What is your Best Beijing Olympic moment?

Question

The Beijing Olympics culminated with a bang last night, after 16 days of sweat and glory. Which was the best moment for you? The opening ceremony? Watching Michael Phelps swim like an eel? Seeing our Singapore girls winning a silver medal in Table Tennis? What did you like best?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

1. When the US men's gymnastics team won bronze, after no one believed in them. (they were 14th in the preliminaries)

2. Michael Phelps barely beating the Serbian swimmer by .01 seconds

3. Danna Torres barely losing to that other swimmer by .01 seconds

4. Opening & Closing Ceremonies

5. The judge getting kicked in the face by the TKD athlete

@Jeff
Thanks for the correction.

Answer 2

Most people have difficulty performing an endurance activity, let alone in water. Add to that a severe handicap in the form of an amputated limb, and the feat of swimming 10km in open water (200 laps of an Olympic pool) becomes unthinkable.

In an historic day (20 Aug 08) for the Olympic Games, Natalie du Toit of South Africa, who lost her left leg below the knee in a scooter accident in 2001, finished 16th.

The road to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was bumpy for many athletes but surely not tougher than that of South African swimmer, Natalie du Toit. The 24-year-old has become the first leg amputee to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Although Polish table tennis player Natalia Partyka was the first arm amputee to compete at Beijing 2008, du Toit chose to tough it out in the most arduous event on the swimming roster -- the 10k open water race - an event which has been likened to "wrestling in water", which requires immense physical strength and endurance and was on the Olympic roster for the first time in Beijing.

To even complete the course required immense courage. To finish 16th out of a field of 24 swimmers, in a time of 2 hrs 33.6 secs (just over one minute behind winner Larisa Iichenko) gives her my vote as a legendary icon at Beijing.

Source(s):

The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Answer 3

I've been such a couch potato the last 2 weeks, watching at least 6 hours of Olympics every day!

Best Olympic moment? There are the usual ones like the Opening Ceremony, swimming sensation Phelps, sprinting sensation Bolt, pole vaulting heroes Isinbaeva and Hooker.

I also loved it when underdogs overcame all odds and expectations to break monopolies or upset the favourites, such as Izbasa on the Floor, PRK gymnast on the Vault and Mitcham on the 10m Platform.

And I was inspired/entertained by:
- Natalie du Toit (in my opinion Athlete of the Games ahead of Phelps and Bolt)
- Terceiro & Gomes (2 Brazilians who having switched nationality, represented Georgia and changed their names to Geor and Gia!)
- Fabian Cancellara (the athlete who came closest to the limits of human endurance - he was foaming from the mouth after a superhuman effort to win the Time Trial)
- Vasyl Lomachenko (best showboater of the Games - if you thought Bolt was cocky, wait till you see how this guy baited and taunted world champion Selimov!)

As much as I was impressed by the sporting greatness of the athletes, I was touched by the emotion at the victory ceremonies. I must have watched at least 100 ceremonies! It was fantastic seeing big, brawny boxers, rowers, judokas, weightlifters and wrestlers choke back their emotions and break down in tears, none more so than the "Strongest Man in the World" Matthias Steiner.

Finally the Olympics are over and I can have my life back. But oh wait, EPL and the US Open are just getting underway!

Answer 4

1) Yelena Isinbaeva 5.05m world record pole vault.

2) Athletes who competed despite the heavy rain on the day of the competition at the bird nest, race walk, beach volleyball and track & field

3) Michael Phelps's 100m butterfly win by a mere 0.01 second

4) Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson battle for gold in the all round individual artistic gymnastics

5) The smiles on silver medalists faces even though they didn't win gold and their congratulations to the gold medalist. True olympic spirit.

6) Athletes who sing their country's national anthem during the victory ceremony- pride and joy of winning for their country.

7) All the victory ceremonies- I can feel their joy on winning!

8) The grace, poise and elegance of synchronised swimming and Rhythmic gymnastics.

Answer 5

The sports men and women warm-friendly-smile and enthusisatics- exubherant-lively cheers in both opening and closing ceremeny. The "flying" torch bearer in the opening ceremony, beautiful-daring stunts by the divers in the neat- sate of art aquatic swimming complex.
Lively fireworks repeatedly over and over again in seconds with colourful-beautiful patterns and multi-tehnic -lighted aquatic swimming complex by night.
Beautiful elegantly -cheongsam clad chinese female ambassodors for the prize presentation ceremony .
Grand- neat- dance display by chinese men for the emperor -theme dynasty era.
The slow opening of the imperial scroll for dancers to dance in.
Spectecular colourful- loud fireworks display.

