Moscow 2012: Spectacular River Performance

MOSCOW 2012 DEMONSTRATES UNIFYING DIMENSION OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES WITH SPECTACULAR RIVER PERFORMANCE

Moscow, 8 May 2005: A fleet of decorated vessels staged a theatrical celebration of the Olympic Games along the banks of the Moscow River today. Called “Olympic River”, the huge water performance emphasised the role that the Games have played over the past 60 years in uniting the world.

Held on the sixtieth anniversary of Russia’s Victory Day, the river extravaganza consisted of 17 decorated vessels – 15 fitted out to represent the Olympic Host Cities of the past 60 years. The other two ships – the first and last in the procession – attested to Moscow’s current bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Spectators along the river embankment opposite the Kremlin saw each vessel appear through the span of the Kremlin Bridge. Music, songs, dances and architectural features unique to each of the 15 previous Host Cities also characterised each vessel.

“It is important that the Olympic Games are seen in the context of the part they have played in helping to promote peace and unifying nations worldwide over the last 60 years,” said Alexander Chernov, General Manager of the Moscow 2012 Bid Committee, “if selected as Host City for the 2012 Games, Moscow would have an opportunity to demonstrate this ability and would undoubtedly mark a historic moment in the Olympic movement”.

The event was attended by a variety of State, Moscow City and sporting officials as well as many of the hundreds of Olympic champions currently living in Moscow.

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