Pride, Pageantry on Parade at Games' Epic Homecoming

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-open14aug14.story
ATHENS 2004
Pride, Pageantry on Parade at Games' Epic Homecoming
By Alan Abrahamson
Times Staff Writer

August 14, 2004

ATHENS — In a vivid display of color and humanity, the 2004 Summer Games opened Friday night with athletes from 202 nations marching in a joyous pageant that traced the path of Greek and human history — one that, for the moment, soothed years-long concerns about Olympic security as well as local outrage over a sudden doping scandal.

Most of the 10,500 athletes set to compete here paraded into Olympic Stadium to open the first Summer Games since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the U.S.-led war on Iraq. Amid massive security, the event went off with no evident problems.

"Welcome to a unique Olympic homecoming!" said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, head of the Athens 2004 organizing committee, signaling the return of the Olympics to the nation where they began 2,780 years ago in ancient Olympia.

The nearly four-hour ceremony featured some 8,000 entertainers, among them a DJ and actors portraying the goddess Athena, the patron of Athens, as well as Aphrodite, Eros, Zeus and other mythical figures.

An infield pond served as the focal point of the half-hour cultural sequence: The Olympic rings were set aflame atop it; a young boy sailed across it; a centaur — the mythical half-man, half-horse — flung a lightning bolt over it; an olive tree rose skyward from it.

Then came the parade of nations, with Greece positioned both at the front of the line — a tradition arising from its historic role in the ancient and modern Games — and bringing up the rear as host.

The rich spectacle featured stars and dreamers sporting suits and skirts, berets and olive wreaths, Bermuda shorts and red-checked headdresses, even a tie-dyed sarong — worn by Sam Pera, a weightlifter who carried the flag for the Cook Islands, a remote Pacific atoll.<snip>

At least that I've seen (I'm pretty young).

The highlight for me was the parade of Greek history. I'm a costuming geek, and an ancient history geek, so I was in heaven. The makeup, the costuming...everything was brilliant. What a tremendous achievement, the Greeks really have a right to be proud.

I especially enjoyed the portrayal of the Greek gods. Of course I'm a Hellenic Pagan, so I might be a wee bit biased. :)

re just the mechanical requirements were amazing.

My sister and I watched in awe as the costumed performers portrayed the history of Greece. We are both costuming nuts and appreciated the costumes, makeup and the slow-motion performance by the people involved. We especially loved the early olympic "runners" and loved the slow-motion acrobatics by "Eros" blessing the events as they moved beneath him. I also thought the giant head that separated and had images projected on the pieces--too cool, especially with that amazing red centaur slowing walking through the water beneath.

The whole program was a lot better than the stupid "hoedown" at the Salt Lake Olympics 2 years ago!

I missed the centaur, I'll have to check my tape (I'm really glad I taped the whole thing!).

I'm totally with you on lameass SLC. Though I understand that isn't the worst we've ever done. My mom said there were tons of Elvis impersonators in LA. Is that true? 'Cause if it is...gah, there's no words.

I love America and everything but the only culture we have is in petri dishes at Johns Hopkins.

there are so many different beautiful people in the world. :loveya:
I'm such a sap.

I always love the Parade of Nations because I get a kick out of the countries that only have like one guy, who's holding the flag. The wonder and excitement on their faces is just too precious for words. You can tell they are thrilled just to be there.

I like looking at the athletes too. My favorites are always the ones who wear traditional costumes. I especially liked the sarees on the Indian women.

I must be a sap too. There's something awe-inspiring in the fact that the world is so diverse, and there is so much beauty to be found in so many different kinds of people.