Games set for a spectacular opening

Those mediapersons and others who have been lucky enough to have witnessed the two full-scale dress-rehearsals of the ceremony have also been requested by the organisers not to divulge the `secrets’.

The normal practice, to make available to the media an advance copy about what the ceremony would unveil, such as the number of participants and the various cultural items which are to be presented to the world audience, has been done away with here.

The practice in earlier Games was to disclose the entire programme, with only the identity of the person lighting the cauldron inside the main stadium with the Olympic torch, kept in suspense till the last.

And like in the past there is enormous amount of speculation this time around too on who is going to light the flame. An eminent sportsperson of the host Nation is generally bestowed upon with this honour.

Who can forget boxing legend Mohammed Ali, with his entire body shaking due to Parkinson’s disease, struggling manfully to still his shaking hands and lighting the cauldron at Atlanta four years ago.

Australia is a rich country in Sports talent, both past and present.

There is the living cricket God, Sir Donald Bradman himself who is widely considered to be the greatest living Australian.

There is also the swimming legend Dawn Fraser, apart from any number of tennis, cricket and hockey stars who can be entrusted with the honour.

Another wild guess going around is that it could be even former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who is now here as a specially invited guest to mark Australia’s commitment to racial equality and international peace.

The entire programme, scheduled to commence at 6 pm local time (1:30 pm IST), is expected to last for three hours and seven minutes and will showcase the achievements of the people of the Kangaroo land in various walks of life.

A cast and crew of 18,000 persons will put on a colourful rendition of the host country’s past and present as well as its plans and hopes for the future.

Traditional dances by the aborigines, the original inhabitants of the host Nation, highlighting the past and the present will be reflected by the Aussie version of “Can Can” during the ceremony.

Music enthusiasts will be entertained by well-known singers Olivia Newton John and John Farnham.

The official programme (All times IST):

1.30 pm: Pre-show entertainment. 2.30: Official start of ceremony with welcome. 2.34: Head of state arrival. 2.40: Cultural section. 3.30: Athletes’ parade. 4.30: Official speeches/ opening. 4.35 : Arrival of Olympic flag. 4.45 : Oaths- Athletes and judges. 4.54: Arrival of torch bearer and lighting of flame. 5.30: Finale. 5.35 : Official end of ceremony.