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Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 8 2008, 4:12 PM

I'm sure everyone knows that the 29^th Olympic Games began today (the 8^th of August), in Beijing, China. Any random comments?

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 8 2008, 4:19 PM

Noting other than I will have all the tvs on in my house so that whichever room I go to I can watch it xD. I don't know why, but I get pumped watching the Olympics, even though I'm not really into sports usually, lol. Doesn't start until later tonight in the US =(.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 8 2008, 4:30 PM

The opening ceremony was amazing! I love the way they lit the torch, and they sent up a bazzillion fireworks! It was awesome! =D

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 8 2008, 4:37 PM

I'm looking at some pictures of the Chinese opening, the performance outfits are beautiful. And I love the opening with traditional Chinese acts. It does look amazing! I am so getting popcorn ready for tonight =).

Posted by: earth123 Aug 8 2008, 4:48 PM

Finished. It was way cool. Too bad I can't be a volunteer in these games too. I had such fun in the last games, especially in the ceremonies, where I was near all the performance.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 8 2008, 4:50 PM

It finished like almost half an hour ago for me, the fireworks were amazing! You know what was weird? During the ceremony the internet wasnt working for me, but AS SOON AS it was over, and they started talking about different things, it came back! I'm not suggesting anything, but... yeah.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 8 2008, 4:59 PM

Earth123, you got to see the last Olympics live and in person?! You're so lucky!!! I would love to volunteer if India ever gets to host the Olympics.

Posted by: earth123 Aug 8 2008, 9:00 PM

Of course. The 2004 games were in Athens in Greece. Being Greek, I was able to easily pass the application for volunteers, althought some tourists also helped. I basically got to wear a blue bermuda with a shirt with the logos(which I paid), and mostly helped with the translation and with the athletes and spectators moving in the stadium. Too bad I didn't get to be seen on TV.

In the opening ceremony and forth, I was patroling the olympic complex, giving directions . In the closing, i was inside the field, keeping the athletes in their specific areas. The athletes found Greek music so fascinating, they went wild with dancing and singing. It was cool.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 8 2008, 9:38 PM

Wow, thats amazing! You're so lucky!

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 9 2008, 4:16 AM

Olympic opening ceremonies this year=SPECTAULAR. I just finished watching a few minutes ago on Fox, and I felt soo...I dunno, hyped up the whole time.
xD this year, I don't know which team to root for, because I know so many people in different countries now from here.
...AW, I wanna be in the Olympics soo bad, that's why I am reallyreallyreally hoping the 2016 games are hosted in Chicago, 'cause then I'll be old enough to volunteer, and Chicago is, like, 1/2 hour by plane, or 5 hours by car, from here, so...plus, my cousin says he is going to live out there, so I could totally just stay at his place. ^-^ *is such an optimist*

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 9 2008, 12:50 PM

i really hope the 2016 olypics are in chicago, because thats really close to me and i would be able to go see them^^ (But rio is the more realistic option...)

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 9 2008, 1:33 PM

Lol, I just hope that the Olympics come to India once in my lifetime. XD

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 9 2008, 2:58 PM

not a glance it will come to iceland

I missed the opening but I'm watching this on the tellie^^ there are gymnastics now... OUCH! he twirled in air! ^_^

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 9 2008, 3:04 PM

ya, i was watching the gymnastics
the 2010 winnter olymics are in canada! But they're in Vancouver which is very far from where i live, as Canada is really wide! I doubt i'll see em live.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 9 2008, 3:07 PM

Lol, my fave. Olympic sports are gymnastics, swimming and equestrian (horse-riding). ^^

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 9 2008, 3:11 PM

To play/do or watch? XD (thats a serious question)

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 9 2008, 3:16 PM

I love watching them, and I love swimming and horse-riding (as in actually doing them myself, XD), I haven't done that much gymnastics, all I know how to to is a somersault and a cartwheel. I'm trying to teach myself how to do a back-flip. (Ouch!)

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 9 2008, 3:21 PM

lol I never swim, Altho i want to, i havent horse-back ridden (like really, just sitting on a horse doesnt count) And in gymnastics, i could somersault and do a forwards straddle (like a standing-up somersault)!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 9 2008, 4:46 PM

Oh sweet! I want to go the Winter Olympics in Canada! Vancouver is so pretty too =)

I was too tired to put in any comments after watching the almost 4+ hour opening of the Olympics but I did watch it all the way through. And I have one important piece of advice for our NBC broadcasting station: Stop breaking up the ceremony into 3 minute segments and then feeding us your worthless commercials!!! Okay, I liked the Olympic commercials....but for pete's sake, either give us 10 minutes of solid programming followed by maybe 4 or 5 minute commercials, or I say "forget it! I'm watching it on youtube!". I was going crazy watching it for a few minutes, then a few minutes of commercials *repeat cycle*. I wanted some stability =P.

Besides that, AWESOME ^^. Every artistic piece they did was really cool. I loved the American opera singer duetting with the Chinese pop-star--very beautiful. I also loved the piece they did on the invention of paper and wood blocks. Especially when I knew there were people under the wood blocks xD. The Judo masters bit was very cool, and then the lighting of the torch was phenomenal. Wish I could have been there!

Also, I just found out that two people from my home city (Fort Wayne, Indiana) are in the Olympics! I was so happy, but felt stupid that I didn't even know this =P. I know for sure http://volleyball.teamusa.org/athlete/athlete/1431, and one other girl who is in the track and field competitions. And I think one (or both?) of them went to the same college I went to. Yay!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 9 2008, 4:51 PM

Wow! Thats cool! I'm not sure how many people are there from my city, probably a few. Do you actually know them, or just heard of them?

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 9 2008, 5:12 PM

Don't know who they are =p, just heard about them on my news channel last night. I should pay more attention to things happening in my city, lol.

I bet if you live in a big city you've got a lot of people from your home city in the Olympics =). Very cool!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 9 2008, 6:32 PM

I've got six from my city, half of them are on the field hockey team.

Posted by: earth123 Aug 9 2008, 7:31 PM

Olympics are always special for Greeks, no matter were they are hosted. Being the birth-place of the Olympics, we are always hype for them. I am glad I saw my first, and only in my lifetime, home games in 2004. When the Greek team marched first in the stadium, we all jumped and cheered with our scarfs and flags. Funny though, the showed our exiled former king Constantine, now an IOC member, saluting the team instead of showing our political delagation. While this has raised commosion in Greece, I actually preferred it, rather than them showing our "dignity and honesty(as much as you saw it, I saw it ??: )" politicians.

To actually feel the olympics, you should visit Olympia, about an hours drive from my place. That was were the ancient games were held. Last time I went there in 1994, they had the whole area with trash, but they renovated and cleaned it for the 2004 games. Actually, they hosted the weight-throwing events there, and it was a great scene and feeling, although I was in Athens at the time helping with the other events.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 9 2008, 7:49 PM

I really want to go to an Olympic event at least once in my life. The Greece Olympics would have been the best, no doubt ^^. Not to be corny, but it would have felt so "magical" being there in the birthplace of the games. But since I doubt that will happen again in my lifetime I'm willing to go anywhere =). Which is why I'd love to go for the Vancouver, Canada Olympics since that's a bit closer...but I'd still have to pay room and board where ever I stay. That will turn out to be too expensive, so that dream will probably stay a dream. Maybe for the future though.

Posted by: Tecna 01 Aug 10 2008, 5:42 AM

Yup.I know that Olympics is coming. But unluckily I dont have tv.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 10 2008, 10:42 PM

okay... now the games are at night for us-.-

Posted by: esca Eterna Aug 10 2008, 11:47 PM

I know, Zhanneel, I want to go to an Olympic event sometime. But I doubt I will -.-
Well, I got really close, I guess. I was in Beijing earlier this summer, and saw the Olympic Village. So like, if ever there was some way to bend the fabric of time or something, I could technically be there at the games ^^
♥

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 11 2008, 12:42 AM

That's still pretty awesome that you got to go to Beijing at all! I'm jealous ^^.

