The French have definitely turned it on.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony turned a few heads with its very Gallic expressionism, but that was all fluff that mattered little in the grand scale of things. The exuberant colour and use of the beauty of France though has not stopped.

Exit stage left for the artists, musicians, and thespians, and hello to the main event.

The Games to date has been a visual symphony, the TV coverage across the disciplines has been exemplary, and the venues have been works of art, from where they have been set up, to how they’ve been displayed.

The use of Paris’ plethora of architectural icons, selected and positioned for maximum effect, along with the explosive colour palette all expertly curated and integrated into the television coverage, has been something to behold.

All of this without distracting from the point of the exercise, but actually enhancing what is a 5-star global product.

It is one enormous undertaking, a fiscally challenging exercise that provides no financial dividend - quite probably the hosts will be paying for the experience through many generations.

The point of course is not keeping bean-counters happy, the point is showing off France, promoting the nation to the world, resplendent in its finest possible attire.

The populace has responded en masse with tremendous attendance and the visiting hoards have added to this superb display.

The competition remains the absolute focus, this has never faltered, nor should it, and the supporting background cast is setting this Olympics up to be one of the best ever staged.

It’s only halfway through, but already the games of the 33rd Olympiad have been a wonder to behold.

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