antiperspirant Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 6 hours ago, mr.bernham said: This 1000Xs. Ran out of likes, other wise I'd like this. it’s ok you can pay for premium 5 hours ago, MisterSG1 said: Pissing away taxpayers’ money, what else? this is in fact true! Quote
Sir Rols Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Some verdicts from various parties: Michael Payne, former IOC head of marketing: “These Games will go down as one of the all-time great Olympic Games,” the 66-year-old Irishman told AFP. “The presentation of Paris as one massive Olympic venue, with its incredible iconic buildings as a backdrop, has had a massive impact on the TV ratings around the world,” he added. “Paris, with their venues throughout the city, set against iconic stunning backdrops (and no major new sports infrastructure built), will kickstart a whole new era in cities wanting to host the Olympic Games, much as Barcelona 1992 did,” he said. Terrence Burns, former IOC marketing executive: “Paris has set a ‘very high bar’ for Los Angeles. “Each Games brings something unique,” the American told AFP. “This one will be remembered as much for the city as the Games that took place in it. “So much was riding on the success of Paris 2024. Each venue felt like a piece of history and I loved how they used the city itself as the canvas upon which to paint a beautiful Games - unmatched.” “The beach volleyball venue was the most amazing setting for any sporting event I’ve ever seen,” he said. Hugh Robertson, Chair of the British Olympic Association: “If there is one thing I really learned from Paris, it is using temporary venues in stunning locations,” he told AFP. “Future hosts should use it as a template in not building permanent stadiums and instead putting temporary stands in beautiful locations.” “The equestrian venue at Versailles was stunning, one of the greatest venues of all time,” said the 61-year-old. “Sitting in that bowl looking out with the Palace of Versailles in the background, I cannot think of a better venue in the five Games I have been to.” 1 Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 But how many truly beautiful, historic and iconic cities are there, like Paris -- which have not yet hosted the Games? Paris, Rio, Barcelona and Vancouver -- the 4 most beautiful cities in the world have already had a crack at it. San Francisco is the 5th most breathtakingly picturesque metropolis -- but too small and for various other reasons, will NEVER host an OGs the size they are today. Plus, being LA's smaller, northern stepsister kills any future Olympic bids for a breathtakingly beautiful city. (Getting some soccer matches for 2026/8 will probably be the closest SF gets to any Olympic action in the future.) Quote
FYI Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Rome, maybe Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Brussels, Amsterdam? Quote
mr.bernham Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 I'd add DC to that list, but again, never gonna happen. London could do it too. Quote
Lee Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 (edited) My thoughts on Paris 2024. Ceremonies The oc was a bold attempt at changing up quite a tired stadium oc format, but I don't believe it was entirely successful. The rain didn't help and I do really empathise as nobody wanted to see all that hard work go to waste. I really do believe that with beautiful sunshine the parade of nations on the Seine would have come across as vastly more visually entertaining. As it was, it did turn into a bit of a disaster. I feel the whole production could have done with better execution - from better camera angles to a better explanation of what we were being shown. I absolutely loved several elements including the Marie Antoinette segment(stunning) and Celine Dion closing the oc, singing 'hymne a l'amour' fom the eiffel tower was just a magical moment that will go down in Olympic oc history. The cc for me was a disaster. I was bored to tears and it seemed to me that very little effort really went into it. The extinguishing of the flame was lame and I found the LA handover just a bit too cheesy. The best moment of the night for me was seeing the red hot chilli peppers perform from LA. OC - 6.5/10 CC - 2/10 Venues I can only repeat what others have said, the backdrops were stunning and Paris sparkled off the TV screen. I loved how centralised the venues were and appreciated the added touches that made the games more immersive such as the cauldron placement and the ability to see the athletes parade on stage. Personally, I do like a proper Olympic park, but that's just me. 9.5/10 Organisation Everything seemed to go off relatively hitch free despite the transport attacks before the oc. A few issues noted issues with the food offering and beds in the village. Who would have thought that London would trump Paris on food. 😂 But seriously, apart from some minor camera angle frustrations in some sports, I mostly didn't have any complaints as a TV viewer of the games. I feel you really needed to attend the games to have a more informed opinion. 