The opening ceremony for the Beijiing Olympics on Friday was a dramatic assertion of China’s power and nationalism.
But as if having the Olympic cauldron lit by a “flying” gymnast Li Ning, suspended by wires high above the heads of 91,000 spectators, wasn’t proof enough that even gravity could be conquered by the world’s most populous nation, the government defied the elements as well.
China “blew away” threatening rain clouds with a barrage of more 1,000 rain dispersal rockets, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Chinese meteorologists told the agency it was the largest rain dispersal operation in China, and the first time that such technology had been used to ensure the weather condition for Olympic opening.
Photo: This combination picture shows former gymnast Li Ning of China suspended in mid-air as he lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 8, 2008. The stadium is also known as the Bird’s Nest. REUTERS/Jerry Lampen
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The ceremony surged with meaning, dignity, energy, history, imagination and aspiration. Viewer could feel the struggle, the persisence and the final flight to the heights of achievement and success of a people among peoples. Could almost feel the breeze from the ’stadium’ flowing into the living room.
- Posted by AnneThe Modern Olympic Games are far from the ancient Greek Olympic spirit
- Posted by John CalvinThe Olympic Flame torch is the Olympic Flame of the knowledge privilege of the Gods
Even today after opera composer Panayoti Karousos projection in his opera Prometheus to show clearly the act of Prometheus by bringing the fire to the humankind after Karousos the International Olympic Committee started the talk about the act of Prometheus is the commemoration we show at the Olympic flame torch
Again Karousos showed at his other opera The Olympic Flame the founder of the Olympics that is Hercules as a merciful act to the successful ending of the 12 labors
I think the IOC has to honor the Greek born composer Panayoti Karousos for his contribution to the Olympic Games and go learn more from his works about them.
China today has to learn from the ancient Greek Olympic spirit the freedom, democracy and human rights for Chinese citizens.
John Calvin - good point but it’s not just China - don’t we all need to do that.
- Posted by Rui