The Qingdao Olympic village opened on Sunday amid much cultural hoop-la. Members of Team GBR were among the first to drop their bags in their rooms the following day, ten days before the start of the Beijing Olympics.

It certainly looks impressive , with 400 rooms to accommodate 700 athletes and officials from more than 60 countries. Exactly how successful the regatta will be depends on two key factors. How successful has the algae clearance operation been, and will there be any wind?

One thing is for sure: we’re not going to find out from the Games’ press service. It presents a hilariously airbrushed world of perfection where everything’s positive and everyone’s happy. It’s a Prozac Games. Hopefully we’ll get a little more colour from the huge press corps heading out there.