2012 Olympics: Opening Ceremony Thread

[AdamTheGreek]

Karma says this will suck. The British media tried to downplay and humiliate Athens' and Beijing's ceremonies/hosting over the years.

Also, this is the earliest we're seeing the Opening Ceremony since the Atlanta '96 games.

[Los Manos]

After months of dread that the opening ceremony will look like a massive load of cack compared to china, all the whispers over here is that it is going to be spectacular and full of British pride so I've finally started to look forward to it.

btw David Beckham is most likely going to bring the Olympic rings flag into the stadium and Steve Redgrave will light the flame.

[The Duke]

Cauldron Lighting is something I remember from each games I've seen.

Barcelona in 1992 still is the best I've seen, when that archer launched the flaming arrow towards the Cauldron from across the stadium. Granted his shot was fairly on target, but there was so much gas ready to light that he didnt need to be on target to get that cauldron lite.

Sydney in 2000 was very nice as well. With Cathy Freemon doing the final lighting on the top of the cauldron while it was in the water. It was meant to symbolize the notion of Fire Out of Water.

[Los Manos]

Cauldron Lighting is something I remember from each games I've seen.

Barcelona in 1992 still is the best I've seen, when that archer launched the flaming arrow towards the Cauldron from across the stadium. Granted his shot was fairly on target, but there was so much gas ready to light that he didnt need to be on target to get that cauldron lite.

Barcelona was really the first Olympic games I remember and that image of the archer shooting a flaming arrow across the stadium, up to the cauldron and it bursting into flames will live with me for the rest of my life. A truly iconic Olympic moment.

[unbeheld2011]

You know the world is messed up when the US gets a tape delay while Canada gets a live broadcast

Not sure which genius at NBC decided on a 3 hour delay for you guys in this age of social media but hopefully you all can get a decent stream quality. Curious if Americans can stream our channel or will it give you a "Sorry we won't let your ghetto country watch our s@#$" msg we get up north unless we use an ip proxy.

At any rate, what's the real reason behind NBC's 3 hour delay? Cause I think the US is alone in the tape delay and rest of the world is broadcasting it live.

[The Duke]

USA always tape delay events, and they tend to show pro-American stories to the point where they sort of ignore many of great stories of other countrys. Which is sad.

Americans have been mad about the tape delay in the pass and try to pick up the Canadian coverage during live events.

[The Duke]

Cauldron Lighting is something I remember from each games I've seen.

Barcelona in 1992 still is the best I've seen, when that archer launched the flaming arrow towards the Cauldron from across the stadium. Granted his shot was fairly on target, but there was so much gas ready to light that he didnt need to be on target to get that cauldron lite.

Barcelona was really the first Olympic games I remember and that image of the archer shooting a flaming arrow across the stadium, up to the cauldron and it bursting into flames will live with me for the rest of my life. A truly iconic Olympic moment.

The dramatic music in the background was really good.
Plus is was a paralympic athlete do shot it.
The thing that made this epic, was nothing like this ever happened.
I remember thinking, is he really going to do that?

[LittleOzzy]

No tape delay in Canada and a 2 hour pregame.

Life is grand North of the border.

[suckfish]

It's finally here. I haven't been this excited for an event in this country like, ever.

I think everybody has low expectations for the opening ceremony, but there's something inside me that says we pull it off by having a unique ceremony.

[5DOM]

Yeah, heard the ceremony's going to be quite an event. Looking forward to it

[NyKnicks1714]

I don't know why NBC wouldn't air it live on NBC Sports or USA.

[G R E Y]

There's been some discussion about whether or not Munich '72 should be honoured with a minute of silence during the opening ceremonies. IOC has said no, but I really think this being the 40th anniversary that they should acknowledge it. It's a highly politicized issue but it didn't affect only Israeli athletes. It also hit at the core of the spirit of the Olympics. Commemorating it in some way would be an honourable gesture, one of unity. They should do something; it wouldn't be right to let it go by like it never happened. Sends the wrong message imo.

[5DOM]

And of course there's rain

[Point forward]

Generally, I am curious how the general vibe of these Olympics will be. Sydney 2000 was "the world's greatest party", Athens 2004 was "Olympia returns home", and Beijing 2008 was "a nation becomes a superpower".

[Point forward]

To all the other ppl posting here: who is going to be your flagbearer? For Germany, it will be field hockey legend Natascha Keller, Olympic gold medal winner in 2004.

[suckfish]

Chris Hoy, Scottish cyclist with 4 Olympic golds, 1 Olympic silver, and a ton of medals at the World and European Championships.

[LittleOzzy]

Here we go!

[LittleOzzy]

To all the other ppl posting here: who is going to be your flagbearer? For Germany, it will be field hockey legend Natascha Keller, Olympic gold medal winner in 2004.

Canadian flag bearer Simon Whitfield will likely have an interesting distinction when he marches around Olympic Stadium on Friday night in London: He is currently the only triathlete scheduled to carry his country’s flag.

[5DOM]

Generally, I am curious how the general vibe of these Olympics will be. Sydney 2000 was "the world's greatest party", Athens 2004 was "Olympia returns home", and Beijing 2008 was "a nation becomes a superpower".

Looks like a prequel to the Hobbit

[Point forward]

I have the impression that the ppl are standing on a golf pitch, but the singing is lovely