News05 May 1999


Estevez honours his King on Seville’s Opening Night

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The Olympic Stadium in Seville on the night of its inauguration, 5 May 1999 (© Getty Images)

As European champion Reyes Estevez unleashed a devastating kick to take him 30 metres clear of his rivals on the last lap of the men’s 1500 metres, it was clear that it would be Spain’s night in the brand new Olympic Stadium of Seville.

Optimistic though the stadium’s name may be, it is still a imposing and impressive work of architecture with many attractive features, especially, the glassed partitions at each end which allow a superb view into the building from outside.

Steeply banked, semi-enclosed by a roof , and with a track that has been lowered 10 metres below ground level, the first impression is of an environment designed to protect the athletes. After winning his race in a modest 3:44.97 – although it did boast a 53 second lap – Estevez was glowing in his praise both of the facility and the extra support of the sell-out crowd.

"I was really happy to win the first race held in this great new stadium. The atmosphere is fantastic as you can really hear all the noise. The track itself is super-fast, is very protected from the wind and is also well shaded from the sun, which will be crucial in August. I just hope that the atmosphere will be the same at the World Championships and that I can repeat the result!"

Spain’s Adoracion Garcia, got her name’s worth from the crowd after winning the women’s race in 4:18.39, after a thrilling duel with her countrywoman Nuria Fernandez, who finished in 4:18.53.

Most impressive of all though was the way that the stadium had been readied for its May 5 christening, against all the odds.

Even at lunchtime, the stadium was a hive of frantic activity as workers swarmed over every inch of the site, fixing in seats, cleaning, and finishing the special VIP boxes. Even the numbers that mark the individual lanes of the track were still marked by tape.

But just 7 hours later, the place was packed, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia arrived to take their places next to IAAF President Primo Nebiolo, the great tenor Placido Domingo sang a tribute to Andalucia, and the athletes strode out to take their places on their stage. In the end it was a triumph for those who dared to dream and for those who had laboured late to turn that dream into reality.

Nick Davies for the IAAF

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