Bolts speedy run, Phelps forceful swims and his grins.

Handsome and beautiful sportsmen/women cool and collectedness during the matches.

Answer 6

01. Opening Ceremony - Giant Footprints approaching the National
Stadium (Bird's Nest)
02. Opening Ceremony - The Countdown Drummers
03. Opening Ceremony - The Design Box formations
04. Usain Bolt's - 3 World Records
05. Michael Phelp's - 7th Gold Medal, which i thought he lost
06. Wrestling - US immigrant winning the gold
07. Swimming Marathon (Women) - the girl with the prosthetic leg
08. Pole Vault (Men) - Aussie Hooker's triumph and World Record
09.Weightlifting (Women) - the Chinese girl who continued breaking
the records
10. Table Tennis - Men Singles (Bronze Medal) where the Chinese
crowd applauded the Swedish player, Persson who lost.

Answer 7

To me, I think the Best Beijing Olympic moment, is when the Singapore Table Tennis won a Silver medal for themselves, Singaporeans and SINGAPORE! I really hope that they could attend the next olympic at London 2012. And, I hope that Li Jiawei will consider to attend the London 2012 Olympics, and help Singapore to get another medal.Even though that the three woman from the Woman Table Tennis National Team, are all from China, they should feel a sense of belonging in Singapore. I'm glad that did their best in the singles even if none of them won another medal.I'm really proud of the girls:D

Answer 8

Best Olympic moment for me is witnessing the joys and tears of every competitor. The joys of winning medal for own country , which they have shown reflect clearly their desires and all the hard works they have placed for the past years. Some could be a year, some could be few years or even up to ten years , just to win a medal. The tears, as well evidently seen in all those who didn'tt clinch a medal. The tears of disappointment and the tears of just a bit more , again shown so clearly the tremendous efforts they hae invested. Emotions, the most attractive moment of all.

Answer 9

This is the first time I have ever actually followed an Olympic Games so closely. And I am glad I did.

The fighting spirit, pure endurance and perseverance of the sportsmen truly inspired and touched me. No doubt, I share their joy at winning, their tears and disappointed at failing, and even their proud moments just to be there, each time I watched them on TV.

Alas, all things good has to come to an end. And I strangely felt a little misplaced, and a tinge of sadness when I woke up this morning - no more games to look forward to.

Nevertheless, I will remember fondly the touching moments of the Beijing Olympic when the athlete from Kenya clinched his gold medal in the gruelling 42.2km run. His determination, perseverance and skill are truly amazing.

Of course, how could I leave out the nail-biting fight our table-tennis team had stubbornly put up to finally win a Silver for Singapore.

Last but not least, the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony is truly a spectacle event to watch, and it will be remembered till a long time.

Answer 10

There are many best moment in the 16 days and I will pick the best of the bests...........
1) The opening & closing are for the expert that are paid in millions and we enjoy the fantastic & unbelievable setting of the stadium.
2) The winning of the 8th Gold by Michael Phelps
3) The Jamaican in the triple win, 1st,2nd &3rd in one race.
4) When Feng jump up for the win of a Silver for S'pore.
5) On the last day, The All-Round Gymnastics Women Team Final with 5 beauties in pretty costumes in each team, displaying the skill, style, grace in unison, combination, co-ordination with utmost precision and zero defects to achieve their medal position. Russia, the best in skill and the always winner for gold ; China, which present the chinese oriental style with utmost synchronisation to win a silver
for the first time. It is a must watch for everyone who are interested in Gymnastics as it is a show ALL performance.

My vote for Best Moment of the Olympics is No. 5 (A performance of the Best of All by a team/many teams with the perfection of every participant in unison). It is a learning point for all sportsman.

Answer 11

The pride and human spirit even when there are no million dollar prizes or sponsorship deals to motivate you. The story of Samia Yusuf Omar of Mogadishu.

--------------------------------------…
There are many life stories that collide in each Olympics – many intriguing tales of glory and tragedy. Beijing delivered the electricity of Usain Bolt and the determination of Michael Phelps. It left hearts heavy with the disappointment of Liu Xiang and the heartache of Hugh McCutcheon.

