I loved this post and well remember the feeling of excitement and anticipation...the whole collective feeling of being a part of something huge together as a nation...showing our best to the world.
The feeling of everyone being a part of the games also....free to do their bit....the hospitality was a huge factor as well. I wonder if that is the same in China? You remember....we were asked as a nation to welcome overseas visitors into our homes and backyards.....would the powers that be want the overseas visitors to see the reality of the lives of their citizens? Certainly the case of the two older women would make one think not.
Anyway I loved the video of the swimmer...do not remember that ...so funny and it was fun again to see the spoofing by Roy and HG...so very Australian...without the inherent smugness of "that crowd" from the ABC.
I agree with you about the IOC and China...if they pat them on the back and ignore the blatant lack of any meaningful protest...anywhere then shame on the IOC. And I am with you on the games being overshadowed by greater things...it's a pity as maybe the Chinese people feel that too....their moment to shine and its overshadowed by so many negatives. We are coming at it from our western viewpoint...to them this has probably been a wonderful chance to showcase their country.
Will stop now this is such a complex topic!
CJ: It was a wonderful time, wasn't it? It felt like one of the first times that we came together as a nation; for those two weeks, we were one! I don't know if it could feel like that again even if we hosted another Olympics, but it's something I'll never forget.
The hospitality was a very big part of it. I'd imagine it's similar in China too; for most Chinese it's a moment of great pride as they get to show their country to the world, so I imagine visitors would be well looked after. Whether they're seeing the "real" China or not, though, I doubt. Even Sydney moved most of the homeless out of the city, so I'd be surprised if most of the poor and labourers were visible.
I really missed Roy & HG this year! They might have been too controversial for Beijing but I think the Olympics need a bit of humour; otherwise we take them too seriously. I'd forgotten some of Eric's race but I always remember the gigantic cheer he got at the end. We always love the underdog!
Well, Jacques Rogge didn't name them the best Games but he hasn't been forthcoming with his criticism either. Maybe he will afterwards but it seems too late then. The IOC is such a political body now; its image is tarnished. But then these Olympics were the most watched in history. I'm sure that matters more to them and the sponsors than human rights, unfortunately.
B0bbyG
· 1 year ago
I believe the original Greek Olympics truly were sacrosanct - I think they suspended wars and conflicts to make way for the games. If only that happened nowadays!
I've never really been a big fan of the Olympics; I've been tuning in from time to time to see how the UK is doing, but it's never been essential viewing for me. I agree that some things are more important than sport. I understand that the games are a big deal for many Chinese people, and i'm happy for those people, but I'm honestly very disappointed by the way China has behaved recently. As far as I can see, they haven't improved at all, and I'm not sure why they've even been allowed to host the games.
The Olympics are a symbol of hope, joy, and pride for many people. I worry that China are undermining that.
CJ: Weren't the Ancient Olympics amazing? I was reading about them before I wrote this post and to think that so many city-states would enter into a truce, well, it's just unimaginable now! And they were much more of a test of skill between equals then. They really did represent the best and noblest of traditions. I thought some parts of the Athens Olympics did a good job of recapturing that... it felt like going back in time.
The IOC says the Olympics still stand for those traditions but I'm like you, I think China's conduct has undermined all that. And the IOC just let it happen. I don't think the Games should have been cancelled or anything but the silence has been deafening. Surely we can celebrate what's best about sport and still say human rights are important? But I suspect this has more to do with money than anything else, unfortunately...
On the plus side the London Games shouldn't have any of this! I hope they're good; they have a lot of potential and I was really impressed with the British team. Hopefully London can take us back to what the Olympics are all about. Plus Jimmy Page is involved! You can't go wrong with that. :)
kaylee2
· 1 year ago
I agree :)
CJ: It's all a little strange, isn't it, Kaylee? I guess I just expected more from the Olympics. Silly me! We're all very jealous of Michael Phelps, though; he was amazing! :)
Hope the surgery goes well and you feel better; we're thinking of you.
museditions
· 1 year ago
I wanted to wait until the games were over before I said anything. I have warm memories of the Sydney games, particularly Cathy Freeman, of course---she was an inspiration to many, and Slim Dusty singing "Waltzing Matilda". I didn't know any Australians then, but I've always felt an affinity with your country.
I knew that traditionally the games were declared "the best ever" but I probably wouldn't have been listening as carefully without having read your post.
I think it's extremely significant that these games were "truly exceptional" (I agree) rather than "the best ever", and I believe this will be discussed by the media. The spirit of the games was alive and well, in my view, as the Olympic spirit (as you said) calls a truce during these few days when we're all together. It's amazing to me that some of the countries there are technically at war with each other, yet, except for that one crazed random shooting, there weren't many unfortunate incidents. Of course, one could speculate much on the reasons for that.
