Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Silly Olympics (Monty Python)

The Silly Olympics! Monty Python, yes.

No hope without dope (and some Dolphin DNA)



Ye Shiwen

No Hope without Dope (how about whale DNA Mr Phelps?)

Hi, I would like to address two hot-potato's from the 2012 games so far, the doping acusation made by an American swim coach about a young Chinese record breaker, and the 'twitter' drama following a journalist twitting a 'semi-public' email address:

I would point out that the 'comment' from the swim coach did not require twitter to spread an 'unchecked' and 'subjective' message around the world, via the world press (FOX, NBC, CNN, BBC) that not only labels a 16year old girl as a 'drug user' but kicks up the whole Olympic doping debate. As far as i know the swim coach has not been banned from speaking to the world press, yet the twitter journalist is banned due to communicating somebodies email address who did not like that.

And my next point has already been put out there, nobody raised the alarm when Michael Phelps won 8 Gold medals in Beijing.

"I think it is not proper to single Chinese swimmers out once they produce good results. Some people are just biased," Jiang Zhixue, who leads anti-doping work at China's General Administration of Sport, told the state news agency Xinhua.

"We never questioned Michael Phelps when he bagged eight gold medals in Beijing."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/31/china-ye-shiwen-critics-olympics?newsfeed=true 


Ye Shiwen's world record Olympic swim: brilliant, or too good to be true?

For the wider public, and perhaps many people in the sport as well, it is a matter of debate and personal opinion as to whether Ye deserves the benefit of the doubt or not. There is no evidence to condemn her other than her own brilliance, and it is hard to judge a 16-year-old girl on the basis of that alone. Instinctively, many fans will want to believe in her talent. Others, scarred by years of doping revelations across a range of sports, would say that view is naive. Ye could simply be the shining light of the first products of the heavy investment the Chinese made in the sport before the Beijing Olympics. -- http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/30/ye-shiwen-record-olympic-swim?intcmp=239

#NBCFail: Backlash as Twitter locks out reporter Guy Adams

The Independent’s Los Angeles correspondent Guy Adams has account frozen after criticising US TV network.-- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nbcfail-backlash-as-twitter-locks-out-reporter-guy-adams-7987906.html


Lockdown 2012: Security at the Olympics

A fact full and condensed summary of the massive expenditure and cock-up's at the London 2012 Olympics.
--fly

Lockdown 2012: Security at the Olympics



For the XXXth Olympiad, which opened last Friday in London, organisers have placed a heavy emphasis on security. One figure that illustrates this emphatic approach to security: for every one athlete competing, there are four security personnel working at the Games (see our visualisation below).

The British Army is providing 17,000 personnel, 70% more than the number of British troops currently deployed in Afghanistan. Some 3,500 of these soldiers were called up at the last moment, bailing out the private security company G4S, undisputed gold medalists in the field of cock-ups.
 
http://owni.eu/2012/07/31/visualisation-olympic-security/

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Feedback from Chinese Olympic ceremony

July 27, 2012. Cafe Zen, Amsterdam. (Watching the early opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on T.V, which was in fact the Beijing Games on replay)

How to compare the Occident and Orient in 2012? just look at the stylistic features and sources of inspiration for their respective Olympic openiong ceremony. One rooted in many thousand year old traditional arts and crafts that reflect the natural world, the other somewhat recent fictional characters from the world of make believe, television and film, the projection of recent popular mythology. Both have merits and points of criticism. 

FEEDBACK!

Ideographic dance, synchronized floor painting, atop huge scroll projection onto surface, trad. Oriental instruments strings lift canvas into air, camera flashes, red glow. Billions of body mind eye systems synchronize, remotely.

People emerge, like seeds from center flower in silver glowing suits red, blue, and little white lights glow in crowd. Tai Chi and Kung Fu in stone henge collection of monoliths, more light fantastic projections, nothing on seeper. Water projections, waterfalls but no water! imitation of school art square all within the scroll large multi colored Crayola type brushes in hands of children, surrounded by perhaps thousansands of Tai Chi, kung Fu practitioners. Amber lights, paint brushes dayglo in back sacks Large Trad. Chinese landscape painting rises into the air.

