Barcelona - was it the anthem of the Olympic games, or not?

I've read several places that "Barcelona" was the anthem of the Olympic Games. In the SOLO box set book, I read that Montserrat sang it at the opening of the games with Jose Carreras.

Then I read someplace else that it was chosen as the anthem, then pulled...? Like the committee changed its mind?

Was it chosen, then pulled, then chosen again?
Or....what?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Officially? They dropped it, and Freddie was upset if I recall correctly.

Unofficially? Every TV Station around the world (with any brains that is) used the song in TV spots. I know Channel 7 (the Australian channel that covered the games in 1992) used it to the shithouse! It was GREAT.... every adbreak you'd hear Freddie singing 'Barcelona'. Fantastic stuff.

Yes, it was as I remember.

Is there a video or mp3 available of Jose Carrras and Montserrat Caballe performing the song?

That was my first thought. Anyone know about that?

Well - I found this link, and a little ways down the page there's something: "relive the opening ceremony" -- but I can't download the WindowsMedia or RealPlayer where I am presently. (I won't be at home for at least another 6 hours).

Anyone want to try it and let us know?

http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/past/index_uk.asp?OLGT=1&OLGY=1992#

It was the BBC's anthem not the games itself

It was supposed to be the official anthem of the games and thats what it was written especially to be but then Freddie wasnt around in 1992 obviously so it was replaced but Barcelona the song may have been the unofficial song in the end but it was definately the most played.

Yeah, I remember watching the games and at the end of the day (on the BBC viewings) they'd play the entire song!! It happened quite a lot, I remember. And while that was before I was a big Queen fan, I still enjoyed it a lot.

Peace,
Adam.

Hi.

I'm from Barcelona and I can tell you that José Carreras and Montserrat Caballé did not perform the song "Barcelona" in the Olympic Games.

So long.

Wow. It's appalling that the Freddie Mercury Solo box set book should have false information about that!!!!

Good grief. As I continue searching the web, I've also read that Montserrat sang "Barcelona" by herself at the opening ceremony. Anyone?

And I keep seeing over and over that it was "the anthem" for the games.

Well, whatever...

?

Hi - just bumping again, hoping Mannaja will see it...

Did Caballe sing "Barcelona" by herself at the opening of the games?

Thanks.

No, she didn't.
I would remember if it had happened. (I adore that song!)...

So long.

Thank you!

Well, go figure. This site says that Monsterrat did sing...

???

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/25/newsid_3551000/3551540.stm