Olympic Games ceremony facts for kids

The Olympic Games ceremonies are special events that happen during the Olympic Games. These include the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony, and the medal ceremonies. Their main goals are to officially start and finish the games, celebrate the athletes who win, and often show off the culture and history of the country hosting the event. These ceremonies are a very important part of the Games and represent how countries work together through sports.

Ancient Olympic Traditions

The modern Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece, where the ancient Games began.

The first Olympic ceremonies took place in Ancient Greece a very long time ago, from around 776 BCE to 393 CE. When athletes won, they had big celebrations with feasts, music, and poetry. The richer the winner, the grander the party! Winners received a special olive wreath or crown. This wreath was cut from a tree in Olympia, Greece by a specially chosen boy using a golden sickle. The ancient Games ended with winners making promises and offering gifts to their gods.

Over the nearly 12 centuries of the ancient Games, the ceremonies changed a lot. Eventually, a set program of about 18 events was established. To start the Games, organizers held an Inauguration Festival. Athletes then took an oath to play fairly. The first competition was actually an artistic contest for trumpet players and heralds, which wrapped up the opening festivities.

How Olympic Ceremonies Have Changed

Some parts of today's Olympic ceremonies are still like the ancient Games. For example, Greece always has a special place in both the opening and closing ceremonies. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, medal winners even received crowns of olive branches, just like in ancient times! The rules for these ceremonies are set by the Olympic Charter and cannot be changed easily. The host country must get approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for all parts of the ceremonies, including the artistic shows.

Olympic ceremonies have grown and changed over hundreds of years. The ancient Games had ceremonies for every event. While technology and host countries' desire to show off their art have made modern ceremonies much bigger, the basic parts of each ceremony remain the same. The opening and closing ceremonies keep getting grander and more expensive with each new Games, but they are still full of old traditions.

The Opening Ceremony

A colorful scene from the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

The Olympic opening ceremony officially marks the start of the Olympic Games. Because the schedule is so packed, some sports events might begin a few days before the opening ceremony. For instance, at the 2008 Summer Olympics, football games started two days before the ceremony. This also happens in the Winter Olympics, where ice hockey games sometimes start early.

The Olympic Charter outlines many parts of the opening ceremony. Most of these traditions began at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, Belgium.

Tickets for the Opening

Tickets for the opening ceremony are usually the most expensive and hardest to get. However, this was not the case for the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. These Games were held without many spectators because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only invited guests could attend the ceremonies, following strict health rules.

When the Ceremony Happens

Fireworks light up the sky at the start of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. It was held at 8:00 pm on August 8, 2008, a lucky time in Chinese culture.

Since the 1996 Summer Olympics, the opening ceremony has usually been held on a Friday evening. The 1980 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Moscow was the first to take place at sunset. Eight years later, the 1988 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Seoul was held in the morning so it could be broadcast live during prime-time in the Americas. Athletes complained about the heat, though. Usually, no competitions are scheduled on the day of the opening ceremony. This rule has been relaxed sometimes due to busy schedules or long events needing early starts. For example, at the 2022 Winter Olympics, curling mixed doubles started two days before the ceremony.

The last opening ceremony held during the day was at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. It was moved to 11:00 am local time for prime-time TV in the United States. This change allowed for a grand finale: six international choirs sang Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" live and in sync, connected by satellite from places like the Sydney Opera House and the Brandenburg Gate.

Artistic Performances

The artistic program is what makes each opening ceremony unique. Pierre de Coubertin, who started the modern Olympics, wanted the Games to include both sports and art. While the Olympics are mostly about sports now, the opening ceremony still shows off this artistic side.

The host country uses this program to display its past, present, and future. It's a global stage to share its national identity, culture, and image through a mix of traditions, new ideas, and symbols. The IOC Executive Board must approve all parts of the artistic show.

The opening ceremony usually begins with the host nation's leader and the IOC president entering. Then, the host nation's flag is raised, and its national anthem is played. After this, the host country presents artistic performances with music, singing, dance, and theater. These shows represent its culture, history, and the Olympic motto. This is a great chance for the host nation to promote itself to millions of viewers. Since the 1976 Winter Olympics, these artistic shows have become much bigger and more complex. For example, the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony reportedly cost $100 million, with much of that spent on the artistic part.

The host country's organizing committee chooses a theme for the opening ceremony. For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the theme was "Unity in China." After a terrible earthquake in Sichuan in May 2008, Chinese basketball star Yao Ming walked into the stadium hand-in-hand with Lin Hao, a nine-year-old boy who had saved classmates during the earthquake.

