9 Iconic Olympic opening ceremonies that left us in awe

During the Olympic season, everyone pulls out their big guns. You’ve got your ambitious athletes eyeing gold, enthusiastic audiences with their self-made banners and flags and, of course, the chosen host country hoping to impress. And what better way to leave a lasting impression than with a show-stopping opening ceremony?

Combining the best of a nation’s infrastructure, technology, culture and heritage, Olympic opening ceremonies celebrate and acknowledge a country’s advances and global impact. While every opening ceremony is special in its own way, there are a few that have turned into instant classics and have us rewatching them every Olympic season.

In light of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games officially beginning on 26 July, we’ve gleaned nine iconic summer opening ceremonies that have made Olympic history.

 

Barcelona (1992)

Barcelona earns its spot on this list because of one standout moment that has to be the coolest method of lighting the Olympic cauldron thus far. In case you need a refresher: Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo shot a flaming arrow into the cauldron and gasps were heard all over the stadium. 10s across the board!  

 

Atlanta (1996)

It was a celebration of the American South (well, the cleaner parts of its history, that is) that had everyone screaming, “Yeehaw!” Think pep rallies complete with marching bands, cheerleaders, pick-up trucks and soulful jives by the likes of Gladys Knight and Celine Dion. But the most striking part of the ceremony was the unforgettable moment when Parkinson’s-afflicted Muhammad Ali was the final torchbearer who had the honour of lighting the cauldron and officially commencing the games. 

 

Athens (2004)

As the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Greece’s opening ceremony could not have been a bigger deal. Luckily for them, this long-awaited homecoming was a brilliant and awe-inspiring spectacle from start to finish. Many will remember the 500,000-gallon lake at the centre of the stadium that revealed the Olympic rings on fire and the mesmerising pageant of Greek gods, mythological creatures, and historical figures that told of the history of Ancient Greece. Did you know the Parade of Nations was also done in Greek alphabetical order? We have to love the creativity!

 

Tokyo (1964)

Tokyo’s opening ceremony was significant in many ways. Not only was it the first host city in Asia but it would also be the first to televise the Games live and in colour via satellite! Audiences all around the world would be able to see the jets skywriting the Olympic rings and the release of 8,000 pigeons and balloons. One of the other key highlights was the appointment of Yoshinori Sakai as the last torchbearer. Known as the Hiroshima Baby, Sakai was born on 6 August 1945, the day of the atomic explosion. He was chosen to symbolise peace and Japan’s future direction as a peaceful world partner after the devastation of World War II.

 

Rio da Janeiro (2016)

Brazil is a country that always packs a punch, whether that be in its food or music. However, as the country was already in an economic recession, event co-director Fernando Meirelles decided that their opening ceremony would be cost-efficient and sustainable. That didn’t mean it was any less exciting. Just looking at the remarkable designs of Amazonian flora and fauna, display of Indigenous culture, and samba performances, you’ll never guess that it only took 10 per cent of London’s 2012 opening ceremony of £27 million! We also loved the look of Brazil’s Olympic cauldron—while noticeably smaller, it stays true to its message of sustainability and cost-effectiveness whilst still looking spectacular. 

 

Beijing (2008)

This list would not be complete without the opening ceremony to end all opening ceremonies. Considered the best Olympic opening ceremony to date, China takes the cake for its sheer scale, grandeur and production. From 2,008 drummers performing in absolute synchronicity, acrobats tumbling on a 60-foot suspended planet, dancers painting across enormous scrolls, and gymnast Li Ning running at the rim of the Bird’s Nest Stadium to light the cauldron, every moment of Beijing’s opening ceremony was pure magic and spectacle.

 

Sydney (2000)

Sydney’s opening ceremony was all about celebrating its Aboriginal community and promoting cultural unity. More than 1,000 Indigenous and Torres Straight Islander performers gave a special welcome to competing nations. Cathay Freeman, the first Indigenous athlete to win an individual gold medal, was also selected as the final torchbearer—but not without drama as a technical glitch left the flame suspended while on its way to the top of the stadium for four full minutes! 

 

London (2012)

Showing their British sense of humour, London’s 2012 opening ceremony riddled everyone with giggles and gasps as British pop culture icons came out of the wazoo! Who can forget Rowan Atkinson’s iconic Mr Bean making a cameo during the London Symphony Orchestra’s performance? And better yet, Danial Craig AKA James Bond and the Queen Elizabeth II getting ready to parachute off a helicopter over the stadium? Consider us gagged, as the Gen Zs would say. Alongside pastoral reenactments of the Industrial Revolution and the founding of the National Health Service, the opening ceremony was the perfect blend of entertainment and emotions.

 

Paris (2024)

Of course, we can’t end the list without giving Paris a mention. Revolution runs in the French’s DNA so we shouldn’t be surprised that the host country decided to do things a lot differently this year. Namely, becoming the first country to take their opening ceremony entirely out of the stadium and into the streets of the city. Athletes paraded with their flags while being carried on boats along the River Seine and large-scale performances took place at multiple historical landmarks such as Notre Dame and Pont de Arts (read more highlights here). While the opening ceremony has received mixed reviews, this has no doubt set a precedent for future host countries to consider opening ceremonies outside of the traditional stadium.

 

For more Olympic 2024 coverage, head here.