tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033927301739827794.post4623337825218182298..comments2008-08-08T15:41:40.265-04:00Mike Redfearnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09896722829688134150noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7033927301739827794.post-79041619923530893392008-08-08T15:41:00.000-04:002008-08-08T15:41:00.000-04:00Good summary of the opening ceremonies, Mike. I felt the same level of emotion and just don't know what to attribute it to. As with all recent Olympics, the final lighting of the torch is kept in secrecy until it's finally revealed. Beijing's was spectacular. Makes you wonder how the dress rehearsals could be held and none of it revealed to a globe that is salivating to find out what would be done.<BR/><BR/>China did itself proud with the ceremony. For at least three hours, the world was not focused on the other historical things that you've noted. But, on the news during the event comes the notification that Russian tanks were moving into Georgia and the fantasy that was the opening ceremonies is lost.<BR/><BR/>The magic of the Olympics will be tested over the course of the next while with professional athletes competing against amateurs, dope testing, claims of partiality, and all the things that go along with Olympics. Even during the opening session, the awards in Euros for winning metals was noted by the announcers.<BR/><BR/>The magic will return with the closing ceremonies and we can hope that it's just as impressive as the opening.dougpetehttp://dougpete.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com