Highlights of today’s $3.7 billion Olympic opening ceremony
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad begins this afternoon at about 3:00pm (9:00pm in London).
With much pomp and pageantry, the three-hour ceremony has several main elements that have become common among all the Games of the modern Olympics.
• Entry by the head of state
The Head of State, in this case Queen Elizabeth II, will be met at the stadium’s entrance by Jacque Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee.
• Playing the National Anthem
Great Britain’s national anthem, God Save the Queen, will be played as the nation’s flag is raised.
• Parade of the Athletes
Over 10,000 athletes from 204 countries will parade in alphabetical order, except Greece, which traditionally goes first as the birthplace of the modern Games and Great Britain, which goes last as the host nation.
• Symbolic release of pigeons
Real birds were used up until the Seoul Olympics in 1988 when several died from sitting on the edge of the Olympic cauldron. Now, birds are symbolically released after the lighting of the cauldron.
• The Head of State declares the Games Open
Queen Elizabeth II will declare the Games open.
• Raising of the Olympic Flag and playing the Olympic Anthem
• Taking of the Olympic Oath by Competitors
Athletes swear on the Olympic flag and the global torch relay ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, which stays lit until the end of the Games.
• Taking of the Oath by an Official
This will be done for the first time at today’s Games. Following that, a coach from the host country will recite another oath.
• The Artistic Programme
This will feature cultural references and technological innovations of the host nation, Great Britain. Famous British footballer, David Beckham, is said to be a part of the presentation.
