The Olympics - Paris 2024

Pohjolas Daughter · July 26, 2024, 05:58:25 AM

Looking forward to watching some of the Olympic events! Who else here is?

And any special events?

PD

Jo498 · July 26, 2024, 07:03:30 AM

I will; Tokyo had the disadvantage of far timezone and panicdemic lack of audience, real spirit of the Games and next 2 times will be LA and Australia, again bad time zones, so I hope I'll get to watch more with more fun this time. I don't care for ceremony spectacles, though, probably not going to watch the opening pageant.

Pohjolas Daughter · July 26, 2024, 07:21:25 AM

Quote from: Jo498 on July 26, 2024, 07:03:30 AMI will; Tokyo had the disadvantage of far timezone and panicdemic lack of audience, real spirit of the Games and next 2 times will be LA and Australia, again bad time zones, so I hope I'll get to watch more with more fun this time. I don't care for ceremony spectacles, though, probably not going to watch the opening pageant.

Yes, time zones can certainly make or break watching sports (and other things) live. Here in the States, I found out that they are showing the opening ceremonies both live (starting 1:30 p.m. on the East Coast) and then again during prime time when more people will be able to watch it.

Earlier today, I heard about the attacks on France's high speed train lines (which run into Paris).

Last I heard, only about one in four of them will be able to function--at least 'til Monday.

I don't know whether or not anyone has yet taken "credit" for their work.

PD

Jo498 · July 26, 2024, 07:48:38 AM

The first summer olympics I watched was L.A. 1984 (while I dimly recall Moscow 1980, Germany did not participate because of the boycott and I was also too small to be interested).
Because of the time zone (9 hours earlier or so) many events took place during night/very early morning in Europe. Therefore, in German TV this was the first time we got "breakfast TV" (Frühstücksfernsehen) this being repeats/summaries from about 6 a.m. or so of what had happened right before. For whatever reason this must have worked so well that I don't remember being bothered by the time difference then.
Of course, today the problem is that one has to somewhat avoid social media if one watches a decision hours later. This was no danger in 1984.

Pohjolas Daughter · July 26, 2024, 08:24:44 AM

Quote from: Jo498 on July 26, 2024, 07:48:38 AMThe first summer olympics I watched was L.A. 1984 (while I dimly recall Moscow 1980, Germany did not participate because of the boycott and I was also too small to be interested).
Because of the time zone (9 hours earlier or so) many events took place during night/very early morning in Europe. Therefore, in German TV this was the first time we got "breakfast TV" (Frühstücksfernsehen) this being repeats/summaries from about 6 a.m. or so of what had happened right before. For whatever reason this must have worked so well that I don't remember being bothered by the time difference then.
Of course, today the problem is that one has to somewhat avoid social media if one watches a decision hours later. This was no danger in 1984.

Oh, dear! I'm afraid that my age will be showing as the first one that I recall watching was the 1972 one in München. Some of the things that I remember from it: Mark Spitz bringing home oodles of swimming medals, the gymnast Olga Korbut, and the dreadful kidnapping and massacre of members of the Israeli Olympic team.

PD

Jo498 · July 26, 2024, 08:59:08 AM

I was born in 1972. Supposedly, my dad scared infant me when he jumped up loudly cheered at the TV as 16 yo Ulrike Meyfarth won the High Jump. I think she was the youngest track&field athlete ever to win a gold medal (there were younger gymnasts, of course) and she was also one of very few athletes (or the only one) to win gold medals 12 years apart in the same event because she won in fact again in 1984.

Pohjolas Daughter · July 27, 2024, 05:44:11 AM

Unfortunately, it's a soggy start to the Olympics. Thankfully, Roland Garros has two covered courts. Strange to see (using the multi-screen view) Djokovic playing on one court and Alcaraz on the other one--at the same time.

Ooooh! They just showed a cyclist going down on the slick road [Women's time trials].

PD

Pohjolas Daughter · July 27, 2024, 11:56:21 AM

Did anyone else here watch any of the opening ceremonies? I was quite impressed: very creative!

Came in partway to Alcaraz's and Nadal's match against the very experienced Argentinians Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni (who have won a number of doubles trophies together (over the past few years) and separately. Was 3-all when I was able to sit down after doing some errands. Really enjoyed the match! Was impressed how well Carlitos and Rafa played together. Won the first set in a tiebreak and in the second set, were down 3-0 and managed to break back. Good fight by both teams. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Catching a bit of Kerber vs. Osaka now.

PD

Florestan · July 28, 2024, 03:43:36 AM

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 27, 2024, 11:56:21 AMDid anyone else here watch any of the opening ceremonies? I was quite impressed: very creative!

I watched them almost in their entirety. Nicely done, with one exception: the French can-can was rather bland and tame, almost Victorian: nothing really erotically provocative. Offenbach must have rolled in his grave.

When the rider on the Seine appeared, at first I thought "Hey, this is Don Quixote riding his Rocinante" but on second thought, what with the spectral white and the ghostly appearance, I realized the truth: it was actually Wilhelm from Buerger's Lenore. ( @Jo498 ).

And speaking of tennis, I just loved the match between the Romanian Jacqueline Cristian and the French Caroline Garcia. Despite playing against not one but two opponents, Garcia and the public, my fellow countrywoman played superbly and won, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

DavidW · July 28, 2024, 04:49:57 AM

With an orchestra playing in the rain, perhaps damaging their instruments, I found this article featuring Rowan Atkinson.

And here is the clip in question, Mr Bean helping out Rattle/LSO:

The musical performance was pre-recorded to avoid the orchestra playing in the rain.

