orangeman

Simply an amazing and unexpected experience. I was put on the list over 2 months ago, but I was so afraid to say anything to anyone because in these times, and living in China especially, things can change so fast. Our group got purged so much over the weeks to leave only a few out of dozens, and I'm so grateful I was left at the end. I truly never expected going to an Olympic Ceremony in my life. It makes not being able to leave the city (never mind the country!) for so long worth it. Right now I'm on the list for some other stuff, but again I'm too scared to get into too much detail, haha. Don't want to jinx it. I didn't tell anyone except one family member about this until the night before. Let me tell you, my phone has been blowing up ever since. I want to say, the whole process was smooth and efficient (surprising since we're dealing two of the biggest bureaucracies in the world!). Everyone in the group that got us there was incredibly helpful and friendly, and then last night the volunteers were amazing and so full of energy. One basic security check, and then not much else. I cannot believe how smooth everything was. We were told very strict rules about what to wear, and what we couldn't bring but in the end none of that really held true. I was so spare with my phone because they told us no battery packs, but it turned out it was fine. We were told no flags or national symbols, but I wore my Canada gear and flags with pride. It was really cold, though, which we were definitely prepared for. The parade of nations was, as always, a highlight. Various sections and rows going nuts for their countries. I spared no embarrassment screaming for the Canadians. Everything else seemed really fast. It was 2.5 hours, but felt shorter. It also felt more grand, but yet "smaller" in the stadium. I mean, we had awesome seats pretty much below Xi and Bach so we were pretty much surface level and felt almost part of the show. We were also every other seat due to covid, which was awesome to have that extra room. Saying it was "small" is not an insult, I mean I felt part of it rather than watching it. Overall, amazing. What else is there to say? I know it was scaled back due to Covid, but without Covid I wouldn't have ever been there. I'm still processing it, and I'm glad I can share it with everyone interested here.

Well, my prediction for Day 1 was one gold, potentially 2 other medals. We ended up with a silver and bronze, so not great, not bad. In short track, if the Netherlands and Korea would have made it further it wouldn't have built up the expectations. But in that final, Canada should have definitely medaled. They have a record of not being able to stay on their feet in the Olympics, so I'm hoping this is not a sign of what's to come. Moguls was bullshit, I've established my thoughts on that. Speed Skating was a success. Hockey, job done. Curling, looked terrible against an unstoppable Swedish team. Must have been how the Finland felt against Canada in hockey. Looked better against the USA, need to finish out with wins to make playoffs. Look out for Italy, apparently. Luge/Biathlon/X-Country/Ski Jumping, as expected. Tomorrow has a couple of chances as well, but actually kind of a slow day for Canada. Anyway, now I can stop and maybe organize myself from last night.

I'm going to guess she was saving herself for those events, and team relay. She didn't look like she was struggling, just disinterested.

Right, 60%, which makes the decision even less credible. Whatever, moguls judges wanted a new star, they birthed one tonight. I guess Kingsbury and Canada got boring.

Well, at least it's not considered an official "4th", right?

Congrats to the medalists! Very exciting, mostly unexpected, result.

Nope, Canada is very successful at taking themselves out in short track.

Of course....

Of course....

I hear that. Kingsbury did look conservative on his last run, but it was much cleaner than anyone else. Turns are supposed to be 40% of the score, and his were 100% better. Jumps were cleaner, higher and equal or more difficult. The only thing Wallberg was better at was time (20%). But I want to stress that Horishima being on the podium is a complete joke. That was a terrible run in almost every way.

It is ridiculous. After watching moguls, we should just ask the judges to give us a list of gold medal winners in all events and save us all the time and effort of watching the next 2 weeks.

Hahahahahaaha, another stupid decision in short track. It's going to be that kind of Games, isn't it?

There were some curious scores during qualifying and then in the finals, but nothing that affected the top-5ish. But when I saw Horishima's score I knew there would be some fuckery in the final scores. Absolute joke, no credibility. Might as well be 2002 figure skating at this point.

Well, either Hungary or China out, good for Canada.

When I saw his result I knew there was going to be some fuckery in the final positions. That was a complete joke. Ice dance judging on the moguls hill tonight.