8/10 A few random pros - The city looked amazingly well kept on TV. Far better than the impression I was left with as a tourist visiting in 2019. - It was amazing to see venues so well attended and few empty seats. My personal bug bear. Bravo for this, Paris. - The cauldron placement and execution was inspired. It really was stunning. - The look of the games was beautiful. I even grew to like the lilac track. A few random cons - I was frustrated that Paris decided to use so many faces of the games that were from overseas such as Gaga and Snoop dog. I wanted to see more French culture on display. - I got the impression that we were celebrating Paris rather than France. This was a shame. I have never seen a games where a city rather than host country has been so entirely dominant. - Whilst I enjoyed the vocal support that was delivered from the Parisian crowds, I do feel that at times it came across as arrogant and one sided. I did feel that in some sports French athletes were supported to the detriment of others. I guess this is inevitable when you have a passionate home crowd but I did get a little frustrated at times with how partisan the crowds were becoming. - Breakdancing does not belong in the Olympics. Agreed? OVERALL RATING 8/10 One of the more iconic summer games. I will always be biased toward London 2012 but I am sure this is inevitable as it was my home games. I can see many comparisons between what I experienced in London and what I hear French people are also experiencing right now - that post games pride and high that no criticism can take away. I certainly feel that Paris is right up there as one of the better summer games hosts - just for me a little less special than Sydney and London. A job well done, Paris. You did these games your own way with some successful ideas that I am sure will be taken forward by future hosts. You should be rightfully proud. Edited August 13, 2024 by Lee 3 Quote
Sir Rols Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 (edited) 1 hour ago, Lee said: My thoughts on Paris 2024. That was a pretty fair appraisal IMO, Lee. Good to see you on, by the way. I noticed you hadn’t been back since Rio. Huzzah you returned. 1 hour ago, Lee said: The oc was a bold attempt at changing up quite a tired stadium oc format, but I don't believe it was entirely successful. The rain didn't help and I do really empathise as nobody wants to see all that hard work go to waste. I really do believe that with beautiful sunshine the parade of nations on the Seine, would have come across as vastly more visually entertaining. As it was, it did turn into a bit of a disaster. I feel the whole production could have done with better execution - from better camera angles to a better explanation of what we were being shown. I absolutely loved several elements including the Marie Antoinette segment and Celine Dion closing the oc, singing on the eiffel tower, was just a magical moment that will go down in oc history. I must confess, I just rewatched the first half of the OC yet again now it’s on YouTube (yeah, I know. Put it down to post-games nostalgia, blues and not knowing what to do now there’s no sports to watch). There’s actually a bloody good ceremony in there - a wonderful extended sequence, especially, that went through from Synchronicite to Fraternite. It flowed, it popped, it rocked. Some great parts before and after too. That was what I was expecting it more to be. It really could have worked. I think the big mistake was having ALL the athletes come by boat. I know the bulk would would have then missed out on the cruise, but I would have had just a single boat, with the flag bearers, be our guide through all the artistic set pieces as one continuous artistic segment, then have them meet the teams at the Trocadero to then march in traditionally. Still preserve the shake-up of the format, still preserve he Seine and its elements, yet avoid all the pacing problems and dead spots, and still lead into a more traditional protocol section with the march of athletes onwards. Oh well, it was what it was. Edited August 13, 2024 by Sir Rols Quote
Bear Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 2 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: but I would have had just a single boat, with the flag eaters, i would NOT want to be in that boat, that's for sure Quote
Lee Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 6 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: I think the big mistake was having ALL the athletes come by boat Couldn't agree more. It needed to have a much quicker pace. The idea was good but the execution was weak. I am all for exploring new ideas on how to change up an opening ceremony. Good on Paris for trying to mix it up. Nice to see you, too. Yes it's been a while. Hope you are doing well. Quote
Sir Rols Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Bear said: i would NOT want to be in that boat, that's for sure Lol! Okay, logistically, yeah 400+ athletes on one boat is a bit much. Maybe a small flotilla of boats - a small one for Greece to lead off, two or thee big ones for the bulk of the other teams, two (or three) small trailing for the hosts and coming hosts. But just keep that fleet small, tight and together. I liked the idea of the boat parade, but at the end it just logistically spoiled any cadence. I’m just brainstorming how to preserve some of it, yet have it work in a good, tight, connected flow. Edited August 13, 2024 by Sir Rols Quote
Bear Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 3 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: Lol! Okay, logistically, yeah 400+ athletes on one boat is a bit much. Maybe a small flotilla of boats - a small one for Greece to lead off, two or thee big ones for the bulk of the other teams, two (or three) small trailing for the hosts and coming hosts. But just keep that fleet small, tight and together. I liked the idea of the boat parade, but at the end it just logistically spoiled any cadence. I’m just brainstorming how to preserve some of it, yet have it work in a good, tight, connected flow. re-read what i (or rather, you) said 🙂 Quote
Sir Rols Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 1 minute ago, Bear said: re-read what i (or rather, you) said 🙂 ? Quote
Bear Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 18 minutes ago, Sir Rols said: flag eaters why are they eating flags Quote
Lee Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Can I also confess to a bit of a crush on the French accordion player during the oc. Cute. 1 Quote
