TV leaks news on opening ceremony
Preparations for the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics are a fiercely guarded secret. But here’s the latest leak: A pool of water may appear at the center of the main Olympic stadium on the big day. Private Mega television reported yesterday that water will be pumped into the central field of the 75,000-seat stadium during the August 13 spectacle. The report gave no other details and Olympic organizers refused to comment. If true, however, it could be another break in the wall of secrecy about the three-hour show. Last week, The Associated Press obtained documents that describe the Olympic Flame’s cauldron as a «spindle-shaped» structure 30.5 meters long (100 feet) and 1.5 meters (5 feet) at its maximum diameter. They added that the main structure will be connected to the base by a hinge, suggesting it could move. The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Dimitris Papaioannou, also has hinted that water could be involved. «We will see a fairy tale about the essence of the history of the country,» he told AP recently. «The look of Greece will be there and Greece has the look of sea and rocks. With some scenery changes, you find in there the beauty of our country.» He refused to give any other details. The delayed 17,000-ton roof of the stadium must be completed by the end of June to allow for work inside and outside the venue to be completed in time for the August 13-29 Games. (AP)
