solid copper

The Olympia, etc.

Wednesday, 13. August 2008, 02:28:34

life, sports, China, broadcasting, Olympic

I need distraction today and happened to have an appointment that brought me out of the house.

The weather is not good. It is cloudy and raining. Not a heavy downfall, but rather spare large raindrops hitting the head. I appreciate the cool air, especially in light of the fact that a heat wave is coming up on Thursday, which is forecasted in both west coast Canada and the United States.

I bought lots of grocery. I also bought Chinese medicine for my sprained ankle. I got both herbal pastes and a special oil that is made of herbs. I have the paste on right now.

I was a bit dazed the whole time I was out, due to bad news received earlier in the day. I sighed loudly a few times in my friend's car and also when walking on a parking lot. My friend brought up the topic of the Olympia. She watched synchronized diving but missed the opening ceremony.

Synchronized diving and artistic gymnastics, two of my favourite events are over now. There should be more diving though, for the indivicuals. I do not know the schedule, as I am not as crazy about the game as some people thought. It is just the fact that China is the host this year that makes things more interesting for me. It is interesting to learn of the world's reaction to the Chinese approach.

The opening ceremony is a fantastic showcase of Chinese creativity and ingenuity. It cleverly and successfully reminds the world that the four great Chinese inventions - gun powder, paper making, printing, and the compass - forever changed China and the world. At least this is a clear message that Canadian television viewers received when watching the ceremony at home, as it is repeatedly emphasized by CBC's star presenter Peter Mansbridge, who was doing the live coverage in Beijing.

I do not know how other national news networks covered the opening ceremony. But I feel no one could have done a better job than Mansbridge. He is respected by Canadians and is respectful of Chinese history and culture. I mentioned him in a post on the US Super Tuesday election coverage (without giving his name). He is simply cool and is definitely fast becoming an icon of Canada.

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Comments

noah counte # 13. August 2008, 04:02

The coverage of the opening ceremony, which I missed, was great. It's been the reporting since that have turned up a nose at the fact that some of the fireworks were computer generated. Again, I think it's silly to complain that magic isn't straight foward. The ceremony did exactly what it was supposed to do, amaze people, and that makes it first rate.

There are eight diving events, and three of them are over. I don't know the schedule, but you can view a lot of the events' archive footage, including the diving, on the nbc Olympic website.

solid copper # 13. August 2008, 04:05

Thanks, I was going to mention next that NBC coverage of certain events is better than CBC's.

noah counte # 13. August 2008, 04:19

NBC is airing a lot of coverage. They have at least four channels with something on during the day, and something on at least one channel at any given time during the day. Sadly, so far one of the channels has been nothing but boxing. Go figure.

I can't get CBC coverage down here, and I cannot remember what hteir coverage was like, thoguh I do recall seeing alternate events (from the network coverage we had in the states).

What I like about Olympic coverage is that at least half of the team covering any particular sport is an ex athelete, and that means they appreciate the performance rather than getting too wrapped up in the politics of country/competition. They just appreciate a great performance.

solid copper # 13. August 2008, 05:15

NBC did a great job. No doubt about it. CBC's camera is not flexible enough when covering a single event. Resource may be a factor.

yulenka # 13. August 2008, 06:16

Yes, opening ceremony was really fantastic! Next Olympic games(winter) will be in our country. I am not sure wa can do better

And I wonder how many medals will have China! They did their best!

solid copper # 13. August 2008, 06:35

The 2010 winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, girl.

I would love to watch Russian figure skating. They are the best in my eyes, no matter they win medals or not. They are graceful due to early Ballet training.

yulenka # 13. August 2008, 06:38

I wrote

I was speaking about 2014 "winter" games

1bluebox # 13. August 2008, 07:20

i like the fact that the 'games' have been held since our greek ancestors decided that healthy competion provided the best entertainment for the society and produced wonderful humans. i think all athletes are gold medal winners with or without the medal! if you compete you are a winner!

let the games begin!

solid copper # 13. August 2008, 07:43

If you compete without using performance-enhancing drugs, you mean.

1bluebox # 13. August 2008, 08:21

if a person decides to use drugs, that is their choice. they will suffer the outcome not me. if a person is born with the ability to compete without the use of anything more than stamina and will-power -- skill is in there too -- then, i salute them with a higher gratitude than the performance-enhanced individual.