Same goes for the opening and closing ceremony. With the huge numbers of people involved, the amazing costumes, the careful choreography, it was very impressive. Unfortunately, with the massive numbers of people, and this desire by the Chinese to "impress the world" they ended up with a ceremony that was pompous (The English know about that!) and ponderous. It was a visual feast. But amazingly ponderous. The pace never changed. Again, like the rest of the games, whilst it was fantastic, it just felt a little devoid of that extra spark that other games had.
Example being how they marshalled the athletes at the close, and under no circumstance where they allowed to get close to the pop stars. Unlike previous games, where the athlets would get up on stage!
Then, we roll on to 2012, and Londons Olympic games. As part of the closing ceremony, the next host is allowed a small 8 minute slot in the middle of the ceremony.
And boy! Did it need it! Again, Beijing laid on a wonderful dramatic ceremony that ended up dragging a little. The huge numbers of people, and the intricacy of it all does slow it down.
Thankfully, London rolled in and with a show of fun that is only possible in the UK, a dose of irreverence, put on a rock n roll 8 minute segway through the fun that will be had in London. Featuring a London bus that opened up to reveal a bunch of privet hedges cut to look like scenes from London. Surrounded by modern dancers, and a bunch of people riding bikes. Including Chris Hoy.
Out of the bus emerges Leona Lewis, and Jimmy Page, who proceeded to belt out "Whole lotta love!" Whilst David Beckham drove the crowds officially bananas as he kicked a ball into the crowd. The volunteer who picked up the ball was NEVER going to give it up!
And, of course, once 2012 has finished, 2016 rolls on to Rio De Janiero. Where we are promised a festival of magnificent proportions. A chance to spread the Olympics to a new continent, and allow Rio a chance to really spruce itself up and get ready for the party.
Now, the ink is barely dry on the documentation confirming Rio as host city, as the speculation begins as to the host of 2020!
So, who is in the frame at the moment for 2020?
Well, I will run alphabetically, but finish with Japan.
So, first of all, the Americas.
Birmingham, USA. Yes, really, Birmingham in the USA wants the Olympics. The Mayor even ran with the slogan of "Birmingham, why not?" Well, for some reason, the USOC chose to not really listen... Cant say I blame them.
Boston, USA. Ah, now, here we go. A more serious contender. Boston has plenty of history, as the home of the beginnings of the American Revolution with its famed "Tea Party." Also, home to plenty of sports, with the Patriots being an amazingly successful NFL team. Boston is also home to the Bruins, the Revolution, and the Celtics. As well as the very famous Boston Red Sox.
Guadalajara, Mexico. A huge city, surrounded by beauty. Mexico has hosted the Olympics, and Guadalajara wants to step out from Mexico City's shadow.
Lima, Peru. Spurred by Rios success, Lima has begun to study how a bid could be made to keep the Olympics in South America. Unfortunately, their bid hinges hugely on Rio. If Rio is doing well, then maybe the IOC will be amenable to keep the games in the same continent, which they dont really do. If Rios planning for the games is sliding, and budgets going bezerk, then Limas chances slip to just about zero.
Minneapolis/St Paul, the USA. A committee is beginning to look to see if this conurbation can pull of f the Olympics. Seeing as how this is actually 2 cities, there is the capacity there. However, what have they done to fire the imagination?
Monterrey, Mexico. See Guadalajara. A beautiful city, trying to climb out from behind Mexico.
Toronto, Canada. Montreal has hosted the Olympics, but at a crippling cost the city is still paying off today. However, Toronto is a cool city, and is bidding to hold the Pan American Games. Holding this will go a long way to proving Toronto's technical competence.
Finally, Tulsa, the USA. Tulsa promises a bid that will draw on its location in the heartlands of the US. Tulsa promises that their bid will benefit the native American community, and draw on them heavily.
Now, Africa.
Cape Town. South Africa. Following on from the (hoped for) success of the World Cup in South Africa, they will hope that this will prove their ability to host big events, and gun for the Olympics in 2020.
