Basically none of my friends share my opinion and found it (the performance) a total disaster.

In my opinion it was a pretty radical statement they made. Basically they couldn’t top anything that Beijing had done so far; Chinese after all strive to perfection even if it’s only the outside thin skin.

What is also already known about the London Olympics is that it will be a (very) low-budget Games.

So what was the thing – basically the ONLY thing – they could do different than Beijing?

Show that people can have FUN. Plain and simple no-nonsense fun.

It doesn’t have to have a reason, it doesn’t need to be perfect, it can look a bit “messy”, as long as it shows that people have fun. Of course many Chinese do not grasp this concept and who can blame them for it? After all the London performance was not aimed at the Chinese (only a happy few will be able to visit the London Games in 2012). The performance was aimed at the rest of the world and I’m sure that they have understood the message!

This also explains – what is in my opinion arranged anyway – the mayor of London (Boris Johnson) “acting” the way he did. Loose jacket, at one point even putting his hands in his pockets only to realize that that was a bit too much of it, smiling, kidding around. The contrast with Jacques Rogge and the mayor of Beijing (Guo Jinlong) walking together with him to the stage for the handover of the Olympic Flag was enormous of course, but who ever made the rule that the Olympic Games are for people wearing stiff business suits?

I am already looking forward to a great and FUN London Olympic Games in 2012! And given the fact that I already receive enquiries on my website Homestay London 2012 about expected revenues
I think the people of London are looking forward too!