I once saw the biggest whoopsie of nightmarish proportions. It happened during the Opening Ceremonies for the last Winter Olympic Games.
Yes, I was in the audience with a mere 59, 999 other people when the lighting of the Olympic torch, the biggest part of the ceremonies, went awry. The reactions of the performers is something I’ll never forget.
As you may recall, the February 12th, 2010 ceremonies opened with the spectacular leap through the Olympic Rings by a snowboarder.
For the next couple of hours we experienced a world of B-I-G.
That’s me on the left, next to the fellow in gray.
Pure magic.
Finally, the biggest moment was about to unfold. The lighting of the Olympic Torch.
You could feel the anticipation in the crowd. We were sitting in an enclosed stadium. How would the torch be lit? Who would light the torch?
Rick Hansen, the amazing Canadian athlete who in 1987 completed a 26 month, 40,000 kilometer (24,854.8 mile) wheelchair journey through 34 countries wheeled his way into the stadium carrying a lit torch. Soon four other Canadian athletes joined him at centre stage. NBA player Steve Nash, two-time gold medalist, speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan, gold medalist, skier Nancy Greene and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
Rick touched his torch to Wayne’s and one by one they each had their own hand-held torches lit and went to stand in a circle.
The music soared. And soared. We focused our attention on the Jumbotrons that were dotted throughout. The four athletes stood still, their arms in the air. Waiting. The music kept soaring.
It’s important to point out that the viewers at home were listening to a full on commentary. They were learning from the broadcaster that something was going wrong with the subfloor mechanisms. Three doors had opened but one had not. Those of us at the ceremony were not privy to this. We were all growing rather puzzled with the lengthy musical proceedings. Our first real clue was the reaction on the faces of the athletes. All four were exchanging huge grins.
Finally three enormous silver bars rose out of the floor. Nancy, Steve and Wayne walked towards them. But Catriona stood ramrod still, her arm frozen aloft, the flame of her torch burning brightly.
The biggest whoopsie was revealed.
As the other three placed their lit torches to the bars, the flames leapt across and racing up the full lengths, lit the centre cauldron. The Olympic torch was aglow. You could feel the pulsating heat in the stadium seats.
As the athletes turned outwards, their torches held high it was then that we realised the biggest whoopsie had just taken place. Catriona’s mechanical arm had failed to rise from the floor. She handled the situation perfectly however. Standing, smiling and waving to the crowd with the consummate confidence of a professional.
Because the original Olympic torch was lit within an enclosed stadium it wasn’t practical to have it burn during the entire two weeks of the Olympics. A second outdoor version, a copy of the first, was lit by Wayne Gretzky a few minutes later.
Comparing the two pictures of the indoor and the outdoor versions you can see the difference between the two.
During the Closing Ceremonies for the games, the biggest whoopsie was addressed. A mime dressed as a repairman hauled on a rope and pulled the faulty fourth arm out of the floor. Catriona appeared and with a huge smile on her face lit the arm and the Olympic torch once again burst into flame. It was brilliant. The crowd rose to their feet as one and roared in appreciation. The biggest whoopsie was acknowledged and corrected. I’ll never forget it.
Enough about the lighting of 2010 Olympic torch. I’m curious about you. Are you aflame with anticipation for the upcoming 2014 Sochi Winter Games? Or will you calmly give them a miss? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
This post was crafted as part of the Finish the Sentence Friday games that are held each Friday by these four fabulous hosts: Kate’s Can I Get Another Bottle of Wine, Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic, Stephanie’s Mommy for Real and Kristi’s Finding Ninee. Today’s sentence prompt was “I once saw the biggest …”
41 Responses
I can’t wait for the Olympics to start, I am a huge fan ! That was an amazing ” whoopsie”, very entertaining, and handled beautifully by all involved !
I’m a huge fan too Jane. I am finding it hard to believe though that “ours” were already four years ago. Where’d the time go?
