Greece breathed new life into the Olympic Spirit ? Like the Greek atheletes doping scandal?

Jackhammer seems genuinely offended that drug cheats were caught in Athens and banned from competition. Instead of Sydney's superficial drug screening, which allowed many hypodermic cheats to participate and earn medals.

The Greeks should be commended for being the first Games organizers to proclaim a "Zero Tolerance" for drugs. Instead you have fools like Jackhammer taking them to task for it. What a nincompoop.

Jackhammer seems genuinely offended that drug cheats were caught in Athens and banned from competition. Instead of Sydney's superficial drug screening, which allowed many hypodermic cheats to participate and earn medals.

The Greeks should be commended for being the first Games organizers to proclaim a "Zero Tolerance" for drugs. Instead you have fools like Jackhammer taking them to task for it. What a nincompoop.
That wasn't the angle of my comments. I was simply implying that sadly, the doping scandal is what I remember most about the Athens games. Perhaps my wording was a little sarcastic. However, the remark was made after reading page after page of your biased and defensive comments to anyone who disagrees with your opinions.

To me, a good Olympics is about the stories and drama of the events themselves. There was some interesting stuff in the pool but beyond that, I did not find a lot of excitement at Athens. I also found the ceremonies mostly dull and full of excessive reverence for the Olympic history.

So sorry, I do not rank the Athens games at the top of my list.

http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/333/closing387km.jpg

Imagine if that was in South Africa! What a party! All spectators have guns! :runaway:

Honestly, who gives a shit about Opening and Closing ceremonies? Seriously, who gives a shit?

They're nothing more than pretentious, tedious TV slot filler for the brain dead. If I want to be entertained by something artistic or aesthetically pleasing, I'll go to a gallery, a gig, the opera, the cinema or the theatre. I certainly wouldn't turn on the TV to watch a few hundred stupidly grinning people dressed up as swans or dragons running around an athletics stadium and masquerading as serious commentary on their country's history and culture.

The Olympics are about sport. Remember that? Sport. Hope, fear, glory, ignominy, elation, despair, beauty, beast, pain, ecstasy, sweat, composure, grace, force, power, finesse. Real people, real stories, real drama. Raw and untainted. That's all the spectacle that I need.

To hell with the self congratulatory, bloated, money wasting orgy of over indulgence that Opening and Closing ceremonies have become. They are an insult to the Olympic spirit.

I Dont care about ceremonies. I care about the events. Athens were the Cleanest games. Fairest Competition. Flawless Organisation. Winners recieved wreathes. More Athletes. More Nations. Athens was the best.

I also found the ceremonies mostly dull and full of excessive reverence for the Olympic history.
What do you want to see in an opening or closing ceremony, in the nation which invented the Olympic games? Would you have liked it better if they had a bunch of irrelevant garbage, like lawn mowers like in Sydney?

So sorry, I do not rank the Athens games at the top of my list.
Your entitled to your opinion.

All you remember is the drug cheats that were caught? Good. In future when barely any are caught, and ridiculous times are set in certain events, you can remember how in Athens 2004, drug cheats were caught. Who knows you might even frown upon drug cheats.

More Athletes. More Nations. Athens was the best.
Giorgos, I think most games from now on, will have more Athletes, more nations taking part.
People said Atlanta was better then Barcelona, Sydney was better then Atlanta, Athens was better then Sydney. And they will say in 2008 that Beijing was better then Athens.

I will say that, and since Athens was the last games, its the best.

What do you want to see in an opening or closing ceremony, in the nation which invented the Olympic games? Would you have liked it better if they had a bunch of irrelevant garbage, like lawn mowers like in Sydney?


Finally! Another sane person has joined the argument!

Dude, you are so correct you dont even know it.... :D

Perspective is everything. It's funny how to all the Aussies, the Sydney Games were the be-all and end-all of modern Olympics. They seem genuinely surprised that the rest of the world doesn't share the same admiration for them.

Actually, most do share the admiration.


People said Atlanta was better then Barcelona, Sydney was better then Atlanta, Athens was better then Sydney. And they will say in 2008 that Beijing was better then Athens.

This is hardly the opinon of everyone. People also said Sydney and Barcelona were better than Athens and Atlanta. This is subjective it really cannot be debated effectively - there is no definitive measure as to the success or failure bar a few comments made by the officials and the presidents of the IOC. Something described as "Best Ever" would be considered more memorable IMO than something decribed as "Dream" like ... dreams can be easily forgotten.

Jackhammer seems genuinely offended that drug cheats were caught in Athens and banned from competition. Instead of Sydney's superficial drug screening, which allowed many hypodermic cheats to participate and earn medals.

The Greeks should be commended for being the first Games organizers to proclaim a "Zero Tolerance" for drugs. Instead you have fools like Jackhammer taking them to task for it. What a nincompoop.

Get a life. Drugs, detection and the methods to evade detection change all the time. Sydney and Athens both proved it is getting more difficult to participate while using banned drugs.

Why do you single out Sydney and forget to mention past games where little or no screening had taken place? You are a born hypocrite.

I will say that, and since Athens was the last games, its the best.

So the lastest is always the best? By your logic that would mean the latest of everything is always the better than what came before. We all know this is a stupid and idealistic view of the world. Things don't always get better each time or with time. Sometimes the opposite can be true and there can always be mitigating circumstance that bring about change.

If this is your sole arguement for Athens being the best games you are more stupid than I thought. It is simply not a credible reason.

I Dont care about ceremonies. I care about the events. Athens were the Cleanest games. Fairest Competition. Flawless Organisation. Winners recieved wreathes. More Athletes. More Nations. Athens was the best.

Dont forget the winners received wreaths? I am so excited I cannot contain myself. You say you don't care about ceremonies. Another hypocritcal comment by yourself. There have been many multiple comments made by yourself that would be prove otherwise. Should I go and source them?

Imagine if that was in South Africa! What a party! All spectators have guns! :runaway:

not one of your best ones.....

1.-Sidney 2000.
2.-Barcelona '92
3.-Maybe Athens 2004

1.Sydney 2000
2.LA 1984
3.Barcelona 1992

So the lastest is always the best? By your logic that would mean the latest of everything is always the better than what came before. We all know this is a stupid and idealistic view of the world. Things don't always get better each time or with time. Sometimes the opposite can be true and there can always be mitigating circumstance that bring about change.

If this is your sole arguement for Athens being the best games you are more stupid than I thought. It is simply not a credible reason.



Dont forget the winners received wreaths? I am so excited I cannot contain myself. You say you don't care about ceremonies. Another hypocritcal comment by yourself. There have been many multiple comments made by yourself that would be prove otherwise. Should I go and source them?

My comment was in response to JimB. If he dosent Like Ceremonies, then How can one say Athens wasnt the Best Olympics? Sydney had Drug Cheats left right and centre. Athens was a hell of alot more cleaner. If you couldnt see that your stupider than i thought.

not one of your best ones.....
Are you going to shoot me now?

My comment was in response to JimB. If he dosent Like Ceremonies, then How can one say Athens wasnt the Best Olympics? Sydney had Drug Cheats left right and centre. Athens was a hell of alot more cleaner. If you couldnt see that your stupider than i thought.

How the hell can you prove that Sydney had more drug cheats than Athens?

My comment was in response to JimB. If he dosent Like Ceremonies, then How can one say Athens wasnt the Best Olympics? Sydney had Drug Cheats left right and centre. Athens was a hell of alot more cleaner. If you couldnt see that your stupider than i thought.

You are a complete knob. You can't string a rational or coherent thought together online. I try to accept some people in this world have less grey matter. You consistently prove you have a vacuous and empty head.

Nothing you say, contribute or add to debate shows any glimmer of intellect - you can't even post something original. Your arguments are cyclic and continue along the same theme post after post. I wish Mo Rush would shoot you, he would be doing most of us a favour. I come back here months later and you still sprout the same baseless shit. It's any wonder you have been vilified in the Oz forums.

So now you say that Athens was better beacuse it had no drugs... wake up and smell the roses - Athens too had drugs cheats. Drug detection systems are infallible - there is always room for error and there is always people that will beat the system in some way. You are naive to think we live in a perfect world and the Athens games was perfect.

There are a multitude of ways in which one could subjectively judge which olympics to date has been better. Your opinion (and that's what it is) is not everyone's. So why don't you STFU for a change and mind your own business. You change your interpretation daily and alter your reasons to suit the posts made. Why don't you try and stick to one idea - it's all you are mentally cabable of.

So now you say that Athens was better beacuse it had no drugs... wake up and smell the roses - Athens too had drugs cheats. .

ATHENS, Greece - Doping cases at the Athens Games:

—Greek weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis was the first athlete in Athens stripped of a medal because of a doping offense. Sampanis lost his bronze from the 62-kilogram class.

—Russian shot putter Irina Korzhanenko tested positive for steroids after she won the gold and was stripped of her medal.

—Hungary’s Robert Fazekas lost his gold medal in discus for allegedly tampering with a doping test.

—Hungarian weightlifter Ferenc Gyurkovics was stripped of his silver medal and kicked out of the Olympics for using the steroid oxandrolone.

—Ukrainian rower Olena Olefirenko tested positive for a banned stimulant, costing her four-woman crew the bronze medal in lightweight sculls.

—Hungary’s Adrian Annus was stripped of his gold medal in hammer throw Sunday for failing to take a follow-up drug test demanded by the IOC.

—Colombian cyclist Maria Luisa Calle Williams was stripped of her bronze medal in the points race after testing positive for a stimulant.

—Weightlifter Zoltan Kovacs of Hungary, who finished last in the 105-kilogram class, was banished from the games for failing to provide a urine sample.

—Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou pulled out of the games while the IOC was investigating their missed doping tests.

—Belarusian high jumper Aleksey Lesnichyi was kicked out of the games after testing positive for the steroid clenbuterol.

—Russian 400-meter runner Anton Galkin was kicked out of the games after testing positive for the steroid stanozolol .

—Kenyan boxer David Munyasia was barred by the IOC after testing positive for a banned stimulant in an out-of-competition test.

—Puerto Rican wrestler Mabel Fonseca was stripped of her fifth-place finish in 55 kg after testing positive for the steroid stanozolol.

—Weightlifters Wafa Ammouri of Morocco, Zoltan Kecskes of Hungary, Viktor Chislean of Moldova, Pratima Kumari Na of India and Sule Sahbaz of Turkey were suspended by the International Weightlifting Federation for failing drug tests taken before the Athens Games.

—Weightlifter Albina Khomich of Russia failed an IWF pre-competition doping test and was disqualified from the 75-kg competition.

—Weightlifter Myanmar’s Nan Aye Khine was stripped of her fourth-place finish at 48 kg after testing positive for steroids in an IOC test.

