| The Opening Ceremony |
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A 4,000-strong cast took part in a £12m spectacular in the City of Manchester Stadium to officially open the 2002 Commonwealth Games. What did you think? Page 1 : Page 2 : Page 3 : Page 4 This messageboard is now closed |
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Great ceremony , well done Manchester. I'm a big fan on these Olympic and Com Games Ceremonies and this one was great. Really caught the atmosphere of these games being held in the North- and also really brought out the special fun spirit that makes these 'the friendly games'. I know alot of the Australian press have been constantly trying to compare it to Sydney's. I have no idea why, coz these aren't the Olympics. A few interesting notes tho. I did read in One Aussie press site that they had the impression Sydney 2000 started the ground cover. That was done in Barcelona 92,Atlanta 96 and Kuala Lumpur 98. I didn't see any match ups with Nikki Webster and the balloon girl from Manchester either. Anyway, as I said - excellent. Had the emotion with the baton entrance, the great athletes parade and the humour of the final segment. Can't wait for the closing.
Matt
New zealand |
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Loved the announcer... was it Graham from Blind Date? Whoever it was he made me cry during the bit with the baton and the floating globe. So moving. The music was wonderful too. Thank you Manchester!
S. Montague
Leeds |
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I attended the opening, great, see all evening athletics and will be going until Wednesday evening and then the closing (cant wait). I and so many others are so impressed with the organisation. No city could have managed better, even with queues the waiting time is a few minutes with everyone helpful.
Edna Brennan
Stockport Manchester |
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Come on Guys - lay off the competition between the 'whinging Poms' and the 'whinging Aussies'. The opening ceremony is NOT a competitive event! Just enjoy it.
Pam
Brisbane Australia |
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I was so proud. Well done Manchester, the opening ceremony was superb. I had a big lump in my throat when the guards came marching in. I was able to view the fireworks from my back garden, along with most of the neighbours. The one thing that spoiled it for most of us, was Her Majesty the Queen, she looked as if she really didn't want to be there.
Glenys Dean
Gorton, Manchester |
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I know all Australians don't share the same views, but it seems an awful lot can't bear to say anything nice about the opening ceremony. In reply to Dave from Perth, who said the Aussie team "tried to bring some panache into the event"... errr, your press said they "ranked amongst the least sartorial of the 72 counties" with "yet another straggling, dawdling effort". It may not have been the best opening ceremony in the whole history of opening ceremonies, but it was good so just deal with it please. P.S. My girlfriend is Australian and she loved it.
Paul Shaw
Manchester |
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I thought the opening ceremony was suitably ramped to a spectaular finale! The baton sequence was exceptional and emotional. Wonderful music and the stadium voice guy really made the atmosphere!!
Fiona Crawford
Sussex |
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Who was that big voice at the opening ceremony? Spot on!
Marcus Levermore
Manchester |
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I was at the ceremony which was so atmospheric. Watched the ceremony on tape the day after and was dissapointed that the BBC had failed to capture the magic as it really happened. That commentator Harry Davies ruined the coverage with his preempt of everything and constant rambling! He even spoke over the official stadium announcer! The BBC had made no effort to make their coverage as cutting edge as the show had.
Steve Monehan
Manchester |
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Well done Manchester i enjoyed your opening. Best since Sydney opened the Olympics. I know you will remember this for years to come.
Steve Pile
Australia |
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It's no surprise that most of the negative comments are coming from the WHINGING AUSSIES. The ceremony could have been the greatest spectacle ever seen, but as long as it was in England the Australians would never give any credit.
Alison
Sale |
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Absolutely fantastic that is all i can say about it the whole thing was a total success
Craig Jackson
Manchester |
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The photographs made it look like something not to be missed. A shame that no TV coverage of the ceremony was provided here.
Dean Thomas
Downey, California, USA |
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I could not believe what I was watching. We know you could not compete with Sydney 2000, but you could have made an effort. I will be glad when we become a republic and hopefully be banned from such laughter, good job the Aussie team tried to bring some panache into the event. Go Aussie Go
Dave Anderson
Perth Western Australia |
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Very dissapointed that BBC America did not show the Opening of the games. And still are not showing any of it. Are you sure BBC AMERICA is part of the REAL BBC ?
Ernest Barrow
Richmond Virginia |
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I thought it was fantastic. Of course, it wasn't staid, formal or po faced - it's Manchester! Perhaps others need to be more creative when staging these events. Competition should be concentrated on the athletes not on who can spend the most on staging the most over the top opening cermony. A friendly welcome, for the friendly games from the friendly citizans of Manchester.
lorna frances
Manchester |
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I was born in Manchester 50 years ago and have lived in Australia for the last 35 years so I could not wait to see my first home put on a show to match or better Sydney, it did not happen. The Queen looked like she had just lost one of her corgi's and was there under sufferance. The way she treated Kirsty (a very brave little girl) was like she was afraid of catching something. If you liked rap music then you had a free concert. Come on Melbourne, we will show you how it is done.
Tom Kelly
Townsville Australia |
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agree with the comments regarding the queen and the little girl Kirsty. Disgraceful behaviour by the queen.... she should have acknowledged the bravery of Kirsty who wont live to see another games. just got back from day 1 of the athletics and had an excellent time.. good organisation so far... no complaints. GREAT WEATHER.... whats going on??? this is supposed to be Manchester not Spain!! :)
Jim
Manchester |
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Sorry,Ivan but i do not believe Beckham is on the ACT.Last night was not the first and hopefully not the last time that Becks will be seen in public with Kirsty.I state now i am not a M/U fan, however as a father of two footy mad boys,at least Becks is CLEAN,loyal to his club and a family man, to me they are not bad virtues.
Phil Harrison
Leek,U/K |
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A brilliantly done opening night,and so far one which will just show how much of a fiasco the expensive Dome, Wembley and Pickett's Lock venues are. Manchester has staged it for a fraction of what any of these London nightmares have or will cost. Shame about the Queen. She should have stayed in Liverpool or gone home. Her frosty and uncaring actions damaged only her own image, and not Manchester. We welcomed the child with cheers, the Queen merely brushed her aside.
Roy Ellor
Salford |
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Good show. Little bit too over the top with the pop music though. I thought the Queen could have shown a bit more enthusiasm especially when the little girl handed over the baton. Good luck to all our Canadian athletes. Good luck to all in Manchester.
Paul
Toronto Canada |
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I thought it was a great night.I notice sour grapes from the Southern Hemisphere.Why the Queen turned up I just don`t know.What a grump she was.
Peter Boardman
Bolton Lancs |
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"Great Show Manchester" It is a pity that the Queen could not show some humanity towards Kirsty, even a smile and a touch on the shoulder would have cost nothing.
Jean Flint
Chorley |
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As i took part in the show i got to see all the hard work and time that was put into the show.I was a mirrow ball kid and being there was fab.I wish I could do it again. I would like to say thankyou and hello to everyone who was involved and especialy my new mates!
Dennis
Manchester |
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