The Olympics Begin

[WormGod]

Well, the opening ceremony is live on BBC 1 now, and it sure is epic. Enormous paintings, thousands of people watching and performing, and a giant globe rising up from the arena's underground, its floors parting in the process. Yet I can't help but think of the money situations involved, not least because this is only a sliver of the phenomenon.

I guess it's all China's showing off that they have this amount of money (and people) at hand. Lucky buggers.
What's more, they're rubbing it in our face that Britain is next to 'impress'. :(

:p

Also, those are some crazy-ass fireworks.

[shadowman]

I missed crazy-ass fireworks?

[WormGod]

Probably - they were only in the epic first hour. Certainly the best fireworks I've seen in a long time, still.

Also, the estimation that 4 billion people will watch the Olympics? I mean, it could be true, but that's two whole thirds of the human race - and I've got a sneaky feeling not that many people own a TV. :p

[StoneFrog]

Well I'm sure lots of people are parked in front of TV Shop display windows right now. :P

[shadowman]

I keep forgetting to flip the channel.

[Shadowmoon]

IIRC, i think there's a london 2012 olympics.

Is this what this is about?

[WormGod]

Well I'm sure lots of people are parked in front of TV Shop display windows right now. :P

You mean to say those same TV-less people own cars?! :p


IIRC, i think there's a london 2012 olympics.

Is this what this is about?

Squirminator - do the honours.

[Shadowmoon]

I just found out. Sorry. I didn't know much about the Olympics.

I saw some of the display on BBC news just a moment ago, and i saw crowds of people walking and stuff, and the fireworks.

Can someone ask a question without been flamed? -_-

[shadowman]

Not one about one of the largest sports events in the world that occurs EVERY 4 YEARS.

[Pickleworm]

IIRC, i think there's a london 2012 olympics.

Is this what this is about?

I'm not trying to be mean, but, did you read the first post of this thread?

edit: well i guess that's that

Can someone ask a question without been flamed? -_-

I'm really trying to be nice and all but you really know when to use Google. Remember: Google makes everyone know everything.

[Alien King]

I just found out. Sorry. I didn't know much about the Olympics.

So you missed the great amount of announcements that we won the contest to host the 2012 Olympics? That is an impressive feat, given the huge number of instances this information must have been blasted at you.

Also, if you really are ignorant of this: the 2008 Olympic Games has started. It's also being hosted in Beijing.

[Shadowmoon]

Not one about one of the largest sports events in the world that occurs EVERY 4 YEARS.

http://www.iconarchive.com/icons/deleket/scrap/Smiley-Angry-256x256.png

I know the World cup starts every 4 years, but i never knew the Olympics did. Well i must have done once but i forgot.

Also, if you really are ignorant of this: the 2008 Olympic Games has started. It's also being hosted in Beijing.

I know. I missed the its on BBC 1 bit, and after going back to the topic, i caught sight of it and switched on the TV. It showed it on the news.

So you missed the great amount of announcements that we won the contest to host the 2012 Olympics? That is an impressive feat, given the huge number of instances this information must have been blasted at you.

I don't watch TV that much, and if i do its cartoons and not the news.

In some cases i watch the news.

Oh and i never said i missed it. I said London 2012 olympics, remember?

[WormGod]

Now, now, let's not have seven pages of the recurring information that Shadowmoon is studpidly ignorant.

Anyway, China's lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was just plain EPIC. I mean, seriously - if you watch a man being lifted to the height of the Beijing Bird's Nest arena rim, running around it, and setting a 10-metre-high torch alight. If you aren't blown away by its sheer scale, then you are that man, seeing as he's rehearsed it for a year.

Or Shadowmoon. ;)

[Shadowmoon]

that Shadowmoon is studpidly ignorant.

YOUR the one who started this. Congratulations.

*throws confetti*

Anyway, China's lighting of the Olympic Cauldron was just plain EPIC. I mean, seriously - if you watch a man being lifted to the height of the Beijing Bird's Nest arena rim, running around it, and setting a 10-metre-high torch alight. If you aren't blown away by its sheer scale, then you are that man, seeing as he's rehearsed it for a year.

Or Shadowmoon.

Do you realise you compared me to someone who was epic?:eek:

[WormGod]

YOUR the one who started this. Congratulations.

*throws confetti*

And I'm ending it. So stop dragging the ending out.

[shadowman]

I just checked out the vid on youtube.

It was nice. Not Soleanna nice, but nice. Watch the Sonic Nextgen first cut scene to get the joke.

[Squirminator2k]

Here's one for Shadowmoan...

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/shadowmoon.png

And, while I'm at it, here's another one for China...

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/shadowmoon.png

[Shadowmoon]

I guess i should tell people why i ask, and not check.

I ask because i can't be bothered, and prefer it that way. If you would prefer me to look, just say, Kay?

Here's one for Shadowmoan...

Its Shadowmoon, Shadinator2k.;)

No-one here was identified as Shadowmoan. Sorry.

Your trophy would be better if it said The Shadowmoon Award for pure laziness.

Anyway, i've heard that there will be Live coverage of the Olympics on BBC. Cool.

