Climbed up on the scaffolding trying to get a better view of the parade. When it
gave way, huge wooden planks plummeted to the ground, injuring 100 people, three of
them seriously.
You see what happened, they were holding like this. I guess they were trying to hold on and they all
came down at once. And whatever, whoever was holding to the rail came down.
But the parade went on. Tons of confetti were hurled on the athletes as they made their way
along the one-mile route that goes from Battery Park in lower Manhattan, up
Broadway to City Hall. And unlike their predecessors, these heroes walked instead
of being driven the ten blocks through Confetti Canyon. It was a thrill most
will never forget.
I'm excited. Do you expect a ticker tape parade? I've never expected anything like this. This is wonderful. This is fantastic. This is incredible. I've never seen anything like this before.
When the parade reached City Hall, Mayor Ed Koch presided over an official ceremony
where gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton expressed her thanks to the millions of
fans.
Rail on a construction scaffolding loaded with spectators collapsed. More than a
hundred people were sent crashing onto the street. Police say about 90 people
were hurt. Most of the injuries were minor though, thankfully. Coming up right now, Cynthia,
and ladies and gentlemen, what may be, note we say may be the very last pin
trading story you're ever going to see here on Eyewitness News. Olympic pin
mania almost matched the games themselves in intensity. While we cheered
America's athletes as they rigged in the gold, many of us were building our own
collections of IBMs and ABCs and Sarajevo's and Sam the Eagles. In Century
City tonight, hundreds gathered to make what may be their last big deal at an
outdoor swap meet. Like the Olympic Games, pin trading will soon only be a fond
memory for most people, but the pins will remain a reminder for years to come of
those two magic weeks here in Los Angeles. Cynthia. A lot of sure-fit memories. They were really
spread, didn't they? Oh, especially to the volunteers and the staffers who kept
UCLA's Olympic Village running. They enjoyed those pins and they were also
treated to a very special party this evening. In all, some 2,000 were invited
to a giant barbecue at UCLA's Drake Stadium, a show of appreciation sponsored
by village officials. For most, it was a time to unwind, say goodbye to friends,
and even reflect on their experience. And sometimes we got tired of coming in
every day and wearing the same green uniform, but we loved it. A chance in a
lifetime. It's my last chance. I'll never see it again in this country. It's so
exciting. I mean, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Who knows when I'll come back to
the U.S. again. I might just consider seriously of going to Korea. You're gonna go to Seoul?
I would think of... I'm thinking about it. I said it earlier, they have turned this
country upside down over the past...