Positives and negatives of the Olympics.

I didn't know that about the Japanese handstands - that's interesting.

I didn't think about the grace vs. power thing as the women looked so strong! But I suppose the fact they don't do two of the men's apparatus (that came out wrong, sorry) and also have rhythmic as a category, makes it very different.

The men's and women's gymnastics are different one has more emphasis on grace the other on power. On the floor the men do 'Japanese' handstands and splits which I think is similar to the ladies dancing allowing them to catch their breath and compose themselves before another flurry of flips.

yellow - yes, and the men also have to land very much more still, and hold their bodies much more straight - I noticed a lot on the vault, that a good vault looks different from a man and a woman, even though they are the most similar activity IMO.

Is it possible the different styles are to do with different strength distribution? I don't know, but it looks as if the women carry a lot of strength in their thighs, and I doubt any of them have the upper-body strength of them men (I feel a bit rude saying any of this, mind, cos they are all soooo much stronger than me!).

Maybe someone will know?

A small positive: in the coverage of Phelps' record breaking medal haul, there was also at least some coverage of the previous holder of most bemedalled: Larissa Latynina the Russian woman gymnast whose record had stood for so long.

But the men don't do it LRD.

namechange, I'm not talking about the football. I'm talking about the Olympics in general and your attitude towards the Saudi women.

Yellow, I am sorry you feel that way. I was talking about facts before, some of which people had got wrong. Not because they are women, but...well because they had incorrect information. Just like I do sometimes.

I'd be interested to know how you have been 'immersed' in the UK football associations though. I have followed football since childhood, and have attended football matches for over 20 years, as well as following it in the press. I knew the relative positions of the domestic FA's, and supplied the information for discussion. That was the specific issue I was addressing. I would love to hear your opinion, and where privilege intrudes, on this matter.

Some of the dancing between moves is to give themselves time to control their breathing or their momentum, I think?

Oh also wanted to say it's great that Clare Balding, an out lesbian, has such a big part in the whole thing.

Just caught up on this thread, glad that so many of you are enjoying it as much as I am! Sat and watched both cycling time trials beside Tower Bridge in the sunshine. Lovely - equal mix of male and female spectators I'd say, and much wooping from all when Wiggo won.

It's great to feel represented in sport. I haven't really got so into sport as I have this Olympics and part of that is definitely the sheer number of women.

Nice to see lots of female commentators. And good point above that Matt Baker etc at the gymnastics have been very equal opportunities in their commentary.

Gymnastics for women is very sparkly and they do all that dancing between moves which I find a bit silly. I can't see why they need to do it, it doesn't look good or impressive or require any particular skill - I think I could pull off some of the moves. The men don't do it.

I'm loving all the different body shapes and sizes.

namechangeguy you seem to turn up on almost every thread to tell us women how silly we are. It gets very tedious. Maybe you could just read, think about the point that's being made, check your privilege and then comment, rather than just jumping on in. Most of us have spent our entire LIVES being immersed in these issues. You haven't. It's frankly insulting to me that you are so convinced of your rightness when you don't even seem to think before you post.

at LRD.

Minipie cited "the fact that for once, magazines and newspapers are full of pictures of healthy athletic women's bodies rather than underweight models and actresses."

That's right, and there's more--women are shown out there really performing physical activity requiring incredible strength and skill. None of that lying around simpering under the male gaze, waiting for "the viewer to step into the picture and take her".

Stuff like this, which is such Great Art:
www.uffizi.org/img/artworks/tiziano-venere-urbino.jpg

Ah, shite. raheem. Sorry, I must've got confused by the 'sideshow' bit or something.

I don't think bob knows what he's talking about any more than the people he's accusing of ignorance, TBH, don't let it get to you treats>

Thanks for your helpful contribution Sideshow - how grateful I am that you've addressed my ignorance and shown me my 'agenda-driven drivel' for what it is .

I think I mentioned in my last post that both men and women were missing out through not being able to field a Team GB. I didn't say that the women were 'banned' - I said that the rules prevented them. I think that this is more unfair on the women than the men, because the Olympic competition is the highest profile women's football competition - the WC might be officially more important, but it gets considerably less attention worldwide.

I see that you agree with me that there's little justification for not fielding a Team GB at every Olympics - or even every international football tournament.

I'm not sure what point you're making in your fourth paragraph so I can't address it.

It's a gender issue because women are prevented from reaching the pinnacle of international achievement through the existence of this rule. But the rule isn't being changed because it doesn't affect the men's team in the same way - if it did, it would be. As it is, there's no reason to tackle the vested interests of the separate FAs.

Oh, I like it . Next step is to throw in a few lines about Christian Bale's favourite skincare products.

Just for you, mini. Obviously it's pre-olympics but I loved it:

swegener.tumblr.com/post/28231846557/slumberblues-batchix-rinacat

Although of course these are pros and cons to journalism^ about the Olympics rather than the Olympics themselves.

positive:

the fact that for once, magazines and newspapers are full of pictures of healthy athletic women's bodies rather than underweight models and actresses.

negative:

the fact that every interview with or article about a female athlete seems to include some comment about her dress style/makeup/grooming regime (and the same does not apply to men).

*banning the women's game.

Just want to clarify some ignorance on this thread. The reason Team GB doesn't exist is nothing to do with female football. This is misinformed clearly agenda driven drivel.

The men's team also qualified for Beijing 2008 by virtue of qualification through the Under 21 tournament they took part in, but also were not allowed to play due to the concerns bought up by the FA's. Clearly it has nothing to do with banning the

Whoever mentioned that the Olympics is the pinnacle of womens football, wrong again, please if you're going to comment on the subject, at least have some knowledge on it. Whilst it holds slightly more weight than the men's tournament (as the men's tournament is a partially under age tournament), the world cup is the pinnacle of women's international football, as it is with the men's team.

Again suggesting that the women team are being forced into doing the men's wishes. There is no male or female FIFA, it's just one organisation for both games, hence the reasons the other home nations have of not wanting to have a joint team stand for BOTH games. The women's team currently only has one player from outside of Britain in their team (it was 2 out of the 18 but the other one got injured) so its really much to do with the fact that the other home nations think they won't be represented, as a GB team is naturally going to be English based (as much for population as anything).

Now I personally think this is overly precious from the other home nations and there really is not much problem with a GB team for the Olympics, indeed its been quite nice for both the men and womens team.

But to suggest that its a gender issue is just so off the mark and wrong I had to do this post.

Thanks, namechange, it takes a lot to back down, good on you.

I think I started out thinking this would be a thread balanced fairly evenly between positive and negative, but it seems to have turned into more of a celebration. It's lovely.

Just to add a huge hooray for Heather and Helen for the rowing and Bradley for his cycling.
Ok Bradley's medal tally is good but pales in comparison to Tanni-Grey Thompson's 16 Olympic medals, including 11 Golds! No wonder they made her a Baroness!

Aw thanks namechangeguy

Thank you for the links namechange.