MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
“The Olympic Games are coming home tonight,” IOC President Jacques Rogge
Britain's Queen Elizabeth declared the London Olympics open after playing a cameo role in a dizzying ceremony designed to highlight the grandeur and eccentricities of the nation that invented modern sport. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesAs a Brit I was worried it would be something of a disaster but Danny Boyle and the thousands of volunteers did a magnificent job. Entertaining, funny, touching and a killer soundtrack. London has certainly welcomed the world. Now, just for once, it would be nice if this thread doesn't degenerate into the usual crap about the Falklands/Malvinas but actually celebrates the hopes and aspirations of ALL the athletes attending the games.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 11:19 am - Link - Report abuse 0It was OK. Better than I expected.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 11:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0But bloody hell it went on for AGES. At least the closing ceremony will have some pyrotechnics to prevent boredom
Yeah, they should have played the Benny Hill chase tune to speed up the athletes procession but the piss-taking commentary was hilarious. I could have made the Olympic team of some of the Madeupistan countries.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 12:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Loved the humour.
I had my doubt's and I have been proven wrong, the ceremony was fantastic, especially the lighting of the beacon at the end.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 12:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0TWIMC
Jul 28th, 2012 - 12:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0True British sportsmanship.... ;-)
God save the Bean......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVM0FzHlDVI
God save the Bean
well done!! especially the volunteers!!
Jul 28th, 2012 - 02:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It was truly amazing and jawdropping ceremony, i really enjoyed every second of it.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 02:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Congrats everyone.
On another subject, damn, Nalbandian is out of the olimpics. :(
Think- your right- Bean made just the right amount of hilarity and fun into the mix- along with The Queen and James of course as well!
Jul 28th, 2012 - 02:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Now - roll on Rio in 2016 - have no doubt we will get an equally spectacular special of Brazil and South America
Excellent ceremony. I think they got it just right. Good on HRH for being such a sport.
Jul 28th, 2012 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0(8) Islander1
Jul 28th, 2012 - 09:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What do you mean with ” Hilarity and Fun”………..?
Mr. Bean masterly shows us the bloody serious reality of sports……….….
Whilst the “Olympic IOC Dinosaur Turnips” are using a lot of British Tax Payers money in an absolutely futile attempt of deleting “Their” material from the net…..
They should know better…………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCRzvWU93Mc
it will go down as one of the best,
Jul 28th, 2012 - 09:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0james bond rides again .lol.
great .
I see that Tit --- him of the 'I have no interest in the olympics...' says that Argentina was snubbed in the opening ceremony..... what did I miss?
Jul 28th, 2012 - 11:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 010 Think (#) Thanks for the link, I can now keep this souvenir of Rowan's excellent performance. The opening of the Olympics was spectacular and I didn't see that Argentina was snubbed, furthermore Daniel Baremboin (an Argentine) was one of the celebrities to carry the Olympic flag. The Olympic opening was totally apolitical and I watched it on Argentine TV and there were no snide remarks, just comments of amazement.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0To all of you, within this world, I welcome you.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 01:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0Tonight I sat outside a pub and listened to a Northern English Tory bloke go on about the Falklands, ONCE I'd asked him. He said the days of colonialism were over and they were too costly.
I asked him about the ideals of supporting a tiny nation being bullied by a nation many times larger, again he again spoke of money.
What's up with you right-wing arseholes? How about morals, standards and ethics? (Fuck me, I forgot: You lot generally have none.)
I promise you lot in the tiny nation of the Falklands us ordinary lot in the UK will stand by you lot to be free: and free to do whatever way you choose.
Sorry for posting in an inappropatiate thread that has nothing to do with the Falklanders at all. That Tory asshole just made my blood boil.
It's not money mate, it's ethics.......(Money can NEVER buy that)
That chap is in the minority. If the Argentine government were so foolish as to attack the islands, the British government would defend them. No question.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 08:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0@13 There was no snub. The Argentine team were happy and excited to be there, they got the same TV time as other countries and the only thing missing was a wave from the VIP section as the Argentine team was not supported by their own government.
TTT believes that the Argentine flag was not placed in a prominent position on the mound and that was a snub. LOL! Seriously, he had to work hard to feed his persecution complex that day.
The planting of the flags would have been pretty straightforward ... based on how the teams entered the ground..... Angola...Argentina... Azerbaijan ..... Burkino Faso... Chad.... etc.... culminating with the host nation Great Britain and then the Olympic Flag... I can't see why TiT was getting his knickers in a knot ...
Jul 29th, 2012 - 09:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0It is about time to put Paul McC out to grass............
@16 Yes, I think TTT should start a campaign to change the name of Argentina to Zebraland, or something, so they will have their flag at the top.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 09:49 am - Link - Report abuse 0Totally agree regarding Macca. Can't stand him,
... and the sub-editor of this piece was wrong:
Jul 29th, 2012 - 10:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0The Queen really did parachute into the stadium.
