The biggest stage for sports on earth, the Olympics, is now wide open in Paris. New aspirations and dreams have taken the focus as over 11000 athletes from over 200 countries have begun to vie for their best moment in their chosen sport. What competition can be was reflected in the early stage itself when a football force like Argentina tasted defeat at the hands of Morocco. Not that this is a decisive verdict for the two-time gold medallist for there are still matches ahead, but the pressure of a competition in the Olympics can wilt even the best in the business! Be that as it may, the Paris Olympics, it must be said could not have asked for a grander start. As has become the norm, each hosting nation makes that extra special effort to add that element of ‘uniqueness’ to the opening part to catch the eye of the millions around the globe apart from the thousands at the site. As it happened, it was the Seine River, the epicentre of the French capital, that fittingly came into view as lights, music and action took over to enthral the spectators and viewers. An opening ceremony on the water seemed unbelievable until Paris unfolded the magic of uniqueness.

So intense was the desire of the authorities to make the event impactful that nothing seemed to matter. Not even the effort of arsonists hours before the start to create scare worked nor the rains that had many run for shelter........

© Mathrubhumi English