—Weightlifter Sanamacha Chanu of India was stripped of her fourth-place finish in the 53-kg class after testing positive for a banned diuretic that can be used as a masking agent.

—Four days before the start of the games, two Greek baseball players, a Swiss cyclist, a Spanish canoe team member and an Irish distance runner were banned because of doping.

—American sprinter Torri Edwards had her two-year drug suspension upheld by an arbitration panel during the games. She tested positive for a stimulant at an April meet.

How the hell can you prove that Sydney had more drug cheats than Athens?

Don't worry Giorgos can, he seems like the all-knowing guru for anything and everything that happens is this world. I am sure nothing much escapes him.

You are a complete knob. You can't string a rational or coherent thought together online. I try to accept some people in this world have less grey matter. You consistently prove you have a vacuous and empty head.

Nothing you say, contribute or add to debate shows any glimmer of intellect - you can't even post something original. Your arguments are cyclic and continue along the same theme post after post. I wish Mo Rush would shoot you, he would be doing most of us a favour. I come back here months later and you still sprout the same baseless shit. It's any wonder you have been vilified in the Oz forums.

So now you say that Athens was better beacuse it had no drugs... wake up and smell the roses - Athens too had drugs cheats. Drug detection systems are infallible - there is always room for error and there is always people that will beat the system in some way. You are naive to think we live in a perfect world and the Athens games was perfect.

There are a multitude of ways in which one could subjectively judge which olympics to date has been better. Your opinion (and that's what it is) is not everyone's. So why don't you STFU for a change and mind your own business. You change your interpretation daily and alter your reasons to suit the posts made. Why don't you try and stick to one idea - it's all you are mentally cabable of.

Why dont you go back into the hole you came out from. This thread was fine until you arrived. Now shoo...Your quickly becoming the biggest pest of Australia, after the Rabbits.

Why dont you go back into the hole you came out from. This thread was fine until you arrived. Now shoo...Your quickly becoming the biggest pest of Australia, after the Rabbits.

So rabbits are the 2nd biggest pests in australia... another of your wonderful sweeping statements. Like I said think before you type or educate yourself.

I don't give a crap about the Oz forum in this thread. This is about this thread and your a fat ugly troll who thinks hes a space cadet.

BTW it's "you're"

You seem to be having major issues with people other than me. I suggest the troll is actually you.

For all the flak it recieved before the games, Athens turned out to be the best. Very good venues, plus the added historical bonus.

1. Athens 2004
2. Athens 1896
3. Any other Games

Discussing the "best Olympic Games" outside Greece is like discussing the best red wine outside France.
Sorry Guys, no country has the Parthenon, no country has Olympia, no country has the term "Olympic" as a native word.
I can accept anything and I do not praise Greece and Greeks as the "chosen
race" in any case, but face it: On top of the games, Olympics are about spirit and culture, thus about heritage. I'm sorry australians and all other host nations/cities, technically and economically you may argue forever, but simply
put, there is only one Olympia and it lies in Peloponnese in Southern Greece.

Heritage, Spirit and Peace.

For all the flak it recieved before the games, Athens turned out to be the best. Very good venues, plus the added historical bonus.

thanks for the true kind un-bias words.

BTW it's "you're"

You seem to be having major issues with people other than me. I suggest the troll is actually you.

oh god just stop embarassing yourself. If you really really want correct grammer, become an english teacher or what ever you desire. Not a forum troll.

I don't give a crap about the Oz forum in this thread. This is about this thread and your a fat ugly troll who thinks hes a space cadet.

You're one of those guys who goes to all sort of problem just to prove your case no matter how lose the connection is, ay? Very sensitive guy inside, intravert who just splashes emotions without even thinking what others people portray you as.

I dunno why you live in Australia or try to bag Australia as if it really dissappointed you directly. Sounds like arrogence from outside but soft slack-loser jealosy inside.

The world will improve as soon as natural selection takes it place removing you. Just keep digging your own grave, every shovel ya stroke the more pychlically depressed you'll be. Take it as an advice.

one day you'll learn.

We need a deportation hotline in Australia for stupid people.

I might have to ring Johnny - Giorgos will be the first to go.

You're one of those guys who goes to all sort of problem just to prove your case no matter how lose the connection is, ay? Very sensitive guy inside, intravert who just splashes emotions without even thinking what others people portray you as.

I dunno why you live in Australia or try to bag Australia as if it really dissappointed you directly. Sounds like arrogence from outside but soft slack-loser jealosy inside.

The world will improve as soon as natural selection takes it place removing you. Just keep digging your own grave, every shovel ya stroke the more pychlically depressed you'll be. Take it as an advice.

one day you'll learn.

Wow great observation there! maybe next time you can be atleast the slightest bit accurate on your assumptions?

1. Athens 2004
2. Athens 1896
3. Any other Games

Discussing the "best Olympic Games" outside Greece is like discussing the best red wine outside France.
Sorry Guys, no country has the Parthenon, no country has Olympia, no country has the term "Olympic" as a native word.
I can accept anything and I do not praise Greece and Greeks as the "chosen
race" in any case, but face it: On top of the games, Olympics are about spirit and culture, thus about heritage. I'm sorry australians and all other host nations/cities, technically and economically you may argue forever, but simply
put, there is only one Olympia and it lies in Peloponnese in Southern Greece.

Heritage, Spirit and Peace.



Im not taking anything away from Greece..
But Historical Value can only take the games so far.
Athens didnt do a bad job at all in 2004.

But I wouldnt call them the best.

Being an Australian my view will be dismissed as biased, -whatever, but Sydney was a great games, because so much was put into it by everyine (Govt, people etc).

Previous games in other countris and cities have also been great.

Sydney will be outdone in the future, its a given (Perhaps by China)

But you cannot say just because the Olympics originated in Greece (Albeit just the term, since the actual 'games' that take place are infinitely different to those originally played) they are by default the best.

Using your own comparison, any 'red wine' made in France is by default, better than any anywhere else. It isnt true. It takes more than a historical value.



btw, shut your god damn uneducated troll of a mouth giorgos

Wow great observation there! maybe next time you can be atleast the slightest bit accurate on your assumptions?

Nothing you post is accurate!

Im not taking anything away from Greece..
But Historical Value can only take the games so far.
Athens didnt do a bad job at all in 2004.

But I wouldnt call them the best.

Being an Australian my view will be dismissed as biased, -whatever, but Sydney was a great games, because so much was put into it by everyine (Govt, people etc).

Previous games in other countris and cities have also been great.

Sydney will be outdone in the future, its a given (Perhaps by China)

But you cannot say just because the Olympics originated in Greece (Albeit just the term, since the actual 'games' that take place are infinitely different to those originally played) they are by default the best.

Using your own comparison, any 'red wine' made in France is by default, better than any anywhere else. It isnt true. It takes more than a historical value.



btw, shut your god damn uneducated troll of a mouth giorgos

and can you give reason why sydney was the best?
Your dissmising the fact that the games are historically connected with greece, but you want us to believe that because 5 million tickets were sold sydney was the best?

Nothing you post is accurate!
And your posts are? Cant you be a bit more productive in such a thread.

Cut the insults guys.
You have differing opinions, and your entitled to them. You dont agree with each other? Good, makes for a better discussion. The discussion dies when the insults start flying.

Half the things some of you have said about each other, apply to your selfs. I hope some of you realise.

Pathetic..

This is hardly the opinon of everyone. People also said Sydney and Barcelona were better than Athens and Atlanta. This is subjective it really cannot be debated effectively - there is no definitive measure as to the success or failure bar a few comments made by the officials and the presidents of the IOC. Something described as "Best Ever" would be considered more memorable IMO than something decribed as "Dream" like ... dreams can be easily forgotten.
Obviously it is not everyones opinion.

Demetrius, the Olympics have lost all meaning. The only thing they are about these days is money.

No matter what measures are put in place, no matter how much drug testing is done, the drug cheats will always be ahead. New performance enhancing drugs are developed, and new drugs to conceal them etc. They dont just make one lot and stop there.

How do you measure if an Olympics is the best?
By memorable moments?
By things that you personally enjoyed?
By the success of the games?
By how many world or pb records were broken?

It seems your severe lack of intelligence and amazingly dense head are yet again showing in your posts.

I mean I personally intepret the statement of "But Historical Value can only take the games so far." to imply that it does matter to Some extent, but I was clearly mistaken.

From now on we will all adhere to the logic of giorgos and misinterpret everything we read.

well done moron, keep on making a complete and total ass of yourself and youll go far in life.

1. Athens 2004
2. Athens 1896
3. Any other Games

Discussing the "best Olympic Games" outside Greece is like discussing the best red wine outside France.
Sorry Guys, no country has the Parthenon, no country has Olympia, no country has the term "Olympic" as a native word.
I can accept anything and I do not praise Greece and Greeks as the "chosen
race" in any case, but face it: On top of the games, Olympics are about spirit and culture, thus about heritage. I'm sorry australians and all other host nations/cities, technically and economically you may argue forever, but simply
put, there is only one Olympia and it lies in Peloponnese in Southern Greece.

Heritage, Spirit and Peace.

What a load of Bollocks!

I dont hear the French proclaiming they "own" the Olympic Games considering it was one of their own countryman who invented the Olympic ideals of the modern Olympics.Its only in name that Baron Pierre de Coubertin called them the "Olympic Games".He could of called them the French Games if he wanted to.The Greeks should be praising the French for calling their games"Olympic" and giving them the honour of being the first host in 1896

Simple truth is that the ancient Olympic Games(which basically was a religious festival in praise of a Greek god,Zeus) bears no resemblence to the Modern.

Culturally,spiritually..heritage ,spirit,peace etc etc or whatever crap you want to spin.

I tried to put it lightly, but basically yeah

And your posts are? Cant you be a bit more productive in such a thread.

We have a breakthrough!

You have admitted your posts are not accurate.

and can you give reason why sydney was the best?
Your dissmising the fact that the games are historically connected with greece, but you want us to believe that because 5 million tickets were sold sydney was the best?

The ticket sales mentioned are certainly a valid personal reason for someone thinking it might be the best but they are not the only reason.

You seem content to look at the surface of every issue and not the underlying situations that arise from cause and effect. Ticket sales ensure money, vibrancy, support, atmosphere. I am not saying these were not shown in the Athens games but I get annoyed when I find you can't look past anything but your own stupidity. This is a subjective issue and there can be many various contributing factors - how can you simply dismiss everything everyone says?

This is too funny. I have no need to watch the comedy channel.

__________________
Giorgos Comedy Show
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=5927683#post5927683

Whats Profit got to do with the best olympics?

