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