To be read as a direct continuation of Part 11; https://watchitdie.blogspot.com/2021/10/the-2020-summer-olympics-opening.html
Opening Speeches.
It is International Olympic Committee (IOC) protocol that each Opening Ceremony must contain two speeches.
One given on behalf of the IOC. The other given on behalf of the National Organising Committee.
As with the Athletes Parade this isn't a section that requires much coverage by me. The meaning is normally just the meaning of the words used.
The IOC speech was given by its President, Thomas Bach.
He spoke about the journey that Japan has been on in delivering these games.
It was awarded to them back in 2013. As a way to chart the nation's recovery from the March 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear disaster.
Bach went on to compare this to the journey the World has been on due to the pandemic. The grief and the challenges.
He congratulated the athletes on overcoming those challenges. Finally being able to come together after such a long period of Social Distancing and isolation.
Bach also paid special attention to the Refugee team. Something which would, almost immediately, prove highly embarrassing. Both for him personally and for the IOC in general.
Finally Thomas Bach built on the theme of; "Togetherness." To highlight the new, more inclusive Olympic Oath. Which now includes the word; "Together."
The National Organising Committee speech was given by its President, Seiko Hashimoto.
Hashimoto too spoke about the challenges of the pandemic. Thanking medical workers.
She though particularly focused on the challenges Japan has faced. Recovering from the "3/11" disaster. Then having to deal with the first postponement of a games in Olympic history.
Hashimoto also mentioned the official title of the Opening Ceremony; "Unity in Diversity." Declaring it to mean peace and respect for one another.
In what would prove a pointed reference to Bach's focus on the Refugee team. Hashimoto spoke about those who are still waiting for a glimpse of reality.
Hashimoto also specifically mentioned the Olympic Truce. Which I cited as my excuse for not continuing my coverage of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in the days leading up to the games.
Seiko Hashimoto took over the role of NOC President late on. Being the woman who replaced Yoshiro Mori.
As was discussed during the "Media Clowns I" section.
Yoshiro Mori's resignation came in response to his comments. That women shouldn't be included in the NOC because they talk too much during meetings.
This was a contribution to that recurring theme of the games. Improving rights for women within Japanese society.
So I found it interesting that some sections of Japanese society. Commented on how Seiko Hashimoto seemed emotional during her speech. Comments such as you being able to hear the emotion in her voice.
Reflective of the attitude represented by Yoshiro Mori. That women can't be trusted with big decisions because they're too emotional.
After the speeches the official Opening Declaration was made by Emperor Naruhito.
Fun With Flags II.
It is also a matter of IOC protocol. That each Opening Ceremony must include the raising of the Olympic Flag and a playing of the Olympic Anthem.
The sequence began with a wide, outside shot of the arena itself. The white lit circle giving the impression of the Moon rising.
In reference to an Irish rebel song; "The Rising of the Moon." Which is about the 1798 Wolfe Tone Rebellion against British Colonial rule.
However listening to it now it sounds so gay. All about men meeting up in secret at night. To compare their pikes and polish each other's helmets.
The song was heavily referenced by Latvia during the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. In protest against Britain's sickening attack on both the European Union (EU) and Belarus.
Theobold Wolftone was arrested after his rebellion and sentenced to death. However he committed suicide in prison before he could be executed.
Highlighting that it would be a suicide move. For anyone in the EU or Belarus to support Britain's attack against them.
The Olympic Flag was carried into the arena by six flag-bearers.
Representing the five continents and the Refugee team. Many were chosen because they are both Olympians and medical professionals.
Asia were represented by Kento Momota. A Japanese Badminton player.
Oceania were represented by Elena Galibovitch. An Australian shooter and Doctor.
The Americas were represented by Paula Pareto. An Argentine Judoka and Doctor.
Africa were represented by Mehdi Essadiq. A Moroccan Triathlete.
Europe were represented by Paola Egonu. A Volleyball player who was born in Nigeria but is now an Italian citizen.
The Refugee team were represented by Cyrille Tchatchet. A Weightlifter and Mental Health Nurse.
Cyrille Tchatchet's inclusion was of particular significance.
A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) he now lives in Brighton, UK. Where I used to live. Apparently he overcame homelessness to qualify as a Mental Health Nurse and Olympian.
It is a symptom of Britain's complete withdrawal from reality. That apparently I'm not someone who has been at the very top of their chosen profession for the past 20 years.
Someone who is so widely known and respected. That they have large, global events dedicated entirely to them.
