Olympic Games

[Lesley Cox]

Do we want - or are we deliberately avoiding -  an Olympic Games thread?

I wanted just to wish all of the UK a successful and trouble-free Games with good weather and goodwill among teams, the public and the men and women who are charged with keeping everything secure. OK there may have been some hiccoughs, but bad dress rehearsals usually mean outstanding first nights. Let's hope this is the case now and that everything proceeds smoothly and safely.

Well darn it, NZ lost to Great Britain in Women's football overnight but it was probably appropriate that we let the home team win on the first outing.

I shall use the opening ceremony time (daytime here) to clean seeds while I watch it.

[Maggi Young]

You'll hear plenty from me if GB win gold in the cycling -  road  and velodrome!

[Gerry Webster]

A former student has just sent me some photos of the Rapier surface-to-air missile system  which is currently being deployed in London not far from where her son lives. Rather oddly, she does not feel reassured.

[Maggi Young]

Not altogether surprising, Gerry. 
I've just heard on the news that they managed to show the flag of South Korea on the big screen at Hampden Park when introducing the NORTH Korean team for the ladies football match.
 What a gaffe!

[Lesley Cox]

Yes, that wouldn't go down well with either side I should think.

I rather think NZ has some pretensions to cycling medals Maggi, though the event in which we had best hopes was cut out from the schedule. Maybe rowing.

[Anthony Darby]

The bloke on the World Service called it Hampton Park, but then they can't pronounce Garnier either!

[Darren]

Do we want - or are we deliberately avoiding -  an Olympic Games thread?

No, and yes.  Will be avoiding it as much as I can. I'm even more pleased than usual that I don't live anywhere near London.

[Tony Willis]

personally I am not interested in sport but am pleased at the thought it will give a great deal of pleasure to a lot of people.

[Anthony Darby]

Not altogether surprising, Gerry. 
I've just heard on the news that they managed to show the flag of South Korea on the big screen at Hampden Park when introducing the NORTH Korean team for the ladies football match.
 What a gaffe!

Could have been the end of a Korea?

[Maggi Young]

From the comments given by a UK  Univ.  Korean specialist on the radio this morning, it seems that if the N. K. team had not protested visibly and thoroughly, it would have likely meant the end of more than their careers when they get home. 


Another thought: why is it "Team GB" - are the Northern Irish not included? 

[Darren]

Another thought: why is it "Team GB" - are the Northern Irish not included? 

Just be thankful its not 'Team South East England'.

[Tim Ingram]

I agree with Tony - there are not many things that would get me out on the streets cheering someone but we did for the Olympic Flame coming through Faversham and it was a great atmosphere. Personally I would like to compete but my hockey days are over and I only managed to play once for the Warwickshire Schools team!

[Maggi Young]

Tim, take heart,  a friend of ours is still playing hockey regularly, and having great fun travelling with his team of aged allstars all over the world- and he can give you ten years at least!

[Neil]

Another thought: why is it "Team GB" - are the Northern Irish not included? 

Actually Great Britain is just the largest island, which is part of the British Isles, which does not include Ireland. 

The sovereign state is called United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[Maggi Young]

Exactly..... so if the  N. Irish are included in any of the "British" teams then it should be Team UK.....shouldn't it?