I'm very interested in seeing the results of the Q3A event. :)

Can somebody please give me a list of events that have hot chicks in them ? Those are the ones I will be watching

I actually had the luck to be in China a few weeks before the Olympics in both Beijing and in a smaller city too. It was interesting to talk to people there and see how they felt about the Olympics. The people from Beijing were a lot more excited about it, since the people of the smaller city weren't even allowed to travel to Beijing to see the games.

Another thing that was interesting to see was all the people working at last minute preparations for the games. The government brought in full size trees (20-30 feet tall) to put around the city, especially near the stadiums, to try to pretend like Beijing wasn't a concrete jungle.

I'm curious to see if the smog clears up somehow in Beijing. When I flew in I kept waiting to get below the clouds so that I could see the city, but the plane never did. We landed and all I could see was the airport terminal.

Anyway, I think that China is excited about the games because they feel it legitimizes them as a international power, but I don't think that their economic growth is sustainable and I don't think their government is sustainable. They're no longer a communist government, they practically have a free market economy there. It's really more of a dictatorship run by a party rather than a person.

The people inside the moving typographical box things were impressively coordinated.

The opening ceremony is almost always the best part. This one was very good from the parts I saw. I watched a little bit this morning while riding the exercise bike. Keeps my mind off the exercise part of exercising. I'm sure I'll watch more, but I'm not into the sports really. It's pure entertainment to me.

Is there a video of this on the internet? don't have tv.

The thing is the air really is that bad in Beijing. I live in Brooklyn-by far not the cleanest air anywhere. But when we went to Beijing last year it was noticeably dirty. You couldn't see the sun-there was just a haze over everything. The air felt like it was dirty, and a lot of the local populace wore masks as well. The city is fouled, and only the day after a rain storm did you really se any sunshine (it might be bright other times, but it was so hazy you couldn't actually see the details). And all the construction that's been going on in preparation for the games certainly has had an effect that is less than beneficial (not too mention the demolition). Add in the encroaching desert with it's sandstorms and there is a real concern. Beijing is one of the worst air quality cities in the world- it makes LA look pristine.

I watched the opening ceremonies. The song 'you and me' was very, very touching. Also, the choreography was superb as well.

There's plenty of 'smog' hanging around China right now, but I think it'll turn out very well. The IOC chairman says these Olympics will be the best ever, and a record number of countries have sent athletes.

I was listening to the radio and apparently China is cleaning up much better than Western countries.

I think Western countries are as bad as China in terms of 'wasteful usage.' It's just disguised differently. China's pollution problems are projected as an extension of its industrial expansion while Western wastage is manifested in decadence and wastefulness (SUVs?).

@ Krogoth, I don't see anything wrong with China wanting to prove itself a capable world power. Especially after it's economical imprisonment by the US feeding technology to countries like Korea and Japan (no coincidence, I think).

Meanwhile, in other news, RUSSIA INVADES GEORGIA !!!

Adi

Yawn, the events are way too politicized for their own good.

China is trying to hard to wave around its epenis.

FP

The opening ceremony looks expensive fo sho.

I gave up after about an hour of trying to get a glimse of the glorious ceremony through the forest of commercials. For me, the commercials are not worth the price of admission, and I will pass. I guess they know that 99% of this country is comprised of white trash who are too lazy and stupid to change the channel, and who will watch the commercials with as much interest as the programming.

Who are the old overweight guys walking in the USA delegation? Is pinochle an olympic sport now?

I really don't care about the olympics at all, and haven't for years.

One thing that I think is interesting about China regarding air pollution and related issues is that they appear to be very aggressive with their investments in renewable energy, particularly wind. I've read that they will likely become the biggest producer of wind power within the next 5 years.

looking forward to the track races..The States gonna sweep the floor with the compettition..i hope..,As for China..they have numbers on their side..

It'd be nice if AMD won a Gold in the Athlon Event. It's been a while…

I always look forward to the Olympics and will be watching a variety of events.

Personal ones I'm looking forward to in no particular order:

Rowing
Tennis
Soccer
Swimming
Women's Gymnastics
and seeing Misty May and Kerry Walsh defend their gold in beach volleyball!

I'm sure to also watch other events and I'd like to specifically watch some handball.

As to if China will compete, I'd say no more than usual, but it will be fun to watch. :)