AdmiralAK
Simply Daemonic
The first olympics I remember were the 1992 olympics in spain. I remember watching them on TV when I was living in Greece. Back then, as a 12 year old boy I did not care much. After I moved back to the states in 94, and essentially became an adolescent, taking charge of my own future and forming my own opinions of the world I have watched these games.
Each time I see them I get moved. I don't know how other Greeks feel, and I don't how others on the board feel about them, but for one thing I am damn proud to be of greek heritage. When I see the greek flag coming out with teh greek delegation, when I hear the anthem, when I see the olympic flame I get chills down my spine.
I also feel the same way about being an american, I am damn proud that Salt Lake City is this year's host city. I was moved then the American flag was brought out, even though torn, burned and defaced by the events of 9/11, it is still as majestic as ever and it still symbolizes what it is to be an american, furthermore it symbolized the endurance that we have as a people and as a nation.
I really like the Olympics, not just for the sport aspect of it, and the fact that it provides great entertainment, but also for the greater fact that it symbolizes the unity of all peoples on this earth, we are all flesh and blood and in a eutopian version of reality we would live in peace and co-existance, something which isn't true today, and something which became horribly obvious to all americans alike on the wake of 9/11.
Having said all this I have been pissed off at the I.O.C., at some people's arrogance, and a few things that happen during the olympics in general and I wanted to lay it on the table (yes it is ranting time)
1) First of all, exactly WHY THE F(udge) is French used for introducing what is happening and then Enligsh?! Of ALL the languages in the world WHY FRENCH ????? If ANY language is to be used side by side to the defacto "international" language (english) it should be GREEK! Am I missing something here ???
2) While we are on the subject of french, I cannot understand the sheer arrogance of the French, and the I.O.C. in general. I have been made aware of the fact that some IOC official wanted no "pro american" chants (i.e. rooting for the home team) because we would be perceived as arrogant... huh ?! (I dont have the actual articles to this but I will try to find them). THey also were opposed to some sort of tribute to the fallen of 9/11. What kind of their business is this ??? (I am aware that not all french are arrogant, so no flames please).
3) TV coverage of teh olympics. This is a multi issue topic which I will do all in one paragraph... (a) -- Why not have better TV coverage ? More neutral, sponsors are footing the bill so why don't you show more of teh competitions ? (b) -- "presenters" like Katie Currick which evidently have no intelectual spark in them making dumbass comments while this great ceremony was taking place (it was a trully marvelous ceremony--kudos to SLC). These people dont belong there! They are jsut pretty faces on TV to read the news to you!
4) Finally MY BIGGEST pet peeve of them all! The comments made by everyone about Greece's readyness for the 2004 olympics. I have heard enough of this BS. Seriously! I too have my criticisms about the speed at which progress is made in greece for the summer games, but come on already! What the heck gives others the right to criticize like that! I have heard the phrase "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all" and this applies here! Better yet, you have criticisms ? You've got problems ?? Why don't you frikkin come and give a hand and do something about it if you want to open up your big fat mounth and say something!
Well... those are my thoughts for now, just wanted to share my excitement, as well as my rants on the issue.
Admiral
Each time I see them I get moved. I don't know how other Greeks feel, and I don't how others on the board feel about them, but for one thing I am damn proud to be of greek heritage. When I see the greek flag coming out with teh greek delegation, when I hear the anthem, when I see the olympic flame I get chills down my spine.
I also feel the same way about being an american, I am damn proud that Salt Lake City is this year's host city. I was moved then the American flag was brought out, even though torn, burned and defaced by the events of 9/11, it is still as majestic as ever and it still symbolizes what it is to be an american, furthermore it symbolized the endurance that we have as a people and as a nation.
I really like the Olympics, not just for the sport aspect of it, and the fact that it provides great entertainment, but also for the greater fact that it symbolizes the unity of all peoples on this earth, we are all flesh and blood and in a eutopian version of reality we would live in peace and co-existance, something which isn't true today, and something which became horribly obvious to all americans alike on the wake of 9/11.
Having said all this I have been pissed off at the I.O.C., at some people's arrogance, and a few things that happen during the olympics in general and I wanted to lay it on the table (yes it is ranting time)
1) First of all, exactly WHY THE F(udge) is French used for introducing what is happening and then Enligsh?! Of ALL the languages in the world WHY FRENCH ????? If ANY language is to be used side by side to the defacto "international" language (english) it should be GREEK! Am I missing something here ???
2) While we are on the subject of french, I cannot understand the sheer arrogance of the French, and the I.O.C. in general. I have been made aware of the fact that some IOC official wanted no "pro american" chants (i.e. rooting for the home team) because we would be perceived as arrogant... huh ?! (I dont have the actual articles to this but I will try to find them). THey also were opposed to some sort of tribute to the fallen of 9/11. What kind of their business is this ??? (I am aware that not all french are arrogant, so no flames please).
3) TV coverage of teh olympics. This is a multi issue topic which I will do all in one paragraph... (a) -- Why not have better TV coverage ? More neutral, sponsors are footing the bill so why don't you show more of teh competitions ? (b) -- "presenters" like Katie Currick which evidently have no intelectual spark in them making dumbass comments while this great ceremony was taking place (it was a trully marvelous ceremony--kudos to SLC). These people dont belong there! They are jsut pretty faces on TV to read the news to you!
4) Finally MY BIGGEST pet peeve of them all! The comments made by everyone about Greece's readyness for the 2004 olympics. I have heard enough of this BS. Seriously! I too have my criticisms about the speed at which progress is made in greece for the summer games, but come on already! What the heck gives others the right to criticize like that! I have heard the phrase "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all" and this applies here! Better yet, you have criticisms ? You've got problems ?? Why don't you frikkin come and give a hand and do something about it if you want to open up your big fat mounth and say something!
Well... those are my thoughts for now, just wanted to share my excitement, as well as my rants on the issue.
Admiral