[TIAL]

I thought I'd make this as it's sure to be a big talking point over the next month or two.

Is anyone watching the opening ceremony? I have to say I'm impressed!

[MK Chris]

I find opening and closing ceremonies dull. I think the fact that the spirit of the Olympics is about togetherness and that the host city is in China is an utter farce, because they have just about the worst human rights record of anybody anywhere, and I think that Olympics officials praising attempts to cut pollution is ridiculous because every image, every video you see outside the stadium is shrouded in smog.

But all that aside, I love the Olympics, I love watching the minority sports. Now that it's here, there's nothing we can do about it and hopefully it'll be an entertaining games.

[TIAL]

I'm in 2 minds about all that really - as you've said, they do come across as being very hypocritical about quite a few issues, but I don't think a sporting event is the right place for the world to be discussing political issues, no matter how tempting it is. However, it does make me wonder if London 2012 will receive the same backlash if we're still in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Putting political opinions aside (which I think has to be done really), they've put on a good show so far - there are just so many people involved.

[Munki Bhoy]

It wouldn't be the Olympics without the political side show. For something where we're all supposed to come together and be a peace in competition, I can think of no sporting event that gets more politics thrust into the lime light.

The 30s had the nazi olympics, the 60s had the black first in the air medal celebration, the 70s had the Israeli killings, the 80s had the cold war boycotts... And that's just off the top of my head. There was even that aussie girl with the full body suit that was controversial not for her outfit but because she was aborigine!

I'm sure 2012 will be no different sadly.

[catherine]

I like the way Bush is discussing the Russia vs Georgia war whilst watching the show.

[TIAL]

They also keep playing Scotland the Brave on the bagpipes..?

[MK Chris]

That's reason in itself not to watch.

[Munki Bhoy]

I like the way Bush is discussing the Russia vs Georgia war whilst watching the show.

Oh no! He'll think the Russians are invading Atlanta! Quick, tell the Russians to invade somewhere else! Seriously, we've only got this monkey for another 165 days, we're nearly there... lets not screw it up now!

[Ezza]

This ceremony shite is still going on. How long does it take?

[Munki Bhoy]

4 hours at least apparently. I'm glad I'm at work.

[MK Chris]

You can always watch another channel, or (shock! horror!) turn your TV off. I'm not interested in the opening ceremoney either, which is why I'll make no effort to watch it later.

Let the sport begin!

[TIAL]

Those fireworks are pretty immense, though.

[Munki Bhoy]

Imagine that, the chinese are good at fireworks.

[TIAL]

It's good to see the women's beach volleyball making an early appearance.

[Vivienne]

I thought I'd make this as it's sure to be a big talking point over the next month or two.

Is anyone watching the opening ceremony? I have to say I'm impressed!

Really enjoyed the opening ceremony! Beautiful and fantastic effort! Looking forward to the rest too.

[Munki Bhoy]

The Olympics for me tends to be split into two sections. The swimming week and the track and field week. Although there are other sports, it is these two areas that get the most coverage.

On that note, am I the only one hoping Michael Phelps makes an arse of getting his eight gold medals? I always end up rooting on anyone but!

Actually, I've just noticed that the most pointless sport in the world is in the show today. Three Day Eventing - Dressage. Poncing about on a horse. Well done, you can make a horse walk sideways. I think I'll be making use of the Multiscreen red button when that's on.

[Vivienne]

Love the swimming coverage, although the second I start to watch it, it makes me want to be in the pool.

[TIAL]

Really enjoyed the opening ceremony! Beautiful and fantastic effort! Looking forward to the rest too.

It was very well done, I know some people can't stand them but I was amazed by the scale of it all. The dull bit was when all the athletes walked in.

[Munki Bhoy]

Really enjoyed the opening ceremony! Beautiful and fantastic effort! Looking forward to the rest too.

It was very well done, I know some people can't stand them but I was amazed by the scale of it all. The dull bit was when all the athletes walked in.

The two things that happen at every Olympics are probably the dullest. The walk in by the athletes, like you said, goes on forever. There's too many countries, we need to start merging some again. The other thing that bores are the speeches. All that razzmatazz, followed by a bunch of suits telling you how proud they are the Olympics are in their country.

[S4B]

Have we got any medals yet?

Still shocked that that boxer didn't make the weight after having all that lottery funding!!!

[Munki Bhoy]

Should have bought some pies with the lottery money.

[Munki Bhoy]

Oh, just noticed, he was overweight not under. Maybe he should not have bought pies with it then!

[kendra k]

I really hope Michael Phelps doesn't hit the 8 gold mark they keep talking about here. The only way I would stop hating him is if he spoke out about human rights or joined Team Darfur.

I had to stop myself from watching the badminton this morning. I thought I was too old to be this angry about global politics, but the Olympics seem like such a farce in light of what's going on- especially after Amnesty's report last week.

[MK Chris]

I watched some of the badminton today.

Michael Phelps is basically not going to mess up.. he'll win at least seven golds. He's the new Thorpedo.

[foot-loose]

I have never quite worked out what all the fuss is about the Olympics. It all seems a bit shit to me really.