From Cali- Entry #8

From Cali- Entry #8: This is probably one of the last detailed entries that I publish for a while. Racing starts tomorrow and from the looks of it, we'll be at the track all day. I'll be getting back to the hotel fairly late and I think that I'll be wanting to sleep.

The openning ceremonies took place today. Apart from the salsa dancing guiness world records, the thousands of fans, the rain that added to the atmosphere, the multi-nation volleyball game that ended in a multi-national wrestling match, and skaters, officials, organizers, and fans from all over the world being together for a night of celebration, it was a regular evening.

I'll tell you about the evening with the photos that follow the video- yes, that's right, my video of the first few days is online. It includes track practices, clips of the track, clips from around Cali, and time with the Canadian team. click here or press play below-



Security was very high

These guys were really nice

It was only a matter of time until all the flags would topple over- a custodian knocked them over, and you can see Martine Charbonneau helping pick them up

Kids!

I think this one's a mascot

Great Britain's Gavin Pollock

In the meeting area before the openning ceremonies

South Africa and Swizterland (Rafael Phlug) athletes

Chile

And let the multi-national volleyball game begin...

...and the game continues...

...on and on it goes...

...and let the multi-national wrestling match for the ball begin...

...and go on

Jesse Pauley- Canada's flag bearer

Alan Coronado- Mexico's flag bearer

Argentina's flag bearer

These two were part of the show

Security outside before the athlete's parade

The Canada sign

Chile came in after Canada

The Canadian team starts to walk towards the stadium- it was a very organized parade; we had to walk in a certain formation and a specific distance from each other

This is what greeted us into the stadium...

...and we marched around the entire track...

...past the jam-packed stands...

...filled with Colombian fans who cheered everone on...

...and these very important people...

...and more fans

The team from India

Iran

Italy

USA girls...and Gavin Pollock in front of them

Gavin and I

And then it started to rain. Almost everyone went inside, well, almost everyone. Gavin waited in the rain and it stopped raining. A lot of people missed the great show, but not Gavin!

Colombian skaters dancing to the salsa music...

...along with those who set the guiness world record for salsa dancing; they danced all around the track

Argentina!