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Congratulations on the win, @Sir Rols. It was a really strong competition this year! And also congratulations on getting on the final, @Shiruba98. This comp did make the olympic period more fun, and for that i have to give thanks for the organizers. The CAS subplot was really wild! @yoshi I wonder that if for the 20th logo comp, we could make an modern take, with the new IOC guidelines, on previous olympic logos, an time traveling edition to make it really special. And coming back to the winter side of things, hey @Nacholympic, congrats again for your home gold. Guess we both had gold medals to celebrate, after all...

It looks really great. To see a place that's 2000 years old still being used for its original purpose, there's something truly wonderful about that.

Is it a cliche? Yes. Is it lazy? You bet. Is it the only possible option? Absolutely hell yes: It's announcement time, so where else could we be but Rome's original venue for Games? Welcome to the place where it all began - the Colosseum! The Colosseum! That's more like it. It's time to bring an end to this long, sometimes chaotic contest. The President is here, the Pope is here, and the flame is here: All we need now is the scowl currently concealed by the cloud of smoke over there - please welcome the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni! Mamma mia, e adesso... aspetta, finalmente è fatta? Mi chiedevo perché mi avessi trascinato fino a Roma mentre mi divertivo a giocare a curling... ma non potevi far fare il gesto alla donna con l'accento, la Meloni olimpica, no? E perché quei giocatori di hockey sono qui? Non dovrebbero essere a Milano? Perché il Papa è qui? L'ha organizzato Salvini, è più caotico della rete autostradale romana! Comunque, devo tornare a Cortina e a questa sigaretta, ma non in quest'ordine. Il vincitore del concorso per il logo è... oh, no di nuovo. Un altro affresco? SIR ROLS! Y: Grazie Giorgia *cough cough*. Yes, after a wild ride through all the rounds and more, the mosaic has come out on top! The final result of a thrilling final was: A - 3. B - 4. And so it's another comp win for the wombat king @Sir Rols, and for CAS, & oh Kirsty's stormed off. Oh well. Commiserations to @Shiruba98 for a very strong debut too. I'll be honest, I was fully expecting a last-minute vote to come in & force me to have to make a decision! And at the end, it's time to thank all the participants and voters once again - especially of course pic-generator/chaos-defuser/comp-winner @Sir Rols. Not forgetting the winter champion on home snow @Nacholympic! And that's it from the logo comp until the 20th edition, wherever that will be. Until then, well we are at the Colosseum & most of the figure skaters have used it so...shall we dance?

Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Media Guide: https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/3857863/olympic-opening-ceremony-media-guide-olympic-winter-games-milano-cortina-2026-fondazione-milano-cort Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Media Guide: https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/3857837/olympic-closing-ceremony-media-guide-olympic-winter-games-milano-cortina-2026-fondazione-milano-cort Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Program: https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/3857867/cerimonia-di-chiusura-giochi-olimpici-invernali-di-milano-cortina-2026-closing-ceremony-olympic-wint

Well I must say that didn't really change my mind on thinking they should've given both 26 bidders a Games

I get the costumes are a reference to Turandot but it honestly gives me these vibes.

The anthem was slow in the opening, also slow in the closing. The most brilliantly energetic anthem flattened twice.

Not the proposed Venice stuff again. Enough with northern Italy anyway. We've had Turin 2006 & now Milan (Cortina) 2026 within a 20-year span. I'd like to see another part of Italy for it's next Olympic endeavor. And preferably a Summer Olympics in Rome! I would love to see Rome host next for Italy.