And the olympics in 2012 is getting held in London! i would probably be able to travel to london to watch it if i still lived in Buckinghamshire.:(

[Squirminator2k]

Wow, you're incredibly lazy and also cerebrally bankrupt. The two appear to be working in tandum. Quite impressive - it's as if you know you're a braindead Magikarp who has no interest in self-improvement. This does not bode well for your future. I predict years of mediocrity. I predict you spending your life doing a job you hate, never thinking that maybe it's possible for you to exceed your own expectations and grow as an individual.

I now have more pity for you than I thought was possible. There is no trophy for this, no prize, no congratulations, no joke. You are simply a pathetic example of humanity. If you cannot better yourself in your own eyes, you cannot better yourself in the eyes of humanity.

Think about this. In your current state you are a burden, a leech, a bottom-feeder. I hope for your sake that you change as you grow older.

[WormGod]

Never leave Shadowmoon and Squirminator in a dimly light room together.

From now on, let's commentate on the mis/happenings of the Olympics proper, and not respond to every post in this thread Shadowmoon in the process.
Feel free to be obnoxiously patriotic. Here's to seeing a gold medal or two come our way, eh lads?

[Shadowmoon]

If you cannot better yourself in your own eyes, you cannot better yourself in the eyes of humanity.

http://www.iconarchive.com/icons/deleket/scrap/Smiley-Angry-256x256.png

Fine! i'll start looking for facts and stuff if it makes you really happy!

Happy?

GOOD!

cerebrally bankrupt

No. I have a good ammount of money in the bank, but thanks for your concern anyway.

I hope for your sake that you change as you grow older.

For your information, i have a lot of friends. I'm not the most popular in my class, but i do have a good ammount of friends.

If you don't believe this, whatever. Because i'm fed up of this now.

If you have anything to say, email me or flippin' PM me! don't take it to forum discussions!

If your that bothered about me, you'd flippin' do that.

Anyway.....

If it weren't for the fact i haven't played Sonic and Mario at the Olympic games for months, i would have remembered about this. Anyway, i shall watch out on the TV for clips and stuff.

I've never watched any olympic events in the Olympic Games before (i'm serious)

[Squirminator2k]

You have completely and utterly missed the point of my post.

[WormGod]

and not respond to every post in this thread Shadowmoon

One minute later...


Shadowmoon's response to Squirminator, including:

"Cerebrally bankrupt? No. I have a good ammount of money in the bank, but thanks for your concern anyway."

"If you have anything to say, email me or flippin' PM me! don't take it to forum discussions!"

"If it weren't for the fact i haven't played Sonic and Mario at the Olympic games for months, i would have remembered about this."

[Shadowmoon]

You have completely and utterly missed the point of my post.

If you have anything to say, email me or flippin' PM me! don't take it to forum discussions!

Or i will simply put you on my ignore list, and you will stay there forever.

I don't mean to blackmail but i'm really getting fed up of this.

One minute later...

NO WAI.

Your not like, my father or something.

[Squirminator2k]

The irony is that Shadowmoon could have, at any point, PM'd me. The only PMs he ever sends me, though, are abusive missives telling me to stop doing what I'm doing or else (although to be fair he hasn't sent one of those in a good couple of months now).

Edit: You've threatened to ignore me before. You've told me that you have ignored me before. You never do, or at the least you never stick it out. You can ignore me if you like but that means you won't be able to see what I'm saying about you, which given your psychological make-up I highly doubt you will allow yourself to do. You seem to be consumed with what people think about you, so the idea that you'd ignore someone who may be influencing what people think of you seems unlikely to me. Not on a permanent basis.

Also, you don't know what blackmail is.

[thomasp]

The irony is that Shadowmoon could have, at any point, PM'd me.Well, no. He couldn't :p


And either this line of "discussion" stops NOW and this thread returns to discussing the 2008 Beijing Olympics, or some forum users will lose more than their access to PM's.

[Paul.Power]

Feel free to be obnoxiously patriotic. Here's to seeing a gold medal or two come our way, eh lads?Britain's cyclists were very good at the world championships, and our sailors have some form too. I'm a bit worried about the rowers, though, this might be the first Olympics in about six where we don't get a rowing gold.

Saying that, next few days I'll be more interested in the final England vs. South Africa test. Even if it is a dead rubber and SA have a 2-0 lead, we're in a decent position after two days.

[robowurmz]

I just checked out the vid on youtube.

It was nice. Not Soleanna nice, but nice. Watch the Sonic Nextgen first cut scene to get the joke.

Those fireworks were awesome. BUT: NOTHING COMPARES TO GANDALF'S FIREWORKS! :D

[shadowman]

Sol-ee-anna.

Totally. Those fireworks were chawsome. Especially for 3D.

[StoneFrog]

The opening ceremony is epic. I was amazed when that 3D scrolling grid of cubes, or whatever you want to call it, turned out to be moved by people.

[*Splinter*]

The opening ceremony is epic. I was amazed when that 3D scrolling grid of cubes, or whatever you want to call it, turned out to be moved by people.

