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Showing content with the highest reputation on 08/08/2021 in all areas
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3 points
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Great to see you here F! Thanks for starting this up. At least one tradition is still active! Hmm. What to say? I’ve been thinking about it a lot the past few days, but it’s still difficult. I don’t think I’m able to break them down as usual, or give ratings. These will forevermore be the Covid Games. A special circumstances. They’ll always have an asterisk next to them. They were not the joyous, celebratory, fun and quirky games the Japanese or we anticipated. They were not the utter disaster the alarmists, far more than usual, predicted. They didn’t hit any heights of greatness, but they in no way were a flop or failure. They just were. I think we all feel sorry they Japanese didn’t get the games they deserved or experience the joys of being host to the world’s biggest party. We’ll always wistfully wonder what might have been. But I think it’s important that they actually went ahead, despite our doubts on the wisdom of doing so right up to the opening ceremony. On ceremonies I won’t say anything. The ceremony fanatics have already said all there is to say to oblivion. The circumstances of Tokyo 2020 meant the laser focus was on nothing but the sports, and it reminded me just how much fun watching all these athletes from so many countries in so many different and novel sports can be. I had a blast again and really enjoyed them. Loved most of the new sports (only skateboard street was a bit underwhelming, and surfing wasn’t as picturesque as I thought it would be - I look forward to seeing surfing come into its own in Tahiti!). I suppose, to me, the only thing the sports lacked was a breakout star or legend. Maybe it would have been Simone Biles, except…. . But there was no Phelps or Bolt to leave their mark. I guess that while Rio was the crowning moment for the last generation of superstars, Tokyo is now the first step for the next generation, who’ll write their legacy in Paris and LA. For Australia, and for me personally, these were a Great Games! Our best ever gold haul, tied with Athens. Our swimmers came good, more than good, and we got some really special moments from the likes of Jess Fox in the kayak, Logan Martin in BMX Freestyle and Keegan Palmer in the skateboarding. We’ve been longing for a games like these since Athens and got it finally. And we got it a a perfect time - we are in a grim lockdown, a captive audience in need of some positive vibes, watching a successful Games for Oz in our own time zone. I suspect these have rated through the roof here and will have inspired a future generation of Aussie Olympians. Just perfect or us. The vaccine we really needed for the Covid blues. While on our local coverage… I have to give kudos to Channel 7, and the 7+ App. Meant I could, on my TV, switch to the OBS feeds of any sport. Finally I was able to flick through, watch anything I wanted, and catch up on sports I rarely get to see, even in highlights. Technology at work at its best. I really missed the GamesBids Games Carnival. I used to be such good fun and became part of my traditional Games experience. It’s a pity the board has declined so much, but nice to see so many of us at least look in. Most of us have moved on and bidding just isn’t really bidding any more. My heart’s not in it any more, but I’ll still keep looking in, at least to keep zapping the fake passports spam. Hope we’ll all bump into each other again come Paris. We’ll always have Paris. Ah, Paris! I really look forward to those games. Sooooo hope they run like a classic games and meet all expectations. Would love to attend, if circumstances permit. So, well done Tokyo! You didn’t drop the baton and while it wasn’t a party, we still had fun.3 points
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And now it has come to this: 16 days have flown by, as usual, and the Tokyo 2020 Games which took place in 2021 will be coming to a close about 12 hours from now. So, in order to continue the tradition, I am very curious about your verdict about these Olympic Games. Here are my two pennies worth: The organisation and atmosphere Of course this is a tough verdict to make - not only because (like everyone of you, I suppose) I watched the Games only from home but also because these Games took place under extraordinary circumstances. There was almost no crowd that could cheer and applaud for the athletes, there was hardly a glimpse (even for the TV viewer) into the host country and how it soaked up the Olympic atmosphere (or not), there were just venues and athletes, officials and the logistics and staff to make the Games work. But judging by what I heard and read from people who were able to witness the Games in person, they were truly impressed by the quality of the venues, the organisation and (when they were able to meet Japanese people in person at all) the friendliness and kindness of the hosts. And I must say that the athletic performances made it surprisingly easy most of the time to forget that hardly any audience was present at the venues. But I can hardly imagine how odd it must have felt for the Japanese to play host to a sports event they could mostly watch only from a distance. We all know about the large opposition in Japan against staging these Games at all or at least in this moment of time - and I have nothing but respect for Japan that they were forced to stage the Games due to the will of the IOC and their own government, had to swallow their fear or anger and still helped to make these Games a relative success, under these tough circumstances. Of course: These Games are still facing a rather mixed response in the Japanese population even despite the mostly smooth organisation and the many Japanese medals, but this could have turned out so much worse. I guess the IOC can call itself lucky to have awarded these difficult Games to Japan where protests traditionally tend to be not too big and too controversial or even violent. There were still clear downsides, though: The hot and humid weather was a problem to many athletes, it harmed many of their performances and even posed a serious risk to their health. In 1964, the organisers of the first Tokyo Games still were honest enough to stage the Games in October. 