The 2024 artistic program aimed to be a big celebration inspired by ancient Greek gods. Some people felt that a particular performance looked like a famous painting, and the organizers apologized to anyone who was offended, while also explaining their original artistic ideas.

Parade of Nations

Following tradition, the team from Greece leads the Parade of Nations at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The "Parade of Nations" is a special part of the opening ceremony where most athletes march into the stadium. Athletes don't have to participate; some might have events starting early. Each team is led by a sign with their country's Olympic Committee name and a flagbearer. A flagbearer is usually a well-known athlete from that country. Women started becoming flagbearers more often from 1952 onwards. To promote gender equality, since 2020, the IOC has allowed countries to have two flagbearers, one male and one female.

The Parade of Nations became part of the Olympics in 1908. Since the 1928 Summer Olympics, the team from Greece always enters first. This honors their role in starting the ancient Olympic Games. The host nation's team always enters last. This tradition was changed slightly at the 2004 Summer Olympics because Greece was the host. In that case, the Greek flagbearer led the parade alone, and the rest of the Greek team entered last. Starting with the 2020 Olympics, the Refugee Olympic Team enters second, after Greece. The parade now ends with the hosts of the next two Olympic Games, followed by the current host nation.

All other countries enter between Greece and the host nation. They march in alphabetical order based on their country's Olympic Committee name in the host nation's official language. For example, in Canada, which has both English and French as official languages, the order depends on which language is primary in the host city. Countries with non-Latin script languages, especially in Asia, use different sorting methods. For instance, in South Korea, they used Korean Hangul script. In Beijing, they used the number of Chinese character strokes in the team name. In Tokyo, they used the Gojūon ordering of Japanese kana.

The teams from North Korea and South Korea marched together at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.

There have been some exceptions. When Japan hosted the Games, they sometimes used English alphabetical order as a sign of goodwill. Spain also made an exception in 1992, using French names for the parade order due to local language considerations.

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris broke tradition by holding the opening ceremony outside a stadium. The Parade of Nations was a boat parade on the Seine river, with cultural shows along the route. This made the opening ceremony a public event that didn't require tickets. The official parts of the ceremony took place at the Jardins du Trocadéro.

Official Opening Speeches

After all the nations have entered, the president of the host city's Organizing Committee gives a speech. Then, the IOC president speaks. After their speeches, the IOC president introduces the host country's leader or representative to officially declare the Games open. Even though the Games are awarded to a city, the Olympic Charter says the host country's head of state should open them. However, there have been many times when someone else opened the Games.

The Olympic Charter provides specific phrases for opening the Games:

• For the Summer Olympics: I declare open the Games of [name of the host city] celebrating the [ordinal number of the Olympiad] Olympiad of the modern era.
• For the Winter Olympics: I declare open the [ordinal number] Olympic Winter Games of [name of the host city].

Before 1936, the person opening the Games often gave a short welcome speech. Since 1936, a standard formula has been used. Sometimes, the official has slightly changed the wording. For example, in 2002, US President George W. Bush added, "On behalf of a proud, determined and grateful nation," before the standard phrase. In 2016, Brazilian vice president Michel Temer started with, "After this wonderful spectacle," before the official declaration.

The lighting of the cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics.

Next, the Olympic flag is carried into the stadium and raised while the Olympic Hymn is played. The flag must fly throughout the entire Games. Usually, famous athletes from the host nation carry the flag. Since 2001, people who promote Olympic values, including Paralympic athletes, can also carry the flag. In 2024, the flag was accidentally raised upside down.

Until 1988, flagbearers from all countries would gather around a platform. Then, one athlete and one judge from the host nation would say the Olympic Oath. This oath promises to compete and judge fairly. Since 2012, a coach from the host nation also takes the oath. For the 2018 Winter Olympics, the three oaths were combined into one "Unified Oath."

The Olympic Flame

Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei de Lima lights the Olympic cauldron at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

The most exciting part of the opening ceremony is the arrival of the Olympic flame. This marks the end of the torch relay. The torch is usually passed among famous Olympic athletes from the host country. The final torchbearer then uses it to light a cauldron inside or near the stadium. This officially starts the Games. To keep everyone excited, the final torchbearer is often a secret until the last moment. Sometimes, the final torchbearers are not famous athletes. For example, in 2012, seven young athletes lit the cauldron to inspire a new generation. At the 2022 Winter Olympics, two young Chinese skiers lit the cauldron.

