Beijing Olympics 2008

Some spectacular and enduring images of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. It would be hard for London, the host of the next Olympics, to upstage what the Chinese have orchestrated for the opening and closing ceremonies. Well, I don't think they missed the services of Steven Spielberg. By far, the most expensive Olympics (some US43 billion spent) and most viewed, it also signals the arrival of China, not only as an economic but also a sports powerhouse. But what of all those expensive stadia and venues that normally would become white elephants after the Games. Well, according to one report, there is no danger of that with Beijing home to 17 million people. Many of the venues were also built in universities ensuring that they will be fully used. A substantial part of the expenditure went into building infra-structures that would make Beijing a modern metropolis. Money well-spent according to most analysts.

It is going to be a difficult task for the London Olympics Committee to put up a good show, but who knows?