[darkpuppet]

So I know we have a thread around here on the Olympic Hockey tourney, but was curious what everyone was feeling about the Olympics in general..

ie... your thoughts on the opening ceremonies, the death at the sliding center, broken machinery and weather causing delays in various events.

Do you feel that we're doing a good job of putting our best foot forward hosting these games?

To be honest, I have really mixed feelings. After China and considering the logistics of hosting such an event, the occasional hiccup or disappointment can be expected, but there's a few things that just don't shine the brightest light...

- late arrivals of key guests to the opening ceremonies caused confusion
- the inability of the flags to wave on their wind-generating poles
- the rather slow pace of the opening ceremonies and lack of energy in many of the musical numbers
- the broken couldron

- the 10 minute DRIVE(?!) to the outdoor couldron
- the death of an unexperienced georgian luger.. resulting in men starting from the women's start, and women starting from the junior start (which many women weren't happy about).

Then when you actually get into the events, you have the weather that's not cooperating (you can forgive that)
- broken zambonies futzing up the speed skating oval
- Curling rink that wasn't ready more than a couple days ahead of actual competition

- and then the medal expectations.... can we really own the podium?

I was really hoping that we'd be putting on the best show and showing everyone what canada's really about, but I don't think we're cutting the mustard in hosting these olympic games.

what do you think?