The Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games

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The Opening Ceremonies at the Olympic Games are an extraordinary and intricately choreographed extravaganza, featuring an amazing explosion of colour and music, which allow the host nation scope to showcase its uniqueness, while adhering to various protocols that have evolved since the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896.

The Opening Ceremony attracts hundreds of millions of television viewers worldwide, as well as tens of thousands of delighted and enthralled spectators inside the Olympic stadium. It is also – first and foremost – a majestic show, through which each host nation exhibits its culture, history, achievements and, often, its sense of humour.

Proudly led by their flag bearers, countries’ delegations then parade around the stadium track. There are then a number of protocols and rituals that must be performed: the Games must be declared open by the host nation’s head of state; the Olympic flag must be carried into the stadium and raised; the Olympic oath must be spoken by an athlete, judge and coach; and doves of peace must be symbolically released.

Next comes the most anticipated moment of the night: the culmination of the torch relay, during which fans finally discover which famous figure will light the Olympic flame – something that is always kept a well-guarded secret. Inevitably, a gigantic fireworks display brings the curtain down on the ceremony to launch a fortnight of elite sporting competition.

Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony

The Games of the XXXI Olympiad were declared open in spectacular fashion on 5 August, as host city Rio de Janeiro welcomed the world to what promises to be an incredible two weeks in the latest chapter of the Olympic story. The Opening Ceremony took place in Brazil's iconic Maracanã stadium.

A stunning Opening Ceremony depicted the rich and complex history and culture of Brazil. Fireworks and laser-lit dancers provided a suitably arresting start, before Paulinho da Viola performed a moving acoustic version of the national anthem.

The appearance of Gisele Bundchen, strutting out to the sound of “The Girl From Ipanema”, marked the start of “Bossa”, celebrating the curves and sensuality of Brazil. Pop then took centre stage, as the voice of the favelas, funk, samba, “passinho” and popular Brazilian music filled the air, while breakdance, capoeira and a host of the country’s regional variations of dance also put in appearances. Some 1,500 dancers then arrived on the scene for with a mass dance-off, as Brazilian singer Regina Casé urged everyone in the stadium to get on their feet.

The spotlight then fell on former tennis player Gustavo Kuerten, who jogged into the stadium clutching the Olympic Torch before passing it on to basketball player Hortência Marcari. She in turn handed it on to former Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who had the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron and setting the seal on an evening high on colour, verve and hope for the future.

Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony

Watch the full Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony here

On 7 February 2014, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi adopted a historical theme, portraying Russian achievements such as industrialisation, space exploration and the foundation of St. Petersburg, and celebrating great authors and composers, all seen – in 13 distinct parts – through the eyes and dreams of a young girl named Lyubov (which means “love” in Russian).

After President Vladimir Putin had declared the Games open, three-time gold medallists Irina Rodnina (figure skating) and Vladislav Tretiak (ice hockey lit the Olympic cauldron together outside Fisht Stadium, ), accompanied by the music from Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

London 2012 Opening Ceremony

Humour played a prominent part in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, an extravaganza conceived by film director Danny Boyle. British history was covered in detail, with the country’s green and pleasant land giving way to the Industrial Revolution and the age of the Internet.

Great Britain’s contribution to modern music was recognised with homages to and appearances from home-grown global rock and pop stars, culminating in a memorable performance from Sir Paul McCartney, who sang “Hey Jude” with help from the enraptured audience.

Other famous figures who made their mark on the evening included Mr Bean (played by Rowan Atkinson), who wreaked havoc during the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s rendition of “Chariots of Fire”, and Queen Elizabeth II, who was collected by James Bond (Daniel Craig) at Buckingham Palace, before parachuting from a helicopter above the Olympic stadium, and then magically appear in the grandstand a few seconds later.

Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony

Watch the full Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony here

The Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games was held in Vancouver’s impressive BC Place Stadium. It began in stunning fashion with Canadian snowboarder Johnny Lyall, who was seen shooting down a mountain slope on a giant screen, before appearing in the flesh to leap through giant Olympic rings.

The ceremony’s culmination was equally remarkable, as a quartet of Canadian sporting legends – Catriona Le May-Doan (speed skating), Steve Nash (basketball), Nancy Greene (Alpine skiing) and Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey) – joined forces to light the Olympic cauldron. Gretsky then took the flame across Vancouver to light a second cauldron in Jack Poole Plaza in the town’s waterfront district, so that the Canadian public could admire it for the duration of the Games.

Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony

Against the magnificent backdrop of the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium, Beijing’s Opening Ceremony began at 8.08 on 08/08/08 with 2008 drummers, much to the delight of the locals in the audience, given that eight is traditionally a lucky number in China.

The sublime spectacle, which made use of 14,000 extras, retraced 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation. Athletes paraded with their flags, including Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, who held the hand of a child who had been caught up in the traumatic earthquake that had struck Sichuan in May that year.

China’s President Hu Jintao declared the Games open, before the country’s legendary gymnast Li Ning was hoisted by wires towards the Olympic cauldron to light the flame, all the while seemingly running horizontally along the stadium walls.