Florestan · July 28, 2024, 05:51:52 AM

Quote from: DavidW on July 28, 2024, 04:49:57 AMWith an orchestra playing in the rain, perhaps damaging their instruments

How about Alexandre Kantorow playing Ravel on a soaked piano? That was also a very nice moment.

Pohjolas Daughter · July 28, 2024, 07:47:48 AM

The boat scene/trip made me think of the river Styx and Charon.

I liked the variety of music and arts that they used. And yes, it made for a soggy opening. Sad story of a member on the Italian team; apparently, he had lost some weight during his training and his wedding band fell off of his finger, bounced on the deck and then into the river!

@Floristan I only caught some glimpses of that match and don't know much about the Romanian woman, but kudos for her! Currently, watching a singles match: Nadal vs. Fucsovics. I was wondering whether or not he would still play singles after his doubles match yesterday; however, there he is!

One set each. Looks like it's a nice day in Paris today. Note: the winner of the match gets to play Djokovic in the next round.

As a side note: rather surprised to see different outfits on players from the same country and team. From what I recall, it used to be very matchy matchy. Fucsovics (Hungarian) is also wearing a white shirt and black shorts. I'm confused as the colors on the Hungarian flag are red, white and green.

PD

p.s. @DavidW Yes, rain and instruments--particularly wooden ones--don't go together well!

Pohjolas Daughter · July 28, 2024, 01:15:21 PM

Had a hard time watching the men's tennis doubles match today between GB and Japan. I could see the scores live via the BBC's website, but couldn't watch it on Peacock t.v. (online). In any event, I went out to do my grocery shopping with a friend (GB had lost the first set and it was roughly 5-all in the second set). Came back and clicked on "replay" and strangely enough, the beginning of the replay was at 4-all in the second set! Bizarre! Watched it from there...Murray and Evans won the second set in a (usual) 7-point tiebreak...so one set each. It then went to a super tiebreak (10-points). At one point Japan (Daniel and Nishikori) had 3 match points. GB fought back and made it 9-all and then won the next 2 points so final score was 11-9 [You have to win by 2 points.].

Also watched some repeats on t.v. of swimming events, diving and a bit of men's vaulting last night...plus a tad bit of the dressage....too many events to keep up with!

And you?

PD

Florestan · July 28, 2024, 01:33:13 PM

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on July 28, 2024, 01:15:21 PM.too many events to keep up with!

And you?

PD

Table Tennis: Elisabeta Samara (ROU) beat Solomia Boreyko (UKR).

Pohjolas Daughter · July 28, 2024, 01:52:14 PM

Quote from: Florestan on July 28, 2024, 01:33:13 PMTable Tennis: Elisabeta Samara (ROU) beat Solomia Boreyko (UKR).

Florestan,

Speaking of the "can-can", I think that you would enjoy watching the Brazilian women's floor competition--specifically Flavia's (don't know the full name) from today (tonight there I believe). A very entertaining and crowd pleasing and artistic group.

And congrats to your Roumanian athlete.

PD

p.s. I'm looking forward to catching up and watching some of the US gymnastics team; a group of extremely talented and hard-working young women. There's also some equine events that I'd like to catch up with...oy! Can't view it all!

So many talented athletes and their interesting stories who are from all around the world.

Brian · July 28, 2024, 02:49:36 PM

I am looking forward to women's rugby this week. I watched two women's sports with great enjoyment yesterday - the rather dramatic fencing final, and "kayaking slalom," where solo boaters try to navigate a river rapids while going through various gates. That was an eye-opening and dramatic new sport for me! It looked impressively difficult.

Atriod · July 29, 2024, 01:58:12 PM

I got a kick out of the woman's gold medalist in XC mountain biking win it on a hardtail (no suspension in the back) bike. Makes me want to order a titanium hardtail even more for my XC racing. The Olympics or World Cup men could do with some toughening up like the women!

JBS · July 29, 2024, 06:19:09 PM

Found online.

Irons · July 30, 2024, 06:51:06 AM

Quote from: Florestan on July 28, 2024, 01:33:13 PMTable Tennis: Elisabeta Samara (ROU) beat Solomia Boreyko (UKR).

Watched the final of mixed doubles. China v North Korea. Unable to make up my mind which to cheer for! Great stuff all the same.

Pohjolas Daughter · July 30, 2024, 07:11:30 AM

Quote from: Brian on July 28, 2024, 02:49:36 PM

I am looking forward to women's rugby this week. I watched two women's sports with great enjoyment yesterday - the rather dramatic fencing final, and "kayaking slalom," where solo boaters try to navigate a river rapids while going through various gates. That was an eye-opening and dramatic new sport for me! It looked impressively difficult.

I remember watching that event...probably four years ago? And like you, I was thinking that that must be tough!

Quote from: Atriod on July 29, 2024, 01:58:12 PMI got a kick out of the woman's gold medalist in XC mountain biking win it on a hardtail (no suspension in the back) bike. Makes me want to order a titanium hardtail even more for my XC racing. The Olympics or World Cup men could do with some toughening up like the women!

Does that have to do with stability/control of the bike?

Quote from: JBS on July 29, 2024, 06:19:09 PMFound online.

Very clever!

Quote from: Irons on July 30, 2024, 06:51:06 AMWatched the final of mixed doubles. China v North Korea. Unable to make up my mind which to cheer for! Great stuff all the same.

I remember playing what we called back then "ping pong" in the family basement back when I was a kid; nothing like the speed and the slams that they do at the professional level!

Nadal and Alcaraz coming up soon. They will be playing the Dutch team of Griekspoor and Koolhof. A bit later, Murray and Evans will also be playing their second round (vs. the Belgian team of Gille and Vliegen).

PD