Chicken boarders

[patsylabrador]

Is anyone watching? I thought the opening ceremony was so good and such good fun.

So far today I've watched swimming, ladies hockey and badminton. Being very lazy but I've got hooked. I like the scarves they present to the medal winners, much better than the bunches of flowers.

[Calamity Jane]

No, but I have just been watching the World Equestrian Games on BBC2. It was amazing - Team Gold and Silver individual (William Fox-Pitt)

[Egluntyne]

I saw a report on the lunchtime news which said that there were barely any spectators at the events - and it certainly looked that way. What a pity.

[The Dogmother]

I saw a report on the lunchtime news which said that there were barely any spectators at the events - and it certainly looked that way. What a pity.

 

Probably worried that the stands would fall down under them!

[Old Speckled Hen]

I saw a report on the lunchtime news which said that there were barely any spectators at the events - and it certainly looked that way. What a pity.

Perhaps people can't afford to go?

[Chucky Mama]

I'm watching All the bad press and missing competitors are going to take the edge off though. Pity it isn't nearer as I'd go (to watch that is, not compete )

[Old Speckled Hen]

Your comment Chucky Mama reminds me of the Olympics 2012

Tickets are available early next year BUT they are on a ballot. So you apply for a ticket and wait for the reply to say A/ you have been successful in entering the ballot and B/ you have or have not a ticket.

AND you can bet your bottom dollar that practically all the corporate places will be empty( all quaffing elsewhere)

[Chucky Mama]

That is so true re the corporate thing. I have a friend that went to see England play in some huge match, escapes me which one. There were complains because you could see that there were empty places where the corporate folk should have been but had not turned up There was a sending off during the match and she phoned me to ask what had happened as they missed it

[C&T]

Your comment Chucky Mama reminds me of the Olympics 2012

Tickets are available early next year BUT they are on a ballot. So you apply for a ticket and wait for the reply to say A/ you have been successful in entering the ballot and B/ you have or have not a ticket.

 

It was the same process for the Manchester Games however many years ago. Seemed to work OK, and there are loads of things that you don't need tickets for as well - marathon, and the outdoor cycling events for example that you can just turn up to. I can't wait!!!

 

I am hoping there is a highlights show on tonight for the current games - I shall be glued to it! I know some big names have not turned up, but that means that others will be spurred on, as the Gold is not a guaranteed. Should be some great races!

 

I really hope these games are a success, and prove people (i.e. the press) wrong. Yesterday's opening was a great start. I hope the stadium does start to fill up - be a great shame if it remains empty. But then China had people on standby in buses to fill up spaces for the Olympics, so not sure that it is just an India problem with people not turning up. And corporates always mean empty seats - what a waste!

[Old Speckled Hen]

MY dear(perhaps that's stretching it a bit) departed ex was a journalist and he did his fair share of quaffing at sports events. It was common for the corporate guys to be getting legless and watching(or not) the action on screen yards away from the ground/pitch whatever.

I once asked him about the atmosphere at a particular Test Match and he said he couldn't say as he had watched it on the tele in the members" bar.

SPIT!!!!

[patsylabrador]

It is a shame about the empty stadiums but I think people around the world are starting to buy them now the event has kicked off. I have learnt a lot about boxing today, I didn't know there are only three verbal instructions from the ref and that the gloves have white patches to help with the scoring. How I can use this information in the future I'm not sure of.

[craftyhunnypie]

I think people aren't going, as they are concerned over safety. It's a real culture shock over there & their building work is shocking! Trust me a lot of things are done very crudely over there. Oh & let's not mention toilets!

The Indians are trying to run before they can walk & are still very behind. I'll never forget the dodgy electrics!

It all comes down to a lot of corruption over there, by the police & the government. Sad but true.

