Olympic Ceremonies

There are many Olympic ceremonies that are observed at the time of the opening and closing of the games. Olympics is the largest international sports event and there are certain traditions that are followed both at the start and the end of the games. Knowing the many Olympic ceremonies would make you more familiar with the game.

The Olympic Games at a particular venue starts with the flag of the host country being unfurled and the national anthem of the country being sung. This is followed by the "parade of nations". In this all the participating nations march to the stadium. One top contestant from every country carries the flag of the country and leads it.

During the Olympic ceremonies Greece is the first one to lead the parade. This is because of the historical status of the country as the originator of the Olympics. The host country marches last. Between Greece and the host country all the other countries march in alphabetical order.

After all the nations have entered the stadium the President of the country that is hosting the event makes a speech. He declares the game open. During the Olympic ceremonies the Olympic flag is brought horizontally to the stadium and hoisted as the national anthem is played.

The torch that is lit in Olympia is brought to the host country by athletes in relay. A well known athlete from the host nation finally carries the torch to the cauldron of the stadium and lights the fire there. This lighting of the flame is followed by releasing doves. The opening Olympic ceremonies of the games are held outdoors. There are dance and theatrical performances by the artists of the host country.

There are many Olympic ceremonies at the time of the closing of the event. All the flag bearers of the participating nations enter the stadium in a single file. They are followed by all the players walking together. One ceremony that is followed during the closure of the ceremony is that three flags are hoisted one after the other. At the right hand pole the flag of Greece is hoisted. This is followed by the flag of the host country and finally the flag of the next host country in the third pole.

The Olympic flame is extinguished and the Olympic flag is lowered while the Olympic anthem is being played. These are the final Olympic ceremonies that down the curtain on the Olympic games of the year.

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