Games opening stunt almost cancelled

The performer who carried the baton into the City of Manchester Stadium while suspended from a giant balloon said the stunt was almost called off because of unpredictable winds.

In the opening ceremony, broadcast to millions of television viewers across the globe, Lindsey Butcher glided over thousands of athletes and performers, starting from the stadium roof under a heliosphere.

Butcher said the wind direction was wrong until an hour before the ceremony. It could have been cancelled or altered, which would have reduced the dramatic effect.

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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