Yeah, shame BBC talker people decided to give that away before the end. And no wonder everyone else let us have the one after China, its gonna look **** in comparison :(

"You want ze one aftur Chinar, good luck muzzerfuhkeh" [/french]

[yauhui]

I don't think Malaysia'll even get past Round 2.

Or whatever the rounds are called in the Olympics.

[super_frea]

I'm going to be the first to comment on the craposity that is the 2012 Olympics logo.

[Pickleworm]

Yeah, shame BBC talker people decided to give that away before the end. And no wonder everyone else let us have the one after China, its gonna look **** in comparison :(

"You want ze one aftur Chinar, good luck muzzerfuhkeh" [/french]

Hey, take solace in the fact that nobody's going to try to douse your torch :p

[Shadowmoon]

I'm going to be the first to comment on the craposity that is the 2012 Olympics logo.

This?

http://learning.mrjchall.co.uk/8.6/06NPATEL/london-2012-olympics-logo.jpg

Nothing special really, if this is the logo. Bejiing's is better

[super_frea]

No my friend. I mean this...
http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/images/2007/06/05/london2012.jpg

[Shadowmoon]

Woah. I thought you meant that one.

That logo is just so bad. I hope they intend on changing it.

[thomasp]

Woah. I thought you meant that one.

That logo is just so bad. I hope they intend on changing it.
They did - it was changed from the one you posted to the one super_frea posted. First one was much better, as it actually had something marginally related to London in it - the five olympic colours forming a ribbon in the shape of the Thames.

[Paul.Power]

Haven't seen that new "Thames Ribbon" one before. I like it: not as inspired as that London Underground-esque one I saw once, but a damn sight better than those silly abstract shapes.

EDIT: Oh, it's not new, it's older than the abstract one. Sorry, didn't read Tom's post correctly.

[Alien King]

What in the hell made them change their mind!?

[super_frea]

'International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said: "This is a truly innovative brand logo that graphically captures the essence of the London 2012 Olympic Games - namely to inspire young people around the world through sport and the Olympic values.

"Each edition of the Olympic Games brings its own flavour and touch to what is now well over a century of modern Olympic history; the brand launched today by London 2012 is, I believe, an early indication of the dynamism, modernity and inclusiveness with which London 2012 will leave its Olympic mark."

The brand, designed by Wolff Ollins, has been targeted at the young people the organisers hope will get involved.

It is a deliberate change from previous Olympic logos, which often feature an image from the city.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "This is an iconic brand that sums up what London 2012 is all about - an inclusive, welcoming and diverse Games that involves the whole country.

"It takes our values to the world beyond our shores, acting both as an invitation and an inspiration.

"This is not just a marketing logo, but a symbol that will become familiar, instantly recognisable and associated with our Games in so many ways during the next five years."'

Oh dear.
And it cost £400,000.

Also apparently some people have complained that "the logo resembles an image of the cartoon character Lisa Simpson performing fellatio and others have complained that it looks like a distorted Swastika." Erm... ok.

Edit:
They've even made the Paralympics logo slighty worse.
Oh god.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8d/London_Paralympics_2012.svg/300px-London_Paralympics_2012.svg.png

[Alien King]

What the ****?

[Paul.Power]

"the logo resembles an image of the cartoon character Lisa Simpson performing fellatio...The scary part is, I see where they're coming from with that if you take the 0 as the head and the lower 2 as a kneeling body...

... great, not only is it a terrible logo, but now it's infected my brain. Damn you, logo designer... *shakes fist*

[AndrewTaylor]

They never changed their mind. The "Thames Ribbon" logo was used for the campaign to host the Olympics. The "Stupid Graffiti" logo is the logo of the actual Olympiad. It cost a lot of money, and to be fair isn't quite as bad as people have made it out to be -- but the fact remains that elegant and classy is always better than cool, particularly when it's 2007 and you're trying to design something that will be cool in 2012. I think it's far too late to change it now, and I think the smart approach is to ignore it.

[StoneFrog]

What annoys me is that the opening ceremony involved Chinese history and culture. It's a known fact that when you flaunt Asian culture in the Olympics, everyone thinks it's all cool and elegant.

If we start flaunting our European culture, people will call us racist, eurocentric, or white supremecists.

IT'S TRUE!

I hate you, political correctness.

[Paul.Power]

To be honest, I think I saw about ten seconds of the opening ceremony before switching to the cricket. Doesn't matter who hosts an international event, once they start showcasing their culture in a lavish opening ceremony I have to get out of there.

[thomasp]

If we start flaunting our European culture, people will call us racist, eurocentric, or white supremecists.

IT'S TRUE!

I hate you, political correctness.

I heard that the Red Arrows aren't going to be allowed to fly at the 2012 opening ceremony because "they are too British". When the hell has that ever been a problem??? It's the British olympics, so why not show off the Best of Britain?

[robowurmz]

I heard that the Red Arrows aren't going to be allowed to fly at the 2012 opening ceremony because "they are too British". When the hell has that ever been a problem??? It's the British olympics, so why not show off the Best of Britain?

No red arrows? I think I'm going to cry.