And this is why - while fully understanding the reluctance some have - Germany absolutely cannot afford to just miss out 2036 because they think it'll go to Doha & anyway 2040 will fall in their lap. It won't. As I've said before, the de facto 12 year continental cycle works well in the sad absence of African contenders, so 2036 & 48 would be in line for Europe - plus even if that's not a factor, I'm not sure the IOC will hugely want to go to Doha right now. India haven't helped themselves either with the cricket shenanigans. And now we have another European city in a country that's just shown itself as a highly successful & enthusiastic host. And it's probably the only city in the world that could rival Paris for potential venues. I would still choose Germany over Rome if nothing else because Italy has hosted two Olympics already this century & Germany still none - but make no mistake, this is a serious rival. I feel like this is now Germany's time to decide on 36 - & if it's yes, commit properly. After all Rome will, so if that commitment isn't there, it'll be hard to say no to Rome...

Well, I’ll be a bit less enthusiastic. Any successful Italian summer bid would completely destroy German hopes for hosting not only in 2036, but also 2040 and very likely 2044 as well, if not even 2048. Quite frankly, I’ll be honest to say Italy can queue up behind us for a time.

Three and ninety households, all alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene* Benvenuti a tutti! *Apologies to Billy Shakespeare

A memorable amazing life-changing experience I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trials. I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions. We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience during the parade of nations practice and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming). As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation. Apart from the Dress Rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims. Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each. Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night. During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by other volunteers on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks. Also was lucky to see up close Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony. I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it. I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball. I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved six days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens. The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games. I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China. Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower. 6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there. I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought. I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along. I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat. I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers. It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work. One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them. They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device. At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days. During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic. I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day. At the end if the Games, Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags. I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it. Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back. Rude! For LA2028 and Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about it but my company as major sponsor of the Australian Olympic Team may run again an embedded Volunteer position in the Athletes Village working for the Austrlian Olympic Committee, like it was for Tokyo 2020 before the pandemic shut down that program down.

Athens 2004 Olympic Games Volunteer Team Leader A memorable amazing life-changing experience I was a Games Volunteer Team Leader at Athens 2004 Mens and Womens Triathlon, media access volunteer on the field of play at the start/finish of the Cycling Road Taces and Time Trial. I only speak English which actually oddly was a big help in being placed in prime positions. We were not paid but did receive tickets to the Opening Ceremony Dress Rehearsal (where a mentally unwell woman leapt from the rehearsal audience and attacked DJ Tiesto screaming “Devil music, Devil music” - security took a while to react but she was eventually subdued and dragged off screaming). As Volunteers we received full uniforms and accreditation. Apart from the Dress Rehearsal Of the Opening Ceremony, we didn’t receve tickets to any other events but I had already long purchased bought my own tickets to some events once I knew my Volunteer Events program. I bought tix to the actual Opening Ceremony, gymnastics prelims and equestrian prelims. Randomly on a crowded train to the OC dress rehearsal, I bought Monday night swimming finals ticket at original games purchase price value off another volunteer who I was chatting to and who couldn’t go - so got to see Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps win gold each. Stunning open air stadium atmosphere on a hot night. During my volunteering events, on very hot days as it was every day, meals and regular cold food and beverage refreshment were dropped-off to us by guys on motorbikes and also we had access to a secure nearby rest and relaxation area with free food and drinks at the finish line of the Road Race and Time Trial races during breaks, Got to see Aussie Sarah Kerrigan win Gold in the Womens Road Race. The next day when the Italian won the Mens Road Race, a press pack locked me in against the barrier right next to the Gold Medallist as he spoke to them after the Medal Ceremony. I’ve never seen that interview to this day, as much as I’ve tried searching for it. I was one of only two volunteers allowed on the field of play at the Road Races start/finish line and was priveliged to work with the beautiful Telar (can’t recall her surname), a former Canadian Olympic cyclist and we had a ball. I paid for my return airfares from Perth, Western Australia to and from Greece and arrved 6 days before the Games. Accommodation we each paid for through a website where landlords could register if they wanted to offer their houses or apartments to accredited Games Volunteers for a modest rent sharing with other volunteers - which I duly did at Neas Smyrni square - inner suburban Athens. The landlords were a married couple who were both doctors and were amazing, cooking me a meal, glass of wine and sweets when I arrived exhausted from the airport and checking up on me regularly during the Games. I was alone (at first) but shared their unfurnished air conditioned 2-bedroon apartment with two Volunteer couples from Spain and China. Each day we got free public transport with our accreditation to our volunteer events but despite the very early shift start times, I bounced out of bed buzzing and excited - until I got home each night and barely had the strength to shower. 6 days before the Opening Cereminy, I arrived in Athens and in the apartment set-up camp with my own blow-up mattress on the bare loungeroom floor as the sole air con unit was in there. I also and rented a very small refrigerator, which I shared with the other volunteers and I also bought a small electric kettle with me from Singapore en route to Athens. I also rented a small tv which I barely used as no English channels broadcast locally during the Athens 2004 Games which was very odd I thought. I was comfortable enough camping on the floor in the unfurnished Athens apartment and we all got along. I always left the air con on all night so it could keep the bedrooms cool for the others who kept their doors open for relief from the heat. I actually had to sleep rugged up in full clothes inside my sleeping bag to stay warm as I was freezing cold otherwise with sole air con unit above me on full blast so it was cool enough to reach the other two rooms with volunteers. It was crazy hot outside so I always chuckled at how contradictory the situation was inside for me when sleeping and having to rug up in full clothes inside a sleeping bag to stay warm enough inside the freezing apartment night after night - but we made it work. One night I arrived home exhausted (but happy) to find a mess caused by the two Chinese volunteers had put instant noodles in the electric kettle to cook them. They apologised as they mistook the kettle for some sort of food cooking device. At one point I became sick and a Volunteer Medical Centre was set-up behind the Olympic Family Hotel (The Hilton) who took great care of me and had me back on my feet in a few days. During the Games, I met lots of other local and international Volunteers and officials and had a ball - it was magic. I also met my life partner, a tall Greek man from Athens who lives with me in Melbourne to this day. At the end if the Games Volunteers were gifted a Games watch and some merchandise and got to keep our uniforms and bum bags. I applied to be a Volunteer at Beijing 2008 but never received back a result of my application, only the Application acknowkedgement email - that’s it. Undeterred, I applied again a few weeks later to be a Beijing 2008 Volunteer and again heard nothing back. Rude! For Brisbane 2032 Volunteering, I’m still thinking about

