There have been a lot of questions recently about whether the Olympics still matter in today's world. Last night's opening ceremonies answered those questions with a resounding yes. Between athletes carrying in their countries' flags with pride and million dollar superstars experiencing a pride they don't get from their day jobs, these ceremonies had a story for everyone.
Generally the opening ceremonies are a chance for the host country to showcase why it was awarded the honor of putting on the games. China chose to showcase the beauty of its history and its people. The artistry and precision of an ancient culture was displayed with a nod to the advancements of a modern society.
As the parade of nations began commentators wondered if the politics of the world would impact the recepetion of certain countries. The answer to that question was no, as all 11,000 athletes were welcomed with cheers. Even countries like Japan and Taiwan, who China has long and storied conflicts with, were greeted warmly. Athletes from Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan marched proudly, momentarily forgetting the war zones they left behind.
Finally the moment came that 1.3 billion people had been waiting for when the Chinese delegation entered the stadium. They were led by flag bearer and basketball superstar Yao Ming. He was led by a 9 year old earthquake survivor who not only dug himself out of the rubble but returned to free two classmates. When asked why he went back, the young hero replied that he was a class leader and hall monitor and that it was his responsibility. Stories like that prove how relevant the Olympic games are to our world.
The cauldron was lit in breathtaking fashion as gymnastics champion Li Ning danced around the top of the stadium on a LED screen that revealed the torch's progress to that spectacular moment. The majesty of that moment proved that the Olympic games gives the world reason to hope that our similarities can outweigh our differences.
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