I thought he was great. He did a really great job to explaining skills. He is a natural.
Jonathan Horton as commentator
samedi 6 août 2016
Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony Appreciation Thread (with video highlights)!
Going to be a bit a bit BG long, but for those who didn't catch it, some nice highlights. Let me know if the videos play correctly in other countries.
I'm going to talk a bit more about the ceremony since I'm so proud of what Rio was able to pull off. Brazilians criticize all this the most, but the country woke-up feeling so proud. NYTimes reporters put it best: "It's funny being here. People are so angry at the expense and inconvenience of the Olympics at this time of crisis, yet so very proud (rightly) of their culture."
RIO DE JANEIRO — Oh Rio, you sandbaggers you. For months, even years, we thought you couldn’t pull this off. We heard all about your many problems.
And then you give us an opening ceremony for the ages. What’s next, a problem-free Olympics?
With a budget that organizers said was 12 times less than London’s and 20 times less than Beijing’s, the Rio opening ceremony was exquisitely choreographed as a boisterous show, a poignant social statement and a bold challenge to the world.
Who needs money when you have a conscience?
Most opening ceremonies talk a good game. Rio walked the walk of social responsibility. In so doing, it became one of the finest opening ceremonies I’ve seen in the 17 Olympic Games I’ve covered. Organizers downplayed expectations, reporting a budget of US $55.9 million for the two ceremonies for these Games and two for the Paralympics, total.
With stunning and innovative use of lighting, creating intricate patterns and illusions to tell the story of Brazil, it all was quite breathtaking. Who says you need to spend well over $100 million to put on an opening ceremony? We’re looking at you, Beijing.
The 10-member refugee team received more applause than the United States delegation, which is always a huge favorite — and deservedly so, with only the arrival of the Brazilians greeted more loudly.
There was a lot to cheer at this opening ceremony, where nothing went wrong in Rio, at least for one glorious evening.
I think this really showed the best of Brazil. The creativity of our people, the happiness amidst crisis, a very welcoming nature of the country, and Brazilian's unique ability to respond that when life gives you lemons, you make a heck of a good lemonade...or at least a good party ;)
I loved all the music - it included all of my favorite historical sounds. The media is 100% positive about it, internationally and nationally.
My favorite parts:
The history of Brazil and focus on the Europeans, Native Brazilians, Slaves, Arabs and Japanese.
http://ift.tt/2auaql5
- Our Carnaval Anthem and what prompted the "global awareness" theme and where everyone just turned into dance.
"I live in a tropical country, blessed by God, and beautiful by nature... but what a joy, in february there's Carnaval...!"
http://ift.tt/2aGjVRN
- The refugees team... getting almost as much ovation as Team Brazil. Warmed my heart <3
http://ift.tt/2auc8mm
- The joy of the Brazilian athletes! There is nothing like this... Also, Lea T, Brazilian model, is transgender and was riding the bike <3
http://ift.tt/2aGk5bD
- Gisele and Girl From Ipanena... hate her or love her, she's she last of the true great supermodels prior to social media (I'm looking at you Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid).
http://ift.tt/2auaLEp
- Caetano, Gil, Anita, Paulinho da viola ...and an ode to Samba and Bossa Nova
http://ift.tt/2aGjfM2
- The rings as green trees. Poignant. Beautiful. Appropriate.
http://ift.tt/2aua8L4
- Positive ode to the favelas: where so much of our sounds, creativity and simple way of being happy comes from. I love this song's meaning:
http://ift.tt/2aGjy9F
Part of Lyrics in English (probably my favorite/most heartfelt lyrics about social inequality in rap form):
Happiness Rap
I just want to be happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
Faith in God... DJ!
