Recently on Universal Sports, they've been showing the main events from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This past week, they had the Men's and Women's Gymnastics Finals on during prime time.
In each case, it was the story of the underdog team from the USA battling for a medal against the favorites from China. In the end, the pressure seem to get to the US teams more as China took gold in both. Last night, it was a whole night on pothead Phelps.
While getting some of the 2008 Olympic action, a short ad for Universal Sports comes on. Its a ping pong table and 2 guys hit the ball back to each other. It than cuts to a montage of Table Tennis (all look Chinese). The end was that there would be more Table Tennis on Universal Sports this summer.
I get Universal Sports on 4.4 here in Los Angeles.
The website is terrible. I can't find the schedule beyond 2 days and it doesn't recap events it has broadcast.
Check out clips from their YouTube channel.
Showing posts with label 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Show all posts
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Monday, August 25, 2008
Closing Thoughts on the 2008 Summer Olympics
Originally posted on xanga.
I only saw the last hour of the closing ceremony. Looked a lot less assuming than the Opening Ceremony. I also found it interesting that Phelps ditched the Opening and the Closing ceremonies. The face of these Olympics is absent from the beginning and the end.
In any case, the US ended up with the most medals overall and matched its Athen games Gold Medal count. But if you count the actual number (teams medal(s) only count once in the official count) of medals (each member of team), the US made out with the most by a large margin. It helps that there are 10+ basketball players and a gazillion people in softball, soccer, volleyball.
As for China, 40 golds were the said reach. Well, it got 51 of them. I highly doubt that'll happen in London.
All in all, I thought this was the best Olympics I've seen from the week 1 perspective. Week 2 wasn't as interesting.
In the end, the political issues that abounded before were absent from the last 2 weeks, but it'll be back again.
I also loved the commericals that GE had. Very interesting, including the rural China one. The song "在夏天" from Cao Fang (曹方).
I only saw the last hour of the closing ceremony. Looked a lot less assuming than the Opening Ceremony. I also found it interesting that Phelps ditched the Opening and the Closing ceremonies. The face of these Olympics is absent from the beginning and the end.
In any case, the US ended up with the most medals overall and matched its Athen games Gold Medal count. But if you count the actual number (teams medal(s) only count once in the official count) of medals (each member of team), the US made out with the most by a large margin. It helps that there are 10+ basketball players and a gazillion people in softball, soccer, volleyball.
As for China, 40 golds were the said reach. Well, it got 51 of them. I highly doubt that'll happen in London.
All in all, I thought this was the best Olympics I've seen from the week 1 perspective. Week 2 wasn't as interesting.
In the end, the political issues that abounded before were absent from the last 2 weeks, but it'll be back again.
I also loved the commericals that GE had. Very interesting, including the rural China one. The song "在夏天" from Cao Fang (曹方).
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Olympics Thoughts Days 4-15
Originally posted on xanga.
So, its been a whirlwind 11 days of the Olympics. The two main events I normally watch are diving and gymnastics. This year, China dominated in both areas. Looking at the medal counts for just two events, its staggering what kind of take China had in these events. The medal count chart show China's dominance this year.
I was also glad nbcolympics started putting up the beach volleyball games. I don't have cable so I couldn't catch them on the USA channel.
Table Tennis has been really cool. China swept this department too. Every possible medal that was available in Table Tennis, China got. They were 8 for 8 there.
I am sad that the Taiwan Olympians didn't make more of a dent, but I applaud the team for showing up and giving it their all.
Since visiting Singapore on a business trip last October, I have a much larger appreciation of the city state. Its actually an asian city that I think my wife might be able to settle in and think its the US. Singapore finally got that medal! Congrats!
All in all, from Phelps to the Chinese in Diving and Gymnastics, this may be the best Olympics I've watched. I don't think London 2012 is gonna be able to live up to this. It'll have its stories, but this was truly an epic and historic Olympics.
I am looking forward to the Closing Ceremony and will be sad that the Olympics are ending.
So, its been a whirlwind 11 days of the Olympics. The two main events I normally watch are diving and gymnastics. This year, China dominated in both areas. Looking at the medal counts for just two events, its staggering what kind of take China had in these events. The medal count chart show China's dominance this year.
I was also glad nbcolympics started putting up the beach volleyball games. I don't have cable so I couldn't catch them on the USA channel.
Table Tennis has been really cool. China swept this department too. Every possible medal that was available in Table Tennis, China got. They were 8 for 8 there.
I am sad that the Taiwan Olympians didn't make more of a dent, but I applaud the team for showing up and giving it their all.
Since visiting Singapore on a business trip last October, I have a much larger appreciation of the city state. Its actually an asian city that I think my wife might be able to settle in and think its the US. Singapore finally got that medal! Congrats!
All in all, from Phelps to the Chinese in Diving and Gymnastics, this may be the best Olympics I've watched. I don't think London 2012 is gonna be able to live up to this. It'll have its stories, but this was truly an epic and historic Olympics.
I am looking forward to the Closing Ceremony and will be sad that the Olympics are ending.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
NBC Coverage of 2008 Olympics
Originally posted on xanga.
I am currently watching 2 team matches online from nbcolympics.com. Earlier in the evening, I was able to watch Badminton, Taiwan Baseball and Archery too.
AMAZING! I can't believe it. I am still in shock about what's available. This may be better than being there. Everything is seemly available online.
Even Gymnastics in "rewind" form is awesome.
