Edition No. 24. Autumn, 2000. Today is
| CONTENTS |
| Latest News
& Stories Judo Links Back Issues Contact TWOJ Editor's Message |
| NEWS & PHOTO GALLERY |
| View Judo Gallery IJF Pic of the Month |
| TWOJ SHOP |
| Photo
Enquiries Subscriptions Koga Video |
| PLAYER PROFILES |
| Karen
Roberts Hilary Wolf |
 2000
Olympic Games in Sydney, AustraliaTHE DAY BEFORE: THE OPENING CEREMONY, FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER By: Barnaby Chesterman  The
spectacular fanfare of the Opening Ceremony was enjoyed throughout
the city of Sydney with giant plasma screens set up to accommodate
the interest of thousands of spectators who couldn't get a ticket
to the stadium venue.The festivities began earlier in the day from the unlikely setting of the top of the Sydney Opera House, when the Olympic torch made a spectacular and daring appearance, although the torch bearer, Samantha Riley, was safely harnessed to the roof. A helicopter circled above to catch photographic evidence of the brave woman who ventured to the high perch above the city. During the evening, the Darling Harbour area was particularly buzzing with street performers, laser shows and fireworks to entertain the massed crowds. When the Opening Ceremony began it took the viewers on a nostalgic journey throughout the history of Australia from its Aboriginal roots through immigration and industrialisation before coming full circle when it ended with the poignant image of Australia's favourite daughter, the Aborigine superstar, Cathy Freeman carrying the torch on its last leg to light the Olympic flame amidst an incredible spectacle of fire and water. During the athletes parade, eleven judoka were given the honour of carrying their countries flag and leading their National team's march around the stadium. The proud athletes were: Ulla Werbrouck (Belgium), David Douillet (France), Melanie Engoang (Gabon), Ernst Laraque (Haiti), Kosei Inoue (Japan), Lauren Pace (Malta), Thierry Vatrican (Monaco), Badmaanyambuu Bat-Erdene (Mongolia), Adil Belgaid (Morocco), Kouami Sacha Denanyoh (Togo) and in one of the most moving scenes of the night, South Korean Yong-Sin Choi jointly carried the combined Korean Peninnsula flag as the two Koreas received one of the biggest cheers of the night for demonstrating solidarity, in the true spirit of the Olympics, with their joint parade.  The
Mongolian flag-bearer, Bat-Erdene, who is also a Colonel and the president
of the Mongolian Judo Federation, received great attention as he marched
around in traditional Mongolian wrestling attire. Many other judoka,
such as Jimmy Pedro (USA), Isabel Fernandez (Spain) and Adrian Croitoru
(Romania) were caught on camera enjoying the procession, although
I'm sure the eagle-eyed among you spotted many others.BC Select a competition day below to read reviews »
« Back |
||||||||
| TWOJ GUESTBOOK | |
| Sign
Our Guestbook View Our Guestbook |
| 2000 Sydney Olympics | |
|
|