Looks like tonight it's gymnastics and diving: my favorites!! I love the sports that require you to contort your body into almost impossible shapes and twists, hence why I love these two! The Chinese are kicking major booty, as if we didn't know . But they so deserve it, they look awesome!

Posted by: esca Eterna Aug 11 2008, 3:19 AM

That China trip was quite the experience :3
Oh I know, Zhanneel. I've always admired gymnasts (of like the 50 things I've always wanted to be at age 15 one is a gymnast) and I can't even dive off the side of a pool ^^
♥

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 11 2008, 4:19 AM

The most I can do in diving is just let myself fall straight down into the water off the side of the pool. Any higher than that and I'll get vertigo =P.

In order to root for everyone's country on the forums, I'm going to attempt to name them all (based on current place of residence):

United States, Canada, Iceland (not sure I remember if they were in the parade...), Netherlands, England, France, Greece, Croatia, Russia, India, Singapore, Australia, Serbia

....oh, I know I'm forgetting some. The list looks a bit short. Anyone got a location to add? =)

Edit: Germany

Anywho, hope you're enjoying the Olympics!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 11 2008, 2:54 PM

Whose from Serbia? Oh, and Germany!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 11 2008, 3:16 PM

Someone named Reeza I saw on a thread an hour or so ago is from Serbia =). Added Germany, but I can't remember who's from Germany on the forums...

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 11 2008, 3:27 PM

oh about Serbia, and I think *stella* is from Germany

Posted by: Abby Aug 11 2008, 5:42 PM

I didn't see the opening ceremony since I was out of town the whole weekend, but last night once I got back I watched some of the swimming events and the gymnastics. All I have to say is go USA mens swimming team! I'm so glad they won against the French after the French teams comments. I also think the chinese gymnastics outfits were really pretty last night!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 11 2008, 6:22 PM

Oh geez! I saw the men's relay last night. That's was so freaking close with the French! I felt really bad for the French men's team =(. I know they weren't saying such nice things about the US, but I almost wanted them to just have the spotlight for once against the US swimming. Either way, I was excited to see the US men win!

Later in the evening I remember watching the Russian gymnasts and thinking "gosh, their flips are so clean and straight" and then announcers said that those girls were just not in the same league as the Chinese and US gymnasts. I guess to me the Russian girls looked amazing and I thought they would possibly parallel the Chinese, but I'm not a judge so I must not be seeing what they see.

I really want to see the men's gymnastics too, but in the US they really only broadcast what they think Americans want to see. It's really biased. I'll probably have to catch it on the Olympics website.

QUOTE (Tecna 01 @ Aug 10 2008, 01:42 AM)

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 11 2008, 6:55 PM

Well here in Canada they show mostly Canadians only, but I guess if none of the Canadians are competing at the moment, or its like the finals of something, than they play something else, like how they showed the entire America beating China in basketball game.
I heard there was some controversy in the mens gymnastics, like how there were judges of competing countries, so they gave the Canadian team low scores on purpose, making them finish 9th and not making it to the next round even though they deserved to.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 11 2008, 7:31 PM

I was looking at the mens gymnastic with the other eye while in the computer the day before yesterday... I didn't pay much attention... but there was a guy that nearly broke his neck while landing from a backflip... OUCH!

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 11 2008, 7:49 PM

OK, wow. Yeah, during all the games I've been watching, I've been torn on who to root for, because there's a tooon of countries represented on this forum...-_-" Except for the people from STL. There's, like, 6, even though 1 is from East St. Louis, but that still counts even though it's Illinois.
@Zhanneel: Add the UK to the list!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 11 2008, 8:25 PM

I almost said that too, Annie, but England is already there.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 12 2008, 3:07 PM

Holy crud, I don't know if other countries were broadcasting it, but did anyone watch the men's gymnastic finals yesterday, or early this morning depending upon where you live? It was a battle between China, Japan, and the US. It was so awesome to watch!! The Chinese were kicking butt! I think they were ahead by at least 7 points at the end, and then some slip-ups on the Pommel Horse (sp?) by the US caused Japan to pass them and take Silver, but the US still got Bronze. It was just crazy to watch! But so fun =). The Chinese so deserved Gold. There was even a cute story about how one of the Chinese gymnastics staged a mock athletic conference just so he could propose to his girlfriend. Hopefully I got that story right. It was really cute =).

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 12 2008, 4:53 PM

Add Finland (Saiccu) and the Phillipines (Winx_cutie189).

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 12 2008, 5:06 PM

Thanks Jahnavi =)

Update:

In order to root for everyone's country on the forums, I'm going to attempt to name them all (based on current place of residence):

United States, Canada, Iceland (not sure I remember if they were in the parade...), Netherlands, England, France, Greece, Croatia, Russia, India, Singapore, Australia, Serbia, Germany, Finland, Philippines

Yay! It looks so culturally rounded, lol

Added: Turkey

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 12 2008, 5:11 PM

Hm, what about Turkey (Dilaraphoenix)?

Posted by: Abby Aug 12 2008, 5:43 PM

Yeah, I hate how they only show here the Chinese and mostly USA stuff like the gymnastics. I watched the mens last night, I was surprised the US mens pulled a bronze medal out over the Germans and the Russians, I thought they might have placed.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 12 2008, 5:51 PM

I'm surprised that Japan over took the US, when i went to sleep (around 12 am) US was ahead by like 5 points over Japan, and like a point or 2 behind China.

Posted by: StellaRocks Aug 12 2008, 6:11 PM

i watched it last night the Germans and the Russians i did not think where that good compare to the Chinese and Japanese USA was not that bad but i really like the Chinese

Posted by: bloom_daphne Aug 12 2008, 10:36 PM

Same here, I was watching NBC, but I went to sleep at like 1-2 am

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 12 2008, 10:42 PM

I didn't watch it... *walks slowly away*

did you watch the "handball" (I stink at the english sport names ;P) mens today? where Iceland played against Germany? Iceland won! wee! GO ICELAND! I'm so happy^^

and I don't think that iceland plays in gymnastic.

Posted by: bloom_daphne Aug 12 2008, 11:44 PM

Oh and about some american channels airing snippets and heading to commercial after 3 minutes. I didnt have that problem with nbc, but cbc had a live feed with interruptions.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 13 2008, 12:55 AM

Yeah, the channel that I watched was fine in that sense, it had very short commercial breaks every once in a while. And congats about Iceland winning, Ditta!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 13 2008, 5:18 AM

Yes, congrats Ditta ^^

Women's gymnastics was another night of craziness. Wow. I was happy again for the Chinese since they really did so well, and deserved the gold. I do wonder about why they allowed the girls to remain when some were under the age limit. But I honestly don't mind too much. They were better, and that's all there is to it. I do feel back for Alicia (I think that is her name) on the US team because she had some really big blunders, and cost some really severe points. But what made it worse was that she was so depressed because she felt like she was letting the team down. At that point I don't think they should have worried what scores they got, since it was no longer becoming fun and just rolled with the punches and did their best.

Still, congrats to the Chinese!

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 13 2008, 1:02 PM

yeah, I watched it^^ poor Alicia, she looked so sad when she finished. she did great, but there was like one big blunder in each entry of hers like Zhanneel said. I just wondered what age the chinese where they looked like they were at my age (12).

and thanks^^ iceland kicked ass^^ sorry for the words I used^^ but they kicked ass^^

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 13 2008, 2:12 PM

OMG! I just heard something shocking about the opening ceremony!

I'm sure all of you saw that cute little girl in the red dress, who sang a traditional Chinese song? She was lip-syncing! The original voice belonged to another girl, who wasn't allowed to sing on stage because she had bad teeth and a chubby face! I can't believe their doing this to little kids! What kind of an example are they setting?

Here's some information I got from the Los Angeles Times website:

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 13 2008, 2:17 PM

yeah, yeah, I heard it in the radio yesterday! they should be ashamed doing this to poor Yang Peiyi :'( she is just a child

Posted by: bloom_daphne Aug 13 2008, 4:00 PM

I heard about it too, that is so mean.
I agree, on NBC they were discussing the age of the Chinese gymnasts. I'm not convinced though they look younger than 16.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 13 2008, 5:14 PM

I was gonna post about those two stories, but u guys did first. I heard about the singing kid and that is so rude what they did to the REAL one who was deemed "not pretty enough". And they only admitted that she was a fake after everybody noticed, and started pointing it out. And they did that for the "national interest"? Well I think that what they did was even worse than letting a girl who was "not pretty enough", and made China look bad.

