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Thoughts of former longtime resident of Canada, William Macadam, on Olympic Games Opening


Although I did not watch it live (it started at 1:45am here and went on all night) I did subsequently watch all 3 and half hours of the Vancouver Winter Olympics opening ceremony. I had a big lump in my throat throughout and was very proud of Canada and my home province.

It was, of course, with the BBC commentary here, although they had Canada's former gold medalist skier on their team along with Matthew Pinsent, the UK Gold medalist rower as well. They said how wonderful and welcoming the people of British Columbia had been, even when they were pre-recording segments people would come up to them and welcome them and ask if they could help in any way, carrying anything or doing anything for them. They said it was the warmest welcome that they had ever had and you could tell the pride that Vancouverites felt (and I am sure the people of Norfolk as Vancouver came from here, from Kings Lynn).

They talked about Vancouver being constantly picked as the most liveable city in the world. And that Canada was the second largest country in the world. With inspiring scenery from coast to coast. They talked about its history and the inspiring role played by native Canadians, its two founding people and those who had been welcomed as its citizens from all over the world, including the fact that the Governor-General was born in Haiti. The BBC commentators were remarkably well informed and obviously had fallen in love with Canada.

What an opening sequence with the snowboarder coming off the mountain peak on an exciting ride - right into the arena! How moving to see the athletes come in and join the spectators for the performance, which I thought was great and did us proud. I find them usually over the top but this was right. The tragedy earlier in the day was dealt with so well and a fine tribute.

All in all it was a wonderfully inspiring broadcast and I am glad to say that Canadians would have felt that the BBC did them very proud. As Canadians did themselves.

William I. Macadam
East Runton, Norfolk, UK

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