The London 2012 Olympics got off to the best possible start on the banks of the Thames last night, as artistic director Danny Boyle's breathtaking 100-minute Opening Ceremony captivated an 80,000 crowd packed with celebrities and VIPs.
From the moment yellow-jerseyed Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins opened proceedings at 9pm GMT with a single chime of the 23-tonne Olympic bell, the audience was subjected to a joyous assault on the senses that catapulted them through 200 years of British history from the industrial to the digital revolution, the latter embodied by the presence of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the world wide web.
The answer to the night's great secret, the identity of the lighter of the Olympic cauldron in the centre of the stadium, was not revealed until well after midnight – and virtually none of the speculation that had accompanied the build-up to the Games was right.
The honour was bestowed on seven young athletes said to represent the host nation's hopes for the next Olympics and beyond, in keeping with the emphasis on youth maintained by the London project since it won the right to host the 2012 Games in Singapore seven years ago.
The most daring of many spectacular coups de theatres that preceded this came when the Queen appeared – repeat, appeared – to parachute into the stadium from a helicopter, accompanied by James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
But, from Ken Loach to Harry Potter, there was scarcely a cultural reference-point that wasn't touched upon in a show that also included a snatch of the Sex Pistols' version of God Save the Queen, a song once famously banned by Olympic broadcaster the BBC, and a Mini or two, much to the delight, no doubt, of London 2012 sponsor BMW.
Other highpoints included the climax of the industrial revolution segment, with the Olympic rings, in red hot steel suspended over the stadium bathed in blue light; a cameo by Rowan Atkinson, the comedian behind Mr Bean, as the white-mopped Sir Simon Rattle conducted music from the Olympics film Chariots of Fire; and an extended passage celebrating the National Health Service (NHS), featuring hundreds of children and NHS beds and employees.
If it could not quite match the sheer jaw-dropping awe of Beijing's Opening Ceremony of four years ago, Boyle's £27 million ($42 million/€34 million) creation was infused with a warmth and humanity notably lacking from that no-expense-spared paean to China's emergence as a global power.
If that 2008 show was, at heart, a celebration of uniformity, this was a crowded, phantasmagorical hymn to diversity.
After a long interlude while the 205 athlete delegations filed colourfully in, culminating with Britain, led by Flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy, the Arctic Monkeys heralded the most formal part of proceedings.
First, from an artificial green hill, now bedecked with flags, to one end of the stadium, we were all welcomed by London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.
"In the next two weeks, we will show all that has made London one of the greatest cities in the world," Coe promised.
"This is our time"
In a short address, dwelling on London's unique role in Olympic history as the host of three Summer Games spanning more than a century, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge proclaimed: "The Olympic Games are coming home tonight."
Rogge also emphasised that for the first time in Olympic history all participating teams would have female members, in a development he described as "a major boost for gender equality".
Fittingly it was left to a woman, Her Majesty the Queen, seemingly none the worse for her parachute glide, to declare the Games open.
And then it was on to the raising of the Olympic flag in the presence of a frail Muhammad Ali and the night's concluding moment: the symbolic lighting of the Olympic cauldron by the seven young Torchbearers.
The day had started with the Queen's rowbarge Gloriana carrying the Olympic Flame down the Thames, trailed by a flotilla, as it neared the end of its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around Britain.
At 8.12am, bells rang out across Britain for three minutes.
British Prime Minister David Cameron declared the country "ready to welcome the greatest show on earth".
And what do you know? He was right.
If I may end with one mildly discordant note, it was that we nearly ended up relating these great events under a length of plastic sheeting – the organisers' disconcertingly primitive means of combating the threat of possible rain.
As it turned out, we stayed dry, by the skin of our teeth.
But in an isle which, as we all know, is full of weather as well as noises, this was just not good enough.
By David Owen at the Olympic Stadium in London
Source: www.insidethegames.biz
GAMES
Voisin delighted for Burns
DEXTER VOISIN, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago track and field team at the London Olympics, is pleased that the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) chose sprinter Marc Burns to carry the flag at today’s opening ceremony.
“I think it’s an honour for him and also for track and field to carry the flag in the opening ceremony,” said Voisin yesterday, in an interview from London, England. “I think it is his fourth Olympics.
“He’s what you’ll call a veteran, an experienced athlete in these circumstances. The TTOC made the decision and I think it was a very good decision.”
Asked which athletes are not in the Village at the moment, he said, “we still have Renny Quow to come to the Games Village. “Richard Thompson went back to Norway to return on the 30th. He went back to final training with his coach.”