As for the gymnasts, ok, one looked like 10 to me (my brother said she looked 8 ), and there is seiously NO WAY she could be 16. Another looks about 13 to me, and she might be 16, but it is still doubtful.

[Edit: when i typed 8 and then the bracket, it turned into so I had to put a space]

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 13 2008, 6:37 PM

there might be a possibility that they are older than they look because chinese people are a bit smaller than others. but I doubt that the youngest in the team were not older than 15.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 13 2008, 6:43 PM

Well I read in the newspaper that (ok, Im not exactly saying this, but I read it) that the Chinese are lying about the ages of their gymnasts, and one is really 14 or something. Also, when I was watching it on tv, they said that the American team was accusing the Chinese of letting underage athletes compete, Im not sure if it was this year that they accused them, it might of been at some other games, like last times Olympics, or the Commonwealth Games, or something.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 13 2008, 10:14 PM

they are only children

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 13 2008, 10:49 PM

As for the age controversy...well, I'm not going to blame the kids of course. Their managers, parents, and Olympic officials are to blame, along with the Chinese government potentially changing birth certificates and other important documents. I'm not even mad or irritated. All I can feel is shame and so much pity for a country that is still struggling to become something better. They are so desperate to look perfect in the world's eye that they come off as sleaze-bags, and their own people get caught in the middle of it.

Same with the opening ceremony stunt. First, they look terrible in that they have lied to make themselves better. And like everyone else was in agreement about, they probably ruined that little girl's dream of singing on stage! Not everyone will look perfect, not everything will fall into a neat, orderly package. Something's will be ugly or imperfect, and that country will never wake up until they admit and agree that they have problems. Geez, I feel so bad for that seven year old girl.

Wow...um, maybe I shouldn't have changed my signature? The slogan is kind of a joke...

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 1:19 AM

lol, i agree with u completely, Zhanneel. And the Chinese also admitted to digitally enhancing the opening ceremony broadcasted on tv, like the firework-footprints leading up to the stadium, it was all fake except for the last step. And they also had "volunteer cheerleaders" to fill in empty spaces in the crowd. I cannot believe them.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 2:37 AM

i know the chinese womens(girls) gymnist were great, but it really isnt fair that they are underage. the age rule is there for a reason, youngr gymnest are more agile and have less pressure, therefor proforming better, and it should be investagated.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 14 2008, 2:53 AM

Wow, the footprint thing was semi-faked...should have known xD. I can't believe them either.

The other reason I was thinking the age argument should be debated is that it prevented other countries from bringing their 12, 13, 14, or 15 year old gymnastic prodigies into the games, because they decided to follow the rules, and oh...I don't know, PLAY FAIR?! lol

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 14 2008, 4:10 AM

...I was watching the gymnastics a little on TV today, one of the girls on the Chinese team looked MY age.
Though it was interesting how one of the beach volleyball matches was the US versus Cuba. {How did that one turn out, anyway? I missed it 'cause of orientation.}

{xD Speaking of the Olympic Mascots...http://www.beijingolympicsfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/fuwa02.jpg And look, they're doing Olympic sports in http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs13/f/2007/109/3/d/Beijing_Olympics_Wallpaper_by_strawberryvanilla.jpg}

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 14 2008, 4:46 AM

Whoa, is that cartoon for real and where can I watch it =D. Oh, dang, looks like these mascots have been in the news for a while =P:

http://www.beijingolympicsfan.com/2007/11/09/the-olympic-adventures-of-fuwa-cutey-pics/

Awwww:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMY7njZKmdk

Since you brought up the Fuwa (mascot) sport pics, http://zhaofu.org/my/fuwa/ that has some nice pics for each one. I love BeiBei ones (blue mascot) ^^.

And....lookie what I bought earlier today XD:



And they are 12 inches tall!

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 14 2008, 12:52 PM

But I think 14 year-old gymnasts are allowed to compete. I remember an American athlete (sorry, forgot her name at the moment) who won the gold medal in gymnastics, legally, at age 14.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 14 2008, 1:33 PM

Hmm, then my commentators must be confusing the crud out of the audience, because they keep yammering on about being under 16 (some special age limit).

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 14 2008, 1:45 PM

Maybe the rules have been updated.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 14 2008, 5:29 PM

I hate the ' Under 16/18 ' rules >.<
And yeah they've obviously updated the rules if the girl won legally at the age of 14...

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 14 2008, 6:21 PM

like eurovision... a fifteen or fourteen years old girl won. now the limits are sixteen years old.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 6:30 PM

According to my brother, last time the minimum age was 15 (this year its 16), and a few years before that it was even 14.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 14 2008, 6:31 PM

They probably keep raising the age because they think that 'cause the contestants are young they don't have as much strength/ability as the olders...

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 7:00 PM

its actually because the younger gymenst have an advantage over the older girls. when the 14 year old from US won, the rule was not in place. and at that time, all the countries were aloud to use that age of girls. it is not fair to the rest of the competition if china uses under aged girls, and i think it is pretty obvious that they did.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 7:03 PM

That makes sense, you are more flexible when you are younger and stuff.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 7:06 PM

they also have less pressure because they dont undertand what pressure is put on them by their country.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 14 2008, 7:08 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot that the younger the contestant is the more flexible/able they are...!

Posted by: Reeza Aug 14 2008, 7:13 PM

Hi,I'm from Serbia....And I'm so proud of Milorad Čavić(Cavic) who was better than Michael Phelps today.And about the gymnastics,I used to love the sport.Now I hate it,because I feel sorry for the hungry 10 year old girls(which are mostly from China).

And when did a fourteen year girl win Eurovision?Yeah,maybe in the 60's and the 70's in the Celine era,but lately...no.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 7:18 PM

Milorad Čavić beat Michael Phelps? Wow! But it was in qualifying, right?

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 7:21 PM

i hate to say it, but phelps never swimshis hardest in the heats or semifinals. but congrajulations to Cavic anyway! im not sure if phelps will be able to win all 8 golds but i sure hope he does! i wanted to go see him swim, maybe ill go if he comes back to michigan. he used to train in ann arbor(with many of the other olympic swimmers) and i live really close to there.

and what is eurovision? (probably stupid question, but i dont know)

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 7:24 PM

Its smart not to swim so hard in the heats or semifinals when he knows he's gonna make it, so he's not as worn down for the finals. And I dont know what Eurovision is exactly either, maybe its kinda like the Olympics but only for Europe??

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 14 2008, 7:31 PM

it is a song contest you stupids *slaps*

no I'm kidding, it is fully named Eurovision Song Contest. you know, a song contest for europe, held in May. and it was in Serbia this year^^

and I don't know excatly when the 14 years old won...

Posted by: Riiana Aug 14 2008, 7:35 PM

Lol yeah I know what it is, watch it every year.
Ukraine won one time
And Greece won this year didnt they.
They had a good song, thankfully I already knew it. Ya see, my mum always plays the Greek radio in the car so I hear a lot of Greek songs ^^
And no I'm not Greek, Im Ukranian

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 7:39 PM

Lol, Ditta and Natasha. I deserved that slap. Well whoever mentioned Eurovision did it on an Olympics topic, so its only natural that I thought it had to do with sports...

