Daily Lesson from Life 08 August 2008

"Fri, Aug 08, 2008 Reuters A dramatic spectable at Beijing Olympics opening ceremony

THE Beijing Olympic Games started on Friday with a dramatic opening ceremony featuring a cast of thousands directed by acclaimed Chinese movie director Zhang Yimou.

The performance, which began with thunderous drumming, celebrated the arts and achievements of imperial China but skipped the fraught 20th century altogether."

Let the Game begin! Finally the moment has come and the 29th modern Olympic Game in Beijing, PRC, was declared open by the President of PRC just past midnight actually! After a spectacular few hours long show and the march past of the athletes of more than 100+ nations, some of which I have to admit of never heard of.

Lessons for me:

1. at $43B, it is the most expensive Olympic Game to date. Hopefully the maintenance and caring and utilisation of the infrastructure will be world class as well and sustainable. Otherwise, it will be a great opportunity lost!;

2. the Chinese has given the world much in terms of the earliest inventions. e.g. the paper making technique, printing technique, gun power, etc. But, like the commentator said, the show skipped the 'fraught 20th century altogether'! To be a true superpower, China will have to show to the world that it has relevance and can create value by improving ALL of it's people livelihood, regardless of ethnic race and religions. Of course, overall stability has to be maintained and it will be maintained as long as the governed are satisfy that equity is being observed and no abuse of power exist!;

3. it was a great beginning. What follow in the next 2 to 3 weeks will be crucial. I hope that the judging controversies involving host nation's athletes in past games will NOT arise. Patriotism is a double-edge sword. Too little is not good but too much is also not very good.

I look forward to a drug free and fair and fun Olympic Game!