1988 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Part 26

[CanadaguyRudey]

Didnt even watch the Vancouver games.\Too commercial.

[Audioquest56]

OK, now after watching the Vancouver opening ceremonies last night, this is STILL the BEST opening ceremonies ever! Simple and beautiful.

[nojyt]

I don't know about "best ever", but there was this feeling of excitement in Calgary (in the stadium but also across the whole country). **Everyone** cared about those Olympics; it was a big moment for Canada.

This feeling is absent in Vancouver, and corporatism has moved in much worse than we could have imagined 22 years ago.

[dawg1971]

Yes I found the Vancouver ceremonies to be much more contrived and flashy than those of Calgary. IMO an opening ceremony should take place outdoors. And I like that these were mostly amateur performers. It really captured the essence of Calgary and Alberta. The Vancouver opener just didn't have the same real-ness (is that a word?) to it.

[Audioquest56]

Best opening ceremonies ever. Even before I watch the Vancouver opening ceremonies in about 6 hours time...

[JARRETTRYAN]

The spot at 3:30 where it displays all the Torchbearers wearing the Olympic jackets with "Canada" displayed on the back is awesome as they look up at the caulderon. The church bells that rang out were heard all over the city. This has never been replicated. It was THE BEST outdoor opening ceremonies ever! The city should host another games! They could do it with ease-AWESOME to see again! Calgary put on one heck of a show for 88 and could do it again in the future-maybe Calgary/Banff this time..

[SlurpeeTigger]

Well, guess what, Robin Perry, lit the torch in Calgary, when the 2010 Flame made its stop in Calgary.

[norfi154]

too bad they didnt keep the torch and those pike type things at McMahon they are really cool looking

[nosuchpersonvideo]

The girl did not become a national hero. She works for a health care company. But the idea she represented (Canada's future Olympic athletes inspired by Calgary 88) certainly is alive. I think for Vancouver 2010, though, they will recruit a celebrity or big name athlete to light the flame. That is the trend these days. Not some kid or unknown. One rumour says Wayne Gretzky will get the honour. We'll have to wait 6 more months.

[GoPensGo377]

wayne did light it!

[hachibeach151]

Heh.

hb151

[thedude19766]

i bet she still have the torch

[norfi154]

if my memory serves me correct the torch is on display at the University

[matapan50]

The sheer drama of this moment with the Indian chant and music building to a crescendo as that little girl went up the steps was pretty awesome. It got to Peter Jennings.(2:04) Canada hit a grand slam with these opening ceremonies. I understand the young girl who lit the torch became kind of a national hero.

[NFLfanatic08]

why do i have a feeling that another young person will light the flame in Vancouver. Two young people lit the flame in Montreal (i forgot their names) and here in Calgary Robyn Perry. Then again it would be cool to see somebody like Catrina La May Doan to light it.

[cgsilverscreen2020]

just as long as miley cyrus doesn't light a torch, i'll be happy

[NFLfanatic08]

agreed xD well said

[Nacholympic]

Who is the man on the wheelchair???

At the moment the torch bearers close to him it is heerd somethhing they tell him... what do they tell????

[rockies77]

Rick Hansen. He circumvented around the world by just his wheelchair for his famed Man in Motion tour. As for what they said to him, I think it was just a greeting to him for his part of the Olympic torch relay then.

[rockies77]

ROBYN PERRY: still the youngest Olympic cauldron lighter ever!

[Nacholympic]

and what about the boy who lit the torch with Michel Platinni in Albertville '92????

[rockies77]

He had help from Plantini. Perry did it all by herself.