Road to London 2012

[Domshabfan]

I thought I will create a new thread dedicated to the preparation of athletes towards the 2012 Olympics. Hopefully, we can discuss sports events that do not already have a thread on the other sports section.


To begin, Isinbayeva is back to form , she broke her own indoor world record at Stockholm event and cleared 5.01 m. Hopefully she will set more world records this year and win her 3rd olympic gold.

[Garden Kitty]

Theme for the closing ceremony is A Symphony of British Music

[allezfred]

That is certainly one area in which they'll be able to better Beijing with ease.

[os168]

To be honest I was a bit concerned for the London Olympic games these past years due to the recessions, the wasteful expenses, and some questionable decisions to do with the logos, the mascots etc.

But having driven past the Olympic village yesterday, seen the stadiums all beautifully built and understatedly done, as well as visited the Olympic mall, things are looking surprisingly okay. We might just avoid embarrassing ourselves from the Beijing Yuan Bonfire of the Vanities at last Olympics through our unique creativity, defiance over adversity and sheer grit.

The pre-parties and the post parties are likely to be among the coolest ever for Olympics with plenty of Cool Britannia star wattage everywhere. The arts, fashion, music, media are all among the world leading in London so hopefully the visitors will have a great experience. (And hopefully the transportation system won't let it down, that parts of London is notorious for traffic jams.)

[allezfred]

You really are a ray of sunshine aren't you.

[allezfred]

Meet London's oldest Olympian

It has been nearly half a century since Japanese Hiroshi Hoketsu first participated in an Olympic Games. Now, aged 70, he has set his sights on the London Olympics after qualifying as part of Japan's dressage team last week.

Hoketsu, whose first Games were the 1964 Tokyo Olympics in his home country where he competed as a showjumper, will be the oldest Olympian in London. He has already claimed that title for the Beijing 2008 Games.

[Ziggy]

You really are a ray of sunshine aren't you.

I think he/she's being super positive and optimistic, in fact.

I mean there is no way that the public transport - which can't cope as it is - is going to cope with all the additional demand.

[allezfred]

I mean there is no way that the public transport - which can't cope as it is - is going to cope with all the additional demand.

Broken Britain!

[Domshabfan]

Broken Britain!

Even if it faces very serious problem in the future, the games will still be declared the best Olympics ever .

[Braulio]

Even if it faces very serious problem in the future, the games will still be declared the best Olympics ever .

Just ask Athens

[Ziggy]

Broken Britain!

IT'S THE WRONG KIND OF SNOW!

Just ask Athens

That was a roaring success!

[Rob]

Theme for the closing ceremony is A Symphony of British Music

That should be totally fun! And perhaps a Samba show for the RIO 2016 section of the ceremony?

[ioana]

That should be totally fun! And perhaps a Samba show for the RIO 2016 section of the ceremony?

According to the article, you will get your wish.

The ceremony also will include a Carnival-style segment from the host of the 2016 games, Rio de Janeiro.

[allezfred]

I guess US TV will have to blur the thongs.

[Garden Kitty]

Even if it faces very serious problem in the future, the games will still be declared the best Olympics ever .

I thought Rogge stopped saying that. Here's a quote from an old article (before Athens) - did he start saying it again?

DR ROGGE: Everyone who knows me knows that I will never say, that I pledge solemnly that I will never use the words of my predecessor Juan Antonio Samaranch, who used to be always saying "these were the best ever games". And when the games were fine it was okay, but he was quite embarrassed in Atlanta because he could not say that.

MICHAEL USHER: Well, in a way that's a good thing for Sydney, because forever more they'll be declared the best ever games?

DR ROGGE: Yes, that's - that's correct. As long as I fulfil this mandate. And during my mandate there is no danger that another city will be declared as being the best ever games. My successor, maybe. But not as long as I'm there.

[skipaway]

Women Beach Volleyball Players Wardrobe Change

No longer have to wear bikinis. The federation is trying to allow for a more modest look for countries/cultures where this is an issue. I'd rather play in short/shirt too. Good change!

[Garden Kitty]

London subway map renames stops for Olympic athletes

[Garden Kitty]

Slight spoiler re opening ceremony

Spoiler

Bond, James Bond filming some video for the Olympics

I took out the link because it seemed to ruin the spoiler effect, but you get the idea.

[skipaway]

Malaysian Shooter will be 8 months pregnant when she competes. I hope to see her on TV. How cool!

Olympian and Pregnant!

[Buzz]

I am concerned by the amount of US gymnasts who are turning pro just before the start of the games.