lol, looks like where having the discussion here after all. I do get where you’re coming from. The Olympics are a multi-billlion dollar entertainment franchise whose business plan relies on Government subsidies and guarantees and volunteers. So I guess the questions are: why are governments prepared to underwrite the games? and why do thousands of people offer their services for free to them? The first depends on the country and government, but prestige, the “feel good” public morale factor, urban renewal etc would all come into it. For the second, I’d guess that many people find the games inspiring and exciting and really want to be part of it, or want to travel, or want their nation to show it’s best face to the world. Core OCOG staff do indeed have paying jobs, and the paid workforce rises over the years as one gets closer to the games. But it’s only in the actual games fortnight, or the week or two either side, where the demand explodes for an essentially unskilled auxiliary workforce to take on essentially temporary tasks. Most of the roles do not require any special skills or qualifications - though multiple languages might help. They’re for things like welcoming visitors at airports and around the city, providing information, running errands around d the village and venues. I’m not sure if there’s any commercial organisation in any country that could provide such numbers of essentially at call dogsbodies for such short term roles for a fee. I suppose you could scour employment agencies, but it’s still a tough call for trying to put together a reliable and motivated workforce for a two-week gig. Volunteers, on the other hand, there’s usually, if not always, more people that apply for the gig than finally get accepted. And they/re usually exactly the type if people that an OCOG wants to show their best face - motivated, excited, keen to please, willing to put in more hours than a paid flunky. in the games I’ve travelled to, I’ve always made a point and enjoyed talking to the volunteers. All I’ve spoken to gave been friendly to a fault, super enthusiastic, and keen to share their excitement and enthusiasm with visitors. They WANT to be there, not just forced to for money. Truly, truly lovely people. And I really do think they are huge part of what makes a games “succeed” or not. I’m not sure if that would be the case if they were just paid jobbers in for a quick buck. Do I think volunteers should get more perks - tickets and merch snd such? Hell yeah. I know we’ve got more than a few members here who gave been volunteers, and it would be good to get their point of view. I’ve got nothing but admiration for their dedication.