But it also gave us Samia Yusuf Omar – one small girl from one chaotic country – and a story that might have gone unnoticed if it hadn’t been for a roaring half-empty stadium.

Samia Yusuf Omar headed back to Somalia Sunday, returning to the small two-room house in Mogadishu shared by seven family members. Her mother lives there, selling fruits and vegetables. Her father is buried there, the victim of a wayward artillery shell that hit their home and also killed Samia’s aunt and uncle.
This is the Olympic story we never heard.

It’s about a girl whose Beijing moment lasted a mere 32 seconds – the slowest 200-meter dash time out of the 46 women who competed in the event. Thirty-two seconds that almost nobody saw but that she carries home with her, swelled with joy and wonderment. Back to a decades-long civil war that has flattened much of her city. Back to an Olympic program with few Olympians and no facilities. Back to meals of flat bread, wheat porridge and tap water.

“I have my pride,” she said through a translator before leaving China. “This is the highest thing any athlete can hope for. It has been a very happy experience for me. I am proud to bring the Somali flag to fly with all of these countries, and to stand with the best athletes in the world.”

Source(s):

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing…

Answer 12

It was quite the Game. And here are the defining moments for me

1. The smile on Shawn Johnson's face when she finally won the gold medal after being the bridesmaid 3 times over.

2. The incredible friendship between Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson despite the rivalry on the floor which shows the true spirit of the Olympics

3. The incrediblely dramatic finish by Jason Lezak which allows Michael Phelps to achieve his crowning glory. Don't forget him when you get all that endorsements, Michael!

4. The equally incredible final dive of Matthew Mitcham who put a stop to Chinese clean sweep at Diving at the Water Cube. The sight of him falling to his knee trembling and crying with joy is truly a sight to behold.

5. The pure poetry of the girls from the Rhythmic Gymnastic. Heavenly.

Answer 13

The opening ceremony was simply spectacular! The closing ceremony paled in comparison.

Witnessing China win the most gold medals overall - it reflects the growing strength of Chinese sportmen and sportswomen,

The Americans winning the basketball gold medal, the Australian breaking the Chinese dominance in diving, the Jaimaicans dominating the track sprint events and Malaysia getting a silver medal for badminton.

Singapore's silver medal? Somehow it was a hollow victory for Singapore - the medal should belong to China since the entire team were imported from China. I was more excited for Malaysia!

Answer 14

I think what I will remember most - few Olympics down the years from this 2008 Games are:

1) Witnessing Michael Phelps make history with his 8 Golds and the world and (OR) breaking records.
2) Usain Bolt winning his 100m at ease and smashing the world record.
3) The controversial opening ceremony - the girl singers' switch.
4) Of cos, Singapore with the Silver medal after 48years.

Answer 15

Michael Phelps getting his half stroke in in the butterfly final to touch out the other competitor and keep his quest alive. that was inhuman!
to be caught on the off stroke in fly or breaststroke is a big disadvantage, but somehow he managed to get in a half stroke, which actually helped him rather than hinder him. Just amazing.
Bolt passing to powell in the 100 metre relay and then running behind him urging him on. great moment.
and the three aussie gold medals on the last weekend coming from nowhere. Steve Hooker clearing 3 or 4 jumps in the polevault on his last jump to firstly qualify, then stay alive, then win the medal, then claim the olympic record. Ken Wallace coming from a boatlength or more down in the 500 metre kayak final to pip the dude on the line. And Mark Mitchum landing the highest scoring dive in Olympic history, nailing a 112.1 out of a possible 114 dive to beat the chinese dude for gold in the 10 metre platform and stop the chinese getting a diving clean sweep. Fantastic moments. and great emotion!

Answer 16

I like

the Opening ceremony which really wows me.

the Swiming session where Michael Broke the World and olympic record

the match between Li Jiawei and Korean Lady. Really Exciting.

the Basketball Final Match Where USA is competing with Spain. (118-107)

to watch Usain Bolt breaks the 100 meters world record. he already owned the record and in front of a packed Bird's Nest stadium he ran 9.69 seconds.

Lastly, its rather shock that Liu Xiang dejectedly walks away from the track as he realizes he has to withdraw from the defence of his 110 meters hurdles title because of a leg injury. Liu was the most popular sportsman in China and his grimacing departure clouded the Games for millions of home fans.