IOC rules say that the lighting of the cauldron must be seen by everyone at the ceremony. It also needs to be visible to people outside the stadium in the host city. This was first highlighted at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver, which was held indoors. A scenic cauldron was lit inside, and then a second, public cauldron was lit outside for everyone to see.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the cauldron inside the stadium wasn't visible from outside. To fix this, a live image of the lit cauldron was shown on large screens on the stadium's roof.

One of the three public flames of the 2022 Winter Olympics, located in Yanqing.

Since Vancouver 2010, many Olympics have had a public cauldron outside the main venue. In 2016, two cauldrons were lit in Rio: one inside the stadium and a permanent one in a public plaza. In 2020, because the Japan National Stadium was made of wood, a permanent cauldron was placed in Ariake, Tokyo. In 2024, a public cauldron was placed at the Tuileries Garden in Paris. The 2022 Winter Olympics even had three public cauldrons in different zones of the Games.

Releasing Doves

A beautiful dove performance at the Sochi 2014 ceremony.

After World War I, starting with the 1920 Summer Olympics, live doves were released after the Olympic flame was lit. This symbolized peace. However, this tradition stopped after the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Some doves landed on the cauldron's rim and were accidentally harmed by the flame.

Now, a symbolic release of doves happens after the flame is lit. Different ways have been used to represent the doves:

• 1992: Young people ran with flags showing a dove designed by Pablo Picasso.
• 2004: Images of doves were shown on an LED screen.
• 2006: Acrobats formed the shape of a dove.
• 2008: People made dove shapes with their hands.
• 2010: Dove figures were projected onto the stage.
• 2012: Bicyclists with LED-lit dove wings rode around.
• 2014: Ballet dancers with blue LEDs danced on a projected dove shape.
• 2016: Children with dove-shaped kites ran with an Olympic winner.
• 2018: Performers lit candles to create a dove shape.
• 2020: Performers flew doves made of rice paper.
• 2022: Children held dove lamps and lanterns, leaving trails of snowflakes.
• 2024: Lights forming dove wings were lit on bridges and near the Eiffel Tower.

Medal Presentation Ceremonies

The medal ceremony for the women's uneven bars at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

After each Olympic event finishes, a medal ceremony takes place. At the Summer Games, this usually happens right after the event at the sports venue. For the Winter Games, medals are often given out at an evening ceremony in a special 'medal plaza,' except for indoor events. This is because it can be hard to present medals in the cold, high-altitude areas of some winter sports.

A three-tiered platform is used for the three medal winners. The gold medalist stands on the highest platform in the center. The silver and bronze medalists stand on either side. A member of the IOC, often with a representative from the sport's international group, awards the medals. Each athlete also receives a small bouquet of flowers. Volunteers from the host country help by carrying flags and assisting officials. In Athens in 2004, medal winners also received olive wreaths, just like in the ancient Games. In 2016, flowers were replaced by a small 3D model of the Games' logo. In 2018, flowers were replaced by a special plush toy of the mascot.

After the medals are given, the national flags of the three medalists are raised. The gold medalist's flag is in the center and highest. The silver medalist's flag is on the left, and the bronze medalist's flag is on the right, both lower than the gold. While the flags are raised, the national anthem of the gold medalist's country is played. If there are multiple gold medalists from different countries, their anthems are played in alphabetical order of their last names.

Athletes must follow strict rules during medal ceremonies. For example, they must wear only their national Olympic team uniform. They cannot show political messages or make political statements while on the medal stand. A famous example happened at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Two athletes broke this rule and were asked to leave the Olympics because of their actions.

It is a tradition for the men's and women's marathon medals (Summer Olympics) and the men's 50 km and women's 30 km cross-country skiing medals (Winter Olympics) to be awarded during the closing ceremony in the Olympic Stadium. These are usually the last medals given out at the Games.

The Closing Ceremony

The flag parade during the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.

Athletes gather in the stadium during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The closing ceremony is usually more relaxed and celebratory than the opening ceremony. Many of its elements have developed through traditions rather than official rules.

The closing ceremony has always been held on a Sunday evening.

Before 2005, the anthems of the host country, Greece, and the next host country were often played at the start. Now, the closing ceremony usually begins with the IOC president and the host country's leader entering. Then, the host country's flag is raised, its national anthem is played, and an artistic program follows.

Because it's more flexible, the closing ceremony is often shorter than the opening ceremony.