That ship’s long sailed. The only ones really able to do that are the IOC members and those with super deep pockets and private jets. For the rest of the 99.9999999 per cent, what works on TV is what works.

Never forget about Materazzi.

Good news: my COVID test came out negative

I’d love an ad break now.

Yep should have not gone with the rushed French Alps bid anyway. Should be Stockholm 2030

I guess this lackluster handover is also due to many questions/locations still unresolved.

To make up for that outrageous decision to leave it out:

yeah that about sums up these olympics.

Should have gotten maneskin.

The IOC has totally overhauled the Olympic Charter to accommodate an "anything goes" hosting (& brand-naming) extravaganza. This has totally come about cause you know, beggars can't be choosers, in the end.

I was thinking at doing this as my 600th post, after the slalom, but the Logo Comp had an amazing plot twist that was impossible to not comment on. Regardless, let's talk about a country with no snow or ice that actually got a winter medal for South America before the countries that actually do have snow and ice there. Firstly, let's start with the earlier events: For Cross-Country, the goal was to make a good run, not to medal, and for a no-snow country, we suceeded on that. On Snowboard Half-Pipe, i expected at least Pat Burgener at the Final, but fate was merciless, even if for our winter standarts it was fine. But then, our big guns started to show, Nicole Silveira at Skeleton being first to show up. Well, she winded up at 11th, as the Brits and Germans, with Janine Flock, upped their games. It's still our best score on ice. But then, Lucas just happened at the Giant Slalom, men... WOW, what a felling, winning gold on snow!! Too bad that on regular slalom, he couldn't complete it, but that track was kinda cursed today with all that DNFs, and had he completed he most likely would be the last one to slide at the second run, to be fair. One Gold Medal at Winter for a hot, sunny Tropical Country in the middle of Summer is already a giant result, however. There is still some action for Brasil left at the cross-country and Bobsleigh, raise a Coca-Cola(or a Corona Cero?) for Edson Bindilatti, and today Gonzalo actually got 27th at slalom, which is pretty good for an country which feels schorching hot during this time of the year. This gold medal of Lucas Pinheiro Bhraaten just made me happy. Just like Guilherme Paraense at Antwerp 1920, our first ever medal is GOLD like our sun. That is just us, the ones who make the impossible possible, be it by chance, by luck, by effort, by all three combined. And for any norwegian reading this, yeah, you can join us too. It's Carnival, after all. PS(em português mesmo, para todos os daqui que vem do Brasil): Vocês sabem que a gente agora tem o direito de zoar Argentina e Chile pra sempre, né? Os caras tem neve e quem tem medalha é a gente!

Much prefer the way they've done it now. It just feels right to have the medal ceremony at the same venue, in front of the same audience, as the event where it was won.

LMAOOO Please Kirsty 🙏 defeat that man and you will be a hero

I am very late to the party (due to being on vacation during the first week of the Games), but Roland took the words out of my mouth. It certainly was a more charming and consistent opening ceremony than Torino's. Luckily, there were only slight nods to Torino (like the well-dressed woman handing over the Italian flag) and I am still asking myself why they hired Mariah Carey for that stiff and (especially mimically) unemotional performance of "Volare", but they did a great job combining the four parades of nations into one. Just like Roland, I found it particularly charming to see a cozy Alpine town as the backdrop of the parade. It hit home that the Games have finally returned to a region of traditional winter resorts. And while this opening ceremony wasn't particularly memorable, it sure did a good job of giving these Games a festive kick-off. And now, after two weeks that (once again) flew by far too quickly, it's on to the closing ceremony...

