brings you live from Los Angeles
The Opening Ceremony of the XXIII Olympic Games
David Coleman describes tonight's spectacular occasion from the Los Angeles Olympic Stadium, only a few miles away from the heart of Hollywood. The traditions of Busby Berkeley and Cecil B. deMille are sure to be to the fore as the ceremonies start with a display devoted to the Music of America. Taking part, an 800-member marching band, 2,000 dancers, a 1,000-voice choir accompanied by nearly 100 grand pianos – with music from Broadway and the movies.
Then the pageantry of the formal Olympic ceremonial:
The March-Past of competitors from over 100 competing nations
The Opening of the Games by President Reagan
The Parade of the Olympic Flag with the singing of the Olympic Hymn
The Olympic Torch is carried into the Stadium at the end of its journey from Olympia in Greece
The Lighting of the Olympic Flame
The Olympic Oath is taken by an American athlete
Introduced by Desmond Lynam
Woddis On: page 93
OLYMPIC SUPPLEMENT: page 37