HA FUCKING HA!

Why do you think the world cares about the olympics so much? Do you seriously think cities spend billions of dollars to somehow follow in the graduer of Athens. Please, if the olympics didn't give the hosting city and economic kick in the pants it would be the equivalent of cricket in Australia, purely televised to put middle aged men asleep. Have you ever actually watched the Olympics right through? BORING! the only attraction is the economic benefiets that come with the investments and advertisment of the city. Not this supposed "spirit" of the Olympics.

Perspective is everything. It's funny how to all the Aussies, the Sydney Games were the be-all and end-all of modern Olympics. They seem genuinely surprised that the rest of the world doesn't share the same admiration for them.

The Sydney Games were fine. The put on a good games and the ceremonies were ok. They delivered. But people won't be looking back on them with the same admiration as Munich in 1972, Rome in 1960 or Athens in 2004. They were ok, but they won't figure prominently in the Olympic memories of most people around the world. My opinion.
Wrong. Very wrong.

The Sydney games were hailed as the rejuvenation of the Olympics, the whole world recognizes them as the best olympics ever. They will always hold a special place in history. The Athens games will be remembered for the poor preperation, the lack of spectators.. oh and also a great roof.

edit- not to mention the drug fiasco with the original final torch bearer..

Wrong. Very wrong.

The Sydney games were hailed as the rejuvenation of the Olympic ideals, the whole world recognizes them as the best olympics ever. They will always hold a special place in history. The Athens games will be remembered for the poor preperation, the lack of spectators.. oh and also a great roof.

I totally agree with you - I simply can't make assertions like that - Giorgos and friends would immediately label me biased (they do anyway). Kudos for you telling it how it is. What they don't seem to understand is that I bag sydney out all the time. I love Sydney but with this debate i am impartial.

Barcelona 1992: best organization, beautiful city, no problems during the games

Are you going to shoot me now?

shame they all being quite harsh on your views if one could call them that....just one thing...athens games werent worse because of the dopings...you cant lbame athens you can praise them forbeing more strict...even if their "torchbearer" forgive me i forgot his name is a druggie too...they increased the doping checks etc. and caught the cheaters fair and square....

Athens 2004 y Barcelona 1992, I never saw a greatest organization and preparation of all the country!!,...and the buildings off course!!

Guys, you make a mistake... To choose a best Olympics has a too different faces.

1. The Best Olympics in organization

2. The best Olympic Games in a sportive way... Don't forget that Olimpiada is a sport event more than architecture or show.

However each new game will be better than former one in organization, but worse in a sportive way. doping scandals and other events proved this... Olympics are not a competition between athelets anymore, but a war between medical firms...

Athens Olympics were the last romantic games even in organization, (in a sportive way it was not, each country had a doping scandal and both WADA and Greek authortities could find the guilties very well)

Form now on with Beijing, it will be the organization of international capital...

What a load of Bollocks!
Its only in name that Baron Pierre de Coubertin called them the "Olympic Games".He could of called them the French Games if he wanted to.The Greeks should be praising the French for calling their games"Olympic" and giving them the honour of being the first host in 1896

There is a reason he gave the games the name "Olympic" and a reason he chose to have them reborn in Greece.

He didn't pluck it out of thin air.



Simple truth is that the ancient Olympic Games(which basically was a religious festival in praise of a Greek god,Zeus) bears no resemblence to the Modern.

Culturally,spiritually..heritage ,spirit,peace etc etc or whatever crap you want to spin.

You really are playing into the whole lack of history and culture theme that is given to most Australians. Sports is sports. A race is a race. Throwing is throwing. Winning is winning. Competition is competition. Alot of things have changed during the thousands of years, and yes I don't see any praising of Zeus before the games, but the core of athletics, the events, the winners and losers, the emotions, the spectators, the pride, the CULTURE of sports is the same. This is something that should never change. Is should be the same core as it was with the Ancient Greeks, in Ancient times, only on a modern level. There is a very romantic, cultural and historic element to the Olympic games and Greece, for obvious reasons. The whole world recognizes this. To say otherwise and try to tarnish it is either jealousy, stupidity, or something along those lines.

Sounds alot like something Giorgos would do, if it wasn't Greek.... Which brings me to my next point. Funny how all those going 9 pages with him (and a few others) and coming down on him, are the same ones stooping to his level so to speak, and are keeping the conversation going (and seemingly enjoying it) for ever. I see no real difference between the two, trading insults, being ignorant, won't shut up, insulting to other cultures/countries/peoples (and this insn't to directed to anyone personally, nor to Giorgos personally, but to all taking part in 9 pages of "Athens vs Sydney - Greece vs Australia". It takes two to tango.)


And just some more things I wanted to touch on, about the drugs. Athens took good steps to stop cheaters. This is what the game needs. I wouldn't critisize this at all, as they could have easily sat back, tried to cover things up, let things go, and the like, and see athletes perform at amazing levels, breaking records and wowing crowds. It could have been nice and rosey. But they chose to stop the cheaters. The same cheaters that were cheating at Sydney. You know, Kenteris and Thanou for example. In Sydney they won medals. In Athens, they were caught as cheaters and put egg on the face of a nation and ripped the heart out of a whole peoples. (myself included). That my friends is no small feat, and nothing to belittle. That takes some fucking balls and as much as it hurt, I am glad that CHEATERS were braught to justice. I hope all who cheat are. And sadly, I am sure there are even more who are just better at hiding it who haven't been caught. Well, I hope it catches up to them also.


As for the economics, I for one don't put much stock into that. Because at this point the games have gotton so big, and each city is so different in circumstances, and so much potential benefit comes with them, a huge pricetag is bound to come along with it. Now a profit is never a bad thing, but not at the cost of huge overcommerclization and prostituting of the games. Something that I found rampant in the games which took place in the USA. Australia did pretty good in this respect I felt. Athens IMO did not do enough, but this is the angle they wanted. And even still they hit their ticket sale and revenue marks. But the potential was much bigger. The whole games themselves I can't help but feel had so much more potential then it showed. They ended up good, and we did it, and I do believe they are in the top 3 best games ever (Sydney and Barcelona the other two), but I don't feel we hit our potential and what they could have been. I don't feel we accomplished greatness, and that is mainly due to our own problems, and Greek mentality. And some outside influences not in our control such as terrorism and the media. But it is what it is. We could have, and had the pontential to shatter any previous games without a shadow of a doubt in my opinion. But we didn't....


Anyway, this post has been building up seeing this crap all over this particular forum, so I guess I am venting. Personally, I can go toe to toe with anybody who whishes to compare games and technical aspects of them. But i've gotton tired of it because most people don't really want that, only to show their own complexes and whatever else is stuck up their asses. And it gets tiring to try and prove to people that in the year 2004, the Athens stadium was more than a concrete bowl with a roof and had many state of the art things in it. Nobody really cares, they just like to say it over and over. Same with ticket sales, media, and whatever else is involved. So yeah, have fun with all of it. :)

The ticket sales mentioned are certainly a valid personal reason for someone thinking it might be the best but they are not the only reason.

The historical link between Athens 2004 and the Ancient Olympics is a valid reason for me to feel Athens was the best. So why do you attack my opinion?

Lets start Fresh...

Athens was my personal favourite because it linked the games to its spiritual home.

Now give your opinion and stfu.

Perhaps the best Olympic should be judged from what the actual atheletes had to say. Based on articles I have read in the past the games in which the atheletes had the most positive experiences were Mexico, Calgary and Sydney.

Athens had no problems in the organization during the Olympic Games.The city worked very well.Anyone doubts? The tickets which sold were much enough for a city of 4.000.000 and the oly sports which were not filled were these of some totally unknown to the greeks,such as handball.Thinking of the size(economical and the population)of Greece, hese Games were marvellous.Never before such a tiny country made a better organization.

Sydney was definitley the best planned.

And as a result Athens, Beijing and London have all asked Sydney organisers for helpful advice and assistance with their games.

I recall some part of Athens still being landscaped a few days before the games?? The trees were still seeds in the ground. In Sydney all the venues were operational years ahead!

I also recall quite a few EMPTY seats in Athens from watching it on TV.. especially at the start of the games.

Who cares if it is an unknown sport... in Sydney ALL THE SEATS were filled to the rafters.. from PingPong to Basketball to Kayaking etc.

The Aussies definitley got behind every sport.. we are a country full of sports fanatics after all! :cool:

I enjoyed most Olypic games in Atlanta:)

I recall some part of Athens still being landscaped a few days before the games?? The trees were still seeds in the ground. In Sydney all the venues were operational years ahead!
Well... not all ;)
But yes Sydney has been the most prepared games that i have been around for it seems. 2008 shall be good to see.

1. Barcelona'92, they set the new era for olympic games

2. To share between Sidney'00 & Athens'04. I was a bit sceptic with the greek olympics, how wrong I was!


I also was dissapointed with Atlanta'96. They didn't make use of the experience gained at Los Angeles'84

The Sydney games were hailed as the rejuvenation of the Olympics, the whole world recognizes them as the best olympics ever.

LOL. Sorry, but I don't agree. If you read this forum, for instance, you'll find that it's mainly the Ausralians that think the Sydney games were outstanding. Everybody else mentions Barcelona, Athens or Munich. Take away the colloquial favoritism and Sydney was just another modern Olympics, nothing particularly memorable. Except the shrimp riding bicycles, of course. THAT was rather unique, no question.

At my place of employment. He's a Greek Australian, from Melbourne! Speaks fluent Greek, as well. Even speaks passable American, which I can understand after a fashion.

He says he came to the US to be "where the action is" in manufacturing. I'll have to set to work to get all those colloquial mannerisms of his remedied. Shouldn't take him long to learn te proper way of thinking-he's a Hellene, afterall!

Sydney was definitley the best planned.

Then why did the torch get stuck going up on international television? Besides, planning isn't the main criticism. Most criticism is that the Sydney Olympics were not particularly imaginative and were rather boring to use the proper word. No one remembers them only 6 years after the fact. At least nobody outside of Sydney, Australia.

In Sydney all the venues were operational years ahead!

Thats because they were dull, uninspired designs. Certainly no Calatrava contributed to the Sydney venues. You can tell that by just looking at them. Function, without any flare. They missed their chance to make an architectural statement.

