The Beijing Olympics is now over and London is now official the host for the Olympics. The countdown has begun!!! The Beijing Olympics have been one of my favourites. Its had some amazing performances.
The first week was all about Michael Phelps with his amazing 8 gold medals. Something like 5 world records. The second week was all Usain Bolt. He won 3 golds in the main sprinting events and broke 3 world records. I think the records Bolt broke are a bigger achivement. There were so many records broken in the “water cube” and it seems to be every Olympics tons of records broken. This year it seemed to be because of the latest technology in the swimming wear and also this particular pool was deeper than normal and the lanes wider which helps the swimmers. However, when the questions is asked: Whos is the star of the Beijing Olympics???? Hmmmm…. I think both of them!!! LOL
Team GB
Team GB did extremely well. It all started very well on the first day in the cycling with Nicole Cooke winning gold. It was a sign of things to come especially for cycling, rowing and sailing. Maybe we could get some of the athletes from Team GB to play football for England!!! Bunch of overpaid idiots – can you tell I am not a big fan of the England football team!!
Its been a great summer of watching sport – Wimbledon, Euro 2008 and then Olympics. It was just a shame olympics was mostly in middle of the night UK time. It was better in the 2nd week when the track and field events started as they finished at about 11pm Beijing time – 4pm UK time.
As with lots and lots of people I have been very impressed with the organisation of Beijing 2008. The stadiums and arenas have looked great especially the “birds nest” and the “water cube”.
Britain – in the end 4th place in medals table – beaten by China, US and Russia. Australia have slipped down the table since they did so well in Olympics 2000 in Sydney.
London 2012
Pressure now on the UK and London for 2012. Budget of about £9 billion (I think it was originally about £3 billion??). Apparently its already at a stretch and they are cutting back on things.
Hopefully it will be great and not an embarassment. Are we going to end up with a load of z-list reality TV stars carrying the torch around?!? Lets hope not. (Although I watched some of the closing ceremony and handover and the “show” in London featured some people singing from a reality tv show).
I will have to watch the highlights of the closing ceremony – couldnt be watching the whole 5 hours – to see what it was like and the part with London mayor Boris Johnson receiving the Olympic flag etc.
I recommend checking out the BBC Sport Olympics web site for some great video highlights etc.
Edit: I have watched the highlights and Boris Johnson “receiving” the Olympic flag etc. Good job he didnt trip like he usually seems to do!! Maybe he could have buttoned his jacket though! I bet Ken Livingstone really enjoyed watching it!! LOL.
The official London 2012 handover part of the closing ceremony was a short 8 minute section involving a London bus. It transformed into a special stage which included some shapes of famous London landmarks. David Beckham made an apparence and got a massive cheer!! Maybe the biggest of the night!! He held up a ball and kicked it towards the crowd. Leona Lewis sang abit – didnt sound that good on the TV but I think it would of in the stadium.
It was a very colourful ceremony, lots of dancing and singing. Can see why China did so well in the gymnastics!! Jackie Chan made an apparence with abit of singing.
It goes without saying that the fireworks in the closing ceremony was spectacular. Check them out on the BBC Sport web site (and properly on Youtube). I also recommend checking out the video review of Beijing Olympics 2008.