Montreal Opens Its Olympic Games Amidst Call for Peace

After six years of dedicated work, Canada officially launched the 21st Olympic Games in Montreal on Saturday. The successful opening ceremony brought relief to nearly 30 million Canadians, 2.7 million Montrealers, Mayor Jean Drapeau, IOC President Lord Killanin, and approximately 7,000 athletes, who had feared the games might falter before they began.

Queen Elizabeth II had the honor of declaring the Olympics open, extending a welcome to the young athletes and calling for peace during the games. Lord Killanin noted that athletes are weary of political disputes, underscoring the need for tranquility in Montreal.

The state-of-the-art Montreal stadium hosted nearly 70,000 spectators. They joined over a billion television viewers worldwide in witnessing a traditional, vibrant, and unforgettable spectacle. Before the ceremony, crowds gathered outside the stadium, eager to purchase tickets, which had sold out months in advance at 160 marks.

Separately, the article mentions a jazz concert in Pori featuring Herbie Hancock's band, which was described as somewhat disappointing. While the sound system was well-equipped, the music, characterized as funky jazz, was deemed too simplistic and lacked significant highlights or improvisational depth. The article also touches upon the start of summer sales, noting the abundance of fashionable and usable summer clothing available in various retail stores, though without the expected rush on a warm Thursday afternoon.