The countdown to the Olympics is definitely on. Doesn't seem to have the hype of years gone by but I still look forward to watching the highlights. My favourite sports to watch are all the different gymnastics (especially the gymnastic dance routines), swimming and diving. I always marvel at the dedication of the athletes and the committed amount of daily routine and effort it takes. Anybody else looking forward to the Olympics? What is your favourite sport or activity?
I am usually too busy to watch too much of the summer Olympics, but I love to watch the winter Olympics! Womans hockey, luge, skiing ...
As it is such a big sporting event I do take an interest in all that is going on. The BBC presntation is superb with 24 streams running on the Red Button and online so whatever is your favourite you can watch it as it happens. I particularly like the cycling, especially the velodrome; The swimming; and weightlifting...
@Raddang - your BBC seems to have it all really top notch if they have 24 streams running on the "Red Button" (not sure what that is but it sounds important) and can allow you to watch whatever your favourite sport is. I like watching the young athletes who gain fame as they excel in their particular sport (i.e. like Michael Phelps when he won five medals). Granted I don't watch all the run up and required sets but I do like the finals and/or individual programs particularly in gymnastics. Kinda like the Winter Olympics in ice skating when they all perform their own individual programs. Also like watching the daily highlights in all the different venues. Interesting to see who is doing what. Always like seeing some of the smaller countries who only send a couple of athletes win. I've seen on the news all the concerns about the water and air quality and definitely hope it'll all be ok for any of the athletes who are there to compete.
I like the winter sports more than the summer ones. But my area does have two young girls on the gymnastics team down there this year. Water and air quality are not the only problems, some of the living areas are not complete and there is the problem with mosquitoes and the Zika virus so some of the female athletes from the U.S. have decided not to go and golfer Jordan Spieth decided not to go too.
We also have competitors who decided to play safe and not go due to the Ziko virus. Their choice but I think the risk is low provided you stay clear of stagnant water. I watched much of the mens road race this afternoon. About 6 hours in the saddle peddling 237.5 km's. And two assured medal winners fell off their bikes just a few km from the finish. In other sports you can get a medal for running for under 10 seconds or swimming just 50 metres. ??????? If I was a young man I know which sport I would have a go at.
The problem is you never know just where that puddle or pot of stagnant water is so you can stay away from it, they only lay their eggs in stagnant water after that they fly off to the surrounding areas looking for blood, be it human or animal.
@Raddang - Given that some of the races are over in mere scant minutes vs the day long events I'm pretty sure I know which one I'd favour myself! @toni - I think Zika has definitely impacted the Olympics. I wouldn't want to go if I was a young person and I definitely wouldn't want my son or daughter there given they would get bit. I haven't actually "watched" anything related to the Olympics on TV yet but hopefully will start this evening. I see on my Internet newsfeed page however that the USA already has a GOLD.
I watched the womens' cycle road race yesterday and my heart stopped when Annemiek van Vleuten had an horrendous crash on a fast downhill section. They may only ride bikes but there is nothing soft about that sport. Get well soon Annemiek. Anna van der Breggens' win in the race was some compensation for the team from Holland. And the GB team got on the medal table with a gold and silver in the pool. Off the mark at last. Go Team GB
@Raddang - I was watching on our CTV when she had that crash. It looked real bad and she didn't move. Hope she is ok but I've heard nothing more about it. Last night was watching the swimmers and water events for a bit. Fascinating how those athletes power through the water. The diving was really good too and was riveted watching the women USA gymnasts. NOT that I don't enjoy watching all the gymnasts & athletes but I think our TV edits who they show as we definitely do not 'see' all the competitors just the top contenders. The one sport I don't relate to is beach volleyball. I relate to volleyball inside on a court. I don't think I've ever seen anybody play beach volleyball here.
Beach Volleyball, Islandlife? That is one for the boys Last I heard is that Annemiek van Vleuten has cracked three vertebrae. She is 'tweeting' so hopefully on the mend.
Watching the Mens' Gymnastics right now. Am amazed that the strength, flexibility and agility required for some of the competitions (especially the one where they hold onto 2 rings and do hand stands and other various whirls and twirls). Am sure "Beach Volleyball" does have its audience!
Still have to see on the women's floor and bar exercise anyone to match a young girl in the 70s, she was Nadia Comeneci. People still talk about Nadia. Pure class, she scored 10s all the way. Cute as a button and very talented, she did cheeky moves and captivated everyone. I never saw anyone back flick like she did on the floor execise. At the moment I love the swimming and diving, Tom Daley on only a bronze....
Watching men's synchronized diving now. The water is GREEN! Safe but apparently some problems with the PH. The dives are so technical it takes 11 Judges to catch everything. (Never realized) I saw Nadia Comeneci way back when. She was fantastic. Remember her performances vividly even today.
And happily we got the gold in that event Islandlife. Team GB doing pretty good so far but too much silver and bronze and not enough gold. Long way to go yet....
