Opening Ceremonies Of The Winter Olypmics

[Grand-Ranger]

quote:

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Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe:
Sorry to disagree he folks but I thought the ceremony was lame. Just a waste of my time to watch really. No disrespect intended if you into that sort of thing, but personally I thought it was boring as heck.

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I am taking it you dont like any winter sports, or theater, or skating? [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Rikard_OHF]

What cares bout the ceremaony?
We got our First Gold Medal

quote:

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Originally posted by Attalus:


Moni, no desire to quibble, but that expression, "okay," dates back to 1841, when a Pennsylvania newspaper coined it as an abbreviation of "Orl Korrect," a catchprase of the time. See Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary."

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No quibbling necessary.
Neither one of us can say that our version of the origin of the word is absolute, esp since it is slang.
I got my info from family stories passed down through generations.
I won't succumb to Webster's nor do I expect you to succumb to the Irish.
What's funny is that when reading this thread earlier (when I responded to Davros) I considered editing that part of my post out just knowing someone would come along and say something about it but I thought the idea too silly to believe so I left it alone LOL...sorry.

AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe,
You have your right to your opinion and no one here should argue it.
I thought the initial opening scenes lacking compared to those of Sydney and Nagano but really enjoyed it after the Utah Tribes were brought into the mix.

I am enjoying the coverage of the games, sorry that the U.S. had to slip into a silver medal after setting a new world record (Congrats Rikard!!), and am hopeful in the level of enjoyment to come.

[ 02-09-2002: Message edited by: Moni ]

[ 02-10-2002: Message edited by: Moni ]

[Pangur Ban]

As my wife and I are both ice skaters, it was great to see so much skating in the ceremony !!!

I'd really like to know how they lit up the Olympic circle in flames on the ice - if anyone does know, please post or PM me ...

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Perhaps I should put this in a separate thread, but I still think this is on topic ..

-- Should *that* flag have been at the ceremony?

There is hardly a major event anywhere these days without the events of September being mentioned. I would have thought the Winter Olympics would be a good place to show that we could stop dwelling on past sadness, and spend full attention in celebration of the hope and inspiration that the Olympic spirit is meant to represent.
*steps off soapbox*

Pang [img]graemlins/cat3.gif[/img]

Pangur Ben,
This is an appropriate place for your question and any comments anyone wants to make on it.
*that* flag, it seems to me, was displayed as a show of unity against terrorism on a world-wide level. After the Munich games, where Palestine terrorists held hostage and killed 11 Israelis, I think it was meant to be shown that these games were going to be absolutely safe as well as being an opportunity for the world to be included, together with Americans, in some expression of rememberance and unity...remember, it was over seventy countries affected by the attacks of the World Trade Center and the Oplymic games in Utah is the first chance that people from around the world have had to come together since that day. I doubt that the flag will make many more public appearances of that nature, if any.

I haven't a clue about the fire on ice thing but it was cool! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-10-2002: Message edited by: Moni ]

[Pangur Ban]

quote:

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Originally posted by Moni:
Pangur Ben,

*that* flag, it seems to me, was displayed as a show of unity against terrorism on a world-wide level. After the Munich games, where Palestine terrorists held hostage and killed 11 Israelis, I think it was meant to be shown that these games were going to be absolutely safe as well as being an opportunity for the world to be included, together with Americans, in some expression of rememberance and unity...remember, it was over seventy countries affected by the attacks of the World Trade Center and the Oplymic games in Utah is the first chance that people from around the world have had to come together since that day. I doubt that the flag will make many more public appearances of that nature, if any.

I haven't a clue about the fire on ice thing but it was cool! [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Sad to say, I don't think there is any way that any event the size of the Winter Olympics can be deemed to be "absolutely safe".

I suspect this flag is going to become a very powerful icon, but it is very much an "American" icon. As you say, over 70 countries were affected by the World Trade centre attack. To show unity against terrorism for all countries involved, a more "country neutral" symbol would have been more appropriate for the Winter Olympics, something that the whole world could relate to.


Pang [img]graemlins/cat3.gif[/img]

quote:

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Originally posted by Pangur Ban:


Sad to say, I don't think there is any way that any event the size of the Winter Olympics can be deemed to be "absolutely safe".

I suspect this flag is going to become a very powerful icon, but it is very much an "American" icon. As you say, over 70 countries were affected by the World Trade centre attack. To show unity against terrorism for all countries involved, a more "country neutral" symbol would have been more appropriate for the Winter Olympics, something that the whole world could relate to.


Pang [img]graemlins/cat3.gif[/img]

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For certain, absolute safety cannot be insured but with security outnumbering the athletes 5-1 (or 6-1 depending on sources) it can certainly be implied and can also serve as a threat to any potential terrorist(s) who may be thinking of using the event to make a statement.
Already, one employee of the Park was fired on the spot for attempting to carry a knife through security.
I have heard a lot of complaints from (British reporters only) about the length of time it has taken to get into the venues by having to go through vigorous security checkpoints. I really don't see the need to complain when heightened security is necessary and it has been announced repeatedly that people need to give themselves a couple of extra hours when going to the venues.
You can't satisfy everybody...the same way the use of the flag in the opening ceremonies struck a nerve with you.
(my comments were more from a personal point of view rather than coming from any definite information as to "why".)

