Did you like the Olympic opening ceremonies in Japan 2021?

I am boycotting the Olympics this year – actively, as opposed to ignoring them in other years. I just read that the IOC has stated that it has banned taking a knee, raising a fist or any other passive protest by athletes. That and the Norwegian women’s fine have sealed their doom in this household.

@janbb That whole Norwegian women uniform thing is so baffling to me. Why aren’t all the women from all the countries standing up with them? It is the stupidest fine I have ever heard of. I can’t imagine the majority of the world is not on the side of the women. As far as taking the knee I am conflicted about it, there was a Q about it.

The overall sentiment of the Olympics is amazing in my opinion. They spoke of the world coming together, the end to wars, the opening ceremony was diverse and inclusive, and honorable mention for front line workers during the pandemic.

What does boycotting do in this case? Networks won’t want to carry the games in the future? I am not saying you should watch, I don’t always catch the opening ceremonies or half the games, but I just wondered if lack of viewership will help with your cause.

@JLeslie Of course, I was being facetious. My “boycotting” of the Olympics will do damn-all for the cause. Nobody will know. It was just a turn of phrase.

I really had no idea you were joking.

I’ll probably watch some events, but over the years my interest in the olympics in general has waned. And I don’t remember the last opening or closing ceremony I’ve watched. It’s just so much pomp and circumstance and rigmarole that costs millions and is geared toward tears and patriotism; it makes me want to barf. Use some of that money and those tears and patriotism on the poor and starving of the country. I don’t begrudge others enjoying it, it’s just not for me.

@smudges Funny, I never think much about the patriotism, I think about it the opposite way, the whole world together. Having said that, I do agree there is still focus on winning for one’s country with the playing of national anthems and commentary by the media about how many medals the countries have had in the past.

They sang the John Lennon song imagine.

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

That’s how I’ve always thought of the Olympics, but I’m not a competitive person.

They used hundreds of drones to introduce the song to create a globe in the sky and they included singers from around the world.

The money spent is mind boggling. It seems only worth it if it creates infrastructure that was needed anyway.

I haven’t seen it. Sounds like it was good.

@JLeslie I love that song. Sounds like an impressive opening.

Saw parts of it. They spun the world the wrong way. Having Sadaharu Oh carrying the torch for part of the way was a nice touch.

@Caravanfan I didn’t notice the world spinning the wrong way! Did anyone else notice? I know you love baseball. I liked that they included athletes from Paralympics. I don’t remember if they always do that. The son of a friend of mine used to play on the rugby team.