He may not even wait for the traditional week before the official handover to start his presidency.

CNN: Personality, not economics, lost Sarkozy the presidency

Canada's aboriginal communities were also highlighted with the four chiefs of the First Nations, whose traditional native territory overlaps the Olympic region, part of the official delegation at the ceremony.

BBC: Winter Olympics start despite luge tragedy

Turkey, Syria and Iran, worried about their own restive Kurds, shaded official praise for the polls with traditional hints that Iraq's Kurds should keep their heads down.

ECONOMIST: The Arab neighbours

True, those institutions may not offer the exclusive local talent that constitutes the traditional definition of "scene", but Washington's official aesthetic style should, to a degree, reflect America's.

BBC: The art of Washington

In general, the White House strives to showcase American food, wines and traditional concoctions at official meals and parties.

WSJ: Brouhaha Over 'Beer Summit'

So what of Europe's two traditional powerhouses, who now find themselves behind the resurgent Welsh in the official International Rugby Board world rankings?

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | Six Nations | Wonderful Wales exude joy of Six