recut from NBC news, see the Olympic fire carried above the stadium to the LED screen symbolizing the way the Olympic fire had to take to China.
Very beautifully done!
Duration : 0:4:0
Lights for sport
November 19, 2008
Torch Lighting Ceremony 2008
October 27, 2008
Athens 2004 Olympic Games - Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron
Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron
The Opening Ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games culminated in the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by 1996 Gold Medalist Windsurfer Nikolaos Kaklamanakis. The gigantic cauldron, which was styled after the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch, pivoted down to be lit by the 35 year-old, before slowly swinging up and lifting the flame high above the stadium. Kaklamanakis would later win his silver medal in the men’s mistral behind Israeli windsurfer Gal Fridman.
Music:
Finale from Pirogov, Dmitri Shostakovich
Duration : 0:2:25
October 14, 2008
Atlanta 1996 OC - Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron
The main highlight of any Olympic Games opening ceremony: the lighting of the Olympic cauldron by the Flame. First, the late Al Oerter (1936-2007) brings in the Olympic torch from outside the stadium. Oerter was the four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw event from Melbourne 1956 to Mexico City 1968 consecutively.
Within the bowels of the stadium, the flame was passed from Oerter to Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. He was the Los Angeles 1984 bronze medal winner in the light-heavyweight boxing event. He then popped out from the center of the stadium, from where the official opening speeches were spoken.
As he carried the Olympic Flame closer to its final destination, he picked up Paraskevi (”Voula”) Patoulidou of Greece (her name in Greek is Παρασκευή “Βούλα” Πατουλίδου) to accompany him. Patoulidou was the first Greek female athlete, at the time, to earn an Olympic medal in a track and field event. In Barcelona 1992, she won gold in the 100m hurdles event. She would “repeat” this scene again at the Athens 2004 opening ceremony, but by herself. I believe she is the only person to be allowed that kind of honor TWICE so far in modern Olympic history.
Then, the Flame was passed to Janet Evans: a four-time Olympic gold medalist and an Olympic silver medalist in swimming from both Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992.
Finally, the climax and the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron was given to MUHAMMAD ALI (formerly named Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr). He was the Olympic champion and gold medalist in the light-heavyweight boxing event at Rome 1960. Kind of funny that the Flame would just “crawl” along the line up to the cauldron like that; never mind how some people reacted what the cauldron looked like then.
Note: The “Ode To Joy” music was used mostly throughout this clip.
Duration : 0:8:27
September 22, 2008
Sydney 2000 OC - Cathy Freeman Lights The Olympic Cauldron
The biggest moment of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony. An innovative way of lighting the Olympic Flame to the cauldron by Atlanta 1996 Olympic silver medalist in the women’s 400m event at the time: Cathy Freeman. She went on to win the Olympic gold medal in these Games in the same women’s 400m event.
Note: Very sorry for the poor quality of the picture near the end of this clip. The VCR tape I had this recorded on was showing its age and I was concerned that I was going to lose this entire show because of that.
I know that there is other YouTube uploads of this scene. You may want to look them up for better quality than this clip.
At the end of this clip, fireworks go off at one of Stadium Australia, as the cauldron itself was assisted mechanically, to officially conclude the opening ceremony of these Games.
Duration : 0:9:33
September 17, 2008
Lighting Up the Cauldron Asian Games 2006
Some say that watching it was like watching a movie. Watching a prince climb on top of a mighty stallion, his father the King smiling so proudly to his son, the horse runs up the ramp, it’s raining, the horse almost slips as the Prince reaches the top. Will he make it? Yes! The horse makes it! The torch is lit.
Duration : 0:9:35
September 13, 2008
Lighting of the Olympic Cauldron Olympics LONDON 1948 2012
Amateur Footage
London, Wembley Stadium, 29 July 1948, Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XIV Olympiad: John Mark lights the cauldron containing the Olympic flame.
Duration : 0:1:4
August 28, 2008
1996 Atlanta Opening Ceremonies - Lighting of the Cauldron
(12:17am) This is the entrance of the Olympic Flame into the Olympic Stadium and the Lighting of the Cauldron by Muhammad Ali hosted by Bob Costas & Dick Enberg to the music of Beetoven’s “Ode to Joy”. Athletes hand-off include:
Al Oerter, Evander Holyfield, Voula Patoulidou, & Janet Evans. Others include Shaquille O’Neal & Michael Johnson. July 20th, 1996 Atlanta, Georgia USA
I recommend viewing Janet Evans’ video speech under her website on being a champion where she talks about this moment.
http://www.janetevans.com/index2.html
Click on “Speaking” then “Video Preview” at lower right of page.
Duration : 0:8:14
August 15, 2008
Doha 2006 Asiad Opening Ceremony - Lighting of the Cauldron
It is the best lighting of cauldron i have ever seen.The Qatari Emir’s son,Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad al-Thani, holds up a torch before he rides his horse towards the cauldron in a very dangerous way.Rain also made it so difficult.Really he is a good horseman.
Duration : 0:4:44