the olympic saga continues

well..this is an update of my thoughts on the most happening event of the time..

 

Firstly, I have blown away by the level of organization done in the city of London by the organizers. Don't recall if Beijing had such a lot of volunteers. They had more engineering and decorations if I am not wrong.

Triathlon-one of my favorite events

Second, some events were really awesome. And I mean it. Be it Federer's marathon fight in the Quarters, the Skeet shooting finals dominated by Vincent or all the great performances by hundreds of athletes whose names I don't know, but surely made my day with the die hard competitive attitudes. Special mention to cycling, hurdles, fencing and badminton.

Vincent Hancock

Feisty finals china v/s china

I am happy that women's boxing was included this time. All their bouts were really good to watch. The women were proud, happy and ferocious at the same time . They seemed to want to prove a point to the world.


The Indian performances were largely satisfactory except maybe hockey. All the shooters did well and even if they didn't all share the podiums, the job was well done. The shuttlers especially Jwala and Ashwini looked very promising but unfortunately lost out. We even figured in 20km walking and such new events which people didn't look forward to. It even brought a Malayali to the limelight. OK no regional matters.. anyway it is a definite sign of better things to happen for the Olympics in this nation obsessed with just a handful of the usual stuff.



Proud of the medal winners Gagan,Saina and Vijay. Boxing was the single most event I would have followed all throughout the competition. Indian boxers did quite well indeed. Now only Devendhro and Kom survive. In that, Kom's fight was something I am glad I watched. R.E.S.P.E.C.T in all respects.

There were even a few things I did not like about this Olympics:-
a) The Madhura honey episode - but I loved the creative photoshop works that followed

LOL

b) Indian tennis hullah bullah
c) Some very questionable judgements and reversals by officials. Not just involving Indians
d) Changes in rules and point systems. It might have made some events more flexible, but elsewhere it spoiled the competition
e) The foul play incident in badminton. Threw lots of questions about the manipulators and dominators
f) And of course the late timings :P

Will she be the golden girl this time?

Anyway at this point I eagerly look forward to Kom's semi final bout against local favourite Nicola who looks defiant and confident. One thing to note is that in spite of Mary's legendary status in Women's International Boxing, she has only performed in the light weight category. She would find it difficult against the opponents of larger build and reach. Only experience, tactics and her speed can help her carve the victory required.The other contenders as per my observation are real champs too.
Mary has experience and speed to her side. But the weight category would be her Achilles heel. Ren Cancan from China is a super cool, super fast boxer with lots of tricks up her sleeve. Nicola and Espereza of US and Britain respectively are young and ferocious boxers. So there is lots of action yet to come..

If Mary does achieve the topmost spot, then it would a great moment for Indian Olympics, women's boxing, the sport as such in India and of course the media and feminist idealists in India would have a field day on TV and social media. I personally am gear up for a great finish to one of the grandest sporting events of the modern world.

Its not all over yet..

PS: Once the events come to a close I would try keeping away from Indian news channels who are currently lying in wait with their analysis and accusations.

oh.. did I miss a certain Jamaican and American? .. nope I don't think so..