With regards to the atmosphere in London, Voisin noted, “we arrived in the Games Village (on Wednesday) (and) the whole atmosphere (yesterday) has been overwhelming.
“You have all the athletes now gathering,” he continued. “We went training (yesterday) afternoon and everybody is looking to rest now.”
Asked if there were any problems in the Village, Voisin replied, “everything’s smooth so far.”
The opening ceremony will take place today but Voisin commented, “we don’t start the competition until the third (of August) so there’s no hype in terms of the opening ceremony.
www.newsday.co.tt
Can ‘Torpedo’ turn screws on Bolt?
Richard “Torpedo” Thompson started his sprinting career at Louisiana State University (LSU) while on a scholarship. As a member of the LSU Tigers track and field team, he lowered the NCAA Indoor record in the 60 metres in 2008. In his first World Championships in Athletics, in Osaka in 2007, Thompson failed to make it past the quarterfinals, placing eighth in 10.44 seconds. The following year, Thompson achieved his best moment up to then by taking both the 60m indoor and outdoor sprints at the NCAA Championships. He expanded his portfolio to include the 200m that year and ran his personal best (pb) for the 200m of 20.18s. His 60m pb is 6.51s achieved in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, “Torpedo” sped to a pb time of 9.89 s in the men’s 100m, to finish second behind World record holder, Usain Bolt, who set the Olympic record of 9.69. His new pb time made him the second fastest T&T 100m sprinter ever, after four-time Olympic medallist Ato Boldon. Thompson grabbed his second silver medal in Beijing when teaming up with Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender for the men’s 4x100m relay final. The local team finished in 38.06 behind Jamaica (37.10). With the substitution of sprinter Aaron Armstrong for Callender, that team also grabbed gold at the 2008 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in a time of 38.54.
In 2009, Thompson was involved in a car accident on New Year’s Day, resulting in minor injuries which caused him to miss the indoor season. Defying the odds, he competed at the 12th IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, Germany, later in August. He reached the 100m final, finishing fifth, with a season’s best of 9.93 seconds. Thompson then joined forces with Darrel Brown, Burns and Callender in the final to finish second behind Jamaica in 37.62s to set the national record. In 2010 Thompson was crowned double champion at the NAAA/Sagicor National Track and Field Championships, taking the 100m (10.01) and 200m (20.37). His 2010 season was further highlighted at the IAAF Diamond League circuit, when he won the 100m at the Prefontaine Classic with a wind-assisted time of 9.89s. In 2011, Thompson broke into T&T’s history books when he ran 9.85s in the 100m final at the National Championships, erasing the previous 9.86 record set by Ato Boldon. The achievement ranked Richard as the ninth fastest on the all-time list. Thompson has struggled this year. His three-year reign as national 100m champ was halted by Keston Bledman who blazed to the finish line in 9.86. Thompson had to settle for second with a time 9.96s—his first and only 100m sub-ten clocking for the year.
Thompson will be looking to prove that he still has what it takes to mount the podium in the men’s 100m at the London Games.
More Info
NAME: RICHARD THOMPSON
DOB: June 7, 1985 (Age 27)
Height: 6' 2" (188 cm)
Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Affiliations: Louisiana State University, USA / HSI, USA
Olympic event(s): 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
Major Achievements: Olympic Silver Medals (100 and 4 x 100 metres Olympics 2008)
Performance dates in London
100 metres August 4
200 metres August 7-9
Burns elated to carry T&T flag
"It's a great honour and privilege to carry out such a duty for Trinidad and Tobago."
Marc Burns was elated on hearing of his selection as T&T's flagbearer for today's Olympic Games opening ceremony, at the Olympic Stadium here in London, England.
The veteran sprinter captured his first Olympic medal at the 2008 Games, in Beijing, China, teaming up with Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson for silver in the men's 4x100 metres relay.
Burns is competing at his fourth Olympic Games. He made his debut as a 17-year-old, at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, competing in the sprint relay. Four years later, in Athens, Greece, Burns was disqualified for a false start in the opening round of the 100m dash, but helped T&T cop seventh spot in the 4x100m final. And in Beijing, he earned relay silver and also reached the 100m final, finishing seventh in the championship race.
Burns is the Mr Consistent of T&T sprinting. He reached the century final at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 editions of the World Championships. The 29-year-old athlete also has three World Championship sprint relay silver medals—2001, 2005 and 2009.
