Slap & Tickle

“Let the Games Begin!”

With the opening ceremony for the 29th Olympiad of the Modern Era set to commence in Beijing just hours from now*, here are a few opening ceremonies/cauldron lighting moments from the last ten Olympiads (plus, London 1948 and a little bit 'o somethin' special).

7 Years in the making, 31 New Venues, 205 Countries, 10,000 Athletes; all intersecting at one amazing moment:



Athens – 2004


(The Giant Doobie)



Sydney – 2000


(Note: when the cauldron is shaking that’s the guys inside kicking the crap out of the thing to get it to move)



Atlanta – 1996


(Sniff.)



Barcelona – 1992


(Best. Lighting. Ever.)



Seoul – 1988



Los Angeles – 1984



Moscow – 1980


(Never saw this before… kinda glad I missed it.)



Montreal – 1976



Munich – 1972


(No actual video… just stills.)



Mexico City – 1968



London – 1948



BBC Grandstand for Atlanta


(Gone with the Wind, surprisingly “American”)



And a little Olympic eye-candy!


(hubba-hubba)


















*by now the cauldron is lit and everyone in China has gone to bed.