Answer 17

To me, there were a few --

Georgia and Russian shooters embracing each other - a true Olympic spirit moment.

The German lifter fulfilling promise to his late wife by winning gold.

Lightning Bolt "bolting away"

The Russian and OZ pole vaulter not giving up and going for a new record, though gold was already theirs.

Phelps moments

The synchronized swimming and rhythmic gymnastics routines - beautiful indeed.

Answer 18

I loved the opening ceremony. It was simply spectacular, with the perfect coordination by the performers and the beautiful fireworks being painted in the sky. When I also liked was when our Singapore girls won a silver medal in Table Tennis, doing our country proud and attaining the second medal, after 48 years of difference. Also, when PM Lee announced when we lost to China, everyone was still cheering for the girls as we knew that they have done their best.

Well done, Beijing! Well done, Singapore! :)

Answer 19

i love to see how our s'poreans athletes compete and putting in every ounce of enegy and sweat into their games.it really shows how much seriousness they're putting in and to bring glory to s'pore.i believe that no matter what country they come from originally, they're now s'poreans and we shall learn to accept them and WE ARE SINGAPOREANS and WE MUST STAND AND STAY UNITED AS ONE! Moreover, they're the poeple in which brought glory to s'pore and i think that it is indeed unfair to them if we criticize and make negative comments about them.Hence i am proud to say that i'm a singaporean and i am proud that the table tennis paddlers are able to bring back a silver medal after 48years and i hope that LiJiawei could take part in the next Olympics in London.Also not onlky did our paddlers done well, other athletes have been performing very well too, JIAYOU & CONGRATS TO TEAM SINGAPORE! (:

Source(s):

Tv, newspaper, Internet

Answer 20

When TEAM USA wins the GOLD MEDAL for Basketball(Man)

The leader was NBA MVP Kobe Bryant, who simply took over. After Spain closed to 91-89, he made a tough runner, found Deron Williams for a 3-pointer, added another hoop and broke up an alley-oop pass to rebuild the lead to 105-94. When the margin dwindled again to four points, Bryant stuck in the dagger, draining a 3-pointer and drawing a foul for a 108-99 bulge with 3:10 to go.

Way to Go! And Spain indeed was a strong opponent.

congrats for both teams :)

Well, Beach Volley and the In-court Volley were great too. So was Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.

And not forgetting about the Man's marathon, Samuel Wanjiru won GOLD too :)

In fact, this Olympics, More than 40 world records were set and more than 100 Olympic records.

Source(s):

Yahoo news & NBA.com

Answer 21

Hmm, tough decision here. I don't think I can choose between these three:

1. When Feng Tianwei won the Table Tennis Women's Team Semi-Finals after a service error by her South Korean opponent. I don't think any other match had been that exhilarating for us Singaporeans especially since at that point of time, we already had an Olympic Silver at the very least.

2. When Michael Phelps edged out arrogant Cavic (who pointed his fingers at Phelps in the shape of a gun after completing the Semi-Final ahead of the former) in the Men's 100m Butterfly by a 0.01sec. Arrogance definitely does not pay in the Water Cube :)

3. When Shawn Johnson won the Artistic Gymnastics Individual Apparatus Finals: Balance Beam after taking home three Silvers in the Games (Women's Team, Individual All-Around and Floor Exercise). Wining an Olympic Gold at last after going back to Beijing, her coach's hometown, must've been the best present she could've given him...and definitely the best present she could've given herself for not giving up even after three Silvers.

What about you guys?

Answer 22

On the contrary i don't feel proud that Singapore won a silver medal. That silver medal was won at the expense of the men's table tennis dreams which is not fair. They put in sacrifices and hard work too yet are given second-rated training.

Anyway, my Olympic moment was when Chang Fei the chinese gymnast did an incredible floor routine to seal the gold medal in the woman's team final.

But when she did the routine in the individual final, she landed badly and that cost her a medal. Afterwards, she was leaning against the banister and crying her heart out. And the people in the gymnasium started clapping and cheering and calling her name and saying supportive statements like "It's alright" "We love you". That was a very touching moment for me. Sure we like to support champions but when they don't bring home the glory, the crowd is still behind them and giving them 110% support. That is something that is sadly lacking in Singapore sports.

