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The Opening
Ceremony |
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A 4,000-strong
cast took part in a 拢12m spectacular in the City of Manchester Stadium
to officially open the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
What did you
think?
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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 大象传媒 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 大象传媒
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 大象传媒 America did not show the Opening of the games.
And still are not showing any of it. Are you sure 大象传媒 AMERICA is part
of the REAL 大象传媒 ?
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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