"Having faith in God, focusing on what I can control, and having faith in my team—coach, physio, family and the close circle of people around me. That's the main thing for longevity.
"My biggest moment," he continued, "was the World Championships in 2001, given my age and it was my only major medal at the time."
Eighteen-year-old Burns teamed up with Ato Boldon, Jacey Harper and 16-year-old Darrel Brown for 4x100m bronze. The T&T quartet was later promoted to silver following the disqualification of the United States. US anchorman Tim Montgomery was banned for doping.
Burns was selected as the T&T reserve for the men's 100m here in London, after finishing fourth at the National Open Track and Field Championships. He is also a member of the 4x100m squad.
"My main focus was to come to the Games and make the athletes comfortable--enlighten them on what is expected. I'm more mature now and I see things through a whole different perspective. I understand fully what is expected at the Games. It's not just about competing, but showing a certain code of conduct for those who are following behind."
Burns recently clocked 10.00 seconds to finish third at the International Athletics Meeting, in Lucerne, Switzerland. Rondel Sorrillo was seventh in 10.23.
At the National Championships, Sorrillo copped third spot in the 100m, and was selected to compete in the event here in London, along with Bledman, winner of the national title in a personal best 9.86 seconds, and Thompson, the 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist.
Sorrillo, the national champion in the 200m, was also chosen to compete in the half-lap event at the London Games.
Team officials have until next Wednesday to decide which three sprinters will fly the Red, White and Black in the 100m.
"I'm here to represent T&T, regardless," Burns told the Express. "So if I do not run the 100, all my energy and focus will be on the relay. The 10-flat came at the right time, going into the Games. Even if I don't run the 100, I'm capable of an exceptional second leg in the relay."
Burns is playing a key leadership role in the 4x100m.
"I'm enlightening the team on what's expected, and the frame of mind to go about doing that. It's not about the other teams and getting caught up in the hype--focus on what we need to do and going out and doing it.
"Anything could happen. We're not short-changing ourselves. Just like everybody else, we're going for the gold medal. If God sees it another way and another colour medal, we would be grateful."
Two days after his 10-flat run in Lucerne, Burns' running gear was stolen as he prepared to compete at the Folksam Grand Prix, in Sweden. Though he ran in a borrowed pair of spikes that did not fit, Burns still managed to win, the T&T track star clocking 10.50 seconds, into a 1.9 metres per second headwind.
The resilient Burns said a fifth Olympic appearance, at the 2016 Rio Games, is a possibility.
"I will only be 33 at the next Olympics, so once I'm healthy and all is well, that could be on my resume also. I'll take it one step at a time."
T&T chef de mission Annette Knott told the Express she will always remember a statement Burns made at the 2007 Pan American Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"Marc said even if we had a three-man relay and he had to run two legs, he will run for Trinidad and Tobago.
"For his silver medal in 2008, his commitment as an athlete and his consistent representation, Marc will carry the flag. This is his fourth Olympics, and he is in fact the most senior athlete.
"He's always there, in so many finals. It's about sustainability and consistency. Marc is one of the more consistent athletes we've had, and not for one minute is he looking for the glory."
In a T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) press release, president Larry Romany paid tribute to Burns.
"I was chef de mission at the Sydney Olympics when the then 17-year-old Marc made his Olympic debut. Over the years it has been a privilege to work with Marc. He is a class act who has never failed to answer the call be it CAC, Pan Am, Commonwealth or Olympic Games."
Today's opening ceremony starts at four p.m. (T&T time). The outfits to be worn by Burns and the rest of the team during the parade of nations are the creations of T&T designers Richard Hope and Nivanya Abraham.
-Kwame Laurence in London
www.trinidadexpress.com
Bovell splashes off Sunday
George Bovell III is the most successful swimmer to come out of T&T. Some highlights of his illustrious career include winning bronze in the men’s 200m Individual Medley (IM), capturing five Pan American Medals (2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze), and five individual NCAA titles. Bovell is currently the fourth fastest man in history of the 50m freestyle. Coming from a family with a history of involvement in sport, it was only natural that Bovell followed suit. His mother, Barbara, was an Olympic runner and a Canadian champion. His father was a successful Collegiate swimmer and T&T Sportsman of the Year. Hiss brother, Nicholas, is also an Olympic swimmer.
