- Wonderful opening ceremony. The Greeks did a great job here. Only comment I have here is about the American commentators who had to make a political comment about most countries as they marched in. The Olympics are supposed to be without politics, and I had hoped we had returned to that after the boycots in 1980 and 1984.
- No real security issues. 97% of fans were satisfied with security etc. Unfortunately, all the hype in advance about it scared away spectators which is a real shame. Hotels had to lower their prices and both hotel and store owners have said it is the quietest August they have seen. Real shame, Greece is wonderful and WELL worth visitting.
- Doping. Some would say this put a cloud over the games, but I will disagree. Doping has been an issue for a long time, and IOC is now playing hardball with it. People are getting caught. I applaud it instead of call it a bad thing.
- Scandals. Yeah there were a few judging scandals but honestly, overall not a bad thing. Basketball refs were bad but they will now use 3 refs there so that should help. The Spanish basketball coach was a disgrace, as were the spectators at the 200 meter final and the gymnastics event. That does not belong in the Olympics.
- Great events. Some lesser known ones were simply amazing.. the volleyball gold final for women between China and Russia was amazing. If you missed it you missed one of the most intense games I've ever seen of any kind of sport. The crowd was so into it they lived and died with every spike. Same with the team handball final for women between Denmark and France. The soccer gold final for women between USA and Brazil was probably the best women's game I've ever seen. 400 meters relay for men? Wow.. need I say more? Won by FIVE seconds? Goddamn! Michael Phelps anyone? Phelps vs Thorpe is a classic, and the relay where US barely held off Australia was intense.
- Surprises. Plenty of these. Marion Jones shut out from medals. US men's basketball team ending up third. A lesser known one was Norway winning the javelin throw event (HUGE surprise). Argentina vs Italy in the basketball final? How would the odds of THAT have been in advance?
- Real joy and pride among athletes. I love watching the pure joy some athletes show when they compete and win.. or even when they finish. That, along with the pride so many show in competing for their country is amazing. The best example of this I can think of right now could be seen in the men's basketball final. Did you see the faces of the Argentine players? Did you hear Ginobeli's comments? "Winning the NBA championship was huge.. but.. playing for your country with 53 million people supporting you is special". That is something a lot of people could learn from. Another good example is the US women's soccer team. Mia Hamm is quite possibly the best female player ever (competing against a couple of others for that spot), but even with all she has been through she played with so much passion and there was so much joy when they won. Admirable.
All in all it has been a great Olympics imho. Some flaws for sure, but hey.. nobody can be perfect. It also made me want to go back to Greece again