[Alien King]

I heard that the Red Arrows aren't going to be allowed to fly at the 2012 opening ceremony because "they are too British".

Whatever collection of idiots thought that up should be publically flogged.

[StoneFrog]

That's just stupid.

It's like racial profiling here in the USA. Umm, I'm not arresting this Mexican guy cause I'm racist, I'm arresting him because HE IS A CRIMINAL!

[iCarbonX]

I heard that the Red Arrows aren't going to be allowed to fly at the 2012 opening ceremony because "they are too British". When the hell has that ever been a problem??? It's the British olympics, so why not show off the Best of Britain?


hmmmmm... china just spent the best part of 5 hours showing off the history of china and all their culture, but we arn't allowed to show off our things????

stupid politics :mad:

[Shadowmoon]

Seriously, wtf? is this a dream?

our politics are just crazy!

[StoneFrog]

Nowadays with all the integration, I kinda think we should be allowed to show off European culture more than the OTHER COUNTRIES.

Seriously. My town in New Jersey is turning into a KoreaTown. We need to preserve our culture - it's just as awesome as theirs!

[AndrewTaylor]

What annoys me is that the opening ceremony involved Chinese history and culture. It's a known fact that when you flaunt Asian culture in the Olympics, everyone thinks it's all cool and elegant.

Really? Everything I've read about the parade of Chinese history has been criticising it for glossing over vast tracts of the history that they'd rather not mention. Which is of course a recurring theme in Chinese politics, but you shouldn't parade your history if you're not prepared to admit to all of it. Better just stick to culture.

So what's the plan then for 2012? If we can't do something British, we can't do something from anywhere else because that would be nonsense, that basically leaves us with the options of doing something so rubbish it couldn't be considered culture at all (thereby removing the question of whose culture it is) or doing nothing.

I vote nothing. Maybe we can spend the money there saved on something useful.

[pilot62]

I heard that the Red Arrows aren't going to be allowed to fly at the 2012 opening ceremony because "they are too British". When the hell has that ever been a problem??? It's the British olympics, so why not show off the Best of Britain?

In fairness I heard it was because, as part of the RAF, it would be deemed a demonstration of our military prowess, and hence not really in the Olympic spirit.

Rubbish I know, but I can see where they're coming from.

And frankly, I fancy having Morris Dancers at our ceromany! :D

[StoneFrog]

Yes yes, can't flaunt the awesome powerful European military because those third world countries will feel discouraged.

Flaunting a giant CGI scroll on the stadium floor is totally allowed though.

[MtlAngelus]

Really? Everything I've read about the parade of Chinese history has been criticising it for glossing over vast tracts of the history that they'd rather not mention. Which is of course a recurring theme in Chinese politics, but you shouldn't parade your history if you're not prepared to admit to all of it. Better just stick to culture.

So what's the plan then for 2012? If we can't do something British, we can't do something from anywhere else because that would be nonsense, that basically leaves us with the options of doing something so rubbish it couldn't be considered culture at all (thereby removing the question of whose culture it is) or doing nothing.

I vote nothing. Maybe we can spend the money there saved on something useful.
But if you do nothing, then you would be doing something Mexican.

:p

[Plasma]

that basically leaves us with the options of doing something so rubbish it couldn't be considered culture at all (thereby removing the question of whose culture it is) or doing nothing.
Guess which one will be the option chosen by the people in charge...


Tip: if you've unsure in any way, go back and look at the LO2012 logo.

[StoneFrog]

That'd be true distinction - spending the money in something else.

...LIKE A HALF DECENT LOGO! A KINDERGARTNER COULD FINGERPAINT SOMETHING NICER THAN THAT.

[Paul.Power]

Maybe the 2012 opening ceremony should just have a giant cup of tea in the middle of the pitch or something. And then everyone sits there and contemplates it for ten minutes before the builders start taking it down. Alternatively, have the Thing That Holds The Flame TM be a giant cup of tea.

After all, it's not particularly British - it's also Irish and (checks the list of world's biggest consumers of tea) Middle Eastern?

[iCarbonX]

So what's the plan then for 2012?


Why do i see us doing something about American culture?

[Paul.Power]

The invention of the steam locomotive wouldn't be too bad, although it's more a South West/Wales/North East/North West thing than a London thing (respectively, Richard Trevithick born in Cornwall and worked for the tin mines there, built his mining locos in Wales, George Stephenson building the first passenger railway in Stockton and Darlington and then the first intercity railway between Liverpool and Manchester)

[AndrewTaylor]

That'd be true distinction - spending the money in something else.

...LIKE A HALF DECENT LOGO! A KINDERGARTNER COULD FINGERPAINT SOMETHING NICER THAN THAT.

No, they couldn't.

The BBC had a call for alternative logos, after basically everyone in the country said they could do better. Here are a couple of dozen of the submissions (with a few joke ones thrown in):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727723.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727723.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6726301.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6722205.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6723027.stm

There are somewhere in the region of three of them that would be at least passable, of which maybe one would be better than what we got.

