[susie123]

I am quite looking forward to watching the opening ceremony tonight to see if it is as naff as it promises to be, with the farm animals and dancing nurses etc.

I think it is time that countries stopped trying to out do each other with these spectaculars costing millions of pounds and went back to what the Games should be all about = sport. We have heard far more about the ceremonies than about the actual games so far.

To many people, sport in all its aspects is a large part of their lives, whether as competitor, coach, spectator or whatever. It gives a focus and purpose and can help folks turn their lives around. It also contributes to the health of he nation's inhabitants and provides employment for many.

As in many other aspects of modern lives, big business and money have become involved, leading to telephone number salaries for footballers and other downsides.

We should not forget however that for what I hope is the majority of participants in these games, this will be the highlight of their lives, whether they win or lose. They will just be happy to have been there.