The mayor also suggested the Games would provide a big economic boost to the capital. “This is a gigantic schmooze-athon that’s about to begin,” he said.

At the end of the line nearest the Arch, under a flary light, stood an old bearded man having the look on his face of a kindly but somewhat irritated moo-cow.

However, in contrast to the facilitative actions in subcortical structures, high levels of catecholamine release in prefrontal cortex result in cognitive dysfunction.

Meanwhile, the bills on the main stages skewed towards mainstream pop, with mixed results. Lorde’s Friday evening Other stage appearance was one of the weekend’s highlights. The staging and choreography were fantastic – a giant glass tank on a hydraulic platform, in and around which a troupe of dancers acted out the highs and lows of a teenage party