YOG opener: A magical experience

NANJING – The only thing the Chinese failed to do during the opening ceremony was to prevent the rains from falling down.

Otherwise, the two-hour ceremony was pure magic.

Around 4,000 performers regaled the crowd of over 50,000 at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center on a rain-soaked Saturday evening here.

The rich Chinese history was on display, dwelling on astronomy and the birth of porcelain and silk. By the end of the show, a hundred young martial arts students took centerstage.

They performed an amazing aerial number that’s never been seen before. With the help of a giant crane, they were hoisted then twisted and twirled 40 meters up in the air.

It proved to be the highlight of the show that needed six months to prepare.

The program started at around 8 p.m. under a drizzle that kept going and going.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Games open. Flaming arrows were fired into the air to light the giant cauldron.

A couple of times, fireworks lit up the moonless Nanjing sky.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach delivered his own speech, and called on the crowd to join him in a record-breaking selfie.

“This is your moment. Young athletes, please join me, get your smartphones out and let’s set a record of selfies,” he said.

Soon after, the Olympic stadium sparkled, and the IOC chief led a selfie on stage, with a handful athletes from the different continents.

The small Filipino contingent here watched the show from the stands.

“It was unbelievable,” said chef-de-mission Jonne Go.

Archer Gabriel Luis Moreno carried the Philippine flag during the parade of the 202 competing nations.

“That was some experience,” he said later on.

It was a great experience for all.