Open Writing

As the Chinese set about staging the most spectacular Olympic Games in history, about the only thing they have no control over is the weather.

In five days in Beijing, I have yet to see even the slightest flicker of blue sky as it has remained overcast throughout.

The skies have remained leaden and conditions are oppressive. You had to feel for the cyclists in the men’s road race when the humidity level reached as high as 97-per-cent.

No wonder 53 riders – well over one third of the total field – were unable to complete the 245km course.

It is exhausting undertaking the shortest of walks, never mind exercise which doesn’t come more strenuous than such a cycle race.

As these climatic conditions are common place at this time of year, it raises the question about the wisdom of holding them in August.

I was speaking to somebody with an understanding of meteorological matters and he informed me the humidity levels will be greatly reduced from the second week of September onwards.

So, why weren’t the Olympics scheduled for then when the climate would be far more comfortable for competitors and spectators alike?

It isn’t as though this hasn’t happened before as we witnessed eight years ago in Sydney where they were delayed to September so to be stage in early spring as opposed to winter.
In the case of Beijing the decision to proceed in August, surely it can only have been for commercial reasons?

The Americans have enormous clout and it has been suggested they may have lobbied for August to avoid a clash with the start of the NFL season.

It will be interesting whether anybody sheds any light on why the Olympics were scheduled for this time of year when the elements are so unkind and uninviting.

And you cannot see many Olympic records being broken in outdoor events and for endurance events like the cycling road races and men and women’s marathon it looks like being a battle for survival and an achievement simply to finish.

Surely something cannot be right when so many competitors, athletes at the height of their careers, quit an Olympic race as happened in the men’s cycle road race?

And so to the Games which got off to a spectacular start with a stunning opening ceremony.

It was amazing to be in Beijing on that day because I have never witnessed security on such a scale.

The eyes of the world were on China and the Government was determined nothing was to go wrong.

Security, which had been tight, was stepped up a number of notches to an unbelievable level. I was checked going in and out of my hotel with bag and body searches.

And instead of a handful of security staff at the hotel, the number had swelled to 15 who converged on us media types like bees to a honey pot. It has to be seen to be believed.

After the opening ceremony was over you could detect a palpable sense of relief that it had been incident free. And while security remains tight, it is nowhere near as intense as it was for the opening day.

As for the ceremony it was a stunning spectacle, both inside and outside the Olympic Stadium. Fireworks, for example, were ignited at 32 venues throughout Beijing simultaneously which won’t have helped reduce levels of smog.

I wondered how London will match that in four years time as Beijing have certainly raised the bar.

I have been lucky to attend five opening ceremonies and this was by far the most lavish and spectacular with 14,000 people participating.

BOCOG, the Beijing organising committee, gave us some statistics and they were mind blowing.

The Chinese had spent 13 months rehearsing the ceremony and on one occasion the rehearsal lasted 48 hours in one, unbroken spell.

I could not see 14,000 volunteers being forthcoming in London as well as being willing to provide such commitment.

The people I have spoken to say it would be foolhardy to try and compete with Beijing and we must do our own thing for the opening ceremony, something which reflects our own identity.

I have no doubts London will stage an Olympics which will be as memorable as any as in our country we seem to undervalue ourselves and our talents.

When Manchester hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, many questioned whether it would be a success which it was, though the Olympics are an event on a far different scale.

And what of my impressions of the sporting action so far. What a way to launch my Olympics with the men’s cycle road race which had an incredible backdrop of the Great Wall.

After travelling 78.8km from the ancient heart of Beijing, the route reached The Great Wall at Ju Yong Guan, one of the three most spectacular passes on the entire route, and from where there were seven circuits of 23.8km for a total of 245km.

For much of the day I was with Martin Rogers, formerly of the Daily Mirror, who now is Los Angeles based with Yahoo Sports.

And Martin came out with quite a pertinent point when he mentioned that the Chinese must have seen the Mongolians as a massive threat to resort to building such an imposing wall – I think it is 2,000 miles in length – to keep them out.

I was at the cycle road race to catch up with 20-year-old Ben Swift, a rider with Mossley connections.

It was an indication as to how tough it was that all four Brits quit, though Ben was the last to do so.

It was an achievement as Ben had been in the race as a domestique to try and help No 1 rider and medal prospect Steve Cummings in his quest for glory.

But to end up as the team’s last survivor was an achievement, though he pulled out with one lap to go.

I must admit swimming does not do a lot for me, though I will be spending a lot of time pool side as I have to monitor the progress of local swimmers Keri-Anne Payne and James Goddard.

But after attending two sessions already, I must admit the appeal of aquatics is growing.

And it was wonderful to witness Michael Phelps, the American superstar, win the first of what he hopes will be eight gold medals.

Phelps not only won the 400m individual medley, but obliterated the Olympic and world records.

And if anybody can capture eight golds, surely he can though it will be a formidable physical challenge.