The Opening Ceremony

Saturday 8th Feb.

There can only really be one topic for today's blog... the Opening Ceremony.

This is my 3rd opening Ceremony, with the speeches and team entrances, and Harry's address to the competitors as Patron.

I was at the OC, for both the first in 2014 in London, and for the previous games in Düsseldorf in 2023. This year in Vancouver the emotion, as the athletes entered the stadium, was palpable, as speeches took place, you could again see how much being here meant to those taking part. To be part of a team again, with others who had served, like them, who understood them, who gave them their purpose again. 

It's truly a privilege to have been selected to volunteer here and support all the competitors and their support groups of family and friends. 

I initially didn't manage to buy an OC ticket, so was very grateful that a fellow volunteer I had met some years ago, who had also been in Düsseldorf, had a spare. So for the price of a coffee and scone, beer and a Vietnamese meal, (and probably another drink needed too), the cost of the ticket was just about covered. (Many thanks to Ian for accepting the payment in food and drink instead of cold hard cash)

The Ceremony was due to begin at 1pm, unusually an afternoon start, but nice for heading home after, in daylight.

The usual parade of athletes, speeches and crucially the thanks to the 4 home nations on whose lands the games are taking place.

The speeches were peppered with musical interludes, Nelly Furtado, Roxane Bruneau from BC, Noah Kavan, Chris Martin (he of Coldplay) who had put the Invictus poem to music, sang with the backing of 4 others and a choir, then sang a couple of other songs with just the guitar to accompany him.

One Invictus participant in Düsseldorf had been mentioned in that OC by Harry, for having been traumatised by seeing bagpipes, as a result of having played pipes for over 60 coffins being sent home. Today, he was in full uniform playing the pipes, backed by scores of other pipers and drummers, it was incredible, and had been part of his healing journey. 

Prince Harry, as ever, gave a heartfelt and rousing speech to everyone. 

The Ceremony closed with Katy Perry doing a medley of her songs. A fabulous way to end the "show". And, a great way for many to see their favourite singers and performers for a bargain price. 

A few competitors were leaving early,  competition preliminary rounds taking place for wheelchair basketball this evening, so maybe off to prepare.

Good luck to all taking part, I hope I'm able to get to see some sport while I'm here.

I'm on shift in the morning, an 8am start. Let's see what "transport and logistics" really is all about.