I have to give it up the guys that designed nbcolympics.com, its amazing. Although the UI could be improved, there's just too much stuff. Invariably, stuff will get buried.
Now, if they can just get "rewind" mode in for the volleyball and beach volleyball.
I was able to catch both men's and women's gymnastic finals. I have to give it up the teams from China, they were not flawless, but they were extra good. Everyone else was average or worst. By virtue, the teams from China took the gold.
I was impressed by Shawn Johnson on the balance beam. Shawn will be in contention for some individual medals during the next week.
I love the Olympics!
I am currently watching 2 team matches online from nbcolympics.com. Earlier in the evening, I was able to watch Badminton, Taiwan Baseball and Archery too.
AMAZING! I can't believe it. I am still in shock about what's available. This may be better than being there. Everything is seemly available online.
Even Gymnastics in "rewind" form is awesome.
I have to give it up the guys that designed nbcolympics.com, its amazing. Although the UI could be improved, there's just too much stuff. Invariably, stuff will get buried.
Now, if they can just get "rewind" mode in for the volleyball and beach volleyball.
I was able to catch both men's and women's gymnastic finals. I have to give it up the teams from China, they were not flawless, but they were extra good. Everyone else was average or worst. By virtue, the teams from China took the gold.
I was impressed by Shawn Johnson on the balance beam. Shawn will be in contention for some individual medals during the next week.
I love the Olympics!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Olympics Thoughts Day 0-3
Originally posted on xanga.
The Olympics started 8/8/08 at 8:08 in Beijing. I was able to catch the opening ceremony on NBC.
Zhang Yimou was the man behind the China portion of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece closing ceremonies. Zhang Yimou is the man behind the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
I'll be honest, it was a little overwhelming. I didn't exactly know what to expect. I had heard of the sheer number of people being used. The colorful outfits. The secrecy behind it all. After it was done, I was a little awestruck. I wish I could have been there. But I think visually, the best view was from the TV.
The parade of nations was very tiring, but I wanted to see USA athletes and many of the Asian countries. Most notibaly, Taiwan and China.
Day 1-3 have been pretty interesting. China is currently leading the medals count and leads in the Gold metal count, doubling the nearest country. Taiwan is on the boards too! The spirit of the Olympics.
I have been vary impressed with nbcolympics.com. I've been able to watch Badmintion, volleyball, shooting, judo, archery, etc. However, Day 2 and 3 have had very little matches in "rewind" mode. They're suppose to show 2,600 hours of footage. Some of it is just a camera pointed at the field or court or stage. You can hear the ppl around the camera talking it up. The convos are weird and whacky sometimes.
I hope they have more matches up soon. I wanted to watch more volleyball from Day 3, but its all just photos.
As normal, all the Olympics footage were promptly removed from Youtube within hours, if not minutes.
But while there, I came across "Where the hell is Matt?" videos. Crazy stuff. I want his job. My wife and daughter wouldn't.
The Olympics started 8/8/08 at 8:08 in Beijing. I was able to catch the opening ceremony on NBC.
Zhang Yimou was the man behind the China portion of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece closing ceremonies. Zhang Yimou is the man behind the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
I'll be honest, it was a little overwhelming. I didn't exactly know what to expect. I had heard of the sheer number of people being used. The colorful outfits. The secrecy behind it all. After it was done, I was a little awestruck. I wish I could have been there. But I think visually, the best view was from the TV.
The parade of nations was very tiring, but I wanted to see USA athletes and many of the Asian countries. Most notibaly, Taiwan and China.
Day 1-3 have been pretty interesting. China is currently leading the medals count and leads in the Gold metal count, doubling the nearest country. Taiwan is on the boards too! The spirit of the Olympics.
I have been vary impressed with nbcolympics.com. I've been able to watch Badmintion, volleyball, shooting, judo, archery, etc. However, Day 2 and 3 have had very little matches in "rewind" mode. They're suppose to show 2,600 hours of footage. Some of it is just a camera pointed at the field or court or stage. You can hear the ppl around the camera talking it up. The convos are weird and whacky sometimes.
I hope they have more matches up soon. I wanted to watch more volleyball from Day 3, but its all just photos.
As normal, all the Olympics footage were promptly removed from Youtube within hours, if not minutes.
But while there, I came across "Where the hell is Matt?" videos. Crazy stuff. I want his job. My wife and daughter wouldn't.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing (北京奧運會)
Originally posted on xanga.
Since 2001 when I found out that Beijing won the bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, I wanted to go. Unfortunately, life didn't align and I will have to watch it from the states.
The past Olympics were always great.
I think the first Olympics I can recall was the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. I was actually here in LA, but I didn't go to any of the events. Only watched it from the TV.
This summer, I plan on tuning in to the following events:
Basketball
Gymnastics
Swimming
Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Volleyball
Beach Volleyball
I think there are more, but Yahoo! sports only has a limited listing.
Since 2001 when I found out that Beijing won the bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, I wanted to go. Unfortunately, life didn't align and I will have to watch it from the states.
The past Olympics were always great.
I think the first Olympics I can recall was the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. I was actually here in LA, but I didn't go to any of the events. Only watched it from the TV.
This summer, I plan on tuning in to the following events:
Basketball
Gymnastics
Swimming
Diving
Tennis
Table Tennis
Volleyball
Beach Volleyball
I think there are more, but Yahoo! sports only has a limited listing.
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