Cheers and jeers as the Olympics get underway

Cheers and jeers as the Olympics get underway


With more than 34 million Americans joining some 4 billion people around the world tuning in to the Olympics, the first weekend of the Beijing Olympics has not disappointed.

The opening ceremony featured 30,000 fireworks and 15,000 performers, including 2,008 synchronized drummers and dozens of others soaring through the air. It was a spectacle many predicted would remain unmatched even in years to come.

However, the Chinese couldn't choreograph everything. The humidity was oppressive, and smog blotted out the sky. They shot more than 1,000 rain dispersal rockets into the sky to insure a dry opening ceremony, but it rained steadily throughout the rest of weekend.

And worst of all, the father-in law of the U.S. men's volleyball coach Todd Bachman was senselessly and tragically murdered touring Beijing.


So with dozens of winners already crowned and world records smashed, amNewYork awards some of its own medals for highlights so far.

Sportsmanship Gold: The Russian and Georgian women hugging on the medal podium Sunday after the shooting competition reminds us of why the Olympics are held every four years in the first place.

Silver: The U.S. men's volleyball team called for a moment of silence before their first game Sunday in honor of Bachman and dedicated the win to him.

Bronze: Hometown hero, China's basketball squad, got thumped in the first round by the Americans Sunday, but stuck it out and played hard until the final buzzer.

Dart: The demarcation line between North and South Korea was thick at the opening ceremonies, as the two nations marched apart for the first time since 1996.

Names
Gold: Thai weightlifter Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon was likely able to bulk up just by lifting her vowels alone.

Silver: Extra style points to second baseman on the U.S. softball team Lovieanne Jung, whose mother named her daughter after Lovie Howell and Mary Ann Summers, both characters from Gilligan's Island

Bronze: Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt's fitting last name. His blazing speed have earned him the nickname "The Lightning bolt."

Dart: Did U.S. men's volleyballer Lloy Ball make up his name just for the Olympics?

Uniforms
Gold: The Marshall Islands team's attire during Friday's opening ceremony wowed fashionistas with their straw boas and skirts and leafy headdress.

Silver: The slick, full-body Speedo swimsuits worn by the Japanese, Australian, and American teams make for a marked improvement over the skimpy suits of old.

Bronze: Bikini-clad beach volleyballers turn a surf-and-sand sport into a true competition.

Dart: From which hotel did Hungary steal the drapes in order to dress their athletes for the opening ceremonies?

Commercials
Gold: The LeBron James-Yao Ming unity spot for Coke gets the whole Olympic spirit thing right, and we love the faux-Asian backbeat.

Silver: We don't really get the Marvin Gaye singing the national anthem while the men's basketball team practices ad, but we like it nonetheless.

Bronze: The phantasmagorical Omega ad with the athletes leaping through the skies is a little too schmaltzy for our tastes, but if there is ever a time for sporting schmaltz, this would be it.

Dart: Boo to Sen. John McCain for running a negative attack ad during the Olympics. Double Bronx cheer for mucking up the Olympic spirit by referring to your opponent's global appeal.

Signature Moments
Gold: Global hoops star Yao Ming with the Chinese flag in one hand and 9-year-old earthquake victim Lin Hao in the other during the opening ceremonies was unforgettable.

Silver: The U.S. women's fencing team sweeping the medals in the sabre event. Will mesh facemasks be the next it-accessory?

Bronze: Michael Phelps winning the gold and breaking the world record in his first competition. Will it be eight gold medals in the 8/8/08 Olympics?

Dart: The U.S. men's soccer team played great and lead the competition against the Netherlands Sunday until the final minute, when they blew it with a late penalty. Their 2-2 tie make the Americans' prospects of advancing to the medal round that much harder.