I am highly cynical about the level of commercialism in the Olympics and the all encompassing and un-healthy focus on London itself.

However, I have to say that the Opening Ceremony was one of the most amazing, extraordinary and awe-inspiring things I have ever seen. That is all...

Makes me laugh. why don't we let people show up and buy a ticket at the door. Only for Londoners !! Not easy for Scots and Northerners to take a day off on spec that they might get a ticket. I just feel the ticketing is ridiculously unfair and as a person who has taught sport all over the world and who recognises its value to people who often don't have much ( Seb Coe excepted ), I would expect all tickets to be sold and used and kids to be able to have a chance to go and watch. It is quite obvious that even the people in the immediate vicinity of the Olympic stadium feel totally excluded. I also am sick of Sports which don't need the Olympics being included to add a little more commercialism ( Tennis, football and next Olympics even Golf). Is the Olympics all about making as much profit as possible ? I hope not. Oh, and by the way, Duncan, yes the opening ceremony was great !

The only highlights for me:

The Industrial Revolution and the innovative 205 lights for the Olympic flame.
And Paul McCartney....Jesus on a Bike!
That is all.....

I was in Newcastle last week staying at a certain hotel where the football teams were staying. Very strange to be frisked (oo-er) by geordies and served by geordies all wearing London 2012 polo shirts driving London 2012 cars. The wags weren't half bad though ;) I was really impressed by the opening ceremony and I kept thinking that even if you didn't understand half of it as a foreigner you could really appreciate the "spectacle" in itself!

Yesterday we went to the City of Coventry stadium to see Japan vs Sweden women's match. Well organised, greeted all the way by friendly volunteers and the football wasn't too bad either. Back there on Friday night for more of the same.

That was a great opening show .My only gripe was they could have gone further back in history but where do you stop.I would have liked to have seen Wellington and his Redcoats, Robin Hood,King Arthur and some dashing knights.I guess knights with crosses on their chests might upset some people.

Wherever you go in Britain's history, you're likely to upset some people.

In addition to the Red Arrows I would have liked to see the Memorial flight - but the sight of a Spitfire, Hurricane, and particularly a Lancaster bomber might not have gone down too well in some quarters...

I too was wondering what the Germans were thinking when the Dambusters theme was playing...