Olympic Games

[Maggi Young]

Fernando Pimenta is from our town and Emanuel Silva from about 20 km south. They missed a gold medal by 53 thousands of a second - Rio de Janeiro here we come

Absolutely.... and maybe your Son will be the youngest member of the team.....

[Maggi Young]

So many Forumists with "Olympic" connections... this one is really good... and very much to the point.... think of Arnold T's avatar.... it comes from this photo of him with Brazilian soccer legend Pele.....

[art600]

It was especially exciting here in the North East, not only because of the medal winners from this area, but for the participation in both the opening and closing ceremonies of Emile Sande from Alford - a friend of my great chum's daughter, who really was magnificent, and of course, Annie Lennox who I went to school with in the last century! 

Feeling quite keen now to enjoy the Paralympic Games to see more dazzling sports stars.

Maggi

I must confess that I had never heard of Emile Sande before the Olympics.  She was magnificent and her rendition of Imagine at the end was so fitting.

the Paralympic road cycling will be staged in my village at Brands Hatch, so I will be able to get a really close view.  It will of course mean that entry to the village from one direction will be closed from Sept 3 to Septemebr 8 - a small price to pay for such an exciting event, and we did get roads resurfaced (not just potholes filled)

[Lesley Cox]

Which one is Arnold?

We are particularly delighted tonight to learn that our much loved Valerie Adams has had her silver medal promoted to gold because the "winner" a Bylorussian has failed a drug test. Valerie has beaten this woman consistently in their last 20 meetings and is still improving her shot put lengths every time she competes. When the other woman won, I admit to thinking to myself, "I wonder what she's one?"

[art600]

Lesley

I did not wonder 'Whats she on?'  I wondered was she female!

So glad for Valerie Adams.

[David Nicholson]

I must confess that I had never heard of Emile Sande before the Olympics.  She was magnificent and her rendition of Imagine at the end was so fitting.

Not sure you've got that right Art. Imagine was sung by the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir together with the Liverpool Signing Choir (profoundly deaf children) and John Lennon's image appeared from a 'cloud' as he sang along.

I'm not sure the performance really came off as it was intended, or perhaps those who planned it were not sure what they were intending. Bits of it worked but in my view a lot didn't. I can appreciate what some said they were trying to do but I felt sorry for the athletes having to be corralled for so long. After all they must have been in a state of euphoria and after a long period of training and performance the old hormones must have been raging! They needed to PARTY.

Ray Davis was as flat as the proverbial on Waterloo Sunset and so was Liam Gallagher at the beginning of Wonderwall. The atmosphere was there though with many of the athletes, regardless of nationality singing along with him. I was disappointed with Annie Lennox; George Michael got it right with Freedom but then blew it with his second number.

What it lacked to me was a good old knees up for about a half hour from Auntie Elton John. That would have really got the athletes and the crowd going.

[Maggi Young]

Emeli sang at the beginning of the ceremony, later on in the ceremony and also later at the windup, which is when she sang 'Imagine'


 Hmm. think I got her name wrong, it's Emeli ......

[admin]

both the opening and closing ceremonies of Emile Sande from Alford

Maggi, she was in Gordon's year at Alford academy. Her real name is Adele, she had to change it and use here middle name as there was already an established singer by that name. Her father was  technical subjects  teacher at the school.  he was a very nice guy.

[Maggi Young]

I hadn't thought of that connection, Fred.... of course  Gordon would be that age -- YIKES!!

[Lesley Cox]

Lesley

I did not wonder 'Whats she on?'  I wondered was she female!

So glad for Valerie Adams.

Our Val's a big girl, over 6 ft I think and big boned. I also think she's Tongan. We here tend to steal the best from Tonga, Samoa the Cooks etc for our own sporting teams. Not fair to them really as some would like to compete independantly, especially at rugby.

[Anthony Darby]

Valerie Adams' mother is Tongan. Her Dad's an Englishman. She's 6' 5". Radio Sport here in New Zealand have been waxing lyrical about the Belarusian all day. Most of it unprintable, including suggestions as to ... well I won't go there!

I'm afraid Ray Davis wasn't the only flat singer, and some of the miming was out of sync! I don't think, given his history, George Michael was an appropriate choice. I liked Del Boy and Rodney. One of the classic scenes from an 'Only Fools and Horses' Christmas special.

[mark smyth]

anyone know how the lights worked among the crowd during George Michael et al?

For the first time ever I watched the limpiks. It's amazing what people are capable of doing

[Lina Hesseling]

I am not sure, but I believe these were LED lights placed in the chaires.

Lina.

[ronm]

Wow -  didn't realise Annie Lennox was born in the year .... well best not say, 

[mark smyth]

I've only just got around to watch the closing ceremony