Historical reconstruction of the countries participating in the Montreal Olympic Games for the 47(th) anniversary of the Olympic Park

MONTREAL , /CNW/ – On the anniversary of the Montreal Olympics, Olympic Park raises the flags of the 93 countries that participated in the 1976 Summer Games, which opened at the Olympic Stadium 47 years ago.

To mark this important anniversary of the XXI ^Olympiad of the modern Games, the Olympic Park has reconstructed Place Internationale, that section of the Esplanade located at the corner of Sherbrooke Street and Pie-IX Boulevard, by hoisting the historic flags of the countries participating in the only Summer Games to have been held in Canada to date.

Thus, over the next 16 days, visitors to the Olympic Park Esplanade will find themselves immersed in 1976, when all eyes of the planet were on the metropolis.

“This project is part of the Olympic Park’s new mission, that of showcasing its Olympic heritage and legacy, as we prepare for the 50th ^anniversary of the facilities,” says Michel Labrecque , President and CEO. “By decorating the Esplanade in the colors of the historic flags of the participating countries, we are offering a short history lesson in order to quickly understand the historical and geopolitical context in which the Montreal Games took place,” he continues.  

Visitors will indeed be able to contemplate the flags of the 93 participating countries, 28 of which are now relegated to the history books, following a change of political regime, a declaration of independence or a graphic modification (see complete list at the bottom of the press release). They will also be able to learn more about the boycott of African countries as well as the absence of China and Taiwan in Montreal, thanks to explanatory panels installed on the Esplanade, as well as a website specially dedicated to the project.  

In addition to the historic flags of 1976, the Olympic Park will switch to contemporary flags outside the period of the Games, from August 2 of the current year until July 16 of the following year. “After much consultation with historians and vexillologists, we have chosen to hoist the current flags of the participating countries outside the anniversary period of the Games”, continues Michel Labrecque. “This proposal takes into account the sensitivities of the visitors who visit us year-round,” he adds. Furthermore, the Park will complete the contemporary flags by adding the flags of key players who played a leading role in the holding of the Games. The flags of Quebec, the City of Montreal (host of the Games), the Iroquois Confederation (present at the closing ceremony) as well as the logo of the Games of Montreal, will be added to the current flags. (In accordance with International Olympic Committee protocol, the current and historical flag of Russia will be replaced by the flag of the Montreal Games.)

In addition to the  parcolympique.ca/flags Web page and the explanatory panels installed on the Esplanade, the Olympic Park makes all of its research available on its Web site for consultation and downloading. A playful exercise book written by Pierre-Yves Villeneuve (Gamer) for second cycle primary school pupils will also be published just in time for the start of the school year.

“It is with curiosity and passion that I piloted this memorial project. During my research, I discovered a forgotten part of the history of the Park, which deserves to be highlighted. This work unveiled today was done with an open mind and with a desire to include forgotten actors of the Games. We remain open to comments and suggestions that will allow us to improve this presentation of the Olympic heritage of the Montreal Games,” says Cédric Essiminy, Public Relations Advisor and Project Manager for the Olympic Park flag presentation.

“This memorial enhancement of the Olympic Park Esplanade lays the foundations for a fiftieth anniversary that promises to be memorable,” adds Michel Labrecque . “ Few cities in the world can boast of having Olympic facilities as lively as those in Montreal. Let’s celebrate them,” he concludes.

SOURCE Olympic Park