Asian Games opening ceremony outshines Beijing

If it's the immediate reaction of the public that decides the outcome of a show, then last night's opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou was a stupendous success.

The 30,000-odd spectators gathered at the Haixinsha Square, watched in collective awe as the southern city of China put up one of the best - if not The best - opening ceremonies in a multi-discipline sporting event. Ironically, in the bargain, they beat their own performance two years ago at the Beijing Olympic Games.


Fireworks explode from the Canton Tower

The fact that an opening ceremony was being held outside the main stadium complex for the first time meant that all eyes would be on the show and every move critically analysed. However, such was the fluidity of the 190-minute spectacle that not a soul could have returned home disappointed.

The banks of the Pearl River provided the perfect platform for the 'water-oriented' ceremony in accordance with a city and continent formed by the convergence of land and water. 'Heroes' was the concept of the first part of the evening that highlighted the mighty yet protective ocean, its traditionally brave fishermen and modern-day jet-ski sporting adventure sportsmen.

Synchronised swimmers and divers dazzled, as they literally emerged from the depths of the pool and disappeared back into it without a trace. Synchronised water fountains, and artistic ballerinas then complemented each other in fine fashion to form an ideal collage of land and water. A troupe of illuminated and suspended sky diver-like aero-acrobatic performers need a special mention here for the manner in which they mesmerised one and all with their perfectly co-ordinated movements across the eight giant screens - continuously camouflaging and enhancing the images with their movements across it to create exquisite formations.

The athletes parade too was unique. The sportstars arrived at the venue in 45 illuminated boats - marking the 45 National Olympic Committees - and after alighting, instead of assuming the traditional circular motion for the march past, this time, the athletes headed straight towards the stage before turning left and right alternately to line up at the sides of the stage.

India's flag bearer Gagan Narang was inevitable overwhelmed by the occasion. "It was a privilege to have carried the Indian flag at the closing ceremony of the Cwg and I hope I'm able to keep the tricolour flying high with my performances at the 2010 Asian Games," the world record-holding shooter said.

Olympic Council of Asia president HH Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah fittingly called the opening ceremony "a job well done," even as China's Olympic gold-winning diver He Chong lit the cauldron marking the climax of the ceremony and sparking a pyrotechnic frenzy across the Guangzhou skyline that few will forget for a long time to come. Let the games begin!