Durban, South Africa. Is also interested in bidding. Not surprisingly, they are taking Rio's idea, and pushing the fact that this would allow the IOC to deliver a games to another new continent, Africa.
Rabat, Morocco. Same as Durban. First games in Africa. Not only that, but it would be the first games in a Muslim country!
Next, Europe.
Budapest, Hungary. This beautiful city wants to cement a place as one of the worlds great cities. It is a fab place. Beautiful, full of pretty people, and cheap! However, can it match up against other cities that will want to bid for the games?
Lisbon. Portugal. Lisbon has played host to the finals of the Euro 2008 finals, so has got some experience for organising big things. However, Lisbon has always pretty much had to play second fiddle to Madrid. Given how close Madrid got last time, I personally think they will try one more time!
Rome, Italy. Rome has hosted the games before, but feels that Italy needs something to focus on, other than Berlusconis young feminine company! It is an amazingly pretty city full of history. Can they organise this? Of course. But something will spectaculary blow up, like all fantastic Ferraris.
St Petersburg, Russia. As part of a resurgent Russia, they are bidding for everything now! Sochi has the 2014 winter olympics, and with the oil money sloshing around, looksl ike they will try to win a bid for Russias second city.
Venice, Italy. Interesting one, this. Venice is an achingly beautiful city, that is sinking slowly into the sea that surrounds it. If they have a hundred thousand tonne arena built there, will it herald the end!
Warsaw. Another wonderul city that is looking to step out onto the central stage. However, Poland does have issues with racism and crime at the moment...
Finally, Asia.
Baku, Azerbaijan. A past bidder, but did not even make the shortlist for 2016. Dont really know anything about this city, other than the IOC had concerns with corruption, and, er, everything else.
Busan, S. Korea. S. Koreas second city, and looking to show the world that there is more to their nation than Seoul!
Delhi, India. A beautiful city, following China with a booming economy, but with a couple of decades behind. Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games for 2010, but are behind on so many projects that it is worrying the Commonwealth on wether Delhi can do this. Making a mess of the smaller Commonwealth Games does not bode well for their hopes to cope with the Olympic games.
Doha, Qatar. Bidfor 2016, the oil money means that they can spend a huge amount on this. However, they wanted to fix the games on to days when the temperature would not be so bad, but that put it outside the IOC calendar. IOC where not so keen.
Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul has gone for the Olympics on many occasions. Never hosted, never won a bid. However, they will be more than happy to keep trying, and sell the bid on the strength of Istanbuls location as an Asian/European city.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur wants to be seen as a major city, and has experience after hosting the 1998 Commonwealth Games which where a big success.
And finally,
Tokyo is going again. Big city, money, facilities, but can they learn their mistakes from last time? Japan has built itself up as a nation of exporters. However, unlike Britain, and the US, it was not really built on trade. As such, Japan has not got a big international reputation. In order to re-shape itself as a more international nation, the Japanese government is taking steps to promote itself. Part of this was backing Tokyo in its bid. Tokyo wants to rebuild itself as a true international city, and use an Olympic games to promote itself, build a legacy, and help begin to rebuild its stressed finances. A second bid is definitely on the cards!
However, throwing its name into the hat was the city of Hiroshima. Famous for being on the receiving end of a nuclear bomb. Hiroshima's bid is on the strength of world peace, and a nuclear free world! A noble sentiment, and likely to play hard with the IOC members!
There is one snag with Hiroshima's bid. They want to do a unity, "world peace" bid with fellow nuclear neighbour, Nagasaki. The sentiment is noble, but the logistics will be difficult to do a joint bid given that both cities are a good 300 km apart!
The other problem is that the Olympic charter does state, 1 city, 1 host. Making Hiroshima's bid look like it has a mountain to climb. However, points to both parties, they have both declared a determination to push on with the investigative process, and try to generate a competitive bid.
So, the ink is barely dry on the contract with Rio, and there are cities in the process of putting their hats in the ring for 2020 already! Also, 2012 was a tough bidding process, 2016 took it to a whole new level. 2020 promises to take it to a whole new level.
Let the games begin!
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