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The opening ceremony of the [[2022 World Games]] took place in the evening on Thursday, [[July 7]] at [[Protective Stadium]]. This event marked the ceremonial opening of the international sporting event, including welcoming speeches, the procession of athletes representing 110 nations, along with music, dance, fireworks and other entertainment.
The '''2022 World Games opening ceremony''' was held on the evening on Thursday, [[July 7]] at [[Protective Stadium]] to mark the formal opening of the [[2022 World Games]]. The event, formally titled "Unlocking The Magic: Celebrating The Power of The One"<!-- formerly announced as "Unlocking the Magic: Celebrating Birmingham’s Past, Present, and Future"-->, was planned, "to tell the story of Birmingham," while also incorporating welcoming speeches, a procession of athletes, and numerous musical and dance performances, fireworks and other entertainments. The event was broadcast live by [[CBS 42]], and also online at [[AL.com]] and Olympics.com.


The ceremony was presented by [[Alabama Power]] and was formally titled "Unlocking the Magic: Celebrating Birmingham’s Past, Present, and Future". It was produced by the [[LRY Media Group]].
The winning proposal to produce the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the [[World Games Plaza]] venue, was submitted by [[LRY Media Group]], a firm founded in [[2017]] by former [[Alabama Power Company]] marketing executive [[Rashada Leroy]]. The bid was awarded on [[December 23]], [[2019]]. For the opening ceremony, they developed an elaborate celebration of Birmingham's history, focusing on the theme of how bringing together diverse elements results in power and unity.


A 44-day "Old Glory Relay" organized by the non-profit Team RWB to promote health and wellness for military veterans carried a U.S. flag from the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. into Protective Stadium as part of the opening ceremony. Disabled veteran and athlete [[Noah Galloway]] ran the final leg of the relay.
The lead sponsor for the opening ceremony was Alabama Power Company. Funk musician Bootsy Collins served as master of ceremonies. [[Henry Panion]] served as artistic director and conducted the World Games Orchestra and Choir. [[Twyla Grider]] designed costumes for the event. Sean Humphrey and Chet Brewster were brought on board as event directors.


The official theme song for the games, ''[[Hope Of Alabama]]'' was also featured throughout the ceremony. After the parade of nations, [[Randall Woodfin]] provided opening remarks, followed by remarks from other representatives of the World Games, and then various entertainers performed.
==Pre-ceremony==
A "pre-ceremony", hosted by [[Ebony Steele]], featured music by DJ [[Chris Coleman]] and an appearance by "SkySurfer" Hunter Kowald.
 
The event was marked with a flyover by a KC-135R from the [[Alabama Air National Guard]]'s [[117th Air Refueling Wing]] escorted by two F-16s from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery.
 
A 44-day "Old Glory Relay" organized by the non-profit Team RWB to promote health and wellness for military veterans carried a U.S. flag from the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. into Protective Stadium as part of the pre-opening ceremony. Disabled veteran and honorary World Games co-chair [[Noah Galloway]] ran the final leg of the relay with [[Mayor of Birmingham]] [[Randall Woodfin]] and Team RWB CEO Mike Erwin.
 
==Program==
A video presentation counted down to the start of the ceremony, featuring a fanfare by "herald trumpeters" from the World Games Orchestra, accompanied by a color guard from [[Jacksonville State University]]'s [[Marching Southerners]] band, and dancers from the [[Sanspointe Dance Company]] and [[Alabama State University]].


==Performers==
===Entry of nations===
* Bootsy Collins - Also served as Master of the Ceremonies
The athletes representing more than 100 nations processed onto the field accompanied by their national flags. The segment was highlighted by an extended standing ovation for the athletes representing Ukraine, in recognition of that country's violent struggle to defend itself against an invasion by Russia.<!--trivia: The voiceover announced "Israel" twice and skipped "Italy". Most of the athletes already seated stood for Ukraine's ovation, but the Chinese team did not.-->
 
===The Journey===
Spoken word performer [[Sharrif Simmons]] delivered his original poem, "The Journey".
 