57 years later, we have to deal with an organising committee which already claimed in its bid that July and August are a pleasant time for world-class sports activities in Tokyo and which even "forgot" that due to climate change, Sapporo is no cooler alternative for staging the race-walking and marathon events anymore. One also has to raise some doubts about the anti-doping measures at these Games - not only due to the alarmingly small number of doping tests taken worldwide especially during the start of the pandemic, but also due to the laxness shown during the Games. A German camera team showed how, despite the rules, athletes could walk around the venue for many minutes after their events and although they had been selected for a doping test, were left unaccompanied by officials or were even able to ignore them. This should never happen at Olympic Games that were marked by a surprising number of world and Olympic records and after all the doping scandals we have already witnessed, this should not even happen at a smaller sports event. The sports Bearing this in mind, it's easy and hard at the same time to rejoice in the excellent athletic performances we could witness at these Games. I feel bad about a Russian team ranking 4th (as of now) in the medal table after the huge doping scandal and the government's unapologetic stance towards critical media and observers worldwide. I feel bad about athletes shattering world records hailing from a time decades ago when illegal medication was probably already fueling those records. And yet, I felt amazed yet again by stories of athletes overcoming heavy obstacles (let alone by the pandemic) and giving their best and maybe even winning a medal in Tokyo, especially in that weather and atmosphere. I'm happy about the host country's strong showing after all the troubles Japan went through in the lead-up to these Games. I'm also happy that these Games had the most medalling nations in Olympic history. I'm surprised (or should I, when I think about doping again?) that the US have such difficulties surpassing China in the medal table (if one uses the international method of counting the gold medals first), but that probably shows that even for former sports powerhouses, it has become a lot tougher to maintain their status and not fall victim to the increased international competition. I'm not so happy about my own country's showing in these Games, though. Team Germany has lost many of its former powerhouses: The rowing and canoeing produced surprisingly few medals and for the first time in 25 years, Germany hasn't won a single medal in any ball team sport. Yet again, Germany is having a discussion about how to fund and prepare our athletes adequately for such an important event. Adding to that, the German athletes were unlucky: Annika Schleu lost her very good chance for a gold medal in the modern pentathlon because her horse refused - and created a debate about animal protection and unlogical rules in sports. Jonathan Horne was deemed a strong contender in Karate and seriously injured his arm five seconds before the end of his second fight. Johannes Vetter, another gold contender in the men's javelin throw, could not deal with the unusually soft track at Olympic Stadium, stumbled and failed to deliver any good throw. On the other hand, Sarah Köhler and Florian Wellbrock were able to break the 13-year-old "no Olympic swimming medals for Germany" spell and sailing and wrestling produced surprisingly good results, compared to previous Games. In the end, Germany can call itself lucky if it remains one of the Top 10 sports nations in the long run - and has to seriously increase its efforts in the lead-up to the Paris 2024 Games. The overall impression So, this is clearly a mixed bag. These were definitely not the best Games ever - which is no surprise probably, regarding the unusual circumstances. They haven't been a disaster either. But, just like the Rio 2016 Games, I still feel as if these Games took place at the wrong location and the wrong time. Yes, it was great for the athletes that they still got their chance to compete and for me it was a welcome distraction from these dire times. Yes, Japan has showed once again that it is highly capable of staging the biggest sports events in the world. But Japan has had and will have to pay an enormous price for this luxury item called "Olympic Games". While these Games have brought a lot of distraction and even joy to me, they haven't distracted my thoughts about the Olympic Idea fighting for its survival. In times of over-commercialisation, greed, corruption and doping in sports, climate change and increasing opposition against the Olympic Games, one has to ask how long this can work. Six months from now, when Beijing welcomes the world for the Olympic Winter Games, this question will probably be even more prominent, because then we will have to add China's repressions and poor human rights record to that unappetizing mix. Under these circumstances, I can sadly only give Tokyo a "Well done" or 6 out of 10 points. Tokyo and Japan are not or only partially responsible for the problems the sports world and the entire humanity have to face right now, but it could also not give the world a light of hope. Tokyo brutally confronted us with everything that is wrong on our planet right now. I will always feel sorry for the Japanese people that they had to take that burden and could not show their full potential as hosts at these Games, due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The brilliant handover in Rio five years ago showed what could have been. Just like the already rather jagged opening ceremony showed: It wasn't meant to be. Here's hoping that Paris can be host under different circumstances in 2024. Otherwise, humanity and also the IOC will be seriously screwed. Nevertheless: Arigato, Tokyo - arigato, Nippon!2 points
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Jeezus, the doomsayers are out early! Don’t ask us. Ask a virologist or 10. And then probably get 10 different (qualified) answers. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past year surely, it’s whatever you do, DON’T ASK THE INTERNET! The correct answer is, though: for the sake of the world, sure hope not.2 points
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Good article here: https://dronedj.com/2021/08/08/olympics-closing-ceremony-drone-light-show/2 points