Congrats @Sir Rols ! I'm glad CAS took the time from... other pressing matters... to approve your entry. A well deserved victory! And thank you to everyone else for submitting awesome logos Admittedly, I did have a concept planned for Rome, with several versions having been created, however I genuinely couldn't get the execution to work in the way I would have liked. Eventually, I started classes again so I decided that this year simply wasn't it for me. But I think the reset will do me well for the 20th Comp, can't wait to see what cities get chosen wolverhampton 2044 here we come

And the final formality, the Honour Roll… And, I forgot in my acceptance speech, a huge thanks to @yoshi for all his enthusiasm and work in keeping these comps going. Couldn’t have a more keen and scrupulous master of ceremonies. You’re a legend!

Statement by IOC President, Ms Kirsty Coventry, double gold medallist, swimming I regret to inform that it hes come to our ettention thet serious ellegations of misconduct and inappropriate benhaviour have been made against GamesBids.com member Sir Rols. These ellegations are of a concerning nature, and I hev passed them on for examination by the IOC Ethics Committee. On consideration, it is with heavy heart that the committee has ruled that Sir Rols’ credentials to compete in the GamesBids Logo Comp Rome 2040 hev been withdrawn. I am personally saddened end upset to impose this penalty, but I will allow him to continue his eccreditation with the competition organising committee. I extend my personal comisserations to Sir Rols. It is never easy to extend such news. Yours, Kirsty

Tutta la Itália Tutta la Itália Tutta la Itália hey!

And that's why snowboard cross is the best Unexpected golds ftw! (Also for F1 drivers - THAT is how you overtake) (Also just realised @Rob2012 can enjoy it for even longer, we're ahead of Canada again )

Verona is getting ready...