The closing ceremonies were even more beautiful than the opening, although rather long (but I always think that), and it seemed the host country was quite hospitable. I'm always more interested in "ordinary" people's daily lives than what their governments are doing; I wish people from China were allowed to blog on WordPress. If possible, I'd love to read what they really have to say about their own lives.
CJ: So you remember quite a bit from the Sydney Games then, Muse? I'd actually forgotten about Slim Dusty - that brings back memories! I must have heard him sing Waltzing Matilda a hundred times and that was a great performance. Something else I remember from Sydney is watching North and South Korea marching as one team at the opening ceremony. It was an amazing moment; hard to believe it was only eight years ago.
The ceremonies for Beijing were great, weren't they? I don't know if we'll see another two like them again. The opening ceremony was beautiful and showed China's history in ways I never expected and the closing was impressive too, particularly the memory tower! Perhaps that's part of why I was disappointed overall, though... the message of the opening ceremony promised so much. But then the spirit of the Games was there all the way through... maybe that was the best I could have hoped for.
If there's one moment I'll remember from Beijing it was when the Russian and Georgian athletes embraced. To think that with everything going on in Georgia that they could show such camaraderie and sportsmanship is remarkable. I hope that's the enduring image from these Games, a message of life and hope... it would be wonderful if it was.
I've actually found a few blogs by people posting in China. I'm not sure how; maybe they're using a proxy to get past it? I also found some by Chinese nationals living outside China and from what I could read both seemed excited that the world would see their country in a new light. In many ways we did; it's such a beautiful country and I'll always remember how friendly the people were. I just wish we could get to see more of their lives too, hear their stories... maybe hosting the Olympics will change that, eventually.
Hopefully the London Games will be good. Our family over there are really looking forward to it. Maybe Phelps will go for 9 golds! Who knows, he might even do it. :)
Steve Rose
· 1 year ago
Beijing, please move on. The next guy in line is London. I hope London can respect the minority rights and grant full autonomy to Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Gibraltar, Wales and Scotland. Welcome to the land of football hooligans and street-peeing, drunken Brits!
And this is from USA, the country who committed mass murder of native indians and completely wiped out many tribes in their entirety.
[rest of comment deleted by admin] CJ: I can't believe you're even comparing Britain to China. Last I checked Britain was still a democracy and allowed protests and media access. When was the last protest in China? Tiananmen Square? We know how that ended.
If you've read my post you'd know it's about my memories of Sydney, which means I'm not American. And I'd be careful laying blame - all governments have their sins. Your comment says a lot more about you than it does me.
All Comments
The feeling of everyone being a part of the games also....free to do their bit....the hospitality was a huge factor as well. I wonder if that is the same in China? You remember....we were asked as a nation to welcome overseas visitors into our homes and backyards.....would the powers that be want the overseas visitors to see the reality of the lives of their citizens? Certainly the case of the two older women would make one think not.
Anyway I loved the video of the swimmer...do not remember that ...so funny and it was fun again to see the spoofing by Roy and HG...so very Australian...without the inherent smugness of "that crowd" from the ABC.
I agree with you about the IOC and China...if they pat them on the back and ignore the blatant lack of any meaningful protest...anywhere then shame on the IOC. And I am with you on the games being overshadowed by greater things...it's a pity as maybe the Chinese people feel that too....their moment to shine and its overshadowed by so many negatives. We are coming at it from our western viewpoint...to them this has probably been a wonderful chance to showcase their country.
Will stop now this is such a complex topic!
CJ: It was a wonderful time, wasn't it? It felt like one of the first times that we came together as a nation; for those two weeks, we were one! I don't know if it could feel like that again even if we hosted another Olympics, but it's something I'll never forget.
The hospitality was a very big part of it. I'd imagine it's similar in China too; for most Chinese it's a moment of great pride as they get to show their country to the world, so I imagine visitors would be well looked after. Whether they're seeing the "real" China or not, though, I doubt. Even Sydney moved most of the homeless out of the city, so I'd be surprised if most of the poor and labourers were visible.
I really missed Roy & HG this year! They might have been too controversial for Beijing but I think the Olympics need a bit of humour; otherwise we take them too seriously. I'd forgotten some of Eric's race but I always remember the gigantic cheer he got at the end. We always love the underdog!
