Beijing Feel

[Ducay]

Not sure if its the big time difference, COVID world, lack of NHL, crummy host city, boycotts, crummy CBC quality or all of the above - but doesn't even feel like the Olympics are starting.

Normally there is a crazy energy around the Olympics and it is a special time - people talking about and anticipating opening ceremonies, competitions, etc. I couldn't tell you if the opening ceremonies were today or tomorrow and what time they are at. Couldn't care less.

Tokyo obviously suffered from some of these issues, but these Beijing ones feel like the Alibaba knockoff of the normal Olympics. Even watching the figure skating tonight....something just feels off that I can't put my finger on. Shame for the competitors though. Hopefully it improves as the games go on (as much as I'd like to see it crash and burn for the CCP's sake)

[CofR]

It definitely feels off, I am pretty hopeful that once medals start getting handed out the magic will return

[Skaloper]

For me without the NHL participating it takes a bit to get into it.

[Dion]

China should never have been given the Olympics due to their record on human rights violations.

[DoubleK]

I miss Brian Williams

[SebC]

nm

[Derek Sutton]

For me, it doesn't feel like the Olympics until we get the 24/7 coverage from CBC. But I agree with the OP in that the time change is huge factor as well as the hosts being awful.

[dubc80]

Agree 100%

Can we turn back time to the Vancouver 2010 games?

What a time to be alive for sports fans.

The world was a different place then too, no question.

[Mazrim]

I think it's that we just had an Olympics last year in Tokyo. Obviously unusual and doesn't feel that long ago. I don't recall getting the same feeling when it was in Sochi or Pyeonchang despite their time differences.

Originally Posted by dubc80

Can we turn back time to Vancouver 2010?

What a time to be alive for sports fans.

I think what you're remembering is the mid-to-end of the 2010 Olympics feeling, when Canada was racking up the medals and everyone forgot the fairly rough start to the Olympics. Before Vancouver 2010 started there was all sorts of issues: the lack of snow, the costs, the disruptions to the city, the death in the luge practice, the mistakes in the opening ceremony, to name a few. I'd say give this some time and see how you feel at the end?

[dubc80]

Totally.

It's also unfair to compare against having the games on home soil. That alone amps things up.

I just feel the state of the world has muted a lot of these types of previously joyous and celebratory events, the Olympics being no exception.

I also feel for the athletes. Training and working so hard to get to the pinnacle of your sport and no fans or no family able to be there with you.

Are the athletes even interacting in the Village?

I assume most are being super careful as they dont want to get sick and have to withdraw from their event. Qualifying, making the trip to Beijing, and then getting a DNS status cause you shared a few beers with the Dutch speedskaters would suck.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Not sure if its the big time difference, COVID world, lack of NHL, crummy host city, boycotts, crummy CBC quality or all of the above - but doesn't even feel like the Olympics are starting.

Normally there is a crazy energy around the Olympics and it is a special time - people talking about and anticipating opening ceremonies, competitions, etc. I couldn't tell you if the opening ceremonies were today or tomorrow and what time they are at. Couldn't care less.

Tokyo obviously suffered from some of these issues, but these Beijing ones feel like the Alibaba knockoff of the normal Olympics. Even watching the figure skating tonight....something just feels off that I can't put my finger on. Shame for the competitors though. Hopefully it improves as the games go on (as much as I'd like to see it crash and burn for the CCP's sake)

I watched the figure skating, too, and it felt like I was watching practice. Quality of the performances were great, but yes, something is weirdly off.

Also, is it not crazy the Chinese somehow managed to prevent the video of their figure skater falling (Zhu Li, I think) to propagate on the net? I cannot find it and that's fataed up.

[Hemi-Cuda]

This is the first Olympics that I have absolutely zero interest in. Letting China host these game is a disgrace and I want no part in supporting it

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

This is the first Olympics that I have absolutely zero interest in. Letting China host these game is a disgrace and I want no part in supporting it

That's part of it for me.

[Strange Brew]

Time zone
No Fans
China hosting

Triple threat of malaise.

But I still love some of these sports and will keep watching. Can't wait for Snowboard Cross. I will never forget Lindsey Jacobellis costing herself a gold medal by trying a trick right before the finish line. That is just an incredible sport.

[Iggy_12]

One of my summer students just won a bronze in ski jump, so thats kinda cool

[Weitz]

Yah I can’t say I care about these games. None of the sports interest me to watch. Had the NHL players been there I would probably watch that. But even most of the games in Sochi were boring.

[AustinL_NHL]

Some of these replies surprise me, but everyone has their own interests haha

The Winter Olympics are by far my favorite event. Even moreso than the Stanley Cup Finals. 16 days of non-stop patriotic cheering from me while my sleep schedule revolves around the Olympic schedule.

Couldn't ask for better entertainment

[craigwd]

Doesn't even have to be about patriotism. Just the chance to see some awesome sport and performances from the best in the world.

[Manhattanboy]

Lol the ski jumping venue constructed against the scenic backdrop of an old Chinese nuclear power plant. Well done.

https://flip.it/iXgFPg

[Tsawwassen]

Originally Posted by dubc80

Agree 100%

Can we turn back time to the Vancouver 2010 games?

What a time to be alive for sports fans.

The world was a different place then too, no question.

The same can be said for the 2002 games in Salt Lake City.