My initial goal for the 1984 opening ceremonies was a show that

In the stirring words of David L. Wolper, we hear the heartbeat of an artist, a visionary, and a craftsman of wonder: “My initial goal for the 1984 opening ceremonies was a show that would be majestic, inspirational, and emotional — a 20 goosebump experience.” These words, spoken by the producer of the Los Angeles Olympic Games opening ceremony, are not merely about performance or spectacle; they are about awakening the soul through beauty and unity. To seek not just applause, but goosebumps — that involuntary shiver of awe — is to aim for the sacred space where art touches spirit. Wolper’s dream was to create not just a show, but a moment in time that would stir the hearts of millions and remind them of humanity’s shared capacity for greatness.

The meaning of his statement lies in the triad he names: majestic, inspirational, and emotional. “Majestic” speaks to grandeur — to the scale of vision that mirrors the vastness of human potential. “Inspirational” calls forth the inner fire, that unspoken courage within each soul that awakens when it sees what mankind can achieve. “Emotional” anchors both in the heart, reminding us that true beauty does not reside in form or technique alone, but in feeling. Together, these qualities form the essence of Wolper’s goal: to create a living symphony of humanity, where every nation, every athlete, and every spectator could feel themselves part of a greater story — the story of humankind reaching for light.

The origin of this vision stretches back to the ancient roots of the Olympic Games themselves. In ancient Greece, the Olympics were not merely contests of strength, but celebrations of spirit — tributes to harmony between body, mind, and divine aspiration. The ceremonies that opened those games were offerings to the gods, blending music, poetry, and procession to invoke the unity of all human endeavor. Wolper, knowingly or not, became a modern heir to this sacred tradition. His “20 goosebump experience” was the new language of the same ancient yearning: to stand together, across borders and differences, and feel the majesty of being human.

The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics were more than a global event; they were a rebirth of optimism in a divided world. Amid the lingering Cold War tensions, Wolper sought to transform a stadium into a temple of peace. When a lone figure — the legendary Rafer Johnson — ascended to light the Olympic flame, the world witnessed a symbol of reconciliation, of courage that transcends politics. The moment was not merely seen; it was felt. In that instant, Wolper’s dream was realized — the 20 goosebump experience was not confined to the stands, but spread across nations, across hearts, uniting humanity in awe and pride.

This pursuit of awe, of that ineffable shiver of recognition, is the same pursuit that has guided artists and leaders through all of history. Michelangelo, when he painted the Sistine Chapel, sought not only perfection of craft but a vision so vast that it would leave men trembling before the divine. Beethoven, deaf and broken, composed his Ninth Symphony not to impress, but to summon the voice of universal joy — a music that makes the listener’s very skin come alive. Like them, Wolper understood that true creation aims for transcendence, that brief moment when humanity glimpses its higher self.

Yet his words also carry a message of discipline and intention. To call something “majestic” or “inspirational” is easy; to create it is a labor of faith. Wolper’s use of the word “goal” reminds us that grandeur begins in purpose. The ancients taught that every great undertaking — whether a temple, a poem, or an empire — begins with vision but is built by effort. The goosebump moment, then, is not an accident; it is earned through devotion, through countless unseen hours of striving for excellence.

And so, the lesson of Wolper’s words endures: when you create, do not create for approval — create for awe. In whatever you do — whether in art, in work, or in daily life — aim to stir the spirit, to awaken wonder, to remind others (and yourself) of what is sacred in the human heart. The “20 goosebump experience” is not limited to Olympic ceremonies or grand stages; it is born every time someone acts with passion, purpose, and beauty.

Therefore, dear listener, let your own work — however humble — seek to be majestic, inspirational, and emotional. Let it lift others beyond the ordinary, even if only for a moment. For in that moment — that fleeting breath when hearts tremble and eyes widen — the divine spark in humanity reveals itself once more. That is the true legacy of David L. Wolper, and of all who dare to make the world shiver with wonder.