In Contention

Tag: Olympics

  • Boyle and Daldry get Olympic gig

    If you can tear your thoughts away from the World Cup for a second, cast your mind back to the opening ceremony of the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. Pretty spectacular, wasn’t it? You might recall that that mammoth production was steered by Zhang Yimou, a one-time rebel filmmaker now safely enfolded into the system.

    Organizers of London’s 2012 Olympic effort have clearly filched the Chinese memo, as they’ve secured their own now-cuddly auteur as artistic director of their opening ceremony — one Mr. Danny Boyle. Not content with that, they have decided to double up on the movie names, tapping Stephen Daldry as one of four executive producers of the Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

    (Clearly, in a complicated tribute to the last Olympic year, they’re just running through the 2008 Oscar slate: I expect David Fincher is in charge of catering or something.)

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  • Still funny

  • Bravo

    Michael PhelpsI think there are plenty of arguments against “greatest Olympian of all time.” The nature of swimming events amplifies the amount of shots a competitor has at gold medals. And the striking differences between all events demands a subjectivity for each.

    But the Michael Phelps story at this year’s Olympic games in Beijing is one of those heart-warming things that gives you an excuse to smile in the dark recesses of the day-to-day grind. Eight gold medals. A new benchmark amid countless world records.

    Bravo, sir. Bravo for the memories, however telegraphed the achievement seemed to become in recent weeks. For the U.S. or for the world itself, healthy competition and accomplishments such as these are they’re own kind of healing. What a story.