From the age of seven, he started competitive swimming. Nine years later, he stepped onto the international stage, competing at the US Open and Pan American Games. In 2000 Bovell enrolled at Auburn University, where he won five individual NCAA titles, eight SEC titles, 25 All American Honours (the most in Auburn history) and was part of the first class in the history of NCAA sports to finish their eligibility undefeated. In the fall of 2004, he suffered a knee injury that would prevent him from swimming breastroke and competing in the individual medley. This forced him to focus on his second best events—the 100 and 200 freestyles.
In 2006, he trained under Mike Bottom at Cal Berkeley where he learned proper sprinting technique. He followed Bottom to the Raceclub in the Florida Keys in 2007 to train for the 2008 Olympics. In Beijing, he broke the Olympic record in the heats, but was not able to secure a spot in the finals, finishing 11th in the 50 freestyle. In 2009, Bovell broke the World Championships record and became the fourth fastest man in history in the 50m freestyle. He reunited with the coach who took him to his bronze medal in Athens, Sport Minister Anil Roberts in 2010 and had stellar performances at the World Championships in Dubai, finishing fourth in the 100m IM and 10th in 50m free. In 2011, Bovell placed seventh in the finals of the World Swimming Championships, proving that he is a medal contender for 2012.
More Info
Name: GEORGE BOVEL III
DOB: July 18, 1983 (Age 29)
College team Auburn Tigers
Height: 6’ 5”
Weight: 205 lbs
Affiliations: Auburn Tigers (Auburn University, US)
Olympic event(s): 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke
Major Achievements: Olympic Bronze Medal (200 IM Olympics 2004)
Performance dates in London
100 metres backstroke Sunday - Tuesday
100 freestyle Tuesday - Wednesday
50 metres freestyle Thursday - Friday
-Shernice Thomas
www.guardian.co.tt
Trini lives Olympic dream
When the ceremony that officially signals the opening of the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games gets underway today, there will be one Trinidadian among the thousands of athletes, perfor- mers and spectators who will be living his own Olympic dream.
Born in Ghandi Village, Debe, Jimmy Badal is one of the 10,000 performers who will bring to life director Danny Boyle's £27 million production, "Mass Movement", to billions of viewers worldwide.
Badal, who currently lives in England, says it's a dream come true.
"After viewing the Barcelona Games in 1992 as a little boy, I said to myself: one day, I would represent my country at the Olympics, so when they advertised for volunteers for London's opening ceremony, I jumped at the opportunity.
I was interviewed two years ago, and after lots of tough auditions, I was successful in gaining a role for the opening performance."
Badal said being accepted as a volunteer was the easy part.
What followed was six months of a difficult journey to be ready for the opening ceremony.
"I have had to devote hundreds of hours to training and rehearsals since it started last year and had to work with volunteers from over 75 countries, as well as training managers from all around the globe.
"Initially, we began training at Dagenham in East London, which is quite a distance from the Olympic Park. In the weeks and months that followed, we began working with the cast, props, teams and five thousand volunteers, moving at the same time.
"It was here we got all our instruction from creative director Danny Boyle, and it was here that the picture started to come together in our minds," he told the Express.
Badal credits his mother and his love for sports for his willingness to do volunteer work at any level.
"My mum has been a huge inspiration in my life. She taught me how important it is to always give back to the village, the community and the less fortunate. She is a strong woman, and I learned most of my values from her.
"Additionally, having a passion for sports led to me serving as a volunteer when Trinidad hosted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2001. I gained a lot of experience, he said."
Badal could not share much about his role since they were sworn to secrecy, however, he will feature in the opening segment, which is a drama- tic tale of the Industrial Revolution's working men and women.
His section highlights the transformation from agriculture to industry in England and features 70 sheep, 12 horses, ten chickens, three cows, two goats, dogs and geese.
Additionally, traditional countryside cottages will stand together with a mining wheel, harking back to the country's proud industrial heritage, all drenched in faked pouring rain to reflect Britain's typical weather.
The show, called the "Isle of Wonder", is inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest and will entail one thousand drummers, video clips of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with the sound of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" resonating in the background.
"My dedication and perseverance of attending the final rehearsals will pay off (today) when I perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, more than one hundred heads of state, one hundred and fifty IOC members and billions of viewers around the world.
"At this time in my life, I am truly proud to be a Trinidadian and to be representing my country as a volunteer at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games," he said.
"Who would have thought that a man from Debe in Trinidad would be performing to the biggest global audience in recent years? But twenty years after the Barcelona Olympics' opening ceremony, my dream finally comes true."
—Editor's Note: Danny Boyle is noted for directing the movie Slumdog Millionaire.
-Donstan Bonn
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com