What's the consensus in the US about Vancouver's Olympics?

[Locut0s]

Just curious as a Vancouverite what's the general consensus in the US about how the games are going. Seems there is a LOT of negative press abroad about the games. I agree that there have been a few snafus, obviously the luge death being the big sore point. However all in all I just don't see what people mean when they call these "the worst games ever" etc etc... Seems like a lot of haters to me and not much more. I can tell you one thing the atmosphere downtown here has to be felt to be believed. I've NEVER felt Vancouver like this before. The streets are abuzz with happy flag waving people and there are spontaneous parties all over the place. It feels a bit like 2 weeks of Mardi Gras. I'm not usually one who likes much patriotism and flag waving (I've never seen so many Canadian flags in my life) but this feels nice.

[RB TexLa]

1. They'd really have to try to beat Atlanta as the worst games ever.

[MadBadger]

2. I remember hearing there were a lot of problems with the ice for speed skating

It was bumpy and had to be delayed for over an hour because all the machines to fix it (not sure if they were Zambonis or something else) werent working

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. They weren't Zambonis. I heard the announcer saying something about asking

for things by name, like Xerox.

There is a very interesting bit of info concerning Zambonis on Wiki. I would have thought they were invented and built somewhere exotic like the Alps, but no, they were invented in Paramount, CA., a few miles from where I grew up. I found that out while teaching with a woman who went to high school with Mr. Frank Zamboni's kids, and had a lifetime pass to his skating rink, which is still in use in Paramount and has been since the 1940.

[Locut0s]

16. Yeah they were from a company called Olympia I think. They were special....

Zero emissions machines that run on batteries. In fact the whole speed skating arena was built using green technologies to be close to having a zero carbon footprint. Seems these machines are just lemons :( They broke down and leaked hot watter onto the ice.

[bullwinkle428]

30. Zamboni makes an electric resurfacer - sounds like the Vancouver

OC just didn't want to spend the bucks for the Zamboni, and tried to do it on the cheap!

Zamboni's electric:

http://www.zamboni.com/machines/model552.html

[roguevalley]

32. I love them. Everyone I know, everyone, is watching them. I love

the curling. Great games, Vancouver. one of my favorite towns. My great grandma is buried in Pentictin, BC and some of my papa's family came from and still lives in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. (Apparently, during the revolution, they were torries.) :+

[pipi_k]

3. Hey, shit happens, you know?

I don't know if any Olympics has gone exactly the way it was planned.


At least the Vancouver games won't have a permanent stain on them like, for example, the Summer games in Munich... I remember like it was yesterday... :(

[XemaSab]

4. Seems like the games are going pretty well...

Spirits are high.

Snow levels notsomuch. :P

[Locut0s]

17. Yeah we control the weather don't you know ;-) Lot's a machine made stuff though. nt

[devilgrrl]

5. Well, I grew up on the border and like Canada, so they'll get a good review regardless...

of what the weather is doing to screw things up. Also, I miss watching on the CBC, though, I hear Ron Black is annoying my friends in Toronto.

[XOKCowboy]

6. I don't like NBCs coverage is my only gripe. I love Vancouver

I think your incredible city is being very well represented. Oh and I'm in love with Cheryl Bernard!

[hlthe2b]

14. Ditto... our coverage sucks, but I love Vancouver

You get big extra points in my book for the way in which you handled adversity (weather, death of the luger, the internal strife leading to the demonstrations against the Olympics, at least early on). I also liked the opening ceremony--more low key than China, for sure, but also more fitting IMO. Then, again, I love Canada.... Any Canadians want to adopt me? ;)

[brooklynite]

7. I've been on vacation for a week without TV...can't say I think I've missed anything

[cbdo2007]

8. I don't really listen to consensuses....and I'm really enjoying the Olympics.

I wouldn't worry too much about the consensus here in the states. They're always going to focus 10 to 1 about the bad things over the good in the media.

The Luge thing was really bad and kind of soured Luge/Bobsled for me (haven't been able to bring myself to watch those sports at all actually, after accidentally catching the video of the Luge death right before the opening ceremony coverage)

But everything else just seems like minor things that people will forget about mostly. Heck, you're Canadians, we love you guys down here! I love Vancouver too, I was there once as a kid. Now live in Kansas City, MO.

[FarCenter]

9. Enjoy -- Look what the Olympics did for Greece...

[Barack_America]

11. Well, the US is leading the medal count so far...

...so that helps with Americans in general.

From my perspective*, the stands are packed with enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowds, which was certainly not the case with Beijing. The snow conditions are obviously not as good as other Winter Olympics, but the west coast of North America is not the Alps and never could be. The Opening Ceremonies were a beautiful introduction to Canada and I enjoyed them immensely. The sentiment was very sincere and true to furthering the Olympic spirit rather than some nationalistic ego trip. I couldn't have cared less about the cauldron malfunction. All in all, I think they've been a great games thus far!


*disclaimer: I am from Detroit and married to a Canadian.

[ThoughtCriminal]

12. Rumors here that there actual sporting events

NBC seems determined to treat it like a reality TV show.

[Egalitariat]

13. To me, the biggest is the concentration camp fence around the torch. But I heard they were going to

fix that.

