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JournalismPakistan.com
July 30, 2012
Wajid Ali Khan
LONDON: It’s done, the seven-year wait is over and the Brits, who’d been holding their collective breaths, were finally able to put their nerves and apprehensions aside after a truly spectacular opening ceremony. Before the Olympic Games started, even minutes before, the opening ceremony began it had been clouded in mystery and anticipation. One could almost imagine, if not hear, the collective sigh of relief.
A day earlier, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the official broadcaster of the London Olympics, showed a few selected insights into what was in store for the opening ceremony; a teaser a night before the opening.
Even minutes before the opening ceremony Sir Steve Redgrave, the multiple medaling British rower, was feigning ignorance about the identity of the person(s) picked to lit the Olympic flame.
As it turned out, Redgrave was the final bearer of the torch, handed over to him by footballer David Beckham. The flames were lit by a group of talented youngsters selected by Sir Steve Redgrave and other Olympians. It showed the symbolic handover of the Olympic legacy to the younger generation, entrusting them to carry on the successes of the past.
The opening ceremony was a quintessential British affair, completely immersed in Britain’s history, its people and their culture. Danny Boyle’s spectacular show was a sight to behold. Very different from the extravagant and over-the-top show put on by the Chinese at the last Olympics in Beijing
Unlike the Chinese efforts, which were heavily reliant on technology, Boyle chooses to represent the British people, tinged with technological and mechanical demonstrations. The ceremony showcased the best of Britain from James Bond escorting Her Majesty the Queen to the Olympics venue to the usual and hilarious shenanigans of Mr. Bean. The ceremony totally represented the lives of ordinary British people.
Yesterday, the first day’s action was concentrated in the pool and in the gymnasium.
But for the British, the first day of competition proper was all about cycling and the road race in it was hoped that Mark Cavendish and the British team would prevail. At the last World Championship and in the recently concluded Tour De France, the British cycling team had held back before mounting a last minute charge. The tactic worked for them on both occasions.
But not his time.
After the shock failure, accusations are flying thick and fast as to the reasons of the dismal showing in which no Brit medaled. Mark Cavendish is blaming other teams, including Australia, for his Olympics men’s road race disappointment. He finished 40 seconds behind Alexandre Vinokourov, the winner from Kazakhstan.
During the race, the British team let the front pack drift too far ahead, creating a gap of more than a minute. Although the gap was closed somewhat during the final few kilometres of the race, it wasn’t enough.
During the qualifications in Gymnastics, both the Chinese and Japanese were off color. Even though both teams qualified, there were just too many mistakes from individuals in both teams. It was a very unusual display from these two nations bursting with talent in the Gymnastics. The British took full advantage of their lapses and finished 3rd in qualifications, behind the USA and Russia. For Britain, It is a marked improvement from their earlier record in Gymnastics.
In the pool, the legend Michael Phelps of USA suffered his first embarrassment against compatriot Ryan Lochte in the 400m individual medley, coming fourth in the final. Even though it is not the favorite discipline, it was the manner in which he lost that indicated all is not well with Michael Phelps. On the other hand, Ryan was determined and eager to wrestle the crown away from Phelps.
In the women’s 400m individual medley Ye Shiwen of China broke the world record in winning the gold medal. Britain’s Hannah Miley just missed out, coming fourth. Ye, just 16, broke the world record of 4:29:45 set by Australian Stephanie Rice at the Beijing Olympics.
In men’s 400m freestyle final, Sun Yang of China won the gold by breaking the Olympic record and narrowly failing to break the world record.
At the close of first day, Chinese were heading the medal table with 4 gold medals and 6 in total, followed by Italy; they have 5 in total, with 2 gold medals.
From a journalists’ perspective, the start of the Games provided all the ingredients for a promising month of sport.
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