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I feel sad for the people of Tokyo. Very expensive games, high expectations turn out to be disappointments in terms of ceremony execution and empty stadia. Let's see what Tokyo taxpayers will say when the bill comes up.2 points
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2 points
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Bravo Paris….. your handover hands down was better than the Tokyo opening and closing combined. So much hope and happiness.2 points
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Paris 2024 nailed it! Inspiringly mindblasting présentation.2 points
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Great arrangement of the Marseillaise, very innovative. And it made this old German cry a few tears. I guess the French must be particularly proud and moved now.2 points
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2 points
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I love how Cotter says the rings are 'inside the stadium' at the exact moment the aerial view shows they're not there Pretty effect though. Interesting musical nod to Coventry too...2 points
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Tokyo Ska Paradise performing. Liking this much more than the funeral which was the opening ceremony to be honest.2 points
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Or as I'd like to call it in Japanese : Thomas Baka (it means 'idiot')2 points
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Thank you Tokyo for doing what you could... Just wish there was a greater effort to include fun and happiness to lighten up the hearts of those of us who are in lockdown. Obviously, I'm not expecting the same energy as Rio 2016, but I think Tokyo could have been more creative. It doesn't look like they even tried. Rio will probably remain one of the most joyous and colourful Olympic games ever!2 points
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I think the era of the mega Opening Ceremonies- Sydney/Athens/Beijing/London (and throw in Sochi) needs to be over anyway...they were getting way too big and expensive. Rio was just fine..... Will just pretend Tokyo never happened.2 points
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Haha, great minds @phandrosis You posted as I was writing, that'll teach me to ramble1 point
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Once again the athletes did what they needed to do and the competitions were good. HOWEVER it is hard to judge from the looks. We don't know what went on behind the scenes. We don't know the full picture about the billions of dollars waste (even before covid). We don't know why so many people quit the organizing committees. These things tell me the games did not go as well as people imagine. I am stunned at how biased the MEDIA has been about Japan. For example, did you see the pollution of the water in Tokyo's bay? So much dirtier and smellier (according to witnesses) than in Rio, but the last Olympics got much more trash talk. And the fear mongering about zika last time? This time I see NO journalism concern about athletes bringing fresh covid variants home. In Australia, we have hotel quarantine which should take care of it, but how about the countries that don't? I also didn't see the media giving the wider population a chance to express themselves. I still don't know if the narrative that the majority rejected the games is true or if most people actually wanted it (think of those hundreds gathered on a bridge trying to catch the BMX, or the many apologising for the terrible ceremonies). I think Japan could have allowed attendance to the stadia with proper social distancing as they are not in lockdown, but they sacrificed the local's involvement in order to look "responsible" to the rest of the world. It's bullshit. Therefore, the media once again takes the medal for narrative fabrication (in this case, positive for the Japanese government), and the country will leave unscathed from much criticism. Especially after the crappy ceremonies (worst ever). If it had been Rio, the media would have called it a disaster. But to them (and to us in the receiving end), Tokyo is fine. These Olympics highlighted the persisting prejudice and privilege. These Games will be forever elitist.1 point
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I love the ones that can't even read an analog watch lol1 point
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I expect every athlete in every event has a chip on then for timing and tracking. Of course they do. Why is it such a big deal that they also wear bibs for visual identification? Like watching them in real life or on TV. *puts on best Boomer voice* What is it with these millennials. They freak out at anything analog. If they can’t follow it on a smart device, it’s beyond their understanding.1 point
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Do they get it for free? Will the IOC open its deep pockets to pay for security, logistics, building a new village? I know there’s the sympathy aspect but I think emotions shouldn’t overrule the hard figures here (happens way too often in the Olympic world). And I really cannot imagine this idea being super popular right now in Japan, maybe a few years down the line and also seeing who else might want to step up for 36…if the IOC won’t be happy with those candidates, they might give signals to Tokyo. Can’t really see it happening though.1 point
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In that respect, I'm quite glad that the United States finished first - that way, the Communist regime cannot use a first-place finish for propaganda purposes. Considering its generally abysmal human rights record, its less-than-stellar (one might add: deceptive) role during the Covid outbreak (putting it rather diplomatically), its quasi-genocidal treatment of the Uighyur minority, as well as plausible suspicions and threats against its neighbours (not the least Taiwan - yes, Taiwan, not "Chinese Taipei"), one would think that the IOC would be clever enough not to hitch its wagon to the authoritarian regime in Beijing. Then again, as we Germans have known even before he became President, the one thing Thomas Bach possesses is a lack of morality. Not looking forward to Beijing 2022 at all - if the 2008 edition is any guide, it will be positively Riefenstahlesque.1 point
