Kicking it Off | Opening Ceremony

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There is audio and video media through out the opening ceremony. Some audio is attached to non-musical segments so please keep an eye out for the audio bar above images. To help, below is a guide to all playable media in the ceremony, don't open the spoiler if you don't want to know what music is going to be featured.

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Ivana Montoya
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to live coverage of the opening ceremony to the Games of the XIV Simlympiad in Erikkson, Insulo. This international English-language broadcast is provided by IENC and our partners around the world. I am joined in commentating this opening ceremony by fellow IENC reporter Dante Roberts.

Dante Roberts
Thank you Ivana, it thrills all of us Insulonians here watching today to see our nation coming together to host the biggest event in the Simworld. We have been told that the ceremony will start momentarily, without starting announcements other than a one minute warning to return to seats, so let's begin our coverage right away. The stadium is immersed in darkness, as this late-night opening ceremony is set to begin. You can feel the excitement in the warm night air!



Dante Roberts
The waiting is almost unbearable, you could hear a pen drop in the packed Simlympic Stadium, sold out tonight with a confirmed attendance 0f 107,895 and a international television aud--

Ivana Montoya
Wait! Here we go folks, a buzzer has sounded in the Simlympic Stadium! This first segment is called "Emergence from Darkness" and includes gently lighted silhouettes of athletes "practicing" on the floor. Right now we are seeing a tennis player.



Dante Roberts
This segment represents the the long hard road to the games for the athletes, and all the work they have put in to get to this highest stage.



Ivana Montoya
Now we are entering a short light and fireworks show in a segment called "Victory Dance of Dreams". This portion of the ceremony celebrates the achievement of the athletes fulfilling their dreams by reaching the Simlympics. Wow look at those fireworks, hope we get to see more of those.



Dante Roberts
I imagine we will Ivana, the Insulo Simlympic Planning Commission has spared no expense in preparation for these games. Speaking of fireworks, as the stadium lights up for the official introduction to the ceremony the sky is lit by shimmering white shells.



Ivana Montoya
We will now cut our audio to the stadium announcer.

Announcer
Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the Opening Ceremony for the XIV Simlympics Games.

Mujeres y hombres, bienvenido a la ceremonia primera de los Juegos Simlímpicos XIV.
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Please rise for the national anthem of Insulo.

Por favor levántense para el himno nacional de Ensuña.




Dante Roberts
You can see tears in the eyes of many Insulonians as they receive this resounding confirmation that this is truly happening, Insulo has the opportunity to showcase itself before the entire world. A momentous achievement for this nation, having not long ago escaped tyranny and civil war to create a new free Insulonian State. We all now know for sure, it's our time now.

Ivana Montoya
Yes it is a very emotional experience to see this day, but on we must go. It is now time for the National Anthem of the First Simlympic Host Nation, the Dominion of Wales.

Announcer
Please remain standing for the national anthem of the Dominion of Wales, in honor of their hosting the first Simlympic Games.

Por favor, permanecer de pie durante el himno nacional del Dominio de Gales, en honor de ser el anfitrión de los primeros Juegos Simlímpicos.




Dante Roberts
The crowd is very loud right now, and electronic music has started playing.

Ivana Montoya
Indeed Dante, this segment is titled Celebration Born of Fire. From indications we should be getting an amazing fireworks show in the coming minutes. This segment symbolizes both Insulonian community festivals and our celebration here today for these Simlympics.




Dante Roberts
Oh wow look at those fireworks, incredible. The Erikkson 2011 planning committee contracted Insulonian fireworks company EnBoom to provide the pyrotechnical side of the show, and I must say it was fabulous choice.

Ivana Montoya
And on the floor below those incredible fireworks, if you can make it out through the smoke, is footage of the St. Joan's Eve festivities here in Erikkson. Interestingly enough, this holiday occurs during the Simlympics on June 24th. It will be interesting to see how impressive the festival is this year.



Ivana Montoya
Stunning! Absolutely beautiful fireworks. The crowd seems to be enjoying this as well.

Dante Roberts
Very much agreed Ivana, simply incredible spectacle. Also of note, on the floor now you can see images from the Las Fallas festival in Nueva Valencia.

Ivana Montoya
Oh I love Las Fallas! Those incredible creations that the neighborhoods create and compete with. Then, once a winner has been decided they have a massive night of partying and the creations are burned as fireworks and music fill the air.

Dante Roberts
Now as the last fireworks fade the stadium has gone silent and is bathed in red light. Now flamenco music has begun playing, two dancers have appeared in the center of the stadium floor.




Ivana Montoya
How beautifully done. Now there are heard shaped fireworks bursting around the stadium as the two begin their dance at the center of the swirling red floor. What a wonderful way to show off this element of our culture.

Dante Roberts
As the dance comes to an end and the red light fades it appears pictures of vistas around Insulo are being projected on the floor.