I've been extremely busy with job these days, but finally after rewatching the ceremony multiple times I can post my review: Countdown Nothing particularly interesting. I’ve seen better countdowns in all honesty, but I guess it did the job. It was nice to see normal, everyday scenes from the host towns, though. Museum Segment I understand it was a tribute to both Italian art and Antonio Canova. The dance between Cupid and Psyche and the museum-like figures was nice and almost ethereal (it gave me vibes of Athens 2004). I’ve seen some people complaining about the music, but the mix of orchestra and synth was a nice touch that I felt throughout the whole show; it kind of made it more "Italian-esque." I think my complaint here is that we went from the countdown to this immediately, so it felt a bit rushed. Maybe it wasn't the segment I would use to open my ceremony. Painting Tubes / Artistic Expression Matilda entering and directing multiple performers with costumes evoking Italian characters and objects—such as Pinocchio, Roman soldiers, etc.—was nice. The quaint soundtrack based on famous Italian operas (and Puccini, Verdi, and Rossini themselves) was a nice touch. This was a segment where I felt the spiral stage worked perfectly. Probably one of the most Italian segments of the show. As for Mariah Carey… I gotta say, I wasn’t a big fan of her "Volare" performance, nor did I understand why she had to be there. I guess it was a move mostly to sell themselves to the American/global audience, but I think it would have been better with an actual Italian singer. Flag – Anthem It was nice to see a return of the entrance of the Head of State in the Milano tram. I guess since Mattarella’s popularity is still strong, they wanted to give him the vibe of a benevolent grandad here. The entrance of the models in the colors of the Italian flag was one of my favorite moments of the night. It screamed “Fashion Capital” as it should, considering these games are being held in Milano. The soundtrack and the almost ethereal vibe of the performers walking as Vittoria Ceretti was revealed were perfect (I really need to know the song’s name). I know it’s a segment mostly recycled from Torino, but I feel Milano-Cortina did a much-improved version here. I’ve seen some complaints from Italian netizens regarding Pausini’s performance of the anthem (then again, I know some Italians are purists regarding their anthem… I still recall the version done for the 2002 World Cup, which was highly criticized by conservatives back then). But for me, it was one of the best moments once again. A very beautiful rendition. The Rings Clearly an evolution of the Beijing handover. The same violin guy and the performers representing the meeting of mountain and city. Not particularly spectacular for those of us who already saw ring formations like London 2012, but it was still nice. Again, another recycled idea from Torino (I gotta say I felt I liked Torino’s version a bit more, though. It felt more industrial). Parade of Nations This was a first in Olympic history: the whole “diffuse” thing between the other towns. I admit I was a bit afraid of this concept when it was first revealed, but it wasn’t executed too badly. Seeing the athletes in Livigno and Cortina made me smile, as it gave me an authentic winter feel/vibe. My biggest complaint is that the music was somewhat repetitive and kind of mid, though I’ve heard worse. Also, the whole diffuse aspect made it much longer than it should have been. But I guess I forgive it because it was a first in Olympic history. I just hope it’s done better in the French Alps 2030. The placard girls' outfits were nice, although I personally prefer the Torino 2006 girls. 100 Years of Winter Olympics It began very nicely, and with Tina and Milo over there too! (Glad the mascots are now in the spotlight of ceremonies). But then there was that AI video… yikes. Probably the lowest point of the show, but luckily it was very brief. The switch between the different eras of the Winter Games was also pretty nice, but my biggest complaint is that this segment worked much better for a TV audience than a live one. The Italian gestures at the podium were a fun tongue-in-cheek moment. Absolutely loved it. Speeches I can see why the '76 Fencing Champion has a soft spot for Kirsty. She’s basically his mini-me and loves long speeches as well. Boring. Andrea Bocelli / Entrance of the Torch You can never fail with Bocelli. Some complain that he should have closed the show, but honestly, we had so many references to Torino that I’m glad that wasn’t the case. Seeing the walk of the torch while "Nessun Dorma" played was perfect. I also know some people complained about "Nessun Dorma" being used once more, but tbh, it’s a song that is heavily tied with sports, especially since the 1990 World Cup. Peace Segment Nothing particularly interesting. I guess with everything that’s happening in the world, I’ve become more cynical. Nevertheless, I still hope that humanity overall stops being dumb. Charlize Theron was okay. It's hard to do worse than Yoko Ono [or Yoko Oh No]. Olympic Anthem / Oaths It was alright. I liked the peaceful rendition of it with the piano. It was a nice detail to do the oaths in Cortina since, come on, they’re the second host. The Cauldron Some mixed feelings regarding this. I like the design of the cauldron itself, but I feel the lighting was somewhat boring and uninspired (even if the soundtrack and the firework finale around Arco della Pace were nice). Also, although it’s a trend Rio began, I’m getting a bit tired of the whole small cauldron schtick, and it just feels like performative/superficial environmentalism to me. You want to have a small flame because of environmentalism, yet you throw a fireworks show? Still, the Arco della Pace and seeing the Castello Sforza in the background was a good touch. Certainly something Paris inspired, and we might see more of onwards (famous landmarks being used for the cauldron). Final Verdict: 8/10 It was a solid opening ceremony. Straight to the point, well-paced, and, except for some hiccups like the AI video and Mariah Carey, I say it was the first winter ceremony I liked since PC 2018 (I feel it's slightly above it). The fact they got rid of floor projections was a blessing. I’ve felt it was damaging the creativity of ceremonies for a while, hurting the actual human factor and spectacle, so this was a very good decision from Balich. The stage, although small, did its job, and the LED effects worked very nicely with each segment. My only complaint, like some of you have mentioned, is that it played it too safe, which means it might not be remembered so much or considered, as zoomers/twitter users would say, "mid". Then again, after many of the strong reactions Paris had, I expected this would be the case. For old-school lovers like myself, it made me feel nostalgic and made me go back to the style of ceremonies I used to like. Very balanced, elegant, and most importantly, Italian.

