Davidf: I have been exercising my imagination but I can't quite work out how athletes could compete in some sports by video: relay swimming or running? Tennis? Beach volleyball? And, especially, synchronised swimming?

I loved the opening ceremony, and I've watched more events that I would otherwise have done, not being a great sport follower. It is cheering to see some positive, communal activity happening, and the athletes at least getting a chance to live their dreams. I don't begrudge them that - it's an optimist hope that things will improve for the rest of us.

I have been overcome with the excitement of the OLYMPICS particularly the Aussie's Stella performances in the pool. Did anyone catch the mega swim by Freddie Leadweight in the 125 metre dog paddle.

The final moments of Freddie's hurchulain effort! Unbiased commentator;

50 to go! Its neck and neck, OUR Freddie's lifting, its stroke for stroke, Freddie, from what's his name, Freddie, YES ITS FREDDIE! YES Freddie's has done it for AUSTRALIA! Its BRONZE for Australia! Leadwaight third, the legless non swimmer clown fourth, some turkey from god knows where next, sinks to the bottom. YES AUSTRALIA HAS WON BRONZE!

If you missed any of action, here's the highlights;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GnBLV5xcdY&ab_channel=Sportsbet.com.au

Dear Cossomby,

We'll just have to leave those sports out. I am resigned to the fact that the 1932 Olympics are not coming back and will hope others can enjoy the glitz, commercialism and unhealthy emphasis on national rivalry of the current Olympics. I can't.

Great to see Australia's Dave Donger take out the GOLD in the Marathon Pogo Sticking competition! That one legged bloke from Mongolia really served it up to Dave, but like the true champion he is Dave came through for AUSTRALIA! I expect a ticker tape parade, a knighthood and $1 million for Dave on his return from a grateful Aussie public!

Tune in tonight, the dwarf tossing and jelly wrestling should see more GOLD for AUSTRALIA!

YOU BEAUTY!

The athletes who have the skills and the strength that the spectacles depend on get little or nothing while the Olympic Committees get fat salaries from profiting on the skills and strength of the athletes. In a capitalist society the workers get paid. In the Olympic society only the bosses get paid. Very unfair.

Olympic athletes are not motivated by money and
compete because they're passionate about the sport.
However, having said that - I agree with David F.,
that the Australian Olympic Committee should do
something about presenting the facts to our PM on
having the government support our athletes. It seems
unfair that their families currently are the ones
whose money goes into supporting our athletes,
many of whom are on the bread-line. I believe that
Australia's athletes are one of the lowest supported
athletes in the world. And this needs to change.