Olympics Opening Ceremonies and International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the only authority that governs the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games no matter what country they are held in. Every aspect of the opening ceremonies must be approved by the IOC.

As a matter of fact, the IOC has complete control of all activities associated with the Olympic Games from the first moment until the last. There are those who believe that the host nation is in charge, but it is not.

The protocol of the opening ceremonies begins with the high-placed government official of the host nation going to his appointment place on the tribune and then the competitor's parade starts. The first group of athletes is always those who represent Greece, where the ancient Olympics originated. The last group of athletes is those who represent the host nation. The athletes of the other nations are placed in alphabetical order based on the language of the organizing country.

Each group of athletes is dressed in their official Olympic uniform and is preceded by a shield bearing the name of the country and by an athlete carrying the country's national flag.

The president of the Olympic Committee of the Host Nation makes a welcoming speech. His speech is followed by a speech by the president of the IOC. The IOC president asks the chief of state to proclaim the Games open.

There is a trumpet fanfare as the Olympic flag is raised. A runner enters the stadium carrying the Olympic flame on its last leg of its trip around the world, which began in Olympia, Greece. The athlete circles the track once, and then climbs the steps and lights the Olympic fire. The fire burns throughout the games both day and night.