Thats because they were dull, uninspired designs. Certainly no Calatrava contributed to the Sydney venues. You can tell that by just looking at them. Function, without any flare. They missed their chance to make an architectural statement.

don;t you bore yourself...? same old thing....bla bla bla

landos is just a hater lol

maybe make a poll?

all the canadian olympic were the best

all the canadian olympic were the best

yeah i thought so too ....lol

Then why did the torch get stuck going up on international television? Besides, planning isn't the main criticism. Most criticism is that the Sydney Olympics were not particularly imaginative and were rather boring to use the proper word. No one remembers them only 6 years after the fact. At least nobody outside of Sydney, Australia.
It's funny how you say no one remembers Sydney 6 yrs on yet you have a detailed memory of many events :)

...and as for boring? the athletes leaving the athens closing ceremony half way though might consider it boring and unimaginative, like most of your comments.

^^ LOL

Sydney was definitley the best planned.

And as a result Athens, Beijing and London have all asked Sydney organisers for helpful advice and assistance with their games.

I recall some part of Athens still being landscaped a few days before the games?? The trees were still seeds in the ground. In Sydney all the venues were operational years ahead!

As opposed to no landscaping at all? Look at Both Olympic Parks and Compare from aerial views. Athens Venues shitted all over sydney. And Organisation?? Who cares when the Athens games were totally flawless...lets not forget the Torch incident in Sydney.. :runaway: wow 6 years of organisation and 3 years to spare and the torch still gets stuck? Are you proud of that?

don;t you bore yourself...? same old thing....bla bla bla

Theres nothing new to work with. seats were empty....organisaton was crap..(despite a FLAWLESS games)...blah blah blah

LOL. Sorry, but I don't agree. If you read this forum, for instance, you'll find that it's mainly the Ausralians that think the Sydney games were outstanding.

False. You'll find that most Greeks think that the Athens games were outstanding, wheras I have seen more non-Australians vote for Sydney ;) I'm with Mo Rush. Don't you get bored talking crap?

At my place of employment. He's a Greek Australian, from Melbourne! Speaks fluent Greek, as well. Even speaks passable American, which I can understand after a fashion.

He says he came to the US to be "where the action is" in manufacturing. I'll have to set to work to get all those colloquial mannerisms of his remedied. Shouldn't take him long to learn te proper way of thinking-he's a Hellene, afterall!

Haha, um..thing is. No one actually cares? :)

As opposed to no landscaping at all? Look at Both Olympic Parks and Compare from aerial views. Athens Venues shitted all over sydney. And Organisation?? Who cares when the Athens games were totally flawless...lets not forget the Torch incident in Sydney.. :runaway: wow 6 years of organisation and 3 years to spare and the torch still gets stuck? Are you proud of that?

Well, we had a known Olympic Torch bearer who wasn't caught using drugs before the ceremony. Are YOU proud of that? Haha. Anyway, again you're only focusing on the Opening Ceremony. I'll remind you in bold letters: The Opening Ceremony is not the only thing present at the Olympic Games. You're a horrible representative of Greece - one can only hope that with such cheap logic like yours, the games NEVER go back to Athens.

Hey, my buddy Valeroso is back! I thought he got tossed out of here weeks ago for congenital stupidity. :bash:

Hey, my buddy Valeroso is back! I thought he got tossed out of here weeks ago for congenital stupidity. :bash:

valeroso is ok cept for him supporting arsenal....i sense some issues around that....otherwise he is ok...i think people have just written off you landos...but its still fun to here you babble cept its nothing new....bla bla bla

This is a thread for all of you idiots who seem intent on arguing who has the bigger penis, sorry better olympics, and are intent on ruining the london olympics thread.
so please add all of your tiresome bitching in here.
ill start... sydney was the best games ever and athens was a pile of poo. that should get you going.

I have never read more embarassing and disgusting posts to any thread since joining this site. Reyrey knew exactly what he was doing when he started this thread, and some people have completely taken the bait. How embarassing... :ohno:

What is wrong with the world today? (there's a thread if ever I heard one)
"Who has the bigger penis", alright!

Why do people feel insistant that their opinions matter most? By all means, add your thoughts, but to attack others is just plain crazy. Accept that people are different. If other's do not agree with our opinions, does this mean that they are wrong? NO! The world is made up of billions of amazing people with very different ways of thinking, living, etc. Fine, disagree but it's so barbaric to attack another for such ridiculous reasons.

Personally I couldn't seperate Sydney with Athens. Is it because I was incredibly lucky to have attended Sydney? Or because I am of 100% Greek origin? Doesn't really matter does it?
I am all for national pride and it's positive influence on a society but come on people!!!
You can't take away the amazing Greek influence on modern society and neither can you disreguard any other race's influence either. I hold a special place in my "mind" and heart for what they achieved and gave us. This however does not make me think I am superior...just lucky to understand its importance ( ...and probably only to me).

So for the Greek contingent, get the hell over it! You are completely embarassing yourselves and showing the world a very bad side to our society.

So who held the best Olympics? Oh I don't know...how long is a piece of string? :grouphug:

(by the way, I welcome positive feedback to this post. You don't have to agree with any of it but at least have the intelligence to be courteous and respectful)

Hey, my buddy Valeroso is back! I thought he got tossed out of here weeks ago for congenital stupidity.

Congenital stupidity from your behalf ;) I see you haven't taken the sign that nobody here actuallly wants you, eh?

valeroso is ok cept for him supporting arsenal....i sense some issues around that....otherwise he is ok...i think people have just written off you landos...but its still fun to here you babble cept its nothing new....bla bla bla


Haha, but the logo is red, and it has the word "Arse' in it, how else could I resist? :D Anyway, you're an okay guy yourself! I want Cape Town to win the 2016 Olympics now more than ever! :D

http://img499.imageshack.us/img499/5577/montjuic2mn.jpg

^ Calatravas Design is refering to Athens? :D

Congenital stupidity from your behalf ;) I see you haven't taken the sign that nobody here actuallly wants you, eh?




Haha, but the logo is red, and it has the word "Arse' in it, how else could I resist? :D Anyway, you're an okay guy yourself! I want Cape Town to win the 2016 Olympics now more than ever! :D

valeroso are u hitting on me??

You wish :D

btw have you planned the aquatic centre yet?

You wish :D

btw have you planned the aquatic centre yet?

i wish??? for all i know he is a 90 year old grandfather....yeah im working on it....ill send u summin.....its just like main bowl stadium thing for the main pool and a rectangular add one to the bowl for the diving....i dunno summmin like that....

lol...is it anything like my previous design? if so, cool if not...i hope your drawing is good. i have an idea i might make one up for you.

valeroso are u hitting on me??

No thank you, I love my women! ;) But I prefer to cheer more for Cape Town knowing that .::G!oRgOs::. may one day be proven wrong!

No thank you, I love my women! ;) But I prefer to cheer more for Cape Town knowing that .::G!oRgOs::. may one day be proven wrong!

ah ok...

No thank you, I love my women! ;) But I prefer to cheer more for Cape Town knowing that .::G!oRgOs::. may one day be proven wrong!

How so? God i cant even keep track of all the 'crap' iv said over the year :D (its my one year anniversary on the forum this month!)

Giorgos and Landos must be the two biggest f*******s on the forum. They are too stupid to deserve a response.

How so? God i cant even keep track of all the 'crap' iv said over the year :D (its my one year anniversary on the forum this month!)

Yes most of what you have said is exactly that... CRAP.

Rest assured we are keeping track of it even if you are too stupid to remember some of the insane and offensive things you have said.

Barcelona

Giorgos and Landos must be the two biggest f*******s on the forum. They are too stupid to deserve a response.


Then why do you?

Sydney 2000.

Giorgos and Landos must be the two biggest f*******s on the forum. They are too stupid to deserve a response.

Fuck you you cunt. Get the fuck out of this forum

Then why do you?

I didn't say i required a response and I didn't ask for it. You are just as thick as the two of them anyway - maybe I should have included you.

Barcelona 92 , cause I was there :)

What makes you think your not a fuck wit? Clearly you are.
You are one of the most hated people on this forum, iv bitched about you many times and iv always recieved bitchy comments towards yourself also. I dont give a toss what you say about me, your a nobody with no life. A 41 year old loser with no life...who thinks hes a space cadet? Get real you low life scum.

Avatar is a fine forumer. You were not around since Sept 2002 to see his view.

You Giorgos, are a traitor going anti-Australian but living in his soil.

What makes you think your not a fuck wit? Clearly you are.
You are one of the most hated people on this forum, iv bitched about you many times and iv always recieved bitchy comments towards yourself also. I dont give a toss what you say about me, your a nobody with no life. A 41 year old loser with no life...who thinks hes a space cadet? Get real you low life scum.

Haha - since when have I received as much vitriol as you? I cant think of many people telling me I am stupid or a looser - save for yourself and your cohorts. Anyway, why would you receive the bitchy comments for me - Shouldn't I be the one that takes receipt of comments directed to me or am I missing something? You have a strange way of disseminating information.

The socalled 'bitchy' comments you make are lame - all you do is reguritate what is thrown at you and ad in a bit of bad language. You can't even be original in your attacks all you do is dig yourself deeper with each comment.

Last time I checked I wasn't anywhere near 41YO - where the hell did you get that idea from? Unfortunatly way off the mark. BTW I love how you just make things up like that - shows just how you operate - you just pluck things out of nowhere to suit your arguements.

Yawn now I am bored again. You have been argueing with other forumers since you joined - you simply haven't stopped. I got bored with you last time and now I am bored with you again. 11 months of ignoring you was great but I can't sit back and swallow all the crap you feed these forums. I am not the only one either.

the torch still gets stuck? Are you proud of that?

The music kept playing and the fireworks still came when they were supposed to.. so it wasnt that noticable... plus it goes to show u how good the games were if the torch getting stuck for a minute was the only problem you can pick out HA HA HA. Empty seats at the Olympics is WAY more embarassing in my opinion...... SHOCKING!!! LOL!

Dont forget the Athens organisers looked to Sydney for help. So have Beijing and London.

That is how good the games of 2000 in Sydney were :)
A BENCHMARK for future Olympic games :)

The music kept playing and the fireworks still came when they were supposed to.. so it wasnt that noticable... plus it goes to show u how good the games were if the torch getting stuck for a minute was the only problem you can pick out HA HA HA. Empty seats at the Olympics is WAY more embarassing in my opinion...... SHOCKING!!! LOL!

Dont forget the Athens organisers looked to Sydney for help. So have Beijing and London.

That is how good the games of 2000 in Sydney were :)
A BENCHMARK for future Olympic games :)

So true - it's not like governments and organisations hosting the future games choose to employ staff with an unproven track record. They chose staff from Australia and SOCOG due to a belief in the professional and essentially flawless delivery of the Sydney Games - sure there were teething problems as there is with any major event of this magnitude but as rondeez states... a benchmark.

