Games of the XXX Olympiad

The Games are underway and that means it's time for some commentary from your humble narrator . . .

The biggest concern for everyone in London was transportation and after four days, the general consensus is that they prepared for the worst and it hasn't been that bad.  I haven't heard of anyone missing their event or getting stuck in traffic.  Trains have been full leaving the Olympic Park each night, but the party atmosphere has prevailed.  Those arriving early Saturday morning were greeted by revelers who were just on their way home from the night before.

Watching the Olympics on television in America has always been to mixed reviews.  I understand NBC's desire to catch the largest audience during primetime, but for those of us who are die hard fans, we'd much rather see it live.  Obviously, with this being the first social media Olympics, it is nearly impossible for any true fans to remain oblivious of the results until primetime or later.  And while in year's past, I have been one of the biggest critics of NBC's tear jerking athlete profiles and over-the-top coverage of the US athletes, it has become the same way here in England.  The bright side is that on the BBC's online site, there are 24 channels of live coverage and I am able to watch every heat of every race, as well as coverage of matches between countries like New Zealand and Lithuania.

Speaking of social media, it has been very cool to follow some of the athletes, reporters, and groups directly involved with the Games.  @PressAssoc2012 provides great general Olympic information, @SITimLayden (Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden) is up-to-date with all the breaking news, @AtoBoldon is hands down the best Twitter Broadcaster there is, and it's been fun following athletes like Lolo Jones @lolojones and Amy Hastings @HastyHastings for behind-the-scenes observation and commentary.

England (or Team GB as they are known) has a lot of pressure to succeed.  They won 47 medals in Beijing and as host country, they are granted more entrants in this Olympics.  It was a surprise that the men's cycling team was shut out on day one, but the men's gymnastics team came out of nowhere to win their first medal in over 100 years.  It is very exciting to be in a pub when England gets a medal and the patriotism comes out strongest from those whom you'd expect it least.  Team GB has advanced many swimmers and rowers into the final rounds, but with more participants, come more non-medalists.  Many British athletes have already placed fourth or fifth, which is either just out of the medals or heart-breaking failure, depending upon how you look at it.  On the positive side, every athlete interviewed has praised the support of the crowd and said he/she has done his/her best.  Even London Mayor Boris Johnson has chimed in, saying "We are showing great natural restraint and politeness as host nation in not hoarding the medals more so far."

Swimming is the first week's marquee event and it has been pretty cool to watch Lithuania's 15-year-old Ruta Meilutyte and China's Ye Shiwen win gold and I take patriotic pride myself with USA's 12 swimming medals so far.  Just watched Andy Murray win his second round match and the women's soccer teams play again tonight, with the USA taking on North Korea at Old Trafford and Great Britain playing Brazil, who are as dazzling as their male counterpart.

Tomorrow, I will make my first foray into the Olympic Park for a session of Team Handball.  Can't wait . . .