Scotguy

Im surpirsed that you can get on to this site, being in China. Especially since the debates that we have. Im glad that you can tho cause you have the same right as everyone else to your opinion, i just with that you could understand that here in the west our media is so radomised, the media criticise the governments and praises them. Although it is not your own fault that you only have access to one media type, but you n eed to be aware that your government does have its faults, and that Communism isnt a good political force in the 21st century, esp with regards to human rights and democracy

Because the BBC show the Olympic Games here, we dont really have many Olympic commercials, probably just McDonalds doing a promotion. Maybe if you go back abit to the eighties when commercial tv covered the games aswell as the BBC there might be some.

I know that theres nothing new here or it doesnt give away details, but i just thought id post it as it was a new story on the BBC website and some people may not know this information already. Its not doing any harm

Found this article on the BBC website regarding the Opening Ceremony Games set for spectacular opening The first hints of the content of the spectacular opening ceremony planned for the Beijing Olympics have been revealed by director Zhang Yimou. But Zhang, China's most famous filmmaker and artistic director for the ceremony, would not divulge details of the lighting of the Olympic flame. The three-and-a-half hour show will include Chinese opera and pyrotechnics. "A large-scale fireworks display is something we must have," Zhang told the Chongqing Economic Times. A full dress rehearsal for curtain-raiser will be held for the first time at the National Stadium on 10 July. Zhang, best known for his films Hero (2002) and House of Flying Daggers (2004), said the programme would celebrate 5,000 years of Chinese history.

Found this video. Might give some idea of what to expect from the ceremony in August http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsDA_-vrbQ4 Could imagine this being a good welcome sequence

A Glasgow-based firm has secured its place at the Beijing Olympics after winning a £17.7m contract to provide temporary power at the games in August. See the full story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgo...est/7174901.stm

Just seen on Ebay a pair of Opening Ceremony tickets for the Beijing Games. Heres the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...=LanguageToggle If i could afford 5000 pounds i would buy them, but i can dream lol

Yes it is a new idea, but it still carries the Olympic name, will have the IOC voting for its hosts and will probably have the Olympic Flame as its main symbol lit evey 4 years or so. Therefore Athens has to be considered favourite, on sentimental and traditional reasons. Remember the centenial games in 1996, bad choice for host. Plus i didnt say that Athens had the most venues. I said that they were all in place due to the games in 2004, plus they will be more newwer than most of Moscows. Singapore, of course is a newer country than Athens, but that is not a valid argument in a reason for awarding the games to them, it is about the athletes, venues, transportaion, economy, finance, investment and legacy

I think Athens will win. The reasons being that: 1. The home of the Ancient Olympics and the first Modern Olympics would be a obvious choice for the first Youth Olympics 2. The venues are all there in place, from the 2004 Olympics, most are not getting used, so are ready

I thought that the parade of nations in Atlanta was good from the viewers viewing. The runner running up to the ramp and then the emmergence of the greek flag and the parade was very very good and the view for the athletes coming into the stadium must have been fantastic

I think Paris should bid for these games as they have tried so many times to get the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This would be a mere consolation but still the olympic flame would once again be in Paris.

I think that the pool in the middle may be to illuminate a large chinese lantern or mayb have something to do with the flame itself. I doublt they would have a pool as it would be seen as copying Athens and the chinese want their games to be unique.

Will the new sports added for 2010 still be included for 2014?

The Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games Closing ceremony took place under torrential rain for the whole ceremony, however this didnt stop the enthusiasm, and the show went on with some stunning sections.

I think London 2012 will showcase both its past and the future it will all link in together along with the principles of the Olympic movements, and i hope that the lighting of the cauldren will be spectacular, would be cool to have the flame travel along the water of the river thames to the stadium.

I thought that the opening/closing ceremonies would take place in the Olympic Stadium. Im sure you must be mistaken

I didnt know this. Think its faciinating, plus i agree china are doing everything to make sure the games are a huge success, which i am confident they will be

I liked the Atlanta closing where the athletes were already seated in the stadium, this meant that they could enjoy the show then when the time came if they wanted to they could go and enjoy the atmosphere on th efield. I guess the only trouble with this is that is takes up seates that could generate revenue for the organisers, however the athletes deserve to relax and enjoy the show.

At the end of the day guys it doesnt really matter because all that is important is that the athletes get their moment to shine and to experience the opening ceremony, and cheering crowds.

Im sure Athens 2004 used the Greek alphabet during the opening ceremony. The Chinese should use their own system as it is their games, and everyone will get a chance to march into the stadium, although Greece ofcourse will still be first.

Having an Olympic Flame pass through the biggest city or smallest town is a huge thing and fills people with excitement and Pride. The last Winter Games in Canada were a success and these will be no exception.

Atlanta had more ticket sales than both Barcelona and Seoul put together.

I think that th eMelbourne closing ceremony is probably the best closing i have ever seen. What do you think?

[quote name='baron-pierreIV' date='Oct 26 2006, 12:11 PM' post='91884' Now, if, going by your thinking, Delhi 2010 featured quintessential English life in its CWG ceremonies, then certainly the onus falls on London 2012 to reciprocate and feature your 'Indian/Bollywood' dancing segment in their Ceremonies. Don't you think that would only be fair then? I do understand what you are saying, although the way in which i was meaning was that the indian culture is very dominant in most parts of the uk today, as certain cities such as London and Birmingham have enourmous Indian and Pakistani communities. In India the British culture is no longer the way of life and therefore would have been inapproprite in their handover. However in Britain today, The Asian culture is very evident and increasing, and a small item in the London handover ceremony to show that London is changing and incorporating its second culture would show the world how diverse and accepted it is and would also make the Asian community feel a sence of pride and excitement about the next games. Yes Barcelona and Atlanta did not address such issues but what we have to remember is that this is now 10 - 15 years on and London is probably the most multicultural City in the world and is not slowing down. im not talking about a huge segment but something mayb along the lines of Manchester 2002 closing ceremony were huge lanterns with shapes representing the different religions in the city would be good.

There is no reason why this cannot happen, Sydneys presentation in atlanta was very very good, loads of props and people involved and also look at delhis commonwealth games handover in melbourne this year it was mass presented with thousands of people. As for the Indian dancer today more than ever the UK need to promote its diversity and there are many different cultures living in London that leaving them out of it would be very unfair