The last few hours before the world’s biggest sporting spectacle begins is always filled with tension and suspense. And as the city of London gives final touches to its seven-year-long preparation for the Olympics opening ceremony, everyone wishes the Games are peaceful and each of the 304 sporting events is conducted in the right spirit.
Glitz, glamour, light and sound; all that will go into the opening ceremony being directed by Danny Boyle has already been detailed. But 10m there can still be a huge suspense as what the world finally gets to see on TV can be different.
The weather in London has been pleasant after an incredibly wet summer. The sun has been shining for the last few days, which means the locals can wear bare minimum clothes.
Four years ago, when Beijing wanted to show the world its sporting might and ability to organise a high voltage opening ceremony, they wanted to fire ‘rockets’ in the air to disperse the clouds!
In London, no such thing has been planned and whatever nature decides will be accepted. The big problem for LOCOG, organisers of the London Olympics, is who will light the Olympic flame.
Lord Sebastian Coe, head of LOCOG told Mail Today on Thursday a decision is yet to be made as to who will light the torch. Five-time Olympic gold medallist rower Steve Redgrave and decathlete Daley Thompson are touted as favourites but Kelly Holmes, winner of the 800m and 1500m in Athens, 2004, could also get a look in.
After the opening ceremony, it will be 15 days of pulsating action where rivetting rivalries in track and field and swimming have already attracted attention, aroused interest and instilled desire.
Usain Bolt vs Yohan Blake in the 100m and 200m and Michael Phelps vs Ryan Lochte in the swimming pool are events which the world is waiting for.
Looking at the global rivalries, the way China has grown as a sporting giant will be watched with interest. In the Beijing Olympics, China topped the medal tally with 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze for an aggregate of 100 medals. The United States of America was second with 36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze, while Russia was third.
As the hosts, Britain will look to enhance its image as a serious sporting superpower. In Beijing, their tally did swell to 19 gold, 15 silver and 15 bronze for an aggregate of 47 medals.
But there have been a few goof-ups already. At the women’s football event, the South Korean flag while introducing the North Koreans, causing the match against Colombia to be delayed by an hour. Even though the organisers apologised to the North Koreans, it has already left people wondering what more gaffes are in store.
But what about India’s chances at the London Olympics? There is an air of expectancy that this time around, India can win more medals than the three in Beijing.
In archery, shooting, wrestling, badminton and boxing, there are medal chances.
The feats of Abhinav Bindra, Ronjan Sodhi, Deepika Kumari, Saina Nehwal, Vijender and the new boxing breed plus the wrestlers raise our hopes. So does MC Mary Kom, who represents India as women’s boxing makes its debut.
With adequate government funding and the corporates also chipping in well, Indian sport should do well.
(Opening ceremony on ESPN from 1am)
Security is a huge nightmare for organisers of any big sporting event. The London Olympics are no different as the city has roped in even the Army to ensure everything is peaceful over the next fortnight. What type of security personnel will be guarding the Olympic Stadium and areas near it on Friday are not known, but cops in plain clothes will also be there in large numbers.
For those who will need to use cell phones, be prepared for signals being jammed. “Wi-fi will also most probably not be working inside the stadium for the media,” said an official. The advice for public is come in early for the opening ceremony and be ready for an elaborate ‘search’.