To the dear authorities, I don't know what more to do
With so much violence I am afraid of living
Since I live in a Favela and am very disrespected
Sadness and Happinesss here walk side by side
I make a prayer for a saint protector
But I am interrupted by gun shots
While the rich live in huge and beautiful houses
The poor are humiliated and abused in the favela
I cannot stand this wave of violence anymore
So I ask, authorities, for a little more competence
I only want to be happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
To have fun nowadays we can't even think about
Because even in our ball they come to humiliate us
Hanging out at the plaza where everything was so normal
Now it's become a trendy place for violence
Innocent people who have nothing in this fight
Are losing today their single right to live
I've never seen a postcard that features a favela
I only see very pretty and beautiful landscapes
Those who go abroad really miss the favela
The gringos come here and don't get to know reality
They go to Zona Sul to get their coconut waters
And the poor in the favela live the hard times
A change of power would bring us some new hope
I've suffered through the storm, now I want some of the calm
The people have the power, they only need to discover it
If they do nothing there, we will just do it from here
I just want to be happy, happy, happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
and now... Let the Games (or the gymnastics) begin!
Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony Appreciation Thread (with video highlights)!
I'm going to talk a bit more about the ceremony since I'm so proud of what Rio was able to pull off. Brazilians criticize all this the most, but the country woke-up feeling so proud. NYTimes reporters put it best: "It's funny being here. People are so angry at the expense and inconvenience of the Olympics at this time of crisis, yet so very proud (rightly) of their culture."
Quote:
RIO DE JANEIRO — Oh Rio, you sandbaggers you. For months, even years, we thought you couldn’t pull this off. We heard all about your many problems.
And then you give us an opening ceremony for the ages. What’s next, a problem-free Olympics?
With a budget that organizers said was 12 times less than London’s and 20 times less than Beijing’s, the Rio opening ceremony was exquisitely choreographed as a boisterous show, a poignant social statement and a bold challenge to the world.
Who needs money when you have a conscience?
Quote:
Most opening ceremonies talk a good game. Rio walked the walk of social responsibility. In so doing, it became one of the finest opening ceremonies I’ve seen in the 17 Olympic Games I’ve covered. Organizers downplayed expectations, reporting a budget of US $55.9 million for the two ceremonies for these Games and two for the Paralympics, total.
With stunning and innovative use of lighting, creating intricate patterns and illusions to tell the story of Brazil, it all was quite breathtaking. Who says you need to spend well over $100 million to put on an opening ceremony? We’re looking at you, Beijing.
Quote:
The 10-member refugee team received more applause than the United States delegation, which is always a huge favorite — and deservedly so, with only the arrival of the Brazilians greeted more loudly.
There was a lot to cheer at this opening ceremony, where nothing went wrong in Rio, at least for one glorious evening.
I loved all the music - it included all of my favorite historical sounds. The media is 100% positive about it, internationally and nationally.
My favorite parts:
The history of Brazil and focus on the Europeans, Native Brazilians, Slaves, Arabs and Japanese.
http://ift.tt/2auaql5
- Our Carnaval Anthem and what prompted the "global awareness" theme and where everyone just turned into dance.
"I live in a tropical country, blessed by God, and beautiful by nature... but what a joy, in february there's Carnaval...!"
http://ift.tt/2aGjVRN
- The refugees team... getting almost as much ovation as Team Brazil. Warmed my heart <3
http://ift.tt/2auc8mm
- The joy of the Brazilian athletes! There is nothing like this... Also, Lea T, Brazilian model, is transgender and was riding the bike <3
http://ift.tt/2aGk5bD
- Gisele and Girl From Ipanena... hate her or love her, she's she last of the true great supermodels prior to social media (I'm looking at you Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid).
http://ift.tt/2auaLEp
- Caetano, Gil, Anita, Paulinho da viola ...and an ode to Samba and Bossa Nova
http://ift.tt/2aGjfM2
- The rings as green trees. Poignant. Beautiful. Appropriate.
http://ift.tt/2aua8L4
- Positive ode to the favelas: where so much of our sounds, creativity and simple way of being happy comes from. I love this song's meaning:
http://ift.tt/2aGjy9F
Part of Lyrics in English (probably my favorite/most heartfelt lyrics about social inequality in rap form):
Happiness Rap
Quote:
I just want to be happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
Faith in God... DJ!
