The Olympic Games is very special and part of what makes them so special is the rituals that we see every time with it. When you watch the opening of the Olympic Games what you might not know is that you are actually watching a ritual that has been done time and time again but they are just being done in a unique way every time. The traditional rituals have changed over the years. Back in the year 1900 when the Olympic Games happened in Paris the winners did not actually receive any kind of medal. In fact, they were awarded gifts like slippers and those gifts would help to prevent injuries or either combs, so a few things changed over the years. The year 1958 was when the Olympic anthem song was adopted officially by the IOC. The music was by Spiros Samaras and Kostic Palamas teamed up and wrote the words. Here are some of the top ten cool traditional rituals that happen in the opening of the Olympics.

10. The Entry

The athletes enter in the stadium along with their delegations. When they enter into the stadium they go in alphabetical order. Greece is the only one that does not go in ABC order because they go into it first. The host country then enters in the stadium last. It’s always very exciting to watch the athletes enter the stadium. Most of the countries enter in with using short names and others might use either alternative or formal names. One example is the Republic of China entered and compromised their flag and name with using “Chinese Taipei” so they would not enter in at the same time with the People’s Republic of China which might have caused conflict. In the reign of Muammar Gaddafi the Libyan Athletes would march under Libya instead of using Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

9. The Declaration

In the opening of the Olympics the declaration is done by the Head of the State from the country that is hosting it. The games then proceed with the president of the Games Organizing Committee giving the address. Once that is completed the speech is then made by the President of the IOC. The Olympic Summer Games 2012 Declaration was spoken by Queen Elizabeth and she opened it with saying “I Declare Open The Games of London.”  Prince Philip accompanied her in the games.

8. Olympic Flag

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After the speech is done by the IOC President the next thing that happens in the opening is that the Olympic flag enters into the stadium. When all of the countries have entered in the stadium and the speeches have been completed plus the Games have been officially decl

ared then the flag is brought in then raised on the flagpole of the stadium. When this is happening the Olympic Anthem starts to play. It is a moment that is very touching and moving.

7. Doves

The first lighting of the cauldron is done and once that is completed the release of the doves happens. This is very important because this is a symbol of peace for the games. Back in the year 1896 this was first done and then it was done in the year 1920. After the year 1920 it has continued to be part of the ritual of the opening ceremony. In the year 1988 at the Seoul Games they tried to release the doves first before the cauldron was done and because of it a lot of the doves actually died and burst into flames.

6. The Oath

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There is one athlete that does the oath sworn and then there is the official that is from the actual host country and also does the oath sworn. The official does it out of respect of the Olympic rules. In the 2012 Olympics the athlete that was chosen to do the Olympic Oath sworn was the Taekwondo athlete Sarah Stevenson.

5. The Cauldron

When the oath is done then the flame entrance and the lighting of the Olympics cauldron takes place. The Olympic Summer Games 2012 decided that the young British athletes who are very promising would light up the cauldron. The torch arrived on the boat that was driven by the famous football star David Beckham.
4. Olympic Flag

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The Olympic Flag is handed over to the Olympic host city which means that the Olympic games continuity. In the 2012 Summer Game Olympics the Mayor of Rio was handed the official Games flag right before the flame was extinguished in the Olympic Stadium.

3. Friendship

The athletes show support of the other athletes and they all gather in the stadium. This also shows friendship. In the closing ceremony the host country’s flag is also raised and the performance is done of the national anthem. The “Parade of the Flags” is a tradition that is done as part of the closing ceremony. The last of the medals is done once all of the athletes have entered into the stadium.

2. Olympic Torch Extinguished

The cauldron lighting takes place 17 days before the Olympic flame gets extinguished. When this happens the games of the XXX Olympiad is closed.

1. IOC President

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The closing of the Olympic games is officially done when the IOC President does the declaration. The IOC President of the Olympic Games 2012 President Jacques Rogge said on Sunday that he felt that the Olympics in London were both glorious and also happy.