london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/.../
“We never go to opening ceremonies,” Phelps said, “because you are standing for so many hours. Being on your feet for five to six hours takes a lot out of you, and it does take days to recover.”
Between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin have appeared in seven Olympics and not a single opening ceremony. Blame the schedule; the first swimming events take place the morning after the long night’s march.
In Beijing in 2008, participating athletes were required to line up hours before the 8 p.m. start, and Phelps and Coughlin, like most swimmers, are conditioned to stay off their feet the day before they race.
But then you'll miss Bob Costas' little facts about every country! My favorite last time was "you might know of Malawi because Madonna adopted a child from there." Yeah, that's right Bob, I only know the countries of the world due to their appearance in pop culture!
But he is right, Kirk. Would you have really known anything about Malawi if Madonna hadn't made news about it?
Personally, I like learning little factoids about each country during the Opening Ceremony, even if they are mundane. It makes it more watchable.
But then you'll miss Bob Costas' little facts about every country! My favorite last time was "you might know of Malawi because Madonna adopted a child from there." Yeah, that's right Bob, I only know the countries of the world due to their appearance in pop culture!
But he is right, Kirk. Would you have really known anything about Malawi if Madonna hadn't made news about it?
Personally, I like learning little factoids about each country during the Opening Ceremony, even if they are mundane. It makes it more watchable.
