Letters to
Amby
From America to Australia

"Before the Ceremony"

Dear Mr. Burfoot,
Our teacher told us that they always have a big ceremony before the Olympics.  We are going to make little American flags this afternoon.  We are going to use them tomorrow when we go out for our run. We will hold them when we run a lap.  We are using straws to make the poles so that they will be safe for us to run with.

We are wondering if all the Olympians will be in the ceremony. We wanted to know if they are ever in a parade.  We think that maybe all the Olympians carry the flags of their countries.  Will the Olympians be running a lap with their flags in the ceremony?

Sincerely,
Mrs. Goodrow's First Grade Class

P.S. We would like to publish your reply on kidsrunning.com
P.P.S. We run 2 laps now, not one.
P.P.P.S. We hope that if you ever do see an Australian animal that you will let us know.

Dear Class,
Yes, you got it right. You are doing the same thing all the kids in Australia are doing, but they're carrying Australian flags of course.

The Parade of Athletes is one of the grandest traditions in the Olympic Games. It occurs during the Opening Ceremonies, which you can see Friday night on TV, much earlier here, but then we're three quarters of the way around the world.

Each country picks one person to carry the flag. It is a very great honor. The athletes don't run. They actually walk together as a big group around the track. They'll save their running for the competitions which begin the following day. The first competition this year is the triathlon, an exciting new Olympic event. Australians believe they will win the women's triathlon, so they are very, very excited about that.

The Opening Ceremony has other important parts: the entrance of the Olympic Torch into the Stadium, the lighting of the Olympic Flame in the Stadium, and the Athletes' Oath (they have to swear to compete fairly and not use drugs). The Opening Ceremonies also include a dramatic presentation of Australian culture and Olympic themes that make it the greatest show on earth. Believe me, I've seen the last three Opening Ceremonies, and it's absolutely breath taking. I hope you'll watch.

Cheers and G'day,
Amby Burfoot

"Designing the American Flag"


Tune into NBC on September 15 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and watch the fanfare. Don't miss this once in a lifetime chance to see the Opening Ceremonies in Sydney, Australia.

Look for Mr. Burfoot! Maybe you'll see him in the crowd.

This year the American flag will be carried by Cliff Meidl, a kayaker from California. Meidl was chosen by a vote of the U.S. Team on the Wednesday before the Opening Ceremonies.
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