Winter Olympic Ceremony

[lacombe]

Did anyone watch the Olympic Ceremonies last night? We did,what a great show,even though it was 3 hours long.

[jeep]

Yes I watched I was so excited for it to start then it started and I was so upset with the beginning.
First off how can you be late for an event like that how disrespectful to everyone then the National Anthem was a total disgrace. Whoever decided to change it for the biggest night ever should be fired and never allowed to do anything like that again. I am livid and so embarrassed as a Canadian.
The show was ok I liked the snowboarder and I loved KD Lang she rocked the house. I liked who the flag bearers were and the the torch bearers to bad about the malfunction but things happen. I liked that they showed respect tho the Luger but didn't make it all about that .
As a Western Canadian I was not happy that French was first I understand completely we have both languages but out West English is first. I jsut hope that the rest of the games goes better and hopefully we can make it up at the closing.

[lacombe]

I totally agree with you on the way the National Anthem song was done too. And also on the speaking French first too,I could see if the games were in Quebec then do the French first,but not here at the West Coast.

[Dustbunnydiva]

I watched and wondered why almost all those 'officials' seats were empty at the beginning too (Harper was also late and the late comer who was taking off her coat during the anthem should be thwacked). As for the First Nations leaders being late...well sorry to say (and I am someone who actually has worked and like to work with Native communities) but it's pretty typical and kind of made me chuckle although I wondered if protesters weren't blocking the traffic or something to cause the problems with getting those folks all in on time. I can't imagine another reason they could all be late as the folks they invite to those spots aren't usually the types to be caught late (well Harper has a few times but it's not the usual).

I did really like that they had the First Nations, Metis, Inuit take the lead and giving people in the crowd drums probably made for a really neat live show. I bet they were tired though because boy, they must have had to keep dancing for over an hour while they did their part and then keeping it up while the athletes marched in. I'll bet that was a huge hit with places outside N. America as well as to some of our own who don't really see the beautiful dancing costumes etc. that we are more familiar with.

I too was getting really annoyed at the French being first. It was first on the team country signs, first on the overhead signs, first in most of the announcements and speeches and it was pissing me right off given English is the most prominent language even if both are official and mostly because this was from an English province not Quebec or NB but French seemed to be given the upper hand. I wonder how many people in the world now think French is what Canada primarily speaks because I think it's a false impression to give.

One thing I liked about the way Vancouver and Calgary did their openings is they didn't do the big techno Hollywood productions some other countries have done. They did some but really kept it more down to earth in that respect. The poet they had on describing Canadians was a pretty good example of that. I'd love to know how nearly every fiddler they had on stage seemed to have broken strings flying before they even started.

It is too bad the lighting of the flame went wonky on them but that's life with a live show and I think we'll be forgiven.

Here's hoping the games go really well and they get some good worldwide coverage because the accident yesterday and the couple of glitches in opening would not be the impression we want to leave with the world.

I may have to go on a search later to see what people are saying in other parts of the world. At least with the Internet we have that available to us now.

[Pearl]

I have forgotten about previous olympics, but is the French Language not always first with the IOC ?

International Olympic Committee

Formation 23 June 1894
Type Sports federation
Headquarters Lausanne, Switzerland
Membership 205 National Olympic Committees
Official languages French, English
President Jacques Rogge

I am in the USA right now and watched the coverage with US commentators and not one word was said about the French/English thing.

[Mrs.Fancy]

I also watched the opening - was quite interesting. All those special video effects combined with artisitc interpretations of music. I was proud that we have talanted team that created the whole performance, also very good singers. Do you think it could be more Cirque de Soleil- style? Nah, probably it would be too much. I liked the way it was.
Having said that, I totally agree with Jeep - it was embarrassing to watch that majority of officials were late. I read somewhere that 1st nations were late because of protesters - again a glitch in organizing of the event. What is the excuse for others?
I didn't mind 2 languages, although I would say to keep one to avoid numorous duplications - it's a ceremony, only official speaches should be in both. There were subtitles anyway.
I think it's a tough time for Vancouver - winter olympics without snow? What could be worse?
I will watch competetion - what ever I can... there are couple countries I will cheer... but Canada is 1st!
P.S. The tribute that was paid to armenian athlete was important part of ceremony. It was done very thoughtful.

[Dustbunnydiva]

"I have forgotten about previous olympics, but is the French Language not always first with the IOC ? "

I just checked Wiki for some info (as reliable as that might be...or not). For languages it says "French and English are the official languages of the Olympic Movement. The other language used at each Olympic Games is the language of the host country. Every proclamation (such as the announcement of each country during the parade of nations in the opening ceremony) is spoken in these three languages, or the main two depending on whether the host country is an English or French speaking country." I don't mind them using both languages, I mind them putting French first for most of it when the games are in what is an English part of the country. In my mind it just isn't reflective of the reality/population of the host region (or even the country for that matter) although I am calming myself by telling myself they did it to make announcing easier but that doesn't explain the signs and some other things where French is first.

As for the folks being late in the officials box, today someone told me they thought they held them off until they were formally announced and remembered them all being introduced as they came in. I must have missed that as I only remember them introducing the GG and IOC types. Anyone recall?

What really boggles the mind is the news showing some new protesters called the 'anarchists' who have hit Vancouver (7 arrested today in a clash with police). Apparently their deal is to just cause trouble for the sake of causing trouble. Nice. So they broke windows and upset the peaceful protesters and attacked police while they were at it, just to cause trouble. What goes on in the brains of those types I wonder.

[jeep]

I never saw them being introduced only their people and their nations on the floor they didn't make any reference to them in the VIP box. Things like htis drive me crazy they knew there would be protesters they knew the traffic would be horrible get there in the afternoon if you have to but don't be late. I know that French and English are the 2 languages of the games but I still think they have the liberty to put English first. When you travel across Canada on teh train they say everything in English first until you leave Winnipeg and then it is French first and I am fine with that.
I am so sad that the opening ceremonies have put such a bad taste in my mouth that I am having a hard time enjoying the games and I am a huge fan.

[Inglewood]

The political officials/including the native chiefs that were late was due to the fact that there were protests in the streets. They had to re-route in order to get to the venue which cost them valuable time. It was definitely not intentional.
French is the official language of the IOC, therefore french is usually first followed by english
Opening ceremonies were great, a few glitches but the Canadian feel was definitely there.
GO CANADA GO!

[lessismore]

I thought that would cause a stir.
But, the reason is fairly simple, whether in Canada or not...
......' besides being an influential language spoken worldwide, we have the French to thank for the modern Olympic Games. Sure, the original games were a Greek invention. But they had disappeared for over 1000 years until a teacher from France named Baron Pierre de Coubertin had the idea to bring them back. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France, in 1924.
Being from Quebec I knew that people would assume that it had something to do with Québecois wanting a political statement of sorts at the games...but I too was surprised so I looked it up and sure it enough if it has nothing to do with Canada having two official languages.'
I have to say I was sooooo looking forward to the opening ceremonies and was quite disappointed with the way it rolled. I was really surprised with the ending with Wayne Gretzky in the back of a pick-up truck rolling along the street with the flame....seemed really strange to me.