Let the Games Begin!

By Pamela Mortimer

There is nothing quite like the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Games and this year’s event in Beijing was no different. China pulled out all the stops during its first run at the Olympics, offering a breathtaking display of pyrotechnics and fanfare on behalf of the countries and athletes represented at the international event.

The opening ceremonies were attended by more than 90,000 spectators in the National Stadium, with an estimated 4 billion people worldwide watching at home. $30,000 worth of fireworks was exploded at the beginning and end of the ceremonies, joined by 2,008 drummers and acrobats. The event was taped for a delayed broadcast in the U.S. and locations in similar time zones.

A long list of notables – politicians, athletes and celebrities – turned out in full force. Among them were President Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. President Bush is the first U.S. President to attend the Olympic Games on foreign soil.

Many have also gathered to watch top athletes Michael Phelps, Yelena Isinbaeva, Usain Bolt, Yao Ming, and Kobe Bryant.

As one might expect, planning such an event is bound to be fraught with obstacles and set backs. Some have questioned the wisdom of the International Olympic Committee for awarding the Summer Games to China. The IOC has chosen to stand by its decision, saying that it was time to bring the Games to a country comprised of 1.3 billion people, one fifth of the world’s population.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said the Games "are a chance for the rest of the world to discover what China really is."

Human Rights Activists who called for an Olympic boycott also posed a sizeable threat to the event’s success. The Games have been boycotted by many, such as actress Mia Farrow, who chose to spend the opening ceremony in a refugee camp to protest human rights violations.

"The Chinese government and the International Olympic Committee have wasted a historic opportunity to use the Beijing Games to make real progress on human rights in China," said Sophie Richardson of Human Rights Watch.

Despite the boycotts and pitfalls, the Chinese seem to have embraced the presence of the Olympics in their country. Tickets are selling at record speed, volunteers are out in full force, and the Chinese teams are witnessing a groundswell of support.

Many have considered the date and time of the opening ceremonies to be a good omen. The ceremony began at 8 p.m. on the 8th day in the 8th month of 2008 —8/8/08, a date that is especially propitious in a land where eight is considered to be the luckiest number.

"It not easy to meet with such a date," said Wang Wei, secretary general of Beijing Organizing Committee. "Hopefully this lucky day will bring luck."