Are any of you folks from the UK attending the Olympics?

[Thor]

If so, what events? And how crazy is London with the Olympics in town?

[jonb]

They always make a fuss about these things, Although the torch lighting got a little out of hand, and there were some unexpected obstructions on the way home from the stadium, a good time was had by all, as we faced up to things with our usual british pluk, ta ta for now from the old country.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7H02HSip_c

[Godscreated]

Just finished watching the opening ceremonies, to all the Brits out there well done, very well done, you should be proud friends.

[Reforged]

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say I don't actually care.

"Oooh, I can run really fast."
Well good for you, let me know when that actually benefits mankind in anyway then I might start giving a shit.
I mean seriously? This is what we invest in?

Theres a reason why the PE teacher is the least valued among educators and it isn't because the other teachers are jealous of his long jumping skills.

[jackman]

what's with everyone and their anti-athletics (not just u rd, i've heard a few people on here knocking athletic people)? it's as important as any other avenue of entertainment. forget that it's just running fast, it's watching people at the top of their craft do what they do better than anyone in the world. sorta like watching neil degrasse tyson give speeches on the cosmos. just so happens the majority of them are doing something that requires more physicality than using their thumbs playing in a make-believe world while eating real-world chips all day. they're also not necessarily less educated than anyone else. they're in fact, smart enough to know how to exploit their talent, most of them, to get endorsements and make fuckin money doing what they enjoy.

for me, the games represent a friendly amateur level competition between countries from all sides of the world. i love that. no shame here ... i like to watch or listen to the best do what they do.

[Annik]

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say I don't actually care.

"Oooh, I can run really fast."
Well good for you, let me know when that actually benefits mankind in anyway then I might start giving a shit.
I mean seriously? This is what we invest in?

Theres a reason why the PE teacher is the least valued among educators and it isn't because the other teachers are jealous of his long jumping skills.

I think you've missed what the Olympics are about.

[NoraBrimstone]

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say I don't actually care.

"Oooh, I can run really fast."
Well good for you, let me know when that actually benefits mankind in anyway then I might start giving a shit.
I mean seriously? This is what we invest in?

Theres a reason why the PE teacher is the least valued among educators and it isn't because the other teachers are jealous of his long jumping skills.

I think you've missed what the Olympics are about.

This x1,000,000,000. What a pig ignorant thing to say.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Just saw the opening in 3D. (fixed my little problem) It was fine but I enjoyed Sydney 2000 much more. The ceremony was not enhanced by images of The Queen,sitting there alone,looking as if somebody close had just cut the cheese.


No,I would not attend if the games were held in my city,just as I never attend (or watch) sports here;they bore me rigid. Plus,the Olympic games are bunch of professional athletes competing against one another for the best sponsorship deals. Any similarity to sports and sportsmanship is a happy accident (like the law and justice)

[cratehorus]

People actually "go" to the Olympics...... why?

[Reforged]

what's with everyone and their anti-athletics (not just u rd, i've heard a few people on here knocking athletic people)? it's as important as any other avenue of entertainment. forget that it's just running fast, it's watching people at the top of their craft do what they do better than anyone in the world. sorta like watching neil degrasse tyson give speeches on the cosmos. just so happens the majority of them are doing something that requires more physicality than using their thumbs playing in a make-believe world while eating real-world chips all day. they're also not necessarily less educated than anyone else. they're in fact, smart enough to know how to exploit their talent, most of them, to get endorsements and make fuckin money doing what they enjoy.

for me, the games represent a friendly amateur level competition between countries from all sides of the world. i love that. no shame here ... i like to watch or listen to the best do what they do.

The problem, aside from it being a ritualized PE lesson blown out of all proportion, is that the UK has spent a great deal of money on this and we'll be lucky if the revenue breaks even with the cost. I mean *really* lucky. This is during a time of recession when we should be focusing on getting our economy out of the toilet.
On top of that the hotels of London and other facilities that will be in use by tourists have purposely raised their prices to extortionate levels in preparation for the duration of the Olympics regardless of quality of services rendered. This is perfectly legal and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Far from the intended effect of hosting the Olympics to increase tourism, a vain hope since peoples income will decline and inturn expenditure on luxuries regardless, it will likely earn us a bad reputation, decrease tourism and hurt our economy further.

So yes, we've basically put our economy at substantial risk of decline for the privilege to host an event in which spandex clad retards from around the globe attempt to discover who can throw stuff the farthest among other tedious tasks. Awesome.