Let the Games begin - August 8, 2008

What a spectacular opening to the Olympic Games!

For the first time ever, thanks to the Chinese alphabet I believe, the Maltese athletes were among the first to parade in the packed stadium. There was Marcon Bezzina carrying our flag high. Marcon and the Maltese contingent form part of a total of 10,708 athletes who will be participating in 37 disciplines. It is estimated that there will be 302 events.

A lot has been said on the political cyclorama against which these games are being held. The threat of terrorism has loomed. One hopes that the headlines will only be about sport. Once again, there were calls for the boycott of the opening ceremony.

In a rather strong statement, Gianni Petrucci, the director of CONI, among others, went on record asking, rightly in my view, why athletes were being asked to do politics and why the pressure was not being placed on businesses who do business with China.

My best wishes to the Maltese contingent.

I look forward to some close contests. Among those I will look out for will Usain Bolt, who will be running the 100m and the 200m races. It took the Jamaican athlete some time to decide whether or not to take part. His coach actually announced that his charge would be in China, without Bolt even being aware.

His presence will be one of the most anticipated events of the Games with a showdown between Bolt, the world record holder; Asafa Powell, the former world record holder and the reigning world champion American Tyson Gay.

I will be looking forward to see how will the Chinese perform in the sports which they’re renowned for; table tennis. They are in such a position that one can easily say that it’s China vs the Rest of the World.

In the swimming events, there is a lot of expectancy for what Phelps will do. His main competitor is history and the role Mark Spitz has in it. These Olympic Games are giving Phelps the chance to be the best all-time swimmer.

Ronaldinho and Messi involvement in the Olympic Games, should contribute to raising the profile of football during the Olympics.

A lot will be happening in the coming days.

I hope it will be just sports and nothing else.

Forza Malta!