London-Beijing-London

How do you present your country in eight minutes? This was a challenge for the organizers of London’s 2012 Olympics as they prepared their presentation in Beijing. I was eagerly awaiting the result as I am not only from London but have also spent over 20 years in Germany trying to challenge conventional views of my country of birth. I gasped with amazement at what I saw on my TV screen at the closing ceremony of the Olympics.

Does Britain really want to be summed up by the London bus entering the Bird’s Nest stadium rather slowly and failing to pick up any passengers? Or by people with umbrellas queuing at the bus stop, stoically reading their newspapers next to a familiar zebra crossing and obscure Belisha beacon? (The amber light at the end of a pedestrian crossing is named after the minister of transport from 1934–37, Lord Hore-Belisha.) There was even a friendly lollipop lady to help them across the road.

Boris Johnson, London’s eccentric mayor, struggled bravely, with uncontrollable white-blond hair and open jacket, to untangle the Olympic flag. Led Zeppelin’s veteran Jimmy Page revelled in his solo performance. Had they forgotten that the band’s name comes from the idea of a bad gig “going down like a lead Zeppelin”? David Beckham illustrated sporting skill by kicking a football from the top of the bus. The  backdrop was of classic views of the Houses and Parliament and Tower Bridge; a touch of modernity was added with the London Eye and the “Gherkin”, the futuristic office tower designed by Sir Norman Foster. Meanwhile, the German commentator added to the clichés when he said: “Fish and Chips hat gewonnen.” Are these really symbols of “the coolest place on the planet”?

I suspect the Brits will say it was all tongue in cheek and not to be taken too seriously. It certainly was a stark contrast to the immaculate mass choreography provided by the Chinese.