I didn't say i required a response and I didn't ask for it. You are just as thick as the two of them anyway - maybe I should have included you.
Christos is one of the best forumers here. He states his opinion without insulting people. You are just as bad as Landos, giorgos. For you anyone who doesnt agree that the Athens Olympics were shit is a Sydney hater. :weirdo:

What a load of bullshit. I don't think Athens was bad, I am not against people that disliked Sydney's games. What I am against is hypocritical and stupid assertions raised by some.

I disagree the twisted and ill-informed comments some frequently make. If you notice I only started posting in this thread recently. The big G has been in arguments with several forumers for months - some of them not even Australian. I don't often use the C word directly at people on the forums either.

I have no problem with informed, rational discussion. It is prefered. Unfortunately some don't seem to understand.

jerry jerry!!! jerry jerrY!!! this is turning into the ricky lake show....very entertaining...

I can't really remember barca, only atlanta, sydney and athens. of these i think sydney was best - the venues and spirit of those games were the best

essentially flawless delivery of the Sydney Games

The torch got stuck during the openning ceremonies. Maybe that's "flawless delivery" in Sydney, the rest of the world was embarassed for you.

As for Avatar, he sets the bar just a wee bit lower with every post he makes in this forum. He hasn't added tangible content to any subject in all the time I've been here. Just more bla, bla, bla as Mo Rush would say. I note-not with any real surprise-that he hails from Sydney. Probably was part of the Olympic Torch lighting crew for the Sydney Games. The torch probably got stuck when he flicked his reefer into the gearing just before opening ceremony.

I have no problem with informed, rational discussion.

You don't understand a word of it, either. Informed, rational discussion may as well be in a foreign language for all you're going to get out of it.

You the first one in your family to be born without fur?

Dont forget the Athens organisers looked to Sydney for help.

Custodial only. Always a few career opportunities swabbing toilets and adding the mints to the urinals. There's a few in this forum that could just handle those responsibilities without taxing their capabilities too awfully much.

I didn't say i required a response and I didn't ask for it. You are just as thick as the two of them anyway - maybe I should have included you.


Oh am I?

Well excuse me for quoting your post, I had no idea we could only comment when it was required or asked of us.


I didn't forget you avatar, I didn't forget our past conversations. I remember them quite well actually. (maybe you don't....) I remember you constantly invading Greek topics having to do with the Olympics and hijacking them with a few of your friends, constantly putting down the Athens games. I remember going head to head with you and your many baseless comments on the games, and in the end, when I did prove you wrong (as I was much more familair with the games than yourself) all you had to say was you were in it for "kicks and giggles" (something to that effect) and you enjoy going back and forth with people, in these meaningless conversations, which is evident yet again here in this topic. Thats the first time I really lost interest here, because I realized most weren't here to discuss the games, and share information and enjoy the forums, but simply to be jackasses and insult each other and each others countries. You are no different from Landos, although you try and do it much more descreetly. You had behind some kind of ridiculous moral highground, when infact the core of you two is the same. This place would be alot better if such posters and comments were ignored, don't you think?

Feel free to comment on this post by way, just incase you feel it isn't required or asked of you.

You are no different from Landos, although you try and do it much more descreetly.

When are you going to wake up to the fact that some people are just biased against Greeks, Christos? They hate and envy us for our history of cultural accomplishment. They hate and envy us for our contributions to science. They hate our national pride.

You can't be nice enough to them to make them like you. You can't meet them half-way. They're going to hate us no matter what we do, so why waste your time trying to get along with them?

Frankly, I resent your putting me on the same level as these troglodytes. They couldn't hold a candle to my background, education or career accomplishments. You really need to wake up and smell the coffee, Palikari.

When are you going to wake up to the fact that some people are just biased against Greeks, Christos? They hate and envy us for our history of cultural accomplishment. They hate and envy us for our contributions to science. They hate our national pride.

You can't be nice enough to them to make them like you. You can't meet them half-way. They're going to hate us no matter what we do, so why waste your time trying to get along with them?

Frankly, I resent your putting me on the same level as these troglodytes. They couldn't hold a candle to my background, education or career accomplishments. You really need to wake up and smell the coffee, Palikari.

i dont think "some" people are against greeks...i can't be i love greeks most of my uni friends are greek or italian...i dont have anything to add as its all the same as before just a new day....uhm the torch got stuck yeah that was a mistake...but then dont cry foul when others find major faults in the athens games...if you criticize just be open for other to find fault in your "Dream" games....as for giorgios i love the fact that he actually lives in australia..almost ironic...but he is an ok fella...its landos i worry about...then again i dont think he lives in greece either...otherwise same old arguments same people...enjoy...makes for a good laugh..

Thats the thing Landos, you are on the same level, only as smart as you are for some reason you can't see it. Either that, or you enjoy it just as much as they do. Thats why you guys can go pages and pages with each other. You may read what they say and feel the need to get back at them, to give it back 10x as hard. But here's the thing. It is not every Australian or British or whatever person being a jackass. Because a few members may act like idiots, it doesn't mean I will lump this into "All of Australia" and label Australia as this and that. Australia is a country of 20 million people, I won't judge them from 2-3 forumers on the internet. It's the same for the other way around, because some Greeks feel the need to insult and attack others countries (be it they feel theirs is attacked or whatever), I wouldn't judge all Greeks on these posters nor their country. It's not logical. We should as people take people as they are, on an individual level. But you are right, most people don't want to do this. Most people just want to insult and express their complexes and such on certain issues. Well, you know what, thats their problem, not mine. Not giving them the satisfaction and simply ignoring it goes much further then going page after page with them. I haven't said much in the many topics until this one, which I am expressing my ideas and feelings, and then after this, whatever happens, happens. It's not worth the time. I come here to have fun, hear other ideas of people from around the world, and to learn things on the topics I am interested, or don't know much about. The fact that most can't do this anymore, because topics keep getting hijacked, really reflects on the moderators of these forums, who seem to have gone missing.

When did I ever say "All Australians" about anything? I go after the ones in this forum who knee-jerk attack Greece, naturally. They ask for it and I accomodate them. Not that it's much of a challenge to make fools look like fools, but we do what we can to assist them. Thats the polite thing to do, afterall. And if you don't believe there are a great many people who hate and envy Greeks because of the things I listed below, you're being naive.

As for Mo Rush being worried about me: he ought to be worried about his own nation and how they're going to grow the economy fast enough so they don't have a revolution there. Never mind landing an Olympics anytime soon, they need to focus on more direct problems.

When did I ever say "All Australians" about anything? I go after the ones in this forum who knee-jerk attack Greece, naturally. They ask for it and I accomodate them. Not that it's much of a challenge to make fools look like fools, but we do what we can to assist them. Thats the polite thing to do, afterall. And if you don't believe there are a great many people who hate and envy Greeks because of the things I listed below, you're being naive.

As for Mo Rush being worried about me: he ought to be worried about his own nation and how they're going to grow the economy fast enough so they don't have a revolution there. Never mind landing an Olympics anytime soon, they need to focus on more direct problems.

oh spare me the pyschobabble about what south africa needs..and pay back your billions of debt after the olympics...u truly are ignorant..spose u just remind me thats all....economy is doing great actually according the IMF...2010 soccer world cup will only enhance it...greece did well, athens a new modern city...thats all fantastic and i wish the same for cape town...without the large debt and without some venues that are not being used fully....cape town stands a good chance in 2020 one can only wait and see how it goes....unless you have a crystal ball...thanks though for the revolution thing it did make me laugh...heres to your mental well being....

ok, maybe it's me becuase i don't get into the olympics (other than the opening and closing ceremonies) but 99.99% of the bickering here is just dumb. :sleepy:

Yall seem to be jealous hypacrits, its like ya'll HATE Atlanta(not just in olympic threads). Tell me what made ATl's olympics so horrible to the world ?

Fist of all,Atlanta paied to have the 100years-celebration-games instead of Athenscould think something worst??

^ WHAT???

You all sound like freakin morons! Obviously each of you are gonna pick the best opening ceremony based on different criteria! My opinon is that Athens 2004 and Barcelona were two of the best followed by Sydney!

This is MY opinion .... if you dont' like it then who the F_CK cares?

P.S. Atlanta won the games based on one reason and one reason only! MONEY! That is what it boils down too basically! And it has to be considered one of the worst games, that is the general consensus! Beijing we all know will put on a kick ass games! That is just the way the Chinese are, efficient as hell! Plus they DO have something to prove!

Atlanta96:the celebration of 100 years of modern olympics very very far from Athens that organized the first modern games and from the land that born the olympic games...Its sounds bad enough and it is a shame for the olympic spirit...

^please the people who organize the olympics are such hypocrits that the whole spirit of the olympics was tarnished the day they were revived.

Even more the day that the olympic flame entered into a stadium after 100 yeras miles far from birthplace,,,,,,,it s scary what money can do.....

^yep just as a i thought, this hatred of atlanta isnt about commercialism....its just envy!!!

Envy??envy for what exactly? If u believe that it was ok to organize the 1996 games in Atlanta, so weeldone. But its matter of education and culture of each one of us...and my culture wouldnt allow to celebrate the 100 years of modern olympics in other city than home...

Envy??envy for what exactly? If u believe that it was ok to organize the 1996 games in Atlanta, so weeldone. But its matter of education and culture of each one of us...and my culture wouldnt allow to celebrate the 100 years of modern olympics in other city than home...
yeah just make sure the home is ready...

Mo and others, I surely believe that Athens in 1996 wasnt as Athens in 2004. In 1996 the city needed a lot of insfracture to be more modern and to have a better quality of life.Thats sure. But, even Athens in 1996 was the WORST VILLAGE in the whole world(sure it wasnt neither village nor worst),it deserved to organize the 100 years olympiad. Come on..last summer we saw great scenes from olympics even in the ancient Olympia,with a soil-stadium..no roof,no seats there but was so marvellous..and there was not any problem.The games could be host in 1996 in Athens,even the olympic stadium then was roofless,so what? A big part of the stadia was already build in 1996(OAKA,indoor OAKA,velodrome,swimming pool,peace and Friendship stadium and some more).Thats why Athens came in 2nd place ,after Atlanta...if Athens hadnt a nice bid,it could be finished last,but Athens came second for obcious reasons..
All that I want to say is that Athens deserve the 96 games more than any other place in the world.Greeks invented the games,after all.

