|
After months of speculation, the final torchbearer of
the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games was revealed on Friday night.
A 110,000 strong crowd at Stadium Australia erupted as
the Australia's greatest medal hope, 400 metre track world champion
Cathy Freeman, lit the giant cauldron which will burn throughout competition.
The Olympic Flame entered the stadium with Ralene
Boyle pushing Betty Cuthbert in a wheel chair.
The flame was then passed to four other outstanding
former Australian Olympians - Dawn Fraser, Shirley Strickland de la
Hunty, Shane Gould and Debbie Flintoff-King. Dressed in a white body
suit, Freemand was handed the torch by Flintoff-King, who had run
through the centre of the assembled athletes to the base of the stage.
In a very impressive flame lighting spectacle,
Freemand climbed the stairs to then wade through a shallow pool as if
walking on water..
She bent to light the water with the Olympic Flame and
a large ring of fire flared up around her.
Slowly a cauldron saucer emerged from the pool and
raised above Freeman's head, cascading with water. The flame slowly
rose up to reach its destination at the northern end of the stadium.
The base of the cauldron was revealed and joined together with the saucer. |
|
In the stadium, audience members each with
participation kits filled with torches and red glowing wrist bands
were as just as keen to perform as the athletes.
Australian singer John Williamson, set the scene with
the rendition of Waltzing Matilda - Australia's unofficial national anthem.
In true Australian style, a lone horseman entered the
stadium to the tune of the Man from Snowy River and was followed by a
legion of 120 horse riders carrying the Olympic flag. The Australian
band - Human Nature and Julie Anthony sang a version of the
Australian National Anthem - Advance Australia Fair.
Cathy Freeman holding the Torch high.
The next segment called 'Fire', was just that.
Hundreds of fire breathers entered and marched to the sound of drums
to recreate a bushfire scene. The audience created a mass of red
lights like flickering flames and the crackling of wood was recreated
by loud fireworks.
After the fireworks came 'Nature'. Australian native
plants, red waratahs, yellow wattle, waterlillies and many more of
Australia's fauna came to life. The music was performed by the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra. |
|
The next scene covered the Australia's colonial era of
Australia through to the boom period of the 1970s. Huge machinery
props were wheeled in, filled with acrobatic children. The
agriculutral industry was displayed with wood choppers, sheep
shearers and cardboard sheep.
Next Australia's multiculturalism was showcased. The
five continents were represented with colour and music.
The old man and the little girl were joined as she
sang - Under Southern Skies. The audience lit up the stadium with
their flashlights to create a stunning southern sky filled with
sparkling stars.
The cultural program opened with Deep Sea Dreaming.
The story began with a little girl dressed in a pink dress entering
the field. She wiped sunburn cream on her nose and then lay down on
her beach rug and went to sleep. Her dream came to life and she woke
in Australian's world renowned Great Barrier Reef, suspended 50
metres in the air, the girl Nikki Webster, swung in the air swimming
through the hundreds of children dressed as fish, sea creatures,
above a reef of colour and activity.
Nikki then met Djakapurra unyarryn, an Aboriginal
songman, who called his people the new generation of spirits.
The final performance before the athletes appeared was
the marching band, made up of 2000 members from around the world.
Wearing red, white and blue Drizabone jackets and Akubra hats, the
marching band played well known songs from around the world.
Then the athletes appeared. For the first time, South
and North Korea marched together. East Timor also received a standing ovation.
The Athletes Oath was then read by Australian hockey
team captain Rachelle Hawkes.
Eight Australian Olympic legends including Murray
Rose, swimming and Bill Roycroft, equestrian carried the Olympic flag
around the stadium and raised it where it will remain throughout the
Olympic Games.
Tina Arena sang the last song before the torch entered
the Stadium Australia. |
