If the Torch Relay was what made the Olympic Games real, the Opening Ceremonies are what made that reality magical. Many people had left Los Angeles during the Games as they anticipated huge traffic jams, impossible commutes, etc. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. The streets were far from empty, but traffic was well controlled and better than for most football games in the Coliseum. Busses took people from central locations such as the federal building on Wilshire Boulevard in West Los Angeles to various events so that neither traffic nor parking were a problem. In addition, certain streets, such as Hoover and Vermont Avenue, were made one-way during the Games so that traffic flowed more smoothly.
    We entered the Coliseum to an incredible thunder of kettle drums, louder than any classical drums that I had ever heard. Then again, I had never seen so many drums together. That was followed by gigantic white and gold balloons being released.
    We had heard and read that seat locations would be determined by the luck of the draw, but we still assumed that the best seats would be reserved for dignitaries. Our tickets for the Opening Ceremonies were in Row A and we assumed that they would be fairly good, perhaps immediately behind the seats for the dignitaries (although the possibility still existed that behind the dignitaries seats would be Row AA, then BB, etc. and that Row A would be behind all of the double row seats. An usher showed us to the center of the stadium, what would have been the 50-yard line for a football game. He then directed us down, and down and down. Another usher directed us down still further. We finally arrived at Row A, the very first row of seats next to the field. It was an incredible view, an incredible show and an incredible experience.
   The entire experience was amazing. There were performances too numerous to mention, with sets brought on to the field in some cases; it put a Las Vegas show to shame! When the Parade of Nations started the cheering was almost continuous; when the Untied States entered the stadium last, as the host nation, the cheering reached a crescendo that I have never heard before and only once since.
   Wilma Rudolph carried the torch into the Coliseum and Jesse Owens' granddaughter handed it to Rafer Johnson to light the Olympic Flame in the Coliseum. Edwin Moses read the Athletes' Olympic Oath. The ceremonies ended with the athletes of all nations mingling on the field with incredible fire works in the air and fans in the stands who never wanted to leave.