Mo and others, I surely believe that Athens in 1996 wasnt as Athens in 2004. In 1996 the city needed a lot of insfracture to be more modern and to have a better quality of life.Thats sure. But, even Athens in 1996 was the WORST VILLAGE in the whole world(sure it wasnt neither village nor worst),it deserved to organize the 100 years olympiad. Come on..last summer we saw great scenes from olympics even in the ancient Olympia,with a soil-stadium..no roof,no seats there but was so marvellous..and there was not any problem.The games could be host in 1996 in Athens,even the olympic stadium then was roofless,so what? A big part of the stadia was already build in 1996(OAKA,indoor OAKA,velodrome,swimming pool,peace and Friendship stadium and some more).Thats why Athens came in 2nd place ,after Atlanta...if Athens hadnt a nice bid,it could be finished last,but Athens came second for obcious reasons..
All that I want to say is that Athens deserve the 96 games more than any other place in the world.Greeks invented the games,after all.


i agreee....athens should have been handed 1996...its just not right i think and then on top of that to add insult, it lost to atlanta...i dont think it was special in any way to celebrate it their...the coca cola games i mean really...i would have been happier if paris won and athens then 2004....

^yep just as a i thought, this hatred of atlanta isnt about commercialism....its just envy!!!
Were all so envious of Atlantas Olympics. I wish Athens had a terrorist attack at the opening ceremony like Atlanta did. That would have made the Olympics so much better.

Yea. Would have created headlines!

Although the Athens Olympics was not that fantastic (with the attendence and you know) it's opening ceremony was pretty spectacular, but i'm gonna go Sydney all the way, you could never beat that magical moment, also a very multicultural even that included the world not just the history of the nation. I'm also expecting 8 years on and hope that China can beat us to be the best Olympics of all time

:)

History if greek nation was only a little part of Athens ceremony...r u sure that u watched it really?? Athens prefered to show a global act based on universal primitive values:the sea,the fire,the human,the logic...and that makes it eternal :-)

Dedicated to Mo from Athens with love :cheers:
http://www.repubblica.it/2004/h/gallerie/olimpiadi2004/cerimnaug/reuters51611211308210226_big.jpg

Without a doubt - Athens Olympics ... WOW ! I loved it and it was the inspiration for a Greek restaurant that I designed.

Athens with the 'meteorite' in the 'sea' was spectacular! And all those half naked mascular greek gods?? Just look at that guy's dong! Yummie!!!!

Athens 2004

Athens with the 'meteorite' in the 'sea' was spectacular! And all those half naked mascular greek gods?? Just look at that guy's dong! Yummie!!!!

Interesting post lol. :yes:

What was the greatest Opening Ceremony of sport event ever? Including Olympic Games, World cup, Universiade, Mediterranean Games and whatever u think that was the best of all!
Albertville 1992: the only one where a President participate to an "Ola"

Athens was not ready to host the '96 Olympics, it would have been a debacle. We were barely ready for the '04 ones.

Having said that, the opening ceremony was incredible. It was beautiful, and I've never seen anything like it.


As for the tickets, we did very well. We sold more than Barcelona or Seoul, so considering the country only has 10 million people, and all the tourists were scared away by the mongering of the British, US, and Australian press....

What was so entertaining about the Athens opening ceremoney? i fell asleep watching it. I think you are forgetting Sydney had the best Olympics ever, the president said so and he would know.

The Athens Olympics were way better then the Sydney one. Just everything about it. The stadium, the lighting, the performaces, decor, costumes, music.

Dennis the magician

What was so entertaining about the Athens opening ceremoney? i fell asleep watching it. I think you are forgetting Sydney had the best Olympics ever, the president said so and he would know.
I would respond.......................but you have been banned. Maybe for making multiple ignorant posts such as that one.

Athens with the 'meteorite' in the 'sea' was spectacular! And all those half naked mascular greek gods?? Just look at that guy's dong! Yummie!!!!
:runaway:

Athens had the best closing ceremony, but imo not openning...

The lighting of the cauldron in Sydney was one of the most spectacular sights I have seen. It brought Goosebumps.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/news/2000/09/15/ceremonies_cauldron_ap/lg_freeman_ap.jpg

Oh yes the one that had been stuck in the middle!!!!

Oh yes the one that had been stuck in the middle!!!!

yeah luckily it didnt look like an old burning cigarette....with some unknown athlete in clothes that werent made for him....

The 2010 games in Vancouver will feature a joint lighting the cauldron!

my favorite was Sydney but i bet the best is yet to come, maybe Germany 06, and of course the most impressive is going to be Beijing 08, i can't wait.

Mo,u can only judge other countries ceremonies,,,,hahaha!Live with this!

i hate Opening Ceremonies :sleepy:

Hippies would have loved the Athens cauldron, being a massive joint & all! ;)

Barcelona's.

oh yay its all starting again
Mo Rush attacking a small greek nation...shit ceremony,shit stadium,shit city....right Mo?

What is this shit?
LOL. Shrimp on bicycles.

Mo rush didn't start it, Landos did with his comment relating to the shrimps on bicycles which might I add was in the closing not the fucking opening. Glad you could even be bothered to get your facts correct.

Sydney gets my vote and most of it goes to the cauldron irrespective of it's small mishap. It is still for me the most amazing cauldron ever conceived for a games IMO. Sydney pioneered the first torch to be lit underwater as is. Their cauldron was as far as i know the first to ever use an autonomous cauldron with inbuilt gas reserves, and first to ever be lit while underwater.

Greeks and Italians MADE australia. the country was nothing but Englands CONVICT DUMPLAND!

KEY WORD: DUMP

Excuse me? Did the Greeks and Italians colonise Australia? I don't think so, they certainly didn't make this country. If it weren't for the British there might not be a country - certainly not one like we know today and maybe not one so open to multiculturalism. You may not exist had it not been for the British colonising the great south land.

Glad to see you have bothered to learn our history. If you don't have the decency to respect the original settlers, our past history and our our country then get the fuck out. Anyway the Chinese have done more for this country in the past 2 decades than most other immigrant groups could in several so don't kid yourself. The Italians have made a great contibution but what have our Greek immigrants done? In your case, very little but moan about how good the Athens Olympics was...

And raise the average IQs of both countries.

Seriously though, there's plenty of Greek people I know that aren't complete wankers. It's a shame that certain people do nothing but tarnish the name.

Greeks and Italians MADE australia. the country was nothing but Englands CONVICT DUMPLAND!

KEY WORD: DUMP


LMAO , your a fu<king idiot hey.

go back to school.

The Athen's Opening Ceremony TO ME was absolutely spectacular. It made me cry. It made me proud, and it told the most beautiful and elegant story of how it all began. Therefore, of course it was going to be fantastic.
On the other hand, Sydney's ceremony was equally spectacular for its time. I was there so I should know. The underwater images were devine. The Aboriginal scene incredibly dramatic and the tap dancing fuking hilarious!
Barcelona's ceremony was ground breaking. I've watched it many times on tape and still adore it's artistry and moving images. Hats off to the Spanish.
The rest of them? Some were great too but not so memorable. Unfortunately I never saw the Moscow Opening which I believe was truly ground breaking for its time.

A few interesting facts...
Barcelona's ceremony was created/directed by Ric Birch...an Australian who also created/directed Sydney's.
There were no shrimp/prawns or any other crustaceans on bikes/skate boards or even rollerblades in the Sydney Opening.
The Aboriginal culture dates back beyond 40,000 years. Ancient Australian Aboriginals deserve the respect that Ancient Greeks hold. Unless you are fully educated on both you are not able to pass comment.

...and finally, to those Greek girls on this forum trying to antagonise other forumers...get your hands off it!!! (you know who you are) It's a really low form of intelligence to attack highly intelligent people in this way.
Just because you're all gay and ridiculed at home by your bigger sister doesn't mean that you should call people names...and just because you're all quite ugly doesn't mean that you should make fun of people either. I know it's not your fault that you all turned out this way. I think it has something to do with inter breeding...?
(oh and if you didn't get it...I'm kidding :p)

And raise the average IQs of both countries.

Seriously though, there's plenty of Greek people I know that aren't complete wankers. It's a shame that certain people do nothing but tarnish the name.

i dont think it has anything to do with being greek...i have awesome greek friends who i partied with sat night...some of these wannabe greeks dont even live in greece....some even live in australia but feel the need to bring australia down..its hilarious..

i dont think it has anything to do with being greek...i have awesome greek friends who i partied with sat night...some of these wannabe greeks dont even live in greece....some even live in australia but feel the need to bring australia down..its hilarious..


So are the Greeks in South Africa that you partied with on Saturday night "wannabe Greeks" also?

Would you be a "wannabe South African" if one day you had to move to another country for varying reasons?


However, as hard as this may be, I agree with you on this point:

I can't stand it when a people born to immigrants trash-talk the country they were born in. I don't care if you are Greek, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, whatever....If you don't like the country you live in, which has given so much to you, then get the FUCK OUT!

I am Greek citizen, have served in teh Hellenic military, and have had part of my education in Greece. However I was born in Canada and currently live in Canada. I love this country, what it stands for, its good reputation around the world, its peaceful ways, and all the other things it has done for me. Does this pride make me less of a Greek? No. Those that think it does can kiss my ass. They are weak individuals with nationalist tendencies....you know who you are.

Very well said Erektion.

So are the Greeks in South Africa that you partied with on Saturday night "wannabe Greeks" also?

Would you be a "wannabe South African" if one day you had to move to another country for varying reasons?


However, as hard as this may be, I agree with you on this point:

I can't stand it when a people born to immigrants trash-talk the country they were born in. I don't care if you are Greek, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, whatever....If you don't like the country you live in, which has given so much to you, then get the FUCK OUT!

I am Greek citizen, have served in teh Hellenic military, and have had part of my education in Greece. However I was born in Canada and currently live in Canada. I love this country, what it stands for, its good reputation around the world, its peaceful ways, and all the other things it has done for me. Does this pride make me less of a Greek? No. Those that think it does can kiss my ass. They are weak individuals with nationalist tendencies....you know who you are.

maybe i was a bit extreme on the wannabe part...but i fully agree with u on the people who trash-talk the country they live in...

I can't stand it when a people born to immigrants trash-talk the country they were born in. I don't care if you are Greek, Italian, Chinese, Turkish, whatever....If you don't like the country you live in, which has given so much to you, then get the FUCK OUT!
Bravo LEAFS...Amen to that :cheers:

Barcelona 1992

1. Barcelona 1992
2. Sidney 2000
3. Athens 2004

Here we go again with the "BEST -- b/sh*t of this or that... :ohno: It is NOT the BEST -- but FAVORITE. Every one of us has a different set of standards, so FAVORITE is really the more apt and accurate classification-- NOT BEST.

My favorites:
1. Barcelona 1992
2. Salt Lake City 2002
3. tie between LA 1984 and Sydney 2000

Albertville 1992: the only one where a President participate to an "Ola"

Uhmm...wrong. Bill Clinton also did it in Atlanta in 1996.

The 2010 games in Vancouver will feature a joint lighting the cauldron!

uhmmm...already done in Innsbruck 1976.

