Opening Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremonies kick off the Olympic Games and serve as the first opportunity for the host country to "show off" for the rest of the world. It is characterized by the ceremonial (and often times elaborate) lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, a visual and musical show, the raising of the Olympic flag , and the Parade of Nations.
The Parade of Nations is a procession of each country's Olympic representatives into the stadium. The first country is always, by tradition, Greece and the rest of the countries enter the stadium in alphabetical order with the exception of the host country who always enters last. Each country is led into the stadium by a flag bearer, usually chosen by his or her fellow athletes, who carries the country's flag around the stadium while the rest of the athletes follow. Countries also take this parade as an opportunity to display traditional, ornate, or stylish outfits to the rest of the world. This has resulted in some incredible successes as well as some fantastic flops and is always one of the most anticipated components of the Opening Ceremonies.
The Parade of Nations is a procession of each country's Olympic representatives into the stadium. The first country is always, by tradition, Greece and the rest of the countries enter the stadium in alphabetical order with the exception of the host country who always enters last. Each country is led into the stadium by a flag bearer, usually chosen by his or her fellow athletes, who carries the country's flag around the stadium while the rest of the athletes follow. Countries also take this parade as an opportunity to display traditional, ornate, or stylish outfits to the rest of the world. This has resulted in some incredible successes as well as some fantastic flops and is always one of the most anticipated components of the Opening Ceremonies.