===Theme song===
{{Main|Hope of Alabama}}
The official theme song for the games, ''[[Hope Of Alabama]]'', written by [[Randy Owen]] and produced by Henry Panion, was performed during the opening ceremony by an ensemble which included Owen, Yung Bleu, Jamey Johnson, [[Pastor Mike]], [[Worth the Wait]], [[Chuck Leavell]], [[Lenora Panion]], [[Ruben Studdard]], [[Taylor Hicks]], [[Bo Bice]], Martha Reeves, the [[Blind Boys of Alabama]], [[Sara Evans]], and the World Games Youth and Adult Choirs.
 
===Declarations===
After the parade of nations, [[Randall Woodfin]] provided opening remarks, followed by remarks from other representatives of the World Games.
 
===Performers===
* Nelly
* Nelly
* [[Sara Evans]]
* Shelia E.
* Shelia E.
* Tony! Toni! Tone!
* Tony! Toni! Tone!
* [[Yolanda Adams]], also performed the National Anthem
* [[Yolanda Adams]], also performed the National Anthem
* [[Alabama (band)|Alabama]]
* [[Alabama (band)|Alabama]]
* [[Bo Bice]]
* [[Ruben Studdard]]
* [[Taylor Hicks]]
* [[Worth The Wait]]
==Pre-ceremony==
A "pre-ceremony" featured music by DJ [[Chris Coleman]] and an appearance by a drone surfer.


==References==
==References==
* Gore, Laeda (July 7, 2022) [https://www.al.com/news/2022/07/world-games-birmingham-2022-opening-ceremony-time-road-closures-who-will-perform.html "World Games Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony: Time, road closures, who will perform?."] {{BN}}
* Gore, Laeda (July 7, 2022) [https://www.al.com/news/2022/07/world-games-birmingham-2022-opening-ceremony-time-road-closures-who-will-perform.html "World Games Birmingham 2022 opening ceremony: Time, road closures, who will perform?."] {{BN}}
* Dover, Drew (July 8, 2022) [https://www.wsfa.com/2022/07/08/welcome-birmingham-yall-world-games-are-finally-here/ "Welcome to Birmingham, y’all: The World Games are finally here."] WSFA 12 News
* Dover, Drew (July 8, 2022) [https://www.wsfa.com/2022/07/08/welcome-birmingham-yall-world-games-are-finally-here/ "Welcome to Birmingham, y’all: The World Games are finally here."] WSFA 12 News
* "[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2750130265293822 Interview with Rashada Leroy]" (March 9, 2022) by [[Chris Breece]] for CBS42.com
* Swain, Sharron (July 8, 2022) "[https://bhamnow.com/2022/07/08/unity-focused-opening-ceremony-for-the-world-games-was-electric-photos/ Opening Ceremony for The World Games was electric.] {{BNow}}
* Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (July 8, 2022) "[https://alabamanewscenter.com/2022/07/08/the-world-games-2022-opening-ceremonies-kickstarts-historic-event-for-birmingham-and-alabama/?fbclid=IwAR1Uxchy7Iv-EUTVNlzXPoylSaDrAdcsihx8jVg5D5wl_nbLITgJ6meVnMU The World Games 2022 Opening Ceremonies kickstart historic event for Birmingham and Alabama]." ''Alabama NewsCenter''
* Goodman, Joseph (July 8, 2022) "[https://www.al.com/sports/2022/07/standing-ovation-for-ukraine-highlights-world-games-opening-ceremony.html Standing ovation for Ukraine highlights World Games opening ceremony]" {{BN}}
* Nelson, Matt (July 8, 2022) "[https://www.infobae.com/aroundtherings/articles/2022/07/08/birmingham-bursts-with-color-as-opening-ceremony-marks-the-start-of-the-world-games/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter Birmingham bursts with color as opening ceremony marks the start of The World Games]" ''Around the Rings''
==External links==
* "[https://olympics.com/en/video/opening-ceremony-the-world-games-2022-birmingham Opening Ceremony | The World Games 2022 | Birmingham] at Olympics.com
* "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gym4C3CNkjU Interview with Rashada LeRoy]" (March 24, 2022) by Philipp Doering for "We Are the World Games"


{{World Games}}
{{World Games}}

Revision as of 10:48, 9 July 2022

The 2022 World Games opening ceremony was held on the evening on Thursday, July 7 at Protective Stadium to mark the formal opening of the 2022 World Games. The event, formally titled "Unlocking The Magic: Celebrating The Power of The One", was planned, "to tell the story of Birmingham," while also incorporating welcoming speeches, a procession of athletes, and numerous musical and dance performances, fireworks and other entertainments. The event was broadcast live by CBS 42, and also online at AL.com and Olympics.com.