The issue I have with it is not the logo itself, which isn't great but then very few logos are. My issue is the money spent: there's an enormous amount of 'diminishing returns' with graphic design, and if they'd gone to a university, found some students doing graphics, and asked them to do it -- maybe bung them £100 each and an extra grand for whoever got picked, they'd have got something at least as good for £398,000 less.

And even that is disingenuous, because they'd have got a logo, sure, but then they'd have needed all the rest of the branding work that you need professionals for, and I expect it's probably actually cheaper to give them freedom than to try doing bits for them and restricting them.


Edit: this whole thing reminds me of the controversy when the name "Wii" was announced -- but the brand was hugely successful and I've not heard anyone mock the name for ages.

[yauhui]

There are thousands of people in the UK with a creative mind - none of them could produce a worthy logo? WTF.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727723.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6727723.stm

duplicate links.. lol

[StoneFrog]

How about the ThingThatHoldsTheFlame(TM) be a giant scale replica of that horrible logo? :D

[super_frea]

There are thousands of people in the UK with a creative mind - none of them could produce a worthy logo? WTF.

Well clearly it depends on what different people deem as worthy.

[Paul.Power]

In more current news, Britain gets off the mark with a gold courtesy of Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke winning the Women's Road Race. Nice one, Nicole (continuing the UK's record of being the only country with at least one gold medal in every Summer Games... which, to be honest, is one of the very few reasons I didn't support a boycott :p. After all, the main reason America and USSR/Russia don't also have this status is because of the boycotts of Moscow and Los Angeles respectively...)

[StoneFrog]

Here in America, Daniel Phelps got a gold medal in the men's 400M individual medley.

He seems promising, considering 2004's performance. Looking forward to what else he'll pull off.

[Plasma]

The issue I have with it is not the logo itself, which isn't great but then very few logos are. My issue is the money spent: there's an enormous amount of 'diminishing returns' with graphic design, and if they'd gone to a university, found some students doing graphics, and asked them to do it -- maybe bung them £100 each and an extra grand for whoever got picked, they'd have got something at least as good for £398,000 less.
Like I said before, I suspect they didn't just so that they get to boast about spending GBP400,000 on just the logo. You can't exactly say "We care so much about the Olympics that we spent 100 pounds on the logo alone!"


Also, does anyone have a link to the results of all competitions so far? I haven't been keeping enough track.

[iCarbonX]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/

is this what you want?

[MtlAngelus]

Here in America, Daniel Phelps got a gold medal in the men's 400M individual medley.

He seems promising, considering 2004's performance. Looking forward to what else he'll pull off.

You mean Michael Phelps, right?
I just saw him win his second gold medal, on the 4x100m freestyle relay. That was a really close ending, it was awesome. :D

[Shadowmoon]

After reading the paper, some of the fireworks were fake

I also found out we won our first medal!

[yakuza]

After reading the paper, some of the fireworks were fake

I also found out we won our first medal!

After reading your post, it has to be fake.

[iCarbonX]

After reading the paper, some of the fireworks were fake

don't belive everything the papers say. So Squirminator2k, do the honners ;)

Back on topic, how many gold medals do you think GB will win?

[super_frea]

It's true apparently http://wikipika.blogspot.com/2008/08/beijing-olympics-fireworks-were-fake.html

I guess it makes sense because there could not have been a helicopter doing a flyby to film the footstep fireworks simply because there would be a possibility of the shells hitting the helicopter, hence being a huge danger to the safety of the city.

But oh well the fireworks weren't the best bit for me anyway.

And Hell if The Sun reported it, it must be true :rolleyes:

[Paul.Power]

After reading the paper, some of the fireworks were fake

I also found out we won our first medal!

In more current news, Britain gets off the mark with a gold courtesy of Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke winning the Women's Road Race

*facepalm*

*forgets he has glasses on*

Ow, that really hurt.

We're up to 2 golds and a bronze now, courtesy of gold and bronze in the womens 400m freestyle. Nearly half a century since a female swimmer won a gold for Britain, so well done Rebecca Adlington and Jo Jackson

[iCarbonX]

LOL sorry Shadowmoon, they did a good job with covering up though. does anyone know of a good video of the fireworks?

[AndrewTaylor]

Like I said before, I suspect they didn't just so that they get to boast about spending GBP400,000 on just the logo. You can't exactly say "We care so much about the Olympics that we spent 100 pounds on the logo alone!"

I think you have a very funny idea of what impresses the British.

[StoneFrog]

You mean Michael Phelps, right?
I just saw him win his second gold medal, on the 4x100m freestyle relay. That was a really close ending, it was awesome. :D
My mistake. Best of luck to him in the upcoming runs. He's two medals away from another record. So much epicness in one person. :)

[yakuza]

My mistake. Best of luck to him in the upcoming runs. He's two medals away from another record. So much epicness in one person. :)

It's an old story though. He made it into the scene when he was 15. And has been breaking world records for years.

[StoneFrog]

Yeah well I don't follow the Olympics that heavily. For the most part, all I have to go by are Wikipedia and the commentators.

[Pickleworm]

Mmmmm... MIchael Phelps~

[StoneFrog]

It's an old story though. He made it into the scene when he was 15. And has been breaking world records for years.
Good thing my mom doesn't follow the commentary. She's one of those stereotypical "old world communist lady" mothers who thinks their children should be everything they see on TV.

