Editorial | Games can shine for world badly in need of that Olympic spirit
- Paris spectacle promises to be a sporting landmark with athletes from Hong Kong and mainland China among those going for gold at an event striving to bring nations closer together
The opening of the Summer Olympic Games always brings excitement, spectacle and hope for the future. On Friday night, an unprecedented floating ceremony on the River Seine heralded the beginning of the event in Paris.
It is a timely opportunity to rekindle the Olympic spirit. The delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 took place during the pandemic.
Spectators were banned from most venues. Those fortunate enough to attend had to wear masks and were not allowed to cheer.
It is appropriate, therefore, that the slogan for the Paris event is “Games Wide Open.” Millions are expected to visit the French capital to support their favourite athletes.
The enthusiastic crowds will be a welcome sight.
The organisers claim the Games will be the greenest yet, with a carbon footprint half the size of that for the London Olympics in 2012. Around 95 per cent of venues are pre-existing or temporary.
