I love the Olympic games - both summer and winter. Not being a huge sports person normally - I'm not one to sit and watch sports on television, nor do I participate in sports pools, fantasy leagues or anything like that, and I do not tend to talk about sports very often - so it's just not something that I get into. Except for the Olympics. I love watching the various sports and competitions. I love watching the athleticism of it all; the drama and intrigue of watching the underdogs often out-perform the favorites - "upsetting" who people think will win.
I've loved the Olympics since I was a little boy. Every four years we would gather around our television set and watch the various games. Growing up in Southern California it was exhilarating when in 1984 Los Angeles hosted the summer games, where the many different events took place all across the L.A. basin, including equestrian events taking place at the Santa Anita racetrack, just a few miles from the house I grew up in. It was awesome.
Both summer and winter have events that I love to watch... but it was only the winter games that saw one of my heroes actually get to coordinate, plan and produce the Opening & Closing Ceremonies for. Who was it? And what year? Walt Disney. Yes, Walt Disney. Walt Disney was selected as the Pageantry Committee Chairman for the VIII Winter Olympics in 1960, in Squaw Valley, California. I knew about that as a young person, but never really investigated it all that much. I've seen concept art from the Disney archives that show the two massive, 24-foot tall snow sculptures and the "Tower of Nations" that Disney Imagineer John Hench designed for Walt in his role as the Chairman.
In doing a bit of research online, I found this information on Wikipedia, as well as other information - but this says it really well.
Opening ceremonies
The chairman of the "Pageantry Committee" was Walt Disney, who was responsible for producing both the opening and closing ceremonies.[7] He planned on an opening that would include 5,000 entertainers, the release of 2,000 pigeons, and a military gun salute of eight shots, one for each of the previous Winter Olympic Games.[25][26] The opening ceremonies were held on 18 February 1960 at Blyth Arena in the midst of a blizzard. Heavy snow fell the morning of the 18th and caused traffic problems that delayed the ceremony by an hour. The festivities began with a sustained drum roll as the flags of each participating nation were raised on specially designed flag poles. As the Greek standard bearer led the 30 participating countries in the traditional Parade of Nations the weather broke and the rest of the two-hour ceremony proceeded in sunshine. Vice President Richard Nixon represented the United States government and declared the Games open.[27] The Olympic flame was lit by Kenneth Henry, Olympic champion of the 500 meter speed skating race at the1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo. The Olympic oath was taken by Carol Heiss on behalf of all the athletes. As the national delegations exited the stadium fireworks concluded the ceremonies.[28]
The Olympics have had such an impact on the world... but then - so did Walt Disney. And every four years... (two years now since they separated the winter and summer Olympics from being held in the same year) you can be sure I'll be sitting in front of my television watching the games and enjoying the art of sport.
Until next time,
