Overview

The Olympic Games, as we all know, have a huge history behind them. Hence, they are held in a particularly distinct manner which we now associate only with the Olympics. Each and every ceremony is based upon a concrete foundation of traditional practices and beliefs.

Even though the cost of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics keeps rising with every passing instance, there has never been a compromise on the traditions.

The Olympic Games basically comprises of three major ceremonies; the opening ceremony, the medal presentation ceremony at the end of each event and the closing ceremony. These ceremonies are held using modern technology and facilities, but render a glimpse of the ancient Olympic Games within them. For example, in the 2004 edition of the Olympic Games in Athens, champions were presented with laurels of olive leaves, the same way in which champions were honored in the ancient games.

There is also a set of regulations that the country hosting the Olympics must follow in regard to the ceremonies. There are certain portions in the opening and closing ceremonies that have been made compulsory by the Olympic Charter. The host country has no right to meddle with the traditions and has to gain the approval of the IOC before going ahead with their programs.

Opening Ceremony

As the name implies, the Olympic opening ceremony is an event which takes place to honor the commencement of the Olympic Games. Traditionally, the opening ceremony starts with the “Parade of the Nations”, in which most of the participating athletes march out, into the stadium, accompanied by other athletes of their respective countries. Athletes are not obligated to take part in the opening ceremony and because of the close proximity of numerous events; many athletes do not participate in it.

There is a certain order followed in the “Parade of the Nations”. All the countries follow the Greek athletes into the stadium and the athletes of the host country bring up the rear. The name of each and every country is announced in French and English, the official languages of the Olympic Games, and in the language that is dominant in the local area.

In some of the recent Olympic Games, some events have commenced before the opening ceremony. Due to the huge number of football teams in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, matches were scheduled to start two days before the opening ceremony.

Medal Presentation Ceremony

The medal presentation ceremony is held at the conclusion of each and every athletic event. Usually, this ceremony is held immediately after the event at the event venues itself. A 3-tiered platform is used to make the champions stand with the gold medal winner standing on the highest tier. The champions are then given their medals by a member of the International Olympic Committee and the flags of their respective countries are raised high. While the flags are raised, the national anthem of the respective country plays in the background.

There are many rules and regulations that an athlete must follow in order to be a part of the medal presentation ceremony. For example, the outfit of the athlete must be approved by the IOC and must be the standard outfit for his/her respective national team.

Closing Ceremony

Unlike the opening ceremonies, the closing ceremonies aren’t governed heavily by IOC mandates. However, it is governed by traditional practices that have been followed for ages. First, the flag bearers of all countries enter the stadium in a line. They are followed by all the participating athletes, who walk in without staying in groups based on their nationality. This mixing of athletes is a tradition that was created in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, when a little 17-year old boy wrote an anonymous letter to the IOC requesting a “bringing together” of all athletes, as one single country.

Other ceremonies like the medal presentation for the men’s marathon are held during the closing ceremony. However, it depends upon the hosting city and the Organizing Committee, when in the ceremony it will be held. Generally, after the athletes enter the stadium, three flags; one of Greece, one of the host country and one of the country hosting the next Olympic Games, are raised into the sky. The Olympic Flag, which was raised during the opening ceremony, is brought down and carried out of the stadium, the Olympic Flame is put out while the Olympic Hymn is played in the backdrop. After the games have officially been declared closed, the host city of the next Olympic Games introduces itself with vibrant music and dance performances.