Paralympics opening ceremony

7.3.2002

The original plan was to watch this again from the foothills, but having learnt that the cheapest tickets are only $25, I decided to go. The tickets were almost sold out, so we ended up sitting in the northern tribune that has been built up above the road. The weather was not too great, we even got rained on at the end of the show, but overall, it was $25 well spent. In any case, paralympics sounds more inspiring to me than the high end sports, due to the traumas the disabled must overcome with their condition and preparation for the competition.
The show lasted about 2.5 hours, speeches and officialities sandwiched with cultural programs and rich fireworks. The officialities included nations presentation, official opening, speeches and olympic cauldron firing. Especially the latter was very exciting to see live, the last member of the relay was a blind climber who climbed Mt. Everest. The last 45 min. included two concerts, country singer Wynonna and Stevie Wonder.

Fotos

Before the show

View at the stadium from the west.

Before the tickets check.

At the corridor under the tribunes.

Panorama of the stadium from the western tribune.

View from the western tribune towards the eastern one, and at the picture on a neighboring building.

Stadium panorama from where I was sitting.

View from my seat on the northern side of the stadium to the west at almost 7pm.

Right under us were lining up the sportsmen for the nations parade.

The show

With the ring of 7pm skated in a group with big white flags.

Then followed the US anthem and small fireworks (19:03-19:04).

The first show "The Awakening", symbolizing the birth of the passions that drive people to higher goals. During this show there were first large fireworks (19:07-19:15).

Parade of the nations taking part in the games (19:15-19:45).

Greetings of the SLOC president Mitt Romney and International Paralympic Comitee director Philip Craven (19:45-19:52).

Prezident Bush remotely opens the games (19:52-19:53).

The paralympic flag ceremony (19:54-19:58).

Oath of the athletes and officials (19:59-20:03).

The second show, "The Storm", symbolizing freeing the body, with a star performer Vanessa-Mae. Also this show included huge fireworks (20:04-20:10).

The first part of the third show "There's a hero" devoted to the inspiration that the disabled athletes give to everybody else. Sings a young country star Billy Gilman (20:10-20:20).