Millions of people across the world look forward to the opening ceremony every four years of the summer Olympics as in fairness each chosen city tries to put on an event in order for people to remember it as the best one ever watched. The opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympics which started in Paris on the 26th July has certainly divided public opinion as to where it would rank in these modern times. One cannot miss on social media and other press coverage comments ranging from boring, too long, different, unusual, lacking in atmosphere, worst ever alongside others such as spectacular, breathtaking, spell-binding and the best ever. One should never underestimate the power of public or spectator participation and creating the right ambience and I hold to the view that can only been done in a packed stadium. There were aspects of the ambitious Paris display which I enjoyed but overall, it was a disappointment.
This opening ceremony has certainly divided opinion as to how it all unfolded as unlike all previous games when a stadium was the focal point, most of this over four-hour show took place on a six mile stretch of the river Seine with the athletes arriving on boats and yachts. In England we watched the coverage on the BBC and I note that some in other countries are already lambasting the slant by the main American tv channels which at every opportunity has tended to focus on the American contingent at the games. That reminds me of the 1996 Olympic game held in Atlanta, USA when as a family we made the mistake of visiting from England the Bahamas and New York and found the television coverage so biased as it took patriotism to a different level as if the USA was the only competing nation. I prefer the more neutral, independent and impartial coverage which is then more objective and less subjective.
The number of tourists who visit Paris and the surrounding area yearly is in the region of 50 million and the French Olympic committee made sure to highlight the many tourist attractions there as a world class travel destination. It has the distinction of being the most visited city in the world and that is no mean feat. Of course, they have every right to showcase the beautiful city of Paris but less can sometimes be more or the way it is done could have been more subtle.
There was indeed a lot of ethnic diversity on show but I am somewhat surprised that Thierry Henry one of Francis greatest footballers, Yannick Noah another Frenchman who won the French Open Tennis Championships, Jo Wilfred-Tsonga a French tennis player who is adored the world over and Surya Bonaly France’s top figure skating champion were not part of the torch bearing celebrities in the final run-in. Most of the torch bearers chosen were certainly not household names on the world stage and what a glorious opportunity missed. Even more astonishing was the fact that Carl Lewis was a torch bearer and there was no sign of the greatest ever athlete, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt playing a part having earned his rightfully place in the history of the Olympics. Was that a snub, oversight or did he turn down an invitation to be there as a torch bearer? It would be interesting to be informed of why this happened as even if he was present as an invited guest the world needed to see the great man taking centre stage. To omit Usain Bolt from the line-up is incredible!!!
It was announced during the BBC coverage that women athletes have achieved parity in that their numbers equally the male athletes at these games and that is a massive achievement and a step in the right direction. Also of significance is the inclusion of a refuge Olympic team as with so may displaced people scattered across the world due to wars and conflicts, giving them a chance to unite in the name of sports and putting politics aside is heartwarming and positive.
I could not end this article without mentioning which has been my favourite opening ceremony and without any hesitation that has to be the 2008 Beijing Olympic games in the aptly named bird’s nest stadium. It lives in the memory and in my humble opinion no others come close to that truly outstanding show. Others will beg to differ and have other preferences but even on polls that I have researched it always comes at the very top with an overwhelming majority.
The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday 11th August in the Stade de France so until then let the games begin and if I choose not to answer the landline line or mobile phone until after that date you can understand why.