Another moment is when Tao Li qualified for the butterfly final. I was so proud. Sure she did not win a medal. But what she achieved and the stereotypes that she tore down along the way means much more than a superficial silver medal. We have become a nation that is only interested in results and fail to see and acknowledge efforts. If efforts do not equate results than it's worthless efforts. As superbly demonstrated by the lack of interest and coverage for our shooters, shuttlers, sailors and men's table tennis team.

Answer 23

My best Beijing Olympic moment is the lady who sacked the coach & manager, bravo! Actually I think she did the right thing cos why there isn't any coach to guide the player in the match. Where did all the coach went to? Are they happily enjoying themselves the night before the match in nightclubs surrounded by pretty, sexy beautiful Beijing girls? Or are they looking down on the player? Or are they being bribed etc? Anyway, I know once a man fools around, the next day, his face will look pale and his legs will become weak and therefore can't attend........hahahaha! I guess I am right!

Source(s):

from experience! ^^

Answer 24

My best moment has to be Sandra Izbasa's leapt from nowhere to capture the womens floor exercise gold.

For once, i thought its going to be the Americans and Chinese taking 1,2,3 again.

But then came the last gymnast to perform, and hails Izbasa!!!
She shocks the whole world by knocking Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin off the podium.

And when I saw her clinching on to the gold medal during the victory ceremony, i was so touch.

Hails Sandra Izbasa again!!!

Answer 25

Haha when the Judge got kicked!

ALL of the Swimming competitions I enjoyed, especially with Michael Phelps, Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the Beach Volleyball also.

And I loved the Closing Ceremony with the 8-minute London segment.

Source(s):

And who can forget about the French talking crap to the Americans? That was probably my favorite moment.

Answer 26

To me, the best moment was seeing athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia winning for their countries.

Mind you, they are from their own countries, train on their own and most important do their best to win.

This is the kind of spirit in sports i.e.do your best wihtin your mean and ability.

They (Kenya & Ethiopia) show it. No doubt they are a special breed with strong heart and leg. But I believe they trained very hard also and when they win they win narrowly from the other worthy oppoenents from over the world.

Thank you & with all best wishes,

Source(s):

internet

Answer 27

Besides the Human Swim Machine called Phelps & the Mighty Ping Pong Silver Trio - the Games epitomizes the 'Can Do Spirit' of the Chinese in organising the events from civil construction to even tackling air pollution!

Man! It shows that if Mankind puts Heart & Soul into things - we can spare a thought for Mother Earth & Nature

That's the real Olympic Movement of Mankind saving the future for its own Human Race

A bit skewed from the topic but I see it from the point that we Human race have been 'raping' Mother Nature until she returns the poison to Mankind

Answer 28

Yup, definitely Matt Mitchum's shock win in the 10m platform. I'm surprised it got virtually no local media coverage. Even the snubbed host nation gave him front page space in the China Daily along with Usain Bolt & others. Perhaps some were uncomfortable with the accompanying news that he is the only gay man competing in Beijing. Which is a shame, as overcoming personal hurdles is, if anything, the most classic Olympic theme.

Source(s):

http://www.smh.com.au/news/diving/outandout-champion-celebrates/2008/08/24/1219516264750.html

Answer 29

Following the progress of Michael Phelps on his journey to 8 win gold medals, considering the fact that he had to go through the heats for all 8 events including the finals, and still manage to emerge champion for all of them while breaking 7 of the 8 world records!

That is really an amazing feat and achievement! It was really history in the making.

Answer 30

Everything!! The opening and closing ceremony are so stunning that I don't think I get to experience it again in my lifetime. Best memories of games:
1) Lin Dan totally overwhelmed his opponent in the finals.
2) Record breakers for 100 and 200 metres.
3) Sore losers who accused the chinese gymasts of under-age.

Answer 31

Singapore winning a medal in 48 years is great, but give something to the poor guy who last won it in 1960! these girls get all the glamor & money while he gets nothing but a fleeting mention in a sentence!

Phelps recording breaking pheat!

Dana Torres... what a MILF! I still cannot quite believe she's 41.

Bolt's victory dance... before the race ended!

Australia stunning the Chinese in the men's diving final.

Liu Xiang failing to compete in the men's 110m hurdles!

Kick to the judge's face by the TKD athlete; good job mate, everyone wants to kick referees!

Like the story on the Somalian athletes as well... reminds me of the olympic spirit behind all the record breaking, politics, glamor and medal fiasco.