The opening of the Olympic Games is a colorful and vivid show, which is a cross between a carnival and a sports show. Traditionally, the national anthem of the country hosting the Olympics is first heard and its flag raised. After that, the parade of sports delegations begins. The team from each country goes in a column, at the head of which is the standard bearer. The honor of flying the flag of his state is given to a usually famous athlete.
According to the tradition, which began at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, the Greek team opens the procession. This is done to highlight its status as the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The team of the host country of the Olympics will finish the procession. The rule was broken only once when the 2004 Olympic Games were held in Athens. Then the Greek team closed the parade of participants, but the flag of Greece was nevertheless carried out first. All other participating teams are in alphabetical order, usually in accordance with the norms of the English language.
When all the sports delegations line up on the field of the stadium, the President of the Olympic Committee of the host country will deliver a speech. Then the floor is given to the President of the IOC (International Olympic Committee). He also makes a speech, and at the end gives the floor to the head of the host country or other high official. It is this person who utters the phrase about the opening of the Olympic Games.
After that, the Olympic flag is taken out to the stadium - a white rectangular panel with five intersecting rings. The orchestra plays the Olympic anthem. One representative each from the athletes and one from the judges swear an oath. Athletes take upon themselves the solemn obligation to compete honestly, without resorting to unlawful methods and means, and the judges, accordingly, vow to perform their duties objectively and impartially, guided only by the rules.
After taking the oath, the time comes for the solemn ceremony of lighting the Olympic flame. The last participant of the relay runs into the stadium with a torch, who is to light the fire. Usually such a high honor is entrusted to a renowned athlete who has achieved great success. After the fire in the Olympic bowl has lit up, it must remain unquenchable until the close of the games.
