15,000 Expected at Coliseum to Relive Opening of 1984 Games

As many as 15,000 people are expected at Memorial Coliseum Sunday for ceremonies marking the first anniversary of the opening of the Olympics, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley’s office said Friday.

The 11 a.m. program to honor torch bearers, volunteers and others who helped stage the 1984 Summer Games will include a relighting of the Olympic flame, a gymnastics exhibition and music by the USC band.

AT&T;, which sponsored and managed the Olympic Torch Relay, will show its film, “Carrying the Fire.” Also shown will be producer David Wolper’s film of the Opening Ceremony.

On hand will be Gina Hemphill, 1936 Olympic champion Jesse Owens’ granddaughter who carried the torch into the Coliseum for last year’s Opening Ceremony, and 1960 Olympic decathlon champion Rafer Johnson, who ran it up the steps to ignite the flame a year ago.

There will be no admission charge. Seating will be in the west end of the Coliseum.

Speakers will be Bradley, who arranged the anniversary event; Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Chairman Paul Ziffren, and AT&T; Vice President Bill Woods.

At noon Sunday, backstage crews for last year’s opening and closing ceremonies will hold a reunion at Clover Park, 25th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, in Santa Monica.