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[from the Appletree Press title John McNally - Boxing's Forgotten Hero published by Appletree Press]
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTHWe swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in fair competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and with the desire to participate in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the honour of our country and for the glory of sport.The Olympic Stadium in Helsinki had waited a long time to claim its place among the great sporting arenas of the world. Construction on the massive arena, which lies two miles outside the centre of Helsinki in the Töölö district, had begun in February 1934 and was completed with two years to spare in June 1938, in preparation for the 1940 Games. However, history intervened and the onset of the Second World War saw the stadium empty and lifeless during July 1940. Fate however came to the rescue in 1947, when the International Olympic Committee presented Helsinki and the 70,000-capacity stadium with a second chance of glory by awarding Finland the 1952 Games. After a quick lick of paint and a dusting down, the Olympiastadion was ready for action and looking resplendent as the Games drew near. The opening ceremony for the Helsinki Olympics was scheduled for the stadium for Saturday 19 July, but any hopes that the organisers held for good weather were dashed from early morning. What had been planned as the highlight of the Games was ruined, as steady drizzle and heavy rain alternated with thunder and lightning throughout the day. Despite the downpour, a capacity crowd including the great and the good of world sport and political leaders gathered in the stadium. The Irish team – very much at home in the weather – were up early as the protocols and rules were read out to them by team manager Christy Murphy. Blazers were brushed clean, shoes were polished to perfection and hair was styled immaculately with Brylcreem, as the time drew near to depart for the stadium. In all, 5,000 athletes representing 69 nations were simultaneously going through the same processes as the military operation to get them to the stadium swung into action. At last, the Irish team was ready: officials with clipboards rapped the doors of the apartments to tell them that the time had come. A gleaming Tricolour of brilliant green, white and orange was placed outside the door – as the athletes emerged to get on their buses, a sense of pride and nerves took hold. “Basically we had been clicking our heels for a few days, waiting on things to start, but the enthusiasm was still there. Eventually, the day arrived for the opening ceremony and the first thing we all noticed was that the weather was atrocious. But this was just like the weather back home, so we just got on with it. The whole ceremony took four hours and we were soaked right though. Our blazers, shirts and trousers, shoes and socks were sodden and it quickly turned into a farce as the rain got heavier and heavier.” The ceremonies began with the customary Parade of Nations, led according to tradition by the Greek team. The other teams followed in alphabetical order and the host team was the last to enter the Stadium. Squeezed in between Iran and Italy came Ireland, but after enduring the worst of the Finnish summer for two hours in the field adjacent to the stadium, all the athletes wanted to do was get the ceremony over, and go back to their quarters. Traditionally, the host nation tries to outdo the previous hosts in putting on a more spectacular show, and despite the weather Finland pulled out all the stops. The highlight of the day came when the Olympic flame entered the stadium in the hand of Paavo Nurmi, the legendary long distance runner who was featured on the official poster for the Games. The athletes broke ranks to catch a glimpse of Nurmi who lit the cauldron on the field. Four children then carried the torch to the top of the Stadium tower where the official flame was lit by the sixty-three-year-old Finn, Hannes Kolehmainen, long distance runner and holder of four Olympic gold medals. There was a disruption in the proceedings when German peace activist Barbara Rotbraut-Pleyer gained access to the track and ran to the speaker’s rostrum in order to deliver her message for world peace. She was immediately dubbed the ‘Peace Angel’ by the assembled press. The gymnast Heikki Savolainen, medallist at four previous Olympic Games, swore the Olympic oath on behalf of the athletes: “We swear that we will take part in the Olympic Games in fair competition, respecting the regulations which govern them and with the desire to participate in the true spirit of sportsmanship for the honour of our country and for the glory of sport.”
Eventually, after further pomp and circumstance, including the release of 6,000 doves, the President of Finland, Mr Juho Kusti Paasikivi declared the Games open. With steam rising from their soaking backs, the Irish team left the stadium and returned to their quarters for a well-deserved shower and a chance to relax. However, one of the boxers was to regret his haste. After treatment, Kevin Martin was deemed fit to box in the Games, but his back held the evidence of his rashness. Boxing was not due to commence until Monday 28 July, which gave the pugilists a full week to prepare for their first bouts. The team took full advantage of free access to the events at the Olympic Stadium, and kept themselves fit as their moments of truth drew near.
Read the previous Chapters :
From the Appletree Press title: John McNally - Boxing's Forgotten Hero by Barry Flynn. |
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