To the dear authorities, I don't know what more to do
With so much violence I am afraid of living
Since I live in a Favela and am very disrespected
Sadness and Happinesss here walk side by side
I make a prayer for a saint protector
But I am interrupted by gun shots
While the rich live in huge and beautiful houses
The poor are humiliated and abused in the favela
I cannot stand this wave of violence anymore
So I ask, authorities, for a little more competence
I only want to be happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
To have fun nowadays we can't even think about
Because even in our ball they come to humiliate us
Hanging out at the plaza where everything was so normal
Now it's become a trendy place for violence
Innocent people who have nothing in this fight
Are losing today their single right to live
I've never seen a postcard that features a favela
I only see very pretty and beautiful landscapes
Those who go abroad really miss the favela
The gringos come here and don't get to know reality
They go to Zona Sul to get their coconut waters
And the poor in the favela live the hard times
A change of power would bring us some new hope
I've suffered through the storm, now I want some of the calm
The people have the power, they only need to discover it
If they do nothing there, we will just do it from here
I just want to be happy, happy, happy
To walk relaxed in the favela where I was born
And to be able to have pride
And to have the consciousness that the poor have their place
and now... Let the Games (or the gymnastics) begin!
All American Appreciation Thread- Ready Set Go- Olympics!
The other thread is getting in the hundreds of pages and since this is the first day of competition, seems like a good time to start a new one.
This was the last post of the old thread from Sdk310
"I feel such a strange feeling about Simone right now.
It's like this massive secret we've all had for 4 years and finally the baby is going out into the big world and everyone is going to meet her. It's crazy that it feels like SO long we've spent with her but for everyone else she's brand new. She made it through a WHOLE quad and was healthy every single year. She deserves to bask in this next week of glory. There's no doubt in my mind it will be glory for Simone, the future GOAT."
All American Appreciation Thread- Ready Set Go- Olympics!
This was the last post of the old thread from Sdk310
"I feel such a strange feeling about Simone right now.
It's like this massive secret we've all had for 4 years and finally the baby is going out into the big world and everyone is going to meet her. It's crazy that it feels like SO long we've spent with her but for everyone else she's brand new. She made it through a WHOLE quad and was healthy every single year. She deserves to bask in this next week of glory. There's no doubt in my mind it will be glory for Simone, the future GOAT."
vendredi 5 août 2016
Prayer to the Gym Gods of Rio
Every four years, I gotta do it. So here's my 2016 plea to the gym gods. Any additional requests? Get them in now because competition starts tomorrow!
Oh gym gods, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee 4 years ago by assuming Jordyn would qualify to AA. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of 5-member teams and the pains of Romania’s future. I firmly resolve, with the help of Baraksanova’s grace, to confess my favorite gymnast's form breaks, to do oversplits, and to amend my knowledge of the code.
Mighty gym gods. You mock us. You laugh. You know what you have planned and that we have no idea. We submit that you are going to have some fun with us and direct some event off course that we never could have foreseen. We cannot stop you, but still, we plead-
1. Please no serious injuries. From ill-advised triple fronts, bad water, or otherwise. Please keep everyone safe.
2. Please no stupid deductions- as in ones that don’t apply to the routines performed. Let no one go before the green light, or illegally practice on the
podium, or whatever other frustrating scoring surprise you think would just be a kick in the pants while you’re up there in the heavens playing UncleTim's
drinking game.
3. Please no medals with falls. I know this is a lot to ask in this day and age but c’mon.
4. For the love of Aly, let’s not do ties this time, okay? Different scores, different people.
5. A Balance Beam final where 5 gymnasts actually hit? Yes, oh gym gods, we are asking for a MIRACLE.
Our Stalder, who art in heaven, hollowed-out be thy name. Thy competition come, thy will be done, on balance beam as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily streaming and forgive us our facts as we forgive those who post opinions contrary to ours. And lead us not into the temptation to respond to trolls, but deliver us from the evil of a derailed thread. For thine is the competition arena, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Nemov (It’s Russian for Amen).
