2012 Summer Olympics in London

[ravnklo]

Originally Posted by merrymarge

I had no idea that American gold medal winners are taxed for their prize money and the gold medals. Any other country do this?

I don't think the prize money for athletes here are subjected to taxes, but then again, I might be wrong.
Currently, Singapore offers about USD$800,000 for gold medalists. I'm pretty curious about the monetary rewards provided by other countries, though.

[canismajoris]

I know one's country is the focus in these games, but I want to point out that (as far as I can count) native Ohioans have won four gold and three silver medals.

Edit: Make that five gold. Every time I think I have all of them I find another one.

[AldeberanBlack]

29 GOLD

17 SILVER

19 BRONZE

Congratulations to the home team.

Magnificent performance.

Done the nation proud.

[Lord Godric]

I am sad to see the Olympics end today. London was a wonderful host city. I was so impressed with all aspects of the Games and London did a wonderful job of bringing the Games back to the UK and making them very British.

[AldeberanBlack]

Closing ceremony was spectacular. Amazing games.

[Mundungus Fletc]

Originally Posted by canismajoris

I know one's country is the focus in these games, but I want to point out that (as far as I can count) native Ohioans have won four gold and three silver medals.

Edit: Make that five gold. Every time I think I have all of them I find another one.

There has been much said in certain newspapers here about Yorkshire's results - 6 golds.

[Wab]

Great closing ceremony, not as good as the opening though. Minor quibbles: I thought that Timothy Spall over-played his Churchill; and who the Hell is Jessie J?

[Melaszka]

I was really disappointed with the closing ceremony. It just felt like they'd taken the leftovers from the Queen's Jubilee concert out of the freezer and bunged them in the microwave. Soulless, corporate, predictable, bland, safe, with none of the jaw-dropping "I can't believe this is really happening" moments or genuine emotion of the opening ceremony.

I didn't absolutely hate it - many of the individual performances were fantastic and IMO Eric Idle stole the show. It was perfectly watchable, but even the most excellent of the performances didn't move me.

[Peakes]

The highlight for me was Take That - and trust me, I was never a huge fan of that type of music - but it was incredible to see Gary Barlow take the stage and perform barely a week after his daughter was stillborn. An incredibly courageous act to cap off two weeks of inspirational and courageous competition.

I think the organisers of London 2012 and the whole of Team GB in particular can be very proud of what they have achieved, certainly proving a lot of naysayers wrong and proving that Great Britain can put on a successful world class event.

[Wab]

Originally Posted by Melaszka

I was really disappointed with the closing ceremony. It just felt like they'd taken the leftovers from the Queen's Jubilee concert out of the freezer and bunged them in the microwave.

The closing ceremony never matches the opening because it has to be a grab-bag of elements whereas the opening can develop a narrative flow.

Soulless, corporate, predictable, bland, safe,

Like the Olympics themselves really. While there are some great performances in the events, the way the IOC conducts itself is the worst kind of large organisation; risk-averse and self-important.

I didn't absolutely hate it - many of the individual performances were fantastic and IMO Eric Idle stole the show.

Idle was a highlight but even his bit went on a bit.

[yorkiedoodle]

After the amazing results of team GB i think the closing ceremony was always going to struggle - as a nation we were wow-ed out!

But the looks on the faces of the athletes said it all - they loved it and were singing along to the world famous british pop music.

I loved Eric Idle - what an inspirational choice but I'd have liked to have seen less of Jessie J - she was fine with tinie tempah and taio cruz, but i'd rather someone else had done the Queen bit - tom Chaplin has proved he can sing Queen I would have loved to have seen him there...

But the reduced to tears bit for me was Take That - I love that song and the film it comes from, but it was so brave of Gary Barlow to take part. Huge respect!

[AldeberanBlack]

Paralympics started yesterday. Very well attended. Packed venues. Great to see.

3 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze so far for GB

[Wab]

There'll be a plethora of medals as there are far more events than the Olympics.

[Wab]

This is precisely why I think Oscar Pistorius shouldn't have been allowed to compete in the Summer Olympics. It's hard enough to determine a true stride when all of the athletes have blades.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/we-arent...903-25908.html

[AldeberanBlack]

Final medal count for Britain at the Paralympics.

GOLD - 34
SILVER - 43
BRONZE - 43

TOTAL - 120


Well done to all.

[Overdose]

Got to see the Wheelchair Basketball and Rugby. Brilliant atmosphere, so much down to the volunteers.

[yorkiedoodle]

I'm so sad it's all over! Two of the speeches at the closing ceremony had me close to tears....

What a summer.....

Congrats to all involved...