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 7:41 PM

is it like american idol???

i hope an american(or just not chinese) win the all around tonight. just to make sure china doesnt win all the medals. (same with diving. its so anoying how they win all the medels. (Which is something i probably i cant say as an american) but i would like to see more compitition between the countries.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 14 2008, 7:53 PM

actually... Russia won... I thought the song was a bit boring... and yeah, I saw the greek song on youtube just a few days after iceland's entry was chosen^^

no no it's not like american idol. each country choose a entry to the contest and then it is send to the contest... and you should look it up in wikipedia cos I stink at explaining such things. I'll look it up for you. gimme few minutes.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 7:57 PM

I thought China won the all around gymnastics (if thats the event u guys are talking about). Did anyone watch it? The German guy (Fabian something) was supposed to challenge the Chinese guy, but in the last event (high bar) he fell. They showed some Japanese guy laughing/smiling when Fabian fell, and that made me mad.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 14 2008, 8:38 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_song_contest

How RUDE of the japanese guy!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 8:59 PM

I know, seriously! I think one Japanese (might have been Korean) won second, and I hope it wasnt him!

Posted by: Riiana Aug 14 2008, 9:05 PM

Russia won this year?!
Oh yeah thats it Greece won couple of years ago! ^^; My bad!

LOL he was actually laughing?! Wow he's one mean Japanese guy!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 14 2008, 9:23 PM

Yep, he was smiling with glee *cracks knuckles*

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 14 2008, 9:23 PM

hey, I forgot to tell you, Riiana... I voted for Ukraine the year it won [2004] love the song^^ "Wild Dances" and I voted for Greece when it won... the year was... 2005 I think, in Ukraine. "Number One" ^-^ I luv eurovision^^

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 14 2008, 11:38 PM

Let's see: Men's gymnastics I believe is completely over. China won all of them.

Then we have all around women's gymnastics tonight, so don't miss it! I too want to see someone other than China win, not because I don't like China...only because it gets very boring when one country dominates. There needs to be some close competition to keep things edgy and intense. So...that also goes for Michael Phelps as well =P. As much as I like him, he is bothering a lot of people because there almost is no point in racing against him, except to secure a silver or bronze medal. So, I'm slightly hoping someone other than Phelps will get a gold in the men's swimming tonight. But if he gets another gold than it's only because he deserves it. No hard feelings =). And more diving tonight! So far China has also had a clean sweep in the diving category too.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 14 2008, 11:58 PM

i dont mind swimming as much because even though phelps dominates, there are only 8 races he is in. there are many other gold medelist from other countries. and for mens gymnastics, they still have individual event competition.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 12:09 AM

Oh yes, individual competition. Yay! I'm glad the mens' isn't over yet =).

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 12:32 AM

Wow, Zhanneel, you have the most un-biased opinions ever!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 1:11 AM

I try to be fair to everyone

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 1:36 AM

Thats a good way to look at it ^_^

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 3:22 PM

Wow, I think I nearly gave myself an ulcer last night watching the Women's all around gymnastics finals. Yeah, I get too involved in some things and then I stress myself out even though I'm not the one doing the stressful event. But it was awesome! It was very tight up until the last rotation, and I really didn't think Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luikin were even going to place. The judges were acting, for lack of a better word, crazy. The commentators in America were actually talking about how the scores for the two girls were inappropriately low for their performances (and not because they were American themselves =P). They were scoring the other teams accurately, it just seemed they deducted more from the American girls? Well, I won't argue with the judges as I know nothing about gymnastics routines, but through it all the two girls, who were pretty much downhearted due to the Women's gymnastic team finals, did so well they won Gold and Silver. They were crying and I was getting meepish and it was just a happy moment =P.

I'm also happy for Thailand for getting a medal in women's weightlifting since I have bunch of friends from that country =).

And Mongolia got their first gold medal =) (in judo). I love it when athletes who are up against dominating athletes come out on top and win a medal for their country, even when no one really thought it was possible. It makes it that much sweeter for them.

And of course Phelps won another gold medal yesterday. Good job!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 3:31 PM

I watched just a bit of the beginning, so I never noticed the judging problems, but if they did do that, it doesn't surprise me too much, although it is pretty bad. And they still won gold and silver despite that? Wow. Did you see the one Canadian in it? Her name was Elyse Hoffner-Hibbs (spelling?) and she's from my city! I don't know what place she came though.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 15 2008, 3:53 PM

Phelps is on a roll! He's currently got the most Olympic gold medals of any athlete in history!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 4:34 PM

And Phelps is still going for the most Gold medals in a single Olympic year. He has to beat Mark Spitz's seven gold medals. It gets exciting! lol

Too bad my local NBC station didn't broadcast the finals for Elyse Hoffner-Hibbs. I would have loved to see all of the other countries compete. NBC was only focusing on the countries who had a shot at a medal unfortunately =(. That's awesome that she is from your city Humbu! I'd feel so proud for her =).

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 4:39 PM

Lol thanks, CBC shows the Canadians and whoever has a shot at the medals (totally different goups, in the US, they mean the same thing pretty much!).

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 5:32 PM

( Ditta thanks so much Yeah I loved that song when Greece won, I still listen to it )

Well all I'm saying is im supporting Ukraine all the way through

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 5:32 PM

Since Phelps swims later tonight (or morning in Beijing) and I have to work...I am so sneaking into the work office to switch on the tv, 'cause I am not missing his other races tonight!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 5:37 PM

LOl, I think I've seen all of his six medals, and Im pretty sure I'll this one.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 5:38 PM

What time is it on...I think I may be going to get my fake nails done soon...

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 15 2008, 5:41 PM

Current medal standings:
US: 46
China: 41
Australia: 20
Russia: 19
South Korea: 18
France: 18
Germany: 14
Italy: 14
Japan: 13
Great Britain: 8
Cuba: 8
Ukraine: 7
Netherlands: 7
North Korea: 5
Hungary: 5
Kazakhstan: 5
Armenia: 5
Slovakia: 4
Czech Republic: 4
Azerbaijan: 4
Romania: 4
Switzerland: 4
Belarus: 4
Brazil: 4
Georgia: 3
Zimbabwe: 3
Sweden: 3
Turkey: 3
Austria: 3
Mongolia: 2
Poland: 2
Finland: 2
Spain: 2
Algeria: 2
Kyrgyzstan: 2
Norway: 2
Slovenia: 2
Uzbekistan: 2
Indonesia: 2
Taiwan: 2
Ethiopia: 1
India: 1
Thailand: 1
Colombia: 1
Vietnam: 1
Argentina: 1
Bulgaria: 1
Croatia: 1
Denmark: 1
Egypt: 1
Lithuania: 1
Mexico: 1
Tajikistan: 1
Togo: 1

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 5:43 PM

Lol Riiana. And Canada still has no medals XD

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 5:59 PM

Aww, I am so rooting for Canada. They usually come out of the Olympics with a bunch, right? Go Canada!

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 15 2008, 6:06 PM

canada is much better in the winter olympic. (as to be expected. and phelps race is at 10:18pm where i am (asuming you are in the same time zone, which i believe you are)

i was so happy china lost in the all around. Nastias first vault looked almost perfect, and she sticked the landing. the judges still deducted a point, which is where the anouncers thought was too low. and the chinese uneven bars was a bit high, comapared to shawn's. but they won gold and silver, which is great!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 6:16 PM

More about the gymnastics: a lot of forums are discussing the discrepancies in scoring among the gymnasts from yesterday. A lot of them blame NBC for being overly critical, but while I don't know how scoring goes down, they were almost always accurate with scores before the numbers even appeared. Also, the commenters themselves have been involved in gymnastics previously (I believe two of them were either coaches at one time), so they do have credit to their reasoning. A lot of people say the US is bitter and feels that we are just pushing for more points. However, I'm not worried about who wins so long as they do it fairly. And if any other country was not given an accurate score I would feel outraged for them as well. If it happened to Romania for instance, I would want someone to chide the judges for not scoring them well. It's not because we are American that we get so upset, it's that we don't want to see any athlete from any country not get the score they deserve. I should really hunt down the people on the internet who are so close minded to see this.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 6:21 PM

I agree with you Zhanneel. it's not only Americans like that. And yeah, Canada usually gets a couple more than they have now XD. But for the past 3 years, they'e gotten less and less, (24-18-12 or something like that). But they do better in the second half usually ^_^ And Melgirl, yeah they do MUCH better in the Winxter Olympics =P

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 15 2008, 6:24 PM

i agree, in the mens vollyball match US vs, bulgaria i think, i thought the judges were slightly unfair to bugaria calling some calls that were obviously wrong. and i thought russias floor rutene was underscored also.

shawn's beam rutene had the same start score as the chinese gymnist, and shawn had the same or mabe fewer mistakes, but got a lower score.

i like winter olympics much better, less evenets to keep trak of, and hockey!!! i love ice stuff. (And 7 of the swedish players live down the street from me!)