Ivana Montoya
That was nicely composed and a lovely contrast to the other segments to far.

Dante Roberts
And now it appears that the crashing waves have transitioned in to an open sea, the way they've done it almost looks like the stadium is being filled with water. Now smoke is filling the top of the stadium, with what appears to be glitter and swirling spotlights making it simulate a starry and slightly cloudy night.



Ivana Montoya
Now a ship has appeared on the floor, this segment is titled "Insulo and the Sea" and highlights Insulonian culture's close relationship with the sea and it's long sea-going history. This appears to be an explorers ship looking for new lands.

Dante Roberts
The ship has faded now and the stadium has lightened up a bit, now a giant fountain of sparks is being emitted from the floor, simulating a splash of water.



Dante Roberts
Now it's time for some musical acts. First up is Adele with "Hometown Glory".


















Ivana Montoya
Now it's time for one of the most anticipated and important segments of the ceremony, the Parade of Nations. The Parade starts with the first Simlympic host, The Dominion of Wales, and ends with the host of this simlympiad, INSULO!











Dante Roberts
We finally see the athletes from Insulo begin to round the corner, and the crowd is going crazy. You can't hear a thing other than the yells of over a hundred thousand!



Ivana Montoya
Now that everyone is in their seats the oaths and speeches can begin. First up, to take the Judge's Oath, is DPL and LPDI referee Matio Larreta. Larreta is generally regarded as the best football referee in Insulo



Dante Roberts
Now to take the Athlete's Oath is Insulonian tennis star Fernando Slalazar. He currently is ranked third in the ITL and first in the LTE.



Ivana Montoya
Now it's time for President Clarke to speak. He was instrumental in bringing the games to Insulo and has been actively involved throughout the planning process, even foregoing visits to other nations.

Dante Roberts
It is great to see the President so concerned for the success of this event, he even contributed three million valuto of his own money to preparing the games. It will be very interesting to see what he has to say.



Ivana Montoya
Oh wow, what an incredible speech. That really strikes home for all us Insulonians. Just amazing.

Dante Roberts
He did an unbelievable job of putting the Insulonian feelings about these games into words. For those of you that don't know in 1985 a revolution overthrew the 79 year rule of the Insulonian Nationalist Party, a fascist group. The country has since strove to erase the memories of those bad times but modernizing and booming into the 21st century. These games mean so much to us, and that speech did a great job of summarizing that. The crowd still hasn't stopped applauding.

Ivana Montoya
Once the crowd stops cheering we will hear the speech from the Co-President of the ISC.



Dante Roberts
Awesome speech by Rory Douglas, Co-President of the ISC. He did a wonderful job summarizing the importance of the Simlympics and the overall theme of these games. Now for the opening of the games by the Governor Ortiz of Hogara, the chief planner of the games.





Ivana Montoya
Now, the moment we've all been waiting for, the lighting of the cauldron!

Dante Roberts
The official cauldron is outside of the stadium this year, and rather than lighting a substitute cauldron inside the stadium, the lighting of the cauldron will be displayed on the floor of the stadium.

Ivana Montoya
Indeed, and now we can see the final torch bearer, Fidel Capel. Don Capel is a national hero in Insulo. He was the inspirational leader of the revolution against the Nationalistas, a mayor of Omata who was the only government official to speak out against the policy of the government. A speech by him brought a crowd of more than a hundred thousand people to Omata to protest the government. The protest was brutally put down by the Army. Over 400 protesters were killed and Don Capel was was jailed. He was finally freed when the rebels occupied Cxefurbo and ousted the government. Her was expected to be the first president of Insulo, but turned down the position to live out his life. At the age of 98, Don Capel is assisted in bearing the torch in his wheelchair by Nolano Capel, his son. Upon seeing Don Capel on the floor screen the crown burst into applause. The identity of the final torch bearer had been kept secret from the public until now.

Dante Roberts
How fitting it is to have Don Capel as the person to light the flame for this event personifying the future of Insulo. Now Don Capel has arrived at the Cauldron tower, located at the World Pavilion just across the street from the stadium. They've come to a stop about five meters from the electronic "fuse" that will, when lit, light the top of off the tower. Don Capel has stood up, and it appears Don Capel will walk the last short distance unassisted, despite his condition!

Ivana Montoya
Wow! It's been years since we've seen him walk. What a symbol of the courage and perseverance of the Insulonian people! Don Capel is now walking toward the fuse. The fuse is lit and the tower has burst into flame as Don Capel is helped back into his chair!



Dante Roberts
And now the stadium has burst into fireworks, which are scheduled to go on for the next half hour!




Ivana Montoya
The remainder of the fireworks will be broadcast, but these are our last words to you. Enjoy the show and the games, goodbye and we'll see you tomorrow.

Dante Roberts
Goodbye, now sit back and watch the end of this breathtaking show as we do.