Olympics, anyone?

[noone]

But, noone since Jim McKay does it as well..............

Thanks!

 

[jebmke]

But...but...she set an Olympic record, shooting a near perfect 99 out of 100 targets! Why isn't NBC showing her in prime time instead of women's beach volleyball?

or the synchronized thong divers.

 

[MichaelB]

Here's something unexpected, reported by ESPN 2012 London Olympics -- Eight badminton players disqualified for trying to lose matches - ESPN

LONDON -- Eight female badminton doubles players were disqualified from the London Olympics after trying to lose matches to receive a more favorable place in the tournament, Indonesia's team leader said Wednesday.
The Badminton World Federation investigated two teams from South Korea and one each from China and Indonesia. It accused them of "not using one's best efforts to win a match" and "conducting oneself in a manner that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the sport" in matches Tuesday night.

./.

The eight disqualified players are world doubles champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang of China and their South Korean opponents Jung Kyun-eun and Kim Ha-na, along with South Korea's Ha Jung-eun and Kim Min-jung and Indonesia's Meiliana Jauhari and Greysia Polii.

The IOC said it would allow badminton's ruling body to handle the matter.

No reports of this on the London Olympics, Badminton World Federation, or NBC Games, for some reason.

 

[Htown Harry]

What is the British equivalent of the DMV?

Do they have a unique name for a police department booking office?

It appears to me the London host committee drafted photographers from those fine establishments to handle portrait duties for the athlete biography pages.

http://www.london2012.com/athletes/

I've heard they like their soccer over there...

 

[Bestwifeever]

What is the British equivalent of the DMV?

Do they have a unique name for a police department booking office?

It appears to me the London host committee drafted photographers from those fine establishments to handle portrait duties for the athlete biography pages.

Those are hilarious photos of the most physically perfect people alive today. Maybe just an example of British dry humor.

 

[Chuckanut]

For your amusement here are a few stories from the British press (you've got to love them or hate them!) about certain goings-on during the Olympics.

Can't get a seat??
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...--tickets-sent-foreign-VIPs-black-market.html
London 2012 Olympics: 'fiasco' of the 12,000 empty seats - Telegraph


Can't advertise?

Olympic Merchandise 2012: Clothing store's novel attempt tries to get round strict merchandising rules | Mail Online

Can't get any customers?

London 2012: Olympics would earn billions, we were told. Some hope! | Mail Online

 

[Alan]

What is the British equivalent of the DMV?

Do they have a unique name for a police department booking office?

It appears to me the London host committee drafted photographers from those fine establishments to handle portrait duties for the athlete biography pages.

http://www.london2012.com/athletes/

I've heard they like their soccer over there...

Great photos - NOT

In the UK the DMV is called the DVLA.

 

[jebmke]

At least NBC didn't lead off tonight with synchronized diving for a change. Bob Costas will win the gold for hair dye and face-lift.

 

[RunningBum]

No, they led off with 20 minutes on events that happened 16 years ago!

 

[REWahoo]

Is Bela Karolyi speaking English?

 

[Moscyn]

Watching everyday - why not? It's such a great event and the very best are doing their very best.

 

[Bestwifeever]

I saw a story in this morning's paper that contrary to what was expected, viewership is actually up; some people apparently like to watch the events already knowing who won, some people don't check online to see who won, and people who watch the live streaming actually like to watch it again in the evening. It's just a win win win for NBC! And Michael Phelps and Gabby Douglas too.

 

[Alan]

Viewing figures are up Does the average American really prefer to know the result ahead of time otherwise they'll switch to another channel? I guess so otherwise they wouldn't do it.

Sporting events like the Olympics and tennis and soccer world cups etc are shown in the UK by BBC, ITV or SKY, and all have the ability for you to "press the red button on the remote" and see a menu of many concurrent games or events that you can select and switch to. JMy son and I have been following the soccer since NBC have a channel devoted to Olympic games soccer. Up to now it has worked great as we'll record a bunch of games and be sure to avoid seeing any news ahead of time. We'll then watch selected games in reverse order even though they are all pre-recorded by NBC. Today were the 4 quarter final games in the Women's soccer. We've been following the GB and USA teams in particular but have watched many other games. The GB game was shown before the USA game and while we watched the GB v Canada game the USA game was currently recording on the DVR. Even before the game started they announced that the winner would play the USA in the semi final and then told us the results of the other matches as well. At least on Fox Soccer channel they know which games they are showing and in which order, so they don't give you the results of the matches that they are going to show later in the day as they know folks won't watch them if they know the results. (we watch Fox soccer channel a lot during the Premier League season).

Rant over.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Viewing figures are up Does the average American really prefer to know the result ahead of time otherwise they'll switch to another channel? I guess so otherwise they wouldn't do it....

Here's a link to the story about the viewership and the ratings: Olympics: Despite complaints, NBC's ratings soar - chicagotribune.com

Sorry your soccer matches got spoiled .

