who gets the last laugh when Izzy’s OKC’s new mascot.

And actually basketball isn’t even a huge part of that passion for me. I love seeing sports we don’t see every day. I love seeing athletes who dedicated their lives for this moment. I love the national anthems. I hate how the main coverage in the U.S. is only about the U.S. and I hope that the plethora of cable channels will allow a broader scope. The best time to watch for me may well be at 2 a.m. on some obscure network. WOOHOO!!!

—Dave

Probably the most interesting at least since the boycotts in 1980 and 1984.

Some interesting happenings. Former gold medalist and activist Joey Cheek had his visa revoked by China on the day he was to leave for Beijing. Cheek is leading a movement to pressure China for its role as the main customer for the oil controlled by the genocidal Sundanese regime.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/olympics/cs-080807-joey-cheek-olympics-darfur,0,2144689.story

George Bush made a speech on human rights. He is attending the opening ceremonies—its unusual for a US president to attend the Olympics on foreign soil.
http://olympics.thestar.com/2008/article/474395

In what I find a fantastic decision, American athletes voted Sudanese “lost boy” and naturalized US citizen Lopez Lomong to carry the flag at the opening ceremonies. I find this to be a great way to make a statement on China’s role without overtly embarrassing the host nation or its people.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5929260.html

We also have the Free Tibet protests and the questions of China limiting freedom of the press during the games.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23629811/

Then we also have some great sports stories to follow. Michael Phelps. 41 year old swimmer Dara Torres. The “Redeem Team” presented by Nike. Rudy and Team Espana. Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang.

It’s going to be a fascinating couple of weeks.

Beautiful calligraphy and images

Maybe not as relaxed as some other opening ceremonies (Barcelona, Sidney, Athens), but very well done and meticulously executed.

And they jumped over the whole Mao era in history, which is a slight surprise.

Don’t know if they understand the irony of a school class learning about environmental protection considering the current situation in China. Hopefully the Chinese viewers at home learn something from this and demand more action from their leadership in this regard.

And now we are in space…

But this time according to the Chinese alphabet. Kind of confusing, even if you speak a little Chinese.

Guinea Bissau followed by Turkey. Uhm, yeah.

Japanese athletes carry Chinese and Japanese flags. Hope there is some improvement in relations, these guys are doing their best.

Their uniforms look a little like tracksuits

Uhm, not quite sure. Marc Gasol was in focus.

Maybe because he doesn’t know he is…

Or it’s just a good camera angle.

And a great sign by the team captains selecting Lomong as the flag bearer.

And a little less for Dirk

Nice, but unfortunately there won’t be peace during these Olympic Games.

Flying by wire, very Zhang Yimou stylish. Ranks up there with the best ways to light the flame, though Sidney is still my favorite by far.

I’m gonna watch the prime time coverage.

great oneliner comentary, 2 thumbs up!

Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

They were ostracized for decades in the sports community after their famous act of protest at the 1968 Olympics. Today they are viewed almost unanimously as heroes.

And don’t forget Peter Norman, the silver medalist on the platform with Smith and Carlos at the ‘68 Olympics. He expressed solidarity with them on the pedestal by wearing an OPHR button (Olympic Project for Human Rights). He suffered too as a result of his courageous act.

I am so there.

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15 minute count down.

DO NOT go there yet (not now, It is kinda creepin’ me out. I only looked)

Incred-a-Vid-eO

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I am naked & waitin’’

I like That.

Blue suit, white shirt & a red tie.

60 60

What is it?

I like ‘em, three feet tall, with no hang over.

This is it. This is what we’re talkin’ ‘bout.

We are

I wish I could have watched. A co-worker went home and caught part of the opening ceremonies and said they were magnificent. Maybe there’ll be reruns.