Prayer to the Gym Gods of Rio
Oh gym gods, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee 4 years ago by assuming Jordyn would qualify to AA. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of 5-member teams and the pains of Romania’s future. I firmly resolve, with the help of Baraksanova’s grace, to confess my favorite gymnast's form breaks, to do oversplits, and to amend my knowledge of the code.
Mighty gym gods. You mock us. You laugh. You know what you have planned and that we have no idea. We submit that you are going to have some fun with us and direct some event off course that we never could have foreseen. We cannot stop you, but still, we plead-
1. Please no serious injuries. From ill-advised triple fronts, bad water, or otherwise. Please keep everyone safe.
2. Please no stupid deductions- as in ones that don’t apply to the routines performed. Let no one go before the green light, or illegally practice on the
podium, or whatever other frustrating scoring surprise you think would just be a kick in the pants while you’re up there in the heavens playing UncleTim's
drinking game.
3. Please no medals with falls. I know this is a lot to ask in this day and age but c’mon.
4. For the love of Aly, let’s not do ties this time, okay? Different scores, different people.
5. A Balance Beam final where 5 gymnasts actually hit? Yes, oh gym gods, we are asking for a MIRACLE.
Our Stalder, who art in heaven, hollowed-out be thy name. Thy competition come, thy will be done, on balance beam as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily streaming and forgive us our facts as we forgive those who post opinions contrary to ours. And lead us not into the temptation to respond to trolls, but deliver us from the evil of a derailed thread. For thine is the competition arena, the power and the glory, forever and ever, Nemov (It’s Russian for Amen).
The Gabby Douglas/Alexandra Raisman story -talk about money
Actually I wanted to share my opinion about putting a 7th placed gymnast ahead 5th and 6th in to a team, despite of the long stated criteria but then I was waiting as I thought it must have had some rational reason.
Now throwing out Lauren Hernandez from the AA competition in favour of those who were way worse than her during the year I must give voice my anger.
1. I respected the achievement of Alexandra Raisman and Gabby Douglas in London although I still think they were a bit lucky to get golds. Personally I can't find anything about their gymnastics which make them special. No artistry, no refined execution, for me they are really average as gymnasts. But both (or their management) are good at selling themselves and making business from everything from socks, water to personal life.
2. I still hadn't had any problem with it as they worked as hard as others til they announced their returns. Than I was a bit angry. Why can't people be satisfied what they have?! They have already managed to reach what most gymnast dream about in the USA: getting in to the Olympics and won gold(s). They made themselves, their fames, money etc. They should know that in the USA very few of the younger gymnast can reach what they have already reached as the field there is very deep. They should let others to get their reward too. I know, money is big boss but still.
They makes good faces being an alternate and "show good sportmanship" but nobody can think seriously that it is a "sportmanship" to be in silent when somebody who didn't deserve it and care the less about the team, get your place because she has big endorsements and common sponsors with the Olympic Games.
3. The rules and all those selecting process and competitions are completely useless. Except exhausting the gymnasts and making them retire/injured (Bailie Key, Baumann etc.) they do anything. You can meet the requirement and place in the top, you won't be selected if the others has better contracts with sponsors or get media attention. So let the gymnast enjoy some life and select the money makers.
4. I find pathetic that bc of the reason mentioned above Gabby Douglas kicked now Laurie Hernandez out from AA competition after kicking out Mykayla Skinner and/or Ragan Smith from the team.
The USA team is SO DEEP that literally with girls who finished at 6-12th place at the useless Trials could easily win the team gold. Or even with those who couldn't even get to the Trials. There is no team in a billion miles behind them. So pretending that the gold could be up on a "bar worker" or a "better FX routine" is ridiculous.
5. Gabby Douglas and Raisman do their job: they advertise their companies everywhere, especially the first one. You can't see anything bit ads on her twitter account. She was literally paid in that team and in the AA to get the media attention (and more money coming from it) because of the "fight between Simone and her".