SEOUL 88 off course the best clossing ceremony

Seoul 88 Closing was the gaudiest!!

Melbourne 2006 was pretty awesome!
DNEYv11UwIY

Sydney 2000 and Athens were also cool too :)

I liked the 96 Atlanta Opening ceremony only because President Clinton almost busted hard walking onto the field.

Sorry, the Athens 2004 opening ceremony, was not just an opening ceremony, it was a work of art, with many messages incorporated in it.
It's merit is still being assesed and analysed by various experts or even scholars.
Of course people who have superficial approach to these things, especially many from the former English colonies, wher most things are measured by materialistic values, just see a "ceremony", whereas Athens in 2004 put together an artistic event. It's up to everyones education and cultural background to aknowlledge this or not.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39952000/jpg/_39952260_sculpture_ap300.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/hafner.marc/Rq5DPNHIPMI/AAAAAAAAASo/LZCzoelGiBg/Opening_22.JPG?imgmax=512

http://www.clproductions.gr/photos/olympic-games-athens-2004-0010.jpg

The official theme song begins at 00:53 with Korean version. English version follows Korean version

4YyvEXNTlvQ

Wait n See Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony on 08.08.08 08 PM ..... It will be the Best Ever ...

Athens 2004 was something spectacular indeed. I still remember it quite clearly. Hard to pass that.

sydney
athens

Moscow, was, is and always will be the greatest opening ceremony.

The Sydney one was a rip off of an American one.

Greece was not bad.

The bear at 1980 games stands alone. Mind you the UFO at LA in 1984 was cool.

2004

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/72/226098032_f816f6c7e9.jpg
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Barcelona 1992
Sidney 200
Athens 2004
Seoul 1988
Atlanta 1996
Los Angeles 1984

sydney 2000- the best overall

athens had amazing moments,prob the best ever in olympic ceremony historu but overlal "travel through time", actual flame lighting and bjork, spoilt it.

Sorry, the Athens 2004 opening ceremony, was not just an opening ceremony, it was a work of art, with many messages incorporated in it.
It's merit is still being assesed and analysed by various experts or even scholars.
Of course people who have superficial approach to these things, especially many from the former English colonies, wher most things are measured by materialistic values, just see a "ceremony", whereas Athens in 2004 put together an artistic event. It's up to everyones education and cultural background to aknowlledge this or not.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39952000/jpg/_39952260_sculpture_ap300.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/hafner.marc/Rq5DPNHIPMI/AAAAAAAAASo/LZCzoelGiBg/Opening_22.JPG?imgmax=512

http://www.clproductions.gr/photos/olympic-games-athens-2004-0010.jpg

I have been watching Olympic ceremonies since Mexico 1968 (and actually worked on 2).

Yes, Athens 2004 had many ground-breaking, spectacular effects. But overall, the parts were greater than the whole. The Clypsedra (sec) was boring. I mean it was a tableaux of moving 'plastic' dolls. Visually great in close-up, but was lost in the vastness of the stadium. As someone seated in the upper reaches of the stands said: ... they looked like cheesy plastic dolls with a few moving parts on this series of platforms."

And personally, there was very little "joy" in the Ceremony. It was all very static and grand and sombre.

And of course, with a 4-year budget of $90 million, I would hope you would get some spectacular effects. But it was all over the place... drums, the Cycladic head (the best part of the show)...DNA??...a woman bearing a radioactive baby...WTF were those?

Actually the 2004 Paralympics Opening, also in Athens, I thought was far more impressive. Less is more.

Manchester's closing ceremony for the Comonwealth games is one of the best I'v seen, espeically those massive lanterns....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFCZw_yu5zU

The best ceremony: Rio 2007

The best ceremony: Rio 2007

well then, you haven't seen too many Ceremonies.

drums, the Cycladic head (the best part of the show)...DNA??...a woman bearing a radioactive baby...WTF were those?
Drums:
Racing heart beat, symbolic of the connection to ancient Greece when we see the drummer at olympia on screen.

Cycladic Head
Initiates a performance showcasing the advancement of Greek art and scultpure. The head breaks into peices revealing the next generation of Greek art. The peices eventually lay in the water representing the many greek islands.

Pregnant woman and DNA:
The fertile woman is Hera, wife of Zeus.
The DNA represents what man has come to achieve and know about ones self.

Watch the video of this amazing segment here. Cant believe anyone can sit here and bag out this segment. It is EXTREMELY powerful and sets my spine tingling. The soundtrack, the lighting, the effects. Simple amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Ezjdk1THA

But overall, the parts were greater than the whole.
Actually

the words i was looking for

the words i was looking for

I partly agree but the parts were just too amazing to overlook.
The true spolier was obviously the athletes parade which I always find boring and Bjork.

The torch lighting was ok, nothing magnificant.
Overall I think it was more enjoyable.

Drums:
Racing heart beat, symbolic of the connection to ancient Greece when we see the drummer at olympia on screen.

Cycladic Head
Initiates a performance showcasing the advancement of Greek art and scultpure. The head breaks into peices revealing the next generation of Greek art. The peices eventually lay in the water representing the many greek islands.

Pregnant woman and DNA:
The fertile woman is Hera, wife of Zeus.
The DNA represents what man has come to achieve and know about ones self.

Watch the video of this amazing segment here. Cant believe anyone can sit here and bag out this segment. It is EXTREMELY powerful and sets my spine tingling. The soundtrack, the lighting, the effects. Simple amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Ezjdk1THA

One can spin it all one likes -- and give it all these 'deep' :ohno: mystical meanings, but (for me anyway), if it becomes too cerebral (as I think Athens 2004 tried too hard) -- and you have to have all these 'way-back' meanings, then it doesn't work as well.

I want a spirit of spontaneity and high energy in my Olympic Opening Ceremonies. They are a moment of joy, of celebration -- not some carefully calibrated evening where...if everything went well --whew! All the elaborate stage machinery worked!* The relief being more that nothing went wrong -- rather than "...this was a great moment to celebrate...!! (But that's just me.)

* think - cauldron time, Sydney 2000.

but (for me anyway)
No problems. :)

The Barcelona torch lighting, and the chromed pickups in Atlanta are the two that stick in my mind.

This is my second best to Seoul olympic opening ceremony. The core part - the official song of 1990 Italy WC - begins from 03:43

aG_-NB6rkOE

Sorry, the Athens 2004 opening ceremony, was not just an opening ceremony, it was a work of art, with many messages incorporated in it.
It's merit is still being assesed and analysed by various experts or even scholars.
Of course people who have superficial approach to these things, especially many from the former English colonies, wher most things are measured by materialistic values, just see a "ceremony", whereas Athens in 2004 put together an artistic event. It's up to everyones education and cultural background to aknowlledge this or not.

Nice way of saying that everyone who somehow didn't like Athens' opening ceremony is an uneducated moron. :|

Athens was the only Olympic Opening I watched :D And it was was the best!
Rio 2007 was considered the best Pan Am games so here are 2 videos:

CPS0RhM9SpM
rOHAJ6oD-fc

^^ ^^ well, if you've only seen one or 2, then how could they be the Best? You should say ONLY rather than Best. :)

^^ ^^ well, if you've only seen one or 2, then how could they be the Best? You should say ONLY rather than Best. :)

hehe I was about to edit it and say I head it was the best, but I was too lazy :tongue2:

Athens 2004 for sure!

Of course, after everybody (and the first-timers) see Beijing, everyone will be saying: BEIJING was THE BEST!! :ohno:

Nostalia for the past humankind has won't let that happen. To be listed among the bests Beijing Olympics should wait at least 10 years.

I partly agree but the parts were just too amazing to overlook.
The true spolier was obviously the athletes parade which I always find boring and Bjork.

The torch lighting was ok, nothing magnificant.
Overall I think it was more enjoyable.

at the time sydney 2000 for me was more enjoyable. the effects the energy and the overall olympic feel. the time travel section of the athens 2004 games was rather lazy. the use of the water was inadequate. by selecting a few major points in history and displaying them/acting them out across the pool of water would have been more magical.

BARCELONA 1992 opening ceremony was GORGEOUS the music, very artistic, the ship and the sea scene, very colorful and what a espectacular way to light the torch and I might say my second favorite ATHENS 2004 just loved the fireworks, the music, the artistic approach, the fire rings on water, the shapes floating in the air, just love them both!!

Barcelona 1992 all the way, the first one with a "spectacular" lighting of the torch, massive fireworks (now this part has become more sofisticated, but 1992 set the course),music, color, etc...

Barcelona 1992 all the way, the first one with a "spectacular" lighting of the torch

U obviously haven't noticed that the arrow never reached the cauldron, but fall outside of the stadium!

U obviously haven't noticed that the arrow never reached the cauldron, but fall outside of the stadium!

of course i noticed, only a couple of days later after the lighting, but it was how they made it, it was really impresing. I have been to Barcelona Olimpic Stadium and the cualdron is really small, and it was a really long way for that arrow.

Barcelona 1992 all the way, the first one with a "spectacular" lighting of the torch, massive fireworks (now this part has become more sofisticated, but 1992 set the course),music, color, etc...

Yes I remember. The archer shot a burning arrow to the cauldron and lit the flame! I was reallyyyyyyyyyy shocked then.

Is there anyone who remembers a pigeon burnt out alive on the flame in 1988 Seoul Olympic opening ceremony? Deep condolence for the deceased pigeon :lol:

Is there anyone who remembers a pigeon burnt out alive on the flame in 1988 Seoul Olympic opening ceremony? Deep condolence for the deceased pigeon :lol:

Any video??

U obviously haven't noticed that the arrow never reached the cauldron, but fall outside of the stadium!

It was NEVER meant to land in the cauldron. It was only meant to "fly over" the cauldron. The gas burners in the cauldron were turned on and awaited just a touch of flame -- NOT a whole arrow to land in it.

Have you ever lit a gas stove? :ohno:

It was meant to land outside the stadium -- the flame on the arrow having done its thing. And they cleared out the space outside the stadium for the arrow to land.

Unfortunately no video available but to make sure it will not happen again people released pigeons at closing ceremony instead of opening ceremony in 1992 Barcelona Olympics! :lol::lol::lol:

Unfortunately no video available but to make sure it will not happen again people released pigeons at closing ceremony instead of opening ceremony in 1992 Barcelona Olympics! :lol::lol::lol:

well, not quite. Starting with Albertville, they did not release live doves any more.

And starting with Lillehammer, they used those 'pigeon balloons' instead.

In Atlanta, they used the 'paper dove sculptures' on poles carried by 100 Atlanta schoolkids.

It was NEVER meant to land in the cauldron. It was only meant to "fly over" the cauldron. The gas burners in the cauldron were turned on and awaited just a touch of flame -- NOT a whole arrow to land in it.