Of course, it's not like she has a say in anything. My dad makes triple her yearly income.

[Squirminator2k]

don't belive everything the papers say. So Squirminator2k, do the honners ;)

Shadsy is right. I will post a trophy anyway, however...

http://stuff.benpaddon.co.uk/shadowmoon.png

...for your inability to spell "believe" and "honour" (or "honor" depending on where you are) correctly.

[WormGod]

You're American now, Squirms.

Put your "honor" first, and leave the "honours" to us Europeans. ;)

[Squirminator2k]

Actually I'm not American at all - I'm an alien. I'm a legal alien. I'm Englishman in New York Los Angeles.

[MtlAngelus]

And we finally got our first medal: Bronze!

Hurray for mediocrity! :cool:

If Michael Phelps wins another gold medal he will have won the same ammount of gold medals as Mexico has in the history of olympic games. :p

[yakuza]

And we finally got our first medal: Bronze!

Hurray for mediocrity! :cool:

If Michael Phelps wins another gold medal he will have won the same ammount of gold medals as Mexico has in the history of olympic games. :p

Yet Americans still go to Mexico when they want to party good.

[MtlAngelus]

Yet Americans still go to Mexico when they want to party good.
That's almost exclusively because of the legal drinking age being 18+ instead of 21+. :p

edit: and because some other... things... are more easily available. :P

[Shadowmoon]

After reading your post, it has to be fake.

I read it in The Sun. So it is true.

Therefore, your post is the fake one

Anyway, congrats to the swimmers that got us gold medals.

[yakuza]

I read it in The Sun. So it is true.

Therefore, your post is the fake one

Anyway, congrats to the swimmers that got us gold medals.

I wasn't saying that your source was fake. Although it's funny you mention The Sun, isn't that like the worst tabloid in the UK?
The fake comment was because even though a couple of posts above yours Paul.Power talked about UK's first medal you still felt the need to post "Hay! I just found out we won a medal!!!"

[shadowman]

edit: and because some other... things... are more easily available. :P

That's what we have Canada for.

[super_frea]

Although it's funny you mention The Sun, isn't that like the worst tabloid in the UK?
It's a close competition between that and The Daily Star. The Daily Star just snags it I think.

[WormGod]

Actually I'm not American at all - I'm an alien. I'm a legal alien. I'm Englishman in New York Los Angeles.

But in that case, wouldn't you mean...

...Los Anglais? :cool:

Back ontopic - that was some nice canoe-ing action with David Florence bagging us another Silver. It's original to see Slovakia getting somewhere (Gold), but when your mother is Slovakian, she brags on about it till it loses its novelty. :(

[Shadowmoon]

I didn't see Pauls Post.

The End.

[yakuza]

I didn't see Pauls Post.

The End.

An experter forumer like you should know that he is supposed to read all posts of a thread before replying to it.

[Squirminator2k]

But in that case, wouldn't you mean...

...Los Anglais? :cool:

Oh, very clever. A genuine, heartfelt slow clap for you, my friend. I need some kind of Anti-Shadowmoon trophy for those rare moments of mental buoyancy.

[shadowman]

Here you go.

Didn't take long.
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/4039/shadowmanbuoyantyn7.png

America is really bad at men's volleyball.

[Paul.Power]

That's pretty crappily done, in all honesty. The text isn't wrapped around the statue, for a start. Also, it seems weird to use the World Cup trophy for it - what has international football got to do with mental buoyancy? A brain floating in a tank makes more sense. And then there's that camera watermark in the corner, and the lack of a transparent background.

Finally, you named it after yourself :p. If anything, by rights it should be named after WormGod.

[Alien King]

Technically, S2K said "Anti-Shadowmoon Award".

[Paul.Power]

Considering WormGod's 12, he practically is the Anti-Shadowmoon. Equal but opposite, anyway :p.

[Squirminator2k]

Yeah, I was thinking the award would have to be the WormGod Award for... something-something.

[shadowman]

That's pretty crappily done, in all honesty. The text isn't wrapped around the statue, for a start. Also, it seems weird to use the World Cup trophy for it - what has international football got to do with mental buoyancy? A brain floating in a tank makes more sense. And then there's that camera watermark in the corner, and the lack of a transparent background.

Finally, you named it after yourself :p. If anything, by rights it should be named after WormGod.

I just typed in brain trophy. The first result was squirminator's, while the second was the World Cup Trophy.

I didn't try very hard on it.

[Paul.Power]

As much as it pains me to say this, let's get back to the topic, as the men's team sprint cyclists emphatically claim Britain's third gold. It's been a quiet few days, but this weekend seems to feature the finals of a lot of the events we're really good at.

[robowurmz]

I just typed in brain trophy. The first result was squirminator's, while the second was the World Cup Trophy.

I didn't try very hard on it.

How about this one? You can edit it.
http://www.crukcity.org.uk/gk2004brain.jpg

[SomePerson]

(getting back on topic from a joke that didn't merit the page of discussion that followed)

Phelps is up to 6 gold medals, here's to hoping that he reaches 8 for the record!