I only follow certain olympic events so I totally missed that. Thanks for the story because I also had never heard it.
What was so funny Kenya was that it was really only at the restaurant afterwards where we learned the true extent of the failure. The local commentators were all over it on the big screen tv’s. Sitting in the audience we had an idea but were really out in left field until we watched the broadcast.
That’s like the Superbowl wardrobe malfunction with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. LOL!
It was Kenya! Mind you folks are still talking about the J and J show …
How exciting that you were there!!! I bet that was absolutely awesome to behold live. (it certainly is magical at home!) It never dawned on me how that little whoopsie came across in the stadium. Of COURSE you didn’t have the commentary we did. Hahahahahaha. I just never realized how it must have come across to those of you there until I read this. I’m excited for the Olympics. I just love them. –Lisa
It was really exciting to be there Lisa. Another “secret” was the late arrival of all the bigwigs. They have a special section just for them and for first twenty minutes or so it was pretty empty. Their bus had trouble getting to stadium or something. Quite a hoot watching them all file in late.
As I mentioned just now to Kenya it was really not until we watched the broadcast highlights at the restaurant afterwards that we got the full picture of the mechanical error. I’m looking forward to watching the opening ceremonies on tv this time. So excited for Sochi.
How exciting to have been in the audience for an Olympic ceremony! Four years later I’d forgotten this snafu.
It was incredible Kathy. I can’t believe that it was already four years ago though. Seems more like two …
I found you right next to the guy in the gray! I’m pretty neutral about the Olympics, but I’ll watch with my kids. Similar to your experience, my husband will come home from a Ravens game and ask me about a ref’s call. At home, we know what’s going on because the TV commentators tell us. At the stadium, the crowd just hears the call and doesn’t see the replays or the explanations.
Good eyes Dana. So far you’re the only one to spot me. Funny that.
I think there are points for both being on site and for being at home watching. I’m usually at home. Will be viewing Sochi’s opening ceremonies from my couch!
I completely missed this whoopsie and LOVE that you were there in person! What an amazing thing to have done. The snowboarding photos (both the guy jumping through the hoop and the lit up snow one) are incredible and make me want to go to an Olympic games! What fun.
Kristi – I have to say we were blessed to have the last winter Olympics so close to home. It was so much fun. Everyone and everything was so alive. If you can ever go to one I highly recommend it. The folks in Sochi are in for a treat.
I usually follow ice skating in the winter Olympics and the gymnastics in the summer one. So, I truly missed this, but how awesome that you were actually there in the audience (even though this was a big whoopsie indeed).
It was pretty awesome to be there Janine. I loved everything about it = especially the whoopsie!
What a whoopsie! I remember that, but wowie that you were there in person, Kelly. I am a HUGE Olympic fan. Watching is a treat. I get so emotional! PS I thought you were going to ask for our personal whoopsie. I bet I’ve gotten your blog wheel spinning!!!!
I should have asked for everyone’s personal whoopsie. Whoopsie!
Um, whoops is right! How cool that you were there! What a great memory. So excited to watch this year’s games…
I’m so excited to watch the games too! They’ll be here before we know it.
How fun you got to be there! And I had no trouble spotting you in the crowd – it was a delightful smile that gave you right away. I’m looking forward to this year’s games, although I’m a watcher in small doses rather than constantly tuned in.
Wonderful eagle eyes Deborah. Thanks for looking for me!
I remember that, Kelly. I loved your Opening Ceremony. It was beautiful! I watch as much of everything that I can during the Olympics. I’m going to empty the Video Recorder so it has room to record almost 24/7.
So fun to do that Jennifer. It’s wonderful that the Olympics are longer than a week, isn’t it? That would be far too short in my books.
AAAh, the Olympic Games are so perfect and intense and imperfect all at the same time! Your biggest whoopsie is such a true representation of how amazing the performances in the Olympics are and how quickly something can go awry. Regardless of the missing fourth leg, it must have been so awesome to watch the Opening Ceremony!