Space-man suspended on chords, now the space theme, some men in a pentagon stance atop a sphere, now earth and stars, fireworks shoot miles into the London night sky. Projected out of the sphere some Escheresque--concentric circles--10 tracks, opposite directions, giant whales swim around stadium pano while duo of singers, fireworks all over London and Beijing smudge a red hue. Faces projected around stadium.

Olympic flames enter stadium surrounded by nations flags blowing in wind, passing the fire a Chinese man lifts into the air, his torch almost going out, gasping for air, then he is lifted onto the panorama rim of the stadium, running in slow motion under spotlight, behind him the scroll unravels classic sport footage. He runs the whole stadium and lights up the fuse, massive flames flare up (I get the feeling of old Greek Olympics) more fireworks pop off up the river Thames for many miles, it seems.

Footage of Beijing Olympics?, oh yes. Anomalous incidents and crashes, falls, slips, balls in the face, arse in the face, great rallies, exceptional performances and near death and very dangerous looking images of sport, memorable due to great stupidity and great genius mixed.

I missed the rest of the ceremony, thankfully, my first impressions kept a positive note, i thought. --Steve fly


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Boris Johnson's Olympic Welcome (cassetteboy)

Approx 9 Billion Pounds



With 4 billion viewers the stakes
are high nations going
for gold Athletes on the brink of red out
Greenland ice sheet melts when the stadium
lights turn on

UK icons mashed up like a Christmas
variety performance, Harry Potter Prince
William, Mary Poppins Ms
Obama, Willy Blake Orwell
already well represented

Thanks to my coach,
to my my family and pastor
sponsor...
how about surprises from
sportspeople?
Thanks to my pet goat
my shoes and breakfast

Do you eat at Mcdonalds drink coca-cola,
 invest in B.P? any comment
about these entities? 

how about three ways
to better the world?
what you saying with rag-flag?

Gonzo rock drill marrow!
Javelin of truth strikes the
reff.

the total carbon footprint
of the games vs. the potential total amount
of sports facilities that cd/ be built worldwide
using PUBLIC game-funds
(approx. 9 Billion?)
ever thought of sport?

--fly

W is for Wrestling

W is for Wrestling
body nestling spoon grabs
toss turn pull up, tight
shorts

--fly

Wrestling is a form of combat sport involving grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two (occasionally more) competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position. There are a wide range of styles with varying rules with both traditional historic and modern styles. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into other martial arts as well as military hand-to-hand combat systems. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrestling


V is for Volleyball

V is for Volley ball
leaping to strike the ball
with hand, slap down

--fly

Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.[1] It has been a part of the official program of the Summer Olympic Games since 1964. It is also the national Sport of Sri Lanka. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball






U is for Unidentified Fly Olympic

Aha,
U again, writing and making
jokes of sport, u contradict

--fly


TTT is for Taekwondo Trampoline Tennis

TTT is for Taekwondo
Trampoline Tennis,
give it a go

--fly

Trampolining is a competitive Olympic sport in which gymnasts perform acrobatics while bouncing on a trampoline.[1] These can include simple jumps in the pike, tuck or straddle position to more complex combinations of forward or backward somersaults and twists.
There are three related competitive rebound sports, synchronized trampoline, tumbling (or power tumbling) and double mini-trampoline. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trampolining


Taekwondo (태권도; 跆拳道; Korean pronunciation: [tʰɛk͈wʌndo]; /t.kwɒn.d/) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae (태, ) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (권, ) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do (도, ) means "way", "method", or "path". Thus, taekwondo may be loosely translated as "the way of the hand and the foot."[1] The name taekwondo is also written as taekwon-do, tae kwon-do, or tae kwon do by various organizations, based on historical, philosophical, or political[citation needed] reasons. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taekwondo

Tennis is a sport usually played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. The object of the game is to play the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a good return.[1] Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all ages. The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket, including people in wheelchairs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis




T is for Turntable-Tennis

T is for Turntable Tennis
bats balls beats and the net
spinning skill

--fly

Some turntablist DJs use turntable techniques like beat mixing/matching, scratching, and beat juggling. Some turntablists seek to have themselves recognized as traditional musicians capable of interacting and improvising with other performers. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turntablism

Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Except for the initial serve, players must allow a ball played toward them only one bounce on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side. Points are scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules. Play is fast and demands quick reactions. A skilled player can impart several varieties of spin to the ball, altering its trajectory and limiting an opponent's options to great advantage.-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_tennis 
 


S is for Swim-Shooting

S is for Swimshooting
400 meters freestyle
harpoon gold-fish

--fly

A shooting sport is a competitive sport involving tests of proficiency (accuracy and speed) using various types of guns such as firearms and airguns (see archery for more information on shooting sports that make use of bows and arrows). Hunting is also a shooting sport, and indeed shooting live pigeons was an Olympic event (albeit only once, in 1900). The shooting sports are categorized by the type of firearm or target used. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_sport

FINA currently recognises world records in the following events for both men and women.[9]

R is for Rowing

R is for Rowing
Oar'scrossed boats running rivers
push pull cash force flow?


--fly



Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water. The sport can be both recreational, focusing on learning the techniques required,[1] and competitive where overall fitness plays a large role. It is also one of the oldest Olympic sports. In the United States, high school and collegiate rowing is sometimes referred to as crew.[2] -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowing_%28sport%29






P is for Pentathalon

P is for Pentathalon
the number is five
competition five

-fly

A pentathlon is a contest featuring five different events. The name is derived from Greek: combining the words pente (five) and -athlon (competition) (Greek: πένταθλον). The first pentathlon was documented in Ancient Greece and was part of the Ancient Olympic Games. Five events were contested over one day for the Ancient Olympic pentathlon, starting with the long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw, followed by the stadion (a short foot race) and wrestling. Pentathletes were considered to be among the most skilled athletes, and their training was often part of military service—each of the five events in the pentathlon was thought to be useful in war or battle. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentathlon






Monday, July 16, 2012

G is for GYMNASTY

G is for Gymnastics
Flexi people dance
high up a banker swings

--Fly

Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG). Each country has its own national governing body affiliated to FIG. Competitive Artistic gymnastics is the best known of the gymnastic sports. It typically involves the women's events of uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and vault. Men's events are floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. Gymnastics evolved from exercises used by the ancient Greeks, that included skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics




F is for FENCING

F is for FENCING
Swords drawn in air
knife blade voice
tea caligraphy?

--Fly


Fencing, which is also known as olympic fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing,[1] is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons. It is usually practised with the help of a sword or mini-blade. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fencing





E is for EQUESTRIANISM

E is for EQUEST...
Horses for courses
vaulting canter for
cantos


--fly


Equestrianism (from Latin equester, equestr-, horseman, horse)[1] more often known as riding, horseback riding (American English) or horse riding (British English)[2] refers to the skill of riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and competitive sport. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equestrianism


Jumping on horses twisting gymnast on live specimen neigh. --fly

D is for DIVING

D is for Diving
tripple summer salt water
splash
no frogs in sight

--fly

I say bring back the highest dive contest!



Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.
Diving is one of the most popular Olympic sports with spectators. Competitors possess many of the same characteristics as gymnasts and dancers, including strength, flexibility, kinaesthetic judgment and air awareness. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving


C is for CYCLING

C is for Cycling
look no fumes just sweat
no carbon footprints
transport

--Fly

Cycling is a very efficient and effective mode of transportation[5] optimal for short to moderate distances. Bicycles provide numerous benefits compared to motor vehicles, including exercise, an alternative to the use of fossil fuels, no air or noise pollution, much reduced traffic congestion, easier parking, greater maneuverability, and access to both roads and paths. The advantages are at less financial cost to the user as well as society (negligible damage to roads, and less pavement required).[6] Criticisms and disadvantages of cycling include reduced protection in crashes, particularly with motor vehicles,[7] longer travel time (except in densely populated areas), vulnerability to weather conditions, difficulty in transporting passengers, and the skill and fitness required.-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling


B is for BADMINTON

B is for Badminton
shuttle cock flying cone
jump net flip of wrist
court

--Fly

The shuttlecock (or shuttle) is a feathered projectile whose unique aerodynamic properties cause it to fly differently than the balls used in most racquet sports; in particular, the feathers create much higher drag, causing the shuttlecock to decelerate more rapidly than a ball. Shuttlecocks have a much higher top speed, when compared to other racquet sports. Because shuttlecock flight is affected by wind, competitive badminton is played indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity, often as a garden or beach game.--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badminton


A is for ARCHERY

A is for ARCHERY
Bullseye, wink. steady eye
to hand to bowrows wind?

