Discolympia

We watched the opening ceremony of the 20th Winter Olympics last night. Many thoughts were running through my head as I looked into the eyes of athletes representing some 80 countries from across the globe. These were the ordinary faces of ordinary people who compete against each other in the name of sport. Happy, smiling, open faces of people who will experience the ecstasy of winning and the disappointment of losing, but above all the thrill of taking part and representing their home nation. You have to admire the dedication of some of these people whose homeland has never even seen a flake of snow.

As much as I am indifferent to watching the Olympics generally, I have to feel warm and fuzzy about the fact that they are taking place at all and that they do so in an atmosphere of co-operation and friendly rivalry. If they are fit and have trained enough and are good enough on the day then they stand the chance of gaining a medal in recognition. We are not concerned about the colour of their skin, their political persuasion, their religious beliefs nor their sexual orientation.

On a lighter note part of the fun of opening ceremonies at Olympic Games is to critique (slag off)the team outifits. My gold medallists, I am happy to announce, were France with the UK taking silver. Both teams forsook the tracksuit look and went for something more classic and smart. Well done! Germany stood out too but only for their vile (orange, green and white) combination of colours. A quick word for the Italian hosts - don't. That is to say , don't bother getting your togs überdesigned as it just doesn't work. Those shapeless Armani silver jumpsuits were RUBBISH and looked more like the bacofoil blankets given to those who have actually completed a race. And what was the music? I would have thought that light classical or just classic would have been perfect but what we got was 70s disco party! Sometimes you can tell when an event has been put together by committee...

Whilst there was something very attractive about the Winter Games, away from Turin, I found myself making a comparison with those who, far less attractively, feel the right to free speech has resulted in their religion being insulted. They are then prepared to resort to, at very least, assertive protest. To this they are entitled, and yet people have died (no doubt martyrs in some eyes) for this "cause". Where is the cooperation and the understanding - on both sides? It is often said that religion is the cause of most unrest in the world but that is oversimplifying. Sport and music more often bring peoples together and religion keeps them apart. Update 18 Feb: Iranians wishing to buy Danish pastries will now have to ask for "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad".

A parting note for today by way of thanks to the lovely Lowri Turner. If you can be bothered to take time off from choosing furnishing colours to read her inane Western Daily Mail ramblings (I suppose you are reading mine ) then the link is at the end of this piece.

As I say, Thanks, Lowri! You are absolutely right that the tedious and stressful job of leading our country should be the sole preserve of straight people with children, who make up the only group in our society who have any grasp of reality and any experience of what is important to "normal" people. With her wise and insightful words, Lowri has released us from the drudgery and banality of responsibility and allowed us permission to inhabit our fantasy worlds full-time , where life is so much more exciting. We can indulge ourselves fully in the enjoyment of frivolous creativity: choosing colour schemes, sourcing essential accessories, perming poodles and having a fabulously meaningless time. She should be made a Dame!!!

Read all about it! Click here