COLOUR, BUT BITTERNESS

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 1

COLOUR, BUT BITTERNESS

Africans and some Arab nations boycott opening

From GRAEME JENKINS, NZPA staff correspondent

Montreal

The twenty-first Olympic Games opened in Montreal yesterday in a blaze of colour, but with a background of political bitterness.

Twenty-six countries listed to compete were missing from the opening ceremony—most of them, in the African and Arab blocs—in protest against New Zealand’s participation in the Games because of the All Blacks’ presence in South Africa. But the crowd which filled the huge stadium to capacity did not share that feeling. The New Zealanders were given a tremendous reception from the time they stepped foot in the stadium until they finally took up their places in the second row of competitors. Whether all 26 of those not marching in the opening ceremony have actually boycotted the Games because of New Zealand’s entry is not yet clear, but at least five of them — Kenya. Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Egypt — have announced officially they will not take part. Seven African countries marched in the parade — Cameroon, Ivory Coast. Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Swaziland, and Tunisia. The teams missing yesterday included Taiwan, which withdrew after it was finally refused permission by the International Olympic Committee to use the name of the Republic of China, and Sri Lanka, which was listed in the published programme of marching teams but was not. in fact, entered for the Games. The first country noticed missing was Algeria, which was down to follow behind the Greek team, which by tradition always leads the march of athletes into the arena. The others were: African.—Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malagasy Republic, Malawi. Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania. Togo. Uganda. Upper Volta, Zaire, and Zambia. Arab.—Egypt. Iraq, and Libya. Two other African countries, Mauritius and Somalia, were not entered for

the Games and thus were in no position to consider withdrawal. The South American republic of Guyana marcbed in the parade, but has since decided to withdraw its team of 17 from the Games in protest against the 1.0.C.’s refusal to expel New Zealand. Some of the teams which have said they will boycott the Games have already left the Olympic village. As for the Games opening itself, they said it couldn’t be done, but it was done — and done exceptionally well. The huge inverted bowl-shaped stadium was magnificently dressed for the occasion. The flags of all Olympic nations hung from the end of the cantilever beams, and extra colour was provided by several thousand Olympic hostesses who ringed the track in their red uniforms. The Queen, radiant in a glowing pink dress with a matching hat, received a tremendous ovation from the crowd. With the French separatist movement strong in Montreal, there was much controversy and criticism earlier when it was announced that she as Head of State of Canada would open the Games. Perhaps to appease the separatists, she first opened the Games in French and then in English. Outside the stadium, every vantage point was crowded as people waited first for the athletes to march in and then for the arrival of the Olympic flame on the last leg of its journey from Greece. As a break with tradition, the Canadians provided two last carriers of the flame—a boy and a girl who represented Ontario and Quebec and the sporting youth of Canada in general. The Greek team entered the arena at 3.7 p.m., and for the next hour and eight minutes, th»-Queen was at the saluting base. With gaps between various marching groups, she was able to sit occasionally, but she stood most of the time, as the athletes marched past. Some of them gave her one-handed salutes, others

gave her a cheerful wave, but for most it was very much a smart “Eyes right.” The super cheers of the day were reserved for the United States and Canadian teams. The New Zealand team was greeted by a few boos as it entered the stadium but these quickly changed to loud cheers —decibels higher than for other teams of comparable size. Whether the reception meant that there are more New Zealanders in Montreal than expected or that it was a “sympathy vote” one could not say. While the New Zealanders, in black blazers and white trousers for the men and the 10 women in red walking-out dresses looked smart, they were in .10 way in the running for a gold medal for the smartness of turnout. The French team would almost certainly have won the fashion gold with the women dressed in smart long coats and the men in high-fashion jackets. Not far behind in their colourful attire were the Russians, who also received a huge cheer as they marched round. The British contingent was smart in red frocks for the women and blue blazers for the men. Marching inconspicuously in the parade was Princess Anne, a member of the equestrian team, and her husband, Captain Mark Phillips, a reserve. While the teams stood during the ceremony, the two appeared to be speaking freely with other members of the British team. When they left the stadium at the end of the ceremony, Princess Anne, like the other women members of the team, took off her white scarf and waved it to the crowd. The Israeli team was given a particularly sympathetic reception by the crowd. With their national flag draped in black streamers and the team members wearing black patches on the lapels of their jackets, the Israelis followed the small Iceland team in the parade. The teams ranged in size from the Russian team of 526 to Fiji and Nepal which each fielded only two. The United States was 474

strong, while Canada had 478. New Zealand broke the rules which say only four officials may march. Almost all the coaches and team managers marched, replacing the rowers who compete today. New Zealanders who did not march included the distance runners John Walker, Rod Dixon, and Dick Quax. Among the yachtsmen, only the reserves marched, while the oarsmen were represented by the coxswains, their manager, and coaches. Once the parade of some 9500 athletes had assembled, those in the stadium and millions through television were treated to an hour of further spectacle. A Bavarian band provided the music for a dance troupe which waltzed its way down the track as the Mayor of Munich handed over the official Olympic banner to the Mayor of Montreal, Mr Jean Drapeau, for his safe keeping for the next four years. As Mr Drapeau took the flag, a Canadian band and dance group then took over. For Mr Drapeau, the moment was one of triumph, and his citizens gave him a great reception. He was the man behind Montreal getting the Games in the first place, and then the one who has had to take the responsibility for the spending of the billion dollars that Montreal and Quebec is paying out for the main Olympic complex.

The big question now is whether those teams which missed the opening ceremony but which have stayed on in Montreal will be allowed to compete after refusing to take the Olympic oath. The 1.0. C. is not due to meet until today. But senior officials will clearly press for a quick session in an attempt to solve this latest crisis. Their dilemma is whether to ignore the walkout, allowing the rebel teams to compete in the 1980 Moscow Games, or crack down immediately on the offending nations and risk a fatal blow to the Olympic ideal of universality in sport.