Opening Ceremony

The first Olympic event I ever attended was the Opening Ceremony to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games on February 8, 2002. So almost four years to the day later I took my seat for my third Opening Ceremony event. Thankfully the weather was a little bit milder for this event.

Not sure how these look on TV nowadays, but it is a great spectacle in person. We had great seats (and for 850 euros you hope for something good). Every seat has a goody bag with a cow bell, flashlight, white poncho, seat cushion and a program. The first items to be used by spectators in the event.

We had a great view and the typical grand choreography began. To be honest it did not compare to Athens 2004. In fact it seemed like they cribbed some of the floating dancer effects from the Greeks. (But hey, the entirety of Western civilization was cribbed from the Greeks, so we are used to it).

Then the Parade of Nations. This is one of the most fun parts of the Opening. And as always Greece came in first. Small winter team. I was the only one on his feet cheering in my section, but my colleagues were appreciative.

The athletes look like they are having such fun as they walk in. We critiqued all the uniforms from the stands. Russia looked hot. They are this Games unofficial “cool uniform” and you see a lot of visitors in Torino wearing their gear.

Strange that the intro music was recycled 80s tunes. Everyone in the stands was grooving to the Village People’s YMCA. US got a big cheer. But of course host country Italy came in dramatically at the end. In anticipation the crowd started a low rumbling cheer, kind of like a howl and then erupted into cheers for their home athletes. Everyone was chanting “EEE-TAHL-YA ….EEE-TAHL-YA” So we joined them. It is always classy to root for the home team.

As I said, most of the pageantry was recycled. But there were a few new twists. I especially liked the Ferrari formula One car spinning out. How that passed a safety test I don’t know because it looked like one wrong move and half the Austrian team would be wipped out.

And then the official words: “I declare open the 20th Olympic Winter Games of Torino”

Why was Susan Sarandon one of the people carrying the Olympic flag?
Does Yoko Ono ever take off her sunglasses?
What is up with Peter Gabriel’s skull cap?

And then the big question: Who will light the cauldron. We ruled out Alberto Tomba as soon as he entered the stadium. The choice, Italian Stefania Belmondo a cross-country skier with 10 medals on her resume.

But of course it ain’t over till the fat tenor sings. To hear Luciano Pavarotti in person was a real treat. He has an incredible presence and his “Nessun Dorma” was a great way to end the evening.