Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (Games of the XXIX Olympiad)

Despite the rumours, despite all the threats, despite the hick- ups, Beijing put on a spectacular performance for the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games this morning. To say the truth, each and every host city has brought something new to the Opening Ceremony, indeed, to the legacy of the Olympic Games in the modern era. Naturally, there will be improvements. In 2000, Sydney put on a performance that show- cased the best of Australian culture. In 2004, we got the best that Athens had to offer. In 2008, we get an improvement again, with Beijing doing its best. Perhaps in 2012, London will do even better.

I'm not one to boast. Being Greek, however, i felt a sense of pride as i watched the proceedings of the Opening Ceremony. Knowing that i, through my cultural heritage, was in some way connected with this Ancient event, which begun in the country of my ancestors, it sent goose- bumps up my spine when i saw the country i belong to come out first. Sure, i was born in Australia, and i support Australia too, however, there is something about being able to say: "I'm Greek", around times like these, that makes the phrase mean more than i ever understood.

The Greeks are not "God's gift to man", as the saying goes. Although, like all civilisations, the Greeks had something to offer, and over time, Western culture developed these early ideas, and eventually we ended up with modern, and contemporary ideologies. The Olympic Games are something of this sort. Founded out of a religious festival, meant to be a national event and holiday. The ending of hostilities for the duration of the festival and games, the friendly competition, the crowning of the champions of the games of Zeus, the union of all the nation for a common purpose; all these simple ideas were developed and eventually given back to civilisation by Pierre De Coubertin, the Father of the Modern Olympic Games.

Watching the proceedings i felt proud to be able to say that i was of Greek heritage. I'm sure if i knew my family tree, or was able to trace it back that far, i'm sure i'd find some evidence of one of my ancestors, or relatives, actually attending the Games, as they were back in Ancient Greece.

For the past three Olympiads, there has been this running theme of preparation and time. Sydney was faced with the prospect of Central station not being able to capacitate for the amount of commuters during the games. Interestingly enough, Central station development is still not complete. Athens caused a mighty big stir. It was the home of the games. The Greeks were made a bad example of, and recieved unfair media coverage by international press. Australian press seriously doubted that the Greeks would be ready in time. In spite of it all, the Greeks worked against the clock, were still working on the day before the games, but were ready in time.

Unfortunately, the Greeks also had to deal with the fresh fear of the 9/11 attacks, which meant people were still worried about flying and travelling. Beijing, by far, has been worse off. The recent unpleasantness with the torch relay, and the Tibet issues, really placed pressure on the Chinese Olympic Committee. The polution that had also been reported on didn't make things easier, i'm sure. Like in most instances, the country pulled together, and was making progress till the earth-quake struck and recked havoc in the province of Sichuan. Again, the Chinese people worked together and came out of it to produce what was, in my opinion, by far the greatest Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in the modern era.

I think it's human nature for people to band together in tough times, or challenging times, and to rise to the occasion, putting their "best foot forward", as the saying goes. Regardless of what was reported in the news, the headlines in the papers today, tomorrow and at the closing ceremony of this Olympiad, will tell of the Beijing Games, and the success they were.

Despite all this, however, there is only one host country of the Games that will always have an impact like no other...you guessed it, Greece.! Whilst i won't say that the Games belong to Greece any more, i will say that the Games still, and will always, call Greece home. Despite the time- lag there may be in Greece hosting the Games, it will happen again. The first time i saw it, all the National Olympic Committees of the world attended, all 202 of them. It was the first time since the beginning of the modern Games in 1896 that all the NOC's had attended the Games.

With new countries forming, and other countries gaining independance, this number has already increased another two since Athens 2004. Beijing plays host to a total of 204 nations in the 2008 Olympic Games. The next time Greece hosts the Games, it'll be bigger and better than before. It will be something to remember. The Games returning to Greece will be the equivalent to Jesus Christ's parable of the prodigal son. The only difference is, that this "son", was given away willingly, as a gift to civilisation, collectively.

Unfortunately, in a time when war and destruction has, seemingly taken over the evening news, i must admit that i did not quite feel the "Spirit" of the Games as i did in 2000 or in 2004. I can only hope that the Games remain as the one and most important symbol of hope and friendship and peaceful times. It would be a big shame seeing the Games fall into a state of unpopularity because of war ravaging the globe.