Oh! What a night
The Sri Lankan contingent during the opening ceremony. Courtesy styleite.com
I am sorry Sri Lanka you were in slumber when the world adorned the 30th Olympic Games in London in the most spectacular manner.
Like the English headlines screamed in the morning, Becks, Bonds, Beatles…..the Baked Beans (meaning the Royal family according to the English television) — indeed were brilliant.
What inspired the most was the theme.
Choreographers tried to depict the real English revolution or the evolution — whatever you call it.
The episode came in a real life act. The medieval English village was almost real, the cows, the goats, the sheep and even the geese mingled perfectly with the timely clad brethren who choreographed the day-to-day life at that time. The actors also did not forget to showcase their national past times like cricket, football, badminton and rugby — all in their original form, almost.
The VIP group included Doreen Lawrence, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general and Ethiopian athletics veteran Haile Gebrselassie. Reuters.
Then the scene evolved industrial revolution where the landscape became a chimney filled emission ring that had a musty look.
Then the section that was devoted to the kids and their dreams and fears came out beautifully bringing all the demons of the little bad dreams almost to life. Then the Stratford Olympic arena converted itself into a modern Jazz medley amidst dancing kids and young girls and boys who brought back memories of the 50′s downwards, thus dawning the modern era that you and I live in. Mind you they even did not forget to play a part of a Bollywood song that came in as a bit of surprise.
The live music was also electric. The London Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of the Chariot of Fire would be remembered by some music lovers for many more moons to arrive. A little film showed how the modern James Bond helped Queen Elizabeth to arrive at the Stadium in a chopper and then parachuted herself, but right at that moment her majesty graced the occasion and joined the other dignitaries who were awaiting her arrival.
A spectacular aerial view of the 'Satanic Mills' in Danny Boyle's take on the Industrial Revolution. AFP
Then the ten thousand athletes who would test their four years of sweat and tears in real circumstances came out in their respective national attire adding more glamour. The seal of success to the evening was delivered by the Queen of England who declared the Games opened while Sebastian Coe Chief of the London Olympic Organising committee and Jaques Rogge — the Olympic chief explained what the real Olympic spirit was.
When soccer Idol David Beckham brought the Olympic flame to the stadium and ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney sang a well loved Beatles number, the ground exploded in fury of fire works bringing the evening to an end. Also I must tell you — I had the chance of seeing Usain Bolt in real flesh for the first time during the parade.
Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney raises his arms as he sings at the end of the opening ceremony, as he brings the show to a close with a performance of Hey Jude. AFP.
A general view shows athletes as they walk into the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London on July 27, 2012. AFP
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