Have you ever lit a gas stove? :ohno:

It was meant to land outside the stadium -- the flame on the arrow having done its thing. And they cleared out the space outside the stadium for the arrow to land.

rover3 is right. The burning arrow was originally meant to land outside the stadium for safety!

What are you talking about? I remember live pigeons released at the Barcelona closing ceremony.

What are you talking about? I remember live pigeons released at the Barcelona closing ceremony.

I didn't say that they were not. All I'm saying is that the IOC was already frightfully aware of the tragedy in Seoul, so in the following Olympics -- with Albertville coming BEFORE Barcelona, I can't swear by it -- but I don't believe they released any more live pigeons in the Albertville opening.

As for the release in Barcelona's Closing, you may be right. We didn't get a complete minute-by-minute telecast in the US, but what good are a 'release of live pigeons' at night when they would be barely seen? And again, it would be unkind to the pigeons because once the sun sets, they already rest. I believe they only 'home in' during the daylight hours.

Interesting pre-sketches from the director of Athens 2004 opening ceremony Dimitris Papaioannou:

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9902/83540354hb9.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2932/91343783jd0.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2665/45847568gu2.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7018/16wi1.jpg
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http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/6108/11yj4.jpg
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/7277/12zc3.jpg

Vzw8OQIVQAs

The different of Athens was that there weren't millions of people dancers on the stage, that silly danced and running around up and down as in a circus or carnival...as happened in the majority of the previous ceremonies..the simplicity has to give aesthetics and style in the whole thing.

And here is what Zhang Yimou said about the Athens opening ceremony: "In my opinion those Olympic Games were the best ever. I was there... Beijing has to learn a lot from Athens. The Opening Ceremony of Athens was a landmark. It changed the aesthetics, the style, the substance of the Ceremonies. It continually surprised the audience. I hope we will achieve the same".

Interesting pre-sketches from the director of Athens 2004 opening ceremony Dimitris Papaioannou:

The different of Athens was that there weren't millions of people dancers on the stage, that silly danced and running around up and down as in a circus or carnival...as all in the most of the previous ceremonies..the simplicity has to give aesthetics and style in the whole thing.

And here is what Zhang Yimou said about the Athens opening ceremony: "In my opinion those Olympic Games were the best ever. I was there... Beijing has to learn a lot from Athens. The Opening Ceremony of Athens was a landmark. It changed the aesthetics, the style, the substance of the Ceremonies. It continually surprised the audience. I hope we will achieve the same".

Yeah, if you want to spend $90 million just for 2 evenings.

They were different. That's all. It doesn't mean they were the best. One man's treasure is another's trash. It's all very subjective.

BTW, I don't think they've used that 3-story hole in the Athens' stadium ever since.

BTW, I don't think they've used that 3-story hole in the Athens' stadium ever since.

No, they didn't. It was a structural part for the stage of the opening ceremony.

Yeah, if you want to spend $90 million just for 2 evenings.

Sure. U don't host Olympic games every day, so u have to spend money to make the difference. Especially if u are the one who invented them.

bla bla bla. everybody will love a ceremony for their reasons. assuming everyone who didnt like the athens ceremony is a daft moron is laughable. "silly" dancers and "silly" scenes in a ceremony that captures the energy of people in creating something spectacular is not necessarily "silly". getting zhang yimou's approval is great but its the billions across the world that you want to tune in to watch the thing from start to end.

I know a lot of people dont like the Atlanta Olympics, but when Muhammad Ali appeared and lit the cauldron i thought that was a great moment.

the shadow effect of athletes behind that curtain was fantastic and quite dramatic. a simple but classic idea.

Well I think we can see part of the reason for the large roof now.

How amazing was that? That bloke must have balls of steel, no way would you get me doing that. What a brilliant way to light the olympic flame.

In the end, the cauldron wasn't as stunning as I thought it might be, but the way they lit it with the guy running round the edge of the stadium was one of the most impressive things I've ever seen.

That's the most stunning lighting of the cauldron I've ever seen

IT WAS THE BEST OPENNING CENERMONY I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. MAGENFICENT!!!! AMAZING...

It was an art work and It was so impressive that I cried. wooowwwwwww.... From the beginning till the torch ceremony... It was even much much better than Sydney's... It was like, just a poem...

That's the most stunning lighting of the cauldron I've ever seen

x2

IT WAS THE BEST OPENNING CENERMONY I HAVE SEEN SO FAR. MAGENFICENT!!!! AMAZING...

It was an art work and It was so impressive that I cried. wooowwwwwww.... From the beginning till the torch ceremony... It was even much much better than Sydney's... It was like, just a poem...

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

Yup its only your opinion! Great start and the most stunning lighting of the cauldron EVER! Well done CHINA!

Only thing that i thought really amazing...Lighting of the cauldron!! The rest were too long and boring... i just liked the people walking throw the earth, the doves and the entry of the little survivor of the earthkake. There were too many tech and no emotion at all. They should had explore more the rich history of china!!

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

You're Greek. Jealousy, no?:lol:


Every Games upstages the one previous to it, this should be no surprise to everyone that Beijing's ceremony was better than the Greek one.

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

^^Errrr.....you would say that though. This was easily the most impressive opening ceremony ever. The ending was spectacular and, we now know why certain parts of the stadium were built in that way (the depth of the roof), in the end it's all made sense.

The ceremony was a bit boring...I think that Athens had changed the standards for the opening ceremonies...The cauldron was ok.

You are bias though, your from Greece.

Thought the entire opening cermony was great, Yimou is a master at this kind of thing and I think Chinese culture suits it better than the horrible "euro art"(mimes, guys on stilts in bizzare primary colour costumes etc) that mares most western events.

No, but greeks are in Frankfurt:)

Bring Tiesto back! Lol! The reason i didnt enjoyied this year's ceremony a lot is that while watching, I had the feeling that the parts of the ceremony were not connected to each other. they were like small, different stories, which u hadnt a ny problem if some part was missing. And the song was sooo80's...But the olympic rings and the countdown were really awesome.

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

are you kidding or should I say "crow considers her son as canary". I say I have never seen such a thing in my life so far.

Even the flame part was enough for passing whole olympic history.

The ceremony was a bit boring...I think that Athens had changed the standards for the opening ceremonies...The cauldron was ok.

All ceremonies has standart pars like athletes parade anf these parts are always boring. The show and cauldron were important. And it was awsome in Beijing. It was completely artistic..

Im not greek and for me Athens is still the best OC ever held!! OC is not just about hi-tech... emotions count.. And Athens did a job that maybe will never be beaten. I think this is already in the greek-s soul the invented philosphy, theather, alphabet, maths... they are genious in understending the human!!

Here's the Beijing 2008 theme song "You And Me", sung by Liu Huan and Sarah Brightman:

MLIpcNhmPWQ

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

2nd that. Some things were cool like the drums in the beginning, the blocks in the middle that formed those waves and at the end the flame. All the rest was a bit 'boring' to me.

The way they told the history of China wasn't very special I think. In Athens it was much nicer. Can't help it.

I only watched the last half but i was not impressed. Athens ceremony was much better....my opinion.

And you're greek :lol: don´t be jealous this ceremony was amazing just accept it. The ceremony in Athens was quite boring, this one looked much better

And you're greek :lol: don´t be jealous this ceremony was amazing just accept it. The ceremony in Athens was quite boring, this one looked so much better

It was quite boring in Beijing too...

THE BEIJING BIRD NEST OLYMPIC STADIUM IS THE BEST OLYMPIC STADIUM EVER.

Im not greek and for me Athens is still the best OC ever held!! OC is not just about hi-tech... emotions count.. And Athens did a job that maybe will never be beaten. I think this is already in the greek-s soul the invented philosphy, theather, alphabet, maths... they are genious in understending the human!!

Agree. Athens ceremony was the celebration of the individual human. The man was at the center of every act. The man who received the flame from Olympia, the man on the cube, the DNA scene with the pregnant woman, all prooved the value of the human. The scale was the human. The meaning in Athens was that every human can be unique alone. On the other hand, Beijing was the celebration of the mass. Scale was the mass. U could hardly distinguish someone from the mass. Beijing teaches that the human alone is nothing, everyone counts only as a part of a total.

Two different incredibly ancient cultures, two different great philosophies. But I was touched more by Athens, since the aesthetic was stunning and the music better than Beijing.

THE BEIJING BIRD NEST OLYMPIC STADIUM IS THE BEST OLYMPIC STADIUM EVER.

That's true ;) Although the Olympic Stadium of Greece was also very nice. :)

http://www.stadia.gr/oaka/oakaworks32.jpg

http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/greece/athens_olympic_stadium_greece_2.jpg

Im not greek and for me Athens is still the best OC ever held!! OC is not just about hi-tech... emotions count.. And Athens did a job that maybe will never be beaten. I think this is already in the greek-s soul the invented philosphy, theather, alphabet, maths... they are genious in understending the human!!

Well, it's a matter of taste whether you like the Athen or Beijing show, but stating that math, alphabet, theatre and philosophy were invented in Greece just reveals your ignorance. :cheers:

Im not greek and for me Athens is still the best OC ever held!! OC is not just about hi-tech... emotions count.. And Athens did a job that maybe will never be beaten. I think this is already in the greek-s soul the invented philosphy, theather, alphabet, maths... they are genious in understending the human!!

in my opnion this was the best and emotions were high here. It was artistic so much and romantic.

Athens show was so weak and they couldn't even reflect the rich Hellenic culture. It was just dull and even behind Sydney. But Athens closing ceremony was fantastic.

However it is not right to compare the ceremonies. But this was the best show I have ever seen so far.

That's true ;) Although the Olympic Stadium of Greece was also very nice. :)

Nahh the Greece stadium doesn't look that good.

Well, it's a matter of taste whether you like the Athen or Beijing show, but stating that math, alphabet, theatre and philosophy were invented in Greece just reveals your ignorance. :cheers:

saying ignorance is a heavy word, but we can say wrong information and also less knwlegde about Chinese culture and civilization history...

Nahh the Greece stadium doesn´t looks that good.

Athens stadium is more aesthetic... but we saw that although I dislike Bejing stadium it is functional very much.

Nahh the Greece stadium doesn't look that good.

I couldn't find a better picture of it, but it's certainly nice ;) just not as big as in Beijing.

The stadium looks beautiful and very...unique!!^^
But we didn't see many panoramic shots or ...been useful as in the ceremony in Athens. It seemed neglected!
---
Kuvvaci "Athens show weak" :??

Your opinions?

beijing completely out did everyone, holy crap what the hell are we gonna do in 4 years argh!