But the 'blow-away' moment for me was when the 204 flames of all the nations of the world rose in harmony and coalesced into a great fire of hope for the world.
Such symbolism!
Never in the history of the world has this symbolism been presented so effectively. I hope it was a Brit who conceptualised it, it deserves a knighthood.
I was at the Opening Ceremony and I can tell you it was hugely inspirational and among the spectators there were many nationalities, cheering on their nations as they were announced. The other spectators would talk to them and ask about what they were hoping to achieve at the games. There were a few Argentinians around us cheering and they were treated well, as they should be. You can't hold individuals responsible for the actions of their government and I hope Argentina gets a chance to vote in something approaching sensible next time.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 11:32 am - Link - Report abuse 0It was a Brit, Thomas Heatherwick. I watch an interview where he explained the concept of uniting all the countries as one flame. I expect you noticed a child carrying one of the copper petals for each team at the Athletes procession. They were then assembled to make the cauldron. A the end of the Olympics, each team will take of of the petals back to their country to keep.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 11:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0The cauldron was forged in North Yorkshire.
The cauldron was bewwwtiful. At the end of the Games its designed to be disassembled so each country can take home a copper 'petal' as a nice symbolic memento. Let's hope Maximo doesn't use Argentina's one as a toothpick.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 01:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the cauldron has to be moved for the athletics,
Jul 29th, 2012 - 01:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0how they will do this, without putting it out, or dropping the thing,
will be very interesting.
@14 There is always some prat who wants to make a “name” for himself. In the case of a politician, it's worse because they have no qualms about lying.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 01:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Falklands have no need for concern, as they know. Any British government that tried to abandon the Falklands would face a lynch mob. The Falkland Islands can count, 100%, on the British people for the rest of time.
@in general
Jul 29th, 2012 - 02:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Could someone tell me in what article did Mr TTT say that Argentina was snubbed?
@24 “US urges Argentina to normalize relations with international financial community” from comment 43ish.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 02:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0He must have spend hours trying to find something to be offended about. The truth is it was CFKC who snubbed the Argentine team.
Thanks a lot Elaine. I wonder why he was so angry? After all he told me that he was an isolationist and a hater of the olympics. So why should he care?
Jul 29th, 2012 - 02:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It was a snub, and I'm not angry. The only flag of 204 that can not be seen.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 04:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The rest of the world may eat British slyness, but we don't, I think that's why we will always be enemies, we simply don't believe your veneer of “gentlemenness”. When you delaminate, you get the real Brit... Conqueror.
@26 He is a very frustrated, discontented with HIS life, anti-social young man. It would appear from all he has revealed about himself that his life has not taken the path he would have chosen. He is jealous and resentful in every post he makes. There is no logic or consistency of idealism in his posts, he just wants to fight.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 04:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is a bit worrying that he believes he speaks for all Argentines because I have never met an Argentine in all the years I have spent in Argentina that shares his views at all.
@14 - Morierty
Jul 29th, 2012 - 04:29 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Firstly, what has your post got to do with the Olympics? I'm glad the opening ceremony went okay, but I have to admit that I'll be glad when it's all over.
Secondly, the 'views' of 1 man do not a government policy make.
Your comment ”I asked him about the ideals of supporting a tiny nation being bullied by a nation many times larger, again he again spoke of money.
What's up with you right-wing arseholes? How about morals, standards and ethics? (Fuck me, I forgot: You lot generally have none.)”
I remember asking the same questions of the left-wing arseholes in 1982, who were quite content to let the Argentines keep the Falklands after the invasion. Many of the Labour opposition were quite vocal against retaking the islands by force, despite the fact that diplomacy wasn't working. Fortunately Michael Foot, the Labour Leader managed to keep the opposition in their place, and he supported the Tory government who retook the islands. Lefties like Tony Benn were quite happy to throw the Falklanders to the wolves.
In fact I've met very few 'right-wingers' who share the mentality of this 'bloke' you met in the pub, or 'left-winger' to be honest. It's mainly the 'liberals' who are the ones that spout on about money, and peace and love etc...
You must've just got one looney. But don't cast aspersions about the 'right' based upon the opinion of one man who may or may not have been an actual Tory, any more than I base my views of the 'left' upon the opinion of those such as George Galloway.
LEPRecron,
Jul 29th, 2012 - 06:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You are one of the best posters one this interesting newspaper.
I was pissed and made it clear.
“Sorry for posting in an inappropatiate thread that has nothing to do with the Falklanders at all. That Tory asshole just made my blood boil.”
That comment also made clear I was hijacking a post topic.
