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A crowd of some 35,000, including U.S First Lady
Laura Bush and Italian film legend Sophia Loren, filled the Olympic
Stadium. More than 4,700 performers, including fast-moving skaters with
fiery rocket packs,dancers and even dancing cows opened the festivities.
Some 2,600 athletes from the more than 80 countries and territories
marched into the stadium accompanied by American pop music from the 1970s
and 1980s. The worldwide television audience was estimated at around two
billion.
Following more than two hours of celebration and
pageantry ,
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge addressed the
athletes.
"Please compete in the spirit of fair play, mutual understanding, and
respect," he said. "And above all, please compete cleanly by refusing
doping.
Then, the president of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
officially opened the Games.
"I declare open in Turin the celebration of the 20th Winter Olympic
Games," he said.
The musical highlights of the show included an appearance by the late
John Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, and his song "Imagine" sung by Peter
Gabriel.
The entertainment was capped off with a
performance by legendary Italian tenor
Luciano Pavarotti.
The final torch bearer
was former cross country skier Stefania Belmondo of Italy. She lit the
tallest-ever Olympic cauldron, which rises to 57 meters. It will be seen
throughout the city during the 16 days of competition, as athletes vie for
84 gold medals in 15 sports.
The Olympics are being protected by unprecedented security, which
includes some 15,000 Italian police and a no-fly zone backed up by NATO
fighter jets. | 