Parade of Athletes

The official part of the closing ceremony usually starts with the entry of the nations' flags. Flagbearers from each country enter the stadium. Since the 2002 Winter Olympics, the organizers decide if athletes enter in the same order as the opening ceremony. The only requirements are that the Greek flag leads and the host country's flag is last. For example, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, the flags of Great Britain (host) and Brazil (next host) entered together at the end. If possible, all the athletes march together without being grouped by country. This "Parade of athletes" tradition started at the 1956 Summer Olympics. A schoolboy from Melbourne suggested it as a way to unite athletes from around the world as "one nation." Before 1956, no Olympic team had marched in the closing ceremony.

Final Medal Ceremony

Since the 2004 Summer Olympics, the final medal presentation of the Games happens after all the flags and athletes have entered the stadium. The organizing committee, with the IOC, decides which event's medals will be presented. At the Summer Olympics, this is usually for the men's marathon. Since the 2020 Summer Olympics, the women's marathon medals are also given out during the closing ceremony. The marathon is traditionally held on the last day, finishing just hours before the ceremony. However, in recent Summer Games like Atlanta, Beijing, Rio, and Tokyo, marathons were held early in the morning due to hot weather. For the Winter Games, since 2006, the medals for the men's 50 km cross-country skiing, and since 2014, the women's 30 km cross-country skiing, are presented at the closing ceremony.

Another important moment is when newly elected members of the IOC Athletes' Commission give flowers to a representative of the volunteers. This is a thank-you for all their hard work during the Games.

Olympic Host Handover

Then, while the Olympic Hymn plays, the Olympic flag that was raised during the opening ceremony is lowered and carried out of the stadium.

This is called the Antwerp Ceremony, a tradition that began at the Antwerp Games. The mayor of the city that hosted the Games passes the official Olympic flag to the IOC president. The president then passes it to the mayor of the city hosting the *next* Olympic Games. The receiving mayor waves the flag eight times. Until the 1984 Summer Olympics, this ceremony happened during the opening ceremonies.

Since changes made at the 2006 Winter Olympics, the Antwerp ceremony starts with two other national flags being raised. First, the flag of Greece is raised to honor the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and its national anthem, "Hymn to Liberty," is played. Then, the flag of the country hosting the next Summer or Winter Olympic Games is raised. This part of the ceremony became more noticeable at the 1980 Summer Olympics. Because the US was boycotting those Games, the flag of Los Angeles was raised with the Olympic Anthem instead of the US national anthem. In Sydney and Athens, two Greek flags were raised because Greece was hosting the 2004 Games.

Five official Olympic flags have been used throughout modern Olympic history:

• The Antwerp flag was given to the IOC in 1920 by Antwerp, Belgium. It was passed to Summer Olympic host cities until 1984, when it became too old and tore.
• The Oslo flag was used for the Winter Games. It was given to the IOC in 1952 by Oslo, Norway. This flag was used until the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, when it also became too old and tore.
• The Seoul flag replaced the Antwerp flag in 1988, given by Seoul, South Korea. Made of Korean silk, it became fragile and accidentally tore during the closing of the 2012 Summer Olympics. The IOC retired it in 2013.
• The Rio flag replaced the Seoul flag in 2016, given by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is currently used for the Summer Games handover.
• The PyeongChang flag replaced the Oslo flag in 2018, given by PyeongChang, South Korea. It is currently used for the Winter Games handover.

The next host city then presents a cultural show to introduce itself. This tradition began with the 1976 Summer Olympics and has been updated several times.

Official Closing of the Games

The Olympic Flame slowly goes out at the end of the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

After the cultural presentation, the president of the host city's Organizing Committee gives a speech. Then, the IOC president makes a speech before officially closing the Olympics. They say something like:

And now, I declare the Games of the [ordinal number of modern Olympiads] Olympiad/[ordinal number of Winter Olympics] Olympic Winter Games closed; and in accordance with our tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to assemble, four years from now, in [name of next host city] to celebrate with us; the Games of the [subsequent ordinal number of Summer Olympics] Olympiad/[subsequent ordinal number of Winter Olympics] Olympic Winter Games.

If the next Olympic Games isn't exactly four years away, the IOC president adjusts the timeframe. For example, the 2020 Summer Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, IOC President Thomas Bach said, "I call upon the youth of the world to assemble, three years from now, in Paris." The host country's leader does not give a speech at the closing ceremony.

Finally, the Olympic cauldron is extinguished. This marks the end of the current Games and the beginning of a new Olympic cycle.

After the official ceremony, there's often an "afterparty" with concert performances. For example, the 2000 Summer Games closing ceremony featured Australian musicians. The 2016 closing ceremony paid tribute to the Rio Carnival. The 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony focused on the Korean Wave with groups like Exo performing.