 

[easysurfer]

I've been watching sporadically. Over the past few days, being DVRing the primetime coverage then fast forwarding to the events I'm interested in. Easy to timeshift with a DVR.

I actually lived like a hermit the past few days to hide from news of the results so I could pretend to watch them "Live".

 

[MichaelB]

I'm amazed by the NBC commentators during the prime time segments. So much better than all the others. They know exactly what to say, how the judges will score, what specific things competitors need to do to get ahead. They must have a sixth sense.

Alan, I saw the GB vs Can match. Very well played, so sorry GBR came in second. Wicked knee to the head of the keeper.

 

[Alan]

Alan, I saw the GB vs Can match. Very well played, so sorry GBR came in second. Wicked knee to the head of the keeper.

Womens' soccer in the UK is very poorly attended and never televised so to make the last 8 was a fantastic achievement. They have never even played at Wembley before so when they finally played there and beat Brazil in front of almost 71,000 it was fantastic.

I also like to follow Japan's womens' team since they also very much 2nd class citizens in their home country but seem to do amazing things in international games. It was telling that the Japanese women soccer players flew coach class to London while the male soccer players flew first class.

 

[MichaelB]

Womens' soccer in the UK is very poorly attended and never televised so to make the last 8 was a fantastic achievement. They have never even played at Wembley before so when they finally played there and beat Brazil in front of almost 71,000 it was fantastic.

That must of been a good match. It's amazing how a little exposure can do a lot for a sport.

I also like to follow Japan's womens' team since they also very much 2nd class citizens in their home country but seem to do amazing things in international games. It was telling that the Japanese women soccer players flew coach class to London while the male soccer players flew first class.

That is unreal. It must be because the men's team is so much better, and higher ranked. Let's see. FIFA 2012 world rankings for Japan: men: 20th women 3rd.

My son lives in Japan and his wife is Japanese. No wonder she has mixed feelings about living there.

 

[easysurfer]

Just watched the Womens Beach Volleyball tonight US vs China. What a spectacular match.

Hopefully will be just as good for the gold tomorrow night.

Prediction: US will definitely win the Gold. I'm willing to bet the house on it (of course it helps since it'll be US vs US ).

 

[easysurfer]

Here's a link to the story about the viewership and the ratings: Olympics: Despite complaints, NBC's ratings soar - chicagotribune.com

Sorry your soccer matches got spoiled .

I wish NBC would just show each event live. Of course, we have the flexibility of our time since we are retired .

 

[73ss454]

I wish NBC would just show each event live. Of course, we have the flexibility of our time since we are retired .

I was thinking the same thing, I forgot folks had to go to work.

 

[ERD50]

Just watched the Womens Beach Volleyball tonight US vs China. What a spectacular match.

Hopefully will be just as good for the gold tomorrow night.

Prediction: US will definitely win the Gold. I'm willing to bet the house on it (of course it helps since it'll be US vs US ).

That was great - the Chinese really had Kerri and Misty working.

Are these videos available anywhere? I suppose you have to buy a DVD later? It'd be great to be able to pause and replay some of those plays.

-ERD50

 

[MichaelB]

That was great - the Chinese really had Kerri and Misty working.

Are these videos available anywhere? I suppose you have to buy a DVD later? It'd be great to be able to pause and replay some of those plays.

-ERD50

NBC has lots of videos online. see here Encore: May, Walsh In Women's Semis - Beach Volleyball Video | NBC Olympics
They also have an iPad app for videos. Fully agree with benefit of the pause & replay.

 

[Alan]

I wish NBC would just show each event live. Of course, we have the flexibility of our time since we are retired .

I was thinking the same thing, I forgot folks had to go to work.

If they'd show them live I could record them on the DVR.

NBC has lots of videos online. see here Encore: May, Walsh In Women's Semis - Beach Volleyball Video | NBC Olympics
They also have an iPad app for videos. Fully agree with benefit of the pause & replay.

The tricky part is getting past all the spoilers so you have to learn how to navigate to the events you want without opening your eyes

The other day I was watching a soccer game with my son and the game was tied at the end of 90 minutes but he had to go to work so I asked if he'd be able to watch it on-line. (he works nights and usually has plenty of time while waiting for batch jobs to complete). He said it would be impossible to get to it without seeing the result, so I did all the navigation after the game ended and sent him an e-mail with url link so he was able to see the last 30 minutes and penalty shoot-out without knowing the result. (Of course the result was actually very predictable as GB soccer teams have a long running tradition of losing on penalties in the knock-out stages of soccer competitions).

 

[samclem]

I wish NBC would spare us the "glamor shots" with dramatic music and poses by the athletes (seems most pronounced with the female gymnasts). It trivializes their accomplishments. I'd prefer the time be spent covering events or maybe a short segment showing more slow-motion replays--floor routines, vault, and uneven parallel bars are very quick and hard to fully appreciate in real time..
Men's high bar yesterday was terrific.