Move Back
ADVERTISEMENT
Skip
  • Published
    25 Images

    A history of opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games

    As the world anxiously awaits the July 27 opening of the 2012 London Games, here is a look at the past Olympic ceremonies that amazed the crowds. 

  • AP1986OLYMPICS
    April 6, 1896: A view of the audience at the opening of the first modern International Summer Olympic Games held at Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, Greece. 
    read more
  • AP1908OLYMPICS
    July 1, 1908: The commencement of the London Olympics Marathon at Windsor Castle, England. 
    read more
  • AP1920OLY
    August 26, 1920: This photo shows the US contingent leading the athletes in procession at the Antwerp Stadium in Belgium. 
    read more
  • AP1924OLY
    July 15, 1924: Athletes line up on the field and surround French athlete G. Andre while he takes the Olympic oath at Colombes Stadium, Paris, France. 
    read more
  • AP1932OLYMPICS
    July 30, 1932: Athletes march into the Olympic Stadium in Los Angeles, California. 
    read more
  • AP1936OLYMPICS
    1936: In this photo, Nazi leaders speak ahead of the opening ceremonies in Lustgarten in Berlin, Germany. 
    read more
  • AP1948OLYMPICS
    July 29, 1948: Jack Mark carries the Olympic torch during the opening ceremonies at Webley Stadium, in London. 
    read more
  • AP1952OLY
    July 19, 1952: This photo shows the crowd at the Olympic opening ceremony in Helsinki, Finland.  
    read more
  • AP1956OLYMPICS
    Nov. 22, 1956: Teams assemble in Melbourne Stadium for the opning ceremonies of the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia. 
    read more
  • AP1960OLYMPICS
    Aug. 25, 1960: The East and West German team marches into the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Italy. 
    read more
  • AP1964OLYMPICS
    Oct. 10, 1964: Festivities at the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan. 
    read more
  • AP1964OLYMPICS2
    Oct. 10, 1964: The Summer Games kick off in Tokyo, Japan. 
    read more
  • AP1968Olympics
    1968: Athletes and spectators watch the release of balloons in Mexico City, Mexico. 
    read more
  • AP1972OLYMPICS
    Aug. 26, 1972: The opening ceremonies get under way in Munich, Germany. 
    read more
  • AP1972OLYMPICS2
    Aug. 26, 1972: Spectators and athletes enjoy the festivities at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany. 
    read more
  • AP1976OLYMPICS
    July 17, 1976: The scenes of the XXI Olympiad come alive in Montreal, Canada. 
    read more
  • AP1980OLYMPICS
    July 19, 1980: Performers take the field at the Olympic Games in Moscow.  
    read more
  • AP1984OLYMPICS
    1984: This photo shows five-foot high helium balloons being released by performers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in California. 
    read more
  • AP1988OLYMPICS
    Sept. 17, 1988: The Olympic torch towers above Olympic stadium in Seoul. 
    read more
  • AP1992OLYMPICS2
    July 25, 1992: Festivities are under way at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. 
    read more
  • AP1996OLYMPICS
    1996: US Olympians lead the athletes in to the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. 
    read more
  • AP2000OLYMPICS
    2000: Spectators fill the stands at the ceremonies of the 200 Summer Olympics in Sudney, Australia. 
    read more
  • AP2000OLYMPICS2
    2000: Australian runner Cathy Freeman stands under the Olympic torch after lighting the flame at the opening ceremonies in SydneyA, Australia.
    read more
  • AP2004OLYMPICS
    2004: Fireworks explode at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. 
    read more
  • AP2008OLYMPICS
    2008: Performers stun the audience at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Beijing. 
    read more
  • Published
    25 Images

    A history of opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games

    As the world anxiously awaits the July 27 opening of the 2012 London Games, here is a look at the past Olympic ceremonies that amazed the crowds. 

Move Forward
  • A history of opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games
  • AP1986OLYMPICS
  • AP1908OLYMPICS
  • AP1920OLY
  • AP1924OLY
  • AP1932OLYMPICS
  • AP1936OLYMPICS
  • AP1948OLYMPICS
  • AP1952OLY
  • AP1956OLYMPICS
  • AP1960OLYMPICS
  • AP1964OLYMPICS
  • AP1964OLYMPICS2
  • AP1968Olympics
  • AP1972OLYMPICS
  • AP1972OLYMPICS2
  • AP1976OLYMPICS
  • AP1980OLYMPICS
  • AP1984OLYMPICS
  • AP1988OLYMPICS
  • AP1992OLYMPICS2
  • AP1996OLYMPICS
  • AP2000OLYMPICS
  • AP2000OLYMPICS2
  • AP2004OLYMPICS
  • AP2008OLYMPICS