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 15 2008, 6:32 PM

I wish I had seen more of the Russian gymnastics routine. I think I got to see the Romanian floor routine, but not the Russian. What's up with the judging lately? I know it's hard since it's kind of subjective, but if they can score other athletes well, why are there so many inaccuracies on others? blah, get it right judges =P

Wow, seven members live that close? Awesome! Get autographs now! lol

And anyone who is coming to the Winter 2010 Olympics, well I'm going to try to be there so maybe I'll see you there! =)

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 6:38 PM

Hmm when is it, I think its 2015 or something that the Olympics will be held in London
Woo, well when they are I'm deffinatly going to be in that crowd!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 6:50 PM

@ Riiana- 2012
@ Zhanneel- If we were, we probably wouldnt recognise each other...

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 15 2008, 6:52 PM

and if the come to chicago ill be there!!! (fingers crossed)

yea, i live in a suberb of detroit, and all the swedish players from the red wings live in one sub in my city, pretty lucky. and they dont live in overly huge houses either.

we will see other countries more in the individual event competition probably.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 6:52 PM

Humbu - Thanks

Lol Zhanneel like Humbu said we probably won't even know who's who

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 15 2008, 7:32 PM

@Riiana: Hang a sign around your neck. "Hi, my name is: ANNIEBELLE." "Hi, my name is: RIIANA." etc.
@humbu: You've got 'winxter' in there.

Ohh, I'd SOOO be in Chicago. It's only, like 1.5 hour by plane.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 7:36 PM

Lol, its a curse (the infamous "x" inbetween "win" and "ter")

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 7:40 PM

Annie - LOOL Yeah thats a good idea

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 15 2008, 7:45 PM

anniebelle, ill look for you in chicago. i will probably be at swimming or gymnastics.

Posted by: Riiana Aug 15 2008, 7:50 PM

Wish I can go and visit USA...

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 15 2008, 7:58 PM

i wish i could go to london... or anywhere in europe. sigh*

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 8:05 PM

I wanna go to Italy!

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 15 2008, 8:51 PM

xD I've written "AnnieBelle" and "Marisaa7989" on my binder in hopes that someone at school goes on here or some other forum I'm on...
@humbu: When you start slipping an 'x' after 'win' out of habit, you know it's time to seek help. ^-^

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 15 2008, 9:13 PM

Yeah, I write Humbu Rules in random places partially for that reason. And you've done the winxter thing too, u said so on some other topic, but u noticed before u posted it.

Posted by: bloom_daphne Aug 16 2008, 1:01 AM

Half way across the country (for me) but I hope I can be at the Vancouver Olympics. I'll have a sign as well! xD

Well about China cheating, I feel it pretty unfair, as like others said, they're lighter and have an advantage, while the others playing fair are heavier. I think they keep raising the age limits are because some haven't grown up yet and have yet to develop. So when they play in the olympics, they might damage their bodies like tearing muscles, breaking bones etc...

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 1:11 AM

I agree, Daphne. By the way, a Canadian was 1cm away from getting a medal! 1 cm! Thats less than half an inch, for those of u not familiar with metric units.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 2:57 AM

Awesome Humbu! I really wish they had just stretched it a tiny bit more! What was the event? I say just stretch and pop an arm socket, a gold medal is worth it, right? lol

And the sign idea is the best if we anyone actually does go to the Olympics in 2010. There are other ways to find each other. Like meet at the entrance to such and such building, say what outfit you're wearing, or whatnot. Or heck, I'm sure they've got a Starbucks to meet at XD. Anywho, I'd just be happy to go period.

Michael Phelps ties Marks Spitz record for most gold medals in an Olympic year ^^

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 16 2008, 3:14 AM

wow that race was amazing! micheal took a huge risk taking an extra stroke, but it paid off!

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 16 2008, 3:22 AM

{According to Wiffy, it's noon right now in Beijing. xD}

Medal standings {top 5}
United States: 48
China: 41
Australia: 21
France: 20
Russia: 19

Posted by: mightymarty2 Aug 16 2008, 9:42 AM

the rowwing was great to watch

Posted by: Reeza Aug 16 2008, 10:20 AM

My country so sucks at sports....

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 1:49 PM

Not really, they got a silver yesterday, Reeza. And Canada got 3 medals! YAY! A gold, a silver, and a bronze!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 2:25 PM

Holy crap, yes. The match between Cavic and Phelps?! That was impressive to watch! Cavic lost only by a hundredth of a second! And it's possible if they ever did that race again Cavic could be the winner instead. It was just that flipping close. Everyone can be very proud of Cavic, which should bring some pride to Serbia's team =).

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 3:09 PM

Yeah, I saw it, Phelps did pretty bad in the first half, but then came back, and it was SO close, I though Cavic won, but I then I realised he didn't.
And, Riiana (I know ur not here but oh well), Ukraine just got a gold.
Yesterday, by the way, some Indian guy beat the number one seeded Russian in the round of 16 boxing!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 3:13 PM

Whoa, I wish I had seen the match between a Russian and an Indian. Congrats to India! And congrats to the Ukraine!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 3:16 PM

Yeah, it was really close. It was tied right near the end, 9-9, and then the Indian hit the Russian and thought he got the point (which he didn't) and stalled till the match ended. Then it was a tie breaker, and the computer gave the match to the Indian.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 3:24 PM

Whoa, I bet the Russian guy was P-ed off =P. I hope the computer was fair.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 3:27 PM

He was. He started crying. I felt sorry for him, but I was also happy that the Indian won. I think its likely that the computer was fair, because, well, its a computer XD, and it wasn't the judges who made the final decision (I'm pretty sure, that's what the commentators said).

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 16 2008, 3:28 PM

I saw that match! It was great! Looks like there's still hope for us (India) to win some more medals.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 3:30 PM

I was looking at an article about men's rifle shooting, and the man who won the first gold for India this Olympic year is starting to get a bunch of marriage proposals =P. I hope he knows not to accept them from greedy women, lol.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 3:31 PM

Lol, wow I never heard about that but that's weird. Yeah, I agree, he probably won't accept.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 16 2008, 3:45 PM

Yeah, almost all famous male athletes face that problem... Lol...

Posted by: bloom_daphne Aug 16 2008, 3:59 PM

I love watching womens gymnastics. I took classes once so yeah. xD
I saw them online on nbcolympics.com but I miss the cheesy talk hosts. lol

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 16 2008, 5:23 PM

I too love the talk of the commentators =). At least they explain the rules and scoring so I'm not lost.

And if I were to pick any event to compete in it would be hands down gymnastics. It's so amazing and complicated.

Go Canada! Now they have a bronze, silver and gold in their count =). They just got gold I believe today in women's wrestling.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 16 2008, 5:25 PM

Yep, the silver and bronze today too, the silver in rowing I think.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 16 2008, 7:01 PM

Iceland isn't getting anything but it is likely that they will get a medal in handball^^ if Iceland isn't getting anything, then I will cheer other scandinavian countries^^ and Canada, US, Ukraine, India and any "magix club country" oh, and you know, Iceland recently lost for... south corea I think and got a tie against Denmark in Handball... okay, let's stand up for the handball, it is coming^-^

Posted by: mightymarty2 Aug 16 2008, 7:11 PM

did you see how close the womans double skull was

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 16 2008, 9:42 PM

...Wait, what's handball again? I forget.

Let's see, I'll do the MCC [Magix Club Countries'] medals.
United States: 54 medals
Canada: 3 medals
Netherlands: 7 medals
Great Britain: 17 medals
France: 22 medals
Croatia: 1 medal
Russia: 21 medals
India: 1 medal
Australia: 25 medals
Serbia: 2 medals
Germany: 18 medals
Finland: 2 medals
Turkey: 3 medals
Poland: 2 medals {I think we have someone from Poland on here...}

Is that all? Tell me if I'm missing a country...-_-"

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 16 2008, 10:02 PM

handball is like football (soccer =Þ) but played with hands instead of feet.

