The Beijing 2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony has passed without a noticeable glitch – unfortunately I did not get a ticket to attend at the birds nest, but enjoyed it nonetheless watching big screen TV’s erected inside DiTan Park (地坛公园) with the locals. The atmosphere was great : extremely hot, but well organised. It was nice to hear the cheers and support from the crowd, and to note the countries that got cheered into the stadium.
China obviously got the largest – and longest – cheer, followed by Cuba and possibly North Korea and Pakistan. Iraq got its sympathy support, and of course Taiwan (entered as Chinese Taipei) and ‘compatriots’ Hong Kong also got recognition. Surprisingly the French team were cheered on by the local crowds (meanwhile Britain got but a squeak) as did the USA entering to quite a rapturous welcome – until the cameras panned to Bush when amusingly boos became apparent!
As for everyone else, most people here probably hadn’t heard of those countries but in any case it was an excellent well choreographed event, something London may find hard to beat.
(Note: Apologies for the crap quality of photo)
