The Hindu : World Cup opens in swirl of ancient tradition and high tech

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 01, 2002

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World Cup opens in swirl of ancient tradition and high tech

A GALA EVENT KICKS OFF: Fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, in Seoul on Friday. — AFP

SEOUL May 31. Co-host South Korea put on a spiritual show mixing ancient tradition and high tech as the 2002 World Cup officially opened on Friday, moments before France began its title defence against Senegal.

The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Junichiro Koizumi and newly re-elected FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave speeches at Seoul's 64,000-seat World Cup stadium. Some fans jeered the latter.

The South Korean President, Mr. Kim Dae-jung declared the tournament officially open at 7:44 p.m. (1044 GMT), and fireworks flew from opposite sides of the roof edge to mark the ceremony's start.

Around the globe, more than 500 million people watched on television as 2,300 performers — half of them in traditional folk costume — entered the stadium for a 40-minute display of jaw-dropping creativity.

Outside the stadium and across the capital city, 420,000 police and military personnel were involved in an enormous security operation. Helicopters and fighter jets scoured the skies, and anti-aircraft missiles have been deployed near stadiums with the terrorist attacks of September 11 in mind.

A thick circle of yellow-clad dancers formed in the center of the field, then gave way to women in pale green dresses who performed a traditional Korean royal court dance.

The zippier second stage saw futuristic silver dancers surrounded by creatures with TV sets for heads. Four high-tech drummers floated down from the roof onto stands decked with flashing lights and screens.

The entire field was then swathed in white sheets, from below which rose a bell as high as a house. Screens on the bell showed scenes of suffering and poverty from around the world. An upbeat dance closed the ceremony as paper soccer balls dropped from the sky.

A huge cloud of mist hovered above the oval opening in the stadium roof and temperatures were about 20 C (68 F). A cool breeze blew through the stands.

Hundreds of fans in the south stands wore yellow T-shirts in support of Senegal, while the opposite end was a sea of blue-clad France supporters. Many fans have come from abroad to support their national teams playing in South Korea and Japan, while South Koreans also have organized groups to welcome and cheer on various squads.

Injured French star Zinedine Zidane came out with the rest of the squad for a field inspection before the opening ceremony, prompting cries of ``Allez les Bleus!'' from the north stand. Zidane tore a thigh muscle on Sunday and is out for at least one game.

Hundreds of security officers vetted fans and journalists as they passed into the stadium, thoroughly inspecting all bags and even passing metal-detection devices over bulky books. — AP

* * *

Senegal shocks France

SEOUL May 31 . Senegal pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history on Friday, stunning defending champion France 1-0 in the opening match of soccer's biggest show before a 64,640 sellout crowd in the South Korean capital.

Papa Bouba Diop got Senegal's winning goal in the 30th minute. — AP

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World Cup opens in swirl of ancient tradition and high tech