Well, Jacques Rogge didn't name them the best Games but he hasn't been forthcoming with his criticism either. Maybe he will afterwards but it seems too late then. The IOC is such a political body now; its image is tarnished. But then these Olympics were the most watched in history. I'm sure that matters more to them and the sponsors than human rights, unfortunately.
I've never really been a big fan of the Olympics; I've been tuning in from time to time to see how the UK is doing, but it's never been essential viewing for me. I agree that some things are more important than sport. I understand that the games are a big deal for many Chinese people, and i'm happy for those people, but I'm honestly very disappointed by the way China has behaved recently. As far as I can see, they haven't improved at all, and I'm not sure why they've even been allowed to host the games.
The Olympics are a symbol of hope, joy, and pride for many people. I worry that China are undermining that.
CJ: Weren't the Ancient Olympics amazing? I was reading about them before I wrote this post and to think that so many city-states would enter into a truce, well, it's just unimaginable now! And they were much more of a test of skill between equals then. They really did represent the best and noblest of traditions. I thought some parts of the Athens Olympics did a good job of recapturing that... it felt like going back in time.
The IOC says the Olympics still stand for those traditions but I'm like you, I think China's conduct has undermined all that. And the IOC just let it happen. I don't think the Games should have been cancelled or anything but the silence has been deafening. Surely we can celebrate what's best about sport and still say human rights are important? But I suspect this has more to do with money than anything else, unfortunately...
On the plus side the London Games shouldn't have any of this! I hope they're good; they have a lot of potential and I was really impressed with the British team. Hopefully London can take us back to what the Olympics are all about. Plus Jimmy Page is involved! You can't go wrong with that. :)
CJ: It's all a little strange, isn't it, Kaylee? I guess I just expected more from the Olympics. Silly me! We're all very jealous of Michael Phelps, though; he was amazing! :)
Hope the surgery goes well and you feel better; we're thinking of you.
I knew that traditionally the games were declared "the best ever" but I probably wouldn't have been listening as carefully without having read your post.
I think it's extremely significant that these games were "truly exceptional" (I agree) rather than "the best ever", and I believe this will be discussed by the media. The spirit of the games was alive and well, in my view, as the Olympic spirit (as you said) calls a truce during these few days when we're all together. It's amazing to me that some of the countries there are technically at war with each other, yet, except for that one crazed random shooting, there weren't many unfortunate incidents. Of course, one could speculate much on the reasons for that.
The closing ceremonies were even more beautiful than the opening, although rather long (but I always think that), and it seemed the host country was quite hospitable. I'm always more interested in "ordinary" people's daily lives than what their governments are doing; I wish people from China were allowed to blog on WordPress. If possible, I'd love to read what they really have to say about their own lives.
CJ: So you remember quite a bit from the Sydney Games then, Muse? I'd actually forgotten about Slim Dusty - that brings back memories! I must have heard him sing Waltzing Matilda a hundred times and that was a great performance. Something else I remember from Sydney is watching North and South Korea marching as one team at the opening ceremony. It was an amazing moment; hard to believe it was only eight years ago.
The ceremonies for Beijing were great, weren't they? I don't know if we'll see another two like them again. The opening ceremony was beautiful and showed China's history in ways I never expected and the closing was impressive too, particularly the memory tower! Perhaps that's part of why I was disappointed overall, though... the message of the opening ceremony promised so much. But then the spirit of the Games was there all the way through... maybe that was the best I could have hoped for.
If there's one moment I'll remember from Beijing it was when the Russian and Georgian athletes embraced. To think that with everything going on in Georgia that they could show such camaraderie and sportsmanship is remarkable. I hope that's the enduring image from these Games, a message of life and hope... it would be wonderful if it was.
I've actually found a few blogs by people posting in China. I'm not sure how; maybe they're using a proxy to get past it? I also found some by Chinese nationals living outside China and from what I could read both seemed excited that the world would see their country in a new light. In many ways we did; it's such a beautiful country and I'll always remember how friendly the people were. I just wish we could get to see more of their lives too, hear their stories... maybe hosting the Olympics will change that, eventually.
Hopefully the London Games will be good. Our family over there are really looking forward to it. Maybe Phelps will go for 9 golds! Who knows, he might even do it. :)
And this is from USA, the country who committed mass murder of native indians and completely wiped out many tribes in their entirety.
[rest of comment deleted by admin]
CJ: I can't believe you're even comparing Britain to China. Last I checked Britain was still a democracy and allowed protests and media access. When was the last protest in China? Tiananmen Square? We know how that ended.
If you've read my post you'd know it's about my memories of Sydney, which means I'm not American. And I'd be careful laying blame - all governments have their sins. Your comment says a lot more about you than it does me.