Olympic Opening Ceremonies

[euterpe]

Too severe? It's a question of etiquette, and even of protocol in the presence of the most important office-holder in the US.

Now, imagine that you were a middle manager in a large corporation and the Chairman of the Board came to visit your group. While the CoB was talking, would YOU whip out a cell phone and call your significant other? Of course not! You wouldn't do it out of simple courtesy (and obviously because you wouldn't want the CoB to be annoyed at you). I would think the same courtesy would be due the President of the US.

Bad manners is bad manners. I have children, too, and I would be horrified if my daughter did what Sasha did. There is a time and a place for phone calls, and that was neither the time nor the place. Mind you, this is not a knock just on Sasha. Other US athletes had their cell phones out and busy too, and they were rude, too—it’s only that Sasha took it one step further.

[Mathman]

There seem to be two questions going on at the same time, in regard to this famous phone call. First, was it really spontaneous or was it a scripted photo op for the President? Second, did Sasha show a lack of courtesy or merely youthful exuberance?

The second question is a matter of opinion, but I would be curious to know if anyone has any facts about the first. Personally, I thought it was cool. But maybe not if the whole thing was contrived by Mr. Bush's spin doctors.(?)

Mathman

[Yazmeen]

I consider what Sasha did to be youthful exuberance and nothing more or less.

As for cell phones, hubby and I were just in Chicago, me for business, him joining me to see the city for the first time. The day before my conference began, we went out on the beautiful tall ship "Windy" for a leisurely one and a half hour sail near Navy Pier. We were very relaxed and enjoying everything--EXCEPT the whiny woman next to us who decided that the "Windy" was the perfect place to have a long and annoying cell chat with a friend. I don't think she noticed anything about the sail, she was so busy droning on and on on her phone. I really wish idiots like this would realize that there is a place for cell phones, and its not in public where you annoy others. I always step out of the restaurant or leave the meeting room or otherwise if I get interrupted by my phone. My husband got a business call while on the ship and he walked away to a private spot to take the call as it was an urgent issue. I wish more people would do likewise.

[registered]

Originally posted by Mathman
There seem to be two questions going on at the same time, in regard to this famous phone call. First, was it really spontaneous or was it a scripted photo op for the President? Second, did Sasha show a lack of courtesy or merely youthful exuberance?

The second question is a matter of opinion, but I would be curious to know if anyone has any facts about the first. Personally, I thought it was cool. But maybe not if the whole thing was contrived by Mr. Bush's spin doctors.(?)

Mathman

I doubt Sasha was "rehearsing" the cell phone episode with the President. The phone call was done on the spur of the moment, one has to share the most precios moment of her life with one's mother, that's what cell phones are for.

I think it's good in general, when VIP politicians are reminded that they're human beings too, and I'm sure President haven't suffered in any way by chatting for few seconds with the mother of a young Olympian. (Most likely all athletes, that were in the vicinity of Mr. Bush were checked in some way by the Secret Service people, and he didn't think he was in any danger by accepting the phone from the hands of a little girl, who was sitting next to him.)

[peachstatesk8er]

Scripted photo op? No. Did Sasha know he was going to be sitting there? Yes. I seem to remember her even mentioning that fact somewhere in an interview or article. I'd have called my mom too! I don't have a problem with it, but then again I'm not a formal person. I turn my cell off at the movies, funerals, ballet and such, but to turn it off and not use it during a celebration is not something I find necessary. Again, that's just me. The organizers of the Games, had they not wanted cell phones used, would have specified such beforehand. There was a list of what could and could not be brought into venues. Cell phones were not on the list for banned items. (Cameras were on the list for a week and 1/2 at the official practice venue (Steiner) due to a volunteer getting in Michelle's face, but never cells phones.) Therefore, I think it was fine to carry and even use one during the ceremonies.

[Mathman]

A little bit off topic, but the other thing I thought was funny in 2002 was in the opening and closing parades, so many of the athletes had video cameras, taking videos of themselves as they marched along, etc. Modern times.

Mathman

[Panther2000]

For me I liked the 1996 Alanta Sumer Olympic Cermony the Best. It wasn't too over the top. & I loved when they did the curtain background with all the poses for all the events. I though that was great. SLC I did not care for at all. I think that they went over the top & too much focus on small kids( sorry that is just me, ) Don't get me wrong some parts of SLC was ok. But, Atlanta I think was the best

[Pookie]

For me I liked the 1996 Alanta Sumer Olympic Cermony the Best

That was one of my favorites too. The entry of the athletes up the ramp was so dramatic and beautiful.

Calgary was also one of my favorites. I thought it was colorful, fun and very welcoming to the world.

[SkateFan4Life]

This is not meant as a criticism - it's an observation. I remember many of the Olympic opening ceremonies, and in past Olympics, the US team marched in in almost military-like precision. Straight lines, eyes ahead, without breaks in lines.

Somewhere along the way this changed. Now the trend seems to be for the athletes to carry video cameras & shoot footage of the crowd, themselves, and ceremony, to gawk at the roving television cameras, give high-fives to each other, and jockey for good positions along the line. Sometimes the "line of march" has been, well, pretty sloppy. The cameramen find the star athletes, focus on these individuals, and they respond in kind.

I think there's a happy medium. Olympic athletes aren't robots, and they aren't frolicking at a frat party, either. I'd like to see them show their genuine friendliness and joy at participating in the opening ceremonies while maintaining a sense of dignity in the process.

Again, folks, this is not a criticism of our wonderful Olympic athletes. It's just my own observation.