SPECIAL: The Olympics Begin and the World Watches

The event was tightly controlled and the lack of spontaneity was obvious. The triumph of the "new" China was on display for the world.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - It began with what might have been the most spectacular display in modern Olympics history. The "Great Wall", long identified with the mystery and the majesty of the Nation of China, ablaze with fireworks as was the entire City of Beijing. A display unlike any I have ever seen.

The President of one of the last bastions of Communism, at least of some sort, Mainland China, Hu Jintao, certainly did not quote Chairman Mao, instead he quoted the ancient and much more accepted wisdom of Chinese Philosopher Confucius who said, "friends have come from afar, how happy we are". The whole world was watching and we were supposed to feel to an extraordinarily well planned and well executed evening of celebration to open the 29th Olympic games.

Clearly, the Regime that currently controls China was ready to show the world all that the Chinese people have contributed to human culture, including marvelous Martial Arts display, beautiful art and calligraphy, gunpowder and of course the exquisite silk. The 16 ton "One World, One Dream" globe displayed the theme which is also the theme of the Games.

In fact, the web site for the Olympics suggests: "One World One Dream" fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams."

The celebration lasted for more than four hours with a synchronized display unlike anything I have ever witnessed. It engendered emotions in the viewer ranging from awe to fear. In fact, one of the US announcers covering the event noted that the performers were told to smile more for that very reason by those who choreographed it all. Apparently they did not want to frighten Western viewers.

The event was tightly controlled and the lack of spontaneity was obvious. The triumph of the "new" China was on display for the world, a secular Nation under the control of a hybrid form of Socialism and Statism.

For more than four hours China used the opening ceremony to showcase all it had contributed to the world, from five orchestras for the five continents to the use of British opera star Sarah Brightman accompanying Chinese singer Liu in the singing of the Olympic Theme, You and Me, it was all so, well, ordered and planned and controlled.

Of course when the athletes entered, the real power of the Olympics spirit was finally on the screen. Here, over these days, we will see one of the shared experiences which really do bring us together, sports, competition and the mutual respect for hard work and accomplishment.

The last point of the perfectly controlled, synchronized symbolic events was that it all began at exactly 8.08pm (local time), on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008.

Eight is considered to be a lucky number in China and they wanted to make sure they got the full measure of "luck".

As the world watches, the news cycle will be filled this week with the wonder of Olympic competition. The stories of athletes whose skill, struggle and triumph will be properly praised and the magnificence of their accomplishments will thrill us all and hopefully inspire the best in each one of us. We will also see the finest character on display as human persons from every Nation, race and tribe find their common ground in Sport because it brings out our values.

However, the other story will unfold as well. The China not seen in that perfectly ordered celebration; the one which does not respect the fundamental rights of all men and women. We will cover that one as well. Yes, in the words off of the official Olympics web site "We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams."

At the foundation of those dreams and aspirations is the hunger for freedom and the fundamental human rights which are our birthright in every Nation, including the host Nation of the 2008 Olympics.

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