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Channel 4 in the UK aim to show around 300 hours of the Tokyo Paralympics on TV, and around 1,000 hours streamed1 point
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This is why I am baffled that the IOC didn't instead consider offering 2032 to Tokyo - even if 2021 went ahead as is at least give them a chance to host again soon to do it the way it was intended.1 point
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If you want to watch the drone formation, the Tokyo committee posted it in their Twitter account https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020jp/status/1424351469541609476?s=201 point
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True, regarding the political aspect, I dread those Games, too. But Tokyo at least showed that even under difficult circumstances, one can still enjoy the athletic performances. At this day and age, it's sometimes sadly necessary to keep the bleak reality out for a few moments and enjoy the moment while it lasts.1 point
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It’s still one of my fave hangovers in any multi sport ever. Proves you don’t have to have big budget mega production to create a clever and inspiring performance. Made me have hope in British youth and their humour!1 point
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I strongly disagree. Tokyo's handover in 2016 was superb, and if they'd trusted the same team for the 2021/1 opening ceremonies they could have achieved something truly special1 point
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If they want to do a live remote handover ceremony, have a look at Birmingham 2022. They did it so brilliantly1 point
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They've been annoyed at France for some days after Dembele made racist remarks toward some japanese workers in an hotel. Also while it gave a sensation of hope, its also kind of a contradictory message. Social distancing and no spectators in Tokyo while Paris was packed with people. They must be tilting their heads right now.1 point
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1 point
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I don't. The darkness gives the ceremonies a more intimate feeling, and the fireworks and the Olympic Flame don't look impressive at daylight.1 point
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Beautiful presentation of the Marseillaise, nice video, embarrassing falg, and even more embarrassing president in campaign mode.1 point
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Yes - imagine if 2020 was happening in Rio (wand no disrespect to Brazilians) or any other ‘less organised’ host. Could have been a disaster.1 point
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Already one million times better than the trainwreck opening. At least its a happy vibe although the athletes seem a bit bored by the musical performances which are a bit draining1 point
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A ska edition of Edith Piaf's "Chanson d'amour" - pretty bold, Tokyo! But it sounds great.1 point
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He won as member of a team, that seems to be slightly forgotten in these biographies which sound as if he was the king of fencing or so.1 point
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I read somewhere that Bach insists on always being announced with his title as Olympic champion and the year. He's just unbearable.1 point
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even jacques rogge was announced as just IOC President and he's an olympian. 4 times i think.1 point
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I really liked the national anthem. Does anybody know why Naruhito is not there himself?1 point
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A projection would probably look not too good on the athletes that shall assemble in the "park" (according to the German TV commentators).1 point
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Akishino, brother of the Emperor and first in line to the throne (because japanese sexists laws prevent a woman from being Empress regnant) will preside over the opening ceremony alongside Thomas Trash.1 point
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It matches the motto, "United In Emotion" too. It was a very emotional Games. Well done to the people of Japan and Tokyo for trying their damn hardest to bring these Games to life despite this awful pandemic. Hoping they can replicate that with the Paralympics. Tomohiro Ishii from TBS is speaking to BBC Sport now. Also the cauldron from the opening is back. The Fuji part where it sits has been shortened slightly.1 point
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I call these the Emotional Games- highlighted by Biles and Osaka, but evident across the board, the athletes seemed to be on the edge of tears as a difficult training, qualification and competing cycle came to its climax in Tokyo...so much physical and emotional suffering and hardship...so many hurdles and depravations....and thank goodness Tokyo was hosting. The Japanese did these Games with great expense, order and safety.1 point
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The real winner of these games have been the athletes for putting on some great sporting performances and i have loved every minute of them. The opening ceremony was the worst olympic opening in modern olympic history The venues were fantastic The big losers were the Japanese people not being able to attend their own games but this was the fault of their own governments shocking vaccination rollout and not the IOC The USA regained their place at the top of the medal table to cement that Team USA are the best!!!!!1 point
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Sounds like its gonna be a big mess. Oh well. Anyway...the stage is being set for the closing. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSS_nPUphuS/1 point
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I will wait until after the closing to share my thoughts. olympian2004 we have similar names, am i your successor here haha1 point
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Mesdames et messieurs, les drones avaient formé le drapeau français. https://www.instagram.com/p/CRgvbF8ACh61 point