Gabby Douglas routines are billion miles behind Simone.
Laurie Hernandez DESERVED that spot. Maybe this was a trade and that is why she had to be in hurry to announce turning pro: she will be kicked out now but in charge she will get endorsements.
6. Reading articles about how good to see in this team blacks, jew, latino etc. made me also angry. Who the heck cares about somebody colour?! It shouldn't be recognized AT ALL!!! It should be about gymnastics and talent and work!
So the Federation made fool of itself. Hope everybody who decided and these elder gymnasts sleep well. I am sure they will get the money and attention they want. Olympic spirit and sport? Ha-ha. It is required only from those poor alternates and Kim Zmeskal who also seems to pushed out always on the side line.
The Gabby Douglas/Alexandra Raisman story -talk about money
Now throwing out Lauren Hernandez from the AA competition in favour of those who were way worse than her during the year I must give voice my anger.
1. I respected the achievement of Alexandra Raisman and Gabby Douglas in London although I still think they were a bit lucky to get golds. Personally I can't find anything about their gymnastics which make them special. No artistry, no refined execution, for me they are really average as gymnasts. But both (or their management) are good at selling themselves and making business from everything from socks, water to personal life.
2. I still hadn't had any problem with it as they worked as hard as others til they announced their returns. Than I was a bit angry. Why can't people be satisfied what they have?! They have already managed to reach what most gymnast dream about in the USA: getting in to the Olympics and won gold(s). They made themselves, their fames, money etc. They should know that in the USA very few of the younger gymnast can reach what they have already reached as the field there is very deep. They should let others to get their reward too. I know, money is big boss but still.
They makes good faces being an alternate and "show good sportmanship" but nobody can think seriously that it is a "sportmanship" to be in silent when somebody who didn't deserve it and care the less about the team, get your place because she has big endorsements and common sponsors with the Olympic Games.
3. The rules and all those selecting process and competitions are completely useless. Except exhausting the gymnasts and making them retire/injured (Bailie Key, Baumann etc.) they do anything. You can meet the requirement and place in the top, you won't be selected if the others has better contracts with sponsors or get media attention. So let the gymnast enjoy some life and select the money makers.
4. I find pathetic that bc of the reason mentioned above Gabby Douglas kicked now Laurie Hernandez out from AA competition after kicking out Mykayla Skinner and/or Ragan Smith from the team.
The USA team is SO DEEP that literally with girls who finished at 6-12th place at the useless Trials could easily win the team gold. Or even with those who couldn't even get to the Trials. There is no team in a billion miles behind them. So pretending that the gold could be up on a "bar worker" or a "better FX routine" is ridiculous.
5. Gabby Douglas and Raisman do their job: they advertise their companies everywhere, especially the first one. You can't see anything bit ads on her twitter account. She was literally paid in that team and in the AA to get the media attention (and more money coming from it) because of the "fight between Simone and her".
Gabby Douglas routines are billion miles behind Simone.
Laurie Hernandez DESERVED that spot. Maybe this was a trade and that is why she had to be in hurry to announce turning pro: she will be kicked out now but in charge she will get endorsements.
6. Reading articles about how good to see in this team blacks, jew, latino etc. made me also angry. Who the heck cares about somebody colour?! It shouldn't be recognized AT ALL!!! It should be about gymnastics and talent and work!
So the Federation made fool of itself. Hope everybody who decided and these elder gymnasts sleep well. I am sure they will get the money and attention they want. Olympic spirit and sport? Ha-ha. It is required only from those poor alternates and Kim Zmeskal who also seems to pushed out always on the side line.
SPOILER FREE Links to reruns
So for those of us who have to work, don't have cable, or have friends getting married during Event Finals (cough cough), I thought this would be a good place for the good-hearted people of the IG Forum to post links to any archived broadcasts. Of course we can't guarantee the links won't be spoiler free once you click on them but we can keep the thread spoiler free at least :)
SPOILER FREE Links to reruns
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)