[StoneFrog]

Same here!

Secondly, curse you China and your evil cheating underage girls. I KNEW IT!

I knew it from the beginning.

The fiends.

Hrmf.

[MtlAngelus]

(getting back on topic from a joke that didn't merit the page of discussion that followed)

Phelps is up to 6 gold medals, here's to hoping that he reaches 8 for the record!

He just won his seventh medal by .01 seconds.
Seriously Phelps, STOP DOING THAT. :(

:p

[SomePerson]

He just won his seventh medal by .01 seconds.
Seriously Phelps, STOP DOING THAT. :(

:p

OMGOMG I know I was watching!!!:D

[Paul.Power]

Rebecca Adlington doing her own mini-Phelps (doing a Kelly Holmes, at least) by winning the 800m freestyle by six seconds (and beating the world record by two), her second gold medal. And she's only nineteen. Blimey.

[pilot62]

Britain's not done too badly today. As well as Adlington, we've got gold in the rowing coxless men's 4, gold for Wiggins in the pursuit, gold for Criss Hoy in the Kierin. We're also guarenteed gold and silver in the women's pursuit.

And quite a few bronzes too, Britains best day so far by far. :)

[Paul.Power]

Aye, it's been a big day for Britain - and tomorrow could be just as good, assuming the sailors finally get some wind.

[iCarbonX]

How about this Squirminator2k? You can add the text in later

http://www.zpluspartners.com/zblog/uploaded_images/brain_lab-709080.jpg


Yes it was a good day for us but finished outside the medals in the rowing today.

[WormGod]

Yes, stop the press and update your P.E. coursework; Usain Bolt smashes the world record for the 100m sprint, and becomes the first Jamaican to receive the title of fastest man known to man.

9.69 seconds. Now that's some Cool Runnings. :D

[shadowman]

Yes, stop the press and update your P.E. coursework; Usain Bolt smashes the world record for the 100m sprint, and becomes the first Jamaican to receive the title of fastest man known to man.

9.69 seconds. Now that's some Cool Runnings. :D

Hey, that's pretty cool, but that was the worst movie ever.

[Paul.Power]

The scary part is, Bolt again pretty much slowed up and relaxed for the last five or ten metres. Makes you wonder what sort of times he could set if he kept going...

Also, I enjoyed Cool Runnings. Not a great movie, certainly, but it's very feelgood and hardly the worst movie ever.

[shadowman]

I used to like it, but my old school used it CONSTANTLY when they didn't have lesson plans.

[MtlAngelus]

Phelps just won his eight medal on this olympics. :cool::cool::cool:

[Paul.Power]

Phelps just won his eight medal on this olympics.Congrats to him. He's now the "first man on Mars", as Mark Spitz put it.

Funnily enough, Britain's just won their eighth as well - Sarah Aynton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson in the Yngling sailing class. Meanwhile in the cycling, an all-British final in the women's 3km Pursuit guarantees gold there, while our other cyclists are going round breaking Olympic records in the heats. Astonishing stuff. I have no idea how many golds we are going to end up with in the velodrome, and for once that's a positive statement.

[yakuza]

Congrats to him. He's now the "first man on Mars", as Mark Spitz put it.

Funnily enough, Britain's just won their eighth as well - Sarah Aynton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson in the Yngling sailing class. Meanwhile in the cycling, an all-British final in the women's 3km Pursuit guarantees gold there, while our other cyclists are going round breaking Olympic records in the heats. Astonishing stuff. I have no idea how many golds we are going to end up with in the velodrome, and for once that's a positive statement.

British women seem to be good at what Spanish men are.

[pilot62]

Christ, 3rd in the medal table this morning! :eek:

Won't stay that way now the track and field have started though.

[Paul.Power]

Ben Ainslie wins the Finn again, Rebecca Romero confirms the gold in that cycling thing where we had a guaranteed British 1-2 (well done to Wendy Houvenaghel for the silver,too), more gold at the rowing together with a shedful of silvers. Third on the table, woo.

EDIT: Another world record broken by the Brits in the cycling, in the team pursuit semi-final

Won't stay that way now the track and field have started though.
Let's hope China and USA win them all so we stay in third :p.

[*Splinter*]

Plucky brits ftw :cool:

[SomePerson]

The best thing was that in the setup before Phelps' last race the channel I was watching played Knights of Cydonia by Muse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV1bRfLHA3A) which is an epic song which made it all the more epic.:)

[MtlAngelus]

The best thing was that in the setup before Phelps' last race the channel I was watching played Knights of Cydonia by Muse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV1bRfLHA3A) which is an epic song which made it all the more epic.:)

Hehehe one of my favorite things to do while watching the olympics is play Saint Seiya fight themes during the matches, makes them all that more awesome. :P
Particularly this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neWvq31iFUM
:cool:

[Paul.Power]

Britain still just managing to stay ahead of Australia in the medals table - we slipped behind them for a bit, but another gold in the Cycling Team Pursuit took us back to third.