What would you recommend as a country neutral symbol in a ceremony dedicated to America's responding to the coming together of the world's peoples and athletes and participating with them in the games in regard to the events of 9-11? Events that took place on American soil. Why was it so bad that the flag was displayed as opposed to (let's say) pieces of the rubble? Don't the playing of the National Anthem and the display of the flag go hand in hand?
Would it be the same for you if terrorist attacks of the same magnitude had happened in Greece and a Greek flag that was damaged in the attacks was shown at the 2004 Summer Olympic opening ceremonies?
(just curious here...not trying to be argumentive, just digging for your perspective [img]smile.gif[/img] )
I don't see any harm in it.
Anyway, you can be sure *that flag" is not going to become anything more than a national museum showpiece that will be kept on American soil. I would not worry about it becoming any more powerful an icon, really...it was just a ceremonial display during the opening of the games. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 02-10-2002: Message edited by: Moni ]

[Pangur Ban]

I agree with your comments on security. There's no point in complaining about extra time needed for this sort of thing. It's a new world now. I received an e-mail at my work last week saying that new security rules at Australian airports required that all laptops be taken out of cases, the battery removed, and that each component would be scanned individually.

Don't the playing of the National Anthem and the display of the flag go hand in hand?
Yes, but normally an standard flag is used, not a flag with any special significance.

Would it be the same for you if terrorist attacks of the same magnitude had happened in Greece and a Greek flag that was damaged in the attacks was shown at the 2004 Summer Olympic opening ceremonies Yes it would. It would be the same even if it was for Australia.

Even though the tragedy did take place on Americian soil, the fight against terrorism is global. Yes, America is taking the leading role in the fight, but if we are united then we should able to rally under a symbol for all of us. The American flag is not my symbol. Even though I appreciate why it is being used, it tends to imply for me that America 'owns' the fight against terrorism, and that others must follow their lead, and direction.

a ceremony dedicated to America's responding to the coming together of the world's peoples and athletes
Although America is the host, the Winter Olympics is still an international event. I still don't think that a reminder of September events was required at the ceremony, but if had to be done, a more neutral way of showing rememberance and unity could have been ...

One athlete from each country involved in a short ceremony of some kind.

A minutes silence, with a spotlight shining on small wreath of flowers. ( with either no flags displayed, or all countries flags displayed )

Anyway, you can be sure *that flag" is not going to become anything more than a national museum showpiece that will be kept on American soil. Only time will tell, I suppose ...

Pang [img]graemlins/cat3.gif[/img]

I agree with your comments on security. There's no point in complaining about extra time needed for this sort of thing. It's a new world now. I received an e-mail at my work last week saying that new security rules at Australian airports required that all laptops be taken out of cases, the battery removed, and that each component would be scanned individually.

I don't think that is so bad, provided people want to be secure in their safety. I think a lot of countries should have taken Israel's lead in airport security a long time ago and it really chaps my hide to hear Americans whining over their "rights" when it comes to having their bags and belongings checked.

Yes, but normally an standard flag is used, not a flag with any special significance.

touche

Yes it would. It would be the same even if it was for Australia.

That's cool. I am not a flag waver and don't place any importance in the symbolism of them.

Even though the tragedy did take place on Americian soil, the fight against terrorism is global. Yes, America is taking the leading role in the fight, but if we are united then we should able to rally under a symbol for all of us. The American flag is not my symbol. Even though I appreciate why it is being used, it tends to imply for me that America 'owns' the fight against terrorism, and that others must follow their lead, and direction.

You have a point here! I would not want the rest of the world thinking they must depend on us for safety or that they should do as we do in assuring it. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Although America is the host, the Winter Olympics is still an international event. I still don't think that a reminder of September events was required at the ceremony, but if had to be done, a more neutral way of showing rememberance and unity could have been ...

One athlete from each country involved in a short ceremony of some kind.

A minutes silence, with a spotlight shining on small wreath of flowers. ( with either no flags displayed, or all countries flags displayed )

I can see your point here...personally, I thought that the NYC policeman singing "God Bless America" at the beginning was enough of a reminder of the events of Sept 11 but did not understand why you made the initial statement on the flag being used...now I do and I thank you for taking the time to relate with me here. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Your ideas for a neutral showing of unity would have been much nicer actually. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Only time will tell, I suppose ...
I'd put money on it. It seems to be a pretty important item to police and port authority so I doubt very seriously if it is to make many (if any) more public appearances...unless they want to use it to generate an income.
If that happened, I'd be pretty disgusted but not very surprised.

[Pangur Ban]

I can see your point here...personally, I thought that the NYC policeman singing "God Bless America" at the beginning was enough of a reminder of the events of Sept 11 but did not understand why you made the initial statement on the flag being used...now I do and I thank you for taking the time to relate with me here. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Not a problem .. I enjoyed the discussion !!

Your ideas for a neutral showing of unity would have been much nicer actually. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Thank you !!

I'd put money on it. It seems to be a pretty important item to police and port authority so I doubt very seriously if it is to make many (if any) more public appearances...unless they want to use it to generate an income.
If that happened, I'd be pretty disgusted but not very surprised.

Agreed. From what I hear, there has been enough profiteering already. Perhaps if any income raised was used for some charitable purpose it might be OK ... ( This is going off topic, so I'll finish here .. )

Pang [img]graemlins/cat3.gif[/img]

[ 02-10-2002: Message edited by: Pangur Ban ]