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 16 2008, 10:35 PM

Oh, I see. Wow, and I consider myself an Olympics buff. Quoth the raven, and so do I, "Nevermore." xD

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 17 2008, 2:46 AM

Wow, the US is really good (no surprise though)! We (India) have got just one medal so far, and you guys have... *checks list* 54. -_-"

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 3:18 AM

Add one more: Michael Phelps and the US relay team have another gold medal! Which is awesome because Phelps pulled it off and has beat Mark Spitz's record! Whoooooooooo!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 4:31 AM

I saw that, it was pretty cool! He reached 8 medals...

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 5:32 AM

And I finally found the links to two of my favorite Phelp videos put together by NBC =P

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0816_phelpsbody_ja243&channelcode=sportsw

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/share.html?videoid=0817_PhelpsFood_JA275

The second video talks about how many calories he eats, but I believe he was eating up to 12,000 calories a day at one point. O_o I don't even want to think about how much exercise he does to burn that off.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 17 2008, 6:09 AM

TWELVE-THOUSAND calories?! *faints*

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 17 2008, 12:12 PM

okay... Iceland hasn't got anything

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 3:53 PM

Whoa! 12 000! Isnt that like 3-4 times as much as a normal man needs?

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 3:56 PM

From what I thought was normal (for your average non-athlete male) would be closer to 2000 or 2500 a day. XD Phelps' exercise routine sounds like hell, oi.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 3:59 PM

That is like 5-6 times then! Wow, I agree, I cant imagine how much he trains

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 17 2008, 4:32 PM

Top three countries {by number of athletes}:
1. China (639)
2. United States (595)
3. Germany (439)
This explains why China and the US have the most medals, I think.

12000 calories a day? I'm a little hesitant to find out what his exercise regimen is like...xP

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 4:34 PM

Lol, where would get time to eat that much if he were excersing enough to stay fit?

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 4:38 PM

If you watched the second video I put up on a post from yesterday he basically explains that all he does is eat, exercise, and sleep =P. Simple, but not anything I'd want to do, lol. He says he just eats anything he can find, and a huge portion of it (like a pound of pasta!) before he exercises. Half of his day he's just hunting down food XD. Too bad the other half is spent exercising non-stop.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 17 2008, 4:51 PM

But don't you have to wait at least an hour after you eat and before you swim? And considering how much he eats and how much he swims, it seems like he'll have to wait a lot longer...

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 5:11 PM

Possibly, but I think on Myth Busters (a show on US cable) they partially busted the myth. I think it has to do with how much and what type of food you eat, and how large of a person you are. He eats about anything so I don't know how he does it =P. But it must work for him, or his coach must have him wait before he swims. I'm sure there are plenty of warm-ups he can do while he waits. Maybe he does weight-lifting and running too?

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 17 2008, 5:21 PM

Hm, that makes sense.

Oh, and this is randon, but have you heard of Indian chess champion Viswanathan Anand? Even though he plays chess, which is a mental sport, he does over six hours of physical training everyday!

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 5:23 PM

Wow, thats ALOT! I had no idea, even though I've heard of him. Why does he need to do that though?

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 17 2008, 5:31 PM

each work out he burns 4000 calories! but he is taking some time off after these olympics till febuary.

nastia and shawn just won silver and bronze on floor! and china was in forth place!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 6:03 PM

QUOTE (melgirl1778 @ Aug 17 2008, 01:31 PM)

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 17 2008, 6:09 PM

it was at 8 o clock this morning in the us. and it was at night in china. they wernt on live though, i watched it on nbcolympics.com. i think tonight is the replay. and tomorrow morning there are uneven bars and beam.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 6:17 PM

seriously!? I thought it was live tonight! I always thought they did the gymnastics at night for the US (and morning for China)...so you've been lying to me NBC? Grrrr. Now I must watch it on the website right now! Oh shoot...I don't think they are putting it up yet.

Anyways =P, I can't stop looking at the Fuwa merchandise on ebay....so I went and bought these cute keychains carved from coconut shell, lol

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=406070&image=162569392&images=162235261,162235301,162569392,162569554,162569506,162569649,162569419,162569461,162569620&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 17 2008, 6:19 PM

Cool keychains, dude! XD

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 17 2008, 6:28 PM

Lol, thanks, they were so much cooler looking than the boring metal ones =P

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 17 2008, 8:07 PM

they actually didnt have the video. i was just watching the results.

Posted by: winxclub-joy Aug 17 2008, 11:48 PM

wohoo, Singapore got their silver medal for table tennis after 48 years! XP

Some people whom waited since at the 1960s must be thrilled when singapore finally got a medal XP

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 18 2008, 2:58 AM

Thats cool, congratulations!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 18 2008, 3:37 AM

lol, yay for table tennis! Congrats!

And now I'm getting to watch the gymnastics individuals finally =P

And here is a cute picture of the 4'9" Shawn Johnson and 6'4" Michael Phelps xD


and one more at http://flickr.com/photos/26388705@N05/2509981644/.

I think the top of my head hits about an inch under his shoulder, lol.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 18 2008, 11:26 AM

congrats Singapore!^^ Iceland's first medal was bronze... years ago... and the only one so far...

Iceland got a tie in handball against Egypt... again^^

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 18 2008, 1:52 PM

i feel bad for nastia because she was cheated out of a gold for uneven bars. she and a chinese tied and some how the tiebreaker made out china the winner...

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 18 2008, 2:41 PM

Ya, I agree. I think she deserved the gold.

On the bright side, Yelena Isinbayeva just broke a world record! She cleared 5.05 meters in the pole vault final, and she's won the gold medal. =)

Posted by: earth123 Aug 18 2008, 5:27 PM

Poll: Which Opening indent of the last 5 Olympiads do you think was the better one?

These are the basic ones through the IOC. The networks in the States or U.K may have a custom one.

Barcelona 1992: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=IEmft2qqpX0
Showing images of culture in Barcelona, transforming to the athletes and their sports.

Atlanta 1996: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=SIfwAMzdGS4
Showing images of Ancient Greece and the modern Games in celebration of the 100 years of the modern games.

Sydney 2000: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=KCIcwvaljxQ
A cool one. Showing the Australian outback, it goes in showing the athletes competing in the physical geographical nature of the country.

Athens 2004: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_k2VS_LMMgE
From ancient Olympia, it shows ancient images and glyphs of the ancient sports and today's athletes, then moving to the modern facilities and today's Greece, in celebration of the homecoming of the games, on how it was then, and how it is today.

Beijing 2008: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=SSK_aZk_DNA
Shows the athletic action in a dynamic atmosphere.

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 18 2008, 9:03 PM

I'd say it's a tie between the last 4. I liked the Barcelona one, but not as much as the others...Though maybe it's just because they're all the ones after I was born? I don't know...-_-"

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 19 2008, 3:56 AM

My choices for the Openings are kind of tied:

I liked the Barcelona opening because for "older" computer graphic skills it looked very nice, especially how each image merged into other image or was super-imposed to become something else.

I liked the Sydney opening because the Olympic events were centered around Australian geography (especially the Pommel Horse of the rock formations ^^).

I liked the Athens opening hands down because of the music. Not epic, but oh so pretty. And has the wonderful cultural feel.

(the Beijing one, while nice in special effects, just didn't have the musical sound I was hoping for)

Hmm, about the Nastia Luikin and He Kexin thing... well, like I was thinking, pretend we don't know which two countries are tied. Does anyone think the tie-breaking calculation is really that fair? Not really. It seems they needed an easy, simple solution that had nothing to do with the athletes themselves <--which is my point! The tie-breaker solution does not take into account the actions and skill of the athletes. It was almost as arbitrary as a coin toss. The tie-breaking results don't really mean anything and the rules need to be revamped.

