2012 Olympics Recap

First, IT'S OVER!!!!  Finally, no more constant talk, tweet, pics/videos posted, etc.  We can rest for another few years.

Second, the disclaimer.  The following statements are unofficial and terribly biased (in case you weren't sure).

Third, let's begin so that this blog, like the Olympics themselves, can be over!

Opening Ceremony
I heard lots of gripes about the difference from Beijing (2008).

• Get over it...different country, different opening.  
• I didn't realize that even the opening ceremony was a competition too.  Is it really that serious?  
• Historically the opening ceremony is supposed to highlight
• Real differences:  London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is made up of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (I guess Southern Ireland is its own entity).  I digress.  The UK (or Great Britain as most of us recall) is an oppressive force throughout history-- a boring legacy with great writers to record it. Note the grim faces they always seem to have.  How do you display that during the Olympic Games? China, on the other hand, has an ancient and colorful past that stretches for thousands of years and is riddled with folklore and traditions.  Combine that with their love of precision and technology and sprinkle in the thousands (yes, thousands) of people who participated and you can see why there was such a difference in the ceremonies. It's just logic.

Athletes
Several caught the spotlight.  I'll discuss those that mattered most (to me).

• Uceny - Fell...again...didn't get back up...actually broke down on the track.  There is NO crying in the Olympics.
• Mitcham - Who cares if he's gay.
• Douglas - her ponytail needed some help.  Yes, I said it.  If you're that sensitive about it, think about the following people and let me know if you've ever said ANYTHING about their hair...Sanjaya, Donald Trump, Oprah...you get my point.  Talking about someone's flaws takes nothing away from their accomplishments.  Get over it.
• Phelps - Olympian with the most medals.  
• Bolt - fastest man.  Great finishes.
• Wieber - crying allowed when you're under 21.

Commentators

• And speaking of Wieber, the commentators for this year's Olympics were abhorrent.  I was unsure of their allegiance quite often.  They (I never could figure out any names of correspondents) consistently pointed out negative performances, flaws that would warrant deductions from the judges and teams that were favored to outscore USA.  They were repeatedly wrong and often loudly professed it.  Maybe it was underdog syndrome gone wild.  Maybe they didn't understand what commentating is about.  Maybe we won't hear from them in four years.
• Ryan Seacrest - had to mention him because he's my crush...eye candy rocks!

Sports
Some don't need to be in the Olympics.  Like the following:

• Badminton
• Handball
• Weightlifting
• Trampoline
• Shooting
• Speedwalking
• Water Polo
• Ribbon Twirling

Miscellany

• Gray Jackets -  Hyper reflective to show off medals better.  I disagree.
• Flowers - Medal ceremony flowers were small and ah well.
• Colored Tape - Kinesio Tex Tape - Theratape used for pain and injuries and coming to a gym near you.  But does it work?
• Uniforms - 'Tards and tights that sported the stars and stripes not only boosted morale but also motivated many of us to get up and move our butts.  We may all be relay-ready in time for the Summer Games in Rio!!!

Closing Ceremony

• Snoozer -- so boring that I'd rather not discuss it. 

See ya in Rio in 4 years.