll bet that was beautiful and so exciting!  I love horses!!!

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Me too 😍

It was very exciting, because the US is certainly not always "up there" in international competitions, but they sure were at that time.  At the time, on cable I was able to follow the Olympic horsemen/women both before and after tge Games for quite a while.

I had good seats both days and a SLR with a telephoto lens 😎. But the San Gabriel Valley in August is killer. Attendees were dropping like flies from the heat. The day my seat was in full sun (one day was on the shady side) I kept an ice bag filled, inder my hat!

[Noel7]

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@Sooner wrote:

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@Spurt wrote:

@sunshine45

I watched the opening ceremonies and will be watching certain events -- gymnastics, swimming, diving, the equestrian events and maybe a few of the others....of course will be watching some of my NBA Spurs play for their respective countries---Patty Mills-Australiia, Manu Ginobili-Argentina, Tony Parker-France, and newest Spur, Pau Gasol-Spain.....

One thing I thought was a bit ironic was being lectured on global warming by Brazil when they have a huge pollution problem ---  raw sewage and dead animals in their waterways---ARRRGGHHH!!!!

I'll also be watching some NFL preseason football

---

I thought the environmental part was totally out of place.  It is about athletics.  I also didn't think it was boring because of money issues, just because there was so little entertainment.  Too many people were out there just running around.  I would have liked more songs, a little more simple entertainment would have suited me.

Those of us who are older might remember all the people playing pianos--wasn't that in LA?  One of my favorite moments!  And it was simply FAR TOO LONG!  Three hours would have been more than enough.  

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It was definitely part of the story of Brazil which included the evolution of Brazil and the rainforest.

What is happening to Brazil's rainforest affects the entire world, not just their country.

[Noel7]

Deforestation in Brazil affects us all.

For anyone who wants to get an overall picture of what is happening to Brazil, here's a brief intro:

http://www.brazil.org.za/environmental-issues.html

[HappyDaze]

I really enjoyed the opening ceremonies and for anyone who doesn't know much about the individuals taking part in the Refugee group of Olympians, you really should research and read the stories about these men and women. It is amazing what many of them went through and then to get to the Olympics. Just inspiring.