2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Beijing 2008 Opens Spectacularly

Well the wait has long paid off, and if the Opening Ceremony is any example of what we can expect from the games, we are well due for a treat. Beautifully choreographed from start to finish the Opening Ceremonies were a visual delight.

The Chinese can be very proud of the spectacle. I have always found tai-chi to be a lyrical vision, and seeing 2008 participants in unison, with virtually no music or beat accompanying the movements was truly delightful. The dancers covered in everchanging lights created even more effects.

During the parade of nations, of course, we can always make fashion statements. I, for one, was happy to see that the US team, was dressed in clean and snappy navy and white. No baggy Nike track outfits. Huzzah! The Aussies were smashing in the tie-dyed blues topping the black. The UK looked as if they were freshly released from school in the spanking black and white. Unfortunately, I was less than enamoured with the Canadian fashion sense this time. Red and white as we should expect from our North American friends but it failed to dazzle when translated to their uniforms. Eye catching in its simplicity was the dovegrey of the Netherland team, with their spanking orange ties (go Orange!)

Without a doubt, though, the signbearers announcing each country stole the show. Floor length gowns in lacquer red with a modified or modernised chinese vest, cut away and featuring stark white embroidery. Beautiful ! Each one of those girls had an 18 inch waist. If that is from the design of that gown, I want a closet full in all colours.

It good to see new countries joining, Tuvala and MonteNegro being in their first ever appearances, as well as some of the oldest, Belgium being high on that list. The modern games have been in effect since 1896 and Belgium has participated in every game since 1900.

Back to the Ceremony though, a very creative and wonderful touch was the large canvas of paint. Each athlete that participated in the Opening Ceremony, walked across the canvas so each footstep was marked there on a massive painting that will serve as a backdrop for the podium. The finished effect showing a bright and new world, the underlying theme of the event. My applause to the inventive idea !!

Of course this was all culminated with the oaths, and the final lap of the torch. The ceremonial torches were bright lacquer red. The top was white with the prominant carving of the symbol called propitious clouds by the Chinese. Finally, the last carried torch to be lit was proudly held by Li Ning, one of the most exciting and strong Chinese gymnasts, with 6 medals to his credit. Hoisted by wires he “ran” around the top of the stadium one a backdrop of the clouds. Finally, approaching the Olympic torch that has been kept veiled until this moment. A wonderful modern design in that lacquer red and this time swirled around the funnel with the clouds again, but cut out in a stencil. A fiery roar and whoosh and the whole thing jumped to life.

Beijing immediately erupted in a mad wonderful cacaphony of light and noise as thousands of fireworks erupted. There were large circular ones that i have never seen before. I am a huge fan of fireworks as my poor dog can attest to, and these certainly had me wishing i was there rather than half a globe away. How appropriate for China to have the most spectacular fireworks display, seemed rather appropriate.

If by some foolish chance, you were not able to see the opening, I suggest you do some good searches on the net to find some portions of replay, for you missed one very good show.

And in true Olympic tradition ….. Let the games begin!

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