The winning proposal to produce the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the World Games Plaza venue, was submitted by LRY Media Group, a firm founded in 2017 by former Alabama Power Company marketing executive Rashada Leroy. The bid was awarded on December 23, 2019. For the opening ceremony, they developed an elaborate celebration of Birmingham's history, focusing on the theme of how bringing together diverse elements results in power and unity.

The lead sponsor for the opening ceremony was Alabama Power Company. Funk musician Bootsy Collins served as master of ceremonies. Henry Panion served as artistic director and conducted the World Games Orchestra and Choir. Twyla Grider designed costumes for the event. Sean Humphrey and Chet Brewster were brought on board as event directors.

Pre-ceremony

A "pre-ceremony", hosted by Ebony Steele, featured music by DJ Chris Coleman and an appearance by "SkySurfer" Hunter Kowald.

The event was marked with a flyover by a KC-135R from the Alabama Air National Guard's 117th Air Refueling Wing escorted by two F-16s from the 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery.

A 44-day "Old Glory Relay" organized by the non-profit Team RWB to promote health and wellness for military veterans carried a U.S. flag from the World War II memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. into Protective Stadium as part of the pre-opening ceremony. Disabled veteran and honorary World Games co-chair Noah Galloway ran the final leg of the relay with Mayor of Birmingham Randall Woodfin and Team RWB CEO Mike Erwin.

Program

A video presentation counted down to the start of the ceremony, featuring a fanfare by "herald trumpeters" from the World Games Orchestra, accompanied by a color guard from Jacksonville State University's Marching Southerners band, and dancers from the Sanspointe Dance Company and Alabama State University.

Entry of nations

The athletes representing more than 100 nations processed onto the field accompanied by their national flags. The segment was highlighted by an extended standing ovation for the athletes representing Ukraine, in recognition of that country's violent struggle to defend itself against an invasion by Russia.

The Journey

Spoken word performer Sharrif Simmons delivered his original poem, "The Journey".

Theme song

Main article: Hope of Alabama

The official theme song for the games, Hope Of Alabama, written by Randy Owen and produced by Henry Panion, was performed during the opening ceremony by an ensemble which included Owen, Yung Bleu, Jamey Johnson, Pastor Mike, Worth the Wait, Chuck Leavell, Lenora Panion, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Martha Reeves, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sara Evans, and the World Games Youth and Adult Choirs.

Declarations

After the parade of nations, Randall Woodfin provided opening remarks, followed by remarks from other representatives of the World Games.

Performers

References

External links

2022 World Games
Venues Avondale Park · Barber Motorsports Park · Birmingham CrossPlex · BJCC · Bill Battle Coliseum · Bill Harris Arena · Boutwell Auditorium · Bessie Estell Park · Goldfarb Field · Hoover Metropolitan Stadium · John Carroll Catholic High School · Legacy Arena · Legion Field · Oak Mountain State Park · PNC Field · Powell Steam Plant · Protective Stadium · Railroad Park · Sheraton Birmingham Hotel · Sloss Furnaces · UAB Campus Recreation Center · UAB Track and Field Complex
Events Acrobatic gymnastics · Aerobic gymnastics · Air sports · Archery · Artistic roller skating · Beach handball · Billiards · Boules sports · Bowling · Canoe polo · Canoe marathon · Dancesport · Duathlon · Finswimming · Fistball · Flag football · Floorball · Flying disc · Inline hockey · Ju-jitsu · Karate · Kickboxing · Korfball · Lacrosse · Lifesaving · Muaythai · Orienteering · Parkour · Powerlifting · Racquetball · Rhythmic gymnastics · Road speed skating · Softball · Sport climbing · Squash · Sumo · Track speed skating · Trampoline gymnastics · Tug of war · Water skiing · Wheelchair rugby · Wushu
Other Birmingham Organizing Committee · Medals · Opening ceremony · Closing ceremony ·Ride the Line · Vulcan and Vesta
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