https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVdgSFjE1AI&feature=youtu.be
One thing I neglected to anticipate when I signed up for this gig was the fact that these Pan Am Games are taking place in my own country. I was too busy moaning about the fact that it wasn’t a tropical destination in Latin America, instead of looking forward to sitting in a stadium with 45,000 people, the majority of whom are fellow Canadians. Let me tell you, it was extraordinary. The athlete parade is the second most excrutiating part of any opening ceremonies, after the speeches in at least two languages. But when your country is the last one to enter, and the crowd goes ape shit, it’s impossible not to be moved to ecstatic patriotism.
Many of you probably watched the opening ceremonies on TV last night. I don’t know how well they translated to the small screen, but the live effect was just outstanding. I think Cirque Du Soleil should start a side business running opening ceremonies. I’ve been to three Pan Am opening ceremonies: Rio (which sucked – especially the rival countries booing each other during the athlete parade), Guadalajara, (which was visually beautiful and had terrific atmosphere), and here in Toronto (hands down my winner).
Despite the mainstream Canadian media going on and on about how uninterested the people of Toronto have been about these Games, it sure felt like the city had woken up both inside the stadium and on the packed streets last night.
I missed the fireworks off the tower, but I did get some fall out on my head
Chris VM has just launched himself to the top of the scoreboard in the first half of the team competition this morning, with what I imagine is a career best for him and Zilverstar: 75.026%. I’ll come back later today with a recap of the competition, but I’ll leave you with a snapshot of the venue and ‘crowds’.
Not exactly a packed house, despite the TO2015 website showing almost no seats left
