For the most part, the ceremonies just seemed to be this disorganized mess of people wandering around. And NBC isn't helping. They're cutting in and out with commercials. When they come back, whatever was going on before that they seemed to have bailed out of in the middle is long over and they are now in the middle of something else. And you're like, "Woah! How did we get from A to B?" It's as if they don't really care anymore and just want to get it over with. Bob Costas isn't even doing the "play by play." He's probably already on the plane back home.
As for the entertainment, what was with the parade of wacky Greek tourists in tacky beach clothes, armed with umbrellas and blow-up toys? And lets not forget the pickup truck carrying a load of watermelons and being followed by a parade of Gypsies!
Things picked up a little when they turned the show over to the Chinese as a "preview" of Beijing 2008. They put on a much more interesting show.
It looks like they're getting ready to put the torch out now. I should add that the torch lighting at the opening ceremony was a tad on the lame side too. It spoiled the great track record they had going. 1992: the flaming arrow! 1996: Mohammed Ali! 2000: that cool "ring of fire" in the water rising up around the torch bearer. 2004: Some Greek sailor touches his torch to the cauldron and lights it without much frills. Whoopdeedoo.
It's lucky the games in between the opening and closing ceremonies were so much more interesting. I enjoyed watching most of the events. And the great thing about the coverage this year was that with so many channels, just about every sport got on TV at some point. It's fun to watch some of the more "obscure" events that rarely got on TV at all in the past. One of my favorites was the track cycling. How these guys don't crash into each other is beyond me. Simply amazing to watch. (Although I did see one nasty spill the otehr day.)
(Hey, they're interviewing Yao Ming right now. I didn't realize his English was that good.)
Some of the lasting memories of the 2004 games (for me at least):
Paul Hamm's freakishly high voice (is he representing the lollipop guild, or what?).
Paul Hamm is the first American man ever to win the all-around Olympic gold medal...sort of.
A tearful Rulon Gardner placing his shoes in the center of the ring.
Rulon Gardner of the United States wipes his face as he walks off the mat, leaving his shoes behind in the traditional sign of retirement.
Iraqi citizens gathered around the TV in a small cafe to watch their team kick ass.
Paula Radcliffe sitting on the curb with four miles left in the women's marathon.
Two British fans help Paula Radcliffe to her feet.
The wingnut rushing the Brazillian runner with three miles to go in the men's marathon and costing him the gold.
Vanderlei de Lima of Brazil is forced off the course by a protestor while leading the marathon. Lima recovered to finish third and received a special Olympic medal from IOC president Jacques Rogge.
And of course, the jubilant celebration after Misty May and Kerri Walsh won the gold in beach volleyball. You know, I read somewhere that NBC only aired beach volleyball in primetime once in 2000. This time was on about 20 times. My prediction for 2008: more events with women in bikinis!
Misty May and Kerri Walsh celebrate with the crowd at the Olympic Beach Volleyball Centre after winning gold.
I'm sure there is more I'm leaving out...like the U.S. basketball team being taken down a peg or two or watching Mia Hamm and company claim another gold (poor Nomar -- how many championships does his wife have while spends his career with the Red Sox and Cubs?). It was also fun watching a former local girl take home a silver and place fifth in another event.
Overall I enjoyed the Olympics. I seem to get more out of it each time. Let's do it again in two years in Italy!
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