An Innovation in the transport of the flame
For the Athens to Ottawa stage of the torch relay the Olympic flame travelled by air, but not by plane. Instead, a sensor used to detect ionized particles of the Flame turned them into coded impulses. The impulses were transmitted by satellite to Ottawa where they activated a laser beam which recreated the Olympic flame in its original shape.
The African Boycott
Despite there being no African athletes present (they participated in a boycott organised by Tanzania, in which 22 countries came together to protest against a tour of South Africa by the New Zealand national rugby team), the standard of the competitions at the 1976 Olympic Games was very high.
The Medal for the least populated country
With its 53,500 inhabitants, Bermuda became the most sparsely-populated country to win a medal at the Summer Games, thanks to Clarence Hill who won the bronze medal in boxing in the heavyweight category.
An Artificial pitch
Hockey was played on an artificial pitch for the first time.
Events open to women
Women's events appeared in basketball, handball and rowing.
Ceremonies
Montreal 17 July 1976. Flags of the nations during the Olympic oath.
Official opening of the Games by: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Lighting the Olympic Flame by: Stéphane Préfontaine and Sandra Henderson (two athletes aged 16 and 15).
Olympic Oath by: Pierre Saint-Jean (weightlifting)
Official Oath by: Maurice Forget (athletics)