[Paul.Power]

Golds for Paul Goodison sailing in the Laser, and two golds and a silver for Victoria Pendleton, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny in the cycling sprints, leave us with our second-best gold haul ever (15 so far) - and our best was a hundred years ago.

Seven out of a possible ten golds in the track cycling, eight out of fourteen in cycling overall so far, and apparently we're favourites in the BMX too. Talk about making the most out of what we've go.

[SomePerson]

Hehehe one of my favorite things to do while watching the olympics is play Saint Seiya fight themes during the matches, makes them all that more awesome. :P
Particularly this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neWvq31iFUM
:cool:

I listened to that while watching a gymnastics event and it turned into some kind of kung-fu routine. :D

[Paul.Power]

Gold for Christine Ohuruogu in the womens' 400m, silver for Germaine Mason in the high jump.

There, athletics medals. Happy now? :p

UK medal tally up to 16G, 9S, 8B. Seriously awesome stuff.

[*Splinter*]

...

bloody hell!

[MtlAngelus]

I listened to that while watching a gymnastics event and it turned into some kind of kung-fu routine. :D
Awesome. :cool: :P
Gold for Christine Ohuruogu in the womens' 400m, silver for Germaine Mason in the high jump.

There, athletics medals. Happy now? :p

UK medal tally up to 16G, 9S, 8B. Seriously awesome stuff.
Meanwhile, Mexico has a grand total of... *drumroll*

... one Bronze! :D

In Mexico we are proud to be mediocre. :cool:

[yauhui]

Malaysia didn't do too bad at badminton. Although I was rather disappointed because Chong Wei lost to China's Lin Dan >:-C

[MtlAngelus]

Finally, gold medal for mexico on tae-kwon-do or however you spell it. :P

[.JeT]

Malaysia didn't do too bad at badminton. Although I was rather disappointed because Chong Wei lost to China's Lin Dan >:-C

Well, Lin Dan is a sickeningly good player.

[Plasma]

UK medal tally up to 16G, 9S, 8B. Seriously awesome stuff.
17G, 12S, 11B, now. And so far, Ireland has a grand total of 0G, 0S, 0B.


I should feel bad about that...

[SomePerson]

We really need to learn how to pass a baton.....:p

[Paul.Power]

18G, 12S, 11B - Dr. Tim Brabants stepping up in the 1km flat-water kayaking :). Shanaze Reade fell off her bike in the BMX though :(

One of our boxers is through to a final, guaranteeing at least silver, and two other boxers have their semi-finals today. And a young lad named Aaron Cooke just lost in the semi-final at the welterweight taekwondo, and now has to fight for bronze.

[Metal Alex]

Phelps just won his eight medal on this olympics. :cool::cool::cool:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn94/Dispositionx3/gokphels2.gif

Had to. Just had to.

[Paul.Power]

19G, 13S, 15B - we held on to third place for an awfully long time, but the Russians finally pushed us into fourth. Gold for James DeGale in the middleweight boxing, controversy in the taekwondo as Sarah Stevenson won an appeal in the quarter-final before going on for bronze and Tim Brabants followed up his gold in the 1000m K1 with bronze in the 500m.

Think that might be our final tally, I don't know if there's anyone else. Shame we couldn't stay in third, but ah well.

(also: the 4x100m relays were total chaos that would have been more hilarious if Britain hadn't been caught up in it :p)

[MtlAngelus]

Woo, second gold medal for Mexico!
We've almost caught up with Phelps here. :cool:

[SupSuper]

We're doing good so far, we won a silver medal in the Female Triathlon by Vanessa Fernandes and a gold medal in the Triple Jump by Nelson Évora. (we haven't won gold medals since 1996 :p)

[FutureWorm]

usa! usa! usa!

[thomasp]

usa! usa! usa!
They came second though :p

What I like is that virtually every US-based news site's olympic medal table shows the USA as being first, yet China got considerably more golds, and the "official" way of ranking in the olympics is by number of gold medals.

[FutureWorm]

They came second though :p

What I like is that virtually every US-based news site's olympic medal table shows the USA as being first, yet China got considerably more golds, and the "official" way of ranking in the olympics is by number of gold medals.
we wouldn't want to appear #2 in any way, shape or form

just wait for chicago 2016 we're going to kick ass and chew bubblegum (and we're all out of gum)

[Paul.Power]

This is fun, now our disabled cyclists are following on from where we left off by winning golds at the Paralympics: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/7602562.stm

[*Splinter*]

I really tried, but I honestly cant bring myself to be at all interested in the paralympics :p The olympics are OVER, and so shall they remain for four years.

[AndrewTaylor]

just wait for chicago 2016 we're going to kick ass and chew bubblegum (and we're all out of gum)

And I thought our organising committee were rubbish...

[Paul.Power]

The Paralympics is a bit like women's cricket for me: I understand it's a worthy cause, I'm happy when when we're doing well in it, and I keep thinking that I must get round to watching some of it... but I never do. But at least I regret the fact that I don't watch it :p.

[*Splinter*]

The olympics opening ceremony was the best 1 and a half hour of tv ever, and yet I STILL didnt watch it for the paralympics, maybe its a psychological thing :p