BEIJING: The Beijing Olympic Games ended just as they had begun yesterday, with a glittering extravaganza as China made full use of one final opportunity to showcase itself to a world audience.
‘‘The Olympic flame is not extinguished, instead, it will burn in the heart of each of us,’’ was the message of the performance, according to Zhang Yimou, artistic director of the opening and closing ceremony, and the final event was certainly one that will live long in the memory.
Although no final rehearsal was possible owing to the men’s marathon finishing eight hours earlier, the participants had already been practising for 12 months in an effort to ensure all went off without a hitch.
Once Chinese President, Hu Jintao, and International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge had taken their seats, fireworks counted down to the start of evening’s proceedings.
To kick things off, a drum formation involving 200 performers lined up in a circle on the steps of the main stage below two large drums, resembling the traditional Chinese drum and complete with a drummer precariously attached on either side, suspended in mid-air above them.
As the drums began to sound, over 1,000 silver bell dancers, meant to symbolise brightness and luck, entered the arena and congregated around the stage as their luminescent outfits sparkled.
A series of drum carts, representing the various musical instrument styles of minority ethnic groups in China, were next to enter the arena along with rotating light wheels manned by a single performer.
However, like a bicycle taking a corner at an acute angle, several had difficulties making the full circuit of the stadium, needing to remount to continue their journey. A minor blip on an otherwise flawless evening.
With the drum carts making their exit but the performers on the main stage still drumming, it was time for the entrance of the flagbearers of the 204 competing nations and the remaining athletes left in Beijing, accompanied by hundreds of perpetually smiling cheerleaders.
Their enthusiasm seemed catching though and there was an aura of contentment in the arena by the time everything settled down again for the men’s marathon medal ceremony, with Kenya’s Samuel Wanjiru receiving his gold medal.
A brief thank you ceremony for the volunteers followed before President Hu addressed the crowd, praising what he called the ‘‘successful conclusion’’ to the Games.
‘‘The past 16 days have witnessed superb athletic performances and sportsmanship,’’ he said. ‘‘Let us pay tribute to all those who have participated in the Games.’’
Hu mentioned the impressive 38 world and 85 Olympic records set in 16 days of competition before calling for the world to pay heed to the 2008 Olympic motto: ‘‘One World, One Dream.’’
‘‘The world is in need of mutual understanding, inclusiveness, cooperation and harmonious development,’’ he said.
‘‘The Olympic flame atop the National Stadium will soon extinguish, and yet the Chinese people’s enthusiasm in embracing the world will be ablaze forever.’’
glittering – bright and shining with a lot of quick flashes of light ระยิบระยับ
extravaganza – a large and impressive celebration or event หรูหรา ตระการตา ยิ่งใหญ่
showcase – to show someone or something in a way that attracts attention and emphasises their good qualities แสดงมหรสพ
extinguish – to make a fire stop burning; to put out ดับ ทำให้มอด
rehearsal – an occasion where you practice for the performance of a play, concert, opera, etc. ซักซ้อม
owing to – because of เนื่องมาจาก
hitch – a problem that is not very serious อุปสรรค
proceedings – an event or a series of related events สิ่งที่เกิดก่อนหน้า
resembling – looking like; being similar to in some way คล้ายคลึง
precariously – seeming to be likely to fall; appearing to be not safe อย่างไม่ปลอดภัย
suspended – hanging from something แขวน
congregate – to gather together มารวมกัน
luminescent – producing a soft light แสงอ่อนๆ แสงสลัวๆ
outfit – a set of clothes that are worn together เครื่องแต่งกาย
sparkle – to shine with small points of reflected light เป็นประกาย สะท้อนแสง
minority – a part of a population that is different in race, religion, or culture from most of the population คนกลุ่มน้อย
ethnic group – people who have the same culture and traditions ชนพื้นเมืองกลุ่ม เผ่าต่างๆ
rotating – moving in a circle around a fixed central point เคลื่อนที่ไปมา
manned – operated or controlled by people ควบคุมโดยคน
acute angle – an angle of less than 90 degrees มุมแคบกว่า 90 องศา
circuit – a journey all the way around something วงจร
remount – to get back on a bicycle or a horse after you have fallen off or got off ขึ้นขี่ (จักรยาน หรือม้า หลังจากที่ตกลงไปก่อน)
blip – a minor problem or delay ปัญหาเล็กๆ น้อยๆ
flawless – without any mistakes ไม่มีข้อบกพร่อง
flagbearer – a person who carries a flag, especially at a ceremony คนถือธง
perpetually – continuously อย่างต่อเนื่อง
aura – a quality that seems to surround or come from a person, place or situation บรรยากาศ พลังหรือรัศมีโดยรอบ
contentment – the happiness you feel when you have everything you want ความพึงพอใจ
volunteer – a person who works without pay อาสาสมัคร
witness – to see something happen เป็นพยาน
superb – of the highest quality ที่เลอเลิศ
pay tribute – to say or do something that shows you respect and admire someone a lot แสดงความเคารพ
impressive – very good, large or showing great skill น่าประทับใจ
pay heed to – to consider someone’s advice or warning เชื่อฟังคำเตือน
motto – a short statement that expresses something such as a principle or aim คำขวัญ
mutual understanding – understanding that is shared by two or more people ความเข้าใจร่วมกัน
inclusiveness –involving all types of people ทั้งหมด
harmonious – friendly and peaceful มีความปรองดอง
embracing – completely accepting something such as a new belief, idea or way of life น้อมรับ (ความคิด วิธีการ) มาใช้
ablaze – burning with a lot of flame ; showing strong emotion ลุกโชติช่วง