Place your bets - who will make it to Verona?

aaand i hit enter, too early:

Yeah. I know it’s pointless thinking of what might-have-beens, but if Jakara hadn’t slipped on her final freestyle run, or Scotty hit the lip of the halfpipe after his final trick, we could have been looking at 5 golds!

And it even looks like Canada could equal their Calgary 1988 Gold medal haul too!

ATTENZIONE! At the closing time, the votes are as follows: A - 3. B - 2. C - 2. D - 2. Due to this three way tie, and there only being 9 votes, less than the last round, we have taken the decision to allow an extra 24 hours of voting time. The poll will now automatically close at 10pm UK time, Sunday 15 February. Until then, happy voting and good luck

My point is, there is a case for banning Israel just on Gaza alone (one I've wavered on), but there's no case for unbanning Russia by citing Israel-Palestine, as if Russia is somehow being treated unfairly. I don't think there's hypocrisy in banning Russia but not Israel - if you ban Israel it's fair to question if Palestine should've e.g. been banned from Paris 2024. On balance, with regard to Israel-Palestine, I still tend to think you ban both or neither. No such question arises with Russia/Ukraine. Unbanning Russia - a choice FIFA/the IOC would be making of their own volition - under the pretence that not banning Israel means they somehow have to, would be beyond appalling.

May the party commence! First medal EVER, GOLD! In both winter and summer!

BRAZIL!

Yuto Totsuka won gold medal and Ryusei Yamada won bronze medal in men's halfpipe in snowboarding final! Totsuka is from city of Yokohama(same as me) and surprisingly Yamada is the first Olympian who won a medal from Hokkaido in this event.

Ukraine didn't October 7 Russia.

Not quite halfway through yet, but here’s how it stands while Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand all lead Canada (and China)

@bong @Brisbane Boy @Vill @BigVic @Guilga @Olympian1010 @Palette86 @cfm Jeremie @Australian Kiwi @BTHarner @antiperspirant @krow @venuedesignlover @Citius Altius Fortius @Citizen-Seth @thatsnotmypuppy @Nacre @Nacholympic @PikyoK @KRATK @sebastien1214 @Cyriln @intoronto @StefanMUC @Faster @baron-pierreIV @hiroamorim @rio2016man @Ikarus360 @TorchbearerSydney @TorchbearerAA @FYI @Durban Sandshark @Quaker2001 @Alexjc @arwebb @Olympian2004 @Brekkie Boy @Karenina @panamfan @Anthony @GBModerator @DamC @JMarkSnow2012 @AmaniS @Tatsh @WD96 @mr.bernham @mattygs @kevzz @olympiaki-agones @fatixxx @zigzag @Athensfan @Olympic Fan Darcy @Shiruba98 @Olympian2005 @BigVic @Dave @SkiFreak @Iceman @stryker @Tony E Loves Architecture @Hansfromdenmark @Lee @Kenadian @Hightowerio86 @gotosy @myki@Roger87 @Cape Town 2020 @HenryOaks @Michelle @AustralianFan @Faster @Josh0108 @iceman530 @Rob2012 @DannyelBrazil @demetrius @paul @barrack @Aussie bum/ @Mr Tickle @aismanggo @woohooitsme83 @VIK @JDCLauron @Jon Will Chambers @Victorian @Glacib @Bear @Scotguy II @corn_zxl & @Sir Rols This round's @. Get voting!

We actually won something! Never needed those helmets anyway...

again, the IOC is not unaware of this and considers it an acceptable cost. as much as i hate to agree with them, they made the right call and the rules should not be changed. now...how they can justify letting israel into the magic circle? that is a level of mental gymnastics i cannot defend, but imagine to be a similar cost-benefit analysis of personal sympathy + not upsetting the US/NBC + general cowardice + being out-of-touch aristocrats who are only truly offended by aggression that impacts their own sense of security on the european continent - the only place on earth they personally care about.