Winter Olympics - whose going to watch

EllanVannin The pairs Rhythm Short Dances were amazing. I caught them on BBC iplayer. Really stunning.

??‍♀️

Oh my I’ve just been mesmerised watching Kamila Valieva the 15yr old Russian girl skating to Bolero, she is another level to all the others and so young so elegant and fearless.

On another note she’s the second skater skating to Bolero I will forever associate that piece with our own Torville and Dean I’m afraid.

I like watching superb athletes accomplishing feats I could never attempt even in my wildest dreams, though last night I dreamt I was going to try curling! How proud of these young people their parents must be. I've been proud of my children's and grandchildren's less spectacular achievements and on behalf of our Olympians' parents I also feel proud of their offspring.

Just watching some ski flying. Wonderful.

No, we should have boycotted this. I know the athletes train hard and want to compete, but there are limits and this, especially after the disgusting sights from Hing Kong and the treatment of minorities, is definitely a step far too far.

I've had the games on all morning, haven't a clue about any news. Love the figure-skating. Our skaters on the programme don't come anywhere near the professionals in China.
If we don't come anywhere, I hope the Japanese 18 year old wins the men's single figure-skating, he was superb.

No. The only sport that interests me is Men's Grand Slam tennis (though I made an exception for Emma Raducanu). But now that the divine Roger Federer is coming to the end of his career, even that may go.

I will watch some of it. I prefer the Winter sports, much more interesting than the Summer ones for me.

No

Very interesting thread.
I had absolutely no idea that the snow was artificial.
I usually love the WO due to beauty of the scenery, along with the excitement of the sports ( I don’t like the Summer Olympics)

Off topic, but I’m absolutely gutted about The Harriers.
I haven’t ever been so invested in a match.
I don’t envy proper footie fans - it must be emotionally exhausting

Those who point the finger at China’s environmental record might be reminded that the average Briton is responsible for many times more carbon emissions than the average Chinese person, Americans are the worst. I’m not defending China here, we ALL need to clean up our act.

I won't be watching, I have no interest in sport

Mollygo Exactly that, stop buying goods made in China as much as possible. And I do try but it needs everyone.

Thé truth is the factory owners will just buy factories in other counties but it’s worth it if it can make the authorities think.

Absolutely not - I won’t be watching. But I do feel very much for the competitors who may not get the audience they deserve. But I hold China in deep contempt.

If you want to make a protest, don’t buy goods made in China. They won’t know or care whether you watch the WO but they might notice if you stop buying their goods.
I’m certainly not accusing all those on here who have bought or are using goods made in China of having no moral compass just because they are watching the games. Speck and beam.

It's a shame for the athletes who have trained and are at their peak.
But the only honourable thing to do would have been to boycott the games.

I too have mixed feelings. I wish some tennis fans (I know they don’t have tennis in the Winter Olympics) could wear winter jackets saying ‘where us Peng Shuai’ as they did at the Australian Open, but of course they would be overwhelmed by the Chinese Police.

I count myself lucky living in a democratic country with all its problems.

I shall watch the snow-boarding.

I had already vowed not to watch any of it due to China's human rights record. Yes, I will miss the skating but think we need to make a protest even if it seems unproductive

I will watch the skating. My daughter was a competitive skater in the U.S. and I have watched some of these Olympic skaters at local ice rinks since they were small. I do agree about China, though.

Yes I'm watching its, love Winter Olympics it's a shame its in China but all these young Athletes have deserved this chance to be on the World stage.

Watched the rugby today. I might watch the skating...

How can I put this? No, no, no, no. The very meaning of the Olympics is that countries came together to set aside their differences and compete in friendliness. This is not, nor never has been a goal of China's. The flagrant use of uyghurs as slaves and showing one off in the opening ceremonies is disgusting and beyond The Pale. I'm not a big environment warrior, but doesn't anyone see the irony in a country whose environmental practices are some of the worst in the world making it all worse to make snow? As an American, I'm ashamed that we went. Athletes should take the attitude that you lose some, you win some, I would never go to a country to try to bring honor on my own country when merely by being there I am shaming myself and my country. I think we should have turned our back on China for this. Too bad for the athletes, but you don't always get what you want!

My son was an Olympic gymnast. I can't even tell you how many years and sacrifices it takes to get to this level. These young people have strived to be the best in their fields. I will definitely be cheering all the nationalities on, they are the cream of the crop and deserve our admiration and respect. After all, they don't choose the country that holds the Games.

I shall not be watching