Quick Olympic impressions 2022

[Anna K.]

There are of course threads about each specific event but Olympic games are more than that. For example, figure skaters were the flag bearers not just for Mexico (there is a thread, I know) but also for Belgium, Lithuania, Israel... did I miss anyone?

For me, Winter Olympics have always been like a big bowl of dessert with figure skating as a cherry on top and I am starting to get into the feeling: freestyle, figure skating, biathlon... What are your impressions thus far?

 

[Mathman]

In spite of everything that is unusual about this edition of the Games, I am enjoying them with the same enthusiasm as always. Besides figure skating, so far network TV in the US has featured curling and moguls -- two sprots that I normally don't follw, which makes them a special treat every four years.

 

[Jammers]

Only big disappointment is the puny Olympic flame. I guess i'm used to a huge roaring flame in a cauldron instead of whatever that was last night. I was expecting any second for the snowflake to catch fire but it never did.

 

[katymay]

Really strange Olympics. I get that we want everything sanitized and in the bubble-but the volunteers in the white space suits reminds me of a scene out of The Stand. What crowd there is-I can't figure out if they are even alive or maniquins. Are Tara and Johnny even in Beijing? Or are they in some studio in NY? I pay the top amount for Peacock, and yet there are more commercials than sports. The wonderful NBC tech box innovation sucks. I hate it. And then we have Putin. And a speech by the leader of the Communist Party. This Olympics is- I"m sorry-but Depressing. It is almost like some Dystopian Hunger Games.
I enjoyed the pandemic Tokyo Olympics-yes, it wasn't what it should have been, but it was still fun and upbeat, and it was still the Olympics. I don't know what this is, but it isn't good.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

There are of course threads about each specific event but Olympic games are more than that. For example, figure skaters were the flag bearers not just for Mexico (there is a thread, I know) but also for Belgium, Lithuania, Israel... did I miss anyone?

For me, Winter Olympics have always been like a big bowl of dessert with figure skating as a cherry on top and I am starting to get into the feeling: freestyle, figure skating, biathlon... What are your impressions thus far?

Michal Brezina was flag bearer for Czech Republic, Brendan Kerry was for Australia.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

Really strange Olympics. I get that we want everything sanitized and in the bubble-but the volunteers in the white space suits reminds me of a scene out of The Stand. What crowd there is-I can't figure out if they are even alive or maniquins. Are Tara and Johnny even in Beijing? Or are they in some studio in NY? I pay the top amount for Peacock, and yet there are more commercials than sports. The wonderful NBC tech box innovation sucks. I hate it. And then we have Putin. And a speech by the leader of the Communist Party. This Olympics is- I"m sorry-but Depressing. It is almost like some Dystopian Hunger Games.
I enjoyed the pandemic Tokyo Olympics-yes, it wasn't what it should have been, but it was still fun and upbeat, and it was still the Olympics. I don't know what this is, but it isn't good.

There is a local Chinese audience. Tara and Johnny are in the US in a studio in CT, I think. Peacock changed their subscription level in mid-January and now have a Premium Plus for 5 dollars more a month and is ad free.

 

[ladyjane]

I am enjoying it. I loved seeing our young Dutch figure skater carrying the Flag with one of the more veteran speed skaters. No one can take that away from her, whatever happens in the individual events.

 

[mrrice]

Thus far? I am thrilled for the US Team. They all stepped up to the plate and delivered under pressure. No matter what happens from here on out. I am proud to be from the US. Bravo....

 

[centerpt1]

This Olympics seems so anemic. I miss the cheering crowd in the stands. There's no energy to help the skaters.

 

[el henry]

I am pleased that they are taking place at all.

I think if you asked the skaters, would they rather have Olympics with precautions, or no Olympics at all, they would select Olympics with precautions.

I have been watching skating now for two years without crowds, so I guess I have become accustomed to it. When we can have crowds, that will be nice, but in the meantime, I'm happy to watch the skating we have.

 

[ladyjane]

I miss the crowds too. I love supporting audiences. But, it's just not to be. I'm loving it that there are an Olympics at all.

 

[withwings]

This Olympics seems so anemic. I miss the cheering crowd in the stands. There's no energy to help the skaters.

IMO there is no distance for the power of good thoughts/good spirit- we can cheer from our homes for them. Yes, we cannot change circumstances but, at least, we can uplift ( and lit) our hearts for each of the skaters; for all of them...

 

[Andrea82]

There are of course threads about each specific event but Olympic games are more than that. For example, figure skaters were the flag bearers not just for Mexico (there is a thread, I know) but also for Belgium, Lithuania, Israel... did I miss anyone?

I think the full list of skating flagbearers was

Michael Brezina - Czech Republic
Donovan Carrillo - Mexico
Tina Garabedian - Armenia
Loena Hendrickx - Belgium
Brendan Kerry - Australia
Evgeni Krasnopolski - Israel
Morisi Kvitalashvili - Georgia
Vladimir Litvintsev - Azerbaijan
Oleksandra Nazarova - Ukraine
Paulina Ramanauskaitė and Deividas Kizala - Lithuania
Lindsay van Zundert - Netherlands

 

[mrrice]

I miss the crowds too. I love supporting audiences. But, it's just not to be. I'm loving it that there are an Olympics at all.

Exactly, the teams are all in the same boat so, it's just something we need to get used to. Believe it or not, I still feel the energy from the performers. Watching team USA react to the performances of their teammates has been very exciting to see. I've been very happy watching up to this point

 

[Alegria]

Positive tests - negative tests. Like a lottery

 

[Jammers]

If there are no crowds by the time of the Paris Olympics i give up. Other sports are allowing fans in the stands this can't go on forever.

 

[statmam]

I'm very invested in Keegan's story. It feels like, if he somehow manages to get there in time to compete, that will be a victory all its own, a victory over the circumstances and a victory that we all need right now.

 

[skatesofgold]

I miss the crowds too. I love supporting audiences. But, it's just not to be. I'm loving it that there are an Olympics at all.

Yeah, I'm just happy that there's an Olympics at all. I felt the same way during Tokyo.

 

[skatesofgold]

If there are no crowds by the time of the Paris Olympics i give up. Other sports are allowing fans in the stands this can't go on forever.

It's different for one sport and its audience to gather in one place, rather than dozens of sports. Neither China (nor Japan for that matter) wanted a superspreader event on their hands.

 

[4everchan]

It's different for one sport and its audience to gather in one place, rather than dozens of sports. Neither China (nor Japan for that matter) wanted a superspreader event on their hands.

exactly... a hockey game in NYC is a hockey game in NYC with mostly USA/Canada resident-athletes ... the Olympics = so many sports, so many athletes from all over the world...