Few hours are left till the opening of London Olympic Games. Georgian sports delegation held all pre-Olympic official events and now everybody will pay attention to the results of Georgian sportsmen and sportswomen. Archer Kristine Esebua will start participation the first. Judo, shooting, tennis, boxing and bicycle racing will start tomorrow. I have to think seriously which of them I will choose.

According to Peter Seisenbacher, Austrian head coach of Georgian judo team, heavyweight Adam Okruashvili had no luck in the ballot. He will start participation against experienced German Andreas Tolzer. Seisenbacher did not say anything more and stated the team is well-prepared and all of them can fight for medal. We mentioned the ballot and I will tell you about our tennis players. Anna Tatishvili will play against Vogt of Liechtenstein. Duet of Tatishvili and Maka Chakhnashvili will play against Slovenian tandem – Srebotnik-Klepac.

On July 26 evening ceremony was the most important for Georgians. Not only for Georgians but also for Slovenians, Bosnians, Djiboutians and Tunisians.

At the entrance of Olympic village, flags of these five countries were raised in international zone and anthems were sung. Official of organizational committee hosted short theatrical event – mayor of Olympic village wished good luck to the delegation of these five countries. Vice-president of GNOC and representative of other four countries gave gifts to the host.

Before Olympics starts, close and open halls get crowded, local Olympic park is the most interesting for local and guest fans. Huge Olympic complex which is next to Olympic village is crowded in the last days. Fans are waiting for their favorite sportsmen and sportswomen at stadiums and halls to cheer them up. They often take pictures with their idols. I joined the line to take picture with law enforcement officers. While Elguja Berishvili, president of Georgian Sports Journalists’ Association, took picture, the law enforcement officer took my hat and then put it back.

I want to tell you about one very important person. I will tell you about my hostess Lucie more in the next few days. Middle-aged British lady works for BBC. Her hobby is important in this case. Lucie formed Georgian fold music ensemble in London many years ago. She cannot follow this activity but this ensemble still exists and its members sing on the stage. The ensemble chants in Georgian church of London twice a week.
 

Otar Maglakelidze, special correspondent of worldsport.ge from London

Photos by author