Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch stole the show during China's flag-raising ceremony yesterday at the athletes' village - quite fortunately, for he saved the mainland squad from suffering red faces.
Not realising that they had to stand when the Olympic anthem was being played during the welcome ceremony, the Chinese squad were seated while the mayor of the athletes' village, Ioannis Manos, stood ramrod-straight at attention.
Seconds after the anthem had finished, Samaranch walked in and the entire Chinese delegation stood up and applauded him while he shook hands with Chinese Olympic Committee president Yuan Weimin and other senior officials. His surprise visit diverted attention from the faux pas.
'Yes, we normally expect countries to stand up when the Olympic anthem is played. But I guess some delegations stand up and others don't,' said Manos, trying to downplay the lapse in etiquette.
'I was not expecting Samaranch to turn up. It was a surprise to see him walk in,' added Manos, who was completely overshadowed by Samaranch.
The former IOC president stole the attention of the entire Chinese media who scurried around him like ants attracted to a honey pot, forcing the mayor to wait patiently for almost five minutes to get on with the welcoming ceremony.