Now, back to the battle between China and the US in gymnastics. It was very hard for me to agree on which of the two athletes did the best. They were both excellent. I still don't know who I would rank higher. But it keeps going back to the age controversy, and how I know if we could just prove it, He Kexin would not be allowed to qualify for the Olympics. She was amazing and did fantastic, but the simple truth seems to be that she doesn't deserve it yet since she is not of age. I don't know though. There's nothing anyone can do. The Olympic committee wants to keep their nose clean and not investigate this issue, most likely so China stays on happy terms with everyone. So we just shake our heads and move on.

(Avatar related) One funny thing: does anyone get the impression that the women who present the medals have a little Joo Dee-like quality to them? Maybe it's just the overly happy smiles that seem to be almost painted onto their faces =P. I hope this doesn't come out sounding offensive, eek!

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 19 2008, 11:33 AM

I liked the Athens/greek one intro the best^-^

Posted by: Abby Aug 19 2008, 6:35 PM

I think the tiebreaker for the womens gymnastics is really unfair. They were freaking tied. Rejudge them by looking at the tapes again instead of taking out the lowest number!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 20 2008, 3:37 AM

I would have also been happy if both of them were given gold medals, since they both deserved it! But the new rules are ridiculous. What would it hurt if two people were awarded the same medal? At least one wouldn't get screwed in the deal.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 20 2008, 4:10 PM

Oh, this is random, but listen to what one of the Indian announcers said on TV today:

(See, India won two more medals today and they were talking about that...)

Announcer: Today is a very exciting day in Indian Olympic history!

(And I hadn't heard about the two new medals then, so I was like "Cool!", but now see what he said next...)

Announcer: For the first time, India has won more than two medals at the Olympics!

-.-"

Posted by: P-girl Aug 20 2008, 5:09 PM

I never watch Olympics, or any other sports event.....

But today they showed the Table-Top Tennis finals.

Table-Top Tennis at it's highest level, with mighty swings, sweaty foreheads and enemies taunting each other. I'm still torn between 'That's just silly' or 'That's all kinds of awesome' (I think I choose option two, with a smidge of option one)

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 20 2008, 5:11 PM

lol.

we are getting higher and higher in the handball! we won Poland this morning (at least for us)^^

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 20 2008, 6:41 PM

P-Girl, if you haven't seen the Matrix ping-pong video yet you must. xD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dcmDscwEcI

Oh...and while we're at it, Matrix Karate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dv13HOn4xY&feature=related

Posted by: P-girl Aug 20 2008, 6:46 PM

Saw it.... I still pick Olympic Ping Pong because the people were actually serious about it, which only adds to the hilarity.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 20 2008, 6:55 PM

They are also going so far as to make their outfits racier as to attract more fans as well. I'd watch it if my tv network would broadcast it. I'm just too lazy to hunt down the videos on the NBC website.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 20 2008, 7:02 PM

Wow, that video is hillarious, Zhanneel.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 20 2008, 7:10 PM

lol, some of my favorite videos on the web =P

Posted by: Abby Aug 21 2008, 5:12 PM

I think some sports don't belong in the Olympics, like table tennis. That is what you can do in your basement for fun, I mean it is more of a hobby than a sport. I understand those people work hard, but I find softball and baseball more of a sport than that (if you haven't heard, they're thinking of eliminating that portion of the olympics). I also think that shooting and sailing don't belong in the olympics. I'm not saying those people don't work hard, but anyone can start to learn how to do those.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 21 2008, 5:27 PM

I think I agree. I would also place Rhythmic gymnastics in the "doesn't belong" category. I was watching it this morning...and it's just not up to par with some of the hard working events I've seen. It was very pretty and graceful, but it was mostly just a lot of bending and twirling, more like ballet. I don't even know how you'd score the difficulty on something like that.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 22 2008, 12:53 PM

i agree, some of the sports are rather stupid. but i am glad they aded bmx to the games. i also think some of the events could be switched to winter olympics, because there are so many less events in the winter olymipcs.

Posted by: Abby Aug 22 2008, 3:42 PM

I like Rhythmic Gymnastics, it's so pretty! I personally like the winter games better because of the ice skating and watching all of the bob sled races (not sure of the official name). Did you guys hear? They are now investigating 3 Chinese gymnasts for their age since on the website it had their age as younger than 16. If they find they are not 16 then they get all those medals taken away from them, leaving them with only 2 bronze medals in gymnastics.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 22 2008, 3:46 PM

Well, if they really are over 16, I'm glad they won the medals, they were really good. But, if they're under 16 I hope some action is taken, because it would be horrible if they cheated like that.

Posted by: Abby Aug 22 2008, 3:50 PM

They look really young, I really don't think they're 16. I mean they're good, but just because they're good they shouldn't be able to get away with cheating.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 22 2008, 3:52 PM

I agree. China may be the hosts, but they shouldn't get any special privileges because of that.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 22 2008, 5:48 PM

I agree but it would be really easy to fake it and very hard to prove that they're not. Thats the sad part.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 22 2008, 7:28 PM

i dont think that can prove they are under 16, because they have legal documents. but even if they cant prove it, china shamed them selves because everyone knows they cheated. and did they were printing things that said the 'won' the olympics, because they had the most gold medels. i thinks thats a little tackey.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 7:34 PM

ICELAND WON ANOTHER HANDBALL GAME!!

we are competing for the gold this Sunday against France^^ ALL ICELAND is crazy of happiness^^ our fourth medal since the beginning...

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 22 2008, 7:43 PM

@Melgirl- unless there's a tie for the total number of medals, it doesnt matter if they have the most golds, US is still in the lead, so they're wrong, they didnt win cos its not over, and they're not winning either
@Ditta- wow, congrats! I'll be cheering for Iceland in the finals ^_^

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 7:59 PM

thank you^^

Olé Olé Olé Olé Olé! I was in need to yell this out^^

and... the president was in China watching and said that there should be a big nation celebration!! and his wife said: Iceland is not a small country, it's the biggest country in the world!

oh, I'm so happy, and I bet every Icelander is^^

fun fact: there was NO business in Iceland during the game^^

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 22 2008, 8:24 PM

Lol, it must be fun chaos in Iceland right now, with barely anyone going to work and staying home glued to the tv =P.

I do hope they get the Chinese gymnastics thing figured out. However, I highly doubt there will be concrete evidence. China is very good at hiding it's flaws, and all it takes is the government to fudge some numbers and voila. They cheat and don't get caught. It sucks because the entire system is probably in on it. They tell the parents, friends, gymnastics, coaches, etc to lie, they change the numbers in the computers, they remove online articles that were previously up that stated "false" information, and they get the entire country to back them up. I understand national pride is apparently an almost holy thing for their people, but have some humility and don't always back up your country just because they tell you to. I would like some of the Chinese people not to jump on the bandwagon and instead think about this fairly. Not everything your government or country does is good and taken at face value. They need to think for themselves. If it were happening to them we know they would have a fit...

I would almost be willing to let the girls keep the medals since they did actually earn them, but strip some of the titles that came with as a sort of reprimand. As long as they actually were to admit to lying.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 8:42 PM

look what I found, see the bold words

Handball Day 14 Review: Favorite France and outsider Iceland ready for gold

Semifinals

France vs. Croatia: 25-23

Les Bleus got the upper hand over former Olympic champion Croatia and advanced to the gold medal match, where they will face outsider Iceland.

Now Croatia will fight over the bronze medal with Spain, who just lost to a dogged Iceland.



Iceland vs. Spain: 36-30

A bullheaded Iceland team outplayed 2005 world champion Spain and went from a disadvantage position to taking the upper hand. This victory marked their entrance into the gold medal match with Les Bleus. It will be Iceland's first time playing in the finals in the Olympics.

Five goals in a row from the Icelandic team gave Spain a blow in the first five minutes, forcing Spain to take an early time-out in the first half to readjust the tactics. Duo Juan Garcia and Iker Romero helped Spain make a come back by contributing five goals each.

For the first 40 minutes a focused Spain managed to keep Iceland's lead at a narrow margin. Later on, Iceland steadily advanced, with left back Logi Geirsson scoring seven goals. The intense game saw a rush of two-minute suspensions and Spain's Carlos Prieto was sent off court with a red card.

