The Olympics

HappyFeat · 16th August 2008, 21:38

I was wondering if anybody is watching the Olympics. Since their are people from all over the world here, I would love to hear some thoughts on the Olympics since they just don't seem to be as big of a deal as they were 20 years or so ago.

16th August 2008, 21:43

Saw some of the Judo Last Sunday for about a hour and thats it.

highestheels · 17th August 2008, 00:23

About to watch Paula in the Marathon. I am more interested now the cycling and athletics has started!

admirer5577 · 17th August 2008, 06:16

As little as possible which mean I try to see the comprimated version they show here each night for like 5-6 minutes. That is enough for me and still I am not totally out of any breakfast table discussion at the office.

Elegant · 17th August 2008, 07:31

I don't watch, and I don't think I would even if I were interested in sports. First of all, the slavery and human right issues in China repulse me. Second, it seems that people are bombarded with news, relations etc. from the olympics - turn on any mainstream television or radio, and you'll quickly discover that you can't avoid the topic if you're not interested.

Bubba136 · 17th August 2008, 15:21

Don't blame you, Elegant. If I lived in your neck of the woods, my attention would be focused on the latest maneuvers by the Russia - - which don't bode well for the status quo in Eastern Europe (or the rest of the world, for that matter).

jojo · 17th August 2008, 17:53

The Olympics are today all about the sponsoring commercial Companies - that is why they are being held in China (BIG market)! The real news is Russia's invasion of Georgia - yet even the BBC lead the News with the Olympics.

roz · 17th August 2008, 18:23

They seem as big a deal as ever IMHO, bigger probably, particularly as GB are doing really really well this year.

Guy N. Heels · 17th August 2008, 18:57

While I am all in favor of good athletics, both style & form, I find myself unable to get truly interested in this year's Olympic games. For one thing, it is apparent to me that China is using the games as a type of "spingboard" to announce their emerging superpower status to the world. So great! Like the world is really in need of another totalitarian superpower.

I find it interesting to note that in ancient times, if a man had a particularly unrulely slave that oftentimes he would tell the slave that unless his behavior improved that he would be required to accompany his master to the Olympic Games. Reportedly this was usually enough to bring even the most stubborn slave into line.

Bubba136 · 17th August 2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy N. Heels

I find it interesting to note that in ancient times, if a man had a particularly unrulely slave that oftentimes he would tell the slave that unless his behavior improved that he would be required to accompany his master to the Olympic Games. Reportedly this was usually enough to bring even the most stubborn slave into line.

That's a new one on me. I hadn't heard that before. (Perhaps it was the requirement that all athletes had to compete nude did the trick?

)