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Let the Olympic Games begin

February 4, 2022
The GIST: While we sadly didn’t see the “Shirtless Tongan,” this morning’s Opening Ceremony was well worth the early wake-up call.
Sports NewsOlympic Sports
Let the Olympic Games beginLet the Olympic Games begin
DAVID RAMOS/GETTY IMAGES

The GIST: While we sadly didn’t see the “Shirtless Tongan,” this morning’s Opening Ceremony was well worth the early wake-up call.

The ceremony: Complete with stunning visuals, incredible technological displays and even some spectators, the Beijing Opening Ceremony was intended to center around the theme of China’s “yearning and willingness to pursue world peace.”

  • But we’re well aware of the political issues at play. Of note, while Taiwan initially planned to skip the Opening Ceremony, they reversed course, citing pressure from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Interesting.

Team USA: Led by flag bearers speed skater Brittany Bowe — who was given the honor after bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor tested positive for COVID-19 — and five-time Olympian curler John Shuster, 177 of 223 U.S. athletes rang in the Games, and TBH we really loved the ’fits.

World context: As a reminder, the U.S., Canada and several additional countries are conducting a diplomatic boycott of the Games, but that didn’t stop other world leaders from attending the Opening Ceremony, including Russian President Vladimir Putin — a stark reminder of the tense geopolitical tensions surrounding these Olympics.

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