Ceremony, splendour, colour

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 6

Ceremony, splendour, colour

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

South Island television viewer* were deprived of watching the opening ceremony at the Montreal Olympic Games live yesterday by the loss of the Blue Duck microwave link, near Kaikoura. But they enjoyed one distinct advantage over North Islanders: they were able to see the two-hour ceremony replayed in a C' mfortable post-lunch atmosphere instead of with a blearv, pre-breakfast cup of tea. At either hour it was well worth watching. It matched all previous standards in ceremony, conduct and colour; it took place on a warm and almost wind-

less day in a magnificent new stadium. The long shots from elevated positions produced Mime memorably spectacular scenes as the ground tilled with the scores of competing teams. The national contingents ranged from Russia’s 500 to the single athlete from Nepal, and the colours of the uniforms varied just as widely. The huge crowd was warm in its welcome to the teams as they marched into the arena and past Her Majesty the Queen, who took the official salute. The Israelis were given a tremendous ovation, but it was matched—unless it was a trick of hearing or an attack of parochialism —by the reception given the New Zealanders.

There was one innovation. The Olympic torch was borne into the stadium not by the usual one, but by two young athletes—a boy and a girl. And the Canadian authorities sagely involved the whole nation in the Games by choosing the bearers of the Olympic flag from all the provinces.

It was a proud sight as the stadium filled, and again when the national flags were marched out at the end of the ceremony. If the national dancing groups, which performed on the track, made less impression on local viewers than the spectacular opening performance at Queen Elizabeth Park two years ago, it was a happy thought to have the dancers from Munich—host for

the 1972 Games—and those from Canada combining in a gesture of friendship, and as a symbol of the continuity of the Games. The 80 graceful whitegowned girls who described the Olympic insignia were also highly attractive. It was a pity that the commentary from the New Zealand TV team at Montreal was lost until halfway through the ceremony, but Philip Leishman .filled in ably from home until audio contact was made.

If the coverage of the events in the next two weeks is as well-designed as that of the opening ceremony, and as sharp visually. sports-minded New Zealanders are going to spend their evenings at home for the next fortnight.