Well, the opening ceremony has finally taken place. Spectacular yes, but I will now quote Legolas from Lord of the Rings:


Well, I promise that is my last political comment.


My general predictions for team GB are optimistic. As long as Paula Radcliffe doesn't fall prey to the conditions I can't see her failing to win gold.

I predict 12 golds, with a total 35 medals.


Mmm, I wonder who will fininsh top of the medal table?

This post has been edited by KingOfIdiocy: Aug 8 2008, 03:34 PM

Wow to the Opening Ceremonies!! (Our news station said 100 million dollars was spent on the opening ceremonies alone - eep! )

Could be naive of me but all the participant's faces looked like they were truly excited and happy to be participating - and to be honest, if I lived in China I too would be thrilled about something that caused so much 'pomp and ceremony' and added excitement to my life.

Now, no huge boos and hisses, please ... I cheer for nearly ever single participate (just getting there makes them a winner to me) ... and although I can't help but hope Canada does well, having them 'win' seems less important than doing the people doing their best and having good sportsmanship (and no no no cheating with drugs!).

I enjoyed watching the 2008 performers beating Fou - an ancient Chinese percussion instrument. It was an impressive site and sound. I'm sure that took quite a while to choreograph.

While the opening inspired awe, I could not help but think of the well-ordered masses parading with the precision of automatons at a earlier time in Nuremburg; in the "harmonious society" of China, "marching to a different drummer" is discouraged. Ironically, the Olympic Games emphasize the importance of the individual athlete- - -and to him belongs the olive-crown. I wonder if this will be lost to the average Chinese.

I suspect it may be - if only because what we are being shown is perhaps not the true 'day-to-day' China.

One thing I truly wonder about after hearing over and over that not only are the temperatures brutal during the games, the humidity is very high and the smog levels quit appalling. Did the 'powers to be' really think China would be able to clean up the horrible air pollution in time for the games, I wonder?