London "Lympics

[Sandra]

#1480

Gosh I've been so caught up in watching the Games that I have hardly had any sleep (due to events being on during the nighttime in our country)

Well done all the winning nations – it's been exciting and disappointing at the same time.

The Korean fencer . . . the Badminton female teams . . . the surprise results (esp. swimming) – it's what its all about – performance on the day.

Oh what joy you must be having over there, you Brits !

Oh, and also LOVED Rowan Atkinson's performance in the Opening Ceremony! 😀

[VEGAS LADY]

#27875

Can you believe that “little old” GB got all those gold medals in the track and field events yesterday….never saw it coming, but I guess we are used to the cooler weather.

Margaret….. 🙂

[wjh414]

#27876

Always knew you Brits were fast! Remember the movie “Chariots of Fire”? Now that was a good film! Hurrah for GB! 😆

Wendy

[Sandra]

#27877

🙂 Yes, we have to let the host nation win sometimes !

Actually, Team GB is doing extremely well – some excellent results in all fields, actually – rowing, cycling, track & field, tennis, swimming. You're killing us ! 😎

[VEGAS LADY]

#27878

A gold for Andy Murry in his return tennis match with Roger Federer yesterday, and then he went back on court an hour later to take a silver in the mixed doubles.

Murry is not one of my favourite tennis players and there was some speculation whether or not he would sing the national anthem on the winners podium, he comes over as being very arrogant.

Margaret

[Sandra]

#27879

😕 Yeah, I think he might have been happier to see the Scottish Flag flying . . . I think it's a hard for him to play under the English flag when he isn't English, even though the Brits crown him as their own . . .

[wjh414]

#27880

A gold medal is a gold medal!! I'd be happy with that! 😆

Wendy

[Sandra]

#27881

Yeah, he should be happy with a result like that over Federer (who incidentally was tired out by the del Potro game the day before!)

Things have come together for Team GB for these games – they have had a brilliant time !!

I know what it feels like having the Olympics in your home town – what a great and unforgettable experience ! 🙂

[Petals]

#27882

I felt the same way as VegasLady. Was sooooo disappointed with the match between Federer and Murray. I have never seen Federer play so badly and I am a firm supporter of his and felt his behaviour and play over the years makes him a true Olympian! I am not a great supporter of Murray but would have liked him to react with more fervour in singing the National Anthem. Sandra, I think, if I remember correctly, Federer had a day off prior to his match with Murray. I am so pleased I was not at Wimbledon to witness their game. Suffice to say I was not in the best of moods after.

I walked through Hyde Park to watch the events on Tuesday. The police told me there were over 200,000 spectators in the park. Managed to see the cyclists for a couple of minutes (I have pictures but not very good if anyone wants to see them) then decided to walk home and watch on t.v.

Wish I could post a couple of pictures but do not know how!

Re the opening ceremony, I thought the beginning was very slow . I cannot say I enjoyed all of the programme, but there again, each to their own!

Central London has been madness at times. No business but lots of blocked routes and congestion. I have been on the buses and had to abort journeys on several occasions. Shopkeepers have been saying their businesses have been affected and the antique markets have been less crowded. Under the circumstances we need to pick up MORE GOLD! 😛

[wjh414]

#27883

'Petals' wrote on '09:

I felt the same way as VegasLady. Was sooooo disappointed with the match between Federer and Murray. I have never seen Federer play so badly and I am a firm supporter of his and felt his behaviour and play over the years makes him a true Olympian! I am not a great supporter of Murray but would have liked him to react with more fervour in singing the National Anthem. Sandra, I think, if I remember correctly, Federer had a day off prior to his match with Murray. I am so pleased I was not at Wimbledon to witness their game. Suffice to say I was not in the best of moods after.

I walked through Hyde Park to watch the events on Tuesday. The police told me there were over 200,000 spectators in the park. Managed to see the cyclists for a couple of minutes (I have pictures but not very good if anyone wants to see them) then decided to walk home and watch on t.v.

Wish I could post a couple of pictures but do not know how!

Re the opening ceremony, I thought the beginning was very slow . I cannot say I enjoyed all of the programme, but there again, each to their own!

Central London has been madness at times. No business but lots of blocked routes and congestion. I have been on the buses and had to abort journeys on several occasions. Shopkeepers have been saying their businesses have been affected and the antique markets have been less crowded. Under the circumstances we need to pick up MORE GOLD! 😛

Hi, Petals! I wondered how large is Hyde Park? Being amongst 200,000 people would make me claustrophobic! Are you or Margaret anywhere near the Olympic Village? It's very exciting to have the Olympics in your home country (and your home city!) but I'm guessing most people will be glad when it's over and life can get back to normal. Perhaps they will have a temporary display (guarded, of course) of all the medals won by UK athletes for the public to view? That would be impressive to see! 😀

Wendy

[Yuen]

#27884

The free-to-air coverage here (australia) is terrible. A couple of minutes here and there and you never get to watch the whole thing. Most of the time only Australian competitors are shown and I feel like I'm watching the national championships instead of the Olympics!!