[Locut0s]

20. Yeah I think they are going to remove it soon. Also there is a viewing platform right above it. nt

[frazzled]

15. I'm enjoying them, and I don't even usually like winter Olympics

What I don't care for is the NBC commentary and the excessive commercials on our television here.

Your ice dancers, Virtue and Moir, just did phenomenally in the compulsory dance, and are in second place. I enjoyed Patrick Chan the other night, too. But I've been watching a lot of the skiing as well. Congratulations to Vancouver for putting on a first-class event.

[Kurska]

18. timedelay ruins them for me. n/t

[TheWatcher]

19. I'm more concerned with who Tiger Woods is having sex with, and how

coverage of Curling will harm American Idol in the ratings, since that show is the most necessary and relevant component to the survival of the country.

[Locut0s]

21. Haha lol. I see what you did there. Yeah TWs sex life trumps all. nt

[depakid]

22. Nor sure abut Americans- but Australia won a gold medal!

:applause:

[Locut0s]

24. What in? You guys clean up in the Summer games, but didn't think to see much in the Winter. Nice!!nt

[Barack_America]

25. Women's snowboarding halfpipe. nt

[Locut0s]

23. About the NBC coverage. What does it suck so much? There are 2 channels up here that have....

really good coverage. Almost 24/7 on both channels (TSN and Sportsnet) and NBCs coverage sucks by comparison.

[Bluebear]

26. LOVED the opening ceremonies, love Canada, love your Games.

Thank you!

[Locut0s]

36. Thanks. And thanks for ALL THE OTHER KIND COMENTS ABOUT VANCOUVER. nt

[Rowdyboy]

27. I've heard nothing but positive feedback. I call the games a smashing sucess....

Very sorry about the young man's death.

[Locut0s]

35. Some of the really bad press comes from England for some reason. Maybe cause they're hoisting the...

next ones lol.

[HughMoran]

28. I'm enjoying them

Perhaps the people being critical don't like the Olympics...

[fishwax]

29. I've sure been enjoying them

I think they've been great fun so far, and aside from complaints about the coverage, it seems to me that most other people I've interacted with have been enjoying them as well.

:toast:

[pokerfan]

31. The time delay sucks

It's impossible to avoid hearing results during the day and even though I'm only a couple hundred miles from Vancouver (and in the same time zone), we are the last area in the world to see the events.

[Quantess]

33. I've been enjoying the winter Olympics so far.

Everyone already knows the snow had to be artificially manufactured, but, nobody can blame Canada for that.

I'm happy about the first Canadian gold medal win, so far.

I feel really bad about the guy who just bit it.

[KT2000]

34. I am enjoying the Olympics

very much. Sorry - I don't know enough people to come up with a consensus though.
The weather has been beautiful too.
I am still having conversations with people about your Opening Ceremonies.
I think you guys are doing a great job!

[onestepforward]

37. I'm enjoying them.

I really loved the opening ceremonies. Beautiful!

:hi:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

38. It reminds me of Expo 87.

A lot of that particular Canadian national pride with that endearing subconscious inferiority complex, coupled with most of the attractions undergoing technical failure.

[Quantess]

40. That's just rude, and uncalled for.

Open your mouth while I shove in some maple leaves.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

41. I said it was endearing.

I'm being serious.

[Quantess]

42. Shall I pour maple syrup on your head?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

43. Sure. Then play Tragically Hip over and over in my leaky condo while I change my name to Doris.

[Quantess]

47. Am I tragically hip? That hurts.

I'm just not interested in playing stupid for any reason, in your condo or not.

[Bluebear]

49. Rude and uncalled for. From "ignored"

Every day I get confirmation that my ignore list knows what it's doing ;)

[AllenVanAllen]

39. I've enjoyed the games very much.

From the opening ceremony to the simple beauty shots of Vancouver, I've loved seeing it all.
Vancouver looks like an amazing city. Kudos to all of Vancouver for making these games possible!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

45. It is, I'm glad it cleared up.

You usually only get those clear skies for a couple of weeks in August.

[ShortnFiery]

44. Vancouver seems like a beautiful city.

Watching the Olympics makes me want to visit there. I would love to take a road trip this summer and scoot on over NW after checking-in with my cousins in North and South Dakota. ;)

[Locut0s]

50. We'll welcome you with open arms. Yeah make sure to visit in the Summer....

We are having unseasonably good weather these past few weeks but Winter here is usually more about the rain. Our summers are gorgeous though!!

[EmeraldCityGrl]

46. The problem is NBC's coverage, which has been lousy...

But Canada has done a great job. My family was up there last week and had a great time. They're going back on Monday for the men's hockey
semi-finals.

[npk]

48. Don't worry about it some people will criticize the sun for being too hot

I have enjoyed the Olympics. Vancouver is a great city and venue. I think they (the organizers) have done a masterful job, giving the circumstances, to prepare a well organized games. Yes there has been tragedy, with the shocking death of the luger from Georgia, but that can happen no matter where the games are held. Most of the people who criticize are just usually lame folks who are either convinced they could do a better job planning it themselves, or they are just jealous their city didn't get the games. Don't worry about it.