Most of us have forgotten about the annoying technical glitch that marred the symmetry and perfection of the Opening Ceremony lighting of the indoor Olympic cauldron on February 12. Four arms were supposed to rise from their own trap doors in the floor and meet in a criss-crossing pattern above the heads of 4 Canadian athletes poised with flames to light the Olympic symbol.
One of the arms refused to emerge from the ground, leaving NBC announcers to speculate and an awkward moment for the audience. But the show must go on. And it did.
Tonight, two weeks later, the Vancouver Olympic producers finished up their business. The Closing Ceremony opened up with a repairman-as-clown climbing up from the trap door in the floor, tinkering with some cables, and voila! Up came the 4th arm, and just in time, athlete Catriona Le May Doan finally had her opportunity to light the torch.
It was terrific! Self-deprecating humor, especially during an event glitch, always helps turn things around. We got the joke; we appreciated the repair, the closure; and we empathize. We audience members so wanted everything to go off without a hitch. Thanks, Vancouver. That was perfect!
Comments