Watched the marathon swimming with my husband last night and it brought back wonderful memories. We were in Hyde Park a couple of years ago sitting next to the pond and sipping coffee and it was so blissful. He saw the restaurant in the backdrop and quickly pointed out to me “There's the restaurant!” 🙂

I agree it's very exciting to have the Olympics in your home town. I managed to watch the gymnastics final in Sydney in 2000 and the atmosphere was amazing!

Alice

[VEGAS LADY]

#27885

Hi Wendy…… 🙂

I live in Derbyshire in the middle of England and its about two hours from London. We have friends who managed to get tickets to the olympic games but we came to the conclusion that we would sooner sit with a drink in hand and watch it on the T.V……its sure been good viewing.

Yesterday I watched Charlotte Dujardin win gold for us in the dressarge.When her horse performed to the music of Land of Hope and Glory it was all to much for me…and I burst into tears, so beautiful to watch and so patriotic. Her story is such a happy one, her family is not wealthy and until eighteen months ago she was just a stable girl who had dropped out of school. Her relationship with this horse was noticed and the rest as they say is history.

The one event that stood out for me was the Womans 100m hurdles. The look of determination on Sally Persons face said…..I am going to win this, and she did.

Its been a good games, the weather picked up and for once team G.B. have done well.

Come on U.S.A. keep that top medal position……. 😆

Margaret …… 🙂

[Petals]

#27886

I have so many things to catch up on and once again I am glued to the set watching the diving and hoping we get through for tonight's final.

I watched the dressage and also the synchronized swimming among other events! Fantastic and I wish I had applied for tickets. Yesterday I went to the Serpentine near to where Alice mentioned in her post. Managed to get a good place to watch but even so, could not see too much as it is difficult when there are swimmers involved.

Now I should be out, but glued to the set! Congrats to the USA etc., etc. Well, we are a small island but still have managed to produced some fantastic sports men and women. Long may it last.

[wjh414]

#27887

'VEGAS wrote on '10:

Hi Wendy…… 🙂

I live in Derbyshire in the middle of England and its about two hours from London. We have friends who managed to get tickets to the olympic games but we came to the conclusion that we would sooner sit with a drink in hand and watch it on the T.V……its sure been good viewing.

Yesterday I watched Charlotte Dujardin win gold for us in the dressarge.When her horse performed to the music of Land of Hope and Glory it was all to much for me…and I burst into tears, so beautiful to watch and so patriotic. Her story is such a happy one, her family is not wealthy and until eighteen months ago she was just a stable girl who had dropped out of school. Her relationship with this horse was noticed and the rest as they say is history.

The one event that stood out for me was the Womans 100m hurdles. The look of determination on Sally Persons face said…..I am going to win this, and she did.

Its been a good games, the weather picked up and for once team G.B. have done well.

Come on U.S.A. keep that top medal position……. 😆

Margaret …… 🙂

Hi, Margaret,

I agree it's probably much more relaxing and you can see the events better by watching on T.V. I got goosebumps reading what you wrote about Charlotte – miracles do happen! It must have been wonderful to watch. I'm going to go online and see if I can find video of her on the NBC website. I found on the website that G.B. took the gold in the men's triathlon (I used to do triathlon races but was very slow!). So, who knows? The competition continues! ^_^

Wendy

[Sandra]

#27888

I've really enjoyed watching what's been shown on the free to air TV.

There are so many events, it would be impossible to show them all.

I know there are some sports we have totally missed out on seeing, but I've really been enjoing the Rhythmic Gymnastics lately – those girls are incredible !! 😎

There are many stories that bring tears to my eyes, and many of those don't win medals. There are also plenty of self-funded athletes who prepare getting themselves to the Olympics to represent their country and are rarely given recognition.

I feel sorry for those who get so far as the starting line, and then one false move and they are out of the race !! (eg. 100m Sprint Heats) Also, there were many who crashed out – one women fell over in the first 100m of the marathon and injured herself, another few on the womens triathlon skidded out of contention on their bikes at the first turn due to the inclement weather – I mean these people have devoted the last 4 years to training and then don't even have the opportunity to 'race' properly.

It's such a shame for those athletes, and for each gold medal winner, there are another 100 athletes with the same story, but no front page glory.

Good on them all for getting there and putting on a great show, even though few people notice unless they came first or second !

(Incidentally, I have never seen so many tears of coming 2nd as this Olympics !)

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