Since this forum has members across the world, I wanted to see how other people view the Olympics. I didn't watch the China Olympics 4 years ago, so my memory of how the games are covered is a little fuzzy. It seems because I'm in the USA I'm only getting coverage of "team" USA this year. I swear I remember watching as a kid and listening to coverage about athletes from other nations. This year they have all this special footage of the USA athletes of whatever event is on before going to the commercials, closeups ect...
And with the Hunger Games fresh in my mind I can't help put compare it to the way they dressed up Tributes for television. They're athletes not television stars. I think they might be trying to make the Athletes more memorable, cause unless they win a lot of metals no one will remember them. But IMO countries coming together is what is important, it doesn't have to be entertaining. With the camera always focused on your country its like saying the only thing that is important is how well your country is doing. (I have't watch a whole lot so I could be wrong and just been lucky to tune in whenever the USA is on)

My sister was making noise watching swimming yesterday and I asked who she was cheering for. She stared at me like I was stupid and said I wasn't very patriotic. I've always saw it as athletes from different countries competing together. Not athletes representing the nation they came from. And if someone won a gold metal it was a personal victory not a national one. But idk, watching some of the athlete commentaries they have a very different attitude. Like winning a gold metal makes you an "American hero". Personally I like to cheer for one of the smaller countries that never win any metals, especially when the USA brags about ALWAYS winning gold in a certain event.

Is it a big deal cheering for your own country in the games? Is the TV coverage focused on your country's team where you live?

i dont really give a fuck about the summer olypics cause canada sucks balls at it lol

I keep typing metal instead of medals. same difference.

Canada is ranked #20 for summer, #6 for winter, and #16 overall (in all time medals)
Figures Canada would be better in winter sports. Beach Volleyball doesn't sound very Canadian.

canada holds the world record for most golds won in a single winter olympics :D

Getting really into this.

6 gold medals for Britain today!

Here's the table as it stands:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/201 ... /countries

Comparison to 2008, our previous best in a while:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19125271

Andy Murray beats Federer 3-0 to win singles GOLD

I was sad that we lost in badminton :( but the better player is the better player :)