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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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After Beijing Pageantry, London 2012 Tries ... a Bus

Brits less than thrilling in Olympic preview

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(Newser) – The Beijing Olympics' closing ceremony was predictably stupendous, with thousands of acrobats and "more orthodontically screened children," writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde. It certainly ran over the 8-minute tableau promoting the 2012 Games in London. While China spent years preparing its "deliciously understated 16-day world domination infomercial," the Brits decided on a low-budget showcase that featured rain-soaked commuters waiting for a bus.

Even after trotting out a bus-riding David Beckham for a free kick, London couldn't upstage Beijing's follow-up—hundreds of contortionists on a huge steel tower. Still, writes Hyde, there's national pride to be found somewhere in the unpolished presentation—London's shambolic mayor Boris Johnson might have bungled the flag-waving ceremony, but "at least Londoners can vote."

Thousands gathered at Trafalgar Square in London watch Mayor Boris Johnson wave the Olympic flag on a giant video screen, during the handover ceremony at the Beijing Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
Thousands gathered at Trafalgar Square in London watch Mayor Boris Johnson wave the Olympic flag on a giant video screen, during the handover ceremony at the Beijing Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sang Tan)
London mayor Boris Johnson waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.
London mayor Boris Johnson waves the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008, in Beijing.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
The Chinese flag and British flag fly over the crowd during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. The next summer Olympics is London 2012.
The Chinese flag and British flag fly over the crowd during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008. The next summer Olympics is London 2012.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Gordon Brown at an Olympic flag handover, with London Mayor Boris Johnson, London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe, David Beckham and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.
Gordon Brown at an Olympic flag handover, with London Mayor Boris Johnson, London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe, David Beckham and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Elizabeth Dalziel)
IOC president Jacques Rogge presents the Olympic flag to London mayor Boris Johnson during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.
IOC president Jacques Rogge presents the Olympic flag to London mayor Boris Johnson during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
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The showcase for the 2012 London Olympics was rather more modest than Beijing's enormous showcase.   (lily1989sweet)

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Apparently this was intended to symbolize 'the British preoccupation with the weather,' which seemed less than enticing. Come to London! It'll tip down. - Marina Hyde, Guardian columnist

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