Today's London 2012 Google Doodle: Celebrating men's rings

July 31, 2012|By Rene Lynch

<p class="runtimeTopic">It's arguably the single image that best captures the Olympics, any Olympics: the men's rings. That might explain why today's Google Doodle tribute to the London 2012 Olympics features a so-called artistic gymnast perched atop the men's rings.</p><p>"The grace, strength and skill of Olympic gymnasts have been astonishing audiences since the Games in Ancient Greece, where Gymnastics was regarded as the perfect symmetry between mind and body," <a href="http://www.london2012.com/gymnastics-artistic/about/">according</a> to a snapshot of the sport offered up by the London 2012 Olympics. "Strength, flexibility and balance are keys to success in this breathtaking and hugely competitive sport."</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "artistic gymnastics gymnastics competition rings olympics";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,6138855783,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=32965592&cat=arts+%26+entertainment&pe_id=32965592&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=6138855783&rnccn=CMI-A-009&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p>Be sure to watch the video rendition of the doodle: The mustachioed gymnast uses his impressive upper body strength to swing himself up into the air -- so high, it seems he might never return -- before swinging back into position.</p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-olympic-2012-google-doodle-20120731-photos,0,4959827.photogallery"><strong>IMAGES: Google's 2012 Olympic Doodles</strong></a></p><p>This Google Doodle comes with a bit of an Olympic history lesson as well: The term "artistic gymnastics" was first used in the 19th century. The rings are just one of 14 medal events that make up artistic gymnastics. And this fun fact: An equal number of men and women -- 98 -- entered this year's Olympic gymnastics competition. (Participating countries are limited to five-person teams.)</p><p>So how is the United States team doing so far in rings? Not so well. After the first three rotations, American men were in <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/olympicsnow/la-sp-on-olympics-men-gym-rotation3-20120730,0,5042498.story">eighth place</a>. </p><p>Also not doing so swell by some standards: NBC. The network with the exclusive rights to broadcast the Olympics has been taking a drubbing for its programming decisions, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-jon-stewart-nbc-terror-victims-tribute-london-opening-ceremonies-20120731,0,3091990.story">most recently</a> by Jon Stewart. However, NBC is doing well in the one competition that matters most: ratings. Critics are rallying behind the hash tag #NBCfail on social media platforms even as NBC's viewership is <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-0731-olympics-nbc-20120731,0,166521.story">soaring</a>.</p><p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-florida-captain-who-lost-hand-to-gator-charged-20120730,0,347277.story">Fla. captain who lost hand to gator faces illegal feeding charge</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-kent-state-student-arrested-alleged-twitter-threat-20120730,0,3389322.story">Kent State student accused of tweeting plan to 'shoot up' campus</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-gun-control-advocates-online-ammo-ban-20120730,0,6439179.story">Anonymous online ammo sales would be banned under proposed law</a></p><p>Join Rene Lynch on <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/116843518703648900008?rel=author">Google+</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/renelynch">Twitter.</a> Email: <a href="mailto:rene.lynch@latimes.com">rene.lynch@latimes.com</a></p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; 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