Jonafin

I had to wake up at 5am this morning to watch the ceremony and even got to work late... do I regret it..... NOPE!!! I LOVED IT!!! While Sydney 2000 will always hold a special place in my heart, London's Closing was AWESOME!!! All the songs were great, I loved Emeli's performance, the Spice Girls were great too IMO and I was genuinely sad to see the flame go out. I didn't get the fire-bird segment, but the ballet dancers were interesting. Eric Idle's segment was hilarious and I loved the Giant Inflatable Octopus that came out during Fat Boy Slim's performance. Also, was a surprise to see BOND during Russell Brand's part. Bit strange for me seeing Take That, without Robbie Williams.... but all in all, great performances.... Well Done London!!!

Totally off the point, but I like Gaga. Though I don't get her connection to the Olympics.

Hi Kevzz, Well, having never been to Rio let alone Brazil (though I do really want to go).... as with most of the world's population who tune into watch the ceremonies... I don't particularly find anything wrong with that. The handover, is a chance for them to introduce themselves. I say the more samba the better. Brazil is what it is. I would like to see at least 1 float, samba, capoeira dancers and something relating to the beach atmosphere of Copacabana. Sydney's and Beijing's handover stand out to me, even though they showcased a few stereotypical cultural depictions of their countries... which is not a bad thing. ...too true daveypodmore..... I relized that at the 100 day mark, I was willing it to come but at the same time trying to delay it as much as possible, 2 weeks are definately not long enough....

Sydney was my first OC that I saw, from that my favourite segments would have to be: The multicultural segment and the climax at the end of the segment where the performers stood in an outline of Australia. The entire cauldron lighting segment (celebrating women at the Olympics, i think) The national anthem, I know I am biased, but i reckon its up there as one of the best renditions of any anthem performance. For Athens: The costumes in the historical parade. I particularly liked the hydra puppet. The giant head appearing from the centre of the ground and the DNA helix structure. I like the cauldron, simple and clean. On a side note, at the closing ceremony.... the handover to Beijing (with those girls playing "Mo Li Hua") and the giant red lanturn were also memorable for me. Oh, and the millions of fake wheat planted into the stadium floor. The Beijing ceremony was a grande experience, my most memorable segments would have to include: Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan performance of "You and Me", the smiley face fireworks and the kids on the umbrellas. The dream like music during the illumination of the rings on the floor and as they rise into the air. The dragon pillar segment, all those ladies in those costumes dancing. The giant scroll was great as well! Vancouver was interesting.... at the opening: the failure of the 4th cauldron arm and how they turned it into something humourous at the closing ceremony. The welcome by the indigenous nations (plus, the guy in the wolf costume, was hot). Alanis Morisette's performance of "Wunderkind". I can't wait to see what London has coming up.

Hi, now that the games are completely in the pages of history we can look forward to the future cauldrons... but Does anyone have any idea of what became of the Beijing 2008 Cauldron? Like are they still displaying it someplace, or is it locked away in some warehouse destined to collect dust? Or completely dismantled and reused for other things (this would be really sad if they did this). ??? Sydney's cauldron was turned into a fountain, still want to go see it... not too sure on Athens. Is there any legacy left by the cauldron and is there any more examples from past games?? Also, just wondering where that big painting from the opening ceremony went... like its final resting place?? Any information would be great! Cheers.....

So these wonderful games are coming to an end, I just want to say Congratulations to all the Athletes... you guys did a top job!! Also, want to say congrats to the organising commitee for another job well done!!! This is the first time I actually took time out to watch the events, and am glad that I did. My favourite events would of had to be the Cycling and the Aquatics, Murderball was also interesting!! Looking forward to the closing ceremony, it should be another great party atmosphere..... Thanks Beijing!! Bring On London!!!

Great Pics, thanks Mr. X I think that my favour segment of the Opening Ceremony would have to be those dancers in the white dresses, beautiful!! The final torchbearer section was also great!!! I am sure that Vancouver 2010 will do their best!

Australia grabs another Gold Medal thanks to Ken Wallace in the K-1 500m, Wallace managed to pull through from behind the leader, van Koeverden in the last stages of the race and win it! Still can't wait for the Women's Basketball final between our women and the Americans. Should be excellent!!! Fingerscrossed that our men's Hockey team can at least manage to get the Bronze.......

YES!!!! Steven Hooker takes the Gold Medal in the Men's Pole Vault.... brilliant and well deserved effort!!!! He also took out the Olympic Record as well, at 5.96m......... Congrats to him!!!!

There has been quite a few here in Australia, though I can't say all of them hit their mark. But to me, the top 2 would have to be this QANTAS commercial. It just has this inspirational feel to it, even though I am not an athlete, it sums up what the rest of the population has to say to an Athlete. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82vJ6cr8oPU...feature=related The other one that I like, is the Bendigo Bank ad, I can't seem to find a link to it on here, but it has a yellow boxing kangaroo talking about the Olympics, funny and cute!

Yeah that was a real shame.... , but again, we can only do better! Personally, I rather Chicago get it. Besides the main goal of the swim team for next time is to come back running and blow the Americans out of the water...... fingers crossed that it can happen in the future!!!

You never know, 4 years is enough time to come back from where we are right now, more talent is yet to be found...... and why do you think its going to be in Rio for 2016?? But anyways, I am sure that we will do well in all the Olympics to come.

In that case, as long as either Australia or Great Britain beat Germany, than I am happy!

Speaking as an Australian myself, I am not dissapointed that 'Great Britain' is doing better in the medal tally, matter of fact, I say "Well Done!!!". I know that there is an innate sense of rivalry between these two countries, but I rather think that this will make us even more determined to beat them in 2012. We definately have to regroup and learn from these games, in order to maintain our place in the Olympics in the future, hopefully we can only get better. But maybe for Team GB it will be the case in 2012, of "Letting them have their cake and eat it too..." Oh, Congrats to Anna Meares in the Women's Sprint, a silver medal!! Lol, at least we got one in

Damn, no medals for Australia yet, but hey its still just the first day and our main events haven't happened had a final yet.... so fingers crossed for a lot more medals.... USA has definately got a hard job in front of them, especially considering the strength of China at these games (home town advantage and all that).... personally, I would rather see China top the medal tally, though I love the USA, it would just be refreshing to see another country in the top position, kinda knock the Americans off their high hats, give them something to work for in future games.. .... maybe in Chicago... but yeah, still along way to go....