Greatest Olympics Ever?

Boris Johnson admitted he was tempted not to hand over the flag to Brazil. Now BOA saying they may try and get the 2024 Olympics...nice thought, but it will go to a country that hasn't had it or not for a while. Comparing football to the Olympics, di Canio has come out and said that as soon as some footballers get the money they lose all respect and desire for the game. Not true of all, but the target becomes money and possessions rather than being the best for some footballers. End of a fantastic few days now back to the reality of being back in the PL. COYR

 

The 5000 was a huge achievement so soon after the 10,000 on a firm track which really takes it out of you. An amazing feat!

 

Struggle to name a favourite as I loved it all and was proud that it went so well. Wiggins win was brilliant. Mo Farrah, Ennis..the list could just go on. Would have been nice to have a few more surprise winners in athletics, but pleasing that we had so many finalists...suggests there will be improvement there. Maintaining enthusiasm following the Olympics can only be a good thing, not just for medal collecting but also for providing an interest for the young, especially those that are disadvantaged.

 

The closing ceremony imo was the only dud note of the whole thing. I was tempted to turn off quite early (although I lasted with it in the background until Eric Idle). Knew the speeches were coming, and I quite strongly dislike Sebastian Coe and the cronyism that all people in that type of role encourage, no matter what the sport. I know that one of the reasons that the Olympics is so great is due to its inclusivity, but the closing ceremony was a step too much for me personally, and I get enough of that lip synching and X Factor crap in everyday life anyway. It was just a reminder that, now that the Olympics is over, TV will become saturated with that again.

However, I loved the games themselves as much as everyone else on here, much to my surprise, as I don’t usually watch the Olympics (bar the athletics and cycling, which I always like). Still, I continued to fail to get into sailing, not knowing what the hell’s going on or what makes a good competitor.

However, though of course we richly deserve the right to champion and celebrate these momentous few weeks – or years! – and I commend everyone involved and who took part, I think it’s probably a bit over-smug to claim it as the best ever. I’m sure each country feels the same when they hold their Olympics, so not sure why ours should be any better than the others – each in their own way. The notes of annoyance for me – if there are any – would probably be the media’s post-Olympics propaganda machine rolling on through for the next few months (no dissenting voices allowed), and Cameron, Boris and all the others grabbing on to the coat tails for dear life, trying to surf their way through to the next election by papering up all the cracks in our society and its institutions with the goodwill they near-enough had nothing to do with.

Those who deserve to take credit and be celebrated are the athletes, volunteers, London transport staff, military etc. Those involved in ticketing, pricing, and sponsors who don’t turn up to take seats unless Usain Bolt is “playing” don’t.

 

The bigger achievement was having to go on the gold-medal winners version of The Cube a few days after that! It was probably the last thing he or his body wanted to do - talk about the celebrity machine roaring into action!

 

Sydney was widely regarded as holding the best Olympics until now but even the Aussies are saying ours was better! I know I'm biased but I cann't see what could have gone much smoother. At the end of the day the Opening and Closing ceremonies are not going to appeal to every-one. The Games themselves though were immense!

 

For me it has been the most enjoyable Olympics and that as much as anything is down to the superb voluntary workers. Wherever they were seen they seemed cheerful and helpful. The brilliant use of technology as well helped a great deal to keep us in the flow.

Of course being held at home also meant that we didn't have to stay up half the night to watch which was a major plus as well.

 

I agree with pretty much all of your post, although I don't dislike Sebastian Coe. He's OK. He did an excellent job, but I still prefer Steve Ovett, after all these years..!

I can certainly sympathise on the sailing. Even to a dyed-in-the-wool, rum drinking, pipe smoking matelot, the coverage would have been slightly confusing. To a confirmed landlubber there wouldn't have been a clue. However, the passion of sailing isn't in the watching. It's in the doing. It is the most enjoyable and ridiculous way to get about the water. You're far better off with a motor attached, but then you essentially have a car for the water. And there's the difference. But bluntly, sailing is just so much f****** fun. It is, first and foremost, a doing sport or pastime. You can watch it with a fair degree of involvement once you know what's going on. And where else can you sail in the same race alongside Olympic heroes like Ben Ainslie..?

Like the Aussies said, GB is pretty good at sports where you sit on your arse. Well sailing can/will give you buttocks of iron, a back and stomach muscles like an ironing board, strong legs, vice-like hand grip, an all year round sun tan, and if you do it badly wrong, plenty of swimming practice. Not bad for going along at walking pace and sitting on your backside all day. And it's a good idea if you don't mind being semi-permanently wet..!

I seriously urge anyone to give it a try. The best sailors start in dinghies [like we know now..?], so have a go at Calshot, or book lessons in a Topper/Laser/Wayfarer there. Then after it's over, come back here and tell me you didn't like it. You won't. You'll say you loved it.