arbitrary constant

London might as well pack up now. What could they possibly do in 2012 to match the extraordinary craft, precision and artfully poised readings of history delivered by Zhang Yimou, 14000 performers and an LED screen the size of a football pitch? I shudder to think, particularly given it might well involve Banksy, Amy Winehouse and Gary Lineker

London shouldn't and won't try to do what Beijing did. Nevertheless, Dan's point is a good one: we don't need celebrity to carry the opening ceremony or any part of the organisation of the Olympics — we just need to do it well, in our own style.

Filed in Sport