The Olympics is about celebrating the athletes worldwide and providing them with a stage to showcase their talents. However, the hosting countries also put up a show of their culture, creativity, and national pride, making sure this 4-hour-long opening ceremony is as grandeur in nature as possible!
Over the years, the Olympics has grown in every aspect be it popularity, participants, or the size of the event. Another aspect that has seen growth is the ‘Opening Ceremony’ of the Olympics giving a whole new purpose to the countries. Using this they show the world what their country is made of. With the Paris Olympics on its verge, let us take a look at the amazing Olympic opening ceremonies that have marked an impression on us.
Olympic Opening Ceremonies
5. Rio de Janerio, 2016
The Rio Olympics was all about the culture with the opening ceremony taking place at the Marcana stadium. The Redeemer Statue in Rio was lit with special effects by the artist Gaspare Di Caro. The ceremony showcased the native tribes in their traditional clothes performing and syncing with the tribal art showcased through the lights.
What made the celebrations more special was how they managed to throw such a grand event with a budget of just 10% of what was spent on the London Olympics.
Before the Olympic Cauldron was lit by Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, they showcased the beauty of the country which includes the flora and fauna of the Amazon, Indigenous culture, and the Samba.
Link: Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony Full HD Replay | Rio 2016 Olympic Games
4. Los Angeles, 1984
With great sponsorships and a huge load of private money, the Los Angeles Olympics opening ceremony was quite a commercial success. You might have heard the Olympic anthem ‘Olympic Fanfare and Theme’ written by John Williams. Guess what? He made this for the 1984 Olympics.
The 1984 Olympics paid a memorable tribute to American music with a huge parade of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. What made it more special was the Jetpack landing done by Bill Suitor into the stadium. Yes! You heard it right, a Jetpack landing!
Link: Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Opening Ceremony Broadcast #84SummerOlympicsLA
3. London 2012
The London Olympics was all about the achievements of the Britishers that they had incurred like the apt representation of the Industrial Revolution, the founding of the National Health Services, great music, and the literature. With a staggering budget and thanks to celebrity presences like Daniel Cragg and Rowan Atkinson, the opening ceremony’s celebrations were one of a kind. The London Olympics pulled off a majestic opening ceremony showcasing British culture, history, and music!
Link: The Complete London 2012 Opening Ceremony | London 2012 Olympic Games
2. Sydney, 2000
The Sydney Olympics started the 21st century with a banger! They showcased the Great Barrier Reef, its rich flora and fauna, and outbacks in Australia. Along with this, the 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander performance was just the icing on the cake. With such deep historical roots, they managed to give justice to the geographical and cultural landscape of Australia. The ceremony was a memorable journey across the continent.
Link: Sydney 2000 Opening Ceremony – Full Length | Sydney 2000 Replays
1. Beijing, 2008
China with the Beijing Olympics has set some unreal standards. They weren’t shy about showing off their culture and deep historical roots!
Showcasing their incredible music with around 2000 musicians playing the instrument Flou, beautiful fireworks, the presence of global stars like Jackie Chan and Sarah Brightman, and the lighting of the cauldron by gymnast Li Ning running on wires made it the perfect evening for the audience.
Link: Full Opening Ceremony from Beijing 2008 | Throwback Thursday