“I remember asking the same questions of the left-wing arseholes in 1982, who were quite content to let the Argentines keep the Falklands after the invasion. Many of the Labour opposition were quite vocal against retaking the islands by force, despite the fact that diplomacy wasn't working. Fortunately Michael Foot, the Labour Leader managed to keep the opposition in their place, and he supported the Tory government who retook the islands. Lefties like Tony Benn were quite happy to throw the Falklanders to the wolves.”
Morals and standards belong to decent folk, this current government has done nothing to assure me that they understand either, neither did the last right wing government called Labour.
In these modern times I'll happily chat about politics to left and right. I'll also retain my own ethics and morals: something our politicians have forgotten.
As to the opening ceremony: HM allowing the fake to Parachute into the stadium just shows our our sense of humour is special and quirky.
To sum up mate (about that Northern twat), that bloke was a Northern Bear in appearance, but was a wanker in his FU attitude. I hope his nippers have a different attitude.
TIT: You really have a complex. I mean honestly either you do have something wrong with you, Or this is a really piss poor excuse for trolling.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 07:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@27 - Tobias
Jul 29th, 2012 - 08:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Just what opening ceremony did you watch? The Argentine team where shown entering the stadium at 1:26.05, the flag being carried by the Captain of the Women's Hockey Team Luciana Aymar, known as 'the Magician', leading 'the Lionesses'. The rest of the team where shown looking very excited and proud to be representing their country. The Argentine team stayed on screen until 1:26:49, that's more than 30 seconds exposure, more than many other countries got.
Stop trying to stir up trouble where there isn't any. No one 'snubbed' Argentina, unless Argentine television did. However, the 1 billion plus people around the world saw Argentina, hardly a 'snub'.
@30 - Moriarty. Sorry, it is possible that I was a little hung over from a barbie I attended yesterday,mwhich went onto the early hours of the morning (rain and all), and didn't read your post correctly.
@ 32 REPRecron
Jul 29th, 2012 - 08:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The Argies were in nation list order and came on way before the time you stated. They actually got a big cheer: by the time it got to “C” the audience realised that they had an entire alphabet of nations to welcome :)
I'd love to know who @31 Zethee was annoyed with......
I'm impressed with the quality of posting this newspaper gets: drunk, hungover or with tea. :)
lighting of the cauldron was something special, missed the beginning of the ceremony the farm and parade of the first lot of countries, didnt here any boos when Syria came out so i doubt very much argentina got any, lets just hope the spirit continues without any political interference, not much of an olympic fan but i would hate it if it had disrupted a world cup.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 09:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@33 - Moriarty.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 09:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Nope. I just checked it on catch up TV of the BBC coverage of the opening ceremony. Remember the opening ceremony went on for nearly 4 hours, Greece, as is tradition, entered 1st at 1 hour, 22 minutes and 8 seconds into the opening ceremony; the preceding time was taken up by the show, you know the green and pleasant land, the dark satanic mills, the Olympic ring ascending in the stadium, the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital dance off, plus the 'social' media music and dance fest.
Argentina came in at the time I stated 1:26:05 into the opening ceremony. It was a good ceremony, although I could've lost the dancing doctors and nurses, but hey, what do I know about art?
Argentina was cheered, Syria was too far up the alphabet for the audience to muster one.
Jul 29th, 2012 - 09:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As you (almost, nearly) said, the Olympics welcomes people, not politics. Us Londoners welcomed your team and nation in that spirit!
All were welcomed, none were snubbed,
Jul 29th, 2012 - 10:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0TTT is just being an odd ball,
I watched the fabulous opening ceremony in glorious HD. Nobody snubbed anybody. Each country's athletes were focussed on, followed by their heads of state. Argentina had none and so the focus remained on the athletes. No mention was made of this by any BBC commentator for the home audience.
Jul 30th, 2012 - 07:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0My favourite bits were the victorian engineer (kenneth branagh) Brunel with his mighty words and..... the Artic Monkeys with their Beatles cover and the the eerie white angels... oh and Dave Beckham...oh and rowan akinson... oh and the forging of the rings... oh and the Queen and 007. Oh and....
Oh and .... lots of Mary Poppinses umbrelling down - looking like sweetened Rowlings Dementers , following the Queen in her harness ;-)
Jul 30th, 2012 - 09:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0“I'd love to know who @31 Zethee was annoyed with......”
Jul 30th, 2012 - 03:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0At truth telling. But it's pretty much directed at anyone actually believes that by choosing to let nations come out in alphabetical order, we somehow did this to snub Argentina.
No-one really cares that much about them.
TTT are you feeling ok?
Jul 30th, 2012 - 08:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I watched the British coverage on the BBC and Argentina were there and present, no snub occurred, actually the predominately English crowd cheered loudly for them which was all very decent. This isn't Argentina, we are capable of acting like decent human beings and not trying to politicize the games.
Unlike some.lol
Jul 30th, 2012 - 10:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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