'Lady in Red' lifts eyebrows at Olympic Opening

On Friday, July 27 over 700 million spectators around the world watched as world-class athletes from the globe's many countries paraded into the Olympic ceremonies.  Many countries' global identification benefitted from titled captions, soaring flags and of course their uniforms.  That is, except for one woman dressed casually in red, smiling proudly and marching along with India.

Who is this woman?  How did she sneak in? Where is she now? These are the questions that have been on the lips of  global security since the moment of broadcast.

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Definitive answers seem to have not yet been reached (and barely pursued).  But plenty of plausible potentials have been.  The woman is suspected of being Madhura Honey, a post-graduate student from Bangalore who now resides in London.  It seems she was a legitimate part (a volunteer) from the vast opening show who decided to extend her 15 minutes of fame in a cheeky nod, showing loyalty to her native land.   

To be sure, not everyone is finding humor or ease in her free-spirited red-cheeked moment.  But concerns of security were immediately extinguished as it was explained that all members of the ceremony were screened as they entered the world-class venue.  Her father, K. Nagendra, has also apologized on her behalf in case her actions embarrassed the Olympics, Olympians, officials or Indian authorities.

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The red-faced situation does bring up a difference among cultures.  While London seems to have turned their head from the embarrassment India has not.  If the incident had happened in the United States, would there be punishment, cable show banter, or worse?

Equally as important, what does Honey's Mom think of her daughter's "performance"?

2012 Olympics Opening Brings Brits Strength

The media praised the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics for its humor and eccentricity. In its review The New York Times headlined "A Five-Ring Opening Circus, Weirdly and Unabashedly British", while newspaper's London correspondent, Sarah Lyall, called it a "slightly insane portrait of a country that has changed almost beyond measure since the last time it hosted the Games, in the grim postwar summer of 1948." Zhou Libo, a host on "China's Got Talent", commented that he felt the 2008 Beijing was solemn while 2012 London represents humor. He further commented that "solemnity and stateliness tells the world you are strong. Humour lets the world feel you are strong; it's about confidence." The true strength of the ceremony was in the light-hearted nature and self-mocking tone. Its ceremony proved to be very unique to any others, and just plain fun! It was clear that even the Queen was enjoying herself! 

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Despite much praising of the ceremony, it did receive some criticism. Greek media praised the ceremony to be entertaining, but felt it lacked the true sprit of the Olympics. They felt it was "too British" and had a "sense of exaggerated British national pride and a sense humor which not all the world understands." Critics said that it was like a big party and very fun, but lacked what a proper Olympic opening ceremony should have. Russian observers also felt it was "incomprehensible to non-Britons." 

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Much praise came to the Queen for her role alongside 007 Daniel Craig in the James-Bond feature. In the past the Queen has been seen as reserved or unapproachable, but that was all changed after her participation in the opening ceremony. She proved to be very involved and let her true Olympic spirit shine. 

Tell us what you thought of the London 2012 Opening Ceremony! 

Olympics Moms are #ModernMoms

For all the women who are familiar with the struggles of balancing motherhood and climbing up the corporate ladder, try being a mom in addition to one of the top athletes in the world! 

While women who are both mothers as well as top-ranking athletes is a relatively exclusive group, there are several who belong. The women who are major players in world sports and have at least one child under the age of eighteen make the list of the most powerful women in sports. These women prove that just because you are a mother doesn't mean you can't be an Olympic powerhouse. 


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Take swimmer Dara Torres for example. She won two silver medals In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which fell shortly after the birth of her daughter. Captain of the US women's Olympic soccer team, Christie Rampone, led the team to a gold medal victory during the 2008 Beijing games, all while raising a young daughter. Mother of three, Melanie Roach, also makes the list after placing sixth during the Beijing games in weightlifting and remains a top-ranking woman weightlifter in America. 

Another inspiring woman in the sports world is Kim Clijsters. Once ranking number one in the world for tennis, she came back stronger than ever after the birth of her daughter Jada. She won the US Open in 2009, beating out the top-ranked Williams sisters, when her daughter was less than a year old. Nicknamed the greatest volleyball player of all time, Kerri Walsh hasn't been slowed down by her infant son. Even with another child on the way, Walsh plans on competing in the 2012 London games. 


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Basketball powerhouse, Candace Parker, recently gave birth to her daughter Lailaa and jumped right back into playing for the Los Angeles Sparks a few months later. 

These women find the strength to raise children while not letting it slow down their game, and for that reason they deserve recognition! No matter what profession, women around the world can relate to the battle of balancing work with motherhood and the joys as well as difficulties it can bring. 

Korean Olympians Cha and Hwang Target Gold

Korea is the birthplace of taekwondo and since its introduction to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the nation has truly lived up to its high reputation. The national team has won nine gold, one silver and two bronzes since 2000.


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Reigning Olympic taekwondo champions, Cha Dong-min and Hwang Kyung-sun, stress the importance of providing extra support for individuals during the games. Hwang, who has experienced both winning and losing, says a single mistake under the pressure of such high expectations can quickly turn a competitor from a hero to a villain among fans. Hwang describes how failure to bring home a bronze can make a competitor feel guilty as though they are crushing the fans' hopes. 


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Cha and Hwang continue to prepare themselves for the games, as well as deal with the tremendous pressure and nervousness they feel as the day approaches. Cha is in the 87-kilogram division and Hwang will be in the 67-kilogram division, and both say it is their goal to win gold. All previous four participants returned home with gold at the Beijing Olympics, further raising fans' expectations. The coaches and players are truly putting their hearts into training to achieve their goal of gold for the London Olympic Games this summer.


Korea's team becomes more and more threatened as investments in taekwondo expand in other countries around the world. The team stresses that the country must value and respect their traditional sport, and asks for more support from others.