 

Emma.x

[Chucky Mama]

How sad that there is such a cloud over the games. I heard that the 10m diving board was 10m+ and that the middle of the track had been ruined by the opening ceremony. I hope that we are not in a similar position come the Olympics Fingers cross that India comes good in the end. We are doing well for medals so far

[sari]

My friend Sharon Lee is competing in the shooting, she's a Guide Leader, like myself, and works for the NHS. SO keep your eye open for Sharon...... and shout at the telly when she comes on!

 

....India has a different culture and way of life to us, and the culture of bribery and nepotism is a result of 100 years of British Imperialism and the Slavery system before it. There has been an awful lot of cultural s"Ooops, word censored!"bery in the reporting of the problems surrounding the Commonwealth Games, and I hope it dies down soon. I travelled extensively in India, and the facilities vary from gold-plated flushing, to hole in the ground...the home in the ground are actually cleaner and more hygienic!!

[Egluntyne]

Now the athletic track has had to be relaid because it was damaged during the opening ceremony.

 

Such a disappointment for the athletes, who have trained long and hard.

[The Dogmother]

What a shame

 

I had read that a few athletes weren't attending because of the uncertainty regarding the facilities and stadium.

 

I work for a firm involved in the contractual side of construction and believe me, there are a lot of similar problems with projects in the UK

[patsylabrador]

I'm very impressed with the stoicism shown by the sportsmen and women. Apparently they have been spraying the turf of the hockey pitches with dirty water and of course they are getting ill, and some of the swimmers have too. I wish the Indians well, I love that the games feel like they're set in India and not some bland corporate games which could be anywhere. Where else would have moths in the long jump pit and bats and crows in the velodrome.

Looks like the athletics stadium is ready to go, looking forward to that.

 

On the news they were reporting about a well used and loved velodrome in Dulwich which was built for the 1948 Olympic games, which is desperate for funding for repairs. It seems a shame that they didn't use it for 2012, it would be nice to have that bit of history in the next games and it would reward the people who have looked after the old site.

[C&T]

I love that the games feel like they're set in India and not some bland corporate games which could be anywhere. Where else would have moths in the long jump pit and bats and crows in the velodrome.

 

I know what you mean! I loved a comment on the BBC news by Dean Macey:

 

"It's a little bit of a worrying situation but that's the way the Indians do it. There is a lot to be done but it wouldn't surprise me if they pulled it off."

 

And as the article points out, so far, all the competitions have started as scheduled... I am willing these games to be a success - but talk about living on a knife edge!

 

Illness has to be a big concern for all the athletes. So many of us live in a sanitised environment, with bleach and antibacterial sprays and potions and lotions used continuously throughout each day. That is not India, and we suffer as a result. That's my belief anyway!

[Valkyrie]

I've been watching the swimming, but I'm not really interested in the athletics and other stuff - I leave the rest to OH.

[patsylabrador]

I'm going to miss the games a lot, I've enjoyed them so much. The Ladies' 4x4 relay was so exciting, and such an historic and important moment for Indian women. I think there's a few more bits to see.

[sari]

My friend, neighbour and fellow Guide Leader Sharon Lee won her second ( or third) Silver medal in the shooting yesterday, in the Pairs event...Go Sharon!!

[patsylabrador]

Oh, well done your mate. Please pass on my congratulations. Hope she gets a chance in 2012.

[bluekarin]

I have really been enjoying the coverage of the games and it's such a shame the crowds have been a bit thin on the ground. That said, they more than made up for it it the men's hockey final today between India and England! I've loved the athletics, the swimming and diving, and even watch some of the recurve archery which was good. Not too sure about the wrestling though. Not my cuppa. Didn't manage to catch any of the gymnastics or the javelin, long and high jumps, which is a shame, as I quite like watching those events. Really looking forward to the Olympics and so hope we can a) afford some tickets and b) there are some left when we try to get some.

[Old Speckled Hen]

Bluekarin

I suggest you sign up and register re Olympics tickets here http://www.london2012.com/visiting/tickets/index.php

They will be on ballot

[Chucky Mama]

Thanks for that OSH. I have signed up. I am sooo excited about the Olympics. If India had been closer I would have gone and filled one of those empty seats.