Reading While Eating for July 27: Olympic Banana

In honor of the opening ceremonies, today's links feature feats of strength and feats of fashion.

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Stefan Wermuth / Reuters

Venus Williams of the U.S. takes part in a training session at the All England Lawn Tennis Club before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, July 26, 2012.

Not to Jinx Anything: Releasing doves into the audience failed miserably when they caught fire and burned to pieces. Our round-up of the worst opening ceremonies in Olympic history. (TIME.com)

Gone Bananas: Out with the Olympic torch, in with the “Olympic Banana.” Watch a man run down the street with it. (The Daily What)

Hit Us With Your Best Shot: The real reason women are watching the Olympics is to see what Kate Middleton is wearing.  While visiting Bacon’s College in London, Kate showed she can play sports well and sport a great outfit at the same time. (Go Fug Yourself)

Bollywood Royalty: A famed Indian movie star got to carry the Olympic torch through London. (Divanee)

Keeping Score: Brian Williams talks to John Williams (no relation) about what it’s like to compose the theme song for the Olympics.  The composer has also scored Jaws, Superman, and War Horse. (NBC’s Rock Center)

Jumping Into the Shark Tank: Watch Team USA’s swim teams parody the hit pop song “Call Me Maybe”. (BuzzFeed)

Change of Scenery: The world is excited to watch the Olympics, but the $14.5 billion cost will certainly take a toll on London, especially in a double-dip recession.  So one op-ed writer proposes the Olympics be held in “repressive petrostates” (oil-rich countries where power is concentrated in the hands of a few). (Reuters)

For Whom The Bell Tolls: London’s culture minister hits a woman with a bell (accidentally). NewsFeed hopes this is not some sort of omen. (Mashable)

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