It was amazing to be there Lisa. We had to get there about 3 hours ahead as I recall. Great excitement in the crowd right from the beginning. They had “crowd enthusiasts” whose job it was to get the folks all pumped up but they really weren’t needed.
Oh Kelly that ooopsie seems like just yesterday. Indeed where have 4 years gone. The Olympics have always been a favorite for me. While I was not lucky enough to be at the opening it truly was a magical time. My two favorite moments were meeting Rick Hansen and the beloved Snow Leopard.
Always an Olympic fan – got my mittens and PVR ready!!!
Thanks for the fond trip back 4 years ago.
You got to meet Rick? Wow – that’s cool. What’s the story on Snow Leopard – gotta hear that one. I must dig out my mittens too. Brilliant idea Janice.
I had completely forgotten about that Whoopsie! But, oh, I remember now. As I recall, there was also a dearth of snow? Not much of an Olympics fan, but watched that one because it was Vancouver, where my husband was born.
Yes Linda – there was a dearth of snow on our local mountains (snowboarding etc took place there) but not up at Whistler (downhill and cross country events). Snow actually had to be trucked in from snowy areas further east. My tickets to snowcross were cancelled as I hadn’t booked the stadium seats but booked “standing.” No snow for the standing folks! We all got bumped however the stadium people were fine.
My family will be watching.. the experience last year was amazing given that it took place in MY home town. Hockey of course will be a big hit in our household!
How lucky for you as well to have them last year! It is magic isn’t it? Hockey is huge in my house too – it’ll be tough to recreate 2010’s results though. Fingers crossed.
The Winter Olympics does not feature heavily in Australia. Many of the sports are not played here and skiing and snowboarding are very expensive and limited sports. We only have a handful of mountains in the entire country that ever get any snow and then it only lasts for 3 months or so. Most of us go for years without seeing snow.
Is the Winter Olympics highly anticipated where you are?
Hugely anticipated Karen. Whistler ski resort is a mere two hour drive north and it boasts some of the finest skiing in North America. Our local mountains – in a “proper” winter are only 20 minutes away and offer great skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing opportunities. I’d say that the Winter are even more popular than the Summer Olympics. However, right now the Australian tennis is dominating the sports reporting over here.
I’m so happy you shared this story. I held my sleeping infant son as I watched most of those games. I absolutely adore the Olympics- it’s always been a family tradition to watch them. I’m conflicted about watching this year’s events because of all the controversy.
The winter Olympics were a godsend when my daughter was born. Kept me sane as she fed through the night … I know what you mean about the controversy this year. It’s tricky. I do feel bad for the athletes and the hours and hours of effort they’ve put in.
I remember those games, but I don’t think I was aware of the whoopsie. If I was I’ve since forgotten. How AMAZING that you were there!! My In-Laws were at the Salt Lake City Olympics and it was magic! We are HUGE fans if the games, and are counting down the days until this February. We always take the opportunity to have a cultural lesson about the country they’re being held in. For the kids and us! The first year we did that was when they were in Canada, and we’ve continued the tradition ever since. The kids get a kick out of making their flag, learning what their money looks like, what they eat, the language(s) they speak, etcetera.
What a brilliant idea – to do the cultural lesson. Suspect it’s a tad late for me now though. “I’ve got 5 lectures worth of notes to absorb and 16 papers to write and you want me to study up on Sochi?” Too bad I didn’t know you ten years ago Beth…
What a nightmare for the person responsible that segment of the event running smoothly – panic attack moment I think!! ! I love the winter olympics – I remember the Vancouver olympics well – really only seems like a couple of years ago though! Russia fascinates me – it will be an interesting event this year, I’m sure.
That’s exactly what I was thinking Helen. “Panic attack moment.” I love how they laughed at themselves in the closing ceremonies. It was really very clever. I am looking forward to Sochi too. However, as I’ve said here many times “how can ours be 4 years ago already?”