Whats your opinion towards the London part in the closing ceremony?..?

Question

I am a Chinese and honestly speaking I like the London part very much. It is totally different from our Chinese style and gave me the typical impression of London.Its a kind of combination of tradition and fashion.Many friends of mine share the same opinion with me, and we are deeply impressed by this part. But here on this website I find many people criticizing this part.I want to ask, as a westener,whats the reason that u like it or u dislike it?

Answer 1

Compared with what we had seen from the Chinese it was amateurish and quite embarrassing.  

Answer 2

compared to chinas, it sucked lol hope it gets better for the opening ceremony.  Chinas had heaps of people partying and it was very cultural, ours basically told you that itl probably rain, you could be stood on and our buses are transformers (which they arent, but that woulda been cool if they were).  I dont think that much imagination went into it, it could have been alot better.  lets see what we come up with in 2012.

Answer 3

i loved Chinese one...it just stuck it in ALL the previous Olympics hosts...u cant compare the two...but we will see what London has to offer...

Answer 4

The Beijing olympics were organised in such a way that will never be seen again. They had unlimited funds and over 10 years to prepare. London, and all future olympics, will be different largely due to budget restraints - UK is democracy therefore the government has to justify its spending to the 'tax payer'; this was not the case in China where the government does what it wants!

The chinese part of the closing ceremony was incredible to watch as a westerner. I've never seen anything like it (both opening and closing ceremony), however I question how much of a representation of real Chinese people/culture it was? I know fairly little about china - it is a closed off nation in terms of media, culture etc. The recent story about the singing girl in the opening ceremony who was replaced with a more attractive girl highlights this issue of representation. This situation would be unheard of in London.

The London part was a mess in my opinion - but that is London - a mess! Its the worlds original metropolis and most cosmopolitan city. At its heart lies roads whose paths haven't changed for over 1000 years - its an organic, unplanned city that ouses soul! The handover was trying to represent all facets of London's diversity for which it should be applauded, however the way in which it was done leaves more to desire.

London 2012 will be more centred around the real people of London to whom the olympic games intend to inspire for generations to come. I've heard that the atmosphere in Beijing wasn't very good. This is one area that London will far surpass Beijing!

I think that British people will criticise everything about 2012 until the day it actually begins! The question raised by this handover is that of identity - the British have an identity crisis! The world associates being British with riding horses, being posh, and being white. This is not the real London/UK. Some people have been commenting on the use of an Indian girl and other non-white people in the handover as being an 'embarrassment' to London. This is ridiculous - over 40% of London is non-white and using a full white cast would be a real injustice.

The identity of London is so confused that its biggest selling point is diversity! I find this funny being an Asian Londener!

Answer 5

i totally saw no point in it! there was no meaning at all. what a waste of air time.

Answer 6

I felt embarrased for them...........

Answer 7

It was ok, sort of lame when David Beckham popped up though. Check the difference between the what Australia did in atlanta to what to Sydneys opening ceremony to see how much things will imporve.  

Answer 8

I think it was nice, it kind of reminded me of that French-Canadian circus (the name escapes me)... but I thought that the Chinese part was better, as it was more beautiful and symbolic (to me)

Answer 9

No disrespect for the London, Britain has a long rich tradition and culture, but looked the segment of the handover ceremony, I couldn’t help thinking this is all they can offer? What a let down. Chinese didn’t rely on celebrities to make both opening and closing ceremonies spectacular and memorable. The London’s segment has no elements of surprise or grandeur at all. A couple of celebrities standing around, singing something really out of context and tone built up by Chinese for the ceremony.  It’s quite lame and dull and uninviting (waiting in the rain with umbrella? maybe that’s the reality but not something to sell for). The London Mayor is really goofy, he didn’t even bother to shake hands with Mayor of Beijing, so much for the British manner for being a guest. Very disappointing. Instead of saying we are going to make it better, they are already talking about scaling back and stuff (still 4 years away!). no one expects Brits to build another bird nest in London, but at least make some efforts to make it special and entertaining for the whole world to watch! Otherwise, give the hosting right to other countries that can show a little more enthusiasm.

Answer 10

i think having a bunch of soccer fans to turn things upside down would certainly be more distinctive than rolling in a bus.

Answer 11

I actually think it was a bit lame. I mean don't get me wrong, I love Zeppelin, I love British culture and I'm already thinking about a Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppellin, Eric Clapton all on stage at the same time gig by 2012. But they showcased soccer for example which even though is and olympic event, is not the most representative of Olympics. Then they show David Beckham who in my opinion is one of the most overrated players in history. I mean the guy is good but he's more of a fashion icon that anything else.

I remember watching Athens closing acts in 2004 and when the Chinese received the Olypmic flag having a brief ten minute show. I remember telling to my brother, Boy...that Chinese opening ceremony in 4 years is going to be freaking amazing and they surpassed every expectation I had overwhelmingly.

London has a tough job ahead of them.

Answer 12

6 words; what was the point of it...?

Answer 13

The London part was very nice and original. The whole concept of waiting for the bus, at the stop, in the rain. And the little girl with the soccer ball getting on. Very nice.

Cirque du Soleil is the name of the French Canadian circus. Britain has already announced that they want to spend 1/2 to 1/3 what the Chinese spent on the games. The Brits will use some existing facilities (eg Wimbledon for tennis).

Answer 14

I thought the London part was nice... but it could be better...

I appreciated the entrance of the double-decker bus, but the transformation into a park didn't impress me...

Also, the people's performance was plain in my opinion...

Answer 15

I thought is was pretty cool. The singing was...umm, okay. I couldn't really understand anything she said. I don't know if I was suppose too. But I though it was cute how the 2 little girls exchanged soccer balls. It definitely included the typical things you think of when thinking of London. But it was fine for for me.  

Answer 16

It wasn't bad or anything but I didn't like the part when Leona Lewis was singing and Jimmy Page was playing the guitar. They are very talented but for me, the song ruined the moment. After seeing the most beautiful peformance that Bejing,China put on, the one from London(like i said) ruined that whole special kind of feeling. But other than Leona Lewis and Jimmy Page, the performance was creative and cool :)

Answer 17

It was a short look at life in London, it was done well enough, the Mayor of London had me laughing though, suit coat undone beerbelly protruding, funny stuff. Back to the london part of the ceremony. Jimmy page (the guitarist is a british rock icon, beckham also just as well known), I personally thought that it showed London the way that it can be, the double decker buses, the men in bowler hats, the girls and the fashion, it had it all. My Mother is from the East End of London. So I have a reasonable idea about London. I have lived most of my life in Australia, I have also lived in London, the life in London is different to anywhere else I have been and I have worked and lived in a lot of places, it is a vibrant, exciting place. I am now living and working in China

Answer 18

No disrespect to London, but it was lame and very dull in the context of what the Chinese did.  The London mayor was really goofy.

Answer 19

I can't say I liked one better than the other, but the London one was really exactly what I expected from them... same with the Chinese part. We'll just have to wait and see if they can top China's ability to have 10 000 people moving in complete sycronization.  

Answer 20

Well it was not really bad.. It was good... But i think that what you the chinese did was really amazing... and no one in the future can make it better !

Answer 21

As an American, I enjoy the closing ceremony portion where the world gets a taste of what the next host country is all about with a little bit of culture, music, fashion as well as one of their cultural icons which is the double decker bus.  I could not remember what China contributed to the last (Athens) Olympic Closing Ceremony, but am sure it was exciting and full of national pride!

Excellent work in hosting the Bejing games!!!!!  Thanks China!