Are you looking forward to the Opening Ceremony

[Minnie_the_Minx]

and of course the Closing Ceremony?

Most ceremonies are pretty naff (although I seem to remember enjoying the ones in Athens), but the worse ones are often the American ones.

However, I've got the feeling these ceremonies will be quite spectacular - performed with military precision and none of the Disney crap that we have to put up with from the US.

I know it's all massively orchestrated etc. but can we just keep the politics out of this thread please.

 

[spring-peeper]

Yes!!!!

I love the opening ceremonies. They tend to showcase the country's history and culture. The parade of athletes is a bit boring, but I love to see the countries that only send a couple of athletes.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

They tend to showcase the country's history and culture.

Except America

With the parade of athletes, I like guessing which country's coming next. How sad is that

 

[spring-peeper]

I don't know about it being a sad thing. It's kinds cool to see if you can guess the countries. I've never tried it, I suck at all the small countries. I will, however, introduce this game as we all sit around watching.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I don't know about it being a sad thing. It's kinds cool to see if you can guess the countries. I've never tried it, I suck at all the small countries. I will, however, introduce this game as we all sit around watching.

Yeah, you have to remember all the little ones like Sao Tome and Principe, St Kitts and Nevis etc.

All great fun

 

[souljacker]

I fucking hate opening ceremonys. They are pointless. I'd like to see them scrapped.

 

[spring-peeper]

A lot of pride goes into hosting the Olympics. I think that it is wonderful that a country that has put in so much work can show off to the world.

A lot of pride goes into competing for your country as well. I love to see the faces of the athletes as they enter and the pride and concentration on the flag bearer.

Long live the opening ceremonies!!!!

 

[CharlieAddict]

unless there are dancing bears, pandas jumping through firey hoops then i'm not interested.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I fucking hate opening ceremonys. They are pointless. I'd like to see them scrapped.

I think they are long, and the best bit really (after guessing which nation comes next ) is the fireworks

 

[Melinda]

I love the Athlete's Parade!

The archers from Bhutan are always my favourite!

Its always a bit hard luck on those competing the following morning and arent able to take part though.

 

[danny la rouge]

No.

 

[Melinda]

I fucking hate opening ceremonys. They are pointless. I'd like to see them scrapped.

Boo! Hiss! There'll be dragons and fire and dancing girls with painted faces!

YESSSSSSS!

 

[Lea]

Yes, I love the opening ceremony to the olympics. I love the artistic side of the Olympics. I'll be watching it if it's on at a reasonable time.

 

[Melinda]

Yes, I love the opening ceremony to the olympics. I love the artistic side of the Olympics. I'll be watching it if it's on at a reasonable time.

Good point. The 7 hour time difference is going to be a difficult for us. Worse for the Americans though.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Good point. The 7 hour time difference is going to be a difficult for us. Worse for the Americans though.

Who gives a toss about the Merkins. They probably won't enjoy it anyway if Mickey and Minnie aren't there

 

[Melinda]

I find the larger 'Western' teams so blasé and cynical about the parade. Athletes from smaller nations grin and wave and love it!

 

[ScallyWag II]

the olympics opening ceremony is about the only one i think i've ever watched. don't think i've ever seen a closing ceremony (on purpose anyway)

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Anyone know when it starts? My Mum is fretting about leaving my place in time to see it.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Anyone know when it starts? My Mum is fretting about leaving my place in time to see it.

According to Radio Times:

Opening Ceremony: Beijing 2008

Friday 08 August
12:45pm - 4:45pm
BBC1
Yes, they're finally here, after enough hype to sink a Chinese battleship. As you'll have gathered by now, eight is considered a lucky number in China; hence, the games begin on 8 August 2008 at 8pm. That's local time: in the UK it'll be 1pm, and many people will still be at work as the ceremony unfolds in the extraordinary "Bird's Nest" stadium in Beijing. Don't worry, we needn't miss the twirling dancers, massed ranks of acrobats and fireworks: Gabby Logan introduces highlights at 7pm on BBC1. As well as launching a staggering festival of sport, the ceremony is being seen as a "coming-out party" for China as a whole (and part of an effort to soften the image of its regime). World leaders including George Bush, Vladimir Putin and Nicolas Sarkozy are expected to attend, which may be why live coverage is presented not only by Sue Barker but also by news anchor Huw Edwards.

Bollocks. I'll be at work, so will have to get b/f to video it

 

[spring-peeper]

8am est - thanks for the times minnie

 

[skyscraper101]

Cool, we'll have it on in the office

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

8am est - thanks for the times minnie

where are you?

 

[Matt S]

I'm hoping that the ceremony starts with the camera focused in on one person doing a kung fu form. And then pans out and out and out and finally you see that there are ONE MILLION kung fu artists, assembled into a giant, terrifying Chinese Olympic army.

Well, it'd look cool....

Matt

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

I'm hoping that the ceremony starts with the camera focused in on one person doing a kung fu form. And then pans out and out and out and finally you see that there are ONE MILLION kung fu artists, assembled into a giant, terrifying Chinese Olympic army.

Well, it'd look cool....

Matt

Yep, I'm thinking along the same lines If there's one thing that countries like Russia, China and Korea are good at, it's big displays

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

Actually, I do wonder if we'll be able to see to the other side of the stadium with all that pollution

 

[JTG]

Boris is gonna be in the closing ceremony

 

[Matt S]

As part of the kung fu army?

That'd be great.

Matt

 

[E.J.]

Boris is gonna be in the closing ceremony

Yep in the handover ceremoninal ting Jtug

Minnie the Minx - i remember the opening and closing ceremony of Seoul 88 and it was wicked in terms of the colour and the martial arts (Tae Kwon Do) & Korean style fencing combat demonstrations!

 

[Phenotypic Dai]

Friday 08 August
12:45pm - 4:45pm

Fantastic. 4 hours of numpties poncing about on stilts, supposedly representing the mating ritual of the mountain Panda, or some such bollocks.

4 hours!

There better be jet packs on display.

 

[pastieburt]

Don't forget about the parachute men always missing the landing spot.