London, England
1908
1908
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| White City Stadium - host of the Opening Ceremony |
Olympic Ceremony Records
italics indicate records at the time
italics indicate records at the time
- First Parade of Nations by Country in an Official Olympics (originated 1906 Intercalated Games)
- First Playing of the National Anthem at an Official Opening Ceremony (The Star-Spangled Banner was performed in 1904 but it was neither the official National Anthem of the U.S. nor was it an official Opening Ceremony)
- First Parade of Nations to Use a Standard Displaying the Country Name
- First Competitions in Winter Sports (Figure Skating) - These games were split into Summer Games and Autumn Games, figure skating obviously being competed in the later.
- Largest Stadium to Host the Opening Ceremony (68,000) - previous Athens 1896 (45,000)
- Most Athletes Participating (2,008) - previous Paris 1900 (997)
- Most Olympic Events (110) - previous Paris 1900 (95)
Opening Ceremony
White City Stadium (68,000)
July 13, 1908
July 13, 1908
Video
Official Report
(photos of the ceremony at the end of the report)
(photos of the ceremony at the end of the report)
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The London Olympics of 1908 were anticipated to be the greatest Olympics yet. Only the two previous games in Athens were successful; Paris and St. Louis were poorly run and part of the World's Fair. Rome was the city elected to host, but with an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 1906, the games were moved to London. The Opening Ceremony of the 1908 games began the modern tradition and grandiosity of the modern Olympic ceremonies. Even though the stadium seated 68,000 there had been rain all day and only 40,000 spectators attended the ceremony.
- King Edward VII of England arrives with many dignitaries to the Stadium
- The first Parade of Nations by country in an official Olympics began (1906 games are not considered an official Olympic Games). This was the highlight of many of the following Opening Ceremonies as this was in the height of the Nationalist age - which led to WWI.
- The King of England declares the games open
- Trumpeters sounded a fanfare
- Band played the National Anthem
- The athletes and crowd sound three "God Save the King" chants
- The athletes left the field and the first track events began
Photos
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| Gold Medal from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London |
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| Olympic Program Cover from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London |
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| Opening Ceremony of the 1908 Olympics |
1896 1900 1904 Intercalated 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952
1956 Equestrian 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 20141980 1984 1988 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006
2010 2014 2018
1956 Equestrian 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 20141980 1984 1988 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006
2010 2014 2018
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