--Fly

"Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat, while in modern times, its main use is that of a recreational activity. A person who participates in archery is typically known as an "archer" or "bowman", and one who is fond of or an expert at archery can be referred to as a "toxophilite".-- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archery

Clown Town by Mau Mau (T-Shirt THTC) GET ONE ON!

Huge props to the legendary Mau Mau for his summary of the situation the majority of British and world citizens are confronted with, trying to take the Olympic Games seriously, or not that serious that London requires Rapier missiles on top of tower blocks.


Please visit the site and pick up a T-Shirt before the games begin.

http://thtc.co.uk/clown-town-0

No votes yet
Set to be a THTC classic, the 'Clown Town' design echos what millions of Londoners are feeling towards one particular event that is taking place in our once great town this Summer. Sadly, although this event has the potential to show London as a great City, we have instead sold it off to the highest, oftern most polluting corporate sponsors.
This event could be promoting and celebrating ethical business, but instead is being used to promote fast food, horrific drinks, one very polluting chemical company and various other far-from-wholesome companies and corporations.

Wikipedia and London Olympic Security

Hi, So London 2012 is spread all over the news, all over the world like a digital Jock strap rash. There are plenty of critical pieces and in depth studies, but for me, once again the best source of information turns out to be wikipedia, here for example is a slice of the article on London 2012 security, you don't need to put any spin on these facts to deduce the seriousness of these so called games.
"Security for the 2012 Summer Olympics is being provided by several arms of the British Armed Forces. The security operation is led by the police, with 13,000 officers available, supported by 17,000 members of the armed forces. Naval and air assets, including ships situated in the Thames, Eurofighter jets and surface-to-air missiles, will be deployed as part of the security operation. The cost of venue security alone has also increased from 282m to 553m pounds sterling. The budget for venue security is being partly funded by LOCOG as well as using the contingency from the £9.3 billion infrastructure budget. Even though, G4S will not be providing 13,700 as planned the number will be approximately 10,000. This will be the biggest security operation Britain has faced for decades as the number of security personnel will total 40,000. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_for_the_2012_Summer_Olympics

 Please imagine, for one second, that all this money was simply ploughed into sporting facilities and programes for everyone, in every country? why do we keep spending so much effort and time and money and security on the elites, be them sporting, banking or entertainment elites?

Of course any large international gathering is a target for attacks of various kinds, violent, coercive and mental (mind control operations). So why have them in the first place. I would propose lots of localized sporting events, encouraging everybody to PLAY! and have fun, remember that?

Lord Coe speaks.....

Security for the Olympics has not been compromised by the failure of G4S to recruit enough security staff, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has said.-- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18845678


River Stour Clean Up Op. March 2012

Myself and a collection of like-minded individuals from 'in and around' the Black Country area of the West Midlands, in the UK, took to the banks and surrounding lands of the River Stour to liter pick and explore the IMPACT required to clean up the river stour of waste and debris. Some funding would help. In 2006 I asked the local M.P for some wellies and some rope with which to voluntarily clean up the river, I am still awaiting a reply 6 years later. Sunday, March 25th, 2012. All video, photo and audio compiled by Fly Agaric 23.

The Return of Fly Olympic

HI readers,

Greetings from Steve fly, it's been a while since i posted at Fly Olympic--my blog dedicated to sports (swimming in particular) and the concept of the Olympic games-I hope you can forgive me as i try to make up.

This blog has a critical edge due to to my experiences growing up in and around the Black Country (Dudley , West Midlands UK) and seeing the destruction of many swimming pools, sports facilities and programs. It's not all bad news, I see wonderful new interpretations of SPORT emerging, fairness and equality can still resonate with that over-used term, sportsmanship, synonymous with humanitarianism, and generally been nice and kind, playing for the game, not for the win, not always for the competitive edge.

Anyhow, I will be making some more posts here on the run up to the London Olympic Games, and hope that my past posts can tie into my new ones to create some continuity and a few surprises.

May the games begin, steve fly
Amsterdam



Limp Pricks Shuttle Cocks