Albert Rocas scored a team-high seven goals out of eleven tries for Spain, while Geirsson and Valur Gudjon Sigurdsson both contributed seven goals for Iceland.


THIS IS SO UNFAIR HOW THEY NAME US, BULLHEADED?!?!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 22 2008, 8:47 PM

Aww, that's baloney. Which country wrote this article?

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 8:53 PM

it was on the official chinese site, in english.

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 22 2008, 9:02 PM

Geez, pfft, must be someone on the Olympic committee? Not sure who had the gall to say those things though. They need to be more careful with how they regard each country, and not make it seem like some countries are better or worse in any way than others.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 22 2008, 9:16 PM

Thats so racist! Hot could they say something like that, especially on an official site!

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 9:17 PM

but if they really like to do that to the icelandic nation... then they are doing it to poor Spain too. if they say that about the team that won Spain, then Spain is supposed to suck twice as much

Posted by: AnnieBelle Aug 22 2008, 9:44 PM

Oh, I saw that at school today. I remember saying "Hey, they can't say that about Ditta's country!" really loudly when I saw that. Unfortunately, I was in the school library. So EVERYONE turned to look at the loud girl. It was embarassing, but at least everyone near me knew not to mess with any of my friends' countries. ^-^

I swear those gymnasts are not 16. Seriously. I swear it.
@Melgirl: They're saying they "won" the Olympics because they have the most gold? Ew. I mean, yes, they have the most gold, but if you want to get technical, the US "won" because they have the most medals. Though, honestly, since when was the Olympics about "most gold" or "winning"?

xD alll the classrooms in my school have TV's, and most turn on a live broadcast on this one channel the school has...that I forget what it's called now...because I'm tired...

The difference in medals between the US and Poland is 94 medals. -_-"

@Jahnavi: ....about the "More than 2 medal in India" thing, I'm sorry, but even if I was from India, I would have cracked up hearing that.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 22 2008, 9:59 PM

that's so sweet of you to think [or say xD] that about me and my iceland^^

what will they say when the bullheads win a gold, better than "favorite France" or Spain or Croatia or every other nation that competed in mens handball. who is a bullhead then?!?!

seriously, we are SMALL nation, like it was said in the radio, some people said to the president in the break that we are AMAZING if we win Spain there while we are so small, it shows how we can come up with so AMAZING winning team! and beat those nations with millions of people in it.

those words touched me :')

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 23 2008, 10:30 AM

Lol, it's okay, you have the right to crack up Annie. I guess it was funny, but I just found the announcer's lack of self-respect frustrating...

(Well, then again, there are countries who haven't won any medals yet, so I guess I should be happy that we have at least 3...)

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 23 2008, 10:39 AM

we are getting 1...

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 23 2008, 4:15 PM

Jahnavi, I'm slow, what were the two bronze medals in?

Posted by: Abby Aug 23 2008, 10:47 PM

I guess with the investigation they didn't find anything. Whatever, but I still believe that they are under 16. I mean just look at all the other chinese women athletes and you can tell they are of age, but when you look at the gymnasts, they look so young. I really don't think it is just the "asian" build that makes them look so young (that was one of their excuses), but whatever. They did earn the gold medals, but if they're younger that does give them an unfair advantage in the competition since they're younger and more flexible than say Alicia Sacramone (sp?) (she's like 20 or 21). I don't think China won the olympics, I think the total medal count should be the thing that counts because it is still good if you got silver or bronze, you beat out tons of other people to get that spot so it should count for something.

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 24 2008, 2:21 AM

Hm, one in boxing and one in swimming, I think.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 24 2008, 4:54 AM

Ok, cool, thanx. And I agree completely with you, Abby.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 24 2008, 10:04 AM

we got the silver^^ France beated us

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 24 2008, 3:32 PM

Silver is still good ^^

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 24 2008, 3:48 PM

yeah, silver is great can you imagine how I would act if Iceland would have got the gold? it doesn't matter. by the way, when we beated spain and earned a spot on the gold match, we were a big news material in scandinavia, and even around the world because we were the smallest country ever getting so far

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 25 2008, 1:58 AM

Awesome, congratulations Ditta!

Olympics are over for this year =(.

As for the closing ceremony, I loved the London bit! The psychedelic-ness, the Broadway style, the crazy outfits: I loved it! I know the Chinese put tons of money and pride into their opening and closing ceremony, but even though England's was much simpler I think I liked it better. Too much pomp and circumstance turns me off sometimes. But I did like the tribute to the ancient Greek games with the chalk colored Chinese performers. Oh, and the human Olympic torch--that was very cool. It also looked like a sea anemone =P. Looks like there's still a bit more to go (since the US doesn't get to watch until tonight). Oh my *insert religious figure here*--Jackie Chan! I've heard him sing before, but that is so flipping awesome that he was in the ceremony!!

Now I will look forward to attending the next Winter Olympics...um, maybe? ^^

Posted by: Jahnavi Aug 25 2008, 2:20 AM

Aw, I can't believe the Olympics are over! Now we have to wait another four years!

Oh, and Humbu, my bad, the two medals were in boxing and wrestling.

Posted by: dittadulla Aug 25 2008, 12:10 PM

I saw a bit of the ceremony, and some other of it with the other eye... I loved when the dancers made roads for the "bikes" an when they danced and such^^

Posted by: melgirl1778 Aug 25 2008, 3:17 PM

we were going to maybe go to the winter olympics, but all the hotels are already sold out... hopefully i can go if hey are in chicago.

Posted by: humbu111 Aug 25 2008, 9:08 PM

@Jahnvai- ok, got it

Dang, I missed the closing ceremony!

Posted by: Zhanneel Aug 25 2008, 11:12 PM

QUOTE (melgirl1778 @ Aug 25 2008, 11:17 AM)

Posted by: Boo Aug 31 2008, 11:43 PM

I missed the ending ceremony too >_< It felt like the Olympics went by quickly...

By the way, did anyone else catch the rhythmic gymnastics portion of the Olympics? I always like watching that; it makes me wish I was that talented. That and gymnastics (it amazes me how well most of the competitors did this year) O_O
Speaking of gymnastics, did anyone catch the tie between Nastia Liukin (US) and He Kexin (China)? I am still in wonder as to why they just didn't let them both take gold home...

Posted by: Zhanneel Sep 1 2008, 2:16 AM

I very much agree on the tie thing. The tie breaking rules were ambiguous and unfounded. They may as well have just flipped a coin. I say don't bother with tie-breaking rules and just give them both a well deserved gold medal.

Posted by: melgirl1778 Sep 1 2008, 2:33 PM

phelps is hosting a saturday night live! im so excited!

Posted by: Zhanneel Sep 1 2008, 3:07 PM

QUOTE (melgirl1778 @ Sep 1 2008, 10:33 AM)

Posted by: Riiana Sep 1 2008, 5:35 PM

Lol what channel is it on?!
Someone record it, I need to watch it XD

Posted by: Zhanneel Sep 1 2008, 6:15 PM

I'm going to try to download it too when it goes on a torrent or youtube, that's going to be great. Not sure what channel it would be on in England? In the US it's on our local NBC channel.

Posted by: Boo Sep 1 2008, 10:59 PM

QUOTE (melgirl1778 @ Sep 1 2008, 02:33 PM)

Posted by: Zhanneel Sep 2 2008, 3:22 AM

I believe Phelps will be on the September 13th SNL, so about 2 weeks. I haven't watched SNL for a few years (since it got a little lame), but this makes me want to watch it again.

Posted by: AnnieBelle Sep 2 2008, 2:51 PM

@Jahnavi: 2 years. Winter Olympics. Think this place will still exist then?

Posted by: Jahnavi Sep 2 2008, 4:18 PM

No, I meant the Summer Olympics, in 2012.

Posted by: AnnieBelle Sep 2 2008, 8:28 PM

...OHHHHHHHH.
Wow I can't realize obvious things easily...xP

Posted by: Riiana Sep 2 2008, 10:50 PM

Lol I have no idea what just went on but ah well
I'll just play along anyway ^^