新西蘭英語 48 Olympic Games

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The Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was a most exciting event. It was full of breath-taking surprises like fireworks, and the opening welcome by 2008 Chinese drummers. Then there were ‘fairies’ floating on wires, a giant spinning globe, children in costumes representing 56 Chinese ethnicities and moving blocks representing Chinese writing. The way the blocks moved looked like they were operated by machines. However, at the end of this part, out popped 2,000 Chinese performers.

The ceremony showed some of Chinese history and inventions – the invention of fireworks, paper and writing, and the beautiful costumes made from silk.

The grand final was the lighting of the Olympic flame. A former Olympic gymnast, Li Ning, held on by two wires, was lifted to the top of the stadium, where he seemed to run around the top while carrying the torch.

About 22,000 people took part in the ceremony, which was directed by the famous film director, Zhang Yimou. 15,000 costumes were used and 43,000 fireworks were lit. There were 90,000 spectators and 80 invited heads of states from many countries including the American President Bush.

After the performances the athletes marched into the stadium, beginning with the host of the last Olympics, Greece, and ending with the host of the 2008 Olympics, China. Over 10,000 athletes from 204 countries will compete in the Games but not all of them marched, especially those who were competing the next day. New Zealand was proud to have the rower, Mahe Drysdale, to carry the flag.

It was surprising to realise that China uses a different alphabet system to ours. The Australian team, which is usually near the beginning of the alphabet, came into the stadium second to last and New Zealand was 189th.

A Chinese athlete, representing all the athletes, read the Olympic oath:

“In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams”.