Sir Rols Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 2 minutes ago, Bear said: why are they eating flags LOL! Okay. This why I often need a sub-editor to proofread my stuff 1 Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 They should've used Dragon boats. Let the friggin' athletes earn their dinners. They just concentrated on the whole flotilla and then everything fell apart at Le Troc. I knew they were going to mess up somewhere. The whole thing was just OVERLY ambitious. And indeed the stade at Troc was really too small to have accommodated even 5,000 athletes on that floor if they all decided to stay on. They should've cut the cruise in half by starting about 3Km from the Troc. That would've compressed the whole evening and you wouldn't have had to hide the deserting crowds at Troc. Also, just have had the damned lighting there at Le Troc instead of that long, pointless detour to an empty Tuileries garden. I don't think this telecast will win any awards this year. 2 Quote
JMarkSnow2012 Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 7 hours ago, Sir Rols said: I think the big mistake was having ALL the athletes come by boat. 7 hours ago, Lee said: Couldn't agree more. It needed to have a much quicker pace. And yet, in terms of minutes the camera was looking at the "parading" athletes, it was only 85 minutes- by far the shortest of recent decades. The catch was that viewers couldn't use the parade as an opportunity to divert their attention elsewhere, because there could be another cultural segment along at any moment. Quote
JMarkSnow2012 Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 8 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said: But how many truly beautiful, historic and iconic cities are there, like Paris -- which have not yet hosted the Games? Paris, Rio, Barcelona and Vancouver -- the 4 most beautiful cities in the world have already had a crack at it. Venice! Quote
baron-pierreIV Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 (edited) 22 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said: Venice! But even Games workers wouldn't be allowed in anymore. Let's not even start on cleaning up the lagoon waters. Venice is good for a film festival -- that's about it. But it is MAGICAL! (BTW, when Katherine Hepburn fell into the canal for a scene in SUMMERTIME, she picked up an eye infection which she could never get rid of the rest of her life. That film always makes me cry for Venice--not that I got the eye infection from her either. Also, when I finally had the famous Bellini drink at Hemingway's Bar at the Danieli, it was one of the worst cocktails I've ever had. Immediately spat it out.) Edited August 13, 2024 by baron-pierreIV Quote
krow Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 31 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said: And yet, in terms of minutes the camera was looking at the "parading" athletes, it was only 85 minutes- by far the shortest of recent decades. The catch was that viewers couldn't use the parade as an opportunity to divert their attention elsewhere, because there could be another cultural segment along at any moment. i also think thomas jolly may have overestimated the viewing audience's patience for watching stationary athletes stand on boats in the pouring rain watching the audience watch them. at least during a typical athletes parade they're moving, walking, waving, dancing, having fun, looking like athletes. really, the cameras should have been ON THE BOATS, in the athletes' faces and moving around in an intimate, cinema verite kind of way, cut with the riverbank stationary cam. NBC did a little of this for team USA and it was revelatory. tremendously boring and juiceless the way they actually did it, like so much of the overall direction. 1 Quote
tahakhan24 Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 8 hours ago, Lee said: Couldn't agree more. It needed to have a much quicker pace. The idea was good but the execution was weak. I am all for exploring new ideas on how to change up an opening ceremony. Good on Paris for trying to mix it up. Nice to see you, too. Yes it's been a while. Hope you are doing well. Agreed! it was a unique idea and I liked it too. But it could've been done better. Quote
venuedesignlover Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 Anyone else think these games felt much less corporate in their design and overall vibe? 1 Quote
Lee Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 There are so many relatively easy additions that could have been made to the parade of athletes, that would have added some much needed excitement. I would definitely have reduced the number of boats and used more decorative vessels to transport just the flag bearers of each nation. Shots of the rest of the delegation could have been added from Trocadéro. Something visual on the banks of the Seine to announce each country would have been a good idea. I was also surprised at the lack of fireworks and drones which, whilst predictable, does offer that wow factor. Using a river was always going to be an organisational nightmare. Even so, I think it could have been something magical had TJ considered the parade visuals in greater detail. The BBC in 2012 did a much better job at telling a coherent story - you really felt that every shot was considered in great detail. I think my biggest disappointment is that someone like Jean Michel Jarre wasn't consulted. He is a master of delivering these large scale outdoor events timed to music. That would have created a truly amazing atmosphere. Opportunity missed I think. France is such a creative country and I expected much more. Quote
Michelle Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 11 hours ago, Lee said: - Breakdancing does not belong in the Olympics. Agreed? Never again. 2 Quote
Lee Posted August 13, 2024 Report Posted August 13, 2024 (edited) Good to see you still around, Michelle. Did you go to Paris for the games? Edited August 13, 2024 by Lee 1 Quote
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