The Sochi Olympics.

Apologies for commenting on the Olympics after a week went by. I was preoccupied with the rally in Precious Metals.

After the Summer Olympics in Beijing, it was hard to believe that a nation could put on an opening spectacle with such artistic merit and impact on redefining its identity. But, the Russians did it. First, the buildings at the Olympic site were magnificent. The gigantic sports stadium with its technology is even more up to date than the one in Beijing.

Then there was the opening ceremony. Recapitulating Russia's past is not an easy task - more like making lemonade. But it was done and done well.

Still, the carping from the Press was persistent if ineffective. complaining about the hotel rooms not being ready, bad water, guests having to give up their pillows for the athletes.  Then the 'glitch' of one flower petal not morphing into an Olympic ring, it sounded like a mistake made by a Republican during the debates. What got the Press riled up and put them into the outrage mode? Well, it was the Russian laws restricting homosexual propaganda. The Western Press (chained dogs of the lavender lobby)kept howling untill their voices were drowned out by the spectacle of the events themselves.

Congratulations are due to Russia and Mr Putin for their tireless efforts for putting on this event. Just as it was time for China to present to the world their artistic face at the Summer Olympics, it was time for Russia to do the same at the Winter Olympics.