Apparently all that is just a symptom of my mental illness.
If I work really, really hard Britain might be able to help me recover to the point I'm able to work as something like a Mental Health Nurse.
The inclusion of Cyrille Tchatchet. In a large, global event dedicated almost entirely to me.
Should really have underlined to Britain and the IOC. Just how insane they sound at this point.
It is certainly not a rational thought process.
Having to select someone to represent me at a large, global event. To prove that I'm not someone so widely known and respected. That they have large, global events dedicated to them.
The Olympic Flag was then handed to six Tokyo essential workers.
Although they have not been credited. I think that amongst the medical professionals there were also other essential workers. Supermarket workers and refuse collectors.
Finally the Olympic Flag was raised by a Flag Detail made up of all three branches of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces (JSDF).
Continuing the recurring theme of improving rights for women in Japanese society. This Flag Detail was clearly gender-balanced. With three men on one side and three women on the other.
The Olympic Anthem was performed by a symphony orchestra.
As with the symphony orchestra used during the Athlete's Parade. This touched on both the BBC Proms issue raised the "Rose of Allendale" sequence and Quantum String Theory.
The Olympic Anthem was also sung by a children's choir. Made up of children from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushimi Prefectures. The three worst affected by the 3/11 Disaster.
The children were dressed in uniforms intended to invoke memories of; "Sailor Moon."
Originally titled; "Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon" this an animated (Manga) Japanese TV show. Which ran from 1992 to 1997. It was exported globally making it one of Japan's most successful cultural exports.
Sailor Moon tells the story of an under-achieving middle-school (12-15 years old) girl, Usagi Tsukino. Who meets a cat who gives her magical superpowers. Which she uses to battle the evil forces of the; "Dark Kingdom."
It is another symptom of Britain's complete withdrawal from reality. That it genuinely believes that it has magical superpowers.
When it was exported to western countries, particularly America. Sailor Moon caused some controversies.
It actually included a lesbian couple. Sailor Uranus (Haruka Tenou) and Sailor Neptune (Michiru Kaiou).
As with the "Willow" character in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." This was deemed an inappropriate sexualisation of children beneath the age of sexual consent. So the show was edited to portray them as cousins rather than lovers.
There was also much concern over the showing of children, beneath the age of sexual consent in the nude. Meaning that some scenes needed to be cut entirely and the water darkened in bathing scenes.
It must be said that Japanese society has a widely accepted sexual fetish for schoolgirls. Particularly their clothing and underwear.
Known as; "Burusera" this is catered for by many shops. Along with public vending machines where you can buy used school girl underpants, swimming costumes, tampons and sanitary towels.
As with issues like Japanese attitudes towards menstruation and miscarriage. Or Japanese attitudes towards race. This is a wider, societal topic that I don't feel particularly qualified to comment on.
However I suspect part of it stems from their pornography laws.
Up until 2014 there was really only one pornography law in Japan. You could show whatever you liked. As long as you didn't show pubic hair.
This not only allowed for child pornography. It seemed to actively encourage it.
It is part of the journey that Japan has been on in preparation for the Olympics.
That they overhauled their pornography laws in 2014. To bring them more into live with their peers in the G7 group of nations.
I think it is also fed by the wider traditional attitude to women in Japanese society. That women are supposed to innocent and subservient to men.
Pubescent girls begin to show physical sexual characteristics. Along with a burgeoning interest in sex. However they are much more naive and easier to dominate than adult women.
I have now spotted an error I made in the previous part. It was this section which ended with paper Doves falling like ash.
As a recorded version of the traditional Japanese folk song; "Wings To Fly" (Tsubasa Wo Kadasai) by Britain's Susan Boyle was played.
Media Clowns II.
There was then another quick intermission. By the Media Clowns who had acted out harassing the director earlier.
This time they were shown in a wide shot. With the presenter standing on stage. In front of a crew including a camera operator, boom mic operator and someone holding cue cards.
This type of shot is almost the signature of the US TV show; "Saturday Night Live (SNL)."
Specifically it was referencing the May 2021 episode of SNL. Which featured Miley Cyrus and Elon Musk.
The only believable explanation for doing this. Was to introduce Miley Cyrus to Elon Musk.
So the three of us could work on developing a technological "Safe Space." In which my relationship with Miley Cyrus could develop.
After all. Clearly nothing else happened as a result.
To be continued in Part 13.
17:10 on 21/10/21 (UK date).
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