The Olympic opening ceremony: Little Britain Ever since 1984, when Los Angeles hosted the Olympic games, opening ceremonies have become ever more grandiose. Greece's, in 2004, offered a rather worthy Classical history lesson. Four years later Beijing's emphasised Chinese discipline (in the form of massed drummers), national innovations (fireworks, paper, printing) and thrusting ambition (astronauts). How to top all that? Danny Boyle, a film director who is in charge of London's opening ceremony, has decided not to try. On June 12th he unveiled a model of the opening set. It features an idealised countryside, complete with real chickens, sheep and cricket players - a sight that endures mostly in children's books. There will be clouds and rain, just in case nature does not provide them, as well as a walkway evoking the M25 motorway, known for its gridlock. Opening ceremonies are a country's opportunity to sell itself to the world. Britain appears to be selling irony.