08.08.08

A numerologist’s field day. The Olympic Committee had it sussed. Open the games on this day. But nothing remarkable happened in my life today - so I watched the highlights of the opening of the games. A spectacular ceremony to be sure. I have had doubts about supporting or following these games. As a Buddhist I find China's 40 year + occupation of Tibet completely unacceptable (see unseen Dharamsala to the right).

But what interests me more is the tension between the proclaimed internationalism of the games and the fact that they are used in a hugely nationalistic way. I can understand it (and almost cry) when one sees three athletes from Afghanistan or seven from Iraq carrying the banner for their war torn and much maligned countries and realise how much they have been through even to get there. Every national media talks about the internationalism of the games - but only focuses on their own heroes’ successes (and near successes). This was really highlighted for me twelve years ago – when I spent the summer in Copenhagen. I was looking forward to watching the track and field events – which I thought were the blue ribbon events of the Olympics - irrespective of your nationality. I didn't see one race or field event on Danish TV- apparently the Danes aren’t very good at them - so they didn’t show them, This was surprising because you would expect those tall and strong Danes to produce at least a few international track and field stars. Sadly that was not the case. There were hours and hours of replays of the handball contests (I know many are asking what is handball?), the women’s hockey, some shooting, swimming and archery. Its funny how previously obscure sports suddenly attract media attention when your country is in the running for gold. Here’s to a successful and peaceful games.